Year: 1873

consequent upon the injuries he had re-
ceived. For time life and death hung in
the balance, which preponderated almost
hopelessly in the direction Of the latter
but careful nursing and good constitution
turned the scales favorably, and when he
became convalescent he rallied more speed
lily, taking his age into consideration, than
the most sanguine hopes had anticipated.


1t was nearly six months before he was
able to leave his sick chamber, and, for
change of scene, to hobble with the aid of
crutches into his sitting-room and library.
During all his confinement Clara had been
"ministering angelo indeed to him, assid-
uous in her attentions, and by her constant
care anticipating his every wish. If it had
been possible to more closely cement the
hearts Of uncle and niece, the intercourse
and experiences Of that sick room most
surely perfected the union.


Mr.. Winthrop had explained to Clara all
the circumstances relating to his watch
being in Peabody's possession, and was
never tired of eulogizing the latter's con-
duct at the time of the disaster, and Of
acknowledging the obligations under which
he rested to him, insisting that but for the
aid he rendered, his life would have been
sacrificed. To all this you may be very
sure Clara lent not an impatient or unwil-
ling ear.


! She had mentioned to her uncle the cir
cumstance of her meeting with Mr.. Peabody
in the cars and of the suspicious which the
sight of his watch had raised in the mind
of Edward Perham. She frankly acknowl-
edged how strongly from the first she was
prepossessed with the former, nor did she
Withhold the fact that she had defended
him when the latter avowed his belief that
he had stolen the watch. The old gentle
man cordially commended her for SO doing,
and was highly indignant that any one
should mistake the young man for rogue,


Perham had been absent from the city
most of the time of Mr.. Winthrop's con-
finement. When in town he had called
two or three times on Clara, who, glad of
the pretext excused herself from seeing
him on the plea of being engaged in attend


ing on her uncle. On his last visit he sent


word to her that he was on the eve of leav-


ing town for time, and wished particu-
larly to see her but surmising his object,


Clara was more particularly bent on not


seeing him, and was obdurate in refusing
him an interview


In former years, during his frequent
absences, Perham had been in the habit Of


occasionally writing to her, although Clara


never encouraged the correspondence /; but
of late no letters had passed between them,
, and she had hoped that the correspondence
would not be renewed. 1t was greatly tc
her surprise, therefore, that she one day
received letter addressed in his well


known handwriting. But she was vastly
: more surprised at its contents.


The letter commenced with reiteratior


of his love for her, and ended with 9


formal proffeI of his hand. The former


he had frequently manifested more plainly
than was agreeable to her, but this was the
> first time he had made an outright PROPOSE
ton for marriage. There was something
in the phraseology Of the letter which irri


tated Clara and yet provoked smile. Il


evinced ridiculous assurance Of the favor
D able reception of his suit, at least, SO il
struck Clara, while the offer was made as
If he was comforting rather than seeking a


favor.


A scornful flush passed over Clara's fact


as she finished the perusal of the letter
0 and tossed it somewhat contemptuously
J aside, which BODIED any bat favorable re-
4 joinder to the offer it contained.
, :" The letter seems to disturb you; what
S is it, my child P' said Mr.. Winthrop, who
! sat opposite to her comfortably bolstered


in his sickchair and who was struck with
a the effect produced by the letter.


Clara had no secrets from her uucle, but
Y she hesitated moment before replying to
: his remark. She had received the impress
5 the addresses Of Perham, although not 4


word had passed between them ON th,
! subject.


"Will you please read it, uncle ?'' she
5 said, taking the letter from the table and
passing it TO him.


) The old gentleman put on his spectacles
. and read the letter through. ve
"The young man seems TO be very conf
dent" said Mr.. Winthrop, with a grave
J smile, as he handed back the letter. Have
! you given him any reason for being SO %
Say presumptuous, uncle p was the
Y quick reply; "Do sir, have not"


And ] am very glad TO hear you say so,