Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-06-24


man. | am thrty-two years of age. l
don't know how to flattcr like some folks.
and have hal very little book learning to
speak of But, my dear. i love you; and
though don't pretend that you arc the
first girl ever fancied. l can truly say that
you are the first that / ever cared to make
my wife. SO, if You'll take me, such as |
am. III he true husband to You as long as
live"
What answer she made. or whether she
spoke at ALL is more than ! can undertake
to tell. for my ideas were all confused, and
/ only remember that kissed her. and felt
very happy, and that, when Mrs. Morrison
came into the room, she found me with my
arms clasped round my dalling's waist.
| scarcely know when it was that first
noticed the change III John Grifliths; but.
that it was somewhere about this time,
am tolcrably certain. 1t is hard to put
looks into words, and TO make account Of
trihes that, after all, are matters of feeling
more than matters of fact; but others saw
the change as well as myself. and no one
could help observing that he grew to be
moro silent and unsociable than ever He
kept away from home as much as possible
Hcspent all his Sundays out. starting away
the first thing after breakfast, and not com
ing back again till close upon midnight
even put an end to our old friendly custom
of walking home together after our nights
work was over, and joined a sort of tap
room club that was kept up by dozen or
so Of idle fellows, belonging TO the theatre.
Worse than this. he scarcely exchanged n
word with me from morning till night, even
when we were at meals lie watched me
about the room as if hal been a thief
And sometimes, though | am sure l never
wronged him willingly in my life, caught
him looking at me from nn,ler those black
brows of his as if he hated me.
More than once laid my hand on his
sleeve as he was hurrying away on Sundays,
or turning off towards the club-room at
night, and said, "Griffiths, have you any
thinS against me?'-or, "Grifliths, won't
you come home to friendly glass with me
tonight" But he either shook me off with
out a wor'l. or muttercd some sulky denial
that sounded more like curse than civil
answer; so | got tired of peace making at
last, and let him go his own way and choose
his own company.
The summer was already. far advanced.
and our engagement at the Belvidere had
well nigh ended. when began to buy fur
niture, and Ally TO prepare her wedding
things. Matters continued the same with
John Griffiths, but. when the day was fix
ell. made up my mind to try him once a
gain, and invite him to the church and the
dinner. The circumstances of that invita-
tioB-aYc Ms ciear.in my memory rs if the
whole affair had taken place this morning,
1t was on the Goth of July, | am partic-
ular about ,latcs. and there had been a
general call to rehearsal at ono clock that
day. The weather was warm and hay,
aud started early that might not go in
late or tired; for knew that, what with the
rehearsal and thonew piece. aud the Ter
rifle Descent. / should have enough to do
before my days work was over. The con-
sequence was that l arrived about twenty
minutes too soon. The gardens had
dreary look by daylight; but they were
pleasanter anyhow. than the theatre; so 1
loitered up and down among the smoky
trees. and watched the walters polishing
the status off the tables in the summer
houses. aud thought how shabby the foun-
tains looked when they were not playing,
and what miserable gim-crack concerns
were the Stalactitc Caves and the Cosmo-
ramic Grottos, and all the other attractions
which looked so fine by the light of colored
lamps and fireworks.
Well, just as / was sauntcring OIL, turn
ing these things over in my mind, whom
sho-ld see in one of the summer houses
but John Griffiths. lie was lying forw ard
upon the table with his face resting on his
c'asped hands. sound asleep. Anempty ale
bottle and glass stood close beside him,
and his stick had fallen near his chair
L could not be mistaken in him, SO | went
mp and touched him smartly on hc should
er.
"a fine morning, John?" says 1. al
thought | was here early; but it seems that
you were before me, after ALL"
He sprang to his feet at the sound of my
voice, as if he had been struck, and then
turned impatiently away
"What did you wake me for?''' he said,
sullenly.
Because have news to tell you. You
know that the sixth of August will be our
last night here. We'll, mate, on the sew
enth, please God, I'm going to be married,
and
Curse you'll he interrupted, turning a
livid face upon me, and an eye that glared
like tigers. Course you! How dare
you come to me with that tale, you smooth
faced hound?-to me, of all men living?"
l was SO little prepared for this burst Of
passion, that l had nothing to say; and SO
he went on:
why can't you let me alone? Why do
you tempt me for? I've kept my hands
lie paused and bit his lip. and saw that
he was trembling from head to foot. l
am no coward-lt's not likely should be
Patagonian Brother if / was--but the
sight Of his hatred seemed to turn me gid
dy.
my Godt' said /. leaning up against
the table, what do you mean? Are you
mad?"
He made no answer; but looked straight
at me, and then walked away. / don't
know how it was; but from that moment l
knew all. 1t was written, samehow, in his