The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-09-09

"You wonder, probably at not getting let
ter from Mildred. Don't he surprised when
tell you that she has left home and is staying
at Mr.. Affords. Mrs. Kinloch has For . long
time wanted her to marry that hateful Hugh
Branning, and became so violent about il that
Mildred was afraid Of her. Lucy Ransom,
who lived there, ran away short time ago,
very nysteriously. 1t seems that the girl had
stolen something from the house, and, after
Mildred had plumply refused to marry Hugh.
Mrs. Kinloch charged upon her that she had
Induced Lucy to steal the papers or money or
whatever it was. Mrs. Kinloch, acted so like
an insane woman, that Mildred would not
stay IN the house, bnt ran over to Mr.. Affords
with only the Clothes she wore. She passed
by our house, Yesterday and told me this hur-
ridly. have heard. too. that Squire Clamp
is about to marry Mrs. Kinloch, and that he
actually procured the license. It's very
strange affair.
"To fiji out the account Of disagreesble
Ithings,-last evening, in one Of the stores,
people were talking of Lucy Ransom's fate.
Gas they have been for weeks,) when Will
Fenton, the cripple, said, ne guessed Hugh
Branning could tell what had become of her.
If he chose.' Hugh, it seems, heard ofthe re-
mark. and TO. day he went with dandyish
doctor, of the navy, I believe, and beat 'he
poor cripple with horsewhip, most shane-
fully. think this violence has turned suspi-
cion against him.
81 am sorry not to have one pleasant thing
10 say, except that we all love you as warmly
as ever, and hope to bee you soon here. In
deed, Cousin Mark, I dread to write tiff
you don't come soon think you will see father
only on his last bed.
"Good-bye, dear Mark
"Your CousiD,-LIzzIE."
We will waste no time in attempting to an.
alyze Marks conflicting emotions, but follow
him to Innisfeld, whittier he went the same
day. Great as was his desire to see his be-
trothed, from whom he had received no letter
for many weeks, he went first Of all. where
duty and affection called, TO see the dear old
man who had been to him more than father.
Mr.. Hardwick was sitting IN a corner, bat
rose up with a new energy as he heard the
well known voice. Mark was not prepared.
even by his Cousins foreboding letter, to see
such a change as his uncle exhibited ;--.he hol
ow eyes, the wasted cheeks, the bent figure,
the trembling hands, bore painful testimony to
his enfeebled condition. He held both Of
Marks hands in his, and, while his eyes we're
dim in tear-mist, said, with falterinig voice
"B!ess yon, rn-my bov Pm glad to see you
once more. thought might hear my s-sum-
mons before you'd come. You do remember
your old uncle!"
Mark could not restrain himself, but wept
outright. The old gentleman sank into his
chair, still clasping Marks hands. Neither
could speak, but they looked towards each 9th.
er al unutterable tenderness.
At length. controlling the tide of feeling,
Mr.. HaTdwick said,-"D-don't be cast down,
Mark these tears are not b-bitter, but f-full
of JOY. Th.there, now. 60 and kiss your sis
ter and Lizzie"
The girls appeared wiping their eyes. for
they had left the room overpowered they
greeted Mark afectonately, and then ell sat
down about the hearth. Mark told Of his pnr-
suits and prospects. The village gossip about
the lost servant-girl, (of whom Mark knew
something, but had reasons for silence the ap-
preaching marriage Of Mrs. Kinloch, and the
exile OF the heiress from her own home, were
all discussed. After a reasonable time. Ma, X
excused himself and went to Mr.. Affords.
pondering much on the strange events that had
perplexed the usually quiet village. Hereach-
ed the house, after brief walk, and was met
bv Aunt Mercy. the portly mistress. but with
something less than her accustomed cordiali-
ty.
"Miss Kinloch is not able to see company"
she said, 'sand must be excused"
Mark poured fourth torrent Of questions,
to which Mrs. Afford listened, her broad fea-
lures softenIng visibly; and at length, with an
apparent effort, she asked him 'sto come agin
to-mvrrer or the day arter.o
/ The more Mark reflected on Mrs .Alfor;'s
behavior, the more he was puzzled. Had Mil
dred denied him admission? His own be-
trothed refuse to see him! No, ne was sure
she was sick; and besides, she could not have
heard Of his coming. So he soothed himself
1 LUZ he tmPS VI suSptCtou aou JcdiouSy Sill
haunted him at intervals, and more miserable
man than the usually buoyant and sanguine
Mark it would be difficult to find
The next day, as soon as breakfast was over,
Mark, though trying to cheer up his uncle, was
secretly longing for the hour when ii would be
proper to present himself at Mr.. Affords
But time does move, albeit with tagging pace
to lover. anG in due season Mark was on his
way. Near the house he met the farmer, who
greeted him heartily, and wished him Joy with
. knowing smile. Marx took freeI breath |;
If there was any difficulty. Mr.. Afford cer-
tainly did not know it. But then it occurred
to him, that shy young ladi les do not often make
confdants Of elderly husbandmen in long blue
frocks, and his spirits fell again.
Mr.. Afford leaned against fence and
threshed his hands to keep them warm, while
he told Mark that che had been with Mildred
privately out to the Probate Court,--shat the
case had been stated to the Judge, who allow
ed, that, b she was above fourteen, she had
right to choose her own guaraeen,-thst he,
Afford, was to be put in, in place cfthe Squire,