The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-03-24
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
1t wanted but three weeks of the day fixed
for the marriage, when John, going one even
ing rather later than usual to the Fernies
cottage, found seated there in the most
friendly way, conVersing with Lima, smart
young clerk out for holiday, whom Lima
told her lover she had known at her uunt's
in London. The clerk was good looking,
conceited young sprig, who evidently had
comfortable assurance Of his own personal
attractions. He called Lima, Linny, and
made hundred illusions 10 past events and
amusements, while John sat by chafing and
CALLED at his impertinent familiarity, which
Lima had no notion of checking. To do the
young city clerk injustice, he had no idea
whatever, that the ponderous young mason,
who was SO slow in speech and heavy of
step, could be wooer Of Linny, whom he
thought of seriously for husel!; and gave
him several broad hints that his room would
be more acceptable than his company. But
John stayed persevering on, until Lima con
trived him an errand to the top of the village,
and sent him away, whether or no.
"Who is that ficry.faced clown, Linny T.
He lords it over you finely /" lisped the
genteel clerk. -.
Lima colored and stammered. She was
ashamed to acknowledge John before thi:
yourg spark; who despised far better man
than himself.
30 he is a mason. He works with nv
father" said she.
There was fine bush Of monthly-roses
trailing over the cottage walls, from which
Lima always culled few to embelish her
workable: 1t happened that some hat
been newly. gathered that afternoon, and she
had taken one out OF the cup and was playing
with it while John was in the cottage. Whel
John came back from the errana on whicI
she had dispatched him, the rose had chang
ed its place from her fingers to the city clerk
button. .hole-a trunsferance which caugh
his jealous eye in moment. He gave he
glatice, to which she replied with one o
eoduettish defiance and, as the young strur
ger presently went away and left them TO
gether, he began to be very angry.
# tell you what, John Harland," retorte'
she passionately, elf you had not got m,
word, Id never marry you. l like Ton
Freeling's little finger better than you
whole body ~ Johns eyes blazed, and b.
dashed away from the cottage in fury =
The heartless girl had quite warped his hon
est manly nature. He scarcely knew wha
he did for the next hour or two.
1 1t was late when he arrived home, and hi
mother was sitting up for him. 1t had begun t
rain, and distant rumble OF thunder echoe
in the sky. Mrs. HarlaDd got up from he
chair to bolt the door when he came in bu
} he impatiently forbade her, as he was goin
out again very early in the morning. Sh
asked where he was going to; but as h
seemed not to hear, and did not reply to he
question, she said further "Need sit u
Johnny, I'm tired with washing to-day ?'-
He seemed startled by her weary tone, an
turned round to kiss her. This touch {
now unusual tenderness quite broke dow
, the old mothers reserve. so John, John
you've not been iAe yourself lately VIII,
ails you what's amiss ?" and she hun
about him affectionately. He put her quie
ly aside, after minute or two, and babe he
60 to bed.
Long befofe daylight John was ready. H
, took down gun that hung over the chime.
8 deliberately cleaned it, loaded it., and col
cealing it partially under his coat, he left Il
0 house stealthily, aud set off ON the high.rot
t to Bartinglas. His counter ance was wicke
3 and deadly under the cloud Of night. b
d no one met him ; no one saw him TO suspe
: on what evil errand he was bound. He hi
;. heard the young clerk say to Lima, out in Il
Q garden, before they parted: '"Early t
). morrow morning I'm going over to Bartin
: las. Meet me there at noon, Linny, oil
we'll have q walk in the wood without tn
D spying fiery.faced clown to watch US ~
9 "Hush, he'll hear ~ was Lina's response
and, on the instant, there was a devili'
n thought in Johns head. "Pll spoil yo
Q meeting. I'll spoil your meeting. I'll
II beforehand with you, my fine gentleman
q you shall not ridicule me to Lima again 4"
r As he walked, the rain continued to strea
b down in torrents. When he came to Ii
y tie thick copse. BY the roadside, be hid hir
. self amongst the trees. There was parti