The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-01-01
Selett DALE.
.REVENGED.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

The old farmhouse kitchen was fright
with the red shine of balsam-od pine
logs, ana gay with rows on rows of brightly
secured tins, while on the dresser stood a
h.oken pitcher of white aud red chrysan
snen,ums, the last blossoms If chill No
,embe!, and Gracia Melton WAS sitting
demurey at her knitting, when dark
complexIoued, staiwart young mau entered
from the frosty sunset without The no
ment she looked into his eyes she started
up once more,
John! what is the matter!"
Matter Gracial nothing, only that
Pierre MarkIey's malice dogs me every
where cannot have the Hill Farm"
"Not have it Why mott"
Because Ma'k'ey has represented to the
,"tpr that | am not a respousIbe tenant
Ael | made up IN, mind 10 lr, fai the
lace at the crossroads. when you reme,n
oer ! could have by paying five hundred
dollars and giving mortgage of the rest. "
"Welli' said Gracia, breathless with iu-
terest
81 went to Squire jefferson to borrow
the money-you know haven't much OF
my own be!orehand-but Ma kley had
been there before me, and the old man
harshly refused the favor Now, Giacia,
what Am to do2 We cannot be ma,rei
until have a home to shelter you, and, it
it rather hard that honest poverty and II
virdctive mans malice should darken the
happiness of our Two lives"
Grscis sat thinking, uuconsciousy twist
ing the thread Of blue yarn round and
re und her finger.
"And Pierre Msrkicy hate, YOU simply
because---'
"Becanse, dearest, you bave promised to
be my wife after rejecting his offer"
"I'II tell you wha, to do, John,' said
Gracia starting up with sudden roses bios
soming or either cheek. "l'll ask uncle
Miles to let us Lave one of bis farms out
'Vest--hel do anything l ask, and we'll
begin the world anew, where Pierre Mark
Icy sulen hatrel can never follow you!'
"But, Gracia, will you be willing to leave
home and friends, to share my uncertain
fortunei"
She put her little hand confdingly into
the broad palm that lay on the table, and
leaned her cheek against John Erskns's
shoulder.
al would 60 with you to the worlds end,
Johnp
The young mans eyes sparkled with
proud happiness as he looked down irto
ths sweet face that was to be his guiding
star through the worlds tangled path!
"Gone West, have thsy9" muttered
Pierre Markley, sitting alone in the luxuri
ous elegance of his stately home. 81 vowed
never to rest until | had driven John
Erskine from his native village, and my
'ow is accomplished, Who was he to come
between ME and the woman l loveds And
o think that Gracia Melton was mad
nough to follow him to the uhtrodden
wilderness of a now couutryT
Would you have known the pretty Gracia
Melton of twenty years ago in that bloom
ne lnatrou whose dress of cinnamon. brown
ilk with rare Valenciennes lace at the
froat and wrists, becomes her pr'ms Of
oauty so exqulstll ! scarcely--you would
ave turned instnctivey to the pretty girl
f sixteen who is now SO exactly VIII
4racia used to be- in the days of the farm
ouse kitchen with its rows OF gl'ttering
ins and its vase of chrysanthemums. The i
ases are painted china now, and Gracia {
las her own dollhouse of rare flowers, while :
he "tins" have been TRANSMITTED by some !
age alchemist to setYices Of chased silva, l
For Johr Ershne has prosperei and grown l
ich in bis Western home! I
"Fapa is late to- night" said Grscia, look 6
,g at tho gilded clock ON the mantsl; cit
J nearly eight" Il
The words we're vet trimbling on her lip, c
then the door opened, and John E~kins !
ntered-gray-haired now, though he was t
ot fifty. yet with healthy bloom on bis !
heeks. i
aCono here, Gracia," he said to bis wife, t
l wish TO speak to you alone" t
She followed him into the brightly light 7