The Lincoln County herald., 1870-10-06

strange taste Of your own. Where will
you find handsomer man ?
"Molly, don't leauge with my father
che cried in hasty way. 4 thought
you would be my friend.
"Well, and ii l am your friend, why
should be against the haudsomest young
lordP What on illigent couple you would
make, it,
">top, Molly she said, and declare
# it wasn't the old lords very way, wh@
he was in earnest. 1t made me stop and
hold my breath. But the tears were in
her eyes, and that broke me down.
"'l know just how it is wid ye,:: ::honey,'
I said, as SOON as could speak. I've
seen how it all goes, and ye needn't be
afraid to tell NE everything. l heard
what tho oald lord, your father said, too,
and If twas wrong to listen, the saints
forgive me, for how could l help it, and
my darlin' in trouble, and no mother to
60 tor
ut was all she wanted. She Just broke
down entirely and cried in my arms.
You see, the colonel saw how things went,
aud insisted on leaving, though before
they parted the whole came out, and she
had promised never to marry any one but
him.
"After that my lady was happier and
young lord Sligo took heart ngnin lie
used all his powers, and not few they
we're l can tell you. He brought her
costly presents, learned to play and sing
was always near her. And then the
play grew earnest. The old lord wanted
them to marry, aud my lady got sorrow.
full and hollow eyed, and never smiled,
only when letters came from him.
"One day she came running to me:
"'He is coming! she said. He has
heard that l am to be married. My
father has sent home my wedding dress
he has set this day week for the cere-
mony. Oh, what shall do? Stop. l
have thought-and she grew very white.
Yes, there is no other way
THE wedding was hurried on. Lord
Sligo would not remain alone with his
daughtcv for one moment, nor would he
trust himself to sec her till they were in
the church.
"My lady came to me when she was
dressed. l never could tell how beauti
ful she looked. Her lips wcro cold as
they touched my check.
"Molly, pray God to give me courage,
she said. little knew what she wanted
courage for, but knew, in timo.
"When she got to the church, you see,
there were very few there, for the we'd
ding was private ono. l was in the gal.
lery, crying as nobody ought to cry a,
such time as that. l felt as if l must
die when she came in, and hid my face,
for II sremod iLo-on -ef the sse-i6cor
that we read Of But, oh what do you
think followed2 Blessed be tho holy
saints ! she said. "No she wouldn't be
married. and then went off in a dead
faint.
"They carried her away, poor darling
and all that day and night we didu't think
there we're hopes Of her; not at all. We
looked to see her die, aud then the old
lord began to think and tako shame to
himself.
swell, poor child, sho was spared, but
only for a new trial. The young lord
having felt sure enough, poor man, had
sent the marriage notice beforehand, and
it was blazoned in all the papers, far and
near. just as If che had been really mar
ried. She never knew it for q long timo
"The colonel didn't como. All oul
trying to find him made no difference
A yoar went by and then another, and
my lady had several beautiful offers, bu
refused them oil. My lord became moro
attached to his daughter than ever, and
needed all her care. He often said tina
he was nightly sorry she could not have
loved her cousin, but I don't think be
fore he died he cared for her to marry at
all.
"My lady was twonty .eovcn when th'
old lord died, and more beautiful tha,
ever. He was great loss, for he hat
grown very gcntle and pious. We missed
him, sorely, and my lady mourned TO
him as truly ss ever saw the loviuges
child grieve for the beat Of fathers.
"WeIl, we were alone in the great cas-
tie, now, and my lady had plenty to dc
overseeing the tenants aud managing tn
estates. Then she wrote most Lowell,
stories and always came end road them I
me. got to delight in such quiet life
and so, I'm quite sure, she did.
"And bless me. child" cried oil
Molly, as I glanced up suddenly, 18th
look Of my lady, who was your gres
aunt, came into your face that minute.
laughed at old Molly, but at th
same time could not conceal my pleasur
at the compliment.
"'One day, resumed the little ol
. woman, my lady received letter. He
face grew sudden white ss q sheet, and
, ran up to her, for thought her falliul
never saw any one look 90 strange, q
she read, her eyes quite fixed.
Q "'Molly, do you know who this lette
= is from p she asked, in strange voice.
"'The colonel. ssid l.
. 40 m. no. indead.' and then q spasl