The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-08-13

| shAS So VI AOoA Va uto OOO P3atOo1 eCtS" -
streets He could not do less than bestov
q fairing upon each and be led them to
booth where the ususl Injuries Ct fai
were spread out. At the booth, Will
found his masters daughter with some o
her own acquaintanoes. She was dresset
more gaily than Menie Morrison, and be
face was also fair to look upon, but it want
ed the soul, the charm that glowed in th'
countenance Of the humble orphan. IL haG
long been whispered about the farm-stsad
and at the farm -stsads around il, that mis-
Jean was fond O. Willie Forbes and som'
even said that it was through her partially
he obtained bis stewardship. Menie haG
heard this, and it troubled her; for NOR.
easily than breath moves the down on ,
thistle, will q word move the breast Of {
woman that loves. Miss Jean Accosted ths
young steward for her fairing. "Ye shal
hae that" said Willie, but there's naethine
guild enough here for the like O. you-coms
ava to ane O the shops. So saying, be dis
engaged bis arm from Menie Morrison's .
and without thinking Of what he did, offered
it to his masters daughter, and left Menit
and her friends at the booth. Poor MEMS
stood motionless, q mist seemed to gather
before her eyes, and the crowd passed be
fore her as a dream. eye see how it is, y
observed her companions; nGething herr
guid enough for her If ye speak to him
again, Menie. ye deserve to beg on the
causie ~ Her pride was wounded-hel
her heart was touched cloud fell upon
her affections. Such is human nature that
it frequently happens revenge and love are
at each others elbows
| Aow, Menie was not without other ad-
mrsrs; and it so happened that one Of these
who had more pretenslons to the world 6
goods than Willie Forbes, came up at the
moment, while her bosom was struggling
With bitter feelings. For the 6rst time
Menie turned not away at bis approach.
He was more liberal in bis fairings than Viii
lie could have been. AS the custom then
was, aud in some instances still is, there
were the sounds of music and dancing.
WilIie's rival pressed Menie and her COM
panions to ''step up and hae reel" They
complied, and she accompanied them scarce
knowing what she did.
In few minutes Willie returned to the
booth, but Menie was not there. His eyes
wandered among the crowd-he walked up
and down the streets, but be found her not.
Something told him that be bad done wrong
he had sighted Menie. At length a
''good-natured friend" informed him she
was dancing with young Laird Lister. The
intelligence was wormwood to bis spirit.
He FASTENED to the iancing-rOom, and there
he beheld Menie, ''the observed of all OBJ
servers" gliding among ber rustic compan-
ions lightly as you have seen butterfly kiss
flower. For a moment and be was proud
to look upon her as the queen of the room;
but be saw his rival hand her to a seat and
his blood boiled. He approached her. She
returned his salutation with cold glance.
Another reel had been danced-Willie Of
fered her bis hand for her partner in the
next. "rm engaged" said the hitherto
gentle Menie; "but maybe Miss Jean will
bae nae objections-if there's anything
g,tid enough for her here" At that mo-
ment, Wiliic's rival put his arm through
Menie s-she stood BY bis side-the music
struck up, and away they glided through
the winding dance! Willie uttered short
desperate oath, which we dare not write,
and hurried from the room. But scarce had
be left, till confusion and a sickness of
heart came upon Menie. She went wrong
in the dance-she stood still-her bosom
beaved to bursting-she uttered cry, and
fell upon the floor.
She, in her turn, felt that she ad done
wrong, and, on recovering, left her compan-
ions, and returned home alone. She doubt
ed not but Willie was there before her.
The road seemed longer than it had ever
done before, for her heart was heavy. She
reached bis mothers cottage. She listened
at the door-she heard not Willie's voice !;
and she tremblcd she knew not why. She
entered. The old woman rose to meet her
"Weel, hinny," said she, "hae ye got back
again What sort o fair has there been :
Where is Willie p Menie turned towards
the blink, to lay aside her bonnet, and was
silent. wv hats the matter wi ye, BARN p
continued the old woman "is Willie no
wi We; where is he?'' He is comm, /
fancy" returned Menie and she sobbed
as she spoke "Bairn BARN! there's
something no richt," cried the mother, ''be-
tween ye. Some foolish quarrel, ] warrant.
But tell me what he's done and for send
ing my Menie hame greetin', I'll gle him a
hamecomin' ~ mo, no, It wasna Willie's
fault" replied Menie, "lt was mlne-it
was a mine. But dinna be angry" And
here the maiden unbosomed her grief, and
the old woman took part with her, saying
"Son as he's mine, ye Just served him as he
deserved, Menie" Her heart grew lighter
as her story was told, and they sat BY the
window together watching one party after
another return from the fair. But Willie
was not amongst them; and as it began to
wax late, and acquaintances passed, Menie
ran to inquire of them if they had seen
anything Of Willie; and they shook their
heads and said, "No." And it grew later
and later, till the the last party who left the
fair had passed, singing as they went along;
but still there were no tidings of Willie.
Midnight came, and the morning came, but
be came not. His mother became miserable,
and, in the bitterness of her heart, she up
braided Menie, and Menie wept the more
They sat watching through the night and
through the morning, listening to every
sound. They heard the lark begin his song,
the poultry leap from their rOOst, the cows
low on the milk-maidens, and the plough
man prepare for the field ; yet Willie mad,
not bis appearance. Time grew on till mid
day, and the misery Of the mother and Me.
Mo increased. The latter was still dressed
in the apparel she had worn on the previous
day. and the former throwing on her Sun
day gown, they proceeded to the town to
gether to seek for him. They inquired al
they went along, and from one they re
ceived the information, Il thought l saw
him wi the sogers in the afternoon. Th'
words we're as # lightning had fallen OF