The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1871-04-29


he did not instantly quit the premises.
OF course Tom went; and seeking his
office he threw himself back in chair,
and sat brooding for an hour or more
over the little incident that had disturb
ed him.
Little incident Not little to Tom, on
the contrary it was one of grave import
ance, foreshadowing to him separation
from her whom he loved better than
life. And his thoughts were not the
least bit pleasing.
At length he sprang to his feet, utter
ing a wicked chuckls.
"I'll do it - he muttered half aloud
''Yes, I'll do it. Twill be killing two
birds with one stone. I'll be revenging
myself'on old Norris, and getting Bessie
too. He, he, hep
He had determined upon some pleas
ing measures no doubt; for his face grew
radiant, and the accustomed smile took
the place of the gloomy cloud upon his
brow; and snatching up his hat he has
tlly sought the street.
An hour later, as old Archibald Nor
stood alone in his counting room think
ing also of the event which had SO dis
turbed his equanimity, Sheriff Thorn
ton tapped him on the shoulder and told
him that he was wanted.
"Wantedl What do you mean, sir Z"
the merchant haughtily demanded.
II have a warrent for your arrest" /"
replied that official, shaking folded pa
per under the old mans nose.
upon what charges ?" gasped Archi.
bald, almost overcome with surprise.
"For a breach of the peace; for threat
ening the life ofand actually making an
assault on Thomas Waters, ESD
Come ~ !i!. if.l.t99 u.N
And the astounded merchant, without
Futtering a word, was led away by the
sheriff, and soon had the leisure to med
itate upon and repent of his rash act
between the two stone walls Of a ptis-
on. .r.
While this little event was transpir'
ing, there was another upon the tapis,
and in another portion of tho town.
As soon as Tom was convinced that
Archibald Norris was safely locked up;
and, by the way, he had been closely
watching from a neighboring, he set OIL
at full speed for the merchants house,
Bessie, who was already aware of her
81, ND INN fanp nlrf
him coldly at the door.
"Bessio, darling" he said warmly,
taking her hand, "everything has been
arranged for our nuptials, and the coast
is now clear; will you come with me to
the clergy mans ?" +
Size drew her hand away from him,
coldly replied,
mo, Mr.. Waters, will not. Think
you that would stoop to give my hand
to the man who dared drag my father to
prison as common criminal? No, no,
sir; I'd scorn to do such thing, now
ever well loved him."
"But listen to me, Bessie" cried the
youth, seizing her hand and holding it
fast. "Listen to me, little girl, to what l
should have told you ere this. 1t was
through no ill-will that I did this thing
Your father, you well know, would new
er have consented TO our union; he
would have guarded you so vigilantly
that flight on your part would have
been impossible, ard our only chance
lay in having him out Of the way for a
little while. Hohce my motive for TAX
ing the step have. And as soon as we
are safely married he shall be released.
A word from me and he can be released.
Now you know, darling, what I did it
for"
"But, Tom," she said at length, in
tones that showed that she had greatly
relented, while half-smile lit up her
countenance; "but, Tom, would it not
be wrong in me to take this advantage
of my fathers situation?"
"Wrong, darling onel No, NOT is not
all fair in love-"
eyes," she said laughingly; and forth
with she set about preparing for her
novel wedding.
In another half-hour the twain wers
at the house of the clergyman. A few
of their particular friends, whom Tom
had acquainted with his secret, dropped
in to see them married. And then the
old clergyman called up, and after pro-
nouncing them man and wife, md 'hesn
of one fiesh," he knelt down and invok-
ed the BLESSING of high heaven upon
them, praying that their future lives
might never be overshadowed by the
clouds of chilling diversity, but always
remain bright and harmonious; and
then he dismissed them with h,s own
blessing. ~ :"
Driving to his boarding house, Tom
left his wife in the company of II few la
dy friends, and went out to look after
his imprisoned father-in-law.
When he arrived at the office of the
magistrate who had issued the warrant
he found that Al chibald Norris had al
ready been brought up for trial. @
After speaking few words apart to
the justice, Tom turned to the merchant
and said : fta.,.l
"Sir, at the request ofmy wife, with
draw my complaint against you. You
are free." -N
"Your wife ~ he said, looking hard at
Tom and sneering. t-,a III F.
eyes. / take the pleasure of inform
ing you that Bessie and myself were
married this eveningat three o'clock,
iust.i'