The Portland daily press., 1875-06-02

to the Bahamas; and that the pills and pow
ders stand in the way of it,"
''Just so. Is he a good fellow, this par
son?'
Good inside. Not much to look at.
"Maggie shall go with him then. ! should
be the last to stand willingly in her way.
You see, 1 have not known whether it was
safe for me at Timbeldale; or should never
have left Maggie to the shop alone. Does
any one know of the past-my past, except
you and the Squirrel"
s.Yes, Herbert Tanerton knows of it; and
land the curate, Mr.. Sale" And l told
him what had passed only on the previous
day. Ben's mouth fell as he listened.
cit is another modification for me-" he
said. 81 should like to have stood as well as
might be with Margarets husband. Per-
haps, knowing this, he will not think any
more of her."
II don't believe he will let il make any
difference. l don't think he is the man to
let it. Perhaps-if you were to go to him.
and show him how straight things are with
you now-and-"
. broke down in my hesitating suggestion.
Ben was years older than /, miles taller and
broader, and it sounded like the mouse at
tempting to help the lion.
Eyes, l will 60 to him." he said slowly.
"It is the only plan. And-and you THINK
there's no fear of Herbert Tanerton"'
"Pm sure there's none. He is indoors now,
dining with us. am sure you are quite sale
in all respects. Lee, you know, the old post
man, thinks it was Cotton; the Squire per-
suaded him into the belief at the time.
Where is Cotton?"
I. "Where al, such rogues deserve to be
TRANSPORTED. But for him and his friends, L
should never have gene wrong. Thank you
for the encouragement you glVe."
He half put out his hand, to endorse the
thanks, and drew it back again; but put
mine freely into his. Ben Rymer was Ben
Rymer. and no friend of mine to boot; but
when man has been down and is trying to
get I'D again, he deserves respect and sympa-
thy; u,. ouo.;nn ,onino
to get sight of you," he remarked, as he went
out at the gate never saw such hght
nights in all nv life as these last few have
been, what with the moon and the snow.
Good night, Mr.. Johnny"
Ben Rymer was striding toward Timber
dale. and arrived at the curate's Lodgings.
Mr.. Sale was at home. Ben sat down by HIM
and made clean breast of everything; his
Temptation, his fall, and his later endeaVors
to do right. -,
Please God, shall get on in this world
noW,'' he said, sand, think, make name
in NV profession. 1 don't wish to boast-and
time of course will alone prove it-but be-
lieye 1 have a special aptitude tor surgery.
NV mother will be my care now; and Marga-
ret-as YOU are good enough to say you still
wish for her-shall be your care in future.
There are few girls so deserving as she is"
~ know that" said the curate. And ne
shook Ben's hand upon it heartily as though
it had been duke royals.
1t was close upon ten when Ben lett MN
Mrs, Rymer about that same time was MAX
inc her usual preparations before retiring
namely, putting her curls in paper by the
parlor fire. Margaret sat at the table reading
the Bible in silence, and so trying to school
her aching heart. Her mother had been
cross and trying all the evening.
'sWhat are syou crying forT' suddenly
demanded Mrs. Rymer, her sharp eyes see
ing tear fall on the book.
"For nothing,,' family replied Margaret.
s:Nothing! DON'T tell me. You are frz
cling your bones over that curate, Sale. I'm
| sure he's beauty to look at
Margaret made no lejoinder; and Just then
| a loud ring came to the outer door. Such
| late summonses were not unusual; they gen.
| erally meant prescription to be made up.
| While the maid went to the door, Margaret
closed the Bible, dried her eyes, and rose to
| be in readiness.
| But instead of prescription there entered
Mr.. BENJAMIN Rymer. His mother stood
up. staring, her hair mass of white cork
screws. Ben cIasped Margaret in his arms
and kissed her heartily.
"My goodness me!' cried Mrs. Rymer
Is it you, Ben ?"
| +" Yes, it is, mother" said Ben, turning tc
her. Maggie, dear"
| " But what ON earth have you come tor In
this startling way?" demanded Mrs. Rymer
Il don't believe your beds aired"
| "Pll sleep between the blankets-the besl
place tonight. What have l come for? yoU
ask, mother; have come home to stay"
= Margaret was gazing at him, her mild eyes
wide open, a spot of hectic on either cheek.
'For his sake, Maggie" he whispered, put
! ting his arm round her waist, and bending
his great red head (but not so red as his
mother's) down on her. 81 shan't much
| like to lose you, though, my little sister. Ihe
Bahamas are further off than l could have
wished" -,
And, for answer, poor Margaret, what with
| one thing and another, sank quietly down IL
| her chair and tainted. Ben strobe into the
| shop-as much at home amid the bottles as
| though he had never quilted them-and
| came back with some sal volatile.
They were married in less than month
| The rector was ailing as usual, or said he was
and Charles Ashton came over to perform the
ceremony Margaret was in plain things
they were to go away from the church door
and the boxes were already at the station
Ben gave her away, dressed well, for once
and there was no bridesmaid. And after {
day or two spent in a seaport town they
| were to sail from, RECALLING their eyes with the
ships crowding the water, Rev. Isaac Sale
| and his wife embarked for their future home
| in the Bahama Islands.