Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-07-20
fnsed all companionship but that of

crept into the strong arms that had
been her protection and shelter from
childhood, and lay there white as the
bridal dress she wore, shivering and
fearless. And, looking at her mute
misery, John Hammersley restrained
the torrent of indignant words tremb-
ling upon his tongue, and soothed
her as if she had been an infant =
"He is sick or hurt" the old man
said In his heart he added. "And il
the false villain is deceiving myigirl,
L will shoot him like dog" But he
had no opportunity to keep the un-
spoken threat.
A letter was written to the firm, and
one of the senior partners came to
1t was some comfort to heart bro
ken Margaret to bear of the high .es-
teem in which Harry was held. and
see the evident sorrow of the elderly
gentleman who spoke SO warmly of
his partner. F
at is absurd to suppose he has run
away" said his partner: "he is man
of influence i'm business, and his soci-
al standing is of the best, and"- here
he turned to Margaret-"his love was
pure, honorable and sincere /, who
have known him from q boy, know
that he was a man who .would scorn
to play with any womaD's heart r
Only a piteous cry OF Where can
he be?" burst from the girls white
| lips. IIa ur-ff
"Had he any enemies here? was the
next stern question. hasa $50
No one knew of any. The frank,
bright nature had won friends all
about him. Even Hall had been seen
in friendly conversation with the
missing man on the day of his disap-
pearance.
Every inquiry resulted in the same
disappointment, till the nine days
wonder died out, and the mystery
was unsolved. 4esta. .H-1 a.n
The faithful heart that loved Harry
kept his image ever closely folded,
grieving silently and in solitude, and
wearily resuming the routine of life.
Every duty of her humble, quiet life
Margaret fulfilled with patient care !;
but her step was slow and weary, her
face pale. and her eyes heavy with
weeping. But her uncle, who loved
her fondly. missed her ripping laugh,
her sweet song, = And it was a deli
cate tribute he paid Margarets sor-
row that he never once hiated to her
that there might be some dishonora-
BILE explanation of her lovers ldisap
pearance. This idea haun ted him.
Since the departure Of the senior
partner OF the firm there was no one
to speak of Harry in terms OF com
mendation, and speculations were
numerous in the village. Awife sec
reilly hidden away, who threatened
exposure, was favorite theory.
Debt was another. Escape from pun
ishment for some crime was third.
But all these theories were kept from
Margaret.
Winter set in. Hall came often to
the cottage. His face was one that
could mask an evil heart with an as
sumption of rough franl<ness, and
seldom had any one seen it as tire
veaIed itself when he listened at the
cottage window He had left the yes
sci, of which he was first mate and
part owner, to go upon long cruise
lwithout,him, aud he employed all his
time in a vigorous pursuit OF his
| courtship. As deeply as he could
love any one he loved Margaret; and
he felt secure OF her hSor until Har-
Try Craige came John Hammersley
favored the sailors suit heartily. and
after Margaret had given her grief its
full swayIfor- three months, she was
I'bidden to @mope'' no longer, but
cheer up, as there was Just as good
fish in the sea as ever were caught.
SO, with her sorrow as deep a., at
4 first, her heart true as. steel. the girl
had to be present when Hall came to
the cottage, and listen to his rough
wooing. Again and again she refused
his presents, his compliments, his Of
tfers.to escort her.here or there. But
the man would not be driven away.
Encouraged by her uncle's liking, he
persisted in spite of Margaret's cool
ness. 1t was not in the girls nature
to be ldiscourteo Gus or unkind, and her
gentle manner was accepted as far
! greater encouragement than she ever
intended it should be The winter
was long agony to her. Her uncle
urged Halls claim at every available
opportunity, and the sailor himself
was persistent In his intentions. And
while her days were busy, the eve
nings wearily spent in uncongenial
Isociety, Margaret's nights were rest
less and memory-haunted. Where
was her lover hidden? Where was
the dark story OF crime written that
| carried him from her? She never