, 1876-07-21

be discourteous or unkind, and her gen
tie manner was accepted as far greater
encouragement than she ever intended
it to be. The Winter was long agony
to her. Her uncle urged Halls claims
at every available opportunity, and the
sailor himself was persistent in his at
tentions. And while her days were
busy, her evenings were YEARLY spent
in uncongenial society. Margaret's
nights were restless and memory haunt
ed. Where was her lover hidden? ?
Where was the dark story of crime writ
ten that carried him from her? She
never doubted him, and she kept his
memory bright in her heart. She did
not hope ever to meet him on earth
again, for she was sure that if he lived
he would return to her, but no other
love should ever obliterate his from her
heart.
A whole year wore away, and Hall
had urged his suit vehemently in the
preceding davs, and Margaret realized g,
with sad heart, that her steady refusal
of his suit WAS alternating her uncle's
affections. He could not understand
this constancy. Why should Margaret
live alone because one man was false or
unfortunate? So he urged, as they sat
in the parlor of the little cottage, and
Margaret listened with dropping head
and hands folded YEARLY.
1 cannot marry, uncle" she said,
gently but firmly; " cannot forget the
only man I ever loved"
The garden gate changed, a step
crunched the gravel, Gnd, without knock
ing, a man in a rough sailors dress,
bearded and bronzed, stood in the door
way. One look, and with cry Margaret
sped to the open arms of Harry Craige.
John Hammersley only stared, till a
CHEEKY voice said:
You see am a sailor-a man after
your own heart"
Bless my eyes where did you come
from?"
"Of the Sea Gull"
WhAling?"
"Yes."
but what possessed you to go off in
that wsy?"
"I will tell you. Sit here beside me,
Margaret. I was shanghaied. Do you
know what that means, my pearl ? Your
uncle does. was drpgged, carried
aboard the Sea Gull, and recovered my
senses when we were out of sight of
land. bound for q years whaling cruise. ="
but who" began John Hammer
sley.
William Hall, was the stern answer.
He told me, Margaret, q. week before
our wedding day, of friend Of his, q
captain of an East Indian vessel, who
had some curiosities that would please
you, and rare shawls and fabrics to
show me also. 1 never thought of
treachery, and when he sent me q note
to meet his friend in the village, I drove
over. Half way on my trip I met Hall,
and took him up. We drove to a small
tavern, and while we waited I drank a
glass of wine with Hall. A numbness
soon seized me, my head grew dizzy, and
I knew no more until I awoke on board
q whaling vessel in the dress of a COM
mon sailor"
1.-THE scoundrel p muttered John
Hammersley.
"I raised pretty fuss at first, Harry
continued, "but it was useless. No
body believed I could pay the sum I
OueT0Q IL bu0y HOu4u CdEEy mo W OLA-
shaw, and I concluded must make the
best of the situation. So, Mr.. Hammer
sley, applied my energies to seaman
ship, and they tell me aboard the Sea
Gull that make a very tidy sailor"
"You are brave lad, u" was the warm
reply, "and I'm heartily glad you're
back and I'm heartily glad of another
thing-and that is, that Margaret's true
love has baf1ed Halls little game. Old
as I am, he had better keep out of reach
of my arm |"
Apparently the bafaed schemer
thought so himself, for he was never
more seen in Brashaw. Two there were
who little cared. The two were married
q few weeks later, and Uncle John
threatened to find wife himself; but
at the last accounts he had failed to do
so, preferring to wait till Margaret's
eldest daughter is old enough to take
her mothers place as housekeeper in
the cottage.