, 1876-07-21

and marry Will, like a sensible girl"
Margaret's low-spoken but sensible
reply, " Never !" was lost in the snap Of
the garden gate, Suddenly closed, and
the rap on the cottage door.
The listener skunk around the corner
Of the house, and sped away. But the
visitor entered the cottage, and greeted
uncle and niece. A tall, handsome man,
with a very frank expression.
Though Uncle John grOwled and
fumed, Margaret was the very darling
Of his heart, and he could never seri-
ously oppose any wish of hers. So,
while the evil-faced man who had list
cned at the window sped over the fields,
Harry Craige pressed his suit till John
Hammersley was won to give his con-
sent to a marriage that was really a
worldly advantage to his niece.
Consent once gained, Harry pleaded
hard for a speedy wedding. So the
bans were Published, and the guests in
vited.
Mark Halstead, a second cousin of
Margarets, and with a disappointed
heart, consented to be groomsman, but
Hall kept aloof, though he met Harry
often, and gave him grudging civility.
The wedding day came, and the cot
tage was decorated for the festivities af-
ter the marriage. Margaret's wedding
dress was already donned. The bride
was waiting, but Harry did not come.
Mark Halstead, after whispered con-
sultation with Mr.. Hammersley, went
to where Harry had boarded. Here he
was informed that on the previous even
ing q note had been handed in for Mr.
Craige, and Immediately afterwards he
had driven away. That was all Mark
could find out that night.
The guests dispersed, Margaret refus-
ing all companionship but that of her
uncle.
When they were alone together, she
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 trem-
bling 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 if the
false william is deceiving my girl, will
shoot him like q dog" But he had no
opportunity to keep the unspoken
threat.
A letter was written to the firm, and
one Of the senior partners came to Bra
shaw.
1t was some comfort to art-broken
Margaret to hear of the high esteem in
which Harry was held, and see the evi-
dent sorrow of the elderly gentleman
who spoke so warmly of his partner.
Z" 1t is absurd to suppose he has run
away" said his partner; he is a
man Of influence in business, and his
social standing is of the best, and"-
here he turned to Margaret his love
was pure, honorable and sincere. 1,
who have known him from q boy, know
that he was q man who would scorn to
play with any woman's heart"
Only q piteous cry of, "Where can
he beF' burst from the girls white lips.
"Had he any enemies here ?" was the
next stern question.
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 disappearance.
Every inquiry resulted in the same
disappointment, till the nine-days' won
der died out, and the mystery was un-
solved.
The faithful heart that loved Harry
kept his image ever closely folded,
grieving silently and in solitude, and
YEARLY 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 rippling laugh, and sweet
song. And it was q delicate tribute he
paid Margaret's sorrow that he never
once limited to her that there might be
some dishonorable explanation of her
lovers disappearance. This idea haunt
ed 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 nu-
merous in the village. A wife hidden
secretly away, who threatened expos
ure, was a favorite theory. Debt was
another. Escape from punishment for
some crime was q 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 assumption
of rough frankness, and seldom had any
one seen it as it revealed itself when be
listened at the cottage window. He had
left the vessel, of which he was first
mate and part owner, to go upon a long
cruise without him, and he employed
all his time in a vigorous pursuit of his
oourtship. As deeply as he could love
any one, he loved Margaret and he
fell secure of her favor until Harry