Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-06-08
The Missing Bridegroom.
No. don't like him.


John Hammersley's fist fell heavily
upon the table to give emphasis to the
brief sentence, uttered in a loud tone.
Margaret, his niece and orphaned
CHARGE from childhood, looked up ap-
uealingly. Then her voice, very sweet
and low, made answer:
Il love him.
sMore's the pity growled the uncle.
why can't you love some one else"
Just shy smile, with lurking ol
fun in it, for answer to this question.
Here's Will Hall been courting you
ever since you were baby; and Mark
Halstead would give his eyes for you;
both smart young sailors. NO; you
must turn up your nose at them, ana
fall in love with nobody knows who:
Ithought he told you he was Junl-
or mariner in a wholesale house,
.rold mel was the contemptuous re-
rlv: so he did. And you love him?
Now. here you've lived all your life on
the sea.coast, amongst strong men,
and YOU set your heart on pretty cur.
Iv.headed doll with hands like girls.
sHe's tall and strong, and manly, too,
urged Margaret; he does not know
ANYTHING about boat or ship, and
his work does not require tarred hands
and coarse clothes; but he is not effem-
mate, uncle
sHumph! Will Hall is man fit 10
marry a sailors daughter; mate of a
fine vessel, and making money. Il is
r,uoh to see him thrown overheard
for chap none of us had ever seen six
months ago. wish he had drowned
before he came to Brashaw, to turn
your head
sUncle,' Margaret said, very earnest
lv. sif Harry Craige had never.come to
Rrsshaw. it would have made no diff
terence in my answer to Will Hall.
would not marry him, ii l had never
seen Harry
A dark, evil face that had been press
ed close to the closed blinds OF the
room where this conversation took
nIace was lifted here for moment, ahd
= r enched fist was shaken in the air.
.Rah! If YOU had never seen Harry
Craipe. YOU would have married Hal
when he asked you six months ago. L
your fine beau was to go home again
you would forget him in six months
snd marry Will, like sensible girl
Margaret's low-spoken but sensible
reply. .Neverp was lost in the snap o
the garden gate, suddenly closed, ano
the rap on the cottage door.
Ihe listener skunk around the corner
of the house, ami 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 ano
fumed, Margaret was the very darling
of his heart. and he could never seri
ously oppose any wish OF hers. 30
while the evil-faced man who had lis
tened at the window sped over the
fields, Harry Craige pressed his sui
till John Hammersley was won to give
his consent to marriage that wa;
really worldly advantage to his niece
Consent once gained, Harry pleadeo
bard for q speedy wedding. so the
bans were published, and the guests
invited.
Mark Halstead, a second cousin o
Maryaret:s, and with disappointed
heart. consented to be groomsnan, bu
Hall kept aloof, though he met Harry
often, and gave him grudging civllty
The wedding day came, and the cot
tage was decorated for the festivities al
ter the marriage. Margaret's wedding
dress was already donned. The bride
was waiting, but Harry did not come
Marx Halstead, after a whispered
consultation with Mr.. Hammersley
went to where Harry had boarded
Here he was informed that on the pre-
yious evening note had been handed
in for Mr.. Craige, and Immediately at
forwards he had driven away. Thai
was all Mark could find out that night
The guests dispersed, Margaret refu
sing ali mpanionship but that OF hel
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 anu
fearless. And, looking at her mute
misery, John Hammersley restrained
the torrent of indignant words trem'
bling upon his tongue, and soothed heI
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 adog.' 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. tlf.
III was some comfort to heart-broken
Margaret to hear of the high esteem In