South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-06-09
The Missing bridegroom.
No; I don't like him."


John Hammersley's fist fell heavily
upon the table to give emphasis to the
brief sentence. uttered in loud tone.
Margaret, his niece and orphaned
charge from childhood. looked up up.
pealingly. Then her voice. very sweet
and low. made answer: II love him."
'More's the pity" growled her uncle.
why can't you love some one clse?''
just a shy smile. with lurking of
fun in it. for IN answer to this question.
Here's Will Hall been counting 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, and
fall in love with nobody knows who"
IL thought he told You he was q ju-
nior partner in wholesale house."
Told met was the contemptuous
reply; $50 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 curly
headed doll. with hands like girls"
Hes tall and strong. and manly,
too" urged Margaret; "he does not
know any thing about boat or ship.
and his work does not require tarred
hands and coarse clothes; but he is not
effeminate, uncle"
"lIumph. Will Hall ia man flt to
marry a sailors daughter; mate OF a
fine vessel, and making money. IL is
rough to see him thrown overheard for a
chap none ofus had ever seen six months
ago. 1 wish he had drowned before he
came to Brashaw to turn your head"
"Uncle," Margaret said, very earnest.
/ ly. "lf Harry Craige had never come to
Bradshaw, it would have made no differ.
ence in my answer to viii Hall. would
not marry him. i'll had never seen Harry"
A dark, evil face that had been press.
ed close 10 the closed blinds of the room
where this conversation took place was
lifted here for moment, and clench-
ell fist was shaken in the air.
BAH If you had never seen Harry
Craige. you would have married Hall
when he asked you six months ago. II
your fine beau was to &C home again,
you would forget him in six months, and
marry Will. like sensible girl"
! .Margarets iow-spokea but sensible
reply. "Never.' was lost in the snap of
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 very frank expression.
Though Uncle John growled and FUN
ed, Margaret was the very darling of his
heart, and he could never seriously OBJ.
pose any wish of ncrs. SO, while the
cvil-faced man who had listened ut the
window sped over the fields. Harry
Craige pressed his snit till John liam.
merslcy was won TO give his consent to
marriage that was really worldly adj
vantage to his niece.
Consent once gained, Harry pleaded
hard for n speedy wedding. So the bans
were published, and the guests invited.
Mark IIalstead, second cousin of
Margarets, and with disappointed
heart, consented to be groomsman, but
Hall kept aloof, though be met II AIRY
often. and gave him grudging civility.
The wedding day came, and the cot
tnge was decorated for the festivities ar.
ter the marriage. Margaret's wedding
dress was already donned. Tho bride
was waiting, but Harry did not come.
Mark ilalsteat, after whispered con-
sultation with Mr. lIammersley, went to
where Harry had boarded Here lie was
informed that on the previous evening
note had been handed in for Mr.. Craige.
and Immediately afterwards he had driy.
ell away That was all Mark could fini
out that night.
The guests dispersed, Margaret rcfus.
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 child.
hood, and lay there. white as the bridal
dress she wore, shivering and fearless.
And. looking sc her mute misery, John
llammerslcy restrained the torrent Of
indignant words trembling upon his
tongue, and soothed her rs if she had
been an infant
'lle is sick or hurt" the oil man said
In his heart nc added. And if the
false villain is dcceiving my girl. l will
shoot him like dog" But lie had no
opportunity to keep the unspoken Unrest.
a letter was written TO the firm. and
one Of the senior partners came to Bra.
shaw.
1t was some comfort TO heart.broken
Margaret tc hear Of the high esteem in
which Harry was held, aud see the eyi.
dent sorrow of the elderly gentleman
who spoke so warmly Of his partner.
1T IS absurd TO suppose he has run
away said his partner; "he is n man
OF influence in business, and his social
standing Is Of the best and"-bere he
turned TO Margaret-"his love was pure.
honorable and sincere. /, who have
known him from a hoy, know that he
was man who would scorn 10 play with
any woman's heart"
Only apiteOus cry of, where can he
be- 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 ALI about