Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-07-20
Select Story.
The Missing Bridegroom.

<<OS NVA INV htfAts
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 ap-
pealingly. Then her voice, very
sweet and low, made answer:
II love him.
@More's the pity growled her un-
cle- why can't you love, some one
else?" ai@
Just shy smile, with a lurking of
fun in it, for an answer to this ques
ton 400 -
Here's Will Hall been counting
you ever since you were a baby; and
Marx HaIstead 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"
II thought he told you he was a
junior partner in wholesale house. >
@Told mel" 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 a
pretty curly headed doll, with hands
like dolls."
Hes tall and strong, and manly,
too" urged Margaret; Ahe does not
know anything about boat or a
ship. and his work does not require
tarred hands and coarse clothes; but
he is not effeminate, uncle"
~Humpl Will Hall is a man fit to
marry sailors daughter, mate of a
fine vessel, and making money. 1t is
rough to see him thrown overheard
for a chap none of us had ever seen
six months ago. / wish he had
drowned before he came to Brashaw
to turn your head"
"Uncle," Margaret said, very ear
nestly. "if Harry Craige had never
come to Brashaw, it would have made
no difference In my answer to Will
Hall. / would not marry him il 1 had
never seen Harry" ....
A dark, evil face that had beer
pressed close to the blinds of the
room where this conversation took
place was lifted here for moment
and clenched fist was shaken in the
air.
~Bahi III you had never seen Har
ry Craige, you would have married
Hall when he asked you six months
ago. If your fine beau was to &C
home again, you would forget him in
six months, and marry Win. like q
sensible girl"
"Margaret's low-spoken but sensi
bic reply, @Neverl" was lost in the
snap of the garden gate, suddenly
closed, and the rap on the cottage
door. 1916 tlr1tt
The listener skunk around the cor
ner of the house, and sped away. But
the visitor entered the house and
greeted uncle and niece. A tai
handsome man with frank expires
sion. IErr BE
Though Uncle John growled ano
fumed, Margaret was the darling o
his heart. and he could never serious
ly oppose any wish OF hers. So, while
the evil-faced man who had listened
at the window sped over. the fields
Harry Craige pressed his suit til
John Hsmmersly was won to give hi'
consent to marriage that was reall,
a worldly advantage to hise niece.
Consent once gained, Harry plead
ed hard for a speedy wedding. So
the bans were Published, and th'
guests invited.
Mark Halstead, second cousin o
Margaret's, and with q disappointed
heart. consented to be groonsman
but Hall kept aloof though he me
Harry often and gave him a grudgint
civility. - 80
The. wedding day came. and TIT
cottage was decorated for the festivi
ties after the marriage. Margaret
wedding dress was already donued
The bride was waiting, but Harry die
not come. .riaofs
| Mark Halstead, after whispered
consultion with Mr.. Hammersley
went to where Harry had boarded
Here he was informed that on th'
previous evening note had beer
handed in for Mr.. Craige, and i'm ne
diately afterwards he had driver
away. That was all Mark could ff1nt
out that night.
The guests dispersed, Margaret re