The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-03-16


standing Is Of the hest. and"-and
here h. turned TO Margarct-"his love
was pure, honorable aud sincere. ],
who have known him from boy,
know that he was man who would
sc,ru to play with any woman's
heart" aEt hIf.I.I
Only a piteous cry Of, "where can
he beS" burst from the girls white
lips.
"Had he any enemies herc'" was
the next stern question.
No one one knew vi any. The
frank, bright nature had won friends
ell about him. Even Hall bad been
seen in friendly conversation with the
missing man on the day Of his disaP-
pearance.
Every inquiry resulted IN the same
disappointment, till the ninedays'
wonder died out, and the mystery was
unsol,ed. 10 u u
. The faithful heart that loved Harry
kept his image ever closely foldei,
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 slew and weary, her
face pale, and her eyes heavy with
weeping. But her uncle, who loved
her fondly, missed her ripping laugh,
her sweet song.
And il was delicate tribute h"
paid Margarct's sorrow that he never
once limited to her that there might be
some dishonorable explanation of her
lovers disappearance.
This idea haunted him. Since the
departure of the senior partner of the
firm there was no one to speak of Har-
nv in terms of commentator, and
speculatious were numerous in the vii
lage.
a wife secretly hidden away, who
threatened exposure, was a favorite
theory. Debt was another. Escape
from punishment for some crime was
a 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 IN evil heart with an as
sumption of rough frankness, and sell
dom had any one seen it as il revealed
itself when he listened at the cottage
window.
He had left the vessel, of which he
was first mate aud part owner, go upon
long cruise without him, and he. en-
ployed all his time in vigorous pur-
suit of his courtship.
As deeply as he could love any one
he loved Margaret; and he had felt Sc
cure of her favor until Harry Craige
came. l
John Hammersley favored the sail
or's suit heartily, and after Margaret
had given her grief its full sway for
three months, she was hidden to
"mope" no longer, but cheer up. as
there was just as good fish in the sea
as ever was caught. So, with her
sorrow as deep as at first, her heart
true as steel, the girl had to be pres
ent when Hall came to the cottage,
aud listen to his rough wooing.
Again and again she refused his
presents. his compliments, his offers to
escort her here and there. But the
man would not be driven away. En-
couraged by the uncle's liking, he per
sisted, in spite Of Margarets GOODNESS.
Ii was not in the girls nature to he
discourte0us or unkind, and her gentle
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 YEARLY spent in uncongenial
society, Margaret's nights were rest
less and memory haunted. Where
was her lover hidden? Where was
the dark story of crime written that
carried him from her. She never
doubted him, and she kept his memo
ry bright in her heart. She did not
hone ever to meet him on earth again,
for she was sure that if be 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 days, and Margaret realized
with sad heart, that her steady refu-
sal of his was alternating her uncle's
affections. He could not understand
this constancy.
Why should Margaret live alone be-
cause one man was false or unfortu-
mater So he urged, as they sat in the
parlor of the little village cottage, and