The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-01-03

mystery was unsolved.
The faithful heart that loved Har.
ry kept his image ever closely fold.
ed grieving silently and in solitude,
and YEARLY resnming the routine OF
life. Every duty Of her humble,
quiet life. Margaret fulfilled with pa.
tient care; but her steps were slow
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 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
haunted him. Since the departure
Of the senior partner of the firm
there was no one to speak of Har-
~ in terms OF commendation, and
specHlatiops were numerous in the
village. A wife secretly hidden away
who threatened exposure, was fa-
vorite theory. Debt was another
Escape from punishment for some
crime was third. But all these
theories were kept from Margaret.
Winter sat 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 he listened
at the cottage window. He had let
the vessel, of which he was first mate
and part owner. go upon a long
cruise with out him. anil he employ
ed all his time in vigorous pursuit
of his courtship. AS deeply as he
could love any one he loved Mar
garet and he had felt secure Of her
favor until Harry Craige came
John Hammersley favored the sail
or's suit heartily, and after Margar-
ct had given her grief its full sway
for three months she was hidden TO
NOPE no longer, but cheer up, rs
there was just as good fish in the
sea as ever were caught. So, with
her sorrow as deep as at first, her
I6dTb tid0 as ot0CI' bI4S III tiShd W
be present when Hall came to the
cottage, and listened to his rough
wooing. Again and again she refus-
ed his presents, his compliments, his
offers to escort her here or there.
But the man would not be driven
away. Encouraged by the uncle's
liking, he persisted. in spite of Mar
garet' coldness. It was not in the
girls nature to be discourteous or
unkind, and her general manner was
accepted as far greater encourage
ment than she 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
attentions. And while her days
were busy, her evenings wearily
spent in uncongenial society, Mar
gareCs nights were restless and me-
mory haunted. Where was her low
er hidden? Where was the dark
story of crime written that carried
him from her. She never doubted
him. and she kept his memory bright
in her heart. She did not hope ever
to meet him on earth again. for she
was sure that if he. lived he would
return TO her, but no other love
would ever obliterate his memory
from her heart.
A whole year or more away, and
Hall had urged his suit vehemently
in the preceding days, aud Margar'
eft realized with SAD heart. that hel
steady refusal of his suit was alienat
ing her uncle's affections. He
could not understand this constancy
Why should Margaret live alone be
cause one man was false or unfort
unate? So he urged, as they sat il
the parlor of the little cottage anc
Margaret listened with dropping
head, and hand folded YEARLY.
81 can not marry, uncle she said
gently, but firmly; Il can not for
get tie only man | ever loved"
The garden gate changed, a steT
crushed the gravel. and without
knocking, man in rough sailor
dress, bearded aud bronzed, stood
in the doorway One look. ant
with cry Margaret sped TO the
open arms of Harry Craige.
John Hammersley only started
till CHEEKY voice said:
You see | am q sailor--a mar
after your own heart"
BLESS my eyes! where did yo'
come from?"
"Of' the Sea Gull"
"Whalingr
yes
But what possessed you TO go OF
in that way?'
II will tell you. Sit here beside
me, Margaret. l was shanghaid
Do you know what that means, m,
pearl? Your uncle does. [ wa
| dugged, carried abroad the So
Gull, and recovered my senses whel
we were out of sight of land, bount
for years whaling cruise
But who began John Ham
mersley.
"William Hail. was the stern an
swer. .He told me, Margaret.
week before our wedding. day. of
friend of his, a captain of an Eas
India vessel, who had some carios
ties that would please you, and rarl
shawls and fabrics to show me, also
/ never thought or treachery. an
when lie sent me note TO meet hi
friend in the village. / drove of
Halfway on my trip / met Hall. an
took him up. We drove TO q sma
tavern, and while VIC waited / dran
glass of wine with Hall. a numt
ness soon seized me, my head gre
dizzy. aud knew no more until
awoke on board a whaling vessel i
the dress Of common sailor