The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-12-06
From the Galaxy for Novembe
HER OATH.

loose over sea and land In cities,
houses were unroofed and chimney-pots
fell with the sound of thunder. On seas,
full Of hurry and confusion, ships stag
gered blindIy with far more chance of
going down than of making port.
Through forests the wind roared and
could hear great tree-bOughs snapped
short from the trees and hurled about in
blind fury.
At o'clock in the evening, post car
riage, with smoking post-horses and
shouting post-boys, drew up before the
principal inn at Deal. The carriage was
occupied by two persons, man and
woman, who having beard that they,
could obtain good nights shelter, dis
mounted.
Seen by the bright light of the inn
parlOr, the two travellers showed a
strange contrast. The woman-or girl,
rather, for she could not have been more
than represented a striking type of
village beauty. She was tall and
straight, with a firm, stately figure.
She had brown hair, thick and curling
There was a wistful look in the dark,
deep eyes, whose abundant lashes fell on
rounded, warmly-tinted cheeks The
lips, ripe and red, might have excused
any man for longing to kiss them.
Her companion, who was at least ten
years older, was evidently in very diff
ferent position of life. He must have
had good blood in his veins; at least you
could have guessed it from the long,
slender fingers, terminating in the ex-
quisite, filbert-shaped nails. He was
tall and slightly fashioned. The face
would have been called handsome one,
but it was too pale and too delicate in
outline to suggest the idea of complete
manly beauty.
"Well, Mary, my darling" he said,
holding the girl in his arms, chow do
you think you shall! like being Mrs Old
worth, and planters wife? Would you
rather have stayed only a farmer
daughter?'
" | suppose | could have remained 50,
had | wished, or | could have been a
farmers wife. There were plenty of
lads who wanted me. There was Bob
Turner, son of one of the richest farm
ers in Kent; and Tom Miller, who fought
Joe Martin because | walked home from
church one Sunday evening with Joe,
when | had promised to walk with Tom"
And you prefer me to Bob, Joe and
Tom?" returned the man.
90 Yes, or why should | have married
you?"
He drew her head down upon his
shoulder, smoothing lovingly her soft,
brown hair. They had the room to
themselves; and so wrapped up were
they in each other that they failed to no.
tice face from outside, which, pressed
close against the blindless window, was
watching them with bright, strained,
sinister eyes. But when the girl, Chang
ing her position, did catch sight of the
face, the blood suddenly forsook her
cheeks and lips, and, uttering short,
sharp cry, she hid her face again on her
husbands shoulders
'Oh my God, it cannot be-" she ex-
claimed. eve are watched, Arthur.
Don't you see?"
But the face had vanished, and so Old
worth replied, quietly:
My darling, | see nothing. 1t was
only a nervous fancy" adding, as she
was shivering in his arms "The long
windy drive has been too much for YOU.
you have taken chilli
YES | think have Let us co.
Oldworth was about to ring the bell
when a door opened and closed, and ;
man came up to where they were stand
ing-a man about the middle height, bu
powerful ly built. His face, beaten by
wind and tanned by sun, was one which
having seen, YOU would not easily for
get The eyes, which looked straight out
at you from under the heavy overhang
ing hrows, and in them strange anC
Undesirable fascination. He was man
you could tell, who meant to have hi.
own way-a sort of maStitf dangerous
when aroused.
have come to offer my congratula
tons" he said, addressing himself t,
Oldham's wife, and holding out hi.
hand, which she did not appear to see
have heard all about it from the post
boys-all about the grand wedding dowr
to Farmer Grants this morning 1t i.
lucky my meeting you here. | was OF
my way to give you important news
which have brought from over the sea
with me. It's not night when man
travels farther than he needs. But
can say you seem glad To see an old
acquaintance"
My friend, put in Oldworth, "this
lady Is my wife. She has had a long
and tatlguing drive, and is tonight
quite unfit for conversation; but to-mor-
row, before resuming our journey, she
Will am sure, be happy To exchange the
warmest wishes with YOU"
Oldworth had spoken in a tone of
sweet patronage; but the other man
never looked in his direction, only saw
ing to Mary, That's your choice, is it ?
Why, he looks as if Il breath of wind
would blow him away But YOU must
hear my news alone. Get rid of him,
will YOUR must To-
One word exclaimed Oldworth, the
color rising in his face, though he strove
to control his voice "Iou come from
a Journey, the night is stormy, and this
l. your excuse for having drank too
freely; but If You cannot beha We your
sell, II will be my duty to have you re-
moved
Look here returned the other fix
my now for the first time his eyes upon
OIdworth's face. My names Mark
Shaw. am the first mate of the ship
Annie, brought to Dover Harbor last
are, and when you say | am, YOU know
you are telling lie. You call yourself
a fine gentleman; WELL in the matter of
words you beat me; but you wouldn't
hike 10 have a go-in with me. No, she
wouldn't like it. You wouldn't care 10
60 sprawling at her feet; the floors here
are dusty. Keep a civil tongue in your
head, and | have no wish to interfeoe
with you. His large strong hands
were clenched, but they hung down
heavily. The sooner you 90. YOU
know" he went on, 1.-The better it will
be for all three"
Yes, do 60, DEAR" exclaimed Mary.
with an assumption Of gayety in her
voice. Whatever you do, don't quar-
rel. Mark is rough and violent, know:
out he may have news which | ought to
hear. OF course | shall tell you every
thing"
4 will leave you then for ten min
utes, said Oldworth, addressing himself
to Mark. " Not you understand, on ac-
Of NNn Z 49,. L