The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-03-16
ALOVER'S MISTAKE.

John Lorrimer believed it a sad dav
for himself when Mr.. Strathley came to
Ford to look after the mill, which had
lately fallen into the hands of Strathley
u Stone, lumber merchants of the me-
tropolis, a hundred miles away. Why
had Mr.. Strathley chosen to immune
himself in that little country village,
whose society was naturally uncongen-
ial to Il man of the world? Why, if
it were not because he had seen Mar
garet on his FIRST visit to look after the
purchase of the mill, and had dined at
her grandfather as if he were an old
friendp John reasoned. Were not wom-
en- as fair in his own world whom he
could love and win, that he need 90 out
of his way to rob another man? Could
he not have sent an agent to reside at
Ford, and attend to the firms business,
in that old-faShioned corner of the earth,
If money-making were the only attrac-
ton? What malign fate had caused him
to gravitate to Ford, where no stranger
was ever known to stay a moment long
er than circumstances obliged him?
With his fine manner and fine clothes,
his palaver about all things in heaven
and earth; his handsome face and flo
ure, was it not hiding his light under
bushel? What could he find in Ford to
interest him if it were not Margaret?
1t was bitter season for Lorrimer,
who, having been sweet upon Margaret
ever since he was a boy in jackets, felt
as if he had established claim upon
her affections, and was aggrieved to
find her amused by Strathley-walking
with him in season and out of season;
sitting in the farmhouse porch in con-
tidential converse, or singing from the
same old psalter on Sunday evenings.
1t was surely enough to enrage any low
er, and especially one who felt so GER
tain of his case that he had delayed
about riveting the chains, and had
taken everything for granted before put
ting the question.
LOrrimer began to study his mirror
for the first time in his life; to become
enamored of fine clothes; to suspect
himself of awkwardness and ignorance.
1t suddenly occurred to him that he
must have been blind ever to have be-
ieved that Margaret would care for
him, though he had thought that ac-
tons spoke louder than words: though
he had taken her part at school, when
the others twitted her about her shabby
gowns and her wild brother Ben, who
had brought his grandfather's nose to
the grlndstone-the country people said
and obliged him to mortgage the
farm and this same mill, which had
been his own years ago, in order to pay
gambling debts.
And served him right" they grum-
bled, not satisfied with the retribution
Providence had seen fit to administer
"served him right for educating Ben be-
yond his betters, till he was that proud
he looked down ON his own kith and
kin and ran away to sea, where all the
scamps go, when there amt no more
money to make way with. And it
want no great loss, neither" they de-
clared, "when he went down with all
hands on board, off the coast some
where, and nobody left to give the par
ticklers; though he's gone to his ac-
count, and we don't hev no wish to dis
parage the dead"
All at once Lorrimer began to look
at himself as if he were somebody else,
and the view failed to satisfy his soul.
Crossing the brook that flowed through
the meadow, one evening, he met Mar
garet alone.
"Well met" said she, gayly, show
ing him a handful of water-lilies. "See
| tished these out of the bottomless
pond in an old, leaky wherry that was
rotting on the shore. viii you have
somep'
'"Why didn't you ask me to get them
for you, Margaret? You might have
been at the bottom of the pond by this
time.''
1t is bottomless, you know"
"Why didn't you ask Mr.. Strathley
to get them for you?' he added, as al
afterthought
The sudden color redeemed upon Mar
garet's cheek.
Mr.. Strathley has something else
to do
but l have nothing elso to do tina
| should like half as well, Margaret
we used to be such friends-I used tC
think-but no matter what-you fine
Strathley more to your mind, no doubt
l don't blame you, only we were sucl
old friendsr'
There was look of trouble growing
in Margarets eyes. awe are friend
still, hope" she said.
"Are we? That fellow with his fin,
airs and bold eyes has bewitched you
we were happy enough before he came