Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-04-25

~
Kent fine how It would be | The las
sic will ha' Forgotten her tancy |"
Stupid old dotard -
They met by chance at neigh
boris cottage, and in despair of her
hard fathers consent, and weary of
life without love, Effie had given way
at last to her lovers earnest plead
ing; before two trusty witnesses
they took each other for man and
wife, and registered their vow in the
bible of their friendly go-between !;
and the girl went hcme to her faith,
er's house, knowing that, come what
might, she was Johns lawful wife
before heaven and earth, and that
nothing bnt death could part them
now.
But this secret could not be kept
forever; both saw that, and, at their
few stolen meetings, they discussed
anxiously the question how their
wedding was to be told ard ratifi-
ed by the parental consent: Both
foresaw a stormy scene, when the
old man should first learn the fail
ure Of all his cherished hopes, bit
neither doubted his ultimate pardon.
Was not Effie his only child-the
one tnemento of what, in spite uf
his hard, grasping nature, had been
a love-rnatch, resulting in quiet,
peaceful welded life ? At length
it was agreed that, upon the co,ti-
ing New Years Eve, John should
once more visitc Byrie, and declare
to his master how he had welded his
daughter, claiming her as his wife,
and demanding public ratification
of their secret contract.
The evening feared, yet wished
for, came. 1t had been threatnins
snow all day, but even when night
drew in, and the farmer and his
daughter sat in the warm glow of
the peat fire, listening to the sigh
ing of the wind outside, the white
flakes were few and tar between, it
seemed as if the weather might hold
up till morning. They said but lit
; tie =; he was dreaming of future ag-
grandizement by means of his daugh'
; ter's marriage, she was listening to
the knock which shonld tell OF her
lovers approach, and Of the coming
interview which must settle her iiie
for veal or woe. The knock came
at last--a moment of suspense, and
, John McNair stood in the doorway
wiping fl ON his broad bonnet the
flakes Of snow which clung to it
Before old Hugh, dumb with rage
and surprise, could find speech to
warn off bis unwelcomc visitor, the
inttuder epoke, slowly and firmly.
like a man in desperation =
"Hugh Paton," he said, "it's lang
, syne We bid me come nae mair to
Byrie, speering for your docther
but Im speering the moo after my
wife," and he reached out An open
bible to the astonished eyes OF tho
ol,! man.
Coldly and silently Hugh took
+ the book, read the written lines tina
/ dashed his AIRY castle to the earth
: then as quickly giving 1t back to the
/, miller, he turned to Effie, where
J. she stood pale and trembling by th'
S tireside. "Ye'll be wanting hame
!. madam" was all he said syno you
= mans come for yc, I'll not twair
man and wife, Nae doot bit hc'
d gotten ye Draws encuch, ard ye,l
e no be wanting my gear, SO I'll e'nt
: wish ye bath such nich: as ye de-
n serve, and ye can be noving."
s The lovers stared at the hafd
!, white face then John broke silence
d "Do you tell me, Hugh Patons tha
you turn ont your doctber, and hi
e wife, on sich nicht; witt, the sna,
coming, and the wind tit to freeze
z body's very heart {"
IL But the rage in Hugh's hear
is leapt suddenly to his eyes and hi
: lips. "Tak' your madam where Y
r. will, John McNair; TAX her lest
d curse her; we're decent folk here
/! there's nae room ii my house tc
!; your fiskrnalroy:"
! Poor trembling Effie had foHj
d shelter at her husbands side. befor
IN that cruel speech raised her pal
= face from his broad breast, to stat
: wildly at the fpeaker, bat she hi
= her eyes again from the infic&ib
5 gaze that ntet her, and Johns stron
RS arm drew more closely round he
IN as, turning from the farmer;
to spoke the words with which OF
at tale eotnnetced. Then he tcok b'
n. plaid from where IT htfng; and wral
ping her IN It, lie led his 5ot!r
I'd bride; with an arr Of great authorit
IS; otit into the the night, ana is II
ri door=latcl1 clicked behind thef
cs HHgh Patton gazed once ff0fe In
is The FIRE, and not httscfe stirrt
e, III his set face as the white mare
IS. footsteps told Of their departure.
k1k, IS IA.e ISlo &E @ort YoA,