Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-21
A Lovers Mistake.

John Lorrimer believed it a sad day
for himself when Mr.. Strathlcy came to
Ford to look after the mill, which had
lately fallen into the hands of Strathley
81 Stone, lumber merchants Of the me-
tropolis, hundred miles away. Why
had Mr.. Strathley chosen to immune him
self in that little country village whose
society was naturally uncongenial to
man Of the world? Why, it it were not
because he had seen Margaret on his first
visit to look after the purchase OF the
mill, and had dined at her grandfatner's
as if he were an old friend? John rea-
soned. Were not women as fair in his
own world whom he could love and win,
that he need 90 out of his way to rob an.
other man9 Could he not have sent an
agent to reside at Ford, and attend to
the firms business, in that old-tashioned
corner of the earth, if money making
were the only attraction? What ma
ilgn fate mad caused him to gravitate to
Ford, where no stranger was ever known
to stay moment l7nger than circum-
stances obliged him? With his fine man
ners and fine clothes, with his palaver
about all things in heaven and earth; his
handsome face and figure, was it not hid
ing his light Under bushel! What
could he find in Ford to interest him if
it we're not Margaret?
1t was bitter season for Lorrimer, who
having been sweet upon Margaret ever
since be was 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
farm house porch i'll confidential converse
or singing from the same old psalteI on
Sunday evening. 1t was surely enough
to enrage any lover, and especially one
who felt so certain of his case that he
had DELAYED about riveting the chains,
and had taken everything for granted be-
fore putting the question.
Lorrimer began to study his mirror
for the first time in his life; to become
enamored Of fine clothes; to suspect him.
self OF awkardness and ignorance. 1t
suddenly occurred to him that he must
have been blind ever to have believed
that Margaret would care for him, though
he had thought that actions spoke louder
than words; though he had taken hel
part at school, when the others twitted
her about her shabby gowns and hel
wild brother Ben, who had brought his
grandfather's nose to the grindstune
the country people said and obliged him
to mortgage the farm and this same mill
which had been his now years ago. IN Or
der to pay gambling debts.
''And served him right" they grum
bled, not satisfied with the retributio1
Providence had seen fit to administer
''se-ved him right for educating Ben be-
yond his betters, till he was that prouC
he looked down on his own kith and kin
and ran away to sea,where all the scamps
60 when there amt no more money tC
make way with. And it wan no grea
loss, neither they declared, "when HI
went down with all hands ON board, of
the coast somewhere, and nobody left t.
give the particklers; though he's gone t.
his account, and we don't hev no wish tt
disparage the dead
All at once Lorrimer began to look a
himself as if he were somebody else, ant
the view failed to satisfy his soul. Cross
ing the brook that flowed through tn
meadow, one evening, ne met Margare
alone.
Well met said she, gaily, showing
him q handful OF water-llies- "See;
tished these out of the bottomless pond
in an old leaky whcrry that was rottin!
on the shore. VIII you have some?"
"Why didn't you ask me to get then
for you, Margaret! You might hav
been at the bottom OF the pond by thi
time
at is bottomless, you know
"Why didn't you ask Mr.. strathle
to get them for you?,' he added, as a
after thought"
The sudden color Redeemed upon Mar
garet's cheek.
''Mr. Strathley has something else
do.'
But | have nothing, else to do that
should like half as well, Margaret-w
used to be such friends--I used to thin
but no matter what-you find Strait
ley more to your mind no doubt. don
blame you, only we were such oil
friemds'
There was look of trouble CROWN
in Margaret's eyes. 1--WE are friends still
hope she said.
Are we? That fellow with his fir
airs and bold eyes has bewithcd you; "
were happy enough before he came D
you know what they say in the village
II do not know what they say she r.
Piled, with growing color and a tear
her eyes that belied her words. ''Wh
right have they to speak OF me? Why
you listen, you who pretend to be =
friend?'
Pretend. That's an honest word b
tween you and me! If strathley hs
your good at heart"
"Take care, John; don't say anythir
against Mr.. Strathlcy. You might
sorry for it some day. He is-he kne
my poor brother Ben-at school,
somewhere. 1t does us good to hear hi
talk of BENZ 1t was hard for Margar
to dissemble, snd she did it with a pc
grace.
'sBlessings brighten as they take the
fight" thought Lorrimer; "knew 20
brother Ben, did he? and your gran
father listens?" The time had be-
when Bens name had been forbidde
and the old farmer had sworn that Be1
shadow should never darken his door.