Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-04-17

,
y, for knew Mlry's heart was set npo
the child.
except nobody but Mary herself, h
returned. I'm sick to death of them all
don't suppose you'll believe it. Bruce, bu
swear it to you that this woman, who i
my promised wife, | have never vet he'll
IN my arms, nor have her sweet lin
been given to my own. Shes shy and
little cold, and we never can be one min
ute alone.
Mansfield is an Englshman, YOU know
| said, and is preiudiced against on
American customs. And as l spoke fel
a glad, warm, consoling pulsation through
my whole body, and the thought that m,
pearl as yet belonged to nobody, even in
caress, lent Il sort of exultation to my
voice.
But MacMurray went on to solicit m,
help in his extremity. and begged of mC
TO 1urther an opportunity that might pre-
sent itself for this dual solitude which he
naturally coveted.
Only one little week after. we sat, as
usual, around the blazing heater. 1t was
Il freezing night in March; the wind roar
ed down the big broad stove pipe; tn,
|
sides OF the heater Sputtered and cracked
and took sullen red tingc in unison will
this fiery riot and in the meanwhile
Mansfield went on with one of his stories,
raking idly with long plaything of a
poker this demon of heater, till the air
fairly palpitated, and the temperature was
only fit for II salamander.
Can't we go up in the parlors? said Mac.
If it's ever warm there, it must be tonight /:
and heard you say, Bruce, that YOU
wanted to look over the engravings.
The sly rascal knew that this was n
hobby of Manslields, and while we were
busy with the engravings, he could coax
Mary off into the front parlor. Even
while my heart contracted with the
thought, his proposition was hailed with
enthusiasm, and we proceeded to carry it
out, Mansfield at the head of the process
sion, with a lamp in his hand, for the hall
above had not been lighted, the BOYS
screaming after their father, Mary and
Mac following, and bringing up the rear.
The poor invalid lady was The only one
lett in the basement. No sooner had we
reached the parlor door, and Mansfield had
opened it, than cold blast whipped out
the light that he held, and suddenly we
were in total darkness. began to grope
my way, as folks will in this emergency.
and immediately my extended hand came
in contact with other hands, so soft and
warm, and full of an electric magnetism
that it thrilled through my every vein;
and all at once my two hands had drawn
those other two hands, and the body that
belonged to them, close to my side. A
fine, silken fluff of hair touched nv chin.
| was past helping then; my head bent
lnStlnctlvely down, and as my lips touched
hers, inwardly vowed to take without a
murmur whatever poor penalty could be
meted out for this matchess felicity. The
intoxicating half-second had scarcely fled
when | found some powerful retribution
close at hand. A mut1led Shrek from
below was followed by more light than we
wanted. A volume of smoke came rush
up the stairway.
Good God! my poor wife! cried Mans
field, tnmbling down this sitting crater to
her relief l caught up jamie with one
arm, and encircled Mary with the other.
The boys scurried out through the front
door with MacMurray, and we were soon
in safety with some friends upon the block
below, whittier Mansfield shortly brought
the insensible form of his poor lady.
She was not sadly burned, but the shock |
was fatal, and she breathed her last before
Mansfield, who had never left |
her side, gave way over the poor rigid
body, and it was found that he had sns-
aimed severe injuries in rescuing her. The
loctor looked grave after the examination
Great Heaven! cried Mansfield, there's
nothing serious, hope? Mary and the
children have nobody but me now, and
here isn't half-penny, he added in a
husky whisper, between them and starva-
ion. spent my last dollar on that infer
lal heater that has burned us out of house
md home, and I've hesitated to insure be-
anse every thing is so shaky in that way.
He looked around upon US appealingly,
Macs face wore sVdonic solemnity, min
lied with contemptuous reproach, and
e remained silent; but | stammered out
to the effect that every body
lad lost confidence in insurance of late,
nd lingering behind when Mac and
we're about leaving for the night. leant .
yer Mansfield, and told him to give all
is energies to getting well, that while |
ad dollar it should be shared with him
nd Mary and the children.
God bless you, Bruce said the suffering
in heaven bless you. Two bio :
ears rolled down his fevered checks, and
caught Just one sweet fervid glance from
lary's teardimmed and hollow eyes.
Here's nice lookout, began Mac, us /
e walked along; II hopeful future for t
le. isn't itp Il
Why, you've got your wish about her !!
Dor mother, said, rather savagely, and #
lanstield is likely to soon follow his wife. G
ou must be patient you know. Il
| suppose, he said inquiripgly, the rela-
YES. in that case, would come forward c
I'd take the boys? L
What reatives9 replied. never heard d
any. II
Why, good heavens. Bruce, said the I'll
FETCHED lover, Il man can't be expected O
marry all those boys with Maryp IL
1t seems hard. replied. You might "
1t them in i'm orphan asylum. "
MacMurray began actually to muse over
is idea, and declared he would be will tc
g to give something toward their sup 4"
rt by II charitable institution of this &C
1T. to
W hO hilONu tlllo =,
intention TO Mary, or that she was IL
ompted by some other feeling, there u
me II note TO MacMurray shortly after, 10
leasing him from his engagement, and a
claration on Mary's part that her future
IS indissolubly linked with her father h.
d the boys, and that she could not rea- {. .".'
nably expect nor had she any inclination re
marry under these circumstances. ;f
1t was a noble letter, and stirred Mac 40
arrays passion to the dregs. | trembled ne
len saw him run his hands through
hair distractedly, and heard him de-
re that he'd do anything rather than w
'e her up. a
III tell you what I'll do. Bruce, he said; fie
offer to take Jamie-confound the brat pu
lways hated him; he has way of get no
g under everybodys feet that I'll cure NJ
en- l have the charge of him; but I'll
e the little cub for the sake of getting -.
ry A man will do most anything for ar' a,"
7oman that he loves, Bruce. But that's 40,
extent of my otfer-that's all | am sai az;
ling to do. fra fra
told him it was nobly generous on his wl
t, but it seemed that Mary disagreed wa
h me. She not only refused his offer,
declined to have any further negota- the