The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-16

him. We knew that my father would
never consent to our marriage, and
plighted our troth in secret. We could
get no one to marry us, he being strang-
er. and there was no minister near, SO I
took my mothers Bible to tie woods,
and with our hands clasped on the sacred
book, we knelt and swore to be husband
and wife from that time, till God should
part us by death.
II had happy week, meeting MY hus-
band every day, and then my father
found us together. He said some hard
and cruel words, and tainted. When
I grew conscious again I was in this
room, and here I have remained ever
since. Where my husband is do not
know, though from some strange visions
that have come TO me, think that he is
dead. Were he aliye he would find me,
for love can unlock all prisons.
"Nine months after l was brought
here my baby came, and for one year l
was happy. My father was the only per-
son saw. He attended me when sick,
never speaking to me, but bringing food
and clothing. At the end of the year he
ook my baby away, and have never
cen it since.
'Tbat is more than eight years ago. 1
have kept the time by marks on the wall.
My tatLer has visited me every day until
tive days back, and have had no food
since. He has never spoken to me.
though [ have prayed for his forgiveness
and he has seen that I was growing weak
er all the time.
II feel that I am dying of hunger and
thirst, and am too weak to call for help
with any hope of being heard. de not
know why he should so cruelty let me
perish here; but if I die, I shall see my
husband and my baby. May God bless
them and my father, and forg give me if 1
have sinned. "MIL11cENT.n
Simon Berkeley had died five days be.
fore this was written. When his daugh-
ter died cannot be told. Doubtless God
ende her sufferings very quickly after
she wrote out the record of her sad story.
This hard old man, who had kept her
prisoner, had not intended that she
should die thus. but death chilled his
heart ere he could reveal her secret pris-
on.
Bereath the writing sthod a heavy
oaken chest. The iron of the lock was
rusted away and when Simon had finish
ed reading the first Millicent's story, he
stopped and opened this. It contained
caskets and little sacks falling to pieces of
old age, and these held gold ane jewels,
the fashion and coinage being centuries
old.
When these la! revealed, the strange
feeling that had led them on slowly faded
away, and the wind that had ragged out
side the building began to die away.
ut is the dowry Of the dead Millicent,
and she has given it to you," said Simon.
''There is more than enough to redeem
the land, and make Berkeley house the
grand old home it once was.''
She chung closer to him.
ut will help you, too, for we have no
need to wait to be married now" she
said, "and we will be so happy that the
sad soul who lived so lonely here NAV
grow glad from our JOY"
AS she spoke, she took up tress of
the golden hair lying on the bed.
"This shall be an heirloom that must
never leave the house." she continued,
as they turned away and went SLOWLY
back to the room they had left to begin
their search.
The wind had changed when thew
reached the apartment. The storm
clouds were rolling eastward over the
wild sea, their great masses edged with
a rich silver light. The moon was sail
ing high in the heavens, and sweet rest
fulness pervaded the room.
On Christmas day they were married,
and when spring came workmen repaired
the old house, the incumbrance on the
land were cleared away, and the Berke-
ley mansion was once more the manor of
as tine an estate as the country possessed.
One wonder that perplexed the people
OF the neighborhood was the appearance
OF heavy granite shaft in the Berkelv
burial-place, on which was cut this in
scription:
Sacred to the Memory
of
HApOrn AMI Mr. ro,,~,,v