The daily gazette., 1879-11-17
David Mslnotte's Wrath
BY W. .. NJ.

81 must speak to you, Tonight, Rosie"
said David Melnotte, holding Rose Brier-
ly's pony by the mouth, and ct stRnding
straight in the narrow path down the
rocks. "I'm going away, Rose. The
crops are poor, and my cattle have died
OF the lnurraiD this year. cannot make
my bread. Pm going to Glencoe's
Mills, Rosie. Have you nothing TO say
10 me?"
81 hope you'll do we'll, David"
'Is that all, girlieY"
The glow had died Off Rosle's cheek;
but she held her lips stubbornly shut.
The little Galloway was very small, and
David was tall and stout; so the next
moment he clasped her close in his strong
arms, saying, "God bless the girl leave
behind mel" and was on his way.
The pony took up his line Of march
down the rocky path; but Rose did not
sing any more as she rode; and when she
came in to the roaring hearth fire, out
of the twilight, there were tears upon
her cheek. But the next day she was up
early at her milking, and after that she
went into the woods with her father and
made fire, and cooked him hot din
ner, and then gathered fagots until night
fall, Winding them in bundles, to be
brought home by the pony.
As they came over the rocks her father
suddenly stumbled and fell.
"Father, oh, father!' she cried, spring.
to him; for he could not rise, but lay very
pale and still. He had fallen with his
leg bent under him and IL was broken.
She was sobbing over her father On the
ground when young man came driving
a cart up the hill. Rose ran I'd meet
him.
"Rose Brerly, is this you? Why, what
is the natter" he cried.
"Oh, Matthew-Matthew Burns, my
father has fallen and broken his lie e. He
lies looking like one dead, and | do not
know what to do"
Matthew Burns was a bold-looking,
dark fellow. There was something very
repulsive in his aspect; tut Rose did not
mind anything about that then, only
bent with him over her father, showing
how his leg gave way undsc him, and
how his head fell back, and how cold his
hands were.
"IIe has only f.inted with the pain,'
said Matthew.
Then he threw some empty sacks across
the cart, making bed; and, lifting the
insensible man easily, laid him upon it.
Rose climbed in to hold her fathers
head and keep him covered from the
cold; and so they rode to the cottage.
When the doctor came he set Feter's
leg, and announced that the old wood
IaI al,
weeks. Matthew watched Rose and saw
that she looked hardly able to stand.
"What is the matter ?" he whispered.
"Oh, we shall staive to death y she
sobbed.
"No, no. Listen, Rose. What yor
need now is husband. Marry me.
will look after and milk the cattle, carry
the wood to market, make the fire, anc
fetch the water from the spring. YOU
shall do nothing but cook our dinners
and nurse your father"
81 cannot do that" sobbed Rose 81
do not love you, Matthew Burns"
"Why do you not marry Matthew, ant
give yourself strong arm to lean upon?'
demanded the old man, angrily.
"Because / love David Melnotte p
| tiiCh lhcrC NChChlCitiy -dllu L " No lii
wide world over to find him now"
"Then you'd find another woman
husband" said Matthew, coolly. "Davi,
Melnotte was married yesterday to one
of the factory girls, at Glencoe's Mills
Rose dropped. After that she offered
no opposition to Matthew, and a montl
la er they were married. She was so il
with grief, and disappointed, and wear
ness, that she tainted at the altar.
But Matthew was kind husband il
spite of his scowling brow. He had the
doctor to Rose, and brought her new
shoes and a warm plaid from the village
and fshed and hunted for her until res
aud nourishing food brought strength
again to her body.
Winter passed and one day in the
spring, when Rose was milking her pc
heifer at the door, voice said "Ha
the mountain beauty drink of warn
milk for an old friend ?"
She looked up, and there was Davit
Melnotte, dusty and weary-looking, as il
he had travelled long way, but with hi.
eyes bright and pleasant as of old. Fol
moment Rose turned very faint, ant
leaned against the helfer for support
Then she said: as it you, David? How
Is your wife at Glencoe Mills ?"
81 have no wife, Rose," said David
gravely.
The girls heart turned sick in hel
bosom, but she ran on carelessly, HMy
husband, in the house, will give you 8
cup from the table. My heifer gives the
best milk you ever drank"
"Your husband, Rose," repeated
David, slowly.
"Yes," she answered, lightly. 81 mar
ried Matthew Burns three months back.
"God forgive you, Rose J" murmu uret
David.
She burst into tears.
Just then Matthew came to the door
scowling darkly. But David civilly
asked for the cup, and drank the milk.
"Stay and sup with us, David" sai(
the old man; and Rose murmured
eyes, stay"
So, though Matthew was silent, Davit
put his stick in the corner, and sat dpwI
to the board with them. The old maj
was garrulous, forgetting, or not know
ing his daughters heart, and ran OF
about local matters and past events.
David was tranquil and respectful t
the old man, and cordial to Matthew
and civil to Rose, as the wife of Mat
thew. And, while he stayed in tn,
neighborhood, he showed Matthew