The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-01-31

OlAWNfkM tNIIiIN lNiIkAl
"My darling, see nothing. II was
only 4 nervous fancy" adding, as she
was shivering in his arms, ''the long,
windy drive has been too much for you
You have taken chill. Yes, ! think
you have. Let us CO."
Oldworth was about to ring the bell
when the door opened and closed, and
man came up TO where they were
standings man about the middle
height, but powerfully built. His face,
beaten by wind and tanned by sun. was
one which, having seen, you could not
easily forget. The eyes, which locked
straight out at you from under the heavy,
overhanging brows, and in them a
strange and indescribable fascination.
He was a man, you could TELL who
meant to have his own way-a sort Of
mastifi, dangerous when aroused.
"Ihave come TO offer my congratula-
tions,n he said, addressing himself to
Oldworth's wife and holding out his
hand, which she did not appear to see.
~ have heard all about ii from the post
boys--all about the grand wedding down
at farmer Grants this morning. |. was
lucky, my meeting you here. l was on
my way to give you important news,
which have brought from over the sea
with me. It's not night when man
travels faster than he needs. But can't
say you seem glad TO see an old acquaint-
ance.n
"My FRIEND" put in Oldworth, /" this
lady is my wife. She has had a long and
fatiguing ride, and il tonight quite I'M
fit for conversation; but tomorrow, be-
fore resuming our journey, she will l am
sure be happy to exchange the warmest
wishes with you.n
Oldworth had spoken in tone of
sweet patronage, but the other man
never looked in his direction, only say
ing to Mary, That's your choice, is II
Why, he looks as if breath of wind
would blow him away. But you must
will you-or must I?'
ssOne word" exclaimed Oldworth,
the color rising m his face, though he
strove to control his voice. " Youcome
from journey, the night is stormy,
and this is your excuse for hav-
ing drank too freely; but if you can not
behave yourself it will be my duty to
have you removed"
"Look here,'' returned the other,
fixing now for the first time his eyes up
on Oldworths face My names Mark
Shaw. / am first mate of the ship An
ME, brought to Dover last night. am
no more drunk than you are, and when
you say / am you know that you are
telling lie. You call yourself fine
gentleman; well, in the matter of words
Lno n.r< xr-rt,t1rff lilo ~
You wouldn't care to 60 sprawling at
her feet; the floors here are dusty.
Keep a civil tongue in your head, and l
have no wish to interfere with YOU"
His large strong hands were clenched,
but they hung down heavily. The
sooner you 60, you know" he went on,
81 the better 1t will be for all three"
Yes, do 60, dear" exclaimed Mary
with an assumption of gravity in her
voice. "Whatcver you do, don't quar-
rel. Mark is rough and violent,
know; but he may have news which
ought to hear. Of course, shall tell
you every thing"
81 will leave you, then for ten min
utes,r said Oldworth, addressing him
self to Mark. ssNot, you understand,
on account OF your threats, but because
gentleman will allow no broil to take
place before lady, and | see nothing
less than this would satisfy you. At the
end Of ten minutes'l shall return"
Oldworth glanced at his watch and
left the room The door closed after
him, and the two were together. Mark
folded his arms, and fixed his eyes on
the girls face. Under that keen and
pitiless scrutiny she weighted and
WINGED as in some great physical pain.
The wind shrieked around the inn; the
, wood FIRE on the hearth cracked and
spnttered, the red flames leaping up fit
fully; cart numbered near on the dark
road, and drew up ponderously at the
inn door.
Atlength Mary broke the silence.
g For Gods sake, speak, she said
= DO you wish to kill me by just look
ing at me-"
~ wish could,r he rejoined. I" ]
, should like to see you dying inch by
, inch under my eyes, without touching
you. You're the right sort of girl,
aren't you, for man to have loved
before, indeed, he was man nothing
, but small boy, who went miles after
the least thing you wished for, and only
| left you when he was man to get money
| enough TO build home for you. You're
, the right sort Of girl TO have trusted
and believed into have prayed for
, night and day. Why, in some Of our
. great storms have done what never
J did till then. ! have prayed, God
save me, for if 90 down and don't
como back any more, how viii that girl
. know of far off in Kent bear it'll II she
knew that Mark would never come again
! 10 take her In his arms and kiss her any
! more, why il would just break her
heart or send her mad And all the
: time Won were making love To this fine