Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-07-31

marry; nm old maids no good, and you
know that two of the best men in Rys-
dyk worship the very ground you tread
on this day. call no names and say
nothing. A woman must answer for
herself. ] wish you were married, Meg.
I've saved up good penny for your
dowry you know that"
"Yes. "she said. her lips quivering.
Whatever was the reason you did not
have Matt Ericksonp" her mother went
on querulously You'd been proud
wife now, and he here hale and hearty.n
With aquick gasp Meg threw up both
arms. and then buried her face In her
mothers lap. sobbing vehemently. while
the latter sat aghast, frightened at the
storm she had unwttingly raised. At
Inst she touched her daughters hair
softly.
Don't, Meg" she said. Il did not
mean III"
But Meg only drew the wringed hands
about her neck, and let her tears low
unchecked. At length she looked up.
"It WIS | who drove him away-Matt
Erickson she said. 1--WE had little
quarrel, just few idle words about a
ribbon. and | told him in my silly anger
| would have no more Ia say to him
while the stars shonc. And now they
do not shine for him. for he IL blind
blind. Oh, mother. ! cannot live, /
cannot bear itV'
Yes, you will live, child, the widow
answered, quickly. " Your father was
brought in 20 me dcad-killod in those
mines wheL you were scarce three years
old. my Meg. and | am alive YETI
" But this il worse than DEATH" she
cried. passionatcly. Mother, do you
hcar' He who WAS my plighted hus-
band Is blind. in far. strange country.
mus. 90 and bring him home. home 10
Rysdyk."
She had risen from her mothers arms
and stood before her in the moonlight
pale, rcsolutc, with her hands clasped
rigiily. Give me my dowry, mother.
and let me GO she said. "Do not deny
me this thing. am well and strong
and. If | do say II, ! am quick witicd
! can make my way; | shall come back
safely. let me 20. mother"
1t is not your place, Meg. LIT some
one else go
who? Tell me that Has he father
or brother or uncle? Who is there to
go?"
"But-it's not right ma My TO OF
ahera lover, Meg. What va. ihe folks
say' And-Would you marry blind
man2'
"Maidcnly, II il maidcnly TO do
right said Meg. her brown check flush
ing. "What do | care for tho folks
I'm not young girl 90 drop my eyes and
be shamcf- 81 because folks viii talk.
They always talk And ~ for marrying
it Is not Of marriage | am thinking
now; il is Of bringing Matt Erickson
he WHOM. | drove away with my III
doingH-back safe 10 his own country"
She hrsitated moment and then went
on: But III not play false with you,
mother. He'll not ask me 10 marry
him. But | shall know. If he wants
me. after all that's passed. he shall have
me. aud I'll take care Of him till die"
Their talk lasted fNr into the night
But with II we have no more 10 do. nor
the details by which a little money was
made 10 &C great way. For, after
many tears. the widow consented that
Meg should take her dowry and spend II
as she chose. Tf they had been more
woridly-wisc they would have known
how to accomplish their purpose through
The agency of Others. As IL was. they
saw no other way than for Meg to do
herself the thing shc wanted done.
Oh. that weary. weary Journey Why
was the world 80 wido. the way so long2
~ hfIk AH "a tAfANf ttftAA = NAAthAa AlAf
boistpruus ocean WAS crossed and sho
had made her way As far ~ Buffalo.
where she had been told Ia take the
steamer for Marquette. II seemed to
her that shc had Travelled the width oi
the whole wide earth already since her
foot first fell upon the soil of tho strange
now world.
Is this LAX Superior sirP" she
asked ~ po.ic'rin N, as she lc1 the
cars and saw a." water of Lake Erie
stretching away in tie distance. And
can YOU tell me. aT' We near Ishpcm
ing?"
"Oh, no. my gill this is Erie, Lake
Superior Il away up north. hundreds Of
miles from horc-lshpcming. Never
heard of such place. But here's your
steamer. If YOU'RE going up that way"
Her heart sank like lead. Would she
ever. ever reach the cnd' All day. and
day after day. she sat silently in the bow
of the boat. gazing steadily forward
II was like a new birth when. a0er
many days, the steamer 81 ~.' the
beautiful Bay of Marquette, aud l' Cair
young city rosc before her as'ani he'd
eyes, It's white cliffs cleaning in the sun.
its green shores sweeping downward to
the waters edg". She was nca lt.F goal
at last
For lshIeming was about fifteen miles
away up the railroad. and thithrr she
went by the first train. How rough and
wild il all was! And how tho eharrcd
and hlaekCncd pine trees lowered aloft
like grim giants. nud pointed their
CHASTITY fingers AT hor ~ she swept
through their solitude
Can you tell me where e. find n nan
called Matthew Erickson2' she usls 4 Of
the dcpot-mastcr. trembling FROM lead
10 foot.
" Erickson7 Ericl on? Blown up
in the mines year or so ago. y sn't
he? lie stays at Sam Ayrrs. tbs En-
glishman's. ! believe. Just yc % around
that corner. ma'am. then turn TO the
right and 90 up tie hill--or stay! Let
me lock up aud I'll 20 with you. Ever
been in Ishpeming before? No? |
thought sou looked like n stranger in
these parts"
lie left her at Sam Ayres' gate. having
opened 1t gallantly when he saw that
a.. n 4