The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-02-21

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upon the surrounding moors for few days
by cordial invitation to him to remain as
guest.
In his sturdy pride, it never entered his
mind that child of his would think of lift.
ing her eyes to that dark stranger, who,
though to his knowledge man of rank and
consequence was not at all to his taste in
looks, with such midnight-dark hair and
eyes, and complexion like Spaniard ;
though he well liked to talk with him and
listen to his stories of other lands and
climes.
So 1t came upon him like shock, when,
after the strangers stay had heightened into
weeks, he sought him one morning and told
him the real attraction. 1t was his pearl
| his white lilly--it was Marion.
The old mans lips opened at first for a
burst of anger but he was his guest. He
had eaten of his salt. So he, with an effort
controlled himself and answered quietly, but
with frmness which augured ill for the
lovers suit
My daughter must marry in her own sta
ton when the time comes, She's DER young
yet to make her choice. You do us honor,
sir, by your proposal but the time will
come when you will thank me for seeing the
folly of such an unseemingly union
sir, she shall be cherished as she deserves
to be, if you will only give her to me. The
DeMornays we're never known to be aught
but knightly, chivalrous race. Think
again, beg you. I love your daughter so
truly that it can but be that she returns it,
Such fire could not burn without Great
ing at least shadowy flame
Have you not spoken to Marion your
selfp
1T is the custom of my country to speak
first with the father and the young man
raised his head proudly to meet the old far
mers questioning look. Il have sought you
first p
That is well. 1 should ill like to have
my girl unhappy. wish you WE'LL sir, and
success in all else you undertake.
The wish, without the gift seek, will be
but little good. You take the spring out of
my life, and then hope that machinery will
work.
There was bitter ring in his voice as he
spoke, but Duncan McGregor was unmoved.
Marion was his one little wee lamb and no
stranger should claim her unless it were a
youth after his own heart.
True to his code of honor, Louis departed
without telling Marion of his feelings, al.
though he did not intend to give her up.
After he had gone Marion dropped. She
made brave effort to keep up, but it was to
no purpose. The light died out of her eyes,
and the soft bloom left her cheek. Her
father noticed the change and taxed her
with it.
Il hope it's not moping you are after that
dark stranger, Marion. He's nauz h. at
tractive to my way of thinking. He'll not
be back, either, for he got more from me
than he looked for
'Oh: father, tell me, what do you
mean p
The blue eyes looked unnaturally bright
as they gazed up into the old mans stern
face,
Il mean that what told him is true, and
the sooner you put thoughts of him out
of your mind the better for peace. No lad
from foreign parts with such blackamoor
face can marry my snow white lass.
A sudden joy kindled the pale face and
looked out of the wide eyes.
oh, father, did he ask you for me Then
heaven be praised | read his looks and
acts Alright. Oh said she, sinking down
upon her knees and catching her fathers
horney hand and kissing it, 4 had lost my
faith in human nature, and you have it
back. Bless you for III Oh, father, if that
face could tell false story, then the angels
themselves would be untruep
Calm yourself, Marion,' interrupted her
father, sternly. Did you not hear me It's
all at an end You cannot be his bride.
dove
Il care not, so he loves me- murmured
Marion, softly. Hear my vow,' she said,
suddenly, and again she sank upon her knees
and raised her pure, childlike, but resolute
face to his. Il will never marry Louis
DeMornay without your consent but ! wW
loUe him my life long, and die an old maid for
his sake if cannot be his rife
1t was too late to check her. The vow
was taken, and would be kept. The strict
old father himself would hot haye dared to
ask her to break it.
Matters went on about the same at the
farm. Several years passed by, during which
Louis was constantly changing his location,
as indeed it was necessary for him to do to
give personal supervision to his various
estates.
During this period of unmitigated pros
perity to the wealthy young landowner, far
mer McGregor had been gradually but sure,
ly going down in the world. A succession
of bad crops, disease among his fine Dur
hams, until scarcely poor half dozen was
left of his large herd, and murrain which
proved fatal to the sheep, left him at last in
very straitened condition.
Still he had managed to get his rent mon
ey together. The payday was near, aud
the farmer had put the hardly-esrned mon
ey in leathern wallet preparatory to a
start.
well, wife, he said with sigh, here's
pay for the last year. It's main doubtful
though, where the next will come from
Keep up, Duncan was her cheerful an
swer. It's all for the best, though one can
not always ken why
So he started away to the laird's country
seat on his stout cob, without weapon of de.
tense for it was peaceful country aud he
had no fear of molestation,
But his journey was not half oyer, when
in some lonely woods through which the
road ran, an escaped convict seized his op-
portunity and struck him senseless from his
horse, rihed his pockets, and mounting rode
rapidly away with his plunder