Sharp County record., 1879-02-27

only q nervous fancY;" adding, as she
was shivering in bis arms, 'the long,
windy drive has been too much for you
YOU have taken a chill. Yes, l thlnS
you have Let as 90"
Oldworth was about to ring the bell
when the door opened and closed, and
a man came mp to where they were
standiDo-a 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 looked
straightOut at YOU frOmunderthe heavy,
overhanging brows, and in them
strange and indescribable fascination.
He was a man, YOU could tell, who
meant TO have his own way-a sort OF
mastiff, dangerous whea aroused.
"Ihave come to offer my cOngratula-
tons" he said, addressing himself to
Oldworth's wife and holding out his
hand, which she did not appear to see.
81 have heard all about it from the post
boys-all about the grand wedding down
at farmer Grants this morning. 1t was
lucky, my meetingyou here. 1 was on
my way to give you important news,
which I have brought from over the sea
with me. It's not a night when a man
travels faster than heneeds. But can't
say you seem glad to see an old acquaint-
ance."
"Mv friend, " put in OldwOrth, this
lady is my wife. She has had long and
fatiguing ride, and is tonight quite un-
fit tor conversation; but tomorrow, be-
fore resuming our journey, she will lam
sure be happy to exchange the warmest
wishes with YOU"
Oldworth had spoken in q tone of
sweet patronage, but the other man
never looked in his direction, only say
ing to Mary, " That's your choice, is it?
Why, ne looks as if a breath of wind
would blow him away. But you must
hear nv news alone. Get lid of him,
will yOu-Or must I?"
"One word" exclaimed OldwOrth,
the color rising in his face, though he
strOve to control his voice You come
from a Journey, the night is stormy,
and this is your excuse for hay
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 Oldworth's face " My names Mark
Shsw. I am first mate of the ship An
ME, brought to Dover last night, I am
no more drunk than you are, and when
you say I am you know that you are
telling a lie. You call yourself fine
gentleman; well, in the matter of words
you beat me. But you wouldn't like it.
You wouldn't care to go 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 90, you know" he went on,
'sthe better it will be for all three"
{" Yes, do 90, DEAR" exclaimed Mary
with an assumption Of gravityin her
voice. whatever you do, don't quar-
rel. Mark is rough and violent, /
know; but he NAV have news which I
ought to hear. Of course, l shall tell
you every thing"
"I will leave you, then for ten min
utes, " said Oldworth, addressing HIM
self to Mark. ''Not, you understand,
on account of your threats, but because
q gentleman will allow no brOil to take
place before a lady, and I see nothing
less than this would satisfy you. Atthe
end of ten minutesI 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
piuless scrutiny she wrighted and
WINGED as in some great physical pain.
The wind shrieked around the inn; the
wood fire on the hearth cracked and
sputtered, the red flames leapingup fit
fully; a cart numbered near on the dark
road, and drew up ponderously at the
inn door.
Atlength Mary broke Lhe silence.
"For Gods sake, speak, she said.
" Do you wish to Kill me by just look
ing at met"
81 wish I could" he reioined. "I
should like TO see you dying inch by
inch under my eyes, without touching
you You're the right sort of q girl,
aren't you, for a man to have loved
before, indeed, he was man-nothing
but a 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 a girl to have trusted
and believed into have prayed for
night and day. Why, in some Of our
great storms | have done what | never
did till then. l have prayed, God
save me, for if l 90 down and don't
come back any more, how will that girl