Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-04-08
David Melnotte's Wrath.

David MelnOtte'S Wrath,
Il must speak to you tonight, Rosie,
said David Melnotte, holding Rose Bri
erlys pony by The mouh, snd standing
straight In the narrow path down the
rocks. I'm going away, Rose, The
crops are poor and my cattle have died
In the murrain this year. cannot make
my bread. I'm going to Glencoe's Mills
Rosie. Have you nothing to say to
me?"
II hope voull do well, David"
ais that all, girle?"
The glow'had died off Roses cheek
but she held her beautiful lips stubborn.
ly shut. The little Galloway was very
small, and David was tall and stout; 50
the next moment he clasped her close in
his strong arms, saying, 'Gol bless the
girl l leave behind mep and was gone
his way.
The pony took up his line of march
down the rocky path but Rose did not
sing any more as she rodey and when
she came in to the roaring fire, out of
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 u fire, and cooked him hot
dinner, and then gathered fagots until
nightfall, binding them in bundles, to be
brought home by the pony.
AS they came over the rocks, her faith
Ell suddenly stumbled and fell.
Father, oh, father" she cried, SPRING
ing to him, for he could not rise, but lay
very pale and still. He had fallen with
his leg bent under him, and it was bro
keh.
she was sobbing over e.. fnher on
the ground When a young man came dri-
wing Z cart up pstife iiili. Rose ran to
meet him.
'.Ro5e Briefly, is this you? Why,
what is me matter?" he cr,d.
"Oh, Mdtthew-MattheW Burns, my
father has fallen and broken his leg He
lies looking Ike one dead, and do not
know wnas 10 GO.'
Matthew Burn, was bold looking,
dark fellow. Tnere was Someth II, vers
repulsive inrhis aspecv; but Rose d:d not
mind enything abouy rhaG Inen, only
bent with him over le, father, showing
how his leg gave way under min, ard
how mis- mead fell back, and how cold his
hdl0S were.
sHe has only tainted with the pain,"
Sad Matthew.
Then he threw some empty sacks
ac -'Osa the cart, making a bed; and: Int
ing the insensible man eaeily, laid him
upon IT, Rose climbed in 10 hold her
fathers head, and keep him covered
from Tie cold; and SO they rode 10 the
cO.6a2e.
When the doctor came to SET Peters
leg, and announced that The old wood
cutter must not leave his ped Tor six
weeks, Matthew watched Rose, and saw
that she looked hardly able to scand.
"Wnas is the matter?" he whispered.
"Oh, we viii sta-ve TO deatnr she
sobbed.
mo, no; Iisten Rose. What you need
now is a husband Marry me. l will
look alter and milk the ca;5le, carry the
wood to market. make the fiTe, and fetch
the wafer from the spring. You snail
do noting but cook our dinners and
nurse your father"
Il cannot do that" sobbed Rose; Il do
not love you, Matthew Burns.
"Why do you not marry Matthew, and
give yourself strong arm to lean upon ?
demanded the old man, angrily.
'Because l love David Meinottew cri-
ed Rose, vehemenGly; "and Id go the
wide world over to find him nOw."
"Then you'd find anOthet wOman's
said Matthew, cooiv. "Da-
vid Melnotte N ais married yesterday 10
one o. the lacIory girls at GiencOe's
Mii;3.
Rose dropped. After that she offer
ed no opposition to Matehew, and a
month later they were married. Sue was
SO ill with griei and disappointment and
WEAKNESS that she tainted at the alGar.
Blu, Matthew was kind husband, in
spite of his scOwling brow. He had the
doctor to see Rose, aud brought her new
shoes and warm plaid fcOm the viii
lage, and tished and hunted for he's, until
rest and nourishing food brought
strength again 10 her body.
Winter passed, and one day in the
spring, wnen Rose was milking her pet
heife, ut the door, a voire said: "Has
the mountain beauty drink of warm
milk for an old friend?"
She looked up, and there was David
Melnotte, dusty and weary looking, as III
he had travelled a long way, bu. mis- eyes
bright and pleasant, as of old. For a
Rose turned very faint, and
leaned against the le,fer for support,
Then she said: as it you, Davidy How
Is you wife ut Glencoe Millsp'
"I have no wife, Rose" said David,
gravely.
The girls heart turned sick in her bo-
som, but she ran ON, carelessly, "My
husband, in the house, will give you
cup from the table. My heifer gives the
best milk you ever drank"
"Your husband, Rose" repeated Da-
yid, slowly.
"Yes," she answered, lightly. 81 mar
ried Matthew Burns three months back.
God forgive you, Rose" murmured
David.
She burst into tears.
Just then Matthew came TO the door,
darkly. But David civilly ask
cd for the cup and drank the milk.
"Stay and sup with us, Davil,' said
the old man; and Rose murmured, Yes,
stay" ,,@ a
So, though Matthew was silent, David
put his stick in the corner and sat down
10 the board with them. The old man
was garrulous, forgetting, or not know