Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-08-12

much more subdued, and so much older
in her manner and appearance, that Mr..
McGraw felt more and more at ease in
her society, and of the two he began to
appear the brightest, and wore an air of
briskness and vigor that went far to
make up for his mature years. His
lawyers declared that never, in the whole
course Of their experience, had they seen
a man possessed with such admirable
philosophy.
As the months went by, it began to be
generally conceded by all concerned
that MI. McGraw was "paying atten-
ton" to Maggie, and she was treated
with that rare consideration that her
good luck demanded.
The only creature that seemed utterly
ignorant of the situation was poor Mag
gle herself, who had never for mo-
ment forgotten her dead sailor, or ceas-
ed reviving his memory to Mr.. McGraw,
who seemed the only one that could
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her. Prodded on by the encouraging
hints and illusions Of the girls mother.
Mr.. McGraw had endeavored to infuse
into his manner something of the bearing
of alover, but Maggie invariably receiv-
ed these advances with the gentle graft
tude that had become a part Of her
nature, and Mr.. McGraw instinctively
shrank from anything that might shock
her delicacy, or estrange her from him.
One morning, as they stood upon the
long pier and looked out to sea he said
to the girl clinging 10 his arm, "Shall
you be sorry, my dear, to see me one
of these days sailing away from you in q
ship like that one over yonder, never
perhaps to look upon your sweet face
again.
She said no word, chung closer to his
arm, and two big tears rolled out of her
eyes. He took courage then to put his
arm about her-not but that it had often
been there before, but that was in faith
erly sort Of a way.
"Would you be afraid, Maggie, to
cross the sea with me?'' he said.
"Afraid y she replied: 81 could
never be afraid of the sea-"
There was IN unpleasant infection in
these words that was closely connected
with the dead sailor, and Mr.. McGraw
essayed still another inquiry. Don't
you love me little, Maggie?" he said.
81 love you better than anybody
now," she said.
He longed to ask her if her love was
anything of the nature of the ardent
passion she had once held for the sailor
Malloy, but of course be refrained, and
indeed he was we'll contented with his
present. happiness. Mr.. McGraw felt
certain of the future. There seemed no
obstacle to his happiness, and that very
day he resolved to get his affairs in shape
so that he could leave the country at a
moments notice. He stopped and kissed
Maggie goodbye, and started off blithely
to see his lawyers.
"Don't be long," she cried from the
window. II shall wait here till you
come back"
"God bless the child!" said poor Mr..
McGraw. "There certainly now is
nothing to hinder our happiness.
The lawyers were out, and the Office
was in care Of the boy. On low chair
by the door man sat, with his head
resting upon his knees. His whole ap-
pearance was of that sipshod nature
that it seemed as if he might fall to
pieces at any moment. His frame, of
herculean dimensions, was the more
pitiable that the flesh had shrunken from
the bones, and the features of his face
were harsh and forbidding in their prom
nence. His clothes were faded and
patched, his hat was pulled over his
eyes, and altogether he was most for
lorn and pitiable object in this Office of a
prosperous solicitor.
In the heyday of happiness, how could
Mr.. McGraw pass this wretched fellow
creature by without word?
: 'sGood morning, my poor fellow" he
said. "You seem to be in sorry plight.
Can I do anything for you?"
"You can tell me-" said the man, in q
hoarse and hollow voice, {" if it's true
that these people here will be glad to
see me. I'm told there's reward Of
fered for any news of me, and I'd like a
little money to prink up before I 20 to
see my sweetheart. She'll be thinking
it's my ghost if I go to her like this
"Some wretched criminal" thought
Mr.. McGraw, "who has risked every
thing to see this woman he
loves. See here my good fellow" he
said, lowering his voice, " if this money
will be of any use to you, take it and go;
but I'd keep clear Of the law if I were
YOU"
"Why, thank you, sir" said the man,
putting back the bills, t'but I'm no beg
gar. I'll wait and hear what these land
sharks have to say"
At that moment the senior lawyer en-
tered, and turned upon the fellow a dis
trustful glance. "What do you want
here ?" he said, sharply.
81 want the money that was offered
for news Of a shipwrecked sailor called
Martin Malloy."
II offered ten pounds said the law
yer, turning to Mr.. McGraw.
"The deuce you did!" said Mr..
McGraw, who had fallen into chair,
and gazing at the man with strained
eyes. "This Malloy is dead" he add
ed, still keeping his eyes upon the man.
"He amt quite dead" said the man,
''but as near as he likes to be-" Then
he went on to tell the story of the wreck,
the exposure in the open boat, the agony
and starvation, the death and insanity Of
most of the crew. It was an old story,
repeated very often, but the lawyer and
Mr.. McGraw seemed to hang upon every
word that fell from the lips Of the miser-
able mariner. MI. McGraw's face grew
old and wrinkled as he listened. The
lawyer at length uttered an ejaculation of
joy. II congratulate you, Mr.. Nc
Graw," he said, turning to his client,
s*your money is as safe as if you held it
in your hands,
But Mr.. McGraw had fallen back
against the wall. They loosened his
necktie and threw water in his face.
""By Jove!'' said the lawyer, "your
joyful news has been too much for him.
A big part of his money was at stake,
you see, and he's hidden his feelings SO
long under mask Of resignation that
now he is overcome: Get cab at once, -
he added, to the boy.
But Mr.. McGraw revived, and by the
time the cab reached the Office he was
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