The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-12-11

ASHIOH strange behavior! l. J1lnK
that she spread the report of your firta-
ton with John Foster on purpose to put
an end to everything between you and
Joe. She wanted him herself: every
body saw that"
Emily colored violently, but made no
reply. Joe Ashton's name had hardly
been mentioned in the family for years
He was an old lover of hers, but she had
not seem him for eight long years. She
was twenty-six now, and he had left the
place very suddenly and mysteriously
when she was only eighteen, and she
had never heard from him since.
The summer that he went away he
had never been more devoted. Emily
saw him every day. He talked of Civ
ing up his sailor life because he could
not bear to leave her, he said, and was
looking for situation in some mercan-
tile house in the city. Then all of
sudden he disappeared without one word
of good-by. He left no message behind
him. He wrote no letter of explanation.
His grandfather, with whom he had al
ways lived, for his father and mother
died in his infancy, merely said that he
had gone on another foreign voyage. In
less than year afterward the old man
died. There were none of the Ashtons
left in Bloomville, and people ceased to
talk of Joe. For two or three years his
name was scarcely mentioned. Then
there came rumor that he was with
his uncle, rich old bachelor in the
West Indies. Some sailor from the
port had seen and talked with him
there, but still Emily heard no sound.
She had up to this time believed him
dead. Other lovers sought her favor,
but all in vain. She should never mar
ry, she said. She preferred to remain
as she was. She was too busy to in
dulge in any vain regrets, for great mis-
fortunes had come to the family, and
she was obliged to teach school to keep
her mother, Aunt Debby and herself
from actual want. In the first place
the bank at the "Port," where all their
possessions with the exception of the
rocky little farm upon which they
lived, were placed, failed. Then
the crops failed entirely one
year, the best COWS sickened
and died, and, in the midst of it all,
Mrs. Rollins fell i'll of fever which
lasted two or three weary months. The
farm was mortgaged in order to pay the
Doctors bill, and since that time every
thing seemed to 60 wrong.
"Bless me-" said Miss Debby, sud.
denly rushing into the room, ''two men
are a-comin' through the gate bringin'
somethin' that looks like another man !;
ez like as not somebody's got hurt. :"
And she flew to open the outside door,
"Man hurt, got run away with, Deb
by, m you'll hev to take him in, SEEM
this is the nearest house," said Mr..
Harding, one of the neighbors, who,
with his son, stout lad of eighteen, was
carefully bearing limp and seemingly
lifeless body.
"Good grashus! he's dead, 1 kin see
by the looks of his face that he's a
corpse" exclaimed Miss Debby, while
Emily hastily led the way to the best
bedroom.
"Lor', no, he's out of his head,
though, and dangerous, I'm afeard. It's
the stranger that came to the hotel ter
the corner day before yesterday. He
brought wild horse with him from the
city," said Mr.. Harding. "Tom, you
stay here with the wimmen-folks, they
might git scarf, you know" turning to
his son, "while I'll drive after the Doc
tor as fast as l can"
Emily regarded the man with
strange, half-romantic interest. His
features, though bronzed to such an ex-
tent that she believed him to be of a
dark-colored race, were singularly hand
some. Hewas, apparently, about thirty
years old. A dark, curling beard
adorned his chin and half concealed a
rather obstinate, determined mouth. A
quantity of loose, dark hair fell over a
broad brow, which was nodded after a
different pattern from those of the slow,
unambitious young farmers and rough
sailors whom Emily was accustomed to
see. His eyes were tightly closed, the
jet-black lashes sweeping his brown
cheek. Upon one of his long aristocratic
looking fingers glistened brilliant da-
mond in an odd setting. Emily, who
was as full of romance as very young
girl, and who had been reading Eastern
poetry, thought that he looked like an
Eastern king. A terrible bruise reveal
ed itself on the left temple, and being
placed on the back of his head, he turn
ed it quickly with moan of intense suf-
fering.
ale don't b'long nowheres round
here, but, somehow, he looks dretful
familiar, don't you think SO, Emilyp"
said Aunt Debby.
:" l fancied that there was when I first
glanced at him." replied Emily, "but of
course it was only fancy. 1t is evident
that he is gentleman
eyes, some great gentleman" said
timid, little Mrs. Rollins, regarding the
diamond ring with sort of awe.
Miss Debby hurried to make fire on
the hearth, while Emily proceeded to
battle the strangers head very gently
with cold water. This seemed to soothe
him for time, for he became immedi-
ately quiet, then he commenced to NUT
ter incoherent words, and to make
startled ordinations.
"No, no, she won't see me! she won't
speak to me! 1t is too late!" he cried,
looking Emily full in the face with his
wild, burning eyes.
The Doctor came bustling in, bearing
his huge medicine chest.
81 don't think you can do any thing,
Doctor, the mans in a dretful way.
Completed like furriner, amt hep"
said Aunt Debby.
What 80 CT IL LooI