Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-06-09
Gabriel Mercer.

Marion Hastings was the only daughter
of wealthy countryman, and at the age
of eighteen she married agreeably to the
wishes of her father, Captain Gabriel
Mercer.
Il was not love match, on Marian's
part, at least, for all her heart belonged to
Lieutenant George st. John.
st. John was poor, but his family was
ono of the best in the county.
His duties called him, with his regiment,
to India.
But before he went he met Marion in
the gardens of her fathers estate, and by
the light of waning June morn their part
ing took place.
And it was such parting as only lovers
mad with agony and despair can know.
Marian was an obedient daughter-she
had been brought up in that stern old way
which teaches that TO the will of parent
child must sacrifice everything, and
though young st. John would fain have
taught her rebellion, and made her hls
bride before he left her, she revolted in
horror from the idea of disobeying her
father.
So they parted.
A little afterward she read his name
among the killed in one of the skirmishes
with the rebel Sepoys and, never doubling
that the bulletin was correct, she lost, as
it were, her hold IN life, and became inert
and sad and hopeless.
At this time it was that Gabriel Mercer
urged his suit.
Her father commanded her to marry
him.
After his own dark aud terrible fashion
Gabriel loved the young girl, but If she
felt for him any sentiment at all 1t was one
Of quiet disgust.
Still she married him, and from that
time forth she was his slave.
He had only to command her and she
obeyed.
But shortly after marriage he sold his
commission, AMI his wife learned with
horror that he had lost all his estate by
gambling.
However he managed to get Govern.
ment position.
1t was not very important situation,
but it Yielded him decent income, and II
placed in his hands at times large sums o
the public money.
One night late in the winter he brought
home five thousand pounds, and deposited
the packet in the iron chest.
AS he turned the key in the ponderous
lock, he remarked 10 his wife:
s.There are five thousand pounds of the
country's money. have to go away to-
morrow, md | shall ride as far as G.
to. night. must leave the money here til
| | come back. 1t will be safe for nobody
knows anything about it.
"Oh!" cried his wife, "do not go unit
you have disposed of it where it belongs.
Nonsense exclaimed her husband
impatiently. "It'll be all right, and
shall be- back in three days"
His patient, faded wife said no more
and at about o'clock in the evening ht
rode of IN the direction of c..
Marion was too nervous TO 60 to bed.
And she and her one servant sat up IL
the kitchen.
Nettie was soon fast asleep IN her chair
but Marian's eyes were bright and feverish,
and her cheeks burned with viviC
crimson, which brought back some of The
old beauty to her face.
Her eyes seem fascinated TO rest on the
brass key which hung over the fire place
the key which fitted the iron chest.
She was a strictly conscientious woman
and she felt it her duty to guard thiI
money entrusted to her keeping as SHE
would have guarded her life.
1t was past one O'Clock, when the list
enlng woman heard the tramp of horse
on the gravel road before the door, ant
peeping through the curtains she saw thre,
mounted men.
They raped loudly at the door, asking
for admittance, but Marian denied thei
request.
They beat the door from its hinges.
They were three stalwart fellows will
masks over their faces.
Marian was brave, but she hac nothing
with which to defend herself.
| The leader of the band demanded The