Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-26

that ;ntense. loving kind that clings
forever To tho object OF its afectionate
regard.
Now her parents strove harder than
ever to persuade her to receive the at
tentions of Captain Thomas.
AT last, to please them, she consented
to see him occasionally. But her alb
sent manner convinced the young man
that he could hope nothing from this
concession.
He was n manly fellow, whom the
sorrows of women, but especially those
of the one he loved, affected deeply;
and Mary, who had always rather liked
him, Mt once noticed and appreciated
his sympathy.
"Marry him and forget that other
worthless fellow" her father vcntured
to say to her, at last.
"I could never like Mr.. Thomas well
enough for that, papa, and l doubt not
he knows it,"
"Yes, but it was only the other day
that he told your mother that he would
willingly run the risk of your loving him
after marriage, if you would have him."
But Mary sadly shook her head.
$50 you persist in thinking of that
false hearted rascal"
"Oh, papa, say nothing against him.
she interrupted. Somehow / still
feel as if there must be some mistake.
Yes" she added, starting up; "you
shall take me away off to Costa Rica,
and we will search the marriage regis
ter therel"
This was not the first time she had
made that proposal, and now her father
replied: "Mr. Thomas sails on a
trading voyage next week to Costa Rica,
and as / have business to transact there,
where / intend to establish an agency
for shipping stores, you and l can ac-
company him"
They sailed at the appointed time, and
finally arrived at Costa l;ica.
There inquiries were made, but the
marriage register could not bc examined,
as the building in which it had been
kept had lately burned down and the
book was lost.
1t was ascertaincd, however, that the
chaplain OF British trigatc, which had
been in the harbor about year before,
but had now sailed away, had married a
young naval officer and lady. The
names of the welded twain could not
be learned, but there existed no doubt,
even in the mind of Mary Weldon, that
they were Herbert Weyman and the
Fanny Major mentioned in the notice.
Mr.. Weldon now hardly gave his
daughter a moments rest with respect
to Captain Thomas. He believed that,
il she married that person, she would
be happy woman, in time.
At last he said Promise me one
thing, Mary--that you will at least have
him when We return home, which will
be in about eight months from now"
"Yes. il am alive, and il / learn
nothing in the meanwhile to show that
we have been mistaken about Herbert Z"
She only made this promise to please
her father. She felt quite sure it would
never be iulfillcd-that she would die
before she arrived home, and be buried
in the deep sea.
At last the time came when the vessel
sailed.
Mary had continued to droop. Her
cheek was sunkcn, her voice was hollow ;
she had become thin and worn. But
her strong constitution kept her up,
and when finally within a days sail OF
home, sne concluded that she was likely
to live on for years.
SO then, after all, her promise would
| have to be fulfilled-she would have to
marry Thomas for she would not break
her word even though it broke her heart
to keep il.
"Ies, have allowed myself, by
papas importantly, to be drawn into
making that unfortunate promise, and
must keep my word even though it
kill me
As she spoke, she sprang upon bench
near the rail, the better to receive upon
her hot, fevered brow the full force OF
the fresh morning wind, which was
blowing hard.
Not quarter of = mile astern Of the
ship was another vessel-a beautiful
topsail schooner, which had been sight
ed that morning, and was evidently also
bound for Bristol.
| In her agitation Mary hardly noticed
it. her brain was reeling, and she felt
dizzy. A sudden roll of the ship pre-.