The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-06-04
Gabriel Mercer.

Marion Hastings was the only daughter
of a wealthy countryman, and at the age
of eighteen she married agreeably to the
wishes of her father, Captain Gabriel
Mercer.
It was not love match, on Marian's
part, at least, for nll her heart belonged to
Lieutenant George st. John.
St. John was poor, but his family was
ono of the beat in the county.
His duties called him, with his regiment,
to India.
But before lie went he met Marion in
the gardens of her fathers estate, and by
the light of waning June morn their part
ing took place.
Aud it was such parting as only lovers
mad v it'll agony and despair can know.
Marian was an obedient daushter-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 his
bride before he left her, she revoltcd 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 sklrmishes
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 and terrible fashion
Gabriel loved the young girl, but if she
felt for him any sentiment ut all it 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
obeycd.
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 a Govern
ment position.
1t was not very important situation,
but it yielded him decent income, and it
placed in his hands at times large sums OF
the public money.
One night late in the winter lie brought
home five thousand pounds, and deposited
the pucket in the iron chest.
AS he turned the key in the ponderous
lock, he remarked to his wife:
"Therc arc five thousand pounds OF the
country's money. l. have to 60 away to.
morrow. and shall ride as far as c.
tonight. must leave the money here till
| come hack. 1t will be safe for nobody
knows anything about it,"
"Ohl" cried his wife, "do not 60 unit
you have disposed of it where it belongs. u
"Nonscnse exclaimed her husband
impatiently. eth 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 he
rode of IN the direction Of d.
Marion was too nervous TO 60 to bed.
And che and her one servant sat up IN
the kitchen.
Ncttic was soon fast asleep IN her chair,
but Marian's eyes were bright and fcversh,
and her checks burned with a vivid
crimson, which brought back some of the
old beauty to her face.
Her eyes seem fascinated to rest on tho
brass key which hung over the fire place
the key which fitted the iron chest
She was a strictly conscientious woman
and she felt IL her duty to guard thi.
money entrusted to her keeping rs sh,
would have guarded her life.
1t was past ono o'clock, when the list
enlng woman heard the tramp of ho,se
Oh the gravel road before the door, ant
peeping through the curtains shc saw thre,
mounted mon.
They raped loudly at the door, askin,
for admittance, but Marian denied tllei
request.
They beat tho door from its hinges.
They were three stalwart fellows will
masks over their faces.
Marian was brave, but she haG nothing
with which to defend herself.
The leader of the bagd demanded tn