Richland beacon., 1881-12-17

| N's, anu u WAS "HrIn. Aui now she
bade NE goodnight. But did not see
her next day, nor the next She kept
her room, and WIS not well enough to
BID me good-by.
Poor little Mary. I felt very miser-
able. However, Angelina met me in
Glasgow. She was more beautiful than
eyer-more elegant in contrast to my
simple country friend-and very soon l
| laughed at myself for the thought that
had been i'll my heart. OF course,
sad If was the baking that had over
come Mary-it was not my news. l had
only been to her rs q fricnd-as
brother. had Lot made love to her
above al, I had not hirted with her
But l thought Of Mary great deal, and
l missed her every hour exactly-oh.
yes, exact .y-as might sister.
/ wrote to Mrs. Stevenson, and her
answer was very brief.
Il haven't much time to write,' she
said in her postscript. Mary is sick,
and beside being driven I'm anxious"
This letter was in my pocket On that
day when Angelina and l went together
t. the bazar for the benefit Of the
Church of st. Matthew.
| After We had roamed about the bazar
and bought all sorts of knick-knacks,
escorted Angelina to seat, and there
sat down to wait while one Of the ladies,
who, ION this occasion only was doing
| good, onerous, hard work, brought lis
trLv Of refreshment.
As we sat there slipping our coffee. two
women sat down at the next table, with
their hacks toward US.
Il am very tired; are not you, Mrs.
Russell 2" And the other answered:
Yes, am tired. / don't think that
1t is worth the while to como all the
way from Vale of Cru < to Glasgow
sight seeing"
This was the voice. Of Srevenson's
nearest neighbor. and liked her aud
respected her, yet did not feel quite sure
how Angelina would like az introduc-
ton. and SO refrained from locking
round and making myself known.
I'D think we'd better have tea," said
TIL first voice. It's more refreshing
than coffee. Oh, how is Mary to-day?
Think of my never asking before :"
Mary is poorly" said Mrs. Russell.
ooh, Mrs. Cullen, what pity it IL that
flirting young minister came down to
Vale OF Cruix. 1 don't know whn. MIS-.
Stevenson was about 10 let him do rs he
did. We all thought he was courting
Mary. She did, poor child. She loved
him dearly, and the day before he went
away he told her he was engaged to
some girl iD Glasgow. I'm afraid It's
broken her heart. She told me all
about it. 'Oh, Aunty Russell she
said, 'Iknow ought to be ashamed, but
l can't help it. He seemed to like me
so. hope 1 shall die of this fever, for
life is nothing to me- Ashamedi Why,
it's he that ought to be ashamed. Of
all things, a minister to be cold, cruel
hlrt 4! And that is what Hugh Mac
taggert is!
1 listened, but I could not move or
speak. felt as though my heart was
also breaking; and oh, the shame
suffered! The women drank their tea
and left, and then Angelina turned to me
with cold, sarcastic smile.
"Isee by your face that that little
story is perfectly true, Mr.. Macsaggert,"
size said.
Angelina" I faltered, "I have done
nothing that should give Offense to
YOU"
Nothing but love another woman"
she answered. Love her and let her
see it, meaning to marry me Don't
think am hurt indeed am relieved!
/ should have kept my word to you but
for this, but not 80 gladly as once
should. You are q very good-looking
udn, put oa iAo WuOic yOu uOu esut
me. I met Mr.. s. at Millport, and he
does. Frankly, I have been thinking
what pity it was that must decline
his offer. As for this-Mary, is it not?
wouldn't she make q very good minis
ter's wife ?"
1t came 10 my mind that she would
that she was the only wife for me that
Angelina-splendid as she was-would
never have made me happy.
But 1 only said: "Mss Melville, il
you desire to have your freedom, I have
no choice"
II desire it greatly" she answered.
"It is yours" said, with bow.
After that, think, We we're both hap
pier than We had been for days, and
shook hands when We parted.
That night I went up to Vale Of
Cruix, and I told Mary that my mar.
riage was broken of, and that she was
the only woman had ever loved. She
tried to summon up her pride and re-
fuse me, but failed in the attempt and
let me take her to my heart To-day I