The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-01-28
I wrote to Mrs. Stevenson, and her

/
II haven't much time to write"
she said. in her postscript. MARY
Is sick. and besides being driven /
am anxious"
This letter was in my pocket on
That day when Angelina and went
together to the bazaar for the benefit
of the church of st. Matthew.
After we had rOamed about the ba-
Ear and bought all sorts of knick-
nacks, / escorted Angelina to a seat,
and there sat down To wait while one
OF the ladies, who, ION this occasion
only" was doing good, onerous, hard
work, brought us tray of refresh.
ments.
AS we sat there slipping our coffee,
two women sat down at the next TIA
bic With their backs to Us.
II am very tired, are sou not, Mrs.
Russell ?" And the other answer
ed:
Eyes, / am tired. don't thing
that 1t is worth the while to come all
the way from Vale of Cruix TO Glass
Cow sight SEEING"
This was the voice of Stevenson
nearest neighbor, and l liked her and
respected her, yet did not feel quite
sure how Angelina would like an in
PRODUCTION, and so RETAINED from
looking round and making myself
known.
II think we'd better have tea"
said the voice. "It's more refreshing
than coffee. Oh, how is Mary to-
day? Think of my never asking be-
fofe."
MARY is poorly" said Mrs Rus
sell. "Oh, Mrs. Cullen, what a pity
it is that flirting young minister
came down to Vale of Cruix. 1
don't know what Mrs. Stevenson was
about to let him do as he did. We
all thought he was counting Mary.
She did, poor child. She just loved
him dearly. And the day before he
went away he told her that he was
engaged to some girl in GLASGOW.
Pam afraid it has broken her heart.
ShetOld me all about it. oh. Aunty
Russell she said, Il know | ought to
be ashamed, but 1 can't help it. He
seemed to like me so. l hope l shall
die of this fever. fol life is nothing to
me- Ashamed? Why, it's he who
ought to be ashamed. Of all the
things, a minister to be coll, cruel
f1irt and that is what Hugh Mactag-
CERT is"
/ listened, but could not move or
speak, felt as though my heart was
also breaking, and oh, the time !
suffered! The women drank their
tea and left, and then Angelina
turned to me with cold, sarcastic
smile.
II see by your face that the little
story is perfectly true, Mr.. Mactag.
CERT" she said.
"Angelina," I faltered. u have
done nothing that should give offense
TO you"
"Nothing but love another wo-
man." she answered. Love her,
and let her see it. meaning to marry
me. Don't think Pm hurt. indeed
1 am relieved! l should have kept
my word to you but for this; but not
so gladly as 1 once should. You are
a very good-looking man, but on the
: whole you don't suit me. l met Mr.
S, at Millport, and he does. Franz
ly, have been thinking what a pity
it was that 1 must decline his offer
! AS for this-Mary, is it not? p
wouldn't she make very good min
) ister's wife ?"
1t came to my mind that she woulC
that she was the only wife for me
that Angelina, splendid as she was
would never have made me happy
But only said. "Miss Melville, i
you desire to have your freedom,
have no choice"
. ~ desire it greatly" she answer
ed.
2 ut is yours" said. with bow
After that / think that we wer'
+. both happier than we had been TO
days, and shook hands when WI
e parted.
That night went up to the Val
' of Cruix, and 1 told Mary that m.
marriage was broken off, and tina
!. she was the only woman had eve
! loved. She tried to summon up he
pride and refuse me, but failed in tn,
= attempt, and let me take her to m.
e heart. To-day am pastor O
| the church at the Vale of Cruix
t Mary is my wife, and we are as plail
! and quiet pair as you could fancy
e / even help my wife pick currants
!. and have taken a turn at the gar
2 den when help was scarce. But d.