The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-22

he was beginning no doubt to realize the re-
| sponsibility he had assumed in taking Marcia
from her safe retreat, particularly that she
must necessarily encounter the manifold dan
gers and temptations that beset society in
new community.
Marcia, if the truth must be told was not so
eager to accept the invitation as her father had
! been, though she made no objection to going
! with US She seemed agitated in manner and
fingered so long in getting her things to-
gether as to leave no doubt in our mind that
She was purposely delaying our departure.
1T was almost dark when we left the house
for our carriage. As we were going down the
steps Captain Dare came burriedly down the
street, and met US as we reached the pavement.
de addressed my wife politely and gracefully
handed her TO the carriage. Turning, he held
Marcias hand for q moment and said some
thing SO low that only her ears could hear.
Evidently it was not otherwise intended, judg
ing from the quick color which sprang TO her
face aud the added luster of her eyes, which
shone like two stars as she seated herself fer
the bomeward drive.
Marcia seemed happy enough, and as it was
arranged that she should stay with us until
after Thanksgiving and her father had made
his first trip 10 Fort Scott she now began to
seem very much at home. Day by day she
crept closer to our hearts, and her thousand
sympathetic, afectionate ways greatly endeared
| her 10 u.s.
Captain Dare, who seemed perpetually On
his good behavior, was a frequent visitor, and
it was very plain that our poor little Marcia
was entirely bewitched by his grandeur and
greatness We were really very seriously an
noyed, especially as there was no longer any
excuse for his remaining at the fort, his bust
ness having been long since transacted. Still,
as there was nothing really Objectionable in
his visits, we could only guard our little girl
as much as possible and continue TO receive
him when he came.
VIC or 4
this time whose presence my wife and l very
much preferred and in whom we hoped to in
/ terest our fair visitor He was also picked
up acquaintance, being an occupant of the same
clearinghouse in which Marcia and her father
had stopped while in Leavenworth.
James Mcleod, for such was his name, was
one of the plainest of men, a plainness rendered
more conspicuous from marks of small pox
his face, that fearful epidemic which robbed
him of both father and mother and left
him an orphan while scarcely able TO leave his
infant cradle. He was short of stature and of
sturdy build, and planted his feet firmly
when he walked, quite unlike the high,
springing step of Captain Dare. 1t was only
when looking into the deep, dark eyes of the
man, or listening to his slow, silvery speech
that one forgetting everything else, felt that
here, indeed, was true manly grace and beauty.
He was IN truth hero and gentleman, but
! IN such plain and humble guise that only he
who has learned to read men through the clear
lenses Of enlarged experience would single him
out for his sterling qualities of mind and char
, acter. Integrity and earnest purpose were
written all over his face. Every line of it be-
tokened the honest conscientious, patient man.
hard, bitter struggle with adverse fortune
from his youth up, attended by such substan-
tial rewards as inevitably follow patient and
persistent efforts had giveB TO the man even
ness of poise and steadineSs of purpose seldom
attained by one of his age for he had but re-
Gently entered the second score of the three
score years and ten allotted to human action.
Those meeting him for the first time thought
only that here was a plain, plodding factor of
the toiling masses. After that, the man
tcrnal became as the veil through which ap-
peared the vast mental and moral force Of
great, brave, earnest enduring nature; man
TO plan and TO execute who would yet make his
influence felt ia spheres of boundless usefulness.
James Mcleod was very quiet but very
devoted worshiper at the shrine of Marcia's
simple loyeliness. He made no effort TO please
or even to interest her; but the mere fact Of
his presence was the best compliment he could
have paid TO one so naturally susceptible to the
best influences. 1t soon became apparent that
even the gallant Captain Dare was losing ground
before him.
We were very glad at this happy turn of af-
fairs and esteemed ourselves highly fortunate
when, in day or two, Captain Dare came to
tell US that IL was imperative that he should
/
Marcia in the presence Of my wife, saying
he hoped she would not fail to accompany her
father to Fort Scott, where there was lady,
an officers wife, who would give her all the
kindness and care she was then receiving from
her mothers friend.
. When he had bowed himself politely away
Marcia, yielding TO a gentle impulse, threw
herself into the arms Of my wife, and sobbing
passionately, said she so happy that he had
gone away, and that she hoped she might never
look upon his face again. She was like help
less, wounded bird freed from the fascination
: of beautiful, glittering snake that was draw
ing its unresisting victim by subtle influence
to certain destruction.
The days went On and Thanksgiving ap-
! preached. Marcia was very lght-hearted and
happy, and was so absorbed in her new friends
and home as TO even dread the time when her
; father should return TO take her 10 Fort Scott
James Mcleod was constant visitor, and
among our Thanksgiving guests none was
more welcome Yisitant Marcia's father came
back from the frontier, as he had promised, and
we all spent happy day and evening together.
. Dir. Ransom, in response 10 our entreaties
that Marcia should spend the winter with us,
replied that he felt that the DAYS would be very
lonely without her, especially as he had prom
ised himself great pleasure in the society of the
child from whom he had been separated for so
long.
The next morning they left for Fort Scott,
with the promise that Marcia should return to
/, us in the spring.
She promised 10 write Us very often, and,
indeed, we had reason TO believe we should
hear from her frequently, as she was also to
I. | write 10 James Mcleod.
We did not learn until afterwards that she
had also promised TO become in time his welded
: wife. Had We known this how very different
: our own conduct might have been!
CHAPTER III.
Marcia wrote US two or three times and then
2 all communication ceased. Nor did James
q Mcleod receive answers to the many letters
which he wrote TO her, except TO his first two.
She said then to him, as she did to us, that she
: longed 10 return 70 Fort Leavenworth and to
. be with US once more. But the same time it
. was apparent that she was quite taken up with
!. the round Of silly gaieties which the narrow
circle at the frontier fort had devised to pass
y weaTisome winter.
1t was, think, two days after Christmas
e when az last q letter reached us from Fort
q Scott But it was not in Marcias handwriting
! and our worst aPprehensions were excited lest
she had been H. perhaps was even dead
r, The letter proved 10 be from Mr. Ransom,
Il and read:
IS My DEAR KIND FRIENDS: The great grief
, OF my life has come TO me- Marcia during my
a absence Of day or two, was clandestineIy mar