The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-02-10
FROM OVER THE SEA.

Ii is Il strange story. | shall never
tell it while | liye--this story of mine;
but perhaps, after am gone, some who
i've after me will like to read it. They
might have thought me mad, or believed
me given to falsehood; but when they
see this paper, yellow with time, and
signed by one who no longer dwells on
earth, they wiIItako the tale as ] meant.
was named Marjorie Franklin, and
was born at Newport ovcreighty years
arU. There lived until ! was seven
iccn.
had had every advantage that q
Young lady of that day could have, and
| was always taught to remember that
| should some day take my place at the
mead of an elegant ostablshmcnt-that
me day | should be no longer plain
miss but my lady" for | was be-
rrothed to my English cousin, whom |
had never seen, and who, rs the eldest
son OF dead peer had inherited his
title n well rs the estate upon coming
If age.
had heard that my cousin was hand
some and talented. and ! had no fear
that should not be happy, although |
had never seen him; and as the time ap-
preached on which his visit was to be
expected, for he was coming soon, and
20 stay until we were married in this
land OF mine, felt much the sort of
ight-heartcd expectation with which
had looked forward 70 my first party.
The day OF my cousins visit drew
near apace We knew he wasio sail in
the next vessel that left for New York.
At that time there were no steamships,
and the date Of the arrival OF vessel
was problcmatical.
However, he would come--l never
doubted that My wardrobe was re-
plenished; l had robes Of all the high
bright colors that became my brunette
beauty; had laccs and buckles, gloves,
fans and combs, chains and ribbons.
kcrchicfs and scarfs; and when | had
tried all these things on, and surveyed
myself often in tho glass, with my hair
dressed in twenty different styles,
longed for my future husband coming
chiefly that might wear all this iinery.
Every day examined the letter-bag for
the letter which should tell of the
Osprcy's arrival, and that Of my titled
cousin with her. But the vessel was
delayed: the winds had been unfavora-
Die; and though she wa, overdue,
nothing was yet hcnrd of her,
We sat together, my mothcr, my
father, and |, in the gart"i' one evening.
The air was clear, the twilight still
fingered though the moon had risen.
We spoke Of the Osprey
Many gallant vessel has been
wrecked" said nv father, "Seldom
have summer storms been so cruel.
shall be clad to have news that the ship
that comes to Ms il safe"
God pronl I, ~ answered my mother
"And bring nv cousin Alfred safe to
land." said l. II am tired of waiting
for him"
"The Osprey il safe" said voice at
my elbow. "Shc is in port"
turned with n start We nil rose 10
our feet.
A strange young gentleman stood
before us. He was ms beautiful as
tho Apollo Belyidere, and as pale ~
the marble from which that statue is
carved. He smiled. II was a sad smile.
He bowed low, and seemed to wait for
some one else TO speak.
"You bring news Of the Osprey.
Then YOU arc" BEGAN nv mother.
Let me call myself what YOU called
me a moment ago" interripted the
gentleman, turning toward me, "Ict
me say | am Cousin Alfred"
Afterwards we all remembered n
strange thing. Our warm and courteous
greetings were all ia words. There was
no Misunderstanding; no touch of any Kind.
He was tho son of my mothers sister.
but she did not kiss him. nor did no Kiss
her.
"But how did vou comop WHARF "a