The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-10-18

Wtth conlPieAlon naturally fair, but
much eT55rowned by the sun. The
inst impression of him was certainly
favorable, yet a keen scrutiny of his
face left a vague feeling Of H~neasiless
in your mind, you scarcely knew why.
But he looked very kind and loFe-like,
and proud of his young bride as he took
her on his Arm, and Mrs. Frazer felt
somewhat treasured.
"Robin, l hops you will make this
girl of mine as happy as she deserves
to be. 1fyou are not real good to her, |
shall take her back to live with me-"
She spoke playfully, yet with feeling
in her voice.
vi keen weel I'm not worthy of her,
ma'am, but I'll try my best to make
her happy" said Robin, and Helen an
severed his look with one of tender
trust. The vague shadow thathad OPP,
oppressed her spirits that morning seemed
suddenly lifted. :.
Come, darling, rs time to start, y
murmufed Robin, and the little bridal
procession set forth. They Were a
tpretty sight, as they wended their way
over the slopihg lawn, and down
through the broad avenue of trees to the
gate. just across the street stood the
little stone church-and the fragrance
of the flowers Mrs. Frazer had sent IN
early that morning greeted the little
| party as they entered the door.
swell, I must confess 1 never saw q
prettier bride!" said Mrs. Frazer's
sister. "And the groom seems a fine,
manly young fellow, doesn't hep"
81 do hope he will make her happy
said Mrs. Frazer, with tears in herkind
eyes. "Hush! the service is begin.
ming"
A lovely summer evening, four year:
after. At the door of Robins pretty
cottage sits Helen, her knitting in hel
hand. The neat little table is spread
within and Helen is only waiting now
for the kettle to boil. Davie Stewart, 6
bright-eyed laddie of two years, is
frisking around his parents like a squir
rel. Their eyes follow him fondly and
and Helen says, laying her hand on hel
husbands arm,
"Just to think It was four years to.
day we were married, iRobin!"
tIt don't seem possiblep' said Robin
musingly. "Weel, we've been very
happy, Helen, sac farp"
Something wistful and appealing il
| the look he turned on her touched
Helen, while she could not understand
it. She laid her head on his shoulder az
she answered,
Eyes, Robin, we've been very happy
and there's nae reason we shouldna BIZ
sac a the rest of our days, if we only
love and trust each ither, as we ought
in ilka thing"
There was something appealing il
her voice now, but Robins eyes were
turned away, and he only answered hel
by encircling her waist with his arm.
Robin" said Helen, breaking tn,
silence, 'tye, never tauld me why you
left the great city, lang syne, and cam
to this little place sac far awayp"
Again that uneasy hunted look came
into Robins eyes-he hesitated a mo
ment, and then said in a would-be indif
ferent voice: -
"Whiles there's MAR chance for
friendless lad in a sma' place like thi!
than in the great city. And my fathei
was dead and my mither thought
best to come. ava, and sae-but ism,
that the baby cryin', Hinnyp"
"Ah, the 1assie!' said Helen, rising
with a smile. ats time she was wauk
ing, for she's slept nearly the hall af
ternoon. It'll be the heat that's maxim!
her sae sleepy. I'll bring her cot t.
you, while I max the tea.
"Here's my young leddy!' she said
appearing proudly with her fair 81,
months baby in her arms. s'Take her
/ Robin, lad, while IL .
She stopped short as her quick ey'
caught sight of a man advancing to
ward them. Robin looked up and sa
as if turned to stone.
"Why, Robin, man, don't you know
me?" said the stranger, seizing hi
hand and shaking it violently. 'Don'
you remember Dick BrockleworthP"
Robin, who was on his legs by thi
time, managed to stammer out a few
words of greeting, but had evidentl,
received too severe a shock to recove
lat once. His face was deathly pale
and he trembled from head to. foot
Helen's eye went from him to the stran
ger with a feelingof horror. The new
conner a a man of about ~thirty-six o
seven. His clothes were of coarse ma
terial and considerably the worse fol-
wear, yet something in his air an
manner of speech showed him to be al
educated man. He was tall, full hal
a head above Robin, who was n,
dwarf. His face, though rather
handsome one, was repulsive. In tn
keen, dark eye he fastened upon tn
unhappy Robin there was an expires
sion of almost devilish triumph an,
lpleasure. Helen, watching him close
ly, could have fancied him the Evil On
himself.
"And this is your wife," said tn
stranger, turning towards her. "Rot
in, don't you mean to introduce you
old friend?p
An angry flush crossed Robins face
and in his turn he directed a menacin,
look at his ~'friend." But he intro
duced him, neYertheless-nay, even in
vited him in, and the stranger, no wa
abashed by the GOODNESS of Helen
manner, accepted gaily, and took hi
seat with them presently at the tea
table.
Poor Helen! What a different mes
from the she had anticipated! Sh
had made special preparations in homo
of the day. Delicate slices of ham
garnished with parsley, graced n en-
of the board-a dish of preserves and
jar of orange marmalade, given her b
her mistress, the other, while in tn
center of the table stood a large froste
cake, ~profusely decorated with flower:
There was abundance, of sweet home
made bread and butter, while the tie
sent forth its gentle fragrance froI
Helen's end of the board.
Baby, secured in her high chail
amused herself with a rattle, Will
Helen poured out the tea, returning tn
briefest possible replies to the remark
the stranger addressed to her. Robi
exerted himself to talk, though it Wa
evidently a painful effort.
But Brockleworth, in no wise discor
certed, kept up an easyfiow %ofconvers;
ton. Helen, keenly suspicious of a
he said and did, fancied a hidden meal
ing in many remarks he made to Rol
in, for at such times the latter wouI
vince as if some noxious insect ha
StInp him.