The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-10-24
BLOOMSBURY. PA. FRIDAY OCTOBER "a. 1884,

had written one OF dependency, ho
followed it up quickly with one Of
strong and hopeful cheer. There was
an evident growth in his mind, which
she rejoced to think was genuine aud
progressive. Lille came again, and
the letters were duly shown to her.
She read them quietly, without com.
nent.
"Why, Lille there is some mystery
mere with which I am not to be made
acquainted, it seems"
mo mystery at all, Margaret Aub-
rey wanted to marry me when he w1
rich and prosperous and indolent. ]
refused that Aubrey--but here is an
other Aubrey, who writes these letters
and who seems to be altogether of
different character. He is poor and
struggling, it seems for living-but ]
tell You, Margaret, this Aubrey would
have different answer from me now
Margaret sat speechless with won
dei. She did not dream OF it before.
She sat so long without speaking or
raising her eyes, that Lille began 10
think that she was offended, but her
bright and satisfied look when she did
look up was sufficient
"Just what | always wished, Lille,
and yet am vexed that neither of you
| told me before"
"What was the use, when nothing
was to come of it, Maggie' OF course,
Aubrey would not trumpet his own re-
fusal, and you would hardly expect me
to boast of his offer.
fright, Lille; I sce I was foolish to
expect III" but Margaret puzzled her
brain about Aubrey's offering himself
to Lille. Had he not always disdained
red hair, and Lilies was indisputably
red
Another letter from Aubrey! and
Lille was az anxious to hear it as Mag
gle was to read it.
"Where do you think l am at this
moment, Cousin Margaret AT the
mines, where, for the last fortnight,
have been hard at work, digging. 1
am writing on leaf of book which
l brought with me to register my days
work. have been successful beyond
my sanguine hopes. work hard,
sleep hard, and our eating is of the
very hardest description; yet | am per.
fectly we'll and you would be aston
ished to see me. l have expanded
from a small man to large one.
Bone and sinew seem to have enlarged,
and | breathe SO easy here! Not a
single cigar has profaned the lips which
you kissed at parting. Maggie, l did
not tell you that I offered myself to
your friend, and that she refused me
with sublime indifference that was
anything bnt complimentary. Well
did, notwithstanding that l did not
like her hair But she is noble girl,
and when return who knows if | may
not meet with better success with her.
| know that she desplsed me for my
ndolent life. wish she was here now
to admire me, as take the lead in our
hard enterprise here.
"I wear hunting shirt and trous
ers of n course, strong material, a
leather belt in which is my knife.
With this l cut all my food, holding
bread, meat, etc, in my left hand.
Boots of soles two inches thick or
near that, adorn my lower limbs, and 2
hat of almost fabulous size covers my
head. Nothing superhous-no cravat,
suspender, vest, coat or stocking fet-
ter | have blanket which | throw
down on the grass, sometimes on q
rock and sleep so soundly. Life is
worth something here. Sometimes ]
think shall never go back, but ]
yearn for home and friends, for cous-
in Maggie, dear girl, and for Lille
She shall love me when l 60 home.
am worthy of her now. feel that ]
am worthy now of the love of woman
No wonder that she did not love such
an effeminate, selfish fellow as have
been. You see now, Maggie
| am carrying out what you sale
of me. You encouraged me when yov
said that l had talents. ! am thank
full for the help you have been to me
If women only knew their influence
, and would direct it Alright, we mel
would be all the better. Now for hare
: work few months longer, and then
: for Lille ?"
"You may write him all that l sale
to you about him, Margaret, if yo,
wish. Ihave nooobjectlon."
l And Margaret wrote and with il
came picture, taken in his miners
dress, and which, had they not known
that it was taken for Aubrey, woult
: have been -.perfectly indistinguisha
: BILE. Were that flowing hair, that i'm
:, mense beard and those broad shoul
ders, the adjunct of the small, delicate
< looking youth, whose white hand ri
vailed lady's and who never lifted any
q burden heavier than his cloak befor,
he went away.
DO you want to know if Aubrey
returned and married Lille 7 o
course he did. Did you ever know
. anyone to have fixed purpose in any
thing and not carry it out ? An,
Margaret-she is not married yet, 70
how could the two families get along
without her She lives to counsel, Il
aid and support their courage AM
strength in the great battle of life
She lives an arch jest at Aubrey abou
red hair but he declares that Lille
is not red, and that her jests fall pow
i erless. Still, she can well perceiv
that he is daily examining that of hi
little Margaret to see if it will b
darker than her mothers.
81 hope it will, Aubrey" Margare
says maliciously, -"for it is an 'ot
, lection you never could get over yo
, know
The stem Of a genuine mushroom