Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-11-20

tfiy tLItU lives LufOuxu. IL Tciu StO
and vexed the squire, heaven only
knew what might happen.
/ Ali it was hard to bear-bitter
hard; but now there was no help for
it. I took the ring fir ,m my bosom
ana laid it on my palm and told him
it was Evan Locke's, and that / had
plighted my troth to him. And grand
mamma called me deceitful wench,
and grandfather looked as if his heart
would break.
One day grandma said to me: "It
seems that your sweetheart is not
overload of you, Or over anxious to
see YOU"
"Why not?" said I.
"Where has be been this month
back?'
Busy, doubtless"
"Perhaps you know all about it, !"
said grandma "You are going along
with him maybe"
She went to the kitchen door and
beckoned in a woman who sat there
Dam. Coombs-who had just come
over with some eggs.
I heard you rightly" said she.
You told me Evan Locke and his
mother were making ready for voy-
age"
They're going to Canada. My son,
a carpenter-and a good one, though
| say it-made the doctor a box for
his things. The old lady breads the
new country, but she goes for the
doctors sake. There's money to be
made there, they say. That's what
takes them"
'Give me whom you will, then,
since my own love does not want
me-"
So days rolled by and I was close on
my marriage eve, and granny and
Dorothy Plume were busy with my
wedding robes [ wished it was nay
shrsud they were working at instead.
And one night the pain in my heart
grew 800 great, and | we2t out among
the purple heather on the moor, and
there knelt down under the stars and
PRAYED % be taken from the world.
s'For how can I i've without Evan"
spoke the words aloud, aud then
started up in alright, for there at my
side was a little elfish figure, and
heard o cry that first I scarcely
thought earthly. Yet it was but Scotch
Jenny, who Lad followed me.
why Go you call for your true
love MOVE" she said. eye sert him
frae We for sake o the young squire.
what do you mean?' said |.
CPL speak gin | lose my place, said
Jenny. II rode with the mistress to
young DR.. Locke's place past the
moor, and there she light d and gave
hun a ring, which turned HIM the tint
of d.ath; and said he: There's nae
drop o true bluid in woman, gin
she is false, and he turned to the wall
and covered his eyes, an your granny
rode home. There, tits all | ken"
And then | fell down at ner feet
lik stone. knew nothing for an
hour or more. but then, when [ was
better, and they left me with Jenny,
I babe her fetch my hood and cloak
and her own, and come with me, and
away [ went across the moor IN the
starlight to where the hall windows
| were ablaze with light, and asked the
housekecper to let me see the squire
She started at me for my boldness-
no wopder-but called him. So in
moment he stood before me III his
evening dress dress, with his cheeks
flushed and his eyes bright, and
led me into a little room and seated
me.
Agatha, my love, I hope 40
mischapco brings you here?' he be
gan.
"But stopped him.
stNot your love. Squire Turner," [
said. II thank you for think ing so
we'll of me, but even after all that has
passed /"
1 could say no mere. He took my
hand
Have I offended you, Agatha?" he
said.
''Not you. The offense-the guilt
=. Oh, | have been sorely cheated y
and all [ could do was TO sob and
think he thought me mad.
At last strength came to me. |
went back to the first and told HIM
all.
"And though I may never see Evan
Locke again." said [, "still l can
never be another mans true love, for
[ am his until die "
Then. as | looked and the rich color
faded out of the 'squire'S face and saw
the sight we seldom see more than
once IN lifetime-a strong man in
tears"
At last he arose and came to me-"
"My little Agatha never loved me, "
he said. 'Ah me the news is bad, I
thought she did. This comes of
vanity"
And then, kind and gentle as
though I had Aot grieved him, he
gave me his arm and saw me across
the room, and at the gate paused and
whispered:
BE at rest, Agatha; the Canadian
ship Golden George has not sailed
yet"
OH but he was fit to be king
l