The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-24


authority, he being supposed TO live saint
IKE NE, and |, by report, giving his saint
ship much trouble. Two years seemed sucl
long time, yet could have been patient
even with him If it had not been for his in
eessant ioYe-maklng and constant presence
1 was mad from life's history when !
fled from my miserable home. and tramped
+ to Cardiff from Pemarth. You do not know
what that man made me suffer, or what a
cruel torment his love was. would rather
beg for bread from door to door than return
TO him.
'Hs has Will Of iron, and is determined
to marry me by fair means or foul. He
wants my money. | believe He would have
married poor mamma if she would have had
MIN; perhaps that is why she thought so
Well OF hin. | am abSuTdly afraid of him.
1 would rather die than feel myself in his
power again.
L might be discovered at any moment
and IoTc,d 10 return. You see he has the
law on his side, and no one would believe
my word against his. live in dread of be-
ing found by him. What can do, Pieree?''
Pierce looked grayely perplexed.
only husband could dispute his control
over yo1. We must hasten our marriage,
my queen. l viii go TO London and make
the preparations; you must follow with the
child. You are not safe here day, any
moment he may discover you.
Il know Horace Middleton well, l have
had business dealings with him and liked
him immensely. Love for you must have
turned his brain, or he never would have
proved such bastard to you. There is not
a man more looked up to and respected in
all South Wales. Fancy you being John
only IehA b,,
nected you with the notice in the paper,
but for the description Of the jewels you
wOre-that quaint cross and this ring
He took her hand and looked at the heavy
ring she wore with its masonic emblem.
THE ring was the dear dads, he always
wore it, and since my mothers death have
never taken it off,
Pierce stopped down and kissed the little
hand fondly, looking very grave. He was
a man of fair fortune, and good birth and
connections bat it was one thing to marry
a pennilesS girl without home or friends,
and another thing to marry the heiress of
Castle Cover.
The Cover eOliieries were of great value,
there was property besides; and she seemed
such q child; she had never been allowed to
see the world and make a choice for herself.
1t seemed taking an ungenerous advant-
age OF her love and faith to bind her to him,
she might regret it.
He told her all this Sc IDLY and clearly,
but in answer to all objec ons she laid her
pretty face against his arm, and looking up
with beautiful eyes she said.
Il love you, Pierce, and perfect love cas-
teth out fear. would rather be your wife
than crowned Queen of England"
But suppose You should see someone you
1 Fr-r
would You not ne me for rushing you
into marriage W en- all the advantage
comes to me!'
You don't believe in my love, Pierce.
Indeed | do not think your love perfect if
you could so cooily resign me-"
"COolly resign you! On, Dorothy, how
you misjudge mel l only try TO see what is
best for you. You are such a child a man
would be scoundrcl to allow his own
wishes to influence your life. Oh, my dear,
my dear, it is the greatness of my love that
makes ne able to hook only to your side of
the bargan you have all to lose, | all to
gain"
If you won't marry me. at least you
won't send me back, Pierceg'
God forbid, child! How can you ask
me? Are YOU sure you do not want to be
married jast to get away from bondage?'
d rotay's eyes filed with tears.
'Oh. you are cruel. Pierce. What can l
do or say to convince you of my love?''
y am cruel to be kind, Dora darling.
True love is unst FISH. / know what it is to
wake up, too late, to the knowledge of hav-
ing ruined ones life by one mad act.'
'You were not happy with your wife,
Pieree?7
"Happyi Oh, Heaven knows l was not.
I cannot talk of it to you, darling; thank
God you could not understand such unhap-
piness as | suff red or conceive such
wrong as I endured possible. Don't talk OF
that, my precious, it upsets me-"
what do you intend to do with me,
Pierce?"
Love you and stand between you and
evil. | will 60 to town tomorrow and con-
suit my lawyer. You are under age. L do
not know that marriage would be legal un-
der these circuu. stances. l suppose 1t would
not be possible to persuade your guardian
to consent to our union?'
Indeed to goodness no. You don't know
the man he is madly jealous, and | believe
he loves me as well as he knows how to
love. Besides, there is so much property
to be gained; he is ambitious wants seat
in the House of Commons, and hopes to
gain the height of his ambition with my
money"
''Wh0 was your fathers lawyer?'
Mr.. Silas Self, of Staples Inn."
Have you ever appealed to him"'
No; what would be the use? He esteems
Mr.. Middleton highly, and believes me to
be a caprcious girl. He would be the first
| to advise marriage with man so well able
to manage my affairs; but / won't marry
against my will, would rather kill myself.
| Fancy being tied for life to man you hate
| and despise, sanity villain who never
| kicked anyone with his hoof but his wife,
who pocketed his birthstone abroad and
never showed his saintship at home. Be
| sides, am afraid of him, his silent rage
makes my very heart quake; and then he
( can be 50 cruel, torture one in way that
others could not understand. Oh, l hate
| him-I hate him awfullyp'
| Dorothy's little hands clenched, and she
| set her pretty teeth viciously.
| ''Well, l declare you are a vixen-the
man who marries you will catch a Tartar
/ and no mistake" said Pierce, laughingly
and kissing the Fuckers out of her pretty
forehead. There's the dinner-bell; come
my queen, l must confess to being most
romantically hungry"
Dorothy's hand shook as he took it in his
! ana nef Ups QulNeTeu.
MY darling" said Pierce. ''don't look sc
| troubled; surely have not seemed unkind?
Yes, YOU have, very. / don't believe yoI
were in earnest when you asked me. I'll q
away. don't want to be a trouble to any
one. unless it be Mr.. Middleton
Forgetful Of dinner Pierce sat down anC
drew her towards him, saying:
Hush, childi you must not talk like that
you know it is not true. love you to dis
traction, and as to not wanting to MARI.
you, don't l? know by Jupiter do. Bu
don't tell me don't love you and long t
marry you. Ny scruples are those that hon
Or and integrity dictate
Because a man loves madly, he must no
act madly. l must consider your interest
dear; mine are centred in you. While yo
were in my sight poor wandeTer-a penn
less girl, dependent upon your own exel
tions for your daily bread, l threw disere
tien to the wind. wanted you for my wife
! 50 benefit not only myself but you.
Now, / know if take advantage of you
inexperience, your gratitude, and girls
fondness, may wrong you irreyocab.y i
the future.
Il am so much older than you, dear: anC
forgiye me if / say so much more in love.
mo. you are not; if you loved me as | d
you, You would think only of the happine;
of being always together
L dare not think of that, Dorothy, lest
forget all else. Child, child, you are s
, beautifuI-so winning-a man may be e,
cused if he forgets all else the world col
tains-
[ I promise to protect you against yol
? guardian viii not give you up to hin
dear, and l win consult my lawyer to-mo
, | row, and find out if marriage, under sus
} circumstances, can be legal"
1T must be if we are both free and agr'
: to take each other"
! She laid her hot cheek against his Goa
4 ingly, and, carried away from prudence
passion, he said, as he pressed her close
e his heart: