Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-10-09
ELECTION NEXT TUESDAY,.

but now there was no help for 1t. L took
the ring from my bosom aud laid it on
my palm and told him it was Evan
Lockes, and that I had plighted my
troth to him. And grandmamma called
me deceitful wench, and grandfather
looked as though his heart would break.
One day grandpa said to me: 1t seems
that your sweetheart is not over-fOnd of
you or over-anXious to see vou.'
why not?' said l.
Where has he been this month back ?
Busy, doubtless. .--
Perhaps you know all about it. said
grandma. You are going along with
him, maybe. ..-.-
Where ? said l.
She went TO the kitchen door and
beckOned in a woman who sat there
Dame Coombs-who had just come over
with some eggs.
Il heard you rightly she said. You
told me Evan Locke and his mother were
making ready for voyage.
They're going to Canada My son, a
carpenter -and good one, though say
it-made the doctor 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 was close on
my marriage eve, and granny and D0ro-
thy Plume were busy with my wedding
robes. l wished it we're my shroud they
were working at instead.
And one night the pain at my heart
grew too great. and l went out among
the purple heather on the moor,and there
knelt down under the stars and prayed
to be taken from the world. For how
can | live without EvanY
spoke the words aloud, and then
started up in alright. for there at my
side Was little elfish figure, and heard
CRY that at first | scarcely thought
earthly. Yet it Was but Scotch Jenny,
who had followed me.
Why do you call for your true love
now p she said. 'Ye sent him frae ye
for the sake o the young Squire
What do you mean 2 said |.
III speak gin l lose my place. said
Jenny. i rode with the mistress to
young Dr. Lockes place past the moor,
and there she lighted and gave him a
ring, which turned him the tint of death,
and said he: There's nae a drop O. true
bluid in a woman, gin she is false, and
he turned to the wall an covered his
eyes, an your granny rode home. There,
It's all KEN
And then | fell down at her feet like
a stone. knew nothing for AN hour or
more, but then. when l was better and
they left me with Jenny, had her fetch
nv hood and cloak, and her own, and
come with me, and away l went across
the moor in the starlight to where the
hall windows were ablaze with light,and
asked the housekeeper to let me see the
Squire.
She stared at me for my beldness-no
wonder-but called him. So. in mo-
ment, he stood before me in his evening
dress, with his cheeks flushed and his
eyes bright, and led Inc into me into a
little room and seated me.s-------.-.-.-.
Agatha, my love, l hope no mischance
brings you here?' he began.
But stopped him.
Not your love, Squire Turner said.
4 thank you for thinking so well of me,
but even after all that has happened L
i
Have offended you, "A gatba? he said.
Not. you. The offense-the guilt.
Oh, have been sorely cheatedP And
all could do was to sob and think he
thought me mad.
At last strength came to me. l went
back 10 the first and told him all.
'And though l would never see Evan
Locke again said /, still, can never
be another mans true love, for | am bis
until die.'
Then, as looked, all the rich color
faded out of the 'Squire's face, and L saw
the sight we seldom see more than once
in a lifetime-a strong man IN tears.
At last he rode and came to me.
my little Agatha never loved me- he
said. 'Ah, mel the news is bad; l
thought she did. This comes OF vanity.
And then, kind and gentle as though
L had not grieved him, he gave me his
arm and saw me across the moor, and at
the gate paused and whispered:
BE at rest, Agatha; the Canadian
ship Golden George has not sailed yet.
Ehl but he was fit to be a king-the
grandest, kindest, best of living men,
who rode away with the break OF the
morrow, and found Evan Locke just
ready to set foot upon the Golden
George, and told him tale that made
his heart light and sent him back to me.
Heaven bless himl
And who WAS it that sent grandfath-
er the deed of gift that made the cottage
his own, and spoke kind word to the
gentry for young DR.. Locke. that helped
him into practice? Still, no one but
Squire Turner, whom We Taught our
children TO pray for every night!
IN I0u FNunCdo