Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-12-24

formed. Before he had recovered from
his first Arrangement, she was fastening
the last nail III the hoe.
"Iour horse is ready, sir she said, rs
she threw oil her leather apron. Nov
YOU can 20 to Portsmouth and-your
bride"
Into her slender hand, biistered now
aud bruised with It's unwOnted labor
Gabriel Cabot thrust a gulnea and a ring
the latter he had hastily drawn from
his own finger.
Take the money Tor your work." he
said, "and the ring as a Christmas gift
from one who VIII never forget this night
Or you. By the efforts you have made to
help me on my journey, iair child, / know
that You have somewhere a lover Of your
own"
No" she answered, simply. Il have
no lover, sir"
The may Heaven speedily send you
one who shall be worthy of your beauty
and goodness! Farewell-but something
tells NE We shall meet again"
He calamity kissed the hands she had
bruised in his service; her leaped into
the saddle. He looked back once upon
her as she stood in the dal k door of the
smithv, with the diving forge fire making
a red background for her fair, wisttul face
and slender figure; then he turned his
horses head, and, followed by Jacob
Ham, set forth once more on the way to
Portsmouth.
In the dead waste and middle of the
night he reached Judge Cabot's door.
"Have you come to marry my daughter
sirrah?" cried the irate judge.
Yes answered Gabriel.
You are late"
"Av, but | will explain presently -"
Spare yourself the trouble. Your de-
lay has cost youa wife. You may return
nephew, by the way you came, for Sa,
Tome fled some hours ago with the com
mander of the French frigate Terrible
and is 10Y voyaging to France"
It is said that Gabriel Cabot, burning
with wrath and chagrin, Elounteda fresh
horse On this unlucky Christmas night
and spurred straight back through the
wilderness to john FoX's smithy.
81 left Boston to marry a wife," he
cried, "and a wife l will have before
return !"
So he drew rein again at the low black
house in the clearing, and said to the cir
who fastened to open the door to him
"Saxa Fox, will you marry me Z"
Her foolish heart had been greatly dis
turbed by his handsome face and gallant
bearing, and she could not say him nay
Tue marriage turned out to be a remark
ably happy one, in spite of the pique ano
anger which had eoaded Cabot into it
Long years after, when he had wo1
fame as a statesman and a patriot Gabrie
Cabot was dispatched upon a mission o
importance to the Court OF France.
1t was at Versailles, in the train ofth,
fair ami luckless Marie Antoinette, tina
he encountered the Countess de Ferval
Have you forgiven me for my pas
m%lsdeeds, cousln?" she said. smilin.
archly upon him from under her tower
ing and bejeweled headdress.
Yes he answered, coldly, "and
hope, madame, you choice, though has
ty, was a wise one"
Time has proved it to be SUCH" sh,
replied, "the count and | adore eacl
other. In my letters to my father, I hav.
often told him of nv great happiness
You must bring your wife to visit me.
hear that she is wonderfully handsome
MY wife is the fairest in tn,
world, madame, but neither courts no
courtiers have any charms for her-sb,
Is a daughter ofttie people"
The countess lifted her high blond
brows.
"Ab, | perceive that we both are vel
satisfied. Alden, monsieur"
Madame, adieu."
Ard with that they parted, to meet n,
more.