The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-05-19

secret IRON prying eyes. Ah with ho8
trembling fingers ! Hnd IL; It does exact
ly as thought it would do. With ihst
broad old ring always on need fear no
discovery,
During the day my uncle is taken much
worse and he will let no one come nesr
him hnt me. William CONES in and ouk
of the room, but am tied to it all thf
day till toward evening. when uncle fallq
into deep sleep and l can safely leave
him with bis nurse. It was rambling
old house, Norlington Farm, and it bad
been my only home for nearly seven
years. all of which time William Maple.
son had lived as my uncle's steward and
helper under The came roof. &
Il bad been . hard. self.deny ing II.
for him, perhaps /; bot for me- or rather.
for his love for me-hs never would have
borne 1t. Tilllatterly the bard old man
had never discovered our love and when
he had there was no more peace for Us
under the roof. He had ragged and storm.
ed, declaring that no niece OF bis should
ever marry William Mspleson, on pain
Of dist heritauce.
l had been weak sud helpless, alone In
the world, not very strong 10 health,
when be came to nv fathers funeral, and
after paying all expenses had simply
said:
"Now 60 and pack your kit; you must
come with me to Norlington iarm. Can't
say. I'm sure, what old Betty will say,
but there's nothing else, as see. to be
done Remember. nav girl, tits no, a Ia
dy's life I'm offering you; but I suppose
you are not too 6ne lady to know what
work means"
II l bad been then, all VAS corrected
by now. During these seven years have
worked hard and lived hard !; vet there
are those who say old Peter Glennia is
worth half q million OF money.
My golden week OF happiness is gone,
bot although William is gone l am
strangely content.
l do otregret the step have taken.
Since the morning after nv marriage my
uncle had been better and quieter. Old
Mr.. Baines, the lawyer, had been with
bin q full hour that morning, and old
jenkins lad been called into bis room to
sign his name to some document, togeth-
or with the hired nurse.
"He's . miserable old man." she said
to me that day. 81 suppose ii Is his
will we signed. What's grudge he seems
to have against marriage. He growls
continually 10 his sleep about fools GET
ting married."
He had called her at THE moment and
l was left alone to hear . conversation
between old jenkins and Betty. who, be
ing both deaf. were talking over the
came matter IN the kitchen.
"Ab, veil, Betty, it's hard day for
the farm when William goes away; sn'
how'll the old master do wi . new stew
ard at bis tonne o. life, I wonder! - s. =
"He knows what he's about, never you
fear. Do'ee think for mon ent as how
be doE't kow a-lettin' him 90 is the on'y
way o. preventin' marriage between he
and Miss Norah! Ha! hs! hap
As Ishear her cunning old laugh at my
exreose l sit hugging my love to my
heart.
Old Betty always owed me grudge
for coming to- Norlineton farm, al
though si'e had been compelled to show
me ordinary civility.
How little she knew We we're married
only yesterday, under her very nose as
it we're. So far I have deceived him and
the few other people I knew-deceived
him through his own hardness. So far
es ] was concerned l would have told
him, only / knew. and my husband knew.
that any sndden shock would in ell prob
ability kill him.
We should have parted and kept true
faith to each olher II my strength had
not been weakened when that good offer
to 20 to Canada had come go suddenly.
Then he had prayed me to marry him
before be started, 30 that il nv uncle
died / might at once come out to him ss
his wife ~
And now William vas gone; the ship
had ssiIed and was slone, but happier
far than II had denied him bis prayer.
Since the day after my marriage, when
Mr.. Baines had been with my uncle, be
bad been more quiet, but strangely anx-
ious not to lei me ont OF bis sight.
All through the week I had not been
once out Of the house; OF this be seemed
to take ful care by keeping me near him
by every ptetenss be could think Of.
The ship hsi orly sailed one week
when my uncle died suddenly, and then
on the day OF the lonely funeral came tbs
reading Of the old miser's will.
/ came down with my wedding ring
exposed for, The frst time. 1t Was no.
ticed ct once. Mr.. Baines looked sgbast
at me The doctor Who attended my
poor uncle looked horri6edsss we'll he
might; knowing that 1t meant disinheri.
snce II married.
Old Betty's eyes had wicked CLEAN
In them as she said:
Perhaps you didn't know, you and
William Mspleson, ,thst you'd lose every.
thing Il you married p
1--WE didn't care to think OF It." said.
81 shonld have sailed with him had not
my duty kept me With your master"
At that moment could not sag "my
UNCLE" old Betty looked 90 malicious.
"And So" she said, "you have gone
and lost fOrtuue-lOst fortune 10 oct
msrried p
/ cannot describe the insolent sneer
with which she hissed out the words.
81 made his will on the 9Th OF this
month, my dear lady, tiecreeing 1t 90.
When we're Won married ?"
.sOn the 26th, Mr. Baioes."
The old gentleman stared at ne and
then rapidly read the short will
I was to be disinherited Of more than
half million Of money IL I married af
ter that date-so il was worded.
/ was married the day before.
Tha Canadian Half-Breed.
Labeuchere in London Truth.
These Canadian half breeds are rather