The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-30
Would you like me to do so?'
GroatlvD

treaty.
/ So he took up the Bible and read
with strong, resonant voice, o.
Joshua's mighty deeds.
"I thank you, Renold. Never be
fore realized | the half of Joshuat
valor. l think he must have beer
somewhat like you, Renold; ant
now, good night"
"Stay, Betty, the hour is early
yet"
Nay, think It's well l bid you
good night"
She had opened the door, behinG
which were abrupt oaken stairs tha
led almost perpendicularly 20 hel
little chamber under the rafters, anC
with one foot on the lower step, she
turned her head, looking over hel
shoulder to say good night.
No, but you must not CO." said
he, and he arose and went to detain
her, seizing her by the hand. Then
for an instant the maid struggled
and somehow, in the duration OF the
struggle, the maid became embraced
by his strong arm, so that he per.
ceived the exceeding suppleness OF
her slight figure; and as her fail
head rested for the time of one
breath on his broad chest, and he
caught the glance, half modest, hall
amused, from her uplifted eyes, then
the strength he gloried in seemed to
to depart from him, and the maid
slipping gracefully. quickly from his
OBTAINING grasp, fled up the stair.
way.
The strong man stood there mo-
ment like one bewildered, then be
heard the father laughing heartily
Captain" said the old man with
all your strength the maid seems
stronger than you"
Truly, she did give me the slip.
My head is in a whirl, and my heart
doth beat. What strange power hath
the maid? l know it not except
with her. Bid her come back, neigh
Dor Lee"
Not tonight, Captain. The girl,
surmise, is better alone. She hath
said nay, think, tonight to young
Matthew's avowal, and it panied her
to see his grief.
Yet Matthew is well favored"
Not for her, / trow."
Il wonder If Matthew ever felt
her soft touch, and her head resting
for an instant on his breast. though
by accident. If so, did it unman
him, and take his strength away
will not wait here here longer,
neighbor Lee. | am strangely at
unrest. | wonder if the fever is
creeping in my veins, l burn so hot
Il ly. | will go into the cold air with
out
With mighty strides the strong
limbed Captain went down the high
wav. for he was beset with stranger
and more peculiar excitement than
he had over known.
Hath the maid the power of sor-
cery that she bewitches me?" he
unused. "She doth unman me, and
have no strength of mind or body
under her glance and voice. Yet
strange it is, It's pleasurable. Truly
it is. | know not the mystery of it.
And when she struggled to free her
self, and l did perceive her soft
touch, with so much strength withal,
| tingled, truly | did, to my finger
tips; nor was it painful and when
in the struggle her head did rest for
an instant here on nv chest, | knew
not myself at all, but was unknown
and plant as vine. Yet did like
it. Though SO slight thing is she
could have grasped her in my big
fist, thus, and crushed her, l trow,
had she wished it. my fingers would
have been powerless."
Then the strong man mused and
was perplexed with fascinating per-
plexity. Then when the bedtime
came he read his Bible, read the
story Of Ruth again. and then re-
peated his evening prayer.
Suddenly be arose from his knees,
his face aglow with excitement.
"The Lord hath instructed me
The Lord hath instructed mer' be
said. at shall be done tomorrow. i"
And with that determination be
slept peacefully.
Next morning, an hour after sun
rise, while Betty Lee sat at her loom
weaving busily, she heard some one
calling. Betty Betty Lee!'
There at the gate, in full uniform,
with cockaded hat and sword at his
belt, and astride his horse, high-spir-
tied as himself, she saw the valiant
Capt. Marvin.
Come here, Betty, l have com.
munication," said he.
She obeyed him now, going close
beside the horse and looking up TO
the mighty Captain with inquiring
gaze.
He took his lat from his head
and, bending to her, said: Betty
Lee, the Lord hath commanded me
to marry you"
She searched his eyes IN instant,
and read the truth in them then,
! the rich color tingling her cheeks,
her eyes now downcast, she hesitat-
ed brief moment. and then in low
but clear tones said gently: 1.-The
Lords VIII be done, Renold."
He quickly leaped to the ground,
and, putting both hands beneath her
shoulders, lifted her lightly till her
| lips met his, and then, holding her
thus suspended still, said: "We
shall be called in church the next
Lords Day, Betty"
"Your will is mine hereafter" she
said gently, and then with a smile
added, "but put me on the earth
again, Renold."
"Your word is la y to me. Betty,
l obey" He set her gently down
again. and then, smiling, said: Now
understand / why have been like
reed in the wind before your wish
es. But 'tis very sweet submission,
Betty, truly it is and will be while I
live"
And the tradition runs that though
he became man of great authority,
yet he said truly that her majesty
would compel sweet submission