The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-22

fortaole, ana as contented-well. as content
ed as one crossed in love can be.
\ fortnight passed away. Short as was
the time, il seemed an age TO me- hungering
as l was for some news from home. | had
received one letter, written BY Anaie, in
which she told me that no change had taken
place since my departure, but made no men
ton whatever of Madeline Graham or George
Redruth. To this had replied in as cheer
tui strain as possible, but shamefaeetily
keeping silence on the subject nearest to my
heart. was fuli, therefore. of secret anx-
iety.
As for the chance OF any stray rumor
reaching me concerning changes at ST. Cur
lott ;, It was fully as remote as il / had been
a oWeller on the ether side OF the EARTH The
village where / dwelt reSemhled an island
surrounded by am unnavigable sea, and the
people IN II knew rs much or more OF KANT
>chatka as they knew of st GurlottS. From
generation 30 generation. they dwelt apart.
IroSlody teS of the mine. they knew Of moth
ING beyond Il. Very few among them had
ever peheid the SEA, though its nearest point
oi coast was under forty miles distant.
One Sunday, the second after my arrival,
was aStouIShei Ia see light country cart
draw up at the door, containing John Rudd
AA .--S Ntft+'tAA -AAtlatN- kNt&AAftt- AtlA Afit-
ing some bad news, / stepped ont 10 greet
them, and learned that they had driven over
from yarmouth, town some twenty miles
distant where they had arrived in the car
rleT'S wagon on the previous night
assisted Annie down, and saw that she
was very pale and tremhled Then while
John Rudd drove away TO the beerhouse.
where he was io put up the horse. | led my
cousin into the cottage
Directly we were alone, She burst into
tears.
Something has happened" / cried.
Speak, Annie don't keep me in suspense!
Is anything wrong az home?"
Ny fear was that some evil had hefalsn
my poor uncle, but was immediately reas-
sured.
s'Allis we'll IT home. Hush dear; its not
th0i which brought ne over / came 10 tell
You that the marriage d8y is fixed They are
TO be welded in 81 Gurlou's next Wednes-
day morning"
] knew of whom she spoke, though she
mentioned no names, and was both sur
priSed and angry that she should travel 10
me with 50 sorry a message. She saw the
darkness gathering in my face. and cried
eagerly:
Hugh, dear, don't be angry! felt l must
come and tell you-for oh il is breaking my
heart as well as yours.
looked at her IA amazement.
Breaking your heartF' | echoed. What
is it u you?1
1T is everything 10 me. Master George,
though he is going TO wed Miss Graham, is
my husband in the sight of GOdr'
Then l was rightv | cried. II was right
from the first. The vllainl He led you
from your homer
She bent her head in weeping acquiescence.
All my spirit arose once more against her,
FOR though l had suspected the truth. her
confession came upon me like thuEderbolt
| looked at her in horror as, stretching out
her hands pitifully TO me, she proceeded.
'IIugh, dear, promised that would one
day tell you everything. and il is for that /
came. ! waited ON till the last, thought 10
hold my peace, | hoped and prayed that he
would never go so far; but when | heard the
day was fixed. my mind was made up-to
hold my peace no more. But first | went to
him, and prayed TO him on my knees. Then.
finding that il was all in vain, | determined
to come here
You are speaking of George Reduthq"
asked, stemly
"Yes-of the young master"
You left home in his company? You
were together in London?
God help me-yesr'
W lA nave YOU NfEttNcd MN so iutf1I
Because | made him promise. Because
L believed until the very last that he might
make amends. Because becaUse-I did not
wish to see him harmed! oh, Hugh. forgive
me don't look at me like that, You prom
sed to be a brother 10 me always. Keep
your promise now
How could resist her sad appeal? | was
a churl to repulse her. even for moment.
But, casting off the mask OF severity, kiss
ed her, and placed her in chair As she
looked up at me with her pleading fearful
eyes, I silently cursed the seoundrel who
had been the cause of her trouble; but for
her, poor girl. had only sympathy ana love.
Then thought crossed my mind. and l ask
ed eagerly:
Have you spoken Of this to any one else?
Does my uncle knOwY'
She shook her head.
NO one knows but yourself, " she replied.
'.How could ! speak of il to any one but
you?''
so much the better" | returned. Evil
enough has come of all this already. and /
would not for the world that it should reach
the old mans ears. lie believes George Red
ruth blameless God knows what lac might
do, If he knew him to he as guilty as you
say"
Full OF the new thoughts her confession
had awakened, / walked up and down the
room; after a little while | bent over her
again, and took her hand.
Annie / must know everything; not part
OF the truth, but the whole; then, perhaps. /
can help you. But first, about this marriage?
You say il is now certain thing?"
Yes, Hugh. That is why | came"
You did well, answered. Now. tell
me the whole story
She obeyed me, and listened in deep agi-
tation. Simply, clearly, she described to me
all that had taken place, from the day she
had first left her home.
ITO be Contiauedl