Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-10-30
An AVERTED PERIL.
BY EMMELINE ERIE.


walked rapidly up the graveled walk TO the
veranda where the ladies were sitting.
"Hillo!" exclaimed the leader, q tall, dis
sipated looking man, "this is my wife, and
you are my daughter Claire, l suppose"
The elder lady had fallen back in her
chair, pale and fainting.
"You don't recognize me, eh?" he con-
tinued. well, dozen years does change
a man some. And Claire was little child
when l babe her good-by. Give me kiss,
my girl" turning to Claire, "and welcome
my friend, and your husband that must be,
Andrew Morley. He is good man and q
brave one, otherwise l would not pick him
out for my beautiful daughter"
Edmund" at last gasped the wife.
Then you still recognize the old Ed
mund in me?" and STOPPING he kissed her
cheek coldly.
you are changed but little" faltered
the poor woman, shrinking from him.
But your coming is a surprise. 1 thought
you were dead. / had not heard from YOU
in five years.
And hoped never to hear from me-"
and lie laughed coolly, as he turned to his
friend.
ANDREW Morley" he continued, point
ing to a rustic chair, my wife and never
INDUCED in condolences, and you can hear
all we have to say"
Andrew Morley had handsome face;
but it was, like his friends, marked with
dissipation. His sharp eyes were fixed
boldly upon the beautiful Claire, and when,
in response to the invitation, he took seat.
it was close beside her.
He opened the conversation with a
cultured ease and an evident desire to
please.
Mrs. Byrn glanced at them. her eyes di-
lated with anxiety. Turning to her nus
band, who was watching them with a
cold smile, she said TREMENDOUSLY:
You cannot mean i. Torment me, if
you like. but spare your own daue liter, |
entreat, Edmund"
"Pish!" exclaimed Byrn, Il cannot mean
it, eh? You'll find do mean it; I've had
hand i'll paying for her existence in this
world, and now. that she has, as l learned
few weeks ago, fallen heir to your old
aunt's estate, intend to reward my friend
here with the wealth and herself That is
if he don't refuse the bargain. What do
you say, Morley" he went on, turning to
that individual, with coarse laugh; "does
my daughter suit your taste? You were in
cllned to be very particular about her looks
before we got here"
Morley looked rebukin9ly at his friend,
and then taxing the mana of the pale and
shrinking Claire, said, in low tone
eff you consent to your fathers proposal
you will make me supremely happy, Miss
Byrn. 1 assure you that your grace,
beauty, and evident amiability have en-
tirely gained my heart. Were you in the
greatest poverty, should still pray you to
bless me with your hand"
There was the earnestness of passion in
his tones that convinced both ladies that
he was telling the truth.
Edmund Byrn, however, seemed to
think it a huge joke.
"You puppy" he cried, with loud
laugh; "ain't you ashamed to get off such
nonsense?"
Mrs. Byrn did not seem to hear her
husband. Her frightened eyes were fixed
upon Claire and Morley.
AS for the latter, he took no notice of his
friend; but still grasping the trembling
girls hand, poured his suit into her ear in
low, fervent tones.
"Allow me to hope. Miss Byrn. Say
that it is not impossible to win your favor,
and"
ooh! spare me!' murmured the girl,
forcibly Withdrawing her hand. 81 could
never love you. l."
You will, though" exclaimed Byrn,
with an oath, his face cleaning with anger.
DO You propose to trample upon my COM
mands in this manner"
He strobe across the veranda, and seized
her by the shoulder, while Mrs. Byrn rose,
and threw her arm around the trembling
creatures waist.
This must end" he cried: "I'll have no
childs play. You're my daughter, and
shall marry the man 1 choose. and the.
sooner you make up your mind the better.
And now, instead of giving YOU year or.
two to get used to the idea, I'll settle the
point at once, and you can get yourself
ready for the wedding to- night. Hold your
tongue, Morley" he added, as the latter
began protest. II know what I'm doing.
We've no time to daily here; you know that
as well as |; and if you want her, the SOON
er the thing is done the safer"
Then, turning to the Two frightened
women, he continued:
IN 60 and drum up q preacher. NV
friend will go with me, an at the end of
an hour you may expect rs back. Have
'hings ready, for by my owI wslfare-that's
my greatest oath-there shall be wedding
here to-night,"
"Oh, Edmund! will YOU"
Come, Mary" he interrupted roughly,
don't waste your breath; my mind is made
up. And now let me escort YOU into the
house"
If Mrs. Byn and her daughter cher
lshed Il vague thought of making their
escape after the departure of Byrn and
his friend, it was for a brief space only.
After placing them in the sitting room
the man returned to the veranda, and called
loudly:
"Sain"
| A tall, roughly dressed negro immedi-
ately made his appearance, coming from
among the trees.
SAM" said his master, pointing in
through the open window, you see these
ladies?n
Yes, sab, said Sam. as he cast o cum
ming leer at Claire and her mother.
| II shall be back here by shutdown, and
they are not to leave the room until re-
turn. You understand"
| "Yes, sah."
Right; and see that you are both watch
full and respectful"
Byrn started down the steps, calling to
his friend.
Morley made quick adieu to the ladies'.
and hurried after Byrn to the spot where
their horses were fastened.
! An instant later the woman heard the