The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-06-18
NUMBER 16s

. UlHSLeT WAS SOluS 10 marry, ana she
! was struck by lightning on what
J was to have been her Wedding day,
and master went crazy, and it was
months afore he came to; and even
llow he's queer aud Wild like when.
ever-mercy, what fash / must
find him somewhere, Ol miStresS'iI go
raving, too"
Marian's short lived pleasure was
gone. Tic friendship hat lad
been the source OF SO much pleasue
was merely then the vagary ot a
dlsordered brain.
As she went down to snpppr, she
heard loud and angry voices in the
ted-rOOm but on opening the door,
only Mrs, Barrett aud Mr.. Barrett
we're yisable-~the former as serene.
the latter as imperturable as ever.
The meal passed amidst Unusual
silence and c0nstraint; and once
over, Marian was about to hurry to
her room, when she was arrested
by Mr.. Barrett:
"Miss Fosdick, eau have the
pleasure of a moments cOnversa.
ton with you in the library 7"
"Guy," said Mrs. Barrett warn
ingly, remember | will keep my
word"
GAS you like l defy you," re.
turned Mr.. Barrett, holding open
the door for Marian to pass:
Hardly knowing what she did
Marian entered the library, "a som-
bre room that she had always
avoided entering.
Mr.. Barrett followed her.
''Miss F0sdlck,' lie commencedJ
with his usual abTuptness ''My
sisters rashuess precipitated the
avowal but had you little more
experience of the world you must
have seen; almost from the first
day of your arrival, that l love
you.'
Marian sank down on sofa,
milling and breathless. She was
conscious of powerful attraction
that had always drawn her toward
this man, even in his sourest, most
taciturn moods; but if that wero
love, or what was love, she found
herself unable to answer.
"You are shocked-alarmed ~ he
went OIL eagerly "but why should
you be9 Your heart should tell
as certainly now as it could dog.
en- years hence. LoYe is not a.
plant OF slow aud tender growth, to
be reared with careful watching
aud tending; it is the Lightning
that springs from the cloud aud
strikes where least expected. If
you will be my wife, you can tell
me so to.night-better, perhaps,
than year from nOwP
Marian was silent.
81 do not know" she commenced!
"I think l."
"That is not enough" he inter
rupted. "YOu must promise-you
must swear" And seizing het
hand lie bent on her such Il glance
as that with which the rattlesnake
charms his prey. But though
greatly irritaCed, Marian's strong
common sense came to her rescue.
81 will not be mad enough" she
said declsiyely, "to peril my whole
future happiness by taking such an
oath as you require OF me.'
Mr.. Barrett's eyes flashed fire.
''YOu will not, yOu-will moi y be
commenced furiouSly. Then sud-
denly changing his tone aud throw
ing himself on his knees before her:
"Oh, Marian W he exclaimed
piteOuslyl "pity, pardon me but
my life, my honor, my very saliva
tiou, depend on you. cannOt-I
may not explain to you with safety
now"
o The door burst open and Mrs.
Barrett rushed into the room.
"Stopp she exclaimed, ''if you
are not already lost hear what it is
you have to swear, aud why his
salvation depends on your assent
"Delia,S said Mr.. Barrett with
the same menacing gleam in his
eyes that Marian had seen there
before.
81 care not" she returned, def.
antly. "Your hour Is drawing 10
close. l have served you in fear
and trembling through a lifetime;
but at last l repent. You shall not
add another lost soul to your list of
victims. Girl, he meant you for bus
yearly sacrifice to the master he
serves--whO, fo- his soul, gives him
wealth, power
The clock began TO strike. Mr..
Barrett turned livid.
sESwearl7 be exclaimed, seizing
Mariau's hand again.
tsTOo late-tO0 latep rang ont in
a chorus OF mocking voices through
the room. The time is past; you
are ours"
An awful peal of thunder and
vivid fash OF lightning that reveal
ed Mr., Bsrrett's agonized face aud
his sisters smile of triumph empha-
sized the words, aud in an instant
Marian was awake, staring around
her little room in dismay, the news.
paper still in her tightly clasped
hands.
1t was all a dream and she had
answered the advertisement only
in Imagination.