The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-08-02

quite such severe punishment, but he
was certainly then, and has been since.
indirectly the cause Of a great deal Of
misery to me. lie amused himself for
some time with casting what supposed
were admrng glsnces at me. pressing
his hands to his heart and signing pro.
foundly. Then suddenly, TO my utter
amalement, he threw himself on his
knees before me- declared IN very bad
English that he loved me TO dstractio
and, most startling of all, tore of his
very handsome watch and chain and
flung them into my lap"
"The man was mad, of course"
eyes, we learned of this for fact
aftcrwald. ] looked at our travelling
companion--the middlc.aged man al
ready mentioncd-in helpless fright.
He started up, and, with what then
thought admirable presence Of mind,
exclaimed, angrily: "llow direyou in-
suit my wife, sir" -..
This strong language had the desired
effect, and the man seemed to shrink
into himself, and became as quiet as
lamb. | suppose believing me to be the
wife Of somebody else shattered his
hopes"
new charm TO louise's face.
"Try as | might" she continued az
could not prevail upon him TO take back
/ his watch, and at the next station the gen.
tleman who called me his wife gave my
admirer, with h S watch into the hands
of policeman as mad. That was the last
we ever saw of him, but we heard later
that he was a Pole and incurably insane
The old lady in the coupe with us looked
inquiringly Mt my rescuer. who laughed
aud murmured something | did not
understand. | thanked him as | de.
sccnded at my destination, never dream.
Ing that he was to cross my path again.
Some weeks ago, one afternoon, my
uncle called me from mcnddg Tommy's
stockings, and told me friend wished
to see me in the drawing room. /, who
had no friends, was much surprised. Nor
did this surprise lessen when was pre-
scnted to the man who had silenced the
crazy Pole ihat day in the tain. His name
was Mitchell, and he turned out to he
an old friend of my unc,cs. 'Rich as
CTusus and bachelor, my uncle said to
me, with n knowing wink when our Wis
itor had departed
81 took great dislike to Mr.. MITCHELL
in manner and appearance he was most
repugnaut TO me. But ! thought very
little about him one way or another
why should interest myself in a man
Older than my father! until, week
later, Uncle Thomas informed me that
Mr.. Nit hell wished to marry me"
"Prepo,tcrous," exclaimed owen.
81 don't often laugh in the presence
n ngl. l.,,, IL. 4.
this laughed heartily. This made my
uncle very angry. Why should / make
game of the oler of man Of whom /
might be proud ], who might be in
the workhouse if it were not for the
charity Of my relations.
"The brutcl"
'lf | was 80 silly rs not to know on
which side my bread was buttered-it
was often difficult to tell-he would turn
me out of doors, and that perhaps would
bring me to my senses. But why need |
tell you the particulars Of this and many
another painful scene2 was silent and
undecided for a while, ana at last found
courage to tell Mr.. Mitchell that could
not marry him.
''lle listened with adisagrceablo smile,
and replied: My young lady will not
find refusal 30 easy as she thinks"
"Owing to the rusty conduct on the
part ofyour amiable uncle" interpolated
owen.
I. 81 believed this was his meaning until
the next day. Then my aunt informed
me calmly that was already married to
Mr.. Mitchell"
as that good lady sub cct to such fits
Of mental alteration 2"
al stared at her in amazement when
she proceeded TO explain to me that, ac-
cordlng to Scotch law, if man in the
presence OF II witness says a woman is
his wife, and size does not deny it, it be-
comes legal marriage There was
witness in the train that day-the old
lady | mentioned Mr.. Mitchell is
Scotch, and was determined to have his
rights.
IL could not believe aunt was in earn.
est, hut it seems she was, and what is
worse, they all beset me every hour in
the day with speeches to the effect that
IL is OF no use to try and escape nv des-
tiny Mr.. Mitchell has the law on his
side, and the sooner, for appearance
sake, ! consented to another marriage
ceremony in church, the better.
II have asked you to meet me here
this evening, Mr. Stanley, to tell me
truly if there is any ground for their
saying am Mr.. Mitchell's WIFE"
1T is the most preposterous, cowardly
lie | ever heard OFF, exclaimed Owen,
quite boiling over with Indignation. "In
some parts of Scotland, long ago, some
such rubbish rs they tell you might be
true; but we are not in Scotland To
have this rich mans money in the family,
your rcprobate of an uncle is trying to
play upon your innocent ignorance,
knowing or believing you had no one to
enlighten you. He ought to be exposed
and prosecuted for his villainy."
"Oh, I'm so glad and thankful you as
sure me that this dreadful man has no
power over me !" said Louise, with a pro-
found sigh of relief
"Iou poor little friendess thing" As
If of its own accord Owens arm encir-
cled the girls waist, and he tcnderly
and reverently kissed her unresisting
lips.
"And now l must fly back TO the
house. Dear me the half hour is long
past
"For heavens sake, don't let them
persuade you to commit any rash folly.
Trust in me- said Owen, taking another