Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-02-02


and out of the room, but I am tied to
it nearly al! the day, TIL towards even
ing my uncle falls into IL deep sleep and
| can safely leave him with his nurse
1t was "a rambling old house, Norling-
ton Farm, and it had been my only
home now for nearly seven years all Of
which time Wi%am Mapleson had.lived
as my unclc's steward and helper under
the same roof.
1t has been hard, self-denying life
for him, perhaps bnt for mc-or rath-
er for his love for me-he would never
have bone it. tFill latterly the hard
old man had never discovered our love;
and when he had there wa, no peace
for It's under his roof.
lie had ragged and stormsd, declar.
ing that no niece of his should marry
William Mapleson, on pain Of disinher-
itunce.
Mime was always a weak, timid ma
ture. Perhaps some women I was no
longer young girl my 50th birthday
had come and gomez woull have active
ly resented his tyranny and asserted
their individual rights. l could not.
was in his power for when my parents
died lie had taken me in, a pennlless
girl, and had from that time given Inc,
in his particular hard way, all that |
needed to live-not but some would
felt they fully earned such keep.
| scarcely ever looked at 1t il this
way.
| had been weak and helpless, alone
in the world, not very strong in health,
when he had come to my fathers fun
eral; and after paying all expenses he
simply said;
Nov 80 and pack up your kit
You must go with he to the NorIinG-
ton Farm Can't say m sure, what
old Betty will say, but there's nothing
else, as | see. to be done. Remember,
my girl, It's not a lady's life am offer
ing you, out suppose you are not too
fine lady to know what work means:
If had have been then, all was cor.
recte1 by now. Dur,ng these seven
years have worked hard and lived
hard.
Yet there are those who say that old
Peter Glennie is worth half a million of
money.
Ny golden week Of happinos is gone;
but although William IS gone | am
strangely content.
DO not regret the step | have taken.
Ever since my marriage, my uncle
Lad been better and Quleter. Old Mr..
B.ines, the lawyer, had been with him
u full hour that morning, and old Jen-
kyns had been called INTO his room to
some document, together with tn hir-
ed nurse.
Gle is a miserable old man. she
said to Inc the same day. II suppose
it's his viii We signed. What IA grud9e
he seems tc have against marriage. He
growls continually, even in his sleep
about fools getting married.
"Ah' | SAID, he has never married.
No." she laughed. Il should not
cay anyone wa the loser by that either"
He had called her at this moment,
and was left alone to oyerhear con-
versaton between old Jenkyns and Bet
ty, who, being both deaf, were talkiug
over the same matter in the kitchen.
"Ah, we'll, Betty it's hard day for
the farm when Mr.. William goes aways;
and how'll the old master do wi a new
steward at his toim o life, wonder p
"IIe knows what he's about, never
YOU fear. Doee think for a moment
as how he don't know a letting him 60
is the only way o prevertin Il amarriage
between he aud Miss Nora? lIa ha
ha y
As hear her chuning old laugh at
my expense | sit hugging my love to my
heart.
Old Betty always owed me grudge
for coming to Norlington Farm altho,
she had been compelled to show me or.
diuary civi|ty.
How little she knew we were mar
ried only yesterday, under her very nose
as It We're,
So far | had deceived him and the
few other people knew-deceived him
through his own hardness for so far as
| was concerned would have told him,
only I knew and my husband knew
that any sudden shock would IN all
probility kill HIM.
We should have parted and kept
true faith with each other ifmy stength
had not been weakened when that
good officer to 90 to Canada had come