Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-06-20

stand. l thanked him as descended
at my destination. never dreaming
that he was to cross my path again."
Here Louise broke off. and the rest
OF her narrative was told less glibly.
''You perhaps know. Mr. Stanley.
that am an orphan. dependant on
my uncle for every thing and conse-
quontly in his power for good or
evil.
''More evil than good, I fancy"
Owen wished to say, but refrained till
he should have heard the end of tho
story. 1.-The could sit thus for ever on
the messy old log, listening to Louise's
sweet voice. and watching her charm-
ing pay of expression. how happy he
believed he would be!
''Some weeks ago, one afternoon,
my uncle called me from mending
Tommy's stockings, and told me a
friend wished to see me in the draw
ing-room. !. who had no friends. was
much surprised; nor did this surprise
lessen when l was presented to the
man who had silenccd the crazy Pole
that day in the train. His name was
Mitchell, and he turned out TO be an
old friend of my uncle's. Rich as
Cr@sus and bachelor my uncle
said to me. with a knowing wink,
when our visitor had departed.
Il took great dislike to Mr.. Mitch
ell; in manner aud appe arance he was
most repugnant TO me. But thought
very little about him one way or an
other-why should l interest myself
in a man older than my father?-
til, week later, Uncle Thomas in
formed me that MI: Mitchell wished
to marry me-"
'Preposterous!' exclaimed Owen.
Il don't often laugh in the presence
Of Uncle Thomas. but when he told
me this, I laughed heartily. This
made my uncle very angry? Why
should make game of the offer of a
man of whom l might be proud? ],
who would be in the work-house if it
were not for the charity of my rela.
tions!''
1.-The brute!'
If l was so silly as not to know on
which side my bread was buttered-it
was often diff cult to tcll-hc would
turn me out Of doors, and that would
perhaps bring me to my senses But
why need tell you the particulars of
this and many another most painful
scene? was silent and undecided
for awhile. and at last found courage
to tell MI: Mitchell that could not
marry him.
He listened with disagreeable
smile. and replied: My young lady
will not find refusal so easy as she
thinks
= Owing to rusty conduct on the
part of your amiable UNCLE" inter-
polated Owen.
Il beloved this was his meaning.
until the next day. Then my aunt
informed me calmly that I was already
married to MI: Mitchell"
is that good lady subject to such
fits of ment aberration?"
Il stared at her in amazement, when
she proceeded to explain to me that.
according to Scotch law, if a man in
the presence of witness says a
woman is his wife, and she does not
deny it. it becomes legal marriage
There was 4 witness in the train that
day-the old lady l mentioned-Mr:
Mitchell is Scotch, and was determined
to have his rights.
II could not believe aunt was. in
earnest, but it seems she was, and
what is worse. they all beset me every
hour of the day with speeches to the
effect that it is of no use to try to es-
cape my destiny-Mr Mitchell has
the law ON his side, and the sooner;
for appearance sake. l consent to
another marriage ceremony in church.
the better.
Il have asked you to meet mo here
this evening, MI. Stanley, to tell me
truly if there is any ground for their
saying am Mr. Mitchelrs wife"
1T is the most preposterous. cow
ardly lie ever heard of ~ exclaimed
Owen. quite boiling over with indig-
nation. I'm some parts of Scotland,
long ago. some such rubbish as they
tell you might be true; but we are not
in Scotland. To have this rich mans
money in tho family, your reprobate
of IN 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. Tn 80 glad and thankful you
assure me that this dreadful man has
no power over me!'' said Louise, with
a profound sigh of relief
you poor little friendless thingr'
A if of its own accord. Owens arm
encircled tho girls waist, and he ten
derby and reverently kissed her unre-
sisting lips.
':And now must fly back to the
house. Dear me! the half-hour is long
past"
For Heavens sake. don't let them
,>ors ado Won tn com NIT a nv roeh follxv