The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-02

| OIu Ddu Iooh 1WO UT Inf69 turns
across the room, then halted in front
of the girl, his face livid with rage and
his form shaking with anger; he bent
forward until his hot breath scorched
her cheeks, and Kissed:
You shan't do it. You're mine. an
I'm goin' to have you, and before you
shall marry that fellow. rll-rll-n
He never finished the sentence, but
the look in his eyes and the awfulness
of his manner made his meaning plain
to the girl, and she shrark back from
him.
You will not" she cried. "You
dare not"
won't I? You'll see. And, girl.
his blood will be on your head, for
you drive me to it. I've had. Eve w::yesy
and I've loved them all. loved them
as well as men usually love their
wives, but | never loved any body as |
love you"
go! I've heard enoughr' and with
that the girl swept from the room.
For a moment Beckett stood still
looking after her, then, whirling on
his heel, he strobe out and away.
AS he walked along the road leading
to the mill, his mind dwelled on, tkA
scene he had just quilted. and
each succeeding minute his rage efsw'
fiercer and his anger higher, and his
face looked strangely white in the soft
moonlight. Once he clenched his fists
and muttered:
lit shan't be so. I'll kill him iirst.
It's her money that bought the land
and her money that built the house,
and though nobody knows it, I'll be
found out if she marries him. AMI then
I'll be fixed in a nice pickle. No, it
mustn't, and it shan't be. She must be
my wife"
He had walked quite distance and
come to the point where the rad fol-
lowed along the river bank. j was a
narrow pass between the riverand the
bluff, and only foot-path, or nigh
cut" as the people called i, where
foot-passeugers turned off rom the
main road and saved some distance by
going through.
Beckett had passed several yards
along the bank when he heard the
sounds of footsteps approaching from
the other way, and looking up, what
was his surprise and Indignation to
find himself face to face with the
preacher Teller"
Both stopped short, and for some
time neither spoke. Beckett's rage
was too great to permit of his uttering
word. while the other was too much
shocked by old Sans looks and actions
to find any power of speech.
whats the matter, Mr.. Beckett"
the minister finally asked.
"Matter enough" Beckwith replied
in trembling voice.
II hope nothing serious has gone
wrong with you"
You're liar" Beckett screamed.
"You don't hope any such thing, an
you know you don't. If you did 5op
wouldn't do it.
do what, my friend? L do not I'M
derStand your meaning"
mo, l reck on you don't understand
it, when you are at the bottom of it. )"
Bottom of what?"
Bottom of this trouble. o, you're
good one, and you've worked it
mighty fine, but you shan't never marry
her."
A light began to dawn on Hackett.
and he thought he was getting an in
sight into the old mans meaning.
"Now look here, Mr.. Beckett" he
said. very calmly, II know your are
Miss Higgins guardian, and l proposed
to respect yout rights by informing you
of our intentions"
Hang your intentions! l say you
cam marry the gal. You can't have
her!"
whats your objectionsP"
I'm goin' to marry her myself"
The reply struck Nose Hackett as so
preposterous and ridiculous that he
could not avoid laughing.
In an instant Beckett's face grew red
with anger, and taking step forward,
he said:
'You laugh at me, do you, you little
guttersnipe of creationP You think
you'll git her anyhow, but I'll see to it
that you don'tn'
And before the minister realized his
meaning, Beckett had his strong arms
about him and was doing his utmost TO
throw him over into the river.
Beckett was handy man and I'M
usually strong, and he experienced no
difficulty in lifting his little antagonist
up and churning him about. But TO
throw him into the river was a much
more difficult task, since the little man
chung to him like a leech and refused
to be shaken loose.
There was long struggle, which at
last ended in both of them getting too
near the bank and slipping into the
river.
The minister, being the most active,
was the first one to come up, and see
ing his advantage, was quick to seize
it, and in an instant he gathered
Beckett by the nape of the neck and
proceeded to duck him two or three