The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-18
VOL. XXXyIH. NO. 25. 81
A CHRISTMAS WEDDING.

A CHRISTMAS WEDDING.
One snowy Christmas eve young girl
sat at the window Of rude hut that
overlooked Wild stretch Of Canadian
mountain and sea-coast-
Far dosr the cliffs little settlement
showed, and lying at anchor, ice-rimmed
and dismantIed, two stately schooners
were outlined against the darkeniHg ho-
rizon.
They have come, They have come"
fell in gasp of suspense, yet joy, from
the maidenis lips. Il would know them
anywhere-the Neptune and the Arciu-
rus. Which, ah, which has brought me
love and veal, or sorrow and woe p
The anxious words betokened an emo
ton that the lovely face betrayed in ey-
cry expressive lineament With clasped
hands and tear-dimmed eyes Hilary Ber-
ton sat staring at the distant picture till
the somber misss mingled all the scene
in blur of twilight.
Then nesting to the old oak settee by
the rosring fireplace, she seemed fascina-
ted by the glowing picture her imagina-
ton traced in the dancing flames. and
vet with her ear bent to catch the first
footstep.on the crusted path outside,lss If
it would be for her the final football Of
fate.
"Some one is come. Which?T
Hilary's cheeks fluttered and her eyes
burned like two radiant stars as the slow
crunching Of footsteps echoed on the out
side. A sigh of disappointment, and yet
OF relief, escaped her lips as the door
opened and a stalwart, Inutiied form
staggered in under mighty weight.
Father, spoke Hilary, brightly, has
tenins to remove the snow-c Dvered cap
OF fur and take the hunting implements
from the hsnds Of the newcomer, Il am
glad you came. ! feared for the storm
aud darkness aud WAS lonely
- Lonely" laughed Arnold Berton /;
"not for long, little one, trust me. There
is great news. See ~ and he pointed to
the immense burden he had flung to the
floor. Does not that betoken a royal
Christmas feast ~
Game, father?T
aKnightly game trailed a noble
pair of horns miles and miles across the
cliffs. One shot sent him limping out Of
sight. Rounding a spur came upon him
where he had fallen. The monarch of
the mountain lay dead in the snow. The
choicest cut l have brought with me-
Lucky sport, for We shall give feast to-
night, a feast to celebrate my child"
And the old huntsman burst into joyial
laugh of satisfaction. The Neptune and
the Arcturus have returned"
"Yes, father II saw them"
@And turn pale and tremble when a
bonny lover and . golden fortune are
sure to greet you before midnight rail-
ed Berton.
"Qh, father and ah, me lackadsy !"
laughed Berton. "Itis always the way
with you loyeIorn damsels. Come, my
pretty one, no coyness. The bargain is
pain and sure either way. Here, q year
agone, you have two lovers, and any fair
maid might envy the love of either gal
lant lad-Captain Silas Dunn, of the
Arcturus, and Captain Gerald WAYNE, of
the Neptune. Perhaps you ike Gerald
best, but how could decide against two
strong wills ?"
But. father, Gerald and l."
Hear me out" interrupted Berton.
Il say to them, he deserves the bride
who can best provide for her. Win your
spurs, my. lads. Both of you are bound
on whaling voyage. The one returning
with the best cargo, the richest. yield,
shall wed my Hilary Well, both hay
returned. The schooners are at anchor
in the bay. Within an hour you stall
know"
@Oh. father, which which implored
Hilary, piteously. "Has Gerald -
81 know nos, replied the rugged hunts
man, almost roughly. @He who wins
shall claim. You are my true child You
must obey"
Hilary sighed and hoped. With a
thrill she thought Of handsome, loyal
Gerald. With a shudder of scheming,
sinister Silas Dunn.
Father, some one is coming"
How Hilary fiuttered as the dooropen-
ed. How she trembled and scanned the
three bronzed faces that glowed in the
ru idy freight minute later
There was triumph in that Of Captain
slas Dunn. He gr1sped her hand and
eoxed her with gloating. exultant smile.
Her heart thrilled. as less demonstra-
tive, but with dignity OF earnestness
that won all her love, Gerald Wayne
pressed her hand softly.
Old Robert Lind, Gerald's grizzled
mate, only touched his forelock and look
ed grave as the three seated themselves.
Welcome, lads, welcome, every one Of
you," spoke Ber ton. "well, my gallants,
what luck Of the VOYAGE"
Slowly, and with triumphant glance
at Hilary, Captain siIas Drum arose to
his feet
"A bargain is a bargain he pronounc-
ed, solemnly and with emphasis.
At his dominant tones poor Hilary
shrank and sighed.
Certainly" answered Berton.
-We made one something oyer year
ago, didn't we?y
~we did"
~You and me and cAp'n Wayne yon-
der?r
Exactly
silas chuckled ere he spoke again.
Manner and tone indicated that be had
some exultznt surprise in store for his
auditors.
The pretty Hilary looked frightened
and turned woe-begone face upon Ger
aid.
The latter did NOT snaak hnt tent his