The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-17


through. If / refused and vexed the
squire heaven only knew what might
happen.
She'll never ruin u.s." sobbed grand
mamma.
All! it was heard to bear-bitter hard;
but now there was no help for it. l took
the ring from my bosom and laid it on
my palm, and told them it was Evan
Locke's and that had plighted my troth
to him. And grandmamma called me a
| deceitful wench, and grandfather looked
as though his heart would break.
Oh, l would have done anything for
hem-anything but give up my true
love.
That night kissed his ring and prayed
heaven that he might love me always. IN
the morning it was gone, ribbon and all.
from my neck. looked for it high and
low, but found no sign of it And l be-
gan to fear the loss of that dear ring
was sign that / would never marry
Evan Locke.
The days passed on, and ne never came
near me.
''Oh, it was cruel in him." thought,
''to hold such anger for hasty word he
had provoked, when l spoke it that he
must know l loved him So"
And grandma would scarcely look at
me q know why now, and grandpa
sighed and moaned and talked of the
work house. And 1 thought should
die of grief among them.
One day grandma said to me, at
seems that your sweetheart is not over
fond of you, nor over anxious to see
you"
why notY said l.
"Where has he been this month back?"
asked grandma.
BUSY, doubtless" said l, with a
smile, though l thought my heart would
burst
You're going with him, maybe"
"Where?" said /.
She went to the kitchen door and
beckoned in woman who sat there
Dame Coombs, who had come over with
eggs.
81 heard you rightly" she said. "You
told me Evan Locke and his mother were
making ready for voyage"
They're going to Canada. Ny son, a
carpenter-and good one, though l say
it-made the doctor box for his things.
The old lady breads the new country,
but she goes for the doctors sake.
There's money to be made there"
Il told you So" said grandmother.
Il don't believe it." said l.
They've sold the house and gone to
Liverpool to take ship; and you may
find the truth for yourself, if you choose
to take the trouble" said Dame Coombs.
I'm no chatterbox, to tell falsehoOds
about my neighbors."
And still would not believe it until
had walked across the moor and had
seen the shutters fast closed and the
door barred, and not sign Of life about
the place. Then l gave up hope. l
went home all pale and trembling, and
sat down at grandmamma's knee.
''It's true" said l.
"And for the sake Of so false lad
you'll see your grandfather ruined and
break his heart, and leave me, that have
nursed you from babe. widow"
looked at her as she sObbed, and |
found strength to say:
''Give me to whom you will then,
since my own love does not want me-"
And then l crept up stairs and sat
down on my bedside, weak as though !
had tainted. l would have thanked
heaven for forgetfulness just then, but
it wouldn't come.
The next day Squire Turner was in
the parlor as my accepted lover. How
pleased he was, and how the color came
back into grandfather's old face! And
grannie grew so proud and kind, and all
the house was aglow. and only | sad.
But couldn't forget Evan-Evau whom
l had loved so-sailing away from me
without word.
l suppose they all saw looked sad
The squire talked of my health, and
mOOrs for strength.
The old folks said nothing. They
knew what allied me; only our little
Scotch maid seemed to think there was
aught wrong. Once she said TO rue:
What ails ye, miss? Your eye is dull
and your cheek is pale, and your Draw
grand lover Gamma make We smile; ye are
ma that i'll, either"
mo, am well enough" said I.
She looked at me wistfully.
''Gin ye'd tell me your all, 1 might tell
We cure" she said.
But there was no cure for me in this
world, and l couldn't open my heart to
ample Jennie. So the days rolled by,
and l was close on my marriage eve, AMI
grannie and Dorothy Plume were busy
with my wedding robes. l wished If
were my shroud they were working at
instead
And one night the pain in my heart
grew too great, and l went out among
the purple heather on the moor, and
there knelt down under the stars and
prayed to be taken from the world, "for /
how can live without Evan:" ! said.
spoke the words aloud, and then
started up in alright. for there at my /
side was an elfsh little figure, and /
heard cry that at first l scarce thought
earthly. Yet it was but Scotch Jennie,
who had followed me-
why do We call for your true love
now she said; eye sent him fra We for
sake o the young squire"
How dare you follow and watch
me:7
But she caught my sleeve.
'Dinna be vexed." she said. Just
bide n wee. and answer what / speer.
It's for love Of you, for I've seen We waste
like the shaw wreath in the sun sin the