Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-24

to fear the loss of that dear ring was sign
that I would never marry Evan Locke.
The days passed Oh, aud he never came
near me.
"Oh, it was cruel in him." thought,
ito hold such anger for hasty word he
had provoked, when | spoke it that he
must know loved him so.''
And grandma would scarcely look at me
q knew why now), aud grandpa sighed
and moaned and talked of the work-house
And l thought should die of grief among
them.
One day grandma said to me, SIT seems
that your sweetheart is not over-fond OF
you, nor over.anxious to sec you."
| "Why not ?" said 1.
| "Where has he been this month back ?''
asked grandma.
''Busy, doubtless said l. with a smile,
though thought my heart would burst.
| ''You're going with him, maybe ?''
"Where ?" said l.
She went to the kitchen door and beck
oned to woman who sat there-Dame
Coombs. who had come ever with eggs.
IT heard you rightly" she said. "You
told me Evan Locke and his mother were
making ready for voyage"
They're going to Canada. My son, a
carpenter-and good one, though say it
made the doctor box for his things
TIE old lady breads the new country, but
she goes for the doctors sake. There's
money to be made there"
81 told you so," said grandmother
81 don't believe it, said 1.
'"ihey've sold the house and gone to Liv-
erpool to take ship and you may find the
truth for yourself, if you choose to take the
trouble,'' said Dame Coombs. 'I'm no
10 toII fo1e
neighbors."
Aud still I would not believe it until I
bad walked across the moor and had seen
the shutters fast closed and the door bar
red, and not sign of life about tie place.
Then gave up hope. [ went home all pale
and trembling, and sat down at grandmam-
mas knee
'Is's true" said I.
"And for the sake of so false a lad you'll
see your grandfather ruined and break his
heart, and leave me. that have nursed you
from babe, a widow"
looked at her as she sobbed, and I found
strength to say
"Give me to whom you will then, since
my own love does not want me.
And then [ crept up stairs and sat down
on my bedside, weak as though I baG faint
ed. l would have thanked heaven for for
getfulness just then, but it wouldn't come
The next day Squire Turner was in the
psrlor 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 l sad. But couldn't for
get Eyan-Eyan whom | had loved Sc
sailing away from me without a word.
| suppose they all saw looked sad
Tna fo1 rod Of, nd
make me ride with him over the 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 me:
"What ails thee, miss? Your eye is dull
and your cheek is pale, and your Draw
grand lover Gamma make ye smile; ye are
ns that i'll, either"
"No. am we'll enough" said 1.
She looked at me wistfully.
"Gin ye'd tell me your i'll, I might tell
ye cure," she said.
But there was no cure for me in this
world, and / couldn't open my heart to
simple Jennie. So the days rolled by, and
l was close on my marriage eve, and gran.
ME and Dorothy Plume were busy with my
wedding robes. I wished it 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 aud prayed to be taken
from the world, 'tfor how can live with
out Evan?" l said.
spoke the words aloud, and then start
ed up in alright, for there at my side was
an elfish little figure, and l hoard cry that
at first scarce thought earthly. Yet it
was but Scotch Jennie, who had followed
me.
"Why do ye call for your true love now9'
she said: 'ye sent him fra ye for sake o.
the young SQUIRE"
Chow dare you follow and watch me?'
But she caught nv sleeve.
tDinna be vexed," she said. 'tJust bide
a wee, and answer what l epeer. It's for
love of you, for I've seen ye waste like the
snaw wreath in the sun sin the squire woed
ye. Was it your will the lad that loved the
ground ye trod on should have his ring
again?" -------->.-,
"What do you meap2" said l..
''Ill speak gin lose my place." said
Jennie. II rode with the mistress to young
DR.. Locke's place past the moor, and there
she lighted and gave him a ring, and what
she said know not, but it turned him the
tint O. death, aud said he, There's ma a
drop o. true bluid in woman gin she is
false And he turned TO the wall and Gov
cred his eyes, an your grannie rode home.
There tits all ken-wull it do?'
"Ay. Jennie" said I, "beaven bless
your'
And had wings on my feet I could not
have come to the cottage door sooner.
!stood before my grandmother, trembling
and white, and I said: ''Oh, don't tell me,
grannie, you have cheated me and robbed
ne of my true love by lie. Did you steal
the troth ring from my neck and give it
back to Evan, as if from me? You I've
loved and honored my life long''-
She turned scarlet.
''True love!' said she, 'tyou'ge but one
true love now-Squire Turner
"You have done itr' I cried. otis writ
zen on your face"
And she looked down at that and fell to
weeping.
my own true love was breaking his
heart, she said. "My hlsband and had
loved for forty years. Ibid it to save him.
Could let girls fancy, worth nothing,
stard III my way, and soc him beggar in
his old age? Oh, girl, girlr'
Aud then fell down at her feet like
stone. | knew nothing for an hour or more ;
but then, when l was better, and taey left
me with Jennie, l bade her fetch my hood
and cloak and her own and come with me,
and away l went across the moor in the
starlight to where the hall windows were
ablsze with light, and asked the house
keeper to let me see the squire.
She stared at me for my boldness-no
| wopder--but called him. So in moment
he stood before me in bis evening dress,
with his checks flushed and his eyes bright,
and led me into little room an seated
me.
"Agstha, my love, hope no mischa Ice
brings you here"
But stopped him.
"Not your love, Squire Tnrner," l said.
81 thank you for thinking 50 we'll of me
but after all that has passed I"-v