The Republican., 1891-03-20

| IIOlu W MN. AlINl
called me deceiful wench, and grand
father looked as though his heart would
break.
Oh. l would have done any thing for
them-any thing but give up my true
love.
That night l 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 began to fear the loss of
that dear ring was a sign that | would
never marry Evan Locke.
The days passed on, and he never
came near me.
''Oh, it was cruel in him." thought,
''to hold such anger for a hasty word
he had provoked, when spoke it that
he must know loved him So
And grandma would scarcely look at
me Il know why now, and grandpa
sighed, and moaned, and talked of the
work-house. And l thought l should
die of grief among them.
One day grandma said to me: ut
| seems that your sweetheart is not over
| fond of you, nor over-anxious to see
you"
"Why not?" said L.
"Whcre has he been this month
bacl1?"
''Busy, doubtless" said I, with a
, smile, though thought my heart would
burst.
You're going with him, may be?"
"Where?" said |.
She went to the kitchen door and
beckoned in d woman who sat there
Dame Coombs, who had come over with
eggs.
Il heard you rightly" she said.
''You told me Evan Locke and his
mother were making ready for a voy
age"
They re going to Canada. My son.
carpentcr-and good one, though |
say it made the doctor q 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"
81 told you so,'' said grandmother.
81 don't believe it." said |.
"They've sold the house. and gone to
Liverpool to take ship; and you may
find the truth for yourself, if you
choose to make trouble" said Dame
Coombs. I'm no chatterbox, to tell
falsehoods about my neighbors."
And still would not believe it until l
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 / gave up hope.
went home all pale and trembling, and
sat down at grandmamma's knee.
Its true" said |.
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 a babe, a
widow"
l looked at her as she sobbed, and
1 found strength to say:
Give me to whom you will, then,
since my own love does not want me-"
And then l crept upstairs and sat
down on my bedside, weak as though
l 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-Evan,
whom | had loved so-sailing away
from me without word
l suppose they all saw l looked sad
The squire talked of my health, and
would 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 ye, miss? Your eye is dull
and your cheek is pale, and your Draw
grand lover Gamma make ye smile; ye're
ma that i'll, either"
NO, am well enough said |.
She looked at me wistfully.
Gin ye'd tell me your all, 1 might
tell we a 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 | was close on my marriage eve,
and grannie and Dorothy Plume were
busy with my wedding robes. l wished
it were my shroud they were working
at instead.
And one night the pain in my heart
grew too great, and | 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?" l
said.
l spoke the words aloud, and then
started up in alright, for there at my
side was an elfish little figure, and 1
heard a cry that at first scarce thought
earthly. Yet it was but Scotch Jennie,
who had followed me.
''Why do We call for your true
love now?" she said; ''ye sent him fra
ye for sake o the young squire"
GLOW dare you follow and watch
me?"
But she caught my sleeve.
'Dinna be veXed," she said. "Just
bide a wee, and answer what l speer.
It's for love of you, for I've seen We
waste like the snaw wreath in the sun
sin the squire woed We. Was it your