Smyrna times., 1893-08-30
WHY MERCER WAS MAD.

Dig AenSlOgton factories, walked IN the |
kitchen, swinging her dinner basket in
her hand and hnmming a merry tune.
Yes, dear mother, it is l." said the
girl, as she kissed the wrinkled face of |
the hard worked woman.
"Im glad you've come" said Mrs.
Kane, glancing admiringly down into
her daughters pretty face. "Mr. Mer-
Ger is in the front room. He's been
waiting for you for about two hours,
and Lizzie" sinking her voice, "he had
a long talk with your father, in which
he said that he loved you and wanted
to make you his wife. Pm sure it al
most took my breath away when your
father told me about it, for he's got
good business and owns lots of property
besides. He told your father that as
soon as you were his wife he'd satisfy
the mortgage on this house and make
US comfortable for the balance of our
lives. Lord knows, it will seem
strange enough to rest, for I've seen
nothing but work since l was chit of
a girl and pve grown old before my
time trying to make both ends meet.
Now put on your gingham dress and go
in to see him. He is in the front room"
Mrs. Kane paused suddenly aud
stepped back with startled cry; for,
happening to glance at her daughters
face, she saw such a marvellous change
in its expression that she grew alarmed.
Nov, Lizzie" she continued, don't
fret me and say you won't do it, for
I've got raging headache, and little
more excitement will drive me crazy.
l am sure its not much that your pa
and ask you to do. You ought to be
willing to make some sacrifices for our
sakes"
II am" answered Lizzie, and the
hard lines in her face softened. Pm
willing to work early and late for you,
but when you ask me to marry a man
whom hate, it is too much"
There, there" began Mrs. Kane, II
knOwed you'd only have one of your
tantrums as soon as told you of your
good fortune, but your father would 90
to the saloon and leave me to face it
ALL"
And sinking into chair, she threw
her apron over Ter head and began
sObbing and rocking herself back and
forth in manner suggesting hysteria.
$50 father has gone to the saloon
again, after promising me to remain
away ?" said Lizzie, and her eyes
snapped
TITS because he's in trouble" apollo.
gized the mother, wiping her eyes. "I
you'd only marry Mr.. Mercer and lift
US out of poverty, your pa would be q
different man"
II doubt it," muttered Lizzie, anC
then, speaking aloud, said
"Well, | won't marry Mr.. Mercer
that settles it. Marry him I'll go Ou
and beg first !"
Selling her shawl and hat. she quick
ly donned them, before her mother
could interfere, rushed out of the doo
and had reached the end of the ally be
fore that lady could 60 to the gate.
THAT girl will be the death of me,
Mrs. Kane moaned, re-entering tn
kitchen, and then, rolling down th
sleeves of her faded calico dress, sh
smOOthed her hair and walked into th
front room, where Mr.. Isaac Mercer,
, fat, pudgy man of fifty, with smoot
, and very red face and bald head, sa
: vacantly staring at the big pattern i
the cheap ingram carpet.
Rather haltingly she apologized 70
. her daughters absence, saying that til
: latter would not be home until lat,
! having to do OverwOrk at the mill, an
> Isaac Mercer left, promising to call o
the morrow.
: Lizzie, meanwhile, proceeded tC
! wards the saloon which her father fro
9 quented. She was obliged to cross th
4 railroad to reach the place, and stoE
ped at the little signal station, wher
she knew Charlie Hancock, the tell
a graph operator was at work.
8 Charlie was the particular friend
d Ned Howell, d brakeman on the raj
n road, who had been Lizzie's lover sine
. they were children together, and whol
q she had promised to marry when i
& should have saved enough money
n give her home.
L "Charlie," she said, tapping on Il
i window to attract his attention, "Wi
= Fifty-three be down tonight ?"
At sound Of her voice Charlie raise
his head from his work, and, catchiu
sight of the girls pretty face, sprang
d his feet.
a 4 "Great Scott Lizzie, is it you ?" W
|, his ejaculation, and then, witho
sr meaning to be harsh or cruel, he to
is her in excited, disjoined sentenc
ID about terrible accident that hi
80 taken place on the railroad at the 9th
~ end of the division.
q She saw in fancy the terrible seer
u but she uttered no sound, and CO
n tinued staring into his face.
or Poor Ned was caught between tV
- cars. and the doctors say he will ha
he to lose a leg. He's pretty bad
Mt smashed and may die. ALI the injur
be were taken to the Presbyterian H,
- pital, and"-
He stopped suddenly, and, rushi
10 from his little den, ran out on the pl
o. form and caught Lizzie in his arms
Of she reeled, fainting.
ng She did not remember much af
nt ,nt this, and an age seemed to have pass
~ ~ when she finally opened her eyes
he her own shabby little chamber at hoI
nd to find her mother, father and the dC
als tor bending over her.
an The first question was about the
cident, but they put her off, and it v
not until she was able to sit up Il
iu she learned the whole truth. Z
lover had lost one of his legs, and
as ing no longer useful to the Tailro
ig- company, had been discharged.
They did not tell her that seve
in letters had come from him, nor I
he | khax, In nforn, ho,. tlat ho, cotkau hoi