Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-11-09

| tree, by the mouth OF bhelr nOlly-PrOVt
1t pleased him a little to think of ,h
scarf-pin as keepsake. 1t had beel
his mothers gift to him, and there wa
no woman else SO worthy to keep it a
this rustic maiden for whom his hear
was bleeding. He must have been mac
| to think of her for one instant as false
as like
He had barely time to hide, warned
by the familiar click of gate, before
she came in sight of the spot where he
had been standing. He crouched
among the bushes, trem bling at the
thought of being found there; and ohl
the dolorous pang that pierced him
when a little cry of joy announced
that she had seen the note.
In the moments of dizzy throbbing
confusion and heart-sickness that fol
lowed he was vaguely conscious ot
hearing a moan and something like a
fall; but when he came to himself,
starting and beginning to listen in
tently he wondered whether it was
possible that he could have made those
sounds But if Motif it was Maggie,
and she was lying there! Heavens!
did she love him, then? and SO much,
SO strangely? He came out from his
hiding place, and stood, with white
face and listless hands, distracted with
indecision. He could not leave her so;
but to go to her was never to leave her
again.
A heavy hand clapped him on the
shoulder and shook him much as an
electric discharge shakes one.
"Dickp'
Of all men in the world the least
welcome. His eye restless with a hid
den intent, and his manner betraying q
frightful affectation of gaiety.
AYE. Dickr' he said, with a short
laugh that sounded cynical and fierce.
'Dost think Aw didn't snaw wheer ye
do yo'r swee theartin ?"
The schoolmaster made gesture of
desperation.
For Gods sake" he burst out,
don't let's quarrel here. Go and see
to that poor girl. Idare not"
Dick laughed again as the younger
man began to speak; but at the allusion
sion Maggie, though he could not have
understood it, his face grew suddenly
grave, and his lips moved queerly. .,s
Nay" he replied, speaking quickly
and between gasps, That's what
Awe coined for. Ye knaw nowt what
ye're doin'. If it be AEGEAN her will
an thee goin' away, mate fro Cragside
Dang it, we're mates, lad-we've
been like mates, choose howl"
The schoolmaster looked at him,
comprehending nothing yet
"Sitha, Aw willn't hev It'll Dost hearp
Aw tell tina Aw cannot thoil tr'
He was shouting and his face was
like that of furious man.
There was rustic in the thicket
of holly, and Maggie, vision of lowell
ness among the dark leaves stood gaz.
out upon the two men, very pale and
wild-eyed. A moment later, with a
tremulous cry of mingled fright and
joy, she had thrown herself upon the
schoolmaster breast and was whisper
ing eagerly: you won't go nowl Oh,
say you won't go! 1 should die, l
thinkp'
He clasped her passionately, with
great sob and the blindness of sudden
tears
''Tha sees!" blurted Dick, unheeded;
'shoore moan o my lass. Dunnot
stand theer like stuck sheep! Dang
tina, tha maks me wildl' And he
plunged headlong down the side of the
gorge.
Dicks matchmaking was discon.
certed for while by the unappeasable
sulkiness of Ephraim Cullingworth,
Maggie's turbulent and raffish father.
But she came of age few months
later, and one bright morning in the
winter they were married quite happily
without his consent The merrymak.
ings at George Oakworth's new home
near the schoolhouse were presided
over by Dick in his predestined and
voluntary capacity of best man. At
their height they were interrupted by
the sudden appearance of the malcon.
tent who came noisily in without
knocking, and waved aside the out
ragged chairman, who had started up
with prodigious look of ferocity.
ITS all right" he said, with bear
ish unceremoniousness which was
meant to pass for good humor.
"Course it is. Bud tha's gitten rare
wench for thi wife, George Oak worth.
Hesn't ia now? By-shoo's t. bon.
niest i ten darishesl Well, gies thi
hand. Aw wodn't ha' let her goa, but,
dang it! tha's ta'en her-an' tha knaws
how to keep her, Aw Judge"
Saying whic h, he made a show OF
'sparrir g." and burst out laughing at
himself and at the joyfulness of their
welcome.
Love.
We sometimes meet with men who
l. Il =