The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-04-22
CHAPTER III.

foot as he placed 1t on his finger.
CHAPTER III
Assunta had placed herself and her
child unhesitatingly in the hands of
worthy Master Malcolm. and with the
true charity Of his kindly nature, he
took in the friendlesS woman, housed
and fed her, and administered to her
broken spirit Till the funeral of the
young laird should be over, he would not
question or disturb her: and indeed she
seemed to be in no wise capable or an
swering questions, but sat with vacant
eyes, bending over her child, and rocking
herself to and fro; but when that solemn
day had passed by, the Minister Judged
it best to hear Assunta's story before in
qures were Tade from Dunmonaigh
Assunta de- Carroll was the only child
Of an unfortunate political refugee.
While she was still little child, Leone
de Carroll had been forced to flee from
his native country with her and her young
mother; the latter fell an easy victim to
the colder climate of the north of Scot
land, whittier motives of economy and
the necessity for secrecy had induced
them to come and Assunta was lett to
the sole guardianship Of her father
In the midst of this poor and half-fed
life, Assunta grew up and developed into
lovely girl Her education had not been
neglected, for her father was wcll-read
man, but it had been careless and des-
ultOry. She was fond Of wandering in
the woods which covered the hills at the
back OF the town Of Strathluan: she
loved the scent of the frtrees aud the
crimson heather; and here one day she
met with Evan MaCmonach, his gun on
his shoulder, surrounded by dogs; and
again and again would Evan return, and
the dogs grew to know her so well, that
they would leap and fawn on her as she
came up the path; and when the yellow
haired Evan and dark-eyed AsSunta
walked slowly through the heather, the
timid deer reioiced, for they were safe.
Sometimes De- Carroll would Join them,
but oftener they We're alone and enter
tanned each other well.
One day Evan told Lady GriseI that
he had set his heart on making Assunta
his wife; her diSpeaSure was iudescrib-
able. She was a stern Presbyterian; her
horror OF the ''idoatry OF Rome" was
one Of the strongest feelings of her re-
igion.
than other men, simple in his tastes,
throwing away money fOOishly, acting
on impulse, loving the free open air, and
the exercise of his herclean limbs: he
could neither plead nor argue; his
mothers bitter words and opposition
hurt him. Evan loved peace, and in his
bewildcred grief he entreated Assunta to
assent to private marriage, only to be
for Il NtrI.t =,
should have brought his mother to listen
to his suit. Assunta loved him too
dearly TO refuse. Love of mystery was
one Of the courses of De Carroll char
acter; he knew that his health was fail
ing; it was all-important to him that his
daughter should De provided with a
homc-aud he promised that if they
would leave ali arrangements to him, it
should be accomplished with perfect
secrecy, and without delay.
\ very few weeks after his daughter 5
marriage the exile died, and Assunta was
not left desolute.
\ whole year elapsed, and still Evan
had not told his mother, and Assunta
was SO happy with the husband she loved,
that she cared nothing for the life OF per-
feet SccluSiOn she led, snd asked no more
In the pride of his youth and strength,
Evan was cut down, and Assunta found
herself left, at - years old, a widow and
alone.
1t was with an anxious and sad heart
that Master Malcolm begged Assunta to
tell him what She could about her mar.
rage.
1T is ali-important, my child he,
said; more important than perhaps you
think-it affects so many
Not 50 much as il would have done il
baty had been a boy" said Assunta.
leaning her head YEARLY on her hand.
Boy. he is MT boy" cried Master
Malcolm, in the greatest establishment.
No: she is little lassie," said As.
sunta, sadly.
alas, alas" he cried, "all the lands
of Dunmonaigh to 20 to 4 girl; OH why
was She not boY3"
1t IS best so, said AsSunta, for now
it will only be TO give her money, and
Angus Macmouach will still be the laird. 81
Master Malcolm shook his head sor
rowfuIly. Not So he said: 'aII. every.
thing goes to the heir, be he male or fe.
male.
Il did not know, faltercd Assuuta.
She gave into the hands of the Minis
ter a desk in which Evan had been wont
TO keep few treasures, which she haC
sent for from Strdthluan.
Here, Padre-Master Malcolm near
in here you viii find my proofs
The Minister turned the rusty little
key in its lock, and opened the desk
The contents were molly enough. Twi
gorgeous SalmOu-fies, 4 roll OF wire, al
Unrayeled and twisted about everythiu.
else. There was a packet marked il
Evans school-boy hand. Letters from
ASsuuta.' There was 4 chiId's india
rubber ring: and quite in the back, rol
OF ribbon, the knot Of which was care
fully sealed. y bunch of labels wcr,
fastened to the seal The Minister tool
them and read them one by one.
''Attested copy Of marriage certificate
taken from haIf-burnt register afteI
the burning Of 81. Agnes" The next
'BaptismaI certificate of Margare
Grisrlda.' Both we're dated The thirl
Simply-"My will"
"What does this mean?" said tn,
Minister. In What church were yol
marrled?H
In the Roman Catholic Chapel a
Strathochic, which was burnt down las
year"
And the registers were DESTROYED
Is the clergyman who married you TO b,
found?"
Alas. no" answered Assunta, IN,
tears streaming from her eyes: ..he dice
about a month after the baptism of the
child. He was 4 dear friend to me"
who were the witnesses Of the cere
Z 4 81,