Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-11

after, carrying tall holly boughs-the |
bearings" for the rushes-entwined |
with rushes and flowers, crosses, hearts |
and wreaths, here and there interspersed |
with figures of the infant Moses in the |
bulrushes; and then all the sturdy UNI |
brian folk, with handfuls of rushes and |
| flowers, had gaily followed on. The |
throng had wound in and out of the
few narrow village streets; and had
halted ut the churchyard entrance where
the band ceased playing and where u
thousand solemn voices had joined in
the noble hymn to st, Oswald. Thus
the quaint old church had been filled;
and the multitude, still singing soft and
low, had strewn flowers and PUSHES in
crumbling porch, in shadowy loft, in
ghostly belfry, on grim old Norman
tower, in aisle and pew and chancel,
and at last upon the sacred altar of the
hallowed pile, as the sweet old hymn
was done.
Margery had been the veritable sun
shine and life in these simple and veneer.
able rites and Observances of st. Oswald's
festal day, as she had been for years;
had led the tender Grasmere even-song,
singing as she had never sung before;
had given glad gaiety and zest to that
last and merriest ancient custom of the
day, the laughter making distribution
Of gingerbread and sweets, John Old
garth, at her bidding, serving the
generous portions with mirlh-provoking
jests; and as the August evening fell
and the happy-hearted peasant folk
were numbering up the mountain ways
to their quaint, old rock-built homes,
she had hidden her betrothed an affec-
Tomato goodnight at the gate, of the
rectory where she was to remain until
morning, in the knowledge that he was
TO pass the night with some American
tourist friends ut the Prince of Wales
hostelry beside the lake.
In all this long and happy day if
Margery's heart had ached, it was un-
needed by any save the five arch conspira-
tors who gathered, towards midnight,
at Curtsy Harris cottage, roundly
swearing that "sumet nun be din p
while nursing their fading courage with
generous drafts of ale. Huge cudgels
stood against the wall; and their brave
plot, determined at the last moment
after such friendly wrangling, was that
Curtsy Harris, Willy Benn, Jenny
Railton and Tommy Bamthet were to
proceed to the Wishing Gate to rescue
Margery, and engage the agile and
powerful ghost at all hazards; until
Geordie could hasten to the scene with
John Oldgarth to render fitting assist
ance to Miss Margery, and give color in
her eyes to their traitorous though
affectionate and chivalrous interference.
A little before midnight imagery, still
clad as at the Rushbearing, set out from
the rectory along t;e old highway lead.
ing across tho holt She had hardly
reached the little cottage at the hillside,
when she became conscious of being
) followed. "Ah, Geordle, Geordie," she
reflected, "you have played me false at
lastn
! She halted moment, and the skulk-
, ing figures also stopped. She advanced
toward them and they retreated. She
/, turned and proceeded up the hill, when
they again followed. She increased her
pace. So did those behind. When
q alongside The cottage, she suddenly left
= the hill and, speeding along the hedge
, to the highway at the lake edge, quickly
: disappeared.
One of her pursuers whispered, "Lans
a q marcy! She hev gied oop tn ghast;"
/ theu the group huddled at the edge of
the holtcopse, shuddering and wonder
ing what wisdom and valor would next
4 suggest. They had not long to wait,
a Margery had made the half circuit OF
q the little hill in a few moments. Gid
i ing past the dread Wishing Gate, with
!, out even glance of interest or fear, she
4 grasped handful of pebbles and mortar
i from the crumbling coping of the wall;
and, dashing down the steep holt-side,
> she appeared before her startled rescuers
| co Itr nd faI Al,
- missiles so sharply, that all these alebe.
fuddled Don Quixotes of Grasmere with
cries of superstitious terror. inconti.
~ nently took to their heels, never check.
: ing their mad flight until barred safely
- from all ghosts and terrors behind theil
!, humble cottage doors.
, Almost laughing and crying at the
I, rout of her pursuers and the grewsome.
! ness of her situation, In moment more
y she had reached the Wishing Gate. The
:. moonlit scene below was tranquil ant
If serene. AS she leaned against the old
love shrine, whose bars are cut witt
>, names and dates by countless pilgrim
t., hands, she unused aloud. "What SHOULD
ia be my dearest wish, beyond laying the
AZ ghost-if one ever really comes here =
r. this strangely sweet st. Oswald's nighty'
ITO be John Oidgarth's happy bride
A God bless you, Margaret Carew, knew
you would come at last!' spoke a yoic,
II close beside her, in tones SO thrillingly
IN like her lovers that she turned in glaC
surprise-to find herself clasped tenderl,
~ in the arms of the dread ghost she hal
Ne come to layl
Id Just as the first morning light wa
family stealing over the higher noun
d, tain peaks, an old white haired anC
ly white bearded man was reclining il
ID Margery's easy chair in her own room
at Rosedale manor-house. He rested il
d, an ineifable light and calm after half
h life time of utter night and storm. On
| hand held that of Matthew Seacrof
If; firm and sure and true. The othe
4 lovingly stroked the fair head of til
ID noble woman beside him. His deer
h. kindly eyes fell now upon the portal
N on the wall, now upon Margery's smil
ed ing, upturned face, again upon Margery'
ia lover standing near, and even reste
y! benignly upon trembling old GeordiC
a covering in the shadows behind. FINAL
er the old man spoke.
Id John, your father gave out that | wa
dead. But am the elder brother still
ct, Thank God aud Margaret | am agai
~, the master of Deepdale Hail. and
Oh shall remain John Oldgarth's after
or am gone. Margery here, and his voic
,e- sank for moment, "has made us on
lst glad family at the end"
jul AS the sun swept bright and clet
les into the Umbrian valleys, and S