Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-08
THE OLD MILL MYSTERY.
By ARTHUR W. MARcHMoNr, B. a
Author IIoadieys h
land" "Isn."



mo. nm not angry, but"
"But what?" he asked, as she hesi-
eted.
She was silent moment, and tneI,
with n slight blush again tinging her
cheek, she looked kindly at him and
said:
THE but was, that think you hnd
better not call me by my Christian
unne."
The man laughed n good-natured,
hearty, sclf-satisfied laugh.
Nonsense, Mary, nonsense. Who
ever heard Of anyone objccting 10 such
thing hcrcabouts2 | think Of you as
Mary--ayc, and as my Mary, too, my
loss. in spite Of all you said last timci
and what's more, shall never think
anything else" he added, very carnest-
ly. ns he went closer 10 her.
"You forget, Mr.. Gorringe, tnat you
are the manager of the mill, and am
only one OF the work people"
Nonsense, stuff and rubbish, Mary.
was mill hand, too, wasn't " and
not so long ago. either. IL I've made
a bit Of brass, where's tho good Of II,
II can't do what ! like, aye, and have
whom like TO share t. You'd better
change your mind, lass, and say you II
mFtTy me-"
81 have told you" shc began, when
he interrupted he.' impetuously.
Eyes, yes; | know you've told me,
and more than once FOR the matter OF
that" and he laughed again good ma
turedly. "Ani what's more, youl
have TO go on telling me scores Of times
yet, before shall believe you. You'll
have TO give way In the long run"
at cannot be, Mr.. Gorringe."
"Rcuben." he intcrposcd; "you may
Ms well call me by that name first ns
last"
ono" said the girl, decidedly. "To
me you are Mr. Gorringc, my employ
sr. and cannot call you anything
else"
stuff and rubbish. See now what
IL means. Sevon years ago, was u
mill-hand. Five years ago, ! had
scrapcd up enough to start the old
Wincldcy shed. Three years ago, !
took the management Of this old Walk
leu mill; and to-day I'm ready for an
other move W. ! can put my hand on
y good bit Of Grass to-day, and I'm go
in,r to he II rich man, Mary; and "
,oull marry me, you shall be a rich
woman"
The girl shook her head at this
,psccn, which Jared on her.
IT'S not money ] care about" she
said
what Is IL, then? Is IL loveP" hc
cried, in voice suddenly full Of pas
ion. Don't You think that love
YOU? what eau do To- persuade YOU
There are many things hold dear In
tnis world; success, money, reputation,
power-but Ia give them MI up, with
out "a murmur, II 10 win you, Mary.
I would, ! swear would" he sad,
vchemently. won't you trust me
and be my wife, lass2'
HIS voice sank almost 10 whisper
and his eyes and face were alight with
his love for the girl
~ have told you 1t cannot DO. MI
very sorry" she answered.
lie stayed full half-minute without
speaking, merely letting his hand res
on her arm, while his eyes were hxeC
On her face.
"why can't 1t be, Mary2" he asked
30 you doubt me2"
mo, no, MIR. GorriLge," she an
swered, impulsively: "but-but-it u
hard for me to have to say this; | d.
not love"
lie interrupted her with n ligh
laugh, and then setting both her hand
In his, he held her close to HIM an
looked earnestly into her eyes.
III did not ask you for your love YET
child. can walt for that. hav
plenty for both of us. Give me YOU
self; that Is all ask now. You trus
me, aud love shall soon come. | wi
take you, love or no love, and be onl
600 thankful 10 have you, my dear"
mo, moi" cried the girl, vehementl.
struggling 10 free her hands. "L'
me go, please, Mr.. Gorringe. You haN
no right to hold me like this"
lie let her go instantly.
~ am sorry" he said, quite humbl.
~ forgot myself do forget mysel
and everything else, when ] am wi,
you, Mary. But you must he my wifi
cannot live without YOU" Then
started, and palcd little. as n though
plagued him. Its not-but, no,
can't be, or should have seen. It's n
that You care for anyone else, is IL
, lie asked this in firm, low voice.
what right have You to questi'
meP" said the girl, blushing, part
with Indignation, partly with conf
, sion.
The man looked ut her keenly, lSn
: ting his heavy brows till they frown
omincusly.
"Do you think I'm man to
fooled lightly?" he asked, In quic
stern tone. Then he changed aga
and spoke quietly, without giving !
girl time to reply There's no ne
for pretense between us two. You
ssen-you must have seen-the h,
you have over me, I've made no secl
n that love you. You can do with
a what you will, for I'm fool In yC
/, hands. But take care, my girl; ~
power as yours over me don't 60 wi
ont responsibility. Its power u
can move me for good or spoil me
life, With such as me there's no m
die course; and you can do what )
g. will; aud, by -, II you TOOL me n
.. for another man there won't be no
~ for US both ON this earth Tha,
~ swear" and he clenched his ast 4
u brought It down heavily on the gate
,c front Of them.
II have listened TO you too Ion
said the girl. when you talk to
AZ about 'foolirR You SEQ how stup
r. have been"
&c Pm sorry ! ami swear an