Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-02-13
THE WIDOW MARIN,
BY the Author of 'Natalies Ordeal,
"Euphie Lyn," "A Vain Sacri-
fee" Etc.
Continued.

the house in the distance, as the smil-
ing laird rode off.
What's your name, my little man.
he inquired.
Alec"
"Alec-eh ?Alec WHAT"
Alec Men,"
Alec Men, Ell? And so your mother
keeps a shop, does she?"
Alec nodded and glanced over to the
shop window they had just reached
the little window hung with handker-
chiefs, children's pinafores, laces, rib
bons and other useful miscellaneous
articles.
But neither the laird nor the child
saw behind these the womans face
peering with wonder and establishment
and alarm at the sight of the horse
man before the door; with Alec, might
lily contented, sitting up in front.
There doesn't seem to be any one
there, my little man." said the laird,
when no one responded to Alec's shrll
cry of "Mammie" Il suppose l shall
have to get down and see you safe in"
Mrs Marin, through chink of her
window adornments, saw the move
ment to dismount and with a muffled
cry sprung over to the door and locked
it. Then she rushed out and secured
the back door in the same fashion and
stood white and trembling for their
coming.
The laird's whip struck sharply upon
the door, he lifted the latch and found
it was locked and then his voice sound
ed through the door:
Your mother is not in, my little
lad You sit down on the step and
wait till she comes, and be sure and
don't run out when horses are coming.
Here is something to buy sweets
with"
Mrs. Marin heard the knock and
listened to the voice, like woman
turned to stone. But when the foot
steps moved away she again slipped
over on tiptoe and peeped out behind
the screen, watching the laird as he
mounted his horse and rode away; a
singularly handsome and gentlemanly
looking man. Then she sank down on
a chair and let her arm drop like dead
things on the counter and bent her
head upon them. She sat thus for a
long time, but at last Alecs impatient
kicking at the door compelled her at
tention and she rose and admitted him,
as usual without murmur or reproof.
Got ride on gentleman's horse,
mammie," he cried.
Did We, dearie? But what a terrible
lump that is on your brow and she
kissed the blue lump and took him in
to the room and sat down with him
upon her knee, straining him convul-
sively to her bosom.
"Mammie's head is sore, sore, Alec,
dear. Will you come to bed and lie
down beside mammie?"
Il want sweeties,' replied the pract-
zeal Alec, showing the coin, sixpence,
which the laird had given him.
"Oh. but youIl get sweeties, dearie
Give me this and I'll give you bigger
penny and you can go and buy sweet
les"
AS she spoke she produced a penny
from her pocket, which the child read
lily exchanged for the smaller coin and
we'll pleased, slid down and went on
his way to the sweetieeshop.
Long after the door had closed be-
hind him Mrs. Marin, with an indie
scribable expression of countenance,
sat contemplating the sixpence which
the child had given her. But at last
the door bell sounded and rising she
pressed the coin to her lips, folded it
in a piece of soft tissue paper and
opening her dress placed 1t in her
dress placed it in her bosom.
The customer was woman from the
far end of the town, near neighbor
of the landlord. Mrs Marin served her
and the woman was on the doorstep
departing, when she heard herself call
ed back
Can ! ask you to do me very great
favor?" said Mrs Marin, will you
be so good as to tell my landlord, who
lives near you, that l would like to
see him."
The neighbor had assented cheerful
" the landlord came, with the result
shown
For long time after he left Mrs
Marin stood with tightly clasped hands
looking straight before her, seeing
nothing.
1T is so hard, so hard" she muir
INJURED, thinking aloud, but | shall
have to bear it; cannot get away
not for three long years. 1t is cruel,
cruel; If it were not for the child |
should surely die
The alterations on Birka' had been
completed the laird with his lady,
some friends and a retinue OF servants
had taken possession of the house and
Tantiehowe had simmered down TO its
usual everyday order The carriage
had driven down through the town fire.
quently, with gentlemen and ladies
looking around and making smiling
remarks on all they saw; and the fol-
lowing Sundays beheld well-to-do pews
exhibiting fac-similes of the bonnets
worn in the carriage. The laird him
~ u 81. I'M