The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-17

nation from Bertha herself, Will made
no comment, but his laugh was un-
mirthful. And with rage in his heart
he had hailed q passing cab, driven to
the railway station, and taken the
train to Walebridge. Thence he could
walk to the Tregons'.
Rut the house in view, in crossing
the field, Will espied Bertha in the
garden, and, with a muffled Ahoyl
sped to the tree that sheltered old
Isaac. She had swiftly joined him.
Nevertheless, the shock of his return
was visible in her white faces and her
trembling lips would frame 40 vel
come. Looking ct him imploringly,
her blue eyes filled. And longing to
clasp her in his arms, the reassuring
words which, while enlightening him,
had chilled Jim's father, did duty for
the reproaches he had come primed
with.
But Will had taken Bertha by sur
prise, and between her dread Of him
and terror of her mother, who ruled
the Tregon household with q rod OF
iron, ne rightly OWNED that she had
caught at the readiest means of escape
which in her direction had presented
itself to her. Ye. his faith in her firm
ness was limited; the revival OF fond
memories would tend to lessen her
mothers influence. And cunningly
calculating that apparent indifference
would further incline her to be guided
by his couusels later, he devoted q
week to his friends and generally en-
joying himself. His disappointment
treated thus lightly, he succeed IN de-
luding everybody, including Bertha,
who shed bitter tears in secret that he
should be 80 easily consoied for her
loss. The bare sight of James Hocken
almost maddened her; and she had to
hide her aversion to him, and listen
! evening after evening to his dull talk.
! And in another week she would be his
wife.
The tree beneath which che and Will
had parted had become her favorite
resort. Here she conld indulge in the
luxury of "a goo cry" unrebuked
and, grown desperate with the nearer
approach of the wedding day, sitting
on the gnarled roots one afternoon,
she burst into very passion OF grief.
A acknowledgements above the
wall.
"Ahoy! Whatever's the matter, Mis-;
Tregon2' he gravely inquired. "Shail
l fetch Mr.. Hocken to 'ee?"
81 hate him! / hate him!' she
sobbed Historically.
"That's bad" said Will sympathiz
ingly. "What's he been up TOT"
"Up to Isn't he old (; isn't he ugly
isn't he stupid! Aud and-I hate
him! / hate him!" she reiterated.
"And 1 won't marry him. Mother
may storm, but don't care"
Will vaulted over the wall.
| On the day appointed for james
Hocken's nuptials the whole village
fiocked betimes to the church. Bu
neither bridegroom nor bride put Ii
an appearance, and by and by it wa.
known that Will Carter and Berths
Tregon were missing, end that there
would be no wedding at Pengelly tina
day.
| Weeks and months rolled by, ant
no tidings could be CLEANED of thu
graceless couple. They had clean van
1shed, leaving no clew to their where
abouts, Mrs. Tregon's tongue sharp
ened to double edged sword, read,
to slay friends and foe alike who al
luded to her daughter. And the dumb
misery OF Jim's plain face was pitifu
to see. Old Isaac's heart ached TO-
his son. If he had only prepared hin
for the blow!
| Curiosity was at length appeased
An acquaintance OF the runaways
visited London, and returned with 9
woful story. She had seen Bertha
who had con6ded to her that aftel
being married at registry office
Will and had decided to go to Ameri
CO, but while looking in at shol
window he had been robbed OF nj
savings, and that subsequently the
were reduced to great straits. Thel
he had brought her the welcome new
that he had obtained q berth on
steam launch. and the next mornin!
he bid her gooaby to go aboard, sine
when she had never clapped eyes OF
him. Mrs Pegg also said that Berth
) had refused to give her her address
; But Jim ascertained that sne had me
her at Rotherhithe, and that wa
enough for him.
Il "I'm off to London" he announced
when he came downstairs after pacinl
, the aoor the live-long night. II shal
|, niyer rest until Carter and me ar
face to face.
"Thee be fule, JIM" his father
who had been disturbed by hi
monotonous tread overhead, sal
peeyishly. eff you must STIR in thi
business, and Bertha. It'd be
charity. For ell her sharp temper
her mothers fre:tin' herself into he
grave, Take what money You wan
ont o. my old leather bag; onl,
promise, lad" noting the cullen q
IA his deep set eyes, "a0t 10 usad'
W will"
'srruss me 70 and Bertha"