The Red Cloud chief., 1897-09-17

front OF the railway station.
All was very quiet and gloomy. Thu
only human being visible vas a soli-
tary railway porter.
Caussidiere leaped out.
AT what hour passes the express for
the south?" he demanded.
AT half-past twelve, sir. You've ten
or twelve minutes"
Marjorie drew the hood OF her cloak
closely round her face, and. taking her
lovers hands, descended from the car
riage and stood %shivering and trem-
bling on the pavement.
Caussldiere paid the ~fy-driver, and.
ordering the porter to follow with the
luggage, drew Marjorie's hand upon his
arm and strolied into the station.
On reaching the platform. Marjorie
cast a frightened look around, dreading
to behold some familiar face; but. be-
yond a couple OF half-tipsy commercial
travellers and a cattle-driver en- route
for the south. nc one was visible.
A little later the two were seated
alone In a first-class carriage and rap
Idly whirling southwark.
Tit train ran right through to Car
Isle, where they alighted. Haillng a
fly, they were driven to an inn, already
familiar to Caussidiere. in an obscure
part OF the town. They were evidently
expected, and the hostess had prepared
separate rooms.
After a light supper, OF which Mar
Jorie scarcely partook, but which the
Frenchman made festive with a bottle
OF very bad champagne, they parted
for the night.
Goodnight. my darling" said Caus-
sidiere. fondly. Tomorrow, early. I
shall be the happiest man in all the
world"
Nothing could be kinder or more re-
spectful than his manner; yet poor
Marjorie retired with a heavy heart,
and 1t wal not for some hours after
ward that she cried herself to sleep.
The day following Marjorie's de-
parture there was commotion at the
man9e. At early morning her absence
had been discovered, and to make as
surance doubly sure, the following note
had been found lying open on her dress
ing-table:
Dear Mr.. Menteith-When you re-
ceive this. I shall be far away. I have
gone with one who loves me very
much, and in a few hours we shall be
married. Pray, pray do not think me
wicked or ungrateful: but I was afraid
to tell you how much / loved him, for
fear you should be angry at my choice.
He has promised to bring me back in
a little time to ask forgiveness of all
my friends. Tell Solomon, with my
fond love, how weary l shall be till i
see him again; he was always good to
me, M l shall never forget him. Tell
Miss Hetherington, too; l never had a
kinder friend; but she must not blame
me for following the wish OF my heart.
God bless you all! Your loving
MARJORIE AMMAN"
That was the letter. and Mr.. Men
teith read 1t aloud in utter amaze
ment. 1t would be false to say that he
exhibited any more violent emotion.
for he had merely a friendly interest in
the girl. and felt for her no overmas-
tering affection. But Solomon Muckle-
backit, after listening thunderstruck
uttered a wild cry, and struck his fore
head with his clinched hand.
II kenned 1t. I foresaw 1t! It's the
Frenchman, dawn hint"
Hush" said the minister. mo pro-
family, my man."
Dawn him, dawn him. repeated
the sexton, trembling with passion.
"He has stolen cor Marjorie away.
saw the deil's mark on his face when
he first came creeping ben DOR house
and fell sleeping in DOR kirk. Dawn
him, l say-noo and for evermair!"
Then Mr.. Menteith. not without diff
Guilty, ELECTED from Solomon, who was
almost distraught, the whole story of
Caussidiere's acquaintance with Mar
jorie, and subsequent visits to the
manse.
AFTER ALL" said Mr.. Menteith, re-
fectively. "he is a gentleman. and as
they are going to be married."
Married." calculated Solomon.
Marry an awthelst-marry the dell!
But he'll ne'er marry her. He'll be-
tray her and heart-break her, and cast
her AVA"
In the limits Of a small Scotch vii
lage news of any kind SCOT spreads,
and before midday Marjorie's elope-
ment was being discussed everywhere.
Presently John Sutherland appeared at
the manse, looking pale as death. On
questioning Mr.. Menteith, he soon
learned the whole state of affairs.
Mr.. Menteith handed him Marjorie's
letter. He read 1t. and his ayes filled
with tears.
May God deal with him as he deals
with her!" he groaned. Does Miss
Hetheripgtoq know what has hap
pened?"