Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-09-30

CHAPTER XVIIl.-fCoNTlNuEp1
To go to Edinburgh would take her
too far from her beloved dead. while
the thought of living with Miss Heth-
erington at Annandale Castle positively
appalled, her She said NO"
The lady of the Castle received the
refusal kindly. saying. that although
Marjorie could not take up her resi-
dence at the Castle. she must not alto
gether avoid 1t.
Come when you wish. my BARN.,
concluded the old lady. you'll aye be
welcome. We are both lonely women
now. and must comfort one another
During the first few days. however.
Marjorie did not go. She sat at home
during the day, and in the dusk OF the
evening. when she believed no one
would see her. she went forth to visit
the churchyard and cry beside her fos-
ter-father's grave. At length. how
ever, she remembered the old lady's
kindly words, and putting on her bon
net and thick veil. she one morning
set out on q visit to Annandale Cas-
tie.
Marjorie had not seen Miss Hether-
ington since that day she came down to
the funeral: when. therefore, she was
shown into the lady's presence, she al
most uttered frightened cry. There
sat the grim mistress Of the Castle In
state, but looking as worn and faded
as her faded surroundings. Her face
was pinched and worn, as II with heart
eating grief or mortal disease. She
received the girl fondly, yet with some
thing of her old imperious manner. and
during the interview she renewed the
offer Of protection.
But Marjorie. after looking at the
dreary room and its strange mistress.
gave a most decided negative.
She remained with Miss Hethering-
ton only short time. and when she
left the Castle, her mind was so fuli oi
solicitude that she walked along ut
terly oblivious to everything about her
Suddenly she started and uttered glad
cry of surprise. A man had touched
her on the shoulder. and, lifting her
eyes, she beheld her lover.
The Frenchman was dressed as she
had last seen him, In plain black; his
face was pale and troubled. Marjorie
feeling that new sense Of desolation
upon her, drew near to his side.
"Ah, monsieur" she said, you have
come-at last"
Caussidiere did not embrace her. but
held her hands and patted them fondly
while Marjorie. feeling comforted by
his very presence. allowed her tears to
IJa lat a
q time, then he placed her hand upon
his arm and walked with her slowly In
the direction Of the manse.
my Marjorie" he said, my own
dear love! this has been sore trial to
you, but you have borne 1t bravely.
l have seen you suffer. and have suf-
fered, too"
You have seen. monsieur"
Eyes, Marjorie. Did you think be-
cause was silent had forgotten? All
no, my love. have watched over you
always. have seen you go forth at
night and cry as II your little heart
would break. But l have said moth
ing, because l thought Such grief is
sacred. I must watch and wait. and
have waited"
"Yes, monsieur"
But today, Marjorie. when saw you
come from the Castle with your face
all troubled-ah. SO troubled. my Mar
jorie!-I thought, 4 can wait no longer;
my little one needs me: she Will tell
me her grief. and now in her hour OF
need I will help her. So have come
Marjorie. and my little one will con-
fide all her sorrows to me-"
Then the child in her helplessness
clung to him: for he loved her and
sympathized with her: and she told
him the full extent Of her own desola-
tion.
The Frenchman listened atten-
lively while she spoke. When she
ceased he clasped her hands more fer
vently than before. and said:
Marjorie, come to my home!"
She started and drew her hands
away. She knew what more he would
say, and it seemed to her sacrilege
when the clergyman had been SO re-
Gently laid to his grave. The French
man, gathering from her face the state
Of her mind, continued prosaically
enough:
love, Majorie; but 1t is a time to talk
Of marriage! When you were in
Edinburgh, you gave me your promise
and you said you loved me. l ask you
now, fulfill your promise; let us be-
come man and wife,"
you wish me to marry you now
monsieur"
"Ah, yes, Marjorie"
although I am a penniless, friend
less, homeless lass?"
What is that to me, my dear? !
love you, and I wish you to be my
wife!"
"You are very good"
"Marjorie?"
"Yes."
"Tell me, when will you make me the
happiest man alive?"
Marjorie looked at her black dress,
and her eyes filled with tears.
II do not know-I can not tell" she
said Not yet"
EN- bien!-but 1t must not be long
delayed. The DEGREES of destiny bury
us onward. You will soon be thrust
from the manse. as you say, while !
must return to Frame"
you are going away"
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