Rocky Ford enterprise., 1897-09-30

II. whose funereal
despair was tempered with q certain
lofty scorn.
On the following Saturday arrived
the new minister. prepared to ofiiciate
for the first time In the parish. He
was a youngish man, with red hair
and beard. and very pink complexion;
but his manners were unassuming and
good natured. His wife and family, he
explained, were about to follow him in
about ten days: and in the meantime
his furniture and other chattels were
coming on by train. Shown over the
manse by Solomon. he expressed no
little asto lishmcnt at finding only two
or three rooms furnished. and those
very barely.
"Mr. Lorraine never married ?" he in
quired. as they passed from room to
room.
THE meenister was a wise man." re-
plie1 Solomon. an.biguously. He lived
and he deed in single sanctity, ac-
cording to the holy commandments Of
the Apostle Paul" fTs..-
Just so" said Mr.. Freeland, with a
smile. well. shall find the manse
small enough for my belongings. Mis-
tress Freeland has been used to a large
house. and we shall need every room.
The chamber facing the river, up stairs
will make an excellent nursery"
MY ain bedroom!" muttered Solo
mon. "Weel, weel, I'm better out OF the
house."
At the service on the following day
of %
come the new minister. Solomon occu-
pied his usual place as precentor, and
his face, as Mr.. Freeland ofiiciated
above him, was n study In It's express
sion Of mingled scorn, humiliation and
despair. But the minister had reso-
nant voice, and manner of humping
the cushion which carried conviction to
the hearts of all unprejudiced observ-
ers. The general verdict upon him.
when the service was over, was that
he was the right man In the right
place. and "a grand preacher"
The congregation slowly cleared
away. while Majorle, lingering behind,
walked sadly to the grave Of her old
foster-father, and stood looking upon
1t through fastly-falling tears. So rapt
was she in her own sorrow that she
did not hear a footstep behind her, and
not till Caussidiere had come up and
taken her by the hand was she aware
of his presence.
so the change has come at last, my
Marjorie" he said: was l not right?
This place is no longer a home for
you"
Monsieur
Call me Leon. Shall we not be man
and wife,"
But Marjorie only sobbed.
He was so good. He was my first,
my only friend!"
Peace be with him." returned the
dearly. mignonne. and I knew his only
wish would be to see you happy. Look
what l hold in my hand. A charm-a
talisman-parbleu, 1t is like the won
derful lamp Of Aladdin, which will car
ry us, as soon as you will, hundreds of
miles away"
AS he spoke he drew forth folded
paper and smilingly held it before her.
What is it, monsieur" she asked,
perplexed.
mo: you must call me Leon-then
will tell you."
What is it-Leon?"
"The special license, Marjorie, which
permits lis to marry when and where
we WILL"
Marjorie started and trembled, then
she looked wildly at the grave.
mot yet" she murmured. DO not
ask me yet"
He glanced round-no one was near
SO with quick movement he drew her
to him, and kissed her fondly on the
lips.
"You have no home now" he cried:
strangers come to displace you, to
tIrn you out into the cold world. But
y have one who loves you thou
81 I'd times better for your sorrow and
yc'r poverty-ah. yes. know you are
po r!-and who will be your loving
protector till the end"
She looked at him in wonder. All.
ho~' good and kind he was! Knowing
heI miserable birth, seeing her friend
less and almost cast away, he would
still ,e beside her. to comfort and cher
ish ,r with his deep affection. If she
had rver doubted his sincerity, could
she deubt it now?
Half an hour later Caussidere was
walking rapidly in the direction OF
Ahnandale Castle He looked supreme
ly self-sNtisfed and happy, and humm-
ed lig~t French air as he went.
Arriving at the door, he knocked,
and the serving-woman appeared in an
swer to the summons.
Miss Hetherington, If you please"
you Gamma see her." was the sharp
reply. What's your business?"
"Give her this card. IL you please.
and tell her I must see her without
delay"
After some hesitation the woman car
ried the card away. first shutting the
door unceremoniously in the visitors
face. Presently the door opened again,
and the woman beckoned him in.
He followed her along the gloomy
lobbies, and up stairs, till they reached
the desolate boudoir which he had en-