The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-10-25


lage news OF any kind soon 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 Marjories
letter. He read it, and his eyes filled
with tears.
MAY God deal with him as he deals
with her!' he groaned. Does Miss
Hetherington know what has hap
pened?"
mot yet" replied Mr.. Menteith.
81 will go to her at once" cried Suth
erland cit is right that she should
know. Perhaps she can advise us what
to do
Breathless and wild, he arrived at the
Castle door. Directly he had sum-
moned the serving-woman, he discov-
cred that the news had arrived before
him.
"Shes like wild creature" said the
servant. I'm in dread to face her, and
she's ordered DOT the carriage, and will
drive ava at once. If We must see
her, gang in yerseP; daurna announce
your coming!'
Sutherland stepped into the hall.
"Wheeshtp whispered the woman. 81
hear her coming doom the STAIR"
Scarcely had she spoken when Miss
Hetherington, cloaked and bonneted,
appeared at the other end of the hall
She approached feebly. leaning on her
staff; and as Sutherland FASTENED to
meet her, he saw that her face was like
that of a corpse, her hair disheveled
and wild, her whole frame trembling
with unusual excitement
"Is it true?" she cried, gripping
Sutherland's arm.
eyes, Miss Hetherington."
Marjorie AMMAN has left the
manse?"
Eyes, last night"
"And in that scoundrel's company"
II believe SO; but in her letter she
mentions no name"
''Ier letter? What letter?''
Sutherland thereupon told her of the
lines Marjorie had left for Mr.. Men
teith. She listened trembling; then
Selling the young mans arm again, she
drew him into the drawing room and
closed the door.
''Let me think, let me Think she
cried, sinking into a chair, and cover
ing her face with her hand
When she looked up, her eyes were
full of tears.
"She's a lost lassie! And I might
have saved her had known! Oh, Mar
jorie, Marjorie! My brothers curse has
come home to us both at last!''
Sutherland looked at her in utter as
tonishment. He had expected to find
her angry and indignant, but her man
ner as we'll as her words were beyond
measure extraordinary. Before he
could speak again, she rose to her feet,
and said, between her firmly set lips:
Johnnie Sutherland, listen to me!
Have you the heart of man?'
What do you mean?"
While you stand glowering there,
she's rushing AVA to her ruin! Will
you gang after her, and in that villains
very teeth bring her back?"
II don't even know where she has
gone" replied Sutherland; "and. be-
sides, she has fed of her own will, and
I have no right
Miss Hetherington interrupted him
impatiently almost fiercely.
"You have the right that you loved
her yourself. Ay, I ken all that! Find
her. save her from that man, and I
swear before God you shall marry her,
Johnnie Sutherlandw
But the young man shook his head.
looking the picture of despair.
1T is too Late he said; 'and, after
all, he is her choice
What right has she to choose?"
cried Miss Hetherington ''She cannot.
she dare not, against my wish and will.
| tell you he has beguiled her, and spir-
tied her AVA, If you were half a man,
you'd be after them ere this-you'd
hunt them down."
But what could I do?" exclaimed
Sutherland, in utter CONSERVATION.
DOR cried the lady of the Castle,
almost screaming. xiii the scoundrel
kill him! Oh, if had my fingers at
his throat, I'd strangle him. old as I
amp
Ovorpowered with her emotion. she
sank into chair. Full of amazement
and sympathy, Sutherland bent over
and endeavored to calm her. AS he
did so she hogan rooon;,o o,L ~