The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1899-08-19

l wandered about the mountains
alone all day, and in the afternoon
turned towards the farm. but when
1t came within view a feeling of i'm
patient repulsion made me turn back
at once. That night l wrote a short
note to Helen, telling her l had 10
go to England IN business, and on
the following day I crossed the chan
mel.
General Stopford and his niece. I
heard, were occupying their town
house for a few weeks. did not call
on them, but the day after my arrival
l had the pleasure of meeting Miss
Stopford in the row, looking the pic
ture of blooming health and beauty,
my rival in devoted attendance.
She called me at once to her side
and in an imploring whisper begged
me to come and see her that after
noon, that she would be at home
to no one but me. n had so much
to say to me. l refused point-blank,
and took m leave almost at once, de-
termined never voluntarily to come
within range Of her appealing ewes
again. Yet, somehow, the very next
day found me on the generals door
step, asking if his niece were at home.
| was ushered into a dim boudolr,
and, when my eyes became accustomed
to the light, | saw the young lady
sitting beside Lord Sandmouth's son.
and toying with a bunch of roses that
he had evidently just presented.
Il beg your pardon" l said, with
a low bow, as the pair started to their
feet. Il think l have made a mis-
take; 1t was yesterday afternoon you
were to have been "at home" and
alone to me, Miss Stopford, was it
not?"
went away, wrote Immediately to
Mrs. Casey urging her to hasten the
preparations for our marriage. Three
weeks later l returned to Donegal. and
one lovely August morning, without
settlements, trousseau, presents or the
orthodox breakfast, 1 was married
in the w~hitewashed parlor where I had
first seen my bride less than three
months before with her apron full of
early potatoes.
The ceremony was u~neventful until
the conveyance that was to take us to
the train came numbering and Jolt
ing up the grassy drive, and Helen
rose to say good-by to her grand
mother.
"You-you will write to me, and
let me see you sometimes, granny"
she said timidly, with a slight break
in her voice.
Certainly, if you earnestly wis. it,
dear child" answered Mrs. Casey,
brushing the girls cheek with her
bristly chin; "but at the same time,
Helen, I have been thinking seriously
ove this matter, and have come to the
conclusion that it would be better if
you did not return to the humble
scene of your childhood, for reasons
you will understand later. You are
entering into a world of pleasure,
wealth, excitement; l am passing away
here, in solemn undlsturbed cohlmun-
ion with my Creator. My days are
short on earth, as you know, and l
would rather not have them broken
into by intercourse with a world I
have forsaken forever. You must not,
dear child, think this decision harsh
or unnatural, or that it Is dictated by
lack of affection for you. No, no, far
from it; / will bear you daily In my
thoughts, and pray with all the nc
tion of my soul that you may be hap
py and prosperous in YOU new state
of life and worthy in every way Of the
estimable gentleman In whose keep
ing I place you with unbounded con-
fidence today"
I bowed low to hide a grim smile,
for, indeed, l might have been the
s~orriest scamp that ever took a wife,
for aught the old lady knew to the
contrary; and my wife, with a com
posed, almost callous countenance,
responded, moving to the door
so be it, granny; let this be good
by forever, then"
On the doorstep Molly was waiting
to fling her arms around her nurse
child in a noisy embrace; and as we
numbered down the hill her shrill
blessings, mingled with the rattle of
hobnailed heels and handfuls Of rice
striking the back of the carriage,
made a deafening noise.
When it was over l withdrew my
hands from my ears and said to my
wife, who was looking out of the win
dow
well, Helen, how do you feel? 1t
was not such a terrible business after
all, was it?"