The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1899-07-13

not inflict that pain upon my girl.
Now, how it came into my mind, or
what put it there, it is beyond me to
say; but as Christmas drew near, I
got it fixed in me that Mabel and /
ought to get married before I went to
sea again. The more / thought of 1t,
the nor fixed became the idea and the
stronger my wish. I was fearful of
broaching the subject to Mabel, not
knowing how she would receive it in
the absence of her mother; but an in
cident which occurred three days after
her mothers departure gave me the
opportunity and the courage.
I had gone to the docks to see after
my ship, expecting to be away until
night, when I was to meet Mabel at
our little cottage of shells. l returned,
however, three or four hours sooner
than I anticipated, and ! went at once
to Mabel's house. l heard voices with
in-one the music of which I well
knew; the other I scarcely recognized.
| opened the door, and, entering, saw
Mr.. bruce. He was standing before
Mabel, and had just finished a passion
ate speech, judging from his position;
for as I appeared he laid his hand in
no light way upon her, and she was
striving to wrest herself from his grasp.
To see was to act; my blood was boil
ing ~furiously. / seized him by the neck
and the next moment we were outside
the house, whittier l had dragged him,
without any effort on my part, and
without resistance on his. He was
really as a feather in my hands, Be-
ing outside, with my hand still grasp
ing him firmly, 1 twisted his face by
force to mine, and looked into his eyes.
"You miserable coward" I said.
THAT is the way you treat defense
less women, is it,"
And with my open hand I struck him
on his smooth face; then flung him
away.
He said ~nothing-not a. word. But
den darting forth of a serpent's fang
without the active poison.
Put up your hands" I cried; "Tm
going to thrash you, or you me-"
He put up his hands, and aimed a
feeble blow at me-. I hit him once, and
he fell to the ground, with the color
of blood now on his frightened face. I
had not struck lightly.
He wiped the blood away as ne rose.
l scorned to strike again. Then he
spoke.
amos Beecroft," he said, "you shall
live to learn that this is the worst days
work you have ever done"
Worst or best" l replied, "you have
received a lesson I advise you never
to forget. Indeed, I think you are not
likely to, for 1 am in hopes I have
marked you for life"
His lip was cut, and the scar, I
judged, would not be soon effaced.
by what right" he asked, slowly,
"do you step between me and Mabel?'
by the best of all rights. That
young lady is to be my wife"
you are a liar!' he cried, furiously.
Mabel was standing at the door,
trembling in every limb, and I went to
her side and passed my arm around
her waist.
He stood before us in silence for full
ten seconds; then, with a wicked look,
skunk away.
"Ill not risk your being insulted
again by that scoundrel," I said to
Mabel. while your mother is absent
you must sleep at our house. 1t will
be safer for you"
But her woman's sense saw in this
proposal what had not occurred to me.
Il can't do that, Amos, until -un-
til"
Until what, my darling?"
Bright bushes drove the lilies from
her cheek. Then I guessed what was
in her mind.
Come with me-" I said. ct have
something to say to you before my
mother"
She locked the door and came with
me.
Mother" I said, cit isn't safe for
Mabel to sleep in her own place alone;
she has come to stop with me-
My mother nodded.
Il shall sleep there instead of her"
I continued, "and Mabel will take my
room here for a day or two"
And then, Amos?" said my mother,
guessing that I had something more to
say.
And then, mother" I rejoined, "Ma-
bel and l will get married. There is
no occasion for any one to know but
ourselves. On the day before Christ
mas we will go to the registrars, and
this Christmas shall be the happiest
we three have ever spent"