The Springfield herald., 1901-03-22


and piece Of unstable property. The
cup was of her own brewing. but it
was unspeakably bitter to the taste.
How bitter she had learned when her
only child, her beautiful boy, at ten
months Of age, had been laid in his
coffin, and. as her hot tears dropped
on the snowdrop face she had thanked
God for taking him home. Will Ernst
sober was a fool; VIII Ernst drunk
was a madman; Will Ernst, lowering
like Mahomet's comm. midway between
drunk and sober, was tyrant. No
glimmer of light fell on the dark path
before Marjory's feet.
Yet, she recalled the day, only few
years back. when Will, the young
mountaineer, looking in her inexperi-
enced eyes like an Apollo had been en-
gagged in building rustic bridge at Ell
lerslie, her fathers estate. The work
had taken all summer, and the moth
erless girl had found 1t at hrst anus
ing. then absorbing, to watch the
young workman, SO handsome, SO
graceful, so debonair for all his pro-
vincialism, to which she was blind. Be-
fore any one suspected danger. the
mischief was done. The two young
people were in love; VIII, on his part
not insensible to the attraction OF the
judges fine estate and Marjory's
money: Marjory Indifferent to every
thing but the devotion Of her demi-
god.
She thought herself in love with
him. not knowing that she was rather
in love with love. When her friends
discovered the state Of affairs and
VIII was ordered to leave the neigh
borhood. while Marjory was carried
off for a gay season at the state capt.
tai. she mistook her feeling Of loss at
his absence lor loyalty to a sincere
and knightly lover, and no admira-
ton of others shook her from her a.
deity. The next step in the drama
was the commonplace one Of an elope-
ment. Will Ernst drove up to the
judges door in buggy at sunset;
fourteen miles out they found cler-
gyman; he had the license in his pock-
ct; they were married, and Will
brought her to the mountain home to
live among illiterate people, far from
the refinements to which she was ac-
customed, to life which speedily be-
came one of daily and hopeless drudg-
cry.
Judge Chisholm sent her box con-
tanning her clothes, her books, and
a small sum OF money. To her, he did
not write, but curt letter to her hus-
band conveyed tho assurance that Mar
jory should inherit not one acre Of the
ancestral fields, nor one dollar OF her
fathers wealth; nor. while she re-
mains your wife, shall she ever cross
my threshold"
Clad in blue homespun frock. such
as the mountain women wear. with
thick shoes on her feet. and kerchief
tied about her neck. Marjory picked up
the heavy bucket. and took the steep
pathway to the branch. her husband
watching her with lazy satisfaction.
"A proud piece, but I know how to
manage her." he muttered. II never
did hit her yet, but reckon I'll have
to-; she needs a lesson. Horse. dog,
wife, whatever belongs to me. must
learn the weight of my hand; that's
the way to keep peace in family.
My Marjory, my Marjory; she's a
beauty, too. and she doesn't fade out
as the women hereabout do. She's
handsomer now than she was when l
married her. 1t speaks well for my
temper. for l didn't mean to be tied to
a penniless lady. not l."
The monologue went on, in soft,
drawing voice, the voice which had
once made Marjory think OF water fall
ing over rocks, of wind in the pine
tops. He had always enjoyed hearing
himself talk. and my Marjory" was a
favorite theme when he was holding
forth to an interested audience of one
Marjory came slowly toiling up the
road with her bucket, full now, and no
slight burden.
will Ernst. you great lazy hound,
why don't you carry 1t for her?"
The interruption was unwelcome.
Will looked up, to see the only woman
on earth of whom he stood in fear, his
mother.
you talk of temper" she said,
scornfully. II heard ye. You with the
temper of a fiend. Go and take that
bucket from your wife, and then come
back and talk to me. I've something
to tell you"
He darted down the hill. met his wife
midway and relieved her of her load.
The grateful look she gave him
changed to one of entreaty, as she saw
the anger in his eyes. The next mo-
ment she deserted his mother and un-
derstood. Mrs. Ernst was always her
defender ard champion, but Will made
up for it by extra Indifference when
she was gone.