The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-03-23

now bitter she had learned Wneu nef
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. VIII Ernst
sober was a fool: VIII Ernst drunk
was a madman; Will Ernst, lowering
like Mahomets coffin, midway between
drunk and sober, was a tyrant No
glimmer Of light fell on the dark path
before Marjory's feet.
Yet, she recalled the day, only few
years back, when VIII, the young
mountaineer. looking in her inexperi-
enced eyes like an Apollo had been en-
gagged In building a rustic bridge at FL
lerslie. her fathers estate. The work
had taken all summer. and the moth
erless girl had found it at first anus
ing, then absorbing, to watch the
young workman, SO handsome, so
graceful, SO debonair for all his pro-
vineialism, 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; Mariory Indifferent to every
thing but the devotion OF her deml-
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 Mariory was carried
of for a gay season at the state capi-
tai, she mistook her feeling Of loss at
his absence Tor loyalty to a sincere
and knightly lover. and no admira-
tion Of others shook her from her A.
deity. The next step in the drama
was the commonplace one Of an elope-
ment Win Ernst drove up to the
judges door in a buggy at sunset;
fourteen miles out they found cier-
gyman: be had the license in his pock-
ct; they were married, and Win
brought her 10 the mountain home 10
live among illiterate people, far from
the rennements TO which she was ac-
customed. 10 a life which speedily be-
came one Of daily and hopeless drudg-
cry.
Judge Chisholm sent her a box con-
tanning her clothes, her books, and
a small sum OF money. To her, be did
not write, but a curt letter to her hus-
band conveyed the assurance that Mar
iory should inherit not one acre Of the
ancestral fields, nor one dollar Of her
fathers wealth; nor. while she re-
mains your wife. shah she ever cross
my threshold"
Clad IN a blue homespun frock, such
as the mountain women wear. with
thick shoes on her feet. and a kerchiei
tied about her neck. Mariory picked up
the heavy bucket. and took the stee9
pathway to the branch. her husba-4
watching her with lazy satisfaction.
"A proud piece. but | know how to
manage her" he muttered. Il never
did hit her yet. but I reckon I'll have
TO; she needs a lesson. Horse, dog,
wife. whatever belongs TO me. must
leani the weight Of my hand: that's
the way 70 keep peace In a family.
My Mariory, my Marjory; she's
beauty. too, and she doesn't fade out
as the women hereabout do. She's
handsomer now than she was when /
married her. 1t speaks we'll for my
temper. for / didn't mean TO be tied TO
penniless lady, not I"
The monologue went on. In a soft.
drawing voice, the voice which had
once m,uds 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
iavorite theme when he was holdins
forth 70 an interested audience Of one.
Mariory came slowly toiling up the
road with her bucket full now, and no
slight burden.
"Win Ernst, you great lazy hound.
why don't you carry Il for her7"
The interruption was unwelcome.
VIII looked up. 10 see the only woman
on earth Of whom be stood in fear. his
mother.
you talk Of tcmperi" she said,
scornfully. Il 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
% tell you"
lie dariod down the HILL met his wife
midway and relieved her Of her load.
The grateful look she gave him
changed 70 one Of entreaty. as she saw
the anger IN his eyes The next mo-
ment she deserted bis mother and un-
derstood. Mrs. Ernst was always her
defender and champion. but VIII made
up for It by extra indifference whea
she was gone.
"Wiil." said the mother. Dan sisco
came home last night, an he'll be after
you with a shotgun Best be ready.
and don't 60 unarmed"
Dams back, is hep
''Yes. ] heard It at meeting. Deed