Gilpin observer., 1901-03-21
=
Ny Mariory.

Tall, blond-bearded, blue-eyed, a
young giant, Will Ernst lounged be-
side the door of his cabin half way up
the mountain. An eighth of mile
from the house was the branch with
its silvery flood fed from spring far
up in the hills, and all around the lit
tie home were patches of corn, grow
ing sturdily, while here and there a
tree loaded with ripe apples waved its
boughs in the sun.
Inside, the small house consisted OF
two rooms and loft, the latter
reached by a narrow ladder-like stair.
AS in all the region round about in
most North Carolina mountains, the
furniture was very plain and simple,
and there was little of it. A large bed.
puffy with feathers, stood in corner
Of the living room. The gay quilt
which covered it was Of patchwork In
an intricate pattern. A child's crib, OF
shining brass and curiously dainty in
its white sheets, pillow-cases and
spread, stood at the beds foot, but it
had sad look, as IL no childish head
had lately pressed its snowy surface.
Overhead strings of red peppers fes-
tooned the ceiling, and ham hung
above the kitchen table; spotlessly
clean and scrubbed until it shone.
This table bore mute evidence to fas-
tidious housewifery. But the eye OF
the occasional visitor fingered longest
on one bit of the rooms furnishing. it
was 80 unusual and SO suggestive of
past; different from the present OF the
mistress of the cabin. Three swinging
shelves held books. some Of them in
sumptuous bindings, some college
text books, others editions Of standard
authors. Here were George Eliot,
Hawthorne, Tennyson, Browning. EN-
erson and Whittier, a stray volume OF
Kipling, and Barrie's Little Minis
ter" and Sentimental Tommy"
Above the shelves hung an exquisite
copy of the Sistine Matchmaker ten
der countenance bending in radiant
peace over the life in the poor home.
In each book. on the title page. was
written the owners name-"Marjory
Chisholm. Ellerslie. 1891"
my Marjory." called the man at the
door, In a soft drawing voice, come
and help me off with my boots. please,
and fetch my slippers"
"Oh! Will, won't you bring me
bucket of water first. I want 1t for
the supper
Silence. After an interval the re-
quest was repeated.
viii Ernst, please bring me some
water from the spring. I've been want
ing It for this hour"
The answer came In q low growl.
"Marjory Ernst, wait on yourself. I'm
not goin' to tote water for a woman;
what do you take me for?"
"A BRUTE" she murmured under her
breath. inaudible to the man outside.
who presently said again:
"Come, honey, bring me my slippers,
or It'll be the worse for you. Come,
my Marjory. Didn't you promise to
love. honor and obey? You keep your
word. honey. or I'll know why you
don't All that belongs to me minds
me, horse, dog. wife; haven't you
found that out. YETI"
With a shudder Of repugnance which
bh0on hSi iAoi hSau W iobt, JoIy
Ernst stopped under the bed, picked
up her liege lords slippers, carried
them to the door, knelt down, unlaced
the heavy shoes and put on the soft
moccasins she had brought. AS she
did 30, his hand kept gently stroking
her bowed henG, smoothing her thick,
curling hair. and touching softly tho
curve of her beautiful ear.
"Marjory. Marjory. darling. kiss
me-" he said. holding out his arms as
she rose. you are an angel. love
YOU"
The blood rushed IN warm wave.
tinging her check with Its lovely flush.
She was beautiful creature, tall, sup
pie, finely developed, her head well
poised. her shoulders thrown back. and
her carriage that OF n princess. At col
lcge she had been the class beauty; In
her fathers house. she had reigned rs
u princess. Then she had been Mar
jory Chisholm. daughter OF Judge,
belle OF county, heiress in prospect
OF large fortune. Now. she was Mar
jory Ernst. wife. by her own glrlish
self-will and folly. OF boor. who could
do little more than read and write. and
who regarded her as chattel. slave.