The Lamar register., 1901-06-05


the centre of most cosy-looking cir
Gle. with Miss Marjorie upon his right
hand and Rose upon his left.
You must al know that my Mar
torie is an orphan" he began. II met
her first at a house in London. where,
among the gayest of parties, her little
pale, sad face caught my eye, and with
out my knowing it won my heart. 1t
was her uncle's house, but she was not
happy there. Her cousins tyrannized
over her-her aunt snubbed her-and
soon found that her uncle and myself
were almost the only friends she had
in the world. No doubt 1 twisted this
fact to my own purpose. l own candid
ly that / rejoiced when others were
rude to her, so that she might see that
l was kind. l won her, 1 do believe.
more because she was grateful to me
than because she loved me; but the
love came afterwards, so that it did
not matter. won her. and made her
my wife. in spite of all the sneers of
her cousins, and the discouraging cold
ness of her aunt.
For a time. We were very happy.
Then some unknown correspondent
began to trouble my peace. Anony-
nous letters came to me day after
day. which told me that my wife was
not what she seemed-that she loved
another-that she only waited her
time to play me false.
II was foolish enough to read the
slanders-to think of them-at last, to
believe them. Circumstances, which
looked suspicious then. but which I
have seen by far clearer light since.
came up one after another to make me
distrust Marjorie still more. At last
l felt SO convinced of her faithless-
ness that l deserted her.
Il left letter saying why had
gone. l left her money. and l have
never seen her face from that day till
tonight it beamed upon me out Of the
darkness like an accusing spirit.
Aunt-Rose-she has been a school
teacher-a governess. companion.
during my absence. But she is one Of
the best and purest women on earth;
and l took her away just as she was.
from her drudgery. to come and tell
you SO. am sure you will all be-
friend her. Will you not?"
Every one of us!" was the hearty
reply. and Mrs. Cowley folded the
young wife in a motherly embrace.
and Rose and Catharine kissed her OIL
the cheek in the most sisterly fashion.
Tears stood in Marjorie's dark eyes as
they did SO; and her husband turned
his head for a moment. as II ashamed
of the weakness which he could not
help feeling and showing at their
| kindness.
What the good lady who employs
her will say to her elopement, can
not conjecture" remarked Mr.. CowIey
after a moments pause.
"Oh! she never had very good
opinion of mel" said Marjorie, cheer
fully. And she will probably utter
devout thanksgiving when she finds
that she is to see me no more. There
never was much love lost between us.
l am afraid"
WAS she a nice person." asked
Catharine.
mot according to my definition of
the word nice. l can describe her to
you in very short time. She is
stout women, who thinks herself i'll
when she is only lazy. and who never
gets out Of her easy chair except to
go to bed or to fly into a rage-which
she does on an average of twelve
times a day. No-decidedly do not
call Mrs. Magnum nice person."
81 should think mott" said Rose.
laughing. 81 wish l could see her
face when she hears you are gone!"
Never mind Mrs. Magnum. now.
said Mr.. Cowley. II want to hear
something about my uncle and this
mad freak of his. What could have
put 1t into his head to take a haunted
house?"
"Ah!" said Catharine. ruefully;
"you must ask Rose that"
"Why?"
Because she was at the bottom of
1t ALL"
SIS that so. Rose?"
"I am afraid l must plead guilty,
Charles. l thought 1t would be So
nice and romantic to live with ghost
But don't like it at all. There is a
dreadful cradle-rocking in the kitchen
every night, and not one of us dares
to stop there moment after dusk.
Papa heard 1t the first night we came.
and yet he won't go away. think
he is little frightened, but he fan
cies that people Will laugh at him II
he goes away. And so"
And SO 1t will go on till we are all
carried off bodily by these horrible
cradle-rocking creatures. and then
your father will be satisfied" broke in
Mrs. Cowley, more in sorrow than in
anger.
Her nephew broke out laughing.
"Ah. you may laugh. Charlie; but I
can assure you it is no joke to live in
place that gives you the cold shivers
every time you stop to think what 1t
really is And Mr.. CoMleY actually