Year: 1879

end In the murder of the young man by
Mary's father. Then he would suggest
lynch law for the murderer. Thus
Mary would be completely in his power,
as her father had appointed him, Black
Bill, the trustee of his daughters for
tune, and he hoped in time to be able to
coerce her into marrying him. Black
Bills artfully arranged plan had been
very successful, and Knight had for
hidden his daughter to see or speak to
Burnett.


One evening number of men were
congregated in the tavern carousing and
drinking, when Knight became involv-
ed in quarrel with another miner
During their war of words Burnett en-
tered and endeavored to pacify both par
ties. knight, in his excitement, thought
Elliot was taking sides against him,
and Black Bill used every effort to start
the men fighting, but without success,
for Elliot did not lose his presence of
mind. His GOODNESS exasperated Knight,
who finally gave him stlnging blow
on the cheek. This was signal for
general fight among the loungers of the
tavern, for Elliot was favorite with
most of them. They knew his for
bearance had been actuated by his love
for Knights daughter, and not by cow
ardice, as Black Bill insinuated. They
accordingly sympathized with and ad-
mired his manly courage when he said;


Tna II tnh L
ter too much to allow myself to become
involved in quarrel with her father"


knight attempted to deal him sec
ond blow, but was prevented by the by
ISLANDERS, who declared it cowardly to
force man into fight under such cir
cumstances.


Before the quarrel ended, Black Bill
and Knight received some rough treat
ment from the hands of the crowd, and
they returned to their respective homes
swearing vengeance against all who had
opposed them, and particularly against
Burnett, who was blamed for the result
of the fight


The next morning Mary was greatly
distressed when she learned what had
transpired. OF course her father gave
his own version of the affair, telling
her that Elliot had insulted him, and
when he struck him, dared not return
the blow, but drew Others into the quar-
rel and left them to fight for him.


Mary listened to the recital, but doubted
lNn, fnfl 1a knfn a.xI Iaka .oI
to withhold her judgment until she
heard the story from Elliot's own
lips.


The following evening, after she had
finished her work indoors, she set out
for her usual walk. AS she strolled
slowly along her mind was occupied
with thoughts of Elliot, and of the ten
der words of love he had uttered at their
last parting. Why, she asked herself,
was she forbidden to partake of this one
Joy of her solitary existencer 1t was
true that she loved her father, and he
loved her, after his fashion but he
could not understand the want of her
higher nature. The desire for intel
lectual companionship was something
entirely beyond his comprehension
She knew he did not dream she was
dissatisfied. AS he often said:


''She was we'll fed and well clothed;
and then, too, che would have snug
little fortune some day."


Yes, some day after the light of her
youth had burned itself out, when all
her bright hopes and ardent desires for
more ennobling life were dead. What
good would money do her then when
her dream life had vanished :
She was In rebellious mood this
evening, and, like some captive bird
that frets its wings against its prison
bars, longing to be free, so she longed to
escape from the existence which had
grown so hateful to her. Before she was
debarred from companionship with Ell
liot she used to pour out her complaints
into his sympathizing ears, ,andhe would
strive to make her forget her present
life, while drawing bright pictures of
the happy future they would enjoy to-
gether, when he had accumulated suffi-
cient means to provide home for her.


In the distance she saw Elliot coming
toward her. Her heart gave bound
of joy; then grew sad again as she re-
membered her fathers mandate.


Elliot hastened to meet her, and re-
marking her pale face and fearful eyes,