Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1888 — A MOORLAND MAID. [ARTICLE]

A MOORLAND MAID.

Louis de Mornay was the ,iame of a young Cuban who had lately tallen heir to a large estate. A bunting ledge in Scotland was his favorite home, and he ■was going out on a hunting expedition alone and unattended, Ime tight, while lo ton th moors, he receive, slicker from a fanner named McGregor, and he there saw for the lint tune the woman who was to sway his d suiy. Marion was just budding into perfect womanhood and beautiful as a dream. The young Cuban fed in love wi f ! her at once, and from that time lie was a lrequent visitor at the McGregor cottage. De Mornay did not tell nation of his * love, hut spoke first priva.ely to her father, willing to abide by the old Scot’s decision. McGregor might have felt proud of gaining sir h a son-in-law, but Marion was ait that he ha 1 in the world. “My daughter must marry in her own station when the time comes,” he said firmly. “You do us honor by your proposal, but the time will r orne when you will see the folly of such an unseemly union.” De Mornay, true to his word, departed without seeing Marion, and from that day the girl drooped like a bower in the 6tin. “I hope you are not moping about that chap who went away,” said McGregor, coming upon his daughter one day in tears; ‘ put him out of your thoughts, lass, for he’ll never come back. I sent him quick enough about his business.’ A sudden joy kindled her pale f ace. ■ Ob, father, did he ask you for me? 1 hen heaven be praised! I read his looks and acts aright Ok,” said she, sinking down upon her knees ana catching her father’s horny hand and kissing it, ‘T had lost my faith in human nature, aud you hive given it back. Bless you for it. Oh, father, if that face could tell a false story, then the augels themselves would be untrue.” “Calm yourself, Marion,” interrupted her father sternly. “Did you not hear me? It’s all at an end. You can not ba his bride. It would be like the mating of a crow and a dwve.” “I care not, so he loves me,” murmured Marion softly. “Hear my vow,” she said suddenly, and again she sank upon her knees and raised her pure, child-like, but resolute face to his. "i will never marry Louis de Mornay without your consent; but I will love him my life long and die a maid for his sake if I canuot be hig wife,” It was too late to check her. The vow was taken and would be kept. The strict old father himself would not have dared to asa her to break it. Matters went on about the same at the farm Several years passed by, during which Louis was constantly changing his location, as indeed it was necessary for him to do to give personal supervision (o his various estates. During this period of unmitigated proa nerity to the wealthy young land owner, Farmer McGregor hail been gradually but surely going down in the world. A suocession of bad crops, a disease among big fine Durhams, until scarcely a poor halfdozen was left of his tine herd, and a murrain which proved fatal to his sheep, left him at last in a very straitened condition. Still he had managed to get'his rent money together. The pay day was near and the farmer had put the harilly-earaatl money in a/leathern wallet preparatory toastaitf* ‘.‘Well, wife,” he said with a sigh, “here’s pay for last year. It’s main doubtful, though, where the next will come from.” “Keep up, Duncan,’" was her cheerful answer, “its all for the best, though one cannot always ken why.” 80 he started away to the laird’s country seat ou bis stout cob without weapon of defense, for it was a peaceful country and he bad no fear of molestation. But bis journey was not half over when In some lonely woods through which the road ran an escaped con vict seized his opportunity aud struck him senseless from his horse, t itled his pockets, aud, mounting, rode rapidly away with hi plunder. About half an hour later he was found by the gamekeeper of an adjoining estaet and taken at once to the big house and cared lor. The master was away, but the housekeeper was kind and efficient, and under her good offices he soon came to consciousness, but not to the ability to help himself. One blow had lallen upon bis shoulder, and it proved to be dislocated. There was no alternative but to remain, perhaps for weeks, so Marion was sent for. The day after the young proprietor arrived also. The housekeeper told him at once of liis strange guests, and he has teued to assure them of his cordial welcome. As he entered the room Marion rose from beside her father’s bedside, and after one surprised glance, held out her band, her eyes shining like twin stars. It was Louis de Mornay. His face brightened with a sudden light as he went forward. Taking her two tender lianas within his own, he turned to the old father. “Wee,” he said gravely, “it is the will ot God that you should give me Marion for my very own. Her steps have been led to my roof tree by the hand of fate. She is to me the most precious treasure in the world. Will you not give her to me?” The old man looked up into the dark, earnest face. Its expression of sincerity and kindliness could not be misunderstood, and in spite of himself he became for the first time conscious of bis noble, manly beauty. At last he reached out a trembling hand find placed it upon Marion’s bright head. “Take her,” lie said, hoarsely. “It is God s will, and the lass loves you I'm not sure if 1 would give her up, but the poor bairn might soon le without a sheltming roof-tree. The world's not gone well with me of late, young man.” “Tl. ,t i; because you slighted love, aud tiie little tyrant is angry,” said Louis, playfully, as he turned aud looked oueslioningiy into Illarion's blushing face. ‘Little one, is ;t 1 rue. Do you love me? Look up arid tell me.” oho tried to raise her blue eyes to meet i. . but their radiance was too powerful. Her sweet lips trembled, but before the (hey were drowned in a M>ow*-r of k ; Bses. Thus they were b trothed. •