A NOBLE GIRL

NZ Truth, Issue 75, 24 November 1906, Page 5

A NOBLE GIRL

RENT HER OWN HEART TO SAVE ANOTHER.

The Groundwork of a Grand Story.

Mary Mac Donald's Superb Self- • Sacrifice.

The following story of the heroic self-sacrifice of a simple girl m the cause of right is taken from an American paper, to hand by last mail,- to which the tale was wired from New York city :—

Mary MacDonaZd is the daughter of a Brooklyn workingniaii. She is 19 years of age and lives simply with her loving parents m a rented home m a side street.

Mary is not a great beauty, though nature has endow.cd her with a winsome face, a shining mass of golden hair and wide eyes that bespeak modest^ and simple sweetness.

But Mary Mac Donald has suddenly sprung, from her small Brooklyn, world to fame. Through -one- libnprable and self-sacrificing act this small 1 girl is now known throughput the length and breadth . of \ the country. ' Quibe without her will or consent, without even her comprehension, the newspapers of air the great' cities to-day call her a heroine. -

It was a strangely romantic story-. Last spring Mary met and quickly learned to love Will Thorber, a handsome and athletic young die cutter, employed M a factory m Newark, N."J.

Thorber took his sweetheart to his home m Newark to visit his parents. She pleased them,, and they her. She was very happy. The wedding day was set. It was all happiness with Mary Mac Donald.

Charlotte Corday left her needle work to kill the enemy of her country. Mary Mac Donald, m the midst of her wedding preparations, was suddenly called, a week before the hour set for her nuptials, to plan her act of sacrifice. A young man from Newark, not counting his words, told her father that Will Thoroer was engaged to marry Viola Glover, the daughter of a Newark- baker.

"What is this ?" cried Mary MacDonald, when the story came to her ears. "I love Will and I trust him, but I must make sure that our marriage is honorable."

With her mother Mary immediately went to Newark. In the shaded parlor of the baker's home she met poor Viola Glover, deep m sorrow and shame. The baker's daughter told her sad story. From the time she had worn her hair , down her back she had known Will Thorber, and she had loved him. They were engaged., / , Will Thorber deceived and betrayed her. Then the girl was discarded" as a broken. toy.

A hot flush of indignation spread over the face of Mary Mac Donald. "He should ard mus* marry y o u and save- your good name," she cried. Brushing away her own hot tears, she sat and planned for the marriage of this girl and her own sweetheart. "When I send for you. come," was her parting;. instruction.

The invitations were out m Brooklyn. The florist came and erected the bell, and spread about the palms and sweet-scented flowers. The day had arrived. Toward evening the neighbors came flocking m. Mary was m her room clad m her soft, white bridal gown. Thorber, impatient and happy m bis black clothes, rushed up the stairs. "O, you look beautiful, my dear," he said,' and would have kissed her. "Not yet," and she hid her , face. What was the shadow there ?

Another man might have seen : and thus been warned.

There was a lull m the chattering of the guests when an ao'ed woman, bearing upon her arm a . girl Who staggered as if under a weight of sorrow ot illness, entered and 'quietly took a seat m a corner almost unnoticed. They wore heavy veils. Nobody knew them and few noticed.

Presently Mary Mac Donald entered the room. Will Thorber sat surrounded by friends laughing and oblivious to all about him. Now he strode forth to meet his bride. "Wait, IK she said, calmly. . Turning to her quests, Mary MacDonald, white faced, said m an unquavering voice Nt'l am sorry, but there must be a change m tlie weddinf plans. I am to be a bridesmaid to-day and not' a bride. My "brother-in-law, Mr Griffin, and my cousin here, Geo. Casey, are to be the attendants. And this young lady ( turning to the swaying; , figure m black) is to be the bride." „

She led Viola Glover to the side of the stammering Thorber, who stood aghast. .. ,• .

"You are x to marry this girl," said the white-robed girl to him. "She does not want you as a nusband, any more than I now do, though we botfa have loved you, but she needs your name to protect her honor."

Wildly Thorber glanced about him v The attendants, large, brawny men, stood at windows and doors. There was no escape.

Griffin produced a wedding, ring and a license. The Rev. A. C. Meyer stepped m from an adjoining room. And so they were wed. Mary MacDonald first kissed the bride and swept away her scalding tears.

With the swaying bride upon her arm, the bridesmaid led the guests into the dining room, where the wedding feast was waiting. Thorber started to follow.

"Not this wav," commanded Mary MacDonaLd ; "that way!" and she pointed to the door. Seizing his hat the bridegroom, pallid from fright and j. hot m disgrace, fled .into the strefet and disappeared.

His wife declares she will never live with him should he return.