Hazel Kirke
The story, laid on the border between Scotland and England, depends for its significance on the peculiar Scotch marriage law and turns on the question as to whether the Boar's Head Inn, where the marriage took place, is really in Scotland, or south of the line. It is, we find, truly in Scotland, and the ceremony valid. Hazel Kirke, pretty daughter of an old Scotch miller, is betrothed to 'Squire Rodney, an elderly man of means, who has financially aided her father. Before the marriage, a young English nobleman, Lord Travers, while hunting near the mill, falls and breaks his arm. The miller hears his cry for aid and carries him home where he meets Hazel and falls deeply in love with her. Hazel does not know his social station, but Squire Rodney, who has recognized Lord Travers, sees that she has returned his affection. The Squire writes to Lady Travers, the youth's mother, who has decided on another match for him, and soon the miller receives a letter from her, asking him to send the young man away. This serves to precipitate the love affair, for the old man, thinking that Hazel has acted dishonorably, disowns her and orders her from the house. Travers takes her to the Boar's Head Inn and there, with many witnesses, goes through the declaration of marriage which, in Scotland, makes her his legal wife. Travers and Hazel are living happily in each other's company, but Lady Travers, who is very sick, has not been told. A report is started that the Boar's Head is in England. Squire Rodney hears of it and takes the whole story to Lady Travers. By this time, young Travers has also been told. He goes to the village to investigate and Lady Travers, in his absence, tells Hazel in such a way that the girl thinks Travers has deceived her. She flings away her jewels and runs out. But the old miller, who has heard the story in all its gossip flavor, won't receive her. He has gone blind and doesn't know that she is kneeling in front of him listening to what he is saying of her. She hurries away and jumps into the mill pond, but is rescued. Lord Travers now produces evidence that proves the marriage legal and nothing is wanting of the usual happy ending.
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