Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-03-27

taken the house OIL Margaret's hands, and
the carriage and horses were sold at q friend
dly auction.
1t was the night before Margaret Chan
ming was to quit her home. She had re-
mained in it till the last, experimenting
she had only that day sent away to the
place where they we're to be sold and she
had packed up her own clothes and effects,
ready to bs removed with her on the morrow.
Altogether she was very tired, and sat
down on a low chair before the fire, her
head aching. How miserably the new year
had come in for her What would the next
bring her, twelve months hence
She sat looking into the fre-her old
habit-tracing out events in her magma
ton. Friends, but not many, had pressed
invitations upon her at the time of DR.
Channiug's death-'CCne and stay week
with u.s. or "a few days or u month, as
the case might be. But Margaret said NO
to ali. She deemed it best to have no de-
ceitful procrastination, but to grapplc at
once with her position. She had done SO
and decided upon her plans She was well
educated and accomplished, and she resolved
to 60 out as governess. Not to one of these
wrctchCd d situations, so much cried down.
of half servant half-teacher - Margaret
would not have designed to remain day in
such-but to desirable appointment in a
desirable family, where she would be highly
considered and properly remunerated There
would be little difficulty in finding this for
the daughter of DR.. Claiming
As she sat there, a remembrance came
over her of Captain Hoare, cf the position
she had once thought to occupy as bis wife,
how different that romance from this reaIi-
ty But not half 50 much did she shrink
from this remembrance as she did at the
next-her wicked conduct to Mr.. Granger
She had thrown away the dearly-cOveted
hope Of being his wife, thrown it away for
chimcra which had failed her. Oh to
compare what she might have been with
what she was with her isolated situation,
her expected life of labor Next her thoughts
wandered to her father; and tears came on
and she cried long and bitterly.
A servant, the only one she had retained in
the house, came in and aroused her. \
gentleman has called, ma'am, she said
and wants to know if he can't see you
Here's his card
Margaret held it to the fire, and strained
her dim eyes over it, Mr. Granger
What can he want . she mentally exclaim-
ed 1t must be something about the insur-
hiN'' DbpN Nut E'utlthtli III Hclci Nihl
and light the lamps
He shook hands with her as he entered
with more of sympathy and tenderness of
manner than he might have done, had he
not detected the change in her-the once
blooming Margaret Claiming, Her fearful
cheek was wan and pale, and her frame
much thinner than formerly unless the
deep black of the mourning attire deceived
him.
Il beg you to excuse this Interruption, he
began, when the maid had quilted the room
Il um here at the desire of my mother
She thinks there has been some mistake
that you did not receive the note she wrote
to you last week
Il have not received any note from Mrs
Granger, replied Margaret. pressing her
hand upon her side, for her heart was wild
ly beating at the presence of one whom
she still tondly loved, except one she kindly
wrote Inc when papa died
Not that; you replied to that, | believe
this one was written on Thursday or Fri
day last. Its purport, Miss Claiming, was
to beg the favor of your spending little
time with her when you leave here, The
hastened to add-'am no longer living at
home My mother is alone
The tears rushed into Margaret's eyes
Every one is so very kind, she said. Il
am much indebted to Mrs Granger for
thinking of me; but must decline. Thougl
| will certainly 60 down and personally
. thank her. She is no longer able to NOV,
out of doors, believe
Not now; not for several months past
She wished me to inquire your plans
though know not whether you may decu
it an impertinence.
No m onau-aroI =, snnrpalv f.,
BILE to prevent the tears falling, so miserabl bll
did old recollections, combined with presen
low spirits, tell upon her that evening. i
feel obliged by Mrs. Grainger's interest
am giong tomorrow to Mr. Padmore's for &
week or two; he and Mrs. Padmore woul,
bave 1t so, By the end of that time hope
to have found permanent home. Friend
are looking out for me. must turn my ii
biiities to account now
But it is not well that you should do so.
he rejoined, with some agitation of manner
1T is not right for DR.. Channing's daugh
ter. We heard of your dctermina ton iron
Mr.. Padmore, and it grieved and vexed m.
mother. She would be so delighted, Mis-
Claiming, if you would at any rate for thu
present, make your home with her
Margaret did not answer She was strug
CLING to suppress her rebellious feelings.
IF you would but put up with her all
ments, she says, and be free and gay as il
your own home, she would be more happ
than she has been since the death of Isabel
Allow me to urge the petition also, Mis-
Claiming
Margaret shook her head, but the teal
dropped forth uncontrolled, and she covere
her face with her hands. Mr.. Granger &C
vanced; he drew her hands away; he ber
over her with a whisper.
Margaret! | would rather urge one {
my own. That you would come-after {
while-to my home
She rose up shaking. What did he NEAR
Has the proper time come for me to as
you once again to be my wife! Oh let II
hope it has Margaret, dearest Margaret,
was in this room that you rejected me; let
be in this room that you atone for it,
i can never atone for it. she replied
with burst OF anguish, DO not was
words upon me, Mr.. Granger; am NJ
worth it,
You can atone for it, Margaret. You co
let my home be your home, my name yoi
name; you can join me in forgetting this lor
arrangement, and promice to be my dea
est wife. will accept all that as your
tenement
nut luo not ueserNe this' sue sopoeu'
1 deserve only your contempt and hatred
'Hnsh, hush. Margaret, You shall tai
my love instead-if you will treasure, no
! what you once flung away
Indeed do not deserve it, she mu
INJURED; 1T is too great reward for me-
is it rhe answered, as he wound
! arms round her. 1t shall be yours, Me
garet, for ever and for eyer
|, The law prohibiting the Banks of t