Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-05-21
SIIAPTER V.

In quickly told tales like this there is no
room, as there is no need, to detail the course
of each day which went to make up her life.
Margaret Merton was fast growing rich, |
don't mean that she had amassed landed
property, but she had for many years been
liable to an income tax. Gan English hearts
will feel for her in this rcspect.) Work was
law and necessity, but she did not work
easily it suited if her gains were sufficient to
support her father in great comfort. She
was, moreover, much liked by the families
around her unaagging gayety of spirit, her
quick talents and splendid voice, made her
ings from Sellon had ever reached her
yet in spite of it, she grew happier and hand
somer, and stouter she was not a-weary be-
cause he had come not; and, indeed, present
ed no resemblance to the Marian of the
Moated Grange.
Ten years from the time We last portrayed
her she entered her fortieth year. 1t was
winter evening there had been a driving
shower, a sleet and snow with a keen bitter,
north wind; the foot passengers in the street
were whipped, blinded, and at last cowed by
it /; and retreated into the houses the house
less poor betook themselves to alleys and
| doorways for shelter. The skies were sullen
and lowering, and dense mass of pale gray
to the north west afforded every prospect of
more rough weather.
do not think any one could look more
comfortable or handsome than Margaret
Merton, as she sat making the hot coffee in
the snug study, clad in rich garments of sober
| hue, as befitted her age and purse. Her
father was still alive, and was seated in the
self same chair. His head was very white
and quite bowed to his breast, and his long
thin fingers beat time restlessly. She spoke
out few words to him now and then, and
they weIe caressing, and such as might have
been used to child. At last she settled
herself in her own lounging chair, cut open
a new book and was soon deep in it. Grad
ually the new book found its resting place on
the floor, and Margaret reposed calmly
There was rumbling of carriage wheels
close to the house, and then halt. But
there was no magnetism in the air to warn
Margaret of any one being near her, more
than that gentle, ,shadowy man whom she had
tended for SO many years. Then footstep
in the hall, and hand on the door. Even the
seven sleepers awaked at last, and when the
door opened Margaret started to her feet full
ly prepared to deny that she had been other
wise than wide awake. She heard deel
voice say, Il know the way, then came a face
bronzed, fiery red, full blue eyes not altogeth
er strange to Margaret-at least she had
seen such in her dreams-a mass of hair
beard, moustache and whiskers of a hut
which was pale only beside the face Al
this surmounted only figure huge in ever,
way, but especially in breadth. Margare
stood wondering also. Like the ancien
mariner, he fixed her with his glittering eye,
and as he performed the operation he drew
of wrapper after wrapper, and at lengtl
stood confessed as Stephen Sellon, weighing
at least sixteen stone, lie was not a tall man
50 appearance did not assist him on that score
, Then the blue eyes danced with amusement
the white teeth showed themselves, and
hearty, full, sonorous laugh broke the ice.
Q Margaret, do you know me?' lie steI
5 ped forward and kissed her, at first light
ON her cheeks, and then patting her back
a with another glance and another laugh, h
/ followed up that kiss by many, and the
came 80 fast and warm that Margaret ha
| { ....1 f.,r 4 n