Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-05

anu ner la.ucTS people. uo IucAOEdolO
spirit Of music spoke to her of other. things (;
and, as her fingers wandered over the keys,
her face grew very wistful, almost sad, 'and
she no longer remembered even to tease Miss
Vereker who was affected like Saul, in SO far
that the mutinous demon was in some sort
charmed out of her; and she was pondering
how she might beat descend from her pedes-
tai of pride, and make submission to Marga-
ret without losing her dignity. The song
was finished. and both came back to realities
Margaret did not care about conquering her
self, but was wonderfully fond of conquering
Miss Wicker, and having ascertained by an
almost imp .rceptible glance that young la
dy's state of mind, she proceeded to apply
the actual cautery. She took the song and
gave it to her, saying very sadly, "until to-
day, | always sang that song with pleasule
Cecelie, but you have Joined to it less pleas
ant memory. hope you will like it better
from this time than shall )" and she bent
margin Revoke. Cecelie Vereker gave a
the words of tontrition which hung on her
lips youth of seventeen years. the fac
simile of his sister, entered hastily.
| OCO yOu 14lSS N4OiNOu
have stayed in on purpose" he added in a
boyish, pleading manner.
Margaret was arranging her shawl round
her shoulders, and she did this very deliber-
ately, bending down her head, while an ANU
sing smile played about her lips. Meanwhile
the boy eyed her as lfhe longed to assist her,
but rcfralned, lest he should meet with the
repulse. Possibly some memory Of former
rejection, aided his apparent moderation
Then she looked up, and give him her hand.
"No, thank you, young George; poor mus
ic teacher hardly needs an escort. Good
night, Cecile."
The lad followed her to the door with
provoked look on his handsome young face
dare say that young George grated on his
ears. He returned 10 his sister and regard
ed the fire. "She is too handsome to walk
alone. [ wish were man, Cis., and then
would marry her,"
This new view made Cis, deliberate a lit
tie. The result was favorable. "That would
be very nice, George, and then need not
take any more singing lessons ofher-at least,
unless like the like the song particularly"
she added, as her eyes fell on the word Re-
volte.
Margaret gave two more lessons on her
road and then walked quietly home, and
safely too, in spite of young Georges
fears.
Her father, poor gentleman in the first
instance, became poorer still an amateur
musician, he was reduced to make his pleas
ures minister to his necessity. His health,
as we know, failed him more than his for
tune for as Margaret had said, so he had
done, and in the matter of a daughter he was
decidedly much to be envied man. When
returned, he was sitting by the fire, thinking
long Of her, as the Scotch say in her eyes
he looked, each time she came back, more
gently feeble and shadowy than before
She busted herself about him buoyantly
and pleasantly, as was he wont.
CHAPTERv
In quickly told tales like this there is no
room, as there is no need, to detail the course
of each day, which went up to make her life.
Margaret Merton was fast growing rich
don't mean that she had amassed landed pro-
perty, but she had for many years been liable
to an income tax. Can English hearts will
feel for her in this respect.) Work was a
law and necessity, but she did her work easi-
ly it suited that her gains were sufficient to
support her father in great comfort. She was
moreover, much liked by the families around;
her unaagging gaiety of spirit, her quick tai
ents and splendid voice, made her welcome
addition to every society. No tidings from
Sellon had ever reached her-yet in spite of
it, she grew happier and handsomer, and
stouter she was not a-weary because he
had come not and, indeed, presented no re-
scmblance to the Marian of the Moated
Grange.
Ten years from the time we last portrayed
her she entered her fortieth year. 1t was a
winter evening there had been driving
shower of sleet and snow with keen, bitter
north mind the foot passengers in the street
were whipped, blinded, at last cowed by it; and
retreatcd in the house; the houseless poo be
took themselves TO alleys and doorways for
shelter The skies were sulen and lowering,
and dense mass of pale gray to the northwes
afforded every prospect of more rough wea
ther.
do not think any one could look more
comfortable or handsome than Margaret Mer-
ton, as she sat making the hot coffee in The
sung study, clad in rich garments Of sober
hue, as beftted her age and purse. Her
father was still alive, and was seated in the
white and quite bowed to his breast
and his long thin fingers beat time rest.
lessly. She spoke out few words to
him now and then and they were caressing
and such as might have been used to child
At last she settled herself in her own loung
ing chair, cut open a new book and was soon
deep in it. Gradually the new book found its
resting place on the floor, and Margaret re-
posed calmly. There was rumblng of car.
riage wheels close to the house, and then a
halt. But there was no magnetism in the
air to warn Margaret of any one being near
her. more than that gentle, shadowy mar
whom she had tended for to macy years.
Then footstep in the hall, and hand on the
door. Even the seven sleepers awaked al
last, and when the door opened Margaret
started to her feet fully prepared to deny thai
that she had been otherwise than wide awake
She heard deep voice say. know the
way" then came face bronzed, fiery red
/ full blue eyes not altogether strange to Mar
, garet-at least she he'd seen such in hel
flreams-a mass of hair, beard, moustache
and whiskers of a hue which was pale only
; beside the face. All this surmounted only
) figure huge in every way, but especially ii
, breadth. Margaret stood wondering ALSO
] Like the ancient mariner ''he fixed her witt
5 his glittering eye," and as he performed thi
t operation he drew off wrapper after wrapper
: and at length stood confessed as Stephen Sci
Ion, weighing at least sixteen stone. He wa
: not at tall man, so appearance did not as
} sist him on that score. Then the blue eye:
! danced with amusement, the white teetl
showed themselves, and hearty, full, sono
, rous laugh broke the ice.
: Margaret, do you know me 2" He step
t ped forward and kissed her, at first lightly Of
r her cheeks, and then patting her back, witt
D another glace and another laugh, he followe
i up that kiss by many, and they came so fas
4, and warm that Margaret had not really pre-
t sence of mind to resist. 81 ascertained tha
S you were still Margaret Merton, or yo
: would not have seen me here tonight.
g this your father 2"