Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-04-13
IN TWENTY YEARS.

And SO you really think there is
nothing serious in Margaret's naughti-
ness, my dear sir, " said tashionably-
dressed, lady of fveand forty summers
to gentleman fifteen years her junior,
who stood behind the open library
window, regarding her with an amused
smile.
Nothing at all serious, my dear
Mrs. Gray" said the gentleman quiet
ly.
And what do you think | had bet
ter do with her u
Send her to me if you like" was
the negligent answer
The lady's anxious face cleared and
frightened at once.
Would you really take her?,
IF it will give you pleasure | will be
happy to do so. ~
"Oh, it will be such weight off my
mind, Mr.. Strong, Icannot tell you
what | have suffered from the girls
peculiar ways since | came into this
house to live. Fond as was of fudge
Gray, | doubt if | ever could have
made up my mind to take him, had
| known as much of his only child as
| know now And, since her father
death, she has run wild-positively
wild, Mr.. Strong. | have not the
slightest control over her. In fact she
sets every one at defiance, and"
Yes, my dear madam" said Mr.
Strong, bowling politely, as if he
thought she had completed her sent.
ence, Il can easily understand it all
But send her to me and We will see
what can be done. | have had some
wild natures in my time. Good after.
noon, madam"
With these words human destiny
was decided.
The next day saw Margaret, the
only daughter and heiress OF the late
Judge Gray, sitting quietly at a desk
in the village academy among a grouI
of girls who eyed her over their schoo
books as stealthily and curiously as il
she had been anewly imported kanaga
roo.
First, because with her clear, brigh
brunette complexion, her large, darl
eyes, and her curling, brown hair, sh,
was by far the hondsomest girl in the
whole school.
Secondly, because she was an heiress
Thirdly and lastly, because they haC
heard many tale of her naughty ano
capricious temper, and were in dali!
and hourly expectation of a strife foi
the mastery between her and theil
grave and handsome teacher, who's,
authority no one within those walh
would ever dream of disputiug, unless
indeed, il would be she.
But much to the wonder, and very
possibly to the disappointment, of tn,
school girls, no such outbreak had oc,
Cured, Margaret, pcrched in th'
library gallery Mt home, among hcl
well-beloved books, had heard hel
step mothers accusation, and the
teachor's laughing reply. Neither o
the speakers had been aware of hel
presence, aud she did not make it man
fest by word, or look, or sign. Blu
when they were gone she clenched hel
little white hand, vowed passionatel!
to herself that she would surprise
them both, aud make her step-mothe
lappear 10 others the harsh ccnsorious
and unjust woman she herself, in hei
own secret heart, had always beeI
willing to believe her.
Accordingly, when informed of thu
existing arrangements, she uttered NJ
word of opposition, much to the as
constituent of Mrs, Gray, who coulC
scarcely believe her own eyes wher
she saw Margaret obediently leave th'
house each morning with her satche
books swinging from her arm. Mr.
Strong was also puzzled, His deeI
blue eyes often met those brown one
with h look of wondering inquiry tina
made Margaret long, to laugh. Blu
the one asked no questions thu
other answered none, And so thu
days went on, and Margaret passed he
first examination triumphantly, ans
was proclaimed the best and mos
promising scholar in the school.
She ought, therefore, TO have beef
happy. But it was with very sa'
face that she went up into the iamilla
hall, just at dusk, on the evening o
the great examination day, to collec
|, her hooks, and take one last, secrec
l,.,L - d. ,,1,,.. ,p1,,,I b. ,,.,p1l naN .,