The Van Buren press., 1874-01-13

.Ah," said Charlie lyon would
scarcely know him again; he is hand
some still, but a mere wreck OF his for
mer self. He's not forgotten how to
shoot, though; by George. his scores are
something already, Leicester, for We
backed you for the queen prize against
all the ladies' know: Froments whole
stock couldn't clear me if you lost y
"Take my advice and hedge at once,
then, answered Ralph, laughing; then
lowering his voice he added:
Miss Dtne, will you wish Inc sue
ccss2'
with all my heart, Mr. Leicester "
IL think | shall succeed, then, he
said, in his odd, cool way. DO you
know | eau understand now how those
old knights used to perform such prod
igies of valor, inspired by their fair la
dy's scarf rs talisman? May l be
equally favored p aud he laid n meaning
hand ON the rose at her side
81 fenr the days ofchIvalry are over, y
answered Margaret; but as she did not
attempt to repossess herself ofthe Hover,
think she was quite willing he should
prove its talismatlc powers
mot at all. fair lady; and when |
bring the trophy Of victory to lay at
your feet, shall expect the reward OF
my proves
Margaret looked up, not quite know
ng how to take this speech, but, II she
read any serious meaning in his eyes,
the light laugh and low bow which &C.
companied the words seemed meant to
pass them off as jest.
Leicester, broke in Charlie again,
"did you say you knew Cecil Collins 2
1--WE were at Oxford together for a
short time, answered Ralph; " he came
up there about six months before | left
in time to do me service | hope |
shall never forget. He saved my life, u
he added, in answer To Margarets quick
look of inquiry. ." was attacked BY Il
mad dog one day, huge creature, when
had nothing but slight cane in my
hand and it would have nall up with
me, then and there, had not Collins, n
mere youth freshly arrived at college,
been passing at that moment He rushed
forward just as the hrute's teeth were
about to grab my arm, and. scizlng lis
collar dragged it off, holding it back by
main force Till somebody from behind
came up and gave it the coup ie grace.
He is a brave fellow, whatever are his
faults, and has made me his debtor to no
small amount. y
Poor Cecil - sighed Margaret to
herself; but RALPH caught the words, and
pang of jealousy came over him AS hc
thought that thereby hung Il tale.
Perhaps it was ms well he could nat
see the vision which rose before his com
panon's eyes just then; the vision of a
quaint old parsonage garden, with u boy
and eIrl standlIng there among tho Pesos
and SAYING good by-to more, ah how
much more, than they themselves knew !.
he to go forth into the world and, fall
from his high resolves and noble amhi-
lions into the downward path, too fear
fully easy TO travel along and she to re
main in her quiet home and dream of an
impossible future None knew what to
her had been the awakening from those
dreams when the first faint rumor which
she strovc to disbeieve, reached her, and
then when later she knew beyond a doubt
that the idol she worshiped was Of clay.
all unfit for the shrine she had found it,
Hers was . self contained nature, the
wound had bled sorelv, but no one
guessed its prescncc-only her family
were wont to remark, "How quiet Mar
garct has becomcn' 1t was now com
pletcly healed, how completely she has
not realized till these last few days,
though the scar was still left, and would
not bear handling too roughly.
Perhaps all of this will account for the
fact of Margaret Dene being yet unmar.
ricd at the advanced age OF five and TWEEN
ty;a fact which her friends were never
tired of Nonderingat.
Before many minutes my hcroines
thoughts were recalled to the present by
the general breaking-up of the party, and
somehow the au repoir whispered in her
ear by earnest tones made her quite for
get to revert again to such sad retro.
spcClions,
Who's wen?' shouted a chorus Of
voices as, two days later, Charlie saun.
tered into his mothers. drawing room
- Please Charlie, do tell us quickly who
won?'
"Who won what? Do be a little qui.
ct, girls; it's far toe hot to exert one s.
self this weather How dye do. Marga
7 A..