The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-10-27

ting a tempting breakfast before ths
invalid, Margaret selected the vacant
bedroom she meant to adorn for his
use. 1t was large. with four win
dows, light and cheerful, and wen
suited for her purpose.
In the intervals Of directing Jane.
sending the man to town with her or
ders, and giving her own dainty
touch TO everything. Margaret visit
ed the invalid, reading to him, chat
ting with him and making the long
hours fly by. IL was late in the af.
ternoon wheG she came ia to say:
Mr. Franklin, the room across the
hall has southern exposure, and
think you will End it more comfort
able than this one. VIII you Try to
get there if Aunt Jane and / will
help yOu,"
"I'm very well here"
But you will be better there.
Please come
So be yielded, but once fairly in
the room be could not repress 8 cry
of amazement. Softly Sirpeted,
white curtsined, q bright FIRE crack
ing in the stove, a dainty supper
spread upon the table, the room was
cosy and CHEEKY enough to coax
smile from the grimmest lips. Yet
when James Franklin sank into the
bright chintz covered easv chair and
looked around him, everything look
ed strangely familiar. That was the
parlor carpet taken from the never
opened room below; those were the
parlor curtains freshly starched aud
iroued, and held back with knots Of
broad pink ribbon. The bed, bureau,
wardrobe, chairs, all were his own,
polished TIL they shone again The
snowy bed linen, the white counter
pane, the bureau covers with their
knotted fringe were all a sisters
work, stored away in chests since she
died, long, long years ago. Even
the chair was part Of some old cur
Iains be had tugged away in q long
forgotten corner Of closet.
1T is very comfortable, and you
are good thoughtful girl be said,
looking around with q keen sppreeia-
ton Of the added comfort. Il wou-
der we never thought of using these
things"
Now let me read the rest Of our
hook to you j have some new peri
odicals in ny trunk if you will look
at them
The days flew by, cold weather
Strengthening, till Robert wrote be
was coming home one chill January
day.
Margaret bad been busy for fort
night before in the lower part Of the
house, but Mr.. Franklin asked no
questions. He had been very i'll, but
was recovering so that be hoped to
welcome Robert in the sitting-room.
How be shrank from returning 20 its
dreariness anu sending Margaret
away, be told no one till be held his
nephew's hand fast elssped in his
own.
IL can never tell you, Robert" he
said then. what Margaret has been
to me. No daughter could have tend
ed me more patiently and faithfully,
aud when could listen, she read to
me and talked as pleasantly as il i
we're q companion to her, instead Of
a grumpy old bachelor past sixty"
Il am glad you have been well
cared for" Robert said, turning his
head to hide a merry twinkle in bis
eyes; you look very ine here"
But when be carefully led the old
man to the sitting room, both stood
amazed. Was the handsomely car
peted, cheerefulIy furnished room the
dreary old place in which they had
been so contented? ? While they
wondered new sound greeted them
the tones of piano touched by
skillful fingers, and a voice sweet and
clear singing a song of praise.
Throwing open a door to disclose
beautifully furnished parIor, Robert
saw also little figure on the piano
stool, clad in shining black silk,
with lace and pretty jewelry to
adorn it.
Margaret " Uncle James cried.
But Robert said softly:
Margaret Franklin, Uncle James.
Daisy, my wife ?"
Then she came forward with shin
ing eyes
Il wanted to make you love me
for Roberts sake, " she said in low,
tender voice.
And for y1Hr own, he answered;
"but am bevildered, nv dear.
Where did these things come from !p
From my old home They are all
mine, and you will let them here,
will you not, for our new home ?"
she added slyly. slipping her hand
into Roberts. II don't want to take
Robert from you, Uncle James,
when be is all you have to love, but
# you will give me place here, too,
| will try to be good daughter 20
you"
"Give you place here ~ the old
man cried II think no greater grief
could come to me now, Margaret,
than the thought Of losing you.
God ever bless you, child for few at
your age would have cared to so
kiGdly overcome so obstinate an old
mans stupid prejudiees."
Thank you" she whispered, touch
ing her lips to his for the irst time
you have made me very happy.
And as she presided over the care
fully appointed table 10 costly furn-
isbed dining room Uncle James bad
used for spare harness aud bags Of
grain, but which was transformed be-
yond recognition. there was no cloud
on the brightness Of the face Of "ROb-
ert's wife,
InHuence OF Newspspers-