Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-04-26
Maggie's face grew deathly white. She


"As your uncle lives there" Tom
went on, pretending not to notice, ~
thought you might like 10 send some
word"
Thank you; won't trouble you, sir"
said Maggie, in cold, naughty voice
"Oh, no trouble" said Tom, cheer
fully. "Shall l tell him you are well and
happy
You needn't tell him anything said
Maggie, some irritation mingling with her
alarm.
How! not a word to the old gentle
man! What an undutitul niece you are.
SIaggie!'
Maggie struggled moment with her
tears, then took refuge in anger.
Il can manage my own affairs, sir, and
send messages when l choose. Please
leave me alone"
Tom stood silent moment then said
in tone of cool surprise, ION, very we'll
ii that's the way you feel. Excuse me for
asking you" And with a brief good
morning he went out, very hot and angry
inwardly, ard more than ever determined
to find the mystery out
Maggie clasped her hands with look
OF utter despair.
How cruel he is! | wouldn't have
thought it of him. Oh, that wicked lie
and stupid lie, too; for how could think
to pass for her niece? And I'm sure she
hasn't told her brother. It's but two
weeks since came here, Oh dear, oh
dear! what sh0U | do"
"Tom, how late you are! Make haste
and dress yourself Dinner will be READY
directly, and we have company you
know
what company. have you?" asked
Tom, pausing, He looked pale and much
disturbed; but his aunt scarcely noticed
this in her haste.
Oh, only the Shaws, and friend of
up and dress yourself l will delay din
ner few moments" Then, in whis-
per: Maggie has done so beautifully all
day, do hope she's all right. And"
Humph!" muttered Tom under his
breath, as lie turned away Half way up
stairs he met Maggie, who had escaped
from her work lew moments to change
her dress. She was very pale. 1t was
easy to see she had been crying good
deal, but somehow she had never looked
pretter, Tom thought. Her dress of blue
and white striped calico was becoming to
her fair complexion. She wore iaunty
white apron, and bright blue ribbons at
her throat and round her pretty brown
head She started with a hslf-frightened
exclamation as she met him; but he only
gave her cool little nod, and passed on.
The poor child felt her heart swell almost
to breaking. Tom had always been so
kind, so civil, to her. She had grown to
like him so much and now this young
fellow, but six years her senior, seemed
turned into her ineXomble Judge She
hurried on as fast as she could, pausing
a moment on the kitchen stairs to wipe
away her binding tears.
AS for Tom, he dressed himself in
half-savage mood, feeling the stern salts
faction common to US poor mortals when
intent on doing our duty by some un-
fortunate fellow creature who has offended
US. How much boyish vanity and self
importance was mixed up with this feel
ing is difficult to tell. We only know
Tom kept repeating to himself, in an ex-
cited manner, that she"-Maggie pre-
sumably-should hear of it, before the
dav was out. He would say nothing to
his aunt-at least as yet-but that little
jade should know her wickedness was dis
covered, and confess everything to him,
Tom Fox, or he'd know the reason why.
The dinner bell rang in the midst OF
these medilations. Hastily concluding
his toilet he went down stairs. Ere he
reached the foot, he heard somebody
rushing along the hall in frantic haste.
1t was Maggie. She shrank back, terri
fed as she encountered Tom at the foot
of the stairs.
Whats up now" asked the young
man. rather sternly.
Il was taken lila little faint" gasped
Maggie; and indeed she was deathly pale,
and looked frightened out of her wits.
Please let me pass, Sir" she went on
",Jane has told Mrs. Young-she will
wait on the table, and" Here the tears
began to flow; she wiped them away, and
made motion to pass him.
i" No; come into the parlor with me-"
said Tom, decidedly. {" | want to speak
to you"
"And ! want to he let alone" said
Maggie, firing up AS she marked his de.
termined look. +" Let NE pass Sir"
"Look here' said Ton, taking her arm
in his strong grasp, either you come
into the parlor with me, or / take you
down stairs and say what I've got to say
before my aunt Take your choice now.'
Poor Maggie hesitated a moment, then
made a motion toward tie parlor door He
understood her, and led her in.
Dinner is all ready, Sir" she MUIR
INJURED, family, as he released her arm.
Dinner be hangcdr' said Tom, vehem-
emily. Now, Miss Milly Westermann,"
in tone Of stern decision, tell me who
and what you are"
Milly gave frightened little gasp, and
was silent
I've been to Westbrook," Tom went
on, mercilessly g say that worthy old
Irishman you called your uncle-l saw
his niece, Miss Maggie Reilly. Now |
uant To EnnM Whn lLou are and why