Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-09-19

eyes great, luminous wells OF HaZe
light; out of their depths bsamed
forth the pure, maiden soul, which
could stoop to no mean act, and was
strong to do and dare for those she
loved.
why, father, mother, what is it p?
she asked, as she saw their emotion
All was soon told.
That evening Margaret sat very 81
lently by the window, looking sadly
out over the familiar scene she feared
they must leave before long, when a
tap on the door broke the silence. II
was opened by Mrs. Halstead, and a
tall, fashionably dressed young man
entered the room.
A flush tinged Margaret's fair
cheek with a deeper rose as she &C.
knowledged his bow. His errand was
soon told.
4 have heard he said to Mrs. Hal
stead, that you wish to borrow GER
tain sum to-day, and failed to do so,
and having on amount Of money |
want to invest, | have concluded to
offer the loan of it for two years.
A great hope sprang into the old
farmers face.
Really, Mr.. Egerton, this is very
kind. ! expected to pay off the mort,
gage last year, but the crops failed,
and l feel that if I can only have a
little more time, | may be able to save
the farm. On what terms do you
propose to make me this loan?'
Simply this replied Mr., Egerton,
that With the money furnish you,
you shall cancel the present mortgage
and give Inc a new one, payable two
years from this date.
L will accept your kind offer, Mr..
Egerton and if things 90 as | hope
with me, | shall thank you, sir, to the
end Of my days
Very we'll ; am glad to help you,
Mr.. Halstead. | will have the pa
pers made out as soon as possible for
you to sign. Good evening.
Margaret, dear, are you not glad
with US ? asked her mother, as she
noticed her daughters silence.
Mother, wish it had been any
one but Mr. Egerton that has done us
this kindness
why my daughter2 Surely he is
a very nice Young man.
Marg ret did not reply, and was
soon moving quickly about her duties;
but the flush which had arisen to Ter
face at Mr.. Egertons entrance did
not entirely die away.
Hugh Fgcrton was The son of the
weAlthiest gentleman Of the village,
and although Margaret had never
spoken much about him to her par
ents, she had seen a good deal Of him,
and whenever she had met him he
had been markedly attentive. But
the girl had intuitively felt that un-
derneath the varnish of refinement
his nature WAS essentially a coarse
one.
The papers were signed, and things
went on as usual, until one afternoon,
as Margaret was walking through a
meadow, taking a short cut to the
farm, gentleman approached her.
1t was Hugh Egerton, and as be
lifted his hat, his eyes dwelt with ad-
miration upon the lovely, dropping
face before him.
Miss Margaret he said, I was
looking for you. l thought | might
meet yon.
Indeed, Mr. Egerton.' The young
girls form seemed to grow taller, as
she looked up bravely into his face,
for she knew and dreaded what was
coming.
She was not mistaken. He began,
never doubling what answer he should
receive:
Margaret, I am going to ask you
to fill the proudest place in the coun-
try-in other words, to be my bride,
and Mrs. Egerton Of Egerton Hall,
InvountariIy smile sprang to Mar.
garet's lips She had judged him
rightly, and as she saw what a verit-
able cox. comb be was, the fear Of Civ.
ing pain, which he had made her
dread this interview, which she had
long recognized as inevitable, lessened
somewhat. Not noticing the express