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

whose parents nothing Is known; bu'
you will not, my dear, when I tel
you that when my mind that you
should be my wife.
stop, Mr.. Egerton Go no further
I cannot be your wife 7
Cannot? What is there to forbid =?
Because slowly replied Margaret
Il don't love you.
The dark blood flew to his face.
Not so fast, my lady. You must
not think girl taken from tho aims.
house out of charity, shall refuse me
You know I hold the mortgage on
your fathers farm. Let me tell you,
that if you are my wife when the
time expires, l shall never ask cent;
if you are not will demand the ut
most farthing. know a good deal
about Mr.. Halstead's business, and I
know there ism much chance OF his
paying 1t. What will you do then?
The last kindly feeling died out Of
Margarets heart, as the baseness of
his motive in aiding her father flashed
upon her, and, in indignant tones she
exclaimed
Marry you! Mr.. Egerton, would
die first Ycu have only confirmed
what has already been my opinion of
you?
With a naughty stride Hugh Eyer
ton left her, and Margaret turned a
heavy heart towards home.
She felt she had done what was
right, but she shuddered to think
what base hands her dear father was
in, and she knew what he said might
be only too true, for times were still
hard.
So Margaret made up her mind TO
become teacher, and got situation
in the Lowell high school.
She found her position was no sine
cure-to instruct girls. some Of them
only few years younger than her
self; buther beauty and grace won
them from the start, and when they
found how gently yet firmly she gov
erned them, and how interesting she
made even the dryest studies, they
voted her perfectly splendid
Months passed. At the holidays
and vacations Margaret went home to
the old people, who looked for her
with glad, welcoming hearts.
She did not meet Hugh Egerton, as
before he had heard Of her becoming
a teacher be had started off on q Eu.
ropean trip.
The principal of the high school
was named Mr.. Elting he was a
grave scholarly man. After a time
Margaret began to notice how his in
different, rather naughty face always
lighted up when in her society,"
Ralph Elting was not a lady's man
Although polite and courteous, he al
ways held himself aloof, and had
gained the reputation of being entire
ly different to the fair sex.
But before long even the teachers
began to remark the change which
had come over him. Margaret could
not help seeing what was so patent to
all, but the knowledge did not distress
her, as Hugh Egerton's love had, for
she recognized Mr.. Elting's noble
kingly nature, and the more she knew
him the more fervently she grew to
love the proud, rese rved man.
One afternoon, after school hours,
Mr.. E ng ilvite Margaret to taks
drive. He drove rapidly 70: awhile,
but once out of the city's bounds he
checked the horses pace, and turn.
ing, looked with tender meaning into
the sweet face beside him. Then, al
most abruptly, he spoke
Miss Hslstead, it may be sudden
for we have not known each other
long-but tell you that I love you,
with the love a man gives but once in
lifetime. Can | hope It is not in
vain?'
Then Margaret told him that the
girl he Was asking to be bis wife, had
been taken from an almshouse, out of
charity, and knew not even who her
parents were. Her face blanched as
she spoke, for she remembered Hugh
tone of contempt as he had
alluded to her early life, and she had
heard of Ralph Eltings pride Of fam
! Il, onI no,,o