The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-03-06
CLEVELAND, TENN, MARCH 6, 1879.

ers began to mark the hnl' hich
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 had recognized Mr.. Elting's noble,
kingly nature, and the more she knew
him the more fervently she grew to
love the proud, reserved man.
One afternoon, after school hours,
Mr.. Elting invited Margaret to take a
drive. lie drove rapidly for a while,
but once out of the city's bounds he
checked the horses pace. and turning,
looked with tender meaning into tie
sweet face beside him. Then, almost
abruptly, he said:
"Miss Ualstead, it may he sudden-
Tor we have not known each other long
but must tell you that | love you,
with the love a man gives but once in
lifetime. Can | hope 1t is not in
vain 7"
Then Margaret told him that the girl
he was asking to be his wife had been
taken from an alms-house, out of char
ity, and knew not even whoherparents
were. Her face blanched as she spoke,
for she remembered Hugh EgertOn' s
tone of contempt as he had alluded to
her early life, and she had heard of
Ralph Elting's pride of family and
name.
When she CAUSED, Ralph drew her
close to him, aud in tender, ardent
tones exclaimed:
Margaret, what is name? In Civ
ing me your sweet self you make me a
king among men !"
They were betrothed, and Margaret
wrote of her happiness to her parents ;
but she still kept her position, until,
one bright summer day, she spoke the
last goodbye to her fellow teachers,
and the evening saw her once more
with her dear parents in the old farm
house.
Then she told them for the trst time
of Hugh Egerton's offer, and the pen
atty he had fixed for not complying
with it.
"The cowardly rascal" exclaimed
Mr.. Halstead. "Now ! see why he was
so willing to lend me the money. But
Margaret, | hate TO take vour earnings
in this way"
His mouth was playfully stopped by
a soft hand, while Margaret said:
"You took me, poor, neglected lit
tie child, into your home, and now be-
grudge me the happiness Of partly pay
ing the debt owe to you and my dear
mother"
The next Wednesday was the day
that at one time had been so dreaded,
and after helping her mother with her
duties, Margaret ran out into the gar
den to gather few of its floral treas
ures. She was singing melrily all to
herself, when she felt touch upon her
arm. Looking up she met Hugh Eyer
ton face to face.
"Good morning, Miss Margaret. You
seem very happy, if your merry song is
a true sign"
81 am, thank you. Did you enjoy
your trip. Mr.. Egerton?'
Eyes, but the time passed too slowly
lOnged to return, Do you know, Mar
garrett" he continued eagerly, that
to-day is the day / was to have a final
answer?" lie waited little, and, as
she did not speak, went on: "The hall
is in splendid order now, and only needs
a mistress, and know you must have
repented your hasty words"
Drawing herself up haughtily, Mar
garet met his bold eyes.
"Mr, Egerton, repeat what | once
said-I will never be your wife -
With fierce look he turned and en-
tered the house, There, awaiting his
approach, was Mr.. Halstead.
81 have called" said Egerton, in a
tone of suppressed anger, "for the pay
ment of that mortgage"
"Be seated, sir, please the old farm
er said, in tone Of grave politeness.
"Here is the amount. If you will
count it 1 think you will find it cor
rect"
Hugh Egerton walked home that
morning, a sadder and perhaps a wiser
man.
Before long the old farmhouse was
the scene of great rejoicing, and Ralph
Elting, to please Margaret, gave up his
position In the city, which he had real
ly no use of keeping, and, buying a
small plaSe near the Halstead farm set
tied down there with his lovely bride.