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

time, may be able to save the farm.
On what terms do you propose to make
this loan 20
"Simply this" replied Mr.. Egerton,
"that with the money | furnish you,
you shall cancel the present mortgage
and give me a new one, payable two
years from this date
81 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"
every well; am glad to help you,
Mr.. Halstead. shall have the papers
made as soon as possible for youto sign.
Good evening""
Margaret, dear, are you not glad with
us?" asked her mother, as shenoticed
her daughters silence.
Mother, | wish it had been any one
but Mr.. Egerton that had done us this
kindness.
"Why, my daughter ?" Surely he
is a very nice young man."
Margaret did not reply, and was soon
moving quietly about her duties; but
the flush which had arisen TO her face
at Mr.. Egerton's entrance did not en-
tirely die away.
Hugh Egerton was the son of the
weallhiest man in the village, and al
though Margaret had never spoken
much about him to her parents, she
had seen a good deal of him, and when
ever she had met him he had been
markedly attentive. But the girl had
intuitively felt that under the varnish
of refinement his nature was essential
ly 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,
a gentleman approached her.
1t was Hugh Egerton, and, as he lift
ed his hat, his eyes dwelt with admira-
ton upon the lovely, dropping face be-
fore him.
"Miss Margaret" he said, 81 was
looking for you. thought / might
meet YOU"
"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 COM
ing.
She was not mistaken. lie began,
never doubling what answer he should
receive.
Margaret, am going to ask you to
fill the prOudest place in the country
in other words, to be my bride, and
Mrs. Egerton of Egerton Hail."
Involuntarily smile sprang to Mar
garet's lips. She had judged him right
ly, and as she saw. what veritable cox
comb he was, the fear of giving him
pain, which had made her dread this
interview, which she had loEg recOg-
nized as inevitable, lessened somewhat.
Not noticing the expression of her face
he went on =
"People may think it strange that |
should choose for my bride one OF
whose parents nothing is known; but
you will not, my dear, when | tell you
that when first saw your pretty face
/ made up my mind that you should be
my wife"
"Stop, Mr.. Egerton! Go nofurther
| cannot be your Wife"
"Cannot? Whati is there to forbid ?"
"Because," slowly replied Margaret,
81 do not love YOU"
The dark blood flew to his face.
"Not so fast, my lady. You must
not think girl, taken from the aims
house out of charity, shall refuse me
You know hold the mortgage on your
fathers farm. Let me tell you that if
you are my wife when the time expires,
shall never ask cent; if you are not
| will demand the utmost farthing.
know a good deal about Mr. Halstead's S
business, and know there isn't much
chance of his paying it. What will you
do, then ~
The last kindly feeling died out of
Margaret's heart as the baseness of his
motive in aiding her father flashed up
on her, and in indignant tones she eX-
claimed:
"Marry you, Mr.. Egerton--I would
die first! You have only confirmed
what has been my opinion of YOU"
With naughty stride Hugh Egerton
left her, and, with heavy heart, Mar
garet turned toward her home,
She felt that she had done what was
right, but she shuddered TO think what
base hands her father was in, and she
knew what he had said might be only
too true, for times were still hard.
SO Margaret made up her mind to be-
come teacher, and got n position in
the Lowell High School.
She found her position was no sine
cure--to instruct girls, some of them
only few years younger than herself
but her beauty and grace won them
from the start, and when they found
how gently yet firmly she governed
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 coming
with glad, welcoming hearts.
She did not meet Mr. Egerton, as be-
tore he heard of her becoming a teacher
he had started off on n European trip
The principal of the high school was
named Mr.. Elting. He was a grave
scholarly man. After time Margaret
I