The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-20
Margery's Secret.

Henry Fleet, the blacksmith, had a cosy
little house in Newburg, which he called
his birds nest. 1t, with ten good acres at
tached, had been in the Fleet family for
three generations. The one son had al
ways followed the occupation OF the SIRE
as though they were born to the business.
Harry had a pride in his work, and to
those friends who had a large ambition for
him, he was wont to say ''I was born a
blacksmith; like it, and will remain one.
In his birds nest nestled his wife, BIarg-
cry and his little son. They were the Joy
and light of his work-a-day life.
For number of years Harry had been
very happy man; but cloud had gath
cred in the sky, and at last it had moved
along just over his cottage, and there it
obstinately stood. Hc had stood as bail
for OH old friend who was in danger of los
ing his liberty in consideration of certain
liabilities. The friend had lurched him.
Margery knew something had gone
wrong He tried to keep the whole story
to himself, but the shrcwd little woman
managed to ascertain his secret trouble.
'You see, Margery, don't mind, can
work for you and the boy we'll enough,
but the homestead, there is no help for
1t; that must 60, and it has been in the
Fleet family ever since it was wilder
ness,
Harry told her the responsibility. Said
he: "Old Squire Mitchell has it, and 1
have mortagcd the place. He has given
me several months in which to redeem it,
but he might as well take it now, Margery,
l shall be no better prepared to pay i'll
then"
Harry went to work, and AIargery to
Illuminating. She had always been able to
adapt means to ends, and supply the
means too, If necessary, for wise little
thinking cap she was in possession of. But
this time she was sorely puzzled She
spent the afternoon in endeavcring to plan
a method of relief, but it crept away and
she felt tired and defeated.
1t was supper time. She heard her hus-
bands foot strike the graveled walk at the
same time she was struck with an idea.
She put his supper on the table without
word, and instead of sitting down with
him as usual, said: "Do you mind looking
after the baby awhilc1 want to run out" g"
A neighbor came in soon after and in
quircd for Mrs. Fleet.
''She has gone out" he replied.
sit must have been her saw going
into Lawyer Knowles office moment ago, +"
said the neighbor.
Harry did not reply, but he did not like
1t. Young Knowles had once been suit.
or of Margery's. A little wavering, at first,
his attention, for he was a shrewd young
fellow, acute in his profession, and his per-
sonal matters looking always to the main
chance, and Margery had no fortune but
her face; though there was rumor about
the time of her marriage that All uncle In
distant part of the country had left her
property, more or less and her relatives
there had made it appear that she died in
childhood, and taken possession of it them-
selves. But Knowles had lost his heart to
her 30 effcctually, before this report that he
proposed, and had been unhestatingly re-
jectod, greatly to the aatonishmont of Him
self and Harry Fleet.
Margary was an orphan. and had been
reared by Harry's kind parents, and from
continued association with him had learned
to read his big heart 80 well that she knew
who reigned queen in 1t long before he had
courage to tell her. He, really, never could
sec why she had preferred plain man
like himself to one whom he considered 80
finished In worldly grsces as young Know
les. Harry did not like what transpired.
and. though too sensible man to get jeal.
Gus at atrifie, he was not little perplexed
when his wife made no mention of her