West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-03
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 large ambition for
him, he was wont TO say IL was born a
blacksmith; l like it, and will remain one
In his birds nest nestled his wife, Marg-
cry and his little son. They were the Joy
and light of his work-a-day life.
For a number of years Harry had been
very happy map; but cloud had gath
cred in the sky, and at last it had moved
along just over his cottage, and there it
obstinately stood. He had stood as bail
for an 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 shrewd little woman
''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 go, and il has been in the
Fleet family ever since it was wilder
ness,
Harry told her the responsibility. Said
he: cold Squire Mitchell has it, and
have mortaged the place. He has given
me several months in which to redeem IL,
but he might as well take it now, Margery,
shall be no better prepared to pay it
then"
Harry went to work, and Margery to
ruminating. 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 endeavering to plan
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 awhile want to run out. f"
neighbor came In soon after and in
quired for Mrs. Fleet
''She has gone out, " he replied.
cit must have been her / saw going
into Lawyer Knowles Office a moment ago. {"
said the neigbbor.
Harry did not reply, but he did not like
it. Young Knowles had once been a suit.
or Of Margery's. A little wsvering at first,
bis attention, for he was a shrewd young
fellow, acute in his profession, and his per-
sonal matters looking always 10 the main
chance, and Margery bad no fortune but
her face; though there was rumor about
the time Of her marriage that an uncle In a
distant part Of the country had left her
property. more or less aud her relatives
there had made Il appear that she died in
childhood, and taken possession Of It them
selves. But Knowles had lost his heart TO
her 20 cffectually, before this report that lie
proposed, and had been unhesitatingly re-
iected, greatly to the astonishment OF him
self aud Harry Fleet.
hargary was An orphan. and had been
reared by Harry's kind parents, aud from
continued association with him had learned
to read his big heart 20 well that she knew
who reIgned queen 10 it long before he had
courage 70 tell her. He, really, never could
see why she had preferred a plain man
like himself to one whom he considered 50
finished In worldly usoos ~ young Know
les. Harry did not like what transpired.
and. though too sensible q man to get zeal.
ous at atrifie, he was not little perplexod
when bis wife made no mention Of her