Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-12-23

great depth of character, and shocked
Margaret by thinking Mr.. Lancaster
her legitimate prey, as she had done all
male creatures since her babyhood.
She was a born f1irt. Had she used
her wiles upon any one less exalted
than was Mr.. Lancaster in Mai garet's
eyes, it would not have seemed so
strange. But to hear her talk of his
being "a splendid CATCH" and the girls
at school had told her she must set her
cap for him, or for his. establishment,
which was the same thing, as 1t went
with him
"Do you mean" said Margaret,
gravely, ''that you would marry Mr..
Lancaster because he is rich?'
"Most certainly, if ever get the
chance" laughed Claudine; though,
as to that, he's the handsomest man
know, with that sad face and those ele-
CANT dark eyes. 1 suppose you are
enough in the confidence of the fam
lily to have been told why Mr.. Lancas-
ter is a bachelor? You know his be-
trothed wife died on the very day APP
pointed for their wedding, and that he
has been faithful to her memory ever
since"
Claudine did not wait for an answer,
| but danced away, humming merry
tune, leaving Margaret's heart full of
tender, pitying sadness at the thought
of the sorrow which had Swallowed the
early life Of her benefactor.
From this time new interest cen
tered around Mr.. Lancaster. Almost
unconsciously Margaret grew to study
that handsome, high-bred face. Once
he turned, attracted by the magnetism
which tells one of steady gaze, and
met Margaret's eyes. She lowered
them, blushing and confused, as though
detected in misdemeanor.
She was conscious of a new and
strange pain when Claudine, in her
childish, petting way, would lay her
rosy cheek against her guardians, and
ask her mother and herself to admire
the contrast.
Claudine was fond of riding on horse
back, and it was Mr. Lancaster's favo-
rite amusement. So it came about that
"Lightning" and Star" were brought to
the door and Margaret would school
herself to stand with smiling lips to see
them mount and start off together.
One day Nh Lancaster said jestingly:
II am growing to be boy again,
Miss Blanchard, under Claudine's lea
dership."
AS Margaret answered, she looked
very fair and calm, standing framed in
the massive doorway; but her thoughts
ran on bitterly:
Next he will tell me that he has
asked her to be his wife. All, if she
were only more worthy of him."
But when next she saw him, he was
Ito all appearances lifeless) brought in
to the house by careful hands and laid
upon a couch which had been hurriedly
improvised in the library, until the ex-
tent Of his injuries could be ascer-
tanned
His fayorite Lightning" had taken
fright and thrown his master.
Margaret's pale face was the only
sign Of the agony she suffered at see
ing her benefactOr thus stricken down
from exuberant life tO-as she thought
death.
Claudine gave way to grOans and
sighs; but Margaret, true to her helpful
nature, saw that everything was done
for his comfort, and gave orders to the
terrOr-stricken servants to keep all
/ knowledge of the accident from the
laged mother until the doctors arrival,
when they could know the extent of her
sons injuries.
Margaret, will you think it heartless
i'll me to go to my room and leave you
alone, said poor shivering Claudine. [
am sure I shall faint if [ stay here
looking at that CHASTITY face"
ono - cold M q Too rot tO11chirCr n or
cold lips pityingIy to the frightened
down. [ Will tell you what the doctor
says as soon as possible after he
comes"
Claudine crept subduedly away, and
Margaret was left alone with the mo-
tionless form of him she loved-yes
loved She knew it now, though
knowing at the same time what hope
less love it must be.
She went and stood by him, and
gazed long upon his face. Then yield
ing to an uncomfortable impulse she
bent and pressed q lingering kiss upon
the white lips, murmering:
ooh, my master If it had been my
worthless life instead of one so prec-
ious."
She started back in dismay. He
moved opened his eyes and looked
confusedly around.
"Where am 1? che said family; what
has happened?'
| Then he saw Margaret, who stood
her face dyed with crimson bushes
shrinking away from his glance; con-
scious only that he was alive, and that
she had kissed him.
But his next words, rambling and
disconnected, treasured her. He was
not fully conscious.
As she listened her heart beat quick
ly.
He murmured a name, and-It was
her own! Little Margaret p he whis-
pered Little pale, pure Margaret !"
Then, with start, he came to HIM
self, fully sensible,
''NIargaret-4Iiss Blanchard-is that
you?" What has happened. All, |
remember; [ was thrown. Am hurt
badly ?" He tried 10 raise himself up,
but fell back with a groan.
With an effort Margaret said calmly,
trying to keep her voice from shaking:
81 hope not. We have sent for the
doctor, and he will soon, be here"
For a few moments Mr.. Lancaster
remained in deep thought. Then he
said:
Miss BIanchard-M Margaret must
speak now while have an opportunity.
You have grown very dear to me! SO
dear that the thought of your unpro-
/ tected future fills me with pain. If |