River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-23

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| tune, leaving Margarets heart full of
| tender, plying sadness at the thought
of the sorrow which had Swallowed the
early life of her benefactor.
From this time a 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 a steady gaze, and
met Margaret's eyes. She lowered
them, blushing and confused, as though
detected in misdemeanOr
She was conscious of 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 il was Mr.. Lancasters 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 Mr. Lancaster said jestingly
81 am growing to he a 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 Hfeless) 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
signs; 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
aged mother until the doctors arrival,
when they could know the extent of her
sons injuries.
Margaret, will you think it heartless
III me to go to my room and leave you
alone, said poor shivering Claudine. |
am sure | shall faint if | stay here
looking at that CHASTITY face,
NO" said Margaret, touching her
1 -. Il
girls blanched cheek $50 and lie
down will tell you what the doctor
says as soon rs 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
gazcd long upon his face. Then yield
ing to an uncomfortable impulse she
bent and pressed lingering kiss upon
the white lips, murmering:
ooh, my master If it had been my
worthless life instead of one so prcc-
ious."
She started back in dismay. He
moved opened his eyes and looked
confusedly aronnd.
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 name, and-It was
her own Little Margaret !" he whis-
pered Little pale, pure Marg y
Then, with start, he came I'M
self, fully sensible.
"Margaret-NIiss Blanche that
you?" What has happene l, L
remember; | was thrown. hurt
badly ?" He tried to raise self 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 few moments Mr.. Lancaster
remained in deep thought. Then he
said:
''NIiss Blanchard Margaret! | must
speak now while have an opportunity.
You have grown very dear to nc. so
dear that the thought of your unpro-
tected future fills me with pain. If
am to die, let me send for a minister to
marry us. Don't be startled-it is no
new thought to me. although 1t may
seem so strange to you. Then | can
leave you my name and my fortune
when am laid away out of sight"
Margaret interrupted him by n con-
vulsive burst of sobbing. Even her
selfrestrained nature could hear no
more.
''Do not die!' she cried. 'Live-live
for mel Life without your presence
would be worthless gift to mel"
A look of intense JOY came into his
eyes as he listened to her passionate
outburst.
so little Margaret loves me" he
murmured. 81 will try"
A CHASTITY white spread again over
brow, cheek and chin, and he went off
again into Inconsistencies just as the
doctor drove up to the door.
He did not die. Hope, good con
stitution, added to the doctors exertion,
conquered, and in a few weeks he was
again as well as ever.
Then the fashionable world was
thrown into fiutter by a gay wedding;
and as the assembled guests saw the
look of intense happiness upon Mar
garet's face, all said:
ut is for love, not for wealth, that
she has married him. He should be a
happy man."
And he was happy, for he loved and
was beloved; and what richer gift for
mortals does Fate hold within her
grasp?
A Prisoners Queer Predicamem.
1'l,oro ,unS n vow f,rpuv incident ham