Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-11-18
Fortunes RICHEST GIFT.
BIZ MARY K M)FFAT.

"A IA.c pure lhGe, Win lhl2e, ehl, lQml-
nous eyes and Margaret Il huchatd IS be-
fore ou. Wen might hose wide, bright
eyes wear mourn!ul expression One
short week since, the turt had been round,
ed over her fathers grave, and to day she
had been reading message she had found
amongst his papers. II was lament that
he must leave her without sal able pro-
vision. pToach'ul thought had en-.
,ered INFO her mind "a sue Il al, although
s different mode OF living would have CT.
e0led her father to save son ching from
ais income a. an officer on matt pay. But
it was a pailtuI plobleu to the deilcateiy
uurtuted girl as To- what she should do to
support herself. She WAS we'll edu C tied,
but her youth would be against ner in
trying II obtain pupils.
he morning psper lay upon the table,
She TOOK 1t up ADJ glanced over the ad
vertis meGts; one attracted h,r attention,
1t was f1r u housekeep,T, and com paniOn
for au ola la0v. No nanual duties re-
uuiTed. Margaret decided To apply TOR It
Sue mad kept house for her father, aud
the servants mai been especltu and obe-
dent. Sac vas surely competent tor that
position. So the next IN rniug she brush
cd her wsyY, brown 10 k into pnm,
saliDy smOOtnness, put ON her PLAN,
black walking suit, and went to the
deslg aged place. II was a large, !mpus.
ing manslon, with broad stone steps
hantei on either side by grim, cOnchant
lions carved 10 gray ma pie A colOre /
fopim In handsome but somber livery
opened the door,
Margaret gave him her card, and he
showed her into the reception room. Then
he moved nOlslessly away soon 10 return
ana ask her into the hbrsry, @h,rs gen
ternau was seated reading aloud TO AL old
lady.
fio rose 10 meet Margaret as she enter
ed snd sad, glenciug al her card;
"MJss Blanchard, | believe. Let me
introduce YOU 10 my mother, Mrs. LsnCas
ter = then, with change from gravity TO
plaItulness in his tone. he continued !:
Nov, Young lady, what is Tue errand
this timer q contribution for ST. Luke's,
or for the SICK Chlldren's excur sion? You
see," no salu, turning with sniie 10 bis
mother, "lhe only lime we are favored
with the presence Of one OF the gentltr
sex is whtn they come to make an appeal
for some oct charity.
Margaret flushed deeply as she made
haste TO correct his error.
sir" she SAID, you are mistaken.
should have sent you word by the man,
| called in answer 10 your advertise
ment."
For 81 instant there WAS an embarrassed
pause Tnen Margaret went on,
Il know hat my youth Is sgainst me ;
but | never had any trouble IN managing
my fathers household, aud now that--thar
he has lett mel thought | could--cOuld
do the best"
The girls heart seemed to rise in her
throat and choke her. she could hardly
finish The sentence begun so calmly.
Mr. Lancaster WAS sortly perplexed
He turned TO his mother. she uud erslood
his look OF appeal and came to his assist
snce.
"My dear" she said, at would be too
olCrous Il position Tor glrl Ike you to
re charge OF this large house and OF
macy servants required 10 keep things
moving along smoothly; bat l should
very much like TO nave that sweet young
voice read over the thoughts q my favor
tie authors 10 me. Would YOU like to
come u cheer up an old wOmau's lonely
hours ?"
Mar aret took be soft old hand ex.
tended TO her, and raised it 10 her lips.
Il coujo spend my whole life With your
she sad earnestly.
uhEh5, uEaT. NOW ~ HOiut buu
make your arrange ments. Come when
you like; the sooner the better"
So Margaret had found home. She
enter, upon her duties in the budding
Msy-'ime, A year had passed swiftly
away, ana the spring mcntbs had gIdtd
away INTO golden June, when one morn.
ing NJ. Lancaster SAID 10 her.
II N about to make q change, Miss
Blanc
Margarrus hesrt sank down like lead
10 her br asst as E,r Imagination rushed
On Ia advance 10 supply he ending OF his
sentence Was he gong to send her
sway? But she bIeatEed freely again as
leHGut en-
II SIN about to bring the young ward
q whom you have heard Us speak 50
o''eE-M lss Claudire North C me from
boarding school she IS a plea. att girl,
PA ! Lop3 you will be happy in each
lsuet's society. | wish TO thank you,
GOV, o-lure this old house will echo TO
,Ae 5. oai ot another your, voice, tor the
rspl'Less YOU have brought into 1t by
~ -t7oed kindness and attention 10
- Wy mother; and you must not think
y II Oe K needed wnen Claudlne
MS Norcs sec med like an answer TO tie
T 11ouE lls I0Lnirg riot Ia Marcaret's brain.
,i aIs tLsLed to her eyes, and irembed
upon her .otg lsshes Her usually pale
CAet 4 q shea TO a brilliant bloom.
y ~ =