The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-03-11
SELECTED STORY.
MARCARET'S MISTAKE.
ny ANNprL DWIGHT.

A modest little home it was of
two rooms, where her sister ida, a
delicate girl Of sixteen, was awaiting
her resurn. Ida was cripple. a
fall several years before had injured
her hip, so that now she moved about
with the aid of crutch.
These two girls were alono In the
world, and loved each other devoL-
edly. Margaret, the elder, was "A
tall, serious, dark-oyed girl, while
Ida WAS tiny and fair, like their dead
mother. Margaret was thread
winder In tho mill, and Ida made
wax flowers, and knitted pretty fancy
articles for the stores, when she was
strong enongh. But there Were many
days when the poor child lay upon
the lounge in paroxisms Of pain, un-
able 10 do anything. Those were
dreary days, yet, in spite Of her SUI
fering, Ida always had smile for
Margaret when she came In at night.
Tonight tho rent was due 50
Margaret appeared at the agents OF
flee TO pay II. Eight dollars. She
counted the balance ~ she left the
Office. She had just eight dollars
left, and there were so many things
to get with the money! She sighed
rs the possibility OF years and years
Of such life before her. Working
and working day after day for the
barest necessities!
She walked on In sort Of brown
study, trying mentally TO mako the
eight dollars do the duty Of fifLeccn,
when she was startled by the sound
Of cherry voice just behind her.
"RealIy, Miss Margaret, you move
like witch. For three minutes
have been trying TO overtake you"
A faint color tinged Margaret's
rather pale cheek, rs she greeted the
overseer OF the factory. lie was
large man, with kind, honorable
locking face. The sort OF man that
one would feel like trusting forever.
lie had 4 handsome white forehead,
honest brown eyes, and thick brown
hair which. whcn confused or trou-
p'tAfs AlE sAaAi "a taNtiAH8l 90 Ah14tHihW
up until it stood out like Porcupine's
quills. Tonight ho carried a basket
on his arm.
al have some early pears htFc,"
he said, (which were brought tn
from the country to-day. wonder
II your sister would not enjoy some
OF thein -
'Oh, thank y"u ld' - great
lover oil iruii :
20 - my lt'i" CidFi'r hi'' i'''e'
VIII make MIN open hi~ 'ye~
Margaret looked up inph'finsly
"liave ever It'd you ~ Charlie:
he said with a proud sni!r ooh,
well! ! must hiring hit" IL iae shop
sohc day, ana y"h shall s-t u he rs
nut hoy To gitddcn his ihthcrs
heart"
Margaret forced "a smile, but she
WIS conscious "i sudden keen pain.
Steven Adams had been pleasant
ffiend to her, and she had thought at
times that his manner implied some
thing warmer than friendship. She
had never thought OF him "a mar
ried man, and this matter OF course
mention OF child-his chlld--struck
her ike cruel blow Tor In her be-
wilderment she took 1t for granted
that the child's mother was living
II she had deceived herself 10y any
foolish notion that he was IN love
with her, this was just punishment
she thought Steven Adams was Il
noble and honorable man, who was
sorry for her poor, plain life and
the little attention which lie had Of
fered to her and to Ida sprang from
the desire oil KIND heart to brighten
their dull routine.
81 think you must love children,
ne was saying cana Charlie Is Il
dear niue ieiiow'
ies, am very iona o' ch'iuren'
murmured psor margaret, WIN 'ha'
sot' uhhaturai hiniie which Ste%eh
ADAMS noticed win a ieeiing OF ais'
appointment Tor ne had particularly
admired Margareps frank ana unaf'
iected manners but now her words
See,ned 10 Oeile her rea' ieeiingS'
however, no iur'her mention oI
the SUBJECT was made. HaVins
reached Margarets nome, Mr.. Ad'
ana enterea ana niieu = lruit dish
WIN the juicy pears ior loa' aho
Oiaoihg the sisters a cheery good'
hight, ne went on.
TWO days later, as Margaret was
replacing the fragments OF her lunch
con In the basket, Mr.. Adams came
down the long room with a little boy
la plaid frock and sailor hat; a
handsome little fellow, with brown