The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-02-03
FORTUNES RICHEST GIFT.

anu Dits-!uS ouCc VI lniCc-
May come if we try again.
FORTUNES RICHEST GIFT.
By Mary E. MoiFat.
Imagine slight figure clothed in
black-a pale, pure face, with large
sad, luminous eyes-and Margaret
Blanchard is before you. Well might
those wide, bright eyes wear mourn
full expression. One short week since,
the turf had been rounded over her
fathers grave, and to-day she had been
reading a message she had found
amongst his papers. 1t was lament
that he must leave her without suit
able provision. No -eproachful thought
had entered her mind as she read, al
though a different mode of living would
have enabled her father to save some
thing from his income as an officer on
half pay. But it was painful prob
lem to the delicately nurtured girl as
to what she should do to support her.
self. She was we'll educated, but her
youth would be against her in trying to
obtain pup,ls.
The morning paper lay upon the
table. She took it up and glanced over
the advertisements; one attracted her
attention. 1t was for housekeeper,
and companion for an old lady. No
manual duties required Margaret
decided to apply for it. She had kept
house for her father, and the servants
had been respectful and obedient. She
was surely competent for that position.
SO the next morning she brushed her
wavy, brown locks into prim, satiny
smoothness, put on her plain, black
walking suit, and went to the desig-
mated place. 1t was large, imposing
mansion, with broad stone steps flank
ed ON either side by grim, couchant
lions carved in gray marble \ col
ored foOtman in handsome but sombre
livery opened the door.
Then he moved noislessly away, soon
to return and ask her into the library,
where gentleman was reading aloud
to an old lady.
He rose to meet Margaret as she
entered, and said, glancing at her card:
Miss Blanchard, I believe. Let me
introduce you to my mother, Mrs.
Lancaster" then, with a change from
gravity to playfulness in his tone, he
continued: "Now, young lady, what
is the errand this time? contribution
for st. Luke's, or for sick children's
excursion? You see," he said, turning
with smile to his mother, 'the only
time we are favored with the presence
of one Of the gentler sex is when they
come to make an appeal for some pet
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. I called in answer to your adj
vertisement."
For an instant there was an embar-
raised pause. Then Margaret went
on.
II know that my youth is against
me; but never had any trouble in
managing my fathers household, and
now that-that he has left mel
thought I 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.
MIR. Lancaster was sorely perplexed
He turned to his mother. She under
stood his look of appeal and came to
his assistance.
''My DEAR she said, 'it would be
too onerous position for a girl like
you to take charge of this large house
and of the many servants required to
keep things moving along smoothly;
but should very much like to have
that sweet young voice read over the
thoughts Of my favorite authors to me.
Would you like to come to cheer up
an old woman's lonely hours?"
Margaret took the soft old hand ex-
tended to her, and raised it to her lips.
Il could spend my whole life with
your" she said earnestly.
fThanks. dear. Now go home and
make your arrangements. Come when
you like; the sooner the better"
So Margaret had found home. She
entered upon her duties in the bud
ding May-time. A year had passed
swiftly away, and the spring months
had glided away into golden June,
when one morning Mr.. Lancaster said
II am about to make change, Miss
Blanchard"
Margaret's heart sank down like lead
in her breast as her imagination rush.
ed on in advance to supply the ending
of his sentence. Was he going to
send her away? But she breathed
freely again as he went on
Il am about to bring the young ward
Of whom you have heard us speak so
often-Miss Claudine North-home
from boarding school. She is pleas
ant girl, and hope you will be happy
in each others society. wish to
thank you, now, before this old house
will ecno to the sound of another
young voice, for the happiness you
have brought into it by your devoted
kindness and attention to my old
mother; and you must not think you
will be less needed when Claudine
comes"
His words seemed like an answer to
the thoughts running riot in Mar
garet's brain. Tears rushed to her eyes,
and trembled upon their long lashes.
Her usually pale cheeks flushed to
brilliant bloom.
"Ah! Mr.. Lancaster" she murmur-
ed, eff could only tell you how happy
you have made me. It would break
my heart to leave here where you have
all been SO kind to me-"
"And you shall must not think
of such thing. Claudine will need you
almost as much as my mother does"
And Margaret was content.
Claudine North proved to be a bright
sweet tempered girl. who made the
wide halls and spacious rooms ring with
fun and frolic. She had no great depth
of character, and shocked Margaret by
thinking that Mr.. Lancaster was her