The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-06-28
money. l will entirely disown him and

his
Margaret had by this time regained
self.possession, and had resolved upon
the course she would pursue.and though
her face was very pale, almost as white
as the snowy curtains that shaded the
windows, she answered, with quiet COM
posure:
"Mrs. Murray, l will tell you, hon
estly, that your son has asked me 10 be
his wife, and l, forgetting that was
only schoolmaster's daughter, and he
a gentleman-forgetting everything but
that 1 loved him with my whole heart
accepted his proposal But, madam y
and her graceful neck arched haughtly,
and her great. dark eyes flashed fire, "do
not for another moment continue to
think that l would marry your son. l
would sooner beg my bread from door
to door! You will never have occasion
to disown him for making me his wife,
for henceforth he will be an utter stran-
ger to me, as though we had never met :
For the first time since she commenced
to speak her voice trembled and her
chest heaved but her pride came to her
aid.
"She shall never know that it is hard
to give him up" she thought and rails
ing her head proudly, gazed at her visl-
tor calmly and steadily.
Mrs. Murray was at a loss what to re-
ply. She had anticipated an outburst
OF love and passion, and she coull not
understand how this young girl could be
so calm and composed, when ter face
told that giving up her lover was almost
like. giving up her life. But she fel,
that she mnst say something. 80 lower
ing her voice to sympathetic pitch she
said:
"My dear Miss Margaret, l am sure
you have acted nobly. and / must say
that / have not the least personal objec-
ton to Arthur's making you his wife;
but you know that society is divided in
to classes, and it is very natural should
wish my son to select wife from his
ownssocial circle. or course you are
not to blame fnr being schoolmaster's
and I am sure you will make q
very good wife for some one sincerely
hope you may get q worthy husband
and be very happy" s
The rich color dyed Margaret's cheeks,
for she felt that Mrs Murray was adding
insult to injury; bat, checking her anger,
she replied coIdly, almost conlemptu.
ously:
"Tbsnk you. Mrs. Murray; and trust
that your son will win . wife Of his own
social standing, who will be worthy Of
him. and whom you will be pleased to
receive as your daughter" Then rising
TO intimate that their interview was at
an end, Margaret dismissed her guest
with naughty bow and quiet "Good-
morning, madsme."
Mrs. Murray took her leave, feeling
rery uncomfortable, although she had
gained her end. This beautiful gir', 30
stately and lignifed, yet SO simple and
unaffected, was mystery to her, and
she was forced to acknowledge that. Ar
thur might look over all England without
inding one who would fill more grace
'ully the position Of his wife.
As soon as Mrs. Murray was gone
Margaret fastened to her room, and
opening drawer of her bureau, took
rom i. parcel OF letters and notes, a
bouquet OF wlthered flowers, and a score
,f other little things that lovers prize so
highly, and last of all pretty case lined
With soft blue satin, containing-a jewel.
ed locket. ga
Gathering up all these articles she tied
hem together and directed them o"Ar-
hur Murray, Murray Hall, Arburton."
Then she went down stairs and giving
hem TO Lizzie che bade her take them
% "The Oaks ,
Again Margaret sought her own room,
md opce there her forced composure
gave way. Throwing herself upon the
bed she wept long and bitterly, moaning
AGAIN and again.
"Ob, Arthur! How can give you up ,
How can I live without you2"
Then when her passionate tears were
spent she rose, and with bowed head
md clasped hands paced the floor Of her
chamber. to and fro. 1t Was q terrible
struggle for Margaret. but gradually she
became calmer and stronger.
Feeling that she was herself again she
bathed her face and went down stairs
with . light step, humming pretty air
as she went, aBd all that long summer
day. she sang aud chatted and smiled.
6gniing the while to keep back the
feeling OF utter desola.ion. that would
come over bel, at times like q great wave
to overwhelm her.,
-
IL was still early 10 the evening, and
Margaret was in her room making her
simple evening toilet, when Mrs. Brady,
the cliarwoman. knocked and told her
that Mr.. Murray was in the parlor and
desired to see her.
Her pulse quickened and for moment
she was tempted 10 60 to him and tell
him all. but recovering herself she bsde
Mrs Brady tell him she must beg to be
excused, and turned away. ss
, She knew that an interview wonld
only make it harder for them both, and
she feared that in the face OF his tender
love her own strength would fail her.
She could never be his wife, and she
must drive all thoughts and dreams oi
him out OF her heart and life forever.
When the woman returned and an.
nsunced that Miss Alden begged to be
excused, Arthur was in despair. Hav.
ing no excuse to prolong his call he left
the house, and hardly knowing or Car.
ing where he went walked slowly on.
ward. ~~s~ 4ta y ~s@ SS,~ ssN $ . =
He had not gone far when he met
Lizzie Gary, Margarets little maid, and
it occurred to him that this was the CIR
who brought the parcel to the ball.
A few adroit questions brought ou'
the whole story, including the fact tha
Mrs. Murray called on Margaret earl,
in the morning Stf,.ss 5E3 Z
1t was all plain to Arthur Murray now
and thanking her he slipped piece o
silver into her hand and bade her not te
mention having seen him. sc,f,
She smiled and went on her wav.,
Yes, 1t was plain to him now. In th,
heart of her anger his mother had dom
what at another time she would hav,
scorned. In his be he knew that Mar
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