The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-02-03
ed for their wedding, and that he has
been faithful to her memory ever

SulCcs
Claudine did not wait for an answer,
but danced away numming merry
tune, leaving Margaret's 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 steady gaze, and
met Margaret's eyes. She lowered
them, blushing and confused,as though
detected in a misdemeanor.
She was conscious of a new and
strange pain when Claudine, in her
childish, petting way, would lay her
rosy cheek against her guardians and
ask his mother and herself to admire
the contrast.
Claudine was fond of riding on horse
back, and it was Mr.. Lancaster's
favorite amusement. So it came about
that lightning" and "Star" were
brought to the door, and Margaret
would school herself to stand with smil-
ing lips to see them mount and start
off together One day Mr.. Lancaster
said, jestingly:
II am growing to be boy again,
Miss Blanchard, under Claudine,s
leadership"
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 appearance lifeless) broug hit in
to the house by careful hands and laid
upon a couch which had been hurried
ly improvised in the library, until the
extent Of his injuries could be ascer-
tanned.
His favorite Lightning" had taken
fright and thrown his master.
Margaret's pale face was the only
sign of the agony she suffered at seeing
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 help
full 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 heart
less in me if go to my room and
leave you alone?" said poor, shivering
Claudine. II am sure 1 shall faint if l
stay here looking at that CHASTITY
face"
"No," said Margaret, touching her
cold lips pityingly to the frightened
girls blanched cheek. go and lie
down. 1 will come and tell you what
the doctor says as soon as possible after
he comes"
Claudine crept subduedly away, and
Margaret was alone with the motion
less form of him she loved-yes, loved.
She knew it now, though knowing at
the same time what hopeless love it
mrst be.
She went and stood by him and
gazed long upon his face. Then yield
ing to an uncomfortable impulse, she
bent and pressed a lingering kiss upon
the white lips, murmuring:-
"Oh, my master! If it could have
been my worthless life instead of one
so precious!"
She started back in dismay. He
moved, opened his eyes and looked
confusedly around.
"Where am I?"he said family; what
has happened?"
Then he saw Margaret, who stood
her face dyed with crimson bushes
shrinking from his glance; conscious
only that he was alive, and she had
kissed him!
But the next words rambling and
treasured her. He was
not fully conscious.
AS she listened her heart beat
quickly
He murmured a name and-it was.
her own. Little Margaret, he whis-
pered. Little. pale, pure Margaret"
Then, with a start, he came to him.
self, fully sensible.
"Margaret-Miss Blanchard-i that
you? What has happened? All, I re-
member; l was thrown. Am l
hurt badiy?" He tried to raise
himself up but fell back with groan.
With an effort Margaret said calmly,
trying to keep her voice from shak-
ing
II hope not. We have sent for the
doctor, and he will soon be here"
For few moments Mr.. Lancaster
in deep thought. Then he
said
miss Acknowledgements! must
speak now while I have an oppor-
tunity. You have grown very dear to
me. so dear that he thought Of your
future fills me with pain.
If l am to die, let me send for a minis
ter to marry us. Don't be startled-it
is no new thought to me, although it
may seem so strange to you. Then l
can leave you my name and my for
tune when l am laid away out of
sight"
Margaret interrupted him by a con-
vulsive burst of sobbing. Even her
self-restrained nature could bear no
more.
"Do not die!" she cried. "Live-live
for me! Life, without your presence,
would be worthless gift to mew
A look Of intense JOY came into his
eyes as he listened to her passionate
Outburst.
$50 little Margaret loves me-" he
81 will try"
A CHASTITY white spread again over
brow, cheek and chin, and he went off
again into unconsciousness just as the
doctor drove up to the door.
He did not die. Hope and good
constitution, added to the doctors ex-
ertions, conqured, and in a few weeks
he was again as we'll as ever.
Then the fashionable world was
thrown into flutter by gay wedding;
and as the assembled guests saw the
look of intense happiness upon Mar
garets face, all said;-
'It 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 off for