The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-22
THE MASTER OF THE GRANGE.

actual contempt.
s'No-I do not think I shall 60 ]
don't care very much for picnics any
how.n
Sybil Conyers, tall, stately girl,
with grave, straightforward dark eyes,
looked wonderingly at her.
II thought you always cared very
much for picnics, Marian. / am sure
you always seemed TO enjoy yourself.
Do go-it's such lovely day"
''And Tom Lester'll be there, too,
Marian" and dimpled-cheeked little
Amy Proctor looked saucily over the
fence at Marian's slowly flushing
cheeks.
Tom Lester. As if care straw
where he goes, or whether he goes at
all or not rF She flashed the words out
angrily, vet with certain coquettish
suggestiveness in her tone, that made
Sybil laugh.
'sOf course, we forgot that remark
ably good-looking young gentleman is
lodging with your mother, Marian.
The foreman of the workmen who are
doing repairs and alterations up at the
Grange, isn't heP''
Foreman Sybil, you're too bad.
Mr.. Forsyth is no more foreman, or
anything of that sort, than you are
She heSitated, smiling and frowning
and flushing mysteriously. 49,.
''Why, yes, he is" retorted Amy,
vigorously, ''for [ saw him with my
own eyes directing the workmen at the
Grange"
Marian nodded her head slowly sew
eral times.
THAT is perfectly true. MFR. Forsyth
does direct the workmen, in the capa-
city of superintendent, when really he
is the owner and master of the Grange
himself-Mr. Clifton
A little duet of EXPLANATIONS greeted
her astonishing revelation.
Mamma made the discovery" Mar
ian went on, in suppressed, excited
tones, land you mustn't whisper it for
the world for he would be SO vexed if
he thought it was known; but mamma
discovered, very accidentally, but Mr..
Clifton preferred 10 oversee his own rem
ovations, incog, and so he came here
as Mr.. Forsyth. Isn't it charmingly
romanticg'
s'How did she find it out. Marian?''
Amy asked, in awe-struck tones.
''By his linen, for one thing, every
piece of which is marked in full, f.
Clifton and by other little incidents. :"
Sybil looked Sravely at Marian's pref
ty, flushed face.
s.And you've quarrelled with Tom
Lester because you have another adj
mirer who is worth more in houses and
lands
81 broke our engagement because
I'd rather be mistress of the Grange
than farmers wife any day."
'.It's too bad" Amy flashed ont.
= L -
heightened aristocrats like Mr.. Clifton"
Marian smiled sneeringly.
.'Of course, if you think so. Per-
haps you can console him, Amy?''
s.I will if I can" was the ready an
swer. Come, Sybil, if Marian's not
going. let as be off ourselves"
.'Won't YOU reconsider vour deci-
sion?' Sybil asked, pleasantly, as they
made ready to start.
But Marian bowed in a queenly way
she had affected of late.
Thanks, no, | really don't care to
go, and, besides, / am engaged for a
drive this afternoon with Mr.. Forsyth
ats Just shameful in Marian,' Amy
exclaimed, when they were out of ear
shot.
tWell, she always was ambitious"
and nothing more was said about her
until an hour or so later, Tom Lester
strolled up to Amy, sitting on the grass
weaving wreaths.
$50 Miss Fellowes isn't here to-day"
he remarked, casually, as he threw
himself beside her-a tall, stnlwart
young fellow, with bright, honest blue
eyes and a bonny face, that had made
many a girl-Amv ipcluded-not a
little jealous of Marian Fellowes in the
days before Mr.. Forsyth came.
Amy went on weaving industriously.
mo; she couldn't come, in conse-
quence of a previous engagement.
suppose you miss her dreadfully."
mot at all. A month ago / should
have missed her. but to-day would
not turn my hand over to bring her
here-nor any other girl who had Tilted
an honest man because he couldn't
compete with another with more
money!
There was healthy contempt in his
voice that made Amy feel that Marian
Fellowes had been dethroned most
effectually in. at least, this mans heart.
She swept him charming. sympathet-
ic glance from her pretty grey eyes.
II think you are very sensible
Young gentleman not to make yourself
miserable because one girl out of all
the world proved herself unworthy
your trust"
She spoke lightly, but somehow it
seemed to stir Mr.. Testers interest
very much.
.'That sounds delightful, Amy, what
would you advise me TO do about If Pr
'.About 'it'-what? MarianP'
Another lovely glance, slight d1mp-
ling laugh.
''Oh-I don't know, I'm sure" she
wenton, cresting her bright brown
head to one side, like bird, while she
critically surveyed her wreath-.sun-
less | revenge myself by engaging my
self to the prettiest girl / knew"
"A good idea. I wonder if the pref
test girl know would say MOP"
A delicious little laugh from Amy. as
she jumped up, scattering the refuse
grasses and leaves.
There's only one way to find out,
Mr.. Lester-ask her.''
And then Tom sprang up a little pale,
eager look on his face, and caught
Amy's hands in his.
..Win she say MOI Amy. will you
take what Marian Fellowes did not
think good enough? If you will. I'll
be thankful she has Tilted me-"
There was no gainsaying the earnest
ness of what he said, and ANY flushed
and trembled, and then laughed.
s.Let go my hands, Tom-somebody
will see us. -
..They may see and-weIcome. I
shanat let you go until you promise
you viii have me-until YOU tell me