Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-09-29

heart.
Margaret forced a smile, but she
was conscious Of a sudden keen pain.
Stephen Adams had been a very
pleasant friend to her, and she had
thought at times that his manner i'm
piled something warmer than friend
ship. She had never thought Of him
as married man, and this matter of
course mention Of child-hl child
struck her with a cruel blow, for in
her bewilderment she took it for
granted that the mother was living.
If she had deceived herself by any
foolish notion that he was in love
with her, this was a just punishment,
she thought. Stephen Ada Ms Was a
noble and honorable man, who was
sorry for the poor, plain lie, aud the
little attentions which he had offered
to her and to Ida sprang from the de-
sire OF kind heart to brighten their
dull routine.
I think you must love children he
was saying, and Charlie is dear lit
tie fellow.
Yes, I'm very fond of children,
murmured poor Margaret, with that
set, unnatural smile which Stephen
Adams noticed with feeling Of dis.
appointment; for he had particularly
admired Margaret's frank and unaf-
fected manners, but now her words
seemed to belle her real feelings.
However, no further mention Of the
subject was made.
Having reached Margaret's home,
Mr.. Adams entered and filled a fruit
dish with the juicy pears for Ida, and
bidding the sisters CHEEKY good
night, be went on.
Two days later as Margaret was
replacing the fragrants of her lunch,
con in the basket, Mr.. Adams came
down the long room with a little boy
in plaid frock and sailor hat a
handsome little fellow, with brown
eyes like his fathers and long fair
curls. Margaret had been rather sh
of Mr.. Adams for the past two days,
but she could not resist the child
sweetly imperious smile as his eyes
fell upon her.
Who syou 2 queried Master Char
lie, running to her side, and leaning
against her knee.
This is papa 8 friend, Charlie, said
Stephen Adams, smiling at the wave
Of color in Margarets face. And then
he added, may Charlie stay with you
"a few minutes | want to look at a
defective shaft in the lower room, and
| dare not let the boy run loose
among all this machinery.
Margaret signifed her pleasure at
Charles company, and smiled IN the
little fellows face when he stood on
his toes to kiss her.
Charlie loves you, he said; char
lie loves your pretty dark eyes!'
Mr.. Adams looked a Margaret with
a good deal Of amusement Margar-
ct laughed to cover her confusion, and
Mr.. Adams echoed the laugh as he
turned away.
When the one o'clock bell sounded,
the operatives began to come to their
machines, and presently Mr.. Adams
came for Charlie.
I shall come again some day, pret
tv lady, said the boy, pattng her
cheek with bis tiny hand; and then
he marched away, clingins to his
fathers hand.
1t was nearly week before Mar
garet saw Charlie again; and then his
father brought the little fellow to her
as before, and left him Cor awhile.
Margaret had been cleaning her
machine, and now began to oil it up,
for the great wheels were beginning
to move, and soon it would be time
for work. Little Charlie bent to look
at the shining rod, with his eyes wide
ly bright and his head ou one side,
very much after the fashion of an ex-
quisite robin.
Margaret reached to draw him
away. Too late One long, shining
curl swung towards the belt, which
sucked it in, and the revolving rod
twisted it up. There was an aginized
scream of terror from the poor baby.
Margaret dropped beside him, with
one hand clutching the boys silken