San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-03-30

faithful to him as long hs L Hve'
"Then you are fool, slowly uttered
Colonel Dale, savage frown knitting
his brows.
"Uncle," went on Marguerite, un
needing his last remark, will you hell
me 10 get situation2"
"No," Numbered the irate man, -
won't!"
That was the end, OF course, Of theil
easy going life at Lakewood Place.
Mrs. Dale and Marguerite went into
cheap lodgings.
+ Mrs. Dale spent her time, like Niobe
"all tears. '. =
A Marguerite toiled from place to
place in search Of any work which
might keep starvation from their door
And in the midst of all this Mr.. AL.
cote renewed his offer. ....
Mrs. Dale frightened visibly.
"Oh, Marguerite, you never will re-
fuse him a second timer"
Mamma" said Marguerite, IL have
not changed my mind in any respect.
I would rather starve than sell myself
for gold!" ...
"Very we'll" said Mrs. Dale, setting
her teeth together. II have endured
the consequences of your caprices long
enough. will go back to Lakewood.
Your uncle offers me home"
"Good," said Uncle Dale, when the
mother arrived at Lakewood, there's
nothing like extreme measures. She
can't hold out long now. We shall have
her back here eating humble pie in
less than month" .,. ...
But there was more resource and res
olution in Marguerite's character than
either her mother or uncle gave her
credit for. "1" H-
One morning she was asked by
gentleman If she would accept situa-
ton.
"Give me something to do" she
said, despairingly; IL don't care what
it is"
twill you go abroad as companion
to crazy lady?" obviously inquired
the other. "Good salary, but trouble
some place. The lady's mother goes
with her too, but"
EYES," said Marguerite, "I will CO."
Mrs. Gerard knew nothing about
travelling Miss Gerard was possessed
with general idea that regiment of
soldiers was following her to shoot her
down--and between them both our
little heroine had a sorry time of it.
But she persevered, smiling and res
olute, as if her heart were not growing
faint within her. ar ....E
1t was the day appointed for the sail
ing of the vessel, and the three ladies
had come on board--Mrs. Gerard
nervous and Hurried, Miss Gerard per-
petually watching an opportunity to
escape the vigilance of her guardians,
and Marguerite worn and wearied with
the cares of packing.
Here's mistake, cried out Mrs.
Gerard, IL thought we had engaged
No. 14?" aa
$50 we did," said Marguerite.
"And here's the officer says No. IA
was taken month ago, and there's
some mistake, and we shall have to go
in dark, stuffy little hole under the
wheel. Oh dear! oh dear!"
."Tm sorry, ma'am, said the officer,
shut it is the only stateroom left. Per-
haps, however, the gentleman who has
engaged No. IA might be willing to give
t up to the ladies if"
"Dear Marguerite, do ask him., said
Miss Gerard, bursting into feeble tears.
Marguerite hesitated.
It was not pleasant mission, but
here seemed no alternative.
Conducted by the stewardess, she
knocked at the door of No. IA, one of
he best cabins on board
"If you please, ST." said the voluble
woman, "here's three ladies as supposed
hey were to have IA, and there's only
} left, as there's no ventilation and only
,wo single berths, and if you wouldn't
mind changing"
The stateroom door opened.
A tall figure darkened the expanse,
md Marguerite dropped her travelling
hawl with a low cry.
"Geoffrey oh, Godfrey"
Marguerite, is it possible that this
aYes," said Marguerite, recalling
lerself instantly, 81 am going to Italy"
His face Dlancneu.
A hard, strained look came into all
he features.
"On your wedding tour, | SUPPOSE"
aid he. Il have heard of Mr.. Alcotte's
eviction"
NO" answered Marguerite quietly;
as companion to two ladies L am earn
ng my living now, Geotfrey. Uncle
as turned me out of doors, and even
mamma has left me-"
"WhyP"
The word escaped like a futtering
ird from between his closed lips.
Because 1 refused to marry Mr.. Al
otte; because was true to the man
no. it seems, has forgotten me.
Never, Margueritel" he cried: My
love, listen, and you q