Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-02-10

1t is bad omen when the husband
has to look up to the wife in the matter
of learning. He accordingly bought
books, and became an earnest midnight
student. In fact, he tried in every
way to render himself Margaret Pow
hele's equal.
Tom Polglaze, however, loved the
fair teacher not a whit less than his
rival, but he was formed in rougher
mold. He scarcely noticed the change
in Tregear; but, if he did not Mar
garet Powhele did, and she was highly
gratified by it.
"Joseph,' said she to him one even
ing when he came to ask her to take a
Walk, "you seem much changed lately;
yon are as little like native of Ire
gone as myself"
I'm what way, Margaret?"
You have lost that twang, and you
seem 10 know something about the
great world. Do you studyp'
Yes; J. Sit up every night to read,
or to work mathematics
''Why3 What do you want to bep A
clcrll?'
Margaret, I study only to be more
like you ] love you-will you-~"
There Joseph Trcgear you study
to be like me? am sure l never set
you the example of talking such rub
hish All, ah Good by r
So saying, off she tripped into the
house, to his intense discontinue.
But was Margaret any the more
happy than the lover she had left so
disconsolate in the street? That even
ing her parents noticed a great change
n her, but could not discover the
cause. She did not talk nor take any
food, but soon retired to her own little
room, complaining of a headache.
"Do Ioye him ?" she muttered when
alone. Poor fellow! no studies hard
for my sake-to be more worthy of me,
suppose he calls it. All, Joseph! why
did l leave you so abruptly? What a
giddy worthless thing 7 aml' That
night she could not sleep until she had
decided upon future course of action.
The next day being Saturday, Mar
garet spent at home in household cares
which she shared with her mother, but
she scarcely spoke word all day. In
the evening she went to the drapers
and bought a few ribbons and other
little articles, for there was some obiec,
tion in now being pretty.
On Sunday she appeared in church
dressed with more than her usual care,
and she may be forgiven if she was not
quite so attentive to the sermon as she
should have been, for there at a dis
tance sat Joseph Tregear, looking at
her with his great blue eyes, making
her blush, and inspiring her with the
desire of sinking through the floor.
On leaving the porch, after dismiss
ing her flock, Margaret found Joseph
Tregear and Tom Polglaze pretending
to read the inscriptions on the tombs.
AT the sound of her step Tom raised
his head and advanced with friendly
nod, while Joseph remained still, but
fixed those great blue eyes on her.
Good morning, Tom," said she in
differently; "how are you?"
Pulglaze was replying as they neared
Tregear, when Margaret stopped. Ire
gear still held back, trembling in his
heart, and apprehensive of his rival.
Margaret, however, was so apparently
calm that he was beginning to think
her heart as hard as her native rocks,
when, nodding an adieu to Polglaze,s she
very naturally and very quietly put her
hand on Tregear's arm and said:
II am very sorry kept you waiting;
l can only spare you half an hour for
walk"
1t was the first time she had ever
shown preference, and Polglaze now
knew that ne, too, was "out of the
race" His face changed to an ashen
hue, and he to4tered off with detected
looks, but with clonCned fists.
Tregear squeezed the small hand
that had been SO Unexpectedly put on
his arm, and led Margaret away for
the promised walk, which, it need
be said, was unconsciously
heightened into an hour. When Mar
garet once more arrived under her |
parents roof it was not alone that she |
came. Henceforth another had also a
right to join her there.
Tregear know the price that must
be paid for Margaret's love. He knew
hat PolplaZe would not give her nm