Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07

in her quiet strength or character, she
would have Jared very badly indeed at
the hands of those two.
Margaret is right" Mrs. Allenby
said; that girl would not do anything
for money, and we have not gone the
way to win her love. I thought she
would have lost her little property and
been ruined by her wretched lodging
house long ago."
DAISY is generally right" said the
sweet-voiced Victoria. For girl so
quiet and romantic, there is more com
mon sense about her than we possess
between us. / thought Mrs. Mary Al
lenby would have been ruined by the
house long ago; and SO she would but
she has an excellent adviser and bust
ness man in George Hyde. Perhaps
Daisy will lend us little Of her COM
mon sense. What would you advise
dear?'
Make peace with her." Margaret
said; express that regret You ought TO
feel tell her Uncle Michael is coming
home, and invite her here to meet him."
would she come, do you thinkp'
II think So"
at would be very humilating to be
refused"
ut would be all the better said Mrs.
Allenby, I'VE at least should have made
the first concession. Nothing would
please me more than her refusal; it
would be something to show my broth
er-in-law. Write to her, Margaret, in
any term, you please, basing the letter
| on what you have said Tell her have
considered it my duty, as an act Of
courtesy, to apprise her of Mr.. Michael
Allenby's return; that regret the UNI
| fortunate circumstances which have
| kept us apart so long, and invite her
| here 10 meet Arthurs uncle, with the
child Say anything else you like.
| Should she come, it will save all ex-
| plantations; should she not come, it will
| give more weight to what have done.
You are a good girl, Margaret; you
never let your temper run away with
your Judgment
"As we do" Victoria observed. II
have to confess my dear mamma, that
Margaret is mystery to me. She is
either a saint-very nearly-or the most
artful girl ever knew. Which is it,
darling?'
Whichever you please" was the
composed reply. Which you think the
most likely, considering the training
have received, and the example have
daily. Even in thiS-the letter have
to write--I gave my advice in pure,
good faith, and you would make most
treacherous use of it. 1t shall be writ
ten, however, and good may come Of it
in way you least expect"
| The letter was written. but the girl
could not write from the heart.
| mamma desires me TO tell you thai
| Arthur's uncle. Mr.. Michael Alenby, is
on his way to London, and she wishes
| you to meet him at our house, and she
very much regrets the unfortunate cir
cumstanccs which have kept us apart
so long
II should like you tocome. " Margaret
added. we were always friends, and
| I so much wish to see the darling boy.
| l have see him very often when you
have been out with him. but not 10
speak to him and kiss him. He grows
like Arthur. see the resemblance al
ready. Do come"
| She signed herself Mary satfettionate
sister Margaret. and gave the letter Il
her mother TO read. That lady passed
it on to Victoria without n word.
The first part would have kept her
away. as much as if Daisy intended it, y
| Victoria said, the second svery clever.
Yes. darling, that will do, she will
either come or invite you and that will
be almost as good.
You are very ungenerous, Tory"
Il am only woman, my love, l can
not even look like u saint, you can anC
| do"
III spi,e Of these sarcastic inter
changes, Victoria loved her sister, ant
would have resented a slight or an in
jury as bitterly as If inflicted on herself
She was to he pitied, just as much "a
her mother was to be blamed, for sh,
had made her children what they were.
The answer came from Mary by re-
turn of post; in Il few words and as po-
ltely as possible Mary declined, but she
ppended very atTectionate welcome
for Margaret herself,
I'VE have not met since poor Ar
thurs death. she wrote, but | have
not forgotten Your kindness then, or
cared the less for you. Come and sec
my darling boy whenever you please
you will always be welcome; but | can
not come to your mother s house, though
forgive her with all my heart, in spite
of the bitter sorrow she has caused me
You hope will come
Just as | thought Victoria said
You will be very welcome, dear, ant
If mamma is wise she will let you 60
But it appears to me she does not say
word of Uncle Michael
Not a word
VERY strange
None of us know that girl yet, Mrs
Allcnby said; she maybe playing some
a. came of her own. or she would no
be sucil fool, even with her beggarl,
pride. as to stand in her own light anC
the child's. Give me that letter, Mar
garet it will prove to your Uncle
Michael the yindictiye unforgivinI
spirit we have to deal with. You ma.
go and see her when you please, it snail
not be said that | left any means un
tried to effect a reconciliation; you ma,
tell her that even if she will not see nj
|, as Arthur'S mother, should like t
see Arthur's boy, and perhaps she viii
permit YOU TO bring him here some
times, and say that if she thinks ii NOR
becoming Our respective ages | vii
visit her myself"
Il will say exactly what you tell me
mamma
II know YOU will. Mrs. Allenby said
augrily. and in the same tone an
manner, if you could, but that is no
what ! want,
, May 60 to-day
This minute if You like.
II will tell her what YOU say Maj
, garet said gently, and soften il as ia
, as can, for should like to see you re
conciled. We ought to remember hoy
Arthur loved her
If could forget that" Mrs, Aller
by said, II could forgive her every
thing
Margaret took her at her word an
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