Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-08
MARGAREr's MISTAKE.

Lie the golden fields of Sunshine Land
-Edilh VI. Thomas, Ia 81. Niciolss
MARGAREr's MISTAKE.
had always been lead to think that n17
sister Kate would marry Burt Evarts, fos
he was in the habit of running in to see lis
at all hours of the day, and they were to-
gether great deal
That was before Mr. Hope began to call
at the house. He had been very kind to
us after father died Found work for Us
both and made presents to mother but it
made me uneasy to see him around with
my sister. | thought she was not behav-
ing right toward Burt. 1t never occurred
to me that she did not return his love.
One day Kate comes to me in great
state of excitement and lays a letter in my
lap. | see that Burt has spoken at last and
my other suspicious are stilled. | open
the letter and find an offer of marriage,
signed Mortimer Hope" requesting that
if her answer is favorable his heart may be
gladdened on his return by seeing his be-
trothal ring on Kate's finger
"Kate !" l exclaimed, II didn't think
you could marry an old man for his
money !"
For his money" !" she stammers. "Vhy,
| have been in love with him all along.
Where have your eyes been ?' looking at
me in astonishment. Where have they
been, indeed? | kiss her silently and
steal into the garden, wondering how Burt
will take the news. He is Just coming in
the gate, and a smile crosses his frank face
as he sees me. The smile changes to
gravity as | tell him of Kate's engage
ment. This is the only sign he gives that
what | say has power to move him. After
while he says:
Bonnie Kate-hers should be happy
fate. | hope and trust that it may be-
We walked along silently together for a
while, then he says abruptly:
Margaret, | am going away for while.
| came to-day to bid you all good-by."
All! the brave fellow! As if | did not
see through his transparent ruse But not
for the world would | have him suspect
that | knew what is passing in his mind.
So, carefully schooling my tones to quiet
friendliness, utter few common-places
of regret, and in short time we are at
the house.
Burt goes, and after a time Mr.. Hope
returns. We see him verv often and it is
not long before / acknowledge to myself
that, Notwithstanding he is forty, while
Kate is but eighteen, her love and pride
in him are only equaled by his alteration
of her.
As l watch the lovers an intense long
ing comes into my heart to be loved my
self-even as my sister is. But my glass
shows me pale, plain face and a small,
insignificant figure, and the conviction is
forced upon me that not for such as ! are
this worlds richest blessings.
One afternoon when Mr.. Hope and Kate
are out driving, ] wander down to the
beach and Chamber up the cliffs to the
narrow ledge of lichen-coyered rock, which
is my favorite seat.
/ sit and think, regardless that the mo-
ments are flying, and that before great
while to remain will be fraught with dan
ger. | think Of the past and of the future,
and of how lonely shall be when my
sister shall have gone to make the light of
another home, and then my mind turns to
Burt, struggling with his disappointment.
| draw my shawl closer around me and
rise to go, but | find that while | have
been thus absenting myself, with noiseless,
insidious approach the treacherous tide has
risen.
In an instant fall realization of the
terrible truth bursts upon me The water
has covered the narrow foot-path by which
] came, and is even now licking with hun
CRY tongues of foam the rocks beneath me.
On nv knees on the cold stone | sink
and with upraised hands pray as | never
have prayed before. | am so young to die.
"Oh, Father in heaven, have pity"
Then ] call aloud for help; it is my last
hope, and a feeble one, for know that il
they have not missed ne no one could
hear my voice above the roar of the ele-
ments.
The water rises still further, until a
wave sweeps its chilling embrace over my
feet. Another; one more cry, Help
helpw
"Margaret, is that you? Where" the
wind takes the word away, but know that
God has heard my cry and that deliver
ance is at hand.
Over the heaying waters to the Jagged
ledge of rock upon which | stand comes a
boat. Then / feel myself snatched from
my perilous position and strained for an
instant close to manufacturing heart
Saved, my darling Thank God that
/ was not too late"
Then | knew no more till / woke to con-
sciousness, to find myself wrapped in my
mothers and sisters loving embrace.
So it is that find that it is little, plain
/ that Burt loves after all, and has loved
all along, though thinking fiom my habit
ual calmness of manner toward him Che
attributed to indifference that did not
care for him, he had never dared to put
his hope into words.
He had returned just as the storm had
arisen and had been missed, and know
ing of my fondness for the ocean, had
sought me with heart torn with anxious
apprehension.
"All is well that ends well" and that it
is well with Kate no one can doubt who
sees her in her stately home, its beloved
mistress and sovereign while that it is
also well with me | can safely affirm, since
do l not reign queen, too, in one noble,
loving heart?