Western Kansas world., 1890-12-27

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where she found the baronet looking less
stern than usual, as he quaffed a wassail
with Colonel Bead and Admiral Seaton;
but how could she know of the longing
that was tearing at his heart-strings?
"Ah, Mistress Margery, so you are the
lucky wench tonight" said genial
old Colonel Bead, as the little maiden
appeared holding out the golden button.
sand pray what is your petition to be?
A new heart-breaker to wear in your
bonny curls, venture to say, or some
other gew-gaw such as you silly giglets
love-"
ayes, Margery, what is it you desire?"
asked Sir Humphrey, his features re-
laxing into the ghost of smile.
1t was a favorable moment, and the
girl seized it. "Nay, UNCLE" she said,
ait is neither heart-breaker nor gew-
gaws that l wish; but-but forgiveness
for"
"For whom, pray? Is it Chloe? Sure
ly the beast has not been in mischief
again?"
"Nay, It's not the spaniel, but one much
dearer. It-is-even for my cousin
Hal-that plead"
The name was out, and Margery wait
ed trembling, while an awkward silence
fell on the group, and Sir Humphrey
turned white to the very lips.
"Girl!" he thundered at length, "dost
thou not know that that rebels name is
tabooed in this house?"
ayes, yes," sobbed the suppliant, fall
ing on her knees, "but he has come back
sick and wounded, and is ready to con-
fess that he was wrong, and beg pardon
of both you and the King! Oh, dear
uncle, pray see him once, at leasti AS
the winner of the prize raisin, l ask this
favor, which you are bound to grant.
Remember, It's Christmas law at Green
Court"
"Ha, ha, gossip, the lass has you
therel" chuckled Colonel Bead, "and 1
for one would be rarely glad to greet the
young rascal once more"
"Did you say, Margery, that he &C
knowledges that the Duke was in the
wrong?"
"Yes, sir"
"And he will ask my pardon?"
ayes, yes, un cle."
"Humphl Well, never yet has Pen
derill denied the request of the winner
of the gold button, and l, forsooth, can
not do less than my forefathers. Where
is the fellow?"
"Just without, dear uncle" and Mar
gerry, joyfully springing up and darting
from the room, presently returned, lead
ing the shame-faced young soldier by the
hand.
"Father!"
Harry, my son!"
And, as the two men looked into each
others faces and marked the change the
last six months had wrought in each,
their hearts melted, their palms met, and
the Colonel and Admiral drank a "was-
sail" to the long-desired peace and the
reunion of the Penderills.
Never was so happy Christmas night
known at Green Courtl Bessie blOOmed
out like rose in the sun; the servants
and tenants, led by Jack Creamy,
cheered themselves hoarse for the return
of the young Squire;" while Lady Pen
derill clasped Margery in her arms with
such loving kiss and grateful words OF
Thanksgiving, that the girl almost forgot
her smarting fingers and danced and sang
for very joy.
So well was Sir Humphrey known as
the stanchest of royaliSts, that he had
little difficulty in procuring for his
recreant son full and free pardon from
"his most gracious majesty" and before
King James short reign was over and he
had been displaced by William and Mary
of Orange, Hal and Bessie were married
in the pretty village church, and
Margery, in silver and white, figured as
the daintiest of dainty bride-maidens;
while she assured the gallant little page,
Bernard, that she had been repaid
thousand-fold for the pain she suffered
plucking the prize raisin from the bowl
of snap-dragon. - american Ag'tcuIt-
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