The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-05

garet came close TO MIN. She stroEed his
thin white hair in q way that she had seen
her mother do when she wished to infiu-
ence him strongly for some good purpose.
Then she told him slowly and kindly
about all these things of which she had
been thinking so much.
1t was past midnight when the two were
done talking. Then the father said:
II have forbidden your aunt TO come
here again because she has written so
much about America. But 1 see no other
way but to allow you. my children. to go
to that far-off land"
He said the words quite calmly, but
when be was done speaking, he clenched
his fingers tightly together and sat for
some moments looking gloomiIv into the
fire, for he well knew how much he would
miss the help and cheer of his Hardy Mar
garet.
The girl thought that perhaps he wished
to say something about the trouble over
which he brooded now and then. She felt
still more certain of this when she heard
him talking in bis sleep that night.
Yet he did not tell her anything more
about the matter.
So she went bravely on with her prepare
tons for the long voyage, though her heart
was sometimes heavy, and especially so
when at last she went on board the ship at
Havre. She knew that she might never
again look on her dear old home and its en-
circiing mountains.
Yet she thought much of the promise
which she had made to her dying mother.
and that she was doing as God wished her
to do. And these memories always gave
her comfort.
1t was well that she had such reflections
to cheer her. for the voyage was long and
stormy one before New Orleans was reached.
And at that time, many years ago. the trip
up the great river to Sc. Louis was not all
pleasure.
There were other trials which were heavy
to bear. Hardy Margaret found her sister
very peevish and irritable at times. Her
uncle did not find the work which he had
so surely thought would be waiting for him.
He soon LETT the family and went elsewhere
to seek EN- ployment. While he was absent
the care-burdened aunt was taken very
sick.
Then Hardy Margaret was very glad of
that name which her father had given her,
it was so full of suggestions of help and
strength, as she went on working as hard
as she could.
.'The sun will shine on as, just as it used
to do among the Alps after many dark
days." she said cheerfully TO her sister one
night.
come here" was answered. For, oh, /
cannot tell you how anxious / was to live
in this land! And you were SO good to
matter, and arguing with me for long
while. If we could only find that stranger
who helped me so much that day when
tainted | am sure that aunt would soon be
well, and that uncle would soon get work"
1.-THE country is much larger than we
dreamed of" said Margaret. "And so it
sometimes seems impossible that We should
see any one whom We ever met at home.
And yet, among the Alps, many were
found who had never expected to see their
loved friends again. And so We must not
give up in our search. Especially so when
God sees all things. and knows where our
friend is at this very moment"
Just then there was a rap at the door,
and, on going to answer the summons,
Hardy Margaret was met by very kindly
looking man.
81 have heard that you were strangers"
he said, "and also that there was sickness
in your home. Is there not something
which can do to help your"
II do not know" said Margaret, who did
not wish to reply more freely before con-
sulting her aunt.
"Ah, you are from Switzeriandp the
man said as he entered the little sitting
room. II know that from the tone OF your
voice."
The aunt overheard these words, and,
calling Margaret to her. told her:
81 am sure that this caller has kind
heart. Bring him to me that may talk
with him, for 1 am sure that he is one of
those good Americans of whom have read
so much"
The girl obeyed, and was astonished at
the look which she saw upon the two faces
before her.
II used to see you in GENEVA" the aunt