The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-07-23
A SISTERS TREACHERY.


DIX CLOCK. The hands In MArd-
leys factory stood ready, shawled,
and bonneted, waiting for the signal
OF dismissal, and when the clamor OF
the noisy bell broke on che air, they
were out in the streets OF Lowell,
pushing, iostling, hurrying like flock
OF frightened sheep released from
bondage.
The crowd dispersed in twos and
threes, but Margaret Miller walked
apart. There was no companion
ship for her in all that noisy throng,
no companionship in all the
wide world. A strange life for
so young woman to lead, but
those who would win love must earn
it, and Margaret neither wished nor
courted human sympathy. But per-
haps for her there was some excuse.
An orphan, just old enough to feel
her loss, she had gone from happy
home of luxury to distant kindred less
akin than strangers. She had fed upon
the bitter bread, of charity ,loathing its
taste the while, until she was old
enough to toll for her own support.
The father, who had seemed to her
childish eyes all goodness, was spoken
of with convert sneer, as one who
had failed in his duty to his children
and the world. The baby sister
whom heidolized was separated from
her, as their guardians had agreed.
Her SISTERS guardian was wealthy,
and this adopted child was destined
for little offashion, while Margaret's
was aplain man, who looked upon the
world as a great workshop.
The children with whom she lived
looked upon the homeless orphan as
an interloper who robbed them OF so
much of the good things of this life as
fell to her share; and Margaret, proud
and passionate and impulsive grew
morose ana bitter, and lived within
herself, as far remote as possible from
those who worked under the same
roof yet continued to eat at the same
table.
There had been but ona bright spot
in all the dull years. One drop OF
honey in her cup OF life, and that had
turned to bitterest gall
Margaret at seventeen had been a
wonderful beauty, and her great black
eyes and peachy color had caught the
fancy of John M'Ardley's son, who
had taken no pains to conceal his ad-
miration, but sought her company
' whenever it was possible.
At last it grew q common thing foi
him to walk beside her in the winter
twilight, on the road that lay between
the factory and her home, and these
walks were the events of Margaret
life, and thcre were tender whispering
that would have been highly disap
proved by the young mans prudent
father had they come to his ears.
Margaret grew very gentle in thes
days. 1t was so sweet to think tina
some one watched for her coming
when the weary days work was owe
that some one thought of her whel
she was absent. So sweet to know
that some one loved her, that she wa
tender to all the world for that one
sake. The girls began to grow ionde
of Margaret, and some, even whe
they guessed the secret of the change
chung to her still, while Others wer
filled with envy and spite toward tn
girl who was no better than they, We
aspired to the friendship OF John Nj
Ardley's son.
But all this came to a sudden enc
and Margaret never knew the reason
She could only guess that the your
! mans father objected to their int
course, for he had met them once c
twice together. They parted as tende
w as ever, but there was no leav
taking, and shortly after Arthr
M'Ardley left his native town, and fc
five long years she heard no more
him. This love which had seemed S
much to her, was, with him, but a
idle fancy.
But there had been a nine day
1 wonder and gossip about YOU
MArdley and Margaret Miller, ~
Margaret resented this, and was shy
than ever of the girls who had so co
cerned themselves with her affair
- Those who disliked her Increased
their dislike, and those who wou
have been kind to her grew tired
kindness which met with no return.
Margaret went slowly homewar
8 thinking, as she sometimes did, ev
vet of her boyish lover, how eager
she had quickened her footsteps tn
- he might not think she waited for hi
y The DAYS were so like one enoth'
IN Size should 90 home to eat and slee
r Perhaps spend an hour or two o'
re her sewing, silent, while Others talk
of things that were less than nothl
I'd to her. But this day was destined
be unlike all the rest-a day never
X be forgotten.
There was q letter awaiting her
Id letter bordered in black and sigr
Bessie Miller, the sister from whom
u. had parted so many years before
IL told of her guardians death, a
y offered, nay forced, on Margaret's
N ceptance an equal share OF the fortt
~ which had fallen to his adopted Oh
when his affairs were all ARA
. ed. :,
N "And Margaret, said the writ
~. YOU are my darling sister; thoug
IN have forgotten even how you looi
In when they took us from each other
. have loved you all my lifelong
DIT YOU must come and live with ]
' hi. and we shall be so happy toge
o 9rs. err.
ems And Margaret went, rejoicing.
-. 1t was a snowy day in winter, WI
Margaret alighted at the house Il
-" was to be her home. Bessie flew
s sfs meet her. Standing at the port
ire. with her golden hair blown backwi