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

any unlng rather than tins, bluShed |
with embarrassment, and then sprang
from her seat and threw her al MS
around her sisters neck for the hun
dredth time since their meeting, call
ing her various endearing names, and
for while they were very happy.
But Margaret stood before her mir
ror that night, and laughed bitter
laugh
"The stamp OF the factory is on
me" she said. "Money can never
give me back what have lost. She
might have been the drudge and |
lady with soft white hands, but for
the merest chance.
But the morning brought better
thought. No one could long have
lived with Bessie Miller without par
taking somewhat of her happy ma
ture. She was a living sunbeam,
creature like the birds and flowers, re-
joicing that she lived; but underneath
her gayety there was a well OF pure,
deep feeling which Margaret could not
understand.
Her characterization taught her the
bitterness of her sisters life, and she
was very tender OF her feelings. The
envy and jealousy fall things lovelier
or better than herself, the bitter feel
ings nourished by the life Margaret
had led, would betray themselves at
times, and strive as she would, Bessie
could not fail to see them. But when
the serpent's head peeped out she tried
her best to smother it with flowers
And Margaret grew less bitter day by
day, and gained an interest in life she
had never before possessed. She never
felt her deficiencies OF education or
manner in her sisters presence, and
| found herself well received among her
sisters friends, at first for Bessie's sake
and finally for her own.
alone; the elder idly dreaming-she
was always idle now-the younger
planting roses in barren field of can
| vas.
Margaret" said Bessie, in voice
that was scarcely more than breath,
81 have something to tell you.
wanted to tell you before"
Margaret laughed and reused her
self to listen. One look ut the blue
eyes, glowing like winter stars, the lit
tie mouth quivering with its tender
smile, told Margaret what the "some
thing was.
Come, Bessie, and tell me all about
it now. Better late than never"
So Bessie left her needle in a hal
blown rose and nestled in her favoritt
seat at Margaret's feet.
margaret" said she, "some on,
likes me-" then hid her crimson face il
Margaret's draperies.
"How very strange!" said the other
laughing. as that all?"
This time Bessie drew her siste
down to her with both her hands, ant
whispered in her ear, as though it wer
guilty secret that she was engaged
to be married, and the day was set.
"And who is the happy MANI" salt
Margaret. "Who am to have for
brother-in -law?"
Just then the door bell rang, an
, Bessie sprang to her former positio
Just as two gentlemen were announced
"Mr. M'Ardley," Margaret heard tn
servant say, and the name came t
her like voice from the buried past
She could have prayed it might not b
: the one whom she had known.
. But there he stood, not great
p changed. She had ceased to care fc
, him, yet she could not feel to him 9
to a stranger. 1t seemed like living
a dream to hear his voice and touc
q his hand again.
+ OF all else that passed that evenir
: Margaret was unconscious. His vol
was the only one that had q meanil
to her. She wondered at first if
: had recognized her, changed as she WI
q and in her altered circumstances. BI
: she found that aforementioned all. /
;. spoke of their former intercourse as
: boy and girl friendship, and total
\ ignored the manner of their partin
p But his voice was low and tender, al
p Margaret felt the influence of 9th
II days creeping over her, and knew TIL
q he wished she would. Meanwhl
n Bessie chatted and laughed with t
stranger, and these two talked OF t.
g long ago.
10 "How do you like him?" said t
I younger sister when the gentlemen hi
ar taken their departure.
n. Like him? why, Bessie, Lam ashal
$ ed to say. hardly noticed what
IN was like. You know most OF Il
IA observation was taken up with n
Of MArdley. We are old friends, a.
we had great deal to say"
4 "Why, what are you thinking
an Margaret? 1t is Arthur mean. l
W. | not tell you? / gave you ample {
nt portunity to make his acquaintance
n And BESSIE laughed her merry, i
~ Gus laugh at her sisters astonish
n. countenance.
ar ar But Margaret rose up, fierce a
p ru q hate himl" she CRIED and
10 hate youl" she might have adde's,
~ the thought was in her heart. /
W Bessie. pale and trembling, put
q hand upon the engy lips.
"a "Ohl tell me what is the matt
ba sister, darling sister" she pleaded, a
-" Margaret, frightened at her own AM
nd words, stood still and thought h
nv she could mend them.
No "Has my Arthur done anyth
lid wrong, anything to offend your?
no.. Margaret made no answer; she wo
. have given worlds to recall the has
or breath but she was forced TO tell
\ I story at last. And her sister liste
cd with fearful eyes. Inconsistency seen
such q terrible thing to this faiti
nd heart.
n n margaret, said she, 81 can ne
~ marry Arthur MArdey now"
But Margaret begged her to foi
what she had told her, and they p'
ION ed for the night with fond embra
'o Alone in her own chamber Be
' 20 thought till the morning broke.
al IL He was Margaret's first love az
I'd was hers; but perhaps it had not {
W. - 49,, rel tiotinht. rnerhanS IL