The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-07-02
CHAPTER III-Continued.


CHAPTER III-Continued.
Il thought you We're afraid of the wet
sand" she said. If you entertain any
fears for your delicate constitution l adj
wise you TO return t. the village"
Which is lite way of expressing
your wish to be rid of me; but l have no
desire 10 spend the Cay in those hen
coops. There's the sun now. Blessed
sight! I'm going to move this shawl up
there where it is dryer. May l? 1t is
positively suicidal to sit here. If you
should be ill, I'll have to act as Escu-
lapius, for there isn't Il man of pills and
squills in the whole village, I'm told.
So be warned in time"
1t will be more prudent, no doubt, "
admitted Margaret. allowing him to
move the shawl i'll questi n, but we
can't see the waves SO well.
That's no great loss. We know they
are there, which is just as good. Do
you know, I've be, n thinking of you all
night Really, | had a strange dream
in which you seemed to be leading me,
and some influence compelled me to fol-
low. Don't look, skeptical, please, and
say nonsense. 1t was all very real, l
assure you. One of those old men
called you Miss Margaret Please tell
mo if that is your name? l have quite a
| curiosity to know
Your curiosity is easily satisfied. My
name is Margaret.
Thanks. I've always had an odd
fancy for the name. It seems to mean
SO much. 1t is her name, too. Curious,
isn't it?'
Not at ALL" responded Margaret
promptly. The name is common
enough, l dare say"
Perhaps. I like it, nevertheless. l
only wish she were like you"
Margaret moved impatiently, and re-
Piled with a SUSPICION of petulance:
I'm like myself and no one else.
Variety is the spice of life;' SO please
don't compare me with any unknown
she's"
"Oh, this ones tolerable enough, he
rejoincd, and smart, too, l dare say.
She's managed to feather her nest at
| my expense. Perhaps she's gloating
over me at this very moment"
How can you say that?' asked Mar
garet, with some warmth. You have no
right TO judge people that way. She
may hate the very sight OF the money.
Money!" repeated Brian, In some
surprise. Il said nothing about money.
No, he returned, thoroughly angry
WITH llclStll, pul dtll sure money
| something to do with the injury You
speak of. | know she isn't SO hateful
as you think her. it is neither just nor
right to condemn her unheard.
He laughed at her earncstness. Il
suppose she isn't a bad Sort" he ad-
| mitted, pulling at some seaweed beside
him. Il don't see why you take such
an interest in her, though
She flushed at these direct words.
Il speak in general terms, she re-
piled, unable to meet his searching
glance. Il simply say you have no right
to assume certain things, and | wish
you would not run people down in my
presence, especially when / don't know
them, and cannot take their part. l hate
it; it is against my principles, and it's
contemplate besides"
She rose to her feet and walked away
in some excitement, already regretting
her childish warmth.
Tell me about it," she added, i'm
periousiy, returning 10 her old place.
What did yoIr cousin dor
Another mistake. She bit her lips as
the word cousin escaped her, but for
tunately Brian had not noticed It,
"Do?" he echoed, still regarding her
with an amazed expression. She didn't
do anything. Only my father happened
to think so much of her and 20 little OF
me that he left her fortune and me a
beggarly income to starve on. No use
living without money either. But I'll
forgive her if she marries me, and
dare say she will.
The confidence Of this assertion was
too much for Margaret.
Didn't l understand you to say you
had never met herr" she asked, in q
voice unnaturally quiet and full of scorn,
that made no impression upon him. He
replied in the most imperturbable man
ner.
NO, I haven't seen her. that's true
but / dare say she'll make a good wife,
These words further enraged Mar
garet.
How dare you," she cried, without
giving him n chance TO complete his
sentence. Il never heard of such I'M
paralleled impudence in my life. / dare
say you consider your charms so over
whelming that every woman must be
overcome by the bare sight of them. II
l We're your cousin you would very soon
discover your mistake. A conceited man
Is the very abomination of deSOlation"
You show your contempt very freely,
returned Brian, not overpleased with
her remarks. IF l suggest the idea OF
my cousins marrying NE it is because
of the circumstances. Father would
have liked it. | know. Perhaps he had
the idea in his head when he made his
will"
Margaret grew paler at these words,
but she did not answer.
And don't you know" Brian con-
tinued, with a spice OF malice, as he
turned lazily IN his effort to see her
face, "a man can marry any woman he
chooses, provided he goes about it the
right way. No woman can withstand
constant, enduring affection.
Constant, enduring fiddlesticks." was
the contemptuous reply. No doubt
your knowledge of woman, her nature
and capacities, is deep and profound,
but pray spare me your wisdom on the
subject, or I may be tempted, like Aunt
Sukey, to jaw back. l dare say your
constant, enduring affection is another
variety of constant hanging on. / would
despise a man eternally around me.
Please don't laugh SO loud. I'm not
trying to be amusing"
No, I'll wager not Tell me what
sort of man you do like. An Admirable
SUM-"
Heaven forbid! How tiresome such
| a perfect creature would be, and what a
curiosity. No; l like men. Real, &C
| tual men. Not ornamental show pieces
Like me, for instance. How compli-
mentary you are. But the truth is
| sha'n't be even ornamental, if circum-
stances don't change
He looked away from Margaret as he
| uttered the last words and began to
| make marks with his heel in the sand.
She watched his movements, but her
| mind was following up an engrossing
| train of thought.
Are you going to sit still and allow
| your life TO map ITSELF she asked. after
| a seconds pause. 1T seems to me you
| have an opportunity to make future
| for yourself. Why don't you take adj
| vantage of it, l do admire a man who
! a,p firb rb c