The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-09-17
CuaPTER Ny-Continued.

The Colonel met them at the dining
room door, and Nell, approaching rather
cautiously, gave him half-expectant,
MISUNDERSTANDING glance.
Her fears We're quite groundless, how
ever, for as soon as he had seen Marga-
ret, and heard that she was going to
leave them so soon, he had no thought
for any one else.
Il don't know how we shall do with
out you" he said, bending over her with
kindly affection. BERTHE told me you
were going, and have been anticipate
ing my own loneliness. Have you
grown tired of US so soon?" He took
her face between his hands and regarded
it with gentleness in which a variety
Of emotions found expression. You
are in hurry to leave us, Margaret,
he added, sadly.
"Ah, no." she fastened to answer, as
her ewes grew dim and a painful flush
overspread her cheeks.
The gentleman did not answer for a
second, during which his face worked
with feeling and q tender light filled his
eyes.
You are brave girl" he said, rather
unsteadily, at last; "a true, brave girl.
Heaven will bless you as you deserve.
A-OeA
l might be tempted"
You are so hard on him, Colonel.
Don t."
Don't blame him. / suppose. All,
Margaret, you are like the rest of your
sex-always ready to defend the man
who breaks your heart. Well, well, I'll
not be hard, for your sake, but when |
think Never mind; We'll miss you,
child-every one Of US. Don quite for
get your old friends; you won't find the
new ones half so true
Again Margaret's eyes grew dim, and
she found herself incapable of an an
swer.
Alice, noting her distress, broke in
with some light remarks, which Nell
took up, Notwithstanding her uncle s
formidable presence, and discussed
volubly.
Under this respite Margaret resained
her self-possession, and began to speak
quite calmly.
No further allusion to her going away
was made during the meal, though each
one seemed quite laxative. Nell par
ticularly airing her opinions freely, and
receiving no relroof for her temerity.
But when the time came to say good
by, and Margaret was ready to go. the
colonel, disregarding the hand she held
out to him, clasped her in his arms, and
tenderiy, almost r"verently, kissed her
brow.
L knew it would be hard, she sobbed,
breaking down completely. L knew
this would be the hardest of all.
No, it sha'n't he, Margaret, he said,
putting her emily from him. Il do not
wish to pain you, child, even for mo-
ment u ] am very deeply moved to
see you 20 from us under such circum-
stances Your bravery and devotion
will have its reward-be sure OF that.
Remember me when you need sympathy
or advice for would not be worthy the
name of friend if | could rot show my
affection in time of adversely as we'll
as prosperity; and | know that not even
your own father could be more anxious
to help you than | am
For many long days Margaret car
ried in her heart the memory of his kind
words and sympathetic voice
AS she role home throu n the winter
afternoon toward the chain of beautiful
hills which shut in the quiet, peaceful
village, her fancy tingel with indescrib-
able melancholy every surrounding OBJ
ject, and the melancholy fingered long
after her eyes had ceased to look upon
the scene that had cngendcred it.