The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-26

give up his dream Of a bishopric for Meg's
| sake. AS for her, she was unusually sweet
and gentle.
lie wanted music, so she took him into
| the little drawing room and sang TO him
went up into my room and professed
| TO work; but through my work l heard
| the songs, and between them the murmur
| OF voices. BY and by the music stopped
| altogether, and the voices went on. Megs
usually loud and clear enough. was
hushed tonight 1t sounded ,reverent.
l fancied. At last heard Mr.. ThirlwaIl
open the drawing room door and / went
down stairs.
What, no iights?" he was saying in
MS Kind, patient voice. for indeed it
could only be termed twilight now by
courtesy.
II like singing I'm the dusk best. father"
said Meg.
She did the honors Of the supper table
that night-for MIR. Weston STAYED to
supper-with shy grace that was new
to me; and / did not wonder that he
found 1t irresistible. He looked like a
man who was letting himself drift.
lie spoke little TO Meg, however. They
had done enough talking before the lamps
were 1T. He talked enthusiastically to
Mr.. Thirlwall about the true mission of
the church. and Meg listened with glow
ing eyes. One could almost watch those
infinite possibilities growing as one looked
at her. What a hero the man seemed to
her. what d saint Poor Meg! poor Mar
Gus.
After he had gone Meg wandered out
into the garden. and followed her.
Jack she said suddenly, and / knew
She was trembling, do you think | could
ever grow good-if l tried prayed. ever
50 hard? Not so good as other people.
but good for me?"
She was so terribly In earnest-it was
strange for Meg 10 be so much in earnest
that believe l was glad IT was pretty
dark, so that she could not see my face
nor / hers
Il think you are good as people 60" I
said.
That's nonsense. Jack" Meg replied.
with prompt return of the old temper.
You know quite well that / am worse
than other girls, and when / would do
good evil is present with me. And there
are girls. like Celia Doone, who never
do wrong; full of good works and aims
sivings. and heiress. And oh. what
a complexion" cried Meg as IL there the
sting came in.
YES" l said, sincerely enough. 'but
she's not half as nice as you are. after
all. She's so wooden"
That's because you're wicked you like
me best" said Meg. drearily. but no
one good could ever really. really like any
one bad"
There was a question I'm her voice, and
] answered IL rather fiercely.
"You are thinking of n particular per-
SON." I said "And that person does
care for you, Meg. and not for Celia
Doone. Ill the same. / shouldn't be sur
prised to hear of his being engaged 10
Celia one of these fine days"
I should not have spoken so strongly,
but lately l had heard rumors that I
fancied had not reached Meg's ears, and
wanted 10 put her on her guard. But
she fred again, which was certainly
natural.
How dare you say such things. Jack?
I won't listen to you. If he does-it will
be because he loves her. II think it
would be better, only-O, met
She turned and ran into the house. I
heard one sob as she went. Still, l was
glad 1 had spoken out. Meg wasn't
girl to imagine things, and l knew that
matters must have gone pretty far that
night. OF course, II he meant 10 ask her
To marry him, we'll and good. But
hardly thought he did.