Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-04-22


! "Margery-bless the child!-would
take cham bermaid's place, believe,
! If she thought that by so doing she
could save me one pang. But I doubt
If she could do even that. All her
chances, it seems, are staked on a
wealthy marriagc-a pretty poor am
bition, it strikes me, for days like
these"
Then it was that Margery, like some
modest Joan of Arc, heard voice
which whispered of conflict beyond
with the hope of victory. Then it
was that, leaning over the piazza rail,
she said excitcdly to herself:
~ will! I'll give Harry n chance,
| first, for he could save papa more than
half this worry. If he refuses to help
me, I'll give him lesson he will not
forget very soon."
The next evening Harry came home
to spend Sunday. Margery attacked
him with all her might and main.
Keeping her own project completely in
the background, she appealed to his
sense of justice, his sympathy, his
manliness. and every other virtue it
might be possible for him to possess;
but there was not shadow of care
upon Harry's handsome face as he said
Now, Margery, you were always an
agitator, but think it's little unfair
to work on my feelings so near the
end of the year. You'd be eaten up
with remorse if you got me so un-
strung that couldn't pass And any
way, old girl, fathers all right This
sort of thing has been going on ever
since l can remember. There's always
more or less of racket, but we get
there just the same"
And to save him little of the
raclset-to show him that, after all, he
needn't despair of you-you'll not take
this position with Mr.. Sinclair instead
of going to the Adirondacks?"
Harry only laughed. 81 wasn't made
for hotel clerk Margery. I haven't
diamonds enough; and besides, /
promised Fitch and Morrison months
ago that I'd go with them. A gentle
man never breaks his word, you
know"
He lightly tried to kiss her then, but
the scorn in her eyes deferred him,
and his laughter subsidized under her
reply.
''But the gentleman may break his
fathers heart one of these days, or
tempt him to try how fast bullet can
take him out of his troubles"
Harry gave long whistle. "Mar-
gerry" he cried, what is a fellow to
do under tongue like yours?''
But Margery knew sadly well that,
though he was neither bad at heart
nor vicious, the fellow" in question
loved his own pleasure too we'll to do
the thing she required of him. When
he had gone she whispered to herself:
II shall have to do it! It's just as
heroic treatment for me as for him,
but don't feel as if i could draw back
now"
A day or two later, having still
further matured her plans, she said to
her mother:
IF you don't mind, mamma, should
like to go to Boston this week to visit
Cousin Sally. You know she's been
asking me ever since | wrote her that
l could not go to school on account of
my eyes l am sure she will not
think it too much if l go for few
days now, and go again for Commence
ment week"
Now Cousin Sally was maiden lady,
with just such radical proclivities as
were beginning to make themselves
apparent in Miss Margery Mrs.
Emerson hesitated as to giving her
consent. Then she saw the other side
of the question.
In both social and financial respects
Miss Sally Parkhurst could afford to do
as she pleased. Her favor was thing
to be desired. Margery did need a
change; and, last of all, this often I'M
wise but always loving mother hated
to refuse her children anything.
Every we'll, she said; "but you must
not stay too long. Well have your
class-day dress made this week, and
you know how important it is that you
should be here to try it on"
"Oh, [ know it's very important"
willy Margery answered, gravely;
adding then: ~ promise will not stay
long with Cousin Sally"
According to the letter of it, she
kept her word. She only stayed over
a couple of days in the tall old west
end house which had sheltered several
generations of Parlshursts, but into
those days was crowded much comfort
and encouragement. From this old
house, on the afternoon of the third
day. trembling though hopeful
maiden, bag in hand. set out for Cam
bridge, and Miss Sally followed her in
spirit with some anxiety and much
sympathy.
Margery's scheme was to Cousin
Sally's liking; but handsome Harry,
busy with his own plans and ambi-
tions, had not the faintest premonition
that Nemesis was approaching him.
So far as his gay, ease-loving dispo-
sition would permit, those days were
anxious ones even to him. But his
spirits did not suffer thereby, and il
was with an appetite wholly unim-
paired that he walked into his board
ing house, in time for dinner ON the
evening of the day of Margery's pill
grimage to Cambridge.
There We're several things on his