Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-09-28
MARGUERITE.

S"Nie9 dhu were partners 10
lucrative mercantile business in New
York. Tom was a good sort OF fell
low, a little eccentric, perhaps, but up
on the whole frank, congenial warm.
hearted friend. lie was wealthy, and
beside his house ia the city, he had a
villa at Long Branch, and small
summer residence in the Adirondacks;
but this time we had come TO little
out-oi-the-way fishing village on the
Penobscot 70 spend the summer, /
think from the fact Tom hadgot tired
Of being angled for hy mammas who
had manageable daughters.
Tom was great iavorite with the
fair sex. That is one thing ! never
understood about him. While he was
most attentive 10 their most trivial
wants, he frankly declared himself
perfectly indifferent TO their subtle
charms. But il was his way, and /
thought nothing Of il.
People seemed to come here mostly,
70 build up their systems, instead Of
reducing them, and enjoy a few weeks
Of rest. And yet. here were those
who came 20 kill time, or because GER
tain Of their sci were there; aud so il
usually turned out that there was a
fair display 81 beauty, fashion and
iolly-enough 20 attract the admira.
tion Of the observant villagers, the
feminine portion Of which took bird
eye view from all the chamber win
doWs 81 the quaint houses, az ~ close
proximity as possible TO the world
gone mad.
For me, ! WAS too much taken up
with my sketches 10 take part in any
Of the doings which took place at the
hotel, and was a quiet observer Of all
that passed. II was an out-oi.the-
way place, aud the only possible IN
dncemrtt for people TO come here WIS
the vast amount Of pleasure they
could have Oh oi a little money 4
pleasant country, dotted around by
brown old homcsteads and orchards
OF delicious fruit; there was but little
opportunity for amusement here, ex-
eept the plea sant walk that nature
had furnished
There were here AZ this time about
100 visitors stopping at the hotel in
quest 81 rest and health We met in
the upper saloon. on the veranda, in
the pleasant walks. and on the sea
shore. aud very motley crowd We
made 10 our place and another
One evening I came IN later than
usual The dining room WAS deserted.
save by lady who sat opposite my
usual place az the table ! WAS out Of
humor. for had not succeeded IN get
ting the right shade TO my picture
that day. aud did not pay any at
tention 10 ms now neighbor. until she
asked me to pass the butter, when ]
looked ~ and behcld the most beau
ti}ul face had ever seen. She was
VERY iair--her small head, the cluster
iDg hair. the youthful eyes. gave 70
her an almost childish look, whom
Aidososus had sent up 70 seek for
life and light.
Beg pardon" stammered, did
you spcakl
"Yes. was the simple reply, I'll have
spoken to you twice, but you We're ey-
identity very much preoccupied, for
You did not hear me.
And she gave low sweet laugh that
sounded very pleasant to my ears.
The ice once broken, we talked
about things IN general, and before
supper was over | learned that she
came with an invalid lady, as com.
panion. and they We're there for the
season.
There was something about her so
simple and childlike, yet SO brave and
womanly. | inwardly made up my
mind she should find friend and
protector in me; for, Judging from hef
conversation, she was poor and had
hard struggle to get alongin the world
think she must have read my
thoughts. Tor when we passed out oil
the supper room, she held out her
hand ana said. "Thankyou; lam very
much in need of friend like you.
Call me Marguerite, for like Il best.
woiid have asked her more
about herself but there was some
thing IN her voice that forbid any such
"Elwood. old boy" said Tom that
night as we sat on the veranda smok-
ing. "tell me about her.
6WhoYH | asked. taking down my
feet from of herailing and lookingat
him with surprise. -,
nNow don't feign innocence, old lei
low. he replied, with the utmost non
chaiance imaginable; "shs is wondrous-
" beautiful i. .,.,o
His praise Of Marguerite nettled me
there was an under currant OF sar-
oasm in his voice which did not like;
Inf / told him all had learned OF her,
and ended by advising him not to fall
"Never fear; there is no danger, he
replied with q shrug. "1ou shy sheis
very poor" ...1,,
"Yes. | replied, depending entirely
upon her own exertions for her living,
"Then you may have her, was the
beartless reply, and Tom pulled hard
NJ his Havana, while fell to thinking
~ marguerite. was provoked az
-. ii Z 10 mora so because he was