The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1895-11-22
CHAPTER IV.-fCoNrIyuEp.I


the extra charge OF Peg o'Rellly during
the holidays. when her hands are full
enough already with keeping Hamilton
out OF mischief" he had argued with
himself. and Mrs. Garrett cordially sec;
onded the Idea.
She didn't want no gals and boys
romping together UP and down the
staircase, and had enough to do teach
Ing the new gal her duties. without
keeping an eye over them, and SO she
hoped Mr.. James would keep to his
resolution. and let Margaret remain at
Blackheath till she was Of reasonable
age to put out In the world"
Master Hamilton complained loudly
OF the arrangement, and declared 1t was
"a jolly shame:" but as the two or three
letters he had written to Peg, when she
first went to school. had been felonious-
ly kidnapped by the hous4seeper and
placed on the kitchen ire, he concluded
she was an ungrateful little wretch,
who had forgotten all about him. and
therefore directed his attention to some
thing else. Carmen Flower condoled
sincerely with Margarets disappoint-
ment: but she was too new friend to
propose taking her home with her to
Abbotsvillc. SO the girls parted, full of
protestations of constancy that should
last forever.
The summer and winter passed, and
with the exception OF Mrs. CARROTS
visits and an occasional letter from
Ruthven, inclosing money. Peg heard
nothing of the inmates OF the little
house In KensIngton. She had been
there SO short time that the remem-
brance OF 1t was fast fading from her
childish memory. The first home she
had ever known was with the Misses
Prism. and she would have been quite
satisfied to be told she should never
have another. She was quick and intel
ligent enough to take real Interest In
her studies, and Carmen Flower sup
piled all she needed In the way OF al
lection. when the second midsummer
vacation arrived. Margaret OReilly
had developed Into one Of the faircst
specimens OF girlhood possible. She
was now in her fifteenth year, slight
and graceful ms fawn. and with face
of uncommon beauty. Mrs Garrett had
inadvertently let out SO much OF the
wonderful change in her appearance
that Ruthven had become curious to
sec her again, and was quite dlsnppoint-
ed when he received polite letter from
Sir Frederic Flower. to say that, as their
wards appeared TO have become much
attached to one another. he trusted Mr..
Ru,hven would permit Miss O'Rellly
to spend the ensuing holidays with Miss
/ Flower, at Abbotsvllle. For moment
Ruthven. 10 Mrs. CARROTS horror, was
inclined TO send an answer In the mega
| tive; but the housekeeper overrulel
him. III you want Miss Margaret "a
behave like lady, Mr.. James. why. my
advice Is. send her amongst the ladies';
but Of course. you can do MS you choose.
Only. what good she'll get sitting down
in the kitchen with me and Mary Is
past my saying. and you would hardly
think OF putting her up In the fine par
lor along OF Master Hamilton. with M
one to look after them. ! suppose?"
That was the difficulty. Master
Hamilton. now eighteen years old. had
arrived at the age when his uncle was
already beginning to feel his presence
/ In the house nm Incubus. lie intorfered
with his bachelor liberty and gave him
no domestic comfort In return: and
| Ruthyen often found himself looking
forward with anxiety to the time when
the young man should be fairly
launched upon the world. and leave him
in his pristine condition. And to bring
this girl home would only Increase hi
discomfort and responsibility. So, OH
reflection. he agreed with Garrett, that
until she was old enough to be placed
under the care OF Mrs. Delamaine,it was
much better PEG should remain at
school, Still. as they had taken n fan.
cy to her, he supposed there could be
no harm In her visiting tho Flowers
and therefore he penned cautious
epistlo TO Sir Frederic. saying he was
flattered by the notice extended to Miss
oReilly. and that as far as he was con.
cerned. he should be very pleased for
her TO accept the invitation to Abbots.
willie.