The record-union., 1895-03-02

good. thlnk-people would think more
of me-"
you mean Mr.. Weston would,u sug-
gested. but he wouldn't like you bet
ter, Meg"
She flushed. Meg flushed 80 rarely
that 1t meant good deal with her. Her
complexion was not her strong point
She was pale, rather sallow; but when
she met or spoke of Mr. Weston l used
to see lovely carmine come into her
cheeks-a color that nothing else ever
called up there.
Mr.. Weston is nothing to me-that is,
l am nothing to him." said Meg seri-
ously. The chrism is on his head; on
mine the dew"
II am not so sure about that" I said
rather snappishly, drawing my own con-
clusions from the fact that Meg had been
stuoylng the Portuguese sonnets. Il
don't altogether believe in your Mr..
Weston, Meg-that is-''
But had said too much already. Meg
rose with her eyes flashing.
ou needn't think that because / am
not good have no faith in goodness"
she exclaimed. "You carry your sneers
TOO lar, Jack. You would sneer at the
very Apostles and martyrs themselves ~
Apostles and martyrs! All, we'll! /
walked home with her silent and repent
ant, sorry that had hurt her, but more
sorry that she had hurt herself. 1t seemed
to me a hopeless case. | fancied that
w Weston, under all his ardor and generous
sentiment, had definite notion of max
ing his way in the church, and would
daughter, even ii Meg had been likely in
other respects to make an ideal PASTORS
wife, which she undoubtedly was not.
But Meg and l could not quarrel long.
We had only each other to talk to, and L
managed to restore her faith in my faith
in Mr.. Weston, so that evening we were
out on the rocks once more, as good
friends as ever. AS luck would have it,
we met him at the gate as we came back.
l did not see him for some time after Meg
had done, being shortsighted; but | saw
her hoist her colors, and OWNED that he
was coming. She looked particularly
lovely that night, and he gave a curious,
startled glance at her. My heart began
to beat faster; perhaps he was really in
love after all, and would give up his
dream OF bishopric for Meg's sake. AS
for her, she was unusually sweet and
gentle.
He wanted music SO she took him into
the little drawing-room and sang to him.
l 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. Meg's,
usually loud and clear enough, was
hushed tonight. 1t sounded reverent. l
fancied. AT last l heard MIR. Thirlwall
open the drawing-room door, and l went
down stairs.
"What, 10 lights ?" he was saying, in
his kind, patient voice, for, indeed, it
could only be termed twilight now by
courtesy.
Il like singing in the dusk best, father"
said Meg,
She aid the honors of the supper table
that night-tor Mr.. Weston stayed to sup
per-wlth shy grace that was new to me;
and l did not wonder that he found it
Irresistible. He looked like a man who
was letting himself drift.
He spoke little 10 Meg, however. They
had done enough talking before the lamps
were lit. He talked enthusiastically to
MIR. 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. " hat a hero the man
seemed to her; what a saint! Poor Meg g!
Poor Marcus!
After he had gone Meg wandered out
into the garden. and l followed her.
TACK" she said suddenly, and knew
she was trembling, do you think could
ever grow good-if L tried, prayed, ever
so hard? Not so good as other people,
but good for ne?n
She was so terribly in earnest-it was
strange for Meg to be so much in earnest
that l believe l was glad il was pretty
dark, so that she could not see my face,
nor hers.
II think you are good as people CO." 1
said.
That's nonsense, Jack" Meg replied,
with prompt return of the old temper
~ ou know quite well that l am worse
than other girls, and when 1 would do
good evil is present with me. And there
are girls, like Celia Doone, who never do
wrong; Iull of good works and almsgiv-
ings, and an heiress. And oh, what a
complexion ~ cried Meg, as If there the
sting came in.
'Ies," l said, sincerely enough, "but
she's not half as nice as you are, after ali.
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 question in her voice, and
l answered it rather fercely.
~ ou are thinking of particular per-
son." | said. And that person does care
Tor you, Meg, and not for Celia Doone.
All the same, | shouldn't be surprised
to hear of his being engaged to Celia one
of these tine days.
l should not have spoken so strongly,
but lately l had heard rumOrs that l fan
SICO IAA A4Ot iSdCuGu Meg , ears, anu L
wanted to put her on her guard. But she
fired again, which was certainly natural
How dare you say such things, Jack?
l won't listen to you. If he dOeS-it will
be because he loves her. II think it
would be better. only-O me-"
She turned and rau into the house. I
heard one sob as she went Still. was
glad l had spoken out. Meg wasn't a
girl to imagine things, and l knew that
matters must have gone pretty far that
night. OF course, if he meant to ask her
TO marry him, we'll and good. But I
hardly thought he did.
Things were in this position when, for
family reasons which | need not here
explain, my going TO college was slightly
postponed, and | was called home for
some months. Then l returned TO Mr..
ThirwaiPs to complete my coaching.
Meg and | had not corresponded regu-
larry. l had heard from her once or twice.
indeed, but her letters had been mere
business letters-almost curt, and not in
the least like Meg. | fancied that if she
had felt bright she would have put in a
page or two of merry nonsense, but it
was impossible TO find out till l saw her;
so l waited.
two miles from the vicarage, in the shabby
little pony carriage. My first glance at
her seemed to sanction the vague dread |
had felt. Her face had grown thinner,
and even paler, than ever; her eyes
looked very large and lustrous Ger
tainly, as soon as we got into the carriage
she began to talk in the old gay, random
way, but it hardly seemed quite natural.
What's the matter with you, Meg?"
said /. You are ever so much thinner"
My dear boy, it was the turning over
new leaves,'' said Meg. Il turned and
turned till / grew dizzy, and iairly wore
myself out; and as soon as 1 took my
| IL IL, nlI /.