Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-02-13


quite! would not marry him if he
were to ask me from now till dooms-
day."
Pm very glad to hear it, replied
Ruthven, cheerfully- L know what
Hamilton is, and that you would find /:
out one day; but I wished you to dis
cover it for yourself. He is utterly
heartless-selfish and inconsiderate.
He would have made you a very bad
husband; and you are lucky to have
got rid OF him so easily
But it was not yet time to console the
girl for her disappointment. Her tears
flowed freely whenever Hamilton's
name was mentioned, and her guardian
found it best not to allude TO the subject
at all. But he wrote his nephew letter
which the, young man never forgot nor
forgave, and which considerably
opened his eyes as to the light in
which, were he a few years older, So
ciety would view the act of which he
had made SO little.
Ruthven did not Immediately return
to town, but took up quarters at an
hotel, and devoted himself to diverting
the mind of the poor girl who had been
SO badly used. He conducted her to all
the evening entertainments in Brighton
and by day he drove her out. into the
surrounding country, SO that her youth
and natural buoyancy soon enabled her
to shake off the first effects of her
trouble.
The thought that seemed to be deep
est in Margaret's breast, and press
hardest upon her heart at this crisis,
was that of her origin. She had taken
it into her head that it was for this rea-
son alone that Hamilton had broken off
their engagement, and she shrunk viSi-
bly, at any word or action Of Ruthven's
that was called forth by that to which
she believed she had no right-her title
to being a lady. One day, after much
hesitation, she asked him if he would
let her go into the world and earn her
own living
my dear, where would you go? Not
on the stage?" exclaimed Ruthven,
who could only think of his own de-
signs for her.
"Oh, no. am not clever enough; but
as a companion-quite young ladies
sometimes have comprehension 1
think 1 should feel happier, perhaps,
and more in my proper place if 1 could
make some money to keep myself"
81 am sorry to hear you say that,
Margaret. 1 know you are not very
bright al present; but if change of scene
will do you good, you shall have as
much as you like But why do you say
you would be more in your proper place
as a companion than here?''
Because 1 have no right to be here
you forget what / am. You raised
me from my natural position, and the
first thing that came of it was harm"
You mustn't speak like that, my
dear. No one can forget what you are.
In your natural position you might not
have had the education l have been so
pleased to give you; but all who see
the advantage you have taken of it
must agree that you have made your
self a gentiewoman, whatever Fate de-
signed for you
'You are so kind to me-" muir
INJURED the girl, looking. up at him
gratefully, with her dreamy, limpid
blue eyes.
Nonsense, child. The little have
been able to do you have repaid ten
fold, and can repay still further if you
choose
Tell me how Mr.. Ruthven."
by never mentioning the idea of
your earning your own living. 1 am not
a rich man, but have made sufficient
provision for you in my will to prevent
you from ever having the necessity to
work. And nothing hurts me more
than to hear you propose it,
Margaret answered her guardians
speech by raising her innocent lips to
his.
Ruthven shrunk from the contact as
though they scorched him; but, fortu-
nateiy, the girl saw nothing amiss in
his greeting. He had not been in the
habit of kissing his beautiful protege,
having left all that to his nephew, and
now he wished he had not been quite
so reserved with her. But a demon had
sprung up between Margaret and him
self, and the time of kissing was over
for him, unless it might be continued
forever.
Come he said, confusedly, on that
occasion. "here are letters for us both
Let us see what their contents may hold
for u.s.
Margaret took hers with sigh. She
believed she could never feel any inter
est in the post again now Hamilton's