The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1896-01-03

love-"
"Bless my soul! Miss Margaret. what
are you talking about?"
rive had letter from Hamilton,
and he says-he says-that 1t was all
a mistake-and we shall never be hap
by together-and that we'd better break
1t of, because 1t never was proper
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS poor
Margaret's sobs nearly choked her ut
terance-"he's seen somebody he likes
better than he does me-"
well. II Mr.. Hamilton writes that to
you." exclaimed Mrs. Garrett. deter
minedly, "all say is, that he's scoun-
drel and blackguard. and I'd like to
have the flaying Of him alive. oeep
some one he likes better. indeed! some
stumpy French gal. suppose, like
Mrs. Filters maid-all eyes and cap
and ear-rings-a stuck-up, impudent
creature, as can't speak Christian Ian
guage. But 1t can't be true. Miss Mar
garet: 1t can't be true!"
Read for yourself, Garrett" said
the girl. pushing the letter toward her.
It was all rs true as Gospel.
Hamilton wrote to her in the same
pretentious. high-handed way in which
he spoke. His letter might have come
from man of fifty, in Its narrow-mind-
ed. self-excusing acumen.
He reminded the girl that his uncle
had disapproved Of their engagement
for several reasons. and rs he was
anxious to embrace every opportunity
of furthering the wishes Of the person
to whom he owed every thing in the
world (this last sentence was especial
ly for Mr.. Ruthven's benefit. he con-
sidered 1t most honorable and best to
let her know his change Of sentiment at
once; but he trusted they should al
ways continue friends. and that what
had passed would make no difference
to their intimacy. In short. he wrote
like the young scoundrel Mrs. Garrett
had called him; and the housek.eper
was still celebrating In what words
she should transmit the intelligence to
her master. when Ruthven unexpected
ly walked into their apartments.
He also had had letter from his
nephew on the subject. which though
not more than he expected, had thor
oughly disguised him.
Now, what am to do for you. Mar
garrett" he said. when the ice had been
broken between them. Shall compel
the hound to keep his word? l can do it
II you choose. He is completely de-
pendent on me, and have him in my
power"
Compel him to keep his word!" re-
peated the girl: but. Mr.. Ruthven. he
has already broken It,"
II mean. shall compel him to marry
your"
A deep crimson blush spread itself all
over her neck and face. even up to the
parting OF her hair-and her eyes filled
with tears OF shame.
"Oh! how can you ask me such ques-
ton? Do you think ! would marry him
now-after he has sent me this letter."
You are quite determined not to
have anything to say to him, them"
Quite, would not marry him II he
were to ask me from now till dooms-
day."
I'm very glad to hear It," replied
Ruthvcn, cheerfully. II know what
II milton is. and that you would find Il
out one day; but l wished you to dis
cover 1t for yourself He is utterly
he,rtless-selflsh and inconsiderate.
He would have made you n very bad
husband: and you are lucky to have
got rid of him so easily"
But 1t 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 II 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 n few years older, So
eiety would view the act OF which he
had made so little.
Ruthven did not Immediately return
to town. but took up quarters at nm
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 buoynpcy soon enabled her
TO shake of the FRS, effects OF her
trouble.
The thought that seemed to be deep
est In Margarct's breast. and press
hardest upon her heart ut this crisis,
was that of her origin She had taken