The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-05


We're here all the time. People cannot
very hands,"
Yes, but it will get known that we have
It, replied, "and-and burglars may
break in at night. 1t makes me shudder
even 10 think of such an awful possibility -
Margaret laughed more heartily than
ever.
No burglars will come while we keep
such Watchdog as Chance" she replied,
pattlng the head of a thoroughbred bull
uOg as she spoke, land also while James
is here. l think it was wise of father to
insist on your Keeping James, aunties.
But, II you are really frighteded about the
silver, 1 will keep 1t in my room while
We did not consent to this, of, course.
ana soon our conversation turned into diff
1erent channels.
Margaret made us feel quite gay. Sew
eral OF the best of the Winchford inhabi-
tants had already called on us and now
the arrival of our pretty niece seemed to
De the signal for a series of entertainments
varying from heavy dinner-party to the
lively dance
Margaret went everywhere and smiled at
everyone, and turned the heads of not a
rev. telt sorry for the young men when
l saw them surrounding her like moths
the candle. She was engaged to a cousin
VINO was at present in India and al
though she nirted somewhat outrageously
else.
Margaret" said to her one day. "whv
Gon you wear your engagement ring?
and diamonds"
Il don't wear it," she said. with shud-
Ger which rather surprised me at the
IHne, because opals are unlucky. 1 told
FRANK SO when he gave it to me, but he
had no time to change it, for he was or
dered TO india the very next day. / hate
wearing the ring"
tt IT did not know you were supersti-
About my engagement ring. I am. -.
she replied.
se But my dear girl" continued, at
some clue to your engagement"
are you alluding to the young men or
WI WIne elIL she replied. Il think they
can take care of themselves Come come
aunty" she said, with a laugh. tea is
ready. Come and take your usual place
l love to see you with that exquisite
nhItIe teapot in your dear aristocratic ola
hands. Come, auntie-I am all right ana
SO think are the Winchford young men
NOW, ! am dying for a cup of tea"
She mad her way, of course-my beautf-
Iul Laughing, proud Margaret went
with her TO the bay window, where Janer
presently Joined us, and we sat down to
enjoy our tea.
For a wonder we had no visitors that
AFTERNOON. The day was an intensely hot
one, and we sat with all the windows
VIDE open and in full view of the fer
race. People were accustomed now to us
and our silver tea service and did nor
stare quite as much as thew did at tirsr
we were less fearful, too, of evil conse-
quences arising from our imprudence. for
Janet ana l mad bought burglar proof
sate, in which we deposited the tea SER
vice every night We were quite iigh1-
hearted and cheerful, therefore and in
cIned to humor Margaret even to the
smallest particular.
forgot to say that Winchford is by the
sea side. 1t is not exactly a fashionable
watering place, but nevertheless in the
month OF August its few available lodg-
q nd fhn,-,
consequence, a constant stream of stran-
gers in town. Now our terrace was one
OF the, favorite short cuts to the beach.
and about the time each evening when
we We're drinking tea, numbers of people
would pass our dainty bay window.
was not thinking about them. and was
saw Margaret start, blush, and bend her
stately mead with a gracious, distinguish
ed sort of bow At the same moment I
saw a young man take off his hat as he
strobe quietly by. He was a very hand
some, aristocratic looking man and 7
though he bore a distinct likeness to
Margarets father, who was my favorite
who is your friend, my dear?" in
quired of the girl.
HE is a Mr. Fleming" she answered
in careless tone. ''.I met him last night
dia.' ~ III
Then you told him of your engage
''of course, I did. Aunt Martha" she
answered, somewhat GROSSLY. ''Do You
think l want to hide it?"
She jumped up as she spoke She APP
peared suddenly to have grown restless
'Heigh ho!' she exclaimed. 81 have got
an attack of the fidgets. Do you mind
II | run down to the beach, aunties? I
the Towards dinner party"
OF course she had her way l wondered
II she would meet Mr.. Fleming, and if
he would talk to her of her lover. who
was so far away. When we got to the
HoWards, one of the first people we saw
was this same good-looking, well-bred
young man. He was introduced to ia
net and me, and talked to us a little. He
did not take Margaret into dinner but by
accident or design, l saw that his place
was at her other side. They talked a good
deal during the meal, and l noticed that
Margaret's cheeks became flushed and
her eyes very bright. Mr. Fleming was
evidently managing to interest her i'm
mensely The next morning. when came
down to breakfast 1 asked James, our
old butler, if he had seen Margaret He
told me that she had just gone out and
had left a message that we were not to
wait breakfast for her. as she might
possibly be a little late.
THAT child roams about too much by
herself" 1 remarked to Janet.
Nonsense" replied my sister, who could
not bear even breath Of censure against
her favorite.
we had just seated ourselves at the
breakfast ldDl6, Wnen margaret entered
in her white cambria dress, and big brown
shady hat.
Here am" she exclaimed. land now
you'd never guess where l have been"
'sHave a cup of tea before you tell us
anything, darling" said Janet.
Where have you been?" l asked.
ITO no less a place than the railway
station" she answered. Il went up there
in order to see Mr.. Fleming off to Lon
DON"
REALLY, Margaret" I exclaimed in
tone of strong eXpostulation.
Have some of these fresh strawberries
my love" interrupted Janet frowning at
me, and pushing a dish of tempting Brit
ish Queens towards our niece.
Margaret helped herself looked full at
us both, and answered in a light, laughing
voice.
Il saw Mr.. Fleming off to town-he is
quite the most good-natured creature
ever came across, and such a friend of
dear Franks. We taxed of no one else all
last evening. Do you know, aunties, that
Frank actually gave Mr.. Fleming a com
mission to do for me?'
Indeed" l replied, "and what was
thas?"
''Yiou know how I always hated the opals
in my engagement ring. Well, Frank
wrote TO his friend, Mr.. Fleming. and
asked him TO have the Opals ia the ring
changed for sapphires. That was what
took me to the railway station this morn
Ing. + wanted to give Mr.. Fleming the