The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-03-04
MARGERY'S SECRET.

Henry Fleet, the blacksmith, had
cozy little house in Newburg, which he
called his BIRDS nest Ii with ten good
acres attached, had been in the Fleet
family for three generations. The one
son had always followed the occupa-
ton of the sire, as though they were
born to the business. Harry had n
pride in his work, and to those friends
who had larger ambition for him he
was won't to say, 81 was born black
smith I like it, and will remain one"
In his birds nest nestled his wife
Margery and his little son. They
were the Joy and light of his work
day-life.
For number of years Harry had
been very happy man, but cloud
had gathered in the sky, and at last it
moved along just over his cottage, and
there it obstinately stood. He had
stood as bail for an old friend who
was in danger of losing his liberty in
consideration of certain liabilities
Tho friend had lurched him.
Margery knew something had gone
wreng. He tried to keep the whole
trouble to himself, but the shrewd
little woman managed to ascertain his
secret trouble.
''You see, Margery, I don't mind.
can work for you and the boy we'll
enough, but the homestead, there is
no help for it that must go; and it
has been in the Fleet family ever
since it was wilderness.
Harry told her the responsibility.
Said be, "Old Squire Mitchell has
paiaIt and 1 have mortgaged the
place. He has given me several years
in which to redeem it, but he might
as well take it now; shall be no bet
ter prepared to pay it then"
Harry went to work and Margery to
Illuminating. She had always been
able to adapt means to ends, and sup
ply the means, too, if necessary, for
wise little thinking cap she was in
possession of. She spent the after
noon in endeavoring to plan method
of relief, but it crept away and she
felt tired and defeated.
= 1t was supper-time. She heard her
husbands foot strike the graveled
walk, and at the same time she was
struck with an idea. She put his sup
per on the table without word, and
instead of sitting down with him as
usual, said: "Do you mind looking
after the baby awhile? want to run
out"
A neighbor came in soon after and
asked for Mrs. Fleet.
''She has gone out n moment" he
replied.
''It must have been her / saw going
into Lawyer Knowles office moment
ago" said the neighbor.
Harry did not reply, but he did no t
like it. Young Knowles had once
been suitor of Margery's. A little
waverings at first in his attentions, for
he was shrewd young fellow, acute
in his profession, and in personal
matters looking always to the main
chance, and Margery had no. fortune
but her face. though there was ru-
NOR about the time of her marriage
that an uncle in distant part of the
country had left her property, more
or less, and her relatives there had
made it appear that she died in child
hood. and had taken possession of il
themselves. But Knowles had lost his
heart to her SO effectually before this
report that he had proposed, and had
been unhesitatingly rejected, much to
the astonishment OF himself and Harry
Fleet
Margery was an orphan, and had
been reared by Harry's kind parent,
and from continued association with
him had learned to read his big heart
30 we'll that she knew who reigned
queen in it long before he had courags
TO tell her. He really never could Sc,
Why she had preferred plain mar
like himself 70 one whom he oonsid
esed % Anishsd in worldly graoes q
ypnne KpovlsA 10 Harry did no