The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-10

aDly, WIFI many illtle HouS VI hei
blond head.
"You see," says Sir John. eagerly,
sugar will do. Get on. Bonner; bring
the sugar bowl-the big one. Hurry
up, can't your"
"Lumps o. sugar for good gal and
cakies," says Margie, solemnly. 1t
sounds like a lesson.
"And--oh yes, cake, Bonner! Good
| heavens! Fancy our forgetting cake"
says Sir John.
Bonner, at the end of his tether, con-
| descends to whisper: Cant be sure of
cake, Captain"
"Oh, confound it,there must be cake"
| cries Sir John, Indignantly. And
| with open Joy. there is, too-I'd some
last night. You remember, Bonner
splendid plum cake. Bring some of
| that"
Hin" says Bonner, with another
| cough. That plum cake now defuncD
had indeed been splendid. bad for
the stomach, captain. Make her feel
queer in the morning. Sponge cakes
the thing for young missy; l never
| eat any other. Mrs. Jones has a little
| downstairs that left last night"
Very good of you" says Sir John,
with a grin. Then-"How the deuce
do you know all about the youngsters
so well, Bonner and you a bachelor"
"Nephews and nieces. Captain" says
| Bonner. six of 'em. Been through a
| lot with 'em."
Bring the ghastly remains of your
sponge cake at once, and a whole bowl
full of sugar" says Sir John.
Miss Margie, now upon his knee, mods
| condescending appreciation of this or
der, and at once embarks, with her new
friend, on long and exhausting con-
versation. 1t lasts we'll unto Bonner's 5
return and we'll into a most substan-
tlal slice of the sponge cake, which is
| by no means so dilapidated as might
| have been expected.
| 1t might have lasted considerably
| longer but for a most unexpected inter-
| ruption.. First, there is a little rustic
on the grass below, then the sound of
| a light footstep, and now another sound
"a voice, clear soft, breathless!
"Oh, Margery! Margery! How wick
ed of you!''
Sir John is so startled that he puts
| Margie promptly on the ground and
rises to see the owner of this wonder
full voice.
She is just emerging from the grove
of mYrtles and rhododendrons on his
left, her face uplifte6 to where he is
standing with the child beside him.
Such lovely face; Sir John forget.
full of all decent behavior for once ir
his life, stares at her with ever-increas.
ing wonder and delight, until a slight
flush rising to the broad, low brow
brings him to his senses. He hurrie!
TO meet her, his heart throbbing
Who on earth is she? This tall, slen
der, graceful Girl. The Raynhams, hi
knows, have large house party at the
Towers just now. She must belong t
it. That she is Miss Margies sister i.
beyond question, the likeness between
the two faces being very marked in
deed. She had missed the little one
no doubt, and had been directed here
Her beautiful face, as she lokIed up
moment ago. had been a picture of pas
fear and present relief. Such an ex
quisite blending.
Pm afraid" he begins, as they draw
near to each other, that you have beer
suffering some anxiety about this littl
lady," pulling MarGie forward, VIII
is swinging on 10 his hand in the mos
|
mysteries to herself in her baby fash
ion.
"Oh, havev" The pretty hands clas,
each other. "But now | have found he
safe, and it is you, sir, must thank 70
it-Dut-"
Her breath stops for a moment. the,
it comes again, and with it. an out
burst-the gentle outburst of wrath
directed against the singing culprlt il
the rear:
"Oh, Margie How naughty of you
Use not naughty" declares the de
linquent, promptly and without tn
smallest shadow Of remorse. She seems
indeed, to regard herself as the injure,
one. Use your gal" Here she turn
to Blount, and looks up in his face, wit
all the air of a fellow conspiratoi
'Tum along. We'se have more lump
o sugar an more cakes" Bloun
takes her up in his arms at once.
"Oh, 10 Marg:e," says the tall girl Il
the white gown, with a rather broke
little laugh. do you know" turnin
TO Sir John, "she has Deen two hour
missing-twO whole hours"
She breaks off. Sir John regards he
anXiously. A girl of her age to be S
, greatly affected by the absence of lit
tie sister for even two whole hours
What a stress she laid on the two On
would think it was a good twenty-fou
a whole day. What sweetness! Wha
tenderness it shows! If she could Low
a little sister like that, could she no
love "a
"A long time" says he, "to miss sue
a fascinating person" He bows grave
ly to Miss Margie, who chuclIles meI
rily. But you must be unhappy n
longer, and perhaps you will permit m
TO give you "A cup of tea before"
He hesitates, viii there be tea? Ca
there be tea in this early period of hi
household? All doubts ara dissolved b
the arrival of Bonner on the veranda, a
the moment, with a trap. Really Bon
ner is wonderful! How the deuce di
he know?
You will take a cup of tea" says h,
now very cordially. II am afraid yo
have had a long walk, and"
mot so very far. And I'm afraid W
cannot stay, thank you"
"Gimmie cake" says Margie, putin
up a hand TO Sir Johns cheek-she
in his arms-and drawing his face dow
to hers.
This is not being good Margie," say
the tall lady in white, very gravel!
Say goodby at once to this kind ger
tleman, and come with me. You sha
have cake at home"
"Margie wants cakes here" pouting.
| LET f1anU