The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-12-07
what ghost?. replied Carmen, care

bodroon, window when I was last here.
Don't YOU remember? We were both
awfu1lv frightened and ran out OF the
| room. and you called Mr.. Brown TO
chase it away. Is Mr.. Brown mere
still?" :,
seYou little goose with your ghosts,
responded Ruthven. Every leaf that
taps at the window is a DOGGY in your
imagination. Isn't she coward, MISS
Flower o.
But as he glanced round the table ne
perceived that Margaret's light words
had had more effect than he imagined.
Carmen was looking guilty, and Sir
Frederick disturbed.
"Why did / never hear of this pc
fore?" he inquired in a low tone OF MS
niece.
ooh! I don't know | thought Webb
would have told you. It was OF no con-
sequence"
'.That is not for you to decide" re-
piled Sir Frederick sternly, "and | Will
have my orders obeyed
II SO often think of it" went on
Pearl, gaiIy;; it was such horrid face,
just like a rag DOLL with long, black
hair, and Mrs. Garrett declared
.You can leave the ROOM" said Sir
Frederic, abruptly, to the servants,
whilst Carmen attempted to froWn
down her loquacious friend
margaret, be quiet" said Ruthven,
seeing something was the matter. you
have a wonderful knack of saying the
wrong thing at the wrong time, my
dear. You must try to check yourself
of it, or at least pay more attention
to the wishes of your friends You
chatter too fast for SO young a girl.
You forget that we older people may
have topics of conversation more in
teresting than this Renaissance of
yours
He spoke rapidly rather than grave
| ly because he saw the uneasiness OF
their host, and desired TO cover what
ever aWkWardness his wards allusion
had engendered; but to Margaret, whom
he had never reproved before, his words
sounded harsh, and entirely subdued
her. Sir Frederic made some lame ex-
cuse as to all old houses having their
ghost stories, and servants being easily
frightened by them; but it did not serve
to set Margaret at her ease; and she was
miserable and silent till the end of din
ner. AS soon as it was over Carmen
attacked her in the drawing-room.
whatever made you think of that
wretched old story tonight, Pearl? /
never dared tell uncle anything about
it, or he would have declared someone
had been playing us a trick. For good
ness sake never mention it before him
again, will you?"
ooh, no! you may be sure I will not,
replied Margaret, whose heart was too
sore at her guardians reproof to feel
any further curiosity on the subject.
1t was a soft autumn evening, as
warm as summer, and, filled with anx-
iety to know why Ruthven had spoken
so sternly to her, the girl took the first
opportunity to slip away to the Monks
Walk, which ran around the large lawn,
and brood alone upon the thought that
puzzled her.
Where is Margaret" was Ruthven's
opening remark Oh finding Carmen in
the drawing-room.
Il don't know; I think she went into
the garden
Let US go and find her." he replied.
His conscience had smitten him lit
tie, and, perceiving the sudden collapse
of Pearls gay spirits, he longed to give
her reassuring smile.
Carmen and he passed out upon the
lawn together, her white dress stand
ing out distinctly against the evening
shadows. Pearl watched them from her
gloomy nclosure-Watched and felt
wretched. She saw Ruthven take Car
mems hand and hold it in his own.
He was only thanking her for all the
kindness she had shown to his little
Ward-but how was his little ward to
know that? He never did the same to
her. II he took her hand for a mon1ent
he dropped it as though it had stllng
him, and Margaret never guessed it was
because he SO much longed, but did not
dare, to carry it to his lips. She thought
he must like Carmen very, very much
to behave SO kindly to her-and poor
Pearls tears flowed fast at the idea.
Ruthyen had forbidden her to speak
of earning her living to him. but if this
went on she must go away-she felt she
must-Where she should never see it
happen again
Her childish disappointment AM
Jealousy could find no better vent than
tears, SO she threw herself down on
bench and cried hitfcrlv viii -