Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-06-16

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months after that Mark learned Of the
treachery and deceit that had been
employed to urge her to that step
1t was too late then. There was
nothing to do but to endure.
BE had known for some time that
Margaret was widow and lived in the
city. he knew nothing of her poverty,
snpposing that her means were ample.
To go to her Low with story of love
had never occurred to him. She knew
nothing OF what had parted them. He
could not blacken the memory of the
man who had been her husband, the
father Of her children.
He sprang to his feet. There was no
need OF an explanation. he passed out,
pausing for final word with Mrs.
Donavap.
"Tell Mrs. Gregory the things came
from the teachers at No. 3.
.To be sure, Mr.. Davis" responded
the woman, who had recognized
Mark. "I'll tell her all bout it. And
may the blissiu's of all the saints rest
on your dear head!'
Mark hurried away, leaving shin
ing silver dollar in Royce's aand.
1t was only q few minutes after his
departure that thinly clad woman
came toillns YEARLY up the stairs. 1t
was Margaret Gregory. The woman
who owed her was out OF town. The
needy mother had applied at several
places for work, only to meet with
refusal. Then she had gone to store
and begged for credit, but in vain.
She had reached the end. There
was hut one way open. She would
ask Mrs. Donovan to give her children
their dinner. When she had rested
and conquered the bitter rebellion in
her heart she would go out again and
apply to the city for charity.
Margaret Gregory was proud. She
was already faint for the want of food.
yet she turned in loathing from the
thought OF meal obained in that way.
1t would be worse than death, but
death does not come at ones call, and
there were her babies.
A dry sob burst from her lips. She
passed Mrs. Donavan's door in silence.
She must have a moment to herself
before she could ask charity of one so
poor as her kind nelghbor. Hurrying
on, she pushed open her own door.
A bright fire was blazing in the
cracked stove. Mrs. Donaven had
prepared potatoes for the oven and
cut slices ready for frying from the
ham. The open door of the wood
closet showed huge pile, while the
tanle was heaped high with food.
For q moment she stood gazing
wildly around her. Then she dropped
on her knees, and shower Of tears re-
lieved her overweight nerves.
The next days mail brought letter
from Margaret to Mr.. Davis. The
writer had gone to Misc SMELL to thank
her. From the young teacher she had
| learned of Marks connection with the
affair.
1t was an earnest grateful letter,
blotted here and there with tear stains.
She accepted his generosity, for her
ohildren's sake she could not refuse
charity. She referred to the friend,
ship that had existed between their
parents, but Mark was glad that she
was too womanly woman to even
hint at the relation they had once
borne to each. When he finished
reading the letter, his heart was light,
for he understood that Margaret knew
of the treachery that had blotted the
sunshine ont of his life.
Mark went straight home and told
his aunt, who was also his housekeep
er, all about it. Mrs. Everts WAS knit
ting before the open coal fire. sh'
was brlght-faced old lady with sof
white hair and serene face. Whel