The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-29

the sugar bowl-the big one. Hurry
up. can't you?"
"Lumps o. sugar for good gal and
calies," says Margie, solemnly. IL
sounds like n 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 il, there must be cake"
cries Sir John, Indignantly. And
with open joy, there is, too--Td some
last night. You remember, Bonner
a splendid plum cake. Bring some Of
that"
Him." says Bonner, with another
cough. That plum cake (now defunct)
had indeed been splendid. "Bad for
the stomach, captain. Make her feel
queer in the morning. Sponge cakes
the thing for young missy; never
eat any other. Mrs. Jones has 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 bachelor"
"Nephews and nieces, Captain" says
Bonner. "Six of 'em. Been through
lot with 'em."
bring the CHASTITY 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 embarlls, with her new
friend. on long and exhausting con-
versation. 1t lasts well into Bonner's
return and well into a most substan-
tial 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 uplifted to where he is
standing with the child beside him.
Such lovely face! Sir John, forget
full of all decent behavior for once in
his life, stares at her with ever-increas-
ing wonder and delight, until slight
flush rising to the broad, low brow
brings him to his senses. He hurries
to meet her, his heart throbbing!
Who on earth is she? This tall, slen-
der, graceful girl. The Raynhams, he,
knows, have large house-party at the
Towers just now. She must belong to
it. That she is Miss Margic's sister is
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 looked up q
moment ago, had been q picture of past
fear and present relief. Such an ex-
luisite blending.
I'm afraid" he begins, as they draw
near to each other, that you have been
suffering some anxiety about this little
lady," pulling Margie forward, who
il swinging on 10 his hand in the most
light hearted manner, humming untold
mysteries to herself in her baby fash
ion.
"Oh, have!" The pretty hands clasp
each other. "But now have found her
safe. and it is you, sir, 1 must thank for
it-but--"
Her breath stops for moment, then
IL comes again, and with it, an out
burst--the gentlest outburst of wrath,
directed against the singing culprit in
| the rear:
"Oh, Margiel How naughty of YOU"
"rse not naughty" declares the de-
linquent, promptly and without the
smallest shadow of remorse. She seems,
indeed. 20 regard herself as the injured
one. "rsc your gall" Here she turns
TO Blount, and, looks up in his face, with
all the air of n fellow conspirator.
''Tum along. We'se have more Jumps o.
sugar an more cakies." Blount takes
her up in his arms at once.
"Ch. no, Margie," says the tall girl in
the white gown, with a rather broken
| title laugh. "Do you know" turning
to Sir John, ''she has been two hours
missing-two whole hours"
She breaks off. Sir John regards her
,nxiously. a girl of her age to be so
greatly affected by the absence of lit
| lie sister for even two whole hoursl
What n stress she laid on the two! One
| would think IL was good twenty. four
a whole day. What sweetness! What
tenderness IL showsl IL she could love
4 little sister like that, could she not
love a
~ long time" says he, "to miss such
4 fascinating person" He bows gravely
10 Miss Margic. who chuckles merrily
'But you must be unhappy no longer,
md perhaps you will permit me TO give
you u cup OF tea before"
lie hcsitates. VIII there be tea? Can
- 4. Z 4I.t. f.sI - n. il