Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-01-13

is called Elsie Wallace"
Mr. Charlesworth rose, and took the
little child's hand in his.
Come, child, take me to your
home" was all that he said.
1t was Elsie-pale, sallow and wan,
the ghost of her former self, her voice
interrupted by hacking cough, her
hands transparent and feverish-yet
Elsie still.
You have forgiven me, Tom? Oh
Tom, could not have died without
your words OF pardon!"
II forgaye you freely, Elsie, years
ago"
II have expiated my folly on the bit
terest altar Of repentance. Oh, Tom,
he was a fiend In human shape" she
added, shudderingly; "but now"
She mutely motioned toward the
scantlly furnished room. the dying
fire In the CRATE, and the child who
stood shivering in her rags at the foot
OF the bed.
ut IL not for myself" she faltered.
Heaven knows | have not long to
suffer, and l am well Injured to 1t;
but my poor little Margaret, what Is
to become Of herr"
Shall take her. Elsie?"
For your own?'
For my own" Tom answered,
quietly II have neither wife nor child;
and for the sake OF what you once
were to me, Elsie, will love the child,
and be kind to her."
elsie drew long sigh Of ineffable
relief, as her fevered fingers closed
on Charlesworth's palm.
II Gun die In peace now"
When tho sods had been laid on
poor Elsies coffin, Margaret came to
Mr.. Charlesworth's luxurious home,
shy, timid, shrinking child, with big,
hare-like eyes, brown skin, and a
nervous way of starting when one
spoke to her.
Margaret" said he stroklng the
pretty hair, what shall do with
you?"
II should like to go to school," she
SAID wistfully, land learn to be like
other girls. Papa always spent all the
money and mamma could never send
me-"
Well" said Mr.. CharlesWorth,
"that's n very sensible idea OF yours,
do you know, little girl? to school you
shall CO."
Three years afterwards Margaret
came back, royalty beautiful as Cleo
patra. MIR. Charesworth had sent Il
little brown girl to school, and, to his
surprise a radiant butterfly hoated
into his presence,
MY little GIRL he said, fairly con-
founded and taken by surprise, chow
lovely you nre!"
Am II" said she. demurely. Il am
80 glad"
Little vanity"
NO" said Margaret, II don't think
1t is altogether vanity; but you know
wanted you to love me-"
you are u foolish child" said Mr..
Cliarlesworth, q little sharply, "and
you've no idea Of what you are say
Ing"
Margaret wondered what she had
said to annoy her guardian, but let the
matter drop; and the weeks and
months went by, and the young girl
became the very light and sunshine OF
Toms life.
Margaret suid Mr.. Charlesworth
one evening, II have found a lsband
for you; what do you say?"
"rhat ! will take him, sir, II he Is
the right one!" laughed the girl.
Tom felt a keen, strange pang at his
heart. but he kept brave counter
ance.
We'll. 1t Is Harry Montague" he
said, striving to speak cheerfully.
Tell him no"
You tfont like him?"
mo, Mr.. Charlesworth."
but he Is young and handsome.
And the man | love is not young
and not particularly handsome.
Margaret. are you in love?'
Yes, Mr.. Charesworth," she said.
u little saucily 'and 50 are YOU"
He WINGED.
You have no right, Margaret, to
look into the sanctuary of my heart. :"
She came up to him, and, putting
both her hands on his shoulders, gazed
with half-smiling. half-tearful eyes
into his face.
But suppose, Mr. Charlesworth, l
look into my heart, and see yours en-
throned and enshadowed there?"
What do you mean, Margaret"
All. you are not so accomplished a
dissembler M you may suppose, sir"
said the girl, nodding archly. Il have
discovered that you love me. but you
are too modest to fancy, until l tell
you SO, that"
THAT what. Margaret"
Pale and eager, he listened for an
answer.
That | love you! Oh, Mr. Charles
worth, my mothers treachery blighted
your youth, let my love and affec-
ton atone in tho golden prime of
your days,"