The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-13

/ was that brought friends about her ev-
/ erywhere she went
! The days sped on. and in March. Mar
I saret and her friend began TO think OF
! moving northward No one was surpris-
| cd when Kenneth calmly announced that
! he was tired of Rome and would, with
| their permission accompany the two la
! dies TO Florence. Established on the
I Lung Arno. the quiet life was resumed.
! run 20 overiOwing Of color and life and
beauty, the enjoyment OF pictures and
music books and flowers. Mrs Ives
/ leased no longer: such reverent. unselfsh
! devotion as Kenneths impressed her as
: something sweeter and finer than she had
| ever seen. And the Margaret of these
days was like a joyous child. unoueston-
ing. confident. serene. The three wan
, dered through the Flower City in the sun
shine thence between rOse-hedges out in
% fields carpeted with ansmones. And
there were long afternoons when two only
stroled under the bluest of skies some
times talking. oftener silent. The other
Margaret was a frequent topic Of con-
versation: end the happy- light-hearted
girl often felt vaguely grateful TO her
unknown namesake for was Il not the
resemblance between them that had heen
me means OF bringing Kenneth TO her?
The young mans perfectly candid ex-
presslons or friendship regarding his
neiehhor LEFT no doubt in MarRaret's mind
os 10 the utter absence Of sentimental
fancy IN that direction. but he often nm
consciously revealed to her the other
girls genuine affection. in telling what
she had done for him. and Of her LOYALTY
~ his house. Little belongings of his
oaintilv embroidered and marked ne
had shown MarParet with real brother
~ pride In the skill Of his small sister
as he sometimes called her. And Mar
F'rets heart ached as she wondered and
hoped. 'or while she guessed how II would
be, there was nothing she could do.
The warm weather came suddenly that
year. and before Mrs Ives could even
plan an itinerary which should carry
ihem into higher and cooler regions.
Margaret had succumbed to the lam
euorous, oppressive heat. For DAYS She
was very weak and nervous and Mrs
Ives was grave and anxious At last
one evening, she was able to be dressed
ana 10 sit for a while at the window
20 get a glimpse OF the sunset skv and
ihey began 10 talk hopefully OF get
uns to the Lakes and Switzerland within
a fortnight.
Mr. Fairbairn has bsen almost insane
Margaret" suddenly remarked the IT.
ne woman 81 think he fancied YOU at
oeaih's door. and how he glared and
slowered at me for keeping him from
hali the flowers he has brought. while
as Tor iruit-wei his donations would
nave amply sufhced for an orphan asv-
,um Fe is the most generous creature
I ever saw"
Afler little. Margaret. said 'T could
you thirk?"
Just the thing" responded Mrs. Ives.
gong 10 the bell ct will cheer You
up enc you need 10 see some one besides
S'u"d ne after all these DAVIS"
Kenneth was not long on the way and
after his GREATNESS greeting. one look
tod Margaret that she could not much
longer pui of the inevitable. , His heart
was IN his honest eyes. and Anne pitv-
ing his impatience. made some excuse
20 leave the room for a few minutes
kenneth quickly crossed 10 the girls
chair, and knelt beside her. HOLDING
10th her hands IN his. ne looked into |
the brown eyes. My ain Margaret"
was sil that he said as he took her in |
bis arms.
A long. low cliff just our into the sea |
Just north OF AirIeford. and among the |
heather. IN the lingering twilight OF a |
June evening, u girl was reading a let. |!
ter. 1t was one she had just written,