The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-10


scanned the water, for he was expect
Ing the coming of the woman he wish
ed to make his wife. The little brown
green waves, glittering under the sum-
iner sun, surged against tho boat with
quick, enlivcning impulses giving to
1t the nervousness of lover. From
the shore, bright with many colors of
seaside homes imprinted against a
background of green pines. started a
rowboat bearing a woman and a young
girl.
Seeing them Stewart breathcd a sigh
Of relief. She was coming
Murray Stewart was % years Of age
When 90 he had started to lind out the
real meaning of existence by dissipat-
ing. His search continued for three
years, and after that he was zero for
Il short time. with 10 hopes, faiths,
ambitions or loves: not even a desire
for more rioting. Too poor in pocket
and pluck for business ambitions he
simply drifted.
Then Margaret Hemming reused him.
very beautiful very rich, very kind to
him, she gave him impulses that made
him think himself a new and better
man. Being older than he, she had the
faulty to think love between them
entirely out of the question, and she
had put herself close to him with the
unselfsh aims of q good woman anXi-
Gus to assist a brother. After two
years, however, her heart gave her
clear intellect it's life worry; it beat
too fondly when near the man. Heart
and head fought for the mastery of
her.
The rowboat. with the girl at the
oars and Margaret seated in the stern,
moved slowly towards the yacht.
ut Is hard work" said Margaret. 81
wish l could help you, but you know
| cannot row"
Yes ma am. Thank YOU" said the
young girl. She was a mite, but her
brave little muscles earned bread and
butter for herself and her sickly moth
or. al the summer visitors at Mana
han sought Mary Skely when they
wished an outing on the water She
rented boats, she rowed them if re-
quired she sold shells and trnkets, she
attended to bathing costumes. and, af-
ter hard days work she coddled a
whining mother. Margaret knew of
this hard struggle FOR a livelihood, and
was the little girls devoted friend.
Are you going to take a sail with
MIR. Stewart" inquired Mary. as she
rested a moment.
II think l will. lie is going to leave
here tomorrow, and we wish to have
farewell trip together.
Il wouldn't go far with him if / was
you. He can't sail "a boat"
'Oh, yes he can. Mary. | have often
seen him out alone"
II don't like a man who can't swim.
S'pose you'd upset."
Mr.. Stewart can swim a little. |
know because | have seen him practice
when in bathing. But / must say that
he is not at all expert at the art. We
will not upset"
You done know. Poor dad used Ia
say that a man on the water who can't
swim is like a soldier with no powder;
a poor man to have around when it
comes to finish Why l could swim
as soon as / could walk Maybe SOON
err"
You are a paragon, Mary my dear"
What's that?'
"A downright, regular, good and true
blue little craft, Mary, good and re-
liable to sail with"
"O-h--h, Miss Hemming; That's nice
in you"
How is mother today?"
Poorly. She can't walk. | am afraid
III never get married"
Married? Why, Mary! What put that
into your 14-year-old head?"
"Oh, dear, sometimes l feel so tired
and do so want to rest. If l was mar
ried I'd have no more work to do. But
who'd mind mother? Nobody would
marry me and mother"
Mary's sigh was pathetic and lu-
dicrous. Margaret HemminG. extreme
ly rich in her own right, felt a shame
In its possession while this YOungstel
iabored so.
Mary, will you let me give YOU a
little money!"
"Oh, Miss Hemming; I'm no beggar."
mo. dear child, you are a noble
worker But if you would take some
thing from my big stock, I've oceans of
II, you would not have to work so hard
And your Door mother could have lots
of things she is in need of. Just think
it over. You could go to school"
Il can't: l can't. Don't speak OF il
again, please. My dad out there under
the water would spOok me. He was dead
set in his ways. And I'm like him"
Boat ahoy!"
They were near the sailboat and Il
was Stewards voice they heard. Mary
soon managed to row alongside and
Margaret Hemming stepped into the
larger boat.
Goodbye. Mary"
Good luck to you, Miss Hemming." "
Stewart hoisted his sail and, smooth
ly pushed by gentle breeze they soon
left the vigorously rowing little girl
Tar astern.
1T is beautiful day, Margaret"
''Yes. Murray"
ut is the last day of my very happy
vacation"
IT am so sorry. You know that"
II hope to make IL the happiest day
of my life.-I-I cannot make a good
preface, Margaret. but / love you;
want TO tell you so. love you. l want
you to be my wife. VIII you, dear?"
The mans words were terse and
stirred Margaret's heart. A host OF
emotions, a multitude OF divergent
thoughts tossed her about in a sea OF
contention. He spoke like man. Mar,
garet almost thought him a strong one
at the time.
You know / am poor, so poor thai
l could not buy your flowers tor you
let alone anything else. have never
had fair chance TO make money. L
you marry me my friends win call mC
fortune hunter. They will be right
/ am seeking the greatest fortune tina
any man on this earth can get. | sC2'
your love. Can you-will you give /
to me?"
The man was winning. Margare
felt an almost irresistible impulse e
loose her deep love from its leash. WITT