The suburban citizen., 1902-08-16

| a Suuuen smile ngnted up tne race
of the old man. He looked up quickly
at her.
"And-but have not told you the
great news-the thing that may hap.
penn he cried. ut is almost too won.
derful 70 believer
She turned round swiftly.
"Can you keep a secret, MargaretT
he asked, playfully. LAS yet, it is only
in the clouds, you know"
She forced a smile.
II think can," she said.
ION Wednesday Laurence was invit.
ed to great Minister'S reception.
And what do you think, Margaret
l went, toov' he cried, triumphantly
Lord Ashbury heard that was in
town and insisted on Laurence bring
ing me. Was it not kind of him
Everybody was introduced TO spoke
of Laurence's future. They said he
would be in the Cabinet within the
next ten years, or, possibly, even less
think Of that, my dear-the Cab
inetr'
But your news" asked Margaret,
quietly.
The old mans eyes cleaned.
ITS an open secret up there" he
whispered, that Lady Helen, Lord
Ashbury's daughter, is in love with
him-that he has only TO say the word,
and she win accept himw
He looked at Margaret to see the
effect of his announcement Appar-
emily she was perfectly unmoved. He
could not see that the hand behind
her was trembling like leaf.
"Think what a marriage like that
would mean for my boy, Margaret
he cried. Lord Ashbury, they say,
has no objection to the match. He
thinks Laurence the man of the future,
As his son-in-law he would be of the
greatest possible use in giving him his
influence. Then, again, Laurence has
only a few hundreds q year private
money. Lady Helen is very wealthy,
and could give him the position in
society he will need. 1t would be q
wonderful match, Margaret
"Wonderfulw she said, in low tone.
"With such a marriage nothing can
stop him. He might be Premier, one
day-who knowsl Premier, Mar
garetv he cried.
She opened one of the papers.
And Lady Helen-what is she like?"
she asked calmly.
The old mans face lighted up.
Tail, graceful, beautiful woman-
leader in society, q brilliant conver.
sationalist-one of the few women
who know anything about politicev'
| he exclaimed. And she is in love
with Laurence, fascinated by his per-
sonalityw
The girl turned over a leaf Of the
paper.
And what does he say?" she asked
Say! l never dared to even hint Of
it to him" he returned. But, of course,
he would never be mad enough to let
such a chance slip by! They are ad-
mirably suited to one another A
daughter of Lord Ashbury, too! 1t
would be madness-utter madnessw
"And you would wish it yourself?"
asked Margaret, in a very low voice.
wish itr' he cried. 81 desire It
above all things l am an old man,
Margaret, my dear, and Laurence and
his career are all that 1 have left! If
live to see him one of the great men
of the nation l shall be happy" he fin
ished tremulously.
The girl glanced at him for a mo.
m%nt, Then, with a sudden quick
look Of resolution she sat down at her
writing table
1T is getting near post time" she
said, in hard voice, land l have a
letter that must go. viii you excuse
me for a momentP
Dear me so later lie cried. Write.
by all means, and l will drop your let
ters in the box on my way back"
Margarets head was bent over her
letter. He could not see her face, but
she was writing vigorously. At length
she finished, read it through and ad-
| hASeseu al euNSlOpe. she SJumDeu IL
and rose from her seat. She was very
white, but he did not notice it.
Done" she said, with a smile.
He got up from his chair and took
the envelope from her hand.
She picked up three others from the
table.
Would you mind dropping these in
at the same timer" she said.
He was studying the address Of the
first letter she had just written.
IAN old friends privileger' he said,
looking up at her with an inquiring
smile. Il see this is to the doctor.
Is what We have all been rather ex-
pecting going to happen at lastT
He saw her change color. He took
a step forward and caught her hand in
his.
He is a good man, Margaret" be
said, kindly. II am glad"
A mist rose in her eyes.
THANK you" she murmured.
Il was so certain" he continued.
that l gave Laurence hint. /
thought of it just as he was seeing me
Off"