Middletown transcript., 1903-07-04

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married in the autumn.
All! CALCULATED Mrs. Percy with
a peculiar smile.
| What a wonderfully pretty gir.
Margaret has grown. She is as
easy and graceful as any of oul
| New York bellies. Let me see
she was educated in Boston, was
she not?
| Yes.
Mr.. st. John, you know, is a
southerner, and is very fastid-
ious indeed. He spoke very en-.
Enthusiastically yesterday Of my
niece's grace and beauty, as
something quite out of the nrdi-
nary way, especially so far back
in the country as this.
| Her patronizing tone rasped
her listeners irritable temper
almost beyond endurance.
Mr.. st. John has travelled very
extensively, not only throughout
the entire western continent, but
all over the world. He is really
a very charming young man,
decidedly moral-and all that,
you know, and she patted and
smoothed the ribbons of her be-
coming morning robe, with her
fat, white, jeweled fingers.
At this juncture two figures
emerged from the hall; a pretty.
stylish-looking girl, and a tall,
fine looking man with dark hair,
| eyes and mustache, and a clear,
pale face, which was interesting
rather than handsome.
Mamma, Mr.. st. John and /
are. going down to that dear,
picturesque-looking red mill, yon-
der. Do you not see it down
there among the trees? resting
a gloved hand on her mothers s
shoulder, while she pointed with
| the other in the direction of the
mill.
Very well, my pet. But do not
| linger in the hot sunshine.
Luncheon at two, remem Der,
laconically supplemented Mrs.
Percy.
Mr.. st. John gave her a keen
and rather amused glance from
his magnificent brown eyes, as
they turned away.
Butterflies! exclaimed Mar
garet from an upper window
where she watched them pass
down the hill. But she quite
well realized that a butterfly ex-
istence on such a morning must
be simply perfect, and for one
little moment she thought she
wouldn't mind trying it herself.
There was a lovely little nook
not far from the house, where
wild strawberries grew in lux.
uriant profusion, and thither
Margaret betook herself one
| sunny morning to gather enough
for luncheon. She had been
busily at work for a few minutes,
when a pleasant voice exclaimed:
| Would a little help be accept
able, Miss Percy?
She hastily pushed back the
huge calico sunbonnet which
shaded her face, and after glance
at his white hands said, smiling:
Do you want such looking
hands as these, sir? holding out
her rosy fingers for his inspec-
ton.
It will wash off, will it not?
gravely contemplating her
eyes.
o, yes, in the course of time.
1t will wear off-like everything
else, pulling her bonnet over her
face again, and busily diving with
long, slender, shapely fingers in
among the green grasses for the
glowing berries. Another pair
of hands joined in the task of
filing the pail.
You really believe that, Miss
| Percy?
Believe what!
That everything wears off.
Certainly I do. | know it.
| What would become of the mil
lionsand millions of grief-stricken
hearts, If it were not true?
You ascribe their recovery to
the healing wings Of time, then?
Time is certainly potent cur
ative.
Undoubtedly.
Silence for the space of five
seconds.
You have magnificent place
here, Miss Percy.
Yes. Reminds you of Windsor
| Castle, doesn't it? with perfect
gravity.
Mr.. St. John paused in his oc-
cupation, and pushing his broad
brimmed hat away from his eyes
! 1T n L