The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-08
CHAPTER xxvnl tcontinued.)

There was no longer any room for mis- understanding. Margarets father, weak as he was, had been strong enough to provide his daughter with remedy for the only serious trouble short of bereave- ment, that his daughter was ever to know She refused to return to the parlor, where he awaited her.
 Shall I go?" said Neghbor Tomlin.
 "If you please, sir said Margaret, with faint smile. She could hardly realize the change that had so suddenly taken place in her hopes and her plans, so swift and unexpected had It been.
 Neighbor Tomlin went into the parlor, and made Bridalbin acquainted with the facts.
 Margaret has changed her mind,' said Neighbor Tomlin. "she thinks 1t is best to remain under the care and protection of those whom she knows better than she knows her father"
 Why, she seemed eager to go mo- ment ago." said Bridalbin, "and you must remember that she is my daughter"
 "Her friends couldn't forget that under all the circumstances" Nelghbor Tomlin remarked drily.
 q believe her mind has been poisoned against me-" Bridalbin declared.
 That is quite possible" replied Neigh bor Tomlin, "and 1 think you could cas- fly guess the name of the polsoner."
 May l see my daughter?'
 That rests entirely with her. said Neighbor omlin. But Margaret refused t,f Qa had been so completely swept away, her memory reverted to all the troubles her mother had to endure as the result of Bridalbn's lack of fixed principles, and she sent him word that she would prefer not to see him then or ever afterward; |; and so the man went away, more bent on doing mischief than ever, though he was compelled to change his field of opera tons
 And then, after he was gone, silence fell on the company. Nan appeared to be in a dazed condition, while Miss Fanny sat looking out of the window. Margaret, very much subdued, was clingng to Nan, and Neghbor Tomln was pacing up and down in the library in glow of happi- nrss. All his early dreams had come back to him. and they were true. The romance of his youth had been changed into real ity.
 Margaret was the first to break the silence. She left Nan and went slowly to Miss Fanny, and stood by her chair What do you think of meY' she said in a low voice.
 For answer Miss Fanny rose and placed her arms around the girl, and he,d her tightly for a moment, and thN kissed her.
 ''But I do think, my dear,' sdr said with an effort to laugh, that the matter might have been arranged without fright ening us to death."
 q had no thought of frightening you. Oh. am afraid l had no thought for any thing but my own troubles. Did you know? Did you guess?'
 "I knew about Pulaski but I had to go away from home to learn the news about you Madame Awtry called my attention to it, and then with my eyes open, could see great many things that were not visible before"
 Why, how could she know?" cried Margaret 'I have talked with her not more than half dozen times" o
 "She is a very wise woman" Miss Fan ny remarked. by way of explanation.
 Well, when I get in love, I'll not visit Madame Awtry," said Nan.
 My dear, you have been there once too often" Miss Fanny declared.
 Why, what has she been telling you?" inquired Nan. blushlng very red.
 "Tll not disclose your secrets, Man." answered Miss Fanny.
 q would thank you kindly If had any" said Nan. 4
 And then, suddenly, while Margaret was standing with her arms around Miss Fan n.y. she began to blush and show signs of embarrassment.
 Nan" she said. will you take a boarder for-for-for I don't know how long?"
 Not for long. Nan. Say a couple of weeks" It was Neighbor Tomin who spoke as he came out of the library.
 "Oh, for longer than that" protested Margaret
 You must remember that am getting old, child" he said very solemnly
 ''So am I. sir" she said a~chly. T am quite as old as you are, I think
 This is the first quarrel Nan de- clared "and who knows how it will all end? You are to come and stay as lcng as you please and then after that as long as l please"
 "I declare, Nan. you talk like an old woman" exclaimed Miss Fannie; where upon Nan laughed and said she had to be serious sometimes.
 And so it was arranged that Margaret was to stay with Nan TOT an lndennite period. "I hope you will come to see me occasionally. MT. Tomlin. and you, too, Aunt Fanny" she said with mock form ality. We shall have days for receiving company, just as the fine ladies do In the cities and you'll have to send In your cards'
 The two young women refused to go in the carriage.
 "It is so small and stuffy," said Mar garet to Neighbor Tomlin, and today I want to be in the fresh air. If you please sir don't look a. me like that or can never go." She went close to him. "Oh, Is 1t all true? Is 1t really and truly true. or Is 1t dream?'
 Tt is true" he said. kissing her. "It is a dream, but it is my dream come true"
 q didn't think,' she said, as she went along with Nan, that the world was as beautiful as 1t seems to be today"
 MT. Sanders says" replied Nan. that it is the most comfortable world that he has ever found; but somehow-wel you know we can't all be happy the same way at the same time"
 CHAPTER xxx.