The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-03-17
sne tells the old servant that she

annie Brown" she says, and then
she hesitates little, remembering
the widows cap in her Grape bonnet
MRS. Annie Brown" she adds, and
the servant leads her across the hall
into the library.
Left alone, Margaret draws heavy
breath as she glances around her. 1t
is nine. long years since she was in
this library last-since the ball when
John Marston had asked her here
under his mothers roof, in this same
library, to be his wife; and she had
been piqued and angry with him for
some trifle, and she kad scorned and
flouted him, and the next day he had
gone abroad. Then her fathers fail
ure had come upon him with sud.
den crash, and in a little while the
Testers were lost to all their circle OF
acquaintances-so lost that this was
the first time Margaret had crossed
the old familiar threshold.
A portrait catches her glance
across the room, and she rises softly
to look at it.
1t is John Marston. Older than she
knew him, nine lon years ago; and
yet, she says to herself, those years
than with her, if this is like him
now; and as she thinks this, there
comes a step behind her, muffied in
the heavy velvet carpet, and with a
hurried start she turns and faces
him.
Has he stood for full five minutes
in the open doorway watching her
before he approached? Has he seen
the clear-cut profile turned to him
which he once knew SO well?
If he has, she does not read any
thing of all this in his face, as she
turns slowly round to him.
She is handing him his advertise
ment, which she has clipped out OF
the newspaper. 1t can speak for her
as we'll as words, after her little bow,
and then she adds
II have come at once, sir, hoping
I may answer for the place. I have
sore need of it.
these are your initials, Mrs
Brown, the servant told me. What
does the A stand for?"
"Anne."
He looked at her quickly. But she
is not looking at him; and presently
he asks her quietly to take seat.
"You are in need of the place al
cnce?" he says, gently, breaking the
pause.
Sore need, sir. I've two little girls
dependent on me. Not that I'd be
wanting to bring them here" she
added.
1.-TWO little girls!" he repeats, and
his voice sounds hard and harsh.
1.-TWO little girls! How old are they?'
"They are eight years old. sir.
They are twin..'
If she could have seen his face,
and the strange flash that spread like
glad light over it! But she did not
see, until he came back quietly, and
drew a chair for himself in front Of
her. And then he says, somewhat
abruptly and unfeelingly, it might
seem:
"You are a widow, ars. Brown"
Strangely enough, the sudden
twitch round Mrs. Browns delicate
mouth reminded one more Of laugh
ter than of tears. She answers him
to the point certainly, yet not with
a simple yes. She says:
II have no husband, sir"
"Well, then, I think, Mrs. Anne
Brown, that you may suit my place
if my place will suit-you. First, then
you must know something about it.
In the first place. If you accept my
offer, do not propose to pay you any
wages"
''Not-pay-me-any-wages!" she
gasps.
'In the second place, / must ex
plain that this advertisement here
does not set forth my want alto
gether clearly. / want house
keeper, it is true; but want to en-
gage her as my wife, not as a ser
want"
It is said very quietly and coolly-
much as he might, II he chose, nave
advertised for a wife in that same
newspaper.
But Mrs. Anne Brown is not cool;
she is not quiet. She has started to
her feet, her face in one bright. angry
glow.
"You had better advertise again,
and this time for wife. For me-
Mr.. Marston, I will hire my strength,
my life, to the last drop of blood that
is in me; but not my love-not even
for the children's bread!"
Her voice breaks there, but she
keeps back the sobs.
He catches her hands in one of his,
while with the other he deity draws
away the spectacles. And when she
looks up, in tremble of indignation,
she meets his earnest, honest eyes,
with something in them that she un
derstands as well as his words.
"Madge, Madge! you thought you
could deceive me with a pair of spec