The San Francisco call., 1905-02-16
MISCONSTRUED 3
BIZ CHARLES II. CHAyMBERLZN

as MS private secretary. For five years
ne and Margaret (Clearwater's only
chlid) had been very good chums.
ohe always levied her tribute of candy
on him whenever he appeared at her
house and usually managed to accom-
pany MIN on his drives when over
ests.
Then he had started his own busi-
ness, she had gone away to school and
they had not met until her home
coming, for her fathers funeral, short
ly after which she and her mother had
sailed for Europe. AS Carroll review
ed his life for the past ten years he
acknowledged to himself that he could
not tell just when 1t was that he had
fallen in love with Margaret. Certain
1t was, she had never discovered his
aHectlon, much less reciproated it.
he mad let her go to Europe without
making any sign, thinking that there
would be plenty of time after her re-
turn. And now she was returning
practically engaged to another man.
and the castles he had been building
for the past two years had suddenly
SuiiiOiSO MS ears.
1t flashed upon him that her ship
was due in a couple of days and that
1t devolved upon him to look up this
young Richards in the meantime.
Saturday found Carroll at the pier.
Emerging from the rush of passengers
Mrs. Clearwater greeted him with the
warmth and affection of a mother.
Margaret offered her hand in formal
way and turned to bid adieu to ac-
qua1ntances of the voyage. Customs Of
fc1als dispensed with, Carroll saw the
mother and daughter safely ensconced
In a cab and left them, to rejoin Mrs.
Clearwater at their hotel after dinner.
well, john" Mrs. Clearwater said as
he entered the room that night, I've
sent Margaret off to her room so we
can have talk alone. You can see her
later. but 1 must retire early and sleep
off the rolling of the ship. First, want
to know what you learned about young
Richards. He's all right socially, but
I'm not perfectly sure he's not after
Margaret's money"
I've made inquiries among my
friends" replied Carroll in a dry voice,
ably more than double Margaret's in
heritance.'
Mrs. Clearwater smiled.
Truthfully, John, l don't believe the
girl really loves him, though when 1
try to talk her out of her determina-
tion to give him a final answer In two
months she insists she will accept him.
The Idea that you were to be consulted
made her furious"
II feel she is wholly right about 1T.
Mrs. Clearwater interrupted Carroll.
She knows she is responsible to you
alone, and I am sure that whatever
might say would not only fail to con-
vince but would sacrifice her friend
ship, thing which 1 am very anxious
to retain
Margaret's entrance cut short further
conversation. Mrs. Clearwater excused
herself, and Carroll found himself alone
with the girl.
Margaret, your mother has asked
me to perform a very difficult task"
he began, but"
She looked up at him and there was
steel in her eyes.
I have declined her request Instead,
must tell you what has been in my
heart for a long time. I love you,
Margaret, have loved you-for how
many years I do not know"
She did not draw back, but opened
her big blue eyes with little twinkle
and waited for him to go on.
when your mother wrote me of your
intended engagement I first realized the
height and breadth Of my passion for
you, and ever since 1 have been Won
dering how / shall do without you.
suppose l shall manage it somehow, but
could not keep silent. 1t was asking
too much of my heart. and so / have
told you-not al1-but a small part of
my story. I hope
What he hoped was not told, for the
next moment, with a girl in his arms,
he was transported to a paradise he
had not dreamed of.
Some time afterward, when articulate
speech had returned to John, voice
from his shoulder asked:
John, dear, how long have you loved
me?"
You remember the day your father
died and you came to me and said that
would have to take care of you in fu-
ture? ! realized then that 1 wanted to
take care of you-in different way.
And now, Miss Hardheart, how long
have you loved me without giving any
sign?"
Stupid" she replied with gleam
of mischief in her eye. when 1 told
you that you would have to take care
of me I meant it in the way you
thought L didn't mean t."-(Copyright,
1905, by Charles H. Chamberlin.)