The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-03-23

shts- Auntr bto"hs rAS sotss anu
the servant leads her across the hall
into the library.
Left alone. Margaret draws q heavy
breath as she glances around her. IL
Is nine long years since she was In
this library last--yince 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 plqued and angry with him for
some trifie. and she had scorned and
fiouted him. and the next day he had
gone abroad. Then her fathers fall
ure had come upon him with n sud.
den crash. and In n 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 nj II.
IL Is John Marston. Older than she
knew him. nine long years ago: and
yet. she says TO herself, those years
have dealt with him far more gently
than with her. II this Is like him
now: and as she thinks this. there
comes a step behind her. mufiied In
the heavy velvet carpet. and with n
hurried start she turns and faces
him.
Has he stood for full Ave 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?
II he has. she does not read any
thing OF all this In his face, as she
turns slowly round 10 him.
She Is handing him his advertise
iaent. which she has clipped out OF
the newspaper. II can speak for her
as well as words. after her little bow.
and then she adds
II have come at once. sir. hoping
I may answer for the place. have
sore need Of H."
These are your initials. Mrs,
Brown. the servant told me. What
does the A stand for"
Anne
He looked at her quickly. But she
70 not looking ut him: and presently
he asks her quietly TO take n seat.
You are In need Of the place AT
once?" 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 twins
IL she could have seen his face.
and the strange fash that spread like
n glad light over Il! but she did not
see. until he came back quietly. and
drew n chair for himself In front OF
her. And then he says. somewhat
abruptly and unfeelingly. IL might
seem:
You are n widow. Mrs. Brown
Strangely enough, the sudden
witch round Mrs. Browns delicate
mouth reminded one more Of laugh
ter than Of tears. She answers him
10 the point certainly. yet not with
a simple yes. She says:
Il have no husband, sir"
We'll. then, thjnk. Mrs. Anne
Brown. that you may suit my place
IL my place will suit you. First. then
you must know something about IL.
In the first place. II you accept my
offer. do not propose TO pay you any
wages"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS." she
gasps.
"In the second place. ] must ex
plain that this advertisement here
does not set forth my want alto
gether clearly. want n house
keeper. Il Is true; but want TO en-
gage her as my wife, not as q SER
want"
IL is said very quietly and coolly-
much as he might. II he chose. have
advertised for u wife In that same
newspaper.
But Mrs. Anne Brown Is not cool :
she Is not quiet. She has started 10
her feet. her face In one bright. angry
glow.
You had better advertise again.
and this time for wife. For me,
Mr.. Marston, ! 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 n tremble Of indignation,
she meets his earnest. honest eyes.
with something In them that she IN
derstands rs well as his words.
"Madge, Madge! you thought you
could deceive me with a pair Of spec
tacles and n pair OF twins! As II ]
did not hear OF the twins when
came back from the Continent after
Mr.. Testers failure. and tried TO md
you out. But when ] came back to
look for you, no one could tell me
anything about YOU"