The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1905-04-07

Marjorie was taking Wcll-earned
rest in her large sitting room one day
when nurse tapped at the door.
Come in," said Marjorie sleepily.
The nurse entered-a pretty blue-eyed
girl in neat cap and apron.
There's letter for you. sister. and
don't like the look of Is; his temper
allure has risen two degrees since one
o'clock"
Marjorie looked at the patient, gave
the nurse some directions and returned
to rest and her letter. An invitation
for an At Home fell out. With it was
a hasty note:
Dearest Marjorie-Do make a spe-
cial effort to come to this function.
Several nice people are coming-among
them Paul Burton, the poet, who was
so gone on you at Lympstone. He
asked after you the other day, and
would like to renew acquaintanceship.
Ever yours,
BEE PAGET''
For minute her heart beat to suffO-
cation. Her memory carried her back
to the year before she entered the hos
pital and an episode that only Bee Pa
get knew of, and even Bee did not
know how deeply it had affected her
and treated it merely as joke.
How long ago it seemed, that sum-
mer which she had spent with Bee be-
fore her marriage. Mr.. Paget was stay
ing there. too. and his absorption in
Bee threw Marjorie into the society of
the only other guest, Paul Burton, the
rising poet Marjorie was young. pref
ty and impressionable, and Paul Nor
ton did not neglect his opportunity of
instructing Marjorie in the lesson OF
love. and he found her an apt pupil.
With the refinement of cruelty. Bur
ton made Marjorie understand he was
welded to his art. and to art alone,
and poor Marjorie's love was such that
she thought it noble thing. and loved
him all the better for It..
And for all these years she had re-
manned true to her ideal, though Paul
had passed out of her life completely
And now there was an invitation from
Bee in viting her to meet him.
How Marjorie lived through the day
which interviewed she never knew. Her
nurses found her trifle hard to work
for, and Frank Ashton was severely
snubbed more than once, which did
not, however, prevent him from knock.
ing at Marjories door on the eventfu
evening with huge bunch of parma
violets.
She blushed as Frank entered and
murmuring thanks, fastened the VIC
let's into the belt of her gown, saying:
You are a good boy to remember my
favorite flowers"
"Why, Marjorie" he said, delight
fully, "you look altog~th radiant
What has happened to you?"
Don't be stupid, Frank; it's useless
telling a woman who has been nursing
all these years she looks radiant-it':
nonsense!"
III isn't, Marjorie. I've never seer
you look better; and what joll,
frock.'
"Ill look in and fetch you. if I can
old lady" he said, as he tucked he
into a hanson; for Frank Ashto,
knew tn. Pagets also.
..rrivxl at the Pagets', Marjorie
made her way up the large staircase
and having greeted Bee, passed on int.
the crowded room. At the far end
seated on luxurious divan, was Pau
holding a small court. When he caugh
sight Of Marjorie he advanced to NEE
her..
"Marjorie," he whispered, "can it b.
Marjorie? Come with me away from
these people. have much to tell You.
|. Together they strolled into the dim
iy-lighted conservatory.