The Press., 1905-08-02
MiSCOnStrued
By CHARLES H.
cHAMlBE Rim
Copyright. 1895, By Charles H. ohGmDerltn

John Carroll sat tipped back In MS
office chair, his feet perched comforta-
bly, on the desk In front OF him. The
click, click Of a typewriter, mingled
with the murmur of voices, came to
him indistinctly through the closed
door, the curtain Of which was drawn
signal to his office force that he was
busy and must on no account be dis
turbed.
Leaning over, Carroll took a letter
from the desk and carefully reread it.
1t ran as follows:
London. England.
Dear Mr.. Carroll-Mother Is writing
to friends at home and has asked me to
let you know that we are sailing for
New York Wednesday 0oday's Mon
day) ON the Brichtland. 1t is slow
boat and brings US to port week
from Saturday. Please come and meet
us. We shall be utterly helpless In that
roar and hustle after the two years
spent in this slow going hemisphere.
81 wonder II mothers legal adviser
has changed and If we will recognize
him at the pier. AS for me, foreign cap
itals have added three inches to my
height besides the dignity Of presen-
tation Mt court. Until the coming Sat
urday, faithfully,
MARGARET CLEARWATER"
That signature meant so much and
so little.
Another letter In finer hand read:
Dear acknowledgement Is writing for
your help on our arrival, but l need
your help right away. A young fellow
from Pittsburg named Richards met
Margaret at a country house In Devon
shire six months ago and has been de-
voted to her ever since. How devoted
did not dream until she told me yester-
day that he had proposed. In spite Of
my protests because Of their youth
Margaret has promised him an answer
In two months. For the last year l
have been trying to persuade her to ac-
cept an Englishman who has a tidy
brewing business In Yorkshire and
who has been her constant shadow
but she says she will marry an Ameri-
can or die bachelor girl.
'Now, John, please look this fellow
up financially. 1 am not yet persuad-
ed that he is not after Margaret's mon
ey. And when we get home, do use
your influence with her to postpone the
whole business until she comes Of age.
How good 1t will seem to be within
easy reach Of your sound advice once
more. Sincerely,
EVELYN CLEARWATER"
Ten years before, fresh from college,
where he had made a name for him
self as crack guard and stroke oar, Car
roll had Joined Stephen Clearwater as
his private secretary. For five years
he and Margaret, Clearwater's only
child, had been very good chums. She
always levied her tribute of candy on
him whenever he appeared at her house
and usually managed to accompany
him on his drives when overseeing her
fathers real estate interests.
Then he had started his own bust
ness, she had gone away to school, and
they had not met until her home COM
ing for her fathers funeral, shortly aft
er which she and her mother had sailed
for Europe. AS Carroll reviewed his
y
edged 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 affection,
much less reciprocated 1t. He had let
her go to Europe without making any
sign, thinking that there would be plen- |
ty Of time after her return. And now |
she was returning practically engaged |
to another man, and the castles he had |
been building for the past two years |
had suddenly tumbled about his ears.
1t flashed upon him that her ship was |
due in a couple Of days and that it de- |
volved 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 a formal |
way and turned to bid adieu to &C |
quaintances Of the. voyage. Customs |
officials dispensed with, Carroll saw
the mother and daughter safely en-
sconced in cab and left them to re- |
join Mrs. Clearwater at their hotel aft |
er dinner.
"WeIl, john" Mrs. Clearwater said |
as he entered the room that night, 1--WE |
sent Margaret off to her room SO we |
can have a talk alone. You can see |
her later, but I 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 social |
~, but I'm not perfectly sure he's not |
after Margaret's money"
"I've made inquiries among my |
replied Carroll in a dry voice, |
land find his family fortunes consid- |
erably more than double Margaret's |
Mrs. Clearwater smiled.
'Truthfully, John, I don't believe the |
girl really loves him, though when l |
try to talk her out OF her determination |
to give him q final answer In two
months she insists she will accept him. |
The idea that you were to be consulted |
made her furious"
~ feel she Is wholly right about 1t, |
Mrs. Clearwater" interrupted Carroll. |
'She knows she is responsible to you |
alone, and 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
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.
81 have declined her request. Instead
I must tell you what has been In my
heart for long time. love you, Mar
garrett; have loved you-for how many
years 1 do not know"
She did not draw back, but opened