The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-10-10
VIM. F. McDeyitt,
Dorset and South Dorset, Vermont


II want you 10 meet Miss al Her
rera," he said.
During dinner Margaret looked nt
the little South American, She seem
ed mere child, with her great, dark.
vclyety eyes and sensitive, quiyering
mouth Aud Townsend Lassitcr cared
for her. lie treated her with a grave,
careful tenderness that considered her
every want Yet all OF once Margaret
was conscious Of o sudden. swelling
sympathy for the shy, half frightened
little thing. She seemed so young, so
helpless. ~ they all rose 10 leave
the dining room Margaret spoke TO her
In kindly, halting Spanish. The small
face lighted up, the soft olive cheeks
flushed dusklly, as the girl stammered
pome grateful reply Margaret was
almost startled at the lovellness OF the
child, and young Morris, close behind,
caught his breath,
Tho house party had been invited
for two weeks, but hardly three days
hnd passed before Mrs. Rushwell be
ran dImly TO surmlse something wrong.
To all appearance her guests were well
chosen and congenial, but some subtle
sixth sense made her aware OF a
strain. tension, carefully hidden, but
acutely present. She fell 10 watching,
but conclusions bafiled her The little
South American girl. her eyes wider
and darker than ever. clung to Mar
garet with an almost passionate devo-
tion. The Morris boy moped. Mar
garet. In mood difficult Of analysis,
enyeloped herself in n wayward bril-.
llancy impossible TO penetrate. Once
or twice his hostess caught Lnssiter
studying with curious eyes his little
fancee. What was the matter with
them ALL wondered Mrs. Rushwell.
Was Lassiter jealous? There could be
nothing serious In the Morris boys al
tentlons,
1t was the last night Of their stay.
All day heavy clouds had been piling
up In the west, threatening masses Of
Violet. The sun had sunk below the
horizon In sulen blaze Of dull red.
The stiffness and the heat were In
tense. Margaret. restless and wea-
red, had slipped outside, seeking ref
uge, Il breath among the stately pines.
Above her head they murmured IN
endless cadence, musical and mysteri-
Gus. But to her troubled mind the tran
M.
AS yet the pain was too fresh for ma
tures assuagement And twisted
h through the tangle OF her own per
slstent thoughts ran teasing little
question of Belen's. Before dinner the
girl had come to her room. The ca
mellia.like face wns pale; the dusby
eyes had an odd look of suffering. She
had picked up Margarets silver hand
glass and stood balancing II absently.
"Mr. Townsend, he Is very great
man, IL he notT' She had put the
question wlstfuly, and Margaret had
answered yes
"It--it Is strange that he can care for
one--one so young, so ignorant. so un-
tralned," faltsred the young voice.
"Do you--do you think he really does
reaIlyY' The big eyes had searched
Margaret's face with an eager, almost
a supplieating intensity.
For a moment Margarcts heart had
almost stopped It's beating. what
| could the ch.id mcunf Then she had
! forced herself to camness.
~ know he does" she had an-
swered stendlly. He cares very
! much"
But the question fingered IN Marga-
rets mind. touched TO n poignant sig
| nlfcance by the memory Of that small
| white face. or what was the child
| thinking? Whence came the hidden
feeling which prompted the queryf
Margaret, despite the close atmos-
/ phere. shiyered Why had Lassiter re
turned and why, oh, why, had he come
here TO destroy, this time forever, the
! peace Of mind which Margaret had be-
| lieyed 40 secure AT lastf And this poor
child who loved her! Inyoluntarily
| MAfRnEFi NrHHR ufi Hhhb7' INV
hard. how complicated. was HE! But.
thank Heaven, tomorrow they would
oil separate. After tomorrow she Deec
see him no more.
There was a step behind her oh fh'
soft carpet Of fallen needles-a quick
firm tread coming hnrrledly down tb,
path. Margaret turned. II was dusk,
under the thick sheltering boughs. bu'
she recognized at once that II was Las
sitter At sight Of the white figure be
fore him the man started.
I "MHr:aret~ he CALCULATED sharply
Margaret But be caught himself
at once. Il beg your pardon" b'
smiled "You looked almost Ike a
ghost there among the trees atn ot
M way to the boallouse." explaining
easily "Belen and young Morris arr
on the lake. and II looks 70 Hike
storm"