La Junta tribune., 1907-11-23
Fl Summer
Storm.
BY A. N. DAVIES OGDEN.
cop,rish...,. iw,. BY Homer spr.su..

The afternoon sunshine rippled across
the lake, Furnishing the waves to gold
and bringing out soft glints In Mar.
garet Ailston's hair. The girl's eyes
gaxed drcamily over the water. Hei
hands--hrm. capable little hands-were
clasped loosely behind her head rs sue
leaned back In the rustic chair. The
clear, delicately penciled features. the
plant figure rclaxed to q happy aban-
don-ali brcathed rare atmosphere OF
refinement and charm. Mrs. Rushwell.
looking critically at her, wondered for
the thousandth time why Margaret
had never married.
They were seated In one Of the pret-
ty piazza crowned lighthouses which
decorate the Adirondack shores. Mar
xaret had been reading aloud while the
other sewed. Mrs. Rushwell carefully
threaded her needle.
1t has been 80 lovely to have you
all TO myself this way. Margaret she
said sincerely. II almost wish Ned
was not bringing up all that mob to-
night"
A CLINT OF laughter fickered In the
girls eyes.
:" And who all are coming?" she
queried idly. She knew Mary's social
tastes-Mary, who was never so happy
as when entertaining roomful. For
herself the fresh. cool breeze. the
fringe OF green cdging, the sparkling
bit of blue. the distant glimpses OF
purple mounta ins-these filled her with
an unspeakable sense OF peace and
comfort She did not think that the
Rushwell reflected.
well, there are Susie HOyt and Billy
Morris and Jim Blackwell and-and-
OH, yes. you remember Townsend Las
siter He Is just returned from Chile.
where believe he was the most popu-
lar minister ever sent there from
Washington. And Belen di Herrera
arrives too. She Is a sort OF ward OF
his. 1 believe. He knew her parents
intimately, and when they both died
he rather took charge OF the girl and
has just brought her up to her moth
er's people. She was an American.
The girl is awfully young. only sew
enteen. but they develop early In those
countries. So when I asked him In
vited her too. He brought her to see
me Just before 1 left town. and In spite
Of his being so much older ! believe
he Is going to marry her. It's quite
romantic story. isn't it!'
"Very," murmured Margaret. She
had grown tribe paler. but that
might have been attributable to the
with the sun. Her manner Was quite
unruMed."
Il remember Mr.. Iassiter very WE'LL"
she said quietly. "It will be pleasant
to meet him again"
But as she dressed for dinner that
evening Margaret found herself using
even more than her usual dainty care.
When she had finished the girl lifted
the hand glass and surveyed herself
carefully. little sigh nuttered be-
tween her parted lips. She was still
slim and straight and tall. but the
thoughtful mouth had tired curve,
and the soft hair showed patch OF
silver.
"And he IL engaged to 4 girl Of sew
enteen," she reflected rather wistfully.
"Will he think me very changed.
wonder:" Then with a sudden change
of mood she blew out the candle and
smiled. "He has probably forgotten
the whole episode ages since" she de-
cided. Don't he a goose, Margaret.
Evoking ghosts Is foolish pastime."
But despite her philosophy Margaret
was conscious OF u quick thr0b OF In
terest as Townsend Lassiter came for.
ward to greet her He at least had
not changed. or II he had 1t was but
to improve. conceded Margaret. The
straight, thick hair on his temples was
touched with gray: the pleasant. frank
eyes had 4 serious look In them. But
the old flashing smile was there. Mar
garet experienced a sudden sense of
relief. There was no hint OF awkward
ness in his manner. The note Of cor.
dial greeting to an old friend was ex.
actiy right. Then he turned.
II want you to- meet Miss di Her.
rera." he said.
During dinner Margaret looked at
the little South American. She seem.
ed . mere child. with her great. dark.
velyety eyes and sensitive. quivering
mouth. And Townsend Lassiter cared
for her. He treated her with grave.
careful tenderness that considered her
every want. Yet all ut once Margaret
was conscious OF = sudden. swelling
sympathy for the shy. half frightened
little thing. She seemed 30 young. 70
helpless. As they all rose to leave
the dining room Margaret spoke to her
In kindly. hating Spanish. The small
face lighted up. the soft olive cheeks
nushed duskfly. ~ the girl stammered
some grateful reply. Margaret was
almost startled at the ioveiiness Of the
child. and young Morris. close behind.
caught his breath.
The house party had been invited
for two weeks. but hardly three days