Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-11

lit Ill lcTHDOn SUNSHINE TlDpletl dCTOSS
the lake, furnishing the waves to gold
and bringing out soft glints in Mar
garct AllSton's hair. The girls eyes
gazed dreamily over the water. Her
hands-frm, capable little hands-were
clasped loosely behind her head as she
leaned back in the rustic chair. The
| clear, delicately penciled features, the
plant figure relaxed to "a happy aban-
don-all breathed 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 pref
| ty piazza crowned lighthouses which
decorate the Adirondack shores. Mar
garet had been reading aloud while the
other sewed. Mrs. Rushwell carefully
| threaded her needle.
ut has been so lovely to have you
all to myself this way, Margaret" she
said sincerely. 81 almost wish Ned
was not bringing up all that mob to-
night
A CLINT of laughter flickercd 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 Il roOmful. For
herself, the fresh, cool breeze, the
fringe of green edging, the sparkling
bit of blue, the distant glimpseS of
purple mOuntains-these filled her with
an unspeakable sense of peace and
! com fort. She did not think that the
| people would bother her greatly. Mrs.
Rushwell reflected.
We'll, there are Susie HOyt and Billy
Morris and Jim Blackwell and-and-
oh. yes, you remember Townsend Las
sitter. 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. / 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 l asked him l in
vited her too. He brought her to see
me just before left town. and in spite
of his being so much older l believe
he is going to marry her. It's quite a
romantic story, isn't it?''
Every" murmured Margaret. She
had grown a trifle paler, but that
might have been attributable to the
heat The breeze was going down
with the sun. Her manner was quite
unruffied.''
81 remember Mr.. Lassiter very we'll"
she said quietly. ut 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. A little sigh fluttered be-
tween her parted lips. She was still
slim and straight and tall, but the
thoughtful mouth had "A tired curve,
and the soft hair showed a patch of
silver.
"And he is engaged to q girl of sew
enteen,' she reflected rather wiStfully.
! "Will he think me very changed, /
J 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 be goose, Margaret
! Evoking ghosts is a foolish pastime."
But despite her philosophy Margaret
was conscious of quick throb of in,
/, | fNv
/ ward to greet her He at least had
not changed, or If he had it was but
, to improve, conceded Margaret. The
r straight, thick hair on his temples was
touched with gray; the pleasant. frank
eyes had q 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
actly right. Then he turned.
II want you to meet Miss di Her
} rera," he said.
! During dinner Margaret looked a
the little South American. She seem
ed a mere child, with her great, dark
velvety eyes and sensitive, puivering
mouth And Townsend Lassiter cared
for her. He treated her with grave
careful tenderness that considered hel
every want. Yet all at once Margare
was conscious of Il sudden. swelling
! sympathy for the shy, half frightened
little thing. She seemed so young, 81
helpless As they all rose to leave
the dining room Margaret spoke to hel