The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1907-10-08

hAu UAAABAuB Jul SUI BllutS Ill MAT
garet Allston's hair The girls eyes
gazed dreamily over the water. Hell
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 happy aban-
dOn-all breathed a rare atmosphere of
refinement and charm. Mrs Rushwell
looking critically at her, wondered foI
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.
1T 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 fickered in the
girls eyes.
F." And who all are comingT she
queried idly. She knew Mary's social
tastes-Mary, who was never so happy
as when entertaining a roomful For
herself, the fresh, cool breeze, the
fringe of green edging, the sparkling
bit of blue, the distant glimpses of
purple mOuntains-these filed her with
an unspeakable sense Of peace and
comfort. She did not think that the
people would bother her greatly. Mrs
Rushwell reflected
"Well, 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-
Washington. And Belen di Herrera
arrives too. She is a sort of ward Of
his, l 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
The girl is awfully young, only sew
enteen, but they develop early in those
countries. So when 1 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 believe
he Is going to marry her. It's quite a
romantic story, isn't itT'
"Very," murmured Margaret. She
had grown trife paler, but that
might have been attributable to the
heat. The breeze was going down
with the sun. Her manner was quite
unruffled."
81 remember Mr.. Lassiter very well, I"
she said quietly. 1T 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 fiuttered 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 a girl of sew
enteen," she reflected rather wistfully.
"Will he think me very changed, l
wonderT Then with 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 foolish pastime."
But despite her philosophy Margaret
was conscious of a quick throb of In
terest as Townsend Lassiter came for
ward to greet her. He at least had
not changed, or If 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 a serious look in them. But
the old flashing smile was there. Mar
garet experienced sudden sense of
relief. There was no hint of awkward
dial greeting to an old friend was ex-
actly right Then he turned.
81 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,
velvety eyes and sensitive, quivering
mouth. And Townsend Lassiter cared
for her. He treated her with a grave,
careful tenderness that considered her
every want Yet all at once Margaret
was conscious of sudden, swelling
sympathy for the shy. half frightened
little thing She seemed so young, so
helpless AS they all rose to leave
the dining room Margaret spoke to her
in kindly, halting Spanish. The small
face lighted up, the soft olive cheeks
flushed duskily, as the girl stammered
some grateful reply Margaret was
almost startled at the loneliness Of the
child, and young Morris. close behind.
caught his breath.
The house party had been invited
for two weeks, but hardly three days
had passed before Mrs. Rushwell be-
gan dimly to surmise 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 to watching.
but conclusions baffled her. The little
South American girl, her eyes wider
and darker than ever, chung to Mar
garet with an almost passionate devo-
~,
garet, in a mood difficult Of analysis,
enveloped herself in q Maynard bril-
liancy impossible to penetrate. Once
or twice his hostess caught Lassiter
studying with curious eyes his little
f1ancee. What was the matter with
them ALL wondered Mrs. Rushwell
Was Lassiter jealous7 There could be
nothing serious in the Morris boys at
tentiOns.
1t was the last night of their stay
All day heavy clouds had been piline
up In the west, threatening masses Of
violet The sun had sunk below tht
horizon In sullen blaze of dull red
The stiffness and the heat were in
tense. Margaret, restless and wea
ried. had slipped outside. seeking ref
uge. breath among the stately pines
Above her head they murmured IL
sndless cadence, musical and mysteri
Gus. But to her troubled mind the tran
quillity of the woods brought no peace
AS yet the pain was too fresh for ma
lures Arrangement And twistet
through the tangle of her own per
sistent thoughts ran teasing littl'
question of Belen's. Before dinner thu
girl had come to her room. The ca
mellia-like face was pale; the dusky
eyes had an odd look of suffering. Sh'
had picked up Margarets silver hanC
glass and stood balancing it absently.
'Mr. Townsend, he Is very grea
man, is he notY' She had put thu
question wistfully, and Margaret hat