Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-21
Fl Summer
 Storm.
By A. M. DAVIES OGDEN
Copyrighted, 1907. by Homer Sprague

ana bringing out soft gl1ntS in Mar
 garet Allstons hair The girls eye
 gazed dreamily over the water. He
 hands-firm, capable little hands-wer'
 clasped loosely behind her head as sh'
 leaned back in the rustic chair. Th'
 clear, delicately penciled features, tht
 plant figure relaxed to happy aban
 don-all breathed rare atmosphere O1 refinement and charm. Mrs. Rushwell
 looking critically at her, wondered fol the thousandth time why Margaret
 had never married.
 They were seated in one of the pret ty piazza crowned boathouses which decorate the Adirondack shores. Mar garet had been reading aloud while the
 other sewed. Mrs. Rushwell carefully
 threaded her needle.
 Tt has been so lovely to have you
 all to myself this way, Margaret" she
 said sincerely. q almost wish Ned
 was not bringing up all that mob to-
 night"
 A glint of laughter f1ickered 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 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 filled 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 slter He is just returned from Chile, where I believe he was the most popu- lar minister ever sent there from Washington. And Belen di Herrera arrives too. She is sort of ward of his, I 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 CTS people. She was an American. The girl is awfully young, only sev- enteen, but they develop early in those countries. So when I asked him 1 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?'
 Very" 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 unruf1led."
 T remember MT. Lassiter 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. 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 girl of sev- enteen," she reflected rather wistfully. "Will he think me very changed, l 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 a goose. Margaret. Evoking ghosts is foolish pastime."
 But despite her philosophy Margaret was conscious of 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 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- nctly right. Then he turned.
 q want you to meet Miss di Her rera," he said.
 During dinner Margaret looked at the little South American. She seem- ed a 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 a 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 lOveliness of the rhild. and young Morris. close behind. cauEht his breath.
 The house party had been invited for two weeks. but hardly tbree days had passed before Mrs. RushweII be. gan dimly to surmlse something wrong. To all appearance her guests were well rhosen and eOngsniai. but some subtle sixth sense made her aware of q strain. tension. carefully hidden. but acuteir present. She fell 10 watching. hut conciusiOns hafied her. The little South American girl. her eyes wider and darker than ever. clHng to Mar -aret with an almost passionate devo- tion- The Morris boy moPed- Mar Zaret. in a mod difficult Of analysis. herself in a vayvard bril- fancy impossible to penetrate. One