The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-10-15
Fl Summer
Storm.
OOpyriEhtsa, lsV. b e. spragas.
By A. N. DAWES OGDEN


die lake, Furnishing the waves to gold
and bringing out soft glints in Mar
Earet Allston's hair. The girls eyes
Razed dreamily over the water. Her
hands-hrm, capable little hands-were
cSasped 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-an breathed a rare atmosphere Of
refinement and charm. Mrs. Rtfshwell,
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. Rushwen carefully
threaded her needle.
'Tt has been 30 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 hickered in the
girls eyes.
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 mostlpopu-
lar minister ever sent there from
Washington. And Belen d Herrera
arrives too. She Is a sort Of ward Of
hds, l believe. He knew her pareAtH
intimately, and when they both died
he rather took charge Of the girl and
has just brought her up to her moth
eE's people. She was an American
The girl is awfully young, only sew
enteen, but they develop eaEay in those
countries. So when asked him In
vited her too. He brought her to -
me Just before left town, and in spate
of his being so much older I believe
he IL going to marry her. It's quite q
romantic story, isn't it?'
'Very," murmured Margaret. She
had grown a trifie paler, but thai
might have been attributable to the
heat. The breeze was going down
with the sun. Her manner was Qu1tG
unrufled."
81 remember Mr.. Lasslter very well,
she said quietly. 1T VIII be pleasan'
to meet him again"
But as she dressed for dinner thai
evening Margaret found herself usinl
even more than her usual dainty care
When she had finished the girl liftet
the hand glass and surveyed hersel
carefully. A little sigh huttered be
tween her parted lips. She was stu
slim and straight and tall, but tn
thoughtful mouth had a tired curve
and the soft hair showed a patch o
silver.
"And he is engaged to a girl OF sew
'enteen," she reflected rather wis60lly
"Wfl he think me very changed,
wonderF' Then with q sudden chang
of mood she blew out the candle an
smiled. HE has probably forgottel
the whole episode ages SINCE" she az
,cided. Don't be a goose, Margaret
IEvoking ghosts is a foolish pastime."
But despite her philosophy Margare
was conscious of a quick throb Of II
terest as Townsend Lassiter came fol
ward to greet her. He at least ha
not changed, or If he had It was be
to improve, conceded Margaret In
straight. thick hair on his temples wa
touched with gray; the pleasant nan
eyes had a serious look in them. Bt
the old flashing smile was there. Ma
garet experienced a sudden sense
relief. There was no hint of awkward
ness In his manner. The note OF CO
dial greeting to an old friend was e.
.actly right. Then he turned.
81 want you to meet Miss oil he
rera," he said.
During dinner Margaret looked
the little South American. She seen
ed a mere child, with her great, darl
yelvety eyes and sensitive, Quiverin
mouth. And Townsend Lassiter care
for her. He treated her with a grav
careful tenderness that considered b
every want. Yet all at once Margin
was conscious Of a sudden, swelltT
sympathy for the shy. half frightene
little thing. She seemed so young
helpless. AS they all rose to Aea'
the dining room Margaret spoke to b
In kindly, halting Spanish. The sms
face lighted up. the soft olive cheel
flushed duskily. as the girl stammer'
Bome grateful reply. Margaret vi
almost startled at the loveliness Of L
child, and young Morris, close bahln
caught his breath.
The house party had been iuyib
for two weeks, but hardly three da
had passed before Mrs. Rushwen
gan dimly to surmise something wro1