Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-11-19
NUMBER 47.

question wistfully, and Margaret had
answered yes.
"It-it is strange that he can care for
one-one so young, so ignorant. SO un-
trained" faltered the young voice.
"Do you-do you think he really does
really?" The big eyes had searched
Margaret's face with an eager. almost
a supplicating intensity.
For moment Margaret's heart had
almost stopped its beating. What
could the child mean? Then she had
forced herself to calmness.
81 know he does" she had an.
swered steadily. HE cares very
much"
But the question fingered in Marga-
ret's mind. touched TO Il poignant sig
nificance by the memory OF that small
white face. or what was the child
thinking? Whence came the hidden
feeling which prompted the query?
Margaret. despite the close atmos-
phere. shivered. Why had Lassiter re-
turned and why. oh. why. had he come
here to destroy. this time forever, the
peace OF mind which Margaret had be-
lieved so secure ut last? And this poor
child who loved her! Involuntarily
Margaret wrung her hands. How
hard, how complicated, was life! But.
thank Heaven, tomorrow they would
all separate. After tomorrow she neec
see him no more.
There was step behind her on the
soft carpet Of fallen needles-a quick,
firm tread coming hurriedly down the
path. Margaret turned. 1t was dusky
under the thick shetering boughs, but
she recognized at once that 1t was Las
sitter. At sight of the white figure be-
fore him the man started.
"Margaret"' he calculated sharply.
Margaret" But he caught himself
at once. Il beg your pardon" he
smiled You looked almost like a
ghost there among the trees. | am on
my way to the boathouse," explaining
easily. "Belen and young Morris are
on the lake, and 1t looks so like a
storm"
"Cone," she said quickly. 1t had
grown very dark. The sultry air was
breathless. Not a sigh stirred the
branches above. The slippery, over.
grown path was difficult to find, but
Margaret sped unheedingly on. That
little frail canoe out on the tumblin8
waters. Oh, why was the boathouse
so far? And then all at once gnarled
old root thrust boldly out caught her
foot. She tripped, stumbled, and the
next instant she had fallen into Las
siter's arms.
II was only for one brief fraction OF
time, one half anguishcd moment, dur
Ing which the man. his stern self con-
troll shaken, mad gathered her close.
Then Margaret broke from him.
"Belcn" she gasped. The lines
around I.assiters mouth whitened.
81 know" he said II know" But
despite his effort ut self mastery the
emotion reused was not to be so easily
eashed. The bitterness OF years surgcd
to the surface.
"Alargaret"' he cried. "Oh. Marga.
ret. why did you send me away
IL didn't know" murmured the
woman unsteadily. IL thought
didn't care, and then it was too late
you had gone. But-but you are happy
now" she urged "Belen"-
"Belen Is child said Lassiter
quietly. When she was LEFT so alone
with only me for guardian there SEEM
ell nothing else to 10. shall try to
make her good husband. But you,
MLrgaret'-his voice suddenly dropped
to IN unconscious entreaiy-"Marga'
ret
Then out of the gloom Il voice echoed
clearly across the water
NO no." il sobbcd. and both man
and woman. stopping suddenly. recog'
niZed the voice rs Belen's. You
mustn't talk so. can't marry you.
Oh. can't, He loves iae. Miss Aston
SAYS so. And he has been too good to
me. must not break his heart. but
l lONc i'lllss
Across the murky darkness Ieaped
white flash OF fire. a tremendous
crashing peal seemed to split the very
heavens, and then suddenly the rain,
loosed at last, came pouring down,
cool. cleansing. revivifying, bringing
grateful freshness to the thirsty
ground, restored equilibrium to the
surcharged atmosphere. Great drops
pattercd on the pine boughs, but Mar
garet, her eyes wet with happy tears,
was not conscious Of the peIting rain
for I'm that second when lake and woods
had stood distinct and clear. sllhouet'
ted against that unearthly brilliance,
in that instant of vision had been re-
veaed the picture OF Il man and a
maid. picture Old when time was
young Billy Morris kissing Relen.
margaret" cried Lassiter hoarsely.
"Oh. Margaret, you saw. you heard
Belen Is going tc marry Billy Morris,
ana you--you are going to marry me
aren't you. Margaret" as SHE lifted
her face to his.