The Washington herald., 1907-10-03

The afternoon sunshine rippled across
the lake. Furnishing the waves 10 gold
and bringing out soft glints in Margaret
Allston's hair. The girls eyes gazed
dreamily over the water. her hands. frm
capable little hands, were claspcd loosely
behind her head as she leaned back in
the rustic chair. The clear, delicately
penciled features, the plant figure re-
laXed TO a happy abandon, all breathed
rare atmosphere Of refinement and
charm. Mrs. Rushwell. looking critical
ly at her, wondered for the thousaudth
time why Margaret had never married
They were seated in one Of the pretty
piazza a-cTowned lighthouses which deco
rate the Adirondack shores. Margaret
had been reading aloud while the other
sewed. Mrs. Rushweu carefully thread
ed her needle.
1t has been so lovely 20 have you all
to myself this way, Margaret" she said
sincerely. Il almost wish Ned was not
bringing up ali that mob tonight"
A CLINT Of laughter flickered in the
girls eyes.
And who all are coming?" she querled
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 dis
Jant glimpses Of purple mountains. these
hlled her with an unspeakable sense Of
peace and comfort She did not think
that the people would bother her greatly.
Mrs. RuShwel reflected.
We'll. there is Susie Hoyt and Billy
Norris, and Jim Blackwell and-and-
oh, yes, you remember Townsend Lassi-
ter He is just returned from Chile.
where / believe he was the most popular
minister ever sent there from Washing
ton. And Belen di Herrera arrives. too.
She is a 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 mothers people. She was
an American. The girl Is awfuIly young.
only seventeen. but they develop early
in those countries. So when I asked
I him, / invited her. too. He brought her
TO see me just before left town and in
spite of his being SO much older, I be-
ieye he is going to marry her. It's
quite a romantic story, isn't it?''
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.
I Her manner was quite unruf1ed.
/ I remember Mr. Lassiter very well. ."
/ 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 care
/ fully. A little sigh 1uttered between her
parted lips. She was still slim and
| straight and tall, but the thoughtful
mouth had a tired curve, the soft hair
showed a patch of silver
/ And he is engaged TO d girl Of seven
teen" she reflected, rather wistfulIy.
/ WIN he think me very changed / won
/ der?" Then with a sudden change of
mood she blew out the candle and smiled
/ He has probably forgotten the whole
! episode ages since she decided, Don't
/ be a goose Margaret Ev0king ghosts is
/ a foolish pastime."
! But despite her philosophy, Margaret
/ was conscious of a quick throb Of inter-
/ est as Townsend LasSiter came forward
/ TO greet her. He, at least, had not
/ changed Or If he had. 1t was but to inn
! prove, conceded Margaret. Tie 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. Margaret ex-
/ perienced a sudden sense of relief. There
was no hint of awkardness In his man
ner. The note Of cordial greeting to an
old friend was exactly right; then he
/ turned.
Il want you to meet Miss di Herrera" +"
he said
During dinner Margaret looked at the
| little South American. She seemed a
mere child with her great, dark, velvety
/ eyes and sensitive. qUiveTing mouth
! And Townsend LaSsiter cared for her
/ He treated her with a grave. careful ten
/ derness that considered her every want
/ Yet all at once Margaret was conscious
/ Of q sudden. swelling sympathy for the
| shy, half-fTightened little thing. She
/ seemed so young, so helpless. As they
/ all rose TO leave the dining room. Mar
/ garet spoke to her In kindly. haIting
J Spanish. The small face lighted up. the
/ soft olive cheeks flushed duskily IS the
| girl stammered some grateful reply
| Margaret was almost startled at the love
/ liness 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. RushweH began dim
/ ly 70 surmise something wrong. To all
/ appearances her guests were well chosen
/ and congeniaL But SOME subtle sixth
/ sense made her aware OF a strain a ten
sion, carefully hidden but acutely pres-
/ ent She fell 10 watching but conclu-
/ sions baftied her. The little South Amer
! lean girl, her eyes wider and darker
than ever. chung to Margaret with an al
most passionate devotion. The Morris
boy moped. Margaret, in a mood din
cult OF analysis, enveloped herself in a
wayward brilliancy impossible to pene-
| trate. Once or twice his hostess caught
| Lassiter studying with curious eyes his
! little fiancee. What was the matter witt
them all. wondered Mrs. Rushweu. Was
/ Lassiter Jealous? There could be moth
ing serious in the Morris boys atten-
tions-
II was the last night Of their STAY. Al
day heavy clowds had been piling up in