Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-12-12
Fl Summer
Storm.
By A. M. DAVIES OGDEN.
copyrighted, 1907, by Homer sprague.

copyrighted, 1907, by Homer Sprague. 1
k-s-s-s-s-s-s~s-s.s.s-s-
The afternoon sunshine rippled across
the lake, furnishing the waves to gold
and bringing out soft glints in Mar
garet Allston's hair. The girls eyes
gazed dreamily over the water. Her
hands-firIn, 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 rare atmosphere Of
refinement and charm. Mrs. Rushwell,
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. Rushwell carefully
threaded her needle.
st 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 flickered 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 filed her with
an unspeakable sense of peace and
comfort. She did not think that the
people would bother her greatly. Mrs.
Rushwell reflected.
sWell, 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-
lar minister ever sent there from
Washington. 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 moth
er's people. She was an American.
The girl is awfully young, only sew
enteen, but they develop early in those
countries So when asked him / 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 it,"
avery murmured Margaret. She
had grown a trifie paler, but that
might have been attributable to the
heat The breeze was going down
with the sun Her manner was quite
unruffIed."
81 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
carefully. A little sigh futtered be-
tween her parted lips. She was still
slim and straight and tall, but the
thoughtful mouth had 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, /
wonder?n 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 it 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
ness in his manner. The note of cor
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 q mere child, with her great, dark,
velvety eyes and sensitive, quivering
mouth. And Townsend Lassiter cared
for her. He treated her with 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, hating Spanish. The small
face lighted up, the soft olive cheeks
f7ughad d1Skilv az fhe girl stamInered