Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-04
Fl Summer
Storm.
By A. M. DAVIES OGDEN.
COPYRIGHTED. 1907, by Homer sprague.

the lake, furnishing the waves to gold
and bringing out soft glints in Mar
garet Alston's hair. The girls eyes
gazed dreamily over the water. Her
hands--firm, capable little hands-were
clasped loosely behind her head as she
leaned back in the rustic chair. The
clear, delfcately penciled features, the
plant figure relaxed to q 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.
"It 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 fiickered 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 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 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 l asked him l in
vited her too. He brought her to see
me Just before l left town, and in spite
Of his being so much older l believe
he is going to marry her. It's quite q
romantic story, isn't it?"
"Very," murmured Margaret She
had grown a trife paler, but that
might have been attributable to the
heat. The breeze was going down
with the sun. Her manner was quite
unruffied."
II remember Mr.. Lassiter very well,
she said quietly. at will be pleasant
| to meet him again"
| But as she dressed for dinner tina
| evening Margaret found herself usint
even more than her usual dainty care
When She had finished the girl liftet
the hand glass and surveyed hersel
carefully. A little sigh fiuttered be
tween her parted lips. She was still
slim and straight and tall, but tn
thoughtful mouth had a tired curve
and the soft hair showed a patch o
silver.
| aHd hC Id ChSobCo ~ - D. - -
enteen," she reflected rather wistfully
"Will he think me very changed,
wonder?" Then with sudden chang
of mood she blew out the candle an
smiled. HE has probably forgotte
the whole episode ages SINCE" she de
cided. "Don't be goose, Margare
Evoking ghosts is 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 bu
: to improve, conceded Margaret. Th
! straight, thick hair on his temples wa
touched with gray; the pleasant. fran
eyes had a serious look in them. BIZ
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
H dial greeting to an old friend was e
k actly right. Then he turned.
Il 81 want you to meet Miss di He
rera," he said.
Il During dinner Margaret looked
49,
ed mere child, with her great, dar
II velvety eyes and sensitive, quiverir
II mouth. Asd Townsend Lassiter carr
II for her. He treated her with gray
careful tenderness that considered b
= every want. Yet all at once Margar
l was conscious of sudden, swellii
sympathy for the shy. half frighten'
little thing. She, seemed 20 young,
helpless. AS they all rose to lea
the dining room Margaret spoke to b
IN kindly, halting Spanish. The smi
i. face lighted up. the soft olive chez
a. flushed duskily, as the girl stammer
, some grateful reply. Margaret W
: almost startled at the loneliness of t
= child, and young Morris, close behir
caught his breath.
The house party had been invit
n for two weeks. but hardly three da
N had passed before Mrs. Rushwell