The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-06-04


cuted.
1t was shock to Miss Penfold the
following morning when she saw
Walter Redmond enter the adjoining
garden Just as II nothing extraordi-
nary had occurred, whereas from the
manner of his reception, II seemed
obvious that Margaret had not
turned him adrift.
Indeed, the ensuing few days es-
tabished the fact that, OF the whole
population OF Southbridge, Margaret
Venables was the only person who
still believed In Walters innocence.
Nor did she for moment hesitate
to express her conviction. She went
about the town as usual. holding her
head. 1t might be. little more
erect, and, although her face looked
wistful and pale. Miss Penfold could
only describe her manner as defiant.
Meeting kind hearted Mrs. Davy
in High Street Margaret deliberately
"cut" her; she quarreled with sew
eral of her mothers oldest and dear
est friends because they could not
refrain from advising her to refuse
to have any further dealing with
Redmond; and more than once in
Miss Penfold's hearing Margaret
stoutly maintained her belief In his
perfect innocence. even carrying the
war into the enemy's territory and
declaring that Mr.. Davy, since his
paralytic stroke, was well known TO
be less than accountable for his ac-
tions
1t soon became known that Mar
garet was trying to let or to sell her
house and its furniture, that she was
already making preparations for a
very early wedding, after which she
was to sail with Redmond to one of
the colonies.
Resenting such behavior on Mar
garet's part Miss Penfold. as every
body has anticipated, referred to the
subject at the next Dorcas meeting;
when she suggested that no notice
whatsoever should be taken of the
marriage.
Although, on the motion of Mrs.
Anscombe, It was agreed that any
body who pleased should be at lib
erty to witness the ceremony. the
unanimous decision was arrived at
that no one should send Margaret a
present.
Nevertheless there were occasional
moments of weakness when Miss
Penfold found II difficult to refrain
from pity for a young woman who,
having been carefully nurtured, and
being herself suitably scrupulous
and punctilious, should yet be mis-
guided enough to accompany this
disreputable person across the seas.
Miss Penfold sat at her bedroom
window watching Margaret tending
her beloved plants, and imagined how
regretful she must feel TO leave her
garden at Its best. The girls face
had grown pitably thin and pallid
during the last few days. although,
II she chanccd to look in her neigh
bor's direction. IL would be certain
to tighten with one of Margaret S
sweet, irresistible smiles.
No doubt, thought Miss Ponfold.
such faith was an emincntly desira-
BILE thing from Walter Redmond's
point of view. To say nothing OF
Margaret's money, which would keep
her from destitution, surely her com
radeship might prevent him from
sinking still lower.
While Miss Penfold never passed
a day without carrying her knitting
TO the arbor by the oak paling, while
she overheard many a private con-
versatlon, she never listened to any
reference to the cloud by which
Walter was overshadowed. Margaret
never limited at her disappointment
or at any possible hardships in store.
but constantly talked of the pleas
ures of the voyage. and questioned
him concerning his Intentions on
reaching their destination
But one beautiful summer even
ing. when the air was fragrant with
the scent OF roses and honeysuckle,
when the bluebirds were singing.
ard no cloud could be seen In the
sky, one evening. a week before the
wedding, Miss Penfold sat in her ar
Dor, knitting a mitten. when she
heard Walter Redmond's voice with
in a few feet of the oak paling.
Few women" he was saying, evil
IDENTIFY in the middle OF conversa-
tion. would have been plucky
enough to stick to me as you've
done"
Margaret did not answer, but Miss
Penfold ceased knitting. Few in
deed!" she said to herself Few, In
deed could have remained so blind -
II can't attempt to tell you what
I think of you," Walter continued,
"or what think of myself I've gone
through terrible struggle. Mar
garet-"
Still Miss Penfold could not, to
her regret hear Margaret's reply, but
a sound something resembling q
catch in the breath, reached the lis
tener's ears.
with the principles OF light and
darkness" said Walter. (Which |
suppose. lurk somewhere in most OF
US. A dozen times I've come here
meaning to say what I'm going TO
say this evening"
What prevented you?" MUIR
INJURED Margaret.
you" he answered. "At frst. !
Triad m 1aratya Yf,ypaIf 10 ,,ai, %