The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-10-14

had changed again and that her
natural color was returning. She
rang for Potts, remembering that the
half-hour must be almost up.
Potts." Margaret said. i've been
in rage, but I'm only angry now Do
I look like a human being again?"
"Yes, ma'am," answered the maid,
inspecting her gravely. "You are still
Q bit pale, ma'am, and your eye is a
tribe wild, may say. A motor veil,
perhaps, if you are thinking of going
out, ma'am."
II haven't got such a thing, have
II I never motor now"
Potts smiled the smile Of the very
superior maid, and moved towards a
perfectly new leather hat-box that
stood in the corner.
81 always put in two for sea,
ma'am," she said. "You wore one
when we crossed the channel the last
time, If you remember"
Potts, you're treasured"
Eyes, ma'am," Potts answered
vaguely in her meek voice, as she
dived into one of the curious secret
pockets of the hat-box. THAT is,
ma'am," she said, correcting herself,
II mean, it's very kind of you to
say So"
Without further consulting Marga-
ret, who had seated herself before
the dressing-table, Potts proceeded to
fasten a broad-brimmed black straw
hat on the thick brown hair; she then
spread an immense white veil over it,
drew it under her, mistress chin and
knotted it in way that would have
amazed seaman.
When Margaret was putting on her
gloves, Mrs. Rushmore herself came
to the door, knocked and opened dis.
creetly before there was any answer.
my dear child" she asked, what
In the world is the matter? Nothing
serious. trust?"
"Oh, nothing" Margaret answered,
going forward to meet her, and find
ing her natural voice. 'I'm sorry If
I've kept you waiting"
"It's SO unlike you, my DEAR" Mrs.
Rushmore said, with emphasis; "and
Potts looked quite grave when she
brought me your message half an hour
ago."
"You would have been more sur
prised if she had burst out laughing"
Margaret said viciously.
my DEAR" Mrs. Rushmore an
swered, I'm astonished at you! I
know something has happened.
know it. You are not yourself this
morning"
This was q statement 50 evidently
absurd that it could not be answered
except by a fat contradiction; so
Margaret said nothing, and went on
working her hand into q perfectly
new glove.
Il see that you have not even
opened your letters" Mrs. Rushmore
continued severely. Except that" >"
she added, noticing the loose sheets
of Lady Maud's letter on the toilet
table.
Margaret gathered them up hastily,
folded them into a crumpled package
and thrust them into the empty en-
velope. For once, she had forgotten
her caution, but she retrieved herself
by pushing the thick letter into her
long glove, much to Potts distress,
for 1t made an ugly lump. She made
it worse by forcing in the second
envelope, which contained the news
paper cutting.
I'm ready now," she said.
Mrs. Rushmore turned and led the
way with stately steps; she was al
ways imposing, but when she was Of
Tended she was monumental. The two
went out In silence, and walkly slowly
down the straight, dull street side by
side. Mrs. Rushmore spoke first, aft
er they had gone some distance.
Il know" she said, that something
has happened. 1t was in that letter.
You cannot deny it, Margaret. 1t was
In the letter you folded in that hur-
ried manner"
"The news was," answered the prima
donna, still vicious.
Il told you so. My dear child, it's
not of the slightest use to try to de-
ceive me. I've known you since you
were child"
'Tm not trying to deceive you"
when asked what had happened,
you answered. Nothing do not call
that very frank, do your"
Potts was there, to begin" ex-
planned Margaret GROSSLY.
But Mrs. Rushmore no longer heard.
Her head was up, her parasol lay back
upon her shoulder, her faded eyes
| I~H.t,0:-,r. = 4, a3