The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-06-02
BY ALICIA RANN.


chester. l am just Orphan Maggie"
The girl sat very erect among the
cushions of the window seat in the sun
parlor OF Eagles Nest, the newly-built
abode OF Mr.. Barchester, head of the
gigantic business corporation of which
Bill Pogue was proud to be considered
one OF the promising younger mem
bers.
That's why | didn't want to say
that would marry you; because you
couldn't marry me, of course, when
you knew that was just an orphan.
The Barchesters adopted me.
"Bill, please don't hate me for being
ashamed OF it, for it wasn't quite that.
But Mr.. and Mrs. Barchester have been
so good to me, and they made me
promise never to tell anyone that l
was not their truly really daughter.
When you began to come to see me
and when you told me that you want,
ed me to marry you knew that
Daddy Barchester wanted me to like
you. For he is very proud Of you, Bill,
"Oh, l have tried 80 hard to tell
you, Bill, but just couldn't. Bill, your
mother would hate me II she thought
had made you think was really and
truly Mr.. Barchester's daughter"
For the first time, Margaret paused
in her talk, but Bill forgot all the COM
forting and reassuring things he had
intended to say.
She held out two imploring hands
and, now that her little speech was
over, her eyes were filled with the
tears that she had been keeping back
so bravely.
But Bill did not yield to the tempta-
ton to comfort her
I'm glad you have told me, Mar
garet. or course, 1t was the only
thing to do" he said, still avoiding
her entreating eyes. I'm glad, too, to
know your reason for not giving me
your answer" He paused again as II
thinking deeply and then turned and
faced the girl, watch in hand. His
voice was entirely changed when he
said, We'll, let's start now for that
Compromised visit to my old home.
It's in the other end of town"
Once or twice as Bills car bore them
swiftly onward, Margaret tried to get
back to the question uppermost in her
mind. Why didn't he tell her that the
fact Of her humble origin made no
difference to him?
They moved less rapidly through the
outskirts of the city, dropped down
through the crowded streets and on
beyond to the older section, where sag.
ging pavements and ill-kept green
squares proclaimed the neighborhood
to have outlived once-fashionable
era.
At one such corner Bill signaled for
the car to stop.
We'll get out here and walk to the
house." lie said.
Perhaps" she thought, 'the street
where Bills mother lives is being re-
paved"
But in minute more she found this
conjecture to be wrong. 1t was an I'M
usually large and imposing mansion,
out of date and in not too good re-
pair, to which Bill turned their steps.
What perfectly lovely old home"
she said as they neared the massive
black walnut entrance door. Secretly
she felt disappointed. II Bill had led
her to some simple little cottage or
even up flights of stairs to a humble
fiat she would have felt that the lit
tie Maggie she had confessed herself
to be would find warmer welcome.
ut is a fine old home, isn't it?" an
swered Bill, with evident satisfaction.
And some twenty-five years ago 1t |
was the scene Of great festivities. !
Pretty good times still go on within its |
walls"
Just then stout. midNe-aged wom-
an came to the door.
"The mother, please" said Tom, and |
hen: "She expects US. Shall we go |
straight to her study?"
He turned to the little room on the
light of the imposing though meagerly
furnished hall and entered, unan-
what was apparently his
study. Margaret first caught
he brilliance Of the stand Of red ge-
'aniums that stood In the sunlight of
he window to the south, then the i'm
preston of immaculate cleanliness and
then the little mother came toward
hem from her low rocking chair with
wo outstretched hands. Margaret took
,ne and Bill the other.
$50 you have brought her!" smiled
he mother. with a tone that gave
Margaret all the reinsurance she had
onged for. And then she found her
'elf seated cozily in a low rush-bot-
ON chair at the mothers side and Bill
n another.
ut is wonderful thing to me-" the
mother was saying In her kind voice,
that not one boy who has left US
md made good has been ashamed
When the time came, to bring the girl
lie has chosen for his wife back to
he old home. And not one has been
to introduce me as his moth
r." The old lady paused and laughed
nd then wiped a tear from her kindly
Id eyes. And some twenty OF them
ave made good and married. But Bill