The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1916-07-22
The Best That Could
BeDone Under the
Circumstances
By F. A. Mitchell

Margaret Br1erley was brought up
by a couple of maiden aunts, sisters,
who were well off and intended that
after their death Margaret should
have their belongings. These were In
part a comfortable house and grounds
in the village, in which they lived.
Margaret proved an apt scholar and
was graduated with honor. Since life
with her aunts was very dull she
yearned for something livelier. After
a year of sitting around holding her
hands," as she expressed it, she de-
termined to 90 to the city to teach.
Her aunts combated her resolution.
They reminded her that they had cared
for her since she was an infant, edu-
Gated her and given her everything
she wanted. All in vain. One morn
ing when Aunt Sarah went into her
room to awaken her the bird had flown.
Three years passed, during which
there was no communication between
the aunts and the niece. Margaret
was getting on well as a teacher when
she fell i'll. Having no means to pro-
vide a substitute for her school duties,
she was dropped from the salary roll.
Then the poor girl began to regret that
she had yielded to the impulse to be
Independent. Nothing remained for
her but to go back to her aunts and
ask their forgiveness and help.
Taking advantage of a slight rally,
she spent her last funds for a railway
ticket to her former home. She ar
rived at the house as darkness was
falling. How comfortable everything
looked! There were the dainty white
house, the porch and lattice covered
with vines, the flower garden to one
side, the kitchen garden in the rear,
the whole inclosed by the low picket
fence. She went as fast as her cond1-
ton would permit up the walk, opened
the door and entered. All was still.
aunt Elizabeth" she called. with
no reply.
aunt SARAH" Still no answer
She went through the house, but
found no one. Thinking that her aunts
had gone out, she took off her wraps
and sat down in the living be-
fore the open fireplace, In which were
live Goals.
Presently she heard the front door
open and shut. She arose, intending
to greet her aunts. Instead a young
man entered. Seeing her, he paused.
"Where are my aunts, Misses Eliza
beth and Sarah Stacey?"
"Are you Margaret BrierleyT'
IT am"
Miss Elizabeth died a few months
ago, and Miss Sarah followed her In
two weeks"
Margaret sank back in her chair
and covered her face with her hands.
It was some time before she spoke
again; her she said:
"Who lives here now?"
81 do. l am Roger Blackmore, a
distant connection of the two ladies.
They made me their heir"
"What shall l do?" moaned Marga-
ret, forgetful Of the presence of an
other.
"Have you not been successfulr'
81 am i'll and without a cent In the
world
"You are welcome to remain here as
long as you like. l will leave you and
send some one to take care of you"
"What claim have 1 on you?"
II will show you"
Going to a desk, he took out a pa,
per and handed it to her. 1t was the
will of her aunts, leaving all they
possessed to him. There was q clause
stating that if their beloved niece, Mar
garet Duncan, ever returned in need it
vas their desire that the said Roger
Blackmore should relieve her wants.
She looked up at the heir.
"How can you relieve the wants of a
woman near our own age without
81 think your aunts were mindful
of that"
"Then why this request?"
perhaps they fancied"-
"What?''
"That we might pool our issuesT'
"Pool our issues! What do you
mean?"
Marriage"
Margaret made no reply to this. sCae
felt that she would be willing to mar.
ry P%olyphemus for a home and rest.
Presently she arose slowly and with
difficulty.
"Where are you going?' asked Black.
more.
81 don't know. I can't stay here"
He went to her and gently forced
her back in her chair. 'The good Ia
dies" he said, told me that if you
failed in your work they would be
glad IL you and I could occupy their
old home and enjoy their income to-
gether."
Margaret sat silent for awhile, then
looking up at him, said:
LAS for me, l can do nothing else.
1t remains for you to decide whether
or no you care to accord with the wish
expressed"
Without reply he left her and went