The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-01-03


something warm"
The girl colored again at the implied
rebuke and walked quickly ahead.
I'VE are stopping fer the summer at
The inn," she said. my mother is an
Invalid, and Margery and I came for
walk. But she is such a little lover
Of nature and the water, especially"
"A healthful passion at most times"
said Thornton, smiling both at her
apology and the impression the three
were making on the people whom they
were meeting on the highway now,
"but sometimes dangerous, Miss
Miss"
"Roberts," said the girl.
'''Thank you. I am Charing Thorn
ton Of the old place up there: Now if
you will go ahead and>get bed ready
for our little mermaid, without dis
turbing your mother, I will slip in
quietly and turn her over to you"
Half an hour later Thornton came
down to the public room of the inn,
where the keeper was awaiting him.
"The child is doing nicely, Higgins"
said the master Of the Gables, as he
tried vainly to light match on his
still damp knickerbockers. Il am 60
ing home to get some dry clothes N.Y.
self. will drop in again this evening,
and meanwhile anything that Mrs.
Roberts and her children want be sure
you get them promptly. They are old
friends of my family" he went on
unblushingly, land I expect them to
have the BEST"
AYE, sir, that they shall have" said
closed over the offered coin.
True to his promise. Thornton came
later in the evening, and before his lit
tie visit was over felt as If he had
known the Roberts, as he told Higgins,
many years. But whenever he had
tried to disclaim any credit for the
rescue of Margery, who had taken a
violent liking to him as soon as he ap-
peared in the room, and tried to tell
them the truth, both Isabel and Mrs.
Roberts laughingly stopped him, de-
claring that all heroes were modest
and that he was no exception. So
he gave it up, albeit guiltily remember
ing that some time he must explain it
all.
When he reached home again after
dreamy stroll from the inn, in which
he had built all manner of strange
and new aircastles, Nero met him at
the door. His master laughed and he
Ch0nE tho hno1 tn fro
II have accepted the mantle that is
yours by right, old fellow" he said,
"and hadn't the courage to disclaim
the praise that was not mine. But to-
morrow"
Yet when tomorrow came the op-
portunity did not, although some
trivial errand led Thornton past the
inn, Of course, Hnecessitated his stop
ping in to inquire after the little in
valid. She came running to him her.
self, for answer, and sprang into his
arms, nesting her face close to him.
II am all well again." she cried breath
lessly, land I love you and so does
mamma!' Thornton felt a strange
wave of real happiness rush over him
at the child's artless words, and he
answered softly, "And love you, Mar
gerry"
Weeks passed. Thornton's visits be-
came remarkably regular. Each day
brought it's errand in the village, and
one evening he accepted their invi-
tation to dinner. A few days later he
prevailed upon them to make his eve
ming meal at the Gables less lonely,
and both Margery and Isabel went into
delighted and delightful raptures over
the beautiful old place, while Thorn
ton talked with Mrs. Roberts both
learning much Of each other, and find
ing mutual acQuaintances and friends
in the distant city. But Thornton's
eyes strayed often to where the grace
full girl and the pretty child walked or
sat, and some of his replies were not
strictly answers to the questions. Mrs.
Roberts asked; for when Cupid makes
up his mind to do a bit Of archery
practice, he does not waste time. And
so, before the summer was two months
old, Charing Thornton, deep in the
net Of love, laid his heart at Isabels
feet.
But before he did so, he told her the
whole truth of Margery's rescue, as he
had often tried to tell before. And
now," he said, when he had finished.
IF you can love man who takes the
credit for something he did not do
even if he does take it only from his
dog-and still believe him worthy of
woman, Isabel you will make me the
happiest man alive.
II can for have cared, for long
time, DEAR" she said. "And if I love
you, I must love old Nero, too, don't
you know?" she smilingly added.
Six months later, the Gables had a
mistress, Charing Thornton the pref
test and happiest little wife in three
counties, and Nero loving companion
in the person of Margery, over whom
he watched all day, as they romped
or walked together, with loving dig