The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-11-21
COUNTRY MAGIC
sy GERTRUDE coNNELLv.
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Stream Mills. Margaret Grants fingers
few mechanically over the typewriter
keys. while through her mind throbbed
the doctors command to her concern
Ing her father.
Suddenly, as though II had some
bearing upon the troubled state Of her
mind. line In the letter which she
was answering caught and held her
attention. The letter was to Robert
Eagen, owner of the Silver Stream
Mills. from his only son:
"The country climate of Aronville Is
magical" he wrote. Here the weak
become strong. and the strong become
veritable Samsons."
It was this last remark that had
awakened Margaret's interest, and she
read, fascinated:
II have almost finished my last pic
ture," went on the letter "and I am
looking for model just now."
Seized with sudden wild impulse.
Margaret scribbled the address of the
young artist In her memorandum book,
and crossing the room to the mirror,
she regarded her beautiful face very
soberly.
Hurriedly finishing her letters she
stepped into the inner room occupied
by her employer.
"Well, Margaret, what have you de-
cided to do about your father?" ques-
toned Mr.. Eagen, signing letters rap
idly.
T am going to take him to Aron-
ville," she said. slowly.
Mr.. Eagen blotted his signature in
a speculative manner. and when he
spoke his voice was unusually kind:
"It is a good idea, Margaret, and
hope he will improve" Then after a
pause: "The magic Of Aronville has
so gotten into that young scamp's
blood that l don't think he will ever
want to take up the management OF
the mills. It's great disappointment
to me-" he added, as he gathered up
his hat and cane.
John Eagen had never seen his faith
er's secretary, and when Margaret ap-
peared in answer to his advertisement,
though to her he appeared simply sat-
isfied. Day after day, as Margaret sat
or stood before Johns easel, she
planned for her fathers future. He
must stay there in Aronville, where
he was already improving, while she
would return to her work and explain
to the mill owner how she had grasp
ed the opportunity in order to earn u
little extra money for her fathers
sake.
On Margaret's first morning back
she sat In nervousness and trepida-
tion, awaiting the arrival Of her EN-
ployer. Sealey. the head bool,keeper.
entered the room.
BEG pardon, Miss Grant," he said.
respectfully; "but Mr.. Eagen telephon-
ed he would not be down today. He
said to tell you that his son had come
home and was on his way down here
to the Office. When he arrives you
are to go over the contracts with him."
He went out, closing the door softly
behind him, and Margaret tried to still
the beating of her heart. and to think
coherently. With John Eagen even
now on his way to the Office there was
no escape. She repented having with
held her identity. At the time 1t SEEM
ed to her nothing more than a merry
lark, out there under the sunny Aron-
Vile skies. But now, with the plain.
matter-of-fact. practical air Of the
business world resuming It's grip up
on her there came to her awakened
senses a realization OF what the re-
suits might be. She saw now how she
might be misunderstood her motives
suspected by the elder Eagen, and
worst of all she saw the months OF
misery which she had needlessly
opened for herself; months In which
she must 60 away and strive to forget
the delightful companion of those days
in Aronville, who had come to mean
so much to her. In the midst Of her
reverie the door behind her opened and
closed again softly. Her henrt beat
suffocatingly for moment. stood still,
and then continued its beating in q
swift. nervous rush Of humping
blood.
"well, Margaret, Aronville IL a great
place. but business IL business. sup
pose"
When the realization that he already
knew her came to Margaret, the sun
shine became normal again and little
spirit of mischief born Of her relief.
bubbled up within her.
with flushed cheeks and nervous
little smile tugging at her lips she
turned toward him. and as John Eagen
caught sight Of the downcast eyes he
threw back his head and laughed q
deep, hearty laugh Of pure enjoyment.
"How--how-did you knowT she
stammered.
"why knew the first day bsaw
you" he explained in great nmuse-
ment. "Father wrote that you were
coming and suggested hunting you up
as possible model"
Suddenly he became serious. "Fa-
ther Is delighted with my coming back
to the mills" he said, "and when he
spoke about our going over these con-
tracts ] suggested that you and I draw
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