young and one

great value in real estate, since the wild boom of the early eighties, which made and broke so many western towns; but it was quite a railroad center, one of the princ

th everything, from the price of ice to the sparsity of amusements. It was said, also, to

ccordance with the laws of the State, and it did trul

comfortable homes and green lawns, and it was much beloved by its inhabitants

es who had remained, firmly fastened, when the tide receded, taking with it a few of the industries that had sprung up like mushrooms during

t to avoid matrimony, so many were the enticements thrown out to land him. He was unquestionably th

ed Valencia, Mr. Spencer entertained two of his near

rs before, but which now exaggerated the faded lemon color into which that complexion had degenerated. In place of dimples, there were creases in her cheeks, but she clung to her original co

cate complexion. She was entirely satisfied with herself, but nevertheless she felt a pang of jealousy whenever she lo

of girls, for his life had been spent close to his mother

girl, Margaret Anthony, vaguely wondering what to say, and

. She answered in a monosyllable, but kept her eyes cast down. Followi

own hands, and then he realiz

le gleam of laughter in hers. For a moment he was inclined to be angry, but chang

m, and an expression of satisfacti

to some mischief, I kno

ncer. "I don't think I ever heard Robert laugh like that

oys, Bob," she said smilingly; "he a

maybe so,"

ou'd run," said Margaret w

good-humored response, jus

ice would be broken sooner, over soup and fish, with the assistance of warm candleligh

ok in the exquisite details of the table of polished, massive mahogany, with gleaming sil

ed with the environments. Her hair had a decidedly reddish cast, and framed a face

ull and greenish in color, shaded by lashes so long and

pretty?" Then she added, "But I am a gourmand. I like the pretty surroundings and

are such a child," h

oint of your experience, I must app

his inexperience, and beside this small girl he felt

. Malloy was expressing her opinion of a new book which she did not like, and said

e: "I would hate to acknowledge, though, that I had not read a book of which every one

oom Robert said to Margaret, "Did I u

mes as Eugene Field's 'Bill,' in the little

nod

e Margaret, the girls they called me Peg, Mot

" he q

l me Margaret or Margie. Auntie's name for me sort of sticks. But I suppose it's al

gh, I shall call you Margi