The Merryweathers

gy, I am

Marg

-afterward-I went to Fernley; and though so many people have come into my life, dear, delightful people, I have never somehow gone into theirs. And now, to go into a whole gr

he boys so well, and though you have not actually seen the Snowy, you really know her very well. Darling thing! Oh, I cannot

the journey

ms shorter, because you know it is long. Well, you needn't laugh, you know perfectly well what I mean. Oh, Margaret, I saw a glimpse of

her cousin's hat, and then proceeded to administe

now, when you have taken the black smut off your nos

garet, how do you do it? Why does dust avoid you, and cling to me as if I were its last refuge? How do you make your collar stay lik

n into the seat beside her. "You must be good, and sit still. See! that old

it scandalized; he l

eg

ou suppose Mr. Merryweather is

gy? please don't

most perfectly sure it must be. Why, he is posit

in the least my idea of Mr. Merryweather; and if he does stare,-there! he is looking away now,-it i

rryweather!" cha

is things together. It is! it is,

in alarm, fearing that the gentleman must have heard. She met a glance so kin

t tall, but broad and muscular, with keen, dark eyes that sparkled unde

oung ladies? I beg the privilege of assisting you with your parcels; I insist upon it! Permit me, madam!" and he took possession of Margaret

carry it perfectly-thank you so very much! Yes, we

Astonishing! Going there myself. Permit me to in

hat again, a

cted and yet alarmed by his explosive utterance, so

d the Colonel. "I'll be shot

ning. "Not his daughters, but his nieces.

was in petticoats. John, Dick, Jim, Roger-fine lads! used to stay at Roseholme-my place in Dutchess County-forty years ago. School-boys when I was in college. All

le James are living, Colonel Ferrers; this is Uncle James's daughter. Peggy dear, Colonel Ferrers! an

ars. Knew Roger, your father, well, Miss Montfort. Great scholar; fine fellow! nose in his books all d

one side of the track, a platform and a shed, with a few barrels and boxes lying about; on

is face alight with joy and eagerness; close beside him was another person, a tall girl in gray, at sight of whom Peggy, who had been app

wy! is it r

ss. "I am so glad! and this is Margaret-oh! welcome, most welcome, to Merryweather! Dear Colonel

ers drew her

thing; confined to her bed; excellent woman, none better in the world. Never could understand why good people should have lumbago; excellent complaint for scoundrels; excellent! well, the boy-his great-aunt, you understand!-refuses to leave her. Says she likes to have him read to her! Preposterous! I insisted, Elizabeth Beadle insisted, wi

with the horses. The old horse doesn't like the train, an

of them, sir. Sole-leather trunk, green carpet-bag. Anything for

s as big as the camp, or very near it; and a hamper that says 'sa

ou, sir, how are you? prancing, as usual, like an Egyptian war-horse. Come here, and be introduced to the Miss Montforts! We are in luck, sir!

by the shyness which her companion had conquered. But now Gertrude took her by the hand, and while the trunks were being hoisted on the wagon by Gerald and Jack, aided by a tal

the heat. She has enjoyed her school very much. She wanted Grace to join her, and

have no eyes for any one else. He can't re

d that if Grace did

The wedding is to

d, wistfully. "Margaret, will you risk l

argaret. "Is he very wi

rse!" said Gerald. "Jacob, don't stra

d calmly, and swung a large trunk over h

wly; "fear you'll do yourself a hurt pulling on

." He held out his hand, and Margaret steppe

f you'll drive the beach-wag

ont seat, Colonel Ferrers? So! all right now, Jack! we'd better let the old horse go first, for he doesn't

to take the horses when you get there. You better hurry th

five-barred gate, and went with a lo

p, Frank! do play you are alive, just for once. Oh, Margaret, I am so glad to see you. I thought

ul Margaret. "It has s

been short too, summers alwa

aret. "What can a dachshund ha

chs, and a little boy stopped to look at him. 'Ain't he long?' he said. 'My