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---.-UNDER SUSPICION: A TALE…

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UNDER SUSPICION: A TALE OF DOMESTIC LIFE. CHAPTER XIII. tSSuKDAY was always one of Margaret's trial days. At fctlier times, she could escape the bight at least of the \il-*egu!aied, noisy household; and, as is usually the (ase where there is no family rule, self-induigence 1Wld its consequent evils reigned paramount on this tay of ail others. MargtU-et still held to her own mother's teaching, faintly expressed by Ruth's homely proverb, Xevor thp the wiugs oi the Sabbath." But Mrs. Grant put "idle" for "holy" in her reading of the Fourth Commandment, and observed it to the letter. Chureh- b" were her signal for rising; and the remains of btwikfasr, which it was Margaret's business to prepare, \isually stood on the table at her return from morning fcervicts the children undergoing their weekly ablu- tions in the meantime; or, if they escaped out ofduors before their mother seized upon them for the dreaded teeremouy, this duty also fell upon their eldest sister, tt Susie, when she was the little maid oi all work. There were two hours, at least, of hurry and t on- fusion at noon, of teaziug or quarrelling between tlie boys, and sharply administered rebukes of tongue fcrnl h<s.nd from their mother, in the pauses of making lier own elaborate toilet for the afternoon's neighbourly Visiting. Her husband always passed it in long ttirol-s on the outskirts of the city, ending in the Vicinity of some railway depot, where he could medi- cate at leisure oa his own premeditated improvements la machinery. Time had been when he too attend -d tervioe regularly; but his desultory habits, and f.ti.- hea&h, tris shabby dress, and the whole gradual t jWwii.g of moral tone, had broken in upon higher duties; though he had ever kept aloof from the Ull- congenial eoc.ety of the low and vicious around him. binncr was hurried; the boys being allowed to to the table just as they had risen; although tl Ie Why had on a dean dress, and sat up on the floor -o peaceably, employed with a bone from the CLnner table, which did not in the end improve his rJ$irsonaj appearance. Kirs. Grant's anxiety as to the weather, and the fctaie of441 he walking," was followed by the modest "uebt that Margaret would administer the required of soap an,), water to the fajesof the boys, aad W- up heir clean clothes. u Never was such boys !"—and she sat Master Al Violently down in his chair—"chasing all round the Neighbour hood, instead of staying at home to be "wasln-d aiid dres.sed decently. But wheu should I get \imeto dolt, anyway, with every step to take for Myself, and sick people to wait on into the ijxrgaiii' Dear knows! if J could have my time to %uyHf lJ. and work at my trade, I wouldn't be beholden i-) ti,e nonliving for victuals and clothes; but &>>Uiv have everything just, as they like, and I loust, put up w.th it, and be ground down and walked 4 It was ha^d to sit still and bear these stings of the ^or.gaw. un itistas they were but h irJer still forMar- to sec in-r father push away his scarcely tasted tptitter, and leave the house to find quiet, at least, abroad. Mio w;ts glad to do anything that could hasten Mrs. <rT»nt'» departure, and breathed more freely when that •larfy set forth, arrayed in a gay shawl, crowned by the ♦f'^fittour of the new bonnet, and carrying the baby '■wrif-h her, his face looking out from under a white 4--tin hat, with a marvellous plume. Left to her- fcwf, the boys gave little trouble comparatively, • though they declined her invitation to stay and at Sunday-school" after they were dressed-her "Cu})- successful method of reaching them. Ruth's kindly f-ice appeared just as this was ac- txxnplmhed, on her way to afternoon service. 41 Susie not down stairs yet ?" she said, in her cheery Voice. M But she's just as well off where she is for a lmftk or so yet; keep her in bed as long as you can. I don't suppose youll leave her this afternoon again, "toot I thought I'd just step round and see. Bless me ^Ufct look at the child!" Margaret started, as well as her visitor, to see theap- Iftrition at the foot of the stairs. It was very im prudent, tut very natural on Pusie's part. She thought Margaret Hever would get through, and. wrapping a shawl Wound her, slipped out of bed, and down stairs, at the Visk of being carried immediately back again. I I" How natural it does look, clock and all !nnd Susie, sitting on the lower stair, gazed around with Visible satisfaction. I'm so tired of our room You'll please go back to it as fast as you can, you 'Crazy little thing! Don't wait a minute, now." Bat sister Bat sister Not a word till you're in bed again Ruth will tome up; won't you. Ruth ?" And Miss Susie found herself deposited up stairs before she had a chance to make even a feint of resist since. RUi,h sat down in ■the aewing-chair, while Margaret made the little ni- ValkPs toilet, the child being all excitement at tlus partial escape. partial escape. Susie's spirits were beyond her strength, though, %nd slie was soon very gl.id of the easy-chair liuth Ikad arranged in her primitive way, and to lie quietly 4n it—an odd. old f a hi > >n »H1 1 i ttl e tin ore, holding a t^l'-an ',I)O,-Iet,hau"trchief tiglilly iu liar almost transparent It&nds. Ruth found it was time to leave them. when she bad seen her fairly settled, and paid a visit to Mar- fraret's mirror on Iwr own account-iiot from any Vanity, hut force of habit and exactness; for Ruth to pin her shawl at just such an angle across her plump figure, and always gave a parting bend to her \>laek bonnet before she went into the street. M I suppose Miss Agnes liasn't been in to see you %gain y she said, turning this way anl that in the attempt to see tuo back of her head. 44 It's hardly time yet, though; and I suppose she's pretty busy, 11 too. Well, good-bye, children; I shall run in to "Wish you a merry Christmas, in thw courso of the "week, and to see Susie's new frock on. I supposo till be done Ly then. Don't come down to the door, Mar g» ret! I daresay I can find my way out by this time." They were all alone again—th^ house to themselves, ] In Sabbath stillnt^ss and quietness. W«ll," said Margaret, 41 did Ruth tell you Miss Agnes'? last name ? I meant to have asked her. Per- Iwps it's someone that used to go to Sunday-schoo) ♦^irben I did." No, 1 forgot,. We al w^vs have so many things to ""y when w4- tx gin to talk about her. I do hope she /%rill coine again. She could come and take t-a wit!i fciS, perhaps, if it was all our house. How nice it would Jb* to hear Imr and you talk together! I shouldn't want %0 may a word." It was not Susie's unknown friend But Adelaide '!Lmg, who rose before Margaret while Susie rambled <Mt. But she claimed a truce with her own heart, tor the time. She must be all alone with her (rod; toot even the child for a witne-s to tint, nuat coutiicr. But what did you do while I was gone to churcn, A-at?" Oh, I W" going *,o tell you! I read the Psalms. end tbe Le8»">Tis, and then I found my texts in the Ktible ind taurut it. I tiiink it su li a nice plan TO '••y my text to you every night, and I read so many titd6 bits before I rind iC How ltiuny sick pe >plo ■and blind people Jesus cured didn't he ? I learned verse in Honaus to-day where all tie short ones mte." Margaret looked for the well-known chapter in the fiibte she had taken from her dressing-table, while Susie folded her hands, a3 she had sail her prayers in babyhood, and rejieated: 604 Dearly beloved, avenge nor, yourselves; but father give place urito wrath; for it is writt"n, V ell- ceaace is mine; I will repay, gaitii the Lord.' I teamed that to put me in mind not tu abuse any one. or be spitelul when I go down stairs again. I knew I L fcbouldh't do it, ever, added the child, in a penlCeul tone. But Margaret had gone to The end of the chapter, Wondering if the message had not oouie to her instead Soaie. chap 13 S*»e rwmembered the simp'e direction she had so Often relied on in darkness and doubt: 44 It any lacfc wisdom, let him ask of God." Ilad asked it all that day, and what direction had slie recei ved? To give Vp all that lead to temptation, thoagh dear as her own rigttt hand; toleaver iributiontu One who knew all things, and could make her iiii:ot;ence clear as tbe noonday. Self-conquest, at any sacrifice, was before her; and the first step was to turn away from every association that had nourished her foolish dream, •r that could lead her into the tcmpation of cherishiag unavailing murmurs at her lot. She must give up lier platx) to do this; and it must Iw done at once, It involved all her dcp<>iidence; s'>e had no other Ðu Ü'in!d t(\ se urfj irif.-rher siri.'ar/on. Could And -h- ft-.o igtit o; turning to b<f for every liul. .•o,|<»i-t •>: ■■ ~<i,sore, and her ffatlmr y ilk of her (it uTiuiitii i right lull n l the riglif. e»e <\ -r r-eq:;ir#vi ■>! her. sho not, at It.a,t, :r •• •.••r-if frooi th:n httiikl'thiz suspicion before »he i t; ? Would it ht: cnore tho simple ju"tte :-ucl; a,oj anorh t m:gh' <jena uid ut U--r ior. if she ^uve no e.vp auction und what could siit- give ?--tho very art would be held as proof of her guilt. Mr. Gh- might doubt it now at times, as to-day, it had seemed forgotten-even he would then hold her guilt as certain. And yet she read again, and the words burned themselves upon her memory: "Avenge not yourselves if thine enemy hunger, reed him if he thirst, give him drink. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." And was n^t concealment the meat and drink her enemy had need of ? Poor g-,r,! The strength to make this utter self- renunciation cn i'd come alone from the hand that re- quired it; and while Susie, wearied by unusual ex- ertion, slept ligtitly in the comfortable chair, Mar- garet knelt and prayed as she had not done for many a day, with wrung, outstretched hands, and bitterness of heart that none but God could know. CHAPTER XIV. WEOXKSDAY, the day before Christmas, had arrived. While others anticipated the gifts of the evening and the holiday to-morrow, Margaret thought only of going from these familiar scenes to return to them no more; of meeting Mr. C-'s suspicious roek, and cold acceptancii of the resignation of her port of going away, perhaps without a word of farewell from the kind Iriend whose approval she courted, to brave her fath( r's disappointment, his wife's wrath, and Sjsie's inno :ent questionings when she told them what she had d. \\e, but could give no reason wbv. What v. as to become of them, or herself, she could not see; but when these misgivings came, she met the tempter, who would still hold her in this daily bondage, with an old saying she had often heard from her mother's lips: 44 Man's extremity is God's op- portunity." It was so dark by four in the afternoon that the gas was lighted, and still the crowd poured in and out without diminution. Eight, nine o'clock, and yet the tired feet were not rdmed, and the lights shone out from Ch- and C 8 over the Wet, slippery pavement. chap 14 Ihere was a time-honoured custom at Ch and C 's. At the close of the day's sales, each person in their employ was summoned to the office and re- ceived a special gift, ostensibly in return for the week's unusual exertions. Nine o'clock was the signal for this cheerful business to commence, and one after another was called, and reappeared with smiling or disappointed faces as the case might be. Margaret dreaded, yet longed for the summons the signal for her final departure, and stood watching the inner door, with nervous starts and suddenly failing pulse whenever she imagined the time had come. She echoed the merry wishes and glad good nights of th,ise who were going, and thought "it is for the last time." The lights were dying out around her; the great cloth hangings began to stretch gloomily from floor to ceiling; still her name had not b--en called, and while she wondered and waited, and sa", even the cash boys go in before her, it suddenly came into her mind that the omission was intentional -a part of the disapprobation in which she was held, and which waited only definite proof for her dis- missal. Her breath came quick and hard at the thought, and she started up, yielding to the impulse of the moment, to follow and detain the real aggressor, who bad just passed by with a light mocking laugh, and accuse her face to face. But a voice seemed ringing in her ears Is Avenge not yourselves." and she turned, nerved by very hopelessness of the moment, to seal her own dismissal. Miss C- now occupied the office-chair, before which Margaret had been summoned to her brother's i judgment, checking the list of names; there were but few remaining who had not received their Christ- mas gift. Margaret's was not there. She knew it when she appeared before them, and saw the start by which her entrance was greeted. Margaret gave him no time for reply. 441 did not come for any fgift. I should have waited to be sent for. I came to say that I leave my situation to- night,, to be disposed of as you think best. That is all." And she was gone before Mr. Caleb and his sister had recovered from their astonif hment, or Mr. Ch- who would have detained her, could do so. He followed her to the door, indeed, tb- next moment. with hasty step, but the porters werj in the shop, busy with their nightly arrangement*, and she had passed on swiftly to the dressing-foam, where were voices and laughter. r Margaret did not wait for any more farewells; sfae fetched her bonnet and shawl, and went, out into the night. Then all feeling was absorbed in the tttter loneliness of her position—shrinking with a woman's fear from the noisy groups of revellers, unsheltered from the drenching, driving storm. There were hasty steps behind her, and she quick- ened her own pace. It was later than she had ever been abroad before, and the streets were full oi lawless men, bent on a night of riot and excess. 44 Margaret!" Still she hurried on, thinking her own imagination mocked her. 44 Margaret! One moment! Will yo I not let me take care of you? It is no night for you to be out alone!" She faltered then, with a sudden trembling that made her heart stand stiil. It was not the cold, or the drenching shower, but that she should be re- membered, cared for by him. She knew t,he earnest voice—whose arm had thrown a heavy p.aid around her—as well as when she turned to &nd LewtJ Ch- 44 You are drenched and shivering with cold," he said; 44 you must not expose yourself in this way. Trust me. Margaret, as if I were your—brother. Will you not?' Trust him ? Yes; she had always trusted him and now she stood in beggarly need of some otli-r human strength and comfort. A strange content, stole over tier, and calmed her, as she stood leaning on his arm—he bending down to shelter her, until the cab that he had signalled from the stand had ap- proached. and then she was lifted in, and he sprang to the seat beside her. She did not make a motion of dissent, or even wonder how he knew it, when she heard him tell the driver the name of the court in which she lived, but leaned back, not even caring to have the blessed silence broken. a So, Margaret, you have given us up to-night," he said, as they rolled away from the glare of the noisy thoroughfare. I will not ask you why I know you never act without good reason. But what if I will not let you go? What if I hold you here by me always?"—and the hand that sought her own grasped it firmly. She did not reproach him with wronging another by such words she trusted him, by all she knew of his life, that he meant what he was saying, honourably and truly, though she could not comprehend it, and sat silent as before. Will you go now, when I tell you that I love you as if you were already my own wife? Will you be my wife, Margaret ?" His wife how the words rang in upon the Stupor that seemed to have fallen upon her. His wife I" she had never said that, even to herself, before she had only thought, but never as now, how she could have ioved him! "Margaret! You will at least tell me whether I have offended you?''—and he waited until she said: Oh no, no I have no right to think that you would make me such a precious Christmas gift as the right to love and cherish you. But if you knew how hard it has been to see you braving fatigue and exposure day after day! How many ways I have planned of approaching you less rashly how I dreaded to speak lest I should have deceived myself in thinking that you would learn to love me You cannot now—you do not evn know me as I am, though you have seen me daily for three years.* But you do not know what you ask for. You do not know 441 ? I do, Margaret, better than you think. I knew you first in your gentle, dignified womanhood, with such a face as always calmed me—even in pictures when I have found it; and then I watched you to see if I were deceived in thinking it was the impress of the inner life, of its purity, energy, and loving-heartodness that I saw. Forgive me that I began the study coldly, when it ended in loving what I found." Do you /iive me?" she said, dreamily—as if she stayed her feet on the brink of a stream she dared not essay to cross. 44 Yes, love you could any one know how you have borne your lot in life, and not love you, my patient Margaret! How you have held to 4 all things beautiful, and pure, and of good report,' in the midst of ungenial intluences-what a daughter you have been -what a mother to your little sister You must let me share the task-work now; will you not ? Will you try to love me, and give me time to prove that this is no sudden, passing fancy?" 44 But you do not know"—and an unworthy flush rose to h<r frice, as she remembered the obscure street thy were so rapidly approaching. We are not like r.h<-e you have always known; we are very poor awl Jj:üilJ. aul vou must not let uitv blind you to the reality, or make you blush in your own home when you think of mine." He looked out at her bidding. She was right; he had not realised that she had Uved surrounded by such scenes from her childhood-the low drinking-shops— the noisy brawlers upon the side-walks—the poor squalid houses-the shouting, and singing, and quar- relling that came from within—the miserable air of poverty and decay on everything; yet it only made him long more earnestly to carry her away from all such wretched associations, and make her future life so bright and happy that she would come to forget that she had ever known them. My poor Ma.rgaret And he turned away to clasp her more closely still. chap 14 She could not deny herself the transient shelter, for all that she repeated over to herself, again and again, 44 It must not be." How swiftly the still moments flew by! The carriage turned into the narrow court, halted, and the farewell had come. 441 must see your father in the morning. Yes, Margaret, I shall! and walk with you to church. It must be as I say, now. God bless you And he was gone before Mrs. Grant, startled by the unusual sound of wheels, had reached the door and unbolted it. La, it's only you, is It F I thought I heard a cab or something. I suppose I must sit up till midnight for everybody. No signs of your father yet." It was as angracious and fretful greeting; but the echo of that "God bless you" charmed away the discord, and in ho r own room she could try to make the last hour real. Susie's pale, sleeping face reminded her of the unfinished task-not task but pleasure, for sleep was impossible- and as her needle flew, happy thoughts, strange questionings, and bright an- ticipations that would not be driven hack, floated and mingled in her mind, marked by the smiles and blushes and grave earnest looks, that passed over the face bent downward to her work. Margaret stood up and shook out the new dress, Susie's one Christmas present. It was quite done, even the little piece of lace tacked around the neck, ana the sister's eyes already saw her little one arrayed in it but. as she stood brushing off the bits of clip- pings and thread, she heard voices and her own name Cilsd from below. She did not distinguish her father's but, ever watchful for him, and suddenly remembering his unwonted absence, flew down the stairs, impelled by a nameless terror of accident or mischance. Mrs. Grant's eyes, heavy with sleep, were distended with some startling intelligence she ieemed as yet scarcely to understand, and her husband tottered towards Margaret with outstretched arms. 0 Margaret! it's mine at last; the patent!"—and he burst into tears, sobbing like a child. Margaret southed him as she would have comforted Susie, while he clung to her as helplessly; smoothing his silvery hair, whitened so rapidly of late, but asking nothing. 44 Poor father! dear fati-ter 441 don't care for anything now it has come, but you, Margaret. I've been so cruel and hard-hearted to you and Susie; but you shall have it all back again. 0 Margaret I" It was no time to tell him of her own strange re- payment, and long before she could win him to try and Bleep; but when he did so, heavily, for he was ex- hausted in mind and body, she stole back to Susie's bedside, and knelt, until the midnight chimes rang out their Christmas greeting, with a heart too full even for audible thanksgiving. chap 14 (To be continued.)

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