Three Margarets

UNCLE JOHN AND THE YOUNG CUBANS.
Copyright, 1897 By Estes and Lauriat
Colonial Press: Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co. Boston, Mass., U. S. A.

The rain was falling fast. It was a pleasant summer rain that plashed gently on the leaves of the great elms and locusts, and tinkled musically in the roadside puddles. Less musical was its sound as it drummed on the top of the great landau which was rolling along the avenue leading to Fernley House; but the occupants of the carriage paid little attention to it, each being buried in her own thoughts. The night was dark, and the carriage-lamps threw an uncertain gleam on the three figures leaning back in their corners, muffled and silent. The avenue was long,—interminably long, it seemed to one of the three travellers; and finally the silence so oppressed her that she determined to conquer her shyness and break it.
What a very long avenue! she said, speaking in a low, sweet voice.
There was no reply. She hesitated a moment, and then added timidly, Don't you think that, as we are cousins, we might introduce ourselves and make acquaintance? My name is Margaret Montfort.
Why, so is mine! exclaimed the traveller opposite her. And mine! added the third, from the further corner.
The voice of the second speaker sounded as if it might be hearty, and as if only awkwardness gave it a sullen tone. The third spoke with a soft, languid utterance and the faintest shade of a foreign accent.
How strange! exclaimed the first Margaret Montfort. Of course I knew that we had the same surname, as our fathers were brothers; but that we should all three be named—and yet it is not strange, after all! she added. Our grandmother was Margaret, and it was natural that we should be given her name. But how shall we manage? We cannot say First, Second, and Third Margaret, as they do on the stage.