Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-08-24

q noble resolution. w hat had you for
gotten, Paul2"
He grew paler at the sound of her gentl,
question, but turned at once TO answer her
1t is your right to know, little Msdge
though l had thought never TO tell you
know you love him best, dear, child; bu
oh, let me think one moment what a JOY i
would have been could 1 have stood in hi
place. Do you know" he said, chokins
down sob, what bright picture l haC
drawn for myself?"
NO." she said, softly, ''tell me-
ut was the day when you promised re-
ward to the one who should find you clio
yer leaf [ had nothing to choose but youl
love, child, and had dreamed the day
might come when 1 should dare to ask you
for it; visions of a cheerful home, which
your voice should make as charming a. the
birds made the morning which your smile
should brighten like the MONDAY, were you
mine. Ah, Madge, you must not call me a
brave man any longer T.
And now, she faltered, ''you may
claim the ful6llment of my promise"
Now, if you will only give me that one
poor little clover leaf, to take away with me,
| will strive earnestly to be content"
Leave that to me" she cried, tears run
ming down her fair cheek and dropping on
his hand sit is all have of yours"
He looked at her in doubt, then asked,
hastily. Had 1 spoken sooner, Madge,
would you have paused to weigh my claim
against his ?'
He has no claim, save in your imagina-
ton, Paul"
"No claim, Madge Dear little one, do
you mean this? ?"
Stop, Paul Do not shame me-
My darling" he added, gathering her
up close against his throbbing heart, will
you give yourself to me? My life has been
q broken and Scared one-some time l will
tell you of it; but ifyou can give me word
of hope, there will be light at last"
She looked at the noble, kindly face, with
its lines of grief and care; at the silver
threads that crept out to sight amid the ra-
ven blackness of his hair at the dear eyes,
with such unutterable longing in them, and
then she put her hands in his, saying, sim
ply, Il do lov e you, Paul. Will you leave
me my clover-leaf?''
Until the day you give yourself with
it, he said, tenderly. My ,0ife will let
me share her memories, when she looks at
it, years from now, know"
Madge only smiled, but she did not draw
her hands from his firm clasp.
The sunshine had robbed the roses of all
their dew long before Paul Lyon and Madge
Wilder dismounted at the front piazza, and
Fred Hastings was waiting impatiently,
walking up and down as he watched the
road.
1t required some self control to meet his
glance unfiinchingly, but Madge did it, aud
with hasty, gay good morning, she hast
ened up the stairs. 1t was late in the after
noon before Fred found an opportunity Of
speaking to her, and then she was standing
alone in the halt twilight when he came into
the room. She dropped iuto chair by the
window as he drew nearer, and mutely
awaited what he had to say.
He leaned over the back Of her chair,
saying only, Dear Madge, have you no
word for me, after hiding from me all day
long? 2"
She drew away from him, ve1ed and
ashamed, hardly knowing how to reply.
But when he would have said more, she
found her voice. Hush |" she said with
a motion of entreaty, Il must not stay here
now"
'Madge, do you not know how much 1
love you?''
''Do not say it"
Blu. just then she heard Paurs voice un-
der the window, and in a moment more he
came in with his hands full of roses.
'Madge, little one, are you here?
Yes
"Well, come here, then. want to crown
you queen of my summer. Do you not see
that am growing young again?" Then
seeing Fred, who stood looking at him in
amazement, and taking in Madge's look of
entreaty, he said, Excuse me, Mr.. Has
tings, but this little girl has given herself to
me, and want to mark the day with flow
ers"
The roses, half of them, dropped from
his hands as Fred left the room, crashing
the door together behind him, but as Madge
smiled and bent her head, he took her face
between his hands md bent his own to meet
it.
II think | will gather my roses from q
sweeter garden hereafter, Madge," and he
left fond kiss on either cheek.
Still she was silent.
Il am sorry for him, dear child, for can
measure his loss by my gain but he should
have been = switter searcher for the clover
leaf"
Madge looked up, blushing very ro,ily,
as she remembered the kisses, at once SC
strange and so sweet, and said, 81 am salts
fed, dear Paul. :"
And Paul thought, as the years went BY
and the sad lines faded out of his face, and
his fair young wife walked beside him, that
God had been very good to him, and he
thanked Him out of full heart, into which
q content like beautiful dove, sank to rest