Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-09-12
WOODSTOCK, W., THURSDAY, SEPT. l2, 1922.

erous, it never made her despicable.
And somehow men understood this,
and so fostered her other foibles, be-
cause of their gladness that she was
free from greater ones.
1t was only about a week before
the day fixed for their marriage, that
Mr., Bligh ventured to speak decisively
to her. Very earnestly and gently he
spoke, beseeching her to open all her
heart to him, and to tell him if any
other image had ever displaced his.
And NIadge listened to him thought
fully, and analysed her own emotion
and finally answered hm.
eff he had come first I should have
loved Theo desperately, as it was |
didn't dare let myself, You're not
afraid, are you ?"
"Only for you happiness, my poor
child" he said, mot for my own hon
or"
81 like you 50 much, you know i"
she said, energetically-"it it does
seem so Lard that one cant express all
ones little grandations Of feeling in
words-I like you so much-but its
dark to me now without him." she
added, with a sudden passion that
carried her out off herself, and con-
vinced him that she could never be
his wife
Gle is the younger man-and-you
are right"
He tried to say it calmly, but it
was an awful blow; and again, as the
strength Of his manhood was shaken,
Madge wavered, and strove to comfort
him.
"Let things 90 on and | shall for
get him, or grow indifferent to him;
| know myself shall live it down"
"You need not poor child, for he
loves you, too"
eyes, know that" she answered,
with the reckless opcnness that made
her what she was.
After that, so much of the world as
knew the Blghs and Dmdees had a
fresh and delightful source of wonder
ment for time. The marriage be
tween the owner of the Chase and
Madge was broken off, and still they
were friendly; and still neither would
listen to one word against Or comment
on the conduct of the other. Time
would tell, people said sapiently, re
serving their belief as to what time
would tell to themselves.
Six months passed, and then Theo
Bligh received those letters of which
mention has been made. One was
from Madge, and contained these
words:
Your uncle has promised to eX-
plain everything. | need only say
that | shall always be your faithful
friend, Madge Dundee"
The other was from his uncle, and
contained a free forgiveness Qhis was
only implied, not coarsely volunteer
ed), and a full account. "Come back
and win what | have lost, and as |
love you as my son so will l love her
as my daughter That was some
thing like an invitation from a defeat
ed to a successful lover!
Once more fate was against things
righting themselves in the clear and
good way that was made so open.
Theo had by this time taken situa-
ton in q mercantile house in New
York, q situation of trust which he
could not hastily quit Or place another
man in rashly. Great interests were
involved in it, which he-could not en-
danger by his absence, for a year at
least. But life was bright to him
again, and he bore the delay bravely,
having illiml.abIe faith in the girl he
loved and in himself. Had she not
gallantly won this faith, by avowing
her love for him, and losing the richer
man and the better position by the
avowal? Had she not, Of her own
free will, written to him those few
sweet words of promise? Small Won
der that he could live contentedly
through the present, when such a
future loomed before him.
At last he was free-free to 90
home and win his bride, and obtain
personal absolution from his uncle for
those sins which love had made him
commit. Fate favored him now.
The steamer was fast one, and in n
fortnight he was down at the Chase,
grasping his uncle's hand.
"And now you know what my next
move will he" he said. when the greet