Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-08-22
MadeIOn.
A LITTLE LOVE STORY.


promising February morning shone in
upon Mrs. Wings little room, reveal
ing all its deficiencies, calling merciless
attention TO the. worn spots on the car
pet, and contrasting with the feeble fire
in the tiny CRATE, whose handful of
Goals made scarce any perceptible differ
ence in the atmosphere of the apart
ment.
Mrs. Wing herself, pale, and shabbily
dressed, with a faded shawl wrapped
around her shoulders, was sitting close
10 the fire, with some fine needlework
in her hand, and Madelon, her only
child, stood opposite the tiny mirror,
fastening on her hat.
Madelon Wing was tall, slight girl,
with an oval face, large dark eyes, and
lustrous brown hair ripping around
her temples, with that natural curve
that whole crosses of erimping-pins
cannot hope TO rival.
And as she stood there, the look of
tender soliciuide on her face made her
not unlike a sweet-pictured Madonna.
"Are you quite sure your head does
not trouble you to-day, mammal" said
she. because, if it does, you must not
try to work on that lace fiounce. Mad
em'selle Printemps pays you so wretch
edly, and if L can get few more en-
gagements to sing at morning concerts
and evening soirees, tEere'll be no ne
cessity for your shaving yourself to
death in this sort Of way"
my dear, it is pleasant occupation
for my lonely hours when you are
away" said Mrs. Wing, gently.
mamma, that's pious fiction," said
Madelon, STOPPING to kiss her mothers
forehead. However, Ihope we shan't
be so dismally poor much longer.
Wasn't il nice, mamma dear, that Mrs.
Leopold took such fancy to my voice
in the choir, and asked me TO sing
'Adeste Fideles' at her morning con-
cert? 1t was the beginning of all my
good luck-and now they tell me am
getting TO be quite the fashion at these
social gatherings. Ten shIllings an
evening. We shall be rich presently,
mamma"
Mrs. Wings faded blue eyes filled
with tears.
.'Madelon," said she, in low voice,
"do you remember how Guy L'Estrange
nsed TO admire your voice?"
Eyes, mamma"
Madelon's voice had grown hard, her
lips compressed.
81 have so often wondered, my child,
why he never replied TO the note you
left with Flora Forteseue for him."
Mamma said Madelon, with burn
ing cheeks, 81 have so often regretted
that l wrote that note"
"But why, Madelon? 1t was merely
a request TO allow you to use his name
as a reference, in case you decided to
accept a situation as gOverness-a
simple acknowledgment of our fallen
fortunes; and think as q gentleman
and one. too, who had always mani
tested extreme interest in you-he
might at least have answered it."
"Dear mamma" said Magdalen hur-
riedly, "don't talk about it any more.
1t was merely one of the long series of
Sights and insults we have been called
upon to endure since we lost our prop
erty. 1t hurt me at first, but l don't
mind it now so much"
And with goodbye kiss and pres
sure of the hand, Magdalen Wing left
the house to keep an engagement with
Mrs. Geofreys, who had sent her a
postal card, desiring her presence at
Gerald Park at IL that morning.
Mrs. Geoffreys was a fat old lady,
with profusion of flaxen false hair, a
a double chin, and enough diamonds to
make a human show window out of
her.
"Yes," said Mrs. Geoffreys, elevat-
ing her eyeglasses. 'You are Miss
Wing, the singer, eh ?"
81 am Miss Wing" said Madelon, not
without dignity, land l sing"
"Yes," said Mrs. Godfrey; "my
friend. Mrs. Leopold, mentioned your
name to me. propose to entertain a
few friends next Friday evening, and
should like you to give us song
Something Scotch or English, of the
pathetic order, you know"
81 can sing sAuld Robin Gray, )"
said Madelon, quietly.
"Yes, l think that would about do"
said Mrs G.. Auld Robin Gray,
and afterwards the Last Rose of Sum-
ner.' 1 suppose you'll charge five
shillings?"
Madelon colored.
Mrs. Leopold pays me ten."