The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-02-23
Seltrf Story.
MADELINE'S LOVER.

1
There she goes again. said Mr.
Clife.
He stood in his elegant breakfast
room where birds sang and hot-house
flowers blossomed, buttoning up bis
over-,oat, preparatory to going to hi:
City office-a tall, handsome man ol
six or seven and twenty. with brown
eyes and curly hair.
"Whog" demanded Ferdinand Low.
ell, who was still drawing over broiled
ham and coffee at the table.
Don't you remember my telling you
abou; the beautiful young girl who
passes here every morning: the one
with the shining hair. and the rose
leaf complexion
1T strikes me do recall some inco.
herent rawlings of yours upon the sub
liect," said Mr.. Lowell, languidly.
~ should like to know WHO she is, ~
said Constant Cliffe, after moment
Tor two of silent refiexion. as he me-
chanically fitted his fingers into pair
of fleecy lined kid gloves.
Lowell set down his transparent china
coffee cup, and turned round to look
his companion full in the face.
"What for, in the name of all the
heather deities"
because she is decidedly the pretti,
est girl ever saw"
''Not even excepting Diana Asher
Not even excepting Miss Ashe,
Ciiffe answered, quietly. .'Diaua
Ashe is simply handsome. expression
less piece of flesh and blood-this
young blonde is sp;rituelle, as well as
beautiful"
''Cliffe!" cried Lowell, starting from
his chair, you are in love-"
Il am not in love, As ii man
couldn't admire lovely object with
out being accused of tile tender pas.
SION"
But | say you are in love neverthe
less, said Lowell. ''Or You will be, if
the fair incognita passes your window
many more times"
That may be-" said Clifre, laugh
ingly. Come, old fellow, it is time
we were starting for the Office
Some milliner girl, | dare say"
said Lowell. IF Miss Ashe knew what
WAS her interest, she would hire her to
take some other route"
1t was very small garret-room
lneaniy carpeted, aud lighted from one
dormer window in the roof while the
neagre handful of fire in the CRATE
furnis ed scarcely an apology for heat
on that keen frosty February afternoon,
when Madeline Warwick sat at her ta-
BILE, with roses and gilli flowers, and
striped earnation pinks heaped around
her-brighf, scebtless limitations of ma
ture's darlipgs; for Madeline Warwick
was u poor girl, and iuade artificial
flowers for her livelihood
Poor, but very beautiful. There is a
theory of compensation in all of these
Things and Nature is often more gener-
GUS in eIidowiug those ro who fortune
has been coldest. She was fair, with u
glittering halo of golden hair about her
complexion, all SHOW and carrniue. WIS
like the roses of crimson on the table
beside her. Constant Cliffe was right
there was ali Intangible something
about her that was ethereal and saint
like.
As she worked busily away with def
fingers and intent eyes, shaping the
blue velvet petals of gaunt pansies, the
door opened, and slender little boy
of sc me ten years old ran in, painting
and .rale.
''Charleyw Madeline dropped her
scissors in disnay. ''What sends you
home at this time OF day? Has any
thing happenedi Are you ill.,
Charley buried his sad looking face
on his sisters shoulder.
Il amt i'll Maddy; but-but-Mr.
Cliffe has turned me away
"What tor?" asked Madeline, sooth-
ingly. For no fault O. yours, my boy,
sur-lyT'
''He-he says lave stolen his gold
pen, and i never, never, never touched
itr' 1
And here Charley burst out into sobs
and tears, he had hitherto so manfully
repressed.
Charley" SAID Madeline, looking
him earnestly in the face, ''you have
never told me falsehood. do not
think you took his gold pen. There
never was Warwick yet who was a
thief.'
II never touched it Maddy," per
sisted the boy. You have always
taught me not even to take pin that
wasn't my own"
''There, dear! don't cry so hard."
sooth, d Madeline, brushing IA Say his
tears with her coarse little pocket
handkerchief. 1T is not your fault. VI
But, Maddy, l was so proud of
earning five shillings a week." sobbed
poor little Charley; and l thought you
wouldn't have to work SO hard, and
Charley" said Madeline, rising to
her feet, "bathe your eyes and cool
your face in water, and then put on
your hat again"
"What fort" questioned the child
eagerly.
Because am going with you to
your employers Office. shall tell him
that you have never deceived NE, or
done dishonorable thing during your
whole Lille, and do not think you are
beginning to be different now. l can
not have my little brother rest under
an imputation like this. We are peor.
Charley, but we are honorablefr
DIo.1.z .i:-l ~. l;t.la -a1