The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-03-21
"a, wav to you. Why, he is nearly twice your

that way TO you. Why, he is nearly twice your
age"
"Fuul wish It were but tell you he is ter
ribly horribly in earnest" said Madge, much dis
| tressed and excited.
any dear child, why have you not told me this
before; know Fred has often acted very Silly,
but never dreamed he meant anything by what
he said or did"
"I feared you would say this, and deem ME fool
fish to mind what my cousin said to me- But l
tell you, mamma, Fred Pontiac means to marry
me whether will or no he has an eye tO the
fortune | am to inherit-has even owned It, ana
dared me to tell you of 1t. And now will say to
comfort you, though I am grieyed at leaving
home III was for that was crying more than my
dislike for the school, that shall go away quite
cheerfully do want to get out of his way" and
Madge going to her mothers side, clung 70 her,
trembling with nervousness
margaret, am amszed-I had no idea-l can
scarce believe what you tell me" stammered MIS-
Dlspeau, confusedly, as she clasped her child III
her arms, and tried to comfort her
81 do not doubt you are amazed, do not won
der YOU can scarcely credit it, for Fred has always
been all that was gentemanly and aliable inyour
presence. He was to me- also, until persisted IN
defying him; then he showed me his true colors
and In some inexplcable way gained such an
influence, such a power over me, that really l
have never dared mention the subject before
Mamma, did you ever notice Fred's eyes when he
was angry or deeply in earnestY
"YeS, Madge."
"Well, did you ever see anything so evil, sos sim
lister, so determined in spite of fate, to accomplish
IL, tkn fUhf that Haghpq from
them? That is the way he looks at me when he
calls me his bride elect and says he Is surely 60
ing to marry me" said Madge shuddering.
Mrs. Dispeau had noticed this peculiarly about
the eyes of the young man in question, when he
had had falling out with his mother and she had
seen her quail before him and bend to his Will
like spaniel. She did not speak of THE to
Madge for she saw that her excitement was In
creasing, and she only said, quietly2
II fear that you are allowing yourself to become
nervous over the dsagreeable affair. But do not
let It trouble you, for no harm of the kind you
fear can come to you while your father and live
to care for you. And remember, Brownie, you
are only sixteen years old, and must not think Of
marriage for long time yet; your brain must be
filed with study, not love, for the next two
years." said Mrs, Dispeau, smiling.
"LOve is the last sentiment should ever enter
tain In connection with Fred Pontiac, and l sim
cerely wish might never look upon his face
again." Madge replied, scornfully, then suddenly
asked, How does it happen that Aunt Fan and
Fred are always here2 Why don't they make
home for themselves somewhere l do not be.
lleYe 1t is pleasant for you, mamma, for they are
as uncongenial as possible, although you never
speak OF It,"
Aunt Fan Is your fathers half sister, or rather
she married his halfbrother, and he has seen fit
to give them home ever since her husband
died."
HAS had to give her home, you mean, NAM
ma. know neither you nor papa can have any
great love for her with all her airs and had she
possessed the least deicacy or perception, she
never would have remained her AL these years.
You perceive, mamma, have no more respect
for Mrs. Preston Pontiac than for her SON."
II think we had best drop the subject, my dear
you are old enough now to observe how matters
stand and perhaps 1t is just as well not to talk Of
things we cannot help"
~ have one thing more to tell you, mamma,
and then will stop; but prepare to hear some
thing worse than have told you yet-Fred POnti'
dc is a notorious gamble" "
"Madge Madge surely you are crazy-youa are
telling me too much !" exclaimed Mrs. Dispeau,
aghast
mo, it Is the truth, and will tell you how l
discovered 1t. Oh, mamma, l am afraid Of that
| bold, bad man, and shall be glad to get away
from his presence. About q month ago he
brought home an elegant set Of diamonds and
coming to the library where was sitting alone,
he presented them to me- his bride.eect,' he said.
Twas very angry and frightened, for that dreadful
look was in his eyes, and did very unlady-like
thing; shut the beautiful purple velvet case
which he had forced into my hands, and threw 1t
full in his face then left the room without word.
He only laughed but said with hiss:
"GoOd by, my beauty bat you shall wear my
fetters by and by"
ut seems that he afterward gave them to Aunt
Fan; those she wears are the same"
"But she told me-" began Mrs. Dlspeau,
more and more astonished as Madge continued
| her exposure.
"9es, she told you they were sent to her by a
dear friend. Isuppose Fred is dear to her after
fashion, though I'm pretty sure her idol is Mrs,
Preston Pontiac" interrupted Madge sarcasti-
cally, then continued: "But the way l found out
he gambed was this; Rose Ashton and l were
walking in Broadway just at dusk the other day,
and just as we were passing Stewards who should
come out but Fred and another man. They did
not see us, and were laughing and jesting about
something. Tho strange man seemed to be very
much pleased with what Fred had been telling
him, for, after laughing heartily moment, he
said.
"'spunky, wasn't she? SO the little beauty
wouldn't accept the diamonds you won from
Nicholas, poor devil, who hadn't any money, and
so staked his dead mothers jewels. It's pity your
fancee did not take them they would have been
very becoming to her style of beauty
II was so angry, mamma, to think that Fred
Pontiac should make freely with my name, call
me his fdncee, and boast Of his attentions and In
tentions to such men, that for moment almost
believe there was murder in my heart"
Hush, my darling; 1 shall inform your father
the moment he enters the house Of the strange
development of affairs and we will see this thing
is to go on" said Mrs Dispeau, decidedly.
Here was villain doubly dyed, gambler-a
viper whom they had been nourishing in their
midst for years, and who had now turned and
stung them cruelty in vital point
Both mother and daughter sat quietly thinking
for few moments, when Madgesuddenly started
held up warning finger, ann whispered:
Hush, mammal Did you not hear some one
move outside the door"
Mrs. Dlspeau shook her head with heavy sigh
but Madge arose nOlselessly, and, gliding with
swift light steps across the room, in an instant
threw the door wide open.
"Hal thought so p she cried, lifting her head
proudly, while biting scorn rang out through her
clear tones.
CHAPTER II.
"sHE SHALL BE NINE |"