Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-02-21


''caugtt, and all because of three
weeks so journ at a country villa.
o To be sure, moonlight bifting
through vines over rustic porch,
has something more Intoxicating than
the glare of gas jets; d wandering,
stented wind, Just off from the mead
ows, has RATHER finer appeal than
air vitiatea by cut-flowers and gas
drives over 'grass-grown roads that
are fiedged with wild vines and over
hung with branches are lust trife
different in effect from the London
parks in landau or phaeton; and that
animal, man, who in town, is so care
fully, dressed, ,-is in the eeantry, where
one would suppose geological speei-
mems would thrive better. something
more humans in tweed and felt hat.
At any rate Madge had found it So
Madge had never been off her guard
before. Hitherto she had visited
fashionable watering places, but this
year she had come to a quieteY place,
and had met Lyndhurst Darlington.
She did not yet know, however, that
she was in thraldom. .E-
She only knew she was cross and
lonesome and so she sat punching
the little blossoms and pouting. She
though Darlington exceedingly com
panionable, and that the other four
gentlemen stopping at the villa were
little better than wooden men. AS
for downright, earnest love, why her
Intentions for three years had been
never venture her heart at sea, but
only to glide about the shore, flirting,
safe to disembark at any time. Yet
she was now thinking of Lyndhurst
Darlington in way many would have
termed love. But she would not adj
nit this to herself. He was a de-
glightful simmer friend, that was all
she said. She liked summer and
flowers and birds, and hazy atmos.
pheres, and quiet Irritation, but
when these went the coming season
brought new enjoyments and fiesf
firtations, and Darlington could &c
with them. Were there not others
pray, who could read Tennyson, ano
sing tenor? But now, just this mo
ment, it was rather lonesome. If ht
only would come "
He had gone to town the morning
previous, promising to return in th'
t evening. She had walked with hin
through this ~oodpatn' OF his way tc
the station. He had fingered mo.
ment at the style beyond TO tell hei
? how be.rsdnl she looked--how the
fresh morning air had frightened the
eJior on her checks, ..-
t Come this evening as far as here
to meet me, he said, wont You
The path will be horrid labyrinth
without you
"You will surely return?" she had
asked. IF you don't I shall find
every tree hobgoblin when I go
back alone" " -3a1' '.1.-
Return, indeed 1 shall think Oh
nothing else. shall doinothiLg all
day but pull out my watch to see il
it is time for the train" ya
Then he caught her hand in quick
way, thought a moment, bounded
over the stile, and hastened down
the path, turning often to look back
at the pretty picture she made, list
lessly leaning on the stile, with a tjnge
Of regret in her face. At "a turn where
she would soon be hid from sight he
had dared to wave her kiss.
Madge was now waiting, according
to appointment, and she had taken
care to concoct a most ravishing toi-
let.
But all her preparations were vast
ed. Lyndhurst Darlington did not
come. Still she waited. Tt seemed
so unreasonable, so cruel, to disap-
point her. Perhaps he was only try
ing to tease her, and had got out un-
seen, and would surprise her directly
by his appearance. .... ..-
A doleful sound of wind coming
from the dark recesses of the wood, a
sudden shutting down of night, made
! Miss Btron feel something like fear,
and she started nervously to return.
i As it grew darker her dread became
| a terror; she fancied strange noises
were about her feet scarcely touched
the ground she SKINNED on, flutter-
ing at heart like some low flying ird
belated from its nest.
} What wonder that she vowed thai
night, as she brushed ost her lair,
5 never to forgive Mr.. Darlington
What wonder that a harmless little
bunch of violets, which he had gath.
cred for her the day previous, and
which she had treasured in a vac on
: Eher dressing case, she now bund
. faded, disagreeable and odorless and
that she tossed them pettishiy'ou intr
the darkness from her window2
II detest him and his voice. she
cried. '.He may stop in toHn TIL
. doomsday, forsaught | care" IL q
90 Miss Baron did not sleep we, ane
rose in the morning with o htth dub
weight on her feelings. ..Pehaps,
q. she thought, '.he will not cone evel
to-day ~ 31'
AS she dressed for Breakfast he wa