Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-04-21

ment of your fathers last wish. He
was my best and dearest friend, and his
life was sad one. At least his dying
will must be done But I promise you
happiness-I do, indeed
But beyond that day Madge was una.
BILE to bear her hearts burden. 81 must
tell him everything" she thought In
the afternoon twilight, some time after
Mr.. Selwyn had returned home, she
found him asleep in his armchair in the
dark dining-room. But little daylight
came in between the red curtains, and it
was only the glow of the fire that show
ed her his white hair and long beard.
She knelt beside him, as she often did
for talk when he was in that chair,
and she woke him by stealing her hand
4 into his.
"Who is it-Gerty No. Madge-my
little Madge that is to be so patriarchal
tomorrow.
"Papa Selwyn." she began, not giving
him time to joke any more, lest she
might not be able to disclose all her
troubles, 81 want to tell you something.
and you won't be angry, will you, no
matter what it is %
81 am quite sure" he said, nothing
can make me anything but as deeply in
love with my second daughter as a poor
old fellow like me can be. Why, child,
l am under cloud all day because to-
be Papa Selwyn no more, and Madge
impetuOusly; "you will be Papa Selwyn
always-always and | don't care for
my cousin bit
But her guardian shook his head
gravely.
"My dear, you will marry your cous.
in"
The freight had died down low, and
Madge had courage enough to blurt out
with an effort the few words:
Il can't marry Jack, because I ought
to love my husband, and l can never
care enough for him. Or, if must be
engaged to him tomorrow there
was great sob-"Mr. Fitzallan is very
good and kind, and don't want to hurt
him-but he must 60 away"
"My poor child" he said. 81 know
your secret. Bravely said my little
Madge, my bonny girl You have had
the truth out, and done Eobly. You
are worthy of the man that is to have
you, and that is saying good deal. "
Then raising her head gently, he bade
her listen, for he was going to tell her a
, secret in return for hers. When she
, heard it she waiting with wide, wonder.
J ing eyes while he told it second time,
} for she could not believe in her Joy.
J "As you know, Madge," he began, "most
people in this world have more cousins
than one" And then he went on to
explain to her that Herbert Fitzallar
: was very distant cousin, and that il
r was to him her father wished her to be
married. Fitzallan's father had beer
the companion of his labors, and Her
: bert had been loved by the dying mar
7 as son, for Herbert was twenty wher
little Madge was an orphaned baby O
} four. "You ask what about Jack, then p
r said the old man. "Fhat was my clever
/ trick upon Madge. | never said you
r were to marry Jack. told you of youl
c fathers wish, brought Jack here, the
r only cousin you knew; and praised
: his good qualities-which were fin,
t enough, | can tell you, and appreciated
/; by young lady not far from here.
e knew that wayward heart of yours, ant
. l knew that woman should not MARI,
q without real love, and great deal of it
o too. So 1 left my darling open to tn
i idea that Jack was to be the lucky fel
t low; and she did just what l and al
/ sensible folks expected-almost hatet
d Jack and her doom. Then l took car
e that the man you were meant for-who
nv dear, has the best and truest hear
/. In the world-should come in the wa,
4 Just at the right time, and show an in
n terest in you. So have | not succeedet
V and made my Madge choose her father
e choice with her own free will =? As fo
: Fitzallan, he is all impatience for to
q morrow, and he would have told yor
q the secret at that ball the other night
# when he says that he was put to des
!. perate trial, but he had promised m
v never to disclose it till we we're quit
d sure of success. Well, you are happ
now, Madge %
|. "My dear, good father /! How can
If love you enough z" was all she coul
say when she felt his arms around he
k in that moment of fulfilled desires, an
his lips pressed her forehead in fatherl
% affection now that his long solicitud
" was at an end, and his hard task we
" done
That very night Madge. scarcely abl
n to realize her joy, was betrothed to Hel
s bert Fitzallan, who when once the 81
IS cret was disclosed, would not wait al
y other hour.
c. "Have | not waited years ?" he saiC