West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-04-05

ANSNAANAs htAlFNlA lAiE II Was III some WAY
connected with the safe management of
the marriage with the cousin. But
there were two pleasures in prospect
now-an afternoons boating with Jack
and friend of his and Gertrude. and a
party that the Ponsonby- Joneses we're
going 10 give, TO which the Sclwvn fam
lily were sure to be invited. First came
boating. All that ever-memOrable day
how many years il would take to make
hadge forget il There were four i'm
the boat that passed. with the measured
beat and ripple of Jacks pair Of sculls.
along by the reedy shadows and green
wooded banks of the upper Thames.
The two girls shared the cushioned scat
at the stern, their white wooden shawls
guarding them from the chill of the
autumn wind. Gertrude was watching
the shores and the running ripples.
thinking, in her quiet, easy-cOing way.
Madge, bright witk excitement. WAS
talking-not with Jack, but with the
dark bearded, travel-bronzed man. who
was resting from his turn at the sculls.
He was charmed with the way she chat
ted and listened TO his tales Of half the
world, with n refreshing absence of self
consciousness. What would he have
said if he had known the thought that
strove for entrance into her heart? O.
if Jack-awkward, laundering, good
natured Jack-Could be changed into
this stranger that she called timidlv Mr..
Fitzallan, and Jack and his guardian
had greeted at the house as Herbert!
AT last there was pause i'm the talk.
She gave a deep sigh, prompted bv a sad
longing 20 do right, vague fear, a first
suspicion o. the change that was coming
over her impetuous heart
Are you cold, Madge ?" asked Jack.
pulling away and bending to his strong
stroke. Keep your shawl we'll about
your shoulders. And, my dear girl. look
To your steering. You have been send
ing the boat in curves like a corkscrew
only did not want TO disturb your
tete-a-tete."
Poor Cousin Jack! She drew the
white shawl closely round her, chilled
not by the wind, but by a sudden pang
of remorse, the foundation of which was
very small, but enough to trouble her
peace.
What need to tell the inner history of
Madge's life during the next four weeks ?
More and more she longed for freedom.
Fitzallan was staying i'm the neighbor-
hood, and was frequently at the house,
and IN the thousand little incidents of
everyday life she knew he cared for her
and honest Jack grew vet more distaste-
ful n her sight
in due time came the second promised
pleasure. The family that distinguished
the name of Jones by the prefix of
Ponsonby gave their party. Madge was
IN her glory that night. One looker-on
called her charming; another the
mother of fair daughters, admitted her
expression WAS charming, but voted
her features plain. Mrs Ponsonby-
Jones, weighed down with brigbt-col-
orcd silk and jewelry, said in her finest
tone that Mr.. Selwyn's ward would be
quite a feD'mc deapr5t. Madge had no
lack of society, but she kent place in
the conversation for Jack Hawkesbury.
and her love Of mischief was gratified TO
the full by his making Of it what he
called "a hawible muddle." But the
trivial triumphs and pleasures of the
night was long forgotten by Madge be-
fore she lost one remembranceo Of a scene
that passed in the conservatory, where
the music was hushed by heavy cur
tains, and there was only the soft light
OF lew dim lamps among the masses of
blossoms and dark green leaves. She
had lost the flower from her hair-one
of her favorite camellias-as she said.
with a darling bud" and Fitzallan
had promised, with Ponsonby- Jones 4
permission, 10 get her another with a
darling bud, too, She had placed his
gift in her hair, and she sat near the
dewy grass, saying it was cool there. and
she would rest. Fitzallan stood at n lit
tie distance, penknife in hand still,
swinging careessly the fan-like Leaf of a
dwarf palm.