Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-03-07

"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, nc
matter what it ISL"
He took her face between his hands,
and the fire flashed up and showed him
how earnest il was.
81 am quite sure" he said, nothing
can make me anything but as deeplyin
love with my second daughter as q poor
old fellow like me can be. Why, child
am under cloud all day because to.
morrow--as soon as tomorrow car
be Papa Selwyn no more, and Madge
will be thinking about nobody but her
cousin"
"No, indeedW cried Madge, impetu.
ously; "you will be Papa Selwyn Away
always; ana don't care for my cous-
in 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 blnrt out
with an effort the few words:
~ can't marry Jack, because | ought
to love my husband, and can never
care enough for him. Or, if must be
engaged TO him to-morrow"-here there
was great sob-"Mr. Fitzallan is very
good and kind, and don't want to hurt
him-but-he must 90 away"
Her head sank upon his knees with
the great effort Of that request.
"My poor child" he said, Il know
your secret. Bravely said! my little
Madge, my bonny girll You have had
the truth out, and done nobly. 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 II Sc
crct in return for hers. When she heard
it she waited with wide, wondering eyes
while he told it second time, for she
could not believe in her JOY, Gas you
know, Madge," he began, most people
il this world have more cousins than
one" And then he went on to explain
TO her that Herbert Fitzailan was u very
distant cousin, and that it was to him
her father wished her to be married
Fitzallnn's father had been the compan-
ion Of his labors, and Herbert himself
had been loved by the dying man Ms a
son, for Herbert was 20 when little
Mndge was an orphaned baby of 4
"You ask what about Jack, then2' said
the old man. "That was my clever
trick upon Mndge. | never said you
were to marry Jack. told you Of your
fathers wish. | brought Jack here, the
only cousin you knew; and ] praised
his good qualities are fine
enough. can tell you, and appreciated
by II young lady not far from here.
knew That maynard heart Of yours, and
knew that u woman should not marry
without rival love, and great store O
il, too. So left my darling open tc
the idea that Jack WAS To be the lucky
fellow; and she did just what ! and nj
sensible folks eXpGcted-nlmost hatol
Jack md her doom. Then took ear,
that the man YOU We're meant for who
my dear, has the best and truest heart
in the world-should como in the way
just ut tho right time and show an inter
est in you. So have | not succeeded
and made my Madge choose her faith
er's choice with her own free will? Al
for Fitzallan, he is NIL impotence for to
morrow, and he would have told you
the secret ut that ball the other night
when he says that he was put 10 DIES
perate trial, but he had promised mt
never to disclose it till We were quite
sure Of success. Well, are you happy
now, Madge?'
My dear. good, second father! How
can | love you enough was NIL SHE
could shy when she felt his arms rounl
her in that moment Of fulfilled desires
and his lips pressed 10 her forehead ii
fatherly affection now That his long 50
icitude was ut nm end and his hard task
well done.
That very night Madge, scarcely abl,
to realize her JOY, was betrothcd 10 Her
bert Fit2allan, who, when once the SO
cret was disclosed. would not wait nm
other hour.
/" Have | not waited years r he said
"All my time abroad was waiting, ant
then came back and found my Madg,
more than ever | had dared to hope"
But Madge, in her new freedom die
not forget poor Jack. Indeed, she wa'
almost in trouble about her unkindnes'
to him when she heard that he hal
been only playing part, bearing nj
her teasing, and being purposely ungra
cious whenever she grew kind. Blu
Gertrude consolod her eileotually OF
that score, by telling another secret If
ter her kiss Of congratulation.
Jack was indeed doing his best {,
carry out the PLAN sho said; and Il,
was often grieyed about YOU; but deal
Nndge you must congratulate lis now
not me, but us. Jack and made il III
between lis months ago, and We hat
many quiet laugh about YOU
So Madge herself accepted the ring
and wore her golden letters by her owl
free will after all; nor was there ever !
happier or moro willing captive. A.
for Fitzallan, il he was not another Ar
thur, rs the girls fancy had prompte,
her 10 call him, he was hlameloss n
the Prince OF the Idyls, and far NOR,
blest; and il he reigned over no realm
lie was Mt least king Of one brave m,
tender heart--a Kingdom wide enough
10 satisfy his desires. and il nri2e Mhicl