The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-04-11

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hushcd music.
"Will you do me favor?r she in
quired, raising the gray eyes that shone
for Il moment with liquid brightness.
"You have only to name it-l am al
Your service"
His manner, unromantic in studied
degree, made her feel all the more safe
in taking heart to speak, while she gave
him, at the same time, in generous
measure, that most precious Offering TO
which every noble hearted man entities
himself, woman's heart.
81 have seemed very happy tonight
Mr.. Fitzallen," she began in quiet
low tone, the torn leaf trembling i'm her
hand and the color dying out of her
face, "but | am in great trouble"
"lndeed! | am sorry 10 hear it,"
He drew little nearer, listening atten-
lively and helping her now and then
by word of encouragement.
Her story was simple one. She
was to be married next month TO her
cousin, Mr.. ITawkesbury. She had
dreaded il all her life, but it was her
fate. And then taking courage from
the respectful and almost paternal de-
meanor of her listener, she made the
frank confession that she disliked her
cousin just because she was forced to
marry him; and TO this she added
such childlike simplicity and trust
that il must have required more than
ordinary self-control for Fitzallen not
to say something that would have al
lowed the scene to have become a ten
der one; but this he seemed determin-
ed to avoid and in her simple way, the
sadly perplexed girl was pouring out
her hearts trouble to him.
"Will yon speak for me to Mr.. Sell
wyn," she said, Gas you are an old
friend of his? | cannot reason as men
do, but want you to try ifthere is any
way of release for me. Pray forgive
me if l am wrong in asking your inter-
terence, but | am very wretched, p
here came burst of tears that must
have tried the listener sorely-s'and /
myself have so often spoken to Mr..
Selwyn, and it is no use. He always
says my fathers will must be carried
out, and oh how l wish | could do it."
at must be done, ifpossible," Fitzal-
len said. "But it would not be your
fathers will to mar the happiness of
your life or to put you in bondage"
"Oh! sf Mr.. Selwyn would only
speak that way" said the girl sadly.
"Well, shall have talk with him."
said Fitzallen, "and do my best for
your happiness, though | would be
sorry TO iniure Hawkesbury's pros
pects."
After that night Madge waited in
anxiety to hear the result of Fitzallen's
parley with her guardian. Three DAYS
passed and note came from him, only
a few words, saying that he had sue
ceeded mt least so far as to win prom
isc that the matter should be consider
cd. But Madgc saw but little good
coming of Mr.. Selwyn's considering"
what seemed to be decided irrevocably
long ago.
AT last it was the eve of her BIRTH
day; tomorrow would bc the dreaded
day, and that very morning Mr.. Sell
wyn had said TO her gravely, but ten
derly'
"My child, it has been the work of
many years for me to see TO the fulfill
ment of yonr fathers last wish. lie
was my best and dearest friend, and his
life was sad one. AT least his diving
will must he done. But promise you
happiness-I do, indeed"
But beyond that day Madgc was un-
, able 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 cur
tains, and il was only the glow of the
, fire that showed 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 steal.
ing her hand into his.
"Who is il it-Gertyi No, Madge IN,
little Madge that is to be so patriarcha
, Tomorrow"
/ Papa Selwyn," she began, not Civ
l ing him time to joke any more, lest SHE
might not be able to disclose all hel
troubles, 81 want to tell YOU something
4 and YOU wont be angry, will you, NJ
matter what it is?''
81 am quite sure" he said, "nothing
A can make me anything but as deeply il
s love with my second daughter rs poo
old fellow like Inc can be. Why, child
II | am under cloud all day because to
morrow-as soon as tomorrow cal
be papa Selwyn no more, and Madg
will be thinking about nobody but he
:" cousin.'
!, "No indeed" cried Madge impetu
y ously; ''you will be papa Selwyn a
ways-always, and | don't care for m
y, cousin Bit"
Il But her guardian shook his hea
i. gravely.
re "My dear, you will marry your cou
,e in"
10 The freight had died down low, an
Madge had courage enough TO blu
no out with an effort the few words:
of 81 can't marry Jack, because ougl
Oft to love my husband, and | can nevt
as care enough for him. Or if must |
or engaged to him o-morrow''-heret thel
was a great sob-"Mr. Fitzallen is vel
rv good and kind, and | don't want
ee hurt him but he must go away"
or "My poor child" he said, 81 kno
he your secret. Bravely said. my lit
at Madge, my bonny girl. You have ha
n the truth out and done nobly. Yo
he are worthy of the man that is to hay
W you, and that is saying good deal
Then raising her head gently he bat
IS her listen. for he was going to tell h.
IL a secret in return for hers. When 81
~ heard il. she waited with wide wonde
in ing eyes while he told il second tim
on tor she could not believe in her 10
he GAS you know, Madge" he bega
cr "most people in this world have mo
ed cousins than one.' And then he we
by on TO explain'to her that Herbert Fiji
ol- allen was a very distant cousin, al
est that It was to him her father wish
be her 10 he married. Fitzallen's faith
no had been the companion of his labor
in and Herbert had been loved by the d
ry. ing man as son, for Herbert W
led twenty when little Madgc was
he orphaned baby of four. "You q
Ihe what about Jack, thenp said the {
The man. "That was my clever trick up
lge Madge. never said you were to m
f Il ~ Jack. told you of your fathe
ry, wish; brought Jack here, the oil
lyy cousin YOU knew, and | praised