The Osceola times., 1879-03-22

oh II Jack-awkward, laundering,
good Datured Jack could be changed
into this stranger that she called tim
idly Mr.. Fitzsllen, and Jack and her
guardian had greeted at the house as
Herbert
At last there was pause in tbs talk.
She gave deep sigh, prompted by sad
longing to do right, vague fear, first
suspicion of the change that was coming
over her impetuous heart.
Are you cold, Msdge !" asked Jack
pulling away and bending TO his strong
stroke. Keep your shawl well abou,
your shoulders. And, my dear girl, look
TO yonr steering. You have been send
ing the boat into curves like corkscrew'
only / did not want to disturb your
tete.a.tete.
Poor cousin Jack! She drew the
white shawl closely around her, chilled
not by the wind but by a sudden pans
of remorse, the foundation Of which wa
very small, but large enough TO trouble
her peace.
What need to tell the inner history o.
Madge's lie during the next few weeks
More and more she longed for freedom
Fitzallan was staying in the neighbor
hood and was frequently at the house
and in the thousand little incidents OF
everyday lie she knew he cared for her,
and honest Jack grew yet more distaste'
full in her sight.
In due time came the second promised
pleasure. The family that had distin>
guished the name Of Jones by the prefix
of Ponsonby gave their party. Madge
was in her glory that night. One locker.
on csll,d her charming; another, the
mother of fair daughters, admitted her
expression was charming. but voted her
features plain. Mrs. Ponsonby'Jone
weighed down with bright-colored silk
and jewelry, said in her finest tone that
Mr.. Selwyn's ward would be quite a
femme d. esprit. Msdge had no lack of
society, but she kept place in the con.
versstion for awkward Jack Hsw kesbury,
and her love of mischief was gratified to
the full extent by his making Of 1t what
he called "a hawible muddle." But the
trivial triumphs and pleasures of the
night wee long forgotten by Msdge
before she lost one remembrance OF a
scene that passed in the conservatory,
where the music was hushed by heavy
curtains, and there was only the soft
light of few dim lamps among the
masses of blossoms and dark green leaves.
She had lest the flower from her hair
one OF her favorite cameliss-as she said,
with darling bud, and Fitzallen had
promised, with Ponsonby Jones permis.
sion, to get her another with darling
bud too. She had placed his gift in her
hair, and she sat near the dewy glass,
saying it was cool there and she would
rest Fitzallen stood at little distance,
penknife in hand still, swinging careless
ly the fan like leaf OF dwarf palm.
IF this were nearer, could fan you,"
he said.
Thank you am tired rather than
hot"
Never in her life before had Madge
been 10 serious or so troubled as she was
now, in the soft light among the cool
plants, within sound of the half hushed
music.
"Will you do me q favor ?" she in-
quired, raising her gray eyes that shone
for moment with liquid brightness.
You have only to name i'll am at
your service"
His manner, unremantic to a studied
degree, made her feel all the more safe
in taking heart to speak, while she gave
him at the same time in generous meas
ure that most precious offering to which
every noble hearted man entities him
self-s woman's respect.
al have seemed very happy tonight,
Mr.. Fitzallen," she began in quiet, low
tone, the torn leaf trembling in her hand
and the color dying out of her face, but
l am in great trouble"
Indeed am sorry TO hear it." He
drew a little nearer, listening atten'
lively and helping her now and agsin by
word of encouragement
Her story was simple one she was 10
be married next month TO her cousin,
Mr.. Hawkesbury, She had dreaded it
all her life, but it was her fate. And
then taking courage from the respectful
and almost paterDal demesnor of her
listener, she made the freak confession
that she disliked her cousin because she
was forced to marry him and TO this
she added such child-likc entreaty not
to be thought "tco bad" that it must
have required more than ordinary self
control for Fitzsl.an not to cay some
thing that would have allowed the scene
to become a tender one; but this he
seemed determined to avoid, and 20 In
her simple way WAS the sadly perplexed
girl that was Touring out her hearts
trouble to him.
"Will you speak for me to Mr..
Selwyn," she said, "as you are an old
friend of his? l can not reason as men
do but l want you to try IL there is any
way of release for me. Pray forgive me
ii | am wrong in asking your interier-
ence, but ] am very wretched here
came a burst of tears thst must have
tried the listener sorel y" and l myself
have SO often spoken to Mr. Selwyn, and
it is of no use. He always says my
fathers will must be carried out; and
oh how wish could do it."
at must be done, II possible" Fitz-
allen said. "But 1t would not be your
fathers will to mar the happiness Of your
life or to put you ip bondage"
"Ohl II Mr.. Selwyn would only speak
like that" said the girl sadly.
"Well, | shall have talk with him."
said Fitzallen, "snd do my best for your
happiness, though | would be sorry to
injure Hswkesbury's prospects. Let US
go back now there Is new piece be-
ginning. That is one of Ruberstein's,
Is it not / need not say you have done
me favor in granting me your conf,
dence"
With that he drew aside the heavy
curtains, and they returned to dazzling
light and bewildering music and move
ment OF the ballroom.