Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-12-17

acted so tenderly with her in re-
gard to bis cousin, refusing to let
her see him In his coffin because of
the terrible change death had made
In him-plead his cause with so
much eloquence, telling Of his great
love for her, and how It was his
cousins earnest desire and last re-
quest that she accept his protect
ing care, that Madeleine could not
hold out.
Besides, since her lovers death
she had lost all interest in herself,
and looked for no happiness in this
world. She knew nothing against
Richard, and in the kindness other
heart wondered If it would be pos
sible to fulfill Bertram's last re-
quest.
Richard was handsome, eloquent,
and madly in love with her. In
the end, Madeleine promised to be
his wife, at tho termination of o
certain tins, and In his heart he
vowed she would never repent 1t.
The months sped by.
At last came the time appointed
for the marriage. Many who were
present wondered greatly, for it had
been well known that Sir Bertram
was to have been Madeleine's hus.
band. A few there were deeper in
the secret, and these knew the
message the dead man had left for
Madeleine, and that it was some
thing of heroism that prompted
her to do this deed, for she was far
above the disgrace of selling her
self for gold.
The wedding was grand affair.
Pale as lily, and as beautiful as
the most marvelously executed
statue, Madeleine stood up beside
Sir Richard and took vows that
bound her to him while life lasted.
She could never tell what infu-
enced her to do this, for she had no
love to offer him. Her heart was
broken by the death Of Bertram,
and in the grave she had buried all
hopes of happiness.
The days passed by.
Madeleine endeavored to preform
the duties that devolved upon her
as the mistress of Stormcroft and
the wife of Sir Richard, but where
there was no love, it was hard in
deed.
1t should have been Bsrtram
who guided her footsteps, and not
Richard. Every time her thoughts
reverted to her brave young lover
she found chill creeping over her
whole frame, for somehow or other
she could not associate the gallant
boy with the form laid q way in
the moldering grave.
1t was q stormy night.
Sir Richard had just come in
from q horseback ride, escaping
the storm by hard riding. Don
ming his comfortable dressing-gown
and slippers, he went down to tea.
This was laid in coy room ad-
joining the main hall, for Sir Rich
ard did not believe in the ancient
custom Of having his retainers at
the long table, preferring to enjoy
his meals alone with his wife in the
snug little room.
Madeleine was seated at the ia
BILE, and he could not but notice
the strange look upon her face.
Something prompted him TO refrain
from kissing her, as was his wont.
The meal progressed in silence,
and at last rendered uneasy by this
action on the part Of his
wife, Sir Richard demanded an ex-
PLANTATION.
Then she arose and came to the
end of the table, facing him in the
grand strength of her imperial
beauty. As he looked ct her,
somehow the mans eyes quailed
like guilty thing, and she was
not slow to notice 1t.
cay, turn your eyes away,
Richard Ruthven; you dare not
look me straight in the face" she
said.
"Dare mott Madam, you use
strange words to your husband.
What means this tom-foolery
Have you taken leave of your sense
or do you mean to practice for the
stagei Either would be fitting
for your conduct.
Again 1 demand, what does is