The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-03-14

she was forced 10 marry him; and TO
this she added such a child. like entreaty
not to be thought sstoo bad" that Il
must have required more than ordinary
~self-control for Fitzallen not to say
something that would have allowed the
scene TO become . tender one; bat this
he seemed determined to avoid, and SO
in her simple way was the sadly per-
picked girl that was pouring out her
hears trouble 10 him.
"Will you speak for me to Mr.. Sell
wyn," she said, ssas you are an old friend
of hisp l can not reaso AS men do, but
I want you to try ii there is any way Of
release for ne. Pray forgive me II l
am wrong in asking your interference,
but l am very wretched"--here came a
burst Of tears that must have tried the
listener sorely-" and myself have so
often spoken TO Mr.. Selwyn, and it is Of
no use. He always says my father
will must be carried out ;<and oh! how
l wish l could do it,"
"Itmust be done, ifpossible," Fitz-
allan said. "But it would not be your
fathers will to maj the happiness Of
your sweet life or to put you in bond
age"
.sO!i If Mr.. Selwyn would only speak
like that" said the girl sadly.
swell, | shall have talk with him."
said Fitzallan, "and do my best for
you happiness, though l would be sor-
~ 10 injure Hawkesbury's prospects.
Let us 90 back now; there is 4 new
piece beginning. That is one OF Rubin
STEMS, i it not? l need not say you
have done me a favor in granting me
your confidence"
With that he drew aside the heavy
curtains, and they returned to the daz-
zling light an bewildering music and
movement Of the ball room.
After that night Madge waited in anx-
iety to hear the result Of Fitzallan's
parley with her guardian. Three days
passed and a note came from him, only
a few words, saying that he had sue
ceeded at least so far rs TO win a prom
Use that the matter should be considered.
But Madge saw little good coming Of
Mr.. Selwyn's "consideringr what
seemed to be decided irrevocably long
ago.
At last it was the eve of her birth
day; tomorrow would be the dreaded
day, and that very morning Mr.. Selwyn
had said to her gravely, but tenderly:
"My child, it has been the work Of
many years for me to see to the fulfill
ment Of your fathers last wish. He
was my best and dearest friend, and his
life was a sad me-. AT least his dying
will must be done. But l promise you
happiness-[ do, indeed.-
But beyond that day Madge was ma
BILE 10 bear her hearts burden. ~ must
tell him every thing" she thought. In
the afternoon twilight, some time after
Mr.. Selwyn had returned home, sac
found him asleep in his armchair in the
dark dining-room. But little daylight
came in between the red curtains, and
it was only the glow Of the fire that
showed her his white hair and long
beard. She knelt beside him, as she
did for a talk when he was in that
chair, and she woke him by stealing
her hand into his.
"Who is it-Gerty? No, Madge-
my little Madge that Is 10 be so patri-
archal o-morrow."
Papa Selwyn," she began, not Civ
ing him time TO joke any more lest she
not be able 10 disclose all her
troubles, "Iwant q tell you something,
and you won't be angry, will you, no
what il lisp"
He took her face between his hands,
and the fire flashed up and showed him
how earnest it was.
~ am quite sure" he said, "nothing
can make me any thing but as deeply in
love with my second daughter as q poor
old fellow like me q be. Why, child,
| am under a cloud all day because to-
morrow-as soon : Tomorrow can
be Papa Selwyn no more, and Madge
will be thinking about nobody but her
cousin.-
"No, indeed ~ cried Madge impetu-
lyon Will be Papa Selwyn al
w~ays-always; and ! don't care for my
cousin a btu
But her guardian shook his head
gravely.
"My dear, you viii marry your
cousin"
The freight had died down low, and
Madge had courage enough To blurt out
with an effort the few words:
81 can't marry Jack, because I ought
TO love my husband, and 1 can never
care enough for him. Or, II I must be
engaged to him to-morrowr-here there
was q great sob-"Mr. Fitzallan is very
good and kind, and l don't want to hurt
4 -but-but-he must go away"
Her head sank upon his knees with
the great effort Of that request.
my poor child" he said, 81 know
your secret. Bravely said! my little
Madge, my bonny grill You have had
the truth out and done nobly. You are
worthy Of the man that Is TO have you,
and that Is saying a good deal" Then
her head gently, he babe her
for he was going 10 tell a secret
~ ratuwn fnr h.r. xvLn~ - k..~l 4.