Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1879-03-22

guardian had greeted at the houEe as
Herbert
At last there was a pause in the talk,
She gave deep sigh, prompted by a sad
longing to do right, q vague fear, a first
suspicion of the change that was coming
over her impetuous heart
" Are you cold, Madgs !" asked Jack
pulling away and bending to his strong
stroke Keep your shawl well about
your shoulders. And, my dear girl, look
to yonr steering You have been send
ing the boat into curves like corkscrewe
only | did not want To disturb your
tete.a.tete
Poor cousin Jackl She drew the
white shawl closely around her, chilled
not by the wind but by sudden pang
of remorse, the foundation of which was
very small, but large enough to trouble
her peace.
What need to tell the inner history Of
Msdge's lite during the next few weeks
More and more she longed for freedom,
Filzsllsn was staying in the neighbor
mood and was frequently at the house,
and in the thousand little incidents Of
everyday lite she knew he cared for her,
and honest Jack grew yet more disIaste'
tul 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. Msdge
was in her glory that night. One locker
on called her charming; another, the
mother of fair daughters admitted her
expression was charming, but voted her
features plain. Mrs. PonsOnby'JOnes,
weighed down with bright-colored silk
and jewelry said in her finest tone that
Mr.. Selwtn's ward would bs quite e
femme d esprit. Aadge had no lack Of
society out she kept a place in the con-.
verAtion for awkward Jack Hswkesbury,
and her love of mischief was grati6ed to
the full extent by his making OF iewhat
he call,d "a hawible muddle' Bat the
trivial triumphs and pleasures Of the
night wee long forgotten by Madge
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 tayOrite csmelias-as she said,
" with s. darling bud" and FitzalIen had
promised, with Ponsouby Jones permis,
sion, to get her another with g 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,
peuknile il hand still, swinging careless
ly the Ian like leat OF dwarf palm.
" If this were nearer, could tan you,"
he said
"Thank you am tired rather than
hot"
Never in her lie before had Madg9
been 80 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 a favor ?' she in
CURED, raising her gray eyes that shone
for moment with liquid brightness.
You have only to name it-I am ct
your service"
His manner, unTsmantic to studied
degree, made her feel all the more sale
in taking heart to speak, while ahe gave
him at the same time in generous meas.
ure that most precious offering to which
every noble hearted man entities him
self-a woman's respect,
al have seemed very hsppy tonight,
MIR. Fitzalen," she began in quiet, low
tone, the tern leaf trembling in her hand
and the color dying out Of her face, " but
l an in great trouble"
Indeed | am sorry to hear it," He
drew little nearer, listening stten'
lively and helping her now and again by
q word Of encouragement.
Her story was a staple one she was TO
be married next month TO her cousin,
Mr.. Hswkssbury, She had dreaded it
all her life, but it was her fate, And
then taking courage from the respectful
and almost patorual demeauor of her
listener, she made the frank confession
that she diLiiked her cousin because she
was forced to marry him aud 10 thii
she added such child-like entreaty not
to be thought too bad" that it must
have required more than ordinary self
control for FitSallan not to say some
thing that would have allowed the scene
to become a tender one; but this he
seemed determined to avoid, and so II
her simple'way WAS the sadly perpleIed
girl that was pouring out her hearts
trouble TO him.
"Will you speak for me to Mr.
SeIwyn," she said, "ss you ara an Ole
friend OF his2 l can not reason as mel
do; but want you to try there is al!
way of release for me. Pray forgive mt
il am wrong in asking your interier
enee, but | am very wretched "--hert
came a burst OF tears thst must hsv,
tried the listener sorely--" and | mysei
have 50 often spoken to Mr.. Selwyn, an'
it is of no use. He always says m.
fathers will must be carried out an
oh how wish l could do it."
at must be done, If possible" Fit2
allen said "But it would not be you
fathers will to mar the happiness of you
life or to put you in bondage"
"Ohl ii Mr., Selwyn would only spea
like that" said the girl sadly.
"Well, shall have talk with him,
said FitEallen, "and do my best for you
happiness, though l would bs sorry I
iniure Hawkeabury's prospects. let l
20 back now 3; there is new piece b,
ginning. That is one of Ruberstein'
i it notH | need not say you have don
me favor in granting me your conf
dence."
With that he drew aside the heay
cprtains, and they returned to dazzlin
light and bewildering music and NOV
ment OF the ballroom.
After that night Madge waited
anxiety to hear the result Of FitEsllen
paTley with her guardian. Three da.
passed, and a note came lTom him-onl
a tavv xynrda..u uaviny that he had aucraa,