The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-03-12

that bound her to marry her cousin.
When.Jack Hawkesbury came on the
scene and stayed on visits at the house,
she disliked and ridiculed him without
mercy. Another, one like fair-halred
Gertrude for instance, might have ac-
cepted the inevitable and been happy;
but Madge's active and independent ma
ture made her run against fate. And
now there was only one month left be-
fore her twenty-frst birthday and the
betrothal. Often she told Gertrude
she wished he would go home and stay
there; and Gertrude would only laugh,
with deeper tinge of color on her fair
face.
The girls went out but little; an ar
rangement against which Madge often
rebelled, believing it was in some way
hconnected with the safe management OF
the marriage with her cousin. But
there we're two pleasures in prospect
now, an afternoons boating with Jack
and friend of his and Gertrude, and a
party that the Ponsonby- -Joneses we're
| going to give, to which the Selwyn fam
| lily were sure to be invited. First came
boating. All that eVer-memorable
day-how many years it would take
to make Madge forget it. There were
four in the boat that passed, with
the measured beat and ripple of Jacks
pair of SOULS, along by the reedy shall
lows and green-wooded banks of the
upper Thames. The two girls shared
the cushioned seat at the stern, their
white wooden shawls guarding them
from the chill of the autumn wind.
Gertrude was watching. the shores and
the running ripples, thinking in her
! quiet, easy-going way. Madge, bright
with excitement, was talking-not with
J lck, but with the dark bearded, travel
bronzed man, who was resting from his
turn at the sculls. He was charmed
with the way she chatted and listened
to his tales of half the world, with a re-
Neshipg absence of elt-consciousness.
What would he have said if he had
known the thought that strove for en-
trance into her heart Oh il Jack
awkward, laundering, good-natured
Jack - could be changed into this
stranger that she called timidly Mr..
Fitzallan, and Jack and her guardian
had greeted at the house as Herbert
AT last there was pause in the talk.
She gave deep sigh, prompted by a
sad longing to do right, vague fear, a
irst suspicion of the change that was
coming over her impetuous heart.
Are you cold, MadgeP" asked Jack,
pulling away and bending to his strong
stroke. "Keep your shawl well about
your shoulders. And, my dear girl,
look to your steering. You have been
sending the boat into curves like cork
screw-only did not want to disturb
your tete q tete."
Poor Cousin Jack She drew the
white shawl closely round her, chilled
not by the wind, but by a sudden pang
Of remorse, the foundation of which was
very small, but enough TO trouble her
peace.
What need to tell the inner history OF
Madge's life 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 ol
| everyday life she knew hecared for her,
and honest Jack grew yet more distaste
ful in her sight.
In due time came the second promised
pleasure. The family that distinguished
the name OF Jones by the prefix OF Pom
sonby gave their party. Madge was in
her glory that night. But the trivial
triumphs and pleasures of the night
were long forgotten by Madge before
she lost one remembrance of a scene
that passed in the conservatory where
the music was hushed by heavy cur
tains, and there was only the soft light
of a few dim lamps among the masses
of blossoms and dark green leaves. She
had lost the flower from her hair-one o
her favorite camellias-as she said
g with a darling bud" and Fitzallar
had promised, with Ponsonby-Jon
permission, 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 anC
she would rest. Fitzalan stood at
little distance, penknife in hand still
swinging carelessly the fan-like leaf o
dwarf palm.
If this were nearer could fan you,
he said.
"Thank you; am tired rather thar
hot"
Never in her life before had Madg
been so serious or SO troubled as sh
was now, in the soft light among tn,
cool plants, within sound of the half
hushed music.
"Win you do me a favor ?" she in
} quired, raising the gray eyes that shon
for a moment with liquid brightness.
"You have only to name it-I am a
your service"
/ His manner, unromantic to a studie
degree, made her feel all the more saf
in taking heart to speak, while she CAV
him at the same time sin generous meaE
= ure that most precious offering to whic
every noble-hearted man entities hin
| self-a woman's respect.
2 81 have seemed very happy to-nigh
S Mr.. Fitzallan, she began in a yer
quiet, low tone, the torn leaf tremblin
in her hand and the color dying out {
her face, but am in great trouble.
/ "Indeed am sorry TO hear it.
r He drew little nearer, listening after
lively and helping her now and agai