Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-11

| Ill Nuc ellllS SoAlc tllc ScSouO PAoiiisSS
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. One looker-o on
called her charming; another, the mother
| Of fair daughters, admitted her expression
was charming, but voted her features
plain. Mrs. Ponsonby-J tones, weighed
| down with bright-colored silk and jewel
ry, said in her finest tone that Mr.
Selwyn's ward would be quite ate'nmt
| d'esprit. Madge had no lack of society
but she kept place in the conversation
| for Jack Hawkesbury, and her love OF
mischief was gratifed to the full by his
making Of it what he called "a hawible
muddle.' But the trivial triumph and
pleasures of the night were long for
gotten by Madge before she lost one re-
membrance 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 lost the flower from her hair
one Of her favorite camellias-as she said,
| with darling bud and Fitzallan had
promised, with PonsonbyJones's per
| mission, to get her another with dar-
ling 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. Fitzallan stood at little distance,
penknife in hand still, swinging careless
ly the fan-like leaf of dwarf palm.
1T this were nearer, l could fan you, .
he said.
Thank you; I am tired rather than
hot Never in her life before had
Madge been so serious OF 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 favor?" she inquired,
raising the gray eyes that shone for a mo-
ment with liquid brightness.
"You have only to name it am at
your service
His manner, unromantic 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 himself
"a woman's respect.
Il have seemed very happy tonight,
Mr.. Fitzallan,'' she began in a quiet low
tone, the torn leaf trembling in her hand
and the color dying out of her face, shut
/ am in great trouble"
Indeed! I am sorry to hear it, He
drew little nearer, listening attentively
and helping her now and again by VOID
of encouragement.
Her story was simple one. She was
to be married next month to her cousin
Mr.. Hawksbury. She had dreaded it all
her life, but it was her fate. And then
taking courage from the respectful and
almost paternal demeanor Of her listener
she made the frank confession that she
disliked her cousin just because she was
forced to marry him; and to this she add
ed such a childlike entreaty not to be
thought "too bad," that it must have re-
quired more than ordinary self-control for
Fitzallan not to say something thatwould
have allowed the scene to become a tender
one; but this he seemed determined to
avoid, and so in her simple way was the
sadly complexed girl that was pouring 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 cannot reason as men do, but want you
to try if there is any way Of release for
me. Pray forgive me if am wrong in
asking your interference, but I am very
wretched''-here came 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 al
ways says my fathers will must be car
ried out; and oh how l wish could do
it,"
"It must be done, if possible, Fitzallan
said. "But it would not be your fathers
will to mar the happiness Of your life or
to put you in bondage
"Oh! if Mr.. Selwyn, would only speak
like that" said the girl sadly
We'll, shall have a talk with him, y
said Fitzalian, land do my best for your
happiness, though would be sorry to in
jure Hawkesbury's prospects. Let us 60
back now; there is a new piece begin
ming. That is one Of Rubinsten's, is it
not? need not say you have done me a
favor in granting me your confidence
After that ght Madge waited in anxi-
ETY. to hear the result Of Fitzallan's parley
with her guardian. Three days passed
and note came from him, only few
words, saying that he had succeeded at
least SO far as to win promise that the
matter should be considered. But Madge
saw little good coming of Mr.. Sci,
wyn's considering" what seemed to be
decided irrcvocably long ago.
At last it was the eye Of her birthday
tomorrow would be the dreaded day, and
that very morning Mr.. Selwyn had said tc
her gravely, but tenderly:
My child, it has been the work o.
many years for me to see to the fulfill
ment of your fathers last wish. He wa:
my best and dearest friend, and his life
was a sad one At least his dying viii
must be done. But promise you hap
| piness-I do indeed
But beyond that day Madge was una
bic to bear her hearts burden. II mus
tell him everything" she thought. Ii
the afternoon twilight, some time afte
Mr.. Selwyn had returned home, sh'
found him asleep in his armchair in tn
dark dining room. But little daylight
came in between the red curtains, and i
was only the glow of the fire that shove,
her his white hair and long beard. Sh
knelt beside him, as she often did for
talk when he was in that chair, and sh
woke him by stealing her hand into his
''Who is it?-Gerty? No, Madge-m
little Madge that is to be so patriarcha
Tomorrow
Papa selwyn," she began, not givin
him time to joke any lest she might nc
be able to disclose all her troubles. g
want to tell you something, and 20
won't be angry, will you, no matter wha
it is?'