Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-03-07

DeT pehCe.
What need to tell the inner history Of
Madges life during the next few weeks
More and more she longed for free
dom. Fitzallan was staying in the
neighborhood, and was frequently at the
house, and in the thousand little Incl
; dents of everyday life she knew he
cared for her, and the honest Jack
grew yet more distasteful to her siglsl.
In due time came the second prom
Used pleasure. The family that distin-
guisbed the name Of Jones by the prefix
Of Ponsonby gave their party. Madgc
was in her glory that night. One look
er-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.. Selwyn's would be quite o
fennWd'eprit. Madge had no lack OF
society, but she kept u place in CONVEX
satlon for Jack Hawkesbury, and her
love of mischief was gratified to the
full by his making Of it what he called
"a hawibe muddle." But the trivial
triumphs and pleasures of the night
were long forgotten by Madge before
she lost one remembrance of u scene
that passed in the conservatory, when
the music was hushed by heavy cur
tains, 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
sad, with n darling bud" and Fitz-
allnn had promised, with Ponsonby-
Jones permission, to get her another
with u darling bud too. She had placed
his gift in her hair, and sat near the
dewy glass, saying il was cool there and
she would rest. Fitzallan stood ut n
little distance, penknife in hand stll,
swinging carelessly the fan-like leaf Of
n dwarf palm.
az this were nearer could fan you,
he said.
"ThanlS you; ! am tired rather than
hot"
Never in her life before had Madge
been 80 serious or 80 troubled as she
WINS now, in the soft light among the
cool plants, within sound of the half
hushed music.
"Will you do me u favor2" she inqulr-
ed, raising the gray eyes that shone for
moment with liquid brightness.
"You have only to name it, nm nj
your service"
Ills manner, unromantic M studied
degree, made her feel MI the more safe
in taking heart to speak, while she gave
him, ut the same time, i'll generous
measure, that most precious Offering to
which every noble-hearted man entities
himself-a woman's heart.
Il hive seemed very happy tonight
Mr.. Fitzallan," she began in II quiet low
tone, the torn leaf trembling in hen
hand and the color dying out Of hen
face, "but / nm in grent trouble"
"lndcedl | am sorry to hear it, lie
drew little nearer, listening attentive,
~, and helping her now and again by Il
word Of encouragement.
Her story was n simple ono She was
To be married next month To her cousin
MIR. lIawkcsbury. She had dreaded il
NIL her life, but il was her fate. An'
then taking courage from tic respectful
and almost paternal demeanor of hel
listener, she made tho frank confession
Tint she disliked her cousin just because
aho was forced TO marry him; and tc
this she added such childlike entreaty
not to be thought "too bad, that il
must have required more than ordinary
self-control for Fizallan not to say
something That would have allowed the
scene to become n tender one; but this
he seemed determined to avoid, and e
in her simple way was the sadly per
picked girl TINT was pouring out hoi
heart's trouble to him.
"Will you speak for me to Mr.. Sci
wyn," she said, "as you are I'M ole
friend Of his2 cannot reason as mei
do, but | want you to try fthore is amy
way OF release for me. Pray forgive
mo il am wrong in asking your inter
ference, but | nm very wrotched'-
hero came burst Of tears That mus
have tried tho listener soroly-"and
myself have 40 often spoken To MIR
Solwyn, and il is no use, lilo always
snys my fathers will must be carrice
out; and Oil how wish could do il.
1T must be done, If possible" Fitzal
Ian said. "But it would not ho youl
fathers will to mar tho happiness D
your lfe or to put you in bondage.
Obi if Mr., Selwyn would only speak
like that, said the girl, sadly.
"Well | shall hayo talk with him,
said Fitzallan, "nnd do my best fol
your happiness, though would be sorry
to iniure Hawkesbury's prospects. Let
us go back now, there is now piece
beginning. That is of Rubinstein's
il II not2 | need not say you have don,
mo favor by granting mo your conf
dence.p
With that he drew aside the heavy
curtains, and they returned TO the da2
aling light and howildering music anc
movement of the ballroom.
After that night Madgo waited il
anxiety to hear the result Of Fit2allans
parley with her guardian. Three days
passed and note came from him, onl,
u few words, saying that he had sue
ceodod ut least 50 far rs TO win il prom
ise TINT the matter should he consider
cd. But Madgo saw little good coming
Of Mr.. Solwyns considering" what
seemed to he decided, irreyocably, long