River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-15

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.
'If this were nearer, could fan you,
he said
Thank you; | am tired rather than
hot.n Never in her life before had
Madge been so 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 favor2" 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 10 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
IRE that most precious offering to which |
every noble-hearted man entities himself
IA woman's respect.
L have seemed very happy tonight,
Mr.. Fitzallan,n she began in quiet, low |
tone, the torn leaf trembling in her hand |
and the color dying out of her face, "but
! am in great trouble"
Indeed. | 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.. Hawksbnry. 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 DC |
thought "too bad, - that it must have re-
quired more than ordinary self-control for |
Fitzalan not to say something that would |
have allowed the scene to become tender |
one; but this he seemed determined 10
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.. Selwyu,'
she said, las you are an old friend of his ?
cannot reason as men do, but want you |
to try if there is any way of release for |
me. Pray forgive meif am wrong in |
asking your interference, but | 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 al
ways says my fathers will must be car
ried out; and oh /! how wish | could do
it,"
at must be done, ifpossible, FitaaIlan
said. But it would not be your fathers |
will to mar the happiness Of your life or
to put you in bondage"
sob. if Mr.. Selwyn, would only speak |
like that, ;" said the girl sadly"
"Well, | shall have a talk with him,
said Fitzalian, sand do my best for your
happiness, though l would be sorry to in
jure Hawkesbury's prospects. Let us 60
back now; there is IA new piece begin
ming. That is one of Rubinsten's, is it |
notl | need not say you have done me a
favor in granting me your confidence
After that night Madge waited in anxi-
ETY. to hear the result of Fitzallan's parley |
with her guardian. Three days passed |
and a 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 irrevocably long ago.
At last it was the eye Of her birthday; |
tomorrow would be the dreaded day, and |
that very morning Dir. Selwyn had said to
her gravely, but tcndcrly:
MY child it has been the work of
many years for me to see tn the fulfill |
ment of your fathers last wish. He was |
my best and dearest friend and his life |
was sad one. At least his dying will |
must be done. But promise you hap |
piness--I do indeed
But beyond that day Madge was una
BILE to bear her hearts burden. Il must
tell him everything" she thought. In
the afternoon twilight, some time after
Mr.. Selwyn had returned home, she
found him asleep in his armchair in the
dark dining-ro 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 often did for a
talk when he was in that chair, and she |
woke him by stealing her hand into his. |
''Who is it?-Gertyl No, Madge-my |
little Madge that is to be SO patrarchal
tomorrow
"Papa Selwyn," she began, not giving |
him time to joke any lest she might not
be able to disclose all her troubles, 81 |
want to tell you something, and you
won't be angry, will you, no matter what
it isl'
He took her face between his hands,
and the fire flashed up and showed him
how earnest it was.
Il am quite sure, he said, nothing can
make me anything but as deeply in love
with my second dauhter as poor old
fellow like me can be. Why child, am
under "a cloud all day because tomorrow
AS soon as tomorrow can be Papa
Selwyn no more, and Madge will he
thinking about no one but her cousin"
mo, indeed y cried Madgc impetuous-
", You will be Papa Selwyn always
always; and don't care for my cousin
bit"
But her guardian shook his head grave
my dear, you will marry your cous-
in"
The freight had died down low, and
Madge had courage enough to blurt out
with an effort:
II can't marry Jack, because ! ought
to love my husband, and can never care
enough for him. Or, if | must he en-
gagged to him tomorrow here there was
a great sob-"Mr. Fitzallen is very good
and kind, and | don't want to hurt him
must go away"
"Her heart sank upon his knees with
the great effort of that request.
my poor child, " he said, II know your
secret. Bravely said, my little Madge,
my bonny girl You have had the truth
out and done nobly. You are worthy of
the man that is to have you, and that is
saying good deal Then raising her /,
head gently, he babe her listen, for he
was going to tell secret in return for
hers. When she heard it she waited with
wide, wondering eyes while he told it a
second time, for she could not believe in
her joy. Gas you know Madge," he be
gan, .most people in this world have
more cousins than one And then
he went on to explain to her that Herbert {
was distant cousin and that it /
was to him her father wished her to be T
married. Fitzallan's father had been the {
of his Iabors and Herbert HIM 1
self had been loved by the dying man as :
a son, for Herbert was twenty when little {
Madge was an orphaned baby Of four. '
:. You ask what about Jack, them SAID a