Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-04-21
7ery 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 of
everyday life she grew yet more distaste-
full to sight.
In due time came the second promised
pleasure. The family that distinguish
ed the name of Jones by the prefix of
Ponsonby gave their party. Madge was
in her glory that night. One looker-on
called her charming; another, the mother
of fair daughters, admitted her express
sion was charming, but voted her features
plain. Mrs. Ponsonby Jones, weighed
down with bright-colored silk and jew
elry, said in her finest tone, that Mr.
Selwyn's ward would be quite femme
d'esprat. Madge had no lack of society
but she kept place in the conversation
for Jack Hawkesbury, and her love of
mischief was gratiied to the full by his
making of it what he called "a hawible
muddle." But the trivial triumphs and
pleasures of the night were long forgot
ten by Madge before she lost one re-
membrance of scene that passed in the
conservatory, where the music was
hushed by heavy curtains, 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 of her favor
ite camellias-as she said, with darl.
ing bud, and Fitzallan had promised,
with Ponsonby-Jone's permission, to get
her another with darling bud too. She
had placed his gift in her hair, and sat
near on the dewy grass. saying it was
cool there and she would rest. Fitzal-
Ian stood at little distance. penknife
in hand still. swinging carelessly the
fanlike leaf of dwarf palm.
"If this were nearer l could fan you" !"
he said.
Thank you; am tired and hot
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 a favor ?" she in.
quired, raising the gray eyes that shone
for moment with liquid brightness.
"You have only to name i'll am at
your service"
His manner, unromantic in studied
degree, made her feel all the more safe
in taking heart to speak, while she gave
him at the same time, in generous
measure, that most precious Offering to
which every noble hearted man entities
himself-a woman's heart.
81 have seemed very happy to night,
Mr.. Eitzallan," 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 ii"
He drew little nearer, listening atten-
lively. and helping her now and then by
word of encouragement.
Her story was a simple one. She
was to be married next month to hel
cousin, Mr.. Hawkesbury. She had
dreaded it all her life, but it was her
fate. And then taken courage from the
respectful and almost paternal demeanor
of her listener, she made the frank con-
fession that she disliked her cousin just
because she was forced to marry him
and to this she added such child like
entreaty not to be thought .'too bad,
that it must have required more thar
ordinary self control for Fitzalan not tt
say something that would have allowed
the scene to become tender one; bu
this he seemed determined to avoid, and
In her simple way the sadly perplexeC
girl was pouring out her hearts trouble
to him.
"Will you speak for me to Mr.. Sci
wyn," she said, "as you are an ole
friend of his? | cannot reason as mel
do. but want you to try if there is any
way of release for me. Pray forgiv,
me if am wrong in asking your inter
ference, but | am very wretched' her,
came burst of tears that must hav,
tried the listener sorely-'and | mysel
have so often spoken to Mr.. Selwyn
and it is no use. He always says m,
fathers will must be carried out, an,
oh how wish l could do it.
"It must be done, if possible" Fitzal
: Ian said. "But it would not be you
life or to put you in bondage"
"Oh if Mr.. Selwyn would only speal
like that" said the girl sadly.
"Well, | shall have talk with him,
said Fitzallan, land do my best fo
your happiness, though | would be sorr
to injure Hawkesbury's prospects,
After that night Madge waited i
anxiety to hear the result of Fitzallan'
, parley with her guardian. Three day
passed and note came from him, onl
a few words, saying that he had sue