West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-04-05

. ~ must ht uout, IL possible, ttE-
allan said. But it would not be your
fathers will 10 mar the happiness of
your life or 20 put you in bondage
q If MIR. Selwyn would only speak
like that, said the girl, sadly.
Well, | shall have u talk with him, :"
said Fitzallan, "and do my best for your
happiness though | would be sorry to
inJure Hawkesbury's prospects. Let US
20 back now; there is new piece be
ginning That is one of Rubinstein's =.
Is il not2 | need not say YOU have
done me a favor in granting me your
confidence"
With that he drew aside the heavy
curtains, and they returned 10 the daz-
zlng light and bewlldering music and
movement of the ballroom
After that night Madge waited in
anxiety 10 hear the result of Fitzallau's
parley with her guardian. Three weeks
passed, aud note came from him, only
few words, saying that he had sue
ceeded, at leastso far rs to win a promise
that the matter should be considered
But Madge saw little good coming of
Mr. Selwyn's considering what seemed
to be decided irrevocably long ago.
At last it was the eve Of her birthday :;
to morrow would be the dreaded day,
and that very morning Mr.. Selwyn had
said TO her, gravely but tenderly:
My child, it has been the work Of
many years for me TO see TO 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"
llttf l....,,I
unable TO bear her hearts burden. q
must tell him every thing" she thought
In the afternoon twilight, sometime
after Mr. Selwyn had returned home.
she found him asleep in his arm chair in
the dark dining-room. But little day
light came in between the red curtains,
and 1t was only the glow Of the fire that
showed her his white hair and long
beard. She knelt beside him, "a she
often did for talk when he was i'm that
chair, and she woke him by stealing her
hand into his.
Who is it--Gerty2 No, Madge-
my little Madge that is to be 70 patri-
archal tomorrow"
Papa Selwyn," she began, not Civ
ing him time to joke any more. lest she
might not be able TO disclose all her
troubles, ' ] want to tell you something,
and you won't be angry, will you, no
matter what it is?'
lie took her face between his hands.
and the fire flashed up and showed him
how earnest 1T was
" am quite sure" he said. "nothing
can make me anything but rs deeply in
love with my second daughter rs poor
old fellow like me can be. Why, child.
am under cloud all day, because to-
morrow-as soon as tomorrow can be
Papa Selwyn no more, ami Madge will
be thinking about nobody but her
cousin"
No, indeedw cried Madge, impetu-
ously; you will be Papa Sclwyn al
ways-always; and / don't care for my
cousin a bit"
But her guardian shook his head
grayely.
My dear, you will marry your
cousin"
The freight mad died down low, and
Madge had courage enough to blurt out,
with an effort, the few words
] can't marry Jack, because / ought
to love my husband, and / can never
care enough for him. Or, if / must be
engaged to him tomorrow here there
was great sob" Mr. Fitzallan is very
good and kind, and don't want to hurt
him-but- but--he must 90 away"
Her head sank upon his knees with
the great effort of that request.
My poor child" he aaid, "I know
your secret. Bravely said my little
Madge-my bonny grill You have had
the truth out, and done nObly. You are
worthy OF the man that is to have you,
and that is saying great deal" Then
raising her head gently, he bade her
listen, for he WAS going TO tell her a
secret in return for her- When she
heard it, she waited with wide wonder
ing eyes while he told IL a second time.
for she could not believe i'm her ioy.
As you know, Madge," he began.
most people in this world have more
cousins than one" And then he went
on TO explain 20 her that Herbert Fitz-
allan was very distant cousin, and
that IL was TO him her iather wished her
to be married. Fitzallan'B father had
been the companion OF his labors, and
Herbert himself had been loved bv the
dying man as a son, for Herbert was
twenty when little Madge was an or
phaned baby Of four. You ask what
about Jack, thenP said the old man.
That was my clever trick upon Madge.
J never said you were ~ marry Jack.
] told you of your fathers wish. I
brought Jack here the only cousin you
knew; and ] praised his good qualities
which are fine enough, can tell you.
and appreciated by young lady not
far from here. ] knew that wayward
heart Of yours, and ] knew that "a wO-
man should not marry without real love.
and great store Of il too So / left
my darling open 10 the idea that Jack
was 10 be the lucky fellow and she did
Just what ] and all sensible folks ex-
pected almost hated Jack and her
doom Then ] took care that the man
you were meant ior-who, my dear. has
the best and truest heart in the world
should come in the way just at the
right time, and show an interest i'm YOU.
So have ] not succeeded, and made my
Madge choose her fathers choice with
her own free heart and will2 As for
FitzaIlau, me is al impaticnce for to-
morrow, and he would have told YOU
the secret at that ball the other night.
whom hc says that me was put to % des-
perate trial but hc had promised me
never To- disclose it tin we were quite
sure of success. Well arc you happy
now, Madge"
My dear good second father how
can ! love you enough ~ was all she
rsrffIN sol "a. On a.