The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-01-23

mother taking walk IN the sunny gar
den, she went into the kitchen.
pheasant morning, isn't it? What
pity Bridget didn't give you your
breakfast little more appetizingly.
Here, do make the remnant of your cof-
fee at least palatable.
She was SO CHEEKY that her very pres
ence was like ray of sunshine, and the
man, although he seemed unable to un-
derstand her, bowed several times in
token of his thankfulness and appreci-
alton as she placed tiny jug of milk,
the sugar-bowl and butter-plate on the
table beside him.
Then she flew nimbly round and deity
prepared q pot of chocolate, toasted a
slice of bread and carried it in to her
sister, pouting in the cushioned chair.
"Come, my lady, don't punish your
self because you happen to be little
out of temper. Come, dear, eat, drink
and be merry, and let's talk about Mr..
Caryl Ermine." a
Madges's infectious good humor, the
sight of the toast and the chocolate con-
quered, and Mabel permitted herself to
be coaxed into the gossip she really en-
joyed.
SIT was glorious last night, wasn't it?
Madge, was it only imagination, or did
he really pay me very marked atten-
tion?''
Madge laughed.
"He was very courteous to every
body. Yes, come to think of it, Mabel,
he did dance with you three times, with
Miss Lester twice, and with other less
fortunate creatures only once"
(which latter list includes yourself.
Evidently he wasted no special admira-
ton on you," said Mabel.
The cruel, uncalled-for sarcasm cut
Madge to the very heart-that FOND, true
womanly heart that knew no jealousy,
no envy.
Her answer was very quiet, very
honest, but her sweet, sensitive lip
quivered.
"No, Mr.. Ermine wasted no special
admiration on me. Why should he,
when you were there? How could he,
anyhow, when there is nothing about
me to attract any mans notice? Allthe
sane,'' and the old, sweet content
thrilled through her tones, 81 am very
well satisfied. You shall make the grand
match one of these days, and mamma
and I will live alone and keep each other
company.
Mabel sneered.
"It's very little comfort you'll get
under such an arrangement. Mamma
does demand more waiting on than any
one I ever saw, and you are silly
enough to humor all her whims. Well,
thank Heaven. the prospects are favor
able for my getting. out of this stupid
little hole. There, Madge, I've spilled
that greasy chocolate ON the table
cover. Run-get cloth and wash
off,"
> Madge gathered up the cups and went
into the kitchen, where the man stood
by the door, waiting evidently to thank
her, which he did, in a broken patois,
Madge guessed at more by his gestures
than any thing else.
"That's all right, my man. You're
welcome to such as it was"
Ermine, walking to and fro on the
balcony that commanded view of hill
and dale, valley and stream, watched
the wide carriage-road down which
presently came the barouche, its pranc-
ing horses and liveried servants, and
from which he saw Mabel Clarrence's
exquisite pink and fair face, with its
laughing, joyous eyes and floating,
lovely hair-a vision beautiful enough
to have made any mans pulses stir.
Only that it was the sight of another
face beside Mabel's- thoughtful,
almost plain, yet SO thoroughly woman
ly, strengthful and happy Madge
Clarrence's face, the sight of which
thrilled Caryl Ermine to his very soul,
the touch of whose hand as he assisted
his summer-day guests from the carriage
he had sent for them, sent his heart all
a-throb. sos 80 @
Little Madge had never dreamed Mr..
Ermine cared for her until that day,
when he told her so.
eff it had been Mabel, Mr.. Ermine,"
she said, in her sweet, unselfish way.
How ever could you have passed our