The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-08
Madeline :

90. AuOuOltllOs
All the girls who were leaving school
carried with them anticipations of CAV
winter, round of parties, balls and ODER
as. Not 30 with Madeline Delaney. The
dying will of her father made her aunt's
house her home,t for the years between l8
and 81; and If Madeline had been unwill-
ing to comply, she would still have gone,
so great was her respect for her fathers
memory. VI.
Mrs. Chathard was oh invalid, and her
family consisted only of her soma man
over 80, and said to be cccentric-and the
old family serT; nt,. Decidedly, not a very
brilliant prospect for Madeline
1t was sullen autumn day when Made
line rode, for the first time, up the avenue
leading to her aunt's house. She saw a
gray sky, flying clouds, and a white beach
on which the sea beat heavily in, and stand
ing In the midst OF a cluster Of pines, was
a low, massive building, that might have
been prison. andposaibly was a house.
No one came to the door TO welcome her.
u Mrs. Chathard was in the library, and beg
ged that Madeline would come to her there.
She found her lying on the sofa, busy with
ffsomo sort of Knitting-a sallow, d.hcate,
fretfpl woman. - "a.
mo, she sale, Shrinking back, as Made
n line showed disposition TO kiss her;H..
one but Frederick has kissed me for years.
Don't commence. i am creature of hnb-
ut; l don't like to be disturbed in any Of
my regular habits. l only come down to-
/. day On your account, and 1t has quite un-
nerved me. 1 shall not try it again. |
must have perfect rcposc. Frederic comes
: TO see me morning and evening; that Is as
:. much as can bear"
With that, Madeline was waved off to
Nherroom, where INDIGNATION supplanted a
strong desire to cry, and curiosity gradual
ly got the better of both. ait was really,
i ant room, with crimson curtains and furni.
{, ,ture, and deep window looking out on
the sea. There was a bureau, with great
many little drawers, and she pleased her
self with arranging them mentally. There
was vase of flowers that spoke of con-
servatory; she had seen that the library
was well filled; u pretty piano occupied
recess III her roOm.-
"I shall pass my time very tolerably,"
thought hladelIRc, rcsignedly. II wonder
what my cousihis like7''
Perhaps this last thought had some IN
fuence in her toilet, else why should she
have braided her hair and put on her most
becoming dress2 1t was hardly to be sup
posed that her charms would have much
effect on the quiet parlor-maid who alone
was IN attendance.
Madeline ate her supper with curling lip
and stormy brow.
"a. "Hc is barbnrianl l know shall hate
,himl" was her inward comment. .tHe
must have known that 1 would be here.
He might have been civil. However,
shall do very wellstwithout himl"
AS,l
IS shelves, she sat herself down rcsoutely to
read But, try as she would, her thoughts
wandered back to the pleasant room where
she used to sit with her gil friends, read
ing and talking, so different from this
great, silent, handsome house. am. afraid
the contrast was not too favorable, for her
pillow was wet with tears that night.
Il week passed away. During that time
Madeline saw Mrs. Chathard once-that
was all. The rest Of the time she passed
IN solitude, till Saturday evening, when
the prime old housckceper entered the par
lor where Madeline was sitting, work-bas-
kot in hand. 3<.,
''Mr. Frederic asis at home" said she,
"and Mrs. Chathards thinks 1t proper that
should sit in the room," with which expla-
nation she walked over to the extreme end
of the apartment, and vanished behind the
curtains Of the bayswindow. %
Madeline curled her lip slightly at these
prudential preparations, and went on with
her reading, trying to convince herself that
her heart was not beating fast She heard
aquick, masculihe step without in the hall.
heard 1t come in the room and advance to-
ward her, but did not raise her eyes till he
stood directly before her: She had hard
work to repress her surprise, he was 80 lit
tie like what she had imagined. Not old
for if he was really thirty, he by 10
means looked his age--not tall, thin and
sallow; on the contrary, small, though well
formed, with an abundance of hair; large
blue eyes that should have belonged to a
woman, 80 evenly archcd were the brows.
10 long were the lashes, so soft, 80 almost
suffering, their expression; clear cut fea-
tur6s; teeth that showed white aud oven
through his thick mustache; a gontie,
quiet, assured manner, neither austerc nor
frownlsh, as Madeline had imagined, but
that of gentleman and man of the
world. T2
lie apologizcd easily enough for tho ap-
parent incivility: 'Important business, %
That, lnuch-enduring Fscapcgoat,' had de-
tanned hlm--he was extremely sorry.
But Madeline, who had no patience with
his lame excuses, interrupted him sharply:
"Pray, spareyour regrets. it IS quite evil
dent that your sorrow is of the deepest dye.
Your countcnance bespeaks it,"
MIR. Frederic opened his eyes wide and
sat down. Hitherto he had seemed unde-
j cIded on the question. p,
$50, then, you are really offended, 1'co
show 1t after a spir ~, fashion. 951t Ia
shall have to maxi Nsace. 1t Irs.
us something to <0frto..l Sand
"ls there really E SO ~" "
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