Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-03-10
Madeline.

All the girls who were leaving school
carried with them anticipations OF gay
winter, a round of parties, balls and oper-
as. Not so with Madeline Delaney. The
diving will of her father made her aunt's
house her home, for the years between Is
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.
Mrs. Chathard was an invalid, and her
family consisted only of her son-a man
over so, and said to be eccentric-and the
old family servs ntI. Decidedly not very
brilliant prospect for Madeline.
. Ii was sulien 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 white beach
on which the sea beat heavily in, and stand
ing in the midst of cluster of pines, was
low, massive building, that might have
been a prison, and possibly was a house.
No one came TO the door 10 welcome her.
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
some sort of Knitting-a sallow, delicate,
fretful woman.
"No," she said, shrinking back, as Made
line showed disposition TO kiss her; mo
one but Frederick has kissed me for years.
Don't commence. am creature of hab-
it; | don't like 10 be disturbed in any of
my regular habits. | only come down to-
day On your account, and 1t has quite un-
nerved me. 1 shall not try it again. l
must have perfect repose. Frederic comes
to see me morning and evening; that Is as
much as | can bear.
With that, Madeline was waved off TO
herroom, where indignation supplanted
strong desire to cry, and curiosity gradual
ly got the better of both. 1t was really,
she decided, on looking about her. pleas
ant room, with crimson curtains and furni.
ture, and deep window looking out on
the sea. There was 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 we'll filed; pretty piano occupied a
recess In her room.
81 shall pass my time very tolerably,"
thought Madeline, resignedly. II wonder
what my cousin is likef"
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 dress? 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.
''He is barb&rianI know shall hate
himl" was her inward comment. ''He
must have known that | would be here
He might have been civil. However,
shall do very well without himl"
And, getting a book from the library
shelves, she sat herself down resolutely to
read But, try as she would, her thoughts
wandered back to the pleasant room where
she used TO sit with her girl 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.
A week passed away. During that time
Madeline saw MIS- Chathard once-that
was al. The rest of the time she passed
In solitude, till Saturday evening, when
the prime old housekeeper entered the par
lor where Madeline was sitting, work-bas-
ket in hand.
''Mr. Frederic is at home,'' said she,
'fand Mrs. Chathard thinks it 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 bay-window.
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
quick, masculine step without in the hall.
heard it 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 so 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, so evenly arched were the brows.
SO long were the lashes, 80 soft, 80 almost
suffering, their expression; clear cut fea-
lures; teeth that showed white and even
through his thick mustache; a gentle,
quiet, assured manner, neither austere nor
frownIsh, as Madeline had imagined, but
that of a gentleman and man of the
world
He apologized easily enough for the ap-
parent incivility: Important business, F"
that much-enduring scapegoat, had de-
tained hlm-he was extremely sorry.
But Madeline, who had no patience with
his lame excuses, interrupted him sharply:
'tPray, spare your regrets. it Is quite evil
dent that your sorrow is of the deepest dye.
Your countenance bespeaks it,
Mr.. Frederic opened his eyes wide and
sat down. Hitherto he had seemed unde-
cided on the question.
$50, then, you are really offended, and
show it after spirited fashion. Good! |
shall have to make my peace. 1t will give
us something TO talk about"