Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-07
Gales ano Skeitbfs.
MI RIVAL
Or Week ., an Irish waterss-Plaee.

wish Madge Merrington had not been
50 provokingly pretty. a perfect gossamer
fairy. weaving her webs on all sides. and
ensnaring with equal facility the wary and
the incautiOus.
She was seven years old when first knew
her. / was systematically and as a mat
ter of course ! took her on my knee. pet
ted and caressed her.
But years pass on-luckIessIy for some.
happily for one who steps from childhood
TO the fuller fairness of maturity. When
Madge was IL it grew to be "A question Of
nicefy when ms friendly admiration should
cease, or rather. how far it should 60.
If had not seen her 20 constantly the
matter would have been less embarrass-
ing. should have left her at one date a
charming child. and found her after due
interval graceful girl. But I was on
the most intimate terms at her home.
Mr.. aud Mrs. Warrington were my Oldest
friends. and "a lived on the same terrace
with them in q select suburb of the Irish
metropolis, they extended their hospitality
TO me with the warmth and impulsiveness
of the genuine Hibernian heart. Now on
what precise day or at what precise hour
was first to cease my coaxing attentions
and bestow my last kiss was point which
puzzled me considerably. Wherefore
should be unchecked in my demonstra-
ton one day, restrained the next? What
reason could !, or any one, assign for an
abrupt change from freedom to frigidity ?
The difficulty, nevertheless, was solved
for me in a manner which had least cx-
pccted.
One afternoon in the month of May I
had returned early from my office. and
had made nv way direct 10 Merrington
villa with bouquet in my hand and a
parcel under nv arm Madge had rea, he'd
the mature age Of - on this memorable
dav and this was an event | could not for
get.
found her alone in the drawing-room
which looked on a lovely little flower
ground at the hack. She was in white
muslin, with pale pink bows, and large
rosettes Of the same hue on high-heeled
shoes-rather juvenile costume for the
hour; but she was TO have an early party
Of young friends. and was ready dressed
for their arrival | presented my gifts.
and don't think any one can blame me if |
accepted her thanks; but at the instant
the door opened, and Mrs. Merrington ap-
peared.
do not wish to be evasive. but really
cannot distinctly recall in what exact atti-
tude Madge was ut the crisis. / have a
faint recollection of the touch of some
dear little fingers at the tips OF my whis-
kers. Another shock, however, over
powers the memory of even this electric
thrill. II was that caused by the tone of
Mrs. Merrington.
''Madge! come down this moment.
miss, You are too great Il girl to he on
Mr.. Hartwell's knee"
started. but the young lady was more
selfposscsscd.
DEAR old fellow ~ she exclaimed.
why shouldn't | thank him? OF course
he must have "A kiss for the big book and
bouquet he has brought me on my birth
day
And then. with n sweet. roguish look.
she was q ne. \ quick knock at the hall
door had brought new excitement to her
thoughts. and and the reproof were
alike forgotten.
"Madge is very wild and wilful." said
Mrs. Merrington. drawing near TO me and
fixing her hazel eyes on mine. ''She for
gets that she is not child any lodger'
'She does not forget friends. at all
events said quietly.
"Nor either. Mr.. IIartwell. But YOU
see--you feel for yourself that she has
grown up quickly; in fact. she is tall and
old for her age. though her manners are
80 Uniformed. must not let her turn in
Ia q romp."
81 shall not encourage the propensity.
Mrs. Mcrrington." was all | could say.
for somehow blow seemed struck AT me
~ she spoke; the gates of too happy
paradise were closed swiftly by an nflex-
ible hand. That is all right" returned
the mother. with "a smile. IF Madge
needs u hint again, know YOU will not y
After thus day visited only occasionally
at the Merrington's YET whenever saw
my young friend felt that she could new
or he tutored into worldliness. and that
the warm heart of the child was being
preserved true aud guilcless through the
more difficult stage of girlhood.
Three years passed; Madge was *. and
brighter being never dropped the garb
of girlhood for that of lovely womauhood.
and rose. fresh as a fairy in some dazzling
transformation scene. before the enrapt
gaze. She was petite, hut her figure was
perfect with the slightness which develops
tW A'uHuHt>S htt lstuus .>tttdtl anu Wiiitt.
with that rapidty aud dizziness in their
grasp which marks the brisk decided char
acter. Nothing betrays more weakness of
temperament more helpless indecision.
than the limp touch which is given by
some fingers. They seem to follow the
slow motions of the brain. and to be unable
to catch quickly or surely n, any object
upon earth.
Madge had large hazel eyes. like her
mothers. with short, but dark fringe of
lashes. and their gaze was clear and open.
more penetrating than peusive. Her hair
was wavy. brown in its tint. aud she wore
it brushed in curly riprles on the whites,
Of temples. OF her charming rosy mouth
| will not speak. 1t was the feature OF
all others which spoke for itself. and which
smiled too straight into the heart To- leave
actual impression upon the memory.
Mr.. and Mrs. Merrineton did not see
much company. and thus it came to pass
that an invitation to the young lady TO
spend month with friend at northern
watering-place was met by her with Joy
Gus response. The consent of her parents
had been gained. and she set out rAdiantly
on her trip. The month was July. the
weather propitious; Madge was to have
sea bathing. boating. riding and dancing.
Ii she were high-spirited before she left.