Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-04-13

be thOu~ht ''tOO bad, ~ that IL muSC nave IT,
quired more than ordinary self-control tol
Fitzallan not to say something that would
have led the scene to become a tender one,
but this he seemed determined to avoid, and
so, in her simple way, was the sadly perpleXed
girl who was pouring out her hearts trouble
to him.
"Will YOU speak for me to Mr.. Selwyn,'
she said. Gas you are an old friend OF his !! l
cannot reason as men do, but l want you TO
try if there is any way of release for me. Pray
forgive me if L am wrong in asking your In.
reference" There came a burst OF tears that
must have tried the listener sorely-eand l
myself have so often spoken to Mr.. SelWyn
and it is of no use. He always said my faith
er's will must be carried out; anu oh how
wish coulddo it.'
'It must be done, if possible" Fitzallan
said ''But it would not be your fathers will
to mar the happiness of your life or to put
you in bondage"
''Oh if MI. Selwyn would only speak like
that,'' said the girl sadly.
ssWell. shall have a talk with him." said
Fitzallan, ''and do my best for your happiness,
though would besorryto injure Hakwesbury's 8
prospects. Let US 60 back now; there is a
new piece beginning. That is one of Ruben
STEMS, is it not I need not say that you
have done me a favor in granting me your coll
fdence ?'
With that he drew aside the heavy curtains
and they returned to the dazzling light and be-
wildering music and movement of the ball
room.
After that night Madge waited in anxiety
to hear the result of Fitzallan's parley with
her guardian. Three days passed and note
came from him, only few words, saying! that
he had succeeded at least so far as to win a
promise that the matter should be considered.
But Madge saw little good coming of Mr.. Sell
wyn's considering" what seemed to be decl-
ded irrevocable 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:
s'My child, it has been the work of many
years for me to see the fulfllment of your IA
theirs last wish. He was my best and dearest
friend and his life was a sad one. AT least
his dying will must be done. But 1 promise
you happiness do indeed"
But beyond that day Madge was unable to
bear her hearts burden. 81 must tell him ev-
erything,n she thought. In the afternoon
twilight, some time after Mr.. Selwyn had re-
turned home, she found him asleep in his arm
chair in the dark dining-rOom. But little
daylight came in between the red curtains, and
it was only the glow of the fire that showed
her his white hair and long beard. She knelt
beside him, as she often did for talk when he
was in that chair, and she woke him by steal
ing her hand into his.
E'Who is it-Gerty No, Madge-my little
Madge, that is to be so patriarchal to-mor-
row 20
"Papa Selwyn,9 she began, not giving him
time to joke any more lest she might not be
able to disclose all her troubles, II want to
tell you something, and you won't be angry,
will you, Il matter what it is %
He took ler face between his hands, and the
fire flashed up and showed him how earnest it
was.
II am ite sure,'' he said, "nothing can
make me lything but as deeply in love with
my second daughter as a poor old fellow like
me can be. Why, child, am under a cloud
all day because tO-morrOw-So soon as to-mor-
row. can he Papa Selwyn no more, and
Madge will be thinking of nobody but her cou-
SIM
''No, indeed ~ cried Madge, impetuously !;
''you will be Papa Selwyn always-always
and don't care for my cousin Bit"
But her guardian shook his head gravely.
'My dear, you will marry your cousin"
The freight had died down low, and Madge
fort the few words:
81 can't marry Jack, because ought to love
my husband, and 1 can never care enough for
him. Oh, if I must be engaged to him to-
morrow''--here there was great sob-''Mr.
Fitzallan is very good and kind, and don't
want to hurt m-but-but-he must go
aWay.''
Her head sank upon his knees with the
great effort of that request.
''My poor child" he said, II know your
secret. Bravely said, my little Madge, my
bonny girl! You have had the truth out,
and done nobly. You are worthy of the
man that is to have you, and that is saying
good deal.' Then raising her head gently he
bade her listen, for he was going to tell secret
in return for hers. When she heard it she
waited with wide, wondering eyes while he
told it second time, for she could not believe
in her joy. Gas you know, Madge," he be-
gan, ''most people in this world have more
cousins than One.'' And then he went on to
explain to her that Herbert Fitzallan was
very distant cousin, and it was to him her
father wished her to be married. FitZallan's
father had been the companion of his labOrs,
and Herbert himself had been loved by the
dying man as a son, for Herbert was twenty
when little Madge was an orphaned baby of
four. 'You ask what about Jack, then 20
said the old man. "That was my clever trick
upon you, Madge. never said you were to
marry Jack. l told you of your fathers wish.
I brought Jack here, the only cousin you knew,
fine enough, 1 can tell you, and appreciated
by young lady not far from here. knew
that wayward heart of yours, and I knew that
woman should not marry a man without
real love and great store of it, too So | left
my darling open to the idea that Jack was
to be the lucky fellow and she did what and
all sensible folks eXpected-almost hated Jack
and her doom. Then took care that the man
you was meant for-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 in you. So, have not sue
ceeded, and made my Madge choose her faith
er's choice with her own free heart and will
AS for Fitzallan, he is all impatience for to-
morrow, and he would have told you the
secret at that ball the other night, when he
says he was put to a desperate trial, but he
had promised me never to disclose it until we
were quite sure of success. Well, are you
happy now, Madge?'
''My dear, good second father! How can /
love you enough 20 was all she could say when
she felt his arm around her in that moment of
fulfilled desires, and his lips pressed to her
forehead in fatherly affection, now that this
long solicitude was at an end and his hard
task well done.
That very night, Madge scarcely able to re-
aliZe her joy, was betrothed to Herbert FitZal-
Ian, who, when the secret was disclosed, would
not wait another hour.
"Have not waited years 20 he said. "Al
my time abroad l was waiting, and then
came back and found my Madge more than
ever had dared to hope.'