Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-01-05
A GIRLS TEMPTATION.
by ALICE DALE.

stairs which led to her cherries room
in down town tenement, her pale fac
very sad, yet trying hard to lsok brav
despite her dependency.
Surely the outlook was not cheering
even to the stout hearted little woman
for she was very poor--a poor music
teacher, glad Of the chance TO earn 9
few dollars by the use Of the accom-
plishmeut which had been taught he
In days when she had never expected
to put her knowledge to q practica
use days when she had lived in hel
own handsome home, with the kindes
OF parents and everything that hear
could desire. And the tears sprang u
her brown eyes at the memory Of Ar
thur Stacey.
For, though lie had never asked hel
10 be his wife, Madge had reason TO be.
lieve that he loved her, and her hear,
had gone into his keeping and then,
cared for her, he had married his cousin,
Blanche Frazin.
There was no mistake, no possibility
of a mistake In the matter no false ru-
NOR, nothing to cling to with a wild
hope of some day being rectlfed, for
Madge herself had attended the wed.
ding, crushing down the wild love In
her heart for the sake of her woman 8
pride. She had even congratulated the
married pair with calm, unfaltering
voice, and glance Of Indifference
raised to meet the bridegrcom's eyes.
Yet she marveled at sight Of the
strange, stern look upon his tace,a visit
full expression striving with the stern
ness, which puzzled the girl greatly.
May you be happy" Madge had
said, softly, though her heart was ach-
ing fearfully, and heavy with the sad
burden of memory recalling words that
he had spoken to her once upon a
time
can never be really happy apart
from you, Madge," he had said.
But as she gazsd upon him at that
moment, with his young, beautiful and
wealthy bride upon his arm, Madge
realized how soon he had changed, and
was very happy without even thought
Of her.
Soon after Arthur Stacey's marriage,
sorrow and reverses had come upon the
Burtons.
The parents were both carried away
by a malignant fever, and Mr. Burton's
affairs we're found to be- 30 complicated
that there was nothing LETT after his
creditors were satisfied, and 50 Madge
and Ruth, two years her junior, con-
tirmed invalid, was penDiless
Sad indeed were the thoughts that
passed through the girls mind AZ she
toiled up the long flight of stairs
where she and her sister lived together,
Madge doing their simple cooking, and
al going out to teach every day, rain
or shine alike.
She opened the door of their lit le
sitting.room, and entered, choking back
her tears and her sad memories at the
same time.
She started back with an exclama
ton Of surprise. Ruth lay asleep upon
sofa, one hand clasping new book.
Some one had wheeled round table
to her side, and II held basket Of rare
fruit and slender crystal vase with a
bunch Of exotics.
The fire was burning cheerfully in
the little CRATE, and rosy glow fell on
the pale, sweet face OF the sick girl.
Ruth started up as her sister closed the
door
ooh, Madgev p she cried. joyously,
as Madgs stopped to kiss her. I'm SO
glad that you 70 come, Mr.. vanderlyn
has been here, and be brought me this
book. See, it is copy Of "Sarto Re.
sartus," and the fruit sonder. the flow
els are for You, dear, and-and this |"
She drew forth scaled letter address, |
ed to Miss Madge Burton. With
strange misgivings, Madgr tore the
letter open, and read it with wonder.
dilated eyes.
"My DEAR MISS BURTON Il have
to write and ask you IL you
will be my wife. I have be n watch
ing you for months, and ] have come
10 love you dearly. am much older
han you, darling, but | will be 30 kind
md tender to yen always that you will
never think of that. will give you a
plendid home and everything that
wealth can procure; and Will engage
he best medical advice for Ruth. Y0u
hall have the pleasure Of seeing her
veil and strong, and we will carry her
IF to Europe for trip, which will do
Ter world of good Madge, for your
listers sake, If no. for your own. you
must consider my proposition and let
'Our answer be yes. | will call to-mor-
Ow evening for your verdict.
"Yours faithfully,
SIMON VANDERLyN."
Msdge sat in thoughtful silence, her
n In |
in her hand.
Could she refuse this splendid for.
une which was offered her?For Ruth's .
AXE dare she refuse it?
And yet-and yer--could she marry
hat rich old man, mary him with that
cad love still in her heart, though she
red hard to shut its door on the mem
ry OF Arthur Stacey.
1t was a diffibult problem. One thing Z
,rtain, Ruth must never know, never 4
lspect the fearful struggle in Madges
reast, this effort to crush her own heart
n the sake of her sister. |.
For mere wealth, acceptable though
would be TO the poor, toiling teacher, I
ould not induce her to marry without
We, but comfort, and perhaps ultimate =
'alth for the sister so dearly loved, v
I'd all that she had to care for, aye,
AT was an inducenept indeed.
Hours passed, and still Madgs was in g.
ofound thought. :"
She prevailed upon Ruth to retire, for y
e must have no witnesses to the bat
. which must be fought that night. 1t
as Il terrible temptation to this lonely
phau tirl. How could she throw
Vaysuch an opportunity, which might :,
Yer come again "
And If Ruth died would she not for.
er reproach herelf. =.
Long after midnight Madge crept into "
d, weary and worn, and still unde- -
ied what course to pursue. ~
She fell asleep, and with the usual in "
nsistency of dreams-dreamed that e.
q was with rthur Stacey and that | ~