The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-29
NIADGE'S MISTAKE.

I'VE start for Egypt on Thursday, old
fellow. l have not broken the news to
Madge, poor girl! But it will have to
be done without loss of time, although
| shrink from the ordeal"
The speaker was a tall, handsome
man. of, perhaps. tiye-and-twenty, with
bright eyes, and dark. resOlute face.
He looked every inch q soldier as he
stood beside IA friend on the platform
of the crowded London terminus.
where they had met each other, after i
separation of some eighteen months.
''Madge!' said the young officers
friend; ''surely you are not engaged2
You, who were always so proud to pro-
claim Yourself woman hater."
Not engaged, returned George
Enfield. with slight flush on his
bronzed cheek. Not engaged, lie
Roy: but married. Where have YOU
been all these months not to have heard
the news?
Il had forgotten how time passes.
said lie Roy, hastily. "Of course, the
world has not been standing still since
left England, with the grim determin-
ation not 10 open book, or newspaper,
until regained the health and strength
| had exhausted in long hours of
study
And you have gained your object"
sal George, with friendly solicitude.
You are quite yourself again"
lie Roy made no immediate answer;
but turned his eyes away, that George
might not see the look of anguish that
darkened them for a moment.
Il am better" he said, at last. with
no trace of emotion on his fine face. Il
am better, or l should not have return
ed to take up the old life
You have come home for good,
said George. eagerly. You really
mean to remain in England?"
Yes" said lie Roy, absently. "A
man cannot fly from himself. | have
come to the conclusion that the man
who seeks health in travel, had far bet
ter remain at home.
George felt that lie Roy was hiding
something from him; but he would not
utter word to bridge the barrier of
reserve which his friend had allowed to
come between them.
.'He shall tell me of his own free
will, or not at ALL" thought George
Enfield. Il will not try to wiring his
secret from him."
SO there was silence between them
for space, as they strobe up and
down each occupied with his own
thoughts.
George was the first to speak, and
his voice startled LIE Roy, arousing
him from a painful reverie. He looked
up eagerly, meeting the eager gaze OF
his friend.
What is it, George" he asked.
apologetically. Forgive me; but |
scarcely heard what you We're saying" "
Il was only telling you, lie Roy. that
my people do not approve of my mar
riage. They have been cruel and un-
Just, and could not think of letting
Madge 90 to them.
Il am sorry 10 hear this" said lie
Roy. 1T must be hard for her and for
yOu; she will not he quite alone,
hope. OF course, your wife has her
own friends.
''Sae has one sister, returned
George; .'but the two poor children
will be very lonely. whea l am gone.
LIE Roy, and | want yon to extend youI
friendship to them 1t was a strange
W ILnht.s COtllu oCC
nothing strange in it. He loved lis
friend. and had every faith in him;f he
knew that Wilfred lie Roy was the soul
of honor.
How fortunate that should have
met YOU here" he continued. without
giving Lee Roy time TO speak. "YOu
must come to our little villa. and lei
me introduce you 10 my wife. | know
YOU have an eve for beauty, and viii
appreciate my good taste. Don't ac'
cuse ME of egotiSm, old fellow, unit
YOU have seen my Madge."
They jumped into cab. and as they
drove quickly in the direction o.
Georges hoTe, the two friends fell tC
talking of Old times, and lie Roy wa,
laughing quite merrily when the han
som drew up before a pretty cottage
not far from Hampstead Heath.
A pretty little maid with bright eye.
and rosy cheeks opened the door il
answer to Georges ring, and lie Ro,
followed her into i quietly furnished
parlor, where 4 young lady was bend
ing over some needlework.
'.Madge" said George, putting hi
hand on her shoulder, ''let me intro
duce you to the best friend have il
the world-Wilfred lie Roy: Wilfred
this is my wife"
They looked at each other, and
sudden CHASTITY pallor came over L.
Roy's face, while the girl seemed as
about TO faint. Then with a warnin,
glance, as quick as flash of lightning
| lie Roy held out his hand to his friend
wife, AMI expressed his pleasure a
| making her acquaintance.
Where is Bcrt e?" asked the uncon
scious George. I'm the garden, as us
ual. suppose. I'll go and look fo
her."
And he hurr ed out of the room
leaving his wife and Wilfred alone to
gether. Madge leant back in he
! chair. white as the lacework that ma
fallen from her slender finger.
You won't tell him!" She said pite
ously. lifting her beautiful eyes to Wi
fred's face.
WiIfred was silent for a moment; b
could scarcely trust himself to speak
But he controlled his anger bv
mighty effort, and said calmly:
"Let the past rest-it is gone forever
| wish to remember only that | al
your husbands friend.'
1t cost him great deal to spea
these words, for Madge had treate
him very badly in days gone by. The
had been engaged, and she had jilte
him. on finding that his prospects wei
less bright than people had led her I
Imagine. 1t had been secret engag,
ment. and she had never told IL
wrong she had done. But it was ratl