Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-23
MADGE'S MISTAKE.

MADGE'S MISTAKE.
eve start for Egypt on Thursday,
old fellow. Ihave not yet broken the
news to Madge, poor grill Bat it will
have to be without loss OF time,
although / shrink from the ordeal"
The speaker was tall, handsome
man, of perhaps five and twenty,
with bright eyes and dark, resolute
face. He looked every inch soldier
as he stood beside his friend on the
platform of the crowded London ter
minus, where they had met each
other, after a separation Of some
eighteen months.
''Madgel" said the young officer, 5
friend; ''surely you are not engaged
You, who were always so proud to
proclaim yourself a 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 news2'
81 had forgotten how time passes, "
said lie Roy, hastily. "Of course,
the world has not been standing stlll
since ! left England, with the grim
determination not to open book or
newspaper until | had regained the
health and strength had exhausted
in long hours Of study"
And you have gained your object, "
said George, with friendly solicltude.
"Y0u are quite yourself again"
lie Roy made no immediate answer,
4 l., of (tnnrnrn
might not see the look of anguish
which had darkened them for mo-
ment.
II am better, he said at last, with
no emotion on his fine face. Il am
better, or should not have returned
10 take up the old life"
you nave come home for good?'
said George, eagerly. "You really
mean to remain in England?'
yes" said Le Roy, absontly A
man cannot fly from himself. have
come to the conclusion that the man
who seeks health III travel had far
better remain at home
George felt that Ls Roy was hiding
something from him, but he would
not utter word or bridge the barrier
of reserve which his friend had al
lowed TO come between them.
''IIe shall tell me of his own FREE
will, or not at ALL" thought George
Enfield. 81 will not try to wiring his
secret from him"
So there was silence between them
for Il space, rs they strobe up and
down, each occupied With his own
thoughts.
George was the first to speak, and
his voice startled lie Roy, ar.using
him from painful revere. He looked
up eagerly, meeting the eager gaze OF
his friend.
what is it, George2" he asked,
apologetlcally. Forgive me. but |
scarcely heard what you were say
ing"
II was telling you, lie Roy, that my
people do not approve of my marriage
They have been cruel and unjust, and
could not think of letting Madge go
to them"
II am sorry to hear this" said lie
Roy. 1T must be hard for her and
for you; she will not be quite alone, l
hope. OF course your wife has her
own friends"
DIG Hit~ Oli& SlhiCI, ItluIii0ti
George but the two children will be
very lonely when | am gone, LIE Roy
| want you 10 extend your friendship
To them.
II was strange request TO make ;
but George could see nothing strange
in it. He loved his friend and had
every faith in him; he knew that
Wiltred lie Roy was the soul Cf hon
or.
How fortunate that [ should have
met you here, he continued, without
giving Lo Roy time to speak You
must come to our little villa and lot
me introduce you TO my wife. know
you have an eye for beauty aud Will
appreciate Niy good taste. Don't ac
cuso me OF egotism, old fellow, until
you have seen my Mad.o.'
They Jumped into cab. and as
they drove quickly in the direction of
Georges home, tho two friends fell
to talking of old times, and Ia Roy
was laughing quite merrily when the
hanson drew up before pretty cot
tage not far from the Hampstead
meath.
A pretty little maid with bright
eyes and rosy cheeks opened the door
in answer To Georges ring, and lie
Roy followed her into quietly fur
nished parlor, where young lady
was bending over some needlework.
"Madge" sad George, putting his
hand on her should 'let me intro
ducc YOU To the eSt friend | have
in the world Wllfrcd lie Roy; VII.
fred, tins is my wife"
They looked at each otter, and a
CHASTITY pallor came over lie Roy's
face, while the girl seemed as If about
to faint They with a warning glance,
as quick rs flash Of lightning, lie
Roy held out his hand to his frien Is
wife, and expressed his pleasure at
making her acquaintance.
Where is BERTHE ~ asked the un-
conscious George. I'm the garden,
as usual | suppose. III go and look
FOR her.
And he hurried out of the room,
leaving his wife and Wilfred alone
together. Madge leaned back in her
chair, white as the lacework that had
fallen from her slender fingers.
You won't tell him" she said
piteously, lifting her beautiful eyes
10 Wilfred face.
Wilfred was silent for moment {;
he could scarcely trust himself to
speak. But he controlled his anger
by mighty effort, and said calmly
Let the past rest-it is gone for
ever. wish 10 remember only that
am your husbands friend"
1t cost him = geat deal to speak these
words, for Madge had treated him
very baaly in days gone by. They
had been engaged, and she Tilted him,
on finding that his prospects were less
bright than people had led her to i'm.
agine. 1t had been a secret engage.
ment, and he had never told the
wrong she had done. But it was
rather hard on him, to find that she
was the wife of his friend, and that he
was expected TO look after her during
Georges absence.
The worst of it was that he loved
her still, although he felt that she was
unworthy of his love. Weak and
tickle as she had been, he could not
help the memory of the sweet past
coming back to him, when he looked
at her beautiful face.
'Then you will keep my secretf'
said Madge, anxiously; George has
sllch Sfricf IDEAS He would he auo, "