Smyrna times., 1885-09-09
Madge's Mistake.

I've start for Egypt on Thursday,
Old fellow. 1 have not yet broken the
news to Madge poor girl But it will
have to be done without loss of time,
although l shrink from the ordeal"
The speaker was a 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 terminus. where
they had met each other after a separa-
ton of eighteen months.
Madge!" said the young officers
Trend surely you are not engaged?
You' who were always so proud to pro-
claim yourself woman haterl"
Not engaged, returned George En-
held' with slight flush on his bronzed
check Not engaged, LIE Roy; but
married Where have you been all these
months not to have heard the news ?"
q" L had forgotten how time passes"
said LIE Roy, hastily. "Of course. the
world has not been standing still since
left England with the firm determine
ton not to open book or newspaper.
until l had regained the health and
strength l had exhausted in long hours
of study"
And you have gained your object"
said George, with friendly solicitude.
" You are quite yourself again?"
LIE Roy made no immediate answer;
but he turned his eyes away, that
George might not see the look of anguish
which had dOrkened them for a moment
" L am better, he said at last, with
no trace of emotion on his fine face.
Il am better, or I should not have
taken up the old life"
You have really come home for
good, said George, eagerly. "You
really mean to remain in England?"
Eyes" said LIE Roy, absently. "a
man cannot fly from himself 1 have
come to the conclusion that the man
who seeks health in travel, had far
better remain at home"
George felt that his friend was hiding
from him but he would not
utter a word to break the barrier of
reserve which his friend had allowed to
come up between them.
"He shall tell me of his own free will
II not at all, " thought George Enfield.
' will not try to wiring his secret from
him" "
30 there was silence between them
or time, as they strobe up and down,
'ach occupied with his own thoughts.
George was the first to speak, and his
inging voice startled LIE Roy, arousing
lim from a painful revery. He looked
Up eagerly, meeting the eager gaze of
us friend
"What is it, George ?" he asked.
pologetically. Forgive me but I
carcely heard what you were saying"
81 was only telling you that my
'eople do not approve of my marriage.
hey have been cruel and unjust and I
ould not think Of letting Madge 90 to
hem."
Il am sorry to hear this" said LIE
10y 1t must be hard for her and for
ou; she will not be quite alone, 1 hope.
)f course, your wife has her own
riends."
'She has one sister, returned George;
but the two poor children will be very
'nely when am gone, LIE Roy, and 1
ant you to extend your friendship to {
hem" 1t was q strange request to !
lake; but George could see nothing
irange in it. He loved his friend. and /
ad every faith in him he knew that
Wired LIE Roy was the soul of honor. {
How fortunate that 1 should have
let you here" he continued, without
lving Lie Roy time to speak. lyon
lust come to our little villa, and let me
ltroduce You to my wife. You have an (
70 for beauty and will appreciate NV I
ood taste Don't accuse me of egotism.
Id fellow, until you have seen nv s
Iadge." a
They jumped into a cab, and as thev
rove quickly in tho direction of Georges Q
ONE, the two friends fell TO talking OF +
Id times, and Le Roy was laughing n
ute merr1iy when the cab drew I'M u
eiore pretty little cottage not very
II from Hampstead Heath. h
A bright little maid with dark ewes
nd rosy cheeks opened the door in y
nswer to Georges ring, and lie Rov
'nowed her into quietly furnished n
arlor' where young lady was bendino b
yer some needlewoll al
Madge y said George. putting his e'
ana on her shoulder, "let me intro
uce you to the best friend have II 50
le worid-Wilfred To Roy Wilfred /