Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-09-28
Madge's Mistake.

1--WE start for Egypt on Thursday.
old fellow. / 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 or
deal"
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 plat
! form of the crowded London termi-
nus, where they had met each other
after a separation of eighteen months.
"Madge" said the young officers
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 news?"
81 had forgotten how time pass
es," says LIE Roy, hastily. "Of
course the world has not been stand
ing still since / left New England
with the firm determination not to
open a book OF newspaper until !
had regained the health and strength
/ had exhausted in long hours of
study"
ssAnd you have gained your OBJ
ject," said George, with friendly So
licitude. s'You are quite yourself
again -
LIE Roy made no immediate an
swer; but he turned his eyes away
that George might not see the look
of anguish which had darkened them
for a moment.
II am BETTER" he said at last
with no trace of emotion on his fine
face. 81 am better, or should mo-
have taken up the old life
"You have really come home fol-
good, said George, eagerly. ''Yol
really intend to remain in England ?
Eyes" said LIE Roy absently "a
man cannot fly from himself. | hav,
come TO the conclusion that the mar
who seeks health in travel had fa
better remain at home"
George felt that his friend wa:
hiding something from him; but h
would not utter word to break tn,
barrier of reserve which his frient
had allowed to come up betweel
them.
''He shall tell me of his own fire.
will, or not at all,' thought Georg
Enfield. l will not try to wiring hi
secret from him.
So there was silence between then
for time as they rode up and down
each occupied with his own thoughts
George was the first to speak, an
his ringing voice startled LIE Roy
| arousing him from painful revere
He looked up eagerly, meeting tn
gaze of his friend.
"What is it, George" he asked
apologetically. "Forgive me; but
scarcely heard what you was saying.
81 was only telling you that m
people do not approve of my MARI
e age. They have been cruel and ur
5 just, and l could not think of lettin
h Madge go to them"
81 am sorry to hear this" sal
LIE Roy. cit must be hard for he
y and for You; she will not be quit
alone, 1 hope. Of course, your VIII
S has her own friends.
d 'sShe has one sister," returne
George "but the two poor childre
will be very lonely when | am gon
> LIE Roy, and want you to exter
, frien dship TO them" 1t was a strans
request to make; but George cou
It see nothing strange in it. He love
|, his friend. and he had every faith
;e him; he knew that Wilfred LIE RI
was the soul of honor.
l. 'sHow fortunate that should ha'
y met you here,'' he continued, witho
i giving LIE Roy time to speak. "Yt
must come to our little villa, and |
7e me introduce you to my wife. "
lie have an eye for beauty, and will a
d preciate my good taste. Don't a
cuse me of egotism, old fellow, un
;, you have seen my Madge."
le They jumped into a cab, and
1 they drove quickly in the direction
n, Georges home, the two friends fl
e. to talking of old times, and LIE r,
was laughing quite merrily when tt
80 cab drew up before pretty lit
MS cottage not very far from Hampste;
In Heath.
We A bright little maid with dark ey
and rosy cheeks opened the door
ne answer to Georges ring, and LIE r.
~ !. followed her into quietly-furnish
ar parlor, where young lady was ben
d. ing over some needlework.
re "Madge!'' said George, putin
his hand on her shoulder, ''let me
w troduce you to the best friend l ha
;, in the Wilfred LIE Roy; w
"a fred, this is my wife.
n They looked at each other, and
10 sudden CHASTITY pallor came over
Roy's face, while the young girl seer
ly ed as if about to faint. Then with
a warning glance, as quick as a fla
- - of lightning, LIE Roy held out |
e hand to his friends wife, and e
,s pressed his pleasure at making b