Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-22
MADGE'S MISTAKE.

old fellow. have not yet broken the
news to Madge, poor girl! But it will
have to be without loss of time,
although shrink from the ordeal"
The speaker was a tall, handsome
man, of perhaps five and twenty,
with bright eyes and a dark, resolute
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.
''Madgep said the yesng officers
friend; ''surely you are not engaged2
You, who were always so proud to
proclaim yourself a woman hater"
''Net engaged" returned George
Enfield, with slight flush on his
bronzed cheek. Not engaged, LIE
Roy, but married. Where have you
been ali 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 still
since / left England, with the grim
determination not to open a book or
newspaper until I had regained the
health and strength [ 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 turned his eyes away that George
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. IT am
better, or | should not have returned
to take up the old life"
You have come home for good9"
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
better remain at home"
George felt that LIE Roy was hiding
something from him, but he would
not utter a word or bridge the barrier
OF reserve which his friend had al
lowed to come between them.
He 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 a 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 painful revere He looked
up eagerly, meeting the eager gaze of
his friend
''What is it, George9" he asked.
apoIogetlcally Forgive me, but /
scarcely heard what you were say
ing"
Il was telling you, LIE Roy, that my
people do not approve ofmy marriage
They have been cruel and unjust, and
l could not think of letting Madge go
to them"
Il 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"
''She has one sister, returned
George; ''but the two child ren will be
very lonely when [ am gone, LIE Roy
want you TO extend yo ur friendship
70 them
1t was a 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
W1lfred LIE Roy was the soul of hon
or
''How fortunate that should have
met you here, !" he continued, without
giving LIE Roy time to speak. ''You
must come TO our little villa and let
me Introduce you to my wife. [ know
you have an eye for beauty and will
appreciate my good taste Don't ac-
cuse me of egotisna, old fellow, until
you have seen my Madge."
They jumped into a cab, and as
they drove quickly in the direction of
Georges home, the two friends fell
to talking of old times, and Le Roy
was laughing quite merrily when the