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

>tl'i, SllHOtDn nc lplt lildI Sne WAS ut-
worthy of his love. Weak and tickle
as she had been, he could not help the
memory of the sweet past coming back
10 him, when he looked at her beauti-
ful face.
Then you will keep my secret?"
said Ma;ige, anxiously; .'Georgc has
such strict ideas. He would be angry
if he knew had been engaged to you.
| don't think he will ever forgive me.
''Yoa can trust my word, / hope"
returned Wilfred. coldly-all the more
eoldly because of the love lie could not
;ubdue.
And then he held up his hand warn
ingly, for he coul hear voices in The
hall, and in another moment George
entered the room in COMPANY with I
Young lady whom lie Roy had never
seen before. for She had been at school
in Germany when he had first known
Madge.
George introduced her informally Ia
lie Roy as his sister-in-law, and then
left her to entertain his friend, while
he took his wife ont OF the room 10
break the sad news to her of his speedy
departure for Egypt
She cried little. for although she
did not 10, Z her husband very much.
he had been kind to her when her
fathers failure and death reduced her
All her sister To poverty, and had Civ
en them both a home bv making her
his wife.
But for that, she reflected with a
shudder. they would have had To go
ott Ii the world and worl, for their
living. Bessie would not have minded
it So much, but Madge had recoiled
from the prospect of working for her
daily bread, with horror.
They went ia k TO the drawing-room
after time, and Madge sat down at
the piano at her husbands request. and
played for them; but she could not
sing--she could not. while Wilfred WAS
i'll the room.
She had liked him better than she
had liked George, although her hus-
band was better-lOOk inc than his friend,
and the old fascinat on was creeping
over her.
If she had been wise woman she
would have objected to he left under
Wilfred's guardianship; but. unfOrtun-
ately, she was a very foolish one. and it
seemed to her very pleasant arrange
ment indeed.
Now that he had promised not to
speak of the past to George. she was
quite cordial and friendly with Will
fred.
''lt will be SO nice for us to have a
friend to look after us while George is
away" she said: Twill it not, Bertie?"
Very returned BERTHE. rather dri-
ly. Girl as she was, she thought lie
Roy altogether too young and too
hand ONE for the responsibility he had
undertaken.
BERTHE was very sweet and oirlish.
with loft blue eyes and a closely crop
ped head that gave her quite a child
like appearance. Not so brilliantly
handsome as her sister, perhaps; but,
nevertheless very pretty girl.
When George was on his way to
Egypt, LIE Roy called daily at the cot
tage, often staying to partake of after
noon tea with the two sisters, who al
wavs gave him a warm welcome.
He isvery handsome said BERTHE, as
she watched him riding down the street
afternoon with them.
Something in the tone of her voice
and the way she looked after Wilfred
annoyed Madee, who had never noticed
how pretty her sister was getting until
that moment.
Yes" she said, "he is handsome,
poor fellow" And as she uttered these
last words Madge sighed.
''Why poor fellow'?" asked BERTHE,
quickly turning to look at her sister.
because he will never marry?"
How do YOU know that?" cried Ber-
tie. coloring vividly. HAS he told you
SOP"
mo, but happen to know: he low
ed someone long ago, and will never
forget her."
'What can you know about Wilfrei
lie ROy:" incredulously. I'VE have
only knowR him few weeks
Il knew hm before poor father
died" said Madge, playing with her
rings to avoid meeting her sisters steady
! gaze.
And you lei George think YOU had
never met before said BERTHE slowly.
'.Y on never loved him." opening her
/ bIue-eyes. Iii you had loved him YOU
! would have been true i'll &pile of his
| poverty.
Months passed on, and taking up the
| Times one morning, Wilfred came up
| on his friend name in the list of The
slain.
1t was terrible blow for him, as he
had loved George with quite brother.
ly affection.
Madge went into Mysteries when she
| heard the news. but soon calmed down,
showing admirable resignation 70 hcr
loss. Bertie, indeed, seemed TO feel IL
the most.
George came as usual to the Gotta ge,
and one day when he and Madge were
alone rather abruptly alluded 10 the
past.
''He can't be going 10 propose al
ready" thought the pretty widow, and
| deciding in her own mind 10 put him
OIL for at least a twelve-month.
"Madge," said Wilfred. earnestly
"when first came here and found yol
the wife of my friend, | thought
should go mad"
Madge murmured something about il
being too soon to talk of such things
but he did not appear to hee T! her.
Yes he went on, Il loved yoT
still. Forgive ME. 1t was wrong, ant
l cOuldn' help it. And now
He paused for moment. and Madg'
colored hotly, forgetting her recent he
reavement, and knowing only that th'
man she loved was metaphOrically a
her feet.
And nOw?" he returned in an agi
tated voice. ''now | loNe-l love YOU
sister"
Mrs. Entield's complexion had neve
looked more ely-her checks wer
like roses; but her eyes!-well, they haC
rather an angry sparkle, and her lip
were slightly compressed.
Il am glad, very glad indeed, sh
said, with emf hasis. If | We're Ber
tie, should not care for mans sec
ond love; but, of course, everybody L
their taste"
And with this parting taunt she walk
ed out of the room just as BERTHE enter
ed it. The girl could not understan
the meaning of the angry look her sis
ter gave her.
She did understan it, though, a nc
II ent later, when Wilfred caught her i
his arms and told her of his love.
After all, it was fortunate for all pal
ties concerned that affairs had take