The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-08

lllC E1CkkN &AAA. Gul never INoDQ Qf
Major GOTden would turn out like tbi.
| am sure | shall not snub poor Captai
Rouse for his sake. as / have been dc
ing, if he goes on like this Captai
Rouse Is in love with me; he would nc
dare TO pay devoted attention one ever
ing, and nothing-I declare he hardl
spoke TO me tonight, Miss Avre-th
next. But don't care one Bit" sal
the philosopher of eighteen, lookin
very vexed all the same. Il know tn
only way 10 be happy is not 10 think to
much OF any man. Enjoy the attentio
you get. and don't care an atom fo
what does not come TO YOU without
bit OF trouble. Encourage the loveg
who are devoted TO you-I shall alway
have plenty; have no fear about tha
--and let the tickle diSagreeable ones q
where they please
~Ah. you are not in love vet Mis-
Ayre said with sigh OF relief.
But when they met Major Gorden il
the harbor next morning Flora did no
carry out her valorouS resolve to tn
letter.
She and Miss AyFe and little Mahe
We're together. and Madeline did no
see Major Gorden's 5 approach in time t,
fly, but yet Just in time to mask he
face ere he looked upon il.
How do you do, Miss Avre?" he sait
rs quietly as he spoke TO Flora, and OF
fering his hand with the same eonyen
tional smile.
How do you dor she said. without
smile. and taking her ice-eold finger
from his almost as they touched them
Are you TWO acquaintedy' aske,
Flora IN much curiosity. why, yoI
never said SO, Miss AYre."
< Tlf lfr =.
say Miss Ayre has forgotten me" sal,
Lance Gordeu. His deep ewes were
seeking hers with Il wistful passionate
look. Hers We're straving over the sun.
giidCd sea. and all her former lover
could discern on the face he had kissed
50 paSsionately when last he saw t.wa,
Indifference. Anger, pride, hatred can
be overcome he told himself sadly
nut indifference is impregnable. there
Is no weak spot about IT. then still witt
that look atpuZZled Flora immensely
he said aloud: Have you forgotten me
Miss AYrct'
No; l remember you now perfectly
she said, and her voice, too. governed
by an effort that wrenched her very
heart-SUmgS. sounded calm and indif.
ferent.
lie turned away and spoke To Miss
Maxwell. 1t was no place to beg foi
forgiveness or offer explanations here
before a hundred ears, and IN view of q
hundred eyes. and he was no boy tc
make Il blunder by impatience. He
turned away and talked To Flora. who
in spite OF her resolutions was smiling
upon and Offering him remarks: and
Madeline strolled on with her little
pupil 10 the end Of the pier. where she
stood needless of the girls chatter
Needless of the lovely sea, and sky, and
sun; needless of everything but the
thought, How much more can | bear
OF thisrH
Miss Ayre was asked down into the
draWing-roOm again that evening. and
as she put on the violet velvet gown
once more. and tied the soft lace round
her fair neck, she made up her mind to
be brave # he should come III this even
ing; perhaps her valOr was assisted by
the fact that he was not expected.
The MaXwells were at dinner when
Madeline entered the draWing-rOOm.
and she sat down to the piano to amuse
herself until they should come in.
Was il a thought Of that mornings
interview that made her sing that pa
thetic little ballad, For Old Sake :
Sake? and what was il that made tears
steal into the sweet rich notes ere the
plaintiye words We're ended?
But still for old sake's sake it is the
dearest thing in the world" she uttered
as some one entered gently and unan-
nOmced, and closed the door behind
him.
For old sake's sake" he took up the
words as they fell from her lips. and 60
ing close up to the piano, bent over the
singer
For old Sake's sake speak kindly to
me. Madeline - he whispered.
She started up with a half cry; no
mask now, her poor blushing tell-tale
face was beyond her control, and she
weakly put her hands over it; but he
took them both in his, gathering them
warm and close up to his heart, while
his eyes met hers with an expression
she could not mistake.
Madeline. my darling, have you for
gotten?" he said III a low thrilling whis-
per.
Il have forgotten nothing" she an
sWered hoarsely. what have you come
for Major GOrden?'
TO ask yOur forgiveness said the
soldier humbly; ~to tell You that only
the other day | learned from James
Hicks. Madeline. how bitterly and wick
edly | wrOnged YOU by my mad jealous
WTetchedneSS ten years ago. | know
now whom you rode out late to meet.
You believe another's word. then.
when you would not mine? 1t is char.
acteristic." she said bitterly.
Have mercy,7 he pleaded yet more
humhly. You know | had been SC
falsely treated by woman before.
had no faith left. but | think if you
knew how | have longed for you. lovet
you. yedrned for you. never forgotten
al fhgl. Of s1laennan Mahn.
line. you would think ! had expiated
my fault a little. Give me any Other
penance you like. any time of probation
only grant me pardon at last. Let m,
prove 10 you. darling. how deepa and sin
ceTe is my regret. let me make axnend.
for my despicable conduct by a lifetime
of devotion. faith. and love. Oh, dar
ling"
lie was bending lower. his head al
most touching hers. She drew back
with memory of that last kiss takel
against her viii.
Forgive you to-day that you ma,
doubt me again tomorrow She sai'
brokenly.
Doubt v0u-neyer. never, neye
again" lie pleaded with yearning thrill
ing tenderness. Dearest. | have u,
right to be believed. [ know. but upOl
my soul | speak the truth. Whethe
you VIII pardon me and take me back
or whether you send me from YOU re
lentlessiy. it can only he the same Will
my love; that is yours always for tia
future as it has been in the past-your
only and entirely"
There was silence for a moment
Madeline stood with hands yet claspe'
in his, with burning bushes suffusin
her face, and dropping dOwncast eyes
and Gorden, gazing down upon wha
was TO him the sweetest face in tn
world. hoped desperately that the Max
wells dinner might be prolonged.
Madeline" he said gently, bendin
to the blushing face.
Yes she answered softly, still 10
looking up.
as there anything else YOU want m
to saY-anything else ! can say To plea
my cause: Dearest, | have il in m
| power To make you happier now than j
| the old days. for | am richer and in
better position, and"
While l am pauper," she iDterrupi
ed quickly.
LET me brighten yOHr life. take 20
I from work. give YOU comfort. luxurie:
and happy home, if you viii not hay
my affection, lie begged earnestly.
/ IlbN uD OI hltDH 1 = III itbl Udf
/ your affectIont' she asked with SUI
/ den return of her Old brightness. an
/ then she lifted her shy sweet. TadiaI
/ eyes to his, and his eIoquence was NUT
for rapture oyerpOweTs words.
"Oh, you darling." lie only breathe
/ elasping her to his heart feirently; 20
/ my love, my darling. BK love-
/ Your love has lost all her good lool
/ and winning ways" Madeline said pre-
/ sently, after an inteTlude of some mi
/ utes; ~she is old and grey. and pla
/ and grave. | remember hearing va
say once you would not have a pla
| wife. Lance"
Nor viii /; you could never be plai
Madeline-never. if you lived to hu
| dred. think your face is sweeter al
/ prettier than it ever used TO be. surve
ing it with loving eyes. and that is sa
ing good deal; have never seen ol
TO equal it during all my wanderings