The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-02-04
MADGE's MISTAKE.


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 / shrink from the ordeal
The speaker was q tall, handsome
man of perhaps fiye-and-twenty, with
bright eyes and a dark, resolute face.
He looked every inch q soldier as he
stood beside his friend on the platform
of the crowded London terminus,
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 pro-
claim yourself a woman hater!''
Not engaged returned George
Enfield, with slight flush on his
bronzcd cheek. Not engaged. Le
Roy; but married. Where have you
been all these months not to have
heard the news?''
Il 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 | had regaincd 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 he turned his eyes away. that
George might not see the look Of
anguish which had darkened them for
q moment.
II am better he said at last, with
no trace of emotion on his fine face.
81 am better, or | should not have
taken up the old life.
.You have really come home for
good said George, eagerly. .'Yo,,
really mean to remain in England?"
Yes said LIE Roy. absent.y. "A
man cannot fly from himself. l 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
something from him; but he would not
utter q 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, or not at all" thought George
Enfield. Il will not try to wiring his
secret from him.
So there was silence between them
for time, as they strobe up and down,
each occupied with his own thoughts.
George was the first to speak, and
his ringing voice startled lie Roy,
arousing him from q painful rcvery.
He looked up eagerly, meeting the
eager gaze of his friend.
What is it, George?" He asked
apologetically. Forgive me; but |
scarcely heard what you were saying. =
Il was only telling you that my peo-
pie do not approve of my marriage.
They have been cruel and unjust and
could not think of letting Madge 60 to
them
II 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 poor children
will be very lonely when I'm gone, LIE
Roy, and l want you to extend your
friendship to them" 1t was strange
request but George could see nothing
strange in it. He loved his friend and
had every faith in him; He knew that
Wilfred LIE Roy was the soul of honor.
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. You have
an eye for beauty aud will appreciate
my good taste. Don't accuse me Of
cgotism, old fellow, until you have
seen my Madge.'
They jumped into 4 cab, and as they
drove quickly in the direction Of
Georges home, the two friends fell to
talking Of old times and Lie Roy was
laughing quite merrily when the cab
drew up before pretty little cottage
not very far from Hampstead Heath.
A bright little maid with dark eyes
and rosy cheeks opened the door ia
answer to Georges ring, and lie Roy
followed her into quietly furnished
parlor where young lady was bend
ing over some needlework.
..Madge!" said George, putting This
hand on her shoulder, ..let me intro
duce you to the best friend l have in
the world-Wilfred LIE Roy; Wilfred
this is my wife,
They looked ct each other, and sud-
den CHASTITY pallor came over lie Roy s
face. while the young girl seemed as
il about to faint. Then with warn.
ing glance as quick as flash of light
ming, LIE Roy held out his hand TO his
friends wife, and expressed his pleasure
at making her acquaintance.
..Where is sister Bertie?" asked the
unconscious George. ''In the garden,
as usual. ! suppose. I'll 60 and look
for her.
And he hurried out of the room, leav.
ing his wife and Wilfred alone together.
Madge leaned back in her chair. white
as the lacework that had fallen from hel
slender hands.
..You won't tell him. she said pitc-
ously, lifting her beautiful eyes to Will
fred's face.
Wilfred was silent just for moment