The Penn's Grove record., 1886-05-15
MADCAP MADGE.

Cora Castleton laid down the pearl
backed brush with an impatient, dis
couraged sigh, that ~involutarily re-
peated itself as she looked down in
Madge's saucy, plquant face, that was
upturned defiantly from the crimson
cushion of the lounge.
A low, joyous laugh came thrilling
from Madge's lips, as Cora paused
in such stately dignity.
"Well, you have read me a lecture
a full quarter-hour long. But, true as
l live, my dear, digniied sister, l can't
tell you what it is l have done so dread
full"
Miss Castleton looked despairlEgly at
the pretty, pink-aushed face, and when
she spoke, the accents of her voice were
in perfect accord with her expression OF
conntenance. "Child, child when
will you learn the lesson 1 have been
trying to teach you for a year or moref
Madge, child, will you ever cease
being a careless, boisterous girl, with
not the slightest regard for the conven-
tionalities of society,""
''Oh, that is the crime l have com
mitted, is it? The sermon you have
been preaching. you dear old nuisance
you, has for its unanuounced text the
harum-scarum ramble 1 took this morn
ing Oh, Cora-and the girls black
eyes flashed jo~yously-'lf you only knew
how perfectly splendid it IS over at the
Falls. When L took off my shoes and
Stock
An exclamation of horror from Cora
...lJo-I,, G~;oEa1 fh, ErnnL ohn0icCtnn
"Your shoes and stockings off
actually Off Madge, you shock me
beyond power of expression"
The perfect innocence on Madge's
face, was refreshing to see.
swell, 1 was determined TO cross
over to get the ferns, and there was no
alternative but to wade. l don't care
now," she added defantly, with a
deepening flush on her FACET wanted
to wade, and L did. L don't care what
anybody thinks. Pm old enough TO do
as / please"
Another discouraged sigh from Miss
C~astleton.
Eyes, you are old enough to do diff
f~erently. Do you know you are nearly
seventeen, Madgep Do you ever think
you look like a young lady, which fact
makes your romping girlishness the
more out of placer"
"Of course l remember; but see here,
Cora, am 1 so awful? Do 1 really do
such wicked thingsp Don't l eyer do
anything rightP"
The gentle pleading in her voice
the usefulness that suddenly banished
the defiance from her eyes, touched
Cora, and she laid her cool, white hands
on the girls warm cheeks.
"Darling, you are the dearest sister
that ever lived, with the n single ex-
ception-you will be so unconventional,
childishly regardless of appearances.
1t Is for your own good L speak, my
dear. 1t is time you began to settle
down and think of lovers, and mar
rage"
Madge's momentary penitence fled.
A mischieyous imp peeped from her
eyes as Cora spoke.
"Why don't you recommend MT.
Particular Dignity as a candidate for
my favor, Corap Pm sure he is the very
handsomest young fellow that ever
came to Laurel Lawn with brother
Phil"
"Madgeln and Cora spoke more deci-
dedly than vas her habit, eve when re-
proving Madcap Madge.
"Madge C~astfeton, you shall not
ridicule MI. Arlington. Remember he
is Pills friend and our guest, and one
of the most learned, polished men
of our day."
Madge wreathed her pretty arms over
hnr had nnd IaYynhnd dnGanflu
81 tell you he is Particular Dig.
Didn't l hear him tell Phil only yester-
day, when they we're lying on the grass
under the apple tree, that If there was
one thing above another he admired in
others, 1t was a graceful dignity and
suitable appreciation of the eternal fit
ness of things? oh, my Cora. If
you'd Gully seen how / had to hold my
breath to keep from laughing. l was
up on a bough, you Sec
Cora interrupted her by suddenly
rising from her chair. Madge, you are
hopelessly incorrigible. But may |, as
a particular, very great favor, beg
of you to come down TO dinner tonight
as / shall come, as Mr.. Arlington is ac-
customed to see his friends, in suitable
dASoo, anu WibA d4khihI anu 6AWSN
of manner. This once, Madge, if never
again, let Mr.. Arlington see you can
drop your b~oyishness as readily as you
can refrain from parting your hair
OIL one SIDE"
"Well," Ietorted Madge, half re-
luctantly; ito please you, Cora. Not
for Mr.. Particu-Mr. Arlington,
though, understand"
A fine-looking fellow he was, GER
tainly-Mr. Arlington, whom Miss
Cora Castleton vas SO anxious to secure
for a brother-in-law. A manipulating
fellow, with the appearance of assur-
ance, bravery, dignity and quiet,
reserved strengthfulness that is unutter-
ably delightful to women's critical
observation.
just now he was enjoying a smoke
all by himself, in his own room, second
floor front, over the library, where
Miss Castleton had domiciled him
SO very homelike and costly that he was