Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-05-19
MADCAP MADGE.

Cora Castleton laid down the pearl
hacked brush with an impatient, dis
outraged sigh, that involutarily re-
Isated itself as she looked down in
Aadge's saucy, pIquant face, that was
uIturned deiantly from the crimson
cushion of the lounge.
A low, joyous laugh came trilllng
from Madge's lips, as Cora paused
in such stately dignity.
"Well, YOU have read me lecture
a full quayter-hour long. But, true as
1 live, my dear, dignified sister, 1 can't
tell you what it is have done so dread
full"
Miss Castleton looked despairIngly at
the pretty, pink-hushed face, and when
she spoke, the accents of her voice were
in perfect accord with her expression of
countenance. "Child, child when
will you learn the lesson have been
trying to teach you for year or more?
Madge, child, will you ever cease
being a careless, boisterous girl, with
not the slightest regard for the conven-
tionalities of societyp"
'Oh, that is the crime have COM
mitted, is it? The sermon you have
been preaching, you dear old nuisance
you, has for its unanuounced text the
harum-Scarum Tamble took this morn
ing Oh, COra-and the girls black
eyes flashed joyOusly-1f you only knew
how perfectly splendid it Is over at the
Falls. When took off my shoes and
Stock
An exclamation of horror from Cora
suddenly finished the frank admission.
"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.
"WelI, 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 defiantly, with a
deepening flush Oh her FACET wanted
to wade, and did. l don't care what
anybody thinks. I'm cid enough to do
as 1 please"
Another discouraged sigh from Miss
Castleton.
"Yes, you are old enough 10 do diff
ferently. Do you know YOU are nearly
seventeen, Madge? Do you ever think
you look like young lady, which fact
makes your romping girlishness the
more out of placer"
tsOf course IrerlembeT; but see here,
Cora, am l SO awful? Do l really do
such wicked things? Don't l ever do
anything rightp"
The gentle pleading in her voice
the w;stfulness that suddenly banlshed
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 one single ex-
ception-you viii be so unconventional,
chiIdishIy regardless of appearances.
n is for YOUR own good speak, my
dear. 1t is time you began to settle
down and think of lovers, and mar
riage."
Madge's momentary penltence fed.
A mischieveus imp peeped from her
eyes as Cora spoke.
ssWhy don't you recommend MI.
Particular Dignity as candidate for
nv favor, Cora? Pm sure he is the very
handsomest young fellow that ever
came to Laurel Lawn with brother
Phil.n
FMadgep' and Cora spoke more deci-
dedly than was her habit, even when re-
proving Madcap Madge.
ssMadge Castleton, you shall not
ridicule Mr.. Arlington. Remember he
is Phil's friend and our guest, and one
of the most learned, polished men
of our day."
Madge wreathed her pretty arms over
her head, and laughed detiantiy.
81 tell you he is Particular Dig.
Didn't hear him tell Phil only yester-
6ay. when they were lying on the grass
under the apple tree, that If there was
one thing above another he admired IN
others, It was a graceful dignity ana
suitable appreciation OF the eternal lt-
ness of things? Oh, my Cora. III
you'd ouly seen how had to hold my
breath TO keep from laughing. was
ND OF bougb, you see
Cora interrupted her by suddenly
rising from her chair. Madge, you are
hopelessly incorrigible. But may l, as
a particular, very great favor, leg
of YOU TO come down TO dinner to-nlght
as I shall come, as Mr.. Arlington Is ac-
customed to see bis friends, in suitable
dress, and with dignity and grace
of manner. This once, Madge, If never
again. let Mr.. Arlington see you can
drop your boyishness as readily as you
can refrain from parting your hair
on one side"
.Wel," Ietorted Madge, half re-
luctantly; ito please you, Cora. Not
for Mr.. Particu-Mr. Arlington.
though, understand"
A fne-Iooking fellow he was, GER
Arlington, whom Miss
Cora Castleton was 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
Just now he was enjoying smoke
ali by himself, in his own room, second
floor front, over the library, where
Miss Castleton had domiciled him
70 very homelike and costly that be was
M no hurry to break camp. He was