The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-02-04
MADGE'S MISTAKE.

~ saoAI 1elE e9t6teo In the 0rOWn-up Land.
MADGEs MISTAKE.
1--WE start for Egypt on Thursday
old fellow. have not yet broken the
news to Madge, poor girl! But it will
have to be .ione without loss of time,
although I shrink from the ordeal"
The speaker was a tall, handsome
man of perhaps five-and-twenty, with
bright eyes and dark, resolute face.
He looked every inch = soldier as he
stood beside his friend on the platform
of tho crowded London terminus,
where they had met each other after q
separation of eighteen months.
"Madge!' said the young officer
friend; ''surely you are not engagedP
You, who were always so proud to pro-
claim yourself a woman hater!'
mot engaged" returned George
Enfield. with a slight flush on his
bronzed cheek. mot engaged, lie
Roy; but married. Where have you
been all these months not to have
heard the newsp''
Il had forgotten how time passes, -
said LIE Roy, hastily. "Of course, the
world has not been standing still since
l left England with the firm determina-
ton not to open book or newspaper,
until l had regained 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 againP'
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
a moment.
II am BETTER" he said at last, with
no trace of emotion on his fine face.
II am better, or I should not have
taken up the old life.''
"You have really come home for
GOOD said George, eagerly. "You
really mean to remain in England?'
"Yes,' said LIE Roy, absent!y. "A
man cannot fly from himself. I 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 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 bis
secret from him.
So there was silence between them
for a 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 a painful revery.
He looked up eagerly, meeting the
eager gaze of his friend.
What is it, George?" He asked
apologetically. Forgive me; but l
scarcely heard what you were saying -
Il was only telling you that m y peo-
pie do not approve of my marriage.
They have been cruel and unjust and
could not think of letting Madge 60 to
them.'
Il am sorry to hear this" said LIE
Roy. ut 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 want you to extend your
friendship to them" It 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 and will appreciate
my good taste. Don't accuse me OF
egotism, old fellow, until you have
seen my Madge."
They jumped into a 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 bri ght little maid with dark eyes
and rosy cheeks opened the door in
answer to Georges ring, and lie Roy
followed her into quietly furnished
parlor where young lady was bend.
ing over some needlew0rk.
| "Madge" said George, putting This
hand on her shoulder, 'let me intro.
duce you to the best friend 1 have in
the world-Wilfred LIE Roy; Wilfred
this is my wife,
They looked at each other, and sud.
den CHASTITY pallor came over LIE Roy s
face. while the young girl seemed as
if about to faint. Then with a warn.
ing glance as quick as a flash of Lip hit
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. I'm the garden
as usual. l suppose. I'll 60 and look
for her,
And he hurried out of the room, lcav
ing his wife and Wilfred alone together
Madge leaned back in her chair. white
as the lacework that had fallen from bel
slender hands.
"You won't tell him!'' she said pite
ously, lifting her beautiful eyes to Will
fred face.
Wilfred was silent just for moment
he could scarcely trust himself to speak
But he controlled his anger by mighty
effort, and said calmly
LET the past rest-it is gone forever
l wish to remember only that I am your
husbaud's friend"
1t cost him a great deal 10 speak thes,
words. for Madge had treated him yer,
badly in days gone by. They had beef
engaged, and she had Tilted him OF
finding that his prospects were les
bright than people had led her to imag
inc. 1t had been a secret engagement
and he had never told the wrong sh,