Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-11-08

uu",,11.ics. Yet she was high-prin-
.nisd and warm-hearted at bottom,
SIJ would be easily governed by one
~, understood Ter complex nature
i.b its seeming contradictions.
When Miss Mary and Miss Martha
~ her gallop Off the next day they
'.,ls GUESSED that she wore traa ell
r,snit under her riding habit, nor that
~ had stolen out the evening before
i aJ secreted well-iilled valise among
AZ brushYood under the trees by the
-sd half mile distant.
Making sure that no one was in
..bt She secured the valise and rode
.1ayain until she came to a strip of
r,oIland not far from the station.
She removed her riding-habit, then,
.h.r securing Brownie and layishing
asrtipr caresses and few tears upon
I'm She walked around the "bendn
:, tbr station, and was soon steaming
over the road to her lovers home.
Excitement kept her up until, as the
rain ueared its destination, she began
n grow nervous.
Suppose Alfred should not meet her?
Sgppose the telegram should have mis-
Ssrried? Was she not doing reck-
les thing?
. She banished reflection. She strug-
lied against a homcsick feeling as she
galked up the long platform of the
station, and found her way to the la
die, room.
She sat down near the door. Surely
he would come soon! She had lone
Il. unprotected feeling. Men passing
tbe door gave her bold, rude, question
inc glances, she imagined
At length. with a cry of relief in her
heart. she caught a glimpse of Alfred
face at the door of the waitng-room.
lie stood looking around uncertainty
for a few moments, then, with rather
unsteady steps, he crossed to where she
sat. held out his hand. and said famil-
iarlv, 'Ah, here You are. beauty! I've
been looking for you this half hour.
Madge was on her feet in moment
wardug off his touch. His handsome
face was flushed, and the quality of his
glance and smile was insulting. The
Cdor Of the rotations he had imbibed
sjckened her. She could have sunk
through the floor with shame and dread
ofhim He had undergone meta
morphosiS. She had never seen him
thus. when she met him at the home of
her friend
Something like disgust she felt, which
was quickly succeeded by flash Of
anger as he laid ais hand upon her
shoulder and said rather unsteadily:
Come and have something to eat.
You must be hungry, You-you are
under my protection, YOU know he
finished with meaning laugh.
The effect upon Madge was madden
ing. She scorned him and herself for
her folly. He quailcd little under
the fire in her eye, as she shook of his
hand and stepped backward with an
mperious air, that had its effect upon
him.
u am not under your protection,
she retorted, with a certain despera-
ton in her voice and manner.
At that instant She saw Mark Thorn
ton coming toward her.
Her first sensation was one Of dis
may that Mark had found her in such
compromising situation. The next
moment she had rallied her forces.
They have sent YOU after me, :" she
said recklessly, after his quiet saluta-
ton. If return it will not be with
YOU
Il came in the train with you, but
wa, not sent he returned; "and /
have not the slightest intention of ask
iBg You to return with me. thought
you seemed in trouble, and merely
D. { 4 s
yoH
Madge looked at him. He seemed
SO grand, and grave, and masterful. in
contrast with Alfred, that a sudden
SENSE IF his superiority came to Madge
ike a revelation, while fear that she
had compromised herself for ever in his
eyes came overheras Alfred said sheer
mgU
"l thought your engagement was
with me, but it seems | am one too
many.
With that he walked off She was
Ege.suel Inundated.
Mark stood regarding her gravely.
You will despise me, she said II
agreed 10 meet that man here. ! made
BIS acquaintance last winter. They
Dr., ara driving me mad at home,
She finished, with tears OF veXation in
aar eyes,
"Imiggs,aud," Mark said slowly.
IN those few minutes lac had found the
6WnHte To the actions of this sweet,
lo'n-, w.ltul. imperious creature,
whom ae loved so tenderly.
I wv ba' am do2 How am / to 20
4 ION