Morning journal and courier., 1888-02-01

fixed that 1l the JOSS or her 1nQulRenG nus I band she must stand alone, and for the mean' of existence face the battle of life. In hel efforts at self-support her activity was mar vicious, and ere long she had succeeded in es tablishing first class boarding house, which in the old town was justly appreciated. Al the years went by the widow felt an agree able sense of personal security, and well she might. Her venture had been 8 success, fol the reason she had never taken her shoulder from the wheel. There was no shilly y-shally- ing in the business routine of her daily life. Still, with all her strength of character, she was weak, and it lay in her foolish as- pirations for her idolized daughter. In the tender folly of her heart she was fattsred that the fair girl. as she thought, had secured the greatest catch of the township, notwith- standing he was scattering his large inner itance with spendthrif5 recklessness. The story of her daughters brief married life is soon told. In driving out with her husband she was thrown from his trotting wagon to meet death instantaneously. The shocking accident was attributed to Ogden Miller's incorporate habits while handling the reins of pair of spirited young horses scarcely broken to harness. Under scathing denunci- ations life for the wretched man was unbsar- able. Hefell into the lowest depths; friends learned to despair of any reformation or i'm prevement; but we will draw curtain over the deathbed of Ogden Miller, who by life 
 For the sorrowing Mrs. Riddle, who had locked her arms around the infant daughter of her dead child, life was dreary indeed; but there were intervals in her daily efforts to interest her one earthly treasure when the channels of her troubled thoughts were golden-ha Madeline, erect and proud, stood on the threshold of womanheod, full of health and every movement instinct with grace and harmony, Mrs. Riddle asserted that this fair daughters one besetting sin was pride. Verify, indeed, Madeline Miller would hold her own against duchess With her hfe's bitter experience the old lady was not desirous that her granddaughter should be society belle. She had suffered too keenly from the moral effects of the mis- takes of her motherhood, but with her in creasing years she was anxious to see Made line settled in life.
 In the popular phrase, the genial and be- nevolent Dr. Weodville was handsome man with clear head. For many years he had occupied suite of apartments at Mrs. Bid- dle's, and through his influence the prosper ity of her house had been greatly augmented, besides he had always manifested hearty interest in the sweet voiced Madeline, while the truth seemed to be that this young girl thought the doctor the personifeation of all her heroes in one. Grandma Bid5le, tee, had even been guilty of revelling in dreams which pictured forth her idol as the careful house. wife of the cultivated doctor, but she relin- quished the inso1vable riddle of the doctors preference for her granddaughter to espouse the cause of Schuyler Hill, of whom it was said that he was irretrievably smitten with the coy maiden.
 And so it happened that in the early eve ming glow when Madeline Miller, with the light of rosy sunset on her face, had talk LI-zI Il IL 1ao. he announced himself by quietly walking in at the open door of Grandma Biddle's sit ting room.
 II am glad, Madeline, to find you alone, !" he remarked, closing the door carefully be- hind him and then seating himself beside her on the cushioned lounge; "and I will tell you why" he continued. ''Your grandmother desires me to assume the role of mediator between you and MT. Hill.'
 Madeline blushed vividly, and placing the game-bag upon his knee said gently, "I think not without my approval"
 ''No, certainly not;" and the doctor sud- denly became absorbed in the study of the bag. After few moments reflection he re- marked, s'I fail to distinguish your work from the original design. I am infinitely obliged to you for such skilled needlework. And now, my child, have you given MT. Hills offer due consideration !''
 Whereupon Madeline Miller laughed in her light, melodious way, and answered softly: ''It needs no consideration
 ''Indeed; why not?" with look of sur- prise.
 'sI do not love him!" and there was no mistaking the expression that swept across her face.
 The doctor looked up apprehensively.
 s'Msy I ask what were your motives in tell ing Mir. Hill that you would reconsider his offer of raarriage?"
 ''It is untruel And did you really believe this inconsistency of my character?" and Madeline's voice trembled and faltered.
 f'I have been led to believe that this gen. tleman held place in your affections, and for this reason promised your grandmother I should try and convince you of the advan- tages to be gained by marriage with man who is above reproaeh, and one, Madeline, who can well afford to giveyou every needful luxury"
 said briefly:
 t'No, if I cannot give my heart to the man I wed, I shall never marry. And I regret that you and grandma do not agree with me-"
 Possibly you may not know, my dear child" said the doctor with a charming smile, s'that you interpret my thoughts ex- actly."
 There came no answer, but there was nothing but love in the sweet face raised to his.
 ftYes,w we must please ourselves, and not the world, especially as regards ones marriage" said the doctor gravely. Madeline sniled almost sadly; the assurance had it's sweet, and yet it's bitter too.
 ''In your position here," the doctor contin- ued, s.there is much to be considered, and you are justified in rejecting MT. Hills pro- posal of marriage, as it is overwhelmingly con- vincing that should you encourage his suit you would be doing violence to your own heart"
 ssBut cannot,' she murmured with a touching little catch in her breath as she flashed upon him the light of her lovely eyes.
 ssNo, no my child, of course you cannot, and forgive me for misjudging youl" Made- line bowed acauiescingly and lovely blush tinged her cheek. s'You are not going to leave grandmaa" she asked in @ voice of sweet feminine appeal.
 t'Yes, leave in the autumn, but my going is necessity"
 Grandma will be heart broken"
 "Since you are unwilling to become Mrs. Hill.n and he regarded Madeline with an air of singular sagacity and archness. She clasped her hands helplessly together, 'I hope you are not influenced by Mrs. Richl'
 The doctor burst out laughing.
 s'Not in the slightest. my child. I require absolute rest from all professional work, and to make sure of it shall go abroad for an in definite time. The fact is, Madeline" con- tinued the doctor as if he had been resuming an argument, ssI am contemplating marriage, and the future Mrs. Woodville will accompa- ny me-"
 For a moment Madelines presence of mind deserted her, she turned pale and her slightly parted lips lost their color; but the next moment she had mastered her weakness and forced her trembling voice to say: q con gratulate you, doctor, and may this fair un- known prove worthy of the man to whom she has given her heart"
 'Not, think, altogether unknowni"
 May try to guess her name9"
 "Yes, why not4'
 tIs it Miss Potter, the heiressa'
 stNo, God forbidl''
 sThen is it Miss Alexander2'
 There came no answer, but the doctors smile seemed to the young girl one of af- irmation. Again her voice broke the si- lencs.
 ''Miss Alexander is called an angel of mercyi"
 .sIs she!" And the doctors face lit up won- drously, and he was inclined to seize Made lines hand and press it warmly, instead he held up the game bag to where the golden light of the west filtered through the blinds and remarked: "Yes, an extraordinary young lady; can answer for her goodness The truth is, she crocheted this bag, and will