Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-25
tense amusement combined with shy

intense amusement combined with shy
ness.
what we're they afraid Of, Msdgel"-
they call you Nsdge, don't they? They
ought. you know.
"They do. How did you find out9 "
"Never mind that; tell me what they
we're afraid Of"
She still smiled and hesitated.
"Tell me, Madge-do, or 1 shall
guess"
81 think I will tell you," said Madge,
"because it will tease Aunt Isabel.
They we're afraid you would-you
would-wsnt to marry me
The lSst words came with a rush, and
Madge bounded away when she uttered
them. / stepped in front and barred
her passage. Madee, | haven't told
YOU what YOU asked me yet " q had
forgotten all about Amt Issbel's wrath
md her present errand)
What should you think II / really
did want TO marry you ,"
ooh, they would be so cross" cried
Madge "they would sey you wanted
the pictures, and l was q way to get
them"
But what would you say, Madge ?
Their opinion il Of no consequence and
as to the pictures, wouldn't have them
IS gift %
I had advanced so far as to touch
Nadge's hand she had drawn it away,
but she had not resented 1t. She was
about TO say something when in walked
her father and aunt.
It was an awful moment. | looked
guilty from one to the other. Mr..
Heath face wore an expression Of anger
such - had never seen on it before.
Miss Isabel looked at me reproachfully.
Was ever man in such position? ! had
thrown kisses TO the aunt / was nova
few minutes after-discOvered IN the act
Of making love to the niece. 1t was on
Madgs that the wrathful father bent his
gaze. If lie 80 looked at her what might
Jezpect?
Margaret" he began sternly, az
would not have had this happen for q
hundred pounds"
Indeed. sir" interrupted. cit was
ell ny fault. ] alone Am to blame"
"1hen, Mr.. Compton, ] think you
ought 10 be ashamed TO own it, an
sWered the irate gentleman.
! begged him to allow me to explain,
and while WAS doing so observed Miss
Isabel Heath motioning noe 10 be silent.
What could she mean
$40 explanation can give me back
my pictures :" said MIR. Heath holly
If you saw the goats, why, in the name
Of humanity, didn't you drive them
out?'
Pictures Goats Then it was not
& question Of Msdge and mo and the
epinster aunt at all
"Those RoRts," went on the father Of
my divinity. "have butted holes in two
of my pictures, which were by i'll chance
within their reach"
~ will put them right. said ]. reas-
suringly. lie seemed modified, for his
next words were uttered without anger.
"But the goats ought to go away, "
he said. Tears came into Msdge's eyes /;
he saw them and added with a smile !:
Don't cry, Madgs, you may keep them
if only you won't let them come into the
house.
lie then turned TO me with his old gra-
cious manner and said: "My little girl
is nearly a woman now, but her aunt
keeps her child. l think shall I'M
dertake the charge Of her Aygeli." And
no took her hand in his and led her
away, patting her cheek ahectionately,
Is if to atone for having spoken harshly
10 her.
/ was alone with Miss Heath.
q haven't told him yet" she sim
pered, land l won't at all, II you will
promise never, never to DO it again.
indeed, Miss Heath, this is very
generous give you my word Of honor
it never shall occur again. 1t was all q
mistake. had no notion it was you
indeed hadn't. "
"Mr Compton !" Oh that l could
convey tho tone in which this was utter
cd. understood at once that the lady
had expected something different. But
no matter; she withdrew, and scarcely
spoke 10 me again while ] remained at
Thornton Lodge.
] soon learned that my shepherdess
had been in the habit of watching me
at work. / learned, too, that she
liked me a little" Before my work
was complete had put the momentous
question 10 her father. He gave his
consent, provided l would wait three
years when Madge would be twenty.
"It will be 80 nice TO have a son-il-law
to sdyiBe about the pictures" he said to
bis sister Who, however, expressed no
interest at al IN the matter.
Two years and Six months have passed.
Margaret Is loyelier than ever.
VIII the remaining months ever pass
Truly, they seem an eternity.