Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-16

under high pressure, OVERLOOKING its
| boundaries. Yet she was high-prin-
| cipled and warm-hearted at bottom.
and would be easily governed by one
who understood her complex nature
with its seeming contradictions.
When Miss Mary and Miss Martha
saw her gallop off the next day they
little guessed that she wore a travel
ing suit under riding-habit,n nor that
she had stolen out the evening before
| and secreted a well-filled valise among
the brushwood under the trees by the
road half a mile distant.
Making sure that no one was in
sight, she secured the valise and rode
on again until she came to strip of
woodland not far from the station.
She removed her riding-habit, then,
after securing Brownie and lavishing
parting caresses and few tears upon
him, she walked around the '.bend'
! to the station, and was soon steaming
over the road to her lovers home.
Excitement kept her up until, as the
train neared its destination, she began
to grow nervous.
Suppose Alfred should not meet her?
Suppose the telegram should have mis-
carried? Was she not doing reck-
less thing?
She banished reflection. She strug-
gled against a homesick feeling as she
walked up the long platform of the
station, and found her way to the Ia
dies room.
She sat down near the door. Surely
he would come soon! She had lone
ly, unprotected feeling. Men passing
the door gave her bold, rude, question
ing glances, she imagined.
At length, with cry of relief in her
heart, she caught a glimpse of Alfred's
face at the door of the waiting-room.
He stood looking around uncertainty
for few moments, then, with rather
unsteady steps, he crossed to where she
sat, held out his hand, and said famil-
iarly, ''Ah, here you are, beauty! I've
been looking for you this half hour"
Madge was on her feet in moment
warding off his touch. His handsome
face was flushed, and the quality of his
glance and smile was insulting. The
odor of the rotations he had imbibed
sickened her. She could have sunk
through the floor with shame and dread
of him. He had undergone a 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 a flash of
anger as he laid his 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 a meaning laugh.
The effect upon Madge was madden
ing. She scorned him and herself for
her folly. He quailed a little under
the fire in her eye, as she shook off his
hand and stepped backward with an
imperious air, that had its effect upon
him.
Il 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.
s'They have sent you after me-" she
said recklessly, after his quiet saluta-
ton. eff [ return it will not be with
you"
81 came in the train with you, but L
was not sent" he returned; ''and |
have not the slightest intention of ask
inc YOU to return with me. / thought
YOU seemed in trouble, and / merely
came to ask if | could be of service to
you"
Madge looked at him. He seemed
so grand, and grave, and masterful, in
contrast with Alfred, that a sudden
sense OF his superiority came to Madge
like revelation, while a fear that she
had compromised herself for ever in his
eyes came over her as Alfred said sneer-
ingly:
Il thought your engagement was
with me, but it seems | am one too
MANY
With that he walked off. She was
wretched, Inundated.
Mark stood regarding her gravely.
''You will despise me-" she said. II
agreed to meet that man here. [ made
his acquaintance last winter. They
they are driving me mad at home,"
she finished, with tears of veXation in
her eyes.
Il understand" Mark said slowly.
In those few minutes he had found the
keynote to the actions of this sweet,
loving, wilful, imperious creature,
whom he loved so tenderly.
"What am | do? How am / to 90
home and answer their questions?"
Madge asked, looking to him in her
extremity as a strong tower of pro-
lection.
''Will you leave it to me? Will you
trust me to make it all right?" he
asked.
II will do anything you say" she
answered humbly, ''if you will forgive
my rudenesS to you a few minutes ago."
"And | will retract my statement
and ask you to 90 home with me- he
said with smile. 'The train leaves
in half an hour. L will account for
your absence. 1t shall never be known
that you met anyone.
How Madge's grievances diminished
on that homeward ride! What haven
Of rest her quiet room would seem if
she once reached it, and how gentle
and deferential Marks manner was to-
wards her!
Miss Mary and Miss Martha, who had
been half frantic, were greatly relieved
to see Madge under the protection of
Mark Thornton, who pursued high
handed course of explanation.
''Miss Madge and l have had an adj
venture to-day" he said airi1y. ''Will
you ask no questions for the present,
and let Madge 60 at once to her room?
Some day will explain. I am only
sorry for your uneasiness."