The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-05-11

dening. She scorned him and her.
self for her folly. He quailed a
little under the fire in her ey es, as
she shook off his hand and stepped
backward with an imperious air
that had its effect upon him.
Il am not under your protec-
tion," she retorted, with a certain
desperation in her voice and man
ner.
At the moment shs saw Mark
Thornton coming toward her across
the marble floor.
Her first sensation was one of
dismay that Mark had found her
in such a compromising situation.
The next moment she had rallied
her forces.
"They have sent you after me-"
she said recklessly, after his quiet
salulation. IF Irelurn il will not
be with you.'
~ came on the train with you,
but | was not SENT" he returned,
''and have not the slfg inten-
ton of asking you to return with
me. / thought you seemed In trou-
bic, and | merely came to ask il /
could be OF service TO you"
Madge looked at him. He seem
ed So grand and grave and master
ful in contrast with Alfred that a
sudden sense of his superiority
came to Madge like a regulation,
while fear that she had compro-
missed herself forever in his eyes
came over her as Alfred said, sneer-
ingly:
81 thought your engagement was
with me, but l see | am one too
many"
With that he walked off. Madge's
defiant mood broke down utterly
She was wretched, Inundated.
Mark stood regarding her grave
| ly.
"You will despise me-" size said.
81 agreed to meet that man here.
made his acquaintance in the
West last winter. They--they are
driving me mad at hone," she fin.
ished with tears of vexation in hel
eyes.
IL understand" Mark said slow
ly. In those few minutes he had
found the keynote TO the actions
of this sweet, loving, willful, impe-
rious creature, whom he loved SO
tenderly.
"What am | to dog How am | to
go home and answer their ques-
tions % Madge asked, looking to
HIM in her extremity as a strong
tower of protection.
"Will leave it to me? VIII you
trust me to make it all right % he
asked.
II will do anything you say"
she answered humbly, "it you will
forgive my rudeness 10 you a few
minutes ago.o
"And | will reiract my state
ment and ask you to go home with
me-" he said with a smile. "The
train leaves in half an hour. Twill
account for your absence. 1t shall
never be known that you met any
one.n
How Madge's grievances dimin-
lshed on that homeward ride /!
What a haven of rest her quiet
room would seem if she once
reached ii, and how gentle and de-
ferential Marks manner was
toward 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 a high-handed course of
explanation.
"Miss Madge and | have had an
adventure today" he SAID. "Will
you ask no questions for the pres
ent and let Mad2e go at once to her
rooms Some day later | will ex-
plain. ! am only sorry for your
lneasiness."
The good women accepted the
situation without a word. Mark
was a sort OF paragon with them.
Madge was safe and there had been
10 alarm raised in the neighbor-
lood. They could not be sufficient
y thankful.
Madge learned her own heart
hat day. She now enjoys full
reedom as the wife, friend and
of Mark Thornton.