The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1890-12-12
A LUCKY MISTAKE.
BY EDITH S. TUPPER.

Madge had about decided that IT
was the only thing for her 10 do.
ii had been terrible struggle. Al
first the idea had been simply ap
palllng, but she had b acome more
and more accustomed to it as the
days wore on. Alter all il didn't
so much matter. 1t wasn't as il
she loved some one else. she
had never loved amy man more
than II passing thought. Or course,
she had her gir,ish dreams, and a
twenty-five years her senior, with
a silver mine or two, but so hope
lessly deaf that one was obliged
to scream al him, surely had not
been the hero of them. But there
was poor dear papa Shaving away
in the office, and poor, tlred-out
mama trying To make both ends
meet on his meagre salary, and
equally, of course, there was an
immense family OF growing boys
and girls that some way or other
must be led and CLOTHED.
There, toe, were Blanche aud
AngelIque and OIara-thInk Of all
she would I've able to do for them.
These were The arguments She
used in her daily controversies with
herself on this veXed subject
should she, or should she not mar
ry the Hon. TlmGthy Beggs, who
was, it was plain to see, a most in
fatuaied and devOIed admirer2
The Hon. Timothy came often
to take her oui for long, nninler-
esting drives. Huge boQuels were
sent daily from he conservatory oI
her elderly lovers elegant home.
He was lhoughtiulness itself, but
oh he looked so old!-so com,
mon! And Timothy! what a rid
iculous namel Could she ever
bring herself to call him by il Z
Fancy saying: Timothy, dearest
and here the poor girl would go
off in fit of laughter, or else
break into storm of tears.
She was not urged, cOaxed or
coerced in the slightest degree.
Only she caught her tired father
regarding her anxiouslY when she
came in from her drives. and her
mother would so patiently, but SO
suggeslively, display Toms ragged
coat, or Mans shabby frock, and
murnur something about the ne
cessity of closer economy than
ever.
AT these times Madge felt her
self to be The most selfish creature
in txislence again, when she
thOu .hL of this hateful bondage,
from which there seemed no es.
capita fercer revolt would rise in
her y pnlle breast. Why should |
erifice her youth, her beauty, |
ir r degrading lashiong Whv, |
il -only for those she loved. |
Ma1ters were in this uncertain |
state when there came an invita-
lion from Mrs. Maitland, an old |
school friend of her mothers, TO |
VISIT her in New York.
Madge hailed il As a condemned
culprlt might a reprieve. During !
this visit she could make posi-
tive dicisipn without the slightest |
being brought TO bear
upon heI. Moreover she cOul,l |
c-!ch a glimpse of The gay world
INTO which she might enter as Mrs
Tmoihy Beggs.
Her sirApie preparations were
soon made, for her fathers attenu-
aIed purse could provide no ela6-
oraie wardrobe.
The Hon ( Timothy hummed and
hawed gnt,'l deal when he heard
ol this projected trip. He iutmal-
ed that he might call upon her in
New York. but said nothing more
definite, for which relief Madge
gave much thanks.
Mr.. MaiIl land proved 10 be an
agreeable husiess and delightful
chaperone, and Madge enjoyed her
fir-t plunge into society with vi
the zest u (which a young girl Is
capsule.
A lashionable wedding reception
-rao o,-o ~ l. - ,.roacfou- N u-hfrh