New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-11-18
full. of lunatics, and stared, saying
nothing. l asked impatiently:

eIo liz c1Sd AASoCCNA LII
This was what I decided to do. The
following evening we went to Mr..
Yorke's: When Madeline came in,
though 1 was standing near the door,
she swept past me and greeted Ralph
very cordially, and then. turned ex-
pectantly, and he, realizing the situa-
ton. introduced me-
a look of puzzled surprise came into
her face, quickly followed by one of
polite interest and no recognition.
Ralph, seeing the utter blank and
crestfallen face which but few mo-
ments before was beaming forth the
Joy L felt, at once began talking, and
as If answering look OF inquiry from
her eyes, said:
can old friend OF mine who has just
got in fronn-India. We were class
mates, and I hope you will give him
warm place in your affections-as
warm as the corner I have"
ado you really want me to give
him as good a nook as you have?"
She looked at him laughingly,
coquettishly.
l was quite miserable by this time;
Ralph saw it and answered loyal
ly:
Eyes, really do"
I had tried to take some sort of a
part IN the conversation, and failing
utterly had pretended interest in a
luxuriant fern at the other end of the
room, and was there trying to adapt
myself to the present order of things;
but it was hard work, had counted
so on the impression to be made on
my long legs that possibility of fail
ure had never occurred to me. Ash
was bending over the plant, seemingly
in an ectasy of admiration, but striv-
ing to make my impression one OF
conventional Indifference, heard her
say:
can enthusiastic botanist."
Ralph, though a sympathetic friend.
was, felt rather than saw, trying to
control his risibles, and answered.:
Eyes,
II think we shall be good friends,
Mr.. Claymore, for I so often want to
know about my plants and flowers,
and now your can help me-"
II managed to say, II shall be glad
to assist you, though 1 knew no more
about botany than q cat knows about
theology.
Ralph jumped up
II have to meet a man at 8. I had
almost forgotten. Please excuse me
for fifteen minutes, Miss Madeline"
Bowing gallantly, he hurried out.
Madeline followed him with a regret
full look; though she had smilingly, as
sented when he made his excuses. I
was conscious of little jealousy
when she looked SO sorry, but still I
felt happier when he had gone.
'Do you know, Mr.. Claymore, you
remind me so much of dear friend"
l started. "Your name, too-are you
related to Paul. fancied she lin
gered on the me-'Claymore?"
Eyes"
''Do you know him." this eagerly.
eyes; wonder il he realizes the
delights of his position? Is it a hard
one to attain? Has any one else a
chance of being a. dear friend?"
She gave me a searching look, and
then said kindly:
Eyes, you have, because you remind
me so much OF him; but he is coming
back, and I shall be so glad to see
him!'' And as if to explain this
childish outburst, she added 1--WE
are such old friends"
felt as ii shut out from paradise.
Miserable man that I was! Had I
made a great mistake? Would she
ever believe me if I told her who I was?
l longed to throw myself at her feet,
to clasp her in my arms and plead for
her love, but fear, strong and resist
less, restrained me. If she turned
from me felt sure should go mad
II have another fern m ore rare than
this one, Mr.. Claymore, that I will
bring. 1 know you will think it love-
ly."
She left the room, evidently think
ing that nothing could charm me like
ferns. ] watched her as she went, and
she seemed lost to me forever. I knew
Ralph was not coming back, and
though I felt should appear idiotic
seized my hat and ranges, ran
from the house.
spent all that night &nd next day
IN a hopelessly wretched condition.
My mind was absorbed with one
thought. What could I do to prove
my identity to Madeline, or failing
Inat, was there surgeon III the land
who could take half foot from my
legs?
Suddenly I made up my mind; why
had not done this before? I called
upon Madeline in the evening, sending
up my own name. would compel
her to listen and believe, she would
joyfully forgive me when she knew that
it was for love of her that I had
grown.
1 took a book and sat down at the
further end of the room. pretended
to be absorbed, thatI need not rise
until she was very near. Though she
did not speak word I felt. her pres
ence, and rose to greet her. All, what
change! The bright, sweet look OF
welcome gave place to one of startled
blankness, then an expression Of pc
lite. wonder.
"Ah! I beg your pardon! I have
made mistake; I did not notice the
card c1oca1u tboi,ubf II woe Mr.