The record-union., 1892-12-10

viii; but" hurriedly, Il will go home
tomorrow. l am miserably wretched,"
and storm of sobs checks Madge's
speech.
She stands, leaning such a helpless lit
! tie creature against the doorway. He
regards her with tender pity, his heart
beating with longing pain. Poor little
girl!'
Softly his hand rests upon the dropping
head. Don't cry, dear child"
Yes, will. 1 could scream. What
must you think of me?
Il think you are a sweet, adorable
woman, nothing more nor less.'
a delicious thrill of pleasure shoots
through Madge's tluttering heart as he
| continues:
please try to regard me as your true
Trend, If tyoua are Respondent or i'll trouble
come to me; and will you promise to re-
main the allotted time mentioned IN your
aunts will? Win you promise?'
/ You are good and kind. promise"
That IS right" He presses her hands
warmly. Good night and very pleasant
dreamS''
The next morning Madge descends TO
the breaktast-room with pallid cheeks
and great, dark circles beneath her eyes,
/ occasiOned from the previous nights ca
I per. AS she passes snug little room, ap-
/ propriated as the young heirs study, she
sees Algernon within. He calls to her
blithely. Come in, Madge." She stops
/ in surprise. He holds out tumbler.
viii you join me in b. and So"
| She sweeps on in towering rage with
out answering, which causes the young
man slight surprise.
Algernon treats all her startling bland
! ishments with placid Indifference.
The end of the month is drawing near.
1 She knows She cannot marry Algernon
| because, OH dreadful fact, in secret she
/ confesses to herself she loves his father.
! 1t is the day before her departure.
/ VIII has arrived to take her home. She
cannot and will not marry Algernon, so,
therefore, she must naturally forfeit the
fortune, being the dissenting party.
she receives message to meet Mr..
Cameron in his study. With trembling
limbs and loudly beating heart she
complies. lie is seated at his desk,
huge pile OF papers in front of him.
Madge imagines there is weary, care
worn look upon his face. She enters
timidly. He regards her in silence a mo-
ment.
please be seated"
She sinks, with shaking knees, into the
nearest chair.
He wheels around, half facing her, and
leans his head wearily upon his large,
firm hand.
The tears are very near the girls eyes.
How dearly she loves him-so noble, SO
strong. Her arms ache to clasp his
neck.
You are leaving us tomorrow, Mar
gary"
She mods Words fail her. There is a
dangerous, choaking sensation in her
throat which threatens instant tears.
Again he speaks. What a dear, kind
voice it is!
Are you willing to comply with your
aunt's wishes, Margary?"
The pentup tears have burst all bounds.
and are streaming down her cheeks.
Her chest and throat ache with the rails
| ing sobs.
| lie arises and comes toward her.
Is 1t so repulsive to you, then?u
! She hides her face in her hands.
son."
My son" in evident surprise. Can
not marry my SOM"
No" moaning, because"
Because why, Madge?" drawing nearer
and taking one of the girls hands from
her wet lace. "because why, dear? Did
you not promise to come to me in
trouble. Answer me now. Because
"oh, because, God help me, I love
you."
He has caught her in his great arms.
oh, Mr.. Cameron, let me go. What
have ! said? [ did not know what [ was
saying, Oh, Mr.. Cameron. don't.D
No, no. Not Mr.. Cameron any more.
/ but Algernon."
"Algernon?" in amazement.
es, darling. Can't you guess? My
name is Algernon. 1 am your aunt Ia
| bitha's godson."
My story is finished, To this day
/ young AlgernOn cannot understand why
his stepmother gave him such look Of
indignation when he offered her cigar
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