The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1893-10-28

with a grave and unsmiling courtesy
which to most young girls would have
been almost repelling in it's diglif1ed
formality. II :: 4: .@.s.s .::,.., - .I>@Es
But Madge was conscious Of a sud-
den, thrilled interest as she look ed into
those calm, searching, :inscrutable gSSy
eyes. $50 -~ ~. :>~.7 2e'7 :.,''--:
She knew instinctively that life would
never be quite the same to her as it
had been. 49,
Something new and strange was
awakened within, her sleeping heart,
which set her pulses leaping, and the
blood racing through her veins
While the newcomer remained in the
box the naturally blithesome and self
possessed Madge' sat shy and silent, her
eyes downcast, the delicate orchid-pink
color on her satiny cheeks changed to
vivid and scorching crimson.
What the party discussed during that
time she never knew.
All their voices, but that of Sidney
Clavering, were a meaningless hum to
her; all faces but his We're like an in
distinguishable blot in her sight. =
When he finally went away it seemed
as if all the light and color and warmth
went with him.
The great theater seemed dim and
chill, the changing splendor Of the
stage seemed dull and blurred.
The evenings performers were all ia
nous in their profession, and they were
playing a popular piece; but they might
have been wooden puppets in a Punch
and Judy show for all Madge knew or
cared just then.
In a flash. a breath, the whole world
was changed for her, and she was be-
wildered by something, she knew not
what.
She was only conscious of that
strange new feeling, half Of bliss and
half of pain, which had seized and over
powered her despite her will and rea-
son.
Day after day and evening after
evening, since that night at the thea ter,
she and Sidney CLAW eriny had met in
their walks, or their drives, or at places
of amusement
And this girl who lad Knocked at love
realized at last that she loved him bet
ter than the world, more than her own
life.
1t was bitter knowledge, and to
know that he loved her with an affec-
tin equal to her own, had only added
to the bitterness.
Not that he had ever uttered a sylla-
bic Of tenderness, he was too manly
and upright to hint Of his own love for
her when she was the betrothed bride
Of another, and had he been tempted
to do so, he knew that proud Madge
would not have permitted it.
But love has a language all it's own,
more eloquent than a thousand tongues.
Though the lips. may be guarded or
mute, a sigh, a glance, the mere. quiver
Of an .eyelash, will sometimes betray
the hearts dear secret 5Ss
Somebody has written: "Between
them who love, a look suffices; the
heart of each is always open to the
other
And thus it was from the first be-
tween these two hapless lovers.
Both felt that they ought to shun
each other; it would be wiser and kind
er to themselves! But it was not al
ways possible without causing COM
ment. And besides, Guy Severne had
conceived an almost brotherly regard
for young ClaWering and frequently
planned some little amusement which
he must share with Madge, and which
he could not decline without seeming
churlish.
The girls horror at her own disloy-
'alty almost maddened her at times; but
her most poignant agony was in her
pity for her betrothed.
IF poor Guy can only be spared the
sorrow of knowing it, I will bear any
punishment heaven inf1icts upon me,'
was her unceasing wall. "Oh, why did
he ever care for me? Oh, why did he
not fix his affections upon some other
one? There is dear, pretty, fascinating
Dora Menforth, who worships the very
prints his feet make in the dust-why
couldn't he have cared for her?''
And thus the slow, miserable weeks
Jagged by until the afternoon before
the dawn of her appointed marriage
day.
The nearer that dreaded event was
the more distracting was her trouble.
And finally she begun to reflect how
she, too, might have right to a little
of the pity which she had so unspar-
ingly bestowed upon her unloved
fance.
Il shall be unhappy as long as 1
ive," she sighed. MY misery will be-
come more unbearable with every
passing year. And Sidney will be just
as wretched as I ,am;: and we could be
so happy, so blissfully. happy, to-
gether-my beloved and l. Oh, my
darling, my heart. is breaking! Oh,
love, love, what will become of u.s."
She loathed herself for her olden
mockery of love.
''Fool that was-to think I should be
exempt from what is the destiny of
every one who has heart to thrill or
suffer- she cried again with rush
of binding tears.
She was still weeping when Sidney
CIayering was announced.
She was startled and displeased at
his coming.
It was the first time he had ever
called except when Guy Severnes ar
rangements had made call unayoida-
BILE.
Forgive me-" he began with an agi-
tation he could not control "Forgive
me, Madge, for am only here to bid
you farewell. I am going away-we
shall never meet again in this world!
I could not go without. some little ex-
preston Of what has been stifled so
long Oh lOvn-Oh, hea rt Of NV heartl