The Van Buren press., 1896-12-26

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eountry-seat of
Joshua Warren, capitalist, who had
built it just three years previously, and
il owned neither n gho.t nor gallery
of -visaged ancestors. Asa mat
ter of fact, Mr.. Warren, albeit a quiet
man, and one not given to boasting,
vas rather proud Of the fact that he
had neither pedigree nor family
skeleton to keep him awake nights.
His principal desire, now that he had
made his fortune, was to enjoy life and
- make those about him happy without
worrying his head about genealogical
trees or ways and means Of forcing him
self into the upper ten" On these
points his wife and their only daughter,
Madge, agreed with him-and being
agreed, they succeeded in making the
most of life. They We're jolly entertain
ers, and always had houseful, more
on less, Of company, usually a. lot of
young people, whom they preferred as
being more likely to make things live
Is; and during these particular holidays
they were housing at least dozen
young folks, on account of Madge, who
was to be married in the middle of Jan
nary to VIII Braden.
There were all kinds Of jolly times
during that closing fortnight of the old
year. The sleighing was faultless, there
were lots Of social festivities at Cliveden
and neighboring houses, and there was
every opportunity in the world to drive
dull care away--yet win Braden, de-
spite his approaching marriage with
quite the sweetest girl in the world, was
unhappy. Not all the time; for oc-
casionnlly Madge would devote to him
an entire five minutes. all at once, there
by filling him with ecstacy-after
which, alas! she would neglect him for
hours together to attend to her duties
as hostess. whereupon he was plunged
into despair, and became gloomy and
sullen, much 10 the amusement OF all
the rest. who called him "lIamlet," be-
hind his back, and cracked jokes about
"green-eyed monsters" and so on, to
the mystification Of Mrs Warren, who
earnestly insisted that poor, dear Will
les" eyes were not green, but hazel.
But there was no doubt that viii was
Jealous, just as most young men are
likely to be hen the attentions of the
adored one are demanded in other quar-
iers, even though by the laws Of hos
pitality. lie told himself he didn't mind
il. but he did. What CALLED him partic-
ularly was the presence of that pedi-
greed prig from Philadelphia, Mr.. Mar
tindale, whom he had long suspected of
a sneaIng affection for Madge, who, by
the way. was particularly pleasant to
him, not TO say somewhat confidential
with hin. For, at least q half dozen
times, VIII had seen them, apart
from the rest, talking in guarded
tones about something or other,
and at these times both had looked
very serious. II was getting past en-
DURANGO, decided Mr.. Braden, and he pro
posed TO put stop to it, So when they
returned from their sleighing party, on
New Years eve. he drew Madge, who had
eeemcd to be flirting desperately all the
evening with Mnrtindale, into n recess
in the hall, where he proceeded to pro-
test with much vigor against the treat
nent accorded him.
Madge laughed merrilv, then pre-
tended to be offended. Don't be an
idiot. Will" she said, sharply. 81 think
| know what I'm about"
"You know nothing Of the sort, or
else you don't care" declared VIII.
with some heat. at seems 70 me am
entitled 10 some consideration. instead
of which you do your best 10 make me
feel badly and TO make a laughing
stock of me. Darling" he went on.
more gently. this is the last year Of
orr single lives. Can't we watch it out
aad the rev one in just by ourselves.
since the New Year means SO much to
MS both"
Madge was touched, but for some in
scruiahle reason I'D cot choose % let
h'gE see il furtthcu "pon't he spoon