Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-11-12

YOU udf6 uOL LILY
dear You yill not go away?"
Madeline sighed, and her face be-
came a little sad and weary us she
looked out across the sea and dis
played her perfect profile at the same
time.
Il must" she said presently. Il am
not my own mistress. My parents are
not like me, dear. They are hard and
worldly, and they would laugh our
little romance to scorn. Ii they knew
they would forbid me ever to speak to
you again, and picture the unhappiness
of THAR
1T would be despair ITSELF" Sydney
murmured. But if you will be true to
me, darling, l shall find way Such
passionate devotion as mine will con-
quer in the end. And you do love me,
SWEET"
Madeline looked wonderfully dainty
and sweet as she stood admiring the
effect Of her sailor hat before the dingy
looking-glass in the sitting-room of the
farmhouse where she and her mother
were staying.
Really you might let that young man
have one afternoons peace" Mrs
Devereux observed, with serene dig
nifty, "and you might stay and lend me
hand, especially as we are going to-
morrow. Thank goodness, this will be
about the last of themr'
bnna not
[ must marry Chatterleigh before
Christmas, as he seems to be in such a
hurry, | certainly don't mean to be a
kind of female hermit afterwards. The
old stupid mi ht let us finish our holi-
day in peace without dragging us off to
his castle.
Mrs. DeVer- Xix frowned severely, not
that she was very angry, and, after all,
she had every confidence in Madeline S
discretion. Apparently the elderly
lover had become somewhat impatient,
for that morning there had arrived an
invitation for Mrs. Devereux and her
daughter to repair to Chatterleigh cas-
tie, which invitation was in the light
of a command.
Mrs. DeVereuX was much too old a
| soldier to ignore the missive, and, be-
sides she was getting heartily tired of
Sandsfoot and it's pretty solitude.
Madeline's fun would have to be cur
tailed little, but that did not matter
in the face of more serious business.
There will be large parry at the
castle, Lord Chatterleigh writes" she
said. In fact they will be there to
meet YOU Now, don't be long, my
dear child, because Jennings is a per-
feet fool when there's anything to be
done"
On the golden sands Madeline found
Sydney awaiting her The expression
on her face was inexpressibly sad and
sweet; the little mouth dropped as she
placed her hand in Sydney's.
MY darling what is wrong?' he
asked, when once in their favored nook
he tried to draw her to his side. Are
you in trouble, sweetheart"
The tender words touched Madeline
a little, but she made no response to
his advances. She thrust Sydney
away ALMOST paSSlOndtely.
DO not speak to me like that or |
shall go mad" she cried. Sydney, I
am not fit for you, you are so good and
noble You must try and forget all
about me-put me out of your life alto
gether."
But my darling, what is wrong? If
| have done anything"
You have done nothing" Madaline
interrupted with a Sob you have
been tender, and kind and true, and
now ] am going to break your heart.
Sydney, | do not know how to tell you,
but you have been deceived
Deceived? Do you mean to say that
| you love another?"
There was stern infection in Sgd
ney's voice that almost frightened
Madeline. And yet, at the same time,
his face was wonderfully calm.
ooh, no, nor she cried. 1T is not
| that. l never cared for any one as |
care for you. | never shall again. Had
I been left to myself / should have
/ gladly, so gladly, become your wife
but it is not to be. | told you my par
ents were worldly and ambitious, and
how my weak nature is as clay in their
hands. And some time ago, before /
met you, | was foolish enough to take
half promise to marry-oh! how can
| tell you?-to marry an old man, and
now he claims"
Madame paused as if utterly over
come with her emotion. She buried
her face in her hands, waiting for Sgd
ney to speak. Bnt there came from
him no wild outburst--his voice was
calm and steady.
And you are going to obey your par
ents, of course he said. you did not
think for moment that it would be a
good thing to wear coronet and take
a high position in society? did not ex-
pect when you led me on and gained
my heart your promise would ever be
claimed? You are grieved and desc
late for me, Madeline?"
Don't" Madeline sobbed; II hate to
hear you speak thus. Have you no
| pity for me? Do you not see how I
am sacrificing my happiness to my
honor? Oh, sgd, say that you will for
give me, and that when we are far
away from one another, you will not
think of me with hate and bitterness
1t will be my sweetest consolation to
know that you and l part friends"
and when we part we part forever,
I SUPPOSE"
Yes, dear-it seems to me that it
WOULD ha 70