Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-20
me; she would not have made such a

easiness, The two girls walked on to-
gether to the end of the road and Ma
define noticed that Constance's bright
eyes were constantly darting from side
to side, as if in search of something
or some person that she desired TO
see. AS they turned into the main road
( Consrance's bright face frightened and
little smile rose to her lips A han
some was waiting at the curbstone and
she at once signaled the driver.
Are we going TO driver asked
/ Madeline.
/ Yes, we are. The hanson viii get
us there and back all the faster, don't
| sou see, you little stupid?"
/ Madeline hesitated
/ You are sure that Miss Joyce would
like us to go, Constance?"
I'll take all the responsibility, said
Constance. Jump in and don't be such
little idiot. You would come instead
of Ethel Price and you must take the
consequences.
Madeline did as she was told; but
she was looking very grave. Perhaps
1t was because Constance noted this ex-
preston of countenance that she
changed her tone as soon as she was
seated In the cab.
"Therei Isn't that better than walk
ing?" she asked, quite pleasantly. I'VE
are going to that big shop in the High
street; you remember? / want to get
some wool there; and, | wonder if
may tell you, Madeline? | have an
other reason for wanting to 60
Have your"
Madeline | know that | am often
cross with sou, but | don't mean it.
don't mean half the things / say.
am sure you are dear, nice girl at
heart and really like you very much. /"
DO your" said Madeline, in most
innocent surprise II shouldn't have
thought it.
i do really; only | was always
jealous because Frances is so fond Of
you and she used to be fond of me
before you came But YOU understand,
don't you? Because / want you to
sympathize with me- and you-are you
sure you won't tell anybody what am
going to say? See, you may have this
gold bangle of mine if you won't tell
any one"
Il don't want the gold bangle" said
Madeline, rather Indignantly; but |
promise not to tell what you say"
You solemnly promise, on your word
of honor?"
"On my word of honor"
We'll, | trust you, Madeline. 1t is
about some one | met last summer in
the holidays just before you came here
first. | met him at garden party
''Him?"
Yes; him. He is foreign noble
mana count and he was staying with
friends in our neighborhood. He is
very handsome, very distinguished
looking, Oh, you can't imagine any
body like him, Madeline"
Madeline felt distinct thrill of in
! terest. She had never before been
favored with this sort Of confession.
Are you great friends with him,
them she asked, with abated breath.
Rather" said Constance, a little
scornfully. "He was struck with me
from the first; he has told me So And
he could not believe that | was a
schoolgirl. 1t is ridiculous of my aunt
to keep me at school so long. 1t is
only because Lady Sewerage keeps
Frances here, and everything that Lady
Sewerage does must be right"
But you are not too old for school,
Constance; you are only II"
"a woman is as old as she looks"
said Miss Esler. with an air of wisdom
Rene always says so. l may be only
Il in year but | am 20 in appearance
and fully developed in heart and char
aeter. DO you think / cannot love as
we'll as if were q instead of l7?"
/ don't know" said Madeline,
thoughtfully a reply which caused Con
stance to give her arm an impatient
little tweak with her perfectly gloved
fingers.
of course, you don't know, you silly
child, but | know well enough. "
And you YOU love him, Constance
Madeline asked the question with the
lmldlty or young girl TO whom rO-
nance is a sacred thing, She felt i'm
plicitly that it would jar upon her if
Constance replied with jibe or jeer
at her simplicity But to her surprise
and somewhat TO her relief, Constance
answered with touch of unusual feel
ing.
Il never cared for any one so much, :"
At that moment Madeline forgave
her all her previous eoldness and I'M
amiability. The woman's heart had
wakened in the girl who had seemed so
tnsympathetic and if its strength were
10 be spent on worthy object there
was still chance that Constance Es-
Ter, in spite of all her faults, might
develop into truly noble character
Not that Madeline was old enough or
wise enough TO put all this into words,
hut she felt a new warmth toward the
girl who had hitherto been her enemy
aud great desire to help her. II did
not occur to her that she might be
acting In opposition to the wishes Of
Miss Joyce and Lady Esler; she thought
- ~ No