The advocate., 1896-12-30

4
''green-eyed monsters" end so on, to
4 the mystiAcation Of Mrs. Warren, who
earnestly insisted that "poor, dear viii
lies" eyes were not green, but hazel.
But there was no doubt that Win was
jealous, just as most young men are
likely to be when the attentions Of the
adored one are demanded in other quar-
ters, even though by the laws Of hos
pitality. He told himself he didn't mind
it, but he did. What CALLED him paTtic-
lLlarly was the presence Of that pedi-
greed prig from Philadelphia, Mr.. Mar
tindale, whom he had long suspected of
a sneaking affection for Madge, who, by
the way, was particularly pleasant to
him, not TO say somewhat confidential
with him. For, at least half dozen
times, Will 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-
dlrance, decided Mr.. Braden, and he pro-
posed to pu5 stop to it. So owhen they
returned from their sleighing party, on
New Years eve, he drew Madge, who had
seemed to be flirting desperately all the
evening with Martindale, into q recess
in the hall, where he proceeded to pro-
test with much vigor against the treat
ment accorded him.
Madge laughed merrily, then pre-
tended to be offended. "Don't be an
idiot, VIII, she said, sharply. II think
| know what I'm about"
"You know nothing Of the sort, or
else you don't care!" declared viii,
with some heat. ''It seems to me am
entitled to some consideration, instead
Of which you do your best to make me
ieel badly and to make a laughing
stock Of me. Darling" he went on,
more gently, "this is the last year Of
our single lives. Can't we watch it out
and the new one in just by ourselves,
since the New Year means so much to
US both?'
Madge was touched, but for some i'm
scrutable reason did not choose to let
him see it just then. Don't be spoon
Will," she answered, pettishly. "We've
all our lives to be 'spooney' in, and, be-
sides, have other obligations" She
turned and left him, regardless of the
pleading, reproachful eyes that she
knew were following her, and for the
rest Of the evening she hardly noticed
him at all. Indeed, he kept out Of the
way as much as possible, for all this
merriment was to him, in his present
mood, gall and wormwood.
He had just returned from lonely
smoke in the library, and, somewhat
soothed, was returning to join the
others, who were gathering about the
big fireplace in what good Mrs. War
rem designated asthe "sittin'-room," to
observe that time-honored custom Of
watching the Old Year out and the New
Year in. He told himself, sentimental
ly, that he would quietly take q seat at
Madge's side, gain surreptitious posses
sion Of her hand, and thus they would
enter upon the New Year together.
But Madge was not in the group
about the fireplace, nor was she in the
room; and, even as he looked, the of
fensively handsome and aristocratic
Martindale rose quietly and made his
exit through the other door. For q
moment Braden stood dazed-then,
with jealous intuition he turned and
made his way to the conservatory, and
there, not ten feet from the door, he
recognized the figure of Martindale.
But the latter did not see nor hear the
eavesdropper. He was busy kissing the
willing lips Of some one in feminine at
f,ya ,rhoea faca co,,ld not he saen. but