The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1897-02-11
A HOPELGSS CASE.
Bx CLARA murnoIIAsD.

''It will pinch me sore, Lydia" said
Mr.. Waddilovc, sadly. Things are in a
bad why with me just now, and it will
be a great expense
I'VE must make sacrifices sometimes
for the sake OF our children, James, " re-
piled his wife, severely, 'Iwonder you
could hesitate for moment"
"Do oyou9 Well, don't, and i can't see
the necessity for such move. Why
shouldn't the girls be happy at home i?
Why should they require season in
I.ondon7 What good will ii do them9'
eHad not spent those two months in
town with Aunt Susan long ago, James,
I'd never have met YOU"
''Humph," he grunted; "how do you
know? You were my fate. I'd have
met you somehow
Mrs, Waddllove shrugged her shoul-
ders and smiled; then, folding her
arms upon erlap, sighed heavily
'I'm not believer in fate. l pin
my faith on opportunity
We'll, who knows, an opportunity
may arise
"Here2 In this quiet country place,
where no man comes from wear end to
year end? Impossible. Miriam and
Selma are % and %, They are pretty,
fair, attractive girls. but their youth
is passing, and II they go on MS they are
doing, they must live and die unlSnow
and unsought We shall have three old
maids to provide for
Poor little Madge, too. Well, you
do look far ahead. The child is barely
u.s."
20" with q quick decision, "she is u
hopeless case. A plain girl like Madge
is as well in the country as in town,
Fate or opportunity would do little for
her. But the others are different"
Very" he said, grimly. so you
would not take Madge 10 London?"
"of course not. She viii keep house
and look after you
Yet she would enjoy the theaters
and the various sights. At IS"
1T would be a waste OF money to
take Madge, and she is quite happy at
home"
He smiled, and the expression Of his
face changed; his eyes grew soft and
tender.
"Thank God, yes. And Madge and
will be very happy together"
"She was always your fnvorite; so
it's a good thing you are not likely To
lose her"
"Yes," thoughtfully, ''and yet, II any
one came to know her and her sweet,
bright nature, he"
Don't be afraid. Sweet natures
don'tcount for much nowadays. Beau
ty or money is necessity. As Madge
has neither"
Poor little girl. Then the love of
her old father must suffice. When do
you think OF going?"
"At once Mrs Waddilove cried, re-
joiced TO find him give in so easily.
Lady Grantley has ball on Thursday,
Mrs. Townley one on the following
Monday, and more are sure to turn mp.
As soon as Miriam and Salina are seen
invitations will pour in. They will
both be engaged before the end of the
season, of that am certain"
II.
The Manor house was flooded with
sunshine. Every window was wide
open, and every room full Of the scent
af roses, the perfume of new mown hay.
Mrs. WaddiloEe and hertwo handsome
daughters, Miriam and Selma, had been
gone some six weeks, and as yet showed
no Signs Of returning Madge and her
father had grown accustomed to their
absence, and felt no very strong desire
70 see tnem come BACK. Ihey were the
pest OF irienus' 1nese TWO, ana perfectly
happy IN each o1her $ society
In tne presence Of her mother and her
good-iooKing sisters, Madge had been
shy' quiet ana reserved. But alone with
ner GEAR old ia'her' whom she adored.
the gaye's OF her heart asserted itseii'
ner "noie l, iia'u,e sA Apanuea, ana sne De
eaine WnAs 9ne nuu never oeeh peiOie ore,
q merry iaugnhg' pe"iehng h'tle
'na,uen' a.vI:l,
WIN sneh pair OIL dancing oarK
eyes, and such a bright, happy face,
who could call my Aiadge plain?"
thought her father one day as he
watched her fit backwards and for
wards among the roses. But I'm glad
she did not 40 TO London. Somehow.
the world might rub off the bloom
bring sorrow to her loving little heart
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