The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1897-02-11

R4N A0A1AA4A@-@1f 0AAa NeAAAAe AVtt "a W tlAt
Warren for the first time since ] came
Of age, never guessing the delightful
neighbors ] should find there. That
evening / went out on my bicycle to
while away an hour, when luck, in the
shape of clumsy van, bowled me over
in front Of your gate. But now the
happy time is at an end, and l feel that
must go home"
Yes" Madge sighed, Il suppose You
must. And, you see, perhaps it is just
as well. Mother and the girls are com
ing back, and then things will be diff
ferent."
'But you will be the same2''
'IS" blushing and iimpling. Not
quite; everyone, even the dear old dad,
changes when they are about. You
see, our positions are not what they
are when far away. We are no longer
master and mistress. We go nowhere,
see no one, speak when we're spoken
to-"
20, Madgelr He redeemed and looked
at her in dismay 'sThat's rather much.
But III tell you what you and yonr
father must come and pay me u long
visit, My home is charming. I've got
servants and horses, and-and every
thing to make happy, and wen have
all our nice time over ggain.n
Tit sounds delightful, But" her
lips trembled, mother would not allow
me to 60. You see, am not out. l lam
the youngest. Miriam would go, She's
the eldest. and very handsome, with a
tall, slight figure, fair hair, blue"
Her eyes filed with tears. 20, you
you will surely like Miriam, and-and
forget your poor Mndge.'
you know i WON'T" he cried, We
hemently. ''And don't want Miriam,
and / don't care whether she's handsome
or not. lwant YOU. And, what's more,
I'll insist upon your coming"
Madge gazed at him in open-eyed as.
tonishment.
"You don't know mother, Gilbert"
she said, solemnly. Not one OF us dare
turn the word with her, and if she told
me-"
but if it--if tiff the Warren was to
be one day your home" he stammered,
catching her hand and drawing her To-
wards him. ITO, Madge; we have
t.ynt,.y, ennh ETLa.. tbran. ,,.lg.i+ .r4ess1gcg
We have spent hours of the day 10
gether, we have talk over everything,
You know me, all about me, bad and
good, and | know you his voice shook
with emotion-'and love you"
20, Gilbert she gasped. Gilbert
my darling, have startled, alarmed
you. But if You could love me--be my
wife?'
Poor, plain little me?" She raised.
her eyes, then turned them quickly
away, her face crimson, her Whole fraIite.
trembling, her heart full OF new-sweet
joy.
TO me, as you stand thusand always,
you are beautiful. for love you above
everything on earth, Madge, answer
me.
Yes she whispered low; yes
then laid her face upon his breast.
The following afternoon. some three
or four hours earlier than theysyere ex-
pected, Mrs. Waddilove. Miriam and Se-
lima arrived at the Manor house.
As he stood watching his men stack.
ngthehay, Mr.Waddilogewas informed
that his wife and daughters had come
home, and, without an instatst's delay,
he hurried TO greet them. The three
ladies were tired after their journey,
and answered his various inquirieswith
but scant courtesy. Then, as Madge
did not appear 10 welcome her, her
mother became extremely irate.
my dear. she has gone ior q walk"
her husband said, soothingly. "She-
she will not be long"
"a walk alone at this late hour? You
are q strange person TO have charge OF
a young girl, james. suppose Madge
has done exactly as she pleased while l
was away? But that win soon be
changed. Out for walk alone"
"She is not alone, dear" he began.
knowing full well she was with Gil
bert, and wondering how he should
break the news Of her engagement to
her mother. "She's with-a friend.n
"Well, this sort Of thing must be put
a stop to"
"Yes, yes, Of course. But have you
any news for me, Lydia?"
She glared at him. None" she an
swered sharply,
"Then your time has been wasted.
The opportunities we're Of no avail?
Miriam and Selma have made no con
quest"
"You are rude, Mfr. Wadd. And |
am glad the poor girls have gone up
stairs"
II don't mean to be rude, dear. :
am content TO keep my daughfers at
home. Twas only following W ne con
versation that led TO youE g.iirgto Lon.
don believed in a sweet, bright ma
ture, and fate Ye1 put faith IN what
YOU pahcd heeHtY -and opportunities
"fthout poasting or in any wcy annoy
ing you, wish to say, without tak;rr
any credit to myself, that my idea was
ne right one that here, in our home
Madge and 1 have been more success.
full"