The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-08
A HOPELESS CASE.
by CLARA MULnoLLAND.

st will pinch me sore, LYDIA" said
Mr.. Waddilovc. sadly. Things are in a
bad way with me just now, and it will
be n great expense"
ave must make sacrifices sometimes
for the sake of our children, James," re-
piled his wife. severely. Il wonder you
could hesitate for moment"
"Do you? Well, don't, and can't see
Che necessity for such a move. Why
shouldn't the girls be happy at home?
why should they require a season in
London? What good will It do them ?"
"Had 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. Waddilove shrugged her Shout
ders and smiled; then, folding her
arms upon her lap. sighed heavily.
"I'm not a believer in fate. pin
my faith on opportunity"
swell. who knows. an opportunity
may arise"
"Here? In this quiet country place,
where no man comes from year end to
year end? Impossible. Miriam and
Selma are 90 and 90. They are pretty,
fair, attractive girls, but their youth
Is passing, and If they go on as they are
doing, they must live and die unlnow
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
49,"
TO-" with quick decision, "she is
hopeless case. A plain girl like Madge
Is as we'll in the country as in town.
Fate or opportunity would do little for
her. But the others are different"
"very," he said, grimly. 80 you
would not take Madge to London?"
"Of course not. She will keep house
and look after you"
"Yet she would enjoy the theaters
and the various sights. At 49,"
at would be 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 favorite; so
it's good thing you are not likely to
lose her"
eyes," thoughtfully, "and yet. if any,
one came to know her and her sweet,
bright nature. he"
"Don't be afraid. Sweet natures
don't count 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 up
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
of roses, the perfume of new mown hay.
Mrs. Waddilove and her two 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
to see them come back. They were the
best of friends, these two, and perfectly
happy in each others society.
In the presence of her mother and her
good-looking sisters, Madge had been
shy, quiet and reserved. But alone with
her dear old father, whom she adored,
the gayety of her heart asserted Itself,
her whole nature expanded. and she be-
came what she had never. been before
q merry, laughing, bewitching little
maiden.
With such pair of dancing dark
eyes, and such bright, happy face,
who could call my Madge 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 go to London. Somehow,
the world might rub off the bloom
bring sorrow to her loving little heart
and want her to be happy always"
Across the lawn came one of the gar
deners in hot haste.
IF you please, sir" he said, pausing
in front of his master, "there's been an
accident, just at the gate-a gentleman
thrown from his bicycle by a."
Dear me, dear me, is he hurt?" cried
the old man, starting up.
I'm afraid, sir, he's sprained his
ankle. He seemed in pain"
HE must1nome in, Madge," he called.
''MadGf he vinegar, bandages;
there .accident. I'm going
10 bring 4. Get everything
reacE."
-"Yes," ansV Ii n. and laying
aside her roses, 80 80 lpfp the house.
Three weeks later Ma slea be-
meath the lime trees, Ct 80 b,y
her side.
"You are walking better to b.
said. 81 think your ankle is a|In9
we'll"
He sighed and dug his stick into tn
sward.
Il fear so."
Madge laughed merrily. How un-
pratefnll And surely a snrained ankle