Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-07-08

with a choking gasp in her throat.
Mrs. Benjamin did not like scenes;
she looked on with civil wonderment.
But she understood It all-after little
while.
"The landlord again" cried Mrs.
joyce, in her soft, well-modulated
voice.
Mamma" said Beatrice, hurrledly,
"it's three months since he was here
last, and-end don't you remember we
didn't pay him them?
MI. Athellng himself followed on her
footsteps. Mrs. Joyce drew herself
digninedly up.
This intrusion is scarcely called for,
Mr.. Atheling," said she. my daughter
transacts my business affairs for me-
my daughter, who is now al the White
Mountains, or going there Immediate
ly."
Can see herr" Mr.. Athellng asked
quietly.
Il presume so, If you go to Mrs.
Bruce Benjamins, No. --- Fifth ave-
nue."
Thanks, madam. Pray excuse me
for disturbing you"
Mrs. Joyce bowed with the air of an
ex-empress. and Mr.. Atheling with
drew.
That's over, thank goodness" said
she, and buried her nose once more in
the pages Of a book. But Bee was by no
means certain that It was over.
tthfo ", ma r,,foht r,r,o %
own burdens" she murmured. 1T isn't
fair upon Maddy to send people there"
Mr.. Atheling himself walked along
the street, with something of indigna-
tion rising up within his breast.
Madeline Joyce is a good and beau
tiful girl" he said to himself "and for
her sake / have borne with these peo-
pie longer than [ otherwise should.
But-dress and gayety and endless ex-
penses at the White Mountains, with a
years rent due-that Is altogether a
different matter | have been mistak-
en- in Madeline Joyce, and the sooner
she understands 1t the better. A mere
society butterfiy-too proud to work,
too frivolous to stop and think! And l
had fancied her so different"
Mrs. Beujamin's tall footman put on
a superciious grin as Mr.. Atheling
asked for Miss Joyce.
THE new nussery govness," said he.
"Upstairs-second story, back, please"
Mr.. Atheling, somewhat surprised,
and a little annoyed, ascended the
staircase by himself
The door was half-open. and he could
see Madeline Joyce, a book in her lap
and two or three chubby little boys
swarming around her, evidently in
tent on anything and everything but
their lessons.
She started up, crimson and con-
fused at the sight of the dark, hand
some face she knew so we'll
1T is about the rent" she gasped.
Eyes, yes-I knew. We cannot pay it
just yet, but-but-
He smiled as he took her hand.
you are not going to the White
Mountains, them"
Yes, | am-as Mrs. Benjamin's nur-
sery governess. Only mamma does
not know. 1t would break her heart,
Mr.. Atheling. And the very first quar-
ter's salary l receive shall be forward
ed Immediately to you. For"
"Madeline!" he burst forth, impul-
sively, II have mistaken you'll have
misjudged you altogether. "Will you
pardon me?"
II don't understand you, Mr.. Athel-
ing"
And then he explained. Madeline's
scarlet upper lip curved.
"And you believed l could 20 fash
ion-hunting, pleasure-seeking, while
while we owed money that we could
not pay? Oh, Mr.. Athelngl"
Five minutes later Master Clarence
Benjamin rushed down to his mothers
boudoir.
Mamma, mammal" he howled.
come quick. There's a strange man
whispering to Miss Joyce, and she's
crying"
But when Mrs. Benjamin reached the
scene of action, the tears were all
dried up, and Madeline was smiling
and colorlng radiantly.
"Oh Mr.. Atheling, it is youi" cried
the lady, recognizing the wealthy land
holder. And Maddy-"
Il may as well tell you" said Made |
line, softly, "Mr. Atheling has asked
me to marry him, and"
"And you will lose your nursery gov
erness, said Atheling, smiling.
Madeline Joyce never gave up her
honest pride. And she went to the
White Mountains, after all, but it was
as a bride.