The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-13


with a choking gasp in her throat.
Mrs. Benjamin did not like scenes
she looked on with civil wonderment
But she understood 1t all-after littl,
while.
1.-THE landlord again!" cried Mrs
Joyce, in her soft, well-modulatet
voice.
Mamma" said Beatrice, hurriedly
tits three months since he was here
last. and-and don't you remember we
didn't pay him them"
Mr.. Atheling himself followed on her
footsteps. Mrs. Joyce drew herself
dignifiedly up.
This intrusion is scarcely called for,
Mr.. Atheling." said she. my daughter
transacts my business affairs for me
my daughter, who is now at the White
Mountains, or going there Immediate
ly."
Can see her" Mr.. Atheling asked
quietly.
Il presume so, II you go to Mrs.
Bruce Benjamin's, 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.
Mamma might bear some of her
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-
ton rising up within his breast
Madeline Joyce is good and beau
tlfnl girl he said to himself, land for
her sake l 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. l have been mistak-
en- in Madeline Joyce, and the sooner
she understands it the better. A mere
society butterf1y-too proud to work,
too frivolous to stop and think! And /
mad fancied her SO different"
Mrs. Benjamin's tall footman put on |
supercilious grin as Mr.. Atheling
asked for Miss Joyce.
THE new nussery gov'ness," said he,
"upstairs-second story back, please"
Mr.. Atheling, somewhat surprised,
and little annoyed, assembled the
staircase by himself.
The door was half-open, and he could
see Madeline Joyce, a book in her Ian
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 well.
1T Is about the rent" she gasped.
Yes, yes-I knew. We cannot nay it
lust yet, but-but-
He smiled as he took her hand,
You are not going to the White
them"
Yes, am-as Mrs. Benjamins nur-
cry goVerness. Only mamma does
lot know. 1t would break her heart.
dr. Atheling. And the very first quar-
er's salary I receive shall be forward
d Immediately to you. For"
"Madelfne!" he burst forth, impul-
lively, Il have mistaken you'll have
1isjudged you altogether. will you
ardon me?'
Il don't understand you, Mr.. Athel-
49,"
And then he explained. Madelines
,arlet upper lip curved.
And you believed l could 20 fash ;
m hunting, pleasure-seeking, while
lille we owed money that we could
OF pay? Oh, Mr.. Atheling!"
Five minutes later Master Clarence
enjamin rushed down to his mothers
oudQir. /,
Mamma, mammal" he howled. q
'ome quick. There's a strange man v
INSPIRING to Miss Joyce, and she's r
ying." c
But when Mrs. Benjamin reached the e
enc of action, the tears were all .
led up, and Madeline was smiling n
Id coloring radiantly. h
"Oh. Mr.. Atheling, it is you!" cried a
lady, recognizing the wealthy land
lder. And Maddy-"
Il may as well tell you,' said Made n
lie, softly, "Mr. Atheling has asked -,
to marry him, and" g,
And you will lose your nursery gov c,
ness" said Atheling, smiling. 10
Joyce never gave up her CO
nest pride. And she went to the &c
hite Mountains, after all, but it was e. 9,
a bride, As