Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-06-23
herself into O chair.

herself into chair.
ga doctor?" returned Madge. "That
is something new in Barham."
Miss Lawrence was tanning herself
with palm leaf, and her face grew
very bright as she went on: "He is a
widower with two young children.
Poor little thingsI just imagine how
they must need q mothers care"
ga widower," echoed Madge, but
with little interest. Her heart did
not gush like her aunt's at the thought
of the motherless children.
eyes, Madge," spoke Miss Law
renee, in preoccupied voice. Then
she rose and crossed the room to an
opposite mirror, where she examined
herself and her attire critically. With
a little laugh of satisfaction she turned
away and continued: "Two young
children and no mother. Isn't it
strange? I have done nothing but
imagine those children ever since l
heard of them"
Madge looked round from the chair
she was busting at her aunt's face, and
saw there an expression which was
novel to it.
'Tt is strange" she returned.
"Whatever can they be to you?"
Miss Lawrence laughed again, and
then sighed and sat before the table,
where she rested her elbow. and, sup
porting her chin in her hand, assumed
contemplative attitude. Madge
watched her, rather puzzled. Presently
she remarked:
''We are the nearest neighbors to
the Lines, Madge, and L shall have to
see what assistance L can give in get
ting the poor man settled, as he has
no wife. He moves in next week,
NIadge," she continued, after pause,
show does this new toque suit me?"
"All right" returned the young
lady, with some surprise in her tone.
There was silence for a moment.
Then Miss Lawrence remarked
emphatically: ga doctor will never
get on in Barham without wife. He
will have to marry, for his own sake
and the children's, too"
To this Madge made no answer.
She had finished her work in the
drawing room and she left her aunt
to her own meditations.
Miss Lawrence and her niece oc-
cupied the prettiest cottage in Barham.
1t stood just outside the village, in a
garden of brilliant flower beds, smooth
lawns and golden gravel paths. 1t
was fairly roomy inside and kept with
the care and precision of o maiden
lady who has few claims on her time.
Only two in family, and, unfortu-
nately, very unsuitable companions for
one another. Miss Lawrence was
rich, Madge was a poor orphan. Miss
Lawrence was popular on account of
her money, and because Madge had
nothing but what her aunt gave her
some folks, when they met her, re-
membered she was a dependent.
So far Miss Lawrence scored, but
here her advantages ended. For
Madge was young and Miss Lawrence
was getting on in years. Madge was
brave and hopeful, and her aunt was
dlscontented and fretful; while her
enforced spinsterhood was none the
better borne because she was silent on
the matter. Madge had the world be.
fore her, and the beautiful day dreams
of youth drove away monotony and
melancholy. But Miss Lawrence's
youthful dreams We're over.
Still, if Madge had net been brave
she would have had z bad time of it.
for her aunt entertained the idea that
she was too advanced in her views.
and required to be well kept down
with plenty Of work and daily lee.
ture on her position and manners. tc
which Madge listened politely, and
then promptly forgot, Her advanced
views were nothing very dreadful.
Only yearning for a bicycle, and tc
visit whom she chose. For Miss Law
renee moved in the ''irst set" in Bar.
ham, ignoring all other aspirants tc
her friendship.
Time passed on, aad DR.. Cyri
Stockton had been settled in Barhnu
for fortnight, but MGdge had never
seen him. Miss Lawrence, however
who had been most partinacious il
SoH"lhS pOIlle IueSSdSeS 10 Jle LINES
and in calling herself to volunteer as.
sistance, was full of the doctor. Madgt
gave little heed. A widower and two
children afforded small fascination fol
her. Added to which the house
cleaning was going on, and she hat
a great deal to do. Not till it was al
finished, and the cottage fairly shon,
all over, did she get out for her usua
morning walk. Her aunt allowed hel
one hour for recreation, and this sh,
generally devoted to country stroll
To her life was beautiful when sh,
shared it with nature.
To watch the changing seasons
each bringing their gifts of wilt
| flowers or ferns that sne loved Il