The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-11


joyment. In those morning walks she
gave full vent to her feelings, singing
loudly when no one was near, run
ming, and, oftentimes, perching on the
branch Of tree to rest herself. In
these walks, sometimes, lady cyclists
would pass her. How Madge envied
them! But she would console herself
with the thought that some day she,
too, would possess a machine. How?
That was the question. She might
marry, but in such a place as Barham
eligible husbands were almost IN
known.
Then she wondered if she, too,
would be an old maid like her aunt.
And then came the concluding thought,
whatever happened, she would never
marry for home. Madge's ideas of
love and marriage were very lofty.
So she would forget the bicycle, and
give herself up to the beauties around
her. On this particular morning she
had just struck into song, when the
sound of carriage wheels caused her
to stop and look round. A dogcart
was approaching. The road was
billy, and the horse was walking. A
gentleman with clean shaven face and
o pair Of dark, lustrous eyes was driv-
ing.
The cart got up to her and kept at
her side for q moment or two. She
was such a pretty picture in her soft
white frock and big straw hat, caught
up on one side with bright flowers,
and revealing the fresh, pink cheek
and stray golden curls that the wind
had caused to stray. Then the cart
stopped, and the gentleman raised his
hat and asked if lie were going right
for Ashton Wells. Madge colored as
she looked up, and timidly made on
swer in the affirmative. Again the hat
was raised, and the horse was put into
trot. Shortly after this DR.. Stock
toms intimacy with Miss Lawrence
seemed likely to increase. He made
frequent visits to the cottage Of an at-
ternoon. But as he was often out
when Miss Lawrence paid her morn
ing visit to the Lines this was not
strange.
Then came Miss Lawrence's annual
tennis party, which AIadge fairly
hated. The same people came every
year, said the same things and played
in the same way. It only meant more
work for Madge and moro temper for
her aunt. This year, however, DR..
Stockton was coming, and Madge
looked forward to the event. But he
arrived late, played one set with Miss
Lawrence, and then, after getting her
some refreshment and conversing with
her for few minutes while the elite
Of Barham and its neighboring dis
tricts eyed them very critically, he ex-
pressed his regrets that he mustleave.
Miss Lawrence protested; he remained
firm, and took his departure.
As he passed through the hall to the
front door he came upon Madge. He
had not spoken to her yet. She ex-
tended her hand, saying, care you
leaving SO soon?" He smiled down on
her as he answered, II must. I am
so sorry, I thought we should have
had game" Madge's pink cheeks
grew pinker andh sweet eyes looked
confdingly up as she returned, II
should have enjoyed it," They ap-
peared very good friends, and he stayed
little to talk to her. Then suddenly
he drew out his watch. II must co."
he exclaimed. 1T is my oldest boys
birthday, and I promised to take tea
with him at six"
There was something very strange
to Madge about her aunt ut this time.
Her temper was much sweeter. She
was absent-minded. Read poetry till
sympathetic tears stood in her eyes.
Ordered numerous hats and toques,
and was occasionally discovered posing
before the glass. Meanwhile Cyril
Stockton was becoming very popular
with the poor Of Barham, though he
was not, overworked with paying
patients. Not that this seemed to
worry him in the least. He drove and
rode, played with his children and
otherwise enjoyed his life. TO his
poor patients he sent food and medi-
cine without charge, and in return
they sang his praises on all sides.
Miss Lawrence, properly gloved,
and protected from the sun by a big
hat, was raking her flower beds one
morning when the doctor came up the
path. He looked very grave, and the
lady was quick to observe this. She
pulled off her gloves with some agita-
ton.
"Can I have a few words with your"
he asked.
Miss Lawrence led the way to the
drawing room with a mincing step and
beating heart. She guessed his mis-
sion. He broke it gently to her. II
expect ere this you have guessed the
state of nv feelings. I" he remarked in