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

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4 "a doctor?" returned Madge. "That
is something new in Barham."
! Miss Lawrence was tanning herself
I with palm leaf, and her face grew
very bright as she went on: He is q
/ widower with two young children.
Poor little things! Just imagine how
| they must need O mothers care"
IA widower," echoed Madge, but
| with little interest. Her heart did
not gush like her aunt's at the thought
| Of the motherless children.
/ "Yes, Madge,'' spoke Miss Law
| renee, in preoccupied voice. Then
she rose and crossed the room to IN
opposite mirror, where she examined
[ herself and her attire critically. With
o 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 I
heard Of them"
Madge looked round from the chair
| she was busting at her aunt's face, and
saw there oil expression which was
| novel to it.
/ "It 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
DO contemplating attitude. Madge
watched her, rather puzzled. Presently
she remarked:
owe are the nearest neighbors to
the Lines, Madge, and I shall have to
! see what assistance I can give in get
ting the poor man settled, as he hos
mo wife. He moves in next week,
Madge,' she continued, after pause,
show does this new toque suit me?"
Cali right" returned the young
Elady, with some surprise in her tone.
/ There was silence for q moment.
Then Miss Lawrence remarked
Ilemphatically: "a doctor will never
Ilget on in Barham without wife. He
Twill have to marry, for his own sake
3Iand the children's, too"
4 To this Madge made no answer.
aShe had finished her work in tho
tdrawing room and she left her aunt
Ito her own meditations.
Il Miss Lawrence and her niece &C.
icupied the prettiest cottage in Barham.
HIT stood just outside the village, in q
agarden of brilliant flower beds, smooth
lawns and golden gravel paths. 1t
Twas fairly roomy inside and kept with
1.-THE care and precision Of maiden
lady who has few claims on her time.
dOnly two in family, and, unfortu-
8nately, very unsuitable companions for
lone another. Miss Lawrence was
rich, Madge was poor orphan. Miss
Lawrence was popular on account of
Iher money, and because Madge had
nothing but what her aunt gave her
1some folks, when they met her, re-
Imembered she was dependent.
j So far Miss Lawrence scored, but
here her advantages ended. For
lMadge was young and Miss Lawrence
was getting on in years. Madge was
brave and hopeful, and her aunt was
ldiscontented 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
lof youth drove away monotony and
melancholy. But Miss Lawrenco's
youthful dreams were over.
Still, if Madge had not been brave
lshe would have had bad time OF it,
lfor her aunt entertained the idea that
ashe was too advanced in her views,
Iand required to be we'll kept down
with plenty Of work and daily lee
|ture on her position and manners, to
(which Madge listened politely, and
then promptly forgot. Her advanced
views were nothing very dreadful.
Only a yearning for a bicycle, and to
visit whom she chose. For Miss Law
renee moved in the "first set" in Bar
ham, ignoring all other aspirants to
her friendship.
4 Time passed on, and DR.. Cyril
Stockton had been settled in Barham
FOR fortnight, but Madge had never
seen him. Miss Lawrence, however,
who had been most pertinacious in
sending polite messages to the Lines,
Ind in calling herself to volunteer as
eistance, was full of the doctor. Madge
gave little heed. A widower and two
children afforded small fascination for
her. Added to which the house
cleaning was going on, and she had
70 great deal to do. Not till it was all
finished, and the cottage fairly shone
all over, did she get out for her usual
morning walk. Her aunt allowed her
one hour for recreation, and this she
generally devoted to o country stroll.
10 her life was beautiful when she
shared it with nature
1 To watch the changing seasons,
each bringing their gifts of wild
flowers or ferns that she loved to