Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1899-08-12

"In month from now.
i Marjorie, come here. want yous,
And, with an appealing gesture, she
showed that she wished her to come
and kneel beside her chair.
Marjorie obeyed with tender smile.
Madeline took the fair young face
in both OF her hands, and looked at 1t
with long, loving. wistful glance.
Marjorie, / think you know love
your
So earnestly she spoke, with such q
sad, gentle pathos, that inyoluntarily
the teara started to Marjorie's eyes,
Yes Madeline, know that. How
could Il help knowing it?''
And you love me?' y = Is. SIS
81 do-indeed do. .
"Then, II ask you to do a very
strange thing--what you must needs
think strange-you will not misunder-.
stand me? You will not doubt my
love for you?"-
Dear Madeline, you know should
never do that"
And Marjorie pressed more closely
to her friend.
''Well, Marjorie. I want to suggest
something to you which I believe will
be for your good and mine. AS soon
as Mrs. Thornton returns to England
go to her"
Marjorie could not repress her sur
| prise.
"And leave your" she exclaimed,
looking up at Madeline with startled,
| wide-open eyes.
Eyes, and leave me- replied Made
line. steadily, though in tone of I'M
utterable mournfulness. Don't ask
me the reason, Marjorie-only believe
that am acting for the best"
what can be the reason?" thought
| Marjorie; and then a suspicion leapr
into her mind which made her cheeks
burn, and her eyes droop hurriedly be-.
meath her friends glance.
She remembered the unwelcome at.
tention of Edgar Hyde; the admira-
ton which shone boldly in his glance
whenever it fell on her.
Had Madeline got some knowledge
Of these things, even in the confine-
| ment of her bedchamber, and was this
why she wanted her to go away?
Her suspicion was confirmed when,
| only few minutes later, Madeline be-.
gan to speak of him. s4,ts..
II thing you must have guessed what
he is to me. Marjorie" she said, in a
low voice, and glancing down at a
magnificent diamond ring she wore; on
her finger.
81 have guessed you were engaged to
him-yes." Gz
Marjorie, you don't know--yeu
| can't dream how love that mani!
Madeline spoke with sudden energy.
Her pale cheeks glowed.
She interlaced her fingers in a list-
iess: fashion, which showed plainly
enough the agitation of her mind.
Marjorie knew not what to say. ~
She sat in silence, making no answer
beyond gentle caress with her hand.
''To some women love comes only
as curse-a bitter curse went on
Madeline, vehemently, while the red
spot glowed more brightly in her
| cheek. ut has come so to me-"
"oh, no, Madeline! Surely surely
not!"
ut has. It is my curse and punish
| ment that I love Edgar Hyde with
mad, blind love for which I am ready
| to sacrifice myself, body and soul"
Punishment, Madeline!" echoed
Marjorie. in surprise. Punishment
| for WHAT"
Madeline did not answer the ques-
ton. She played with her fingers more
restlessly than ever, and proceeded, in
a low tone, more as though she were
| speaking to herself than to Marjorie
Great heavens! how I love him!
When think of the depth and passion
of it, it frightens me-. am frightened
| at myself-at my own heart. Oh, the
misery-the misery of such love!''
Dear Madeline, surely he loves you,
too" Marjorie vehtured.
81 don't know" said Madeline,
abruptly. IT don't know what to
think about it. am afraid to think.
II would drive me mad $3.50.
did he give you that ring?" ques-
tioned Marjorie, softly, noticing that
she was plucking at 1t fierceiy, as
though it had been composed ofa'red
hot. metal, and was burning into he-
| flesh.
She ceased to pluck at 1t as Marjorie
i asked the question.
Yes she said duly. He gave il
to me-
/ After a moment she added, with a
sudden return to hor former vahem-
/ ence- -
Marjorie never. never love unless