Morris tribune., 1899-08-12
CHAPTER v.
The Bit OF Blue Enamel.

CHAPTER v.
The Bit Of Blue Enamel.
The next morning Madeline found
herself so unwell that 1t was clear she
would not be able to 60 down stairs for
breakfast, II, indeed, she we're not con-
fined to her room for several days.
Marjorie constituted herself her per-
sonal attendant, nursing her with So
licitude, and feeling her heart drawn
towards her in great tenderness now
that she lay weak and i'll. HI
There was no GOODNESS in Madeline's
manner now.
She chung to Marjorie as though she
loved her, and wantedto win her love.
And very soon Marjorie did love her,
for. as Madeline unfolded her nature
to her day by day, she found il ii q
wealth OF generous qualities such as
could not fail to touch her heart. Il
Mr.. Hyde was deeply concerned
about his daughter, and visited her
sick room at least half Q dozen times
q day.
Edgar Hyde, though he made con-
slant inquiries, did not strike Mar
jorie as heing overwhelmed witt, grief.
The doctor said that Madeline was
in highly feverish state, and II was
concluded she had taken cold while
skating. 81
It seemed unlikely now that there
would be any torch-light skating par
~, as had been suggested, on St. VAL
entine's cay. s s'
Madeline was confined to her room
for week, and although Marjorie de-
voted herself to her, yet there were
times-a great many of them-when
she was thrown into the company Of
the gentlemen downstairs. .4 Fl.
Mr.. Hyde was extremely fond OF
music and Marjorie's singing SO de-
lighted him that he begged her to come
downstairs for an hour or two every
evening, while maid sat with Made
line.
. That both of the young men admired
her, Marjorie could mot help being
aware of.
{ Edgar would hang over her as she sat
at the piano, singing the sweet sacred
melodies his uncle loved; and it was
evident he regarded with Jealous anger
any attempt of his brothers to Dust
him from his place.
J This troubled Marjorie.
In the first place, she did not partic-
ularly care for Edgar; and on that ac-
count alone his attentions would have
been distas;eful; in the. second place,
she believed him to be, if not absolute
" the afianced husband of Madeline,
the man on whom her hearts best love
was set, and whose love she had some
right to expect in return.
Charles, on the other hand, she liked
exceedingly; nay, there was some dam
ger of ner liking ripening into love.
His frank, peasant face was fast be-
coming the. most attractive thing her
eyes could look upon.
His voice and his smile had power TO
make her heart beat fast.
One day she went for a run in the
woods at the back of the house.
Madeline had declared she was grow
ing pale with her unremitting attend
ance. on her, and had urged her to go
out for half an hour to breathe the
clear, cold air.
There are snowdrops in the wood,
Marjorie, she said. Get some for me,
please. think they are my favorite
fowera.'
So to the wood Marjorie went, and
was looking for the graceful snow
flowers at The roots of the ssheltering
trees, when Charles Hyde came along
one Of the paths
His frank, healthful face was glow
ing with exercise, and bright with good
humor. He walked with brisk, firm
tread, whistiing a lively tune.
He stopped short at sight Of Mar
jorie, his bright face growing brighter
than ever.
why, Marjorie" he exclaimed. joy
ously, you here? What pleasant
surprised"
The girl Flushed rosily, and stopped
to gather snowdrop that grew at ner
feet
How Il had come about that he oc-
casional1y called her Marjorie she her
self scarcely knew.
Perhaps because his uncle. in pleas
ant, fatherly fashion, had fallen into
this mode Of address: perhaps it was
simply because he was an audacious
young man, and liked to do it.
However this may be Marjorie by
no means objected to hear 1t, and
thought her name never sounded SO
sweet as when it fell from his lips.
Shall we sit down q moment? Will
It give you cold?" he said, pausing
against the trunk Of fallen tree.
"Oh, mol
"Have you heard about the attempt-
ed burglary at Mortimer House," he
asked, a little abruptly, after they had
sat for a moment or two. e.
mo; when was it,"
well, it happened last night For
tunately some of the servants heard
a noise, and gave the alarm in time.
Nothing was taken; but. on the other
hands. the burglars made their escape
in safety. It lie suspected they belong
to wonderfully clever gang, who
have baff1ed the police for years. They