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

Marjorie, come here. / want you.'
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 il
with long, loving. wistful glance.
Marjorie, l think you know l love
your"
So earnestly she spoke, with such a
sad, gentle pathos, that involuntarily
the tears started to Marjorie's eyes,
Eyes. Madeline, l know that. How
could help knowing it?'
"And you love me?" 49," =,
81 do-indeed do"
"Then, If ask you to do a very
| strange thing-what you must needs
think strange-you will not misnnden-
stand me? You will not doubt my
love for your
Dear Madeline, you know should
never do that"
And Marjorie pressed more closely
to her friend.
| wen, L WduL W suggest
something to you which l believe will
| be for your good and mine AS soon
as Mrs Thornton returns to England
| go to herr
Marjorie could not repress her sur
prise.
"And leave you?" she exclaimed,
looking up at Madeline with startled,
Wide-open eyes.
Eyes, and leave me-" replied Made
line. steadily, though in a tone of I'M
utterable mournfulness. Don't ask
me the reason. Mariorie-only believe
that l 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 confne-
ment of her bedchamber, and was this
why she wanted her to go away?
Her suspicion was confirmed when,
only a few minutes later, Madeline be-
gan to speak of him.
Il thing you must have guessed what
he is to me, Marjorie" she said, in
low voice, and glancing down at
magnificent diamond ring she wore, on
her finger.
Il have guessed you were engaged to
him-yes." .",G
Marjorie, you don't know-you
can't dream how I love that mani!
Madeline spoke with sudden energy.
Her pale cheeks glowed.
She interlaced her fingers in 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
T beyond gentle caress with her hand.
ITO some women love comes only
as a curse-a bitter curse" went on
Madeline vehemently, while the red
spot glowed more brightly in her
cheek. 1T has come so to me-"
ooh, no, Madeline! Surely-surely
not!"
''It has. It is my curse and punish
ment that I love Edgar Hyde with a
mad, blind love for which l 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
low tone, more as though she were
speaking to herself than to Marjorie
Great heavens! how l love him!
When think of the depth and passion
of it, it frightens me- 1 am frightened
at myself-at my own heart. Oh, the
misery-the misery of such a love!"
Dear Madeline, surely he loves you,
too" Marjorie vehtured
II don't know" said Madeline,
abruptly. 81 don't know what to
think about it. l am afraid to think
It would drive me mad .
did he give you that ring?" ques-
tioned Marjorie, softly, noticing that
she was plucking at it fierceiy, as
though it had been composed of"red
hot metal, and was burning into he7
flesh
She ceased to pluck at it as Marjorie
asked the question.
"Yes," she said duly. He gave II
to me-"
After a moment she added, with a
sudden return to her former vahem-
ence-
Marjorie. never. never love unless