Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1899-08-12
CHAPTER v.
The Bit of Blue Enamel.

would not be able to go down stairs TO
breakfast, if, indeed, she were 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 draw
towards her in great tenderness nov
that she lay weak and i'll.
There was no coldness in Madeline:
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 In it q
wealth of generous qualities such as
could not fail to touch her heart
Mr.. Hyde was deeply concerned
about his daughter, and visited her
sick room at least half dozen times
a day.
Edgar Hyde, though he made con-
slant inquiries, did not strike Mar
jOrie as being overwhelme ed with grief.
The doctor said that Madeline was
in a highly feverish state, and it was
concluded she had taken cold while
skating .&f
1t seemed unlikely now that there
would be any torch-light skating par
ty, as had been suggested, on st. Val
entine's Cay.
Madeline was confined to her room
for e 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.
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 a 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.
This troubled Marjorie.
In the first place, she did not partic-
ularly care for Edgar; and on that &C.
count alone his attentions would have
been distas;eful; in the second place,
she believed him to be, if not absolute
ly the affianced 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,
she said. Get some for me,
please. think they are my favorite
flowers"
So to the wood Marjorie went, and
was looking for the graceful snow
flowers at The roots of the shelterlng
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, .fir-u
tread, whistiing lively tune.
He stopped short at sight of Mar
jorie, his bright face growing brighter
than ever
''EWhy, Marjorie" he exclaimed, Joy
ously, you here? What pleasant
The girl blushed rosily, and stopped
% gather snowdrop that grew at her
feet.
How it had come about that he oc-
called her Marjorie Sne nef-
self scarcely knew.
Perhaps because his uncle, in pleas
ant, fatherly fashion, had fallen into
his 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
10 means objected to hear it, and
.hought her name never sounded so
sweet as when it fell from his lips.
shall we sit down a moment? Will
t give you cold?" he said, pausing
against the trunk of a fallen tree.
"Oh, mol" ,t s >
Have you heard about the attempt
ID burglary at Mortimer House?" he
asked, little abruptly, after they had
lat for a moment or two.
mo; when was it?'
well, it happened last night For
unately some of the servants heard |
noise, and gave the alarm in time.
! T. 49, h