The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-01-31

bOiy young WlIe sat, Wlln ucT DIOWH-
haired baby in her arms.
A long hour she had sat there. with
the child on her knee, grooming old
songs. which she had loved TO sing
when a gay-henrted girl, in her faith
er's house. but which she had almost
forgotten in the work-day life which
had been hers for the last two years.
She had been very happy. though, IL
her wild Western home. 1t had grown
to be for her the centre for all happy
visions, all pleasant dreams, all peace
full days.
BY her CHEEKY firesde in the long
winter evenings and by the sweet
climbing roses out on her little porch
on the bright summer nights. she
had learned contentment: and she
often asked herself, In the quiet
autumn days which were spreading
golden glory over the earth, what
there had been In those old days half
as satisfying as the simple joys Of
their home-llfe
And then sne would go in, and lay
the baby down in his cradle-bed, and
70 about on light. quick feet TO pre-
pare their evening meal.
But on this brightest of bright days,
when she had been thinking with Il
half-longiDg of the forms and faces
at home. there had dashed down the
road Il gay cavalcadc-fair ladies and
brave gentlemen, in holiday attire
and foremost among them was Madge
Wilder, careless, happy rider, intent
on the double duty of managing her
fiery pony and OF seeing every beauti-
full thing OH either side Of the road.
She was the first one to catch n
glimpse of the cottage standing back
among the trees, and of the sweet
picture framed in by the scarlet bloom
of the autumn leaves.
"Oh, Claraw she said, wheeling her
pony so as TO bring her to the side of
Miss Rodelle's horse, "do you see that
exquisite picture in there? It's poem
without words, and isn't 1t beautifully"
Don't you know the face, Madge"
Surely 1t can be no one we know,
living here in this wllderness?"
1T is Aimee Dane"
With cry of surprise, Madge Wild.
er turned her pony's head, and beck
0ning TO Ray Harcourt. the gentleman
nearest her. she rode directly toward
the cottage.
Aimee had come out on the steps and
watched them as they dismounted but
only their side faces were toward her.
and the low branches of the trees
swept down between them, and so she
really had no idea of meeting old
friends, until Madge's clear voice rang
across the intervening space:
Aimee Dane. is it truly you?"
And then, like n fire that springs
suddenly into blaze, up leaped the old
love and friendship into vivid being
again.
'Oh, Madgew she cried.
And the two friends had met. and
their arms were round each other, and
for one moment even baby was for
gotten.
But Madge introduced Mr. Harcourt,
and that reminded Aimee that she too.
had young gentleman to introduce:
ana the brown-haired boy, so like his
father, with his big blue eyes and
smiling mouth. was brought out and
held up with a mothers proud delight.
Before they Were half through ad-
mirlng him, Victor Doty came in. and
when he found that her friends had
gone on, and d-that Madge was intend.
ing to spend two or three months with
relative only five miles distant, he
said Mt once, with a genial smile:
why not stay with us n little
while, Miss Wilder? Our cottage is
small one, but we always have room
Tor friend; and / am sure your pres
ence would cheer Aimee"
Aimee looked her entreaty, and Vic
tor promised to send for Madge's
trunk the next morning.
Il cannot resist so warm an invita-
ton so IL you will give me a nook at
your treslde for five OF six days,
VIII stay" said Madge.
Mr.. Harcourt agreed to take n note
Tor her, that her trunk might be ready
III the morning, and galloped away
with little look Of regret at leaving
her behind.
You won't need much here, Madge,
IN the way OF dress" said Aimee,
laughing. "Wc never see company,
and the dress you have on will do for
all occasions. ~
Madge smiled, but evidently thought
Inherently, for when her trunk came
'here was an array of dainty dresses
spread out for inspection that made
Aimee's brown eyes envious.
That night Madge put ON a soft-tint-
ed silk, the hue Of wood-vlolets, and
with a delicate scarf dropping from
ner shoulders, and white lily (Which
Aimee had broken for her from little
vase In the window. falling from her
SHINING hair. she looked like a queen
beside Aimee. In plain chintz dress
ana hair banded plainly back.
Aimee felt the difference, and was
sure Victor noticed 1t, too: and when
Madge, with an exquisite voice, began
10 sing, she did not wonder that he
was entranced.
Don't you sing, Aimee?'' Madge
al