The suburban citizen., 1901-02-02
AiWEE S Temptation
BY clio Stanley.
J &c Ra ) 30 5 929T9 8 8 9i9 3 gg9I9S YlYg9ll

ran riverward. past the vine
wreathed door where Victor
Doty's young wife sat, with her brown
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 gay-hearted girl, in her faith
ers 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 ir
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 fresIde 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
a golden glory over the earth, what
there had been in those old days half
as satisfying as the simple joys Of
their home-life.
And then sne would go in, and lay
the baby down in his cradle-bed, and
go about on light, quick feet to pre-
pare their evening meal.
But on this brightest of bright days,
when she had been thinking with a
half-longing Of the forms and faces
at home, there had dashed down the
road a gay cavalcade-fair ladies and
brave gentlemen, in holiday attire
and foremost among them was Madge
Wilder a careless, happy rider, intent
on the double duty Of managing her
fiery pony and Of seeing every beauti-
rul thing on either side OF the road.
She was the first one to catch Il
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 Rodelles horse. do you see tha.
exquisite picture in there? It's \ poem
without words, and isn't it beautiful
Don't you know the face MadgeF'
"Surely it can be no one we know,
living here in this wilderness"
at is Aimee Dane"
With 4 cry Of surprise, Madge Wild
er turned her pony's head, and beck
onlng 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 sh1
really had no idea Of meeting old
friends, until Madge's clear voice rang
across the intervening space:
"Aimee Dane, is it truly your
And then, like a fire that springs
suddenly into blaze, up leaped the old
love and friendship into vivid being
again.
"Oh Madge~ 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 a young gentleman to introduce
and the brown-hairod boy, so like hi
father, with his big blue eyes ant
smiling mouth, was brought out anl
held up with a mothers proud delight
Before they were half through ad
miring him, Victor Doty came I'm, an,
when he found that her friends hoC
gone on, ana that Madge was intend
ing to spend two or three months wltl
q relative only five miles distant b,
said at once, with a genial smile:
"Why not stay with US a llttl'
while Miss Wilder? Our cottage i
a small one but we always have roou
for a friend; and am sure your pres
ence would cheer Aimee"
Aimee looked her entreaty, and Vic
tor promised to send for Madge''
trunk the next morning.
,"I cannot resist so warm an invita-
ton; so il you will give me a nook a
your tireside for five or six days,
will stay said Madge.
Mr.. Harcourt agreed to take a not
. for her, that her trunk might be read
e in the morning, and galloped ava
with a little look Of regret at leaviu
her behind.
you won't need much here, Madgt
in the way Of dress" said Aimee
laughing. eve never see company
and the dress you have on viii do 10
all occasions
Madge smiled but evidently though
differently, for when her trunk camr
there was an array of dainty dresse
spread out for inspection that mad
Almee's brown eyes envious.
THAT night Madge put on a soft-tint
ed silk, the hue Of wood-yiOlets, an