Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-24

vember when the train stopped at the
little village Of QrtonvilIs TO let Of
- H.f& s.AkS-n - "A.
one solitary passenger. The old sta
ton agent peered out at the little,
dark figure as It glided into the high.
way. Madge Keith drew her mack
intosh closer as the wind blew a whirl
of rain against her. Poor Madge! She
was as desolate and forsaken as the
few birds nests swinging on the leaf
less boughs. She had been an orphan
for two long weeks, and life seemed
very empty to her. She had not
known mothers care since she was
3 years old, and her father dying left
her all alone in the world. He had
died suddenly, leaving nothing at all
for his only child, for It was found he
had failed entirely in business.
II will not be quite alOne,' she had
thought, when the news of her faith
er's death had been broken to her. II
will have Harold Deming,' but the
funeral services had passed and
Madge had been In the house two
dreary weeks, and yet Harold Dem
ing, her most devoted sutton, had not
called or even sent a message.
Madge could not understand It, and
after trying fortnight she had
packed her clothes and come to stay
with her one aunt In the country. As
she walked on she could not check
the lonely feelings that would come
over her.
Poor lassie, we did not expect you
until tomorrow, or we would have
met you" Aunt Ellen said as she
kissed the little orphan.
MY, how are grow! You must be
quite a young lady," said her uncle.
"Oh, I'm 81" Madge answered. Life
was dreary at Aunt Eilen's farm, al.
though the young folks were in near
ly every evening. The winter passed,
and Madge grew white and thin.
parties and sewing bees
were very common, but Madge did not
seem to care for any Of them. She
would sit by the big log fire in the
old-fashlOned kitchen and think and
think.
Something must be done for her,
she takes the death of her father too
hard" Aunt Ellen said one night to
her husband. Madge could not quiet |
the longings that came over her. She
tried to forget that Harold had for
saken her. She tried to forget all
about him, but she could not, and all |
this while she had no one to tell all |
her troubles to.
She had not known before how
much she had cared for him, but she
was certain now that it was a great |
deal. Spring came with all its buds
and fresh life. Now the roses will
bloom In her cheeks" Aunt Ellen
thought. Madge did get very little
color in her cheeks, and she looked 50
fair that her Uncle Ellis said she was
rs pretty as "pictur."
Madge had thought all winter that
she would soon get some message
from Harold, and now spring had
come, she took fresh hope. The days
began to lengthen and the June days
came, and still no message or word
from Harold. She could not believe
hat he had loved her for her money,
but what else was there left for her
o think?
The June roses were blooming all
)ver the farm when one day Madge,
lressed modestly in a soft white
lress, went with a book to the large
discovered arbor to read. Her gold
N hair was tucked up into a loose
mot at the back of her head and was
astened with pretty white rose,
while she wore another rose at her
hroat. She was certainly pretty
picture that sunny June afternoon.
Iladge knew she would not read the
,Ook which she carried, but Aunt e.
en- must think So anyway.
Her eyes were resting vacantly on
he first page of the book and she did
lot notice tall, handsome man stand
ng down at the garden gate.
Evidently he saw her, for he opened
he gate and crossed the old-fashioned
,arden to the arbor. As the dark form
oomed up in the little entrance Madge
glanced up. 1t was Harold Deming.
Iadges heart stood still. Now that
lie was here she did not know wheth-
n to b. angry or pleased, but when
lie sat down beside her she chose the
'ormer. What do you mean, sir"
aid, vainly trying to be composed.
"Only that I'm glad, oh, so glad,
hat I've found my little sunbeam" he
answered, as he drew her down be-
ide him again 81 have long, long
tory to tell he said, and Madgs
bought hers would be longer, but she
aid nothing, and he told her how he
lad been thrown from his horse the
Tery day her father had died. His