Middletown transcript., 1903-10-17
A Charade and Its Ending
rcoxrrNuEp FROM LAST WEEK.
MARGOT MAUDE

To Adde'S scornful reioinder Mr.. Ches-
teron paid little attention. The fear Of
being married for his money had always
been very real to him. He thought how
many girls, well-born but poor, had been
hurled at his head by their worldly
minded mothers, and also how eagerly
thew would have vowed to love, honor
and obey him. By mere accident how
ever he had come across girl to whom
his wealth was matter of Indifference
whose chief wish was to rid herself Of
him.
For the present, will give you your
own way, he told her. I will say moth
ing, butt intend to call here until
have made your mother and sister look
upon me as friend.
We never receive visitors.
1 shall ask your mothers permission
to come sometimes, Aldwyth returned,
and unless you object she will not refuse.
She will expect me to tell you that,
with our small means, receiving company
is impossible.
I intend to have my own way in this
Chesteron asserted. Come, have given
in all along the line and am going to be
silent. Adelaide, will made bargain
with you. Ifyou will treat me as friend
and allow me to come here when wish
1 will hold my tongue until you give me
leave to speak.
You will never tell them?
Not until you give me leave.
You will not come very oftenf
will give no promise about that. One
thing more must ask-will you give up
trying to save that money? 1t is mad
ness, Addie! For their sakes you have
no right to ruin your health by working
without any recreation. won't bother
YOU at present about accepting greater
allowance, but don't strive to hoard up
that money. live never come any nearer
or if in few years you are in position
to earn sufficient to do without help from
me, then you may begin to repay it. But
I swear I will not take it now-and you
are killing yourself and making your
mother and sister wretched.
l don't think I could give it up-Addie
spoke low and nervously-It has been
my only comfort.
1t is a very selfish one! Had you seen
your mothers face when she said "Addle
looks so tired" you would think l was
right.
Poor mother-and Monica! | could
brighten their lives-yes, l will do as you
suggest. 1 believe that in a year or two
l shall get on.
Without working preposterously hard?
Yes. Then l will repay you.
Then you agree. In return tor silence
YOU will make these two promises?
Isuppose 1 must, Addie replied rather
ungraciously. I don't want them to
know, but 1 can't see why you want to
come here. I suppose it is a novelty to
you to see how the poor live, she added
bitterly. Well, crafty your own wishes
and come if you choose.
Thank you-f witt.
That is all you wish to say?
At present-yes.
Addie walked to the door and called
"MonicaI'
Yes! Do you want me, Addie?
We have finished our business-that is
all. think Mr.. Chesteron would like to
say goodbye to you before he goes.
will be with you directly.
am afraid I can't pretend to misun-
derstand that hint, laughed Aldwyth. l
will go as soon as have said goodbye to
your mother and sister.
After this interview Aldwyth visited
the little house in Alexander Row two or
three times week, never staying very
long, although Monica was fond of max
ing him tea, and afterwards-when she
knew him better-insisting, with friendly
peremptoriness, on setting him to toast
bread and help her in laying the table.
He soon became very friendly with her,
and Mrs. Delahay too welcomed his visits.
Addie frowned when Chesteron brought
little offerings of flowers and fruit for
Mrs. Delahay, and sweets-even gloves
for Monica.
I dislike to see you bring things! I
never agreed to that! she declared.
I never offer you anything, retorted
Chesteron, be content with that!
I am not. 1t is not right for my sister
to accept everything you choose to bring
her.
You are awfully hard on Monica! AID
wyth knew the way to make Addie doubt
her own judgment.
Hard on Monica!
Yes. You wilfully debar her from the
innocent pleasures enjoyed by other girls
of her age and without half her attrac-
tions.
She is perfectly happy as she is, Addie
returned angrily. Don't spoil her. I
must tell her not to take your presents.
Do; then I shall ask you, before your
mother and sister, to give me your reason
for disliking me and not treating me as a
friend.
Bah! The girl turned away. 1t is not
possible to argue with you. Your motive
is simply and solely to get your own way.
The weeks passed, but Aldwyth called
with unfailing regularity. He had not
stayed SO long in town for some years;
but summer was approaching, and in
August no one but those compelled to do
80 stays in.London. Then he. too. would
go, Addie assured herself.
July was very hot, and the sisters were
thankful when the holidays came. One
morning Aldwyth proposed an outing on
the river, and Monica's pleading face
showed the intense disappointment she
would feel if Addie refused. So they
went. What perfect day it was! How
much they enjoyed the thorough rest in
the fresh air-watching the sunlight on
h. he lono.pn, 1sn,hko ~o,,xI,