Middletown transcript., 1903-10-24
A Charade and Its Ending
MARGOT MAUDE

Tor GEAR lie. Ab ldSU INV -
and Addie reached the worst
place-the break on the stairs
and waited their turn to cross.
Then followed a rush Through
the flames on the shaking sIalr.
Adde'S dress caught fire, but
Aldwyth instantly extingulshed
it. Shortly afterwards they got
away from the fire and the crowd
and emerged into the night.
A1dwyth held her to him tightly
as he asked-You are not hurt,
Addie?
No-only scorched. And you?
One of my hands is burnt
otherwise I am all right. Now
we must look for Monica; but
first tell me, Addie, that you
will keep your promise-you
remember?
do-and will do whatever you
ask, she answered resolutely.
If | do not love you now, the
remembrance of this night will
surely teach me. respect and
admire you-I trust you utterly.
Twill make you love. You are
| cold at heart, | think, Addie;
but when you love you are faith
| full to the end. will make you
love me best of all.
He released her from his arms,
and then she smiled.
Whatmiserable- looking objects
| we are! she remarked. Where
is poor MonicaG Let US find her
Aldwyth-she will be SO fright
encd.
| They wandered about, ana at
last Aldwyth succeeded in find
ing his friend, who, in answer
to his inquiries, said that he had
taken Monica-who had recov-
cred consciousness but seemed
to be rather badly hurt-to the
nearest hotel, whittier he would
show them the way.
i That night always seemed like
a nightmare to both the girls
but nightmare with q happy
ending. Monica had a rather
serious illness, but, as she was
provided with the best Of nurses
and doctors, recovered to won.
der, to question, and then to have
the whole situation explained tc
her.
You are married to Mr.. Ches'
teron! Have been married all
the time and never told US! Oh,
Addie!
But Monica very soon forgave
her sister and rejoiced in hel
! prospects Of happiness.
Aldwyth is such q dear, she
said weakly. I suppose I may
} call him Aldwyth now?
You may! was heard, in q
manly voice.
, I did not know you we're there
Did you get hurt that dreadful
night? I have never thanked
9 you for saving me.
No-I am all right-you suf
!; fered most. Will you have mt
, for a brother r-in-law, Monica?
, I can't help it, can I?-with al
, attempt at her old teasing. Ant
you have done me out of my
. bridesmaids dress! Are yor
sure you are properly married
: though?
We are going to church, early
one morning, to make sure.
. I have one piece Of advice fol
you, Monica, said Aldwyth cheer
} fully.
And that is?
t To get well as soon as possible
: before going abroad.
You are going abroad?
81 We are all going. Then, whel
you have recovered, we shal
b settle you with your mother il
!, some charming place where yo1
e can have good time while you
t sister and / 60 for our honey
d moon.
S Oh, Addie! 1t has always beel
:. the dream of my life to g
o abroad.
" | know, dear. Get well, Mon
lea, for your dark days are over
O Aldwyth is going to make th
It world a very different place t
I, you, to mother, and-to me.
= And what are you going t
do for me? Chesteron asked ha]
it teasingly.
! am going to try to deserv
t. all your goodness-all your love
sr Addie answered gently.
d She is charmingly meek, ism
Y. she, Monica? asked Aldwytl
Rather different from the ol
days! How she used to frow
r. at me!
lv You are tn forgot oil +h.+ A.,