Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-03-13
CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XIX.
Madge, who meant to atone for her mis-
conduct by behaving very prettily to him,
was much disconnected at not being given
the opportunity. She felt rather crest
fallen, but worked herself into a fit Of
anger before she finally went to sleep,
and resolved to punish him for being
veXed, although she had done her utmost
to provoke him.
A picnic had been arranged for the fol-
lowing day; it was to be held in the same
spot as the II recorded much earlier
In this story-the picnic which, as far as
June was concerned, had been such a
dismal failure. Two girls from the neigh
borhOod and two soldiers were to swell
the Hall party. Tom could not possibly
leave his harvesting operations, and Ag-
mes had declined to join them-a circum-
stance for which jun would have been
devoutly thankful but for the uncom-
Portable suspicion that her cousin would
find her way up to the Hall in quest of
Iom senior under pretense of a visit to
his son. However, she did not allow the
thought to trouble her seriously.
1t was as lovely a day as that former
one, and the party was very CHEEKY, to
all appearance. Before starting Lady
Nevil had taken Madge aside and said to
her:
MY dear child, do not carry this any
further. | am sure it is not wise. Leave
Dallas alone and keep with Mr.. Carslake.
He is not a man to be trifed with, l feel
convinced"
But Madge tossed her head willwully,
saying:
II mean to punish him. What business
had he to go off last night without wish
ing me goodnight"
You would be very sorry If you lost
him."
Il don't mean to lose him." answered
Madge. "Now, Juny Darling, you let me
manage my lover my own way; you know
| am rather successful in these little af-
fairs" with an arch glance.
"One may sometimes be a trihe too
clever" answered June. 81 dare say your
system might answer with some men, but
l doubt its success in the present case"
"We shall see," smiled Madge. "Be-
sides, darling, l am not going to let any
one think that Dallas is making I'D to
you"
"You are very kind" returned June.
"But fancy l can take care of myself"
81 don't know" returned Madge. La
di-da is very seductive. l can't help rath-
err feeling the influence of his destinations
myself"
Here their conversation was interrupt
ed and five minutes later they were en-
route.
Madge, having arranged her plan Of
battle, proceeded to carry it out. Nothing
would please her but that Dallas should
be her squire, and she would not allow
him to leave her side or to speak to any
one else.
Though 1t was against Mr.. Broke's
principles eve to repel the advances of a
pretty woman, he yet, being actuated by
gentlemanlike feelings, thought it not the
proper thing to interfere with a friend in
a genuine love affair, and, though he did
not at all object to the fact of being made
a cat's-paw Of by n lady who was willing
to divert and be agreeable to him. he
thought 1t very hard lines on Carslake TO
be punished for an apparently imaginary
~offense.
Madge, while she nirted ostentatiously
Will Lne puuTuSI1uH, gave an occasional
sidelong glance Mt the real object of her
affections, and was exhilarated by observ-
ing that she was making him unhappy.
Luncheon over, Madge insisted on n
stroll in the woods, which only meant that
she took Dallas a little away from the
rest Of the party and sat with him under
a big tree while he smoked cigarettes. in
which, for the sake of bravado and with
n wicked hope that Mr.. Oarslake might
see her, she Joined him. She was not al
together very happy, so she talked volubly
and feigned higher spirits than usual.
Here you arel' cried Lady Neyirs
voice gayly, as she appeared close at hand
with Mr.. Carslake. Come with us for
n stroll"
Her ladyship tried TO maneuver 20 leave
Madge and her lover &c getber, and Dali
las was fam to second her, but Nudge
was willful and linked her arm IN June's,
and Mr.. Carslake made no effoSt to over
'' Rsto oS' ' sSs pieaie party 1!.r,ss for