The Opelousas courier., 1904-01-09

after now; and, indeed, l have moi
been gone four years. I have passed
this door almost every cay for the pas
two years."
what doing?"
working, Mr.. E1ason-earning ny
own living and that of Uncle Rays
lame daughter. Uncle died that same
winter that I met you, and Margaret
his only child, was left alone in the
world. Her property was all invested
in the bank that failed near you here,
two years ago, and since then she has
let me care for her"
"And you are doing what?"
Editing a juvenile magazine, and
making a living"
Sidney Mason was always persistent
where his heart was enlisted. He
walked quite to the door of his Office
with her, then back in a kind of &c.
stati@ dreams She was found again
at Rst-his ideal woman, whom he
ha6 treasured in his heart as a beauti.
full memory. Now she was alone in
the world, poor, and, best Of all, heart
whole. But did he know that she VAST
No, but he was sure, and that very
evening he would know.
81 met Philip Starr after I saw you
to-day, Miss Madaline, and I told him
1 had seen you," said Sidney Mason,
when he called that evening.
Madaline laughed to think how near
she had been during these years to
Nj. Starr, and yet had almost forgot
ten his very existence.
what had he to say Of her financial
condition, Mr.. Mason?"
do not be cruel to him now; he has
been terribly punished. He married
poor little Ella ~Rushton-you remem
Der her, I am sura-and before they
returned from their bridal tour her
father was bankrupt. Starr had
worked so hard to marry an heiress
that the disappointment utterly craZed
him for a while, but now he is in bust
ness and working like a man His
wife is a hopeless invalid, and, I fear,
an unhappy woman"
II owe Mr.. Starr the first hint that
I had of my own poverty" she said,
land perhaps I ought to forgive him
the pain he caused uncle that night,
for I, not knowing the true state OF
affairs. was only piqued that he con-
sidered my fortune a trife, and myself
Of no worth in consequences; whereas,
in truth, he was right, and uncle was
trying to keep the fact from me. When
I went home that night 1 made him
tell me all, and then I went immedi.
ately to Havana, where my parents
had invested largely, and where I
thought l owned q great deal of prop
erty. In the end, with confscations,
law suits, and lost time, together with
the terrible depreciation of all kinds
of property, I found myself indeed a
beggar. Uncle died while I was away,
and now Maggie and I are all alone
in the world"
"And may I tell you that I, too, am
alone in the world, and d%readfully> in
need of affection and companionship.
Miss Ray, MadaliGe, will you be ny
wife,"
ut is a solemn question" she said,
softly. II cannot answer it for a long
time yet, Mr. Mason. Your sympathy
is aroused, and your kind heart
prompts you to try to brighten my |
way. Is it not so?"
II have loved you four years, child.
Must | have no word of encourage
ment ever?"
He was agitated and suffering, and
she tried to spare him pain and wait
until he was more composed before
trusting to further conversation on
the subject.
what did Mr.. Hartly say when you
sent his bill receipted?" she asked,
e%vasively.
THAT it was very unbusinesslike
and strange, and he requested an ex-
PLANTATION and the name of the person
who had Cancelled his debt"
what did you say to this?"
Nothing then. I waited, hoping I
could tell him.
He stopped short and looked down
into her face, waiting for a sign or a
glance that he could interpret. But
the bright eyes avoided his, and the
smile about his mouth faded into a
sad look as she made him no reply.
What shall I tell him, Madaline?"
II do not know" she said, confused
~, hearing him call her so. ,
II do" was his firm reply, bending
down to meet her gaze. 'If you will
let me, I will tell him next month
that Madaline Mason can give him the
information"
"Will the receipt hold good as it is,
she asked, roguishly, looking
up at him.
Indeed, indeed, it will, and be more
satisfactory to me-"
He took the proffered hand, but
laughingly claimed more, and folding
her to his heart, kissed her blushiDg
with loving tenderness.-New
York Weekly.