The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-05

81 in her list of favorite poems. A
dreamy-eyed and lonely little
soul, brought up by a busy
father and two great-aunts, no wonder
she turned to the library for company.
And what a list Of friends she had
heret She had thrilled with interest
over Aurora Leigh, wept over poor
Isabella and her pot OF Basil, loved
the Nut Browne Maybe for her con
stancy, pitied Ginevra for her sad fate,
sympathized with the lonely Elaine and
the Lady OF Shalott and Travelled after
with Lalla Rookh; but her namesake
Madeleine in the romanu Keats lyric
remained her favOrite-
She used to picture to herself the
midnight table set with candied fruits,
mama and dates. and lucent syrops
tinct with cinnamon and imagine a
Porphyro dashing across the frosty
moors to carry her away.
One room in the house she had fixed
MP as her special retreat. In the attic
of the old mansion she found two
quaint cid chairs with high-carved
backs, an antique cabinet a mirror,
brass candle sticks and an old guitar.
All these she put IN her little room, to-
gether with her beloved books and an
engraving on the wall of Keats Made
leine- When she induced her father to
replace the windows with stained glass
so that rose bloom and amethyst light
would shine in just as in the poem, her
JOY was complete. Then she would
lounge on the soft couch and read and
4A Er4tAt LDL 440N4i5 anu long IOE an anne
thyst chain and cross like the other
Madeleine wore in one of the illustra-
tons OF the handsome edition her faith
er gave her on her sixteenth birth
day.
After while she realized that there
was an element missing. Her dream
life was beautiful, but not complete.
P0rphyrO had not come for her. She
used to look at all the young men she
knew in Cedar Hill and wonder if
any one OF them ever would take her
away. but none of them interested her
until Jack Leland came home from
college. The first time she ever saw
him, he stopped a runaway horse, and
though he made light Of it he mined
lately became a hero to her, and her
little face, SurmOunted with pale gold
hair and a round purple velvet hat
was sweet memory to him for many
day when he poured over figures in
the bank where he was working to
please his father and learn the bust
ness.
Double entry and balance sheets had
little interest for Jack. He yearned
for a life of activity, but his father
was determined to have him grow up
in the bank. The Lelands were the
richest family in Cedar Hill and one
of the newest while Medicines ances-
tors had always lived in the place and
could boast Of more blood than money.
What do you go to see that Clark
girl fOr2" inquired Jacks elder sister
one day in what he termed her as
Because she is the only girl in
town worth going to see" replied the
young man with spirit.
"She hasn't a cent to her name"
broke i'm the younger Miss Leland.
wei, Gertie. don't go to see her
money. There's enough OF that at the
bank every day"
There won't be much of it for you
if papa hears about your going there
SO often.
The young man smiled grimIy
He viii probably hear about it fast
enough II you don't lose your voice,
and he can do as he likes with his
money. III get along. I can get a
sob as football coach any day and he
AS Jack had been the star football
player of his college, the girls knew
this and changed the subject.
"Wiu you come home early this af-
teruoon, Jack? You know we are
giving a tea, and need a few more
black coats"
Thanks. I like to act as filler in.
DID you invite Miss CLARKE"
Certainly not
Il thought so. Wen, I happen to
have an engagement to play tennis
with her. III have the coat taken
down to the parlor, though, as that's
all you want"
Later that afternoon, while the
Misses Leland's tea was in progress, an
athletic young man and a slim, golden
haired girl were running up scores of
court back of Medicines house. When
three sets had been played, they
stopped and went up to Medicines
little den to rest. This was always the
happiest time to them both. Here in
the twilight she would sing to him and
play the old guitar. or read bits of
her beloved Keats.
Funny I never cared for poetry be-
fore. Never read a line in my life [
wasn't made to; but this is all right
Then she was emboIdened to start
on The Eve of st. Agnes" She hest
fated once or twice, but ne said eco
on" with such interest that she finished
st. AS her voice trailed away into ST
lence at the end, he sat up straight
BY JOve, POrphyrO was all right
and if his Madeleine was half as sweet
Here ne broke off suddenly.
Say, Madeleine how would you like
TO have somebody come and carry you
of like that2"
ut would be perfectly lovelyl" she
exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Then III do it."
you viii do it?"
'Of counsel Who else? You know,
Madeleine, I've loved you from the
first minute I ever saw YOU He took
the book out Of her hands and held
them close in his own. You love me
too, sweetheart, don't yOu?"
Her gaze fell before his for an in
slant. then she raised her blue eyes to
his and whispered, Yes
he held ner close Tor a minute, kiss
ing the sweet mouth, the golden hair,
the rosy cheeks, and even the tip of
her little nose.
Then he held her off at arms length
and looked at her.
NOW, that's ali settled. When can
4 Gomez"
"Come 90
Eyes, come and carry my little love
away'-do the Porphyro act?'
ooh, not for long time yet; be-
Sides you know, Jack, your family
won't like it at ALL anyway"
Jack smiled grimly. Il have vet to
do anything that my family likes he
said; they'll have to stand this as they
have everything else. Never mind