Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-04-24

"Nas that the reason YOU did not
come to see us last night?" asked
Mad a trife bitterly.
last night? No; II had
headache
~Doubtless your new duties as
fance prevented YOU also. How is
the attractive Miss Kitty"
DCon,oand Miss Kitty! Do you
.ajieye that cock and ball story, too,
Mad? l thought YOU had more
sense than to credi, every story that
the cossips in this Internal place set
Going" srowled Bernard.
4 sudden smile crossed Aladeline's
Diquant face, bat she repressed it
instantly.
"Whv. l thought she was such
an intelligent lady-so well balanced
and methodical-quite the vision of
your Dreams" she added, a spice of
malice in her tone.
"She is a thousand miles from be-
ing the lady of my dreams" de-
clared the lieutenant warmly, look
ing earnestly at his pretty compan-
ion. "She? Never! She has none
of the charm, the freshness, the wit,
that would attract me. | want at
least a show of tenderness in the
woman to whose mercies | intrust
my heart-some one who will love
me, if only little. Besides, Mad, :"
he added, suddenly restraining his
impetuous outbreak, ''you might
have trusted me enough to know
that | would have told you before
any one else if it was anything seri-
Gus. Do you trust me at all, Mad p
he asked after a pause.
The young girl looked at him in
surprise.
Because if you do" Bernard con-
tinued without waiting for an an
swer, Il want to ask you question.
May II"
Madeline nodded her head in con-
sent.
"Tell me, then, is it true that you
have encouraged young Erskine"
The colonies daughter moved i'm
patiently, but Bernard braved he1
displeasure.
Il cannot tell you how much ]
hope it is not so" he went on. "Bob
by is a good chap, but not at all the
kind Of fellow for you. You woulC
never be happy with him in thu
the world. You can't depend
upon him for an instant. l realiz'
that what | am saying and doine
may seem unworthy of an officer
and gentleman, but, oh, Mad, de
sire your happiness more than any.
thing else in the world, and | cannot
bear to see you throw yourself away
upon man who | know is not
worthy"
The lieutenant stopped. He was
pale, but his voice rang clear and
earnest.
'"Thank you," said Mad after a
slight pause. II did not know that
Mr.. Erskine was DESTROYS of making
me his wife, Certainly [ have new
er, never given him the smallest en-
couragement in such an idea"
She was silent for a moment anC
then added dreamily:
''If ever | marry it will be with
man to whom can give my whole
confidence, some one whose com
panion l will be both glad and PROUD
to become and who will be gentle
and kind with me-
, Bernard looked at her. He ha(
never seen her in this mood before
She had always fouted him when
: ever he had tried to be serious.
? "What a brute you must thlnl
me, Mad" he murmured contritely
= GLOW could | ever have been sucl
1 an ass as to scold you?"
Y Madeline moved her hands in
5 pretty gesture of denial, and he
e eyes spoke eloquently. Bernar
: looked at her, scarce daring to hope
e Behind the blue eyes lay a love to
v strong to be denied, and the youn
4 man seized both the white hands /
e his. Just then a deep voice e1
4 claimed above them:
Seems to me that for two emf
: mics you are not doing a KILN
d business this morning.
"Oh, colonel, colonel" cried Be
n nard, turning toward the piazz
=, will you-would YOU
o "Will |, would | what?" laughe
E Colonel Gregory.
k 'Now you are testing with mi
e Give me Madeline for my wifel
a beg you. l love her."
The colonel called to Mrs. Gre
IF DRY, who was inside.
r "My dear, what is your advice
he asked, smiling. 'Here is Be
l. nard, who declares he wants Mad
liz fnr hIc he Low