The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-04-19

| mdo9os
| Madge Craven was a little hard to
please. She loved her mother and
she loved her garden. she loved her
horses and she loved herself. Which
affection 1t Is difficult to say.
Providence had endowed her with
rare gifts and rich possessions, and
she had made good use of them. Tall,
shapely, tolerant and stately, she knew
her worth. and was not at all disposed
to undervalue It,
1t happened in the year OF grace
nineteen hundred and a. many as
you please that a climax was arrived
at. Madge was then 26. Nineteen of
her admirers found consolation. Seven
were left. / knew them all. They
also all knew me. sometimes wish
they had not Other peoples love ar
! fairs Ee-aPt -te~ -Aasing, and II IL
difficult to say exactly the right
thing in seven cases. | aid my best,
OF course. I told Phil darte to make
a little more OF Madge's mother
IL told Ben Symms to learn tc
ride. told Elijah Hopkins he
should change his name. l told the
other four much that was good fol-
them, and trust that they appreciat
ed II.
So matters ran. The country side
decided II was time Madge married.
Mrs. S. declared that II she didn't she
might lose her chances, aud chances,
added Mrs. S., don't come again. X
was rumored she had taken hers.
The favorite was Adam Bleaze. He
asked for my advice. | gave II him.
Girl and woman, have known
Madge Craven five and twenty years.
said, and she will please herself
which, in plain fact, she did.
Adam worked hard. lie made good
practice with her mother, stormed her
garden, cultivated horses, danced at
tendance on her. and, to all appear
ances. did well. The countryside pro-
claimed him victor. But!-But Is an
awkward word; IL throws one back
upon ones haunches-he made no
progress.
Now Il fell upon certain summers
day that Adam came to me and said
Look here, old man, wish you would
put In a good word for me with Madge.
She thinks lot of you"
| promised him l would, and meant
to wait my opportunity. II came soon
er than had expected, for 1t fell upon
the very day that Madge rode over In
the morning. She looked well. She
always did, and In her riding habit
specially well. | may, have noticed IL.
81 have been thinking about you,"
said, after the usual greetings. You
are very kind. And what have you
been thinking?" THAT II was time you
married" so 1t is" said Madge.
That's why | have called. have
come for some advice
81 shall be happy to give you what
can" said |.
yes. | know" said Madge. You
give a lot, and you take none. That's
you all over"
She said this rather sharply.
! looked up Hello" thought /, Ill
fighting trim. All right
"If you had not called on me-" SAID
81 should have called on you.
"lts about time you did, sald
"As an ambassador" said I. "On
whose behalf?" said Madge. "A friend
of mine is very fond 'of you
"Thehe's nothing new IN that. SAID
Madge. "All your friends are.
This was quite true, put tue uil W
ness of It was little disconcerting.
well. which was it?" said Madge'
describing little circles On the lawn
with the handle of her whip.
pleaded Adams cause. thought
| pleaded well, but did not make
much progress. -.
"He is very nice!' said Madge. at
| last
what more do you want?' | asked
"I want more brainsl' said Madge
"You mean he does" said |. Madge
laughed, and our eyes met.
II was not the first time they hau
met by any means. Nor Is IT likely
| Il will be the last. Madge looks You
in the face frankly and fearlessly. Her
eyes are not accustomed to defeat
! But this time they fell-fell suddenly
: and swiftly before mine.
a food Of triumph surged over my
heart.
"Madgei" I whispered. "Madge'
and I'm hot burning words ! pleaded