Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-05-28
IN ADAMS AID.

and she loved herself Which of the
four commanded most of her affection
| it is difficult to say
Her mother was lady of distinction,
graceful, grave and gray. Her garden
was a work of art and Nature. Her
horses were well-bred, well matched, and
mettlesome. She was herself. Provi-
dence had endowed her with rare gifts
and rich possessions, and she had made
good use of these. Tall, shapely, toll
Grant and stately, she knew her worth,
and was not at all disposed to under
value it.
Suitors came and went 1t is habit
suitors have. Madge realized their limi-
tations and her worth.
Which of the two was greater it is not
for me to say. | deaf with facts, and
facts are stubborn things
| 1t happened il the year of grace 1900
and as many as you please that climax
was arrived at. Madge was then 20
She had refused almost as many offers
as she was years old. And she had re-
fused them we'll Like Ariel grace she
refused, and the rejected remained her
friends.
Nineteen of her admirers found conso-
lation. Seven were left. / knew them
all. They also all knew me. | some
times wish that they had not Other
peoples love affairs are apt to be Dor
ing, and it is difficult to say exactly the
right thing in seven cases. | did my
best, of course. l told Phil Harte to
make little more of Madge's mother.
| told Ben Symms to learn to ride
told Elijah Hopkins he should change
his name. | told the other four much
that was good for them, and trust that
they appreciated it.
| So matters ran. The countryside de-
cided it was time Madge married Mrs.
S. declared that if she didn't she might
lose her chances, and chances, added
Mrs. S., don't come again. 1t was ru-
mored she had taken hers
/ Madge did not seem disposed to do
the same. Whose fault it washers or
her suitors'-let my readers Judge
merely record facts.
Madge, / repeat, was six-and twenty.
Nineteen admirers had tailed off. Seven
still remained
The favorite was Adam Bleaze. He
asked for my advice. l gave it to him.
Girl and woman, | have known Madge
Craven five and twenty years." | said,
'and she will please herself" Which,
III pam TACT, she dld.
Adam worked hard. He made good
Ipractiee with her mother, stormed her
garden, cultivated horses, danced at
tendance on her, and, to all appearances,
did well. The countryside proclaimed
him victor. But!-But is an awkward
word, it throws one back upon ones
haunches-he made no progress. l once
knew man who had paid 100 guineas
f,,,f TI,nI -
other kind. A kindly, genial, health
restoring but" quite unlike Adams.
Adam would have gladly paid 5000 to
have escaped his.
Now it fell upon a certain summers
day that Adam came to me and said:
| Look here, old man. | wish you would
put in good word for me with Madge.
She thinks lot of you"
| promised him l would, and meant to
wait my opportunity. 1t came sooner
than | had expected, for it fell upon the
very next day that Madge rode over in
the morning. She looked we'll She al
ways did and i'll her riding habit spe-
leially well. | may have noticed it. 81
have been thinking about you," l said,
after the usual greetings.
You are very kind. And what have
you been thinking?'
THAT it was time you married"
$50 it isl" said Madge. That's why
have called. / have come for some
advice"
q shall be happy to give you what
can" said I.
"Yes, know" said Madge. ''You give
lot and you take none. That's you all
over"
She said this rather sharply. 1 looked
up. Hello" thought |, I'm fighting
trim. All right"
IF you had not called on me-" / said,
II should have called on you"
Its about time you did, said Madge
"As an ambassador" said l.
ION whose behalf?" said Madoe.
"A friend of mine is very fond of
YOU"
"There's nothing new in that said
Madge. "All your friends are
This was quite true, but the directness
of it was a little disconcerting
"Well, which was it" said Madge, de.
seribing little circles on the lawn with
the handle of her whip.
| pleaded Adams cause. | thought |
pleaded well, but did not make much
lprooress.
'He is very nice!9 said Madge, at
last
what more 10 you wants" | asked
HE is a real good sort. Good looking,
rich. nice hammered. and devoted"
Il want more brains!" said Madge
You mean he does!" said /.
Madge laughed, and our eyes met.
1t was not the first time they had met
by any means. Nor is it likely it win
be the last. Madge looks you in the
face frankly and fearlessly. Her eyes
are not accustomed to defeat. Yet this
time they fell--fell suddenly and swift
ly before mine
A flood of triumph surged over my
heart.
"Madge!" l whispered. 'Madge!" and
| in hot burning words pleaded my own
cause. tor all the world forgetting about
| Adams.
At last Madge turned to me. Again
her eyes met mine. This time they did
not fall, and in their clear, silent depths