The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1910-06-03
MADGE.


II 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 as many as you
please, that 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 affairs
are apt to be boring, ard it is difficult
to say exactly the right thing in seven
cases. L did my best, of course. | told
PM Harte to make a little more of
Madge's mother l told Ben Svmms
TO learn to ride. | told Elijah Hop
kins he should change his name.
told the other four much that was
good for them, and trust that thew
appreciated it,
so matters ran. The countryside
decided ii 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. IL
was rumored she had taken hers.
The favorite was Adam Blcaze. He
asked for my advice / gave il to him.
Girl and women, have known Madge
Craven five and twenty years" / said,
and she will please herSelf"-w which.
in plain fact, she did.
Adam worked hard He 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; it throws one back
upon ones haunches-he made no
progress.
Now it fell upon 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 Il lot of you"
| promised him | would. and meant
10 wait my opportunity. 1t came soon
er than | had expected. for il fell up-
| on the very day that Madge rode over
in the morning. She looked well. She
always did, and in her riding l. bit
specially well. | may have noticed it
Il have been thinking about YOU"
| said after the usual greetings. "You
are very kind. And what have YOU
been thinking That its time you
married" so it is" said Madge
That's why | have called have
come for some advice"
81 shall be happy to give YOU wha,
| can said
Yes, know" said Madge. You
give lot. and you take none. That's
you all over"
She said this rather sharply look
ed up. Hello" thought l, "in fighting
| trim. All right"
IF You had not called on me" ]
said, Il should have called on you."
Its about time YOU did" sale
Madge.
"As an ambassador" said |. "On
whose behalf?" said Madgc "A fricnc
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 direct
ness OF it was little disconcerling.
We'll, which was it?" said Madge
describing little circles o. The lawn
! with II" handle u hct 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
Il want more brains' said Madge
You mean he dJes" said Madge
laughed, and our eyes met.
1t was not the first time they had
met by any means. Nor is il likely
| it will be the last Madge looks yol
in the face frankly and fearlcssIy
Her eyes are not accustomed to de.
feat. Bat this time they fell-fen
suddenly and swiftly before mine.
\ Hood of triumph surgcd over my
heart
"Madge!" | whispered. "Madge!"
and in hot burning words | pleaded
my own cause, for all the world for
getting about Adams.
At last Madge turned to me. Again
hcr eyes met mine This time thev
die not fall. and in their clear. silent
depths | read the sweetest story that
Il man can read, the old-world story
of woman's love.
No need to say more. The morning
sped
asked Madge why she came. She
laid her hands upon my shoulders.
looked into my eyes, and said: FL
came TO ask what woman ought to
do, when the only man she cares for
Will not say he cares for her, although
she knows he does"
You find the answer satisf ctory?"
Perfectly"
Adam, like the good fellow that he
Is, was my best man.
Cosmopolitan.