The Lamar register., 1912-05-08


tie paragon of both beauty and charm.
Now listen carefully to what I
am going to say" he began. when she
was comfortably eating an English
muffin and slipping her tea II want
you to postpone your marriage to Tom
| Arson for one year"
From the look in her eyes Madge
had forgotten for moment that Tom
Arson was a person Granger did not
allow her to speak
"In that year want to send you
to a school of domestic economy
That means" he answered the ques-
: ton in her eyes-"that you will be
prepared to take the management OF
home into your own hands"
Where will l get the homer" she
asked innocently but with hint OF
mischief In her now happy eyes.
Granger did not answer at once
He wondered If she were aware OF
her elfin beauty. Yes. he decided,
Madge Carter was the very wife for
Harold.
"Oh. 1 say beg your pardonI"
Harold himself burst into the sum-
mer house.
Granger arose and introduced the
two whom he had selected for mates.
The boy was confused and q ques-
ton was In his eyes.
Il was stealing some flowers from
your uncle's garden" the girl said
with an abashed glance at Granger.
He caught me. and In return he IL
giving me tea"
Am ! too late to have a cupT
Harold sank into a chair and Willis
Granger realized with oddly mixed
emotions that his own scheming had
been in the nature of a forerunner.
His good looking young nephew and
the beggar-maid seemed to have
found the big thing in life In their
first exchange of glances.
During the months following. Madge
went through an abbreviated course
in domestic economy. After that she
was intrusted to the tutelage Of q
maiden lady whose profession II was to
instruct those whose education had
been neglected. There Madge 70
ceived the little finishing and society
touches so dear to the refined nature.
During these long months Of sep
aration Harold accepted gladly the
position Of envoy. At frequent inter
walls he was sent for Information to
the various schools. He returned with
enthusiastic accounts Of Madge's
progress.
Once only. during her absence. had
Willis Granger seen his protege. On
that occasion his had been . peculiar
medley Of emotions
She had received him In the little
visitors parlor OF the boarding house.
Harold had in a measure prepared
him yet he was strangely at loss
for words during the interview. He
had hurried away. whether in self
defense or a desire to hurry Harold
coward the capture Of Madge. he knew
not
As Willis Granger drove up the
shady drive and through the luxurious
grounds to his home the memory Of
the comfortless boarding house he
had left smote him. wistful gray
eyes fioated before him and the cling
ing pressure Of soft fingers sent an
uncomfortable warmth up his arm.
Inside the house he wrote q note
asking or rather demanding that his
protege come at once for a two weeks
change.
Granger thought Of a house party
but finally decided against the idea A
house party would involve the neces-
sity Of young men who might in .
measure jeopardize Harold's chance
Of winning Madge. Granger felt re-
iieved over this decision and Madge
became a part Of the household un-
der the amused chaperonage Of
Changers sister.
Things progressed. Willis Granger
felt that he was rejoicing in the very
evident success Of his plans. He and
his sister talked Of a church wedding
and afterward in the privacy Of his
den the philanthropist tried to visual
lie himself in the act Of placing the
hand of his protege in that Of his
nephew But instead. the soft fingers
Of the girl chung to his own.
Granger felt suddenly very warm.
He took OF his coat and went to the
open window through which q young
moon peeped. The mystical beauty
Of the night. his own deep unrest and
q desire to be alone sent him out and
toward the summer house.
He paused in the act of lighting his
cigar before entering.
A low, breathless sob as of a child
tired with weepfnR reaehed him