Judsonia weekly advance., 1915-12-01
LOVE AND DUTY
By JANE OSBORN.

Crossing fresh from his pOSt-graduate course in college. He was only twen- ty-four, but in his big, rather loosely jointed frame, in his kindly, large, ex- pressive features, and in his direct de- cisive way of saying things, he seemed much older. The day after his arrival at the boarding house he had noticed Madge.
 Burton soon found out about Madge Everyone in Silver Cliff Crossings knew about the Lathrops. She was the secretary of the manager of the works and supported herself and her invalid brother on her hard-earned wages.
 Burton's first feeling for the inva- lid was one of great sympathy, and, as he looked at the large, well-propor- tioned figure spread out in the sun light OF the veranda of the boarding house on Sunday morning, he felt great pity for the man who was forced to live on his sisters earnings.
 Before long, Burton became friend ly with the Lathrops, and as means of helping Madge he spent hours with Hardy, talking to him and cheering him. Often Madge had to work evenings with the mine manager, and then she would knock at Burton,s door and ask him to come and spend the evening with Hardy.
 It was spring, and Hardy was show ing marked signs of improvement, and with the let-up in anxiety, Madges nerve was being shaken. Yes, Burton could do it now. He would have to do it. It was killing him to see Madge slaving any longer.
 Purposely he walked toward the of fee of the mine works the next day, in order to walk home with Madge. At first they talked of Hardys inn provement.
 "You have been so good, Burton" she said, letting her hand rest lightly on his arm for second.
 Burton for an instant felt contempt for the helpless brother. He longed to shield Madge, to take her away from the mine works forever.
 Some time, perhaps, l will tell you about Hardy, and then you will know how hard it is-'
 Burton felt no desire to talk about Hardy, and he looked away from Madge as she spoke.
 Some time, some time,' began Bur ton, "Pll tell you why l have done what have done for Hardy" He turned to her almost brutally. You know, Madge."
 It was dusk in the valley, and Bur ton seized Madge's wrists tightly 1T his hands and pressed down upor
 them as he looked in her face. "Madge you know T."
 Madge freed herself, but not angri | ly. Burton, don't. How can youE 1 And then she ran on alone up the | road toward the boarding house. The next day Burton met Madge again She had regained her compos
 ure. and so had Burton. He was
 ready to make clear to her that he could support Hardy until he was l better if she would but marry him. He started started to cSea eaplhaRiin. lhsihn made for 300
 Madge touched his arm ever SC | lightly. Burton" she said, and her voice had never sounded so sweet, q am sorry I didn't tell you sooner But I had no idea that you would think of saying what you have. Burton, didn't you know, haven't you guessed, that Hardy isn't my brother?' l The explanation followed in mono | syllables. It was harder than Madge had expected to explain that Hardy and she had been friends in the East and had become engaged. Hardy had no money and no family, only his own wits to push his way in his law pro- fession Then his illness had come, the illness that would eventually have killed him in the East. He had been ordered West. She had decided to go with him, to work for him and to nurse him as sister would have done. Yes, they might have been married, but Hardy did not wish it till he knew he would recover. Of course, her friends had objected, but she had come anyway, and Hardy, be- ing helpless, had had to consent. They had passed as brother and sis ter. Now Hardy's recovery was al most accomplished. There was 10 doubt of it's completeness. Tn few more months he would be able to be- gin work. In the autumn they would be married.
 But you are not married? You are free?" Burton was almost jubilant. "Madge, you must love me. Madge, you do.'
 Burton held her hands to his lips and she made no resistance. "Madge, you do love me. I know it."
 She stopped in the half darkness and looked steadily in his young face.
 'Yes, Burton, do love you. love you better than anyone else in the world. You are strong. You are young, you have all the world before you. Hardy has nothing but me. Don't you see how hard it has been for him-how it has galled him how he has hated himself because