Year: 1879

I am under cloud all day because to-
morrow-as soon as tomorrow can
be Papa Selwyn no more, and Madge
will be thinking about nobody but hel
cousin"


"No, indeed |" cried Madge impetu
ously, "you will be Papa Selwyn always
always; and I don't care for my cous.
in Bit"


But her guardian shook his head
gravely.


"My dear, you will marry your cous'
in."


The freight had died down low, and
Madge had courage enough to blurt out
with an effort the few words:


"I can't marry Jack, because I ought
to love my husband, and T can never
care enough for him. Or, if I must be
engaged to him tomorrow - here
there was great Sob" Mr.. Fitzallan
is very good and kind, and I don't want
to hurt him-but-but-he must 20
away"


Her head sank upon his knees with
the great effort of that request.


"My poor child" he said. 81 know
your secret. Bravely said, my little
Madge, my bonny girl You have had
the truth out and done nobly. You are
worthy of the man that is to have you,
and that is saying good deal" Then
raising her head gently, he bade her
listen, for he was going to tell a secret
in return for hers. When she heard it
she waited with wide, wondering eyes
while he told it second time, for she
could not believe in her Joy. "As you
know, Madge," he began, "most peo-
pie in this world have more cousins than
one." And then he went on to explain
to her that Herbert Fitzallan was very
distant cousin, and that it was to him
her father wished her to be married.
Fitzallan's father had been the compan-
ion of his labors and Herbert himself
had been loved by the dying man as a
son, for Herbert was twenty when little
Madge was an orphaned baby of four.


"You ask what about Jack, then2
said the old man. "That was my clever
trick upon Madge. I never said you
we're to marry Jack. I told you of your
fathers wish. I brought Jack here, the
only cousin you knew and I praised
his good qualities - which are fine
enough, I can tell you, and appreciated
by young lady not far from here. I
knew that wayward heart of yours, and 1
knew that woman should not marry
without real love, and great store of it,
too. So left my darling open to the
idea that Jack was to be the lucky fell
low and she did just what I and all
sensible folks expected almost hated
Jack and her doom. Then I took care
that the man you we're meant for-who,
my dear, has the best and truest heart
in the world-should come in the way
just at the right time and show an in
terest in you. So have I not succeeded
and made my Madge choose her fathers
choice with her own free heart and will ?
As for Fitzallan, he is all impatience for
tomorrow, and he would have told you
the secret at that ball the other night,
when he says that he was put to des-
perate trial but he had promised me
never to disclose it till We were quite
sure of success. swell, are you happy
now, Madge?"


"My dear, good second father How
can I love you enough?" was all she
could ssy when she felt his arms round
her in that moment of fulfilled desires,
and his lips pressed to her forehead in
fatherly affection now that his long
solicitude WIS st end and his hard task
we'll done.


That very night Madge, scarcely able
to realize her Joy, was betrothed to
Herbert Fitzallan, who, when once the
secret was disclosed, would not wait
another hour.


"Have I not waited years3" he said.
call my time abroad I was waiting,
and then I came back and found my
Madge more than ever I had dared to
hope"


But Madge in her new freedom did
not forget poor Jack. Indeed, she was
almost in trouble about her unkindness
to him when she heard that he had only
been playing part, bearing all her
teasing, and being purposely ungracious
whenever she grew kind. But Gertrude
consoled her effectually on that score
by telling another secret after her kiss
of congratulation.


"Jack was indeed doing his best to
carry out the plan" she said, "and he
was often grieved about you, but, dear
Madge, you must congratulate us now
not me. but us. Jack and made it up
between us months ago, and We had
many quiet laugh about you"


So Madge herself accepted the ring
and wore her golden fetters by her own
free will after all; nor was there ever
happier or more willing captive. As for
Fitzallan, if he was not another Arthur,
as the girls fancy had prompted her to
call him, he was " blameless" as the
prince of the "Idyls," and far more
blest; and if he reigned over no realm,
he was at least king of one brave and
tender heart-a kingdom wide enough
to satisfy his desires and prize which
time proved to be well worth his years
of waiting.