Year: 1879

| TO her gravely but tenderly:


"My child, it has been the work OF
many years for me to see to The fulfll-
ment of your fathers last wish. He was
my best and dearest friend, and his life
was a sad one. At leas. his dyirg will
must be done. But 1 promise you hsp-
piness--I do, indeed"


But beyond that day Madge was un.
able to bear her hearts burden. i
must tell him everything" she thought.
In the afternoon twilight, some time
after Mr.. Sslwyn bad4eturned home,
she found him asleep in his armchair in
the dark dining-reom. But little day
light came in between the red curtains,
and it WAS only the glow Of the fire that
showed her his white hair and long
beard. She knelt beside him, as she
often did Tor a talk when be was in that
chair, and she woke him by stealing her
hands into his.


"Who is it-Gerty! No, Madge-my
little Madge that is to be so patrisrchal
to morrow"


"Papa Selwyn," she began, not giving
him time to joke any more lest she might
not be able to disclose all her troubles,


Il want to tell you something and you
wont be angry, will you, no matter
what it is."


He took her face between his hands,
and the fire flashed up and showed him
how earnest it was.


:" am quite sure" he said, nothing
can make me anything but as deeply in
love with my second daughter as poor
4 al fall ba ha h-
| am under cloud all day because to-
morrow---as soon as -morrow-I can be
Papa Selwyn no more, and Msdge will
be thinking about nobody but her
cousin"


"No, indeed 70 cried Madge impet-
uously. You will be Papa Selwyn
always-alwsys and l don't care for my
cousin Bit"


But her guardian shook his head
gravely.


Ny dear, you will marry your
cousin"


The FIRE light hsd died down low, and
Msdge had courage enough TO blurt out
with al effort the few words


"I can't marry Jack, because / ought
to love my husband, and | can never
care enough for him. Or, If must be
engaged to, him Tomorrow here there
was great sob" Mr.. Fitzallen is very
good and kind, and do mt want to hurt
him, but-but he must go away"


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


My poor child" he said, "I know
your secret. Bravely said, my little
Msdge, my bonnie grill You have had
the truth out aud done nobly. You are
worthy OF the man that ia to have you,
and that is saying a good desl!" Then
raising her head gently he bade her
listen, for he was going to tell her a
secret 10 return for hers. When she
heard it size waited with wide wondering
eyes while he told 1t a second time, for
she could not believe in her joy " As
you know, Msdge," he began, "most
people in this world have more cousins
than one" And then he went on to
explain to her that Herbert Fitzal.
len was very distant cousin, and
thst II was to him her father wished ner
TO be married. Fitzsllen's father had
been the companion of his lsbors, and
Herbert himself had been loved by the
dying man as q son for Herbert was
twenty when Madee was an orphaned
baby of four. You ask what about
Jack, thec ?" said the old man. "That
wss my clever trick upon Madge. |
never said you were to marry Jack. l
told you of your fathers wish. /
brought Jack here, the only cousin you
knew and praised his good qualities
which are fine enough, / eau tell you,
and appreciated by young lady not far
from here. | knew that waywsrd heart
of yours, and 1 knew that q woman
should not marry without real love, and
great store OF it, too. So left my dar-
ling open TO the idea that Jack was to be
the lucky fellow and she did just what
and all sensible folks expected-almost
hated Jack and her doom. Then / took
care that the man you were meant for
who, my dear, has the bast and trusst
heart in the world-should come in the
way just at the right time and show an
interest In you. And have I not sue,
ceeled and made my Madge choose her
fathers choice with her own free heart
and will ? As for Fitzallen, he is all
impatience for tomorrow, and he would
have told you the secret at the ball the
other night, when he Gays that he was
put to desperate trial, but he had
promised me never TO disclose it till we
were quite sure of success. Well, are
you happy now, MadgeG"


my dear, good second father How
can l love you enough ?" was all che
could say when she felt his arms around
her at that moment OF fulfilled desires,
and his lips pressed to her forehead in
fa.herly affection now that HIS long soi>
citude was at an end and his hard task
well done.


That very night Madge, scarcely able
to realize her joy, was betrothed To Her
hert Fitzallen, who once the secret was
disclosed, would not wait another hour.


"Have l not waited years." be said
"All my time abroad was waiting, and
then came back and found my Madge
more than ever had dared to hope.


But Madge in her new freedom did
not forget poor Jack. Indeed she was
almost In trouble about her unkindness
10 him when she heard that he had been
only playing a part bearing all her teas
ing, and being purposely ungracious
whenever she grew kind. But Gertrude
consoled her efiectuslly on that score by
telling another secret after her kiss Of
colgratulation.


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


So Madge herseli-accepted the ring
and wore her golden fetters by her own