Year: 1871

sion that carried her out of herself. and
convinced him that she could never be bis
wife


HE is the younger man-and-you
are right" He tried to say it calmly,
but it was an awful blow; and again, as
the strength of his manhood was shaken.
Madge wavered, and strove to comfort
him.


''Let things 60 on and I shall forget
him, or grow Indifferent to him; I know
myself shall live it down.


"You need not, poor child, for be loves
you, too


Eyes, I know that" she answered
with the reckless openness that made her
what she was.
After that. such Of the world as knew
the Blighs and the Dundees had fresh
and delightful source of wonderment for
a time. The marriage between the owner
of the Chase and Madge was broken of,
and still they were friendly; and still nei-
ther would listen to one word against or
comment on the conduct of the other.
Time would tell, people said, sapiently.
|reserving their belief as to what time
would tell to themselves. e.-.sss
Six months passed, and then Theo
Bligh received those letters of which
mention has been made. One was from
Mad ge. and contained these words: +.
s'Your uncle has promised to explain every
thing. l need only say that shall always be
your faithful friend, Madge Dundee"
The other was from his uncle, and con-
tanned free forgiveness. (this was only
Implied. not coarsely volunteered). and a
full account.


"Come back and win what have lost, and
as l love you as my son, so will I.love her as
my daughter" ~
That was something like an invitation
from defeated to q successful lover!
Once more fate was against things
righting themselves in the clear and good
way that was so open. Theo had by this
time taken a situation in q mercantile
house IN New York-a situation of trust.
which he could not-hastily quit, or place
another man in rashly. Great interests
were involved in it, which he could not
endanger by bis absence for year at least.
But life was bright to him again, and he
bore the delay bravely, having illimitable
faith in the girl be loved and in himself.
Had she not gallantly won this faith, by
avowing her love for him, and losing the
richer man and the better position by the
avowal? Had she not. of her own free
will, written to him those few sweet words
of promise !? Small wonder that he could
live contentedly through the present, when
such future loomed before him.


At last he was free-free to go home
and win his bride, and obtain personal
absolution from his uncle for those sins
which love had made him commit. Fate
favored him now. The steamer was q
fast one, and in fortnight be was down
at the Chase. grasping his unclc's hand.
"And now you know what my next
move will be" he said, when the greet
ings were over. subduing his own glad
ness as much as he conld, out of respect
for the sorrow by which his uncle had
bought it. "What is the matter?' be
added, in alarm, seeing a change in the
kind cordial face that was bent on him.
''You know I have come to ask her to be
my wife,"


Il have borne an awful grief and dis
appointment, I'd bear it again rather than
have to tell this to you. my boy. You
have stayed too long,"


Good heavens! is she dead ?"


''Not dead, but as lost to you as if she
we're; and you must 60 back, and she
must never hear you have come, or she
will be true to herself. pitiful. and over
kind, and-like woman generally ). shall
| say? She is married you have stayed
too long"


1t did not kill him, and it did not send
him to the bad, convenient locality to
which fiction writer's frequently consign
their Tilted heroes. But it dulled his life
and robbed him of his belief in the good
ness and fidelity of woman.


Notwithstanding which he forgave her,.
and was friendly with her in the after
years; and though her fickleness had earn
ed his contempt. he never paid the debt.
And so poetical justice was not awarded
to the ''aagrant airt." Bonnie Bundee.-
who would have been better woman if
she had not been SO thorough one.


OBJEcT1NG TO BE INTERVIEWED" -


'Here is yer nice roast chick'n J" cried an
aged colored man, as the cars stopped at
"a Virginia railroad station. Here's yer
nica chick,n tatars all nice and hot. !" hold