Literature.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 233, 6 October 1904, Page 4

Literature.

. MADGE'S FERItY-BOAT FRIEND. (Continued.) '.'Let me see, I have not seen you for a .week," he said slowly, " 1 » knew sihe was ill with pneumonia. 1 saw her the day before yesterday at the hospital, and she was getting 011 nicely then, and I heard nothing more until 1 saw that in the paper just now-." Yiadge felt rather at a loss to know what to say to him. „ "I ain so sorry," sihe said at last, adding wjt'Uy, " 'or you." But lie did not appear to hear her. \ ... " You asked lue once, I believe, Was she romantic V—-did slie believe .. in love .n a cottage V Well, she evi- '■ dentally did, us she had just bii:omc engaged to a young man with very little money and very little prospects because she loved him ! " He spoke - feelingly, and iladge felt sure that 1 the young man he referred to was • himself.

During the next few days she heard 01 the arrival of Nurse Urcsty's fnendsJ, oi tiie funeral, of Air. Fronter s beautiful wreath, and, somewhat later, of the small committee formed to get up a memorial to this t nurse who had been such a favourite. " They have made me secretary ol the committee, 1 don't know why,' said Forster to her one day, on the boat. • I suppose because she was more to you than to any of the others," suggested Madge. "' Oh, I don't think that; Baker, Dobson, and lots of other liked her as well, and not only men, but wonen, were proud to number her among their friends," . " Perhaps you were more to her, then, than anyone else ? " she hint- • cd. "I should say that Jack Howard —don't you know Howard ?—was more to her than anyone else, as she had just engaged herself to him." I thought she was engaged to you." "To me? How on earth did you get that into your head?" ■■ Well, ydu' talked so much about her anid you said when you showed me her death in the paper, that she had just become engaged to a young man ■ .sho loved, with very littlo money and very little prospects, and I naturally thought you meant yourself." - - ".Oh, dear, 110 ; besides, I have ex- „ cellent prospects. No, there was 110 love on either my side or hers. She <■ liked me in a purely platonic way, * just as you like me—that is the way -. you like me, is it not ? " :,.V Ma|dge prided herself on her pla- , tonic friendships, and had told him / so one day. Now, however, sheblusht ed and looked confused in a decidedIf ly un-platonic manner, to the great K joy and delight of the young man beg snda her. |' " Yes, I suppose so, but I never 'i~ knew her ; how can 1 tell ? " >■. Foster continued to watch her keen- : ly.

Ik- "No," he said slowly, "I never ' loved a girl but once. She was a very practical girl, and on one occasion on whfich I discussed marriage i" with her, she informed die was i not a- romantic maiden, and that she i.. thought if angle l poverty were bad, married poverty would be far worse. So, of- course, after that, wSrat could I do but let the subject drop ? " As Madge heard her own words - to her she blushed again. "Hut she might have changed her mind. She might nave come to feel that you were nicer than money and other things," she said half-shyly, . not looking at him. " Do you think it is possible?" " Oh, quite possible. You never * c«n tell what a girl might do." Mr. Forster laughed. " Tfc way you say that is scarce- .• ly complimentary. One would think _ I was a freak or an ogre instead of t- He paused expectantly. a; " Instead of a very handsome s young man," suggested Madge. "As you ' put that so ricely it * would be a pity for me to contradict you," he saii«l smiling; "but, • seriously, do you think that practical girl might have changed her mind ? " 'I should not be surprised. You see, if sje loves you " ' Ah, that is the point," lie interrupted, " if she loves me, how am 1 to find out ? " " ifou must ask her, of course." " And perhaps subject myself to a ■ refusal, or; maybe, be accepted, and have her regret it all her life—a man ; hesitates in either case. Here we are at Liverpool," he said rising. As Madge rose also their eyes met. "Thanks,' Madge," he said quietly, 'you have taken a load off my wind. I will ask that girl, some day." A few weeks later-Hit wanted three days to Christmas —Madge was out one afternoon doing some shopping. Sbo-'was looking in the windows of a , ''' jeweller's shop when someone came • up behind her. " Ohoosdng rings, Miss Lester ?-' Med a man's voice, and turning she beheld Herbert Forster. No, watch-chains. I want one very badly." "Let me give you one as a Christmas present ? Look at that," he said gaily, taking a handful of gold from one of his pockets. "Is it pay day ? " she questioned briefly. But i'«e had turned his attention to the rings displayed in the window and made no answer. " I'd rather give you a ring. How do you like this one?" he asked . presently. "It is very nice, but I prefer that one," she said pointing to another. " Well, will you take it and me with it, for better., or for worse, and try love in a cottage ? " he said lightly, half in jest, half in earnest. Here he caught sight of Madge's ■ ' face. " I am in dead earnest now, Madge Will you take me and make me tlic happiest man alive ? " Herbert Forster saw her answer in Madge's eyes. " Come, we will buy that ring," Said the young man, a moment later ; and they entered the shop together.