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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Signal, 1881-09-02, Page 24 MADGIR'S HERO. - "So Air it Om end ofill your rostimme' Madgie, this is the 'hem' you so often rowed you would marry ! Well, I omit - lees I am surprised." "And disappointed, too—why don't you add that, Nellie r Mrs. Bentinck maid, as she led the way to a oozy lade sitting room where a c.heery fire was burning. "Sit down, dear, and drink your tea, and have a little rest before dinner. Some day, perhaps, you'll have a better opinion of Phil, and even learn to admire him—who knows ?" "But, Mailgie. he really isn't • bit handsome, nor rontantic-looking, nor poetic, nor anything; and I did so bops and expect he would be—different;" and Nellie Grahame peused for want of a word to express fully all she ex- pected Medgie Mason's husband to be. Nellie and Madgie had been frionds at school, and when they parted—the form- er to join her father in India; Madgie to take up her abode with her uncle, Capt. Mason, at the Woodlands --they had vowed eternal constancy, and exchanged school -girl pledges of affection and re- membrance. Sicarely six months afterleaving school, Mailgi. was alone in the world, heiress of Woodlands and all her uncle's wealth, and Dr. Philip Bentinck for her sole guardian. Nellie was in India, and there seemed no immediate prospect of Major Grahame, returning; and as Madgie had no other "dear friend," to Nellie she poured out all her heart on her ilelighdul, solitary, romantic life at Woodlands, and her unalterable resolu- tion to mii-ry a real bona fide hero, or remain forever Madgie Mason: And Phil Bentinck was the hero of her dreams ! "Be'. decidedly ugly," Nellie said, glancing at a photogragh which stood on the chimney -piece. "I'm sure if I had the misfortune to marry such a man, I wsuldn't have his likeness in a very con- spicions place in the house. I'm sur- prieed at Madgie, with her love ef every- thing that is beautiful, and her own pretty fsce and fortune. She surely might have done better; and yet she seems happy and contented enough, though she was such a hero-worshipper." Nellie had come 'in aceordance with a long standing promise to pay Madgie a visit. It was their first meeting since they had left school five years before, and she had expected to find her friend just the same as ever—gushing, senti- mental, impulsive,—with a dreamy, dark -eyed lover -husband. fond of poe- try, and with a decided air:of mystery about him. Nothing could be more un- like her preconceived idea than Phil Bentinck, with his rough, seamed face, cheery voice, hearty laugh and burly frame—a busy, active, energetic, hard- working, practical country doctor, ten years older than Madgie if he was a moment,—and oh, so ugly ! THE HURON SIGNAL, FRIDAY. SEPT 2, 1881. W3 wb• pis. better, and I know you are and Madgie glanced despairingly at the twri•• 1MM good ter men traly—* 4, huge chest end and numerous small "Only what, Audio. r' paresis she had packed with such care Down went her brown head in con- for Phil's souifurt and consolation on the fusion. It wes ace easy to tall a man to Tome. "You have not chauged your his We that he was 'mete hero, and that mind at the last moment have you r wa the sole objection she had to Philip "Yes, I have, but not altogether with - "(tidy whet, Madgie r he repeated, oat a reason . You know pooe Deem- Bentinek. sternly. "Is it wealth I lack 1 or kW I too old—too ugly, or bate I simply the midurtune to meet with your disapprov- al? Tell nie what rny failings are, thet I may try and mend them." Msdgie basked up into the grave earnest face that bent over her, and bunt into tears. "I isn't any of these things, Phil," she sobbed. "I'm sure you're handsome enough, and—oh, Phil, if you could only it's frightful in Millbsy—every house is do something !—soinething great, I , Infected r' mean. I do so want nay husband to be "And no doctor to look after the poor a hero !" creatures—think of that, Madgie. Day - "Ah, is that it I Madgie, dear," entry, poor fellow, faced it all by him. (after & long silence,) "don't you think a self—never so much as let me know the man may he • hero without doing any. outbreak was serious; and it was only by the merest accident I heard of his illness. Now I must go, dear; every moment is precious. It may be long before we Must he 'seek the bubble repu'ation even meet again, Madgie; we may never meet "If my love was hopeless before, it is at the cannon's mouth !' " in this world. Heaven bless you always, doubly so now," he said to himself one "I love • hero, Phil—a great, brave, darling; may you be as happy as I wish day. "Did any one overhear, I wonder, famous man ! I should like the whole you." world to know and respect my husband. "Phil, you mustn't go ! What have Can't you do something—anything, you to do with Millbay 1 Phil, Phil ! Phil r come back !" "Can't you love me just as I am, But he was already far down the Madan 1 I don't won't my wife to be svenue, obeying a far more powerful • heroine --only sweet, true and lovable, voice than Madgie Mason's—the voice of just as you are, Madgie, dear. I was duty. not 'born great,' and it is not given to Malloy was a remote fishing village every Man to 'achieve greatness.My about eleven iniles from Broadbay, duty seems to lie straight before me here situated in a low, marshy inlet of the in this quiet little village, and I try to sea, and surrounded by stagnant swamps. do it. Does that count for nothing, The people were poor, ignorant, ill -fed, Madgie ?" w-irse clad; and the low. unhealthy situ - "Yes, yes, I know. But, Phil, I can. ation of the village, and undrained, un - not marry a mere country doctor, whom ventilated houses, Made them peculiarly no one ever heard of. If you really love liable to disease of all sorts. It was me, prove it. Do some brave, noble' there Phil Bentinck turned his -steps un- deed—even try to do something. You hesitatingly. know how imnieasurably With a breve heart he entered Dr. '—high failure oversteps the bounds Daventry's residence, and took his ot low success.' " "You do not love me, Madgie. For- duties on himself. For weeks the dis- give ine for having troubled Gd - ease raged with unusual violence; whole bye.you. oo families were carried off, young and old " "Phil, you know I do care about alike; and with want, approaching fam- ineyou and virulent disease, Dr. Bentinck —a little; but I love honor more." Dr. Bentinck smiled sadly at the girl's struggled alone. No help came from any quarter. The inhabitants of Mill - silly fancies. "It all comes of living so b much alone, aud reading nonsensical ro- ay were always secluded, and the place was shunned as if plague-atrick en. Even mances," he mused. "Madgie's heart is all right, but her head is sadly wrong, the postman, who toiled through the poor child. She'll be wiser one day, marshes twice a week, forsook the place. perhaps." Rank grass grew thickly in the middle of I his unbounded surprise. But as months passed by, Madgie the long, straggling High street; the "Ah, this is like coming home. What boats drifted out with the tide unheeded; good fairy has been at work, I wonder ?" showed no sign of improvement; indeed, and the stealthy tread of some stricken he said, stepping into the light and she became, if possible, more confirmed in her "heroic" ideas, avoiding all so- ciety, and feeding her fancies with ail sorts of poetic visions. The doctor no longer visited Woodlands in the old, familiar, friendly way, for he felt that "This is terrible !" Phil said to him- self, one evening as he -talked wearily Madgie avoided him, and when that was a impossible, treated him with constrained long the sea -coast, gasping for a breath Heaven, ,Daven- And yet Philip Bentinck had had hi's civility. of fresh air. "Thank try is nearly well, for I feel I can't stand roraance, too. He had been old Capt. "I'll go away for a time," he said, one Mason's medical attendant, and after evening, the last of his guardianship, for his death, Madgie'ss ole "counsellor, Madgie would be of age on the morrow. guide. philosopher and friend." Wood- "I'll volunteer for ft few months' active lands was a roomy, old-fashioned country service on the Gold Coast. During my house, buried in pleasant woods, five absence she may meet with her ideal miles from a village, thirteen from a 'hero,' or forget me. Poor Madgie !" town. The nearest neighbors on one The next day he went up to Woodlands side were only rough -and ready farmers; to congratulate his ward on reaching her on the other, poor fisher -folk, who tried majority anti have a final interview with to wring a wretched subsistence from the her lawyer, and mentioned incidentally came. Unconsciously he had reached sea and barren westerly sl4ore. his intention of:going abroad for a few the village graveyard, a lonely spot by But Idadgie was not lonely. She lov- months. the shore, only distinguished from the ed Woodlands, loved to wander all day "Goineabrout, Phil?" Madgie cried, surrounding marshes by a ftw rude mthe blood rushing to her pale cheeks. through the gardens, with a volue of ? poetry or an old romance in her hand, where? why ?" loved the dreamy solitude, which she "When "I have not been feeling very bright, peopled with heroes and heroines of her lately, and fancy a change may do me own creating — very delightful, but good. An old college chum of mine, wholly impracticable individuals, surgeon ou the Aphrodite, has just try?" "Yes; what has he to do with it 1" "He's ill—down with small -pox, poor fellow ! He has worked like • giant, night and day this last fortnight at Mill - bay, where small -pox is raging. Dav- entryi wife is down, too, and their only child was buried yesterday. I niust go over at once," "Into the very middle of infection ! You shan't—you mustn't, Phil ! Why, thing very great—without his name being familiar in men's mouths—his fame blazoned abroad by newspapers 1 like it, and the horror of it was on his TS "NAr A INT 'I' mind dunng the weary ths that fol. PURE DRUGS AND CHEMICALS, HORSE AND CATTLE MEDICINES lowed, for he, too, was seized with the PATENT MEDICINES, PERFUMERY, &C., illness--stricktut down as with a sudden blow For weeks he lay hover- iag between life and deeAli, and when he awoke to txMacioueness, the first face he NSW bending .over him was that of the poor mother he had seen before his ill- ness. Day and night she had tended him with unceasing care, and seemed to forget her own illnesa and sorrow in watching over him. It was the end of August when he was taicen ill; it was the middle of October before he was able to creep feebly out of doors 'and sit in the sunshine. Once only had he looked in a mirror, and then the reflec- tion of his manned, scarred, livid face staggered him. On no one had the dis- ease made such fearful ravages, yet not a soul who survived in the village of Millbsy but blessed every seam and re- verence every purple scar, and found a beauty in theta that rnight be conveted by an angel. Surely it was theirprayers and blesaings, their looks of love and tears of gmtitede. that reconciled him at last to his terribly altered appearance. THE PEOPLE'S DRUG STORE. -,z-OT;7" NAT.A.1•TT GOOD CIGARS, TOBACCOS, PIPES, &c.,00 TO THE PEOPLE'S DRUO STORE. splendid assortment of FISHING TACKLE, u.t ri (Lived. and will be sold CHEAP. \ GEO. RIIYNAS. suce..r GEORGE CATTLE. Blake's Block, neat the ltark.et, Godericb. Night Bell on the Front Door. Prescriptions a Speciality - of a pox -marked hero And yet it was all wisely ordained. My duty lay straight before me, however it may end for Me." It was Christmas before ▪ the doctor thought it safe to return to his cottage at Broadbay. His own had been the last case of disease at Millbay, and all signs of infection had long ago disaopear- ed. He had recovered his strength, too; his step was light and free as of old, his voice as cheery, and his smile as genial; but the I deep, discolored scars were still on his face, indelibly printed there, and it was only those to whom he had ministered in their sore need that saw a radiant beauty in them. For him-, self, he had almost forgotten them. Whac was a scar or two on his face to the deep, sore scars on his heart ! .Who would care a jot whether a poor, soli- tary country doctor was ugly or the re- verse? Such were his thoughte as he drove up to his cottage with Mrs Nor- ton, the poor, solitary widow, beside him. She insisted on following him and serving him, and he, was so utterly alone that he had not the heart to say her nay. A blue line of smoke curled from the chimneys, a cheery glow of firelight danced on the window panes, and the door stood hospitably open, to parent or child, seeking assistance tu warmth. bury their dead, was the only sound "Madgie ! oh, my darling, is it indeed that broke the awful, sultry stillness of you r the long, scorching August days. "Me, Phil Why of course; who else should it be .4" Then dnowing closer: "Dear Phil, can you forgive me ?" "Forgive you, Madgie t" he said, huskily; "forgive you what 1" "My folly. I'm wiser now, Phil; and it much longer. Mentally and physical- I think I know the value of the treasure ly, I am worn out, and more likely.to do I once despised." harm than good. If I could only shut "Come nearer to the light, Madgie, out this frightful picture for an hour, and look at me. I'm less like a hero now than ever." "Phil, I wouldn't have one of these changed," and she laid her hand lightly on his cheek. "I would not give one unsightly scar for the cross of the Legion of Honor. You are the hero if my heart now; long ago I wanted the hero of my fancy ,and imagination. Forgive me, Phil, and let us forget all my folly, for I ani heartily ashamed of it." and get one breath of untainted air, I should feel better." At that moment a low moan sounded somewhere near, and pausing, he leaned over the wall to see from whence it But with all her sentiment, Marigie was very charming,andit was not surpris- ing that Dr. Bentinck, despite his being her guardian, and a poor, struggling doctor into the bargain, should fall in love with her. It was what every one expected, and Madgie herself was the only one astonished or unprepared when one day, in • plain, honest fashion, he told her of his love. and asked her to be his wife. It was as if Madgie had been awakened from a very pigment dream by • rough shake. During the two yews she had been at Woodlands she heel be- come accustomed to the doctor. He had always been at hand to consult, to onn- • fide in, and take all responsibility rff her 'boulders. She was used to his honest fees and kindly voice, to his constant attentions and oncesionel lectures, and in a way elm liked them, hut the first idea of loving or marrying him never en- tered her head, for the doctor was com- monplace to the last degree, and entire. headstones and rugged wooden crosses, and row upon row of newly -made graves. Just then the bells of Broadbay By one of them a woman was kneeling, Church rang out a joyous peal, and scratching with both feeble handatat a friends gatheted round to welcome back small, fresh mound of earth, while now the doctor, and wring his hand heartily, and again a low moan burst from her looking the praises they could not speak. To go forth bravely in search of honor and retuni victorious is a great thing; to go forth and brave death at the cal] of duty is good thing. And as Philip Bentinzit glanced around at the kind- ly faces about him, he felt he had his full reward. A ft,w weeks later, Madgie and Phi] were married; and when Nellie Gra- hame came to pay her long promised visit in the summer, and heard by de- grees the whole story, she was forced to whispered, laying his hand on her shk,u). admit that Madgie's her was • real one der. after all, and one "whose like ' we do "Let me bury my dead '" she cried, not meet with every day. fiercely, pointing to her cloak. "Go away, and leave me with nty people." "No, nu—let me;" and taking • spade that lay near, he dug • grave, and re- verently placed the tiny form, wrapped in its mother's cloak, in it; then he trovered it up, hurriedly, and taking the wretched mother by the arm, led her from the spot. "Heaven forever bless TOO, sir," she mud, bunting into tears, as she took a last look at the little Krave "Now I ant indeed alone, the last 4 name and race father, mother, hustnnol, children, friends, al! gone and she sank down by the open gateway, and refused to move further. "Let me die here, sir," she moil, "here, betide my !oriel rine& Whet have I done that the Almighty should leave me 4.. Sick at heart, the doctor turned away ituch scenes had not been uncommon at Militia! (Jenne the pneeding month, but he had never witnessed anything Spring ©4 Summer Goods. A choice selection of FANCY STRAWS, in Han and Bosoesn. STYLISH, NEAT—AND SURE To PLEASE. FRENCH and AMERICAN goods in the lateat novelties. A splendid assortment of RIBBONS, FLOWERS and LACES. Hato and Bonnets trimmed in the newest styles. A CALL IS RESPECTFULLY SOLICITED. We take pinto/ I/I ShOleinj .ur qtxxls. MISS WILSON, Market Square, Goderich. married, and we are trying if it can't be lips. She was ill, weak, 'emaciated, and managed for us to exchange for a few the doctor recognized her as a woman months. His ship is ordered to the who had suffered severely—rocovering Gold Coast, and he can't possibly have as by a miracle—having lost her hum - his wife precede, follow or accompany band and five children. Three days he - him there. He'd enjoy a few quiet fore he had seen ner with an infant in months here in Broadbay, and I her arms, and only living thing left her; shouldn'tinind having • peep at King now it lay beneath her ragged cloak, the Coffee?" last of all her flock. "And when are you going, Phil 7" Visulting over the low wall. the doctor "If it can be arranged, in about a approached her gently. "My good fortnight Clemens thinks there will be woman, what are you doing here ?" he no difficulty, and he has some friends high up in the Admiralty, and he has married the daughter of the captain of the Aphrodite. I have no doubt it can be managed, and if not, I'll teAlik.e cruise to Ashantes on my own hook. I fanzy I want a holiday." "I hope you will enjoy it very much, doctor." Marline said, her ardor consid- erably damped hy his 000l, careless way of speaking. Evidently, he was not voing to make • hero ‘4. • martyr of him- ly devoid of all sentiment and romaneri. self on her account; and yet in her secret end Madge§ had set her whole heart on heart she was delishted. An adventure was the only thing Phil required to make "a hero Rat Phil Rentinrk was not d , him perfect in her eyes, and an advent. estitute of feeling. and when Heave, urei, oven if it were only • touch of imore plainly than politely declined his proposal, the look of pain anil porom in Yell"w toys*, n°1114 wstriwlY fail to befall his clear, honest tray eyes would hare oreorded with the most ettraviwant pro- testations of despair and misery Rot ti• d..1 net gire way to them only aro- him on the Gold Comet • • • • • • e "Good bye, Maitre. I thought a few weeks ago I shoeld be taking a longer infrirof tri,„,i, for 1,,,,,,,,‘ fr,„,hird arir, journey. but OUT IMplinatiOIN WIII be no Mason, and was taking his ilepartiire in less *theists' though only • few miles in- tim most matter of, fact way, when Madstead of • thousand separate as. "What do yens mean. Fliil 1 Ansel gie hors' t.. impetwout eiplanation "It s n , 1 lislike you. Phil. or like you going OR the Aphredate, miter allr' If 'You Want GoodGROCERIES, PROVISIONS, CROCKERY, or GLASSWARE, —GO TO -- D. FERGUSON'S Hamilton Street, Opposite Bailey's Hotel. In addition to the ordinary lines of the Grocery and Crocktiry Trade, 1 carry • to stook of Flour, talk Poi ii olloral Provisions "Must say its the nicest thing I ever used tor the teeth and breath," eaye everyone having tried new toilet gem. Get a b cent maniple. BE/DOMILLER MY MOTTO IS. "Fair Dealing and Moderate Prices." Cosuloil alsolsold. See my Stock and get my prices. ar Goods delivered to any part of the D. Ferguson. Daniel Gordon, CilICI-Mti ?di 1111[1craci. ondest House in the toonty, and Larev.st Stock this side of London! PARLOR SUITES, BED -Room Stoves, Easy CH•IRS, Locaoss,!rre., rrc. Cash Buyers w,;1 dial it to their advantage to see my stock if they need of °cid articikat close price. 1). (;(01-W4)N, West Street, near Post Offiee, Goderieh. NOTICE _ Owing to the state of his health. the undersigned ham decided to give up his present busi- ness. and now offers to dispose of the same on , LIBERAL TERMS. Application can he nwle to himself perwmally. The stock r °minds, (besides+ good staple Dr goods. imported direct.1 of • complete and well selected assortment of GROCERIES, 1\TMW, Pl=tMSI-1 .A.1\TD GOOD; and the stand being on Kingston Rt.. and only one lot from the Square is one of the VERY BEST In the town of Goderich for a good GROCERY or GENERAL BUSINESS. 1 he proprietor is willing to enlarge the premis• a If required. Meantime the business will be carried on as hitherto and the present stock. which wil, he kept up by additions whenrequired, will be sold at reduced prices. Goderich. 17th May ISM. JAMES WATSON. 1717. Carriage -Works! • Z30IINT=12t having leaseel the shop of Mr. P Bayne, is now engaged in the manufacture o first clam Chilled Plow —AND— CARRIAGES, BUGGIES, WAGGONS, 84. Give me • coil, and I will give you price" that cannot be neaten in th county. 1RMF'AIRIa•TC:1- eS .10331311\Tel- DOINTM KINTAIL CARRIAGE WORKS, B. Poi /NT Fr MIR. AGRICULTURAL WORKS. Haring purehassed the Goderich ronadry, 1 am fitting the premises Inc the sionotoeture et CHILLED VIA)WC and AGRICULTUftAl. III 1'1. K ENT'S nn • torts vicale. 74111 work. General Repoiring and Jobbing vr111 he con. the esti All work goortuntsed. Mr D iFtnnehriants it.. Getty Awe lint.botlasql in (WWI parusaell• and /1•0 moments re be. half rif the lots firm of Renetmon Mt. en . and alJ pereirma tedebsed are reqnsessill en envoy% uwinglet re* er.-.or•iinely s eilt611111.1.11t1R. Proprietor GET YOUR AUCTION SALE BILLS pRreTro t ttir 4ftee 4 TRY HI-RON SIGNAL North etre*, Gears&