The Argosy — page 148: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

138 Madge's Sacrifice. “You look like a charity-school girl,” said pert Miss Nellie. ‘“‘Or an escaped convict,” chimed in Master Bob. “Or an unfledged duckling!” suggested Kit. ‘What has become of your golden plumage, my bird?” asked the father kindly, making room for poor blushing Madge on the chimney settee, beside him. He noted that the merry blue eyes were glistening, and though puzzled himself, longed to shield his darling. Madge made a desperate effort to rally her spirits, and resist the inclination to rush off and hide her literally diminished head on her own pillow. ‘T’ve tarned it into more substantial gold, father,” she said, looking up into the kind face by her side. “I know I am a fright, but if you would only none of you look at me these holidays, I daresay it will have grown to a decent length again by the next.” “Sold it!” exclaimed the chorus-of voices again. ‘‘ Who'd have thought of Madge being so mercenary !”’ Poor Madge! the ordeal was far worse than she had anticipated. ‘I wanted the money for a very particular purpose. Father, mother, indeed, indeed it was very important,” she urged, as she saw the surprised and rather pained expression on her father’s face, and the disapproving frown on her mother’s. “TJ think, Madge, you might have consulted me on the matter first,” said the latter. “It’s altogether preposterous |” said Kit angrily, as he pushed back his chair and hastily left the room. “I’m sorry I’ve vexed everyone so,” said poor Madge; “but still I think it was right. I’m afraid,” she added, trying to rally, “you only cared for my poor old wig, not for its wearer at all. I never guessed before how like Samson I was, nor that all my power would depart with my hair!” Tom Helston said nothing, but sat looking very blank for awhile, and soon took his departure. That same evening, as he sat with hissister over the cottage fire, he exclaimed, not 4 propos of anything that had been said before: “It’s a miserable ald concern of a world, Polly! The people you think the highest and best, turn out to be mean, money-loving, com- monplace folks, after all!” And the good-humoured face puckered itself into a most uncomfortable frown. III. Manpce’s Christmas did not promise to be a very bright one this year. And had she not been sustained by entering into the true spirit of that blessed festival, I think her brave heart would have given way to depression and discontent, under her troubles. CORNICE OOS (GO)