Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-07-07

Here was a question he had not an
hcipated, but his answer came without
a pause.
Il am going on business business
connected with your mother"
rs it so urgent?' she said, looking
anxiously in his face. Can anything
do her any good now, or make her
happier than she is?''
Yes, it is urgent enugh," he said,
not needing her last questions; land
yet it has been waiting for my attention
these twelve years. have been supine
in my dotage; but I'm awake now; and
you'll be happy enough, child, while
I'm away"
of forty is only beautiful to those who
have loved her in her youth?'" he
said getting up and pacing reslessly
the room. And she would be verging
toward that by noW-yet more lovely
than you are, or ever will be-
He looked searchingly at the girl
who had paled but not shrank before
this new and unsupported phase of his
character, then said;
LUIS uOl
in twelve years? For see here''-he I'M
locked a drawer and brought out a
full-length minature-"here is her very
dreSS-her hat-juSt as she wore them
to church on the first Sunday after our
marriage; and you are wearing their
very doubles'-(he held the portrait out
as she advanced to look)-''but the
photograph itself is a Wretched daluhs
and you'll never get any real idea of
her from that or her picture. You
must look in the glass if you want to
see her image"
Am l so like her, father?'' said
the girl, looking at him steadfaStly,
subduing each sign of alarm at the
excitability of manner visible in the
usually cold, proud man.
YES" he said, looking at her fXedly,
you are 50 like her that you have
reminded me Of her. Good God! to
think she has lain out under cold and
forgotten trough twelve years"
No." said the girl firmly, ''she has
never been forgotten-not day has
passed that l have not laid flowers
above her; and when Doune was at
home we went together"
But l laid none," said Mr.. Eyre;
though I have plucked a daisy or two;
and her blood cries out to me-
1T is at rest" said NIadcap, softly,
and though we shall so to her, she
will not return to us; and there are the
living to think Of as well us the dead
You viii do well enough without
me, chiad,'' said Mr.. Eyre, grimIy;
the book of youth is more suitable to
your reading than that of age, and to-
day I've woke up to the fact that l
am over fifty, and that whatever work
| have to do, l must do quickly"
You are not DID," she said, with
tears in her eyes, as she remembered
Gordon's words; you are Il DEAR
handsome darling Dad, as you always
We're, and ever will be"-and with !;
sob she reached up her arm and caught
bin us he would have passed her.
NO, no, child" he said, Il am old
l have looked at myself in the glass,
and there are two lifetimes at least
between you and me. There was only
one between me and your mother, SO
today she seems nearer than you are
And you will be happy enough with
the bOys-she was never as happy witt
hers as with hers as with me-"
He was walking quickly to and fro as
he spoke startling Madcap with the
signs of excitement that pointed surely
to brain mischief; but he caught the
fear in her eyes as it rose, and said
Pm sane enough, child-but to wake
out of sleep of twelve years, to find
| been DONE
But have you not done much:' she
said, her young voice uncOnsciOusly
stern; ''have you not made your child
rem happy, and would she have wished
mOrey'
$50 l have made you happy, Mad
cap" he said, looking at her, land
whatever sins may eb on my shoulders
can tell her that when / see her
And now We'll go to lunch, and after
that 1 have business to do, though it's
Sunday, and then We'll go for a walk
instead of to church, and I'll tell you
all your duties, as young Squire while
I'm away"
His eyes were brilliant, he was unlike
his usual self as he led her to the din
ing-room, where the young men and
lunch had long awaited them.
He is handsomer than Doune," was
| GordOn'S first thought, as the pail
came in; and he understood better that
infatuation ofMrs. Eyre for her hus-
band, which had hitherto seemed to
! him a fable.
$50 l have kept you waiting" said
Mr.. Eyre, as he sat down at the head
land yet 1 am hungry too;" and he
carved for them all with vigor, and
even helped himself with a liberal
hand.
$50 you are going away tomorrow,
boys" he said presently. ''Well, L
am going, too; but further than you"
Where are you going, father?' said
Doune, looking up astonished, while
Gordon was wondering what made
Madcap so pale and unlike herself.
II am going ON business connected
with your mother, and perhaps 1 may
travel with you as far as town."
'And what will Madcap do all alone?"
said Doune, with some dissatisfaction
in his voice. Couldn't you put off
your travels, Sir, till 1 am at home
again to take care of my sister"
'Not l." said Mr.. Eyre. give put
them off these twelve years, and they'll
wait no longer. And the child will be
happy enough" He turned to look at