Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-09-13

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tie caressing movement which soothed
his disquietude.
Presently he asked after Mrs. Prfolo;
and she told him that the housekeeper
had been called away to London on i'm.
portant affairs, but that the cook
would help her as far as possible.
He did not answer at once, but after
little while he said, in low sad tones
which showed that he too was not
deceived
2 The llircling fieeth because he Is an
hireling'" Then he added-"You are
indeed my daughter, Elaine. bless
the day when took you TO my heart. !
The quick tears came into her eyes.
Never thinking or the danger, only
of the compensation that had come
after so much pain, she stopped and
pressed her cool soft lips to his dry
ones, only wishing that so, with kiss.
she might impart some of her vitality
to him, even IL she paid the forfeit OF
her life.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Circumstances had combined to keep
Colonel Severn away from England for
much longer period than he had an
hipated He had calculated that he
might be back in four months at the
latest; but. when he arrived at his
destina ton, by some strange chance
the very person ii was most important
he should deal with directly had left
for Australia on six months leave.
And this was not the only misadvent-
ure; there were other delays; so nearly
a year had elapsed since he said good
by to Elaine, and for his sons sake
had refrained from telling his love or
dwelling on any hope he had of win
ming for them both happy future.
How long and anxious a time 1t had
been he scarcely realized until he stood
once more in his own house and felt a
question burning on his lips which he
could not utter at once.
In his usual happy, gracious fashion
Charlie was expressing his delight at
his fathers return, and never noticed
his preoccupied expression.
II hardly thought to find you here
still thought you would be in town, "
said Severn at last.
II ought to be there now-indeed
must go in a few da.s; but"
Charlie nodded comprehensively.
II hoped you would have recovered
from that old hopeless folly" said Sew
ern, sadly, rising from his chair and
walking a little way apart to conceal
hic Observation-Disclosures
II don't think you quite understand"
broke In Charlie, nervously. "All that
Is changed quite changed. Elaine"
Loves you in return. / never
dreamed of thatr' exclaimed the col
onel, blankly
Nor is it So She will never love
any one, | think. She is an angel, and
quite beyond the reach of any mortal
man. 1t is some one else care for
some one quite different. but 50 sweet
and gentle that no one could help low
Ing her. Father, you remember Mary
Featherstone"
DO YOU mean to tell me that within
d year you have fallen in love again
in the very sight and almost in the
hearing Of the girl whom you pro-
fessed to love before"
"Oh. Elaine Is not Jealous, i assure
you-not even piqued! She has sympa-
thized with me from the first, and
helped me in every way"
Upon my honor you had some self
possession to 20 to her with such \
storyr' he declared at last; and his
son had the grace to blush and proffer
an explanation.
You see she would never have loved
me. knew it was hopeless from the
first; and there was a reason why she
could not marry"
''You are very fortunate, Charlie, to
have your feelings so we'll under con-
troll"
Besides. she is so much older than
l."
"A year ago you thought that rather
an advantage" smiling In some
amusement.
II should have thought you would
be pleased TO know that am growing
wiser with a slightly aggrieyed air
"Is il wisdom? l could almost
doubt it. But after all that is ques-
ton for your own consideration. Do
YOU think Miss Featherstone will ac-
cept YOU. Charlie?"
"She has accepted me, or at least
implied as much"
Severn crossed over TO his sons side
and laid his hand on his shoulder with
a kindly pressure.
Forgive me IL | seemed unsym-
pathetic. At my age thought travels
more slowly than at yours, and found
it difficult at once to reconcile the
state of affairs now with that which
existed when l went away. But be-
lieye me, | have your happiness at
heart. and | think you will be happy.
Mary Featherstone is too sweet and
true a woman not to make a good wlfe;
and | shall welcome her very gladly
MS my daughter"
Charlie looked up with a pleased
smile: II he had noticed want of COR
diality in his fathers tones at INST.
he had not attributed Ii to any cause,