Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-07-26

glad. can't you understand that II
would have been hard for me TO lose a
friend, even though al the same mo-
ment gained daughter: OF course
it might be possible 10 combine the
two-only should not care for such
combination"
"You see,r went on the colonel, with
ratb4r comical expression about his
mouth, II have never felt the need
Of daughter, the possession Of one
would doubtless add to the comfort Of
my old age. but | don't feel that ap-
preaching yet"
~Of course not You are quite young.
Ii seemed absurd To think Of you as
the father Of your son.
II was forty-tiye month ago: bnt
somehow l. have never felt so young
as lately. ! married when | was one
or two and twenty; up 10 that time
| had scarcely spoken TO women,
and afterward, when my wife died.
was content with my chiid's com
panionship. When he left me, the
thought of him still filled myeiife;
never cared to form friendship even
though | liked many of the men in my
regiment and met with great kindness
and good-fellowship from them. Do
you know, Miss Warde, that when
returned from India, gray-haired vet
eran, as l am termed ii may seen. TO
you, | had never been in ioye?'
Was it the flickering light. as a
sudden wind sprung up and swept in
through the open window, that made
the girl seem so pale? Quickly she
recovered herself and laughed lightly
as she replied
do you expect pity for that? Why
| think you are 10 be envied, having
had no doubts and fears, no disap-
pointments, no sentimental troubles
Of any sort
as that your real opinionT he
asked her gravely. Do you really think
is of so little worth that the pains
and penalties which accompany it
sometimes are too heavy price to
pay?"
She was as grave as he now; visit
full look was in her eyes, as though
a happiness were. within her reach
which yet she must not stretch out
her hand to grasp.
1T does not matter what / think, :"
she said: my future Is decided, and
love has no part in it,"
She shiyered slightly as she spoke,
and he rose and closed the window.
1T is getting chilly in the evening
now. The summer is nearly over"
Silently she assented, and once more
work, while he sat and watched her.
Let me help you II | cam" he ex-
claimed impulsiyely
Ellen looked up in sore surprise, not
comprehending at first. Then under
standing that he spoke with reference
TO his own thoughts, not in answer to
anything she had said smiled CRATE
fully.
IF there is anything l ever want,
| will ask you'll promise she said.
Their hands met in firm clasp for
an instant. Then Colonel Severn
changed the subject
II heard from Charlie today
fancy he is enjoying himself in spite
Of his resolve to be miserable. His
friends seem to belong to rather a
reckless set. l only hope that they
won't lead him into any mischief"
why, what do you fear for him."
Nothing definite. | should not like
him to get intimate with the acquaint-
ances that he mas made lately. There
Is an actress
do you object to his assoclating
with herr" asked Ellen, laying down
her work, and looking steadily into his
face.
II don't think it will do him any
good, You think me uncharitable,
see. Now an actress leads a life Of
spurious excitement that must ncees-
sarily-"
"Stop!'' cried Ellen, raising her hand
with an imperious gesture. Il have
been an actress myself Don't say
anything YOU might regret"
she had risen to her feet; and he
lOD Ipctf lCchhe utterly pcnllutlSu,
and scarcely trusting his own ears
That this stern child, with her limo
cent big eyes and shy winning ways
should ever have trod the stage and
faced mixed audience seemed inn
possible-absurd. The mere thought
Of it enraged him. 1t could not be.
She was testing im-trying how
much he could credit against her.
"You don't believe me, but it was so
really. 1t is as honorable profession
as any other; and could have been
very happy in It if-if-"
Her voice broke, aud she turned
away her head to hide the hot sting
ing tears that had sprung into her
eyes as bitter recollections came surg
ing through her brain. Colonel Sew
ern thought she was hurt at what he
had said.
Il am q brute, and have offended
you beyond recall" he declared at
last, so humbly that ii she he'd felt
any wrath, it must have melted away;
but | was speaking carelessly, and
.,,fSt.at - ,x-Niob I l-navu pnthfpur