Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-07-12

coward the room Wnefess DAT. bOWyeI
was seated, feeling that she had won
the game with points to spare.
Two or three months had passed
since Colonel Seyern's last visit 10 the
Dover house; nor had he seen Ellen
in the interval Charlie had always
asked for his company at first. and
expressed himself injured at the some
what curt refusals he received; but
latteriy he had evidently preferred go
ing thiiher alone. One day. as he
was starting of as usual his father
stopped him in the hall
Come into my den a moment,
Charlie. want 10 speak TO YOU" he
said
The young fellow went with him at
once. and sat on the edge of the table
waiting for what was to follow. He
had a clear conscience. or he might
have been disturbed by his unexpected
summons.
"Ysu are or to the Dover House. |
supposey" inquired the colonel
Yes, sir" answered Charlie, with
his usual frankness "Can take any
messagew
Have you ever thought, Charlie.
TO what these daily visits may commit
you? 1t is not fair to Miss Warde,
making her conspicuous by your atten-
tons, unless you really mean to ask
her to be your wife"
"And, If did. SIR should have your
approvaIT interrupted the boy.
eagerly.
Colonel Severn blew cloud after
clond Of pale-blue smoke In the air
before he answered
You see. Charlie he said half
alphabetically, I'm not model par
emit Tie reason why | spoke to you
this morning is that I want you to be
certain of your own mind-your own
wishes. You are very young, and you
may change"
eNeverr' cried Charlie, with such
superabundance of emphasis in his
tones that even his father, whose mood
was serious enough, was forced to
smile.
You must also remember" he went
on, presently, that we know nothing
of the aDtecedents of either Mr.. Bow.
yer himself or his niece. They have
evidently some strong reason for the
strict seclusion they insist on; and you
must ask yourself whether, in case
anything transpired toto Miss
Warde's disadvantage. your love is
strong enough to stand the shock"
IF she is in trouble, there is the
more reason why she should have some
one to help and protect her" answered
Charlie. simply.
The colonel laid his hand affection
ately on his sons shoulder in mute APP
prevail
Then you do not object TO my ask
ing her to become my wife, sirT'
My dear boy. / have told you before
that in my opinion fathers should have
no authority in the matter of sons
marriage said the colonel.
And you won't even give your
opinion? AT least you might offer
your advice" grumbled Charlie.
What would my advice be worth:
1t is your affair entirely-it is you who
have to live with her. not ]" he con
Guided, with short laugh.
ut strikes me-" said the young fell
low, after Il pause, that We have been
taking rather one-sided view of the
question. Suppose with sudden
catch in his suppose she won't
have me?' said Charlie
nm. ct1
as he loved his son and wished for his
happiness, he could not, even to com
fort him, express his conviction that
Ellen Warde would become his wife
1T seems such presumption in me to
ask for her love-" went on Charlie,
clever, while l."
DO goa think one stops 10 weigh the
pros and cons in loveg
But Charles fears once aroused.
would not be so easily allayed. Moth
ing would satisfy him but that his
father should accompany him; and
Colonel Severn, who had never refused
him anything, reluctantly consented
Not that l shall be of the least use"
he observed, resignedly. I'm an old
fogy now, and have forgotten all about
such things"
You old? Why. you are in the
prime of life. l say, dad"-linking his
arm affectionately through his fathers
isn't it lucky you did not fall in
love with her yourselfg'
The necessity for any reply was OBJ
waited by Ellen's coming forward to
meet them as they passed through the
gate-the entrance into Mr.. Bowyer's.
Il am glad you have come again at
last" said she, giving her hand to the
colonel; land Mr.. Bowyer will be very
glad TO see you too, | know"
She stood with downcast eyes, nery-
ously lingering her flowers. as he
quietly spoke his excuses for his past
neglect of them and expressed his
pleasure at being there then.
When he had finished speaking,
Charlie broke in impnlsiyely with some
gu stion about herself, and, as she
answered him. Colonel Severn walked
On to join Mr. Bowyer. who was sit
ting outside the house.