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

n thing TO be ashamed of and to be
jealously hidden away. He knew that
he loved or was learning to love Ell
len Warde; but fortunately he was
warned in time, and 1t was not too
late 10 stihe the passion the folly OF
which was 50 clear to him now.
What chance had he with his gray
hairs and spent life against Charles
handsome face and winning wayst
But, even had he more in his favor,
the situation was untenable in It's iii
dignity. 1t was impossible utterly I'm
possible, that he could stoop to rivalry
with his son Charlie over Ellen.
Colonel Severn was allowed no rest
the next day until he had consented
to go with his on to the Dover House.
He would gladly have sent Charlie
alone, but to this the boy objected 50
strenuously that 10 have continued his
refusal would have aroused suspicion;
and that must never be. No one must
ever guess how near he had been 10
making a fool Of himself at his age
too, when he had thought himself I'M
pervlous-and indeed ought To have
been so, and would have been II he
had met her In ordinary circumstances
of society.
The idea OF taking TO himself a sec
ond wife had never seriously entered
his head; but the thought had some
times crossed his mind that some day
a woman past her first youth, whose
Illusions were over, and who would re-
qure from him neither enthusiasm nor
love. might be induced from the same
motives that influenced him to share
his lot TO attempt TO link young
girls fate with his would be wrong
as well as undesirable he had thought,
and IL was easy To imagine that the
natural incongruities of taste would
cause intense suffering and great dis
appointment.
But Ellen Wardc was not like other
young women. She was 80 sad and
staid that, even II he had paused to
analyze his feelings, he would scarcely
have thought Of her youth as an oh.
lection All, TINT had been his mis-
take, which he realized more keenly
stTII as she came forward 10 meet his
son with frank smile of welcome and
outstretched hand! For a moment too
the small white fingers were aban-
doned to his clasp but this was only
because 1t would be inyidious 10 make
distinctions, and she had known him
tirst. SO at least he thought, and Mt
the earliest opportunity left her side
and opened a conversation with Mr..
Bowyer
He spoke eonnectedly and with his
usual clear Judgment, but quite me
chancally, for his whole attention was
concentrated on the other two. who
were seated ON an ottoman turning
over the leaves Of nm album. Charlie
was in high spirits; once or twice he
laughed heartily; ana presently. unable
to resist the infection Of his merri-
ment, Ellen Warde laughed AT Charlie.
The colonel glanced wistfully across
the room TO where his son sat, lean
ing forward, bright with animation
and gesticulating slightly in affecta-
ton of the foreign fashion-as he
talked. Ellen's gray eyes We're raised
to his face in evident interest, and the
color came and went in her excite
ment: 1t was ms though life had been
suddenly brmthed into a statute, 50
different was she from what she gen
orally was,
Charlie, who had seen her only SO
admired her without reserve, betray-
ing his admiration at eyety turn Col
onel Severn got up to 20, feeling that
he could bear II no longer
He was a little surprised when FL
len proposed to MIR Bowyer that they
should walk part of the way back with
Thorn more SO when she pointedly
showed her Intention Of walking with
the colonel, ard not With his son.
Charles disappointment was visible
but he rallied almost immediately and
made himself as agreeable as possible
10 The Anslo-Australian. who had once
been IN The profession which he him
self was ultimately to adopt.
The other two gradually dropped be-
hind. talking geuemlities ut first, until
Ellen Warde stopped quite suddenly
and faced her companion
II want you to help me. Colonel
severn" she said 80 him,
"If can do 80, You may be quite
sura that will said the colonel
"Nliss Mary Featherstone thu Wears
daughter called on me to-day"
II nm clad ot that she Il such q
nice rirl and will be a pleasant
friend
''Tha is quite impossible" she s,iid
AZ last IN a low strained voice II
can never be her friend l am in
mourning YOU know; | do not visit"
"Rut the Wears daughter surely"
cit makes no difference l don't
wish to break through my rule II +
for that want Your assistance You
know very well, and can explain 70
her that am very grateful 70 her for
her Kindness In coming e see me so
soon; hut hut I never make friends
We are neither Of rs sosiahle In your
case Il was different. but II re-
turned Miss Featherstone,s call. others
might rome; ard aud :"
sarFYt.. a r nj.