Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-06
CHAPTER XI.
A Dream Of First Love.

Madeline turned red and then white.
The memory of their first, last and
only meeting was vivid in her mind.
Then it had taken place within sight
and sound of the sea; then her father
was beside her-her heart swelled
within her at the thought for although
he had not been kind to her just then,
he was still her father; and now she
was quite alone. Yet LancelOt's face
was the face of a friend and her eyes
were lit IN by a very kindly smile.
you have not forgotten me?' he
said.
cob, no, [ could never forget you,
you were so kind to me at Dover. But
it is so strange to meet you here"
I'm a garden this time. Were you
listening to the birds?" sRid Lancelot,
laughing and holding CIT his hand.
What a noise they make, don't they?
| called you twice before touched
you, but you would not hea."
81 am so sorry. l did not notice and
perhaps you did not use my name"
ooh, yes, [ did. MADELINE [ said. l
hope it was not too great liberty
And may l introduce mysdf? [ am
Lancelot Vanbrugh, as ?emaps you
will remember"
Yes" said Madeline, little shyly,
Il do remember"
Then you think of M sometimes?
[ imagined that you had quite forgot
ton mo by this time"
81 never forget people Nh' are kind
to me-" said Madeline, rater indig-
nantly.
indeed. But you keep III memory
to yourself, you do not sSpk of the
person you remember-evs e to your
dearest friend. 1t seems 1you can
keep a secret"
He spoke smilingly, gool-humoredly,
but the accusation brought the hot
color to Madeline's face, TIE scared look
to her eyes.
I'm only teasing YOU said Lance
lot, gently. Don't mind anything l
say. [ only mean that yu have been
for six months or more in the same
house with Lady Frances Aylmer and
she says you never mntioned my
name"
Madeline flushed guilty. She told
me that she had heard you speak Of
me-"
She turned away, so tlat he should
not see the tears that tad risen un-
hidden to her eyes. Iaucelot was
struck with remorse.
Madeline, don't be vezed with me,
dear" he said 81 did rot say much
to Lady Frances about cur meeting
indeed, did not And thought you
liked her so much that lou would not
mind"
ut isn't for my OWL sake" said
Madeline, in a choking voice. cit is
my father"
Il understand" he said in a soothing
tone. "She has told me other things
since then"
Madeline had turned away and he
saw that she was weeping.
I came" he said reAaessly, ''to see
whether I could he. ~ Ia any way.
But 1 am afraid 1 do nothing but dis
tIess you. Shall I go away?"
''Oh, no, no. Please stay"
4 got in by strategem," said Lance,
in a lighter tone. Il said l had a
message to you from Lady Frances and
the maid at the door beamed upon me
at the mention of her name and told
me where to find you. Frances must
be popular down here. Can I help you,
Madeline?"
IF [ could only find my father"
she said, in muffied tones.
Il will try. 1 have more opportuni-
ties than 1 had once. And now, look
up, Madeline. want to see you again
Do you know that it is nearly year
since our meeting on THE pier?"
She looked up at him and smiled.
Well" he said, "ha1e l altered
much?"
I don't think So" she answered
with her eyes still rivetej on his face
You look the same-anl yet you are
different. You are older1
1T is a whole year siflce we met"
said Lance, with mock dignity.