Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-04-23


hedges and trees ON each side, and
they were therefore absolutely alone,
Il must speak," said Lancelot at last,
with an effort TO control the detection
which seemed to have assailed him.
Il must speak, because -because---I
was going to say because 1t is only
right and fair, but 1t is not that, Made
line, II is because cannot help It,"
Il think YOU had better say no more, /"
'Just once. Madeline =
Il am generally called Miss Despatd,
Mr.. vanbrugh, am Madeline only to
my intimate friends. / have said so
before"
Il know; and you do not number me
among your friends. But let me speak
just once--just to free my own mind
end then will be silent ever after
ward"
Il do not see that 1t Is OF any use.
said Madeline, turning her face aside,
but II YOU choose to speak, will
listen. For once. only, remember; only
for once"
Her face was very pale. The two
stopped and faced each other in the
narrow lane. 1t seemed impossible for
them to walk on while they spoke"
Il must call you Madeline, then, for
this last time" said Lancelot, hurried
~, Just while / say what have to
say. Madeline, when 've were boy ard
girl we loved each other, did we not?
Don't shake your head, you know |
loved you-and | Thought thought
that you loved me"
Il did indeed" trembled on the tip
OF Madelines tongue, but she would
not utter the words.
And when---for some strange reason
Il got no letters from YOU" said Ian
oelot, Il was bitterly wounded and
even angry. l thought that you had
forgotten me, Madeline, and / set to
work to forget YOU did my best, It
took long time, but | thought that
had succeeded in the end"
II hope so, murmured Madeline,
scarcely knowing what she said She
stood with eyes cast down, the color
flown from cheek and lip; fair image
of sadness and distress.
You hope SO? / dare say you do,
said Lancelot, with discordant laugh.
1T is tiresome to have any one pursu-
ing you as | have done--as could not
help doing during the last few days.
1t has been impossible to keep away,
But as | was saying, ! thought I had
forgotten, because l thought that you
had cruelty and unkindly given me up
and that it would be folly for me to
remember you. Madeline, do you I'M
deTstand?"
Eyes, | understand"
well, my father wrote TO me. Lady
Steyenage spoke to me, Lady Esler in
timated her desire all to the same
effect. They want me to marry Con
stance Esler And T. like a fool con
scented. Madeline. what am | to do?"
There was sudden look OF conster-
nation In the eyes that Madeline raised
to his face.
You do not love herr she said,
slowly. "Oh, / am sorry. Have you
spoken to herr
Not in so many words, but am in
honor bound
There was pause, during which
Madeline had grown whittier than be-
fore; and it was in a very quiet, al
most pathetic voice that she said at
last:
Il hope you will be happy"
Madeline, Is that all you have to
say? Madeline. don't you understand
the plight | am in? have promised
to ask Constance to be my wife and
although | may not have absolutely
said the words, yet | know that she
expects me every day TO speak !
know that have committed myself.
And yet / do not love her and | know
now-4all to late that | love YOU
at lis, as you say, too late, said
Madeline, almost in whisper Some
thing in her face struck him then;
something caused him to look at her
intently and to step nearer to her,
Madeline. 1t Is not too late--df you
love me still.
She could not answer. A mist cover
ed her eyes, her brain swan, she put
out her hands to save herself from
falling. He misunderstood the move
ment and thought that she held out
her arms to him. la another moment
he had clasped her to his breast and
held her there. straining her close 70
him and covering her face with kisses
hot, passionate kisses, such as Madeline
had never known before. Gradually
she came back to keener consciousness
of the situation and flush Of hot color
began to dye her checks.
LET me CO. she murmured Let
me go; you have no right TO hold me
in this way"
Eyes, / have. Madeline; my sweet,
because you love me-"
"No-no-I never said"
you said nothing, except with your
hands and eyes, darling. But | could