Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-07-02
CHAPTER XXXvIII.
with All Ny Heart. :"


Col. Vanbrugh was back again
bronzed and soldierly looking still, but
with an indefinable air of having aged
in some way that did not show itself
in grayness and wrinkles. Still there
was change and nobody was more
struck by it than his friends, the Ste
yenages. who were at home for the
shooting season. September had begun
and their house was full of guests, but
they were always glad to welcome Ro-
ger Vanbrugh, whom they looked on as
dear and valued friend
Il have been four years away; sup
pose you have nearly forgotten me-"
he said to Lady Frances, whom he
found one morning in the garden,
gathering autumnal flowers for her
mothers sitting-room.
She looked up with grave smile.
Certainly not l remember you per-
fectly. | was not child when you
went away"
Were you not o.
No doubt | seemed one to you,
said Frances. calmly, but | was old
enough to reflect and to remember"
1T is better to do reither." he an
swered her, with a gloomy look.
She paused little
only an unhappy person can say
that" she remarked, presently.
we'll am not very happy man,
am IL"
Perhaps not; but need you make
your own unhappiness measure of
other peoples lives? 1t may be good
for you to forget; it may be good for
others to remember"
We'll answered You put me to
shame" he said, looking at her kindly.
Where did you get your WISDOM"
Frances colored quickly and hotly.
1t seemed to her hat he was only
mocking her ignorance. She turned
aside and said nothing and he, notice
ing that she was a little hurt, contin-
ued in a bitter strain:
II am afraid it is wisdom that I
should never learn. I have never yet
been able 20 put precept into practice.
My own experience has been hard
one and | wish with all my heart that
the waters of Lethe would cover it.
| should be content to forget the good
of life il l could forget the evil"
THAT is hard saying"
.'The evil has exceeded the good. you
see. If. like yours, life were all sun
shine for me- | should probably be glad
enough to remember it."
II don't think life can be all sun
shine for any one" said Lady Frances,
little sadly"
The light had gone out OF her eye.
Roger Vanbrugh smiled. mot even
for you? | should have thought any
thing else an impossihilty
She was not able to answer. for at
that moment a servant was seen ad-
Nancing toward them from the house
with an orange-colored envelope upon
tray which he offered solemnly to
Col. Vanbrugh.
"Will YOU excuse me?' said Roger,
pleasantly. Il am expecting a tele-
gram from my lawyers"
He had got so far in his little SEN
tentious apology md had torn open
the envelope, and unfolded the pink
paper. when his eye was caught by a
word in the message, which seemed to
turn him to stone.
You have bad news?' said Frances
breathlessly
lie looked up, tried to speak, then
put the paper into her hands and turned
away.
The message was from Lancelot
Nine Zavertal seriously i'll; please
come at once
Frances knew enough of the Van
brughs' history to be aware that Nine.
zayertal was the coionels wife She
flushed hesitated and looked at Roger.
whose whole attitude struck her as
euriously unresponsise.
ITO Be Continuedl