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

love affair had, OF course, long ago sunk
into abeyance, but there was still some
strange, inexplicable affinity between
the two OF which they were guiltily CON
scious. Madeline held the thought at
bay; perhaps Lancelot did the same, but
they had moments sometimes of deli
cious mutual comprehension, followed
by the tremors and shiyers OF a sort
of remorse which thrust them apart.
And as each never knew whether the
other were not in one stage or the
other of these ,counteracting and react
ing Influences, their intercourse became
much more exciting than that of or
binary acquaintances.
DO let me come he pleaded, in his
most insinuating manner, Il will be
very good"
Good she exclaimed almost as II
she doubted his power of keeping such
a promise.
Yes, good" He had got her basket
from her by this time and was walk
ing at her side. Il will do everything
you tell me-eyerything," with some
emphasis.
Madeline turned her head away.
as your father at home yet?' she
asked.
He came home last night"
And you have not seen him." she
said, turning upon him face OF horror
Lance laughed reluctantly. did you
never hear that my father and l were
not overgood friends?"
But that was years ago. when you
were a boy. Surely, now that you are
man, things are quite different"
II do not know that they are. In
fact, as a man | might be more in
clined to resent the want OF considera-
ton with which my mother was treated
by him than when | was a mere boy.
But you are right, | do mean to go
to see him-I dine at Aldersleigh to-
day"
II am glad of that do not think
there should be alienation between
father and children" said Madeline,
softly and with sigh. "Mr. Vanbugh,
will you not be so good as to tell me
something about my father? know
you have seen him"
Il have really nothing to tell you.
He was not much altered
When | go back TO London / should
like to see him. | shall have more in
dependence now, for Miss Joyce is go
ing to give me good salary and |
shall be able to help my people if they
want help
You surely don't mean to have any
thing more to do with them?' said
Lancelot, more holly than he knew.
No more to do with my father and
his wife and children" said Madeline,
in tone which denoted some dis
pleasure.
Il beg your pardon, | know it sounds
heartless. But you must consider the
way in which your father left you-.
Il know. That is just the point which
requires calculation. But | believe that
he will be able to explain it,"
Lancelot did not and so he held his
peace.
Besides said Madeline, feeling the
meaning of his silence more than she
chose to say, even il he had been-to
blame, that Is no reason why | should
give him up"
Lancelot looked at her quickly and
then averted his eyes. To his mind ii
had always seemed a sufficiently good
reason.
He is my father as much as ever"
said Madeline, '.and | should never
forget, hope, that / am his daughter"
Even If he did things that you dis
approyed?" He was thinking of Col
Vanbrugh.
Yes, certainly Then would be the
time to show that my affection was
reality"
But Madeline"-he often called her
Madeline when they were deep In
conversation and when it was likely to
seem TO her too trivial a matter to be
noticed-"do you not think that to
overlook every lapse or fault in a re-
lation, simply because he or she was
a relation, would be an extremely i'm
moral proceeding? / am perfectly GER
tain that moralists would say So"
"Oh, no, said Madeline, with smile,
because one always hates the thing
that is wrong. even while one loves the
person who does it."
1T comes perilously near eondoning
the wrong done" said Lance, with a
laugh, and the words came back TO him
with pang. He wished that he had
never discussed the question with
Madeline at all
Il can't help 1t il it sounds wrong"
she answered. Il feel sure that | am
right and ! shall act upon my theory.
There are the children, you know, and
was so fond Of Jenny, my stepsister.
You might tell me where they are,
believe you know"
If you wish 1t, | will tell you. But
! hope you will not do anything rash"
What can / do that is rash?" said
Madeline, with rather a mocking
smile