Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-03-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
4 Promise Of Marriage.


schoolroom trying to bury herself and
her troubles in book, when one OF
Miss Joyce's maids entered hurriedly
and called her by name
Miss Despard, you are waiting in the
morning room. Miss Joyce told me to
come for you. Are you tidy? Because
there is lady and gentleman to see
you and you are to make haste"
Madeline started up and her face
changed from white to red and then
to white again. Lady and gentleman
oh, can it be-"
She was thinking of her father.
"The lady's Mrs Gervase," said the
maid, unconsciously destroying hei
hopes, land the gentleman's quite
young mot 20, l should think. but
dont know his name. You are to
make haste, Miss Despard"
Am l tidy" said Madeline, and
submitting herself to the maids inspec
ton. as my hair SMOOTH"
"Oh, yes, it is all right. Your dress
is shabby, miss, but | suppose you
haven't another that you can put on?"
mo, haven't Besides. there would
not be time | must go as | am"
She had turned pale again with a
nervous fear lest Mrs. Gervase should
speak to her OF the fraud which Con-
stance had practiced on her not long
before-a fraud in which Madeline had
been made an unwilling participation.
The young man with her would prob
ably be her son. Madeline did not
think much about him. 1t was only
when she had passed into the morning
room and given her hand to Mrs, Ger
vase, with that ready grace which
sometimes pleased and eXasperated
Miss Joyce, that she raised her eyes
to the-face of the stranger and sud
denly recognized her old friend Lance
lot Vanbrugh She could not suppress
the start. the exclamation, the mantling
color, which told of recognition and
which made good-natured Mrs. Gervase
chuckle audibly
1T is an old friend, isn't it, dear?"
she said you didn't know that
knew Lancelot Vanbrugh, did you? I
know all the people about Hurst and
. 1AlNCl Sl0lSHt Sph nN1I bNSihSV 1 NVhiN
from that part of the world myself.
Lance has been writing to me about
you So | came today to ask Miss Joyce
to let you come and stay with me for
few days, knowing that you had no.
where to co.
She paused, out of breath with her
volubility and Madeline's eyes flew to
20 until, M
which would, however, have had very
little effect if Miss Joyce had not al
little effect IL Miss Joyce had not al
ready determined to accept the invita-
ton.
GAS Mrs. Gervase has so kindly
asked you Madeline, I think there
can be no objection" she said, stiffiy
"You will, hope, be good girl and
do credit to the teaching you have re-
ceived-"
"She will be good girl anywhere,
am sure said Mrs. Gervase, with
her good humored laugh, cutting short
Miss Joyce's admonitions and Made
lines gratitude at one blow And she
can come now, | suppose? | shall send
man for her boxes by and by"
Put on your hat, then, Madeline"
said Miss Joyce. in a tone somewhat
less frosty than usual. You may think
yourself very fortunate girl in hav-
ing such kind invitation"
Madeline felt {. little oppressed. but
she caught the twinkle in Lancelot's
eye at that moment and was treasured.
She flew to put on her hat and coat
and to give the friendliest housemaid
a few injunctions as to the things
which were to be sent after her; and
then in silent ecstasy of delight she
set out for Mrs. Gervase's house in
company with the kind old lady and
Lancelot Vanbrugh.
AS soon as they were free Of West
bourne house Mrs. Gervase began to
laugh again. I'VE took the precise old
schoolmistress by storm, did we not?
| bore you off at once, because thought
she might change her mind. She looks
very stiff and stern. Is she kind to
you, dear?"
with some little hesitation in her voice.
( ON, yes, with more decided EN-
phasis, "she is very kind"
Lance had as yet not spoken much.
He glanced at her keenly and shook
his head little. Madeline colored and
laughed and added another sentence.
Il am sure she means to be very kind"
she said
I'VE know to what place the road is
paved with good intentions" said
Lancelot, "and we will hope that she
does not rest in only meaning we'll"
The walk to the house was short
and Mrs. Gervase at once took possess
sion of Madeline and showed her the
I dainty bedroom that was TO be hers
and explained the ways Of the house
hold generally.
4 am ali lost alone during the day."
she said. because my husband and my
boys go into town every morning, so
you and Lance will have to amuse each
other for day or two. I may as well
tell you, my dear, that | asked you
il.