Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-06

81 don't think l can do that; 1 have
really not known you long enough"
Il shall never be content until you
''What-until 1 like you better than
Frances?'
Better than any one else
He had said it without intending to
say it: and he knew at that very mo-
ment that it was true. A new tide Of
life and joy seemed to fill his veins.
/ This sweet-faced child should be his
by right, one day. She belonged to
him by some strange instinct Of COM
radeship, and no other girl-woman had
I stirred his heart in this way before.
Madeline looked down, little color
had stolen into her cheeks, but other
wise she seemed undisturbed.
{ Tell me what you mean to be- she
said.
81 think of trying journalism I
shall perhaps read for the bar"
Does your father like that?"
Il have not consulted him" Then
Lancelot drew himself up in a sitting
posture and spoke more soberly '|The
fact is, Madeline, my father and
mother do not live in the same house;
they don't agree. I have to make
choice-I can't live with both Ny
father does not want me; my mother
Does
"You are sure that your father does
not want you?'
well, he has interests of his own.
She has interests, too, but she is lone
ly, frail, often ailing-she needs a son
or daughter. Oh, Madeline, if I could
s only take you to her"
81 am sure I should love her"
"And she would love you. We may
manage it some day. I might persuade
her perhaps to call on Miss Joyce-on
you. Then she would ask you to stay
with her, perhaps
ct am afraid Miss Joyce would not
like it."
eve are not bound to do always what
Miss Joyce likes, are we?"
81 am" said Madeline, rather sadly.
"You poor little thing. You are like
Andromeda, chained to the rock. Shall
I be your Perseus and carry you
away?"
He put out his hand and took her
half-reluctant fingers in his own. After
the first hesitation, they nestled there
as if quite at home
''There is no dragon for me to be
rescued from"
'Is not Miss Joyce a dragon? Even
Constance Esler, I should fancy, par
takes of the dragon nature"
eff you are going to work for your
self, you will have to fight your own
battles without those of anybody else"
F'To fight yours would make me
strong" said Lancelot
She gave his hand a delicate little
pressure and then drew her own away.
What fascinated him in her was the
mixture of gentleness and decision. the
subtle charm of manner which came
from innate refinement. If ever she
lost it-but she would never lose it,
she could never be anything but his
Madeline, the Madeline of his dreams,
the ideal of a vision just looming into
the horizon of his life.
what brought you here today?" she
asked him presently
"You"
oh, Mr.. Vanbrugh-"
Don't you mean to call me Lance
lot? Oh, you must. Frances and
Constance do. Let me hear you say
Lance. 1t will give me more pleasure
than you know
Lance, then" she said, simply.
Lance -Lancelot-it is pretty name.
Why did you come-really?"
Indeed it was to see you. Lady
Frances did not talk about you much
till the day before yesterday. Then
chance reference to you was made and
[ seized on it. I have been calling my
self names for months, for not having
asked her more about you But have
| been very much engaged during the
last few months-very much-ab-
sorbed'
(To Be Continued)