Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-07-16

you don't know him, dearest, or
you would not talk OF him as If he
we're so small-minded. All, there he
is. Now, you must come"
And he drew her by the hand out
at the long French window and on the
terrace they came face to face with
Col. yanbrugh.
He was thin and pale and there was
great melancholy in his dark eyes,
but his face was so kind, with all its
sadness, that Madeline could not but
be treasured.
This is Madeline, father" Lancelot
said, and Roger vanbrugh took her
gently by the hand, looked at her and
kissed her on the forehead.
You are very like your aunt, he
said, gently. And then after little
pause: "And when are you going TO
make Laneelot happy, my dear ehild?
Madeline blushed crimson and Lam
oelot drew a little nearer to her side.
Il think she is only waiting for you
to ask her that question, father"
"Then let it be soon, my dear Why
postpone your happiness? Life is not
long; make the most of it while you
are young and love one another"
The words were very gently spoken,
but they impressed the young people
greatly and as they thought Of his
broken life and wasted love they VOW
ed to each other that they would never
let their own happiness be marred by
fruitless suspicious and vain distrust.
They were married before the end of
the summer and certainly it seemed as
though this good resolution of theirs
had brought them more happiness than
usually falls to the lot of even those
who love one another.
They did not settle down at Alders-
leigh. They spent the winter abroad
and then took house in town and
enjoyed themselves. Col. Vanbrugh
Also seemed to avoid his old home and
he, too, wandered in foreign lands for
many long day.
But it happened that when he was
exploring a remote old German town
which had considerable interest for the
archaeologist he came across a party
of people whom he knew. One was
Lady Stevenage and with her was little
Lady Frances, looking unaccountably
worn and pale.
1--WE came abroad for Frances
health" said Lady Sewerage. 1.-THE
child has not been we'll lately. / can't
think what is the matter with her"
But when she glanced at Frances
there was bright color in that young
lady's cheek, which gave her a look of
health and vigor which had not been
there for some, time.
1t was quite natural that Col Van
brugh should join himself to the Ste
venages' party. He was looking strong
and well, though not very cheerful
sibly because he wanted little society
for he seemed to grow younger every
day Lady Sewerage wondered at the
change, puzzled over it and finally con-
suited little Lady Frances.
But, mother, he is not old" said
Frances, quite Indignantly.
"Oh well, old enough to be your
father, Frank"
He is younger at heart than any
young man 4 know" said Lady Fran
ces. And he is really not much over
10
Forty -fve love know his age to
day ="
Forty -fve?" said Frances, thought
fully. Il think that is such nice age
fer man.
DO you?" said Lady Sewerage. But
she was astonished by something in
the girls manner and she said nc
II ore
There was a good deal of picturesque
scenery in the vicinity and Lady Fran
ces and Col. Vanbrugh took a good
many walks together for he was "old
enough to be her father; nobody
seemed to think that she required G
chaperon And the walks were pleas
ant, but all good things come to al
end at last.
1--WE are going away tomorrow, sale
little Lady Frances, as they STOOD an(
watched the evening light over thu
meadows and the Overlooking river al
their feet.
ITO England"
Eyes; are you not coming back t
i Aldersleigh?
"Aldersleigh is very lonely now"
"But Lancelot and Madeline?"
They like a more active life; the!
are fond of the town.
How extraordinary said Frances
there is nothing ike country lif'
to me"
And yet it did not seem to hav
suited you. You were pale and THU
when saw YOU first. think you lool
a little better now"
For an answer Frances blushed sud
denly and wildly and Roger Vanbrugl
wondered why. Then thought cam
to hima thought which set his hear
beating in a tumultuous way which h
could hardly understand.