Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-06

Il know they are. But ! have moth
ing else"
Madeline, it won't always be SO.
Some day things will be better for you
better for me, too"
"Why should you want things TO be
better for you? Haven't you every
thing you can wish for? You have
father and mother and a home-every-
thing have lost, you know. You
ought to be happy"
Lancelot sighed and turned away.
He did not like to divulge the secret
unhappiness of that stately home at
Aldersleigh.
II do not think shall stay at home
much longer" he said, after short
silence. Men have to go out into the
world"
Are you going to be a soldier, like
your father?"
NO" said Lance, CURLY.
oh, Lady Frances always said you
were going to be heavy Dragon"
"That was partly Frances fun. And
there was truth in 1t, too. did think
once of the cavalry, but | have made
up my mind that it is not the life for
me-"
why not? You look like a soldier,
| think" said Madeline.
"The worst of it is that it leaves a
man dependent on his father for a
long time. l want to be Independent,
Madeline, | am contemplating new
start in life. I think l must tell you
little about it, if you care to hear
81 don't know how it is, but I feel
exactly as If had known you all my
life. 1t must be because you are so
like my mother
81 am very glad"
"Do you feel the same with me?"
81 believe / do. I can talk to you
more easily than talk to any one
except perhaps Frances
ooh, put me first" said Lance, turn
ing and lifting a handsome, entreating
face to hers.
81 don't think I can do that: l have
really not known you long enough"
II shall never be content until you
do"
"What--until l like you better than
Frances?'
Better than any one else"
He had said 1t 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
stirred his heart in this way before.
Madeline looked down, a little color
had stolen into her cheeks, but other
wise she seemed undisturbed.
Tell me what you mean to be-" she
said.
II think of trying journalism. 1
shall perhaps read for the bar"
Does your father like that?"
81 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 a
choice-I can't live with both. My
father does not want me: my mother
does"
You are sure that your father does
not want you?'
We'll, he has interests Of his own
She has interests, too, but she Is lone
ly, frail, often ailing she needs son
only take you to her."
"I am sure / should love her."
"And she would love you We may
1t some day. I might persuade
her perhaps to call on Miss Joyce--on
you Then she would ask you to stay
with her, perhaps"
IT am afraid Miss Joyce would not
like it."
1--WE are not bound to do always what
Miss Joyce likes are WEI"
1T am" said Madeline. rather sadly,
"You poor little thing. You are like
chained to the rock Shall
I be your Perseus and carry you
away?"
He put out his hand and took her
fingers in his own After
the first hesitation, they nestled there
as IL quite at home.
There is no dragon for me to be
rescued FROM
as not Miss Joyce a dragon? Even /
Constance Esler, should fancy. par
takes of the dragon nature"
"If you are going to work for your
self you will have to fight your own
battles, without those Of anybody else"
ITO fight yours would make me
strong" said Lancelot.
She gave his hand delicate little
pressure and then drew her own away I
What fascinated him in her was the
mixture of gentleness and decision, the
subtle charm of manner which came
from innate refinement II ever she
lost it---but she would never lose 1t,
she could never be anything but his
the Madeline of his dreams