Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-05-07

Constance, looking round, contemptu-
ously. Mine is almost five times as
large suppose Aunt Selma thought
that 1t did not matter for you, as you
would soon be back to that hole OF a
school"
II ann very comfortable and happy
a. Westbourne house." said Madeline,
rather avoiding direct answer, land
Miss Joyce treats me like a child Of
her own"
Fancy old Joyce! Well, there's no
accounting for. tastes. Why don't you
sit down? You look so uncomfortable
standing
Constance herself monopolized the
only chair in the room, so Madeline,
after glancing round uncertainty, seated
herself on trunk which stood at the
foot of the bed and leaned back against
the bedstead railing.
How do you like Hurst?' Miss Esler
asked abruptly.
Very well, thank you
only very we'll? Don't you think
ii lovely spot?
1t is very pretty.
You are not enthusiastic. | suppose
Lancelot has been spelling the place for
you"
"Lancelotr calculated Madeline,
with her face on fire.
Eyes, Lancelot. Don't blush so ri
diculously, child; don't you think have
eyes and ears? | suppose you know,
however, that Lancelot does not belong
to you?"
Nor to you, either" was Madeline's
significant reply.
mo, not yet. But it is all arranged,
YOU know? am simply waiting for
him to speak.
Madeline knew it and felt that Con-
stance meant to wound.
80 | understand she said, quietly
Constance's dark eyes flashed How
do you understand? Who told your
Il fancy it is very we'll known" said
Madeline, with smile,
did Lancelot tell your
Lady Esler mentioned it to me the
other day" This was strictly true,
but it was not the answer that Con-
stance expected,
Answer my question, please" she
said with cold imperiousness. Did
Lancelot speak of this matter TO you?"
"He certainly did. But l do not see
why you need to question me about
what he said.
Il nave very good reason for ques-
tioning you, | think"
Madeline looked inquiringly; there
was a tone of strong meaning in Con-
stances voice. But she did not choose
to ask what it was.
Il told you | had eyes and ears" aid
Constance, with cold insolence. II see
more than you imagine. Besides, it is
perfectly clear to every one in the
house, that you are in love with Lance
lot Vanbrugh yourself"
Madeline sprang to her feet. This
is my room, Constance Esler, and you
have no right to come into it simply
to insult me-
81 don't see the insult" said Con-
stance placidly. Il came to say this
very thing chiefly because was sure
you did not know how clearly you
showed it. | consider it a kindness in
such a case to put a girl on her guard.
ut Is not true" said Madeline, now
white and quivering with anger You
shall not say such things of me; such
wicked things"
Where is the wickedness? My good
child, | am older than you and have
been longer in society; in fact, | don't
suppose you will ever go into society
at all in my sense of the word There
fore, you do not know the ways OF the
world and have not been instructed that
a young lady does not turn red and
white by turns when certain gentle
man comes into the room or look at
him as often as she can from under
her eyelashes, unless she Is in love
with him"
81 never do such things"
Indeed you do and YOU need to be
put on your guard. Aunt Selma has
spoken about it several times"
This Madeline did not quite believe,
for Lady Esler was the last person in
the world to think such a thing and
not to put it into words.
"And of course YOU fancy Lancelot
is in love with YOU continued Con
stance, coolly. but you may as we'll
disabuse your mind of that idea. He
likes a little Irritation as much as any
body; and man often chooses to ex-
ercise his power over a person in an
inferior positions governess, YOU
know, or companion. "
"That is quite enough, Constance .
said Madeline, firmly 81 may be poor,
but there Is no reason why | should
be insulted. You are Lord Esler's
grandniece. l believe; and | am Lady
Esler's grandniece-there is not much
difference in our position in this
house"
rs there not? Other people do not
see the matter in that light. How
- d.1w ~. Z, Naa