Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-06-11
Continued


the question that Madeline couid a.
most have laughed II she had not leh
no unutterably sad
'That is what you must not ASK
me" she said.
"And that Is why you refuse 70 marry
me?"
"Yes."
"You mean. dear. that Il was your
father who met some unknown person
in the plantation and took the jewel
case away. quite understand and
there is no use in blinking facts. Come,
now. what then am not going TO
marry your fF.ifsr, | am going 70
marry YOU
THAT is just what you must not DO
IF you marry me you cannot disSociate
yourself entirely from my father. And
YOU see what may happen what has
happened OF course must tell you
that he was greatly deceived, be thought
he was receiving something that an
other person had a right to give"
'eWho was the other person."
81 cannot tell you, Lancelot."
my dearest | am perfectly certain
that Il was Constance Esler. She
hated you, she wanted TO ruin you she
thinks she has done il now. But she
shall ind out her mistake"
"That does not matter, Lancelot.
Legally my father Is responsible And
there are many things beside you
know about them as well as | do And
l will not marry you.
Madeline darling"
Think OF your father that man Of
stainless honor-tthe cavalier, as Lady
Frances used to call him how would
he like you to marry oscar Despard $
daughter? Oh, 1t is terrible to me 10
have 70 say IT,, but ! have eyes and
egrs. VIII not be blinded and / viii
not let You do what you might live
ia repent"
my dearest, do not mind what
your father is"
But ! mind for YOU. | DO not want
your family to be disgraced through
me viii not have IT, | would rather
never see your face again"
Madeline, don't you love me-"
Yes, oh, yes Iancelot. do But
think o. that old hackneyed line; that
you know as we'll as | do, and that is
true for all time
(" i could not love thee dear 50 much
Loved | not honor more
1t Is q scruple said Lancelot pas
atnnafatv. tfnr,H nnt tunsfb onnailariro
tell you | do not care; besides, you
would know that Oscar Despard was
your father? Something could be done
for him. 70 raise him above tae neees.
sity Of peddling shifts and schemes.
Don't lose heart, dear | will provide
for him somehow and we will forget
the past.
DO you think I could allow that %
III YOU loved me rs much as | love
you, YOU would allow me anything
Madeline shook her head Il cannot
do H." she said. In a tone of agony
which convinced him Of her sincerity
far more than the words she uttered.
IT would break my heart"
And will II not break mine II YOU
give me up"
No You are man YOU will get
over IL
l.ancelot was silent for moment,
then be suddenly put his arm rolpd
her. drew her 70 him and kissed her
on the lips
Now he said, softly now can you
give me up?"
10 other man shall ever kiss me-
she muttered bur all the same. Lance.
] must not be Your wife"
Madeline i Is unnatural. you can.
not do II. See kiss you again. kiss
you third time Now. say that Won
VIII not marry me, il YOU dare
She drew herself away from him
painting. trembling. but still resolved
y viii NOT marry YOU" she said
and You viii be glad aftcrwar that
have refused"
Glad Madeline
Yes glad relieved thankful
Goodbye tancelot'
j cannot ana viii no. say GOOD. bre
Nou have no cause TO treat ME IN this
way never thought you would doubt
me- or Ne untrue ID our love Madeline
Net that Is what Won are doing nov
= think am TRUE to Il in Ills hiehest
and BEST form said Madeline. fainth
The triest love would not do an In
july ~ va beloved THAT Is an can
40 npon Ianeelot win not iniure
yeu Please leave me and take these
ornaments With you Ii you can spare
us spare my father III telling HOW
yen recovered hem shall be glad
Madeline yod cannot moan it, dar.
But This time She held him back
Never again Ianea5t say good.
bye ana ny
once more then MY darling if
only once
And their lips met again. bnt Made
lines We're cold AZ Ice.
y SHAH never leave off hoping neyet
he untrue to yon. Madeline
You must give me M Lance rnr