The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-10-22

until this hour had ever spoken that name
since Hubert Lashmar's death. and Lord
Lashmar had always been reticent upon
this one subject, shrinking from all ques-
tioning.
"And you really knew himv' she ex-
claimed with delight "You were at the
university with him!"
Yes, knew him well, and admired his
gifts, which were great. He was an orig
inal genius, and in world where all
things are growing old and stale that
ought TO count for much. Is it many
years since--since you lost him?'
MIR. Nestorius had dim recollection
OF some trngical story connected with
Lashmar's adoption of an orphan child,
and he touched the subject apprehensive-
ly.
He is not dead,' the girl answered Gag
erly, paling at the question. 'At least, l
have never heard of his death; and l al
ways think of him, and pray for him, and
dream of him as living. l see his face in
my dreams often, though was such
child when he went away"
''I1e went away!" repeated Mr.. Nesto-
rius, wonderingly.
Yes, very, very far away. / think he
must have gone to Australia, but Lord
Lashmar would never tell me much. Per
haps he thought that l should think my
father cruel for leaving me; but | knew
him too well to think that. He must
have been in trouble of some kind-great
trouble--or he would not have gone with
out me. And then came the fire, and
Lord Lashmar saved my life and adopted
me as his own little girl
"And so you think your father went to
Australia
Only because Lord Lashmar said he
had gone very, very far away"
But surely if your father were living,
he would have communicated with YOU
he would have sent some one in search of
you-would have made some inquiries
about you, in all these years."
"Oh! please don't try to make me be-
lieve that he is Dead" the girl pleaded
with an agonized look. 'In all these
years my only comfort has been to think
of him as living; winning his way to for
tune in new country; waiting until he
had made his fortune to come home to
me. That has been my only day-dream.
1t is the only hope I have in this life.
Don't spoil it for me-"
Her hands were clasped, her eyes
ollSuAllAS Will tcdlS. ANeNel SlACe I1u-
bert's death had she spoken of her father.
She forgot that Mr.. Nestorius was great
man and almost a stranger to her. She
barred her girlish heart to him."
"Not Tor worlds would dspel sweet
delusion, dear child, even if it is but a
delusion" he answered gently. But you
must not talk of life being empty of hope
for you. At your age the future is full
of glorious possibilities. All, if l were
only as young as you and as gifted! Come,
now, be frank with me. You must have
ambition. You do not mean always to
be her ladyship's reader; to fossilize in
| that position"
NO, no, indeed" exclaimed Stella, and
| then freely as she would have talked to
| Gabriel Werner, she told Mr.. Nestorius
| her dream of the future. cottage beside
the Avon, with faithful Betsy for her
housekeepcr, friend, companion; and
abundance of books, and her pen as the
source of heT income; all she wanted was
Il complacent publisher who would buy
her books.
You have an idea that you could write
| if you t1ied,' said Nestorius, knowing
that the dreams of youth are for the most
part only dreams.
81 have been writing ever since I was
thirteen years DID," she answered grave
ly.
You began with the first year of your
| teens. That was early. What have you
written?"
Verses first, stories in rhyme, like
Scott 81 don't mean like his, for mine
are not to be named beside 'Marmion' or
the 'Minstrel-only on that plan. l blush
to remember all the nonsense l have writ
ten
Let me see one of your stories immedi-
ately," said Nestorius eagerly. What a
wonderful girl you are; and you have
written for years, alone in your room, day
after day."
"Wil you really be SO good as to look
at a few pages and to tell me frankly
if the story is not quite intolerable rub
| bish:'
Il will tell YOU the truth in all honor;
and if your story is as good as l think it
must be, it shall be published, even if |
have to turn publisher and produce it my
self. And that will be the first step to-
ward independence and your cottage by
| the Ayon.' added Mr.. Nestorius, smiling
down at her.
Her checks glowcd and her eyes bright
ened at the idea. Except from old Ga
briel Werner, she had received no such
kindness since her benefactor's untimely
death. She looked up at the statesman
with eyes that overtlowed with grateful
tears, tears of joyfulness this time.
"How good you are" she faltered. 'If
you are as good to other people as you
| have been to me. no WONDER
She stopped, blushing at her own bold
ness, suddenly remembering the gulf be-
tween them.
mo wonder what!'
mo wonder that you are the most pop
ular man in England, i'll or out of office.
At least" falteringly, that is what Lady
Lashmar said of you the other day.
Mr.. Nestorius was not appalled, by the
bulk of the manuscript Stella later hand
ed to him. He was an enthusiast in all
things, great and small, and took up every
cause with like earnestness. He had
not read twenty pages before he started
up from his chair and began to walk up
and down the room rapidly, as he always
did when deeply moved. He felt like a
discoverer, almost as Columbus must
have felt when he discovered America.
"Hha girl is a penj1IS - ha fold him self