The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-07
TAKING HER CHOICE.

home instead OF joining the family at
Brighton? She must have some scheme in
hand; she is full of them"
Lancelot Albeit threw himself into COM
Portable chair before the sturdy fire and
lighted cigarette.
slt is hard on fellow who has been six
years abroad. l sha'n't stand it. I'm not
boy to be held in leading strings"
He looked boyish enough as he turned to
the butler, who was bringing in coffee and
letters, and said:
"See that am called in time to catch the
London express in the morning, Jenkins,
and order the dogcart."
Lancelot took up the letters and examined
them with an injured air. One had come
by post, the other by hand.
"From the mater. Perhaps she graciously
explains her scheme" He tore the en-
velope angrily and read:
Dear Lancelot: Bear your solitude brave
ly; it is unavoidable, because you must at
tend Lady Marchmont's ball for your sis
ter's sake as we'll as your own. Lord Null
grove was so attentive to Sybel in August
that we expected him to propose at the ball;
consequently this sickness has driven us to
despair. Sybel and Gwen have had the
measles.
However, you can keep the doors of Will
ton Towers open to us. So go to the ball
and keep yourself we'll in evidence. Remem-
Der the countess dislikes the modern non
dancing man, and dance all you can with
Lady Evelyn. She is sweet girl, and has
$4,000 year, and, with management, she
may be yours.
As your Waiting is scarcely up to the
mark, you had better go and practice with
the vicarage girls. | have written to Mrs.
Westmacott, who will expect you
$50 that's her game! A double wedding!
Really, mater interEares too much! shall
choose my own wife" Then he read the
second letter:
Dear Lance: l suppose I ought to write
to Mr.. Lancelot, or even Mr.. Albeit, now
you are grown up, but love the dear, ia
miliar name, as always loved it's bearer
Well, then, dear Lance, your mother tells
me that you require some practice in dane
ing. DO come and join our merry band to-
night, or any time You will always be well
coined by your affectionate friend,
MARY WESTNIACOTT.
He lit another cigarette and fell a-dream-
ing of the jolly times he used to have with
the vicarage girls. How long was it since
they had met? Eight years? Why, they,
too, must be grown up. He was almost 20
himself. Della must be H.
Half an hour later, as Lancelot entered
the vicarage hall, a fair-haired girl came
rushing down the broad staircase and greet
ed him rapturously as:
Lance! 1t is really you!'
81 believe so. Do you remember me? Be-
cause" He regarded her blankly.
80, Lance! believe you don't know me,
now I'm grown up! | am Della. Have [
improved?" she demanded, guilelessly, gaz-
ing admiringly at him.
| Throughout the ensuing week Lancelot
went shooting after breakfast, made an ex-
cellent bag, with which he strolled down to
| the vicarage, where he LACED about until he
was invited to partake of luncheon. In the
! afternoon he played tennis, or walked with
(, the girls-tea followed, as matter of course.
Then any lame excuse enabled him to hang
on until dinner, after which came dancing.
Arriving somewhat earlier than usual on
J the fifth morning, he heard, to his dismay,
/ that Mrs. Westmacott and all her daughters
! were out. He was aroused by the sweetest
of voices.
| 81 thought you would CALL Lance, SO l
made an excuse and left the others. Come
in. | have to be busy. / have host OF
texts to paint, but we can talk as work"
He followed Della blissfully into the
schoolroom.
"You paint beautifully, Della, but you're
a duffer at printing"
"You're right, Lance; 1 can't print a
bit"
Mrs. Albeit wrote angrily to the West
macotts. She limited that traps had been
laid to catch her son, and demanded that the
vicar should use his influence in bringing the
foolish young people to reason.
Deeply hurt and offended, the vicar with
drew his sanction to the engagement, and
Della was sent off to Paris to study art
while Lance remained at home, trying to
! make everybody as miserable as he felt him
self.
At the end of a year Della was permitted
to return on condition that she held no com
munication with her lover.
81 can see her in church," thought Lance
And he did. He went home jubilant, and
\ told his mother that he meant to marry
Della at once.
"Then your father will disinherit you
while shall never speak to you again" re
torted Mrs Albeit.
He went to Algiers and became SO i'll that
his relatives were sent for. Mrs. Albeit
obeying the summons, found him at deaths
door.
Some mental trouble Expresses him. Un
less it be removed can effect no cure" the
doctor said.
Mrs. Albeit telegraphed to Della, and re
ceiving an immediate response carried it te
her son.
Here, Lancelot, is the medicine your doc
tor recommends" she said grimly. "a mes
sage from Della"
Mrs Albeit had implored Delia's bel!
when there seemed to be no other posi-
bility of saving Lancelot's life; but she wa.
resolved that no wedding should take place
Lancelot, she suggested, would rush
straight to the vicarage upon the way home
SO she invited Della to be awaiting their re
turn at Albeit hall, meaning to make on.
supreme appeal to the girl.
Lancelot left her at the railway station
and she drove home and had long talk with
Della, who, however, did not meet her il
the spirit that was desired.
"Your message undoubtedly saved Lance
lots life" said Mrs. Albeit II shall b.
eternally grateful to you; but this marriag
cannot take place. But for you, he nigh
attain great power and wealth. Ii you reall!