Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-01-28
TAKING HER CHOICE.


brighton? She must have some scheme in
hand; she is full of them"
Lanceot Albeit threw himself into COM
Portable chair before the sturdy fire and
lighted cigarette.
1T is hard on fellow who has been six
years abroad. | sha'u't stand it. I'm not
a boy to he held in leading strings"
lie looked boysh enough as he turned to
the butler, who was bringing in coffee and
letters, and said:
! "Sec that am called in time to catch the
London express in the morning, jenkins,
and order the dogcart.'
Lancelut took up the letters and examined
them with an injured air. One had come
by pest, the other by hand.
"From the mater Perhaps she graciously
explains her scheme" lie tore the en-
vclope aneriY and read;
Dear I.anceot: Bear your solitude brave
Is; it is unavoidable. because you must at
tend Lady Marchmont's ball for your sis
tcr's sake as well us 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 lONStS open 10 us. 90 20 10 lue Dali
and keep yourself well in evidence Remem-
her the countess dis'ies the modern nom
dancing man, aad dance all you can with
Lady Evelyn. She is sweet girl, and has
$4,000 year, and, with management, she
may he yours.
as your woltzing is scarcely up to the
mark, you had better so and practice with
the vic0rase girls | have written to Mrs.
We5tmacott, who will expect you.
so that's her game! y double wedding
Really, mater interferes too much! shall
choose my own wife" Then he read the
second letter:
Dear Lance; | suppose | ought to write
to Mr.. Lancelot, or even Mr.. Ablett, now
you are grown up, but love the dear, IA
miliar name, as | always loved its bearer.
Well, then, dear Lance, your mother tells
Inc 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 WESTMACOTT.
He lit another cigarette and fell a.dream-
ing of the Jolly times lie used to have with
the vicarage girls How long was it since
they had mst? Eight years? Why, they,
too, must be grown up. He was almost 20
himself. Della must be II.
Half an hour later, as Lancelot entered
the vica. age hall, fair-haired girl came
rushing down the broad staircase and greet
cd him rapturously as:
Lance! 1t is really you!"
81 believe so. Do you remember me? Be-
cause" lie regarded her blauEly.
20, Lance! believe you don't know me,
now I'm grown up l am Della. Have
improved!" she demanded, guilelessly, gaz-
ing admiringiy at him.
Throughout the ensuing week Lancelot
went shooting after breakfast, made an eX-
cellent bag, with which he strolled down to
the vcarage, where he lazed 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
the fifth morning, he heard, to his dsmay,
that Mrs. Westmacott and all her daughters
were out. lie was aroused by the sweetest
of voices.
q 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"
lie followed Della blissfully into the
schoo.room.
You paint beautifully, Della, bu: you're
a duIfer at printing"
You're right, Lance; I can't print
bit"
y. :
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 year Della was permitted
to return on condition that she held no COM
munication with her lover.
Il 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 dsinherit you,
while | shall never speak to you again" re-
torted Mrs. Albeit.
lie 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 oppresses 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 to
her son.
Here, Lanceot, is the medicine your doc
tor recommends" she said grimly. "a mes
sage from Della"
Mrs. Albeit had implored Delia's help
when there seemed to be no other possi-
bility of saving Lancelot's life; but she was
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 one
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 in
the spirit that was desired,
Your message undoubtedly saved Lance
1ct', lfr, - aoii NIro Ahtatt s'I shall ha