Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-07-31
A MID LOVE
BY
BERTHA M. CLAY.
CHAPTER XVIII.

Mother" said Lord Chandos, !
never knew month pass as this has
done-the days have wings. It is The
sixteenth today, and it does not seem
,to be twenty-four hours since it was
the first
THAT shows, at least, that life has
been pleasant to you,' said the count
ess.
Yes, it has been very pleasant, he
replied, and then he sighed deeply.
why do you sigh, Lance? The fu-
ture can be as pleasant as the past,
can it not?'
He looked up, half impatiently.
Il sigh to think that my share in it
is ended. l must be in England by
the end of June
Make the most of the time left, =
said my lady; there's another week,
at least. Let US go everywhere and
see everything. In all probability, we
Sail not meet at Nice again. .
He had expected a contradiction, ne
had expected his mother to oppose nis
desire of returning home, and he was
slightly piqued to find that so far from
opposing him, she seemed to fall into
the idea as though it were the most
natural one.
Il think he pursued, that if
leave here on the twenty seventh that
will be soon enough.
Yes said the countess, quietly.
1T is not such a long journey, after
ALL"
So she would not oppose him, she
would not argue with him, but left
him to take his own way. The hand
some face grew Swallowed, the frank
eyes troubled. 1t is very hard when
a man cannot force anyone to contra
dict him. He rose from his chair, he
walked uneasily up and down the
room; he spoke almost nervously on
one or two points and then he said:
Mother, 1 suppose you know what
I intend doing?"
She looked up at him with the bland
est smile and the sweetest tir.
Doing, Lance-about the boat to-
night, do you mean?"
She purposely affected to misunder-
stand him.
The boat?" he repeated mo, 1
mean about-my-m y-future, my
marriage"
Il cannot say that I know what you
intend doing, Lance, but l am quite
sure you will never again have the bad
taste to offend your father and me. l
can trust you SO far
He looked still more uncomfortable;
he could always manage the countess
better when she was angry than when
she was amiable. He stopped abrupt
ly before her, and looking at her, said:
Il must marry Leone, mother; 1
must.
Very well, Lance. When you are
tWenty-One, you can do as you like.
ooh, MOTHER" cried the young lord,
''be more humane: do not be SO frigid
and cold; speak to me about it. l am
your only son. Surely my marriage
is a matter of some Importance to
you"
There was a passion of entreaty in
his voice, and Lady Lanswell looked
kindly at him.
Certainly your marriage is of more
Importance than anything else on
earth; but you cannot expect me to
look with favor on that tempestuous
young person who ranted at me like a
third-rate actress from a travelling
theater. You must excuse me, Lance,
but there are limits to human endur-
ance, and she is beyond mine"
Mother, let me be happy; let me go
and marry her; let me bring her back
here and we shall all be happy to-
gether. -
My dear Lance, I should not con-
slider person of her position a fit COM
panion for my maid For myself, |
quite declare shall not oppose your
marriage with the girl-it is quite use
less, since you are of age, to do as
you like; but [ shall never see you 5r
speak to you again; when you leave
me here for that purpose our good-by
will last beyond death. Still you I'M
derstand I do not seek to win you from
your purpose. You are free to do as
you will
The misery on his handsome young
face touched her little, and she nad
to remind herself that she was doing
all she did for his own good.
eve will not talk any more about
it, Lance" she said, kindly; words
will not alter facts. Did your father
tell you what he proposed about the
boat tonight?"
His lips trembled as he tried to an
sWer her.
Il cannot throw off sorrow as you
can, mother. [ am talking to you
about that which will make the misery
or the happiness of my life, and you
think of nothing but a boat"
Words are useless, Lance" repeated
my lady; 'they are but empty sounds.
[ am going out to look for some cam
eos. [ think I should like a set; they
are very elegant and recherche.
So saying, my lady left the room rs
thn11 oh no mi ioJ Lox,