The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-06
Taking Her Choice.


in hand; she is full of them"
Iancelot Albeit threw himself into a
| comfortable chair before the study fire
and lighted a cigaret
1T is hard on a fellow who has been
six years abroad. sha'nt stand it. I'm
not boy to be held in leading-strings"
He looked boyish enough as ne turned
TO the butler, who was bringing in coffee
and letters and said:
% See that I am called in time to catch
the London express in the morning, Jen-
kins, and order the dog-cart."
Lancelot took up the letters and ex-
amined them with an injured air. One
had come by post, the other by hand.
PRONE the mater. Perhaps she gra-
ciously explains her scheme" He tore
the envelope angrily and read
Dear Lancelot: Bear your solitude
brayely; it is unavoidable, because you
must attend Lady Marchmont's ball for
your sisters sake as well as your own.
Lord Mulgrove was attentive to Sybel
in August that we expected him 70 pro-
pose at the ball; consequently this sick
ness has driven US to despair. Sybel and
Gwen have had the measles
However, you can keep the doors Of
Wilton Towers open to us. So, go 10
the ball and keep yourself well in EVIL
dence. Remember the Countess dislikes
the modern non-dancing man, and dance
all you can with Lady Evelyn. She IS a
sweet girl, and has s65, 900 a year, and,
with management, she may be wours.
As your waltzing is scarcely UP to the
mark, you had better go and practice
with the vicarage girl I have written
to Mrs. Westmacott, who will expect
YOU.
so that's her game! A double weddingi
Really, mater interferes too much! I
shall choose my own wife" Then he
read the second letter:
Dear Lance: I suppose ought to write
to Mr.. Lancelot, or even Mr.. Albeit, now
you are grown up. but I love the dear
familiar name, as 1 always loved it's
bearer.
Well, then, dear Lance. your mother
tells me that you require some practice
in dancing. Do come and join our merry
band tonight. or any time. You Will al
ways be welcomed by your affectionate
friend. MARY WESTdACOTT.
He lit another cigaret and fell a-dream-
ing of the jolly times he used to have
with the vicarage girls. How long was
il since they had met? 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 vicarage hall, fair-haired girl came
rushing down the broad staircase and
greeted him rapturously as:
Lance! 1t is really your
II believe so. Do you remember me?
Because" He regarded her blankly.
20, Lance! l believe you don't know
me. now I'm grown up! 1 am Della
Have improved?" she demanded, guile
lessly, gazing admiringly at him.
ba
went shooting after breakfast, made an
excellent 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 ten
mis-, or walked with the girls-tea follow
ing, as a 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
dismay, that Mrs. Westmacott and all
her daughters were out He was aroused
by the sweetest of voices.
81 thought 1 would callkf SHRDL
81 thought you would call, Lance, so
made an excuse and left the others. Come
in. I have to be busy. 1 have a host
of texts to paint, but we can talk as
I work"
He followed Della blissfully into the
schoolroom.
You paint beautifully, Della, but you're
a duffer at printing"
You're right, Lance; I can't print
bit"
Il think I'll do 1t for you" he contin-
ued;' "only you must not look at me as
1 work"
"Why not?"
"Well, you have such eyes"
Mrs. Albeit wrote angrily to the West
macotts. She limited that traps had been
laid to catch her son, and demanded that
the vocar should use his influence in
bringing the foolish young people to rea-
son
Deeply hurt and offended. the vicar
withdrew his sanction to the engagement,
and Della was sent off to Paris to study
art, while Lance remained at home, try
ing to make everybody as miserable as he
felt himself
AT the end Of a year Della was permit
ted to return on condition that she held
no communication with her lover.
I can see her in church, thought
Lance. And he did. He went home 1ubi-
liant, and told his mother that he meant
TO marry Della at once.
Then your yather will disinherit you
while 1 shall never speak to you again."
retorted Mrs. Albeit
He went TO Algiers and became so I'll
that his relatives were sent for Mrs. Alb
lett, obeying his summons, found him az
deaths door.
Some mental trouble Expresses him
Unless it be removed 1 can effect no cure"
the doctor said
Mrs. Albeit telegraphed to Della, and
receiving an immediate response, carried
II to her son.
Here, Lancelot. is the medicine your
doctor recommends" she said. grimly. "A
message from Della
Mrs. Albeit had implored Delias help
when there seemed to be no other posi-
bility Of saving I.ancelot'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 return at Albeit Hall. meaning 10
make one supreme appeal to the girl.
Lancelot left her a the railway sta
ton. and she drove home and had a long
talk with Della. who. however. did not
meet her in the spirit that was desired.
Your message undoubtedly saved
Lancelot's life, said Mrs. Albeit. AZ shall
be eternauy grateful TO you: but this
MARRIAGE taI~ not TAKE pace but TOT
you. he might attaing great power and
wealth II YOU really love him, prove II
by sacrificing yourself for his sake"
u don't think Lancelot wants q sacTiy-
fee. unless that OF your pride
'Insilent gtrl!' cried Mrs Albeit. And
then she was silent, for LaaceIot had
entered the room. She shook with ter
ror. observing that he carried gun.
he paused beside her. and drew one OF
her unwilling hands around the stock Of
MS weapon; n the other he placed the
fingers Of the ''ins0lent girl
Vow. mother., be said. Il marry Della