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.
''lt 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:
'sSee 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.
ssFrom 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 well as your own. Lord Null
grove was so attentive to Sybel in August
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 60 to the ball
Der the countess dislikes the modern nom
dancing man, and dance all you can with
Lady Evelyn. She is sweet girl, and has
$65, 1000 year, and, with management, she
may be yours.
As your waltzing 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 weddingi
Really, mater nterfares too much! L Shall
choose my own wife" Then he read the
second letter:
Dear Lance: | suppose I ought to write
to Mr. Lanceot, 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 WESTMACOTT.
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. lie was almost 20
himself. Della must be IL.
Half an hour later, as Lancelot entered
the vicarage hall, fair-haired girl came
rushing down the broad staircase and greet
ed him rapturously as:
Lance! 1t is really you!"
II believe SO. Doyou remember me? Be
cause" He regarded her blankly.
20, 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 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. West1nacott and all her daughters
were out. lie was aroused by the sweetest
of voices.
81 thought you would call, Lance, SO
made an excuse and left the Others. Come
in. | have to be busy. l have a 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
duffer at printing"
You're right, Lance; 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 year Della was permitted
to return on condition that she held no COM
munication with her lover.
II can see her in church." thought Lance.
And he did. lie 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. I'm
\ less it be removed can effect no cure" the
i doctor said.
Mrs. Albeit telegraphed to Della, and re-
ceiving an immediate response carried it to
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 help
when there seemed to be no other posi-
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
lots life" said Mrs. Albeit. II shall b.
eternally grateful to you; but this marriag.
cannot take place. But for you, he might
attain great power and wealth. Ii YOU reall,