The Opelousas courier., 1902-11-01
I'LL MAN AND HIS
CHANCE.

I went, tool" he cried, triumphantly
Lord Ashbury heard that l was IL
town and insisted on Laurence bring
Everybody l was introduced to spoke
of Laurence's future. They said h
would be in the Cabinet within the
next ten years, OF, possibly, even less
think of that, my dear-the Cab
inet!'
But your news?' asked Margaret
quietly.
The old mans eyes cleaned.
"It's an open secret up there" he
whispered, that Lady Helen, Lord
A%shbury's daughter, is in love with
him-that he has only to say the word,
and she will accept him."
He looked at Margaret to see the
effect of his announcement. Appar.
emily she was perfectly unmoved. He
could not see that the hand behind
her was trembling like a leaf.
'Think what a marriage like that
would mean for my boy, Margaret!
he cried. Lord Ashbury, they say,
has no objection to the match. He
thinks Laurence the man of the future.
AS his son-in-law, he would be Of the
greatest possible use in giving him his
influence. Then, again, Laurence has
only a few hundreds a year private
money. Lady Helen is very wealthy,
and could give him the position in
society he will need. 1t would be a
wonderful match, Margaret!'
"Wonderful!" she said, in a low tone.
with such a marriage nothing can
stop him. He might be Premier, one
day-who knows. Premier, Mar
garrett" he cried.
She opened one Of the papers.
"And Lady Helen-what is she like?'
she asked, calmly.
The old mans face lighted up.
Tail, graceful, a beautiful woman
a leader in society, a brilliant CONVEX
satiOnalist-one of the few women
who know anything about politics."
he exclaimed. and she is in love
with Laurence, fascinated by his per-
sonality!"
The girl turned over a leaf of the
paper.
And what does he say?' she asked.
"Say! l never dared to even hint of
it to him." he returned. But, of course,
he would be mad enough to let
such a chance slip by! They are adj
mira h1u c71JtnI 10 0n1 nfN4Lnr
daughter of Lord Ashbury. too! 1t
would be madncSs-utter madness!"
"And you would wish it yourself?'
asked Margaret, in a very low voice.
"Wish it," he cried. Il desire it
above all things! | am an old mar.
Margaret, my dear, and Laurence and
his career are all that l have left! If
l live to see him one of the great men
of the nation | shall be happy!' he fin
ished, TREMENDOUSLY.
The girl glanced at him for a mo-
ment. Then, with a sudden quick
look of resolution she sat down at her
writing table.
ut is getting near post time" she
said, in a hard voice, land l have a
letter that must go. Will you excuse
for a moment?'
Dear me-so Iate!" he cried. write,
by all means, and / will drop your let
tiers in the box on my way back"
Margaret's head was bent wei her
letter. He could not see her face, but
she was writing vigorously. At length
she finished, read it through and adj
dressed an envelope. She stamped it
and rose from her seat. She was very
white, but he did not notice it.
Done" she said, with a smile.
He got up from his chair and took
the envelope from her hand.
She picked up three others from the
table.
Would you mind dropping these in
at the same time" she said.
He was studying the address of the
first letter she had just written.
IAN old friends privileged" he said,
looking up at her with an inquiring
smile. Il see this is to the doctor.
Is what we have all been rather ex-
pecting going to happen. at last?"
He saw her change color. He took
a step forward and caught her hand in
his.
He is a good man, Margaret" he
said, kindly. Il am glad"
A mist rose in her eyes.
THANK you," she murmured.
Il was so CERTAIN" he continued, /
that / gave Laurence a hint. /
thought of it just as he was seeing me
off,"
You told Laurence! Did he say
anything" she said quickly.
He had no time" the old man re-
piled, with a laugh. II told him as
the train was moving. He knows the
doctor, and will be pleased. Now /
must be off, my dear"
She saw him out. and then, return
Ing to the room, flung herself down in
a chair. The tears coursed down her
1T was the only way" she cried. |
lie would eve do it Without-his |
must come before everything
his fathers sake-his w sakel
He will understand"
y y . q
1t was seven o'clock that evening as
1 tall young man leaped from the
train at S%onningford station.
The porter touched his cap as he rec
,gnlZed him, for the little town was
of Laurence MantelI, NJ. 2.
He ordered his bag to be sen to his
satl1er's house, then set out to walk
he distance. The night was lovely.