The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-03-21
CHAPTER III.
CONSPIRACY AND TREACHERY.

That evening, when Mrs. Pontiac and her son,
m.in.srm entered the dining room, they were
greeted by clouded faces, and cold, distant looks.
Even the sable waiter who held the door open for
them to enter bowed them in with suspicious
look and constrained manner.
One passing glance at Albert Dspeau's stern,
set face convinced Mrs Pontiac that not much
mercy could be expected from him. Madge was
haughttly defiant and gloriously beautiful If she
had but known it, with the indignant flush still
glowing upon her cheek; but she did not raise
her eyes-dared not if the truth were told-as
they entered while Mrs. Dispeau having recov.
cred her self.possession, regarded the offenders
with calm, dignifed, but chilling looks. The
willy little widow was determined not to be brow
beaten, and without appearing to notice the
broodiug storm, said in her usual airy manner, as
she seated herself at the table and dainty ar
ranged her napkin:
"Ah, Albert, you were trihe late to-day,
weren't you? But how are stocks?"
"stocks are waverlng, Mrs Pontiac. Shall
help you to the light or dark meat from this tur-
key2" answered the gentleman, with sternly
compressed lips and marked emphasis
He had always addressed her by her given
name, Frances, before, and she WINGED at this
IurLner PROOF Ol nls ulsplebsuTe'
But still she resolved to keep up appearances
as long as possible, especially as the servant was
Observing every look and tone, and smiling
sweetly, she replied:
"A little of both If you please, and plenty of
the dressing. You know turkey is one of my ia
Vorite dishes"
He helped her in utter silence, not degning to
give her even so much as look then filling an
other plate he motoned the servant to pass it to
his nephew, without showing bin even the eour.
tesy of asking what he preferred.
At this sight the young man darted one of his
glances, full of white heat passion, at Madge.
She was looking at him at that moment, but
only noticed it by naughty lifting of the small
head, showing that his power over her for the
time being at least was entirely defed.
His sinister lips curled in q halfmOcking, half.
admiring smile at the gesture, while he breathed
to himself;
Course the little beauty-she is glorious; but TH
zane her yetP
He could not know that the poor girls heart
ouiyered like frightened birds. In spite Of her
daAntess manner and had 1t not been for the
protectlng presence of her parents she would
have bowed beneath his scathing glance as hu m.
bly as she had always done in the past
1t CALLED her proud spirit bitterly to be so bound
by this villains powerful will, and being igno-
rant Of The mesmeric influence of which he had
spoken, she was utterly unable to account for it.
The meal was eaten mostly in silence, although
Mrs. Pontiac made one or two Intellectual efforts
at conversation. She was either curtly cut short,
or her remarks ignored, and finally gave up the
attempt though she did not allow the impending
tempest to disturb her appetite in the least.
After the cloth had been removed and the
wine brought on, Mr.. Dispeau dismissed the ser.
want and leaning back in his chair fixed his
eyes sternlY upon the young man at his right
hand
rFrederick Pontiac" he said, in the coldest
hardest tones, "after what has transpired to-day,
YOU can have nothing to say In defense of your
self Nothing can be offered in pallation of your
insulting language to my wife, not to mention
your persistent persecution Of my daughter; f;
therefore command that you, with your moth
er leave my house within the next two hours.
Not a word" he continued as the man essayed to
speak-"not word from your hypocrltcRl lips,
you villain. will not listen to 1t. Ny decision
is irreyocable; go you shall, and must henceforth
take care of yourself. AS for you, Mrs. Preston
Pontiac, you can choose your place Of residence,
and in accordance with the promise made your
husband, whose honest name and sacred memo
" you have desecrated, will be responsible for
your expense up to a certain amount which
will name hereafter"
Frederick Pontiac had risen from the table
while Mr. Dlspesu was speaking and now in de.
fiance of his command, said, though his face was
as pale as the dead from passion;
"You shall be obeyed, sir; we will go at once,
though you will allow me to say that my mother
is in no way responsible for what ha s occurred,
either to-day or heretofore. But" he went on,
with blazing eyes, eff you think that by thus
driving me hence to thwart my purposes, you are
greatly mistaken"
Here he turned to Msdge and fixed his piercing
glance upon her until she shivered as with the
ague.
margaret DIspsau,p be exclaimed, ai,GS 70 Rire