Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-12
CHAPTER II-Continued.
Lancelot's Father.

Meanwhile, after parting from MADE
line and her father, Lancelot mace the
best of his way to the place whence he
couId best see the arrival Of the Calais
boat. and when the passengers were
mourning across the gangway his eyes
travelled anxiously from one to the
other in search of the father whom he
had not seen for the last half-dozen
wears. That soIdierly looking, bearded
man-"no, he was too old; and one
with an equally military bearing and
a bronze mustache, surely he was too
young" SO Lance stood bewllder7d
and it was the younger Of the two
strangers who came up to him at last
and accosted him with a friendly
smile.
''You are Lancelot, | am sure, my
boy he said And Lancelot wondered
how he could have been doubtful even
for a moment; the figure before him
was so like that of a gallant cavalier,
whose portrait hung in the riding gal
lery at Aldersleigh that he ought to
have recognized it at once.
Roger Vanbrugh was a handsomer
man than Lancelot would ever be, IL
though Lancclot had a fair share of
good looks The ColOnePs height,
certain grandeur of bearing, de-
liberate coldness of manner, always
gave weight to his personality,
whereas it was probable that Lance
would even in much later years retain
the touch of warmth and generous
l., low 10
The colOnels dark eyes, long mustacne
and bronZed, impressive face were very
striking and when a grave smile soft
ened the stern features, his aspect was
preposSeSsing. AS an old sOldier-SerV-
ant used to say of him, Col. Vanbrugh
was "a grand-looking man" and his
sons heart went out to HIM at once.
Il ought to have known you, you are
so like the cavalier picture" said the
boy
The colonel turned to him, smiling.
"You have a quick eye; l have been
told that before" he said. 1T hangs
where it did, l SUPPOSE"
Yes, in the gallery, by the east
window But-what will you do now,
father? Will you go to the hotel and
lunch?"
Eyes. | think so-and then We will
make the best of our way home. 1t IS
seven years since | saw the old place,
you know"
Lance glowed with pleasure. If he
had a passion it was for the home Of
his father and it was eminently salts
factory to him to find his anection for
it shared by the man who had for so
long been the hero of all his boyish
dreams
They were soon seated together at
luncheon and deep in conversation.
Lance did good deal of the talking,
for it was noticeable that after little
time his father fell into a mu5ing
mood #, listened with a curiOuSly alb
stracted air, as if his mind were full of
something else. When thus silent, it
could be seen that his face was pecu-
liarly melancholy in repose and that
his dark eyes were sad.
But Lance did not particularly no
tice the expression of his fathers face
and plunged, when lunch was ended,
into an account of his mornings adj
ventures on the pier. The Colon9Is
somber face woke up a little into
look of amusement as he heard The
story.
1T may have been all a piece CT
trickery,' he said at length. Perhaps
she had been put up to it,
You would never say so if you had
seen her" said Lance, warmly Yer
face was so truthful and candid and
she was in such distress"
"A pretty child. All, | suppose so,
or she would not have aroused such
knight-errant1y," said the colonel,
dryly Il don't see that you can do
anything more, my dear boy"
Lance colored and looked wistfully
at his father 4 almost Thoughtful
we had had Gime-we might have made
inquiries" he faltered.
Col. Vanbrugh shrugged his Shout
ders 1t was plain that he did not
quite credit Lancelot's version of the
story. Better leave it alone" he said,
quietly.
Il thought Lance persisted, that
you might call on Gen. Armstrong and
warn him-you know he is an old
friend of ours"
when man comes to Armstrong;
age" said the colonel quietly, you
will find that he resents nothing more
than being told that he can't take care
of himself"
Lance was silent; he was deeply dis
appointed He had imagined that his
father would be as eager on Madeline
behalf as he himself had been. Blu;
the colonel, unimpassioned, listl9ss
apparently very cold could not be
reused to interest as readily.
What is the mans Nance" he asked
suddenly.
"Despard.'
"Despard? | knew a Despard once,
and the colonels face darkened. -
thorough-paced scoundrel-can it b.
the same? At any rate it is name Il
be on ones guard against. He vii
probably look you up and try to &c
something out of you for the child
You must not let yourself be impose
upon. How much did he get out c
you today?"
Il did not say I gave him anything.
said Lance not liking the tone of tn
question.
s'How much?" repeated the father
turning his steady eyes upon the DO!
srr,