Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-12-05
Chapter II.
Lancelot's Father.

1ud1clally, after time. Evidently
there were more complications than
even Madeline was aware Of.
YES, it does, doesn't it?" she said,
naively. And | love my own mother,
although | don't remember her. But
she Is in heaven, and won't say she
is alive. when it is not the truth
"Who is the old gentleman you
spoke off" said Lance.
HE is a Gen. Armstrong. But
don't think he is any relation of mine,
che added hastily, although father
says he was once friend of our fam
ily-a friend of mothers and that
was called after him.
ooh, / see" said Lance to himself.
"The scoundrel meant to trade on the
old acquaintance OF his wife with this
Gen. Armstrong" which was rather
an acute inference for a boy of his
age to draw. cts an abominable
shame"
He felt that he did not quite know
what to do next. He resolved that he
would consult. his father, and in the
meantime take the chiTd's address.
Perhaps he could not have thought of
a wiser plan.
Look here, little one" he said, after
a rather long pause. you were quite
righr not to go to Gen. Armstrong
quite right not to beg of him or to tell
him an untruth, but perhaps he knew
your mother years ago and would be
glad to hear what has become of her,
little girl. If you could find that out
and then go to see him and tell him
tell him whatever you like so long as
it is true-wouldn't that be the best
thing you could do?"
How clever you are." said Made
line, her eyes shining. Yes perhaps,
could do that"
And now will you tell me where
you live? / see your father coming
back, so tell me quickly before he
/ comes"
/ Madeline cast half-frightened
glance at the shabby mans approach
ing figure and hastily whispered the
address in Lancelots ear. And then
Mr.. Despard came up to them and took
off his hat with a satirical flourish, in
tended to express all the emotions at
once But Lance did not seem to see
it, he was intent on noting Madeline s
address on his clean white cuffs; it
was the only substitute for a note
book that he had at hand.
II must CO." he said, starting up.
ut is nearly time for me to meet my
father. The boat will be in presently"
IA word with you, young sir, said
Mr.. Despard, majestically, drawing
him aside. You see the trust repose
in you. You see--by my leaving you
alone with my child-how little | had
to conceal" He kept a sharp eye on
Lancelots face as he spoke and
+ seemed to regulate the manner of his
/ speech by its expression. You can
scarcely estimate what my troubles
and sorrow have BEEN" he said, SOL
EMMY, "A delicate wife-young chill
dren--no food in the house cupboard,
no money in the purse--is that not
enough, sir, TO drive man to despair?
Is it not enough to tempt him to sub
terfuge-to temporary concealment
of the TRUTH"
''It is not enough" said Lance, in a
clear, high voice, 'to justify you in
trying to teach your tricks to your lit
tie daughter.
'Ah, she has given you her version =
and Mr. Despard's glance BODIED evil
for the shrinking child upon the
& lnI ~, uba
not understand. But | will say no
more l heartily trust, sir. that you
may never know the straits to which
have been reduced or feel the poverty
which has made the misery of my ca
reer"
Lance was young and inexperienced
In spite of himself he was impressed
by the mans fluent speech and new
dignity Of bearing He felt oddly con-
fused
I'm sorry II I've misjudged you, he
said but your little girl seemed to be
in great trouble and-perhaps you
wouldn't mind allowing me to give you
something for her." II was said with
the most engaging awkwardness and
Mr.. Oscar Despard's blue eyes glis-
tened as he saw the young fellows
hand plunging desperately in his
pocket 1t isn't much said Lance
lot as he found sovereign at last
and slipped 1t into Mr.. Despard's only
too ready palm. ''hut 1t may at least
save YOU from resorting to expedieutS
which-which some people would call
by very ugly names" He was rather
proud of having achieved this speech
and his cheeks giowed from the effort.
"Sir, YOU have my heartfelt thanks.
| cannot express my sense of your
generosity. your noble kindness TO one
in affection and persecution. You AT
least. i see, understand the position
I'm afraid | must 90, said Lance,
hurriedly He longed 70 get away
from this mans high-fown platitudes,
- Mill, 10 tsar,. iitcf1v et1spnc+pd tha