Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-05
81 ook here little one" he said after


rather long pause. You were quite
right MOTTO go to Gen. Armstrong
quite right not to beg of him or to tel
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 arew said Made
line, her eyes shining. yes, perhaps
could do that"
and now will you tell me where
you live? I 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 Lancelot's 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 note
book that he had at hand.
Il must 60" he said, starting up.
/ ''It 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 I had
/ to conceal" He kept a sharp eye on
Lancelot's face as he spoke and
seemed to regulate the manner of his
speech by it's expression. You can
scarcely estimate what my troubles
and sorrow have BEEN" he said, SOL
emily. "a delicate wife-young chill
dren-no food in the house cupboard.
no money in the purse-is that not
enough, sir, to drive a man to despair?
Is it not enough to tempt him to a sub
terfuge-to a temporary concealment
of the TRUTH"
ct is not enough said Lance, in a
clear, high voice, "to justify you in
/
tie daughter
"Ah, she has given you her version"
and Mr.. Despard's glance BODIED evil
for the shrinking child upon the
bench. Poor misguided child she did
not understand. But I will say no
more. I heartily trust, sir, that you
may never know the straits to which I
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 if 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" 1t 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. cit isn't much" said Lance
lot, as he found a sovereign at last
and slipped it into Mr.. Despard's only
too ready palm, "but it may at least
save you from resorting to eXpedieITtS
which-which some people would call
by very ugly names" He was rather
proud of having achieved this speech
and his cheeks glowed from the effort.
"Sir, you have my heartfelt thanks.
I 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 I must CO." said Lance,
hurriedly. He longed to get away
from this mans high-fiown platitudes,
of which he very justly suspected the
sincerity. 81 hope you'll be good to
your little girl" he Numbered on.
'fGood-by Madeline; I shall come to
see you if I can"
He shook hands with her, raising his
hat with as much politeness as if she
had been a duchess, and retreated,
only acknowledging Mr.. Despard's
elaborate flourish of his hat with a curt
boyish nod.
THE young fooln' calculated Made
lines father, with a malignant look of
hatred at the slight figure as it sped
upon it's way. Il wish | had the
chance Of paying you out for this.
Well, my good and dutiful little daugh-
ter, will you now kindly come home
with me-"
/ Madeline rose, trembling. She did
not like the look in her fathers eye,
but she accepted the hand which he
blandly held out to her and they went,
linked in this way, along the pier, as
if they we're the most devoted father
and daughter in the world.
1t was one of Despard's favorite
modes of ingratiating himself with
visitors at seaside town He was
/ seen day after day on the pier or in
the town, always holding his pretty
little girl by the hand and bending
upon her looks Of protecting but mel
ancholy love- Visitors would begin to
inquire about him, to enter into con-
versation with Madeline, and in other
ways to show interest, which Despard
knew we'll how to turn to account. He
often obtained loan or gift as the,
result of Madeline's beauty and his
own show of fatherrly affection.
But Madeline was growing too old and
was too truthful for the part. She had