Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-19
Continued.

-
trating way.
so your name is Madeline?" he SAID
to her.
Yes; Madeline Armstrong Despard.'
That was good thought Of yours
Oscar Despard," said the old man, let
ting the child's hand fall abruptly, "t0
give her her mothers name and the
name of her mothers people. If you
had not done that [ should scarcely
have listened to you when you first
came here begging, in spite of her
pretty face. Yes, she is like her
mother. Child, listen to me-" he said,
turning again to her with a sternness
of manner which Madeline could no.
understand: do you remember when
you saw me frst?'
con the pier, | think" said Made
line.
Eyes, on the pier. I dropped my
newspaper and you picked it up. Now
tell me, did you Go that out Of natural
politeness or did your father send you
you to pick it up"
Madeline's large blue eyes were
raised to his face with an expression
of Indignation and surprise.
81 did it myself; father did not even
see the newspaper fall l thought it
would blow away and you could not
move to pick it up" she answered,
with a touch of resentment.
Right And had your father told
you to be attentive to me-if you got
the chance?"
Madeline blushed painfully.
Really, general" began the father,
but was summariIy cut short.
Hold your tongue, Despard. l want
to hear the child's own account. Your
father had pointed me out to you, had
he not?'
mo, indeed" said Madeline, with a
flash of scorn. LAS if | would not be
polite to an old gentleman like you,
without being told beforehand"
The general looked at her fixedly FOR
minute or two and then his features
relaxed.
The girls honest enough, anyway"
he muttered to himself. And in a
louder tone: "Sit down, my dear. It's
all right [ only wanted to know if
you had done kind act spontaneously
or if you had been prompted. You
may thank your stars, Oscar Despard,
that the child has inherited some good
feeling and some habits of courtesy
from her mother. | did not expect to
see them, | must acknowledge
Il think, sir, you underrate the care
shat | have always bestowed on Made
line" said Mr.. DeSpard with an at
tempt at pomposity, but again the gen
eral cut him short.
Il quite appreciate your motives he
said, dIyly. Il have heard a good deal
about you in the town. 1t is my opin-
ion that you have used my grand
daughter as a decoy duck long enough
and the sooner she is removed from
your care the better. You are willing
to give her up?
Despard looked at Madeline, who
had turned crimson and then white.
A touch of moisture showed itself IN
the fathers haggard eyes. He was not
without feeling-of a kind-for his
daughter, although he allowed the pas
sion of greed and the irritability of his
times.
Sir" he said, you ask a great sac
rifice from me. But l can make it, if
ii is for my Madeline's good"
He opened his arms and Madeline
utterly overcome by the heroic sound
of his speech. ran into them sObbing.
Despard pressed her close to him and
kissed her forehead. There was some
thing touching in the sight. Made
lines love for her father at least was
real enough
"Father-father, you won't send me
aWay?" she cried.
MY poor little girl" said Despard.
Perhaps he thought of the cruel pun
ishment which he had inflicted on her
in his rage a few days earlier, for his
weak, blue eyes had tears in them as
he turned them alphabetically toward
the general. You see, sir, you see, >
he said, humbly, Il may not be a de-
sirable son-in-law, but 1 have not been
so bad a father as you think"
The general was a little softened by
the appeal. He had had great cause of
complaint against Oscar Despard, who,
as needy drawing master, had made
love to his only daughter and induced
her to elope with him But poor Made
line Armstrong was dead and had left
this little girl behind; and the general
had a tender corner in his tough old
heart
We'll, we'll" he said. Il don't wish
to be hard on you, Despard Still, the
facts are these: You are poor, you
say, and cannot bring up my grand
daughter according to her mothers
condition You are willing to part
with her for a timer"
7 thought, general" stammered
Despard that YOU might do some
thing for her without separating mel
from us-some allowance"
'"Of which you would have the hand,
ling?" said the old man, sharply. NO
l won't do that. l won't do that"
He paused and reflected for a few
moments, then spoke to Madeline.
Come here, child, I want you"
And as Madeline approached him
slowly and timidly enough, he drcv
her toward him and held her hand il
his own.
do you know that am your grand
father?" he said to her.
mo, | did not know"
~