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

When Lady Esler said ''generaP' to
him in freezing accents Stephen Arm
strong shivered in his shoes. He was
a brave man in action, and under an
enemy's fire; but hiS sister Selma
could vanquish him with a glance Of
her eye. She knew her power and
used it unscrupulously.
He looked at her and covered
thinking meanwhile what a handsome
woman she was still Indeed Lady
Esler had taken some pains with her
appearance that day. She wore a
magnificent sealskin mantle, a rich
silk dress, a French bonnet and
French gloves and she certainly did
not look more than As, fact Of which
she was perfectly we'll aware She
knew the generals weakness-she had
taken his measure in earlier days
and she knew a well-dressed woman
had more influence with him than an
ugly one, although she might be his
sister.
She drew off her gloves, revealing
the costly diamond rings upon her
long white fingers aid continued,
quietly:
Il saw that boy, Lancelot Vanbrugb,
the other day. He told me most eX-
traordinary story"
''Ah, You have seen him." said the
general, trying to speak cheerily.
And how is the lad? Has his father
come homa?"
His father has come home. But l
did not come here to talk about Roger
Vanbrugh. l wished to hear from you
whether it is true that thai disreput-
able man has turned up again, With a
child whom he wants to foist upon
you as your granddaughter
''FCist upon me? What do you
mean? And what on earth does
Lancelot know about it?''
Did you not see him when ne came
to meet his father about d fortnight
ago."
Bless my soul, no. Was he here?"
ooh, yes, Lancelot stayed two days "
''He never came near me, the grace
less scamp. And, pray, what had he
to tell you
He told me a very curious tale, -
said Lady Esler, deliberately. She
settled her feet on the fender and
loosened, her sealskin mantle a little
before going on, while Gen. Armstrong
waited with ill-concealed impatience
for her story. He says that he met
on the pier a little girl and man
from the description l suppose it is
that wretch, Oscar Despard-and that
the man was cruelty ill-treating and
torturing the child in order to make
her submit to some course Of decep-
ton, which he wished to practice upon
you
Upon me?"
Yes, upon you; and therefore
came to see what 1 could do for you
Stephen, for 1 know that your softness
of heart and weakness of will laid you
open to many temptations"
Il am much obliged to you, Selma
I really think 1 can look after myself
May I ask them said Lady Esler
with great severity of demeanor
whether this man has applied tt
you?"
He has"
and I trust that you told hin
never to show his face in your house
again"
The general dropped his eyes and
pulled his long white mustache. Fol-
a moment he did not speak.
Il could not quite do that" he said
at length, because, you see, Selma
there is-the child-Madeline' daugh
ter"
And pray, how do you know tina
she is Madeline's daughter?' said hi
sister sarcastically.
You would not doubt if you saw
her. She is the image of what poo
Madeline was at her age. The SAM
blue eyes and golden hair"
"Oh, my dear Stephen" cried Lad.
Esler. How can you be so easily i'm
posed upon? AS if any two light
/, haired, blue-eyed children were no
alike. Depend upon it he picked u
that child in the street, because o
some slight resemblance to your mis-