Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-12-05

walked slowly up the pier The child
made a frightened movement as If to
join him, but Lancelot laid his hand
on her wrist in very gentle manner
and held her back. Then he seated
himself beside her, sta holding her
hand in his own.
Don't be frightened" he said. I'll
only keep you Jew minutes. But l
want you to tell me one or two things
If you will Is that man your father?"
EYES," she said, looking at him
frankly out of those wonderful violet
eyes, where the tears still hung on the
curling dark lashes. He is my
father
And your MOTHER"
Mothers dead" she answered, sim
ply. And one OF the tears rolled down
her waxen cheek.
"0h, I'm sorry. My mother is dead,
too" said Lance, as simply and seri-
ously as she had spoken. How old
are you?"
Il am 49,"
Thirteen? thought you were only
about TO-"
Il look younger than am, know" "
said Madeline, hanging her head.
But / can't help it. And I think
father likes me to look young. / do
not mean" she said, rather trernu-
lousy, ito make you think him un-
kind. But did not want to do ex-
actly what he wished and l was in a
passion and did not mean what l said"
Lancelot did not quite know what to
make of this remark and after mo-
ments pause asked another question,
somewhat differently this time.
will you tell me your name?"
MY name is Madeline Armstrong
Despard. Father is called Oscar Des-
pard"
Armstrong know. Have you any
relations called Armstrong;"
81 don't think so. 1 don't think
have any relations called Armstrong.
There is some one staying in the town
of that NAME" and her face fell; but
don't think he is relation
Il have not many relations either, /"
said Lance, in momentary recurrence
to his own position. 81 have spent my
holidays with an old great-uncle of
mine generally, but he is dead now
and l have not seen my father for
seven years. shall see him today.
have come here to meet him."
Hasn't he been in England all
that timer"
No He has been in India, but he's
coming home. He is in the service.
you know Col Vanbrugh of the th.
My name is Lancelot Vanbrugh"
1T is a pretty name" she said, with
interest 1T sounds like a name in a
story book. But Despard isn't ugly, is
it? And Oscar-I think Oscar is a
very nice name. Oscar is fathers
name and my little sister is Gene
We've, only we always call her Jenny"
what is your fathers profession"
Lance asked, abruptly.
A quick flush rose to her delicate
cheek.
II don't think he has any profess
sion" she said, meekly. He doesn't
do anything much"
Where do you live, them
I'VE don't live anywhere very long.
We were abroad all last year. / don't
know why we came to England like
France much better. We are in lodg-
ings now and hate it,"
WHY"
Mrs. Jelby,' was Madeline's only
reply.
And who Is Mrs. Jelby?'
She's the Iandlady. She is always
wanting money from father and he
never has any. And she is very cross
10 me and when father is cross he
sometimes says he will hand me over
to her-to be her little servant-you
know. And | should not like that-be-
sides | don't know what the children
would do without me"
What children, dear?"
Fathers children. He married
again after my own mother died" said
Madeline, in melancholy tone And
there are three children and little
Jenny isn't strong. Besides. she's only
5. | help to wash and dress them
every day, because mamma is rather
an invalid"
Poor little girl" murmured Lance.
She seemed to him too sweet and
fragile for such a sordid lot. He
wished he could help her in any eff
feetual way.
And now tell me" ne went on, in a
coaxing way. what 1t was that made
your father angry with you. What
was 1t you would not do?"
Madeline suddenly sat erect and her
cheeks became crimson.
4 don't think | ought TO say" she
murmured.
Nonsense! 1t Is quite right for you
70 tell me. Then perhaps | shall be
able to help him Il he is in any want
of help"
"oh. could YOU said the child, her
eyes lighting up. "He wants help so
,nucb-noc- fathert Ruf 7 rautd not