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

and rather staggering walk along the
pavement. His Inverness cape swune
in the wind, his soft hat was crushed
picturesquely over his eyes, his fair
mustache looked longer and curled
more fercely than ever. Madeline
looked at him with passionate admira-
ton, in spite of his capricious humor.
No GOODNESS, no cruelty, even, on his
part could prevent her from believing
him to be one of the cleverest and
handsomest and most-to- -pitied Of
men. When he was in a good mood
he could be caressing and affectionale:
and Madeline repaid these little
CLEANS Of tenderness a thousandfold.
They stood at the gate Of a hand
some white villa. which stood within
an Enclosure OF garden beautifully
trimmed and tended. Madeline ut
tered an exclamation of delight as her
eyes fell on the golden laburnum, The
lilacs, the clematis, the dainty beds of
bright spring flowers and the velvet
lawn between. Her father smiled
blandly and opened the gate.
You like il, don't you?" he said.
1T rests with yourself to make it your
home, my dear. You have every
chance"
My homew said Madeline But The
color died cut of her face, the light
from her eyes, as she said the words.
Was it possible that her father was
thinking of sending her away:
Mr.. Despard said no more, but
mounted the white stone steps and
rang the bell \ military looking man
answered the summons. He seemed
to know Mr.. Despard by sight, for he
nodded a little 100 Familiarity, Made
line thought-and smiled as he took
the rather soiled and crumpled card,
which, with a great show Of ceremony,
the visitor handed to him.
The generals expecting you," he
said. Step this way, will you? He
will see you directly"
Mr. Despard gave his cloak a fling
over his left shoulder and walked SOL
emily into little ante-room, whittier
Madeline timidly followed him. She
was vaguely offended by the servants
manner, although he regarded her
with distinct kindness and set a chair
for her beside the window, where she
could view the garden and the sea-
But it was evident that he looked
upon Mr.. Despard with mixture of
compassion and contempt and the
Of 81
though she would not have known eX-
actly how to put it into words.
Mr.. Despard moved restlessly about
the room, but Madeline sat quite still
until the man-servant came back to
say, with a greater appearance of re-
spect than he had previously shown:
1.-The general will see you now, sir
Mr.. Despard and his daughter fol-
lowed him across the hail and were
ushered into large, cOmfortable-look-
ing library. The walls were lined with
books; the big writing table, the Tur-
key carpet, the walnut and morocco
chairs. had an air Of subdued richness
and dignity which impressed Madeline
deeply. She never forgot the look of
the room, nor of the white-haired
bright-eyed old man, with the snowy
mustache. who sat in an invalid chair
between the table and the fire and who
welcomed his visitors with a curt nod,
which showed more Impotence than
pleasure.
well, Despard, here you are at last.
I expected you days ago.
MY daughter was not very we'll.
She had a bad cold, general" said Des-
pard, deferentialIy. 81 was obliged to
wait until she was better before bring
ing her to see you
Madeline's cheeks famed She
dropped her eyes and hoped the gen
eraI, as she heard him called, would
not speak to her. But her hopes were
vain He turned to her and held out
his hand.
Come here, my DEAR" he said in a
much gentler tone. Il want to look at
you"
Madeline made a few steps forward
and stood beside him. He took her by
the hand.
Look at mer' he said, peremptor-
lily.
To Be Continued.