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

iov and freedom with which he had at
first been filled seemed suddenly tC
have departed. Perhaps his father
OWNED his condition, for, rising from
the table, he laid his hand gently Oh
the boys shoulders and said, with a
sudden softening OF expression, which
gave a wonderful beauty to his sombal
face:
"It was a generous action, lad"
Lance's heart leaped Already he
adored his father-the fine soldier, the
gallant gentleman, the cavalier Of The
picture come to life again. The word
of praise made his subjugation COM
plete The hot tide Of pleasure put
poor little Madeline out of his mind for
the moment He did not even mention
that he knew her address.
And now for home" said the col
onel, with a sigh which seemed like
one of relief. But first l must send a
telegram. Ring for some forms, will
you, Lance? The hotel people can send
it off"
Lance did as he was desired. The
blank telegraph forms were brought
and one was rapidly filled in by Col.
Vanbrugh who handed it to the
waiter, with a curt request that it
should be sent off al once. He did not
look altogether pleased when the man
returned in a few minutes with a hum
bic apology and a question as to the
spelling of the name Of the person to
whom the telegram was sent
us it z or G, sir, the clerk
wanted to know"
The colonel knitted his brows.
81, of course" he answered. almost
harshly.
'ZavertaI-not Gavertal sir?"
yes, zayertal," was the quick re-
spcnse.
The man seemed a stupid sort of fell
low. He ran over the address half
aloud. Mime. Zavertal, 10 Arundel
terrace, Kensington," he muttered.
Lancelot, who was turning over the
pages Of an illustrated paper, would
scarcely have noticed the incident but
for a curious tone of latent irritation
which colored his fathers next speech.
eff you cannot read it give it to me;
/ will take it myself"
On, no, sir, thank you; it's all right
now said the man, and swiftly with
drew, while Lance looked up to say
lightly: "Iavertai; that's a name [
have not heard before. Is it Polish"
Hungarian, l believe" said Col
Vanbrugh
Rather a pretty name. Is it a
friend OF yours, father?"
Then he wondered what he had said
amiss, for his fathers brow had gath
cred darkness and he looked as if he
would crush the impertinent ques-
toner out Of existence. Quite unhesi-
tatingly Lance murnured, 81 beg your
pardon" and turned away. But his
fathers glance had given him a shock
The dark mood, however, seemed TO
be only a thing of the moment Col
Eanbrugh answered with perfect tran
guilty, after a tritling pause:
An old acquaintance, who will be
interested to near of my return. That
is all"
But Lance made a silent resolve
against asking unnecessary questions
in The future.
They took the next train to London,
whence an hours run would bring
them to a country station in Hertford-
shire, five miles from the charming
old country house which had been the
home of the Vanbrughs for genera
tons The train to Aldersleigh
stopped at every station and at one Of
these stations Col. Vanbrugh got out
for the pleasure of buying a paper at
that old bookstall," he said to Lance,
with a laugh.
With glow of proud proprietorship
at his heart Lancelot watched the fire
soldierly figure walking across the
platform and was pleased to notice
that the people turned to watch it, too
who's that?" said one gentleman to
another, as they stood at the door OF
the next carriage to that which Van
brugh had just left.
oh, don't you know?" said his
friend Roger Vanbrugh of Alders-
leigh, just home from India, l suppose
Used to know him very we'll at one
time"
who is he?"
/ why, don't you remember that ex.
traordinary case in the papers some
ten or twelve years ago? The country
rang with his name"
Il remember Of course. So that:
the man. Shot his wife, didn't he?"
That's the man. Get in; he's com
ing back"
They hurried themselves into the
carriage as if wanting to escape {
meeting with their old acquaintance
And for a moment the world swan
before Lancelot Vanbrughs eyes.