Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-12-05
Chapter l.

ten gu or I'll make you repent 1t
You'll get nothing to eat for the rest
of the day-do you hear? And worse
than that, if l hand you over to Mrs
Jelby."
ooh. please, don't do that, father
I'll do anything else you like, but,
with a passionate sob, II can't tell
lies, even for you"
The voice was that of a girl-a child
apparently, and it's accents of agon-
lied appeal made the blood boil in the
veins of a concealed listener to the
colloquy. He had seen the pair go by,
a few minutes before; father and
daughter, he had thought, and he had
idly noted that the man had a worn,
dissipated look and that the little girl
was pretty, but he had not then be-
slowed much attention on them. They
had been walking the pier, hand N
hand, with a show of affection that
was rather unusual in public place.
Now it seemed as if the affection had
Oeen assumed for che occasion onlI
and that it was succeeded in private
by threats and reproaches on the one
hand and on the other by pitiful
prayers and tears.
Lancelot Vanbrugh was only lad OF
II, but he had the spirit OF Don
Quixote. He was always ready to ex-
pend himself in efforts for those VINO
we're unjustly treated and he therefore
Waxed more and more indignant as he
shabby man who had borne himself so
affectionately to the child when he
thought the eyes of the public were
upon him. Lancelot was ensconced in
a deep recess in the stonework near
the end of the pier; he had been gaZ-
ing out to sea when the father and
daughter seated themselves on a
wooden bench close beside him and
not out of ea1shot, although out OF
sight At first he had not noticed
them; but the words of their CONVEX
yation fell upon his ear and his heart
grew hot within him.
The eliminating point was reached
at length Just as he was wondering
what he ought to do, whether to rise
and go or to discover himself to. the
speakers, his doubts were brought to
an end by wall of physical pain from
the child. Lancelot could contain him
self no longer. He started up and by
two steps brought himself face to face
with the shabby man, who was just in
the act of giving the little girls arm
another violent twist, such as had
elected the cry.
stop that! How dare you hurt the
child?" Numbered Lancelot, scarcely
knowing what he said
He was a handsome young fellow,
looking older than his years, thanks TO
the faint line of mustache that began
to show itself above the well-cut lips;
fair rather than dark, he had the bril-
liant hazel eyes which were heritage
of his family. as we'll as the chestnut
hair and refined features which be-
longed to his mothers side rather
than to the VanbrughS. He was tall,
well-knit, muscular, yet there was
look of keen intelligence in his eyes
and on his broad brow, which showed
that he had brain as well as muscle.
Young as he was, he was more than
match for the man before whom he
stood. whose age could not be less than
* but who was sadly out of condition;
probably more so on account OF ms
habits than because Of his poverty
He had once been good-lCoking and
he had still to some extent the ar OF
a gentleman. His clothes were very
shabby, but they were we'll cut; his
long fair mustache had 3n imposing
*-yirl; his hands were white and we'll
reserved. He was undet the middle
height and stopped a little; his features
were regular and would have been
Cflicate but for the coarsening infiu-
ences of life which had begun to
thicken the outlines and blotch the
smooth surface; his eyes were pale
blue. Redeemed at the rims and some
what shifty in expression. He wore
an Inverness cape and soft felt hat,
rather wide in the brim and there was
a kind of theatrical picturesqueness
about him, as if he were used to pos
ing for effect 1t was perhaps weak
face rather than a bad one, but the
weakness was painfully apparent.
Lancelot looked at him with a scorn
which had its effect The mans
cheeks grew red; he cringed visibly as
he met the hoy's gaze: he loosed hold
of the child'S arm and tried to explain.
You are mistaken, young gentle
man." he said. with a feeble attempt
at dignity. You are utterly mistaken
I was holding MY little girl by the
arm and possibly l may have frightened
my hold-not Intentionally, no, not in
tentionally. l assure you. Even if il
were-even if it were''-waXing holder
as he saw that Lancelot was little
taken aback. have I not right, sir
TO correct my own child?"
"Not in that way. Not cruelly-anG
not when she was merely refusing tt
dc what she thought was wrong" SAID
Lancelot, sturdily.
"Oh. we'll. we'll, a childish scruple-
nothing that was of the slightest i'm
portance."
Then the child's voice made itsel
heard again.
You said it was important. You
laid that you would starve if | didn'
do it-or kill yourself-and it's no u.s.
asking me, because I WON'T WON'T
WON'T
What does you father want you t
do?" said Lancelot, quickly.
He looked at the little girl, but coul
see little of her except a name o