Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-02


( joyously to Lancelot, who was stand
ing near.
1T is all right, you need not be
afraid. She is Icons daughter, with
out doubt. My child, your father al
ways used that phrase to those he
loved. Dove of my heart, nestle here,
my darling he would say. 1t is part
of an old song that he learned when he
was a child And the refrain is
Hearts dearest, hold me fast'-those
are the two words you said
But 1 did not know what they
meant I have often said them over,
thinking that they were part of a non
sense verse"
'Ah, no, they are part of the lullaby
with which I dare say he often sent
you to sleep. He did not tell me of
his marriage, but TINT does not matter
i have you now, my child, and
know that you belong to him. Stay
with me, Nadia, will you not?'
Call her Madeline, mother, she
knows that name best
she will be Nadia to me- Venetia
murmured. ct was our mother's
name. Do you know of her, my Ma
dia?"
Il know nothing, l fear" said Made
line, softly and sadly.
You will soon learn. Lancelot will
tell you. Your grandfather was killed
beaten to death by the Russian ty-
rants. That was why Leon and I hated
them. You must not blame us for
that"
NO, indeed"
My husband blamed him. That was
partly why we quarreled. | knew
Icons nobleness of soul, but my hus-
band had never seen him-only read
of him in newspapers-and thought of
him as a criminal-but he was wrong
Her voice had grown very weak and
she looked so white and frail that Ma
defines heart misgave her. She
glanced anXiously at Lancelot. Did he
know that his mother was ill-really
i'll? But he had turned aside and she
could not see his face.
Nine. Zavertal insisted that Madeline
must stay the night; indeed, she saw
that she would never let her return to
the Despards; and Madeline was glad
to remain, especially as she saw that
she might be of some use to the in
valid, whose state seemed to her to be
a very serious one.
She sat with Lancelot by the sick
woman's side for part Of the evening,
but little conversation passed between
them, for Venetia was inclined to sleep
and they did not like to disturb her.
About II o'clock, however, she open
ed her eyes and returned to full wake
fulness and decision
"Lancelot," she said. 81 have been
thinking that I should like to see your
father"
yes, mother. Shall I telegraph for
him ?"
Il fancy that it is too late tonight
But do it early tomorrow morning,
Lance, and send a message. Say am
very ILL"
Mother, do you feel i'll? Shall I
send for the doctor?"
mo, he will come in the morning
| know what to take; you need not be
afraid. But make him understand"
"Perhaps,' she said, with the fever
ishness which sick persons sometimes
manifest, perhaps if you went now
the telegraph people could be made to
understand how very urgent it is and
send it by special messenger. You
might try, Lancelot? It is worth
while"
eff it is possible it shall be sent to-
night, mother" said Lancelot, gravely,
and then he said a word of caressing
farewell to Madeline and left the room
For time Venetia kept silence; then
she talked little to Madeline, but in
a curiously disjointed way.
81 am glad you are here to comfort
Lance" she said. "Of course I know
that I am going to die. I have never
been afraid of death for myself, but
my son will want comfort Not my
husband. Not Roger He will be glad
to see me die
ooh, no, no, that cannot be- said
Madeline.
Child, what do you know? l made
his life hell to him; he told me so.
He was a man that wanted love and
I had none to give him; all my love
had gone out to my people-what did
want with husband or with child?"
They said I was inhuman, because |
gave them up, but I loved my people,
my country, better than all beside. 1t
is no sin to love ones country, is it?"
II think one should love ones hus-
band BEST" said Madeline, softly.
'tAh, we'll, perhaps SO. l am glad
you think it, at any rate. You will
make Lancelot happy, will you not?
I should like him to be made happy,
for | love him-I love nina little;
not as he loves me, l am not made that
way. Does that shock you? l cannot
help it, it is not my fault. Some peo-
pie are made to love; it is a gift and
not a gift I ever had. Other people
| loved me, but I have not known what
/ it was to love in return"
Did you not love my father?" said
Madeline. much moved by these revela-
tons of a lonely, unloving spirit, such
as she had never guessed in the mother
of the Lancelot whom she loved.
Yes, Leon, but that was different.
He was all the world to me. And he
loved every one. You will be like him
and Lance will be happier than his