Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-20
BY ADELINE SERGEANT.
Continued.

sad Rene dc NldFSdc, 6ul6IluS Will LIS
easiest air. 1T is important"
What do you Want?"
Rene laughed My dear boy, if you
only knew how tragic you look, stand
ing there with your knitted brows and
clenched hands in the moonshine. You
and your father are cut out OF the
same block | come from him, by the
way
From my father2"
well, yes He seems a little an
xious to know what line you are go
ing to take" There was subdued irony
in Renes tone. do you want the car
riage tomorrow morning."
Lance started violently. Does my
father want me to leave the house at
once?"
ooh, no. | don't suppose so-he did
not put it in that way. In fact, the
suggestion came from yourself, did it
not? You announced your intention Of
taking up your mothers cause. OF
course, you can't do that in the house,
can your
Lancelot was silent for moment
II have said before" he remarked, at
length, chat I would rather talk with
my father than with you on family
matters"
Quite natural" said the count, with
unabashed cheerfulness, 'but in this
case, my boy, impossible. Your father
wishes me to say that he does not
wish to discuss family matters with
you again"
The color rushed to Lance's face. He
felt hurt, indignant, insulted. Little
did he imagine that Rene de Marsac
had twisted this sentiment out of some
half-grOaned ejaculation, which Roger
Vanbrugh had uttered to himself and
that no message to the boy had been
sent or intended by his father But it
was to Rene's advantage to drive Ian
celot Vanbrugh away form his home;
and he spared no time or trouble to
that end
Il shall certainly not reopen the sub
ject," Lancelot said, after q moments
pause. But in that case if I am never
to open my lips on matters that are
both dear and important to me I had
better not re-enter this house at all"
Under the circumstances said the
count, 1T might be more comfortable
for all parties, my dear Lancelot, if
YOU were away
DO you come, then, with any sug-
gestion-any proposition-from my
father?"
De Marsac waved his hand and
raised his eyebrows.
II think, dear boy that propositions
of any sort will have to come from
you. Your father is somewhat offended
he remarks that you had better take
your own way No doubt, he will affor
some pecuniary assistance-an allow
ance, | dare say
II will not accept any allowance"
said Lance, with a darkening brow; 81
will work for myself"
''That will hardly be necessary. >
said the count, blandly, since your
mother possesses a private fortune and
viii be charmed to have your cham
pionshfp."
Lance turned his back and with his
hands thrust deep into the moonlight.
His brain was in a whfrl One thing
seemed clear-that his father desired
to get rid of him. It was plain that
Col. Vanbrugh was desperately angry
with him for his defense of his mother
and Lancelot did not see his way clear
to rescind a single syllable that he had
said. When, after a moments ref1ec-
ton, he turned back to De Marsac. his
voice was cool and quiet.
81 will write a note to my father
said he. "There is no use in our talk
ing the matter over. Goodnight, De
Marsac. If you see Jones' will you tell
him that I want the dog-cart tomor-
row at o'clock
MY dear fellow, I hope you are not
going to do anything RASH
81 shall do nothing but what think
my parents wish me to do said
Lance, with an audacity. which the
count admired in spite of himself
'I should like to get hold of that
rote,' said that astute schemer, as he
at last retired, being unable to invent
excuses for remaining longer.
IF he leaves it in a convenient stu
alton. I think 7 shall have a peep at
it before passing it on to NJ. le Pere
What a hot-headed couple they are
father and son. and how extraordinarily
capable of doing extremely foolish
things Fortunately for me. I am not
hot-headed and I am not fool If
were should find it uncommonly diff
cult to pick up an existence; whereas
now. if | play my cards we'll, I think
I am sure of a billet for the next few
years. either in this old rocks nest OF
abroad with Vanbrugh, who will GER
tainly not be able to do without me
when his precious son is gone"
He laughed to himself as he went
along the corridCr and the moonlight
which fell across his features revealed
an expression of keen and subtle NAL
ice which might have startled many
of the friends. who fancied they knew
him best.
Meanwhile Lancelot, sore at heart
but determined not to give way, was
collecting certain necessaries and some
of his special treasures and placins
them in a portmanteau in readiness
for the mornings start. He had f.
or f5 in his purse Col Vanbrugh was
always very liberal in money matters
and he hoped for advice from his
mother as to the hest way of launch
ing himself in the world.
He had quite made up his mind tina
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