Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-09

he married my niece, Madeline Arm
strong, whose father, Gen. Armstrong,
first sent you here | am correct,
think"
Perfectly correct, madem," said
Madeline, quietly. Something in Lady
Esler's voice had sent the blood back
lips.
1t was unfortunate for all OF us,
said Lady Esler, looking round at Miss
Joyce, that my brother, Gen. Arm
strong, died before making it clear to
the rest of the family that he recog-
nized this young person as his grand
Child" She was safe in making this
assertion, because nobody heard the
conversation that passed between her
self and the general shortly before
Madeline was sent to school. L did
indeed hear something from my young
relative Constance Esler on the sub
iect, but of course l took no notice of
unauthorized communications and
hints of that kind. In fact''-turning
once more to Madeline-'one naturally
imagined that there was something
wrong when ones brother took so lii
tie trouble TO make explanations"
Madeline trembled with anger, but
kept her lips firmly shut. She did not
want to be forced to say what she
thought of Lady Eslers conduct.
The matter was made more than
ever problematic by the extraordinary
conduct of Mr.. Oscar Despard," contin-
ued Lady Esler.
ALI calculated Miss Joyce. Very
extraordinary, indeed. More than ex-
traordinary."
A hot flush stole into Madelines face.
She rose from her chair and looked at
Miss Joyce.
would it not be better for NE to go
back to the girls, Miss Joyce?" she
said. Il do not know that it is neces-
sary for me to listen any longer-is
there any good purpose to be served
by it?''
Lady Este" let her eyeglass fall to
her lap and surveyed the girl with
naughty Amusement. What does this
mean?" she asked.
TT means" said Madeline, with COM
posture, that I feel it very painful to
sit here and listen to your unfriendly
recapitulation Of my family history.
Miss Joyce knows how greatly l feel
her kindness to me and I will hear
from her anything that she wishes to
say; but after a silence of six years,
during which you, Lady Esler have
taken no notice of me, and have thrown
the burden of my support on Miss
Joyce alone, I feel that you have not
the slightest right to interfere i'll my
concerns and I will therefore say good
morning"
She made a slight, courteous move
ment, half-bow, half-curtsey, and
walked straight out of the room. Miss
Joyce sat as if paralyzed, but an ex-
clamation from Lady Esler's lips was
borne to Madelines ears just before
the door closed.
"The girl has spirit" said the old
lady, approvingly. at is sign of
good breeding and good blood"
Madeline went back to her packing
There was a little additional color in
her face, an unusual light in her eyes:
she held her head high and was more
lovely and talkative than was her
wont; otherwise she showed no change
But inwardly she felt a tumult of rage
and modification, mingled with pas
sionate shame. And more than once
she felt a wild desire to break away
from the chattering schoolgirls and
weep her heart out in the seclusion of
her own room.
She almost expected to be summoned
to Miss Joyce's room to receive a sharp
reproof for her conduct to Lady Esler
but to her surprise the day passed on
and no summons came. II suppose she
is too angry to speak to me at present"
SAID Madeline to herself. cit will
come when the girls are all gone and
she has me to herself. Well what
ever she says I can bear it, I will bear
1t and work for her faithfully until
am 81, and then I will go out into the
world and find a situation for myself
Oh, Lance. Lance! If you had been
true to mer' and her heart swelled and
the tears rose at the thought.
For to her it seemed as if Lance had
very soon forgotten bis sweet words.
The correspondence which had been
begun could only be maintained in the
holidays, as Madeline's letters were
subject to supervision at other times.
and it had very soon languished and
died away.
I'm four years." he had said to her,
and he meant to ask her again to be
his wife. But the four years had come
and gone without a word from him
Madeline shed some bitter tears over
his silence and grew pale and spiritless
for a few months but the pride which
was her inheritance came to her aid
and rendered her strong to bear what
would have been a sore burden to a
weaker nature. She firmly believed
that she had conquered her old affec-
ton fer the handsome lad who had
made ardent love to her, and she even
looked back on the occurrence with
superior smile, as a piece Of boyish
and girlish folly which was almost too
trivial to be regretted.
But when she was hurt or sorrowful,
even now the thought would we'll up
uncontrollably: 'Lancelot, if you had
but loved me you would never have left
me here"
The last of the girls had departed,
tho h To nd