Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-27
Continued.

Here she made some purchases, but
just as she had paid for the last, Mad
cline saw the color come into her pale
face and a curious smile to her lips.
Perhaps Constance had never looked
more beautiful than when she turned
away from her young companion to
meet and greet her lover.
Then, quite suddenly, a fash Of COM
prehension turned Madeline hot and
cold and sick with suspicious fear. Con
stance had known all along that she
was going to meet this man 1t was
for this meeting she had contrived and
schemed; she must have written to him
without Miss Joyce's knowledge; there
must have been deliberate deceit. And
she, Madeline, was dragged into the
midst Of it against her will. She felt
inclined to walk straight out of the
shop and go back to WestbOurne house
by herself.
But perhaps Constance had not
planned the meeting. Perhaps | was
unkind to accuse her of underhand con-
duct And what was the stranger like?
She looked at him and recoiled. She
saw slight, erect, handsome man,
with dark eyes and carefully waxed
mustache; a man whose face looked
young at a distance, but when viewed
more closely was seen to be a network
OF fine lines, which told a history of
very diverse kinds. He was perfectly
dressed, in the iTreproachable froclz
tol Of Do To1J 10
season, single orchid bloom decorated
his button-hOle; his gloves were i'm
maculate. Madeline glanced once more
at Constance and noted the care with
which she was dressed; the pair were
perfectly matched And again her
heart misgave her, but she could not
quite tell why.
Constance turned to her after a few
brief words with the newcomer.
Come, Madeline, we are going to
have some lunch here. We have plenty
of time. This is Count de Marsac
whom | was speaking about just now.
Rene, this is one of Miss Joyce s
pupils"
Rene acknowledged this very casual
introduction by raising his hat with a
French flourish and glanced carelessly
at the shabby schoolgirl in Miss Esler's
company. But as he looked at her his
face underwent a subtle transforms
ton. lie seemed bewildered as if by
a sudden recognition. And Madeline
looked at him steadily without offering
her hand or responding to his bow.
What is the matter?" said Con-
stance, somewhat Grossly. Rene"
Pardon me- said the count, with q
smile. ut was only that l thought l
saw a likeness in your friend to some
one whom l used to know"
THAT is quite likely. | have often
seen M. de Marsac in Paris"
De Marsac turned on her with a
violent movement as if he wished to
annihilate her on the spot.
''Seen me in Paris? When?"
when you used to come to our rooms
and play cards with my father" said
Madeline.
Your father-yOur father?"
His name WAS Oscar Despard."
Then Constance broke out angrily
How dare you mention your wicked
disreputable father in connection with
Count de Marsac, you wretched little
reptile Constance Esier's language
was not choice when she was annoyed
Fortunately, the three were standing
in an alcove out Of the way of buyers
and sellers and the conversation could
not be overheard by passers-by. But
Madeline was perfectly equal to the oc-
sasiOn
you know nothing about my father
and you have no business to speak OF
him in that way" she said. He was
NJ. de Marsac's friend once. I don't
know what he is now"
Rene had evidently experienced q
moment of confusion. At his last meet
ing with Mr.. Despard there had been
a desperate quarrel between them and
it would have been hard to say which
of the two were most in the wrong
The "plucking of a pigeon" in the
French gambling house had not been
unattended with danger and Oscar
Despard had grudged his fellow-con-
spirators a half share in the profits
and Madeline distinctly remembered
the terms of abuse which her father
had lavished on the Count de Marsac
in the privacy of his own department.
ooh, you are the child Despard took
about with him." l remember" sale
Rene, with something of a sheer. 90
thought your face was familiar to me
However, it does not matter. Yor
might have chosen a better companion
Constance. Where is that nice little
girl you brought with you last time?'
All. then, it was not the first time
that Miss Esler had managed to NEE
her lover Madeline began to under
stand the situation. And as Constance
and Rene drew apart and conferred TO-
gether in a whisper the younger girls
eyes grew dim with silent, unshet
tears