Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-01-09

was amazed, but her father, who had
brought her to the house, Strengthened
himself, held up his head with as much
hau.eur as he could manage for the
occasion, and assumed the demeanor
of al aristocratic although temporarily
unfortunate gentleman, who desired to
leave his daughter in Miss Joyce's care.
circumstances render it necessary
that should led a somewhat nomadic
life" Re said. IN fact, my health re-
Quires it. And I cannot drag my poor
child with me wherever co.
NO, most undesirable" said the
schoolmistress.
Therefore" said Mr.. Despard, airily
Il bethought myself of Miss Joyces
celebrated establishment, where, I be-
lieve, some old friends and connections
of my wife have sent their daughters.
Lady Frances Aylmer-Miss Esler-
they are your pupils, understand"
Yes" said Miss Joyce, casting a
more favorable eye upon him at the
mention of these names. Yes, they
are here. Relatives of yours, did you
say?"
Not of my own. Of my dear wife
therefore Of Madeline's. Madeline, my
dear child, you will make friends, I
trust, with Miss Esler-your aunt's
great-niece, and therefore a cousin-a
second cousin of your own. Lady
Frances is not connection-but the
daughter of an old friend"
Il see," said the lady principal, soft
ening visibly as she heard the EXPOSE
ton of Madeline's social standing.
Then your daughters grandfather is
Gen. Armstrong-yes, he wrote to me
on the subject. He was in London
last year, Constance Esler went to see
him, I remember. Well, Mr.. Despard,
your daughter will be most carefully
looked after. You mentioned in writing
that she was to give her attention to
music and languages, dancing also,
suppose, and deportment-and riG1ng?"
Yes, yes, anything" said Mr.. Des-
pard, with a graceful wave of the hand.
fit her for the distinguished position in
life which she will probably one day
occupy"
Then he drew his chair nearer to
that of Miss Joyce and whispered a
few words in her ear. Madeline heard
the name of Lady Esler, but nothing
more. She was a little Mortified at
her fathers recklessness and did not
very much want to hear his words.
But she saw that Miss Joyce was evil
IDENTIFY pleased and even impressed by
what Mr.. Despard had said and there
was increasing graciousness in the
manner with which that lady told her
to sit in an easier chair, pressed cakes
and sweets upon her and called her
"a darling child"
and now, my ever beloved Made
line, your father takes his last fare
we'll. Heaven bless you," said Mr.. Des-
pard, raising his eyes rather theatrical
ly to the painted ceiling and enveloping
his daughter in stage embrace. Miss
Joyce watched the parting with a set
smile on her pale, heavy face. She had
seen so many partings, but it struck
her afterward that there was some
thing a little strange and forced about
this one, the fathers emotion seemed
unnatural and the little girl did not
shed a tear
Madeline was too bewildered by the
change of scene and by her fathers
grandiloquence to cry. She had wept
her eyes out the night before over Jen-
ny and the baby; she had no tears left
today. She followed Miss Joyce in
silence when that lady herself conduct
ed her to her bedroom, showed her the
schoOl-room and introduced her to the
head teacher. 1t was understood that
Miss Joyce only took that trouble for
the sake of girls whom she especially
delighted to honor.
Constance, I have brought your
cousin first to you. It is fortunate for
her that she has some one here who
will teach her the ways of the house"
MY cousin calculated Constance,
rearing up her stately head.
She was in cotton frock fresh and
dainty enough-but emphatically the
dress of a schoolgirl. And yet she did
not look one whit less beautiful than
she had looked at Col. Vanbrugh's gar
den party, when Rene de Marsac took
her for a woman of the world and
made hot love to her.
Your cousin, of course, Gen. Arm
strong's granddaughter, said Miss
voice.
To Be Continued.
WHAT ARE THE WILD WAVES
SAYING