Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-06-25
CHAPTER xxxvI.
oscar Despard's Confession.

Oscar Despard's Confession.
There was still one place to which
Lancelot Vanbrugh invariably turned
when he was in trouble-his mothers
room. Mrs. Zavertal, as she still called
herself, might be somewhat strange
and fantastic to the world at large,
hut she was always tender to her son.
He came to her therefore when Made
line had sent him from her presence
and although he did not at first con-
file his griefs to her-for he knew that
she had some sort of prejudice against
the Despards-she soon won his con-
fdence and heard the whole story. He
was half-sorry that he had told it to
her half-afraid that she would make
some charge against Madeline's father
that he might not be able to rebut.
But she did not do anything of the
kind She simply sat still and laid her
hand upon his hair He was sitting be-
side her on low chair, and she was
lying back in a deep lounge, almost
ike a couch. 1t was very seldom now
that she rose from that reclining chair
Her health had been SLOWLY but steadily
falling for some time and she was
painfully weak, but there was still
great and pathetic beauty in her wasted
face and lustrous eyes
my poor boy she murmured at
length, Il am sorry that you should
suffer-"
AZ is more for her sake than for my
own, he said, in low tone.
"Ah" she drew long breath, II
know what it is-that feeling. One
does not suffer for oneself when one
loves But, Lancelot, my son, this
girl this Madeline Despard, is not your
equal"
She is my superior. said the young
man. holly "She is goodness itself
and she is most beautiful"
All yes; but spare me your raptures
about goodness and beauty, dear one.
They are always alike-every lover
'etF AllN SthG llIt IOI say
so and don't be hurt 1t was not of
goodness and beauty that | was think
Ing exactly. but of her antecedents-
her family"
4 know you have reason to dislike
htr father-so do I. But her mother
one Of the Armstrong;. Lady Esler's
niece"
WI did not know her-I knew none
n these people," said Venetia, with a
lttIe gesture of repulsion. "The Eng
lish provincial English especially
not interest me- But the father is
sufficient drawback surely. Could you
take YOUR father-in-law down to Alder
sleigh Lance? And what would Roger
Fanhrugh say to him2"
n should not have taken him to
Aldersloigh. I should have persuaded
MIN to live abroad But 1t is no use;
'he will not have anything to do with
ne"
His mother stroked his hair. but even
her crossing hand failed to bring him
any comfort.
She Is quite right" said Nine. Ia
!artal at last 81 respect her for her
decision No good, true woman would
Fsh r. bring disgrace on the name
n oAa she loves"
a mock came to the door and she
lo9s away her hand. while Lancelot
+roW himself into more erect posi-
MM' 0ld Josef came in. bearing a slip
naner IN hts hand and with low
Aa presented 1t to his mistress.
N"a 2ayertal read it and tossed 1t to
aer san with low laugh, but new
'e. p Of color was in her thin cheeks.
Does he think that I will exert nv
''anee on his behalf?" she said:
.ahe read the peneiled words: "will
e0 Nenetia Zavertal permit me the
'0- q few words with her?-oscar
Discard"
What can he want with your" said
has probably come to offer his
TO vou-at a high-enough
aid Nine Zavertal. with curl
Lance start a up.
aar do not say such things"
- III please YOU. will not.
annot ser this man. He Il a
SPY Send him away from
eaked imneriouslv at Lancelot.
5ai moment. looking down
7ae q sign to old Josef to leave
room
little hard on me- he said.
hat ! should have to send him
sonld Won not consent to see