Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-06-25

likes. For your sake I will hear what
he has to say.
Lance bent and kissed the hand she
!; held out to him with the grace OF
manner which had perhaps come to
, him as an inheritance from her.
L will ask him if he can tell me
what he wants. Perhaps l may save
do what | can"
And he fastened away to the wait
ing-roOm dOwnstairs-not so thrOnged
now as it used to be, for Nine. Zaver-
tails weakness had led to her being
relieved of the business of charity by
Lancelot, to a great extent, and Lance
lot had known how to Investigate cases
rather more thoroughly than she had
done and her house was consequently
not quite so much a refuge for the un-
deserving destitute as of old. Oscar
Despard was standing in the middle of
the room, with his hat held close to
his breast; the old involuntary air of
the theater was upon him STILL and
made LancelOt in spite of himself smile
though with a mOmantary throb of re-
gret.
My mother is suffering just now,
Mr. Despard," he said, courteously.
She is hardly we'll enough to receive
visitors, but if you could be so good
as to state your business to me"
My business is with Nine Zavertal
alone" said Oscar, in his melodram-
attic way. Perhaps | should say with
Mrs. Vanbrugh. 1t was under that
name that | knew her many years ago
l can give Mrs. Vanbrugh some very
valuable information if she will but
consent to hear me-
Information Of what kind?"
Il think | may tell you" said Oscar
Despard, in a lower and more confden-
tia tone, that it relates to Mrs Van
brugh's brother, Leon Zavertal."
You knew him. too" asked Lance
lot
4 Il knew him we'll. Mrs. Zavertal
would afterward regret | think, that
she had not seen me if she knew what
| know"
/ Lance was silent for a minute or
two; then he said, somewhat abruptly,
! Il will speak to my mother again, !"
and he left the room.
In two or three minutes he returned
with an answer
My mother will see you for a short
time. I must beg of you to spare her
all needless agitation; she is not in a
/ fit condition to bear it and the inter
view must be ended at once, l fear, if
she is distressed" It was the sight of
his mothers white face and trembling
hands when she heard her brothers
meme that caused him to speak so de-
Cidedly. Mr. Despard bowed solemnly
in assent and followed Lance to Nine
Zavertals bOudOir.
LancelOt was glad to see that she
looked more composed. She responded
slightly to Oscar Desrard's profound
bow, and told him with the air of a
queen to be seated. Then she beckon-
ed Lancelot to stand beside her and
took both his hands in hers as if by
way of claiming his protection.
Now she said, tell me what you
have to say"
Madame" said Despard, deprecat-
ingly. 81 see that you look upon be as
an enemy. | come to do what I have
never dared to do before-to throw
myself on your mercy, telling you in
what ways I offended and also in what
things was innocent But first, wish
to beg your word that you will not
use what I say against me in any public
sense"
You mean" said Nine Zavertal,
coldly, that you are going to confess
criminal offense and that you wish
us to promise not to prosecutor"
AN illegal action, perhaps, would be
the better way of putting it," said
/ Oscar. insinuatingly. For that, yes,
I certainly desire your silence and for
! giveness, in consideration of the valu-
able information I am about to give
YOU
Lancelot and his mother consulted
each other with their eyes.
Then Nine Zavertal said, impetuous-
, ly.
Go on, we promise what you ask
Oscar bowed more profoundly than
ever and then began his tale.
Garry back your memory, madame,
beg of you, to the time when you
were actively engaged, in Paris, and
then in London, in the noble work OF
sneltering and aiding your patriotic
fellOw-countrymen. Among your &C
quaintances you numbered both the
Count de Marsac and my humble self. "
"Wen?"
You were friendly with the count,
madame"
Il detested him. cried Venetia, with
flash of her wonderful blue-green
eyes.
Naturally, for you were noble and
virtuous woman and he showed rather
that you had been otherwise"
LanceIot made a movement as if to
speak, but his mother restrained him
by a slight pressure of her hand. Let
him go on she said. 4 am anxious to
hear what he has to say
L will not wound your feelings or
those of your son in the slightest de-
gree" said Despard, politely. Il wish
only to remind you Of your motive for
disliking the Count de Marsac and his
for disliking you. His admiration OF
you soon turned to deadly hatred and