Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-16

from the van. Then Madeline noticed
a footman in livery, who was touching
his hat to Mr.. Vanbrugh and looking
at her in some doubt, as if he were
not sure whether or no she were the
For the servants at Hurst knew all
! lady Of whom he was in search.
about Miss Despard and the doubtful
ness of her position and the dishonesty
Of her father and were prepared to
treat her with varying degrees of in
! Inference and dislike. Servants have
too often a prejudice against the poor
relations of the household. But Made
, line, with her tall, sveHe figure, with
the becoming hat on the hair Of burn
ished gold and the gait of graceful
princess was not in the least
/ the type of poor relation that the foot
man knew. Therefore he hesitated a
little, until he heard Mr.. Vanbrugh
speak:
They have sent a carriage for US,
l see, Miss Despard. Let me take you
to it; the porters will see to the lug
gage. Henry, bring Miss Despard' S
bag
And then Henry condescended to
touch his hat.
An open carriage, drawn by two beau
tiful bays, waited at the station door
I 1t was empty, a fact at which Lancelot
expressed some satisfaction.
They know l don't like to me met, "
he said to Madeline, as he took the
vacant seat at her side, 80 they have
discontinued the practice
All" thought Madeline to herself,
that shows how often he is here"
Are there any other visitors?" she
asked, when they were bowling along
the smooth white country roads.
Sure to be- Lady Esler likes to have
her house full of visitors. She cannot
leave home much, you know, because
Lord Esler suffers from a spinal COM
plant, which makes him complete
invalid but she gets all the variety she
wants by a succession of guests. l
wonder if she has found new COM
panion? Six, to my knowledge, have
left within the half-year.'
Il shall make the seventh" said
Madeline, with composure. only l am
going to stay two months"
You? But what do you mean?"
Lady Esler has invited me for the
! holidays, with the understanding that
will help in little duties, such as a
companion generally performs. 1t is
all right; l would not have come on any
other footing. l would not have come
at all if Miss Joyce had not wished it,
But, Madeline, Lady Esler is your
aunt"
She has been my aunt for the last
SIX years, has she not? She has not
suddenly become my aunt. No, Lance
lot, don't expect me to care for her or
to feel any pleasure in coming here. If
[ could have stayed away l would"
Good heavens, and l thought I was
doing you a service
"You?"
Yes. Didn't you know it was I who
brought it about? Your father came
!
barrassment, 'and | asked him if he
could show me any papers about your
relationship to Gen. Armstrong and so
on He had them all, of course, and the
relationship was perfectly clear, so I
brought the matter before Lady Esler's
notice"
Il suppose l ought to be Obliged to
you"
And you are not?"
She sighed.
Il often feel very wicked" she said,
plaintively.
You don't look it, at any rate Made
line, tell me one thing-do you want
to see your father? l refused to give
him your address. I thought I would
wait until I had asked you
THAT was kind of you" said Made
line, thoughtfully. Does he wish to
see me?"
Yes. very much"
"And did you hear anything of the
others?"
'The" are ali living. One of them
is an invalid, I believe"
THAT will be Jenny. Oh, must see
them all as soon as can. But I had
! better wait till we get back to London;
should not like him to come down
here"
mo, it would be better not. Lady
Esler has a prejudice against him. said
Lancelot, without mentioning that he
also shared the prejudice. But here
is Hurst; you must look at the house
as we approach it-there is a delightful
glimpse from this corner. All, do you
see?"
"Do I see what?"
'"They have come down the drive to
meet us; that is ALL" said Lance, with
a touch of constraint in his frank voice.
Lady Esler and-Constance."
Madeline noticed the hesitation that
preceded his utterance of the name.
CHAPTER XIV.