Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-04-02

Oscar Despard sank into the nearest
chair and covered his eyes with one
hand.
II have deserved this, he said. Il
am broken-down man: | have erred
In Judgment, hut | have never been
wanting in affection could not bear
to drag my chilli into poverty and
exile. j assure you, sir" lifting his
head from his hand, that there have
been many times when | have no.
/ known where to turn for a half-penny
to buy little bread for my starving
children. Would YOU have had ME
4 take her away TO staWeg"
ALLOW me TO remind you. Mr.
Despard, that it is better to starve
than to be dishonest said Lancelot
with gravity. Il cannot understand
how you reconciled 1t to your CON
science to leave your daughter depend
ent all these years on the charity of
others"
she has been kindly treated,
trust. II not, will be revenged on her
enemies" said Despard, beginning,
rather to Lances amusement, TO
buster as soon as he fancied that he
was safe,
Il should advise YOU to keep out of
their way" said Lancelot, dryly. You
might be handed over to the police you
know, and that would be awkward
both for you and for Madeline.
Sir, you insult me" Then the
bIavado broke down. You won't be-
tray me, sir? You won't give me up?
know have done many things which
will not bear strict investigation, but
for Madelines sake, have mercy"
And if Lancelot had allowed him he
would have knelt on the floor and wept
for mercy.
Get up, mani said Lance, rather
sternly There was something little
stern about his whole face, The jaw
was strong, tie handsome mouth
firmly set, the hazel eye steady and
keen, something Which made Despard
cringe before him Get up and don't
make fool of yourself; am not going
to do you any harm. Where do YOU
liye?"
Despard hesitatcd
Look here" said Lancelot, iii you
don't answer me and answer me truth
fully l shall certainly hand you over
to the police. If you will tell me what
| want TO know | will do my best for
you. Come, / give you my word. You
can depend on that, you know. Now
your address"
Despard gave II without demur II
was in poor street near southampton
row and Lancelot made careful note
of IT,
Are your wife and children living?"
Yes sir. My poor Jenny-she is a
little deformed-not able to earn a
penny and the others are still young.
Madeline must be 10 now; she is per-
haps earning money"
Perhaps said Lancelot, dryly.
"But I should not advise her to give
any Of il to you
Il see you know her, sit. Might
not hope that you would favor me with
her address
Il have not seen your daughter for
two years, MIR. Despard." A little color
came into I.ancelot's face as he spoke.
II have been abroad"
"Nevertheless-yo may have-cor
responded" said Mr.. Despard, with his
head OH one side. You know of her
residence?"
You have not shown paternal affec-
tion 50 strongly during the last few
years as to induce me to give you Miss
Despard's address"
The mans eyes grew yenomous. mo
doubt there are others who could fur
nish it, he said There was the
schoolmistress herself, Miss joyce
she would at least know what had be-
come of her.
Lancelot bit his lip. She might no.
choose to tell, he said, with would-be
carelessness.
II can try, at any rate"
You will not try!' Lancelot turned
on him with sudden stornness. you
will do what ! tell you and nothing
ese-you know the alternative. You
will not try TO find your daughter un-
less | give you leave"
you are very imperious, Mr.. Van
brugh. May | ask by what right you
interfere between parent and a
child?"
Lancelot seemed about to answer
hastily, but on second thoughts ne
only shrugged his shoulders and
turned back to his writing desk. A
check book lay on the table. He drew
it quietly toward him.
ITO what name shall | make out a
check?" he asked, taking up pen.
Name? Ah--well Oscar Despard,
suppose" said the man, with sullen
shamefacedness He knew that Lance
lot was offering him bride and he
was ashamed Of it. yet could not find it
in his heart to refuse.
There is f5, said Lancelot. You
will find it to your interest to do what
| wish in this matter, do not think
Miss Despard ought to be annoyed"
Despard took the check with NUT
tered word of thanks; then, with hang
ing head, stuffed il into the inner re-