Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-06-25

gu are IN the plot too, | suppose,
said Nenetia, with one of her flashes
OF hot, unreasonable anger. Perhaps
ne comes at your request"
"Motherw-Lance stood grayely re-
garding her. He was so like his father
at that moment that Venetia WINGED as
from some ineXplicable stab of pain,
at the sight of him. She held out one
white hand entreatingly.
do not be angry with me, Lancelot,
my Lancelot," she said with wonderful
sweetness of tone. II have had to bear
so much anger in my life. Go to the
man and tell him to come to me If he
likes. For your sake | will near 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 ia
him as an inheritance from her
Il will ask him il he can tell me
you the trouble of an interview. l will
do what l 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 great extent, and Lance
lot had known how to investigate cases
rather more thoroughly than she had
done and her house was consequently
afNt MI "a ~ faY fha
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 momantary throb of re-
greet.
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. Zayertal
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
can give Mrs Vaubrugh some very
valuable information if she will but
consent to hear me,
Information of what kind?n
Il think i may tell you, said Oscar
Despard, in lower and more confiden
tial tone, that it relates to Mrs. Van
brugh's brother, Leon Zayertal"
You knew him. too2" asked Lance
lot.
II knew him we'll Mrs Zayertal
would afterward regret l 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.
81 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 short
time. I must beg of you to spare her
all needless agitation; she is not in
fit condition to bear it and the inter-
view must be ended at once. | fear. if
she is distressed" It was the sight of
his mothers white face and trembling
hands when she heard her brothers
name that caused him to speak so de-
cidedly Mr. Despari 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
queen to be seated. Then she beekon-
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, ct see that you look upon be as
an enemy. I come 10 do what | have
never dared to do before-to throw
myself on your mercy, telling You in
what ways offended and also in what
things was innocent, But first wish
to beg your word that you will not
use what say against me in any public
sense"
'You mean" said Nine. Zayertal.
coldly, that you are going to confess
a criminal offense and that you wish
us to promise not to prosecutor"
can 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 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
we're actively engaged in Paris, and
then In London, In the noble work OF
ehaItnrinp and aiding y0ur patrioffc