Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-03-05

varied so widely: and it was generally
understood that he had been rebellious
and his father stern. There was quite
party in favor Of LAncelot and his
mother and smaller one whose sym
pathies went with Col. Vanbrugh. 1t
was also noted that the count now went
about alone; the foreign count, who
had made himself rather popular, was
no longer 10 be seen at AldersIeigh.
But the secret of De Marsacs departure
was secret from the world at large.
Some few persons knew, however,
that the count had not left the neigh
borhood. He was staying quietly at a
little village inn, whence he kept up
frequent and impassioned correspond
ence with Constance Esler; and he had
ventured at Constance's suggestion TO
enter the grounds on the night OF the
ball, in order that she might have an
interview with him. In the arrange
ment, Constance showed her usual as
tuteness. For Lady Esler's attention
was completely taken up by her guests
and she could not possibly keep a
watchful eye on her grand niece's
movements. Hence it came that be-
tween II and ~ o'clock a white figure
fitted out from a side door and made
its wav into a certain shrubbery, where,
close by an iron gate. Rene de Marsac
lurked in the shadows, waiting for his
lady love.
Constance. nv beautiful one
she was clasped in his arms and by
the light of the moon he saw her
smiling tenderly into his eyes.
Darling Rene" she whispered, Il
have had such trouble to get here. l
thought l should never get rid of my
partners. Was it not good idea of
mine to tell you to come tonight?"
Good enough in way said De
Narsac, little sullenly. But | ought
to be among the guests. | should have
been but for your friend, Madeline"
She is no friend of mine"
why did you bring her with you
that day? 1t ruined everything. And
then you dropped that letter-well,
do not wish to reproach you, but you
know, Constance, that you have in
fiicted an irreparable injury upon me"
"Oh, Rene, don't say 80"
81 must say it when it is the truth.
Your aunts letter to Col. Vanbrugh
was about the worst thing that could
happen to me. could not deny that
THAT | loved you, Constance; and he
accused me Of dishonorable conduct
|. De Marsac-and called on me TO
apologize and to give you up"
How could he?" cried Constance,
Indignantly,
"Of course, refused" he said, twirl-
ing his mustache. and then we quar-
reled-and could not remain in his
house any longer" (As matter Of fact
Gel. Vanbrugh had requested him to
leave IT'D 1T Is tremendous loss to
me, as he had promised to obtain a
permanent post for me and You know,
dearest, that although / shall ultimate
ly succeed to a great estate, | am at
present in somewhat straitened cireum-
stances; but for your sake. mind
nothing"
1T is very hard for both of us. said
Constance, plaintiyely. IF only we
could have managed itand gone away
together-they would have forgiven us
then"
she-spoke hesitatingly, but De Mar
sac knew well enough what she meant.
She believed in him thoroughly and
would have gladly married him and
gone away with him to share all the
difficulties of his life if he would have
allowed it. And he had not been UNI
willing to bind her to him by a secret
marriage. although he had never in
tended to take her away from hei' home
until he saw prospect Of advancement
in life
Rene de Marsac was simply a needy
adyenturer, who preyed in turn upon
any persons who were imposed upon by
his pleasant manners and amusing
tongue. but Constance thought him the
most heroic and chivalrous of men.
Little did she fancy that when she
spoke TO him of marriage he was cal
eulating the chances Of Lady Fsler's
HRu1I0SilA anu tuF heUiu VI AGl lNl 49,
and was half-inclined to give the girl
a last Hiss and disappear from Alders-
leigh and Hurts forever.
Quite unconsciously she herself in
fiuenced his decision by the next Few
words,
Il wish | were not so young. When
am of age | shall be able to do as
l like and shall have money Of my
own
money Of our own, dear? Thirty
pounds year for your clothes?' said
De Marsac, with a hooking little laugh
eNonsense. Rene Ten thousand
pounds. Lord Esler gave it me settled
it on me or something of the kind
when | was a child. believe il is
more than that now" saidconstance,
vaguely. "because Of the interest and
all that heard Aunt Selma say It had
been very we'll invested. II | were Of
are we could be Independent Of every