Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-02
CHAPTER XVII.
Icons Daughter.


to him not to speak. Il can bear nc
more" she murmured a moment
later. Leave me alone"
Alone, mother"
yes, | must think, | must decide
/ have done a great wrong"
She ayerted her face from him and
lay for a few moments perfectly mo
tionless. LancelOt waited in the deep
est anxiety beside her, scarcely daring
to move or speak. Suddenly she look
ed toward him again and spoke with
a faint, wan smile.
'LanceIot, it is Icons daughter
whom you are going to make your
wife"
Yes, mother"
And you will not be ashamed? You
do not mind that he As a rebel, a
conspirator- the world calls it-a
plotter, and anarchist? And that he
killed himself sooner than be taken
aIive?"
From all | can hear" said Lance
lot, steadily, Leon Zayertal seems to
have been a noble-hearted man, and
mother I, honor him"
All that is WELL" she cried with a
gasping sigh.
and your Madeline--is she like
him."
Like him in constancy in steadfast-
Aess, in devotion" LanceIot said,
proudly, but in face, mother, she is
like you. I always thought sol think
] loved her for the likeness"
my SOM
She drew his face down to hers and
kissed it. Go an fetch her" she said.
Bring her to me. I shall see by her
face if she is Icons child"
Mother, I hardly ike to leave you
alone"
Il shall be quite well. I want to
lie here and think. This man Despard
has shown me m2nv things. What
would yoa do, Lance. if YOU were shown
tFat all your life had been wrong?"
Mother. DEAR
1T has been wrong and have been
"a blame All, God! / might have been
what my son would have hated, have
shnddered at-but I was kept from
blood-g uiltiness, at least" Then. as
she saw the expression of bewiller-
ment and fear on Lancelot's face she
reused herself a little and smiled at
him with a more natural look. Dear
boy. ! am talking fOolishly am [ nOt?'
she said cit is only because I have
been disturbed Go and leave
me to myself for a time; I will call
Josef or Marie if I want anything. Go
to your Madeline and tell her she is
not Oscar Despards daughter and that
I beg her to be my child. Now, let me
rest"
Lancelot crept slowly out of the
room He was uneasy about her, but
he summoned Marie, his mothers elder
" maid, and told her to keep watch
and ward while he went out. And
then he took his nat, jumped into a
hanson and set out Immediately for
George street.
Madeline? But you can't see Made
line" said little Jenny, in a troubled
voice. as he presented himself at the
door of Mrs. Despard's sitting-room and
asked for his love.
"And why not little one?"
'She is not we'll and she told me
not to let anyone disturb her. Father
is out and mother is lying down, with
a bad headache"
and you look as if you had one,
too" said Lancelot, kindly, seeing the
dark rings under the eyes of the little
pale-faced girl.
The tone of sympathy was too much
for Jenny She burst into tears. Its
hecause-because Madeline isn't my
sister" she sObbed. Father never
told us till now, and Madeline didn't
know either. And-and-T s'pose she'll
20 away and never live with us again,
or she says she must look out instant
w for a situation. And it is also
hOTrid."
Never mind" said Lance. gently
1T may turn out better than you think
I want Madeline to be my wife and
if she is. you can come and stay with
us. you know. and that will be nearly
as pleasant as having her here, will il
not?"
Jenny unclasped her hands from hel
streaming eyes and looked at him, as
If to see whether he was really in earn
est or not The survey must have re
assured her. for a watery smile grad
ually appeared and spread over he
face. At that moment Madeline, wht
had heard the sound of voices. ap
peared at the door and halted in as
constituent. whereupon Jenny rushed
toward her and clasped her arms rount
the girls slim waist
Madeline, is it trre?" she cried
Are you really going to marry him
And will you let me come and sta,
with vou?"
Madeline cast a glance of reproacl
aver Jenny's head in Lancelot's direc
ton.
Mr. Vanbrugh. you are unkind." sh
said
mo, I am not unkind What sh
says is perfectly true" averred Lance
"You are going to marry me very 500
and Jenny shall stay with us as lon
as you please"
He came up to her as he spoke an
they looked at each other. still ahov
Jenny's golden hear. Then Lancelt
took an unfair advantage. Both Mad
lines hands were occupied with Je1
ny's clinging figure, and therefore
-