Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-04-09

Sne naQ learQ from Hcr Iatner that ghe
was related TO Lady Esler; Miss Joyce
had stated the relationship in making
her known to Constance Esler and 1t
had been for some time discussed
whether Madeline and Constance were
first cousins once removed or only sec
ond cousins. Constance had always
ignored the relationship and the mem
DRY OF it had died down, but what did
ii mean that Lady Esler should now
come to make Madennes acquaint-
ance?
Lady Esler was as tall and rigid and
unbending as ever, but her hair was
now white and softened the harshness
of her stormy featured lace. Her eyes,
thought Madeline, were exactly like 4
hawks. AS usual she was beautifully
dressed and the ungloyed hand with
which she held her eyeglass was loaded
with magnificent rings. Madeline
bowed to her and she stiffiy inclined
her head.
sit down, my dear" said Miss
Joyce, benignly; and Madeline seated
herself, not without inward trepida-
ton, for it suddenly flashed across her
that some change in her fortune might
be impending.
You are Madeline Despard, | be-
lever" said Lady Esler. your
fathers name was Oscar Despard, and
he married my niece, Madeline Arm
strong, whose father, Gen. Armstrong,
first sent you here. | am correct, /
think
Perfectly correct, madam" said
Madeline, quietly. Something in Lady
Eslers voice had sent the blood back
to her heart and she was white to the
lips.
1T was unfortunate for all of us, z
said Lady Esler, looking round at Miss
Joyce, that my brother, Gen. Arm
strong, died before making it clear to
the rest Of the family that he recog-
nized this young person as his grand
Child" She was safe in making this
assertion. because nobody heard the
conversation that passed between her
self and the general shortly before
Madeline was sent to school. II did
indeed hear something from my young
relative Constance Esler on the sub
ject, but of course l took no notice Of
unauthorized communications and
hints of that kind. In fact" turning
once more to Madeline zone naturally
imagined that there was something
wrong when ones brother took so liz
tie trouble 10 make explanations
Madeline trembled with anger, bur
kept her lips firmly shut. She did not
want to be forced to say what she
thought of Lady Esler's conduct.
THE matter was made more than
ever problematic by the extraordinary
conduct of Mr.. Oscar Despard, contin-
ued Lady Esler.
"Ah" calculated Miss Joyce. Very
extraordinary, indeed. More than ex-
traordinary"
4 hot flush stole into Madeline's face.
She rose from her chair and looked at
Miss Joyce,
! Would IL not be better for me to 90
/ back 10 the girls, Miss Joyce?" she
said Il do not know that it is neces-
sary for me to listen any longer-is
there any good purpose to be served
by it?"
Lady Esler let her eyeglass fall to
her lap and surveyed the girl with
naughty amazement What does this
/ mean?" she asked.
1t means" said Madeline, with COM
posture, that | feel it very painful to
sit here and listen to your unfriendly
recapitulation Of my family history.
Miss Joyce knows how greatly | feel
her kindness to me and | will hear
from her anything that she wishes to
say; but after silence Of six years,
during watch you, Lady Esler have
taken no notice of me, and have thrown
the burden of my support on Miss
Joyce alone. feel that you have not
the slightest right to interfere III my
concerns and will therefore say good
morning"
She made a slight courteous move
ment, halfbow. half-curtsey, and
walked straight out Of the room Miss
Joyce sat as If paralyzed. but an ex-
elamatlon from Lady ESlers lips was
borne to Madeline's ears just before
the door closed
"'The girl has spirit" said the old
lady approvingly. 1T is a sign Of
good breeding and good blood"
Madeline went back to her packing
There was a little additional color in
her face, an unusual light in her eyes;
she held her head high and was more
lovely and talkative than was her.
wont; otherwise she showed no change
But inwardly she felt tumult of rage
and modification mingled with pas
sionate shame. And more than once
she felt Il wild desire to break away
from the chattering schoolgirls and
weep her heart out in the seclusion Of
her own room.
She almost expected to be summoned
70 Miss Joyce's room TO receive a sharp
teproof for her conduct to Lady Esler,
but to her surprise the day passed on
and no summons came. II suppose she
Is too angry TO speak TO me at present .
~