Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-02

Despard, that it is better to starve
than to be dishonest" said Lancelot,
with gravity. i cannot understand
how you reconciled it to your con-
science to leave your daughter depend
ent all these years on the charity Of
others"
She has been kindly treated,
trust If not, will be revenged on her
enemies" said Despard, beginning
rather to Lance's 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
bravado broke down. You won't be-
tray me, sir? You won't give me up?
l know I have done many things which
will not bear strict Investigation, but
for Madeline's sake, have mercy
And if Lancelot had allowed him he
would have knelt on the floor and wept
Tor mercy.
Get up, man. said Lance, rather
sternly. There was something a little
stern about his whole face, the jaw
was strong, the handsome mouth
firmly set, the hazel eye steady and
keen, something which made Despard
cringe before him. Get up, and don't
make a fool Of yourself; | am not going
to do you any harm. Where do you
liye?"
Despard hesitated
Look here" said Lancelot, IF you
don't answer me and answer me truth
fully I 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 it without demur. II
was in a poor street near Southampton
row and Lancelot made careful note
of it.
Yes, sir. My poor Jenny-she is q
little deformed-not able to earn a
penny and the others are still young
Madeline must be IS now; she is per
haps earning money
"Perhaps,' said Lancelot, dryly
But [ should not advise her to give
any of it to you.
Il see you know her, sir. Might
not hope that you would favor me with
her address"
Il have not seen your daughter fol
two years, Mr. Despard." A little color
came into Lancelot's face as he spoke
Il have been abroad"
Nevertheless may have-c0r-
responded" said Mr.. Despard, with his
head on one side. You know of hel
| residence?"
You have not shown paternal affec-
ton so strongly during the last few
years as to induce me to give you Miss
Despard's address"
The mans eyes grew venomous. INC
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.
Il can try, at any rate"
You will not try! Lancelot turned
on him with sudden sternness. "Yor
will do what | tell you and nothing
else-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 a parent and {
child?"
| hastily, but on second thoughts ~
only shrugged his shoulders an(
/ turned back to his writing desk.
| check book lay on the table. He drew
! it quietly toward him.
"To what name shall | make out (
check?" he asked, taking up a pen.
Name? Ah-well, Oscar Despard,
suppose" said the man, with sulle1
shamefacedness- He knew that Lance
| lot was Offering him bride and ht
was ashamed of it, yet could not find i
| in his heart to refuse.
"There is f5,' said Lancelot. "Yot
will find it to your interest to do wha
/ I wish in this matter. l do not thinl
! Miss Despard ought to be annoyed"
! Despard took the check with a NUT
tered word of thanks; then, with hang
/ ing head, stuffed it into the inner re
cesses of his pockebcok. His eye trav
eled GENEROUSLY to the table, where thu
letter concerning Charles Smith," wa
lying still.
mo, said Larcelot, noticing TIM
| glance. Il will keep this letter an(
| show it to Mr.. Nettleton when l mex
see him I should like to know it's his
| tory.
| To be Continued.
HER TERRIBLE REVENGE.