Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-07-16
conclnded.

UlEmDeIeu Only HIS HlOhh1i 2 WINES
and the treachery Of Rene de Marsac
in all relations of life. 1t was with the
feeling strong upon him that he step
ped out Of the darkness and confronted
his mothers enemy, without glancing
again toward the door Of the house.
where a cloaked and hooded figure was
now standing.
MAY / ask what you are doing here
at this hour, De Marsac?" he asked
De Marsac started violently; the in
terruption was so sudden and so un-
expected that he was taken by surprise
His hand stole instinctiveiy toward a
side pocket and the gesture made Lam
celot remember the jewels, which he
believed the count to have stolen.
"Ihe question Is as applicable to
you as to me" said Rene, insolently.
What are you doing here?"
II am on the watch for thieves"
said Lancelot; ALSO for traitors and
sries."
Spy yourselfr said De Marsac, an
grily His old relation to Lance as
tutor made him despise his interlocu-
tor more than was wise. He made a
step forward, but Lancelot would not
let him pass.
Not so fast, Rene dc Marsae You
have a reckoning with me. And l
should like to know what you have
in that breast pocket Of yours
LET me pass, you young fool"
mot till we have settled this matter.
What we're you doing in that house?"
What does that matter to you? II
had a little meeting with pretty
lady's maid"
"That is a lie, De Marsacl"
For answer, De Marsac struck him
full in the face, in a paroxysm of rage
which deprived him of his judgment.
Had he thought twice he would never
have entered into conflict with man
% much stronger and younger than
himself as Laneelot Vanbrugh.
In another moment the two we're
locked in a conflict from which It
seemed as If one or the other would
scarcely emerge alive. The struggle
was desperate, almost to be called
deadly Lancelot had not time to lay
his hands on the weapon that he car
ried and De Marsac strove in vain TO
snatch his revolver from his pocket.
The fight began too suddenly, too vio-
\ lently, for either of the two to make
use of his best resources. But it was
very silent struggle. The sound Of
painting breath and of feet crushing
the gravel of the pathway was all that
could be heard
Liar Cur Lanc9lot once Kissed
through his breath, but that was all.
woman's cry bu9 It upon the silent
air. De Marsac heard and cursed it.
for he knew that 1t would rouse the
house. Lancelot. absorbed in the de-
sire of combat, did Lot even hear her.
1 tNow-now-I can give you what
you deseryer the younger man cried
at last, as Rene went down beneath his
strong arm and groyeled On the ground
i I.ancelot had got his hand free at last
and the short, stronglashed horse whip
had full play. For the lie YOU told
me-for the treachary you have prac7
ticed to my mother aud father, for your
4 baseness and eowardice and yillainy--
take that and that-and that"
He was not naturally cruel but il
gave him something very like pleasure
to see Rene de Marsac writhing on the
ground and to hear him begging IN
Ditpous tones for mercy
i But suddenly two hands were laid
on his arm in clasp which he could
not easily throw off
"Lancelot stop! Oh, Iancelot, let him
40. Don't kill him-Laneelot, for my
sake"
Stand back. Constance You az MOI
know what You are saying or who this
man isr
Gle is my husband" cried Constance
passionately oh Larcelot, II YOU
have any pity for me, let us go!'
Lancelots arm dropped to his side
lie was startled and shocked. BY this
time two or three DARK figures came
hurrying out of the gloom; the ser
wants we're collecting and the guests
in the house had been reused, but Con.
stance. regardless of all, threw herself
down beside Rene, who was still moan
ing and writing on the grass, and ad
dressed him in words of unreason
ing tenderness.
'My darling, my love you are no
badly hurt, are you2 Oh, try to Sc
Zip before the people come He shall
not strike YOU again Rene, deares
Renee
Secure that man. said Lancelot
briefly, to the servants. And thei
search him / strongly believe tina
Lady Eslors jewels will be found upoi
him Miss Esler, may | advise you +
20 back TO the house,"
iii will never 10 back, said Con
stance. lifting mp her white beautiful
tace from which the Disgusting hoo
had slipped hack. and am not Mis-
Esler | am the Countess de Marsac-
|, | nm Renes wifen'
-