Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-01-09
Continued
Under A Cloud

where she stood diitifuliy and wonder
ing what had happened 70 her friends.
where was Lillian Maxwell What
had become Of Alice and Ethel Wester-
ton? And how was il that Theresa
Beaufort, the most ardent tennis play
er OF the country, had kept away? She
was puzzled And then her attention
was caught By something that her
mother and Lady Esler were saying
70 each other, in guarded tones.
1t is great pity I thought that
Roger was little premature. But the
very notion OF being under a cloud
set his blood boiling He said that
be would face the country and see for
himself
'.He sees rather too well now, |
should think, said Lady Esler, grimly.
MY husband has great faith in Col.
vanbrugh, but | always felt that
should like some explanation"
An interruption occurred here and
Lady Esler never finished her sentence.
Frances. moving backward little.
with a sudden horror Of hearing what
she was not supposed 10 hear. found
herself close to Lancelot, and knew
at once from his whIte face and burn
ing eyes that he also had overheard.
Full of impulsive pity, she slipped her
little hand into his. and squeezed IL
tight
Laurie. dear. don't look like that
don't Everybody will think that
something is the matter"
In a moment he seemed not to hear,
then he returned the pressure Of her
hand so fercely that she had much ado
to prevent herself from crying ont.
you hear, too?" he said.
Eyes. but | don't know what they
mean" said little Lady Frances.
There was a moments silence, Lance
had turned his back to the lawn and
no one but herself could see the work.
ings Of his angry agitated face.
Let's get out Of this. he said. sud-
denly Its intolerable. Come with
me to the house. will you. Frances.
You don't mind?"
no, not at all Mother will not
mind IL go with you.
He strobe away to the house. with
scant ceremony: but Frances skinned
the grass beside him 50 lightly and
easily that he did not outstrip her.
They reached the open glass doors OF
the dining room and there Lancelot
drew back with a look of repulsicn;
his father was inside the room, waiting
upon lady whom he had just brought
in. But before Lancelot could escape
Col Yanbrugh had seen him and his
companion and turned TO the window
with a pleasant word,
''You have brought Lady Frances
that is right Come in-there's a cor.
ner for you her by the window
II am not coming In, said Lancelot
III So strange one might have said sc
oftensivea tone. that his father
glanced at him in evident wonderment
Then | will take care OF Frances
VIII you have some tea?" he said. ad
dressing himself kindly to the girl.
She does not want anything" Ian
celot answered sharply Come will
me, Frances
could not well refuse TO so with him
for he was in trouble and her hear
yearned to comfort him and yet. b,
going she would perhaps offend he
new hero the gallant colonel whom
she secretly called "the cavalier" Ro
ger Nanbrugh looked al her and al hi
son IN annoyed surprise What ha'
Laneelot done with his manners? h,
wondered. And the girl, too,
But l'~anees raised her eyes 10 hi
face with a look which he could no
wholly misunderstood II was lool
~ piteous pleading, Of mingled sorrow
and tenderness and regret. and. al
though she turned TO follow Lance, We
Col Yanhrugh al once knew that SIT
would rather have stayed behind a
his bidding II was only loyalty to he
old friend that took her away.
Roger Vanbrugh looked after the ~,
ana girl III II something ban stunne,
him, Tor moment OF two ~ ana no
even move. He guessed the meaniu,
OF Lanee's hostile attitude: but Their,
was something in Frances face which
he felt he could not fathom something
that recalled memories Of love ali,
hope and happier days Then he threw
on the sensation and laughed a lityh
to himself What was there left 20
him IN lie that he should care 70
the sweetness OF IA Young girls sym
pathetic eyes?
Lance strobe away with his com
panion 70 side door which led int
the great hall III the house, Theme
he passed To another door aud wind
ing stair. which Lady Frances knew
we'll Lance was bound for the ptctur
gallery WHY she asked herself Blu
since he was going She might as wei
20. too
The boy lea the way. With his heat
high In the air, 70 the picture Ky M
Rupert, the cavalier ancestor. 81 whom
he had always been 50 proud France
glanced at him his face was white i
death his eyes were full Of tears.
There. he almost gasped "Lool
al him Look al his face the soul q