Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-20


is living and you must know that she
has been most unjustly treated. feel
that it is my duty to go to her and
bring her as much help and comfort
as possible | need hardly say that my
father and I do not agree upon this
roint. Don't judge me harshly and
don't forget your faithful friend.
'cLancelot"
After this ne had a still more difficult
task to perform. His letter to his father
was not finished when the early dawn
stole into his room and the birds be-
gan their low-toned morning song. But
it was done at last and then Lance
threw himself on his bed and slept the
dreamless sleep of exhaustion and
fatigue.
In the morning he swallowed a hasty
breakfast, left his note on the table,
mounted the dog-cart and drove away,
without a single glance behind. His
father from an upper window watched
him go, then, dropping the curtain,
turned back to pace the room and curse
the day when he married a woman
who did not love him, but still had the
right to bear his name.
Lance did not know-perhaps would
never know-the nature of the injury
She had done Roger Vanbrugh, or of
his Utmost reason for thinking III of
her; therefore there was no chance, he
told himself, that the boy would ever
return to him or cease to believe that
he had behaved with cruel harshness
to his wife.
Il did what | thought was right at
the time" said Roger to himself, still
pacing the floor, with long, slow
strides, and I could not act different
ly; but Of course the boy viii never
understand"
Rene de Marsac lost no time in ex-
aiming the contents of the letter ad-
dressed to Col. Vanbrugh; but he found
that they scarcely repaid perusal
Dear father" Lance had written
Il am going to my mothers house. If
ever you want me back you must put
her in her rightful place at Alders-
leigh, then l will come, too. Your son,
Lancelot Vanbrugh.''
Rene laughed over the letter fasten-
ed it down again and sent it to the
colonel. He felt no surprise, although
he pretended some, when he heard Col
Nanbrugh, shortly afterward giving
orders III curt, imperative tones, that
Lancelot's possessions We're all to be
sent to Nine. ZaVertal's house in Ken,
singtOn.
rs Lance staying there?" he asked,
innocentIy.
Il believe he is going to do So" said
the colonel, in a very formal manner
"A break in his studies" said the
count, lightly. For my regulations
sake, let US hope it will not last long"
Your occupation is gone, Rene" was
the answer. 1.-The boy will not come
back unless his mother comes back,
too"
"Ah, but that is unlikely to happen,
I presumed"
Not unlikely; impossible"
Then the colonel turned away and
Rene was left to laugh gleefully to
himself
Il shall have a fine time now" he
muttered, when Vanbrugh was out of
hearing. IF only there was something
to amuse me. That Esler girl was
great fun; when will she be back, 1
wonder? | must inquire. She was
very piquant. She looked as stately as
Diana and has neither principle nor
prOpriety in her whole being. I shall
see her again. Would it be worth while
to make her my wife, I wonder? I'm
afraid not"
And he thought of Constance's dark
eyes with movement of pleasure and
regret.
Meanwhile Lance travelled up to Lon
don and arrived at his mothers house
shortly before noon. He found her in
her boudoir; she was reclining in a
languid attitude, on q luxuriously cush-
Toned couch and she had a cigarette
between her lips. Ordinarily Lance
would have been shocked at this state
of things, for he did not know any
thing of society where women smokers
were tolerated and he had high, though
somewhat crude, notions of feminine
decorum. But on this occasion he
never even saw the cigarette He
threw himself down on his knees at his
mothers side and kissed her hand so
passiOnately that she looked up amazed
What is it, my dearest SOM" she
asked in her peculiarly caressing
tones
Mother, | have left him forevgTr'
; Left whom, darling of my hearth"
, MY father I could not stay with
him when he would not do justice to
you. You will give me a home, will
you not? I will be no trouble to you
, l will get employment and work for
myself; but | will not go back to Al
dersleigh.''
A strange variety of emotions cross
| ed Venetia's beautiful face, as she
leaned back on the sofa and listened
to her sons brave words.
Pity, establishment. perplexity, even
little contempt, and, last of all, a
= smile OF delight passed over her feat
ures in turn. When he had finished
and hidden his face in the silken folds
of her gown, she put out one delicate
hand and laid it upon his head.
You are a hero, Lance. So you have
; come to me after all? l am glad. l
=, am glad. 1t is a triumph for me-"
The words Jared a little. Lance
lifted his head dumbly and she went
on:
II am sorry. too that Won have left