Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-13

opposition TO the wishes OF his rela-
tions to become a doctor and was again
surprised to see the displeased express
sion cross his fathers face.
Il went with Vyner to see his cou-
sins afterward," he continued, fearless
ly. Il had only just time to have tea
with them and get back to dinner I
suppose you knew I was going.
father"
mo, l did not know
why, l sent old John back with a
message. He must have forgotten"
''The groom told me you had gone
to London" the count said, with a re-
assuring smile. II told your father
myself"
But John ought to have given the
message" said Lance, seriously.
Il only got the telegram from Vyner
this morning."
He was addressing himself and
Rene, when his fathers cold, severe
voice broke upon the colloquy
81 have no wish to hear excuses now.
LancelUt. You seem to think you can
do as you like; but I should be glad
another time to be informed of your
expeditions beforehand"
81 beg your pardon, sir said Lance,
rather stiffly. 'I did not realize that
there was any occasion for me to ask
your permission before doing such a
simple thing as to run up to town to
see my friend
perhaps it was not only to see that
friend suggested Rene, in quiet
tone. you had, perhaps, other mo-
tives.'''
Lance'S eyes shot fire.
What do you mean?" he said, turn
ing sharply on the speaker. But Col.
Vanbrugh interposed
There is no need for you to make
any such remark, Rene. [ do not wish
to drive my son into concealments or
subterfuges of any sort. I prefer to
remain satisfied with the accounts he
gives me of his doings."
I hope you are satisfied, sir" said
Lancelot, who was becoming bewilder-
ed and exasperated at being driven,
quite against his will, into the attitude
of defiance.
The colonel kept silence.
The silence startled Lancelot. He
turned red and then white, but faced
his father courageously.
eff you have any cause of dissatis-
faction with me, [ should prefer to
hear it, if you please" he said.
iYo1ira1 h hood
ly. "I know of none"
"You mean that you suspect me?"
with an accent of intense indignation.
my dear boy" the count began
blandly, but Lancelot interrupted him
with hot resentment of tone.
will you be so good as to let me
hear what my father has to say?" he
said. The count shrugged his should
ers and lay back in his chair. There
was a sort of lazy enjoyment of the
scene in his long, dark eyes "And
now may I understand" said the boy,
lifting his proud head and looking his
father full in the face, ''of what do
you suspect me?'
"The word suspect is scarcely ap-
plicable," said Col. Vanbrugh, in meas
ured accents. cit appeared to me
momentarily-that you were placing a
gloss upon your actions; and that you
other reasons for going to London be-
side meeting your friend.
"And, if I had, was there any harm
in that?'
Certainly not, if you had avowed
your motives. ! thought you had
probably gone elsewhere I am to
speak plainly-and did not wish to say
So"
But where should I have gomez
said Lance, in establishment. 'And am
I always supposed to give an account
of my actions?"
The two elder men exchanged rapid
glance and were silent. Lance looked
from one to the other and changed
color.
"You thought" he said, in a lower
tone, that I had gone to see my
mother, perhaps?"
Yes
Anu lIdI L was SohSCSlIh0 C1O 1cASI
from your
The colonel signified his assent.
Lancelot rose from his seat. His eye
flashed, his face was dark with anger.
'I understand now" he said, bitterly.
'T begin to understand why you and
my mother could not live in peace"
The colonel made a quick, impatient
movement of his hand, but he did not
seem able to find words with which to
command silence The count still
leaned back and smoked imperturb-
ably, with as little appearance of SYM
pathy or human interest, as if he had
been present at a not very exciting
play.
There was not the slightest reason
why you should have suspected me of
deceit" said the boy. Il never said
that l vas going to my mothers house
today, because l never thought of it.
And if l had gone-what of it? Would
it have been a frightful crime? I see
now, father, that it is your habit to
suspect wrong-dolng; you give credit
for the worst motive, you think that
everybody is treacherous and base. /
suppose that was how my mother was
treated and that was why she left you?
She could not bear ceaseless suspicion
of her lightest acts! Now l begin to
understand"
Col. Vanbrughs face had turned very
white.
"Lancelot," he said, hoarsely, for
Gods sake, say no more"