Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-02-27
Continued.

sI;re saw the color come into her pale
saoe and curious smile to her lips.
perhaps Constance had never looked
more beautiful than when she turned
awav from her young companion to
meet and greet her lover.
Then. quite suddenly, flash of COM
,rehension turned Madeline hot and
cold and sick with suspicious fear. Con-
stance had known all along that she
was going to meet this man. 1t was
for this meeting she had contrived and
schsmed; she must have written to him
without Miss Joyce's knowledge; there
must have been deliberate deceit And
she, Madeline, was dragged into the
midst of it against her will. She felt
inclined to walk straight out of the
shop and go back to Westbourne house
by herself.
But perhaps Constance had not
planned the meeting. Perhaps | was
unkind to accuse her of underhand con-
duct. And what was the stranger like?
She looked at him and recoiled. She
saw slight, erect, handsome man,
with dark eyes and a carefully waxed
mustache; a man whose face looked
young at distance, but when viewed
nore closely was seen to be network
OF fine lines, which told a history of
very diverse kinds. He was perfectly
dressed in the irreproachable froek
coat and tall hat of Pail Mall in the
season, single orchid bloom decorated
his button-hole; his gloves were i'm
maculate. Madeline glanced once more
at Constance and noted the care with
which she was dressed; the pair were
perfectly matched And again her
heart misgave her, but she could not
quite tell why.
Constance turned to her after a few
brief words with the newcomer
Come, Madeline, we are going to
have some lunch here. We have plenty
Of time This is Count de Marsac,
whom | was speaking about just now.
Rene, this is one of Miss Joyce's
pupils"
Rene acknowledged this very casual
Introduction by raising his hat with a
French flourish and glanced carelessly
at the shabby schoolgirl in Miss Esler's
company. But as he looked at her his
face underwent subtle transforma-
ton He seemed bewildered as if by
a sudden recognition And Madeline
looked at him steadily without offering
her hand or responding to his bow.
What is the matter?" said Con-
stance, somewhat GROSSLY. Rene"
Pardon me" said the count, with a
smile 1T was only that | thought
saw likeness in your friend to some
one whom l used to know"
That is quite likely. l have often
seen NJ. de Marsac in Paris"
De Marsac turned on her with a
violent movement as if he wished to
annihiate her on the spot.
Seen me in Paris? When?"
When you used to come to our rooms
5nd play cards with my father" said
Madeline.
Your father-your father?"
f1lS name Was OScdr DeSpdTu.
Then Constance broke out angrily:
How dare you mention your wicked,
dlsreputable father in connection with
Count de Marsac, you wretched little
reptile" Constance Esler's language
was not choice when she was annoyed.
Fortunately, the three were standing
In an alcove out of the way of buyers
and sellers and the conversation could
not be overheard by passers-by. But
Madeline was perfectly equal to the oc-
sasion.
You know nothing about my father
and YOU have no business to speak Of
him in that way" she said. Gle was
NJ dc Marsae's friend once. / don't
Know what he Is now"
Rene had evidently experienced a
moment Of confusion. At his last meet
ing with Mr.. Despard there had been
desperate quarrel between them and
u would have been hard to say which
OF he two were most in the wrong
The "plucking of a pigeon" in the
french gambling house had not been
Unattended with danger and Oscar
Aesnard had grudged his fellow-con-
aplrators half share in the profits
and Madeline distinctly remembered
lhr ierms of abuse which her father
had lavished on the Count de Marsac
u The privacy of his own department
Oh YOU are the child Despard took
ehout with him." l remember" said
hahe with something of sneer. II
thought your face was familiar to me.
however, it does not matter. You
mleht nave chosen a better companion,
Constance. Where Is that nice little
r Nou brought with you last timer"
KY then, 1t was not the first time
a' Miss Esler had managed to meet
a.F over Madeline began TO under
na the situation. And as Constance
ma Rene drew apart and conferred to-
-s'her in whisper the younger girls
e. grew dim with silent, unshed
'@rs