Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-06-04
Roger Vanbrueh's Wife. !
BY ADELINE SERGEANT
BY ADELLNE SERGEANT.

CONTINUED.


no sisters were to share, and there. on
nretext of unpacking, they sat with
.bair arms round each other on the
,ed and discussed family affairs and
their respective histories. Jenny had
.lways adored Madeline and the great
est grief of Madehne's childhood had
bean her separation from Jenny: the
,aeting was therefore a delight to
ZACH of them But Jenny was alarmed
and amazed when Madeline after a
lime turned so white and faint that
she was obliged to lie down and close
her eyes, though any one who knew
what Madeline had passed through on
that day would scarcely have been sur
nrised. She was forced 10 go to bed
early and as Oscar Despard did not
come home till midnight she had no
interview until the following morning.
And by that Time the impulse to tell
him the whole story had died away.
II was a difficult matter for daughter
70 tell her sather-even such a father
as oscar Despard had been-that he
was accused of robbery And yet she
thought-ought she not to warn him
She tried circuitous methods first.
Father" she said as he sat at her
bedside next morning, for she was far
too much exhausted to rise, will you
tell me one thing? Where were you
the night before last? Were you at
home?'
Was it fancy or did startled and
terrified expression cross his face?
Where was I, my dear child? I was
at home. No, I am wrong. / was
dining with party of friends at Hol-
born restaurant and we went to a quiet
little club afterward," said Mr.. Des-
pard, rather nervously. Several men
there that I knew-De Marsac and
others"
De Alarsac? Then Madeline knew
that her father was not telling the
truth
NO father she said, in low,
clear tone, 81 know that the Count de
Marsac was not at the club that night"
How do you know? What non
sfnse Why, you were"
4 was at Hurst and looking out of
my window I saw" she said, sadly.
He grasped her arm suddenly. "You
did not betray him? You did not
say
said nothing" said Madeline, look
ing him full in the face. "And that is
why am here. Oh, father. father,
they think it was They think I took
the jewels-and gave them to you. If
only could believe that you had moth
Ing 70 do with the-the robbery"
"What-what is that you say? Sent
you away? You?"
Yes father--for helping you, they
say. They found pocketbook, with
your name on the flap"
She was sorry to see him thrust his
hand involuntarily into his breast
pocket as if to search for the missing
pocketbook.
Cad" he burst out. 'T never miss
ed Il"
Then father, you were there?"
Re attempted a little prevarication.
liCtle buster; then, awed by the grief
nd the candid earnestness OF Made.
lines blue eyes, he suddenly broke
down
And If | did--if / did--it was quite
fair he cried. "They were Constance
Eslers jewels and her old bag Of an
aunt would not let her have them. She
took them herself and brought them to
ne De Marsac had been to her that
nieh 70 persuade her to do so. You
Do MOI mean to say that they had the
audacity to pretend that it was you?"
Yes father"
And they turned you out for that"
Yes"
Tie scoundrels The wretches"
No father. be just: Lady Esler was
ao q blame, but should not have
ar@f ! could have looked them in
ne faee as I did yesterday and said
13' my ather was incapable of such
crime"
The pathos of her voice made Des-
pari vince.
vas lib CTlllle OIl my part, ut
sa'd doggedly. 81 received the jewels
III good faith
os father, have you got them
now
aa aesitated and hung his head.
oh let rs restore them. father.
mere s still time. They have been
se'enois TO us: let us in one turn at
as y honest with them"
s lear child" said her father, un-
ss6. NJ accepted only what Miss Es-
ssge me I was TO take charge of
vi Pc Marsac asked for 1t again. p"
aa know. suppose. that she did
~ give YOU the rubies?" said Made
'e qaicRlv
ea 1o' give me the rubies7" STAN
re- Oscar Despard.
: 10 only some garnets in mistake.
nave not even the excuse OF
that they are hers. They
asan in the Esler family for gen
4, aids lips grew trenulous. 81
now he almost whimpered.
8sAr did MT knnvU did MT