Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-03-12

young 20, l should think. but I
don't know his name. You are &c
make haste, Miss Despard"
Am I tidy?" said Madeline. and
submitting herself to the maids inspec-
ton. 'Is my hair SMOOTH"
ooh, yes, it is all right. Your dress
is shabby, miss, but I suppose you
haven't another that you can put on?"
mo, I haven't. Besides, there would
not be time. I must go as l am"
She had turned pale again with
nervous fear lest Mrs. Gervase should
speak to her of the fraud which Con-
stance had practiced on her not long
before-a fraud in which Madeline had
been made an unwilling participation.
The young man with her would prob
ably be her son. Madeline did not
think much about him. 1t was only
when she had passed into the morning
room and given her hand to Mrs. Ger
vase, with that ready grace which
sometimes pleased and eXasperated
Miss Joyce, that she raised her eyes
to the face of the stranger and sud-
denly recognized her old friend Lance
lot Vanbrugh. She could not suppress
the start, the exclamation, the mantling
color, which told of recognition and
which made good-natured Mrs. Gervase
chuckle audibly
cit is an old friend, isn't it, dear?"
she said. you didn't know that
knew Lancelot Vanbrugh, did You?
know all the people about Hurst and
Aldersleigh, you see, because I come
from that part Of the world myself.
Lance has been writing to me about
you. So came today to ask Miss Joyce
to let you come and stay with me for
a few days, knowing that you had no
where to CO."
She paused, out of breath with her
volubility and Madeline's eyes flew to
Miss Joyce's face with mute entreaty,
which would, however, have had very
little effect if Miss Joyce had not al
little effect if Miss Joyce had not al
ready determined to accept the invita-
ton.
CAS- Mrs. Gervase has so kindly
asked you, Madeline, I think there
can be no objection" she said, stifiy.
''You will, 1 hope, be a good girl and
do credit to the teaching you have re-
ceived-''
'She will be a good girl anywhere,
| am sure" said Mrs. Gervase, with
her good-humored laugh, cutting short
Miss Joyces admonitions and Made
lines gratitude at one blow. And she
can come now, suppose? I shall send
a man for her boxes by and by
Put on your hat, then, Madeline"
said Miss Joyce, in tone somewhat
less frosty than usual. You may think
yourself a very fortunate girl in hav-
ing such kind invitation.''
Madeline felt a little oppressed, but
she caught the twinkle in Lancelot's
eye at that moment and was treasured.
She flew to put on her hat and coat
and to give the friendliest housemaid
a few injunctions as to the things
which were to be sent after her; and
then in a silent ecstasy of delight she
set out for Mrs. Gervase's house in
company with the kind old lady and
Lancelot Vanbrugh.
AS soon as they were free of West
bourne house Mrs Gervase began to
laugh again. eve took the precise old
schoolmistress by storm, did we not?
I bore you off at once, because I thought
she might change her mind. She looks
very stiff and stern. Is she kind to
you, dear?"
ooh, yes,'' said Madeline, though
with some little hesitation in her voice.
ooh, yes,' with more decided en-
phasis, "she is very kind"
Lance had as yet not spoken much.
He glanced at her keenly and shook
his head little. Madeline colored and
laughed and added another sentence.
81 am sure she means to be very kind"
she said.
1--WE know to what place the road is
paved with good Intentions" said
Lancelot, "and we will hope that she
does not rest in only meaning WE'LL
The walk to the house was short
and Mrs. Gervase at once took posses
sion of Madeline and showed her the
dainty bedroom that was 10 be hers
and explained the ways of the house
hold generally.
L am ali LOST alone during the day.
she said, because my husband and my
boys go into town every morning, so
you and Lance will have to arluse each
other for a day or two. I may as well
tell you, my dear, that | asked you
here to play with him. He had talked
to me about you until l knew that I
couldn't please him better. Have you
known him long?"
How could Madeline explain that
she had only seen him twice in her
life? She said: mot very long"
rather confusedly, and was glad to find
that Mrs. Gervase hardly seemed to eX-
pect a reply.
well, dear, he admires you very
much" said this injudicious woman,
taking a tress of Madeline's hair and
letting the golden strands slip through
her fingers as she spoke. Dear me,
what lovely hair you have, to be sure,
and how long and thick. What will
you 30 with it when you have to put
it up? You are so tall now that I am
sure you would look very nice with it
in a knot behind I shall call Marie
and let her try when you dress for
dinner"
Madeline was rather pleased at the
idea. She had begun to be a little
ashamed of her long, shining name, as
Sbn WAS DIpa Sed To term if and she