Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-05-28
BY ADEl.INE SERGEANT.


: the disgrace of public exposure a2d a
prison"
Il shall be very glad to go at once, =
said Madeline rising from her chair,
although her limbs trembled under her
and her lips grew pale. Il do not wish
even to remember that We are related,
Lady Esler. ! think that some day
you viii be sorry for the injustice you
have done me-"
She moved toward the door, with a
dignity of bearing which astonished
Lady Esler, who however, sat motion
less, with perfectly immovable coun-
tenance. 1t was Lady Sewerage who
interposed
WAIT a minute" she said You
can't let her go like that, Selma. She
belongs to the family, after all. Where
has she to go?'
"She can go back 10 Miss Joyce's,
presume"
You are very kind, Lady Steven
age said Madeline. turning quickly
round, with pathetic look of gratitude
in her eyes. but know what shall
do. | have my plans.
"Your aunt has right to know
what they are" said the countess.
Il do not desire to know. Madeline
Despard must go her own way now"
Lady Stevenage knitted her brows.
You were Frances friend" she said,
turning abruptly to the girl at the
door land | can't face her without
knowing what is going to become of
you. For her sake, am ready to help
you. if there is anything l can do"
Thank you--thank you, Lady Ste
venage, said Madeline, earnestly. But
there is nothing to be done for me.
| have little money and | shall see
Miss Joyce as soon as she returns to
England At present | am going to
my father"
"Ah," said Lady Esler, in signifi-
can't tone.
"If ever there was a time when his
daughter should be with him 1t is when
false accusations OF this kind are made.
/ shall go to him at once.
"This tallies very we'll with your
previous remark that you had not seen
him for six years" said Lady Esler.
sharply.
my fathers address was given to me
quite recently by Mr.. Dancelot Van
brugh,' said Madeline, her eyes light
ing up. "He can tell you himself how
ne came by it and what caused him
to give it to me-" She turned formally
to Lady Eser. II thank you for any
kindness that you have shown me. :"
she said "And | wish you goodbye .
Constance made step forward. "Will
you not wish me goodbye, too?" she
said, with a malicious smile upon her
face
Madeline looked at her steadily and
in silence. Il hope" she said at last.
with great gravity, that l may never
see your face again"
And then, with slight inclination
of her head, she left the room.
Selma" said Lady Sewerage, en-
phatically, 81 don't believe 1t! That
girl lis no culprit and sooner or later
you Will fnu IL out.
But Lady Esler refused to believe in
her friends fntuftions and an hour
later Madeline was on her way to
London.
herself, that Lady Sewerage is not
living in this house. She suspected me
/ could see it in her eyes, although
do not know why she should think Of
such a thing. But she never liked me.
Frances prejudiced her against me and
Frances was influenced by Madeline.
II is another of the things for which
| have to thank Miss Despard She
has been the evil genius of my life"
She frowned impatiently and a
vengeful light came into her eyes.
But think I have done with her
now" she said. And | think | have
paid her back in her own coin. Lady
Esler will not think of making her
Joint heiress with me now. A pretty
thing 1t would have been II after all
get half Lady Esler's money wonder
what Rene would say to me then?
shall have hard work to pacify him
now"
"Who would have thought that that
case was only that OF the garnets, not
OF the rubies? They are exactly alike
And what will Rene say" She shiy-
cred little at the suggestion Of his
anger and disappointment Il must
manage to see him. can soothe him
a little II see him, and perhaps he
will be kind. Perhaps ne will not
want me to try again. But IL he does
I am in his power" said Constance,
bitterly enough, "and suppose that
shall have to do as he directs. /
am his wife-lhis slave. There was
time when / should have been proud
10 be either and even now-if he would
be kind to ma-if he would love me
should not mind"
CHAPTER XXI