Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-06-25

Naturally, for you We're noble and
virtuous woman and he showed rather
that you had been otherwise"
Lancelot made movement as II to
speak, but his mother restrained him
by slight pressure of her hand, Let
him go On, she said. Il am anxious to
hear what he has to say"
Il will not wound your feelings or
! those of your son in the slightest de-
gree" said Despard, politely. Il wish
only to remind you Of your motive for
disliking the Count de Marsac and his
! for disliking you. His admiration of
you soon turned to deadly hatred and
he would have done anything in his
power to injure your happiness.
You may be right. l never thought
OF It in that way. Go on
Il was greatly in his power. owed
him money and knew him to be an
| memorable creditor He had another
hold on me- some little transaction
with cards that need not perhaps
particularize.'
/ Madame smiled, Lancelot bent his
brows and looked away. He blushed
for Madelines fathers
cat any rate Despard went on, rap
idly, Sin whatever way it happened, l
was, as | say, IN his power and he often
induced me to say and do things which
otherwise should have scorned. Also
he took advantage of my position to
give me the credit of things which
have never thought of doing. You
may have heard, madame, that it was
who spied on your party and be-
trayed it; | wish you to know that |
was only tool in the hands of De
Marsac."
Il have often thought it, said Nine
Zavertal, gravely.
More than that, it was he who
breathed insinuations suspicious in
the minds of others; into, If | may say
1t, your husbands mind"
you may not say it, That Is suf-
ficient," was the sudden and naughty
Interpolation.
Despard bowed You know my
meaning; that is sufficient. De Marsac
was in every way to blame. 1t was De
Marsac who contrived that the police
should appear on The scene at the mo-
ment when Col Vanbrugh-he was
Capt Vanbrugh then--entered. so that
1t should look to you as il your hus-
band had brought them"
WHAT" demanded Nine ZaVertal.
eagerly. SAY that again, for heavens
sake! What. Did not my husband bring
the police upon us?"
Il swear before God that know he
did not. Rene de Marsac planned your
brothers capture and brought your
husband at the same time on the pre-
text that he would find you with
with"
The threatening expression on Lance
lots face deferred him from further
speech. He was afraid to go on
u understand" said Venetia, with
a bitter smile, that he would find me
with lover; and he believed Cor years
that this was true"
"If so, Rene de Mar1ac was alone to
blame"
Alone to blame? Did not Roger
know that the police were on my broth
er's track ?"
He had no idea Of it
DO you come from him? Has he
paid you to tell me this?'
Nay, mother" I,ancelot interposed,
in his deep, gentle voice, you know my
father better than to ask that ques-
ton"
The memory Of the cavalier portrait
was strong within him as he spoke. A
man with that face might be wrong
headed, but never mean or base.
You are right said Venetia, in
changed voice. Il ought not to have
asked ("
She rested her head on the cushion
Of her couch and seemed to consider.
4 have misiudged him." Laneelot
thought he heard her mutter to her
self. But he could not be sure. Then
came a clearer utterance; us that all
you have to say to me?"
NO. madame, the chief end Of my
visit is yet unachieved Your brother.
madame, it is of him / wish to speak.
You know, perhaps, that he was mar
ried?"
NO. ! did not"
Married to young Englishwoman.
who died soon after her child was
born. He kept the child at home for
two years and then, on his death.
thought, II seemed good to me that |
should adopt it,"
adopt my brothers child? Your
Yes, madame, had my plans. MY
own child Of the same age and com
plexion was dead; II she had lived
should not have needed a counterfeit.
As 1t was, ! took the little Nadia "a
vertal and metamorphosed her into
Madeline Despard.'
Can this be true?"
II can prove every word Of It. See,
for instance, the medal and chain
took from the child's neck. Do you
know it, madame?"
Venetia was visibly shaken. Eyes"