Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-05-28
enance. 1t was Lady Stevenage whc


tenance. It was Lady Stevenage who
interposed.
Wait a minute" she said. You
can't let her 90 like that, Selma. She
belongs to the family, after all Where
has she to go?"
she can go back to Miss Joyce's.
[ presume"
You are very kind, Lady Steven
age said Madeline, turning quickly
round, with a pathetic Iook of gratitude
in her eyes. But know what I shall
do. I have my plans"
Your aunt has a right to know
what they are" said the countess.
I do not desire to know. Madeline
Despard must go her own way now"
Lady Sewerage knitted her brows.
you were Frances friend" she said,
turning abruptly to the girl at the
door, and 7 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 I can do
Thank you-thank you, Lady Ste
yenage," said Madeline, earnestly. But
there is nothing to be done for me-
I have q little money and I shall see
Miss Joyce as soon as she returns to
England. Al present 7 an going to
my father"
All" said Lady EsIer. in a signif-
cant tone.
If ever there was a time when his
daughter should be with him it is when
false accusations Of this kind are made.
shall go to him at once"
This TALES 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 ms
quite recently by MI Lancelot Van
brUgh," said Madeline, her eyes light
ing up. He can tell you himself how
he came by it and what caused him
to give it to ne" She turned formally
to Lady Esler Il thank you for any
kindness that you have shown ME,
she said. and I wish you goodbye.'
Constance made a step forward. win
you not wish me goodbye, too?" she
said, with & malicious smile upon her
face.
Madeline looked at her steadily and
in silence 81 hope" she said at last,
with great gravity, chat I may never
see your face again"
And then, with a slight inclination
of her head, she left the room.
Selma" said Lady Sewerage, en-
phatically, 81 don't believe it! That
girl is no culprit and sooner CT later
you will find it out"
But Lady Esler refused to believe in
her friends intuttions and an hour
later Madeline was on her way to
London.
What mercy" said Constance to
herself, that Lady Sewerage is not
living in this house. She suspected ne,
7 could see it in her eyes, although I
do not know why she should think of
such 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
vengeful light came into her eyes.
But I think I have done with her
now" she said And I think [ have
paid her back in her own coin. Lady
E8ler will not think of making her
Joint heiress with me now A pretty
thing it would have been if after all
the mischief she has made she were to
get half Lady EsIer's money. I 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 shiv-
cred a little at the suggestion of his
anger and disappointment. 81 must
manage 10 see him. I can soothe him
a little if I see him, and perhaps he
will be kind Perhaps he will not
want me to try again. But if he does
I am in his power" said Constance,
bitterly enough. "and 7 suppose that
7 shall have to do as he directs. I
am his wife--his slave. There was a
time when I should have been proud
to be either and even now-if he would
be kind to ma-if he would love me-
I should not mind