Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-09


way in which every little matter was
referred to her, generally in the most
affectionate terms; that she could also
enforce obedience was equally evident
although no one had yet fathomed
her method of doing it, for her voice
was gentle and even merry and her
face was generally as bright as it was
beautiful. Only when she was quite
alone did Madeline allow the lines of
her mouth to droop sometimes and her
eyes to gather tears; and yet there
were elements in her lot which would
tend to depress the gayest heart and to
discourage the most persistent hopeful
ness.
Nothing had been heard of her father
since Gen. Armstrong; death and
Madeline had remained on sufferance
at WestbOurne house for close upon six
years. On sufferance at first; afterward
because she could make herself useful.
Before she was 16 it had been discov-
cred that she mad a wonderful knack
of managing rebellious girls and that
her talent for music was remarkable
These capacities were quickly turned
to account by Miss Joyce, who was
never niggardly when she saw that a
return for the outlay might be expect
ed; and Madeline was favored with
some of the best lessons that could be
obtained for her. on the distinctly i'm
piled condition that she would make
herself useful in the school and pass
on to younger pupils the instruction
that she received. Madeline's nature
was too sweet and generous for this to
be anything but a pleasure to her
Miss Joyce's admonition respecting the
debt of gratitude was singularly thrown
away upon this pupil of hers. Made
line was deeply and naturally grateful
for all kindness and all benefits, and
the older she grew the more clearly
she understood her Indebtedness to the
school mistress. She showed her feel
ing with increased warmth and open
ness and it was noticed that Miss Joyce,
who was not easy to please with her
teachers, although she might be bland
enough with the pupils, manifested
considerable favor to Madeline and was
sometimes almost affectionate 20 her
On this last day of the term, when
it was so we'll known that the girls
were packing and even beginning to
take leave of Westbourne house for the
summer holidays, and that Miss Des-
pard was busily occupied in helping
everybody and looking after every
thing, it came quite as a shock to
teacher and pupil alike when the trim
parlor maid appeared at the bedroom
door with the remark that Miss Joyce
wished Miss Despard to come down to
the drawing room at once to see a
lady"
One Of the mothers, [ suppose" said
Madeline, raising her hands Instructive
ly to her head and smoothing down thu
golden locks. I'm afraid that | am
very dirty. I will wash my han Is and
come down directly, Mary"
You are not dirty one bit" said
Milly, fervently. you look as cool
and fresh and pretty as you always DO.
and you have not a speck on your
fingers
"Milly, you are an arch f1atterer.
Let me go, dear" And after a mo-
nent or two given to her toilet Made
line sped downstairs to the drawing
room. She was a pleasant picture to
the eye as she appeared in the door
way. Her slight, tall figure was sim
IL III
with a little dainty embroidery here
and there and finishing touch of rib
bon at the slim waist, where a little
bunch of honeysuckle had been tucked.
Her fair complexion was tinged with
a charming wild-rose tint, deepening
into "geranium hue" in sweet curved
lips, her eyes had darkened a little
since the days of her childhood, but
her hair had retained its golden hue
and was loosely coiled in great soft
knot at the back of her head, though
round the white forehead the loose
curling hairs insisted on standing I'D
till they formed a sort of aureole above
her face. She had never perhaps looked
prettier or more graceful than at that
moment and Miss Joyce felt rather
proud of her quondam pupil, in spite
of the grunt of dissatisfaction with
which the visitor put up her long
handled eyeglass and contemplated the
girl.
Come in, Miss Despard I sent for
you to see this lady, who wishes to
make your acquaintance. Miss Despard
Lady Esler."
Madeline started at the name. 1t
had once been very familiar to her.
She had heard from her father that she
was related to Lady Esler; Miss Joyce
had stated the relationship in making
her known to Constance EsIer and it
had been for some time discussed
whether Madeline and Constance were
first cousins once removed or only sec
ond cousins. Constance had always
ignored the relationship and the mem
DRY of it had died down, but what did
it mean that Lady Esler should now
come to make Madel1ne's acquaint-
ance?
Lady Esler was as tall and rigid and
unbending as ever, but her hair was
now white and softened the harshness
of her stormy featured face Her eyes,
thought Madeline, were exactly like a
hawks. AS usual she was beautifully
dressed and the ungloved hand with
which she held her eyeglass was loaded
with magnificent rings. Madeline