Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-06-18

or 50. I have business in London first
If | do it-you promise"
Promise what?''he said, impatiently,
as she paused.
You will take me with yOu?"
There was a curious depth of distrust
in her question.
"Of course I will; you are necessary
TO my plans
"Ah. then there is hope" she said.
ironically, yet with a breath OF relief.
You are unciyil," ne remarked, with
soma sharpness. Have the goodna IS
to remember that I expect good mar
ners."
You shall have them at least, you
may be sure she sail, still ironically,
then turned toward the door, while he
STOOD regarding her With an air he.
cynical. half-amused. But her hand
slipped from the white knob and she
came back to say almost passionateIy:
Rene, don't be angry with me. If
I do this I shall have nobody left but
you. And you know that I would give
my life for you
He smiled and put his arm round
her, then planted a light kiss on her
forehead.
You are a curious mixture" he said.
so cold sometimes-so ardent. when
you please. And you are certainly the
handsOmest woman in the world.
Don't run any risks in your search for
the jewels; l should not like to think
of these white hands doing prison
work, or these fine locks being shorn. -
How can you talk of such terrible
things? Oh, Rene, it frightens me.
VIII you not come down yourself and
help me-when-when l make the at
Tempt"
She looked UP into his face with such
entreaty in her eyes that De Marsac
was a little touched
Il thought you we're afraid of moth
ing?" he said.
'Of nothing when you are with m2 p"
Well" he said, doubtfully, "if you
sent me a word beforehand I might
come down. I could wait for you in
the plantation and we could go away
together"
Yes, / should be so afraid of that
lonely road. 1t is a mile and a half
to the station
Perhaps it would be scarcely safe. -
he muttered to himself. Then in a
louder tone: Il will come down But
be sure you manage the affair properly
this time"
Indeed, I will"
And then husband and wife said
goodbye.
4 think I have her properly in
hand, said Rene, to himself, when she
was gone. "She was a little inclined to
kick over the traces this afternoon. But
if she can manage the affair this time
it will be we'll. I wish l could have a
word or two with Despard-I should
like to know why he surrendered the
gaTnetS when he had them.
1t was a curious coincidence that at
this moment Oscar Despard announced
himself De Marsac turned t. him
with a smile.
Il was just wondering what had be-
come Of you, my dear fellow" he said,
in his usual way ''Sit down, I wanted
a word with you-eh? What is the mat
teri"
For Despard, assuming a high and
naughty manner, had refused to take
his hand, but had bowed solemnly and
then stood still.
IN. de Marsac," he began, frigidly,
Il have come to tell you that l wish
henceforth to renounce your friend
ship"
How? Rather late in the day, is
it not?" said Rene, 5landly.
Il find, sir, that you deceived me.
You informed me that the rubies which
Miss Esler-I beg her pardon, Nine. de
Marsac- attempted to take away from
Hurst the other night belonged to her
by right and that she was only possess
ing herself Of her own jewels. Sir, I
believed you. I find now that the ru-
bies were Lady Esler's and that your
wife had no right to them at all You
even allowed my adopted daughter,
Madeline, to be suspected of the theft.
Was this the act of a true comrade,
Rene de Marsac? l renounce all deal
ings with you henceforth."
De Marsac laughed.
You always liked a bit of what the
English call 'swagger,' did you not
Despard? Be comforted' you are out OF
/ this scrape. You were a fool to let
Madeline have the garnets, but it does
not very much matter. Constance will
! have her own some day"
eff you mean that you are going to
make another attempt on her lady
ships Jewels"
To be Continued.