Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-02-13

SAID the count, WIN curious Snlle.
do you forget that you are what the
world-the law-still accounts a boy?
A lad of Is or 10, is it? And is he to
set himself up in opposition to his
father?"
Il am not setting myself up in OPP
position to my father"
Indeed, But this strange, austere
manner of yours, mon cher; do you not
see that it gives your father pain-dis-
pleasure even?"
do you come to me from my
father?"
BY no means. I speak only because
he is my friend and [ perceive that
he is sad. l thought I could interpose
a word"
Pardon me-" said Lance, with that
quick, keen decision of manner which
was growing upon him; the great
mistake all along seems to have been
the making of mysteries. Let my father
speak to me himself if he is displeased
with my manner. | cannot listen to
representation from a third person."
You listened to them only a few
months ago." sadi Rene, with a sneer.
Il did at my fathers request. But
you say that he has not requested you
to speak to me today? So I will bid
you goodmorning, NJ. de Marsac.'
He swung off at rapid pace and the
count was left behind upon the garden
path with a not very pleasant smile
upon his face.
She has told him that she does not
trust me- he muttered to himself. "She
has prejudiced him already When this
fit of sulks is over he will pour into
Rogers ear all the tales he has heard
against me. And Roger is weak-weak
as Water-in spite of his chivalrous
ideas and martial outside and frown-
ing brows. Lancelot has twice his will,
twice his character. And before I know
where we are, l see that he, stimulated
by his mother, will do his best to get
me turned out of this house, which will
be inconvenient for me at present.
when [ have nowhere to go and not
single sou in the world, unless those
which come out of Rogers pockets.
Roger was always fool"
He lighted cigarette and turned his
face to the sunny sky, with something
of a smile.
mo, thank you, M. Lancelot; 1 am
rot going to be turned out just yet.
Not till I have feathered my nest, as
you English call it. I think it would
be better-better for me-if you were
turned out instead. 1t would take little
to do it; lie beau colonel is irritated
already and the boy up in arms. He
might just as well join his mother in
exile and share her fortunes for a time.
1t is a good idea; l will take one or
two steps toward it without delay.
Where is Lance's dear papa, I wonder?
| will plant a thorn or two that will
rankle sorely."
He walked round the house until he
came to the gate that led to the pad
dock and the stable and here he met
a groom.
"Ah, James," said the count, smooth
ly-he was always polite to servants
have you seen the young master, M.
Lancer"
Yes, sir; he has gone to the station.
He took the dog-cart and old John"
Dear, dear" said De Marsac, what
a pity! I had message to give him.
He was going to London, of course?"
yes, sir; they said they'd have to
drive fast to catch the train to Kings
Cross
Admirable youth" soliloquized
Rene, as he turned away How ex-
cellently he plays into my hands.
wonder if Roger knew that his young
hopeful son meant to visit the metrop-
oils today? I think 1 will go and ask
him."
He lounged quietly back to the house
and managed to pass the study win
dow, Col Vanbrugh was sitting at his
desk with a book and the window was
wide open.
"Ahr' said Rene, pausing at the win
dow and watching the rings of smoke
that f1oated into the air from his cigar
cite. 'It is a lovely day, mon colonel;
why do you not come out?"
"Is it so fine? I thought of walking
over to the Stevenages after lunch with
Lance"
"You will have to put up with my
company instead" said Rene, lightly;
"Lancelot will not be here"
So Col. Vanbrugh did not know.
q understand he has gone to London
again." said the count, with a fine air
of hn
to you?"
1T is curious said Rene, softly,
ito observe the effect produced on the
disposition of boy or girl by a sud
den discovery of the family skeleton.
1t seems to upset all their notions of
f1lial affection, doesn't it?''
Il wish l had never taken your ad-
vice." said Col Vanbrugh, with a
groan. you said to me that had bet
ter tell him. If l had waited till he
came of age, he would have known
more of the world; he would have
been better prepared"
He might have taken things more
pleasantly, of course. l am afraid l
did misjudge him a little. I thought
him lad of better disposition, of a
more amiable temper than he is"
He does not treat me with much
amiability, that is certain" said the
colonel, with some bitterness.
Il suppose he reserves it all for Lon
dom said the count, moving away
with his cigarette. He had planted a
seed of anger which small as a mus