Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-05-07

CHAPTER XVII.
De Marsac's Plans.

mingled IN a manner winch WOulu
often surprise us if we could distin-
guish the warp and WCof of the world
history. Thus it happened that Made
lines life was considerably Influenced
by the chance meeting of two men in
Piccadilly at a moment when she her
self was far away and never thinking
probably of either AS all the world
was out of town the Count Rene de
Marsac possibly thought it useless to
Jose as a man of fashion in frock coat
and shining boots, but it was remark
able that he should choose to show
himself in an attire which had an I'M
usual touch of shabbiness. There
was smartness, too, for the tall hat
and the flower in the buttonhole were
still t2lere; but the shabbiness was un-
mistakabIe. He had lost his prosper
Gus air and he looked disconnected and
a trif1e reckless and bored, but his
gait was as jaunty, his mustache as ag-
gressive, his dark eyes as bold as ever
Shabby, too, as he might be, he did
rot relish being accosted in the street
by man shabbier than himself-a
man whose coat was green with age,
whose boots were broken and shirt
cuffs frayed; a man whose poverty
seemed to have passed the "genteel"
stage and become merely squalid
"Ah, my old friend" cried Oscar
Despard, effusively, holding out both
hands MANY, many years have passed
since we last met"
To judge by De Marsacs expression,
he would have been glad if many more
years were to pass before they met
again, but he stopped short and said
something vaguely civil
you are the very man | wanted"
said Oscar. "You are the man that
can help me- Where can l see you?
Where can 1 confide my grief to your"
mot here in Piccadilly," said Rene
de Marsac, dryly.
Then let me come to your lodgings.
/ must see you. l have news to i'm
part TO you-news that will interest
you. Are you going home now?"
NO" said De Marsac, shortly. ''You
can come to my rooms tonight at 8
o'clock if you like. though I don't sup
pose you can tell me anything that [
don't already know There is the ad-
dress"
He thrust a card into Despard's hand
and passed on, as if not wishing 10 be
seen speaking to him in the street
Oscar Despard read the address and
raised his light eyebrows in an arch of
establishment.
He has come down in the world.
Has he quarreled with Vanbrugh,
then? For at one time | know he used
simply to live on him. 1t looks like
1t Wei, we may be able to combine
forces as we used to do, once upon
time, for the good of both of us. AND
now I'll go and call on one of nv
lter"ry friends and ask him for a
little wOrk-an application of that
kind brings in at least 5 shillings.
generally"
He went on his way smiling and was
more than usually successful, for when
he turned his steps homeWard, later in
the day, he had e jingling in his
pockets. 1t was perhaps to his credit
that he did go home, instead of dining
at the nearest restaurant; but with all
his faults, he was an affectionate
father when his temper had not been
disturbed and the only purchases he
made were for the benefit of his ailing
wife and delicate daughter, Jenny.
II was Jenny who came to meet him
when he reached the modest house
TYyba II,
She was sometimes spoken of as de-
formed, poor child, because her growth
was stunted and one shoulder higher
than the other; but her white face was
sweet and intelligent and the shower
of golden hair that half hid the I'M
graceful little figure was equal in
beauty to Madeline's own. Oscar Des-
pard was never unkind to Jenny, al
though he could lose his temper with
everybody else
ooh, father, have you heard any
thing Of her YETI"
Not vet, Jenny"
But you will? You are sure to, are
you not?"
Il think so. Jenny; but that young
Mr. Vanbrugh was very short and
sharp about it. He would not give me
her address, although I am sure he
knows it, and he makes himself very
rude and disagreeable-en entirely be-
cause of my misfortunes, Jenny, moth
ing else
1t was sweet to him to see that Jenny
believed every word he said.
Dear father, YOU will soon find her.
She cannot be hidden away for very
long. Perhaps she is staying with
those grand relations of her mothers %
The same idea had occurred to Oscar
Despard, but he had not chosen to put
it into words. He had more ways and
means for ascertaining the truth than
he chose to let Jenny know.
He waited at home until evening and
sailed forth to find Rene de Marsac
shortly before 9 O'Clock. He had been
considerably surprised at the counts
address. 1t was that of a small and
not very reputable foreign hotel which
n old days De Marsac would have
despised. Moreover, the counts room,
turned out to be dull apartment at
the top of the house. where Despard
found him smoking cigarettes in what
seemed to be profound depression
All, my friend, times seem to have