Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-16
Concluded.


and the treachery of Rene de Marsac
in all relations Of life. 1t was with the
feeling strong upon him that he step
ped out of the darkness and confronted
his mothers enemy, without glancing
again toward the door Of the house,
where a cloaked and hooded figure was
now standing.
May I ask what you are doing here
at this hour, De Marsac?" he asked.
De Marsac started violently; the in
terrupticn was so sudden and so I'M
expected that he was taken by surprise.
His hand stole instinctively toward
side pocket and the, gesture made Ian
Celot remember the Jewels, which he
believed the count to have stolen.
''The question is as applicable to
you as to me-" said Rene insolently.
What are you doing here?'
Il am on the watch for thieves"
said Lancelot; "also for traitors and
sTies"
Spy yourselfr' said De Marsac, an
grily. His old relation to Lance as
tutor made him despise his interlocu-
tor more than was wise He made a
step forward, but Lancelot would not
let him pass.
Not so fast, Rene de Marsac. You
have a reckoning with me- And I
should like to know what you have
in that breast pocket of yours
Let me pass you young fool"
Not till we have settled this matter
What were you doing in that house,"
What does that matter to you? If
! had a little meeting with a pretty
lady's maid"
THAT is a lie, De Marsacr'
For answer, De Marsac struck him
full in the face, in a paroXysm of rage
which deprived him of his judgment.
Had he thought twice he would never
have entered into conflict with a man
SO much stronger and younger than
himself as Lancelot Vanbrugh.
In another moment the two were
locked in a conflict from which it
seemed as if one or the other would
scarcely emerge alive. The struggle
was desperate, almost to be called
deadly. LancelOt had not time to lay
his hands on the weapon that he car
ried and De Marsac strove in vain to
snatch his revolver from his pocket
The fight began too suddenly, too VIC
lently, for either of the two to make
use of his best resources. But it was
very silent struggle. The sound Of
painting breath and of feet crushing
the gravel Of the pathway was all that
could be heard.
Liar! Cur Lanc"lot once Kissed
through his breath, but that was all
woman's cry bur It upon the silent
air. De Marsac heard and cursed it.
for he knew that 1t would rouse the
house. Lancelot absorbed in the de-
sire of combat did rot even hear her
'NOw-nOw-I can give you what
you deserve!' the younger man cried
at last, as Rene went down beneath his
strong arm and groveled on the ground
Lancelot had got his hand free at last
and the short, stronglashed horse whip
had full play. For the lie you told
me-for the treach2ry you have prac-
ticed to my mother and father, for your
baseness and cOWarGice and vilIainy-
take that-and thar--and thatr'
He was not naturally cruel, but it
gave him something very like pleasure
to see Rene de Marsac writhing on the
ground and to hear him begging in
piteous tones for mercy
But suddenly two hands were laid
on his arm in a clasp which he could
not easily throw off
'Lancelot, stop! Oh, LancelOt, let him
go Don't kill him-Lancelot. for my
sake!"
Stand back, Constance You dc not
know what you are saying or who this
man isr'
He is my husbandr cried Constance,
passionately ooh, Larcelot, if you
have any pity for me, let us gor'
Lancelot's arm dropped to his side.
He was startled and shocked By this
time two or three dark figures came
hurrying out of the gloom; the SER
wants were collecting and the guests
in the house had been reused. but Con-
stance, regardless of all, threw herself
down beside Rene, who was still moan
ing and writhing on the grass, and adj
dressed him in words of unreason-
ing tenderness.
My darling, my love. you are not
badly hurt, are you? Oh. try to get
up before the people come. He shall
not strike you again, Rene, dearest
Renee
Secure that man" said Lancelot
briefly, to the servants. And then
search him. I strongly believe that
Lady Esler's jewels will be found upon
him; Miss 'Esler, may I advise you tc
so back to the house,"
L will never so back" said Con
stance, lifting up her white beautiful
face from which the Disgusting hood
had slipped back And l am not Miss
Esler-I am the Countess de Marsac-
l am Reue's wife,
What is this? What is this9" said
Lady Eslers voice. What does il
mean, Constance"
I am his wife Aunt Selma" saiG
Constance, rising and facing her aunt
with a proud defiance in her eve
'Iancelot Vanbrugh has set upon hin
and ill-used him most cruelty. VIII
you not have the goodness to allow hin
to go and have his hurts attended to-
In the meantime" said Lancelot
easily, will Lady Esler have the good
ness to look at what we have foun(
in the Count de Marsac's pocket?" H,
Icn InI hnr.