Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-07-05
CHAPTER LII

lne Gay on winch Wllfred Power left
the Grange was a very gloomy one, and
both Mr.. Caringham and Maline were
low-spirited and depr assed. Maline piled
her father with questions as the cause of
Wilfred going, but he did not tell her. and
put her off with general reasons which only
had the result of making her still more
thoughtful and uneasy than she had been
even on the previous evening.
She had asked Mr.. Caringham plainly
whether the cause had anything to do with
the lost money, having her own reasons for
the question, but he had replied by another
question, asking in mis- turn how that could
possibly be the case.
She felt certain that that was the reason.
however, and wondered whether Wilfred
had admitted that he had taken it: but she
had not put this question to her father.
The next day was as gloomy as its prede-
cessor; but, until dinner was over, she said
nothing on the subject that was uppermost
in both their thoughts.
Then, like true woman, she opened her
battery suddenly.
The two were in the library, where, as it
was chilly, little fire had been lighted,
and Maline carried footstool to her faith
er's feet and sat down, resting her head on
his knee, and began
Daddy" she said caressingly, "did Mr..
Power go because that horrid money was
lost"
Mr.. Caringham started at the direct
question.
81 told you before, Map'-he only uses
this abreviation Of her name in moments
of deeper feeling than usual-"that such a
thing was impossible"
NO, dad; all you did was to ask me
whether didn't think such thing was
impossible. have been thinking; and it
seems to me most probable. Did he,
daddy? Do tell me p
HE did not say precisely why he was
going away, NAL"
didn't he say anything more definite
than that?"
"What he did say was not definite. Pm
not all sure that | understood him, ether
adding under his breath, not for his
daughters ear, "and I'm sure hope /
didn't understand him." But she was
quick, and caught the words.
''Why do you wish you didn't under
stand, dad? Was it something very
bad ?"
"He did not wish me to say WHY he
left" answered Mr.. Caringham; $50 you
mustn't question me, NAL"
"Then it must have been something
very bad" she said, not noticing his last
words ''What was it, daddy? Do tell
me ; I'm so miserable"
II stroked her head thoughtfully before
he answered.
81. would only make you more miser-
able, my darling" he answered, and spoke
with deep sigh.
The girl altered her weapon
81 know it had to do with that money,
papa" She spoke so earnestly and seri.
ously that Mr.. Caringham was off his guard
directly.
How can you know that. Maline?'
"Did he tell you who took the money,
papa?"
Il would rather not talk about it, Mall
said Mr.. Caringham.
'Well, perhaps | won't bother after to.
| night any more about it." answered the
girl, looking up and smiling sweetly; Shut
you must let me have my own way to-
night Do you know why?p
''No, my child"
'Because-because," and she paused a
| long time, and then kissed her father.
hand, and laid her soft cheek upon as she
said, Il am going to tell you something
that nobody knows, dad, nobody in all the
world, and perhaps nobody ever will know
but you and me- and it will be our secret
| won't it. daddy darling, our very own?''
! "1es, Nal, if you wish it. think yol
can trust your father
! The girl got up and sat on her father
knee, put her arms round him and kissed
him iondly, but did not speak.
you are crying, Mai,n he said, very
gently, "and your tears hurt me-
The girl hid her face on his shoulder
and whispered:
! 81 love him, daddy, with all my heart
and now Eve lost him forever. | drov
him away; and oh. dad, my heart i
broken"
The cid man felt the tears coming int
his own eyes, and could not speak: all h
coulddo was to press her hand, and gentl
pat the head that lay on his shoulder.
His grief was that he could give her n
hope.
/ Presently she grew little calmer an
| said:
you'll tell me now, daddy, won't 20,
why he leftg'
9Yes, darling, It was about the money.
"Did he. tell you who had taken
dad?a
i sNo, Nal, bat he limited it."
ii .He didn't tell you out plainly ~ 81
was very anxious to have this quite clear
! told to her.