Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-21
Then, like true woman, she opened her

| 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
! down, resting her head on his knee, and
| began:
| Daddy" she said, caressingly, Ibid Mr..
| Power 60 because that horrid money was lost?''
| Mr. Caringham started at the direct ques-
| ton.
II told you before. Mal'-he only uses this
| abbreviation of her name in moments of
deeper feeling than usual-''that such a thing
4 was impossible"
| NO. dad; all you did was to ask me whether
l didn't think such a thing was impossible. 1
| have been thinking. and it seems to me most
probable. Did he, daddy? Do tell me?"
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. I'm not at
| all sure that 1 understood him, either"-adding
under his breath, not for his daughters ear
land I'm sure hope didn't understand him. "
But she was quick and caught the words
why do you wish you didn't understand,
dad? Was it something very bad?"
HE did not wish me to say why he left, ;" an
swered MIR. Caringham, 80 you mustn't ques-
ton 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 mis-
| cradle"
He stroked her head thoughtfuly before he
answered.
1T would only mako you more miserable,
! my darling" he answered. and spoke with a
| deep sigh.
The girl altered her weapon.
Il know it had to do with that money papa -
| She spoke so earnestly and seriously that Mr.
Caringham was off his uard directly.
How can You know that. Maline?'
did he tell You who took the money papa?'
Il would rather not talk about it, Nal, said
Mr.. Caringham.
night any more about it," answered the girl
| looking up and smiling sweetly, but you must
let me have my own way tonight. Do you know
| why?"
NO my child"
"Because-because," and she paused long
| time and then kissed her fathers hand and
laid her soft check upon it rs she said II am
| going to tell you something that nobody
knows. dad nobody in all the world and per-
haps every will know, but you and me- and 1t
Will be our secret, won't it, daddy darling our
| very own?"
Eyes. Nal, if you wish it. 1 think you can
trust your old father"
The girl got up and sat on her fathers knee.
put her arms around him and kissed him
fondly, but did not speak.
You are crying, Nal" he said very gently,
land your tears hurt me-"
The girl hid her face ON his shoulder and
whispered:
Il love him. daddy with all nv heart. and
now I've lost him forever drove him away.
and oh. dad. my heart is broken.
The old man felt the tears coming into his
own eyes and could not speak; all he could do
was TO press her hand and gently pat the head
that lay on his shoulder
His grief was that he could give her no hone
Presently she grew a little camer and said:
You'll tell me now. daddy, won't you, why
he left?''
Yes, darling; it was about the money"
did he tell you who had taken it, dad?"
mo, Nal, but he limited it,
"He didn't tell you out plainly" She was
very anxious to have this quite clearly told to
her.
No, Nal. he limited. and only vaguely
Shall tell you out plainly who took it? I
know"
NO, Nal, no; no. don't tell me- Besides Won
can't know" And he grew suddenly afraid that
the girl was going to put in plain words-what
as yet was only suspicion. and then ask for
Wilfred to be brought back.
''But l want to tell you."
mo, child no. l don't want to hear"
But those VINO are innocent may suffer.
Listen. daddy, and don't be too angry. Let
I'm SO wretched."
You took it, cried Mr.. Caringham. starting
so violently in his surprise that he almost sent
her Off his knee.
ICE, oau, 1 wanted some money tC-to-to
pay some old bills WITH and didn't like to
ask you"
But, my child, Maline-" he began; but she
would not let him finish, stopping his mouth
with Kisses
Don't scold me tonight dad, dearest 1
can Dear IT, I've been SO miserable. [ won't
90 1t again-I won't, really. And tomorrow
III come to you and be scolded ever so much.
because you mustn't forgive me without scoId
ing me, and you mustn't scold me without for
giving me. And-and you'll send for Wilfred
to come back, won't you?" she asked, in yery
low tones. '
This is a very serious thing, Maline." said
Mr.. Caringham, land l.
But she would not let him continue. throw
ing her arms around him and kissing him, and
hardly look grave.
money!" WIG
THE money" she said, biting her lips. "tbe
money, oh; paid it away, dear, for the bills,
But the French notes, child-you couldn't
pay those away"
mo, dad, couldn't pay those away: thew
they must be upstairs. Don't question me any
more tonight, dad, please. And don't look SO
but it's such an extraordinary thing for
you to have done, my child If you had come
to me"
Don't be angry tonight, dad" pleaded the
Pm not angry, Maline, but I'm afraid am
terribly grieved."
Then she put her arms about him and ca
ressed him fondly, trying to comfort him with
many winning, affectionate ways
III tell you all about it some day, daddy
darling, and then you'll see I'm not SO much to
blame as you think"
We'll, my child. I'll wait for that day. Try
and let it be soon."
daddy?' nv
Yes child, certainly. shall send for him
tomorrow"
Ihen m 80 glad 1 told you" And she
Kissed him again and smiled and then slipped
on his lap and went out of the room, leaving
the old man completely puzzled what to mako
OF her words in view of what Wilfred had said
to him before.
CHAPTER ".
THE TRUTH.
Wilfred Power was greatly surprised to re-
ceive short note from Mr.. Carngham asking
him to return at once. But he did so. Mr..