Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-21
MALINErS CONFESSION.
A STORY OF TRUE LOVE AND
SELF-DEVOTION.
CHAPTER L
VERY DIskGREEABLF.

VERY DIskGREEABLE.
n AN GLAD you have come in, wilfred
az want TO speak toyou. Something very
lii disagreeable has happened" said Mr.
RCaringham, the master Of Everleigh
~ Grange, to Wilfred Power, his ward and
private secretary.
Il am sorry to hear that. What is it?" asked
Power, dark. good-looking man of about
seventy-and-tw enty
That money you fetched from the bank this
morning, 1 can't find it / put it in this
drawer. You know where 1 keep money.
usually; and had some other money-French
notes and the lot has gone'
''Goner' exclaimed the other. do You
mean that it has been stolen?'
Il don't want to use a word like that" re-
piled Mr.. Caringham. who was a mild good
natured, and rather nervous man. Il should
be very sorry to think the old Grange had a
thief in it. But I'm almost sure 1 put the
money in this drawer"
Il know you did" answered Power; II saw
you do It, There were two roleaux of gold
and some loose neutrality-suspicious. $50 in all
and few notes."
Il thought you were here Well. it is gone.
suppose / forgot 20 lock the drawer. really
ought to trust these things to you; you are SO
much more thoughtful than L am. ANYWAY
when / came in about an hour ago found the
drawer unlocked; and when looked for the
money 1 couldn't find it. 1t is very Disagree
able"
'.Disagreeablel'' repeated the other. SIT is a
great deal worse than disagreeable But have
you looked everywhere? 1 suppose you did
not take the money out afterward and put it
Anywhere?"
NO. Besides, have been out nearly all the
time"
What time did you discover the loss?"
about an hour ago-that would be about
6 O'Clock"
We'll. it is very extraordinary. was work
Ing here, looking into these papers about
Aeadowley farm, until lunch; and came back
after lunch and did not leave the room until
past o'clock, when / walked over to Meadow
ley to get some more particulars of the stock.
so 1t must have happened between and 6
O'Clock. Had we not better question the
servants!''
mo, no." replied Mr. Caringham. II would
not for the world have it get about the place
that We have thief here. Leave things alone.
and, If We keep our eyes open. something will
probably show where the money mas gone, and
then We can quietly get rid of whoever the
the person may be-" he said. avoiding the
word thief. Never mind the money. | had
no right to be so careless as to leave the drawer
open. 1t serves me right"
You must tell Miss Caringham,' said
Power 1T Will be necessary for every one to
be careful
I'D rather not; girls do chatter SO abomi-
".
Maline ought to be put on her guard. Here
she comes. think"
horse cantered quickly up the drive. and a
moment afterward girls voice was heard call
ing:
Papa, papa, where are you?"
The library door was opened by quick
hand and a bright young girl of about twenty
ran IN. looking bewitchinSly pretty in her
habit, her cheeks flushed with rapid riding
and her fair hair slightly disarranged
''On. papa. il am nearly nf brao
had to ride SO fast. and dear old Ruby was so
tiresome and would not canter. 1t was all
either joggle or rush. ard al last was obliged
to let her have her head and gallon home /
was afraid L should be late 1 couldn't get out
TIL very nearly O'Clock, for / was in here.
and that novel was reading positively chained
me down 10 your chair there. People ought
not to be allowed to write books that keep
other people from going for their ride at
proper time. ought they? But it was very
much your fault. too. Mr.. Power" said the
gil, glancing mlschievously at him. 'because
couldn't get in here till o'clock But"
she broke off suddenly. looking at them both
what Is the matter? You both look as grave
rs deaf mutes. I'm not very late, am /? Not
too late to be forgiven, am l. daddy?'
She said this very caressingly and went close
70 Nh. Carlngham and put up her face to be
kissed, like a spoiled child.
mo, my darling. no" he answered smiling
at her as he kissed her.
Il thought not" she answered with merry
laugh, adding with assumed seriousness, IF /
was very penitent. you know But what is il?
Has something gone wrong somewhere? Is 1T
another OF those horrid farms going to be
empty? You ii tell me, Mr.. Power won't you?'
she said, turning to him with pretty gesture
of supplication, even if papa won't?"
The man would have done almost ANYTHING
In the world she asked him. for in his quiet.
reserved nature was great fire of love for the
girl But he did not reply, leaving Mr.. Car
ingham to answer.
all h.
''the fact is, Maline, have lost some money"
The girl changed her manner directly and
went to her fathers side and put her arm In
his as she said, IN way that showed the true
"omaniy sympathy that was In her nature and
touched both men keenly:
Il hope it is not very serious dear; not more
serious than We can bear together"
And she took his hand In hers and kissed il.
NO, darling, no, sad ner father. Not Sc
rious IN amount, but disagreeable and disaui-
citing in the way in which it has gone" And
he told her what had happened
les, that Is certainly very dissgreeable and
hate to be suspicious. Are you sure you put
1t in the drawer at ALP"
Yes, quite sure Wilfred was here when
did So"
What do you think about it, Mr. Power?"
asked the girl
Il do not know what to think, and you have
made the puzzle greater"
PIP said the girl. quickly turning to him;
show is that?''
Because during the whole time since the
money was put in the drawer until the time of
the discovery the room seems to have been
occupied first by me, then by you. Iconfess
myself beaten"
There must be some mistake somewhere. I
should think you'll find the money papa. But
must go and get my habit off, / will promise
TO be cautious about my things; but have
always left them about and never lost a penny
worth of anything"
"Maline, said Mr.. Caringham. calling her
back for moment and shutting tho door s.be
careful. my child, also not to breathe a word
about this IN the house. wouldn't have il
get about for ten times the amount of the
money
very well, papa" she answered; .'pu not
speak Of it to a SOUL
CHAPTER IL
WHAT wILFsED FOUND IN THE LIBRARY.