The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-11-27
CHAPTER III.
WHAT MALrNn TOLD HER FATHER.


Grange was a very gloomy one, aud both Mr..
Cariughatn aud Maline were low spirited aud
depressed. Maline piled her father with ques-
tiOns as TO the cause OF Wilfred going but he
did not tell her, and put her of 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.. Csringham 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 ques-
tiOn, asking in his turn how that could posi-
bly, 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 10 her father.
The next day was as gloomy as its predeces-
s0r; but, until dinner was over, she said moth
ing on the subject that was uPpermost in both
their thoughts
Then, like a true woman, she opened her
battery suddenly.
The two were in the library, where as IL was
chilly, little fire had been lighted and Ma
line carried footstool TO her fathers feet and
sat down, resting her head on his knee, and
began:
Daddy" she said, caressingly. "did Mr..
Power 20 because that horrid money was lostp
Mr. Caringham started at the direct question.
" j told you before, Nal HE only uses this
hUbleklatlOu OF ner name IN moments OF uebpeI
feeling than usual" that such thing was
impossible"
mo, dad all you did was to ask me whether
didn't think such thing was impossible.
have been thinking; and it seems 10 me most
probable. Did he, daddy? DO tell mel"
" lie did not say precisely why he was going
away. NAL"
" Didn't he say anything more definite than
that2"
"What he dil say was not definite I'm not
a. all sure that ! understood him. either -
adding under his breath, not for his daughters
cars. and Pm sure / hope didn't understand
him." But she was quick, and caught the
words
"Why do yen wish you didn't understand,
dadg Was il something very bad?"
" Ho did not wish me to say why he left"
answered Mr.. Caringhami ." SO you mustn't
question me, Nal"
" Then it must have been something very
bad, she said, not noticing his last words.
What was it, daddyf DO tell me; Pm so
miserable"
lie stroked her head thOughtfully before he
answered.
1t would only make You more miserable,
my darling" he answered, and spoke with
deep sigh
The girl altered her weapon.
" i know il had 10 do with that money,
papa" She spoke so earnestly and seriously
that Mr. Caringham was of his guard directly.
How eau you know that Maline?"
" Did he tell you who took the money,
papa?"
" / would rather not talk about It, NAL" said
Mr.. Carngham.
"Well, perhaps won't bother you after TO-
night any more about il" answered the girl,
looking up and smiling sweetly; "but you
must let me have my own way tonight. Do
you know whyg"
NoSmy child"
Because because" and she paused long
time, aud then kissed her fathers hand, and
land her soft check upon IL AS she said, " am
going 10 tell you something that nobody knows,
dad, nobody in all the world; and perhaps
nobody ever will know, but you and me, aud it
will be our secret won't il, daddy darling, our
very Ownl"
"Yes, Nal, If yOu wish 1t. think you can
trust your old father"
The girl got up and sat on her fathers knee,
put her arms round him and kissed him fondly;
but did not speak.
"You arc crying NAL he said, very gently,
and your tears hurt me-"
The girl hid her face on his shoulder, and
whispered:
:" love him, daddy, with ali my heart. and
now I've lost him forever. / drove him away,
aud 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 10 press her hand and gently pat the head
that lay on his shoulder.
His grief was that be could give her no hope.
Presently she grew little calmer and said
You'll tell me now, daddy, won't you, why
he leftg"
AYES, darling, IL was about the money"
" Did hc tell you who had taken IT, dad ln
"No, Nal, bat he limited it,"
+" lie didn't tell you out plainly" She was
very anxious TO have this quite clearly told to
her
mo, Nal, hehinted, and only vaguely limited,
little one"
"shaIl l tell you out plainly who took itY
know"
"Ho, Nal, no; no, don't tell me- Besides,
you can't know" And he grew suddenly
afraid that the girl was going 10 put in plain
wOrds-what yet WAS only suspicion, and
then ask for Wilfred to be brought back.
But ] want 10 tell you"
"No, child, no. ] don't want 10 hear"
but those who arc innocent may suffer.
Listen, daddy, and don't be too angry. Let me
whisper IL. j. took the money, darling, and
Pm 50 wretched."
"You took it," cried Mr.. Caringham. start
ing 50 violently in his surprise that he almost
sent her OF his knee.
Yes, dad, / wanted some money to-to-to
pay some old bills with, and didn't like to ask
you"
" But my child, Malne" he began; but she
would not let him finish, stopping his mouth
| with kisses
Don't scold me tonight, dad, dearest: ]
! can't bear u. I've been so miserable. j won't
/ do il again. won't really. And tomorrow
! I'll come 10 you and be scolded ever so much; ;
i because you mustn't forgive me without scold-
/ ing me, aud you mustn't scold me without for
/ giving me. And-and you'll send for Wilfred
| 20 come back, won't your" she asked, in very
/ low tones.
This is very serious thing Maline," said
/ Mr. CaringhAm, and u
But she would not let him continue, throw
/ ing her arms around him aud kissing him, and
actually smiling, until the good man could
/ hardly look grave
No; but, Maline, tell me, where is the
money!"
The money" she said, biting her lips
the money oh, paid it away, dear, for the
/ bills, you know"
But the French notes, child-you couldn't
pay those away"
No, dad lconldn't pay those away; they
| they must be upstairs. Don'tquestion me any
more 10 night, dad, please. And don't look 80
serious"
But it's such an extraordinary thing for
you 10 have done, my child. IL you had come
/ 90 me -
Don't be angry tonight, dad" pleaded the
girl.
am not angry, Malinc, but Pm afraid am
terribly grievcd."
Then she put her arms about him and ca
ressed him fondly, trying 20 comfort him with
] many winning, a1eCtlOnatc ways.
| III tell you all about il some day, daddy
/ darling, and then you'll see Pm not SO much 10