Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-06

on his knee, and began:
Daddy she said. caressinglv. did Mr..
Power 90 because that horrid money was
lost?n
Mr.. Carineham 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
thing was impossible
mo, dad elf you did was 10 ask me
whether | didn't think such n thing was
impossible. / have been thinking, and .
seems to me most probable. Did ne, dad
dy Do tell me "
He did not say precisely why he was
gDing 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 / understood him,
either adding under his breath. not Tor
his daughters ear. and I'm sure hope 1
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. Car'ngham; so You
mustn't question me. Nal"
Then il must have been something
very bad she said. not noticing his last
words What was H., daddyf Do tell
me Pm go miserable
He stroked her head thoughtfully before
be answered.
lit would only mako you more misera-
bic, darling" he answered, and spoke
with q deep sigh
The girl altered her weapon.
81 know 10 had something to DO with
that money. papa she spoke so earnest
~ and seriously that Mr.. CannEham was
of his guard directly.
flow can YOU know that. Maline?'
Did he tell you who took the money,
papa" u.,-... ~, ~
said Mr.. Caru cham.
well. perhaps / won't bother you after
tonight any more about it, answered the
girl, looking upand smiling sweetly: but
YOU must let me have my own way to-
night. DO you know Why"
mo, my CHILD"
because because" and she paused a
long time; and then kissed her father
hand. and laid her soft check upon II as
she said. - am going to tell you some
thing that nobody knows, dad, nobody u
oil the world and perhaps nobody Will
ever know but you and me- and 10 Will be
our secret. won't It, daddy darling, our
very Own?"
".Yes. Nal, il you wish it. I 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 fondlv: but did nOtspcak.
"You are crying. NAL no said, very
gently, and your tears hurt me.
The girl hid Lcr face on bis shoulder, and
II love him. daddy. with oil my 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 ewes. and could not speak; OH 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
Presently she grew little calmer, and
You'll tel me now, daddy, won't you'
why he LETT"
ibid he tell YOU who had taken IT,
dad"
"No. Nal. but he limited it,
"He didn't tell you ont plainly She
was very anXiOu, 10 have TINS quite clearly
"No, Nal. he limited, and only vaguely
limited. little one"
Shall tell you out plainly who took
It? / know"
"No. Nal, no: no, don't feline. Besides,
YOU can't know" And he grew suddenly
afraid that the girl was going 70 p1t ln
plain words what Us yet was only suspi-
cion. and then ask for Wilfred 10 be
brought back.
"But want 10 tell YOU"
mo. child, no. don't want TO hear.
But those VINO are innocent may SUE
fer Listen. daddy. and don't be TOO
angry. Let me whisper II. / took the
money, darling. aud I'm so wrctched.
You took ito cried Mr. tar.nghan,
starting SO violently IN his surprise that he
almost sent Der on his knee.
"Yos. dad, WANTED some money toto
TO pay some old bills with, and l didn't
But. my child. Maine" he began, but
she wouldn't let him finish, stopping ms
mouth with kisses.
Don't scold me tonight, dad, dearest,
] can't bear il. I've been so miserable. L
won't do ID again. won't really. And to-
morrow III come 10 YOU and be- scolded
ever SO much, because you mustn't forgive
me without scOlding me, and Won mustn't
scold me without forgiyiug me. And
you'll send for Wlfred 20 come back,
won't YOU E" she asked IN very low tones.
This is very serious thing. Mallne
said Mr.. Carlngham, and ~
But she would not let him continue,
throwing hs arms round him ana kissing
hun, and actually smlung, uAtI the sopu
man could hardly look grave.
"No: but, Maline, tell me. where Is the
"The money" she said, biting her lips
1.-THE money; oh, paid II away, dear, Tor
the bills you know. go,
But the French notes, child-you
couldn't pay those away"
"No. dad. ! couldn't pay those away;
they-they must be upstairs. DON'T cues
ton me any more tonight, dad, please.
And don't look so serious.
"But ms such an extraordinary thing
for Won TO have done, my child. II you
had come 20 me-
Don't be angry tonight, dad" pleaded
FIN not angry. Maine. but Pm afraid
/ avn terribly greyed.'
Then she put her arms about him and
caressed him fondlv, trying 70 comfort him
with many winning, ahecuonate ways.
"pll tell YOU all about IL some day, daddy
darling, and then you'll see I'm not so
much To blame "a Won think"
well. my child. I'll wait for that dav.
Try and let 1t be soon"
" And Wilfred Will come back, won't be,
daddy z"
YES, child, certainly. l shall send for
him tomorrow"
Then Pm so glad told YOU" And she
kissed him again and smiled, and then
slipped of his lap and went out OF the
room. leaving the old man completely
puzzled what 10 make of her words IN
view of what Nilfred had said 70 him be-
fore.