Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-04-07

ana can see Dut one hon In your
path-the governor.
"T'll be turned out again, you'll
see." said John, dismally.
IL don't imagine So" returned the
other.
mot If you do what Flora and /
have arranged, and your business
now is to dress and lose no
time about 1t Is your watch
rightp Well, you have a quarter of
an hour. By five minutes before the
half hour you must be at table, in
your old seat, under Uncle Duthie's
picture. Flora will be there to keep
you countenance; and We shall see
what we shall see."
Wouldn't it be wiser for me to
stay in bedP" said John.
IF you mean to manage your own
concerns, you can do precisely what
you like" replied Alexander; "but If
you are not in your place five min
utes before the half hour wash my
hands Of you for one."
And thereupon he departed. He
had spoken warmly, but the truth is,
his heart was somewhat troubled.
and as he hung over the balusters,
watching for his father to appear, he
had hard ado to keep himself braced
for the encounter that must follow.
"If he takes it well, ] shall be
lucky" he reflected. "If he takes it
i'll, why, it'll be a herring across
Johns tracks, and perhaps all for the
best. He's a COMPOUNDED muff, this
brother of mine, but he seems q
decent soul"
At that stage door opened below
with O certain emphasis, and Mr..
Nicholson was seen solemnly to de-
scend the stairs, and pass into his
own apartments. Alexander followed,
quaking inwardly, but with steady
face. He knocked, was hidden to
enter, and found his father standing
in front OF the forced drawer, to
which he pointed as he spoke.
This is u most extraordinary
thing" said he. Il have been
robbed"
al was afraid you would notice it,"
observed his son; it made such q
bsastly hash of the table"
"You were afraid | would notice
it?" repeated Mr.. Nicholson. "And,
pray, what may that mean?"
That | was thief, SIR" returned
Alexander. II took all the money in
case the servants should get hold of
it; and here is the change, and a
note of my expenditure. You were
gone to bed, you see, and did not
feel at liberty TO knock you up; but
l think when you have heard the
circumstances you will do me justice.
The fact is, have reason to believe
there has been some dreadful error
about my brother John. The sooner
IL can be cleared up the better for all
parties. 1t was piece of business,
sir, and so took it, and decided, on
my own responsibility, to send tele'
gram to San Francisco. Thanks 60
my quickness, we may hear tonight.
There appears TO be no doubt, sir,
that John has been abominably used. '
When did this take placer" asked
the father.
Last night, sir, after you were
asleep" was the reply.
ats most extraordinary, said Mr.
Nicholson. "Do you mean to say you
have been out all nightP"
"All night, as you say, sir. have
been to the telegraph and police
Office, and Mr.. Macewen's. Oh, hat
my hands full" said Alexander.
very irregular" said the father
"You think of no one but yourself.
IL do not see that have much t
gain in bringing back my elder
brother" returned Alexander
shrewdly.
The answer pleased the old man
he smiled. .'Well, we'll; / will e.
into this after breakfast" said he.
"Im sorry about the table," sale
the son.
The table is a small matter;
think nothing of that, said the faith
err,
ats another example," continued
the son, "of the awkwardness of ,
man having no money of his own. /
! had proper allowance, like othe
fellows Of my age, this would have
been quite unnecessary.
"a proper allowance!''repeated hi
father, in tones of biighting sarcasm
for the expression was not new T.
him. 81 have never grudged yol
money for any proper purpose"
FRO BE CONTINUED.