The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-06-07
THE FACE OF ROSENFEL
By CHARLES HOWARD MONTAGUE.
Copyright, 1904 by American Press Associa-
ton.


..... . CONTINUED ..
Touching the lady now under you
charge, whom | once disgraced in pel
mitting to be known by q name by ii
means synonym for integrity and ul
rightness, do not hesitate to say that
am exceedingly we'll rcjoiced at seein
her in such apparently excellent health
She is good girl, sir; she is everything
the term implies, and yet, sir, you mus
be aware of tho almost painful relation
that exist between us, and being awar
OF them and of the fact that they arc 81
strong that she left my house volunta
rily, for the avowed reason that longe
life with so uncAngcnial a person as my
self was unbearable, you can scarcely b,
surprised that our meeting is not NOR,
mutually pleasurablo and cordial.
Mr. Dye occasionally hesitated an in
stant for a word, but generally his dull
somber voice flowed on, measurably
and uninterruptedly, as if he were de.
liyering himself of speech that was
quite familiar to him. His dignified
bearing was in such marked contrast tc
the dominant air of faded gentility that
! pervadcd him as to be almost painfully
ludicrous Maxey gazed at him steadily
and said:
You don't know where she went
when she left your house?"
| Sir, she never made confidant of
| mo. Do not misunderstood me. | am
/ not reproaching her. was utterly unfit
for and unworthy of her confidence. l
always avoided her, as the bad instinc-
lively avoid the good. She was right TO
go. l entered only feeble protest. 1
am aware, sir, that it may seem incon-
gruous and artificial coming from me,
but even at the risk of seeming incon-
gruous and artificial / desire to say in
taking my farewell of the Young lady
! under your charge--for you can scarcely
wish to prolong an interview that is
manifestly so painful to hcr-that am
heartily, devoutly, sincerely sorry that
fate ever threw her into the way of such
worthless mortal as myself, and that
earnestly hope that her future may be
as bright and unclouded as her past was
dark and unfortunate -
Despite the theatrical ring of the se-
pulchral voice there was a tone of sim
cerity and candor about the last few
words that made an impression, even
against his will, upon the artist The
tears came into Anncttos ) eyes. Timidly
and tremblingly She approached Mr..
Dye and held out her small white hand.
Mr. no, father" she faltered,
please do not think | was ungratcful.
You will forgive me for what | said
about my parentage when Was angry.
If you have done right, it was cruel. If
you have not, it is matter for Your
own soul. l shall never forget that it
was your roof that sheltered me when
had no other. Believe me, | did not run
away from You. met with-a terrible
accident. "
Mr.. Dye did not look at her, but he
uufuldCd his arms to take her hand,
which he held as lightly as possible and
dropped at the first opportunity. Max
ey, who was watching him closely, was
startled to see in his face momentary
betrayal of sentiment. There was no
doubt about il: Mr.. Dyes dim eyes wa
tered, and the corners of his gloomy
mouth twitched The tone in which he
at last replied was very different from
the one i'll which he had previously
spoken
'lf | said God bless you, it would be
mummery. The blessing of man like
me is poor legacy, but should like to
say something to show you that / am
really sorry for the part have played in
your life. Iou always We're a good girl
and did your best to please me. / am
not your father. | could not feel toward
You as father ought perhaps, but was
not insensiblo of your virtues never
was more pleased in my life than when
l heard = He seemed to think himself
III danger Of committing himself here,
for he hesitated and finally substituted
w hen you just now told mo that YOU
had escaped Il terrible accident. Goodby,
Annette. -
Annette went out, sobbing When the
door had closed behind her, Maxey mem
tally braeed himself for desperate con-
test Unfortunately for him, at the very
outset of the battle he felt distrust of
himself and dread of the superior
strength of his adversary
Acting upon the theory that Mr.. Dye
had some knowledge of the crime on tho
sea road. he had prepared terrible sur
prise for him, He had caused it to be
understood that the victim of that crime
had died i'll consequence and then sud
denly confronted him with her He had
congratulated himself beforehand on the
effect of this trying situation, but Mr..
Dye had scarcely expressed more surprise
than if it had been the most ordinary oc-
currence of daily life.
Maxcy spoke up sharply:
Now to the business which have to
transact with you. There is no need of
your standing, sir. Sit down"
Sir, | was standing here . said Mr.,
Dye, thoroughly recovered from his re-
cent momentary weakness, utterly at
loss TO determine what could be the mar
velous nature of the circumstances that
could influence such gentleman as
yourself to take the pains to enter into
not very reputable subterfuge to in
duce so humble an individual as myself |
to come to your house, when simple |
written request left at my lodgings |
would have been sufficient. Men do not |
take such pains-my long experience 7
with human nature leads me to say it |
men do not take such pains without an
adequate motive. "
Mr.. Dye said all this not rs though |
he had any real curiosity. In fact, there
was such somber, graveyard atmos-
phere about his voice and manner that
the nearer was inyoluntarily impressed
with the belief that he had reached a
stage of mental depression where it was
no longer possible to harbor lively in
terest in any affair of life
Wewill not discuss that now, 3" said
MaXey. There are some matters which
You must eXplnin to my satisfaction be.