The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-10-12

forgave, and she felt that If this
grievance were allowed to take root In
the girls MINI it might be productive
of serious trouble hereafter. After
a seconds hesitation, Miss Hamblin
followed her brother into the green
house.
When, after a few minutes, she re-
turned, Valerie was still in the same
position, only her face was a little
harder, her lips a little more set.
My dear Valerie" she said, putting
a hand on her shoulder, will you
listen to me?"
Excuse me, Kate" replied Mrs.
Hamblin; "you are very kind, put this
is a matter between Rex and me, and
no one else has anything to do with
it"
"Oh. yes. they have. And I'm going
to tell you how. Now, my dear little
sister, ! am such 4 very old oma
next to you, that you must listen to
me. l have wanted Rex to tell you
about it long ago, but ne was afraid of
hurting you, and"
"Oh, | know, we are not supposed to
concern ourselves about our husbands
past; but to think, Kate. that We have
not been married a year, and she writes
to him.
There was a tremble in the voice
which touched Kate.
Mrs. Lascelles? Oh, but she hasn't
much to do with the matter"
The tears which had been gathering
in Valerie's eyes dried suddenly as she
gave an ugly little laugh.
"Of course not! That's why Rex
wouldn't show me the letter."
Would you like to see ito" asked
Miss Hamblin, quietly, holding out the
scented paper. Valerie put out her
hand eagerly.
Let me tell you something first"
urged Kate, but the girl had already
seized it and was reading it.
DEAR Mr. HAMBLIN: have to consult you
on a very delicate matter. Your brother-in-
law has lately been a constant visitor at my
house: We are fond of a little baccarat. in
which he often joins US: last night he was un-
lucky and lost eight hundred pounds to me:
this morning he sent me your cheQue for the
amount He has frequently settled these little
~ IA tAit oAAlC way. 81 lId YOUR SlSHd-
ture is quite familiar to me. and I am a little
puzzled by the one on the cheque in question,
which seems to me curiouSly unlike the others
will you come and see me about it as soon as
you can. Yours sincerely.
STELLA
Valerie read the letter through twice
and then turned a beyildered face to
her companion.
Il don't understand it; what does it
all mean?"
my poor child, it means a very seri-
Gus thing
But what has Guido to do with it?"
MY dear, Guido has got into a bad
set in London; he knows too many
women like Mrs. LasceIles; he has lost
terrible sums at cards since he has
been here"
But how could he? Guido is poor"
Eyes. but Rex is rich; he has helped
him. You see what that woman says:
my brother has paid debt after debt
for Guido until. at last. the other day,
he said he would pay no more"
But this cheque of eight hundred
pounds them"
That cheque was not signed by
Rex; Guido must have tried to imi-
tate
Kate" cried Valerie, understand
ing at last, and starting to her feet.
Guido has lone that. Oh, how terri
bic. What will happen to him?"
Nothing. You don't suppose that
Rex would allow anything to happen
to anyone you care for? Valerie, don't
you understand that my brother loves
you?"
But Valerie had left her side; she
was hurrying towards the greenhouse,
and she threw herself into her hus-
bands arms as Kate softly closed the
doors.-Black and White.