The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1896-12-26

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home between us. The only thing we can
do is to hide his shame-and our own
the best we can"
And that Was Stellas homecoming
CHAPTER MI.
Alan Moncrieff was extremely shocked
and distressed to find that BERTHE had
taken many steps in q downward course
which he had never dreamed that the
lad was likely TO tread at all a few care
full and confidential inquiries in the town
elected the fact that BERTHE was by no
means as quiet and home-loving as his
father had always credited him with be
ing; that he was well known in various
very questionable resorts. and that he had
a great love for cards. Stella firmly he
lieved that Ralph Kingscott was at the
bottom Of Bertie's disgrace, and that he
was responsible for tn" boys gradual de-
clenson. But when she limited this view
of the case to her husband she was met
with an expression Of cold displeasure
which silenced her at once.
She overheard a scrap Of conversation
which confirmed her secret suspicious in
rather curious way. She wanted to
talk to Bertie-who had not vet made
{
and Mr.. Moncrieff had told her that she
would probably find him in the octagon
room, where he generally pursued his
studies under Kingscott's superintend-
ence Thither Stella betook herself about
six o'clock one evening. She came quiet
ly through the long gallery-SO quietly
that her footsteps made no sound upon
the polished tloor-and paused for a mo-
L
the entrance TO the octagon room. She
paused simply to collect her thoughts, to
renew her courage: bat in that pause
voices fell upon her ear.
you'll do nothing Of the kind" Ralph
Kingscott was saying. cooIly. If you
say one word about it Iii tell your father
the whole Of that little transaction Of
yours with Winner and then"
NO! oh, no!' Berries voice full of aci-
tation and appeal, was heard to say
ooh, don't tell him that. He would never
forgive me. | viii DO anything you like
l won't say a word"
And then Stella drew the curtain aside,
and found, as She had already OWNED,
that the door was open BERTHE was "
ing on a sofa. his head half buried in the
cushions; Mr. Kingscott was loungng in
an armchair. with his arm behind his
head. He east look Of positive hatred
at Stella as she cam" in; look in which
mGlignity and cunning were 50 blended
that she did not like to remember it after
ward although at the time itself it pro
duced little impression upon her.
Mrs. Moncrielf.' he exclaimed. start
ing to his feet, with 4 sort of disagree
ably exaggerated po!iteness. we never
expected this honor, did we, Bertic? My
young pupil and ! seem to have had
proscriptve right to this part of the
! house for so long that we are quite I'M
used to visitors. But of course we must
look for changes now
There was a subtle sting in this remark
which was not lost upon StelIas percep-
tons. but she did not choose to attend to
Mr.. kngscott's inSiuuatiouS Al that mo-
ment. She turned at once toward BERTHE
who did not raise his face from the pillow
against which it was pressed. She could
read shame in the boys attitude. and she
FASTENED to lay her hand gently on his
head. Mr. kingscott went into his own
room and closed the door Of communica-
ton. Not till then did Stella feel free to
sink down on her knees beside Berries
sofa, and speak TO him in soft, caressing
tones
Dear BERTHE, we are all 50 sorry. And
you are sorry, too"
Then the boys grief broke forth. He
burst into a storm Of choking. overpow-
ering sobs. in which all his attempts a
speech were lost. 1t was some time be
fore the words became ar,icu.atn
Il didn't mean it never thought
what l was doing-I shall never be ahIe
70 in 81,