The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-11-27

testimony. Besides, that paper never
leaves me until | give it to Laurence Est
mere"
We started as he suggested by the early
train, and having at last reached Nine
head, took a carriage and posters TO carry
rs as near to Torwood as they could
Then dismissing them, we struck across
The moor straight to our destination.
We reached the gate and passed up the
steep garden. There was hight burn-
ng in the library, and the curtains were
NOT drawn. | looked through the wlhao"
and saw my father at the table reading
Stay one moment" said Rothwell,
who was beside me; don't disturb him
for a little while
Perhaps he spoke louder than he IN
tended; perhaps my foot grated on the
gravel. My father raised his head, ana
rising from his seat, came to the window.
He opened it. "Who is thereT' he SAID.
1T is |, father"
philip, my son. Who else?'
Lord Rothwell."
l was close to the window, my hand
was in my fathers as | spoke. | was
looking eagerly into his face, and Won
dered at the strange expression which
4
ion was. He drew his hand from mine.
You are both welcome" he said. Il
will open the door,
In a few seconds | was in his arms,
Then he held out his hand and grasped
Lord Rothwelfs. Any fear ! might have
felt as to my companion being welcome
was dispelled. The greeting between the
two men was almost affectlonate.
Mrs. Lee, as soon as she had recovered
from her surprise, was ordered to prepare
the best meal she could. Then we went
to our rooms to remove the stains or
travel.
The meal we sat down to was silent,
sorry affair. My father had already dlned,
and Rothwel, III spite of his pcotestatons
Of hunger, soon appeased his appetite. L
had scarcely spoken "A word. lie sat
stroking his long gray mustache or his
pointed beard. | felt sure that my advo-
Gates hastiness had damaged my cause.
At last my pangs of hunger were salts
fled. Ny father pushed the claret to Lord
Rothwell. His guest declined it.
will you smoke asked my father.
'In your library with YOU replied
Rothwell, with meaning.
You are rcsolycd!'
Quite
IF insult you. you won't leave meT
you cannot insult me. 1t is no use to
try"
Ny father rose, with dark frown on
his brow. | could scarcely believe him
to be the man who a few minutes before
had pleaded. as it were, for the love which
was his by right and gratitude.
h,, M. III l, 4 i'm
petuousIy. He turned on his heel, and ii
a discourtcous manner passed out of the
room.
half rose from my chair. Il had bet
ter be with YOU" | said.
Rothwell pushed me back.
STAY where you are until want yor
and Philip, listen: If ever you say your
prayers, pray that nothing may make Thu
night Il rcarful memory
He left the room, leaving ME in a stat,
of wonder. There was an excitement anl
agitation about both him and my father
which the circumstances of the case cOulc
not account for Lord ROthwcll had now
gone to plead my cause, but | was begin
ming to think diplomacy was not his forte
He had commenced by putting my father
in 4 rage Well, l must trust to mysel
in future.
lit Il cigar. Then. tired with the day,
travel, ! fell asleep in my chair and slep
for two hours. 1t was we'll did, for
was to get little sleep that night.
The dining room door was open, so wheI
some one turned the handle Of the librar,
door awoke. l heard Lord Rothwelr!
dccp yoiCe-it seemed to come through
dream.
You promise on your honori'
TIL you return-I promise on my hon
or"
| started to my feet. l heard the Ii
hrarv door shut and found Rothwel
standing before me. The eyes Of the grea
six-fOot man were positively full Of tears
The laughing reprouch for his long alb
sencc died on my lips. l gazed at hin
and knew that his emotion was due to n,
commonplace cause.
lie took both my hands in his, but h
spoke not word.
What is it, l cried. us anything tn,
mattes:'
Still he said nothing, but looked at M
with his true, loving eyes.
He must have believed you" / said
The evidence was unimpeachable."
HE did believe; he was overwhelmed
Philip
He is a just man." said. He blame
himself for lending too eager an ear +
common report. He is grieved, of course
but glad that wrong is righted."
Still Lord Rothwell held my hands
I still he looked ut me.
He is convinced, Philip. Laurenc
/ EStmcrc knows that his wife IS innocent
/ Laurence Estmere? My father, yo
mean
/ Your father, l mean. Philip, Philip
/ Do Won know why | have loved YOU rs
/ son! Why | knew that it was your des
1 tiny to work out this thing? Why bad
\ you spare nothing-eyen honor; stop shor
/ of nothing. save crime TO learn the truth
! Shall tell you? Can you bear it,
! could scarcely breathe. much les
4 speak Ny eyes were riveted on his
because" he said. you are the cldes
son of her loved-of him | loved. Re
cause Your father, William Norris, is tn
( man YOU have condemned and blamed
/ Laurence Estmere"'
The truth came to me; it came like
tiood-Such n flood as no brain could hol
o. withstand. In one second, or tenth O
Il second, the whole Of my life SCENE
joSted together. | saw and knew every
/ thing. My state was not one of aston
iShment. Il was simply that Of one upo
( whom a sudden revelation bursts. Duub
l had none. | saw. knew and remember
ed everything. The truth and the trai
of thought which rushed after it was to
much. Physically, and, believe. menta
". 1 was 4 strong man: hut this was NOR
than body or mind could bear For tn
first. and. | hope, the last. time in III
life | tainted.
CHAPTER NNIN.
struggled back TO consciousness an
found Lord Rothwell standing over III.
] bathing my forehead. Seeing my eye
I open. he filled a glass with wine an
brought / to me. drank it in a M,
yhaGical wa-- then by an effort stood vi