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

saw. Put yourself in his place. Come
with me: we have been away from him
too long"
My father was at his desk in the Ii
brary. All l could do was to rush to his
side. His arm stole round my neck. He
was preternaturally calm.
Il need only ask my son if he forgives
me- he said
Il have nothing to forgive. Nothing,
But my poor mother-the years Of suffer
ing. Father, you were cruelty wronged"
He was calm still; but | felt a shiver
run through him. He leaned forward and
looked at the portrait before him. 1t was
that of his wife, young, fair and happy.
Presently he moved his arm from my
shoulder. He rose, and, noticed, placed
the portrait next his heart.
Il am tired he said. Il have much to
think about. Good night, my son. Good
night, my friend"
l scarcely knew what to make of his
manner. He was changed in some way;
but spoke quietly and calmly.
"By-the-by,' he said, where is Ches-
ham,"
Now, running under all my thoughts
and agitation was the one idea that in a
few days | should have the pleasure of
trying to Kill Gresham. Not for king
dom would have consented to forego my
chance. AS | heard my father ask the
question, and moreover, mention the
| mans name without apparent effort or
emotion, | replied as if | were answering
Il most commonplace inquiry.
He has gone to Monaco"
Rothwell darted a fierce look at me, and
| saw the folly of which | had been guilty
Good night said my father once more
| My father was an early riser, but the
! next morning we we're before him. Mrs
! Lee came i'll to know if we would wait
! breakfast for him. He must have over
! slept himself she fancied, as he had not
yet taken in the can of hot water left
outside his door. My heart grew sick,
and L could see my fears reflected in Roth
wells face. We said nothing, but stimuli
taneOusly went upstairs to his room.
| knocked; there was no answer. | tried
| the door; it was unlocked. The room
was peaceful and undsturbcd, but it was
untouched. The bed was as smooth AS
when Mrs. Lee made it yesterday morn
ing. 1t had not been slept in. My father
! was gone,
| We stared at each other. Had il not
been for the undisturbed bed we might
have comforted ourselves by thinking that
he had taken an early walk as was some
times his custom. But his not having
rested at all gave his absence a much
graver aspect.
The idea which at once occurred TO me
was that he had gone in search Of his
wife. | made this known to Rothwell as
we returned to the dinins-room.
No. he said, with a frown; ''hc is
gone whore your foolish words Of last
night pointed at. Unless we can over
take him first, we shall find him at Mo
naco He has gone to reckon up with
Richard Chesham.'
We Travelled with all speed to Monaco.
1t was night when we arrived there. We
found we should just have time to engage
beds at hotel, and reach Monte Carlo
before the hour struck at which that we'll
| conducted establishment insisted that
winners and losers should postpone their
struggles until another sun rose high in
the heavens. We felt sure that so long "a
the tables were open it would be vain tc
seek Gresham elsewhere; and where
Gresham was we should find traces of my
father.
We walked from table to table and III.
spected the ring of eager faces surround
ing each battlefield of fortune. Neither
a roulette nor at trent ct quaraute could
we discover Chesham-loWherc could We
see my father We were turning away
to pursue our researches in other anC
more innocent adjuncts to the building
when we were accostcd by 4 man wei
known to both Of us.
Come to tempt fortune" he said.
Not to-night--we are only looking
round" answered Rothwell
Looking round" said our friend, who
was a small wit in his way, Il expect In
looking round. My pockets are crammej
with notes and gold; | never had such ;
night, You ought to have been here jus
now. 1t might have done your heart gooC
to have seen your old antagonist Cheslan
cleaned out of everything
"Chcsham cleaned out. How wa!
that?"
Cleaned out of every rap. He's JUS
left as bare as the palm of your hand.
sat next him, and backed his luck till i
began to change. A man came in anl
stood opposite him, and looked ut him
Then he seemed to go to pieces. Tall
good-looking man. short beard and mus
tache. | fancy I've seen some one like
him years ago, but can't remember where
He stood for hours just opposite Ches
ham, stalking a flyer every now and the1
as if for appearances. But he change
Chesham's luck"
Did he speak to him.
Not Il word; Gresham must have los
all his winnings, and five thousand be
sides"
> How long has he been gomez
Not half an hour"
And the man you spoke OFF,
'He went, too, l suspect. l did not no
tee him again"
Rothwell pressed my elbow. and hav
ing with some trouble shaken off on
, fortunate friend, we prepared to go il
search Of Chesham. The man We hac
been talking to told US the name of hi
hotel
+. Gresham was not in. He had been in
, settled his hotel bill. and taken "A carria ge
He had not left the place altogether, Il
his luggage still remained. He was sur
to return that night. He had given III
. driver instructions TO take him along tn
Nice road.
We must follow at once" cried ''No
a moment must be lost" We found
carriage and instructed the driver TO 2
with full speed along the Nice road unit
! we bade him stop.
: We drove on some five miles withou
! meeting with anything to give Is infor
nation. Then we heard the sound o
wheels. and Il carriage passed Us. 1t wa
, going in an opposite direction. and Seein
it was empty called to the dTrer an,
bade him stop. He told Us he had drive
, a gentleman some half mi" further
, A fair English gentleman, who Wake
| with q halt. Nevertheless. this gentle
o | man had EXPRESSED his intention a.. IN 7