Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-04-07

tyrannical, suspicious, overbearing. My
children did well 20 distrust my love; it
was not great enough to give them what
they needed. And you were right to re
proach me-even to despise me, for had
been wilfully blind to the light that shone
upon me-the light of the star that might
have guided ME. 1t does guide me in
spite of all: it leads me back to yourself
| come back, Stella, to tell you in al
humbleness and sincerity that ! see my
error. and that. as far as il is possible to
me, | do repent % il.
She forgot that they we're in the open
roadway, where travellers might come and
20 ut any moment. With u movement
So quick that it took him by surprise. she
threw her arms round his neck and looked
into his face.
"Oh, Alan, Alan, she said; 81 have
been as blind as you, and far far more
unjust than you. Did you believe me
Nhen l said that my love was dead
oh. it 10 good to have you here, to know
that you are home again, and that yor
love me tool!
My star! my blessed guiding start hs
murmured as, for the first time, their lip.
u1ct III tuc lONlu8 Mss bO iOu8 uCSti
so long delayed-so perfect when at las
il was given and received. Il have
strayed from yon too long: heaven help
ing me I will never leave you again. never
close my eyes again to your brightness
you sweet star Of my life"
CHAPTER XXIII.
1t was q new experience TO Molly t,
have her fathers arms about her. anS
10 recognize with a surprise and deligh
the love that shone from his eyes, til,
tenderness breathing in every accent u
his voice. 1t was II revelation to her
She had never known, she said naive
ly to Stella afterward, that her fathe
feared SO much" She WAS too weak anc
languid to talk great deal; but ther,
vas great comfort for her in the assHr
ance of his forgiveness. and the kisses
that he pressed on the face of her baby
girl as we'll as upon her own.
One anxiety alone possessed her. Sh,
found it difficult to speak of her husband
without tears and agitation, and the sub
ject of her marriage was therefore gener
ally avoided But she insisted Oh beggin,
her father not to try to see Harrington
not to take any notice of the past, but t,
let her stay quietly at Torresmuir, an,
leave him to go his own way.
To Lady Val's ohservsnt eye tn
change in the relations between Steil,
aud Alan Moncrieff was very plain Sh
saw at once, too. that her own presence
was something of a superfuity. Moll,
was slowly recovering; BERTHE and King
scott were outwardly civil companions t.
one another. although no longer friends
Lady Val felt herself one too many, an,
thought il better to announce her imme
date return to London.
On the second day of her arrival il
:own she received call from Captain
Rutherford. She had written to tell hin
that she was returning, and was not a
all surprised to see him when he an
peared She noticed that he locke,
harassed and anxious, and she hastene,
to give him, in her usual light and cheer
full way, some reassuring news of Molly
Of whom she felt sure that he wante,
to hear.
Il am glad she is safe at home" b
said at length. with q heavy sigh.
so am l." said Lady Val. briskly
But you look dreadfully worried. Char
lie Anything wrong"
"It's-John Harrington" muttere
Charlie.
We'll. what Of him? Is he not Il
Paris?"
No, worse luck Hes at home as usus
and from what l hear he's drinkin
| himself to death"
Drinking! Are you suref"
His servant went to Donald Vereker
day or two ago and asked him to get hi
master to see doctor. Donald, havin
heard of the way in which he had treate
his wife, refused to 60 near him. loath
! John Harrington with all my heart.
was almost impossible for me to inte
tere. But 1 did what could"
What did you do. Charlief'
| Il hunted up the doctor that / knew
| hey used to see sometimes. He woul
| lot go for q long time; he said it woul
be an intrusion. However, / persuade
| hin; and he went this afternoon, as if t
,ay friendly call. He was admitted
and he saw John Harrington
| "Wellf''
| He was In a very Quee- state" sal
Captain Rutherford. slowly. He Wa
nxlf s.upehed. He must have been usin
sore drug as well AZ drinking band!
He did not seem to resent the doctor
visit, but he would not promise to fOllo'
the advice that was given"
| "Oh, that is dreadful said Lady Va
| With a sudden shiver. "Can nothing b
done? l am his friend. l am the onl
friend he has left. I'll 60 to him and tie
| him what he must do"
| The result of this visit was that Han
nington, thoroughly humbled. agreed
go to Torresmuir to beg his wife's fol
giveness and TO see his baby daughter.
The journey northward was somewha
| unfortunate. Snow had been faliin
heavily in some parts of the country. an
II great drift impeded traffic In the neigh
horhoOd Of Carlisle. He was SO muc
hindered that he did not arrive at Dur
keld until the afternoon of the next day
and then it seemed to him that the bes
thing was to take room at the hotel an
write a note that night to Molly's father
In l. xlA