The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-30
CHAPTER XVI

ed to see what change the past two years
had wrought. My father looked healthier
and stronger, his face was bronzed, and
his figure had lost much Of its habltual
stoop. But the face, with its exquisite,
regular features, was the same as OF DID,
still conveying the same expression OF
sensitivenesS and frmness. L could only
hope, as he looked at me, that my appear
ance gave him half as much satisfaction
you are grown-filled out-become
man, Philip" he said. at seems wen
that we should meet in the old home.
But what a chance l said. "A day
later and you would have missed me.
When did you return"
yesterday. l went to your rooms ana
heard you were down here, so l came Oh
as quickly as possible
We linked our arms and walked down
the path toward the house. In my de-
light l forgot all about Valentine.
'Where is your luggage" l asked my
father
"The bulk in London. The little L
brought with me at. the farm. The coach
dropped me there, so l told them to send
some one across with it.
You walked over the moor!
Eyes | should have been here before,
but stayed, chatting to a young felioW L
met-an artist A bright, pleasant spoken
boy, whose talk amused me greatly
Valentine, of course l laughed as l
thought OF the contrast between him ana
my grave futher.
ARTISTS are not often seen in these
parts" continued my father, so | stopped
and spoke to him. In quarter Of an
hour he had given me his opinions on
painting, music, literature, cigars and the
habits Of the people of North Devon"
| laughed again at the idea of Nalen-
tine, delighted with new listener, pour
ing out his views in his eloquent way to
man who knew twice as much as he did
on every subject under the sun.
We passed through the gate, and my
father received the astonished welcome of
the servants. He spoke to them kindly,
and, still arm in arm, we entered the
house. | did not tell him that the young
artist was his guest and my friend. L
thought it would he an amusing scene
when, by and by. Valentine, with paint
box, easel, umbrella and other accessories,
entered the house and shouted, as was his
custom for food and drink. After the
favora BILE impression he had made there
was no d. ubt as to his being welcome. We
entered the library. Ny father threw
himself into his usual chair. | sat beside
him. He stretched out his hand and took
mine.
You are glad to see me back, my
boy?"
Ny heart was too full for words. |
could do little more than press his hand.
Now, then, tell me all about yourself"
he said. How have you been getting
on:'
Before giving him the information l
drew Claudine's likeness from my breast
and handed it to him. He looked at 1t at
tentively.
.'She is beautiful, very beautiful. That
! expected, knowing your nature. Now
let me hear all about her. Where may
you have met her.
at her aunt's, one Of my dearest
friends, Lady Estmere's.' AS | mention
ed Lady Estmere's name my father start
ed from his chair. Claudine's portrait fell
from his hand, and l heard the glass
SILVER as it struck the polished floor. lie
leaned over me, and grasped my shoulder
in way which was positively painful.
Did l hear you Alright, Philip! Did
YOU say Lady Estmere, one of your dear
est friends:'
The :, orn, the bitterness he threw into
that last sentence made my heart sink.
Too clearly it told me that the cruel
SANDER had reached even to him in his
seclusion, that he had Judged and found
her guilty. | could not speak, l only bent
my head i'll token of assent.
.'Do YOU know who Lady Estmere Is,
Philip?" he continued. do you know
that she is dishonored among women, that
her husband drove her from his side for
her SIM
Il have heard the tale. Sir Laurence
Estmere must have been mad to lay such
nm accusation on his wife. See her, as l
have seen her, and you would scout the
possibility of such a thing. Some day L
shall find means of proving it, then l pity
the husband who condemned her"
| spoke warmly and with conviction.
Never shall | forget the look on my faith
er's face; the expression i'll his eyes. 1t
was not Sorrow-it was not anger-it was
fear. He saw the establishment written
on nv face, and, turning aside, walked
10 the window. As | recall this scene. |
wonder that the truth did not come to me
like a sudden revelation. But then, it is
so easy to explain things when all is clear;
and. perhaps, the truth was withheld from
me for n higher purpose, for the working
out of certain ends. | followed my father
10 the window | took his hand. 1t lay
Gfeless in mine, responding not to the
clasp.
we cannot quarrel on the day of your
RETURN" l pleaded. And let Lady Est
mere be all YOU believe, that cannot affect
Miss Neville
lie turned on me. His face was pale,
but composed.
Philip" he said, you are Of age. and
past my control, but, with my consent,
no son of mine shall marry woman in
any way connected with Lady Estmere
My sons wife shall not come from the
house of q woman who brought her hus-
band to shane"
Those were hard words, but ! must bear
them. and crush down the hot retort
which rose TO my lips.
Let US postpone the discussion for to-
day" l said, sorrowfully enough.
Il It rs never return to it," said my
father. bitterly, and sinking weariIy into
his chair.
| looked dreamily and listlessly out of
the window, thinking of Lady Estmere,
of Clauline, OF Rothweil's warning, of
the contemplate nature of even the best
Of men, when my father. of all others.
could accept such Il tale as the truth. |
was wondering what | should do under
the present exceedingly painful circum-
stances-wundering how | could tell my
peerless Claudine what had trauspired-
how she would bear it. Then, rs | look
ed up toward the valley. saw a stalwart
form strding toward the house. | even
heard the notes Of n gay song borne on
the breeze. and | realized the fact that in
Il few minutes Valentine would be shout
ing and laughing in the hall. He would
bc under the roof of the man who con
demned his mother-and that man my
father. At all cost | must prevent this.
| went across II my father.
You remember the artist you saw on
the moor" He nodded. looking surprised
at the rreievancy of my words.
Il should have told you. bur | intended