Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-02-18

than any OtUeT WDuidH S'Si H"N "~
or ever would be TO him, more precious
even than the success in life, the Tor
tune and the Tame for wsich he mad
always Gravel. The feeling possibly
might be transitvry one, but II was
very strong while it lasted, and Patriee
understood and was proudly and low
ingIy grateful for it.
my own darling. Why was not
with you when this terrible hing nap
pened9" he murmured, and as she real
" could not tell him why he had not
been with her she only nestled her
head more fondly against him.
Come into another room and tell
me all about IL" ne whispered. The
sight of Capt Kelly's unnaturally
blanched and shrunken face was pam
full to him. He never looked at pain
full sights II he could possibly avoid
them.
She shook her head.
4" II take my hand away it will
waken him. Sleep is life to him dear =
Il will send Miss Thorburn up to
take your place. See these lovely
grapes that my sister has sent you.
The ought to do him good.
How kind OF her." Patrice whis-
pered. heartily. "She has been here,
but you know that, Of course, and
she was so sympathetic about my dear
father"
"pll 20 for Miss Thorburn,' said
Sholto. He hated the air Of suppress
sion, of checked action, OF silence, SICK
ness and suspense which hung about
the room. He thought it unreasonable
on Patrice's part that she should stay
there holding the hand Of sleeping
man when he (Sholto) wanted her. so
he got himself hurriedly down stairs
again and asked May to go and relieve
her friend.
May had no particular liking for him
and no very earnest desire to oblige
him, but for Patrice's sake she went
up, and in the quiet, capable way which
she had acquired during her long
course of devoted attendance on her
mother, she effected the transfer Of
Capt. Kellys hand from Patrice's to
her own. She knew what comfort
there is to those who are drifting away
in the strong tender human clasp!
The poor old man should have that
comfort when he woke.
why did | find Thorburn here?
What brought him. Sholto asked, as
Patrice joined him.
"He brought dear dad home yester-
day didn't you know that? He found
him almost insersible outside that
horrible office and brought him home
IN cab And Oh, Sholto. he has been
50 kind. lie has looked through
fathers papers"
THAT ought to have been left for me
to do Sholto interrupted, jealousy
But, darling Sbolto, you were not
mere and was impatient to know what
had caused the attack, and If what he
said when Ned Thorburn found him
that he had no home, everything was
gone'-'was correct, ] wanted to know
the worst at once"
II wish you wouldn't call him Ned
'rhorburn; and think he had no right
TO so prying into affairs before | came.
He's all very well, but he's only
journalist, glad to get hold of all sorts
of gossip and scandal in order to make
a paragraph Wen, what is the worst.
my darling7"
Papa has lost every penny that he
had"
The devil he has, Sholto cried, ana
through his mind there flashed a SEN
sation of satisfaction that he was not
married yet and 50 iTretrievable in
yolyed in Capt, Kelly's ruin
And what do you mean to do" he
asked, presently when Patrice's lucid
recital of all Mr.. Thorburn had im-
parted to her had left no doubt on his
(Sholto's) mind that there was any
question as 90 the statement of Capt
Kelly being left utterly destitute being
a perfectly accurate one
Il have hardly thought of that yet
| waited to consult you"
My dear girl | shall be but a very
poor adviser in the matter fear
believe there Is a sort of college or
asylum for 1ecayed gentlemen some
whore out Blackheath or Lewlsham
way. But | I'm not quite sure what
the qualifications for admission are
I'll find out for you, though"
"Sholtor'
well, whQt2"
DO YOU think for one moment that
| would let my father go to such a
place.
What else is to be done with him?"
"rhe best / can do she said, pas
sIonaiely; You know | have two
hundred year ana l have never spea.
more than a hundred Of III lave
| banked the rest He and / can live on
10 and he viii never miss any Of the
| little comforts he has allowed himself"
But YOU will miss many indeed most
of your lit.Ie comforts II you sacri-
flee yourself and your little income in
| this way After all he is not your