The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-04

"but must not bore You about my M
luck. When will your mother be inf
want her help sorely"
"Sho must be here soon. I expected
her AZ o."
Carew threw himself into All easy
chair and leaned his head Oh his hand
with responding gesture.
"You might trust me, too, Val, p"
said Ruth, still standing beside him.
'T might not be Of much use, but it
would be relief to talk Of your trou-
bles"
II am in a hole, an awful hole,
Ruth, j." he returned. II don't see my
way out Of 1t unless Lady Hastings can
get at your brother"
But he must not see any one, not
even my mother, and you know how
much he likes her, though she Is a STEP
mother We went up to visit him last
week, yet the nurse, Mrs. Somers, was
obliged to refuse us. His mind is much
disturbed and he il ordered to the sea-
side."
"He has gone there. At least he has
quilted his lodgings in Kensington and
left no address,"
"That seems very extraordinary"
"Not to me-" cried Val, starting up
to pace to and fro-"not to me, consid-
ering who pulls the wires. Yes, Ruth,
l will tell you what is wrong. I was in
:. lness about money some little time
ago. I had lost heavily on-oh, on va
rious events that you know nothing
about and wanted desperately to turn
over a new leaf, to exchange with
Claverilg into the Seventeenth (the
regiment is going to India next month";,
to live on my pay and try 10 work
round, 30 I put my pride in my pocket,
asI had nothing else to put there, and
wrote to James Hastings. He was al
ways more like brother than q cousin
to me- He has lots of money, too, aud
no one to think of but himself. I asked
him for $500 and permission to pay it
back by installments. He soon replied,
inolosing his check for the amount I
asked in letter--a lecture, in fact, but
q kind one / felt sure / had come to
the end Of my troubles, and even ven
tured to dream---no matter what OF
course I lost no time in getting the cash
and discussing it. Some days after I
was asked to call at the bank where I
had lodged the check, and the manager
informed me that the Oriental, where
James banks, had returned it, the sig
nature being doubtful 1t was awfully
shaky. l certainly had shock; still I
was not greatly disturbed. I told the
fellow it was ali right; that I had a
letter from Mr.. Hastings that would
settle tine matter; but, by Jove, I can
not find the letter any where! Must nave
torn it upl Th.!l went to hensIngtcn
to James lodgings. There the angelic
Iurse would noe let me inside tho doors.
She said she would take an opportunity
Of representing the matter to her pa
tent and wouid write to me, So she did
to ray that Mr. Hastings was not
lear On that or any other subject. II
James canuot Or will not remember the
shall be accused Of for
gerry, aud have not title of evidence
70 clear my character"
Carew again threw himself into a
chair at the ord Of CHS long speech and
covered his face with his hand.
"Surely no one would believe you
,dpablo Of such u disnaceful actl"
'ried Ruth.
Don't he too sure. have not tos
good Il record lam considered reckless,
quarrelsome, l. &onb!ar,
md nrn are ready to believe anything
# q gambler. Non are they far NrpH.a
It's the most deyilish tendency that ev-
r dragged man Gown"
"My mother aud ! 71,ll go to James !
nd insist began Ruth eagerly.
AYE but where will son find him?"
Interrupted Carew. "Evon his lawyers
yill not give his address and didu look |
90 friendly when l asked them for it.
The mere fact Of being suspected of
UGH disgraceful act will be black
aark against my name forever"