Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-10-12

deal," said Egerton, resumfng his troubled
walk. II deserve almost all you say, but
not this! You always hated me, and
confess you had reason. II you knew
more of life-of mems lives, you would not
think me so unparalleled a ruffian! With
this fixed Idea you will never be able to
keep silence. You will gradually let out
your suspicions-
"My conviction" lnterposed Dorothy.
Your conviction, then, and / shall be
blackened with the blight of indefinable
! calumny."
My motives for keeping silence are too
strong"
dorothy was beginning when Collins
suddenly threw the door open, exclaim-
ing joyously:
"uIere's the Colonel himself coming up
| with Miss OakeleyP'
For heavens sake, be composed"
whispered Dorothy in n quick, emphatic
, whisper. The next moment Henrietta,
radiant, exultapt, entered, followed by a
gentleman, slightly bent, with gray hair
and mustacbe and beard of darker
tinge, all wild and untrimmed, a pair of
dark. dull eyes, very quiet and dreamy,
his clothes thrown on unbrushed, and q
general air Of negligence about his ap-
pearance. Could this be the well set-up.
carefully attired, soldierly Calander
Dorothy, already dazed by the fierce emo
ton Of her scene with Egerton. felt dizzy
and almost unable to speak. She was
overwhelmed at the sight Of such havoc
as few short months had wrought
"There!' cried Miss Oakeley. II was
driving down Piccadilly when I saw Her
bert turning out Of Dover street, so
pounced upon him at once. and here he
Is! l think he needs a little home care
Hasn't he grown gray?"
Dorothy, still Quivering with the cruel
shock which had shaken her nerves, flew
to embrace Callander as she used in her
school days.
Dorothy! How do you do, my dear? 2"
said Callander kindly, but by no means
moved. 1T seems a long time since we
met. All, Egerton; did not know you
were in town"-he held out his hand
How horrible it seemed to Dorothy that
Callander should touch him.
''Sit down by me, Dorothy" he contin-
ued; Il am pleased to see you again, and
Henrietta-"
And we have longed for you to re-
turn said Dorothy, bravely, choking
down her tears. 'You will want to see
the children, Herbert. They have looked
for you; they are such dears!''
Yes" he said, with a heavy sigh; II
must see them. My little Dolly, my poor
boy"
Il will bring them," cried Dorothy,
Fastening to the door, but passing Eyer
ton, who looked stunned, and, II seemed
TO her, guilty, she looked into his eyes
q look at once warning and defiant. She
ran to her room and seized the moment to
battle her burning eyes, which were tear
less, but felt like balls of fire. Then she
summoned Mrs. McHugh to bring the
boy, while she herself led Dolly.
They were at the door. Dorothy push
ed 1t open. To her infinite relief Eyer
ton was gone.
go, darling; run to father" she said,
loosing the little hand. But Dolly hesi-
tated. To her, the gray-haired gentle
man was total stranger. She looked
Mt Callander, and Callander at her. Then
she said, low and soft:
Dolly; my little Dolly" and held our
his hand.
The child went to him, but slowly, an
Rwestruck expression In her big, blue
eyes.
Callander lifted her on his knee, then
slowly, gently, pressed her head to him,
one hand covering her soft check. while
he bent down mis- own till his grizylcj
beard mingled with her golden locks. Ar
he sat thus, his dark eyes woke up from
their dull apathy, and looked wildly away,
as II at some distant dreadful object.
with strained, asonized expression. in
fnitely distressing. Dorothy gnzed mt
father and child with an aching heart.
while Henrietta burst out crying. an,l the
boy-too young to remember, to fear. to
mourn-called out noisily, papa
papa!
Then Callander, reused from his vision,
clasping his little girl tightly to his breast,
kissed her passionatcly over and over
again, till the child looked half-friGhtened
to her aunt for protection. Then the boy,
thinking his sister was having more than
her share Of notice. struggled from nurse
to his father, who. laying his hand on the
child's head, looked intently et him ard
kissed his brow.
Then setting Dolly down. he stretched
forth his hands, palms out. In token that
he wished to be alone.
1T is altogether the most heart-rending
sghti' sobbed Henrietta, as they left the
voom. How awfully aged he is!'