Mexico Missouri message., 1909-08-05

was glad that they were occupied else
where.
Kate was very unhappy; her father
was not honest, and the man she loved
had come into the knowledge Of the
fact. All, how quickly shadow can
darken sunshine!
What did you make 1t in to-day,
Mr.. Carrington?" asked Norah.
Make what?" he counter-ques-
toned, absently.
1.-THE course, Mr.. Goose! What did
you think l meant?"
."Oh," lamely, 81 made bad play at
the beginning and gave 1t up"
BY this time they had arrived at
the gates, and everybody was thank
full; Mrs. Cavenaugh, because her
nose smarted with sunburn; Norah,
because the gown she was to wear
at the dance that night was new;
Kate, because she wanted to be alone;
and Darlington, because he wanted to
learn whether the angel threw Jacob
or Jacob threw the angel. The driver
and the horses were glad to arrive be-
cause they were hungry.
1t took the young lawyer some time
to dress for dinner that night. His
usually direct mind vacillated between
right and wrong, wrong and right;
and he floated from one to the other
like an unattached cork. He made
dozen annoying blunders in dressing.
And when finally the pier-glass re-
flected an irreproachable and finished
picture, he searched his CASTOR vest
for his growing monster and trans
| ferred it to the pocket of his coat
! Monsterl Here was no story-mon-
ster, like the creature Of Franken-
stein; it was genuine, and was like
to turn upon him at any moment and
rend him. He shrugged and pro-
ceeded down the stairs. There are
soliloquies that sometimes leave an
unpleasant taste behind. So he pinned
| his faith to the banner of the late
genial and hopeful Micawber; some
thing might turn up for the benefit Of
all concerned.
The hall and living room at the
Cavenaugh manor were one and the
same. There were bookcases ranging
along the walls, window seats, read.
ing table and an ancient chimney seat.
AS Darlington turned the first landing
he stopped.
Father l think it positively dread.
full the way you treat poor grandpa"
| This was Norah.
| paper.
Never mind, Norah, darling; your
grandpa is used to 1t. 1t doesn't mat
ter at ALL"
1t was the sight of the last speaker
that brought Darlington to a stand.
Norah's grandpa was no less a person
than the shabbily dressed old man he
had seen at the station that after
noon. What kind of family skeleton
in the closet was he that they kept
him en- camera? He coughed and
went on.
Norah was plucky, wholehearted
frank and encouraging.
"Mr Darlington" she said immedi,
ately, this is my grandpa"
Darlington did not hesitate a mo
ment, but smiled and thrust out his
hand, which the other grasped with a
questioning air of diffidence.
Glad to meet you, sir" said Car
rington.
Cavenaugh fills glanced over the TOP
Of his paper, scowled, and resumed
his reading. Kate hadn't come down
yet, so she missed this scene. When
she did appear, there was no visible
sign of any previous agitation. She
and Norah were thoroughbreds.
why, grandpa!" she cried, extend
ing her hand.
The old man bowed over 1t and
kissed 1t, and his action was lacking
neither in grace nor gallantry.
81 happened to be down this way
on business" said the old man with
a covert glance at his son, land
thought I'd drop in"
Dinner is served said the splen
did butler, as he slid back the doors
to the dining room.
The old man looked about him ques
tioningly, and Norah slipped her arm
through his. You'll have to take me
in, grandpa" she laughed.
The old mans eyes shone for a mo
ment, and he patted her hand.
Pm as proud as a king, Norah."
Now, Darlington could read be
tween the lines. 1t was manifestly
plain that grandpa was not welcome
to Cavenaugh. But why? Mrs. Cave
naugh scarcely tolerated him. While
the girls seldom If ever spoke OF him
it was evident that both held him II
their affections. There were many
things going on in the Cavenaugt
manor; and Darlington entered the
dining room In a subdued state Of
mind.
By degrees Norah succeeded il
drawing the pariah out OF himself
Darlington was soon listening to ar
amazing range of adventures. The
old man had seen Cuba in the fli
busters time, he had fought the Cana