Evening star., 1914-08-16

money for my return passage. | wrote
Mrs. Grummle to look out for you, and
But this isn't a hard-luck story. Ulti-
mately l left the stage for employment
more attractive and better paid; but it
meant permanent residence in America.
However, nothing called me back to Eng
land, since you were in good hands. |
think we may say that for Mrs. Grummle.
"She was always kind, Lydia affirmed
gently.
4When could afford a trip back to Eng
land l found you in the best of condition,
and it seemed hardly right to uproot and
transplant you to a bachelor establishment
in strange country Moreover, my new
work, you see, had divorced me wholly
from my stage associations, and none of
my new friends knew anything about me
before came to them, properly introduced,
and was careful not to excite their curios-
ity for reasons that will appear. So never
mentioned your existence. This reticence
grew into habit as years went on. And
when Mrs Grummle died l had come to
think it best for you to attain womanhood
in England, and if possible marry some
decent Englishman.
@Well-a substitute had to be found for
Mrs. Grummle. Mrs. Hicks-Lorrimer pre-
sented the strongest credentials. l can
only say I'm sorry she turned out badly
and surprised. That, however, is well over
and done with. Henceforward you live
with me-"
OH, Daddy, Daddy dear! You mean it?
~ I'm not in the way?'
at would have been better if this could
have been postponed a few weeks Craven
returned without enthusiasm. "But there
is no helping what mischief has been
done"
aBut surely, Daddy, you can explain to
her" Lydia faltered.
He silenced her with a gesture effective
if a shade theatric, and walked with her to
a closed hatch, where they seated them
selves.
"But I"
aHear me first, if you please, Lydia Al
though your father, I'm by no means an
old man. And-love is paramount! When
you come to me and say 1 love this man,
whosoever he may be, | sha'n't interfere
even as now, when you say L can't love
this man, l refrain from insisting. Mrs.
Merrilees and love each other. She pays
me a great compliment; for I'm fifteen
years her senior. can't permit my daugh-
ter"
"But if you will only listen to mel"
@Well?' Craven demanded severely.
u haven't the least desire to come be-
tween you and Mrs. Merriees. l think
she's very lovely, and l wish you both every
happiness: -.
aThat is my own dear girl!' Clipping
her face between his palms, he lifted it to
receive his kiss.
u only meant" the girl resumed, II
hoped you could make her understand, as
you have me, by explaining
4Make your mind easy. There's been no
real harm done. I've already received her
assurance that our relations will continue
as before. She understands-if not as
fully as you do now. If l told her all that
I've just told you, she might ask questions
l couldn't answer; not, at least until she
was my wife, perhaps not then. Surely you
must realize that your faith has taken
great deal on trust. You have refrained
from putting a question that, with Mrs.
Merrilees. would take the form of a demand.
What is the nature of this business of
mine to which I have referred but never
named?'
@You will tell me when you think 1
should know, Daddy"
"Im quite sure you oughtn't to know
he said gravely; 4but I'm quite sure you've
got to, if our relations are to continue in
love and trust. Moreover, l know l can
trust you, and, were 1 to keep you in ig-
norance, much might happen that you