Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-11-13

listened TO what the stranger had to
say and had time to consider It he
might go home she seemed much re-
lieved and told him not to try to es-
cape, but await further developments.
On leaving the telephone Rudolf
found his captor-host waiting for him
In the dining room, and the two sat
down to such luncheon as the boy
had never tasted before. While they
were eating the gentleman talked, but
not about what Rudolf wished to hear
an explanation Of this strange captiv-
ity He asked Rudolf what he proposed
to do now that he had left school, and
when Rudolf told him that he was go
Ing to hunt for a position in business
the other shook his head.
you will never succeed In business"
he said.
"Why do you say thatH"
by the shape Of your head and the
expression Of your face judge that
you were born for an intellectual Gu
reer How would you like to go to
college?
"Oh. l should like that above all
things, But l can't. Mother has done
everything for me up to this time, and
now that l am nearly a man I must
begin the work Of taking care Of her."
Tho host seemed to vince at this and
remained quiet for time, Then he
continued
III certain arrangements can be
made which I shall propose to you,
will you go to collegeT
This quite took Rudolf's breath
away. For one year during which his
mother was Ill she had been obliged
to put him In store as errand boy.
This had given the natural distaste
there was in him for business an op-
portunity to crop out. The bare idea
Of going to college filed him with de-
light.
where will the money come from 2"
he asked.
II will furnish that"
Rudolf. though intent upon knowing
more, thrust back the next question
that was on his tongue and applied
himself to a delicacy which the butler
served him.
When the luncheon was finished his
host led him to the library, pointed to
IN easy chair, then, seating himself in
another, said:
Rudolf, your father is not dead; he
IL very much alive"
The boy started, then sat looking at
the speaker, waiting hungrily for more.
"ie came to America from England
about twenty years ago He was the
son Of a nobeman, and in that country
they have what they call n law OF
entail, which settles the family estate
on the Oldest son. Your father was
the second son. He came to America,
met your mother, who was then a
beautiful girl, fell in love with her
and married her. After you were
born his father In England sent for
him to come back without his wife
and proposition would be made to
him. He accepted the invitation. His
father told him that his older brother
had received an injury while hunting
from which he would never recover
II your father would remain In Eng
land, divorce his American wife and
marry among his peers In England he
should DO put In possession OF the title
and estates. Your father after much
persuasion wrote your mother OF this
proposition. She consented to It and
obtained a divorce on the ground of
desertlon. Your father married again.
and his wife died chlldless year ago.
THESE are the bare facts. / shall
neither try to excuse your father nor
TO condemn him. That I leave for
your mother to do. I will say, how
ever, that he condemns himself bit
terly."
Where IL my father now? asked
Rudolf, wondering.
Here: am your father"
There was pause, after which the
boy asked why he had been kidnapped
Il came to America to make amends
for what 1 have done. Your mother
can best be made to forgive me through
the one she loves best-her son. I de
sired to tell you the story In my own
way and send my applications for
forgiveness to her through you You
arc FREQ to go back to her this after
noon and ask her II she will receive a |
visit from me"
Rudolf sprang to his feet II will go
now; l am sure she will do as wish,
and wish that she shall forgive
you"
The car was ordered, and the two |
went hand In hand to the porte cochere.
There Rudolf threw his arms about
his fathers neck. kissed him and was
carried AWAY.
When Rudolf reached home his moth. |
err asked him to give her a couple OF
hours OF quiet thought In her room
and then she would give him her do |
cisl0n For awhile she found Il hard |
to conquer rebellious feelings against |
the husband who had deserted her, but |
memories of her early happy married |
life softened her heart.
Rudolf went back with favor. |
able reply. He remained at the house |
his father had temporarily taken dur
Ing his stay In America while his |
father went for an interview which |
the boy hoped and prayed might bring
family reunion During the time that |
he was left alone he was treated with |
every attention by the servants, but 10
great was his Impotence to learn what |
might be the result OF the interview
between his parents that he found nc
enjoyment in the luxury by which he
was surrounded. On the third day aft
er his fathers departure the car pulled |
up under the portecochere. Rudolf
ran out eagerly. Ills father alighted
then-heaven BIO praised-handed out
his mother. Rudolf ran 10 her, and
she caught him In her arms.
What further explanation the boy re
ceived was given by his mother The
pair had just been married a second
time and were TO live together The
husband and futhpr waa nayu Iorl al