Year: 1871

STOUT began TO grow nervous ana at last
said huskily, "my nephew received that
draft last night accompanied by this note"


"Read it will you PageP"


/ took the note and read.


"DEAR NED-This makes us all right,
the draft is on Nolan and is as good as
specie. / leave town tomorrow night.


Yours in haste


ROLF RALEIGH"


looked up as finished reading. The
old mans face was white with passion, as
he said


"Do you know whom you accuse? A
Raleigh of being thiefr'


81 know it all Colonel, but you dragged
me into it, OF / would have said nothing.
But the proof is positive. Rolf is leaving
you in disgrace without money"


81 know it," groaned the old man, "but
l hoped it would the sooner bring him
back


without money, CONTINUED Stout. "No
one but him saw the money, only he
had key to the cabinet where it was, only
he was absent from dinner that day.
Whether his past conduct warrants his so
leaving you, or gives any clue by which to
determine his guilt, you know best"


The last remark seemed to touch the
Colonel to the quick and he drew in his
breath as though suffering from intense
pain.


"Look at the note continued Stout sand
see if it is Rolf's writing"


He took the paper and looked at with
great earnestness while his hand shook vi
olently, and then handed it back saying as
though to himself I" oh my son, my son"


/ went out of the room vexed with my
self for having come and still more vexed
with Stout for having brought me to see
the old mans misery, and paced up and
down the hall for some minutes while my
friend and the Colonel remained in the IL
brary.


AT last Stout called me back into the
room. The Colonel was standing by the
fire place, apparently having regained his
composure. He thanked me in stiff for
NAL manner for having been kind enough
to come out with Mr. Stout, and then went
on hurriedly to say"


"You are an honorable man, Mr.. Page ?
you will keep this secret until such time as
the matter may be cleared up, or explain
ed P"


at once assured him would, but little
thought how many weary years would
pass before that time would come, and that
the explanation would be SO entirely differ
ent from what now seemed probable.


He grasped my hand, gave it shake
and then turning to Stout said. "You
tell Rolf; but don't let him come here, ]
never want to see his face again. And
Kate tell her too, ! cannot" ~.


Stout then left the room. a..,......


He had been gone but short time, when
l heard firm step coming along the hall,
and in a moment afterwards Rolf entered
the library. eat


Was that the face of a guilty man9 i
could not believe it. With firm step and
rigid look he walked up to his uncle, placed
his hand on his shoulder and forced him tc
look up. 1t was more the act of an accuser
than Of one accused.


The old man looked up, and said, "God
forgive you, Rolf, but / did not wish to sec
you again" .st


Rolf looked at him steadily for moment,
and then turned away, muttering, "Impos-
sible v'


Something in his manner and appearance
touched me deeply, and hardly knowing
why / did 1t, seized him by the arm and
said, Young man, for your own sake,
and the sake Of those you love, prove your
innocence, for I do not believe you guilty"


al cannot" he replied, in solemn
manner; Il never wrote or sent that note y


$50 Rolf" said his uncle, 81 forgaye
all that went before, but this can never be
forgotten" rai..r


The young mans face grew pale, but still
he did not reply. The sorTowful look of
his countenance puzzled me.


Just at this moment the door opened, and
Kate came hastily in. Her father at once
started forward, with motion as though
intending to put her out of the room, say
ing 'this is no place for you, my daughter"


could hardly believe this was the shy,
bashful girl that had seen an hour before.
Without regarding the remark or action OF
her father, she went at once to her cousin,
and placing her hand on his arm said


=" Rolf, you did not think for a moment
that ] would believe you guilty?"


A strange look Of love and trust was
combined with one of terror, which Rolf