The Redemption Of Kenneth Galt

back in spacious grounds on the left. Along the way were old-fashioned houses in bad condition, old buildings which had been modernized, and which stood on well-kept lawns, and o

ell-to-do banker, money-lender, "note-shaver," and al

house as it loomed up among the trees, fifty yards from where he stood; "but he'd certainly be excusabl

oms of the house. It was said of him that, fond of smoking though he was, he never lighted his pipe without getting a match and tobacco from

Dearing's skill had put him on his feet again, and the young doctor had tried diplomatically to show his patient that the cause of the trouble lay in an overworked brain too sharply centred on a none too worthy purpose. But in this he had failed. Old Simon would have believed in any lotion, any surgical operation, or any medicine prescribed by Dearing, no matter how costly, for that was in the young man's line; but he declined to listen to any hint-from such a source, at least-that his mental watchfulness ought to be c

ime, I am here to say! It doesn't take a man two hours to go to that bank and bring back a simple

nny, Mr. Walton." Dearing la

him have had a little quarrel over his way of doing things, and I was looking for him to bring some papers f

at I dropped in for. I

've saved up a few cents. Huh! I'll show them and I'll show him a thing or two before I am through! I've given him a good education at a fine, high-priced college, and put him in the bank in a place of trust, and he is treating it as if it was a front seat at a circus. Huh! they all laugh and call him the 'Stafford Prince'; they say he is a high-roller; that he's invented a cocktail, and lets bank-notes go like leaves in a high wind. They needn't say it is due to the little I've made, either, for there's yourself, for instance. You had money and property left you, but it didn't make a stark, staring id

Dearing said, awkwardly. "Pe

"I clean forgot to be polite, I'm so worked up. Take a chair-take a chair. I sim

houlder of the old man. "But I want you to remember my warning about that little trouble of yours. You

s he is, and thrash him on the streets before the very folks that call him, as some have, an improvement on his stingy old daddy. Once I thought I had him. Once I thought I'd caught him dickering with

ee I only keep you going on the very top

from a clump of plum-trees near the fence. It was Fred Walton's stepmother, a tall, thin woman of more than sixty years of age, and even dim

I don't blame his father one bit," she ran on, volubly, "and I have the first one to meet who really does. Fred certainly keeps himself in the public eye. There is hardly a day that some fresh report don't crop out as to his scrapes. And the match-makers! Great goodness! They have enough to keep ten towns the size of this busy. They are eager to see now whic

said, as he opened the gate and politely raised his hat in

ows from the gas above her, or was the tense expression in her eyes and the droop to the sweet young mouth due to some trouble even greater than any he had yet surmised? He shuddered as he turned away and pursued his walk toward the square. He would look for Walton at the bank, and try to divest his mind of the disagreeable duty he had to perform; but Dora's face continued to haunt him. The mute appeal of her white, shapely hands patiently folded in her lap, the suggestion of utter despair in her whole bearing, clung to him and wrung his manly heart. She had been his playm

near the door, which he saw was slightly ajar. As he stood wondering, he heard some one coming. It was Fred Walton; he was smoking,

There was a pause. Walton seemed to shrink bac

Who

Fred-Wyn

e came out and locked it. Then they stood together on the sid

went to your house; your father told me y

; beads of sweat stood on his brow and

the books, and-almost fainted. I didn't think it worth while to unscrew t

is always cool. I never bother to s

t, Wynn; that is, if y

t to talk t

handkerchief. Once his foot struck against some object, and he almost fell. Something like an oath of

ocking-chair. "Take a seat, Fred." A cold smile which gave his face almost a wry look lay on his firm mouth as he himself sat down near a table on which lay some books and magazines. He had not removed

right, Wyn

you and my

dark just now. Well, nothing you can say will surprise me. I am prepared for anything-for the very worst; in fa

ay the facts before you just as they are; and I am going to do it,

ending with: "I give you my word, Fred, and the opinion of a physician who knows the case, that my uncle is not only likely to wor

l tell General Sylvester that s

s in you; nothing on earth will change her; she believes you are the soul of honor, and is ready to throw my uncle's money into his face. That's

o his face and covered it. Dearing saw a shudder of restrained emotion rise in the strong frame and quiver through it. A sound like a sob issued from the bent form. Neither spoke for more than a minute. The step of a passer

have paid her such attentions, situated as I am situated, was an insult. I have committed an offence known so far to no one but myself, and which can never be pardoned. I am at the end of my rope, old chap. If I could undo my act by ending my wretched life, I'd do it to-night. I love your sister as sincerely as a man ever loved a woman, but I have no earthly right to think of her, much less to

started to say, but, raising h

give him my word that I'll never cross her path again. I am going away to-night, never to be seen here any more. I am not man enough to face this town after my conduct becomes public. I was weak. I fell-that's all. I don't know what

, but Walton had turned hastily away. Dearing heard his

t-the human monster did not live who could pluck and stamp upon that beautiful and helpless flower of maidenhood. He extinguished the lamp, went out into the dark street, and closed his door. The congregation was leaving the church as he reached it. Among the last to go was Dora. He fell in behind her, but made no effort to catch her up. She had shown no willingness to talk to him that morning, and he would not disturb her now. Perhaps the girl was really in love with Walton, and had gleaned some inkling of the young man's trouble. Yes, that wou

cted. "I may as well meet her and let her know

in a little pagoda-shaped summer-house on the lawn he descried a white object. It stirred as the hinges

r voice sounded strange and even harsh in its g

erate plight and despair; but now, as he saw the evidences of his sister's agony written all too plainly upon her young being, his indignation kindled. The

ver heard him use. "Your being here now, looking like this, is an ackno

ard against his breast as she leaned close to him. "'The co

bone in his body," Dearing retorted, raspingl

ake. "You needn't come here trying to make me believe vile slander. It is easy

t to leave town, never to return. He didn't tell me what he had done; he said he'd rather not go into it, but that it would all be out to-morrow. Of his own acco

nted. Lifting her up, Dearing bore her into the house and up the stairs to her room. He laid her on her bed, glad that his uncle and the servan

"Be calm and go to sleep. You must not suffer on account of this man. He is absolute

d put her arms abou

o happen to him," she sobbed. "He was awfully gloomy. He seemed to be on the point of co

ll your pride to your aid. Uncle was right in his objections to him, and you were wr

. The windows facing the south looked out on Kenneth Galt's grounds, and Dearing could still see his friend

rs if there really can be a God who is justly ruling the universe. What has poor little Madge done, in he

was trying to pray for the relief of his sister, but reason kept telling him that it was a futile appeal. God had not hindered the approach of the calamity; why should mere human appeal immediately