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Howard sat on the table so that he could lay his hand, with a friend’s loving and consoling touch, on Stafi'ord's arm. “I've come to tell you, Staff." he said. “I know that you ought to knowâ€"but it’s hard workâ€"that- cablegram contained news that the Zulus had risen en masse, and that for 'a time. perhaps for years. the railway scheme was blocked. if not utterly ruined. It was'the one weak link in the chain. and your father was aware of it. and had taken what measures he could to guard against the danger; but Fate circumstances. were too much for him. A: silly squabble. so silly as to be almost childish. between some squatters on the border and the discontented na- tives, upset all his carefully laid plans. and turned a gigantic success. at its very zenith. intp a tragic failure." “Yes; he had staked all upon Lhis last throw, and the sudden reverse came at a moment when his nerves were strained to the utmost. when he was excited with the ppnor and glory 7119 had achieved. The blow was too sudden, the revulsion of feeling from exultation to despair too swift. too great. It is one of the most awful things of which I had ever heard or read. Men are still speaking about, it with bated breath. There is nothing but pity for him. nothing but regret at the stroke of misfortune which cut him down in the Ingment, of his_ triumph.” The morning after the funeral. Howard found Stafford sitting in a‘ darkened room of the grewt house. his head in his hand. a morning paper lying open on the table before him. He raised his white and haggard face. as Howard entered and took his friend's hand in silence. Howard glanced at the paper and bit his lip. “Yea.” enid Stafford. “X have been read- "You have not read any of the news- papers?" asked Howard. gravely, hyacmg himself for tfhe task from which his soul shrank. Stnfl’ord shook his head. "No; I have not been able to. I have not been able to do anything. scarcely to think. The blow came so suddenly that. I have felt like a, man in :1 dreamâ€"â€" dazed. bewildered. If I have been able to think at. all it is of his love for me. his goodness to me. There never was such a fatherâ€"" His voice broke, and he made a. gesture with his hand. “Even now I do not realize that he is gone. that I shall ngver see him again. I was so fond of him. so proud of him! Why do you heal- pnte? If it is bad news. and I suppose it is. do you think I can't bear it? How- ard. there is nothing that you could tell me that could move me, or hurt me. Fate has dealt me its very worst blow in tak- lng‘ him from me. and nothing else can matter. The cablegram. this that, the pa- Dej says, what, does i1 mean?" Stafford 16am hi’srhefidr wlibron his hand. and looked steadily at Howard. "It was that. that killed him?" She said. "It meant ruin. I suppose. ruin for him and others?" I sit here absoluter penniless, or who: ther there is anything lefL that I can Rive them." “Mr. Falconer and Murray and the law- yer are in the library." said Howard. "They have been going into affairs. They would have liked to have had you with them: but I begged you off. I knew you would be of no use to them. Stafford looked his thanks. “No, I could not have helped them," he said. "No one knew less of my poor fa- ther‘s affairs than I. no one is less GILD- nlble of dealing with them than I. Mr. Falconer will know what to do. It is very good of him to come to my assistance. I have, scarcely seen him; I have not seen anyone but you." "And Maude?" said Howard, interroga- “Yes.” enid Stafford, "1 have been read- ing this. You have seen it?" Howard nodded. “You know what it means? I want you to tell me. I have been putting off the question day by day. selfish‘y; I could not face it. untilâ€"until he was buried. But I can put it off no longer; I must know now. What was that cablegram which they brought him just beforeâ€" whigh ypu tried to kgep from him?" "And others?" repeated Stafford. “It has brought ruin upon others. What can I do? Is there anything I can do? I am go ignorant. I do not even know whether together been ill l'HH't'SS A mm mm 1m; CHAPTER XXXII.-(Cox1tin ucd) said Stafford, his brows drawn “1 have not seen her. She has ‘l i. ll‘ Or, the Belle of the Season. Pretty Duughh‘a- 0! son! a vaugw in perny furnished room. with its book- cases of .ebony and Wedgewood. its cost/1y pictures and bronzes, and recalled the Villa with its luxury an_d splendor and the vast sums which Slr Stephen had spam during the last few months. It. eemed difficult to realize that the wealth was all gone. Murray. the secretary. passed his hand over his wriukkad forehead and sighed. as if he himself had made away with the vast, sum of money. and the lawyer frowned and shuffled the papers before him. Stafford sat, with his hands clasped on the table. his eyes fixed on Falconer's impassivejape. _ "Mr. Falconer would like you will see him. my lord?” A frown crossed Stvavfi‘ord'e the "my lord." It sounded moekiugly in his ears. ‘I will come at once." he with me. Howard." "Very sorry we cannot, leave you in peace for a little longer, Stafford," he said. "But I am quite sure you would have blamed us had we done so. We have been going into your father's affairs. and I very much regret that we cannot give you favor-able report of them. As you know. the will. which Mr. Chaffinch." he nodded at the lawyer. “read this morning, leaves you everything. and names Mr. Chafiinch and Mr. Murray here execlr tors. That's all very proper and satis- factory as it goes, but. unfortunately, we find «hat, there is no estate " “Your f-zuher' immense fortune was wholly embarked in this last businesfi'.” continued Mr. Falconer: “he believed in it and staked everything on it. A very large number of the shares were held by him. They are down to nothing to-day; it‘ is very unlikely that. they will re- cover; it is possible that they never may; and if they should it would be too late, for the shares your father held will, of course. go to meet. the claimsâ€"and they are heavyâ€"on the estate. I don't know whether I make myself undemkood: I am aware that you are not a business man." Stafford inclined his head. "My father's debtsâ€"will they not be paid will there not be sufiicient?" he asked. in a dry voice. "Whafis to be done?" he asked, in a low voice. Thzv went to the library. and the three men who were sitting there before a mass of papers rose to receive him: Faiconer with a face as if it were carved out of wood: Murray with anxious brow; the lawyer with a grave and solemn counten- ance. and sharp. alert eym. Stnfl’ord an- ed them to their seats and took a. chair at the table, and Falconer. with a straight underlip. and eyes half concealed by their thick 'lids, spoke for the others. Mr. Falconer pureed his lips and shook his head. “I’m afraid not; in fact. I can say de- finitelx that they wi_ll_not," he replied, in “I do not. know. It is not for me to say. There will be a. meeting of the directors of the South African Company and others to-morrow. and some decision will be come to, I have no doubt." a haid, uncomfiromising 'way. SQqfiorfi lqo_ke<_l round p119 large! 5p Mr. Falconer was silent for a. moment», as be regarded the handsome face, which seemed to have lost 1ts aspect of youth and taken on the lines and hollows of age. Stafford regarded him gravely; it seem- ed as if he hlmself were too crushed by hisfigrieihiorr surppise._ “Know?” he said. “What is it I should know? I do not understand." Mr. Falconer coughed. “We thought you were aware of the existence of the deed; that, your father had informed you." "What deed?” asked Stafi‘ord. duily. "I am sorry to appear so dense; but I have not the least idea of your meaning. As you say. Mr. Falconer, I know nothing of business." - Both Murray and Mr. Chafi‘inch raised their heads with an air of surprise. “Penniless!” echoed Mr. Chafiinch. “Certainly not, my lord! Surely you know?" “And 1â€"! can do nothing?" said Staf‘ ford; husklly. “I am penniless. I sup pose." 1110 King England. said pale face at, strange and to know if at “It was a. very wise provision." Said Mr Chaflinch. approvingly. "And d18- tinctly one I should have rmommepdod; but Sir Stephen~Lord Highclifieâ€"dxd' 1% of his own accord. He was a. far-seeing man. and he was aware that fortune might fail him. that it was necessary he should place you. my lord, out of danger- I can we“ beiieve that, even at that. time. he saw Hie peerage coming. and felt. that you should I)» made secure. that you should have a sufficient income to sup- port. the title. It is not a truth. a. twe'rr tier}; of the gum you would havgjnhent; â€"â€" ~â€"â€"â€"â€"~â€"â€"A~ -4â€"â€"â€" _« worse." “The servantsâ€"the small debtsâ€"this houSeâ€"is there enough for them?" asked Stafford. afler a pause. Mr. Chafl‘iuch waved his hand "No need to trouble about that. my lord. There will be sufficient at, the bank to pay such small claims. Your lord- ship will keep the house on P" Stafford looked up with a. sudden energy. “No.” he said; "not, a moment longer than is necessary. I shall return to my old room." -. AL,‘ ayvnu A”... u.” nu“... They murmured a negative. and Staf- ford, begging to be excused, left the room. signing to Howard to follow him. He did not mean it. but. his manner. in the abetnwtion of his grief. was as lordly as if he had succeeded to an earldom of five centuries. When they had got. back to the little darkened room in Which he had sat since his father's death. Stafford turned '40 Hayward: “But. my dear old chap, a hundred thousand pounds! Four thousand a year â€"it‘a not much for a man in your p091 tion, but. there's no need to Sell your horses." Stafiord laid his hand on Howard's shoulder and looked into his eyes and laughed strangely: then his hands drop peg and he turnedfiaway fiith a. sigh. " 71.95.93 'fiie 'iiben'iiwird," he said want 4&0 thinkâ€"to think." u“, u JV“ "an... -._..: _ for 231i;- unfortun‘ate acc1dent. “of the native rising. and £11.? collapse of -le South African Company. . care for his son's future. A pang of bereavement shot. through him- "Vel‘y wise." said Mr. Falconer. grimly. “Whatever happens. Lord Highchfi‘e 18 safe. high and dry above water mark. Carefully invested, the capital sum may be made to produce an income of four thousand, or thereabouta. Not, too much. butâ€"â€" Ah. well, it might. be so much “Howard. 5i1i‘ybi'lfiséfiarmy horses tr Tavttersall'e? And the yacht to the agent's for sale? There is noghing e1_se.11‘thinky He sank into a chair, when Howard had gone. and tried to think of his future: but it was only the past that, rose to his mind; and it was not altogwther of his father that, he thought. but ofâ€"lda. In his sacrifice of himself. he had sacrificed her. And Fate had punished him for him forced treachery. He sat, with his head in his hands. for hours, recalling those love-lit hours beside the stream. when he had looked into her Pycs. andâ€"yes, kiss- ed her sweet lips. Now. \vhM - bankrupt he was! His father, his r' ~wart, his wealthâ€"411] had been taken .i'him. “There is no occasion." began Mr. Chaf- finch. “I need scarcely say that the bank will honor your 10rdship'e cheques for any amount.” "i’léfig Vigrert rid of this house as soon as possible." said Stafi‘ord. He rose as he spgke. "You will remainrlpo lunch?" ‘7,- :u..: “IPAtw (figfikéé-t'eFV Hafie. >i37road Street Noon." ' nu “a.-. L .v .. 0.7“... I need to have some diamond stud; and rings, but I‘ve lost. most of them. I was always careless. Great; heaven! When I think of the money I have spent. money that I would give n_1_v life for now‘!" Stafford scarcely heard him. He jams thinking of hirsrfather's Aloving fqmslght X1: what Vtinvlréfiénd place is 1his meet ing to-ggorrow, Hogvggd?” he asked. n,A,; nA_-A. At noon the following day there was a large meeting at, Gloucester House. 'Dhere gathered the Beltane. Baron Wirsch. Grifi‘enberg, and the titled and untitled folk who had been concerned in Sir Ste‘ phen Orme's big scheme. And Lthey were all gloomy and in a bad temper; for all of them had lost, 13' may and some of them were well-nigh ruined by the collapse of the company which was *to have made their fortunes. They came before noon. the appointed hour, and talked. sometimes in undertones, but not seldom in loud and complaining voices. By one and all the dead man was blamed for the ruin in which he had involved them. They had left the whole thing in his hands: he ought to have foreseen. ought to have taken proper precautions. They had been â€"Well, if not duped and deceived. the vic- tims of his criminal sauguineness and carelessness. The groan, if moan it can be called. died away, and they all turned and look- ed at his p819 and careworn face. The tall figure in Its deep mourning dress silenced &hem for the moment. Griffenberg signed Stafford to a. seat be- “‘é‘égflord nodded. and was lost, in thought for a momentpr two. thgu he _said: Grifienberg, being one of the heaviest losers, was elected to the chair. but be- yond making a statement which told them nothing, he could do little. When he informed them that Lord Highclifl‘e had died practically insolvent, a. mu!“ mur arose. a deep gutturol murmur Which was something between a hiss and a. groan and n was while this uaneasant ound was filling the room that Stafford enter- Grifi'enberg 5 side him. Some’ few said “Hear rest were silent and w fenberz spoke the door Ralph Falconer entered Stafford and knit his b heavily into a. Chair. 211 face and half-lowered lic dre yot us is ruined by 1211‘ don't see why we 6111 Lord Highclifle gets dred thousand. I as wait for an answer Slafiord rose. his few He did not think of Maude h enough thousar q ite Hue." he said. "The money ized thoqsand poundsfwae given It was given t6 me when my la- is voice broke for a. moment.â€" ired ved up- m wha CHAPTER XXXIII black tie. ' Don't answer bun rounds. to his son. the n sittmg here. Some of ' vhis company. and we a should be sheared while gets at? with a cool hun- I ask the question and I who pale. handsome face ,te above his black made _over a: bu to his son. t1 1nd ur?” retorted amounted t( 'as more exc who had 11: ' Stephenâ€"I be your father- Ipleee nowâ€"er :ompany is i eady been hem all answer property 'm. told lb 11:3 intur n moneyâ€" ‘e-n-berg. ‘ had 11 right. all ‘Order! did ted r Stephe Stephen Kl) "was in a position to give it. was 501 ventâ€"T “I said so. didn't, I?" yened the man who had put the question. “Order! order!" said Grifl‘enxberg‘ “And I -a1_n informed that, the gift was legal: that. 1t.canno.t bemtouchedâ€"â€"â€"” “Don‘t. be a. fool!" he whispered in his thick voice. But Stafl‘ord did not heed him. I . "I give it up, relinquish it." he said in Che same law, clear tones. “When my fa- ther"â€"-’his voice again shook for a. [110- mentâ€""made the deed. he thought him; self a rich man. It he were alive toâ€"day â€"â€"there was a. pause, and the meeting 1111111! on his wordsâ€""he would entirely agree with what I am doing. I give up the deed of gift. I relinquish it. My lawyers have made me the proper document. and I now give it to your chairman. It. is all I Dossms; if I had more, I would we it w you. My father was an honore 1e man. 1f he were here nowâ€"" He placed the deed before Griffenberg and sank lnto'his seat There was a mo- ment of intense silence. then a, cheer arose. led by the very man who had put the Question. Grifienberg sprang to his feet. "I hope you are satisfied, gentle- men," he said, with as much emotion as &_Clty man may permit himself. “Lord ngholifl’e has behaved like a gentleman. like a nobleman. I can assure you that his sacrifice is a. real one. The deed of gift which he has surrendered is 2L D51” feCUY sound one, and could not have been touched. All honor to him for his sur- tender: for _his generosity. ‘ ._ “Of course it can‘t. Trust Sir Stephen to look after his own!" wailed the man. “But I yield it, give it up," said Snaf- fordrin the same_levol voice. .vi‘aléauéystâ€"zirriteidih'om hisfiseat and laid a. hand on Stafford‘s armt - Another cheér vaibéeâ€"aédin it was ‘étartr I ed by the very man who had attacked a. Why one hundred thousand men, many of whom never went to College, now have a Wide appreciation of literature, science, artâ€"why they can think clearly, talk wellâ€"in short, why they are among the successful men of toâ€"day. Your free copy is ready and waiting. We want to send you the answer to that question in a tree "Guide Booklet to Books." It is of wonderful value. It tells the story of 418 Masterpieces for the Price of 40 As a matter of efficiency, ask for this booklet. 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Has That, All Right. “I’m afraid that yoqu nephew of yours lacks application.” “Not at all; he applies to me for a loan regularly every week.” Door Stafford. and before it had ceased to ring through the crowded room, Staf‘ ford had made his way out. Mr. FaXconer caught. him by the arm as he was going dowyn the stairs. Credit Manâ€"“No, we can’t sell‘ you those goods on four months’ time.” Credit Manâ€"“But your notes do not sell on the street.” I‘saacsâ€"“Mine gracious, no, or I, vould go home and make notes In- stead of clodmg.” "Do you know what you have dong?‘ he demanded in his dry. harsh V0109- “You have made yourself a pauper. . Stnfiord stopped and looked at him With a dull. vacant gaze. . “A pauper!" repeated Falconer, huskily. "I dal‘esay,” said Stafford. wean-11y. I "And you «a. peer!” said Falconer. .hle face a brickâ€"dust red. “Do you thmk they will have any pity? Not, they. They‘ll take you at your word. They‘ll have every penny! How do you mean to live? 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