“Hang it all! what can be the reason of Bessie’s silence? Two letters unanswered――something must be up. Has she turned against me?” This thought seemed to a little depress him; not that he had any right to expect anything else, seeing that he had neglected her in a most heartless manner. He reflected for some little time, and then said―― “I shall have to go over to Bradford, I expect――that’s what I shall have to do. Bessie’s a sharp clever girl, and I mustn’t lose sight of her. A plague upon that drunken brute, Bristow! Had it not been for him I should not have had occasion to leave Bradford.” His soliloquy was brought to a close by a female addressing him by his Christian name. It was his mother, who, with all his faults, regarded him with a glance of fond affection. “Well, Charlie, you rover, now I have found you I don’t intend to let you go,” said the old lady, playfully. “You must come along with me.” “Where to?” “Where do you suppose? You must come home. Surely you can spare your poor mother a little of your company?” “All right, then; homewards we will go,” cried Peace, leading the way in the direction of his parent’s house. CHAPTER XIII. THE DRUNKARD’S HOME――THE ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY. Peace’s misgivings with regard to Bessie Dalton were not without foundation. To say the truth, she had become duly impressed with the fact that he was intensely selfish. A number of circumstances conspired to convince her of this, and what liking she had for him at one time was now very considerably diminished. Bessie was quick-witted, clever in many ways, and was withal kindly disposed. Certainly at this time, at all events, she could not be considered cold or heartless. But there were other and more cogent reasons for her failing to communicate with Peace. These will be made manifest in the course of this chapter. Bristow went from bad to worse. His desire for drink became insatiable――indeed, it might with truth be designated a disease. Unhappily for himself and those belonging to him, it appeared to be a disease that was incurable. For days together this miserably-besotted wretch would be in a state of intoxication. He had several associates who were nearly as bad as himself. The consequences attendant upon the fatal propensity may easily be guessed. His work was neglected. By degrees his apartments were stripped of everything he could turn into money, and his unhappy wife led a life in comparison to which that of a galley slave was an enviable state of existence.