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diff --git a/6945.txt b/6945.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..27f2030 --- /dev/null +++ b/6945.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14504 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook Marguerite Verne, by Agatha Armour + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**EBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These EBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers***** + + +Title: Marguerite Verne + +Author: Agatha Armour + +Release Date: November 2004 [EBook #6945] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on February 16, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + + + + + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGUERITE VERNE, BY AGATHA ARMOUR *** + + + +This eBook was produced by Andrea Ball, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +MARGUERITE VERNE; + +OR: + +SCENES FROM CANADIAN LIFE. + +BY + +RE. AGATHA ARMOUR. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +NEW YEAR'S EVE. + + + "Every one for his own. + The night is starry and cold, my friend, + And the New Year blithe and bold, my friend + Comes up to take his own."--_Tennyson_. + +New Year's Eve in the fair city of St. John, that queenly little +city which sits upon her rocky throne overlooking the broad expanse +of bay at her feet. + +Reader, we do not wish to weary you with the known, but love for our +own dear New Brunswick is surely sufficient apology. + +It is one of the feelings of human nature to be possessed with a +desire to worship the great and titled, to become enamoured with +those appendages, which are the symbols of social distinction. Let +us consider how we, as a people, are privileged. Is there any +grander title this side of Heaven than found in these words, "I am a +British subject," and next "I am a New Brunswicker"? You who have +travelled have often felt your hearts rebound when listening to the +eulogiums passed upon our country and its gifted sons through the +medium of the pulpit, the platform and the press. "He is a New +Brunswick boy." Ah, those words are sufficient to inspire us with +thoughts ennobling, grand and elevating. There are to be found +growlers in every clime, and it is only such that will desert their +fatherland and seek refuge under foreign skies. We have liberty, +right, education, refinement and culture in our midst; we have a +good government, noble reforms, and all advantages to make us good +and happy. Then let us cherish every right and institution which +makes our beloved New Brunswick the pride of its loyal people. It is +such feeling which prompts this work, and if the different scenes +throughout the province which we will endeavor to portray, the +usages of society, custom, &c., and the few characters introduced +from real life, meet your approbation, our highest expectation will +be realized. + +Now back to our fair city. + +On this New Year's Eve the moon was holding high carnival. Wrapped +in a costume of silvery radiance, she was displaying her charms to +the busy throng beneath with all the coquetry she could summon, to +her aid, darting quick glances at youths and maidens, and by +covert smiles bringing even the middle-aged man of business to her +feet. The air is also influenced by her wooing, and is inclined to +be less severe than some hours earlier. Floods of light are +radiating King Square, giving even to its leafless trees a charm +of softness and effect. Pedestrians are going to and fro, while +several halt in the vicinity of the fountain to smoke their pipes +and discuss the news of the day. Presently a quick step is heard +approaching, and a trim little figure greets us, wrapped in a +fur-lined cloak, which, despite its ungainliness, cannot conceal +the grace of the wearer. As the maiden casts a passing glance we +are impressed by the sweet purity of her face--a face that will +stamp its image upon more than one heart, and leave memories that +cannot be forgotten. + +Such was Marguerite Verne as we now attempt to introduce her in the +fond hope that others will see her as we do. + +"Marguerite," exclaimed the child who had overtaken her as she +reached the pavement in front of the Royal Hotel, "Marguerite I am +tired running, I thought I never would get up to you. Golly, how you +do streak along!" + +"Charlie Verne, you naughty boy," returned the girl as she +confronted her pet brother, his childish face aglow with the late +exercise, "I thought you were going to keep house with Winnie?' + +"So I was," said the boy, eyeing his sister closely to watch the +effect of his speech, "but the Listers have arrived and I had to run +and tell you." + +At this announcement Marguerite Verne could scarce repress a hearty +laugh and her large, deep violet eyes sparkled, and from their +changing expressions exhibited such variety of shade that one would +scarce venture to say which was the original one. + +A deeper tinge now rested upon the purely oval cheek as the girl +returned the recognition of a thoughtful-looking young man who had +the air and manner of one possessed with more common sense than +generally falls to the lot of the young men courted by the _creme +de la creme_. + +"Miss Verne, I see that you too are bent upon enjoying this glorious +evening; the old year is going out in all its serenity." + +"Yes indeed, Mr. Lawson; the old year is dying with all the true +greatness that characterizes its life; it has left nothing undone, +and if we have failed to garner up its hours sacredly, to us--not +it--we lay the blame." + +"True indeed; but how little do we think of those lessons until they +are beyond reach. We make grand resolutions on each New Year, but +how often do they go to the winds ere the first week has passed +around." + +Phillip Lawson's words took an earnest tone and his manner was +earnest also. His rich, deep voice found its way far down in the +maiden's heart; but she would not allow herself to think so. She +would not acknowledge to herself that the restless emotions within +her heart were other than a passing thought to a very dear friend! +She must not see that Phillip Lawson, in his gifted, manly +character, was her hero of all that was good and true, and that his +was the nature by which she tested others. + +As the foregoing remarks turned into a lengthy conversation +Marguerite scarcely heeded that Trinity chimed out the hour of nine +when the trio turned their steps homeward, Master Charlie forming an +advance guard, and making the air resound with all the hilarity at +his command when he came in friendly contact with some of his +"fellers" as he expressed himself. + +When Marguerite bade good night to her companion and stood for a +moment in the hallway watching the retreating figure, we will not +disclose her thoughts, but will follow her to the drawing-room, +where "the Listers" are marshalled _en masse_ awaiting her +return. + +"Marguerite, you darling!" exclaimed the eldest Miss Lister rushing +forward and embracing the former in a manner that was more +demonstrative than conventional, but was accepted with the best of +grace, notwithstanding there was to be a repetition four times in +succession. + +Mrs. Lister was a distant cousin of Mr. Verne, and having six +marriageable daughters on hand, had recourse to much diplomacy in +the way of matrimonial speculations. For several years she had been +in the habit of spending the New Year with the Verne family, each +year adding one more eligible, until she has now the happy six. + +It had ever been the boast of Mrs. Lister that she had attended +boarding school, and carried off several prizes for her classic +ability; and in order to establish the fact, had named her six +daughters after six of the Muses. Clio, the eldest, inherited the +largest part of her mother's ability. + +The former often regretted that three unruly boys came to interrupt +the succession of the classic nine. + +But all this addition of inspiration at this festive season did not +_inspire_ the Verne family with any such high-toned sentiments +as might have been expected. + +"Marguerite Verne," explained the haughty Evelyn, the imperious +first-born of the family, "you are enough to drive anyone +distracted! How can you submit so tamely to being bored to death by +such pests? Indeed, Aunt Hester with all her wisdom is preferable to +that empty headed woman and her muses." + +Marguerite had retired to her own room. She was sitting at a small +ebony writing desk, jotting down a few thoughts in her diary When +her sister entered, but now arose and drew forth a luxurious +arm-chair for the imperious beauty to recline in. + +"If worrying myself to death would do me any good, I might try it +too, Evelyn; but as it does not, I try to make the best of it." + +"There you are again, with your philosophical ideas. I must expect +nothing else from one who cares so little for the opinions of +others, and lives only in sight of all the old half-crazed poets and +fanatics of the Dark Ages." + +Marguerite durst not look toward the speaker, lest her quizzical +expression might heap further assault upon her; so she sat quietly +regarding a favorite print that hung over the mantelshelf. After a +few moments silence, Evelyn drew herself up haughtily and arose to +go, when Marguerite felt a rising sensation in her throat, and +instantly rushed into her sister's arms. "Eve, dearest, I know you +are disappointed in not going out this evening, and I am sorry; can +you not believe me?" + +Evelyn Verne was a beauty--beautiful as an houri, imperial as +Cleopatra, but merciless as a De Medicis. She was a true woman of +the world; self was the only shrine at which she worshipped; and if +indeed she could feel a momentary sympathetic chord, surely +Marguerite was the cause. The piercing black eyes send forth a flash +that is electrifying, then fix themselves upon her companion. She is +perhaps struggling between pride and duty, and it costs her a heavy +sacrifice. As she gazes upon that sweet, soulful face she is almost +tempted to become a nobler and better being; but the world has too +heavy a hold upon her, and slightly pressing a kiss upon +Marguerite's cheek, she takes leave without saying another word. As +the latter listens to the rustle of the silken train through the +spacious hall and stairway, she heaves a deep sigh, and once more +seats herself beside her desk. On the pages of the little book she +pens thoughts worthy of such a soul, and worthy of the memorable +eve--worthy of the dying moments of the year which had been her +friend, her comforter and her hope. She could look back without many +regrets. The hours had not been misspent, and she could say: "Old +Year, I used you well. Now that you are nearly gone I will not +regret, but try, with God's help, to welcome in your child." + +Marguerite sat thus while the clock struck twelve, when she buried +her face in her hands and remained in thoughtful silence--a feeling +too reverential for words, as something too sacred for intruding +upon. + +And now the New Year had been welcomed in. The moon, in all her +majesty, witnessed the solemn pageant; and unseen choristers wafted +the tidings from pole to pole. + +"Another year," murmured Marguerite, as she gently raised the +casement and looked out upon the beauty of the scene. Queen Square, +studded with tributes to the Loyalists, was peaceful as the grave. +Beyond was the calm, blue water of the harbor; while here and there +a white sail upon its bosom added to the effect. Peace reigns over +the city, and the lights have at last disappeared from the Verne +mansion. Let us take the liberty to mention a few facts that may be +necessary ere we proceed further. + +The Vernes belonged to a genteel and respectable family. They did +not lay claim to an aristocratic ancestry, but for generations could +reckon on a spirit of proud independence and honest worth. Mr. Verne +was a man of honor and sound principles in every sense of the word; +and he always tried to inculcate those principles in the minds of +his children. If he daily saw in his first-born traits of character +which he openly condemned and censured, there stood in bold relief +upon his heart the pure, high and noble character of his delicate +Marguerite. Nor was he to be disappointed in the younger scions of +the family. Fred. Verne was a noble, manly boy of fifteen, and gave +promise of being a good and upright citizen; while the precocious +Charlie, despite the daily amount of spoiling received in the +domestic circle, was a clever little fellow, as ready with an answer +as he was ready for his daily supply of chocolate caramels. + +Mr. Verne had married when very young, and was still in the prime of +manhood. He was not handsome; but an intelligent, open countenance +was the most pleasing attraction in his face. One could look upon +him the second time without a feeling of dislike or even +indifference. + +But there is another important personage of whom we must make +mention--the mistress of the Verne mansion. She is, to say it in as +few words as possible, an out-and-out woman of the world--one who +never says or does anything without considering what will be the +world's opinion of her, and one who never says or does anything +unless there be some selfish motive at the bottom of it; one who +lives only for the gratification of her own selfish ends, so far as +her friends and family are concerned, and whose chief delight is +show, display and social greatness. + +It may be said that when Mr. Verne married his child-wife, who had +been petted and spoiled by her elders, he made much allowance for +her daily short-comings, and fondly hoped that he might bend the +impulsive nature to his will; but when he saw the great mistake he +had made, he calmly bowed his head in submission to the decrees of +fate, and labored more diligently to set a good example before his +children. When vainly remonstrating with his wife, upon the +increasing gaiety into which she plunged so wildly, he always found +encouragement from the sympathetic Marguerite; and when retired from +the noise and din of the drawing-room, his favorite amusement was a +game of chess, with the latter for partner. It was then that +Marguerite's deep violet eyes would sparkle and her face glow with +enthusiasm, as she followed her father through the mazes of the +game, and her clear silvery laughter had more charm than the +ravishing strains of the most brilliant fantasia. + +Surrounded by the _elite_ of the city of St. John, Evelyn Verne +was courted by the rich, the gay and the distinguished. It was the +sole end of Mrs. Verne's existence that her daughters should make +grand matches. For this purpose she entered upon a career which we +intend to pursue through all its straight and crooked paths, hoping +in the sequel to impart the sad but profitable lesson! + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SUNNYBANK. + + +Sunnybank, the stately residence of the Vernes, is indeed an +imposing structure. Its towering form and massive appearance mark it +as one of the noblest piles in St. John. Its costly windows, +reflecting all the colors of the rainbow; its solid brick walls, +stone pillars and grand entrance, bespeak it the home of wealth and +affluence. Even the solid brick pavement leading from the main +gateway to the terrace marks the substantial tone of the edifice, +and impresses one with the stability of its owner. And the statuary, +seen from the highway, denotes the taste displayed in the vestibule, +with its floor of tesselated pavement, echoing to the tread of +footsteps as the corridors of some grand old cathedral. + +It is now our privilege to be introduced to the interior, and we +make good use of our opportunity while mingling with its guests. + +On this clear wintry evening as we are ushered into the Verne +drawing-room with its beautifully-frescoed wall and rare painting a +pretty sight is presented to our view. Seated at the piano is +Marguerite, who is singing a quaint little ballad for the benefit of +a company of children gathered at her feet. She is evidently their +queen, as the sly glances at the happy-faced maiden are ever +increasing to be repaid by the sweetest of smiles. Evelyn Verne +appeared in a heavy garnet silk with bodice and draperies of the +same shade in velvet. Her elbow sleeves reveal arms that would +rival in miniature those of the master-piece of Phidias--the +Pallas Athena--which graced the Parthenon in by-gone ages. +Her hair, of purplish blackness, gives effect to the creamy tints +of her complexion, and heightens the damask tinge of the +beautifully-rounded cheeks. One glance at this magnificent looking +form and you are victimized by her charms; you cast a side glance +towards the childish-looking girl at the piano, and you will only +pronounce her passing fair. Beauty is beauty, and will charm while +the world goes on, and while we are endowed with that sense which, +in general, has outweighed all others; but in most cases we are, +in the end, taught that the beauty of the soul will wear until time +is no more, and the beauty that fades is a thing of the past! + +"Evelyn, dearest, if Paris had now to decide between the goddesses, +he certainly would have awarded you the golden apple," exclaimed the +first muse, who never let an opportunity slip to display her +knowledge of mythology. + +"What nonsense you talk, Clio!" returned Evelyn, whose heightened +color betrayed the insincerity of her speech. + +Urania Lister, "the Fifth Muse," as Fred. Verne had dubbed her, now +entered from the conservatory, and throwing aside a scarlet wrap, +also joined in the conversation. She was a slight creature, with +some pretension to good looks; but there was a sort of languor in +her manner that disappointed one ere she had uttered half a dozen +sentences. In order to sustain the character her name suggested, she +was continually soaring into immensity of space and deducing +celestial problems for the uninitiated _habitant_ of this lower +sphere. It was when Urania had taken one of her upper flights into +empyrean air that the fond mother would exclaim: "If Galileo were +alive to-day I believe he could get ideas from my dear Urania." + +But to return to the drawing-room. + +The children have been dismissed to their homes, and Charlie +consigned to the limits of his own apartments. A slight bustle is +heard in the hall, and presently two visitors are duly announced by +a servant in waiting. A smile of satisfaction beamed on the +countenance of the anxious Mrs. Lister as she eyed the two young +gentlemen on their being introduced to her three daughters, and in +less time than it would be possible to conceive, she was +consummating two brilliant matches for the ancient-looking Clio and +the celestial Urania. + +Be it said for this lady's benefit, and by way of explanation, she +had consigned three of the muses to "dear papa," and kept the three +most eligible under the shadow of her wing. + +While the devoted parent is weaving all manner of bright visions, +she resolves that practice be not sacrificed to theory, and +commences by a skilful contrivance to expatiate upon the ability and +goodness of her offspring. + +Montague Arnold is indeed an expert in all that concerns society +through its labyrinthine phases. Not a look or tone but he has +thoroughly studied, and ere he is many moments in an individual's +society can accommodate his pliable nature to every demand. His +physique is striking, his face handsome, his manner engaging, and he +is reputed to be wealthy. His family connections are desirable, and +he has education, accomplishment, and the benefit of a lengthened +tour on the continent. + +What then is to debar such an one from entry into the best social +circle the city affords? + +Will we overstep the bounds of charity and describe a scene in which +Montague Arnold and his companion, Hubert Tracy, played a +conspicuous part a few hours previous? Ah, no! "Tell it not in +Gath!" Let them be happy while they may. + +Of Hubert Tracy we might have a more favorable opinion. There is +still upon his broad, fair forehead a trace of manliness and honor, +but there is about the lower part of his youthful looking face a +lack of determination that threatens to mark him as a victim for the +wary and dissipated man of the world. + +Conversation had now become general, while music and games filled up +the intervals. + +Evelyn Verne was indeed the object upon whom Mr. Arnold lavished his +attentions--a fact not overlooked by Mrs. Lister. Hubert Tracy was +devoting himself to the Muses, and occasionally venturing a glance +at Marguerite, who took much interest in the younger members of the +circle, and seemed happy in her devotedness to brother Fred, and his +chum, silently engaged over a game of chess. Mrs. Verne smiled, +chatted and listened to each as opportunity served, and looked with +fond delight upon the imperious Evelyn, who, by a series of +coquettish manoeuvres, held her admirer in chains apparently ready +to be put to any test for her sake. + +"This new beau of Eve's is in earnest, and there is no chance for my +dear Urania. Well, well! men do not appreciate a girl of such +heavenly ideas as my celestial-minded daughter, and they throw +themselves away upon a pretty face without an ounce of brains." Poor +Mrs. Lister had murmured these sentences after the events of the +evening had transpired and she was enjoying the privacy of her own +room. She always expressed her thoughts to herself, as she judged +best never to let her dear girls know that she felt anxious for +their settlement in life. + +A few mornings later while the family lingered over the late +breakfast in the handsomely-furnished morning-room, with its +delicate tints of mauve and gold, the conversation turned upon the +gossip of the preceding days. Miss Verne had not sufficiently +recruited from the dissipation attendant upon a large assemblage, +given by a lady friend in honor of some relative who had arrived +from Ottawa. She was inclined to be resentful and petulant, and +found fault with everything, from the delicious hot coffee and +tempting rolls to the generous sunbeam that danced in at the +opposite window, and it increased her anger so that she could +scarcely restrain herself in the presence of her guests. + +"You are somewhat uncharitable this morning, my dear," was the only +reproof of Mrs. Verne, while she sought to cover her annoyance in a +marked attention towards the others at the table. + +"Indeed, Miss Marguerite; it will be a long time before I shall tell +as many lies for you again. I was really ashamed, for they all knew +that they were broad falsehoods," exclaimed Miss Verne, casting an +angry glance at her sister, who sat between her mother and Mrs. +Lister, looking the very picture of contentment and good nature. + +"I am sorry, Eve, that you committed any grievous sins on my +account, for it was a very unnecessary thing to do." + +"Unnecessary! Be careful, my dear little Madge, or I will out with +the whole truth; and if I do not bring the blushes to your cheek my +name is not Evelyn Verne." + +"Come, come, girls--never mind more talk now," said Mrs. Verne, +rising from her seat, and motioning them to withdraw, at the same +time trying to conceal a look of displeasure that had contracted +into a dark frown. + +Mrs. Verne was a woman not to be trifled with. She had a look of one +born to command, and well each member of her family was aware of the +fact. She was a handsome woman, of proud and dignified presence, +high-tempered, and in many instances unreasonable, her opinions +being strengthened by the force of circumstances, and very seldom on +the side of right. On this morning in question she was inclined to +feel somewhat ruffled at Marguerite, rather than the aggressor. +Miss Verne had thrown out a hint that was more effective than a +well-timed speech of polished oratory, and well she knew it. + +"Such a ridiculous thing to think of," repeated the haughty mistress +with emphasis, as she swept from room to room giving orders to each +domestic, and arranging and rearranging matters to meet her own +taste and convenience. The pretty crimson cashmere morning robe, +with relief of creamy lace, hung in graceful folds and set off Mrs. +Verne's form to advantage; and as you looked upon her then and +thought how she must have looked more than twenty years in the past, +you could not blame Mr. Verne for seeking her to grace his luxurious +and beautiful home. + +Evelyn Verne has picked up a very sensational novel and is +languishing on a divan of crimson velvet and old gold plush, with a +drapery of beautiful design which she had thrown aside. One arm is +gracefully curved around her head, while the other clasps the book, +and in contrast with the rich hue of oriental costume resembles that +of polished ivory. + +The passage being read is certainly pleasing--yes, rapturous--for a +current of an electrifying nature suffuses the slightly-pale cheeks +and delicate lips, and again Evelyn Verne wears a beauty that is +fatal in its effects. While the latter is engaged in this selfish +manner we hasten to a somewhat odd-looking apartment, which, from +its confused array of books, playthings, fishing-tackle, hammocks, +old guns, powder-horns, costumes that had assisted in personating +pages and courtiers, and also many other articles of less +pretensions, might be taken for a veritable curiosity-shop. A +central figure gives interest to the surroundings and prompts our +curiosity to watch the proceedings. + +The mischievous smile upon Marguerite Verne's face is of sufficient +proof that she is engaged in a pleasant occupation. She has pressed +two of the Misses Lister into willing service, and they are a happy +group. + +"What will this make, Madge?" yelled Charlie, with as much as his +lungs had capacity, holding up an old green velvet tunic with +enormous supply of tinsel. + +"I'll go as Coeur de Lion, and wear it," exclaimed little Ned +Bertram, snatching the precious article from the other. + +"Nonsense, children!" cried Marguerite, who, with her companions, +laughed long and heartily at the ludicrous representation of the +"knight of the black plume." + +Considerable time had been spent in bringing these would-be heroes +to any decision as to their respective characters. Ned wished to be +Richard the Third, and Charlie that of Richmond and repeat the +triumphs of Bosworth; but meeting such obstinate opposition from +their council, turned their attention to "something commoner," +as Ned expressed himself. After several hours intermingled with +side-splitting laughter and grave discussion, a fair representation +of Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday was produced, while Marguerite +and her friends received more compliments from the young aspirants +than the most gallant cavalier of the sixteenth century ever paid to +the queen of love and beauty. But the last remark was a deep thrust +from the innocent and unconscious boy. + +"You darling old Madge! I am going to tell Mr. Lawson you got us up, +and I am sure we will get the prize. And I bet you I'll not forget +to put a word in for you too, Miss Marguerite, and mind you Mr. +Lawson don't consider me no small account." + +The manner in which this twelve-year-old urchin got off the speech +had a telling effect. His air of importance brought a burst of +laughter, but it could scarcely hide the blushes that played +hide-and-seek on the girl's face--which fact fortunately escaped the +notice of the Listers. + +The long-looked-for hour has arrived, and Crusoe and Friday emerge +from their "den," as Miss Verne contemptuously designated the +curiosity-shop. On this occasion Marguerite remains at home. Her +constitution is rather delicate, and owing to a slight cold and +throat irritation it is deemed advisable to exercise caution. + +"I am sorry that you will not have your papa's company this evening. +There is to be a meeting of the Board. There is always something +going on." + +"Don't mind me, mamma. Please bear in mind I am good company for +myself. I remember once reading a passage in some book which said +that all the pleasure we derived had its source in ourselves, and +not in external objects. I often think of it and believe it to be +true." + +"What a sensible, but conceited girl!" exclaimed the proud matron as +she kissed Marguerite, and sallied forth to chaperone the Misses +Lister and their loquacious mamma. + +"You dear old room, I'm with you once again," said the girl in half +dramatic tones, as she drew her favorite arm-chair near the grate +and sat down, not to read but to weave bright, golden dreams--fit +task for a sweet maiden of eighteen summers--with a quaint +simplicity of manner that is more captivating than all the wily +manoeuvres that coquetry can devise. Were there any pretty pictures +in those dreams? Yes. But those that gave the most pleasure she +tried hard to shut out from her sight and with a gentle sigh +murmured "it can never be." + +Sweet Marguerite! Has she her "concealments" too? + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +A NOBLE CHARACTER. + + +In Phillip Lawson, a young lawyer of more than average ability, is +realized Pope's definition of an honest man--"the noblest work of +God." Those who think that all lawyers are a set of unscrupulous and +unprincipled men are sadly mistaken. There are in our midst men of +the legal profession who follow the paths of high-souled honor and +integrity with as unerring coarse as the magnet the north pole. + +But it is in a special sense we wish to speak. + +Phillip Lawson is sitting at his desk in one of the upstair +apartments of a large building not many rods from "the Chambers." +His office is not inviting in its appearance--no luxurious +leather-upholstered arm-chairs, Brussels carpeting--nothing to +suggest ease or even comfort. Stamped upon every inch of space +enclosed within those four bare walls we fancy we can almost see the +words "up-hill work! up-hill work"!--and look toward the young +aspirant to see if he is in the least disheartened thereby. But our +friend receives us with a gracious smile and extends his hand in a +manner that is hearty and genuine. Even the tone of his voice is +assuring, and we listen, wrapt in admiration, forgetful that we are +trespassing upon his generosity. But we must first introduce you +personally to the subject of our remarks, that you may form your own +impression: + +Phillip Lawson is not handsome. His large irregular features are not +in keeping with the proportions we call classic, nor is the sallow +complexion any improvement; but despite these facts, there is indeed +much that is attractive in Mr. Lawson's face. His gray eyes have a +tender sympathetic look--tender as that of a woman; his brows have +the reflection of genius as they are being knitted over some +intricate and perplexing law points at issue; and the look of +benevolence expressed in the lips, mouth, and chin, impart a tone of +self-respect and dignity which, united with culture and refinement, +make our legal friend an ornament to the profession. + +Nor is it when office hours are over that Mr. Lawson's labors are +ended. His services are freely given to many societies. Old and +young, rich and poor, can testify to the fact. + +Yet he does not rest here. Many an hour the midnight oil has burned +low as this thoughtful student sat poring over pile upon pile of +some old work as he kept up his never-flagging research, or penned +his thoughts with marvellous rapidity. + +As anyone appears to better advantage in a neat, cosy little +library, with a bright fire burning in the grate, than in a +cheerless, dim and prosy den, called by way of courtesy, an +"office," we thus look in upon the young man of books and letters. +Phillip Lawson has just returned from a meeting in connexion with +his church, and judging from his haggard looks, has had a busy day. +His bright-eyed little sister has made her appearance at his elbow, +and has placed upon the pretty five-o'clock table a cup of coffee +and some of her own making of tea-cakes. + +"Lottie, you silly little puss, why did you go to such trouble?" +asked the admiring brother, as he took the little hands in his and +looked into the piquant face for answer. + +"Just as if I am going to let you work yourself to death and starve +you into the bargain! Oh, no, my big brother, I am too selfish to +keep you for myself to do any such thing; so go now and take the +coffee while it is hot, else I shall have to bring more." + +Lottie Lawson shook her head with all the determination of a miss of +fourteen, and emphasized the fact by settling herself very cosily +into a low seat to see that every cake is disposed of to her +satisfaction. + +"Have you anything to tell me, little one? You know I can talk and +eat at the same time," said Phillip, sipping his coffee with the +_abandon_ of an epicure. + +"Indeed, I have not one bit of news worth telling. I hear anything +except a lot of the silly stuff the girls bring to school." + +"Well, that must be worth something, arising from such a variety of +sources," replied the young man, his grave face expressive of the +fund of true humor within. + +"Suppose you heard of the quarrel between Maud Harrington and Hattie +Reynolds?" + +"No; what was it about?" + +"Oh! I can hardly tell you; but it was at recess, and nearly all the +girls were out, except three or four. Maud said that Carrie Wilson's +mamma had been calling at Mrs. Simpson's and that she said that Mrs. +Ashley told that Hattie's sister Belle was the most dowdy-looking +girl at the Langley's party." + +"How did Hattie find it out?" asked Phillip, with all the gravity he +would exercise on one of his clients. + +"Oh! you know listeners never hear anything good about themselves. +Hattie was listening and never said a word about it until she got +home, and then Hattie's mother went to all the folks who were mixed +up in it and they had an awful time of it. Oh, yes, and what do you +think?----" Lottie gave another piece of news of much more +importance to her brother than the preceding one, but he very +quietly kept his own counsel, and soon after dismissed the little +maiden, that he might take up a few hours of hard study. The student +lamp was lighted, and new fuel added to the grate. Phillip Lawson +sat himself down; but it cost him great effort to concentrate his +thoughts upon the work before him. Still he labored on and fought +manfully with the intruding thoughts, that, despite all resistance, +would at times be heard. But duty gained the victory, and it was not +until the young man had placed the much-prized manuscript in its +resting place, drawn his chair nearer the hearth, and lit a cigar +with the blessed expectation of having a puff of the weed, that he +again reverted to the banished subject. + +"How the child could hear such a thing! Much as I dislike gossip I +should, like to question her further, but I dare not encourage such +things in a child," murmured the young man, involuntarily pressing +his hand upon his brow, as if bent upon study. And it Was a study +both pleasant and unpleasant. It presented two pictures--one fair +and bewitching, which lit up the student's face with its reflection, +while the other, dark and lowering from its deep and gloomy +appearance, shed a cloud of despondency and sadness upon the +thoughtful brow, leaving thereon an expression that was fretful and +annoying. + +"If the fellow were worthy of her I would not care so much, I could +and _would_ live it down; but for me to see her associated with +him through life, it is something dreadful. And what am I to do? +Warn them of the danger myself? oh, no; that will never do! I will +be accused of plotting to secure the prize myself. But you will +certainly do it in justice to the man whom you value as a true +friend, if for nothing else," were the burning thoughts that forced +themselves uppermost, and bade the young man reflect very seriously. +"Yes, that is a motive sufficient to nerve any man; but there is a +deeper one--yes, I will admit it--a selfish one." There was a +struggle going on worthy the soul of this noble-minded youth. He was +trying to solve a problem which vacillated between right and wrong. +It was no common task, for when duty pointed the way, the form of +self overshadowed the path, and showed only fitful gleams of light. + +"I will be cautious; but she must not be sacrificed to the artful +wiles of unprincipled tricksters while I have an trinity. Come what +may, I must and _will_ speak out!" Phillip Lawson thus resolved, +with a sense of relief. He knew now how to act, and his mind was +clear, calmly awaiting the hour to carry his resolutions into +effect. But how often do a few careless words change the +whole course of action which hours of thought had premeditated. + +Phillip Lawson's high-toned resolutions by these means were +scattered to the winds, and he turned once more to the lofty +aspirations of his intellectual nature for refuge. + +Let us explain: + +It is the hour of twilight, and the streets have an air of +desertion. The people of fashion that are daily to be seen on King +and Prince William streets have retired within their palatial +residences, and none are abroad except an occasional man of +business, with wearied and abstracted air, soon to find rest in the +bosom of his family. Suddenly a handsome turnout claims our +attention, and instantly the driver assists a lady to alight. She is +dressed in costly furs and velvet, and her haughty mien shows that +her associations and preferences are with the patrician side of +nature. + +"Will you come in, too, Rania? I need not ask Marguerite, lest she +might miss a chance of seeing 'Farmer Phil' and lose effervescence +of the hayseed. Do you know he is always associated, in my mind, +with homespun and hayseed." + +Evelyn Verne laughed at the cleverness of her remark, and adjusting +her mantle entered a publisher's establishment, followed by the said +Rania Lister. + +"Homespun and hayseed," muttered a muffled figure as he stood in the +recess of a doorway, from which situation he could see each occupant +of the sleigh and hear every syllable that was uttered. + +"Homespun and hayseed! ah! my proud beauty, the effervescence of +hayseed is less noxious than the stench odors inhaled from +dissipation and vice, notwithstanding the fact that they are +perfumed over with all the garish compliments and conventional +gallantries that society demands." + +Phillip Lawson had a highly-wrought imaginative temperament. He had +not heard more than those few words, but his mind was quick to take +in the whole situation. He could hear the lengthy speeches of +ridicule and sarcasm aimed at him from every possible standpoint, +and he felt the more determined to live down the scathing thoughts. +The man did not hear the reply by Marguerite Verne to her arrogant +sister, but he calmly and slowly repeated the words--"God bless +you, noble girl!" He still had faith in the purity of her mind, and +would have given much to be able to convince her of the fact. + +It did, indeed, seem a coincidence that the moment Phillip Lawson +uttered the words above quoted, an almost perfect repetition found +their way into Marguerite's heart, and left a deep impression which +all the taunts of the subtle Evelyn could not shake off. Nor did it +seem strange to her when she fancied that a figure, on the opposite +side of the street, hurrying along at a rapid pace could be none +other than the subject of her thoughts. + + * * * * * + +"A delightful evening, indeed. It is almost too fine to remain +indoors." + +The speaker is none other than Mr. Lawson. He is looking his best in +the neatly-fitting dress suit, with all the little make-ups +necessary to complete a gentleman's evening costume, and while he +leisurely surveys the groups of pretty faces on every side, is also +engaged in entertaining a bewitching little brunette, charmingly +attired in cream veiling and lace, with clusters of lovely damask +roses to enhance the brilliancy of her complexion. + +The scene was truly intoxicating. Mrs. Holman, the fashionable belle +of society and wife of one of the leading physicians of the city, +was entertaining a brilliant assemblage of the _elite_. The +informal announcement of her grand "at home" had kept society +in a delightful state of anticipation for the past ten days, and +reality was indeed equal to all that could be devised. The grand +drawing-room, furnished with regard to the beautiful in art, was +certainly a fit receptacle for such an array of beauty and grace. +There was the exquisite blonde, with face of angelic purity; next +came the imperial Cleopatras, with their dusky grandeur of style +rivalling that of empresses; and conspicuous among the latter was +Evelyn Verne. Her amber-satin robes revealed the fact that she was +an adept in the art of dress, and spared no pains to display the +beautifully-rounded form and graceful carriage as she whirled +through the mazes of the waltz, with Montague Arnold as partner. +The latter was indeed a handsome man--one that is sure to attract a +fashionable woman. There is a sarcastic expression lurking around +the well-formed mouth, that has not, to the intelligent mind, a +wholesome tendency; but then there is such a dash of style, and an +amount of gay and charming sentiment in every word, that the +resistless Montague Arnold finds himself an important adjunct to +every gathering representing wealth and prestige. + +To an ordinary observer the contrast between Phillip Lawson and the +acknowledged beau of society never appeared more striking, and many +would exclaim, "Well, Lawson is a very nice fellow, but then he is +awkward, and makes a poor appearance in society." + +At this moment a familiar and graceful figure engaged the attention +of the young lawyer. Marguerite Verne has been dancing, and +accidentally finds herself seated near the conservatory in which +Phillip stood. He is instantly at her side and it is then that the +real beauty asserts itself--beauty of soul. "Miss Marguerite, I see +you are determined to enjoy yourself, if I may judge by the number +of dances you have already participated in," said the young man, +eager to join in conversation with the gentle but dignified girl. + +"Why are you not doing likewise, Mr. Lawson? Now if all the +gentlemen were like you what would be our fate? What an array of +hopeless wallflowers there would be! Really I feel half angry at you +already!--" Marguerite stopped suddenly in her remarks. Hubert +Tracy came to claim her for the next dance, and as she took the arm +of the latter, she quickly turned towards Phillip Lawson exclaiming, +"Remember, I will be back in a few moments to finish what I intended +to say. Indeed you need not think to escape censure so easily;" +while the accompanying ripple of silvery laughter "low and sweet" +were something to contemplate in the happy meantime. + +"Mr. Lawson is evidently not intended to be a society man," remarked +Hubert Tracy to his partner, when they had reached the other end of +the room. + +"In my opinion he is all the more to be appreciated," returned the +other in a tone of reproof which stung the young man with deep anger +and resentment; but he was too artful to express himself, and from +that moment there entered into his mind a firm resolve to lessen the +high estimate that Marguerite Verne had formed of the would-be +lover. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A SCENE OF HILARITY. + + +Several weeks had elapsed since Hubert Tracy had made up his mind to +thwart the man whom he hated with a bitter hate. He was not backward +in expressing his thoughts to the accomplished Mr. Arnold, who +entered into the project heart and soul, and discussed the subject +with all the nonchalance his shallow nature was capable of. + +On the evening in question they are seated at a small side-table, +profusely decorated with champagne bottles, glasses, and a few +delicate morsels of refreshments. + +"At the bazaar, Dick?" exclaimed Montague, stroking his +artistically-waxed moustache with considerable dexterity. + +The individual addressed as Dick was certainly a dude of the +fifteenth degree--his pale-blue pantaloons being sufficient proof +without venturing another glance. His movements, voice and manner +were constant reminders of the excruciating assertion, "I'm a dude." +But of the question. + +"Oh! is that you, Arnold? I really did not expect to see you here +to-night. How is business at the governor's? Hear you are making a +bold dash there?" + +"Yes, you can bet on that! I'm the white-headed boy there now." + +As Arnold was in a short time highly exhilarated by the contents of +the table, he became very communicative, and as his conversation was +not such as would be under the head of pure language, we will leave +him to make merry with his set of jovial companions. + +Hubert Tracy was calm and self-possessed. He was too much intent +upon some plans to allow himself to become incapable. He had +"another iron in the fire," to quote his expression as he thought +the matter over to himself, and called upon all the powers unknown +to come to his aid. + +It was within a short time that Hubert Tracy had become vitiated in +his moral nature. He had hitherto been known as a good-living young +man--one that respected what was good and pure; but the old, old +story--he fell in with bad company, and almost fell beyond reprieve. + +You ask, "Had he a home?" He had, indeed, a home, where all that was +good and pure was daily practised--loving, warm-hearted sisters, and +a fond trusting mother had not the power to drag him back from the +tempting gulf of dissipation and allurement. But we will not say +that their prayers were lost. There was yet a small, still voice, +that would intrude itself upon the young man, and despite his +attempts to silence it forever, would steal upon him in the silent +hour of midnight, and haunt him in the noisy abodes of revelry and +carousal. It even forces itself upon him now as he sits planning a +scheme to outwit his rival. The voice is repeating over and over +again the words "Lawson is a good young man," and they are re-echoed +until Hubert Tracy raises his head and glances around as if to +convince himself of the reality. "A good young man," he murmurs +bitterly; "I was one myself--in the past." + +A bitter groan escaped the lips of the speaker as he uttered the +sentence, and his face became stone-like in expression. + +"It is of no use; I must not give up. The fellow is good; but what +is that to me now? If he win the day, I am lost forever--for it is +only through her I will be a better man--and surely, with Lawson's +nature, he would willingly make the sacrifice. But here I am, +moralizing like a preacher," cried the young man, as he arose and +began pacing up and down the floor in an excited manner. "By heaven! +it won't do to give up! If I ever expect to be a better man I must +first fall still lower!" + +A strange method of reasoning indeed! But a striking illustration of +the fact that degenerate natures have always some loop-hole to crawl +through in order to shield themselves from just reproach. + +Hubert Tracy had not sufficient moral courage to take upon himself +the responsibility of his actions. He had not faith to strike out on +the path of right, and with a sense of his own helplessness, turn to +Providence for his guide. Oh no, he could not see ahead of him with +an honest hopefulness; but instead "an ever-during dark surrounds +him," and he, with all the cowardice of his nature, consoles himself +with the thought that the nobility of Phillip Lawson is apology for +his base actions. + +It was after such reverie that Hubert Tracy bethought himself of an +engagement he had made to join a number of acquaintances at a whist +party. He straightened himself up and cast a glance in the mirror +opposite to see if he would "pass muster" in a crowd. "Guess I'm all +right," he exclaimed, stroking his fingers through the masses of +chestnut curls that clung so prettily around his well-shaped head. + +"Halloo, Tracy, not going so soon? The night's young yet, boy! Come, +sit down and have some of the 'rosy,'" shouted a rubicund-faced +youth, with a generous proportion of carrotty hair crowning his low +flat forehead. + +"Sit down Tracy," exclaimed another, slapping him on the back by way +of accompaniment to the words: "We'll not go home till morning," +which song the whole company began to roar in a style more forcible +than artistic. + +When the last strains of music had spent its force and a general +interchange of silly speeches had been made, the young man once more +rose to go, but a youth with broad Scotch accent seized him by the +arm exclaiming: "Don't go yet, Tracy dear; for if ye do, ye need'nt +come back here." + +"A poet of the first water," cried a voice from behind, at which all +joined in another roar of laughter, which reached its climax when a +feminine-looking youth exclaimed, "What a pity the government have +not discovered such talent! they would surely have him for poet +laureate." + +Before quiet was again restored Tracy took advantage of the occasion +to cover his retreat, and hastily gained a small side entrance which +led to the suspicious-looking alley not many yards from a very +public thoroughfare. Having reached the street without any serious +apprehension, he then set off at a rapid pace in the direction of +his lodging. + +A careful toilet, including some necessary antidotes, and we find +the subject of our remarks an honored guest in one of the luxurious +drawing-rooms in the city. Not a trace of the recent association is +visible as Mr. Tracy takes his seat at a whist-table with an +interesting and amiable young lady for partner. + +"What a brilliant young man Mr. Tracy is," remarked an anxious mamma +to a lady sitting near, who also was on the _qui vive_ for an +eligible _parti_ in the capacity of a son-in-law. + +"Don't you think Miss Simpkins is very forward; just see how she is +flirting with Mr. Tracy. I'm glad she is no relation of mine." + +Miss Dorothy Strong had ventured the above speech in hopes of +testing the _strong_ tendencies of her audience. She was a +spinster of youthful pretension, and invariably took occasion to +condemn any such exhibition on the part of others a dozen years her +junior. Not meeting any remonstrance she made quite a speech on the +familiarity of young ladies, their want of dignity, and ended in a +grand peroration upon the conceit of the young men, their vicious +habits and all short-comings she could bring to bear upon the +subject. + +But Miss Dorothy's speech was unhappily chosen, and therefore "lost +its sweetness upon a desert air." + +"Sour grapes," whispered a pretty miss of sixteen to her elder +sister, as they stood apart from the others and watched the effect +of the oration. + +As we glance towards the said Miss Simpkins and watch the game for a +few moments, we feel certain that Hubert Tracy is not deeply +concerned whether he win or lose. He is evidently studying a deeper +game--one on which he would willingly stake all he possessed. + +"Now, Mr. Tracy, that was mine as it lay!" cried his partner, +somewhat petulantly, as she noted the mistake. + +"Never mind this time; I will look out better again," said the +culprit, his penitential look being sufficient apology for a more +grievous offence. + +"If I didn't know you better, Tracy, I would say you were in love," +exclaimed a fashionable young man, engaged as bookkeeper in one of +the largest wholesale firms in the city. + +"You seem to have great confidence in your own opinion, Mr. +Berkeley," retorted Miss Simpkins, who, be it said, was a girl of +much moral stamina, having an aversion to conceited young men, and +let no opportunity slip when she could give a home-thrust. + +"Pray don't be so captious, Lottie; I am certain that Mr. Berkeley's +opinions are always founded on correct observation," timidly +ventured a mild-looking little woman, whose speech had no other +motive than a desire to throw oil on troubled waters. + +As the game progressed, the party became more interested, and after +an hour or more thus engaged Miss Simpkins was congratulated on her +run of good luck; and Mr. Tracy, to show his appreciation of her +ability, turned out some pretty compliments. + +"Where is Mr. Arnold to-night, Mr. Tracy?" asked one of the guests, +as the party stood in the hall making their adieux to the hostess. + +"I cannot say," replied the young man, tugging at his great coat +with more vehemence than was necessary, but affording relief to hide +this oracular reply. + +"Oh! you need not ask that question," exclaimed a voice near; "we +all know that he is at 'Sunnybank,' paying his devoirs to the +peerless Evelyn." The speaker was a young lady, and the tone of this +speech intimated that jealousy was at the bottom of it. But there +was another side to the story. Turning to Hubert Tracy, with an air +of playful badinage, the young lady continued: "And I believe that +Miss Marguerite has a lover too. Surely, Mr. Tracy, you must know +about it for you are on intimate terms with the family. You can +enlighten us upon the subject." + +Hubert Tracy was master of his feelings, but he had difficulty to +suppress himself. An opportune bustle among some of the other guests +gave him time to reply in a cool and wholly indifferent manner which +would turn their attention to another source. + +It was only when this would-be suitor had thrown off the mask of +studied indifference that he began to realize the state of his mind. + +"It will never be," he cried, in a fit, half-anger, half-emotional, +as he paced his room during the silent hours that precede the dawn. + +"I don't want to injure the fellow in any other way. Arnold says +wipe him out; but--heavens! those words--he is a good young man! +what makes them haunt me! It seems as if my mother and the dear +girls at home are repeating them to me: Why was I not dragged up, +instead of living hourly under the influence of a sainted mother and +devoted self-sacrificing sisters? Ah! young man; it is a hard +struggle for you to fall when you think of 'Home, sweet home!'" + +Such was the soliloquy of Hubert Tracy as he sat himself down in a +half-desperate state and commenced writing a letter with that +nervous haste which showed he was anxious to get rid of the +disagreeable task at once. After the envelope had been addressed the +writer gave a sigh of relief, and rising from his seat, exclaimed: +"Heavens! I would rather than a fortune it was over with!" + +Despite the fact that curiosity has been defined "the lowest emotion +of the soul," we cannot forbear glancing over the content of the +letter which seemed to affect the writer so deeply. It ran thus:-- + +ST. JOHN, Jan. 25th, 188-. + +_Dear Friend_,--Intended to write you some days ago, but am now +at fever heat, and manufacture my thoughts accordingly. Going to +make no excuse, but come to the point right off. You heard the +report about Lawson. It is too true, and if I cannot choke him off +somehow, it is all up with me. I want to get the fellow out of the +way. Can you secure that site for him instead of poor Jim Watters? +If we can only get that deuced sprig of the law entrapped out there, +some goodly stroke of malaria may come to the rescue, and I can +breathe the grateful fog with double freedom. "Give the devil his +due," I believe the fellow is a veritable Mark Tapley--jolly under +all circumstances--and will in the end thank us for giving him a +change of climate and the vicissitudes of life so invigorating to +his athletic and muscular composition. Much depends upon you to +think and act at once. Saw that "drummer" yesterday; not a bad sort +of a fellow. He speaks well of you--says you are a tramp. Go to +headquarters on receipt of this and write immediately. If Lawson can +be induced to go, my prayers will follow you for life. + + Yours in dilemma, H. T. + +This epistle--disconnected and vague as it seems--needed no further +explanation on the part of the writer. The recipient was acquainted +with the whole history of Hubert Tracy's career and also that of +Montague Arnold. + +It is necessary to add that while this correspondence was being +carried on, that Hubert Tracy was a daily caller at Mr. Lawson's +office, and without any apparent effort, had the satisfaction of +knowing that the young lawyer was much attracted by his engaging +manners and persuasive tongue. + +It had been considered somewhat strange that a man of Lawson's +integrity should look with favor upon a gay youth whose preferences +were ever on the side of conviviality, but many wise-headed seniors +said that the influence might be exerted upon the other side and +Tracy would thank heaven for the star which guided him thither. + +It was surprising how many little attentions were paid our young +lawyer from the fact of the newly-formed friendship, and how many +consultations were held as regards a promising field which glittered +before the eye of the hopeful aspirant. A wide range of labor lay +within his grasp, and Phillip Lawson was not made of the stuff to +lose a prize when it could be attained at any cost of self-sacrifice +and personal feeling. With herculean effort he shakes off the bitter +thoughts that hourly intrude within the privacy of his own heart, +and armed with all the moral courage and true heroism of his soul he +goes forth into the world's conflicts a noble defender of the rights +of true manhood! + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +MORNING CALLS--"GLADSWOOD." + + +A bevy of fair and interesting young girls are grouped around +Marguerite Verne in the spacious bay-window of the library. One, a +bewitching brunette, dressed in slight mourning, is indeed a pretty +picture to contemplate. Louise Rutherford possesses a face and form +which bespeaks a high degree of idealism--an aesthetic nature that +is lofty and inspiring. As she turns toward the fair young hostess, +there is an expressive look of sympathy that leads one to know they +are firm friends. + +"It is no use to say anything against it if _you two_ have made +up your minds," exclaimed a good-natured looking maiden of +seventeen, who had been trying to convince her audience that they +had not selected the most fashionable characters for the coming +parlor entertainment. + +"That's just what I always have said, Mattie. You know well what +Damon proposes Pythias will ever agree to," ventured another devotee +with a "cute" little face, tiny hands and tiny feet, with decisive +tone and dignity of manner showing that she was beyond the ordinary +type of girlhood, whose highest ambition is to have a good time, +cheat her teachers out of as many lessons as she can, and walk, +skate and dance, with a train of admirers ever at her command. + +Helen Rushton was a native of Halifax and had been bred upon +strictly conservative principles, but there was an innate generosity +of heart that converted them into a happy medium. + +She had relatives in St. John, and hearing much of its advantages +And disadvantages, had accepted an invitation to see for herself, +And now, after six months had been passed amid the grateful breezes +and invigorating fog, she dreaded the approaching season, which +demanded her return home. + +Marguerite Verne was indeed the crowning deity on that happy +morning, as she replied to the many little speeches intended for her +benefit, and as the color came and went she was truly worthy of all +the admiration then and there bestowed. + +She is in striking contrast to Louise Rutherford whose black +cashmere costume forms an effective back-ground. + +Marguerite's delicate cream-colored morning robe is also relieved by +the shades of garnet worn by the others. + +Much real happiness is exhibited as one looks upon every countenance +within the radius of her smiles. No jealousy lurks upon the brow of +any. Thrice happy Marguerite! The secret of making others happy lies +within the confines of your own unselfish nature! + +"Well, girls, I declare, you have not told me one bit of news. +Surely there must be something going on worth talking about," +exclaimed a new comer who had pounced in upon the company _sans +ceremonie_. + +"Nothing much, Josie," returned Marguerite, "we have just been +having an old-fashioned chat, and I am not sorry to say gossip has +been at a discount." + +"Oh, you bad girl! Now, had that been Louise I would have been +'hoppin', but, girls, you see, we take everything from Madge." + +"Yes, anything from her is worth coming from Halifax to hear," +exclaimed Helen Rushton, rising from her position and crossing over +to the range of bookshelves that adorned the opposite walls. + +"Well, it's no use; I'm out of my element here. I can't get up to +your high-toned talk. Look at Louise--reminds one of a Roman +empress--and you, my self-conceited Haligonian, must follow suit; +was there ever such a set?" The manner in which this speech was +dictated set the circle in a roar of laughter, and Josie Jordan felt +repaid seventy-times-seven. + +"Helen is going to leave us soon. That is news," exclaimed Louise +Rutherford, glancing at the incorrigible Josie. + +"But bad news," chimed in Marguerite. + +"Not going home so soon, Helen," ventured Josie, with an earnest, +inquiring glance. + +"I am only going to Fredericton, or the Celestial City, as it is +generally called," said the other in reply. + +"Pardon me, Helen, but the manner in which you say that word only +would lead one to suppose you did not entertain a high opinion of +our seat of government. I have been there during several sessions, +and I always felt sorry when the time was up, and the M.P.P.'s and +their families turned their faces homeward." + +The speaker was Louise Rutherford--her face aglow with an +enthusiasm, called up by those pleasing associations which gave rise +to her speech. + +"Louise Rutherford," said Helen Rushton, the color mounting higher +in her cheeks, "you misinterpret my thoughts. If I have not +sufficient command of the powers of speech to express myself without +blunder, you should not attribute it to want of charity. Indeed," +added the girl, with more than due emphasis, "if, for no other +reason, I should speak respectfully of the place, from the fact that +I have very dear friends there." + +"Josie, this is all your doings," cried Marguerite, raising her hand +in a menacing gesture and trying playfully to restore quiet. + +"I'm always bent upon mischief," cried Josie, her eyes sparkling +with merriment. "Indeed, at home, I am treated to that highly- +seasoned speech every hour of the day, and now I don't think I could +live without it." + +"Helen, my dear, I did not"--"think to shed a tear in all my +miseries," shouted Josie, in a stagy and tragic style, and then, +'twixt laughter and song, attempted a series of courtesies worthy a +star actress. + +"Why did you interrupt Louise when she was going to say something +good?" asked Marguerite in a half-reproachful tone. + +"Just because I want no scenes until to-morrow evening, when Miss +Louise Rutherford and Miss Rushton will not display their histrionic +ability to a desert air." + +"Hear! hear!" cried a voice from without, and instantly a promising +youth dashed in _sans ceremonie_, claiming all the familiarity +due a younger brother. + +Fred. Verne's arrival changed the current of conversation. Louise +and Helen were soon interested in the costumes to be worn at the +theatricals, and Marguerite's good taste was always to be consulted +on such occasions. + +"Madge is a genius of the first order. Charlie and the boys all +swear by her, and say she would beat the fellow that invented the +carnivals." + +"Fred, do be moderate," cried Marguerite; who at the same moment +could not repress a feeling of pride in the boy's earnestness and +filial affection. + +But Fred, was not to be gainsaid, and edged in his witticisms with +an air of infinite satisfaction. Trinity chimed out the hour of +twelve, and served as a reminder for the withdrawal of the guests. +Josie had succeeded in getting up a first-class encounter with the +indomitable Fred, and then beat a hasty retreat, utterly regardless +of the least approach to etiquette. + +"I will see you again before you go away, Helen?" + +"Yes, my dear Madge," cried the other putting her arms around +Marguerite in a sweet caressing manner, "and I shall have one more +chat that will last until I see your dear old face again." + +Marguerite Verne stood in the outer doorway waving adieu and +throwing tokens of affection to the two young girls until they had +crossed Queen Square and were lost to view. + +On returning to her room a formidable array of letters lay awaiting +their owner. + +A glance at the address of each was sufficient. Marguerite rapidly +seized a large square and heavy one from among the number and very +soon devoured its contents. It came from "cousin Jennie Montgomery," +a genuine and true hearted girl whom Marguerite loved as a sister. +Mrs. Montgomery was a sister of Mrs. Verne but never was nature +known to indulge in so many freaks as when she bestowed such +relationship. + +"Gladswood," the comfortable and happy home of the Montgomerys, was +indeed no misnomer; for in this beautiful and sylvan retreat every +heart was truly made glad and every guest only felt sad when the +summons of duty suggested departure. + +Marguerite Verne never had too many society demands upon her to +neglect correspondence with cousin Jennie, and she was more than +delighted on this morning to hear such glowing accounts of +"Gladswood" and its inmates. On the situation of this charming +country seat we might exhaust pages and never weary of the effort. +It stood on a rising knoll surrounded by the picturesque scenery of +Sussex Vale. Here was that enchanting beauty of nature in which the +most aesthetic soul might revel. In the months of summer the verdure +was "a thing of beauty." Luxuriant meadows showered with golden +buttercups, alternating with patches of highly-scented red and white +clover, while the air seemed freighted with the balsamic odor of the +crowning foliage. But the foliage of "Gladswood"! We have no powers +capable of description. The majestic maples, stately willows and +graceful elms were grouped with an effect that baffled the mind of +man. And the interfacings of soft feathery furze, moss and ferns. +Surely this spot must have been in the mystic ages one grand +amphitheatre for the sylvan deities. And the stately manor-house, +for such it much resembles with its quaint wings and irregular +outbuildings. Its old-fashioned windows, tall chimneys, projecting +eaves and arched doorway have an inviting appearance and impresses +one with the fact that there are still some substantial homes--some +reminder of the past. + +And now we come to the mistress of "Gladswood." While she is +carefully pruning some choice specimens of ferns growing on the +shady side of the doorway, we take advantage of the situation, and +hence the result: Mrs. Montgomery is a matronly-looking woman, of +about forty-five years of age, perhaps less; for the abundant mass +of dark chestnut hair reveals not one silvery thread. One glance is +sufficient. Never was character more cleverly delineated than upon +this woman's face. There, in bold relief, is the deep penetrative +mind--one that has power to read the masses as they pass before her +mental vision. Her's is the heart that opens wide to the one crushed +and broken by the uncharitable sect called "the world." Her's is the +hand ready to help the suffering and support the tottering. The +shoddyisms of modern every-day life have no charms for Mrs. +Montgomery. Woe be to the victim who comes under her censure. She +has no mercy upon those who are under a daily strain to cater to the +usages of society. + +Let us see good, honest and noble-minded men and women, and then +will follow all those accomplishments that are really necessary. +Jennie Montgomery had early imbibed those principles, and in her we +see a striking illustration of this truth. + +But in our praise of the mistress we must not forget to introduce +the master. + +Mr. Montgomery is not the sort of man one would naturally associate +with his energetic and self-reliant helpmate. There is a lack of +shrewdness and an utter want of that keen discriminating power, +which can give at first glance the full numerical value of all +exterior objects. The owner of "Gladswood" belonged to that +"come-easy-go-easy" class, who, unless circumstances come to their +relief, are ever being duped or made a prey to the avaricious. But +Mr. Montgomery had a source of never-failing strength in his wife. +"Had William Montgomery married a different kind of wife he would +have become a poor man," had grown into a proverb regarding matters +at "Gladswood." All business transactions and pecuniary affairs +always received the approval of Mrs. Montgomery before they took +effect; while each and every individual about the farm well +understood the business-like capacity of their respected mistress. +But it must not be supposed that Mrs. Montgomery was the ruling +spirit of "Gladswood." She displayed no strong-minded nor +dictatorial manner; no arrogant gestures or inclinations to +combativeness; but seemed as one endowed with the happy faculty +of presenting herself at the right time and right place, and by +her motherly counsel to superintend the working of her household +in a perfect and unconscious manner. + +There are several younger members of this family, but as they are +not necessary throughout the work we will not make mention of them +here. + +On the morning when Marguerite Verne sat in the luxurious crimson +velvet arm-chair reading Cousin Jennie's letter, the latter was +engaged in fashioning some dainty scraps of wool and silk into +various little knick-knacks for a bazaar. + +The pupils in attendance at the common school were anxious to +procure some extra apparatus for the hall, and having received much +assistance from the young ladies of the district, entered into the +work with a will. + +Jennie Montgomery was a host in herself. A bright, amiable girl of +eighteen, with robust constitution, sunny disposition, and step +elastic as a fairy. She was, indeed, an ornament to her home and +also to the community. + +Jennie was not a beauty--had not the least pretentions to one. Her +dark complexion was pure and health-like; but it was not heightened +by that peachy bloom peculiar to brunette's, instead only a warm, +bright and ruddy hue, which some might consider as approaching the +rustic. Her eyes, as they sparkle with delight at the pretty array +of bright colors, might not be admired as of the poetic or ideal +type, but in their depths lurks a keen and significant expression of +the peculiarly intelligent and earnest appeal that seldom speaks in +vain. The neat and cosy parlor, with its many articles of female +handiwork, speak for the taste and talent displayed by this +interesting girl. The pretty sketches of familiar haunts near her +loved home showed that genius had stamped the brow of Jennie +Montgomery, and inspired her with a deep enthusiasm for the +beautiful and sublime. + +Presently she rises from the work table, and opening a door leading +to the balcony, stands for some moments gazing in mute admiration +upon the lovely view of Sussex Vale, wrapped in its mantle of purest +white, reflected in the sunshine as a vast expanse of frosted +silver. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A LAWYER'S REVERIE--A VERDANT CLIENT. + +A dismal dreary day. The fog had crept slowly over the city and +enveloped every object within its reach. There was fog clinging to +turrets, spires and towers, fog in the streets, fog in the alleys, +fog in the ditches--all was fog. It hurried along utterly regardless +of the delicate fabrics that were ruthlessly despoiled by its touch, +musing now and then, doubtlessly, on the ingratitude of the fair +daughters of St. John who, in the possession of their clear and +brilliant complexions forgot to give thanks to the great enhancer. + +In the midst of this fog many pedestrians are wandering to and fro, +crowding the streets, hurrying along the wharves, hailing vehicles, +accosting their friends, and in fact as perfectly happy in their +surroundings as though the cheerful, sunshine were illuminating all +visible space. + +Passing along Prince William street as far as Chubb's Corner we see +a familiar form--it is Phillip Lawson. He is enveloped in a gray +Mackintosh and his soft felt hat is worn with an air of careless +ease that is more becoming than otherwise. + +"Chubb's Corner" had lost its charm for the young lawyer. He did not +stop to consult stocks, exchanges, debentures or any such business, +but merely nodding to an acquaintance or so crossed the street and +wended his steps to the lawyers' nests--nests from the fact that in +this, locality they hatched all the schemes by which to victimize +their unwary clients. + +But of our friend. He gained his apartments, and throwing aside the +outer garment, sat down at his desk and drawing his hand across his +forehead, began to think. "I want to see nobody for the next hour," +murmured the young man, his brows contracting as he spoke. + +A deep shade settled upon the usually mild countenance. A question +of momentous importance was to be decided. "To be or not to be" was +the final answer. Each solution involved a corresponding number of +conflicting doubts and anxieties, and left scarcely any choice in +the mind of the reasoner. + +"No doubt it's a good field for a beginner in life. St. John has +more lawyers than would start a colony. Some of us must go to the +wall, and I don't fancy being one of that number." + +This was the sunny side of Phillip's reflection. He was trying to +cheat himself into the belief that "green fields and pastures new" +were panacea for all other grievances, and that that was the goal of +his ambition. + +"Yes, it's a good 'spec'; but why is the fellow so anxious for me to +get it? Still I would like to hear more of the matter before I +question the motives." + +The young lawyer was aware of the fact that Hubert Tracy had been +using his influence for another a short time previous, and he could +not see his motives for such change of opinion. True, a sudden +intimacy had sprung up between them, but the subject had been +hitherto mentioned and acted upon; therefore the last reason formed +no groundwork for his convictions. + +Occasionally a dark thought crossed Phillip Lawson's mind. Can the +fellow be honest? I cannot bear to think ill of a fellow-man, and I +must not now. I know that Tracy is not what he might be, yet he has +a kind heart and what's the use of my talking, who is faultless? +"Let him that is without sin cast the first stone." + +It was here that the beauty of Phillip Lawson's character showed +itself. The young man was a Christian. He had always cherished the +principles of true piety, and as he repeated over the words of Him +who was the friend of sinners, it was in tones of sublime +tenderness. + +Instantly a second thought flashed across his mind--he had an +acquaintance--a member of a legal firm in that newly-founded city in +the Northwest. He, therefore, made up his mind to write at an early +date and make all the necessary inquiries. + +Having settled his mind upon this point another subject presented +itself to our friend, and from the sudden flash of his grey eyes one +would imagine that it was of an electrifying nature. + +It is one, which, from the remote ages, has had power to magnetize, +humanize and civilize; it is the power which makes man what he +should be--love--that short word of four letters--what a world of +thought it embraces--it held the heart of Phillip Lawson at will, +and despite his power of self-control he was often the victim of its +vagaries. + +But the lawyer had not long time to indulge in such thoughts. A +knock aroused him. + +"Come-in." + +A stalwart looking youth of muscular build (with suit of grey +homespun not cut exactly in the proportions of that of a dude) stood +upon the threshold with a look upon his florid face that betrayed +some embarrassment. + +"You be Mr. Lawson the lawyer, sir." + +"Yes, sir," said the young practitioner, a smile lighting up his +face and making him an interlocutor not to be dreaded by the most +unsophisticated client. + +"'Spose I needn't ask, be you pretty well posted in law?" queried +the individual on taking his seat, at the same time pulling out an +enormous expanse of red and yellow cotton, called by way of courtesy +a handkerchief, which he vigorously switched across his face as +though a swarm of mosquitoes were on the aggressive, and kept the +field unflinchingly. + +"What is the cause of complaint, sir?" ventured the interested +lawyer, scarcely able to repress a smile. + +"Well, sir, to come to the pint at once, as you fellers allus happin +to say, since I was knee-hight of a grasshopper I had a hankerin' +after the law, and allus envied tother fellers when they'd to go to +the 'Squire's on trials, and I tell you they thought themselves some +punkins when they got a day's wages for goin'"-- + +"Of your question at issue," interrupted our legal friend, "I mean +on what point do you wish to consult me, sir?" + +"Well, sir, as I told you before, I'm comin' straight to the pint," +replied the youth, giving the aforesaid bandana a more vigorous +switch in the direction of his interrogator, then continued, "and, +firstly (as them lecturin' fellers say) I allus thought I'd like +mighty well to have a trial myself, and bring some un up to the +scratch; and I've jest got my wish, and if it costs all dad's worth +I'll make 'em sweat! + +"Are you a minor, sir?" demanded the lawyer. + +"No, sir; I'm no relative to them _miners_, nor don't want to +be, tho' Sally Ann is allus taggin' arter me, and would like +terrible well to hitch on to me; but I tell you, 'Squire, I'm not so +green as they think, though I'm mighty fond of buckwheat." + +This last speech was too much tax on the risibility of the +"'Squire," as familiarly dubbed by the would-be client, and after +some merriment, explained the tenor of his question, assuring the +youth that it bore no allusion to "Sally Ann." + +After the young lawyer had taxed his ingenuity to draw the verdant +client "to the point" he learned that the cause of complaint was +directed against one Joshua Jones, who had given himself an +invitation to haul off some cedar poles claimed to be the property +of the said Mose Spriggins, and the said Mose wished indemnification +right speedily. + +"Tell you what 'Squire I'll put him fur as the law will carry it, +and if you can slap on plenty of cost 'Squire, it'll do me more good +than eaten my supper." + +"I shall do the best I can for you sir," said the young man, +carefully noting the points which Mose brought to bear on the +matter. + +"Well now 'Squire, suppose you want your wages for this 'eer job. +What's your price?" + +Mose now produced a complicated piece of mechanism from his +expansive waistcoat pocket. It might have been constructed for a +three-fold purpose--for money, pipes and tobacco. The odoriferous +exhalation giving strong evidence of the latter commodity. + +"Well 'Squire, you fellers earn your livin' mighty easy," exclaimed +Mose, tendering the five dollar bill into the lawyer's hand. + +The latter smiled, pocketed the fee and commenced writing the letter +to the defendant Joshua Jones. + +"Now sir, if this thing works well, I don't grudge ye the money +'Squire, and any time I have somethin' more in the law business I'll +throw it your way, for I think you a squarer sort of a chap than +them ere gang further up the street. I tell you they're sharpers, +they fleeced dad last summer and I wasn't agoin' to be so green, eh +'Squire?" + +"Well Mr. Spriggins, I shall always try to work to your satisfaction +any time you are in need of advice," returned our friend, rising +from the desk and going toward the window. + +Mr. Spriggins thought he would soon be ready for "startin'" and also +rose up, in the meantime depositing the before-mentioned wallet in +his waistcoat pocket. Silence reigned in the lawyer's office for +three minutes, when the door was reopened and Mose Spriggins' +rubicund face once more adorned the apartment. + +"Say, 'Squire, aint there a new kind of insurance consarn 'round +these diggins? I'm thinkin' of gittin' my life insured--not 'cause +there's any kinsumption in our fam'ly, only there's no tellin' when +a feller might peg out. Tell you, 'Squire, I'm sound as a bell." + +Mr. Spriggins turned himself around for inspection, and shrugged his +broad shoulders with an air of evident self-esteem. + +A lengthy speech might have followed, but our legal friend averted +the catastrophe by informing his client that the Dominion Safety +Fund office was close at hand, and with quiet mien escorted the said +Mr. Spriggins to the door. + +A genial "come in" answered the summons of the applicant, and in +another chapter we will be able to inform the reader how the +veritable Mr. Spriggins was sent home rejoicing from the fact that +he had become insured in the Safety Fund. + +Phillip Lawson was re-established at his desk, and not wishing to +allow his thoughts to wander to the subject which had hitherto +occupied them, took up a novel that lay upon the opposite shelf. It +was one of George Eliot's masterpieces--Daniel Deronda. Its depth of +thought and richness in the sublime and beautiful theories as +regards the Jewish dispensation had a charm for the talented +scholar, and he read for more than an hour, deeply buried in the +inspired words of the gifted author--one who will occupy a deep +niche in the inmost recesses of all hearts, so long as the +literature bearing her impress shall make its way in all tongues and +through every clime! Presently a light, well-known step greets the +reader's ears, and a trim little maiden, with waterproof, heavy +boots, and umbrella in the foreground, presents herself upon terms +of much familiarity. + +"And my dear old Phillip, how happy you look in here! Why, its +fearfully disagreeable out to-day, and you look as contented as if +the room was heated only by the sunshine, while I am really +shivering with the dampness and fog." + +"Well, little woman, what brought you out to-day?" exclaimed the +indulgent brother, stroking the fair hair of his pet sister as she +stood beside him, looking into his face with a look of pure +devotion--a look which showed that her brother was her world, and in +his face shone all that was good and true in her eyes. + +Lottie Lawson was a child of a sweet and tender nature. She had been +watched over by a model mother, and this earnest mother's prayers +had not fallen unanswered. + +"God grant that the woman be a living realization of the child," was +the fervent prayer that dwelt upon Phillip Lawson's lips, as he drew +the child towards him and tenderly kissed the fair forehead. + +"You wonder why I am out to-day, brother Phillip; I came on a +message from Kitty." + +The latter was the house-maid, and the young man smiled as he +thought of the force of character which constituted this efficient +maid of all works. + +"Oh, I see now, there is some excuse for you. What are Miss Kitty's +demands to-day?" + +"She is having a new dress made and wished me to select some samples +for trimmings, and as she wants to wear the dress home next Sunday, +I had to go to-day." + +"Yes, that is all right; Kitty's wishes must be attended to," said +Phillip, with an air of much gravity. + +"Will you soon be ready to go with me Phillip. I shall wait for you. +It is just such a day as needs your dear old self to drive the gloom +from the back parlor." + +The little maiden had not long to wait for an answer, as the young +lawyer took down his mackintosh, and in a very short time the +pair were to be seen walking at a quick pace along Charlotte +street, through King Square and out beyond the limits of the old +church-yard. + +A neat and cosy cottage is reached, and a tidy looking domestic +answers the summons and smiles graciously as the coveted samples are +placed in her hand while she receives a full explanation of the +prices and the additional advice of Miss Lottie thrown in as extras. +The cottage has an air of neatness throughout. Its windows filled +with choice plants and gorgeous foliage lend a charm that impresses +one with the taste of the inmates. The spotless purity of the muslin +curtains and the transparency of the windows bespeak the thorough +cleanliness and comfort of this home-like little nest. And the +inviting parlor: it's furniture was neither elegant nor costly. The +plain mahogany chairs and straight-backed old-fashioned sofa were +well preserved. Not a particle of dust could be seen without the aid +of a microscope. And the beautifully polished andirons which had +done service in the family for many years, and seemed to assume an +air of importance over the less attractive articles grouped around. +A pretty little work-table with writing-desk combined stood at the +left side of the hearth. It was a gift from Phillip Lawson to sister +Lottie. It was the child's favorite seat, and that fact repaid the +brother more than the most extravagant praise. + +The upright piano was not neglected. Piles of music lay near, and +the well-worn rug beneath showed that music had its charms for the +members of this household. + +Reader, we will not weary you with minute details, but merely say, +such was the home of Phillip Lawson. In this abode he could look +back to a country home, with which, as the haughty Evelyn Verne +said, "you could associate hayseed." But did that fact lesson the +reputation of this gifted scholar? + +Nay; the sons of the soil are in reality the "lords of creation." +They have the first and highest calling, and ere the proud beauty +had passed through all the ordeals of life, she hastily repented of +the bitter and sarcastic words. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ADVERSITY. + +As our legal friend occupies a prominent part in our story we will +endeavor to give such explanation as will enable the reader to form +a true estimate of his character. + +Phillip Lawson was indeed the son of a farmer--a man who had, by +honest industry and untiring perseverance, made a comfortable home +for his family in one of the frontier settlements of Carleton +County--that truly agricultural locality where nature has done so +much to assist the sons of toil--that county where the crops are +almost spontaneous, and where none need be ill off, unless through +misfortune or mismanagement. + +"The Lawson farm" was the abode of comfort and happiness. Thrift +greeted the eye on every side--from the well-filled barns to the +unbroken range of fences, through which a sheep could not crawl, nor +even could the most "highlariously" inclined Ayrshire be tempted to +try the pass. + +The neat farmhouse, with its bright coat of paint, was the +attraction of the district, and was just such a place as would be +besieged by all the lecturers, agents, and travellers that happened +to strike oil in this direction. Nor were they ever disappointed. + +Mrs. Lawson was truly wife, mother and friend. None passed her door +without the hospitality they craved. + +"It is a wonder to me how the Lawson's stand it," was often the +comments of the less hospitable neighbors, as they watched with no +uncommon curiosity the daily arrival of some unexpected guest. + +"The more we give the more we'll have," was the wise mother's reply +as she sometimes heard complaints from the female portion of the +household as regards the extra work. + +It had always been the highest ambition of John Lawson that his +family should grow up industrious men and women and that they should +each receive all the benefits of education that lay within his +power. + +In his eldest son he saw much ability and also a mind logical and +argumentative, and he had fully resolved that the boy should be +educated and trained for the legal profession. And the farmer +"plodded his weary way homeward" each day buoyed up with the +thought that he was doing his duty towards his family and above +all towards his God. + +"But man proposes and God disposes." + +Ere the young student had finished his collegiate course the +fond parent was called to his long home, and within a year the +heart-broken mother was re-united in that world where sorrow +never comes; where she awaits a further re-union, when she shall +once more gather to her bosom the loved forms whom she watches +over in anxious solicitude from the portals of her blessed abode. It +was from this time that the noble minded youth was aroused to a +sense of his duty. He must not give up the course of action which +had been laid out for him. + +What was to be done? + +Sickness and death had told heavily upon the pecuniary resources of +the family. Much of the produce had to go to pay the wages of +labourers, and only by dint of much anxiety and careful management +could the farm be made to cover expenses. Something further must be +done. + +Julia Lawson had reached her sixteenth year, and possessing more +than ordinary ability, resolved to prepare for the vocation of +teaching; and within a year from the time she had formed such +resolution, was actually engaged as teacher of the school in their +immediate district. + +This fact gave Phillip Lawson much relief of mind, as the young +teacher could still have a care over the household, and give advice +to the two younger children under her charge. The young student +having received his degree at the N. B. University next turned his +thoughts towards the law. + +While spending a few weeks at home to assist in the farm-work, +he received a letter from an old friend of his father. Nothing +could exceed the joy of this young man as he read and re-read the +kind-hearted proposal from one of St. John's most able and popular +lawyers, praying that the son of his old friend engage to enter as a +student in his office. + +"The Lord will provide," was the earnest comment of the reader, as +he folded the missive and laid it away between the leaves of his +wallet. + +But means were necessary as well. Phillip had, much against his +inclination, to raise money by a mortgage upon the farm. He had +often heard it said that a property once mortgaged was never +redeemed, and the thought gave much concern. But the old maxim, +"Where there's a will, there's a way," was ever rising uppermost in +his mind, and he was doubly resolved to make the trial. + +A few weeks later the student is at his desk, poring over the dry +documents and legal lore. On his brow is determination and disregard +of difficulties. + +Phillip Lawson soon became a general favorite. His generous nature +and frank manners won the esteem of his fellow students, and also +that of the senior members of the firm. + +"Lawson will make a mark some day--he has it in him," was the first +remark passed upon the student as the eagle-eyed solicitor glanced +at the son of his friend, whose thoughts were intent upon the copy +of Blackstone before him. + +Things went on prosperously at the homestead; and as the student had +succeeded in increasing his means by giving evening lessons to a +class of young men, he felt comforted and assured that in the end +all would come out right. + +But a heavy blow had suddenly fallen upon the Lawson family--typhoid +fever came into the household and prostrated the noble-minded Julia +upon a bed of suffering. + +Uncomplainingly she had watched her pet sister through all the +stages of this dread disease, until the child had been pronounced +out of danger. It was then that outraged nature asserted itself and +the worn-out system was not equal to the strain--she succumbed to +the raging and delirious fever an object of deep and tender pity. + +"God help me," cried Phillip Lawson, in despairing tones as he read +the letter conveying the news in as mild a form as possible. "If +Julia lives I shall never be separated from her again," were the +reproachful thoughts that forced themselves upon the affectionate +brother. + +Need we speak of the agonizing hours spent in the dread suspense +that followed. + +In the midnight watches as the hours dragged slowly by, the young +student was silently learning to "suffer and be strong." And it was +well that these lessons took deep root in good soil, for within a +few weeks Phillip Lawson knelt beside the dying bed of his beloved +sister, and in heart-broken accents commending her departing spirit +to the loving Saviour. + +Ah, such a scene is too sacred for intrusion; but it is only by such +means that we can realize the true value of our esteemed friend. + +And as the last sod had been placed upon Julia Lawson's grave, and +the flowers that she loved strewn over it by loving hands, we cannot +move from the spot. + +It is scenes like those that teach us what we are, so long as there +is the least impress of the Divine in our nature will we look to +those scenes as mile-stones on our journey through life. + +Kneeling beside the sacred spot the grief-stricken brother was +utterly unconscious of our presence. With tearless eyes he gazed +upon the mound that held the remains of her he loved so fondly. + +Who will not say that in that dark hour there hovered near a band of +angelic beings, and foremost in that band the angel mother whose +breath fanned the pale brow of the mourner and quieted the soul +within? + +Ah, yes; it is not heresy to think thus. Phillip Lawson surely felt +such influence as he arose and in tones of quiet resignation +murmured, "Father thy will be done." Then picking up a half blown +rose that had fallen upon the ground, pressed it to his lips +exclaiming, "fitting emblem of the pure and innocent young life cut +off ere it had blossomed into womanhood." + +And the hollow sounds that greeted the mourner as he wandered +listlessly from room to room apparently looking for some object, +some vague uncertainty, something indefinable. + +What solemn stillness reigns around where death has been! The +painful oppression, the muffled tread, the echoes that haunt as +tidings from the spirit world, borne on invisible wings, confronting +us at every step. + +To the most matter-of-fact mind these things are indeed a solemn +reality. Death has power to change our every-day thoughts to others +ennobling, beautifying and divine! But we do not sink under the +weight of affliction. God has seen otherwise for us. He heals the +wounds and bids us go on amid life's cares administering to those +around us with increased diligence, happy in the thought of doing +what is required of us. + +Throughout the inexhaustible stores of poetry and song is there +anything more exquisitely touching than the lofty and inspired dirge +wailed out in tremulous tones--in memoriam--and the healthful words, + + "Ring out the grief that saps the mind + For those that here we see no more; + Ring out the feud of rich and poor, + Ring in redress to all mankind." + +But to return to the Lawson homestead. + +Very soon all was bustle and preparation. The young student had +rented the farm and by selling off the stock had raised means to +secure a home for the children in the city, and ere a few weeks had +passed around we find them comfortably situated in a convenient +tenement in the suburbs of St. John. + +But a stouter heart than our young friend might well have groaned +under the weight of difficulties that pressed upon him. + +What with the management of his household, the hours of office work, +and the hours devoted to his classes, and hours of anxiety and care, +the young student was oftentimes depressed and wore a look beyond +his years; but he never once swerved from his duty, and trudged +manfully onward his eyes ever bent upon "the strait and narrow +path." Lottie the pretty child, full of life and hope with her sweet +winning ways imparted warmth and sunshine to the snug home; and the +merry high-spirited Tom, a blue-eyed youth of fourteen, gave life +and freshness to the surroundings. + +It was indeed a pretty sight that greeted a visitor as he entered +the plain but neatly-furnished parlor, in this quiet home. It is the +hour between tea-time and that prescribed for evening work. It is +the only hour of leisure during the day, and it is generally devoted +to the boy and girl at his side, the latter sometimes sitting upon +his knee looking into the face that in these moments wore a smile +that oftentimes belied the conflicting and agitated thoughts within. + +Such was the history of Phillip Lawson previous to the opening of +our story. A period of six years had elapsed since he commenced life +in the city and now we find him an honoured barrister, with +sufficient practice to meet the expenses of the pretty residence to +which he had removed some months ago and to which we referred in the +previous chapter. + +We now see the reason which prompted Evelyn Verne in associating the +young lawyer with "hayseed'" It is only shallow sordid natures as +hers can indulge in such meanness, but thank heaven the venom has +only a momentary sting, a resting place in proportion to the +superficial source whence it springs. + +In respect to other members of the Verne family it must be said that +Phillip Lawson had received much kindness and hospitality within the +walls of their princely residence, and if the spoiled beauty +indulged in spiteful taunts it was because she saw in the young man +that ability and soundness of principle which placed her set of +worldings at painful disadvantage. + +Montague Arnold with his waxed moustache, Adonis-like form and +studied hauteur, minus the brains, amiability and that true +politeness which constitutes the real gentleman cut a sorry figure +when contrasted with Phillip Lawson. + +Mrs. Verne was in every sense a votaress to the world's caprice, yet +she was not devoid of insight. She could see the noble traits of +character in Phillip Lawson; but she must bow to the mandates of +fashionable folly. + +Mr. Verne, deeply absorbed in stocks and exchanges, seldom took +respite in the gaieties of the drawing-room; but in his business +hours he saw enough of young Lawson to convince him of his +character. + +A slight circumstance happened one evening which had a tenfold +effect upon Marguerite Verne; but the girl kept her own counsel, and +cherished the thought as a happy talisman through all the months and +years that followed ere events brought about the consummation of her +fondest hopes. Mr. Verne was seated in the library. Brilliant rays +of light were reflected from the highly-burnished chandelier. +"Madge, my girl, come read awhile," exclaimed the former, as +he espied his favorite across the hall with a delicate bouquet of +hot-house plants in her hand. + +"I will be with you in a minute, papa, dear," was the response, in a +sweet, childlike voice, as the speaker ran up the broad staircase +with elfin grace and gaiety. + +"So the flowers were not for me, you naughty girl. Well, well, times +have changed since when, in the eyes of the august peers of our +motherland, it was considered 'an atrocious crime' to be a young +man." + +"Oh, papa, you see I do know a little history--enough to accuse that +'young man' of being guilty of sarcasm in the highest degree." + +"Well done, my Madge! Here, take the paper--read me the rest of that +speech of young Lawson's. It is a clever defence, and goes to prove +my words--that he is a young man of sound judgment, and every day +gives proof of greater force." + +It was well for Marguerite Verne that the newspaper hid the blushes +that, despite her efforts at self-control, played hide-and-seek upon +the soft, fair cheeks. + +"I am waiting, Madge." + +The sweet, silvery tones were the only response, and though the +maiden knew it not, there was a tender chord of sympathy that united +father and child more firmly, and bent their thoughts in the same +happy direction. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +HUBERT TRACY'S DILEMMA. + + +As Phillip Lawson sat silently poring over a formidable looking +volume, bound in heavy parchment, he was accosted by a familiar +voice. + +"Working as usual, Lawson?" + +"Yes, sir; I generally find something to keep me out of mischief," +said the barrister, smiling, in the meantime clearing the proffered +seat of a pile of documents that had been cast aside as useless. + +"What's the news?" demanded Hubert Tracy in his indifferent and +careless style. + +There was a restless, wearied look upon the face of Phillip Lawson, +as he glanced towards his interrogator. "To tell you the truth Tracy +I've heard nothing startling to-day. I might for your amusement give +you some of my own afflictions. In the first place I have a headache +that I would gladly part with." + +"For heaven's sake don't wish it upon me," cried the visitor, +thinking no doubt of the unsteady hand and nervous headache of the +previous morning. + +But this was not the kind of news that Hubert Tracy sought. He +wished to draw out some well-timed allusion to the northwest and he +had not the courage to do so. + +He had been a frequent guest at the Verne mansion of late, but the +fact did not add to his felicity. Marguerite Verne could not play +the coquette. She was attentive to her callers but nothing more. + +Montague Arnold, who was on the eve of declaration to the imperious +Evelyn, had now gleaned much of the affairs of the family. He +learned that Mr. Verne had a high regard for the rising young +barrister and he knew well that there was strong sympathy between +father and daughter. + +"That little dame has plenty of grit to fight the battle, but if I +can manage it she will have to give up, if not she is a match for +the old fellow." + +The above remark of Montague Arnold gave his companion some +assurance yet it did not satisfy him. + +"I tell you what Mont, the only chance for me is to get the fellow +out of the way, then you can influence the old lady and if she puts +her foot down we are all right." + +Hubert Tracy was far from being in a settled state of mind. He had a +continual dread of his suspected rival, while a strange fascination +possessed him--a something which attracted him to the latter with a +force in proportion equal to the dread. + +It was this state of mind that forced his steps to the barrister's +office at this time, and as he turned the burning subject over and +over he felt more confused. + +"It is madness to give up--it will kill me;" were the thoughts that +rose half framed to his lips and then forced themselves back with +renewed energy. + +But of the forgoing conversation which we interrupted. + +"Don't be alarmed my friend," cried Phillip "I can get rid of it +sooner than you, and judging from your looks this morning one would +imagine you too had been battling with some of the 'ills that human +flesh is heir to.'" + +Hubert Tracy winced under this remark but the fact was lost upon the +other who innocently exclaimed, "Any trouble in the shipping +business just now." + +The young man laughed. + +"Thank heaven I'm right on that score and don't even expect much +trouble unless the world would get turned upside down." + +"Which is an unlikelihood," said Phillip adroitly. And much as we +speak of the uncertainties of this world, the latter remark might be +accepted as a truism in regard to the pecuniary affairs of Hubert +Tracy. + +He was the heir of a rich uncle--a modern Croesus--a man who had +amassed a princely fortune by his wonderful success as a +manufacturer and speculator. + +It was this circumstance which gave the nephew such value in the +eyes of good society. Hubert Tracy was fully aware how matters +stood. He knew that money was the only screen to cover up all the +shortcomings and glaring deformities of our nature. He well knew +that he could haunt the abode of dissipation and vice and fill up +the intervals with the gaieties of the fashionable drawing-rooms. He +well knew that a young man of pure morals with strong determination +to rise to the highest manhood would have no chance with the heir of +Peter Tracy. + +And the young man was right. He was sought after and courted +by fashionable mothers who saw only in this beau ideal of a +son-in-law--fine houses, fine carriages and in short everything that +wealth could give. + +The worldly Mrs. Verne was not without her day dreams on this +subject. She never let an opportunity slip when she could show Mr. +Tracy that patronage which his prospects demanded. + +But this woman of the world did nothing rashly. She was always +acting from motive and though apparently unconcerned was keenly +alive to the situation of the hour. + +Such was the tenor of Phillip Lawson's thoughts as he chatted to +Hubert Tracy for more than half an hour, when the latter departed +less satisfied than when he entered. Then the former set to work +upon some important business, and being a rapid penman, soon +finished the job. Finding time for a short brown study, or more +properly speaking a soliloquy. + +"If I go out there and be dissatisfied it will be worse than ever, +and there is Lottie, I cannot think of taking her with me. The poor +child would break her heart if I left her behind, and our cosy home +would be broken up--perhaps forever." + +Home had always been the oasis in the dreary waste of Phillip +Lawson's late eventful life. After the monotonous round of +office-work he always anticipated with delight the hour and +circumstances so truthfully depicted by the poet. + + "Now stir the fire and close the shutters fast, + Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, + And, while the bubbling and loud hissing urn + Throws up a steaming column and the cups + That cheer, but not inebriate, wait on each, + So let us welcome peaceful evening in." + +Therefore the thought gave much pain. "But life is made up of such +struggles," murmured Phillip, "and it is our duty to be happy +wherever we are--in Winnipeg as well as St. John." The last words +were repeated in a tone of determination and the speaker arose +hastily, took down his overcoat and shortly afterwards was to be +seen walking along the north side of King street with a rapid but +regular step. Having gained Charlotte street the young lawyer is +greeted in an artless and unaffected manner by Marguerite. + +The graceful and sylph-like form had sufficient power to cast all +the high minded resolutions to the four winds of the earth. In the +maiden's presence Phillip Lawson was bound body and soul, yet he +would not allow himself to think so. + +"I am quite fortunate in meeting you, Mr. Lawson, as I am saved the +trouble of sending a note." Marguerite emphasized the word trouble +in a manner altogether peculiar to herself and a manner which +infected the banister with a certain degree of gaiety that was +unusual to him. + +And no wonder that our friend felt the influence of the maiden's +smiles. Marguerite Verne was indeed a pretty picture to study. Her +rich costume of seal brown, plush with ruchings of feathers, the +coquettish hat to match with the jaunty ostrich plume were becoming +in the extreme and gave an air of richness and refined elegance. + +"Is it any harm to inquire as to your wishes Miss Marguerite?" said +Phillip, glancing inquisitively into her face. + +"I don't think I shall tell you to-day." + +There was a look of arch mischief accompanying the words--a spirit +of banter that was truly fascinating. + +Phillip had escorted his companion as far as Coburg street, where +the latter was to call upon some of her friends. + +"Mr. Lawson, I am not quite so dreadful as you think. Come this +evening and I shall gratify your curiosity at once, and you know +papa always likes to see you." + +"I shall go," exclaimed the barrister to himself, as he had turned +down Paddock street on his way homewards. "Her papa will receive me; +why did she not say Evelyn?" + +Marguerite was sensitive on the subject of Mr. Lawson's reception, +and she had a modest intuition of her friend's feelings, and, as is +too often the case in trying to smooth matters, only made a greater +blunder. + +"Why did I not let well alone," exclaimed the girl, as she stood on +the broad stone steps leading to the elegant home. It was six +o'clock and the first bell gave the warning that there was barely +time to dress for dinner. + +"He will be here without fail, for I know his word is inviolable," +cried the girl, as she hastily re-arranged some lace on the sleeves +of her pretty dinner dress--a combination of silk and velvet in +shade of ash of roses. + +"Dear me, there is the bell, and my hair not presentable." + +But Marguerite was mistaken. + +"Why, Madge, where have you been?" + +"I have been out making calls," said she, with an air of surprise. + +"Well, my dear, I advise you to go every day if you can bring back +such roses." + +Marguerite blushed as deeply as if the compliment came from an +admirer--aye, more so; for the girl well knew that those from her +fond parent were from the heart. + +"There now, don't spoil them, _ma belle_," cried Mr. Verne, his +eye resting with fond admiration upon his daughter. + +Children are oftentimes _de trop_, and Charlie Verne proved no +exception. + +"Papa, I was one day with Madge, and she had two big red spots on +her cheeks as big peonies." + +The precocious youth was on the eve of explanation, when Mrs. +Verne's--"Children should be seen and not heard" put an end to the +subject. + +It were well for Marguerite that her elder sister did not grace the +festive board that evening. Evelyn's keen and penetrative eye would +have taken in the situation at a glance. The light in the soft, +deep, violet eyes would tell the tale that the maiden would strive +to conceal; and the bright flush, heightened by fond anticipation, +would have accomplished its deadly work. + +But Marguerite was granted further respite. + +She gave Phillip Lawson a quiet reception, and much to the relief of +the latter, they were allowed to chat at their ease the greater part +of the evening, uninterrupted by a guest. + +Mr. Verne, having returned from one of those Board of Trade +meetings, on hearing that Mr. Lawson was in the drawing-room, +immediately made his appearance, and from his warm greeting, one +might see that the young lawyer stood high in his favor, and that +his prospects were indeed fair as any suitor might wish for. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +MR. SPRIGGINS GETS INSURED--THE DOMINION SAFETY FUND. + + +As Mr. Spriggins is a gentleman of no mean pretensions and occupying +a prominent place among our characters we will again introduce him +as he is seated in the office of the Dominion Safety Fund. + +The general agent greets Mr. Spriggins in his usual gentlemanly and +unassuming manner--a fact which is not lost upon the applicant. +"Well, Mr. Agent, spose you'll think it a mighty queer business to +see a feller comin' here without a bein' asked, so to make a long +story short, I might as well till you all about it." + +With this remark the speaker pulled his chair closer to the desk and +with an assumed business air began-- + +"You see, Mr. Agent, I'm not a married feller but have a terrible +good mind to hitch on one of these days and that's the reason I'm +here to-day." + +"A poor place this to come to look for a wife," remarked an elderly +gentleman in a gruff voice, who had just entered on business as the +last words had been repeated. + +A happy smile illuminated Mr. Spriggins' face as he rose to +retaliate. + +"Oh, indeed sir, I'm posted on such affairs. When I want a pard'ner +I know mighty well where to go--none of yer peeaner players for +me--give me the girl that can make butter and boil a pot of tatters +without havin' em all rags and mush." + +Mr. Spriggins became more and more eloquent upon the necessary +qualifications of the future Mrs. Spriggins, and then once more +addressed the gentleman behind the desk. + +"Well, now, Mr. Agent, suppose you don't mind me a askin' a few +questions on this eer bisness." + +"Not at all sir, that is our pleasure Mr. ----" + +"Spriggins sir. I'm Moses Spriggins of Mill Crossin', but they allus +call me Mose to hum for short." + +Mr. Spriggins would have added further explanatory remarks but was +interrupted by the official: + +"Now Mr. Spriggins, I wish to hear from you--" + +"What do you say the name of this consarn is Mr. Agent?" + +"The Dominion Safety Fund Life Association." + +"Well now, that's a terrible long name. Hanged if that doesn't beat +Uncle Amaziar Wiggleses family, for their oldest gal's name is +Samanthy Eunice Esmereldy Jerushy." + +At this speech Mr. Spriggins burst into a fit of laughter, affording +sufficient proof to the company that there was little need of the +necessary medical examination to testify that the applicant was of +sound health. + +"Why do you call it the Dominion Fund?" queried the applicant +looking intently at the title. + +"Because it is the only one of its kind in the Dominion sir!" + +"All right, Mr. Agent. Safety Fund--that's a queer name. Would you +mind explainin' that. You musn't think hard of me sir if I want to +know all about this business, for you know people have been so taken +in by so many humbuggin' consarns that it makes a feller keerful." + +Within a very short time Mr. Spriggins was led to see the beauty of +the Safety Fund. How that the longer he was insured the more +favorable his position; how persistent members of the class received +the benefit, etc. + +"That's just the thing I've been lookin' for," exclaimed the +applicant, his face aglow with enthusiasm. + +A few more preliminaries were discussed to the entire satisfaction +of Mr. Moses Spriggins, and arrangements were made that he should +present himself before the medical examiner on the following morning +at ten o'clock. + +"Nothin' could suit better, Sir, for one of our naber's girls is +a'stayin' in town now, and there's enough attraction there, sir, to +keep me here for to-night." + +Mr. Spriggins cast a knowing glance at the official as much as to +say "you understand me." + +On his way up Princess street the veritable Mose might be heard +soliloquizing at a wholesale rate--"Well, now, its mighty cheap, +too, and a feller is gettin' sich profit; better that than raisin' +tatters and lettin' the bugs eat 'em--on a thousand, too. By George, +it's next to nothin'; let me see: four times $1.44--4 times 4 are +16. 6 and carry 1; 4 times 4 are 16 and 1 are 17; 4 times 1 are 4 +and 1 are 5--576, that is $5.76, and $3.00--$8.76--and next year +less--then lesser, and then I'll be a makin' right straight along-- +won't Melindy Jane be astonished." A dashing turnout for the nonce +arrested Mr. Spriggins' attention, and as he gazed at the richly +caprisoned steeds, and fair occupants, exultingly exclaimed, "Yes, +ye think yer a mighty fine crowd, but there's not one I'd swop for +Melindy Jane." + +And Mr. Spriggins had not changed his opinion when, at the appointed +hour, next morning, his good-natured face wreathed in smiles, made +its appearance before the official, hailing all with delight, and +full of conversation of the most animated style. + +The entrance of the medical examiner now claimed attention, and when +the said Mr. Spriggins had passed the fiery ordeal his delight knew +no bounds. + +"What did I tell you--sound as a bell--no kinsumption among the +Sprigginses." + +This and corresponding remarks fell from the lips of Moses as the +papers were being filled. Silence was the order for a few moments +when our friend rising quickly to his feet exclaimed: + +"But, hold on, here's sumthin' I've not seen afore. Is it part of +the agreement?" + +Mr. Spriggins then drew attention to the motto-- + +_"non mihi sed meis vivo."_ + +The medical gentleman very quietly allayed Mr. Spriggins' fears by +convincing him that it was the motto--the principle which governed +the working of the institution, and also, gave the literal meaning +in our mother tongue. + +"The very words I told Melindy Jane last night. Well, if it don't +seem, like magic. If it don't suit my case to a tee--not for myself +but others--well, there is just one mistake in it. I would say not +for myself--but mine." + +Mr. Spriggins directed his remarks to the follower of Aeculapius +with an air of importance, and then began a vigorous onslaught on +the pronunciation of the foreign words. + +"And that's Latin. Well, I never had such liken' for Latin afore. If +I wasn't too old would try to learn it yet--by jimminey, doesn't it +say nice things though?" + +The forms being filled in and payments being made Mr. Spriggins +reluctantly arose to depart, but another glance at the motto and he +broke forth afresh. "It's just the thing that old Parson Simes was +speakin' of last Sunday--gracious me--who'd a thought there was so +much religion in the insurance business. Well, sir, I feel like a +different man already; and now folks, if you see any more fellers +from the Crossin' you'll know who sent 'em that's a sure case. I +tell you what the crossin's not the worst place to come to, and if +any of yous would happen to come our way don't forget to give us a +call." + +Thus ended Mr. Spriggins' speech and as he made his exit through the +doorway at a two-forty gait a smile was visible upon the occupants +of the office. But ere business had been suspended for the day Mr. +Spriggins again appeared on the scene with the following +exclamation: + +"I could'nt go back to the Crossin' without seeing you and tellin' +what I heard. Of course I wouldn't like it to go outside as it is a +kinder secret but thought it too good to keep, eh Mr. Agent." + +Mr. Spriggins threw himself into an arm-chair and then in lively +tones continued: + +"You know them ere Verneses that live in the big house on that high +bank near the Square--well that's where Melindy Jane is hired, so of +course when I left here I went up there and as I was a showin' the +paper to Melindy Jane and explainin' it who should walk in but one +of the young ladies.--(Now between you and me and the wall I believe +it was a put up job of Melindy's to show me off and have the young +missis' idees of me.)" + +At this point Mr. Spriggins became very confidential and lowered his +voice almost to a whisper, then, no doubt bethinking himself of the +importance of the subject added: "Howandever its no matter here nor +there, so as I was a sayin', the young missis came right over and I +had to say sumthin', so I ups and tells her where I had bin and you +never seed anyone more delighted. She seemed to know all about it +and told me it was the best insurance consarn in the dominion." + +At this remark the agent smiled and said that he was pleased to know +that young ladies were interested in the Institution. + +"Well, sir," continued he, "but that was not the hull of the +conversation. I was a'telling her about that ere young lawyer, the +young feller that gave the advice for Josh Jones (I declare it makes +me bile over while I think on it), and she listened quite attentif +and took great consarn in it, and said she was sure I would get +justice, as Mr. Lawson was an honest lawyer, (and between you and +me, Mr. Agent, that's more'n can be said of most of 'em)." + +"You are rather severe on the legal profession, sir," ventured a +voice from the other side of the room. + +Mr. Spriggins having confided his affairs, and seeing that business +absorbed the attention of his audience, finally took leave, with the +parting injunction to give him a call if they happened his way. + +It did, indeed, seem a strange coincidence that while Mr. Moses +Spriggins drew Miss Marguerite's Verne's attention to his legal +proceedings that Phillip Lawson should be turning over certain facts +in his memory in order to elucidate some important problems as +regards his relation to this fair being. + +Could he then have seen the respectful manner with which Marguerite +greeted the son of toil, he would feel more deeply impressed with +the beauty of her character, and could he have heard her modest +eulogium upon himself, an emotional chord would have vibrated to the +musical tones of her soft and well-modulated voice. But our young +friend was not to be thus gratified. It is contrary to the laws +which govern the order of the universe that an eternal fitness +should adapt itself to our circumstances. + +Ah, no, my young dreamer, much as we would wish it otherwise, we +must sit patiently and see you suffer much mental agony in trying to +discipline your mind for the trying ordeal through which you must +irrevocably pass. + +Nor did the sweet-faced Marguerite, as she chatted in her quiet +happy way, for one moment dream that the brawny and muscular hand of +Moses Spriggins should be yet held in friendly grasp, and that she +would ever cherish this sturdy son of toil in grateful memory. + +Standing there on that uneventful morn with the rays of sunshine +playing hide and seek through her silken hair, could she have looked +beyond the surrounding of the present, and cast her eye along the +dim and shadowy perspective, what sorrow might have been averted; +what heart-throes might have been quieted! But let us not be carried +away by such thoughts. Let us not seek to penetrate beyond the airy +nothings of every-day life. + +Marguerite Verne went back into the presence of the other members of +the family. She chatted, laughed and sang blithe as a bird carolling +its earliest matin. + +Marguerite's pure and transparent soul finds shelter in the daily +acts of goodness emanating from her loving heart, and if she feels a +momentary pang she struggles bravely and lives on. She could ill +repress her feelings when the peerless Evelyn, radiant in convenient +smiles and blushes, went to be congratulated on her engagement to +Montague Arnold. + +"You never did seem like a sister to me Madge, and you act less like +one now. I did not come to tell you that I was going to die." + +Evelyn's manner was anything but amiable. She could brook no +opposition to her will, and she was piqued to the highest degree +that Marguerite did not break forth with the wildest terms of +extravagant congratulation. But it matters not. Marguerite is not a +hypocrite. She pities from the bottom of her heart the woman who +will wed an unprincipled man like Montague Arnold. + +How her tender pitying nature went out to the first-born of the +family but the girl knew well the stubborn haughty spirit and looked +calmly on without reproach. + +Mrs. Verne had accomplished much in her own eyes. Her daughter was +to revel in the comforts and elegancies of life. And when once the +grand event had taken place she would have further opportunity to +turn her attention to Marguerite. "I must get rid of Evelyn first," +was her comment as she bent over a piece of embroidery designed for +a mantle drapery--bunches of delicate ferns and golden rod on garnet +plush, and intended for the home of the future Mrs. Montague Arnold. + +But there was one who took a different view of the matter. Mr. +Verne looked on in grave disquietude. It may be sacrilegious but we +cannot refrain from intruding upon his inmost thoughts and with +heartfelt sympathy grieve for the indulgent parent who sees his fair +first-born sacrificed to the world and mammon. The man of far-seeing +penetration knows too well the great mistake and with painful +intensity contrasts the sweet girlish wife of his youth with the +fashionable woman of the world who presides supreme over his +household--he sighs deeply and plunges deeper into the ponderous +folios before him. + +Presently a smile illuminates the grave face. A graceful form is at +his side, and as the maiden holds up a pretty bouquet arranged by +her own fair hands, the fond father draws her towards him and +tenderly kisses the white, smooth forehead earnestly hoping that his +favorite child may have a happier prospect before her--that she may +be happy with one she loves. + + "A guardian angel o'er his life presiding + Doubling his pleasures, and his cares dividing." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +HELEN RUSHTON AT THE "CELESTIAL." + + +A few weeks had rolled by and Helen Rushton once more entered +"Sunnybank." + +Marguerite receives her visitor with open arms. + +"I am so glad to see you, Madge," exclaimed the quaint little +maiden, as she threw aside the pretty wrap, worn carelessly around +her shoulders. + +"I ought to be angry with you, you naughty girl," returned +Marguerite, playfully, shaking the former by way of punishment. + +"Oh, please don't say a word, like a good old dear. I did intend to +write, but you just know how we spend the time running around, and I +had so many demands upon me." + +"Well, this time, I shall 'take the will for the deed,' but remember +the second offence will be dealt with according to law." + +Madge emphasized this threat with a hearty embrace and turned her +eyes in the direction of the door. + +"Well, if that is not too good to keep," shouted Josie Jordan, +rushing in pell-mell, and seizing the pair with a lustiness peculiar +only to a maiden of athletic pretensions. + +"Oh, you nuisance," exclaimed Helen. "How did you know I was here?" + +"If that is not ignoring our hostess I should like to know what is. +Indeed, Miss Helen, I came intent on weighty business matters, but +Madge's allusion to the law drove it out of my head." + +Josie shrugged her shoulders and gave way to fits of laughter, then +exclaimed, "But you know, Helen, why Madge should be interested in +legal matters." + +"Josie Jordan, I believe you are the greatest pest I ever met, just +to come in when I was going to entertain Madge with my visit." + +Helen Rushton had adroitly commenced an attack upon the former to +conceal her friend's embarrassment. She saw that Marguerite liked +not the badinage of the thoughtless Josie, and she was determined at +her own expense to turn the conversation. + +"Just as if I am not as much interested in hearing celestial gossip +as our worthy hostess," exclaimed Josie, making one of her most +stately bows and assuming a very mock-serious air. + +"We can both listen, you saucy puss," said Marguerite, drawing a +pair of pretty ottomans close to the sofa on which Helen sat. + +"Indeed I am not going to listen--I can't wait--I am going to ask +questions, and then we will hear more in the prescribed time--as the +teachers say. + +"As you wish," said Helen, patting the mass of golden curls that +were as antagonistic to all order as the fair head they adorned. + +"Did you go often to the House, Helen? Now for my questions. + +"Yes, I went when there was anything worth going to hear." + +"And I suppose that was not often." + +"Hard on the M.P.P.'s, Josie," said Marguerite, smiling. + +"Not half hard enough!" said the girl, vehemently. "They go there +and sit and have a good time at the expense of the Province, +and show off a little with a passage-at-arms now and then that +suggests more of a gladiatorial arena than that of a body of august +law-givers!" + +"Oh, mercy! hear the girl!" cried Marguerite, raising her hands in +tender appeal. + +"I tell you it's the truth; I will ask Helen if it is not so," cried +the speaker turning to the latter for answer. + +"I must confess that to a certain extent Josie is not far astray. I +have seen exhibitions of cross-firing not strictly in accordance +with one's ideas of a gentleman. But I suppose sometimes they forget +themselves." + +"A gentlemen never forgets himself, Helen. Although you have +high-toned notions of the Capital, and granting that you have been +lionized right and left, it does not excuse you from exercising a +sense of right and wrong." + +Marguerite could not but admire the brave girl with such an earnest +look upon her face. The laughing, romping hoyden was capable of +sound sensible argument, her character was made up of opposites; and +Helen Rushton, clever in many things, was almost baffled. + +Marguerite soon poured oil on the troubled waters. + +"You told me where you were going to stay Helen but I have +forgotten," ventured the latter. + +"I did not happen to find my friends in the Belgravian district, but +what matters it?" returned Helen. + +"Up town or down town, that is the burning question always uppermost +in Fredericton," cried Josie. + +"It was that part I believe they call the West End, but unlike +London and other cities it is not a locality habitable by the +fashionable or good form of the pretty little city. But the +residence of my friends is, notwithstanding this drawback, the home +of culture and refinement, nay more--it is the home of generosity, +for never did I see more genuine true-heartedness than in this truly +happy home." + +"You doubtless have found many such people during your visit, for +the hospitality of Fredericton is proverbial," exclaimed Marguerite +in a soft and gentle manner. + +"I did indeed," exclaimed Helen, "the people are very much +conservative, but that gives them all the more favor in my eyes." + +"Ah, you precious daughter of the old school," cried the vehement +Josie, "it were well that you went to the Celestial ere you +started for Halifax, in order that you might, to a certain extent, +have re-acquired that amount of red tapeism which you must have +almost forgotten amid the more liberally-inclined citizens of our +fog-begirt city." + +"Quite an orator, Josie," ventured Marguerite. "I will not interrupt +you again, Helen, only to assist your memory by questions. Were +there many young ladies in the family?" + +"There was just one of the loveliest and sweetest girls in +existence," cried Helen, enthusiastically. + +"Be careful now, we are jealous already," said Josie, holding up her +forefinger, menacingly. + +"And two young gentlemen, lately enrolled as professionals." + +"At which?" cried Josie, in mock gravity. + +"Where's your promise now?" ventured Marguerite. + +"Never mind, Madge, I can manage," replied Helen, smiling. The +latter then gave an interesting description of her visit from +general to particular. She had listened to the speeches from the +government and opposition; admired the pretty surroundings of the +Parliament buildings; glanced over several of the volumes in the +neatly-kept library, and in the meantime formed opinions upon many +of the representatives of our Province. Government House also +received much notice. + +"I've never been there yet," cried Josie, in a half-regretful tone. + +"Then you have something in store worth going to Fredericton for," +said Helen, "it is such a grand old place. The conservatory is +charming--a spot where you can dream that you are in the land of +perpetual summer and golden sunshine. Standing upon the threshold of +the blue drawing-room you are almost spell-bound. Really my eyes +were dazzled with the array of lovely pink and white azaleas that +were arranged at respective distances. And the camelias--really, I +had to hold my breath--then came the endless group of calla lilies-- +pure, transparent and beautiful." + +"Oh, Helen, I should have been tempted to pluck a stray one and say, +'old conscience, it is public property.'" + +Marguerite laughed at the amusing look depicted upon Josie's face, +but Helen disconcerted went on. "But what made the scene more +effective was the soft and velvety carpeting of luxuriant grass +growing in the centre of the conservatory--nothing to be seen but +lovely flowers, foliage and verdure." + +"Suppose great care must be bestowed upon it," said Marguerite. + +"Truly, I could have lingered there for days and not been wearied." + +"And in the meantime live upon the effervescence of your beautiful +thoughts," cried Josie, bursting out into a wild ringing laugh. + +"You mentioned the blue drawing-room, Helen," said Marguerite, +anxious to prolong the conversation; "is it not very pretty?" + +"Pretty is indeed the term suitable for it, Madge. There is no +elegance, but it is sweet and inviting, pretty draperies, pretty +bric-a-brac, and pretty effect. + +"Did you notice anything different from other drawing-rooms, Helen," +queried Madge. + +"Yes, I did," replied Helen. "The entire absence of so many silly +knick-knacks oftentimes heaped up in ordinary drawing-rooms. How my +eyes gloated over a few pieces of quaint and rare old china!" + +Helen's keen, scrutinizing gaze had taken in the whole situation, +doubtless without any apparent effort; good-breeding was the innate +principle which actuated the speaker's every-day life; and it was +now from a desire to speak in high terms of life in the capital, +that she wished to entertain her companions. "I have heard Louise +speak so many times of the kindness she received there, that I seem +to know all about it," said Marguerite, her dark violet eyes aglow +with earnestness. + +"And yet you never went with _her_?" queried Helen. + +"Something always happened to prevent my going then, yet I have some +pleasant associations connected with Fredericton." + +"Pleasant anticipations you should say," chimed in the irrepressible +Josie. + +"Miss Jordan, please do not misconstrue Madge's words, you saucy +girl!" retorted Helen, tapping her toes upon the stool near, by way +of calling the other to order. + +A brilliant description of a ball at the Government House then +followed, also several parties and other indoor amusements. + +"That is all very nice Helen," cried Josie, "but I want to hear +about the people. There is always so much talk about the celestials, +their culture, refinement and all that sort of thing, now you can +give us your opinion." + +"That is a delicate subject for Helen to handle," said Marguerite +with a slight shade of embarrassment heightening her color and +making more pathetic the soft speaking eyes. + +"Indeed my peerless ones you are all good and lovely in my sight and +the fair Marian is among the number." + +"Is she pretty, Helen?" + +"Not what the world would call pretty, but she is neat and graceful, +has a pretty form and graceful carriage and carries her head like a +queen." + +"What of her brothers--are they blonde or brunette?" + +"Neither, but tall, straight and rather inclined to be fashionable +young men." + +"Then I cannot bear to hear of them; for anything in this world I +despise is a dude," exclaimed Josie with an expression of disgust +upon her face that was in accord with her speech. + +"Anything in moderation is tolerable," returned Helen, "I cannot say +that I admire the extremely fashionable young man but I must say +that I cannot appreciate the young man of antediluvian aspect." + +The latter then settled down to a lengthy detail of her visit in +particular, the different characters she met and the pleasant hours +enjoyed in their company. + +"How different your visit has been to some who have gone there. Why, +I have heard the girls say all you could do was go up and down Queen +street for a few times, hear remarks passed upon you by the loungers +at the hotel doors, and then stow yourself away to be scorched to +powder in summer or be converted into a tolerable sized iceberg if +it happened to be winter." + +"Like all other places, Josie, one's impressions are always formed +according to circumstances and I must say I never will forget the +happy hours in Fredericton." + +"But you never told us of the 'head of the family,' Helen?" + +"That thought was uppermost when you spoke, Josie. I never can fully +express my gratitude to the esteemed couple who so kindly invited me +to their house. + +"Marian's father is fat, fair, and slightly over forty, with the +most happy and frank countenance that you ever met. He has a good +story always on hand, can entertain clergy or laity, and never +wearies in contributing his store of amusing anecdotes, which +oftentimes are at the expense of his nearest relatives." + +"How I should like to listen to them; it does me so much good to +laugh," cried Josie, her eyes beaming with fond satisfaction. +"Kingsnook" (for such we will name this happy professional's abode) +is of all others the place for a good hearty laugh. No simpering, +silly affectation is allowed much reception within the neat and +tastefully arranged parlors, or tempted to display itself on the +shady verandah, cool, leafy shrubberies, or spacious garden. + +"Did you see much military life there, Helen?" asked Marguerite, who +had been for some moments apparently engaged in deep study. + +"That is the beauty of it, my dear. The study, the drawing-room, and +in fact, every inch of 'Kingsnook' reminded one of the true spirit +of patriotism which ruled its master, who could look with pride back +to the sturdy and high-spirited ancestors who wore the uniform of +the British army. I am not the daughter nor grand-daughter of a +British officer, but I could look with pride upon the arms and +accoutrements adorning the study walls, and feel a wave of emotion +break over me and fire my soul with a pride that can only be +experienced by one of Britannia's children." + +"Hear, hear," cried Josie Jordan, springing to her feet, and seizing +the speaker by the hand. "Helen, I am with you heart and soul. +Remember, we New Brunswickers are true loyalists. I am proud to +belong to that good old stock which gives our Province so much of +its prestige." + +The bright romping girl had now changed into a whole-souled woman. +There was a dignity in her bearing worthy the mother of the Gracchi. + +But an unlooked-for event put an unceremonious end to the +conversation and Helen Rushton took leave promising to tell them +much of the friends she made during her late visit. + +The unlooked-for event was the arrival of Cousin Jennie Montgomery. + +"I thought it best to surprise you, Madge!" cried the bright +sunny-faced maiden as she was folded in the arms of the outwitted +Marguerite. + +"I suppose it is best to forgive you," cried the latter and putting +an arm around Cousin Jennie led her into the family parlor to +receive greetings from the rest of the family. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +PHILLIP LAWSON HAS GAINED AN ALLY. + + +It is needless to say that Cousin Jennie was a welcome visitor at +"Sunnybank." Her bright presence shone everywhere from the +drawing-room to that particular spot dedicated to the sports of +the romping, noisy boys. + +"We will have the jolly times," was the password of the latter; +"Cousin Jennie is the girl to help us fellers along." + +And there was the usual stir and bustle necessary for the equipment +of Evelyn Verne's trousseau. The beauty had scarce time to think of +anything but the different styles of dresses, pretty bonnets, +delicate laces, and the most costly trifles, from the gorgeous fan +to the delicate tiny slippers. + +"Dearest Eve, I should think you would be tired looking over such a +lot of things," exclaimed Cousin Jennie in her cheery tone, "really +my eyes would get sore in less than no time." + +"What a speech, Cousin Jennie. Indeed, you are not so +unsophisticated as you confess to be," said the dark-eyed fiancee, +with a tinge of sarcasm accompanying the words. + +"Well, fair cousin, much as I may lose caste by my confession, I +cannot help it,--you know the country folks never see grand +weddings, and I may say truthfully that I never expect to see so +much finery again." + +"Then you ought to make good use of your eyes now," was the rather +ungracious reply. + +As Evelyn stood amid the heap of boxes, arranging and rearranging +the delicate fabrics to her heart's content, she was not an +object of envy. She was flattering, herself that she was moving a +grand marriage and she never let her thoughts wander beyond that +well-defined boundary line. Hers was a nature seemingly devoid of +feeling and incapable of fine thought, and when she artfully feigned +such in the presence of her lover, it was only from a desire to make +him more completely her slave. + +Jennie Montgomery was not many days at "Sunnybank" ere she saw a +glimpse of the world from a fashionable society standpoint. + +"Oh, Madge, how can Eve marry that man? You surely do not like him +either?" + +Jennie Montgomery had favorable opportunity of passing judgment upon +Montague Arnold the previous evening, and now she had directed her +appeal to her favorite cousin. + +"I will be candid, Jennie. You know I never could admire, much less +respect, an unprincipled man--I mean a man who lives for his own +sordid pleasure--and my sister will have cause to repent the rash +step. Poor Evelyn; she has faults, but really she has many good +traits of character if her pride would not stand in the way." + +Sweet, confiding Marguerite. She fain would shield her sister from +censure, and hoped for her a brighter future than she durst picture. + +While at "Sunnybank" Jennie Montgomery saw much to like and dislike. +She met many kind-hearted women whose mission on earth was to do +good. With the keen, discriminating acuteness peculiar to this +maiden, she could sift the wheat from the chaff--she inherited this +gift from her far-sighted mother, and was happy in such possession. + +But there was one who claimed due attention from Cousin Jennie. + +Phillip Lawson of late had made several calls at the Verne mansion +and had received a more than hearty welcome from Mr. Verne. + +The latter held young Lawson in high respect and took no pains to +conceal the fact--which was not lost upon the deliberating Mrs. +Verne; but she was cautious, knowing well that moderation was the +surest way to overcome opposition. + +Within a short time the young barrister and Cousin Jennie became the +best of friends. They chatted together without interruption and to +the evident delight of Mrs. Verne seemed happy in each other's +company. + +Jennie was of a quick, decided turn of mind and had a dash of +sentiment in her nature that might have been considered dangerous on +this occasion; but her whole-souled sense of honor would have saved +her from taking a step from the path of right. + +"It is the best thing that ever happened, mamma," exclaimed Evelyn +Verne as she stood arrayed in an elegant velvet reception dress +which she was admiring before the large plate-mirror in her +dressing-room. + +"I will forgive Jennie of all her rudeness and country ways if she +will only rid us of this importunate suitor," said Mrs. Verne, +giving the lengthy train a few more touches to add to its effect. + +"He seems very much in love with her at present," replied Evelyn, +"and indeed they are just suited for each other. It is to be hoped +Mr. Lawson will find one more congenial to his rustic manner than +Madge." + +"Of course, my dear, you don't think Jennie very rustic in her +ideas, but she has a certain odd way about her that is not the +highest mark of good breeding." + +"Common sense, as her wise-headed mother terms it," remarked Evelyn, +with a scornful curl upon the otherwise pretty lips. + +On the following evening Mr. Verne entered the small back parlor +adjoining the library. Mrs. Verne was seated at a daintily-carved +ebony work-table. A piece of silk lay upon her knee and many shades +of crewel were spread out before her. + +"Busy, my dear?" queried the husband, greeting his wife in a +pleasant, quiet way. + +"Really, Stephen [Note: hand-written, 'Richard' inked out], have you +found time to venture in here? Surely there must have been a mistake +somewhere," returned Mrs. Verne, in an affected and patronizing +manner, that from a quick-tempered man would have forced a hasty and +perhaps disagreeable speech. + +But Mr. Verne sat down and commenced asking such stray questions as +came into his mind. + +"Where have the girls gone to-night, Matilda?" + +"Jennie and Marguerite, you mean?" queried Mrs. Verne, dexterously +weaving the bright silks into a pretty many-hued flower. + +"It is the night of the concert, and they have accepted Mr. Lawson +as escort." A slight frown accompanies the speech. + +"Indeed," said Mr. Verne, with a knowing look upon his face, then +turning abruptly towards his wife, added, "It seems to me that +Jennie has made an impression upon Mr. Lawson." + +"I hope so," was the only reply. + +Mr. Verne was bent upon forcing from his wife the true state of her +feelings towards his young favorite. + +"Jennie will be a lucky girl if she can win such a prize," said he, +with considerable warmth of expression. + +"He is, indeed, a very suitable husband for Jennie," replied Mrs. +Verne in icy chilling tones. + +"He is a fit husband for any young lady in St. John, my dear. If he +were to look with favor upon Marguerite I should say she, sweet +child that she is, would be honored by the proposal of marriage from +such a man." + +This was too much for Mrs. Verne. It aroused her temper and gave +opportunity for many harsh, bitter sayings. Then she found relief in +sarcasm. + +"I am pleased to know that Mr. Lawson occupies such a proud place in +your esteem. No doubt you have been making a few encouraging +suggestions to this second Gladstone." Then changing her tones to a +higher key exclaimed, "Remember, I will not oppose you in this step, +but If will never sanction my child's encouragement of that +upsetting, half-starved lawyer." + +"Please bear in mind, Matilda, that Mr. Lawson has never once spoken +to me upon the subject and it is very foolish to suppose that he +wishes to pay any attention to Marguerite otherwise than any young +gentleman might." + +"You need not think to hoodwink me, I can see for myself, and it +seems too bad that when a mother expects her children to become well +settled in life that she is sure to be disappointed." + +Mrs. Verne within a few moments entirely changed her course of +action. She was almost moved to tears and her manner seemed to say, +"Well, I suppose it is all for the best, come what will I am +prepared for it." But might we not quote the words of the Psalmist, +"The words of his mouth were sweeter than butter but war was in his +heart." + +A clever thought had entered Mrs. Verne's mind. She is already armed +for the occasion hoping that she will come off victor. + +"Well, my dear, we will not quarrel over this matter. It seems so +foolish, knowing it is only conceit on our part, for I believe that +Mr. Lawson is very much interested in Jennie Montgomery." + +"Jennie has grown to be a fine girl," remarked Mr. Verne, in a +matter-of-fact way. + +But the fact did not change his opinion as regards the preference +for Marguerite. + +"It would perhaps be better that such would be the case," exclaimed +the parent, as he was once more closeted in his private apartments +looking ever the list of bills and documents awaiting his signature. + +In the meantime Mrs. Verne had found her way into the drawing-room, +where she was soon after joined by Evelyn and her distinguished +betrothed. What a smile greeted the seemingly happy pair! In +languid, drawling tones the beauty was relating her adventures of +the previous afternoon--the calls made, and the making of a new +acquaintance. + +"A gentleman from England, did you say, my dear? How delightful! I +shall be most happy to meet him." + +"And so you shall, dear mamma, for he intends calling upon us very +soon." + +Mr. Arnold seemed not to notice the radiant smile which illuminated +the countenance of his betrothed. Yet it gave him annoyance. + +He bit his upper lip and bent closer over the new song that lay open +before the piano. "She will sing a different tune before long," was +his comment. + +In truth Montague Arnold possessed not that feeling which can only +be cherished by true, unselfish love. He openly admired Evelyn Verne +for her beauty. His sole desire was to make her his, and bend her to +his will. His nature was too superficial to harbor jealousy, but his +stubborn vanity answered the purpose. + +Ah, my peerless Evelyn! you may blush and smile at the well-timed +compliments of your admirers now, but your reign seems nearly at an +end! + +"What a grand opportunity to give a party," exclaimed Mrs. Verne, +glancing at her daughter for approval. + +"It would be just the thing, mamma," said Evelyn, in her nonchalant +and dreamy sort of air. + +"You are already settled my dear and now I must try to do my duty +towards Marguerite. Really, dearest, you have no idea of the +anxiety I have about that girl. She is so much like her father that +I am at a loss how to act. You know that she secretly adores that +good-for-nothing lawyer and if it were only on her part I would +not care, but I am certain that he is head and ears in love with +her. Dear me! What a world of trouble we poor mothers have to +endure. Why do not our children see as we do?" + +Poor Mrs. Verne! She seemed in much distress and assumed a woebegone +appearance. + +Dear mamma--I think you ought to feel less uneasiness just now for I +verily believe that Cousin Jennie has designs upon our unfortunate +visitor." + +"God grant that she may be successful," was the reply. + +"You must encourage it in every way, dear mamma," said Evelyn, with +more earnestness than usual. + +"Yes; I was just thinking of a plan which doubtless by clever +management, will succeed." + +"Let me hear it, mamma," said Evelyn, raising her jewelled fingers, +cautiously. + +Mrs. Verne glanced in the direction of the smoking-room, (whither +her future son-in-law had retired to enjoy the delightful weed,) and +finding that there was no fear of interruption for the next ten +minutes, cleverly sketched out her plan of action. + +We will not give the outline of this cleverly devised speech, but +merely say that from this time Cousin Jennie was honored to her +heart's content, and was induced to remain much longer than she +intended. + +Mr. Lawson was a frequent visitor, and to the great delight of Mrs. +Verne signified his intention of accepting the invitation of Mrs. +Montgomery to spend part of his summer vacation at "Gladswood." + +"That will certainly put an end to all your fears, mamma," said +Evelyn, standing before the bronze mantel shelf admiring a pretty +and rare vase which had arrived from England as a wedding present +from an old school mate. And so matters went quietly along. + +Mr. Verne kept his counsel and worked away amidst his folios, And +when his pet daughter shed a ray of sunshine over the matter-of-fact +apartment, he felt a tinge of sadness and fondly hoped that no +darkening clouds should burst over this idolized treasure. + +"What a pity that such a being should ever know the meaning of the +word sorrow. In one way, my darling, I can save you, in another I +cannot." + +Mr. Verne was almost convinced that Cousin Jennie had supplanted +Marguerite, and he well knew the proud nature of the latter. + +"Perhaps it is all for the best. My pearl could never outweigh all +difficulties like the self-reliant Jennie." Such murmurs escaped the +lips of the fond parent as he glanced up and down the long row of +figures balancing his accounts with a rapidity only acquired by long +experience and constant practice. But what of Marguerite? + +The girl was not unhappy. She lived on cheered by her happy, dreamy +nature, and as it was far above that allotted to ordinary mortals, +it sustained her and kept her mind above all sordid thoughts. + + "Time has laid his hand + Upon my heart, gently, not smiting it, + But as a harper lays his open palm + Upon his harp to deaden its vibrations." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +EVELYN'S BRIDAL MORN--FESTIVITIES AT "SUNNYBANK." + + + . . . "To the nuptial bower + I led her blushing like the moon, all heaven, + And happy constellations on that hour + Shed their selectest influence, the earth + Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill, + Joyous the birds;" --_Milton_ + +Such is the glowing description of the appearance of nature on the +morn when, in the presence of God and the host of white-robed +angels, was celebrated the nuptials of our common ancestors-- +nuptials whence sprang the ills of our humanity. + +Could the fair and beautiful Eve have foreseen the future that to +her seemed so promising, would she not have given up to despair and +remained aloof from sound of tempting voice? + +But God's decree willed it otherwise, and the fair Eve, whose beauty +and submissive charms had power to influence her lord and master, +became the mother of mankind. + +It would be unjust, uncharitable, to intrude upon the feelings of +the pair to participate in the present festive ceremony at +"Sunnybank." + +Evelyn Verne emerges from her boudoir "a thing of beauty." Was ever +bride more enchanting, radiant or beautiful? Were ever bridal robes +more graceful? Perfect beauty, queenly beauty, dazzling beauty. It +is needless to expatiate upon the shimmering train, mist-like veil +or conventional orange blossoms. Reader, we will allow your +imagination full scope. Let it rest upon the radiant bride until the +eye becomes familiar with the minutest arrangement of the elegant +costume. + +And then the bridesmaids! Five lovely maidens--St. John's fairest +daughters. Five bewitching forms with grace in all their movements, +claim our attention; and on all sides--"How pretty!" "How sweet!" +"How beautiful!" + +Two sisters are exquisitely dressed in India muslin and antique +lace--one in pale-blue and the other in pink. + +Marguerite Verne is radiant in pearl-colored satin and ruchings of +delicate pink azaleas. + +Two younger girls are becomingly attired in cream lace and soft +filmy crepe of the same shade. + +Each maiden carries a bewitching basket of flowers, and imparts to +the senses the most delightful effect. Indeed, it is seldom that +historic Trinity ever witnessed a grander pageant within its sacred +walls. + +As the handsome and distinguished-looking bridegroom stood before +the altar awaiting the entrance of his bride, it were almost +sacrilege to utter a word deprecatory or otherwise. + +Hubert Tracy supports his friend with an air of interest. He seems +more impatient than the other, and has a look of ill-concealed +uneasiness upon his slightly furrowed brow. He hears not the remarks +of pretty maidens or dignified matrons, else the slight frown would +have given place to a smile. + +"Mr. Tracy is as handsome as the groom, mamma." + +"Handsomer, my dear." + +There was still a chance to ensnare the uncaged bird, and this fact +was alone in the mind of the anxious mamma. But the entrance of the +bridal party put an end to all talk concerning the sterner sex. + +"Isn't she lovely?" "What a magnificent dress?" "She is so +composed." "Really, Marguerite is as pretty as the bride." "Oh, +indeed; fine feathers make fine birds." "If our girls could have all +the money they want and nothing to do I bet you they would look +better than any one of them." "Well, well. The world is ill +divided." "Isn't Miss ---- gorgeous in that lovely lace." "If we had +some of the money that has been spent upon them dresses we wouldn't +have to work any this summer." + +Such was a brief outline of the speeches made upon this important +event, but they were lost upon the wedding party. + +The guests comprised the wealth and beauty of St. John and as each +guest was ushered in one could not fail to exclaim: "St. John has +wealth, beauty and refinement." + +The scene was an imposing one. While the choir sang, + + "The voice that breathed o'er Eden," + +a young man entered and took his place among the guests. He had been +detained but arrived in time to tender his congratulations to one +more important to him than the radiant bride. + +Why does Hubert Tracy instinctively cast a glance towards the new +comer, and feel a slight shudder through his frame? + +It matters not at present. Let him enjoy the benefit of his thoughts +while we turn to our old friend. + +"Mr. Lawson is growing better looking every day," is our verdict, as +with genial warmth we grasp him by the hand. + +An intelligent face can never remain long in obscurity, and when a +generous soul and kind, true heart are also accompanying graces +there is a beauty that is unfading. But it is only the higher side +of humanity which can discover this beauty. And perhaps on this +festive morn many of the worldly minded would fail to recognize this +superior style of beauty. + +But proudly Phillip Lawson stands with the consciousness of having +tried to act well his part and live in obedience to the dictates of +his God. + +It was only when the guests had assembled in the spacious drawing- +room at "Sunnybank" that our friend found opportunity to have a +short conversation with Marguerite, who with sunlit face took no +pains to conceal her delight. She chatted with Phillip Lawson with a +familiarity that led the calculating mother to think that she had no +further troubles from that source. + +And Cousin Jennie's presence heightened the effect of this illusion. + +Clad in draperies of soft nun's veiling Jennie Montgomery was, if +not pretty, quite interesting, and her bright, fresh face was +refreshing as the air of her native vales. + +As in truth every wedding boasts of the time-honored +conventionalities, toasts and speeches, that of "Sunnybank" formed +no exception, and we will not weary you with the endless list of +compliments and amount-to-nothing-in-the-end talk which is current +at such times. + +It was only when the hour for departure had arrived that a sense of +loneliness crept over Marguerite. + +The elegant presents had been inspected, luncheon served, and the +bride, attired in a superb travelling costume, stood in the doorway +awaiting the carriage. + +Montague Arnold wears all the necessary smiles that are expected of +him, and as he takes his place beside his bride a new responsibility +dawns upon him. + +A large number of the party accompany the newly-wedded pair to the +Fairville Station, and Marguerite is assigned to Mr. Lawson and +Cousin Jennie. + +The latter is cheerful and witty and strives, under cover of her +remarks, to divert her cousin from the sadness that is common to +such occasions. + +Phillip Lawson sees with gratitude the girl's kindness and thanks +her in a way that is tenfold more valued than the counterfeit +everyday thanks passed around in common life. If the young barrister +could have seen the true state of Cousin Jennie's feelings towards +him he would have fallen on his knees and thanked God for such a +friend. + +But Phillip Lawson was not a mind reader. He could not divine the +thoughts that were passing through Jennie Montgomery's ready and +active brain. But one thing he did know, that in this warm-hearted +girl he had a true friend. + +When Marguerite returned to her home a vague, undefined feeling took +possession of her, and gladly would she have given herself up to +this feeling, and indulged in a good, old-fashioned, time-honored +cry. + +She felt a sudden pang of remorse. She thought of the lost +opportunities when she might have had a stronger hold upon the +sympathies of her elder sister. + +"Poor Eve," murmured the girl, "she was less to blame than I. We +have never had each other's confidence. I hope she will try to love +Montague as a woman should love her husband. How I should like to +ask mamma what she thinks; but what is the use. She will say it is +one of the best matches of the season, and no doubt she will end by +advising me as to her anxiety--on my behalf. Oh, dear! why cannot we +live in a state of blissful oblivion?" + +The miniature bronzed clock on the mantel-shelf caused Marguerite to +look up. + +"Four o'clock--dear me; I wish this afternoon was over. The house +seems as if a funeral had left it. Poor Evelyn." + +"You naughty Madge, where are you?" + +The speaker was Jennie Montgomery. She had been busy over the +arrangement of a number of bouquets for the dinner-table, and +assisting Mrs. Verne in many ways, and now made a hasty transit +towards Madge's favorite retreat--a pretty boudoir adjoining her +mamma's dressing-room. + +"Just as auntie said, you old offender. A pretty time for day-dreams +when everybody is head over ears in business." + +"I have not been here an hour, Jennie," said Madge, in an apologetic +manner, putting her arms caressingly around her cousin's waist. + +The latter, though apparently preoccupied, could not fail to admire +this quaint and pretty nook--just such a spot as one could sit in +and dream their life away; a sort of lotus bed, where one inhaled +the beguiling odors, and cast all worldly cares to the shores left +behind. + +And little wonder cousin Jennie gazed in admiration. + +The walls were of the most delicate rose color, tinged with gold; +the carpet, a ground of white velvet pile bestrewed with delicate +roses; the furniture of delicate pink satin, with setting of +quaintly carved ebony. + +But the "seat of state," as Jennie termed it, was the crowning +feature in this pretty retreat. + +This seat of state was a raised dais, curtained with costly lace and +surmounted by a canopy of pretty workmanship. In this alcove was an +antique chair or fauteuil, and beside it a small cabinet, inlaid +with mother of pearl, while opposite stood an ebony writing desk, +strewed with fragments of exquisitely perfumed note paper. + +It was evident that Marguerite had been penning down some stray +thoughts, for the pen stood in the inkstand, and traces of ink were +to be seen on her fingers. + +This seat of state was just such a place as our sweet-faced +Marguerite looked to advantage, not as a queen upon her throne, but +as a type of the _spirituelles_--of the pure-minded maiden with +a slight shade of melancholy, giving interest to the soft, fair +face. + +"You remind me of a madonna, my saint-like cousin," said Jennie, +placing her bright red cheek against the purely transparent and more +delicate one of her companion. + +"What a contrast, Madge. Just look at your country cousin--a +blooming peony, and you, my most delicate blush rose. Ha! ha! ha!" + +Cousin Jennie's laugh was one of the genuine ring--untrammelled by +affectation or repressed by pain or languor. She gave vent to her +feelings and exercised such influence upon Cousin Madge who now +joined in with a clear silvery peal of laughter, sweeter than the +most bewitching music. Nor was this "sweetness lost upon a desert +air." + +Mr. Verne had been engaged in his apartments for some minutes. He +had entered unobserved in company with a friend and a few minutes +later a gentleman bearing some legal looking documents entered and +without ceremony was ushered in. It was while the latter was taking +leave that the well-known tones of Marguerite Verne's voice rang out +its silvery sweetness and caused the listener to start. But it +matters not who the latter was--suffice, a man + + "of soul sincere, + In action faithful, and in honour clear; + Who broke no promise, served no private end, + Who gained no title, and who lost no friend." + +"Come with me Madge and see what I have done. Indeed, I am not going +to put my light under a bushel. Everyone must see my good works," +exclaimed Jennie, drawing her arm through that of her cousin and +leading her out to the supper room where a sight worth seeing +presented itself. + +The tables were arranged with an eye to the beautiful. Everything +that art and taste could suggest was there. + +Epergnes costly and rare almost overpowered the senses with the +exhalations of their gorgeous exotics. It was a difficult matter to +determine from what source came the most assistance, the caterer or +the decorater, but all harmonized and all made up one perfect +adaptation. + +"Jennie I am ashamed of myself," cried Marguerite, standing before +an exquisite combination of roses, heliotrope, lilies and smilax +which occupied a central place on the supper-table, "you can do +anything. How I envy you." + +"Beware my little coz, I have read a little line somewhere +throughout the course of my extensive reading-- + + 'Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise.' + +Now be governed accordingly and escape the fearful condemnation." + +Marguerite smiled at the bright cheery girl and wondered if it were +possible that such a life might ever feel the weight of care. She +was thinking might it be possible that the girl would give her heart +to the whole-souled friend who always seemed brighter in her +presence. + +Is it possible that jealousy finds a lurking place within so fair a +soul--that it may take root and grow and bloom and scatter the +noxious weeds peculiar to its growth? + +Ah no, pure minded Marguerite. We accord thee a higher mission upon +earth. Thy nature is too exalted, too ethereal, too much of the +divine. + +"I verily believe if I were not here to arouse you, Madge, that you +would be off in another dream in less than no time. I believe some +day in the not very far future if one happened to stray as far as +Boston that on looking over the _Herald_ the first notice that +will greet us is:-- + +"Madame Marguerite DeCoeur--Clarivoyant. Predicts past, present and +future. Much attention given to maidens seeking a husband. For +particulars see circular. Advice sent on receipt of postage stamps. +No. ---- Court Street, Boston, Mass." + +"What's all the fun about, I'd like to know?" chimed in none other +than Master Fred. Verne with an eager curiosity common to his youth. + +"Some time you may feel interested my young man, then you may +consult your big sister," was the reply of Cousin Jennie. + +Four hours later Marguerite Verne was, as Cousin Jeanie said a +perfect picture--a being born to be admired and loved. Never had she +appeared more bewitching and as the clear-headed Jennie watched the +effect produced upon a pair of thoughtful grey eyes she felt a +sudden relief, murmuring "he will love but one 'my Marguerite.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +MARGUERITE AT "GLADSWOOD." + + +Reader, another glimpse of life at "Gladswood," and in this inviting +retreat imagine Marguerite. Great indeed, was the delight of Jennie +Montgomery, when, on a shining, bright May morn, she set forth from +"Sunnybank," accompanied by her favorite cousin. + +"Take good care of my Madge, Jennie. You see she is of two-fold +value now. I cannot afford to lose my second daughter for a very +long time." + +Mr. Verne had arrived at the railway station in time to see the +girls off, and his parting injunction to Jennie was playful, and +partook more of the nature of a brother than that of a parent. + +In the companionship of sympathetic natures he was warmhearted, +affectionate and familiar, but in ordinary moods thoughtful and +reserved, and at times gloomy. + +"Jennie, do you think it possible for any girl to love her father as +much as I do mine," asked Marguerite, as she leaned forward and +waved adieu, then throwing a kiss sat down beside her companion. + +"What a question," cried Jennie. "I hope you don't imagine I care +one straw less for my dear old man than you do for yours, my +sweet, saucy coz. You really must be punished." + +Cousin Jennie gave her companion a hearty shake and the subject +dropped. + +Friends and acquaintances coming in at Torryburn claimed their +attention and when they arrived at Rothesay a greater reinforcement +came--a party of pic-nickers going to Hampton to feast upon the +beauties of that pretty rural town, and divide the remainder of the +day between the delicacies of the luncheon baskets and the more +delicious bits of gossip common to such gatherings. + +"Miss Verne, I really did not expect to see you to-day!" cried a +sprightly miss, springing towards her at no gentle rate. + +The girl was Lottie Lawson, her bright young face beaming with +excitement and happiness. + +"I have been at Rothesay for a week, and just think, Miss Verne, +Phillip has not found time to come and see me." + +Lottie's manner expressed that of a deeply-wronged maiden, and +Marguerite broke forth in a ripple of silvery laughter. Cousin +Jennie also joined, and the infection spread to the aggrieved +sister, whose child-like, musical tones were refreshing to all. + +"How I should like to go as far as Sussex! but my visit ends +to-morrow, and Phillip will expect me," said Lottie, in a half +regretful tone. + +"But you can come with Mr. Lawson during his vacation. He has +promised me to come to 'Gladswood' then." + +"How funny that everything seems to come contrary! I have promised +to go to Woodstock." + +Having reached the Hampton station Marguerite glanced out of the +window. + +It was fortunate that Cousin Jennie was at that moment deeply +engaged in conversation with a lady in the next seat. A blush +mantled a maiden's cheek, then left her a shade paler than before. + +"Brother Phillip--" In another instant the child was in her +brother's arms. "You bad brother, you did not come to see me, I was +just telling Miss Verne." + +The young barrister then espied the latter and holding his sister by +the hand walked to the front of the platform. + +"I must soon steal her away for a few days, Mr. Lawson. If business +did not interfere, I should feel like making a second raid and +secure another citizen." + +Cousin Jennie spoke in a way that one seldom hears. Her artless, +heartfelt manner, was acceptable to our friend, and with true +gentlemanly grace, he bowed acknowledgment. + +One of the picnic party--a vinegar-faced woman of forty-five, with +two eligibles at her side--declared to a very intimate friend that +she thought it very queer that Miss Verne should be following at Mr. +Lawson's heels all the time. "For the life of me I can't see why +girls will make themselves so ridiculous. Why, I often see her +cutting across the Square to overtake him." + +"Oh, indeed; the girls now-a-days don't have much modesty. Just see +how she is laughing and talking now," exclaimed the confederate. + +"Yes," retorted the first speaker "and that country-looking cousin +is just a cloak for them. She is watching a chance to catch some +others of the firm." + +"Nice looking, did you say? Not a bit of it. For my part, I think +she is homely; her face is too round and red." + +The last remark was made by a saucy-looking maiden of sixteen, who +owned to nothing being good that did not belong to herself. + +Marguerite was utterly unconscious of the comments made upon herself +and companion. + +In the minutes that Mr. Lawson remained they found much to say, and +there was an absence of coquetry that was gracious to see. The +thoughtful, yet bright, expression of Marguerite's eyes had power to +magnetize the most callous-hearted, and on this morn they were truly +dangerous. The graceful form, attired in pretty travelling costume, +could not fail to attract notice, and we see her repeatedly +acknowledge the recognitions of many of the sterner sex with her +quaint rare smile. + +Just as the train was starting a voice exclaimed, "Miss Verne here +are some violets, I brought them purposely to match your eyes." The +fairy-like child placed the treasures in Marguerite's hand and +bounded away without further comment. + +"She is a good child," said Phillip, waving adieu to his companion +and hurrying towards the carriage awaiting him. + +Cousin Jennie now came forward demanding a share of the violets. + +"Mr. Lawson thinks so much of her that I almost love him!" cried she +vehemently. "And she is so cute, I'm sure her brother cannot pay +such pretty compliments, Madge!" + +Marguerite smiled and glanced far away over the distant hills, +crowned with trees and foliage already flaunting themselves in +holiday attire. + +At that moment Phillip Lawson was thinking over a host of +compliments, which if repeated would have caused Marguerite Verne's +_spirituelle_ face to glow with maiden blushes. + +But let us believe-- + + "One truth is dear, whatever is, is right," + +and leave each to the free range of thought indulged in at the +self-same moment. + +The lovely views of nature on this lonely morn soon claimed +Marguerite's attention. + +"If the world were all so fair! Oh, how charming!" exclaimed the +latter rising from her seat and drinking deep of the glowing beauty +of hill and dale, beautifully undulating expanse of green carpeted +fields lying in the distance, the purple mountain tops glowing with +regal splendour and above all the ethereal dome of heavenly blue +with fleecy clouds in fantastic shapes and trooping along in gay and +festive march across the boundless field. + +As the spire of Apohaqui Church gleamed in the distance Jennie +caught her companion by the arm exclaiming, "Madge, I cannot realize +that we are going to have your dear old self for three long weeks. I +hope papa will be at the station to meet us." + +"If not what matter; I love to take good long walks." + +"And so do I, my pretty coz; just wait until I trot you out over the +hills and far away," said Jennie, giving her companion a pinch on +the ear that caused it to assume a crimson dye. Sussex Vale, in all +its loveliness now came within sight. + +"My own, my native land," cried Jennie, in high glee, as she eagerly +looked for the guard of honor that would be awaiting the arrival. + +"I thought so. Look Madge." + +The latter saw a group of merry children, a respectable-looking man, +whose good-natured face could belong to none other than Uncle +William Montgomery. + +"Wasn't it lucky that you came on a Saturday, Cousin Marguerite; it +is just lovely in the fields now." + +The bright-eyed urchin had claimed a seat beside the delighted +maiden with all the airs of a gallant, and jealously guarded all +access from the other unfortunates. + +"Hal is not going to ride beside Cousin Marguerite to-morrow, for I +will get in first," whispered a younger lad to his confidante-- +Jennie. + +"Yes, Jimmie, you shall have fair play. Count on me as your +champion," whispered the former in conciliatory tones. + +It is needless to speak of the beauty of Sussex Vale. Did ever +passenger travel along the Intercolonial "with soul so dead" as not +to be stirred with a sense of the beautiful as he neared this +delightful spot. + +On this golden May morn Marguerite was indeed intoxicated with +delight. But she could not remain in silent admiration, for Master +Hal's attentions demanded recognition, and after chatting gaily for +half an hour the phaeton deposited its smiling load upon the terrace +at "Gladswood." + +Truly "Gladswood," for upon every side arose some sight to make glad +the heart. + +There stood the warm-hearted and energetic mistress, her genuine +soul stamped upon every lineament of the plain but inviting face. + +"And you did make out to come, Marguerite!" exclaimed Mrs. +Montgomery giving the girl a warm, hearty kiss. + +"Yes, we've got her now and the city folks can do without her until +we are ready." + +At this ambiguous declaration the gallant Hal gave his head a +defiant toss and gathering up an array of sundry feminine +indispensibles made towards a side entrance where he deposited the +said articles. + +"Cousin Marguerite come out and see the calves." We have two of the +loveliest little creatures with large eyes and such pretty white +spots! And you would think they had their foreheads banged!" + +"Well, they must be very pretty, Jimmie," said Marguerite, laughing +heartily at the lad's description. + +"Now children do let Cousin Marguerite have time to draw her breath +before you tease her to death about your stock," said Aunt Hester +with an amused look upon her face. + +"Cousin Marguerite will excuse herself to the company," cried +Jennie, motioning Marguerite to follow her and the latter was soon +snugly ensconced in the cosiest and most inviting chamber that one +ever beheld. + +It was not the spare room but a smaller one adjoining that of Cousin +Jennie. + +The walls, contrary to fashion, were covered with a delicate paper, +a white ground sprigged with pale lavender, the paints were pure +white and the hangings and draperies were transparent in their +whiteness. + +The neat furniture was also of a dazzling white relieved by stripes +of gold and pale lavender. The old fashioned window was formed in a +kind of recess which was filled with pots of the choicest flowers, +while just within reach stood a large lilac bush which on the least +provocation forced its branches into the room. + +"Cousin Jennie, the grandeur of St. John cannot boast of a spot like +this. Can it be reality." cried Marguerite, pushing aside the lilac +branches and glancing out upon the enchanting landscape, which gave +such effect to the pretty room. + +"It is so cool," broke from the girl in rapturous tones as she eyed +the bare floor with its coat of soft tinted lavender and deeper +shaded border. "You know it would be such a disgraceful thing to +have an uncarpeted floor in the city." + +The last remark was in tones slightly ironical, and showed that +Marguerite Verne held views not in accordance with good form and +fearlessly regarded the consequence. + +"Of course, mother would not have a carpeted chamber in the summer +season, and now, I really like it, but I fear that some of our +guests are very often surprised." + +It being past the noon dinner-hour a luncheon was prepared and the +girls were interrupted by the indefatigable Hal knocking lustily on +the chamber door. + +"Really, Jennie, I would rather sit here than eat," said Marguerite, +going to the mirror to re-arrange the mass of silken hair that +crowned her prettily shaped head. + +"I am going to take Cousin Marguerite down to luncheon," cried a +voice from without. + +This set both girls in a fit of laughter. + +"You can't say that you did not raise a beau while in the Vale," +cried Jennie, with a roguish twinkle of her eye. + +"Indeed, Cousin Marguerite will hare no city chaps skulkin' 'round +while I am here," cried our twelve-year old with all the airs of a +dude of twenty. + +Next in turn came a tramp around the proud old domain of +"Gladswood." + +The stately elms seemed to extend a kindly welcome. All nature +seemed to say "welcome, to Gladswood." The birds seemed to have been +practising some of their latest melodies, for never did grander +strains issue from their sylvan orchestra. + +How pleasantly the hours glided by in this charming abode. Truly it +hath been said-- + + "How noiseless falls the foot of time + That only treads on flowers." + +"It is a fortnight to-day since I came to Gladswood," said +Marguerite, one bright, sunny afternoon, as she came up the broad +avenue, crowned with lovely wild flowers and such trophies as the +neighboring wood afforded. + +Cousin Jennie had remained at home to assist in some extra duties, +and as she greeted the "spirit of the woods," as she playfully +dubbed Marguerite, she was worthy of notice. + +A neatly fitting light colored print wrapper, spotless in its +purity; a linen collar, fastened by a silver horse shoe pin; a long, +plain, white muslin apron; a neat and substantial shoe, tied with +black ribbon, and high over all a crowning mass of purplish black +hair, in beautiful and striking contrast. + +"You radiant country maid," cried Marguerite, "stand until I admire +you awhile." + +Jennie was playfully turned around as an automaton in a shop window, +and at length breaking forth into a merry laugh, exclaimed, "You +saucy minx, please turn your wit upon some other object." + +And thus amid fun, frolic and gaiety, Marguerite's visit came to an +end, and on the last eve to be spent at Gladswood, the girls are +seated in the old summer house enjoying an uninterrupted chat--that +blissful recreation peculiar to each and every maiden. + +"Madge, I am almost sorry that you came," said Jennie, taking the +pretty white hand within her own. "Promise me that you will come +while Mr. Lawson is here," cried the girl in a vehement and almost +determined manner, while the large, brown eyes had a far-off look +that she tried hard to conceal. + +"It is impossible, Jennie; besides, you must not mention the matter +again." + +Marguerite's voice was clear and bird-like, but Jennie Montgomery +fancied she felt a slight tremor in the last words uttered, and with +that intuitive caution characteristic of her mother pressed the +subject no further, and the warm-hearted maiden felt keenly her +utter helplessness to render her companion any sympathy. + +"Let us go in, Cousin Jennie," said Marguerite, in tender tones that +seemed as reproach to the high-minded girl, but she heeded not, and +playfully putting her arm around her companion's waist, led her into +the parlor, where the rest of the family were seated around awaiting +their appearance. + +"Marguerite is too proud," murmured Jennie, as she sought her own +room on returning from seeing her fair cousin aboard the down +accommodation train which was to carry her homewards. + +"Oh, my loving Marguerite, I know more than you think. I could +indeed tell you much that you little dream of, but why is it +thus?" and humming an old-fashioned air Jennie mechanically went +back to her household duties, as if all the world were sunshine +and brightness, and not a troubled thought had ever found a +resting-place within her mind. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +AT THE NORTHWEST. + + +The scene is changed; and we find ourselves transported beyond a +doubt to the far-famed city of Winnipeg--that emporium of wealth, +enterprise and industry which arose from its prairie surroundings as +by the magic of the enchanter's wand. + +It is a bright, cheerful day in leafy June, and as one jogs +leisurely adown Main street, there are to be seen many happy smiling +faces. + +But we are bent upon important business, and yield not to the more +leisurely inclined side of our nature. A large four-story building +is our destination. Its door posts, windows and available space are +decorated with the inevitable shingle that sooner or later ushers +the professional into the notice of his victims. And this building +was not alone in such style of decoration. + +"Dear me, I believe every other man in this place is a lawyer! Sakes +alive--it's worse than being among a nest of hornets." Such was the +exclamation of an elderly lady who had recently arrived, and was out +taking a survey of the town. + +And the old lady was not far astray, as Winnipeg has proportionately +more of the legal fraternity than any other city of the Dominion. + +But to our subject. Having arrived at the end of a spacious corridor +we stop directly opposite a door bearing a placard--the letters are +of gilt upon a black ground: + +N. H. SHARPLEY, +Attorney-at-Law, +Notary Public, etc. + +A medium-sized man is seated at the desk busily engaged over a +lengthy looking document which he has just received from the young +copyist at the further end of the office. + +"All right, Ned, you are at liberty for the next hour. Wait: You +can in the meantime run up for the ink," said Mr. Sharpley, +Attorney-at-Law, in an impatient tone, as though he wished to enjoy +the delightful communion of his own thoughts. + +And while the scion of the law was wending his steps towards the +Hudson Bay Company store--that mammoth collection of goods from +every clime--the father, yea rather grandfather, of variety stores-- +the disciple of Coke and Blackstone takes out of his breast pocket a +letter, which, judging from its crumpled state, must have claimed +the reader's attention more than once. + +"Five thousand dollars--not bad, by Jove," muttered Mr. Sharpley, in +firm set tones, then began whistling the air accompanying the words: + + "Never kick a man when he's going down the hill." + +Before going further let us take a survey at Nicholas Sharpley, +Esq., Attorney-at-Law, as he sits with his right arm resting on +the desk and his left supporting his very important head. He is +about thirty-five years of age, or perhaps less. His face is long +and his chin sharp, so that his name is no misnomer. A pair of +glittering, steel-like eyes, play a prominent part in the +expression of his face. A sinister smile plays hide-and-seek +around the thin, pale lips, while the movement betray a +flexibility of mind that is not nattering to the possessor. + +There is about the man a striking combination of Uriah Heap and +Mr. Pecksniff; which, to an honest-minded man, rendered him +intolerable. + +But Nicholas Sharpley had his followers, and thrived and shone +bright among the legal luminaries, and was always ready to do the +most unprincipled jobs to be met with. + +A cunning leer passed over the greyish countenance as the dazzling +vision protruded itself before Mr. Sharpley. He drew his fingers +convulsively through the mass of bristling hair (which might be +designated by that color known as iron grey), and then suppressing +a yawn, muttered: "It's worth the trying. The fellow's good for +another five--that's a bonanza these devilish hard times." + +The attorney then glanced over the contents of the prized letter +once more and evidently experienced a fresh sensation of delight. + +"Tracy beats the devil--all for the sake of a girl too; bet my +life she's no better than the rest of them. Well, Mr. Tracy, my +humble client, you will pay a good price for the enchanting +dearie, who has caught you body and soul--fools--fools--men are +fools." + +Poor Nicholas made the last assertion with much force of manner, +betraying his own feelings more than he would have dared to +acknowledge. + +Dame Rumor had not been sparing in circulating the love affairs of +our attorney-at-law, and when she fearlessly came forward and +declared that a certain maiden with more pin money than beauty, +rejected his suit, there went forth from the four walls of the +bachelor's apartments an edict ruthlessly vowing vengeance upon +the whole sex, and comforting himself with the thought that he +loved a good horse better than anything in this fluctuating world. + +"Ten thousand out of it; not a bad speck--and that in the eight +per cent--a thousand times better than the other side of the +bargain. Eh, Moll?" The latter part of the sentence was addressed +to the pretty animal that was reined up before the court-yard just +as the speaker rose to his feet. + +It was four o'clock and Mr. Sharpley, taking the ribbons from the +boy with all the importance of his position, rode down Main street +towards the old fort, and afterwards through the different streets +lined with the most imposing and stately residence so characteristic +of the southern portion of the city. + +Have patience, reader, while we give another thought to the +crumpled letter. Its pages make mention of one very dear to us. +Phillip Lawson is on the eve of being the dupe of two unprincipled +schemers. + +Hubert Tracy knew well where to look for an accomplice. He +possessed money or the means of getting it, and he knew that for +the precious dust the high handed and unscrupulous soul of +Nicholas Sharpley was his only help. + +"Ten thousand--not bad--and more to follow," were the words that +rose to Mr. Sharpley's lips and which he muttered incoherently as +he sat over a rubber of whist in a private apartment of the hotel +on the self-same evening, and as the many-sided character of the +attorney-at-law presented itself, we can see in bold relief a +placard bearing the mark "$10,000--not bad--and more to follow." + +And there is another on the eve of happiness--a rival is to be set +aside--that other is Hubert Tracy, and the rival is Phillip +Lawson. + +Within a few hours from the time that Mr. Sharpley had made up his +mind, there lay on the office desk a letter addressed: + +W. CLARKE CONNOR, ESQ., +Barrister, +Portage, La Prarie. + +Barrister at Portage La Prarie. Yes, my friend; barristers at the +northermost corner of the earth. + +Mr. Connor was a man of fifty years or upwards. He had formerly +practised in Winnipeg and in his office Nicholas Sharpley first +entered as a law student. Doubtless the quick-sighted lawyer saw in +the former much in common with his own sordid nature and liked +communion with kindred spirits, for Nicholas Sharpley rose high in +Mr. Connor's esteem, and when the latter started out for "greener +fields and pastures new," he was in full confidence of the affairs +of the younger lawyer. + +Mr. Connor was a man whom few liked but very many dreaded. He had +the power of ingratiating himself in favor when he was least sought, +and his bland oily manner could scarcely be disconcerted. + +"That old nuisance of a Connor is always poking his nose where he is +not wanted," was often heard from any outspoken Miss who had the +audacity to express her honest thoughts. + +Mr. Connor always appeared to take a very great interest in church +affairs and from his indefatigable labor generally strove to be at +the head of all measures advanced in the interest of his own church. +Whether or no the congregation of the pretty Presbyterian Church on +the outskirts of the town appreciated such labor we will not say but +let the reader judge for himself. + +But to the subject in question. Mr. Sharpley had no hesitation in +disclosing his mind on the present burning question. + +A great inducement was to be held out to Mr. Lawson to enter into +partnership with the said Mr. Connor, Barrister. Nothing was to be +left undone in order to accomplish this scheme. The wide field, +large practice, wealth of the country; its future greatness was +pictured in a wonderfully clever manner. + +Mr. Sharpley had been made acquainted with the affairs of the St. +John barrister in every particular. + +Hubert Tracy had carefully noted the average salary of the latter +and found that it was only by dint of perseverance and up-hill work +that he could meet all his demands. + +"The stronger the inducements the easier the job," was Tracy's +advice to the Winnipeg lawyer and it is needless to say that such +advice was carried out to the letter. + +Portage La Prarie was indeed an enterprising little town and +possessing many of the characteristics of earlier settled districts. + +On Main street are to be seen several fine buildings, fine stores +and fine residences, while Pacific and Belliveau hotels are quite +imposing. + +And the education of the youth is not forgotten. On an elevated +position commanding a fine view of the town stands the new +schoolhouse, a pretty and imposing structure with surroundings in +keeping with such an institution. + +And to this habitation the young lawyer was to be consigned. He +could not see his way out of the arrangement to which he had +partially given his consent. And when Mr. Sharpley's letters were +read and re-read, Phillip Lawson was in no enviable state of mind. +To do or not to do--to do was invariably the answer. Then there +arose another side to the question, which the young man hardly durst +think of. + +"I may stay here until my hair is gray, and what matters it? I have +no reason to think that there ever will be any hope for me in that +respect." + +Here Phillip fell to musing, and what his musings were, we may +divine from the foregoing speech. He considered Mr. Tracy in several +ways, and though he felt a little uneasiness in the matter +attributed it to the morbid state of his own mind. + +"With a wider field I can do something," murmured the lawyer, as he +gathered up the loose sheets of paper lying around and threw them +into the waste basket. + +But Phillip Lawson only saw one side of the proceeding--the +alluring, tempting side. + +There was, indeed, a complication of schemes already concocted, and +each one was to follow in a well conceived and nicely arranged +order--"a wheel within a wheel," as Hubert Tracy coolly expressed +himself. + +Perhaps no more diabolical scheme could have been more cleverly +planned to ruin the character of a fellow-being. But it is ever +thus, and shall be until the arch fiend, who first plotted in the +Amaranthine bowers of Eden, shall be cast out forever beyond the +reach of mortal ear. + +Had Phillip Lawson now received the timely warning of one kind +friend--but there was none to warn. If he asked the advice of some +older members of the profession, the answer invariably was: "Try it, +my boy, if you think you will succeed." So the outcome of it all was +that the young man had made up his mind to try it, and, after a long +conversation with Hubert Tracy, resolved to inform Mr. Sharpley of +his intention at the earliest opportunity. + +But Tracy was not so deeply enthusiastic as might be expected. He +seemed quite indifferent as to the result, and the change would have +puzzled as wise a head as Mr. Lawson's. Great was the surprise of +the latter when a few mornings earlier Mr. Tracy called to bid +good-bye. He was ready to take the train for Halifax, whence he was +to sail for England. + +"I may never see you again, Lawson, so think of me as you will," +cried the young man, with a sudden outburst of energy quite foreign +to his nature. + +"You may not go to the North-West?" + +"I certainly shall," answered the lawyer, determinedly. + +"Well may God prosper you, old boy," cried Hubert Tracy with a +choking sensation in his throat, and rushing madly out Phillip +Lawson caught the peculiar glance in his eye which he many a time +called to mind years afterwards when he could interpret it with all +clearness--the look which seemed to plead for forgiveness--which +seemed to say, "I was desperate and the devil tempted me, I was +indeed brought up by a good, pious mother." + +But it matters not that Hubert Tracy had been early trained in the +paths of right, he was possessed of a weak many-sided nature and +fell a prey to vice on the first opportunity. + +Worse still, he appeared in good society and was looked upon alike +by maidens and mothers as a most desirable acquisition by way of +alliance, notwithstanding the fact that many had doubts concerning +the tone of morality set up as his standard. + +Let us, however, earnestly hope that the pure heart of Marguerite +Verne shall never come in contact with such deadly poisonous +influence. May she ever remain the guileless, sweet creature that +she now is. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +HELEN'S CELESTIAL SKETCHES. + + +A few mornings after Marguerite had arrived from "Gladswood" she was +sitting in the library writing a note to cousin Jennie. + +A fresh young voice gaily greeted her and Helen Rushton stood before +her, a pretty picture in her morning costume of delicate cambric. + +"Madge, darling, it seems a year since I saw your dear old face!" +cried Helen enthusiastically, at the same moment embracing the +former in truly genuine style. + +Marguerite returned her friend's salutation, and putting her into an +old-fashioned arm-chair drew her own seat near and was ready for a +good chat. + +"Madge, I have news for you." + +"Good news or bad news?" queried Marguerite. + +"Both," said Helen, "can you guess?" + +"Spare my patience, Helen, I am no good at guessing." + +"Then you give up?" + +"I do, but you know full well that I have as much curiosity as any +of Eve's daughters." + +"Indeed, Madge, I will not give you credit for any such thing. I do +think you have the least curiosity of any girl I ever met--you are +far above it, you precious darling." + +"Be careful, Helen, or I shall begin to have more conceit than is +strictly in accordance with what is right," said Marguerite +earnestly. "But of the news, Helen? You see, I cannot conceal the +weakness after all you have said." + +"Well, I shall not tease you any more. Last evening I received a +letter saying that papa was called away to England on business to be +absent for three months, and as mamma's health is delicate the +physicians thought the trip would be highly beneficial to her. Papa +and mamma both write and ask if I would like to remain here while +they are absent." + +"Oh, I am so glad Helen--of course you will," cried Marguerite in +earnest pleading tones. + +"Yes Madge, I will stay. My brothers are in Philadelphia and the +dear old home would seem very lonely." + +Helen was about to say more but the unceremonious arrival of Josie +Jordan brought it to an abrupt end. + +"Well, of all things! You girls here! I do think I am mean to come +when I wasn't sent for. Now Madge Verne, you are one of the meanest +girls I ever met." + +"What have I been guilty of now, Josie?" + +"Oh yes, to be home more than a week without sending Fred. or +Charlie to let me know. And this precious article," pointing to +Helen, "I thought in Halifax." + +"Am sorry you are so sadly disappointed, Josie." + +"Come now Miss Helen, I mean no offence and though it is nearly two +months since I saw you, remember I have not forgotten your promise." + +"What about?" asked Helen. + +"Celestial entertainment, my dear," ventured Madge. + +"I thought myself to be free, for you know, my dear, that was some +time ago," said Helen, laughing. + +"I'm ready with questions girls. Let us call the House to order. Is +the House ready for the question?" cried Josie, jumping to her feet +and brandishing a lignum vitae rule which she held in her hand. + +"Well girls to be serious I don't know how to begin. Last evening I +had a note from Marion and she says they had a most delightful time +at the Encaenia and spoke of two young gentlemen who graduated with +the highest honors. I met them frequently and received much kindness +from them." + +"Suppose you saw in them a 'Roland and an Oliver,'" cried Josie, +making a series of amusing grimaces. + +"One was from Westmoreland and the other from Kings--the latter, I +am told, is the banner county for intelligence and ability." + +"Now Helen Rushton, I am not going to stand that," exclaimed Josie, +her eyes sparkling with good natured repartee--"indeed the famous +county of St. John has been the birthplace of men who ranked high in +intellectual ability, proud attainments and held their own with the +professionals, legislators and statesmen of other countries." + +"Well done Josie, you are true to the core," cried Helen in rapt +admiration at the defiant and fearless girl. + +"What if York could have her say, I suppose _she_ claims to be +historic and grand too," remarked Marguerite with a sly glance +towards Helen. + +"Aye, and that she is, too," said the latter, the bright color on +her cheek betokening the earnestness of her speech, "surely you will +give to York the credit of the 104th regiment. It was while there I +heard much of that glorious march which is unparalleled in history. +When the brave veterans set forth amid all the hardships of piercing +winter winds and boundless wastes of snow, the patriotic band, their +hearts kept warm by the patriotic fire within, toiling on without a +murmur, and singing snatches of song to sustain their drooping +spirits, at last reached the goal; and when called into action, +fought bravely and to the end, shedding greater lustre on the +Province of their birth than if each soldier had been raised to a +peerage." + +"New Brunswick has many such true, loyal and brave sons, Helen, and +if the hour should come when our country demands them, not one will +shirk his duty." + +Marguerite Verne was the speaker, and at that moment the +enthusiastic expression of her face showed that the girl would not +stand idly by if she could also administer to the sufferings of the +wounded and the dying. + +"Well, I do believe we are the oddest crowd of girls in existence. +Just look where our conversation has landed us, and for goodness +sake look at Madge! One would suppose she was starting off with an +ambulance and all the other requisites necessary for a field nurse! +Ha! ha! ha!" + +Josie's ringing laugh infected the others, and a general laugh +succeeded. + +"This reminds me of an evening while in Fredericton," said Helen. +"Some company happened in, and after music we formed a party for +whist, and during the first half hour as the game progressed the +conversation was, strange to say, of a serious nature, when in an +instant a bright, happy girl sitting near me, by an unconscious +remark, completely changed the current of thought and convulsed the +entire party with fits of laughter." + +"How I would have enjoyed it, Helen. If there be anything in this +world that I admire in people it is a propensity for laughing," said +Josie. + +"Yes," added Marguerite, "if people laughed more heartily there +would be less doctor's bills to pay, and less palatial drugstores at +every corner." + +"I believe so, too; but as I have many friends among the medical +faculty, would not like to take a shingle off by advising too +frequent hilarity," said Helen, laughing herself as contradiction to +the speech. + +"Oh, I forgot, Helen; you said that you visited in a professional +gentleman's family. I hope your host would not be among the list to +be boycotted by our new method of prescription?" + +We will not give Helen's answer. Suffice it to say the girls +received all the facts they wished to know, and felt more than ever +impressed with Helen's ideas of celestial hospitality. + +Then followed a vivid description of several of the M.P.P.'s, +particularly the younger members of that august assemblage. + +"The Crichton's of the House, did you say, Helen?" cried Josie, +abruptly. + +"Yes, several are considered quite beaux; I believe many of the +young ladies have had designs upon them." + +"And they are invulnerable?" + +"Not exactly so, if rumor is correct; but as I never met the young +ladies in question, cannot tell you much about it. Yes, I was at +several parties, and had a good opportunity of seeing many people." + +"Did you form as favorable opinions of the fair sex, there as those +of our set?" + +"You absurd girl! what a question! Well, to be candid, I saw much to +approve and much to disapprove. One thing I did not like--that was +the young ladies invariably flirted with the married gentlemen, and +_vice versa_,--anything I despise in this world is a male +flirt." + +Helen Rushton drew herself up proudly and looked the embodiment of +scorn and disgust. + +"And I dare say little Helen was not behind in the list, for you +see, girls, she favors it among the fair beauties." + +"Josie Jordan, I would not stoop so far beneath the dignity of woman +as to indulge in the most 'harmless flirtation,' and I pity the +woman who does so; but man, with all his high sense of honor, and in +possession of those manly graces which, when properly directed, are +a guiding-star to society, falls low indeed when he becomes what is +generally termed a flirt." + +"Dear me," cried Josie, "and you really passed through the campaign +without making an attack upon any of the celestials?" + +"I am not going to tell you, Josie. I only wish you to know that I +walked, danced, sang and was kindly entertained, and hope that I may +only have an opportunity of returning such kindness when any of +those acquaintances should happily tread on Haligonian classic +soil." + +"I believe the poetic and aesthetic of the celestial have taken, +deep root already! Girls, just listen to the style of speech--tread +on classic soil!" + +At this Marguerite smiled, yet she did not altogether endorse +Josie's repartee, and going to a cabinet took out a portfolio, which +she passed to Helen. + +"Excuse me, Josie, I had almost forgotten to have these sketches +ready to send by the evening mail. I have promised two of them to +Cousin Jennie, and really am at a loss to decide--which do you like +best?" + +Marguerite had now arranged several pretty sketches before her +companions, and to decide was no easy task. + +"This is cute!" cried Josie, holding up the foremost of the group. + +"The banks of Nith," remarked Helen, examining the pretty Scotch +landscape with the air of a connoiseur. + +"Yes, I believe Jennie will like that," said Marguerite, taking the +proffered sketch. + +"Like it? she will adore it! for if she be like me she will admire +anything that is Scotch--Scotch music--oh, girls! is there anything +on this earth more enchanting than a quaint old Scotch ballad?" + +"Yes; and if Madge or yours very humbly ever gets to Halifax we may +expect a daily repast of oatmeal bannocks," turning towards Helen, +and was about to exercise some of her latent strength upon her, when +a reminder from Marguerite caused her to turn in dismay. + +"Look what you have done!" + +The sketches were lying upon the carpet. Instantly Josie was on her +knees; and as she placed each sketch upon the cabinet, described its +merits and demerits most heartily. + +A pretty companion sketch--"Kilchurn Castle," rendered famous by +Wordsworth--was also selected, and when the package had been sealed +it passed into Josie's hands to be mailed on her way homeward. + +Before the girls separated, Helen had given a glowing description of +a choral service in the Cathedral. She described the building itself +with the precision of an architect, not excepting the massive key +which was also in keeping with the style of architecture--the form +of a cross. And this grand and imposing Gothic structure, its solemn +service, inspiring music pealing along the corridors, echoing and +re-echoing through the vaulted arches, the solemn procession wending +slowly down from the altar and entering by the eastern door, the +prelates in the order of succession. + +"It was a sight I shall never forget," said Helen, with a peculiar +earnestness. "I stood long in the grand tesselated vestibule and +took in the scene, and as I did so, I noticed a young gentleman who +seemed spell-bound; he was wrapped in deep enthusiasm, and on making +enquiries learned that the dreamer was an artist--a native artist-- +in fact I could almost see the poetic glow overspreading each +feature of the expressive face." + +"And thus it ended that Helen Rushton went to the Celestial and fell +in love with a Celestial artist. Amen, so let it be!" + +"Josie Jordan, how irreverent!" + +"Forgive me, Madge! I forget that I am in the presence of High +Church people. Now dear, I will be ever so humble." + +Josie's contrition was of short duration. Within a few moments she +had to be reproved for interrupting Helen in the midst of a short +but clearly-defined picture of the University and the pretty groves +and avenues. + +"I am determined to see those places later in the season." + +"Then you will be repaid a thousand times, Helen," said Madge, a +smile resting upon the madonna-like face and throwing a halo around +her. "Last summer a number of friends were staying at the 'Barker,' +and in the meantime Cousin Jennie and I found ourselves in Uncle +William's care and registered at the 'Queen.' It was a lovely +morning in August, and as we were engaged to attend a garden party +on the self-same evening, we set off in the direction of Mr. +Bebbington's garden, to get some of his choice roses. I was somewhat +ahead of the party, and on turning the corner of Queen and Church +streets the scene was truly enchanting. I was pleased to be alone to +drink in the grandeur. I never could half describe that picture, it +was as one brief glimpse of some paradise that appears only in +dreamland. Not a sound marred the effect. All was calm and peaceful +indeed. Stretching out in graceful curves lay the river, looking +indeed like living silver; the soft, green sward and grassy bank; +then the Cathedral in its sombre Gothic dress, its leafy grove, its +hallowed associations. I looked further, and there stood the +outlying hills crowned with lovely foliage, and above all the soft, +fleecy clouds chasing each other through the blue sky. Soft and +beautiful as an Italian landscape! And the neat, suburban cottages +with artistically-arranged flower gardens in front. All was in +keeping with the scene. + + 'No sound of busy life was heard.' + +"As I stood in wrapt admiration, the Cathedral clock chimed out in +soft, silvery tones, summoning the worshipper to the morning matin. +Presently a figure emerges from the doorway of a neat residence and +crosses the street. It is the Lord Bishop, who for so many years has +crossed the same well-beaten path. The calm serenity of the place, +the hour and the solemnity of the scene was overpowering. I dared +not wait until the ethereal sweetness of the music would cease. I +took one lingering gaze and murmured: This is indeed Elysium--a step +nearer Heaven, and with feelings of reverential awe set forth on my +errand." + +"It must indeed have been grand!" cried the listeners in concert. + +"I can never forget it," said Marguerite, "and if you should ever +happen to see the same picture, you can imagine my emotions at the +time." + +"It is growing late, and I must attend to business," said Josie, +taking up the package and setting off for the post office, while +Helen and Marguerite stood on the balcony throwing tokens of +affection, and as the coquettish form was lost in the distance, +Helen, turning towards her companion, said: + +"If Josie could only remain as she is--a grown-up child!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +MRS. ARNOLD AS A DIPLOMATIST. + + +Some evenings later Phillip Lawson found his way to "Sunnybank." He +was received by the stately mistress with more than usual courtesy. + +"You have surely forgotten us of late, Mr. Lawson," exclaimed she, +in a playful and remonstrating style. "Are we to attribute your +delinquency to business or total neglect?" + +"I must plead business to a certain extent, Mrs. Verne," said the +young man with a quaint dignified reserve. + +"I understand that you intend spending your vacation at 'Gladswood' +Mr. Lawson. Really I envy you the prospect, for it is a truly +delightful spot." + +Mrs. Verne had seated herself upon the sofa. She wore a rich black +moire robe which, with the addition of a magnificent display of +garnets with setting of gold, made an elaborate costume. + +"I am sorry that circumstance has cancelled my engagement in that +direction. In fact I regret it deeply, I was anticipating too much +and was justly punished." + +"It must be weighty business that would thus interfere, Mr. Lawson. +I am inclined to believe that you are already becoming too worldly." +Mrs. Verne had raised her jewelled fingers and rested them upon her +forehead. + +Among the many weaknesses of Mrs. Verne was her vain and +uncontrollable desire to show off her beautifully shaped hands--fit +models for the sculptor's chisel--rivals for those of, the Venus of +Cnidos by Praxiteles. + +The young barrister had kept his negotiations quiet and had no +intention to gratify the woman's curiosity. + +Marguerite now entered accompanied by Louise Rutherford. The latter +had returned from Montreal and was making her first call at +"Sunnybank." + +"Mr. Lawson has just been receiving a slight reproof, young ladies, +and I think you have arrived in time to assist me," said Mrs. Verne +glancing at Louise with a bewitching smile. + +"I for one always think that when Mr. Lawson neglects any part of +his duties it is wholly from inability to perform them," said +Louise. + +"Duties! That is the great trouble. It is to duty that we attribute +the true source of our complaint. To the stern goddess is sacrificed +every would-be pleasure." + +"Forgive me Mrs. Verne, I believe that Mr. Lawson is right, and +forgetful of every presence Louise exclaimed:-- + + "Stern daughter of the voice of God, + O duty, if that name thou love, + Who art a light to guide, a rod + To check the erring, and reprove-- + Thou, who art victory and law, + When empty terrors overawe; + From vain temptations dost set free, + And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity." + +"Noble girl," thought the young man, "those words give me greater +strength." + +Little did Marguerite Verne dream of the thoughts passing through +Mr. Lawson's mind as he bowed acknowledgment to her companion's +quotation. + +The rising blush betrayed Louise Rutherford's embarrassment. + +"Really Mr. Lawson, I beg to be excused. I have a habit of +committing to memory any subject that I admire and it sometimes +makes me seem very ridiculous when they unconsciously repeat +themselves." + +"Not in this particular, I assure you, Miss Rutherford," said the +young man very earnestly, and as Marguerite fancied, with a hidden +meaning in their depths. + +"I presume you are aware that Mr. Tracy has sailed for Europe?" said +Mrs. Verne, casting a meaning glance at Marguerite and watching the +effect upon Mr. Lawson. + +"Yes; I was somewhat surprised when he called at the office to make +his adieu. It must surely have been an impromptu arrangement. Within +a fortnight he had been planning a different course," said Mr. +Lawson, quite cheerily. + +"Sooner or later he will join Mr. and Mrs. Arnold," said Mrs. Verne, +referring to the newly wedded pair with proud delight. + +"That will be very pleasant, indeed," said Mr. Lawson. + +"Would you not like to be one of the party, Madge?" cried Louise, +with all the honest enthusiasm of her nature." + +"I cannot say that I would," replied Marguerite. + +"Oh! you are such an old-fashioned home body, Madge; I might know +your answer without asking the question. Suppose I might ask +_you_, Mr. Lawson," ventured Louise, persistent in getting a +favorable reply. + +The young barrister smiled, and that smile was a conquest in itself. +It had powers to enable a mild and _spirituelle_ maiden to form +a resolve that was as unyielding as the marble hearthstone beside +her, while on the other hand it exercised a spirit in the +calculating matron that no human influence could brook. + +Mr. Lawson had little thought of the agencies at work in those two +beings of widely different natures, and of which time alone will +interpret the result. + +Marguerite Verne was sweetly irresistible. Her dress was simple--a +sweet simplicity in every look, motion and gesture. The pure white +draperies gave to the _spirituelle_ face the radiance of a +Madonna, and placed the maiden in striking contrast to the sparkling +bright and witty Louise--a striking and high-spirited brunette, with +a mind of no common order. + +As Mr. Lawson sat in the Verne drawing-room with the being that he +idolized so near him, a deadly struggle was going on within. What a +conflict--what doubt, what irresolution! + +It was worse than ever to give up all earthly hope, all earthly +happiness. + +What prevented the young man--aye, every inch a man--from falling on +his knees and declaring his love, and begging a slight return for +such love? + +Go ask the weird sisters upon whose spindles hang the threads of +every human life! Go ask the winds that echo the wails of human +hearts and often carry them along with a cruel insatiable spirit of +revenge, until all is hushed in the stillness of death. + +Mrs. Verne dwelt with pride upon the adulation which her firstborn +was receiving in them other country. Mrs. Arnold's beauty had been +commented upon in the journals; her face was sought after in all the +fashionable resorts, and her queenly torso was the subject of every +artist. + +"They are going to remain for some weeks in Paris, and I am really +afraid that Evelyn will be intoxicated with gaiety. She is such a +lover of society, the dear girl, and Montague is just as fond of +gaiety as Eve. What a happy couple they must be--they write such +sweetly interesting letters. Really, Mr. Lawson, it would do one +good to read them." + +The subjects of those remarks were in the meantime enjoying life at +a hotel in Picadilly. They had seen the sights of the great French +metropolis, but were they really enjoying life as it should be. Was +there real true happiness existing between these two hearts--"this +happy couple?" + +This is a question to be answered in due time, and which will be +"sweetly interesting" to know. + +When Mr. Lawson rose to take leave he was uncomfortably conscious of +the patronage bestowed upon him. Mrs. Verne was radiant in smiles +and gave her hand to the departing guest with the grace of a +dowager. + +"You must not stay away so long again, Mr. Lawson. Remember if you +do, I shall be very angry, and, perhaps, not so easily conciliated." + +It did, indeed, seem a coincidence that at the very moment that +Louise Rutherford had asked Marguerite if she did not wish to be one +of the tourists that a thought flashed through Mrs. Vernes' head +with the rapidity of lightning, and in less time than is conceivable +was formed into high and daring resolve. + +And more surprising still is the fact that some hours previous the +same bent of thought was being cherished by the wily Mrs. Montague +Arnold. + +The latter was determined that through her influence upon her +worldly mother that Marguerite should wed Hubert Tracy, heir to Sir +Peter Tracy's grand estates. + +"Mamma will accomplish her end if any person on earth can do it, and +Marguerite is too good, too conscientious, to disobey." + +Was this peerless beauty so fond of Hubert Tracy? Did she entertain, +such high opinion of this fashionable young man? No! He had riches-- +that was all in all. That was one reason; and another, it would be +the means of outwitting Philip Lawson, whom she hated with a bitter +hate. + +When Evelyn Verne gave her hand to Montague Arnold she never gave +her heart. + +Her marriage was in the eyes of the world a good match, and that was +all that was necessary. Mr. Arnold was a man of the world, addicted +to many habits that were not what the better side of life would +approve of; but his wife had her failings, likewise, and she availed +herself of the license thus given her--the liberties of fashionable +folly. Mrs. Arnold being a beauty, was courted by the gay and +fashionable world. She flirted without restraint, and took delight +in making conquests among the degenerated nobility, and lost no +opportunity of displaying her charms. Excitement was as necessary to +Mrs. Arnold's nature as the air is necessary for the support of +animal life. She was buoyed up by excitement and kept alive by +excitement. Life was one giddy round of delights--the dejeuner fete, +opera, and ball-room. + +It matters not to know whether this woman of fashion ever gave one +thought to the real object of life--whether she even dreamed that +God gave man an intellect, with mind-power capable of being brought +nearer that state from which he fell ere he lost the impress of the +Divine; but it matters us to know that she strove to bring every one +whom she met on a level with her own superficial mind. + +"Madge must marry Hubert Tracy; once with us she is perfectly safe. +Papa will be beyond reach, and his counsel or suggestions will not +come in time." + +Such was the comment of Mrs. Arnold as she stood opposite the +elegant plate mirror which reflected a life-size portrait of +herself. + +"I am beautiful, and it is but in justice to myself that 'I improve +the shining hour.' Oh, Montague Arnold, you were a lucky man to wed +such a prize," murmured the woman, clasping her hands over her head +in an attitude often seen upon the stage when the actress is +exhibiting much feeling: then looking into the depths of the +brilliant dark eyes, exclaimed, "What jewels can compare with thee, +my priceless orbs?" + +The elegant evening costume was a marvel in itself--creamy lace, +shining satin, and flowing draperies, while bright jewels gleamed +from the dusky hair and burned upon the heaving bosom. + +"Evelyn, my queen, you are ready for the conquest!" cried the +beauty, taking one long gaze, and then picking up the jewelled fan +that fell at her feet went forth at the summons of the waiting-maid +to receive a visitor in the drawing-room. + +"The Hon. Cecil Featherstone! The man is my slave! Why is he here at +such an early hour?--it is too bad! What shall I do with poor +Huntington, my latest flame? Oh, dear! I wish the men were not so +incorrigible! Featherstone--it ought to be Featherhead, for I +believe his head is sadly light of brains. Featherhead--Hon. Cecil +Featherhead!--ha! ha! ha!" + +Had not the grand drawing-room been at the other end of the spacious +hall the latter part of Mrs. Arnold's speech would have been heard +by the subject of these remarks. Be it said, to that gentleman's +ease of mind, that he was in the meantime admiring some choice +paintings and counting the minutes hours until the fair hostess +should arrive. + +"This is an unexpected pleasure, Mr. Featherstone! I was really +wondering what I should do with myself until the opera--and how kind +of you, Mr. Featherstone, to think of me! I believe that I am one +of the most favored of mortals!" + +Having made this speech, Mrs. Arnold cast upon Mr. Featherstone one +of her duly-organized smiles--a smile that was magnetic, and that +set the heart of the luckless visitor into a flutter beyond recall. + +"My dear Mrs. Arnold, you certainly do me the highest honor that can +be bestowed upon a human being"--Mr. Featherstone felt considerable +difficulty in getting off this speech, but another glance at the +fair creature and he continued--"for you are certainly born to be +worshipped at a distance--a something too lovely to be approached by +anything this side of paradise!" + +"Oh, Mr. Featherstone, spare me this flattery--I cannot really +receive such, and from you-one endowed with such intellectual power, +such ability and such genius! The thought is really dreadful!" + +Mrs. Arnold's assumed earnestness of manner was indeed flattery of +the seventh degree to the superficial Mr. Featherstone. He was +transported to empyrean air. Mrs. Arnold had insight and her opinion +was something to cherish. Poor Mr. Featherstone! + +The conversation that followed was extravagant to the highest +degree, and he went away that evening in a state of great +disquietude, wondering why it was that it had not been his good +fortune to meet his ideal of female loveliness ere she was wedded to +another. + +"That miserable bore! I am late in writing mamma's letter. I really +wonder what she would say if she saw me flirting with the Hon. Cecil +Featherstone! but I must be cautious, for I want the simple-minded +Madge to share my blissful fate." + +A servant in livery entered in answer to the summons of the +bell-rope. + +"Has James gone for the evening mail, Watkins?" demanded Mrs. Arnold +in an imperious tone. + +"He has not gone yet, my lady." + +"Go and see how long before he does." + +"Yes, my lady," said the servant, bowing very low, and with an air +that seemed to say he was in the presence of royalty. The said +Watkins had seen service in distinguished families, and the habit, +though a ridiculous one, had become second nature, he invariably +addressing every woman of fashion as "my lady." + +Mrs. Arnold was pleased to learn that she could put her plan into +execution without a moment's delay, and being a rapid writer she +wrote and sealed a formidable-looking document, which she styled +"mamma's letter," and within a few minutes saw it safe in the +mail-bag awaiting the arrival of James, the trustworthy footman. + +What the letter contained and its effects upon the different members +of her family will follow in another chapter. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +MR. SPRIGGINS MAKES A DISCOVERY. + + +It is indeed, a warm July day--a fine hay day--and the people of +Mill Crossing are taking advantage of the occasion. They are turned +out _en masse_. Mowing machines are called into active service, +and the new inventions--reapers, binders, etc.--are also at hand. +The farmers of this favored locality are pretty well to do, and +conspicuous among the number is our friend Mr. Spriggins. + +The Spriggins farm was well cultivated. A good frame house and +commodious barns speak of the industry of the Sprigginses. + +There was also a heavy stock upon the farm, and that fact alone is +sufficient proof of its thrift. + +On the day in question we see the healthy, beaming face of Mr. Mose +Spriggins in the doorway. He had been very busy in the earlier part +of the morning, but now had a few moments to talk to the young man +who had been hired to help in haying time. + +The homestead, like many others that we see in country districts, +had a snug room on each side of the narrow entrance--the one on the +northeast side being fitted up for the best room, and used only on +state occasions, such as weddings, quarterly meetings, etc. Into +this apartment Moses peeped with an air of great caution, as much as +to say "I must be keerful the old lady don't spy me in here with my +big boots on." + +But important business was on hand. The mantel piece must be +reached! The old clock that didn't go stood there, and within, its +sheltering recess was a valuable document. + +"Well, I never; if this eer room isn't as dark as Egypt," exclaimed +Moses, going to the end window and hitching up the blind in that +remarkable style peculiar only to the sterner sex. + +The light sun streamed in and brought out each article of furniture +in bold relief. + +There was a brand new set of cane-seat chairs that the old lady had +bought at Stewart & White's the last time she had been to town. A +woollen carpet from A. O. Skinner's had lately taken the place of +the home-made one which now graced the spare bedroom up stairs. A +motto, "God Bless our Home," hung over the mantel, and a few chromos +relieved the walls. A large, beautifully bound Bible lay on the +table, and beside it a photograph album, which had been subscribed +for a few days previous by the persistent, efforts of an +indefatigable canvasser. A white tidy covered the back of the +rocking-chair, and another the back of the lounge. An old-fashioned +pitcher filled with sweet-brier and some of the old-time flowers, +such as bachelors' buttons, London pride, blue rocket and +jump-up-johnnie stood on a kind of sideboard and showed a desire +to make the room attractive and inviting. + +In this apartment the young man stood for about five minutes' time, +then exclaimed: + +"By golly! I must soon git; for if the old lady catches me I'm a +goner." + +Suiting the action to the words Moses made his exit, carrying in his +hand a sheet of paper which, on gaining the door, he folded and +thrust into his bosom. + +"Where's N'h'miar gone, Bill?" + +"He's up to Widder Smith's; Ned was here a few minnits ago and said +he was a' wantin', so off he sot; but he said to tell you he would +be back less 'n ten minnits." + +"The 'tarnal fool, to be a runnin' arter the Smithses every time +they want him," exclaimed Mr. Spriggins, seating himself under a +tree to take the afternoon lunch which now had arrived. + +"Why didn't mother send a bushel more?" exclaimed Moses, eyeing the +basket of bread and butter, cakes and pie--real raspberry pie. + +A slice of bread was followed by a mug of milk. Then Moses took a +glance at the document, probably as a means of facilitating +digestion. + +"Great scott! what's this? Well, if I'm not one of the darnd'st +fools on this side the crossin'. Well, if that ar' lawyer won't +think me a nice 'un, and like as not a thief." + +Mr. Spriggins had been at Mr. Lawson's office some days' before, and +bore away some advice, written down, that he "might not forgit." + +The barrister had received several visits from his client, and each +time had treated the said client with considerable favor. + +Mr. Lawson somewhat admired the honest-hearted young farmer, and +really was interested in him, and felt a sympathy which was +unaccountable. + +"One good turn deserves another, Mr. Lawson, and I may throw +something your way some day." + +There really did appear to be little value in this remark; but +strange to say, in it were bound up Phillip Lawson's hopes, +happiness, yes, all that was dearer than life. The sturdy son of +toil proved his truest friend, and to the hour of his death he will +ever cherish the thought wholly sacred. + +But of Mr. Spriggins' surprise! + +He had opened the letter to read the advice on trespass (which +sooner or later is the experience of every farmer), when to his +dismay another letter dropped out. It bore the address of the +Winnipeg solicitor, and evidently was some private correspondence of +his respected counsellor, Mr. Lawson. + +"Ginger, I must git to town soon, for it must be something +important! Darned if I know whether to read it or not. P'raps I'd +better not. I couldn't go and tell a lie and say I didn't when I +did. It would make a feller feel kinder streaked when he thought +on't." + +Mr. Spriggins reasoned thus, and the upshot of it was that next +morning, after he had got a man to take his place, set off to town, +a distance of twenty-two miles. + +A pallor overspread the countenance of Mr. Lawson as he glanced at +the missive which Mr. Spriggins placed in his hand, with the +impression that it was business. + +"Yes, it is indeed business, Mr. Spriggins, and I am your debtor for +life," said the young man, extending his hand to the obliging Moses +and giving him that hearty shake which often betokens lasting +gratitude. + +"Call on me at any time, Mr. Spriggins; you will be in again soon, I +presume." + +"After hayin', sir." + +"Very well," and bowing the visitor out the lawyer once more took up +the letter and read it slowly through. + +"Heavens!" exclaimed the young man, excitedly. "I have it in my +power to bring the scoundrel to justice. Thank God, I have not +fallen a victim to the villains. And to think of the simple way by +which it is brought about. Oh! Heavenly Father! to Thee I am truly +grateful." The speaker raised his eyes upwards, and a light shone +upon the broad manly brow--a light that seemed really to descend +from Heaven. + +Phillip Lawson buried his face in his hands and remained thus for +some time. + +During these moments what a rush of thought passed through the busy +brain. What a change from the last fortnight, when he had made up +his mind to leave for a distant town in the far West. + +"And yet, if it had not been for the second part of the offence, I +could have borne it; aye, it might have been better for me in the +end. But the dreadful pit into which I was inevitably to fall--God +forgive them. Hubert Tracy--we may never meet again, and if we do, +you shall never know. And all engaged in it were of the profession. +No wonder lawyers are denounced in the holy writ--" + +"My dear old brother looks as if he had lost every friend in the +world." + +Looking up Phillip Lawson saw a _petite_ figure in white +cambric frock standing at his elbow. The child put her arms around +her brother's neck and looked steadily into the honest grey eyes, so +full of thought and so striking in their depths. + +"Phillip, you are troubled, and you are hiding it from me. Dearest +and best of brothers, can I not help you? I am not the little child +you think me. Oh! Phillip; I can be a woman when I am needed," and +the large bright eyes filled with tears. + +"What nonsense, Puss. What an imaginary little creature you are. Now +please drive away such silly thoughts, and when Brother Phillip is +in need of sympathy he will ask none other than his little sunbeam." + +The young man then kissed back the sunny smiles and listened to the +playful prattle which fell from the bright lips. Then he thought of +the lines-- + + "The tear down childhood's cheek that flows + Is like the dew-drop on the rose; + When next the summer breeze comes by + And waves the bush, the flower is dry." + +"What have you there, Puss?" said Phillip, glancing at the volumes +in the child's hand. + +"I can scarcely tell you, but I believe they are good, for Miss +Lewis recommended them." + +Mr. Lawson took up one of the volumes. It was Miss Alcott's first +work--"Moods." + +"It is very good, indeed, but I fear you are too young to appreciate +it. There is an analysis of character that requires much mind +knowledge, and that is why so many young girls consider it dry. If +I were to explain it fully you would not understand; but you can +read the volume through, and we will have a little chat when you +have finished. I hope my little sister will not be impulsive and +moody as the heroine." + +Phillip then patted the golden curls, and as he stooped to kiss the +pretty pouting lips he saw a fair vision of a lovely maiden, no +longer a child on her brother's knee, but a sweet and amiable +maiden, with a subdued and thoughtful look that showed she had +struck a sympathetic chord in a fond brother's breast and given him +the devotion of her first and purest love. + +Then the dreamer vainly tried to draw another picture; but all was +chaos. No bright form could be exorcised from the conglomerate heap. +All was disorder--a ruined mound of buried hopes!--a blackness dark +as the Stygian shore. + +"Is it not nice that we have a Public Library now!" cried the child +in gleeful tone, so sadly in contrast to her brother's thoughts. + +"It is, indeed, Puss. I wonder how you young ladies got along before +we had one?" + +"We did not get along at all, Brother Phillip. Annie Morrison says +that it was not living, only staying." + +"I suppose Miss Annie must be right," said the lawyer, turning to +the other volume. + +"'Tales of a Grandfather.' In this you have something nice. I read +it when quite a little boy, and I can remember much at it yet." + +"It is Scott's, and anything of his I love," said Lottie, with a +womanly air. + +"It is historical, and such books are great helps to study. You must +read some of it this evening, child. I am somewhat, tired, and will +be both amused and entertained. You can sit in the old chair and I +will play lazybones upon the lounge." + +Hand in hand went the pair in the direction of the cottage. + +When Phillip Lawson sought the asylum of his own room he knelt down, +and offered up a fervent prayer at the Throne of Mercy. + +A sense of relief followed, and a light seemed to break forth amidst +the gloom--a light that lightened the dark path of life and +portended to usher in a new and happier day. The last look of Hubert +Tracy received interpretation, and as Phillip Lawson thought over +and over of the deep abyss into which he was so nearly to be +plunged, tried hard to feel kindly towards the perpetrator of the +double-sided crime. + +"God forgive him! Let him pass into other hands than mine," was the +young man's decision as he turned over the pages of the cruel +letter. The young barrister was magnanimous in the highest degree. +It was then the grandeur of his character shone in its purity and +nobility, and as his sister came in with a tiny note she fancied +that she heard him repeat in earnest tones the words "never-- +never--never!" + +"This is for you, Brother Phillip; Fred. Verne left it this +afternoon." + +A smile followed the reading of the note. It was from Cousin Jennie. +The young lady had arrived in the city and was ready to convey him +to "Gladswood," free of charge. + +"Lottie, can you get Edith to stay with you this evening? I shall be +out." + +The girl, with all the impetuosity of her nature, set off on the +gleeful message, while Phillip Lawson mapped out a letter that was +energetic and full of decision. + +"There will be no more solicitation from that quarter. Heavens! it +was a great temptation. Well, if I had exposed them, what good could +come of it." + +A few hours later Mr. Lawson was announced at Sunnybank. Cousin +Jennie was in her gayest mood. + +"I am ready for you. Mr. Lawson; what is your verdict?" cried she, +giving him a hearty shake of the hand. + +"That the law must take its course," said Mr. Verne, who at that +moment entered and gave the young man a warm greeting. + +"You have been sadly delinquent of late, Mr. Lawson. I ask the women +folks, and the answer invariably is in the negative. Now, if it were +not that this little country girl is here I would carry you off to +my den." + +"Yes, Uncle Verne, it is just such an ungallant thing as you would +do," cried Jennie, giving her head a saucy toss. + +"Madge, you are just in time to support our claims." + +"Pray enlighten me, dearest," said Marguerite, who, hat in hand, +stood on the threshold. + +A second look caused a slight blush to mantle upon her cheek, and +she came forward with a sweet smile and gave her hand to the welcome +guest. + +"Mamma has a severe headache and wishes me to convey her regrets to +you, Mr. Lawson," said Marguerite, on her return to the drawing-room +a few minutes later. + +After the young girl made the above speech her eyes met those of her +father, and she knew that he felt annoyed. Did he think she had done +wrong? She could not refuse to deliver her mother's message. And +that headache! It was a purely conventional one--arranged for +effect. Mr. Verne had occasion to say some hasty words to his wife. +He could not sanction the steps she had taken in direct opposition +to his advice, and he must speak his mind. He was a man of few +words, but those words were to the point. + +Thus while the rest of the family enjoyed themselves in the +drawing-room Mrs. Verne gracefully reclined upon die gorgeous +crimson lounge in her own room, and was as deeply interested in the +heroine of the novel which she was reading as a maiden of eighteen. + +"Half-past nine. How the time flies over a good book. It is better +that I don't go down. I would be almost tempted to break the news. +Enjoy yourself while you may, my verdant friend. Money will triumph +over brains, especially when you have none of the former to back +them up." + +Mrs. Verne picked up the ivory-backed hand glass within her reach, +and looking into its depths, exclaimed, "Mrs. Verne, of St. John, +New Brunswick--not exactly beautiful, but a pretty and fascinating +woman." + +As Mrs. Verne laid aside the glass and once more took up the +novel--but not to read--her thoughts were bent upon conquest of an +important nature. Accomplish her end she must at the risk of all +that was near to her, and all that ought to be dear to her. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE VERNES GO TO EUROPE. + + +"I declare nothing need astonish one nowadays," exclaimed Mrs. +Montgomery, throwing aside the _Daily Telegraph_ announcing +that Mrs. and Miss Verne had sailed for Europe the day before. + +"There's something that will explain matters," said Mr. Montgomery +coming in with a letter with Marguerite's initials on the corner of +the envelope. + +Jennie tore open the missive and hastily scanned the contents. + +"They went quite unexpectedly, mother," said the girl, with a slight +quiver on the healthful lips, "else Madge would have come to bid +good-bye." + +Jennie Montgomery loved her sweet-faced cousin as she loved no other +companion. + +Madge was to her all that was good and lovely, and the thought of +separation sent a strange thrill of emotion through her frame--a +sense of loneliness that she had never known before. + +Mrs. Montgomery felt for her child, and adroitly referred to the +fine opportunity of having a correspondent from the mother country, +and the pleasure it would give Marguerite to see the sights and +curiosities and grandeur which she would hourly meet in her +intercourse with the world. + +But this shrewd, penetrative woman took another view of the matter +when alone in the presence of her husband some hours afterwards. + +"Matilda needn't try to stuff such nonsense down our throats. She +cannot make me believe but that she concocted the whole thing +herself." + +Mrs. Montgomery was evidently aroused. Her sallow face assumed a +deeper color, and her eyes spoke out the honest convictions of her +thoughts. + +"_Poor Evelyn_, indeed! She is just as much sick as I am at +present. How they can trump up such things and make people believe +them is more than I can see." + +Mrs. Montgomery plied her knitting needles with almost lightning +rapidity, and the exercise seemed to give relief to the angry +feeling that accompanied it. + +"You need not say a word in Matilda's defence, William. I pity +Stephen Verne from the bottom of my heart. It is always such men +that become martyrs to the whims and tyrannical grievances of their +wives." + +Mrs. Montgomery stooped to pickup the ball of yarn that had rolled +under her chair, and her husband went towards the door as if to +depart. + +"I tell you what it is, William, Matilda Verne is my own sister, but +it grieves me to think so. Talk of pride or dignity. She has none. +Pride--yes, a nice kind of pride that lives on lies and falsities of +every description! But she cannot deceive me, thank Heaven; I can +read her through and through." + +"In some instances, my dear, your boasted accomplishment is not +always of the most agreeable kind," said Mr. Montgomery, in his +bland, easy manner. + +"Never mind that part of it. I can bear it, since it gives the +preciousness of seeing people as they are, their shallowness and +their shams. Is there anything genuine in this every-day world? +Really, each day I see something to disgust me." + +The speaker's face gave proof to her speech as she fixed upon her +husband a long, earnest look. + +"Poor Marguerite it should be instead of Poor Evelyn. It is the pure +minded girl that is to be pitied. Marguerite is the victim of this +freak. Matilda will drag that child to the four corners of the earth +to accomplish her ends." + +"My dear, you are severe. Have some moderation," said Mr. +Montgomery, in a conciliating tone. + +"Moderation!" retorted the self-reliant wife--"moderation towards a +weak-minded, unscrupulous fortune-hunter and match-maker--a despiser +of those genuine graces which adorn the female mind and make woman +what she should be. Don't talk thus to me, William, else I shall +feel that you would abet Matilda in what she has undertaken, and +what she may evidently accomplish." + +"God forbid," said Mr. Montgomery, with more vehemence than was +peculiar to him. + + * * * * * + +Marguerite had only one week's notice to prepare for the projected +trip. She did not receive the summons with joy and eagerness, nor +did she evince any pleasure in the preparations. + +"I shall have some beautiful costumes ordered for you when we arrive +in London, my dear," said the fashionable mother on inspecting her +daughter's wardrobe and commenting upon the array of materials +before her. + +"Really, mamma, if I am to be bored by _modistes_ from morn +till eve I should prefer to remain at home. I know it is wrong to +say so, but I almost wish that Eve was well enough to get along +without us." + +"I believe you, my dear," said Mrs. Verne, stroking her daughter's +head, "but then you know it would be cruel to have the poor girl +break her heart, moping away her time and begging to see a dear face +from home." + +A wicked thought entered Marguerite's head. She wondered if it were +possible that her haughty sister ever possessed a true, honest +heart? and was there in her marriage with Montague Arnold the least +approach to sympathy? Did the proud heart ever beat with one +responsive throb for him whom she had chosen? + +As the maiden reasoned thus there was a slight pang which told her +she had a heart, but that it must be silent--it must not be allowed +to assert itself, but masked in conventionalities she must act the +part of the worldly wise. + +Mr. Verne was piqued to the highest degree when his wife spoke of +her intended tour. + +"Why not put it off until next year and I may be able to accompany +you. Arnold can take care of Eve without out assistance." + +The sound sense arguments were of no avail. + +"We must certainly go, and I should think it would be much +pleasanter for us to think that we left home without any +disagreeable feelings." + +"I suppose it is the best way to look at it," said Mr. Verne, +quitting the room and going to his office, where in a few moments he +was found by his beloved Marguerite. + +"So my sunbeam is going to leave me," said the father, taking the +girl in his arms and kissing the soft oval cheeks until a faint +flush overspread them and the lips grew tremulous. + +"I do not want to go papa, but mamma says that she cannot think of +going alone," said Marguerite, as she nestled closer in her father's +embrace and wound her arms lovingly around his neck. + +"Perhaps the invigorating sea breeze may coax a few brighter roses," +said the fond father, emphasizing his words by patting Marguerite's +cheek with childlike playfulness. + +"Never mind, you dear old papa, they cannot force me to stay very +long away from you. Remember, if you hear of my doing desperate +deeds it will be through madness to be once more beside you in this +dear old spot." + +"Ah, you silly little Madge, you will soon find other attractions +than your prosy dull old father, but you must reserve one little +spot for him." + +Mr. Verne glanced at his pure and lovely child, and inwardly invoked +God's blessing, and prayed that she might pass through the many +temptations and dazzling allurements of fashionable follies +unharmed. + +"Darling papa, believe me, I care so little for society, so called, +that I would rather spend a few hours each day among my dear home +friends than be lionized in the highest courts in Europe." + +"I believe you, my child," said Mr. Verne, placing his hand +reverentially upon Marguerite's head, "but it appears that it is a +duty to go." + +"Yes, papa, but I am inclined to be rebellious, and ask you to pray +for me. Sometimes I feel that I am not doing my duty in any way. It +seems so hard to know the way before us." + +Marguerite's face had a perplexed look and a shade of gloomy +foreboding succeeded. + +"Put your trust in God, my child--never forget Him. He will be your +best Friend, when earthly friends will fail you." + +Mr. Verne was what is generally known as a "good-living man." He +made no parade of his profession, but he tried to live at peace with +his God and do right to each and every man. His religion was not put +on with his Sunday coat. He wore it into the counting-room as well, +and carried it to Chubb's Corner, aye to every business resort and +doled it out on every opportunity by acts of charity and Christian +benevolence. + +But of the departure. + +Mrs. Verne was in ecstacies of delight. Everything pleased her. She +superintended the manifold duties as if her whole soul was in the +work, and beaming with smiles, flitted from one room to another with +the playfulness of a child just setting out on its holiday season. + +"I hope we shall have no scenes from Madge," said she to one of the +friends who graced the drawing-room the day previous to their +departure, "for anything I hate is a crowd gathered around with +faces all gotten up for a funeral." + +Here Mrs. Verne shrugged her shoulders and assumed a look of +abhorrence. + +Marguerite was leaving the conservatory as she overheard the remark, +and she pressed more firmly the sprays of heliotrope and azalea +which she held in her hand. + +"Heaven help me," murmured the girl; "am I always expected to go +through life with my feelings put away far out of sight-far away-- + + "Deeply buried from human eyes?" + +Looking upwards she remained motionless as the marble statue of +Psyche that adorned the recess in which she stood. Then the lips +moved and the words "Put your trust in God," came forth soft and +bewitching as the strain of an aeolian harp, and leaving, as it +were, a holy hushed spell, subduing the soul of her who uttered it. + +It was well for Marguerite that she had those precious moments of +communion, and at no other time in her life did she need them more. +They were the only beacon lights to guide her through the +treacherous shoals into which she must inevitably steer her course. + +It was with such feelings that the girl stood at the station and +shook each friend by the hand without the least tremor in her voice +or tear in her eye. + +It did, indeed, cost a struggle to keep the pallid lips firm as +Marguerite returned her father's parting embrace; but strength had +been given her. + +And the manly form beside him, Phillip Lawson, stood unmoved and +erect, his face quiet in expression and not the least betrayal of +the passion within his breast. + +Mrs. Verne, with the tactics of a shrewd diplomatist, had arranged +matters to enable her to perform her part without opposition. + +Marguerite had to devote much time to the pressing duties devolving +upon her, and when Mr. Lawson called at "Sunnybank" it always +happened that she was out making her farewell calls. + +It was the last evening that Marguerite should gladden her home, +perhaps, for many months to come. The bronze clock on the mantel +shelf struck the hour of eight. The drawing-room was unoccupied, and +Marguerite stealthily glided towards the piano and sat down. + +Her beautifully-moulded hands rivalled the ivory keys before her, +and would have tempted the genius of a Phidias or a Lysippus. + +Soon a low, soft symphony sounded through the room a music that had +power to move the soul and hold it entranced. + +"Marguerite, darling, do not play like that. I cannot hear such +music without feeling sad, and sadness must not intrude to-night." + +"Perhaps this will suit you, papa," and instantly Marguerite +commenced to sing the old-time ballad, "The Campbells are Coming," +in the liveliest manner possible, looking indeed the picture of +happiness. + +"How is it that my little girl cannot attend to the social demands +that press so lightly upon her?" said Mr. Verne, as the last notes +of the song were ended. + +"I do not understand you, papa dear." + +"Mr. Lawson called and I heard one of the maids tell him that you +were not at home." + +"It is strange that mamma did not send up to my room. I have not +been out since ten o'clock this morning, when I went up to +Manchester's to buy the pretty little work-basket that I wish to +carry to Eve." + +"A work-basket for Eve!" cried Mr. Verne, gaily. "What extravagant +taste my little Madge has!" + +Marguerite smiled and then looked thoughtful. She tried hard not to +see her worldly mother's feelings. Yet she could not be blinded to +the fact. + +"It is ungenerous of mamma to deny me," she thought. But her +mother's shallowness was sacred to her innermost thoughts. Much as +she desired Mr. Lawson's visit, she offered not a word of complaint, +but smilingly said, "Papa, when you see Mr. Lawson please apologize +for me and explain matters to your satisfaction as I know that you +feel sensitive about it." + +"It will all come right soon--perhaps before you leave." + +As Marguerite Verne waved her last adieu to her fond parent and +received his tender recognition, a second glance convinced her that +all was made right, as Phillip Lawson raised his hat and stood with +uncovered head until the train was out of sight. + +"Crying at last, Madge; I thought you could not bear up much +longer," said Mrs. Verne, as she entered the seat with a new novel +ready to devour, and smiling and bowing to several passengers whom +she recognized. But the remarks were lost upon Marguerite. She +remained in deep abstraction for some moments, and then regaining +consciousness, threw aside the pretty wrap, murmuring--"Papa says it +will all come right." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +GRATITUDE. + + +We will now direct attention to our much esteemed friend, Phillip +Lawson, who has much to be grateful for. He hourly thanks his Maker +for the great mercies received at His hands. + +"Let them fall into other hands than mine. It would do no good. Poor +wretches, I envy them not their ill-gotten gains. There is a day of +reckoning, and may God cleanse their guilty souls." Such were the +lawyer's remarks as he sat alone in his office with a heavy load off +his mind. + +He had just returned from witnessing Marguerite Verne's departure, +and he felt calm and content. + +Mr. Verne had accompanied the young man to his door and left with +many kind invitations for "Sunnybank." + +How comforting was his kind, cheery voice and his parting: "Now +don't fail to drop in often, for I shall be very lonely, indeed." + +Mr. Verne is a thorough gentleman and true friend, thought Phillip, +as he turned over the last half-hour's conversation. "How thoughtful +to explain Marguerite's failure to see me last evening." Then a +slight frown settled upon the broad brow, showing that some +disagreeable subject had in turn claimed the young lawyer's +thoughts. + +"Perhaps she may be better than I give her credit for. Are there any +of us perfect?" Then musing for a few minutes he arose, the poet's +words recurring to his mind-- + + "The best of what we do, and are, + Just God, forgive." + +On opening the daily mail the color rose upon Phillip Lawson's +cheek, and his fingers became tremulous as he seized a letter +showing the unsteady chirography of Hubert Tracy. + +"I will never open it," he thought, and instantly the missive lay a +mass of shreds in the waste basket. "'Out of evil good may come.' +Hubert Tracy has taught me to be more grateful to the God who has +done so much for me." + +"Keep your temper, old boy," murmured the young man afresh as his +eyes ran over the next letter--one dated from Winnipeg. + +"To the flames I consign thee", said he, lighting a match and +holding the provoking article over it until it was consumed. + +"Halloo! I smell brimstone here. Suppose you're practising so it +won't be so hard on you when the time comes?" cried a genial, hearty +voice from the open door. + +"Glad to see you, Mr. Montgomery," said the occupant, offering a +seat to his visitor. + +"How are all my friends at 'Gladswood'?" + +"Have hardly time to tell you, for I'm in a hurry. I promised to +meet several of the sports at Breeze's Corner. We are going out to +Moosepath: but this will explain everything, and more too," cried +Mr. Montgomery, producing a neat-looking note, and passing it to the +young lawyer, making a hasty exit to meet said horsemen friends from +Sussex and the city. + +"I shall go to-morrow and stay over Sunday, at any rate," said Mr. +Lawson to himself when he had gleaned the contents Of Jennie +Montgomery's note. + +It was just what was necessary to the lawyer's existence. A day or +two at "Gladswood" was panacea for almost any ill that flesh was +heir to. + +The self-reliant matron, with her healthful, stimulating advice, and +the bright, merry-hearted girl with her vigorous and true resolve, +were indeed incentives of good, and none could fully realize the +fact more than the young lawyer. He always went away from +"Gladswood" with a high and lofty purpose and firm resolve to tread +the path of duty. + +And this occasion proved no exception. + +Jennie Montgomery's happy face would put to shame the most +inveterate grumbler. Her buoyant spirits were infectious. Her +ringing, merry laugh was cheering to the highest degree. + +The sprightly maiden in her neat muslin frock and broad hat trimmed +with freshly-plucked marguerites was a fit model of the fair +daughters of Kings County, and it was no wonder that many of the +villagers predicted that "the young gentleman from the city must +surely be payin' attention to Miss Montgomery." + +Three days at "Gladswood"! What a world of thought it conveys-- +three days to revel among the beautiful glades and linger among the +bewitching groves of graceful elm and tasselled pine! to hear the +lowing of herds and the music of the winged songsters blended in one +exquisite harmony. + +Yes, devotees of the world, who build upon the style of your +neighbor's dress or equipage and trifle away God's precious moments +in silly show and vain trumpery, go to the retreats at "Gladswood," +follow Phillip Lawson in his daily rounds, and if you will not, like +him, feel your heart expand and seek aspirations of a higher mould-- +a something which gives comfort each breath you draw, each word you +utter and each thought you frame!--then, we will make bold to say, +your heart is irrevocably sealed beyond recall. + +Cousin Jennie was shrewd and witty. She knew how to act that she +might afford the least embarrassment to her guest. + +For hours her guest was allowed to roam at his own desire, and felt +not the pressure of conventional restriction. + +Mr. Lawson was gallant in the true sense of the word, but he was no +empty-headed fop, paying that amount of overdue attention to the +fair, which, at times, becomes a bore and a pest. + +It had been arranged that a small pic-nic party should relieve the +quiet of the third day, and a jolly pic-nic it was. There was mirth +enough to last for a month. Jennie's companions had mustered _en +masse_. Groups of merry, rollicking youths and bright-eyed +maidens lent a charm to the scene, and reminded one of the revels +held in classic groves, when each sylvan deity, at a blast of her +silver horn, made the wood resound with the voices of her myriads of +subjects. + +As the sayings and doings of all pic-nics are much in common it +would be wasting time to describe the one at "Gladswood." + + "All went merry as a marriage bell." + +The sun was sinking in the west in all its glory--a blaze of living +gold. The purple tops of the distant hills were enchanting and stood +as huge sentinels of the scene below. + +"Come here, Mr. Lawson," cried Jennie Montgomery, in breathless +suspense. "Is not that grand? This is a sight I have been wishing +for. Just look." + +Mr. Lawson was truly a lover of nature, and his profound admiration +excited her. + +"I never stand here without thinking of Marguerite," exclaimed the +girl, vehemently; "she would sit upon that bowlder and gaze around +until I would think that she had lost her senses. I believe if any +being has a soul for the beautiful it is cousin Marguerite." + +The young man looked down from his proud eminence and encountered +the fixed gaze of his companion. That look gave anxiety. A painful +silence was the only reply, and both gazed upon the panorama before +them for fully five minutes before the girl spoke. + +"I can never forgive my cousin Evelyn for forcing Madge away. We all +knew it was against her wishes that she went." + +How comforting those words to Phillip Lawson's ear. + +"Mr. Lawson," said Jennie, coming close to his side, "I am not going +to hide my feelings any longer. You are a very dear friend and must +have my confidence." + +The young man's looks were proof of the girl's words. His face +reflected thought sublime as Aeschylus, beautiful as Sophocles, and +pathetic as Euripides! + +"Thank you, Jennie," was the reply, and the eyes had a far-off look +that went to the girl's heart. + +"You are going to-morrow, Mr. Lawson, and I may not have another +such opportunity." + +It was then that the beauty of the maiden's nature shone +resplendently, showering scintillations of pure native goodness that +forever sparkled as sunshine and cheered the rugged path of Phillip +Lawson's life! + +A crimson flush momentarily suffused Jennie Montgomery's face, then +she became pale and agitated. + +"Mr. Lawson!" she exclaimed, "I love my cousin dearly, and I grieve +for her more than I can tell you." + +The young man's face blanched under the effect of the girl's tones, +but he made no reply. + +"Forgive me if I weary you, but I seem to feel in you a friend--one +in whom I find sympathy." + +"Trust me fully, Jennie, I will try to be all that you think me." + +Phillip Lawson's earnest tones went straight to the girl's heart, +and tremulously she continued: + +"Mr. Lawson, you have not been a frequent visitor at my Uncle +Verne's without seeing much to condemn in my worldly aunt. I know it +is wrong to judge, but I cannot help it. I cannot help judging the +motive of Aunt Verne--indeed I cannot." + +The listener had fixed his eyes upon the huge trunk of a venerable +oak tree covered with a luxuriant growth of velvety moss. + +"I really cannot feel kindly towards cousin Evelyn, for she has +ruled with an iron rod, and she is so wily that Auntie thinks her +every action something perfect. Now, Mr. Lawson," said Jennie, with +greater earnestness, "Mrs. Arnold is determined that Marguerite +shall marry that unprincipled Mr. Tracy, and the thought makes me +sick. I loathe him--he is almost as contemptible as Mr. Montague +Arnold." + +Mr. Lawson knew not what to say. A struggle was going on within. +Would he reveal the plot to the truthful girl and ask her +assistance--or would he let the secret die with himself and perhaps +see the lovely Marguerite become a victim to the merciless trio? + +The girl knew not what was passing in her companion's, mind, and the +latter felt sadly puzzled. He durst not meet the gaze of the +thoughtful brown eyes, but found words to reply: + +"You put me in a strange place, Jennie; but I know it is from a +sense of right that you speak." + +"Mr. Lawson, I appeal to your manhood to help me. I want to save +Marguerite, and _you_ alone can do it." + +The girl's manner was vehement. Tears glistened in her eyes, and the +pathetic nature of the appeal visibly affected Phillip Lawson. + +He stood for a moment as if in a study. Had the girl in any way +found out the plot? Could it be possible? What did she mean that he +alone could save her? + +"Mr. Lawson, I can be a friend when charity demands one; trust me; +perhaps I am too bold--but it is my regard for both that forces me. +Mr. Lawson, you love Marguerite Verne. It is in your power to make +her happy, and oh!" cried the girl, seizing the hard, strong hand, +"Mr. Lawson, promise me that you will do it." + +The young lawyer held the girl's hand tenderly, yea, as that of a +dear sister, then raised it to his lips-- + +"God bless you, Jennie," cried he, fervently, "I only wish it was in +my power to do so; but Marguerite Verne is as far above me as the +heavens above the earth." + +"Believe me, Mr. Lawson, you are the only one towards whom my cousin +gives a thought." + +"She treats me always as a friend, and at times more as a brother," +said the young man abstractedly. + +"Phillip Lawson, keep this secret as you value your soul," cried +Jennie, clutching the lawyer by the wrist in an excited manner, and +lowering her voice to a whisper-- + +"Marguerite loves you as she will never love another. It is +sacrilege to watch every movement and steal the secret from every +breath she drew, but love prompted me and I did it, and I feel that +I am not doing wrong in revealing it." + +"God grant it, my true-hearted girl--yet I dare not trust myself to +think of it. I love Marguerite Verne as no other man living can, yet +she may never know it. She may one day be wedded to another, and +live a life as far from mine as it is possible for circumstances to +make it. Yet her image will always be sacred to my memory, and no +other woman will ever hold a place in my heart. The sprig of cedar +which one day fell unobserved from her corsage, I shall treasure up +as a priceless relic. Yes, truly, I live for thee, my peerless +Marguerite." + +"If Cousin Marguerite could only hear those words," thought Jennie. +"Why have the winged winds no mercy? why do they not hurl down the +great sounding board which separates these two beings and transmit +those valued sounds to the ear, where they shall fall as music from +the spheres!" + +"Jennie, as a friend, I ask you to solemnly promise that what has +passed between us shall never be unearthed again--let it be buried +deep in the grave of lost hopes." + +"I shall make no such promise, Phillip Lawson; but I promise that I +will never place you in an unworthy position. I will never utter one +sentence that will compromise your dignity as a gentleman. Will you +trust me?" + +"I will trust you in anything, my noble girl," said Phillip in tones +of deep reverence. + +"You know that my Uncle Verne's interest in you is real--he is your +friend," said Jennie, trying hard to brighten the path of her +friend's existence. + +"Thank God for it," said the lawyer. "Indeed I have much to be +grateful for. Jennie, some day I may tell you more: at present my +lips are sealed." + +"Your sense of honor is too high for the nineteenth century, Mr. +Lawson; yet I would not have you otherwise." + +The girl was mechanically picking to pieces the white petals of +bright-eyed marguerites and strewing the ground beside her. + +"You ruthless vandal! look at your work, Miss Montgomery," exclaimed +a bright romping miss of fifteen, bursting upon them without regard +to ceremony and pointing to the ground where lay the scattered +petals. + +"But it is romantic, you know; one always reads of some beautiful +maiden picking roses to pieces to hide the state of her feelings." + +"Thank you, Miss Laura, for your well-timed allusion, for Miss +Montgomery and I have been romancing indeed," said Mr. Lawson, +bowing to the young miss with an air of deferential homage. + +"It will all come right yet," said Jennie, pressing her friend's +hand with the tenderness of a sister. + +The young man smiled sadly, murmuring: "'It will all come out +right.' How those words seem to mock me--'it will all come out +right.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +SCENES AT THE GREAT METROPOLIS. + + +Mrs. Montague Arnold sat, or rather reclined, in her handsome +breakfast-room. She was awaiting the morning mail, which had been +somewhat delayed. A bitter smile played around the daintily curved +lips. + +"The saucy little minx; I shall teach her better," murmured the +beauty in angry tones and gesture. + +Montague Arnold paid no attention to the half-spoken words. He +looked the veriest picture of dissipation. Late hours, cards, and +wine were stamped upon his hitherto handsome face and left an +impress at times anything but flattering. + +In private, few courtesies were interchanged between the husband and +wife. It would, indeed, be wrong to say that Montague Arnold on his +marriage morn did not give to his fascinating bride more adulation +than he ever bestowed upon any other woman, and had the haughty +beauty given more attention to her husband he might have become a +different man; had she shown a true heart, a truthful, honest +nature, and a mind adorned with what is lofty and elevating, what a +different life those two might have led? But Evelyn Verne was +without heart, and we might almost say without soul. She lived for +society alone; it was her first duty, and worshipped more zealously +than the goddess Hestia that occupied the first altar in a Grecian +home. + +Mrs. Arnold was indeed an object of admiration in her superb morning +toilet of fawn-colored Lyons silk, with faultless draperies and +priceless lace. It was the beauty's ruling passion that no toilet +was ever neglected; hours were spent in putting the finishing +touches to some becoming style that brought out the wearer's charms +and set the hearts of her admirers in a flutter. + +As the soft white hand was raised to suppress a yawn a solitaire +diamond caught the ray of sunshine that found its way into the +elegant mansion, and reflected a radiance that was enchanting. + +Mr. Arnold could not fail to be impressed with the sight. He at last +found words to say, "What is your programme today, Eve?" + +"I have promised to visit the studio with mamma and Madge. Lord +Melrose is to be there, and I am very anxious to see his portrait." + +"Don't flatter yourself that you are his latest charm, my dear," +said her husband in sarcastic tones. + +"You are altogether _de trop_, my amiable husband," said Mrs. +Arnold with an angry gleam in the brilliant and wondrous dark eyes. + +"I was sorry to hear that the young and beautiful Mrs. Maitland has +possessed the fellow body and soul. What an honor to the young +'squire to have his wife thus lionized in the London drawing-room." + +Mr. Arnold could be tantalizing without mercy, and when he had fully +aroused his wife's anger he was happy. + +Mrs. Arnold had received much flattering attention from Lord +Melrose, and it wounded her pride when she heard that another had +supplanted her. The remarks that had escaped her lips referred to +the merciless young matron; and well Montague Arnold was aware of +the fact, but he winced not, and only plunged deeper into the +whirlpool of dissipation, which sooner or later would be his +inevitable destruction. + +"I was really tired waiting," exclaimed Mrs. Arnold, when Mrs. Verne +and Marguerite entered the reception room an hour later. "I had +begun to think that some prince in disguise had eloped with little +sobersides." + +"I don't think we will be quite so fortunate, Eve," said Mrs. Verne, +with a significant look which annoyed Marguerite more than she was +willing to acknowledge. + +"Really, Madge, you are growing prettier every day since you came on +English soil. Mamma, just look at her color; is it not bewitching? I +tell you, Madge, you will turn half the heads in Piccadilly." + +Marguerite saw with disgust the real object of her mamma's visit, +and she was determined to show her dislike in a manner that would +save herself from being the object of ridicule. + +"Eve, I wish you to understand that I am not interested in love +affairs. Please choose your conversation from other sources, and I +will be much obliged--indeed I shall be forever grateful." + +The girl's manner was serious, and her pleading looks would have +given pleasure to a sensible woman, but they were scorned by Mrs. +Arnold and her mother. + +Mrs. Verne had been expatiating upon the immense fortune which had +fallen to Hubert Tracy, and took the greatest of pains to impress +Marguerite with a sense of his importance. + +"How I wish that I had waited, mamma. You know that Mr. Tracy was +devoted to me in every way, but you preferred Mr. Arnold." + +"I preferred his riches, my dear, and you know Montague is so +handsome and distinguished looking. Why, he really was the +handsomest man in the ball-room last evening." + +"But Hubert's fortune is tenfold that of Montague's. His income is +immense." + +"Well, all we can do is to consign him to Madge," said Mrs. Arnold, +with an affected air of deep regret. "It is certain that he clings +to the family, and his great wealth would be an heirloom for many +generations." + +"Quite a speech, Eve," said Mrs. Verne, clapping her white palms +together by way of applause. + +Crimson silk _portieres_ separated the party from Mr. Arnold, +but not a word had been lost. "You will have to play your little +game quick, else the fortune will soon be a thing of the past," +muttered the husband under his breath. "Curse these women, they are +nearly all tarred with the same stick. And my charming wife. What a +pity I stand in her way. Well, she can go on in _her_ way and I +will stick to mine. Heavens! is there one true woman?" + +Montague Arnold's face, reflected in the mirror opposite, was not +then a pleasing study. A sardonic grin was on his lips and a +dangerous light in his eyes. + +Just then Marguerite changed her seat, and, unobserved, the +dissipated man glanced at the pure _spirituelle_ face which had +appeared as answer to his questioning words. + +"Yes, Madge, I am a veritable scoundrel; already I see before me one +true and pure being." + +Was it a tear that glistened on the maiden's cheek as Montague +Arnold once more contemplated the fair brow and madonna-like eyes? + +Marguerite, in her courtly surroundings, was indeed indulging in day +dreams, woven from scenes of her native land. And when she +contrasted the picture with the vague, undefined reality, her +emotional nature was stirred within her, and the gushing tears would +force themselves in spite of all efforts at control. She was longing +for one glimpse of dear old "Gladswood" and the fond embrace of +Cousin Jennie. + +"What would I not give to be free from this," murmured the girl +in an undertone; then glancing around she recognized her +brother-in-law, his eyes fixed upon her in close scrutiny. + +"Upon my senses, Madge, you look like some one in a dream. I really +might imagine you a piece of rare statuary--one of the Niobe group +strayed from the Florentine gallery to meet the wistful gaze of the +sight-seers of London!" + +Marguerite smiled, and the color rose to her cheeks. + +"I have dispelled the charm!" cried Montague Arnold, pointing to the +vivid, life-like and roseate hue of the oval face. + +"A flirtation, I declare!" said a lady who formed one of the party +for the morning's entertainment. "Mrs. Arnold, I really would not +allow it." + +"But you must remember we have liberty of conscience, my dear. Each +is free to act as he pleases within the realm of British +jurisdiction." + +"I am afraid you are giving us a wide license, Mrs. Arnold. Please +be more circumspect," cried the lady in playful tone, "else your +suggestion may have a very bad effect." + +Mr. Arnold looked askance at the fashionable woman beside him, and +thought what a world of deceit lurked within--a wolf in sheep's +clothing. + +Instantly he was at the woman's side, and began paying her those +compliments which the most enraptured lover might pay to her whom he +adores above all women. + +At the studio Marguerite was introduced to many persons of +distinction, among those a German Count, a blaze looking Captain of +the Life Guards, and a bright, dashing young officer of the +Dragoons. + +"What a host of admirers you have already in your train, Madge," +whispered Mrs. Arnold to her sister as she came opposite the +portrait of Lord Melrose and stood admiring the exquisite touch and +execution of the artist. + +The latter had been engaged in conversation with a group of ladies +when his eyes fell upon Marguerite Verne. The earnest gaze made the +girl look toward him, and as she did so that look made a deep +impression upon the youth. + +"I would give almost all I possess to paint that face," thought he, +gazing intently at the _spirituelle_ type of beauty that is so +seldom seen. + +"Allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Verne," said Mrs., Arnold, +who felt much flattered at the admiration paid Marguerite. + +"I think that we must persuade her to sit for a portrait, Mr. +Manning," said Mrs. Arnold, trying to attract her mother's attention +from the niche in which she sat carelessly chatting with some +acquaintances they had made on their ocean trip. + +Soon Mrs. Verne found them, and was in ecstacies over her daughter's +proposal. + +"It would be such a nice way to show Madge to advantage. I am +delighted with the thought," said Mrs. Arnold to her mother, as she +toyed with her jewelled fan and gazed carelessly around to see if +Lord Melrose were yet in the studio. + +"How provoking. It is just always so! It will afford such +satisfaction to my sweet-tempered husband." + +"My dear Mrs. Arnold; it does one good to meet you after trying to +live a few days at Portsmouth," cried a showy looking military man, +perhaps forty years of age, perhaps younger, with a heavy reddish +moustache and dark auburn hair. + +"I cannot really say whether you are complimentary or not, colonel," +said Mrs. Arnold, smiling with all the angelic sweetness at her +command, "since I have never had the pleasure of visiting that +renowned place." + +"Well, I should consider it the highest compliment that could be +paid," said a brother officer in dark blue uniform with a sprinkling +of "silver threads among the gold," "coming as it does from one who +can stand the siege when a thousand bright eyes are levelled upon +him at a garrison ball in Portsmouth with a heart as impregnable as +the fort at Gibraltar!" + +"Thank you, Major Greene, for your kind consideration to both +parties," said Mrs. Arnold, bowing sweetly to the former. The +gallant colonel also bowed acknowledgment, and then espied +Marguerite Verne, who still lingered near the artist, considering +him far above the shallow set that frequented his studio. + +"Who is that beautiful girl talking to Mr. Manning?" queried he, +raising his eyeglass with an air of interest. + +"I shall present you in due time," said Mrs. Arnold, with a faint +smile revealing the most exquisite set of teeth that eye ever +beheld. + +As if by intuition Marguerite cast her eyes towards the aspirants +and the action brought a faint blush. + +"Beautiful as Hebe, by Jove," exclaimed the rubicund major, in an +undertone that implied he was also deeply interested in the fair +young face and graceful supple form. + +How the manoeuvering mamma watched each sign of admiration thus +directed towards her daughter. + +"If I can only accomplish my wishes my life will be one +uninterrupted calm. I will then lay me down in peace," thought Mrs. +Verne, as she re-arranged the folds of her silken train to her +entire satisfaction. + +Hubert Tracy had been detained on a fishing excursion up the Cam, +whither he had gone with some rollicking companions to recruit his +health and restore some of the youthful bloom that dissipation had +almost destroyed. + +Marguerite could ill conceal her disgust as she met the weak-minded +and, to her, contemptible young man, on the week following. + +It was at a brilliant assemblage, under the patronage of Mrs. +Montague Arnold. + +Never was maiden more becomingly attired, for despite her friends' +entreaties, Marguerite's taste was simplicity, indeed. Her modest +pearl-colored satin was relieved by knots of delicate pansies--one +of Marguerite's many favorite flowers--and the delicate and chaste +silver ornaments, made her toilet simply bewitching. + +"Mrs. Arnold is imperial, but Miss Verne is truly angelic," was the +exclamation of a man of fashion, and the leader of his club, as the +two sisters stood side by side receiving the brilliant throng of +guests that filled to overflowing the gorgeously lighted parlors, +sumptuous drawing-room and bewitching conservatories. + +Why was it that Marguerite shrank from the touch of Hubert Tracy's +hand as if stung by an adder? Why was it that, when she was obliged +to listen to his flattering, oily tongue, that she saw the manly +dignified form of Phillip Lawson standing between, with his hand +uplifted, as if in gesture of warning, and a stern reproachful look +upon his honest face? + +These are questions that will be answered some day when the world is +older and wiser--when the great road to science will have been +trodden further on towards the goal which shall reveal all mysteries +in the light of simple truths--when man can look a fellow being in +the face and trace each thought written there. + +Mrs. Arnold was in the confidence of her husband's friends, and she +had partly deceived her mother to carry out her designs. + +Mrs. Verne had hitherto set her heart upon Hubert Tracy, but she was +now flattered by the admiration paid to Marguerite by several of the +nobility, and she thought it would indeed be a rare distinction for +her daughter to have a title. + +"I see how it is with mamma, and if I am not sharp she will nonplus +me," thought the beauty, as she watched the game which her anxious +mother was playing so skilfully, and, as the latter thought, so +successfully. + +"But I will do nothing rash. Nothing succeeds like caution," and +musing thus Mrs. Arnold placed her jewelled fingers in those of her +partner and was whirled away to revel in the delightful elysium of +waltzland. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +MRS. ARNOLD CONFIDES IN HUBERT TRACY. + + +Mrs. Arnold's beauty was commented upon by the fashionable throng +with whom she daily mingled. She was sought after and courted by her +many admirers; yet among them all there was none who thought her the +most charming of her set. + +The wily beauty had adopted a line of policy that was not the most +discreet. She showed a spiteful spirit towards any of her sex who +laid claim to personal charms, and often said many bitter things in +a way that was neither dignified nor ladylike. + +It was in such a spirit that Mrs. Arnold returned from a grand ball +where she had seen Lord Melrose pay marked attention to the pretty +Mrs. Maitland. With anger in her bosom she strode the elegant +boudoir with measured beat and vowed vengeance upon her more +fortunate rival. + +"Why does any one envy me the charms I possess? + +"Ah, me!" she cried, looking at herself in the mirror with her hands +poised in the attitude of a Caryatid. "It is all I have. Happiness I +shall never know; but one thing I do know--that I will laugh, dance +and sing and have a merry life while I am young, and then when my +charms have fled to a younger form I will bury myself in some remote +convent and try to make atonement for my gay and worldly life." + +It were strange, indeed, that Mrs. Arnold had this sense of wrong. +She did, indeed, realize that her actions were not what any sensible +woman would justify, yet she took refuge in the thought that when +she grew old there was time enough for discretion. + +Another trait of her disposition: It grieved her to see others +happy. Like the arch fiend who turned aside with envy when he beheld +the happy pair in the Garden of Eden and from that hour plotted +their ruin, so Mrs. Arnold from, sheer envy was determined that the +innocent and pure-minded Marguerite should be associated with the +coarse side of humanity--in short, that she should become familiar +with the fashionable miseries of a fashionable woman. + +But Mrs. Arnold reckoned without her host. She met with more +opposition than she expected, and the lesson she yet had to learn +cost her a bitter experience! + +Mrs. Verne's vascillating nature was a source of much annoyance to +her first-born. + +"It is so provoking," murmured Mrs. Arnold, as she noted the +infatuation her mother possessed for a certain baronet of a +distinguished Yorkshire family. + +"I've set my mind upon Hubert, and mamma must yield. As for Madge, +she is out of the matter entirely." + +As if in answer to her thoughts the young man was soon at her side +looking quite interesting. + +"You naughty boy; I am inclined to be angry with you--not one dance +have you sought." + +"From the very fact that I cannot have one. Ah, Mrs. Arnold, you +well know how to amuse yourself at the expense of us poor +unfortunates," said Mr. Tracy, glancing at the tablet already filled +for every dance. + +"I have a mind to cancel this," said he, pointing to that of the +Yorkshire baronet. + +"No, indeed, Mr. Tracy; that would be pleasure at too great a +sacrifice. I have a motive for entertaining the baronet." + +Mrs. Arnold smiled one of her peculiarly attractive smiles, +significant of the part she was to enact. + +She whispered a few well-directed, words into the young man's ear, +and taking his arm led him to the conservatory. + +"I can only stay a couple of minutes at the least, so I wish you to +be all attention." + +Hubert Tracy seated himself beside Mrs. Arnold and listened to her +dear confiding tones. + +"Mr. Tracy, I despise that Yorkshire bore, with his coarse English +and stupid manners. And his effrontery in presuming to play the +suitor to Madge. It is all your own fault. You follow at a distance +and have not the courage to claim your rights--" + +"Rights!" + +"Yes; I say rights, Mr. Tracy. I say that you have a right to claim +Madge, because we always looked upon you as her future husband. The +girl knows not her own mind, but she will never go against mamma's +wishes, and I know that she cares for you, though she will not own +it." + +"If I thought so I would be happy, for if any woman will ever +reclaim me it will be Marguerite Verne." + +"Such talk, Mr. Tracy; I'm sure you are no worse than the general +run of men. Pray don't talk of reclaiming; that sounds as if you had +committed something dreadful." + +Just then there arose before Hubert Tracy's vision the sad picture +of a brave young man, struggling so hard to prove his innocence when +circumstances are all against him. He sees the reproachful gaze of +the sorrowful eyes, and he stops his ears to keep back the sound of +the reproachful tones that force themselves upon him. + +But Mrs. Arnold knows it not. + +"We will dispense with the word if it displeases you, Mrs. Arnold. I +will do anything that you wish, even if it be impossible for you to +be in a dearer relation than at present." + +"Hubert Tracy, if you succeed not, remember it is through no fault +of mine. Just listen to me." + +The young man listened, and in a few short words Mrs. Arnold made +known her plans. + +"We will succeed or I am not what I think myself," said Mrs. Arnold, +readjusting the spray of heliotrope that was displaced in her +corsage. + +"Adieu for the present, dear Hubert," said the latter, on seeing +Lord Melrose advancing to claim her for the next waltz. + +"Ah, my fear truant, you have given me a world of anxiety. Why do +you persist in such delightful methods of torture." + +"_Torture!_ Lord Melrose!" exclaimed the lady with an air of +arch coquetry. + +Meanwhile Marguerite Verne sat in the quiet of her own apartment. +She had retired from the heated ball-room at an earlier hour than +many of the guests. A wearied look rested upon the girl's face. She +was heartily worn out with the excessive fatigue attending +fashionable life. + +"Well, it seems that I am fated for a martyr, and I must calmly +submit," said she, loosening the luxuriant mass of silken hair that +had been arranged to suit the most fastidious taste of Mrs. Arnold. + +Donning a loose wrapper, and exchanging the pretty white satin +slippers for a pair of soft morocco ones. Marguerite threw herself +into a large and inviting arm-chair. + +"I will not allow myself to think. My thoughts are rebellious," and +immediately a pretty little pocket Testament found its way into the +girl's hand. + +A few words escaped Marguerite's lips as if an invocation was asked; +then she read aloud the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians: "Though I +speak with the tongue of men and angels," etc. + +The sweet voice of the reader was not heard in vain. Marguerite +closed the book and remained motionless for some moments, when she +fancied that there was a noise as if some one were listening at the +door. + +"I am so foolish. My nerves are unstrung from keeping late hours," +murmured she. Then hastily glancing towards the spot whence the +sound proceeded Marguerite knelt down and prayed that an +All-Merciful Providence would keep her from the temptations of +fashionable society. + +"God help me, I'm lost. I dare not approach that angel in disguise, +else I would ask her what is meant by that Charity." + +These words were muttered by Montague Arnold, who having been unable +to attend his wife to the ball, had now returned in a state of +intoxication. + +Had Marguerite listened she might have heard the words repeated; but +she had dropped off into a quiet slumber and lay unconscious of the +semi-brutal state of her dissipated brother-in-law. + +The next morning brought invitations for private theatricals at the +house of a distinguished foreign embassy. + +The spacious mansion in St. James' Court received the grandees of +every land. It was a high honor to enter "Rosemere Place." + +Mrs. Verne was almost beside herself (to use a vulgarism). She +walked on air, as it were, and could talk of nothing else but the +elegance and grandeur in prospect. + +"I have accepted Mr. Tracy as escort, mamma," said Mrs. Arnold, +entering her drawing room with an elegant dress that had just +arrived from the _modiste_. + +"Now, Evelyn, have you not been a little premature? Would it not +have been better to wait, for I think that Sir Arthur would in all +probability have called to offer his service to Madge." + +"Sir Arthur is a horrid bore, mamma--he is intolerable. I cannot see +why you encourage him. I'm sure his estates are heavily mortgaged. I +don't believe he can afford to pay for the kid gloves that he +nourishes on his big brawny hands!" + +"Some malicious person has been endeavoring to misrepresent Sir +Arthur. I wish you would not listen to such stuff. I am certain that +he is immensely wealthy, and then think of his family!" + +Mrs. Verne did not wish to quarrel with her daughter; yet it seemed +that a quarrel was brewing. + +"You think it so important to secure a title for Madge that you +would have her struggle amid shabby genteel surroundings in order to +introduce her as Lady Forrester!" + +"Shame, Evelyn! you forget that I am your mother," said Mrs. Verne, +raising her hand with haughty gesture and looking the embodiment of +injured innocence. + +"Forgive me, mamma, I did not mean to anger you," said Mrs. Arnold +with an air of deep contrition. + +This act was the latter's only safeguard. She knew well the key to +her mother's character, and was determined to take advantage of +every point. + +"You know, mamma that we must look to dear papa's interest as well. +His business is in a precarious state. I heard Montague say that it +is tottering, and Hubert's great riches will be at Madge's +disposal." + +Mrs. Verne could not but admire the thoughtful argument of her +daughter. + +"True enough, child; but if Mr. Tracy hears of the circumstance he +will soon throw us over, my dear," said Mrs. Verne with something +like agitation in her voice. + +"Nothing of the kind, dear mamma," said Mrs. Arnold, placing her +hand caressingly upon her mother's shoulder "it is thus that I have +proved the true worth of Mr. Tracy's character--he not only spoke of +the matter but intimated in a delicate manner that now he could sue +more boldly for Madge's hand--be in a position to place dear papa on +a surer footing than, he ever was." + +"It is indeed a great blessing to know that we have such true +friends," said Mrs. Verne in a tone that showed her heart was not +with the subject. + +Poor Mrs. Verne! + +She had, since her arrival in England, changed her views as regards +a son-in-law. + +Her heart was set on the baronet and she wished that the merciless +Evelyn would have expatiated on his riches instead of those of +former friends. + +"I can never have what I want," sighed the anxious mother as she +sought her boudoir to write a letter in answer to the one which lay +upon the Indian cabinet opposite. + +"What on earth brings about these insolvencies is more than I can +account for. One thing certain I can wash _my_ hands of it. It +is not _our_ extravagance that will cause it." + +Mrs. Verne glanced at the surroundings hoping to see much +simplicity, but the elegance of the magnificent suite of apartments +were sadly at variance with her speech. + +"And to think of Evelyn's opposition. She is settled and should mind +her own affairs, and judging from what I can see, she will have +enough to do to keep her head up. Montague Arnold is no better than +he ought to be. Well, well! I suppose his money will hold out and +that is all that is required--oh dear, if Sir Arthur had Hubert +Tracy's money." + +The letter being finished a servant was despatched with the budget +of mail, and Mrs. Verne took up a pretty design, of Kensington work +that she was fashioning for a table scarf. + +"I don't feel like anything to-day," murmured the woman, throwing +the work aside and yawning several times. + +"Madge, I'm glad you have come. Where is that novel I saw you +reading yesterday?" + +"Rossmoyne, do you mean, mamma?" + +"Yes, I glanced over it and think it is fascinating, and I stand +sorely in need of just such a work to-day." + +Marguerite knew from her mother's fretted looks that she had been +somewhat annoyed, and judging that Evelyn had something to do in the +matter, said nothing, but quietly withdrew to her own apartments. + +Although Mrs. Verne and her daughter spent much of their time in +Mrs. Arnold's elegant suite of rooms, they occupied an exclusive +suite of apartments in an aristocratic square not far distant. + +Marguerite had been amusing herself in reading over some extracts +from her pocket diary when a pretty young page entered with an +exquisite bouquet of rare exotics. + +"How lovely," was the simple remark, as the girl took them in her +hand and held them out to view, while the fragrance exhaled was +almost overwhelming. + +A tiny note, peeped out between a cluster of heliotrope and blush +roses. + +"It is provoking," thought the maiden, as she drew forth the +perfumed billet-doux and read what might be considered a declaration +of love. + +Sir Arthur Forrester was not a dissipated man, nor was he a +disagreeable man, yet he was not what a girl of Marguerite Verne's +nature would desire for a husband. + +"This is just what mamma has been angling for," thought Marguerite +as she tore up the note into tiny shreds and showed more spirit than +her sister Eve would have given her credit for. + +"I thought as much dear Madge," said Mrs. Verne, who on entering +beheld the bouquet, "and to think that Evelyn should accept Mr. +Tracy as escort when we could have Sir Arthur. It is, indeed, +provoking beyond endurance. Madge you are to be congratulated upon +such good luck; scores of girls would envy you the proud position as +Lady Forrester, and for once I hope my child will consider well +before she lets such an offer meet with refusal." + +Marguerite sat as if in a state of utter abstraction. She was too +much confused to reply. "Honor thy father and mother" had been an +important part of her religion. Must she now say words of dire +rebellion--the thought cost a bitter pang. The tears rose to her +eyes and her lips were pallid and tremulous. + +"Mamma I cannot think you would ask me to encourage Sir Arthur +feeling as I do at present. I respect him but nothing more, please +do not mention the subject again. I do not wish to leave you and I +know papa wishes me to remain always with him and make his home what +it ought to be." + +The last remark was too much for Mrs. Verne's temper. + +"Marguerite, lately I had begun to think that you had more sound +sense than your fortunate sister but I am doomed to bitter +disappointment. One need expect nothing but ingratitude from +children--especially mine. Hear me, Madge: if you refuse Sir Arthur +you will live to repent of it--remember my words!" and gathering up +her trailing robes Mrs. Verne turned angrily away leaving Marguerite +to her own sad thoughts. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +AN INSIGHT INTO MR. VERNE'S AFFAIRS. + + +Summer had passed into autumn--all nature was arrayed in robes of +gorgeous dye. The foliage of Sunnybank was brilliant and the leafy +shrubberies had not yet begun to show signs of decay. + +Mr. Verne sat in the library and beside him sat a welcome guest. + +Mrs. Montgomery made several excuses for her untimely interruption +and Mr. Verne received them with the best of grace--he well knew +what had prompted the visit--the good kind and generous heart. + +As the matronly appearance of the new comer awakened a spirit of +interest in the affairs of Sunnybank so it aroused the quiet +unobtrusive master. Mr. Verne thanked God from the bottom of his +heart that he could sit in his office and hear the voice of a true +friend in kindly counsel with the domestics. + +"Ah! if Matilda were only like her, how different our lives might +have been," murmured the wearied man of business, then heaving a +deep sigh glanced over the latest exchange sheets, trying to find +relief from the depressing thoughts that were crowding hastily +through his overworked brain. + +"Sooner or later it must come and God knows it is through no +discrepancies on my part. Poor little Madge; she is a good child. If +she were only settled I would feel more relief; but she is to be +bartered for pelf, poor child. I will stand by her to the last." + +Voices in the parlor now claimed Mr. Verne's attention. + +"Strange too, at the very moment," murmured the latter as he closed +the folios and then ran his fingers through his hair as if to +prepare for some pleasing reception. + +A cheery voice exclaimed "business kept me away sir, but I could +stand it no longer," and shaking his host's hand with more than +hearty grasp Phillip Lawson soon found himself at home in +Sunnybank's elegant parlor. + +The young lawyer could not fail to note the careworn look upon Mr. +Verne's passive countenance, nor did he fail to note the cause, +while a strange yearning feeling went straight to the warm heart. + +"If it were only in my power to help him," murmured Phillip in +inarticulate tones as he took up a newspaper that lay on the small +table near. It was a late English paper and bore the address of Mr. +Verne in a neat graceful hand. + +"We have just heard from Marguerite," said Mr. Verne, attempting to +be very cheerful. + +"I hope all are well, sir?" ventured Mr. Lawson timidly. + +"Yes, they are in good health, but I fear that Marguerite is wearied +of life in gay cities. Mr. Lawson, you cannot imagine how much I +miss her. It seems as if part of my life is gone from me." + +Mr. Verne's voice was husky and unsteady and his eyes had a far off +wistful look that struck a vibrative chord in Phillip Lawson's +breast. + +"I might as well make a clean breast of it at once," thought the +latter, "no good comes of carrying a pent up sorrow to one's grave +without trying to seek sympathy from a fellow being--and to none +would I go more willingly than her father." + +A slight pause ensued and Mr. Lawson spoke. + +"It is pleasant for Miss Verne to see the mother country and form +comparisons for herself and no doubt she will be the better for +having had a change of climate." + +"Yes, that was why I did not oppose her going away. I knew that her +constitution was delicate, but again, that fact made it the harder +for me to associate Marguerite with late hours and all the +inconveniences of fashionable life. I tell you what it is Mr. Lawson +I am no advocate of fast living and I thank God that my daughter is +only playing a part in which her heart has no interest." + +"Miss Verne has a mind far above such things," said Mr. Lawson with +some warmth. + +Mrs. Montgomery had adroitly slipped out unobserved and was busying +herself over some mending which was needed. + +She could hear the hum of the voices and could almost distinguish +the words being said. + +"If Stephen Verne is not a downright fool he will straighten matters +up yet," thought the woman as she put away the work-basket and began +to plan work for the following day. + +Conversation still went on briskly and Mr. Verne seemed himself once +more. His burden felt light in the presence of the young lawyer and +from the depths of his soul he longed for a closer intimacy--that +bond of true sympathy which cements hearts forever. + +Phillip Lawson partly realized the fact: the barriers of +conventionalism were fearlessly torn down as he took courage to +speak out. + +"Mr. Verne you do not surely think that a man of sense can be blind +to the inestimable and rare qualities which he sees in Miss Verne's +character. If we had more woman like her what a different world it +would be!" + +"God bless you, my boy," said Mr. Verne fervently. + +"Amen," responded a voice from another apartment but unheard in the +parlor. + +What invisible, subtle power prevented the young man from falling on +his knees and confessing his love for the pure Marguerite? + +What invisible presence laid a pressure upon Phillip Lawson's lips +and sealed them fast? + +What invisible force turned the conversation into another and +entirely different source, yet did not weaken the bond already +established. + +Mr. Verne communicated many proofs of his entire confidence and the +thought gave to his young friend more courage. + +"It is indeed a trying season sir, but I trust you will keep abreast +of the times. Many of our establishments are said to be in a shaky +condition." + +"If they give me time I am all right, if not I am gone." + +Phillip Lawson was a poor man. What right had he to offer +consolation? He said nothing, but inwardly prayed that the storm +might pass over and all would be brighter than the May morn. + +"I challenge you to a game of dominoes, gentlemen," cried Mrs. +Montgomery who now felt that her presence was necessary. + +"We are only too happy Mrs. Montgomery," said Phillip rising from +his seat and placing a chair for her. + +Mr. Verne also being seated the time honored game of muggins was +soon in active operation and, as is often the cape, the lady being +the best player was sadly worsted but submitted with a grace that +was amusing. + +"Come in often, Mr. Lawson; I am going to remain for three or four +weeks and we need all the companionship we can muster," said the +lively and unceremonious matron as she bade good-night to the former +with an air of interest in every look and gesture--a something which +seemed to say "depend on me." + +Nor was the warm pressure of Mr. Verne's hand lost upon the +susceptible nature of Phillip Lawson. + +"If I had Hubert Tracy's riches what an amount of good I could +accomplish; but what's the use." And for once the Christian spirit +of the young man underwent sore temptation. He was wondering why it +was that prodigals and spendthrifts, with no special ability but +that of wasting other people's earnings, should have means +inexhaustible while other poor fellows with fair ability should have +to toil all their days for the means of subsistence and never have +the wherewith to relieve their suffering fellow mortals or follow +the yearnings of their impassionate hearts! + +Mrs. Montgomery stood on the terrace and watched the receding figure +of Phillip Lawson until he had crossed Queen Square and turned +Charlotte street. She then returned to the parlor, and finding Mr. +Verne sitting as if in deep study, was about to retire when he +quietly motioned her to a seat. + +"Sit down here. Our young friend has gone, and it seems as if he +took all the sunshine with him, for I feel more prosy than ever." + +"You need not try to hide your feelings from me, Stephen; it is of +no use. I am here to help you all I can, and much as it will cost +you I must hear your trouble. Heaven knows I would gladly do all +that lies within my power." + +Mrs. Montgomery's bustling and blustering nature had now become calm +and gentle as a child as she sat beside her brother-in-law and +poured into his ear such words of sympathy and encouragement as she +could honestly give. + +"We will not blame her altogether," said Mr. Verne. "She was young +and fond of gaiety, and I thought that in course of time our natures +should blend together, but sad to say, with coming years the breach +widened. She went into society and I took refuge in seclusion." + +"Stephen, you need not try to smooth matters!" exclaimed Mrs. +Montgomery, allowing her temper to get aroused. "She is all to +blame. Matilda is a fool, and I would tell her so if she stood face +to face with me to-night!" + +Mr. Verne did not raise his eyes, for he did not wish his companion +to see the look of desperation settled there. + +"And to think of the manner in which poor Marguerite is dragged over +the continent for the sake of hunting up a grand match is something +beyond endurance." + +"It is all too true, Hester," moaned the grief-stricken husband. "It +is all too true." + +"And I would oppose it to the bitter end, Stephen. Yes, I would face +poverty a thousand times rather than see a child of mine subjected +to such indignity. I have watched Matilda's high-handed work with +keen interest, I have noted everything, and if she thinks she has +hoodwinked me I pity her delusion." + +"The truth is I have been too much immersed in business to attend to +much else, Hester, but at times I have not liked the manner in which +things were going on. I never gave consent to Evelyn's marriage, I +could not sanction it, but the girl seemed bent upon it, and I made +no opposition in the matter." + +"Montague Arnold is a dissipated man and immoral in every sense of +the word, but that matters not in good society." + +Mrs. Montgomery's face was indeed severe as she took from her pocket +a piece of knitting and began making stitches rapidly. + +"It is one of the many enigmas of fashionable society which I can +never account for: why the most worthless, debauched and dissipated +young men are fawned upon, lionized and courted by the most +respectable mothers and matrons, and allowed the full liberty of +their ball-rooms, drawing-rooms, salons, &c., claiming the most +virtuous maidens for their amusement and pastime! And further, an +honest-minded young man, who leads a strictly moral life, and labors +hard to gain a reputation for himself, is cast aside or scorned as a +mere nobody!" + +"It is too true, Hester, I can fully endorse what you say. I have +indeed turned away in disgust from fashionable resorts when I have +seen young men of the most vicious habits contaminating the very air +with their dissoluteness, flirting and dancing with the pure-minded +girls who would have shrunk away in loathing could they hare seen +the same young men at a later hour in dens of iniquity." + +Mr. Verne was excited; he thought of his lovely Marguerite, and a +pang shot through his heart, causing his face and lips to become +ashy white. + +"It is a disagreeable subject to broach, but I cannot help it, +Stephen--I mean Hubert Tracy," said Mrs. Montgomery, in suppressed +and measured tones. "You are not blind, Stephen, to the fact that +Matilda and Evelyn are conspiring to find a son-in-law for you, and +that one is Mr. Tracy?" + +"God forbid!" said Mr. Verne, springing to his feet as if stung by +an adder. + +"As true as my name is what it is, Stephen, you will see it--that +is--if you do not try to prevent it." + +"My Marguerite will never sacrifice herself in that way," said Mr. +Verne, vehemently--"never!" + +"She will be talked into it. Marguerite will do anything rather than +incur her mother's ill-will; for depend upon it, Matilda will lead +her a sorry life if she shows opposition to her will." + +"I have been too careless, Hester. It is yet time enough, thank God! +When Marguerite is once more safe in my sheltering arms she will +neer be subjected to the importunities of disagreeable suitors." + +"Evelyn has too much diplomacy in her character. Marguerite cannot +cope with her ingenious allurements, depend upon it, but I hope +everything may turn out for the best yet," said Mrs. Montgomery, +with a wistful look upon her countenance. + +"Hester, I have much to think of. Sometimes my thoughts are almost +insupportable, I almost sink--I believe I would if it were not for +Marguerite. She is my ministering angel--and I miss her so much." + +It was only on this evening that Mr. Verne had become communicative. +He was always looked upon as a cold, reticent man, who had no +sympathy with humanity in general; but there were those who could +say "God bless you, Mr. Verne," from the bottom of their hearts. Who +will presume to say that those grateful invocations were lost upon +the winds--that they were not wafted to the Throne of Mercy, and +received the plaudits of the King of Kings? + +"I have long been thinking of having a talk with you, Stephen, and I +feel now is the time," said Mrs. Montgomery, in confidential tone, +yet betraying some hesitation. "We all know Stephen, that your +family is living beyond your means, and that you are robbing +yourself of health, strength and peace of mind to keep up an +extravagant appearance. I ask you if that is right?" + +"Hester, it is this that is killing me by inches, yet I cannot +prevent it. What can I do? I cannot breast the current that is +carrying along everything with it in maddening fury. One day I must +make the plunge!" + +Mr. Verne buried his face in his hands and wept like a child, while +Mrs. Montgomery sat motionless, her eyes fixed upon the quaintly +carved case of the eight day clock, whose solemn tick made the +stillness more oppressive. + +Mrs. Montgomery was the first to speak. "Stephen, it is not too late +to straighten up matters. Take my advice, and if you are not more +prosperous a year hence I will give you the deed of 'Gladswood.'--a +present on your next birthday." + +Mr. Verne forced a smile, and grasping the woman's hand, exclaimed, +"Hester, you are, indeed, a friend in the hour of need. I feel +stronger already." + +"It is growing late, Stephen, and you need rest; we will talk over +the matter to-morrow," and bidding good-night, Mrs. Montgomery arose +and retired to her own apartments, while Mr. Verne sat buried in +thought until the clock struck the hour of midnight; then slowly he +arose, and, with languid step, turned a sad face towards the door, +musing, "It is all sent for some good. Teach me, oh God, to see +things as I ought." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +MRS. MONTGOMERY'S IDEAS OF SOCIETY, ETC. + + +Next morning Mr. Verne was astir at a very early hour. The rest of +the household apparently wrapped in deep slumber, while the wearied +man of business sat at his desk, his features fixed and immovable as +the bronze productions of the inimitable Lysippus who had won the +favor of the Great Alexander. + +Scratch! scratch! scratch! went the pen over the lines with +inconceivable rapidity, the writer occasionally glancing over his +left arm at the document he was copying. The tortoise-shell cat sat +at her master's feet with an air of self-importance and a look which +seemed to say, "woe be to him who dare to drive me hence." + +But there was another within the walls of Sunnybank who was also +awake--Mrs. Montgomery. + +She leaned on the side of her couch and listened to the faint sound +that at intervals came from the office: "Well, well; what will be +the end God alone knows! Matilda Verne, you will one day see the +fruits of your folly and taste them in all their bitterness!" + +"I must divert him from such work. It is killing the man by inches; +surely there is some way out of the difficulty--where there's a will +there's a way.'" + +Mrs. Montgomery said the last words with a will--aye, with the +spirit of a Leonidas, and hastily arranging her toilet descended to +the silent, deserted parlors. She evinced no surprise when +confronted by Mr. Verne. She had been calmly awaiting his presence. + +"It is too early for you to be astir, Hester. I would think you +might take things easy when you could. I'm sure there's nothing to +get you up here--no milking and farm work as at 'Gladswood.'" + +"It's second nature with me and I can't help it any more than you +can help getting up with the sun and poring over those tedious +papers; Stephen, I would think you ought to get sick of such work." + +"So I do, Hester, but I must not let myself feel so; there may be an +end far too soon." + +"Stephen you are getting a monomaniac on these things. I tell you +what it is if William Montgomery were in your shoes he would not +last a week. Thank God, he is a farmer--there's no life like it." + +"True, indeed, Hester; I wish I had become a sturdy yeoman before I +gave myself up to this business. Ah! it's nothing but uncertainty." + +"Listen to me Stephen; the quiet of the hour prompts me to say +something which I have been thinking of for some time past--it is of +Mr. Lawson." + +"Yes," said Mr. Verne, in a manner that seemed to say that he knew +what was coming, "he is a worthy young man!" + +"Worthy, did you say, Stephen? There is no words in the English +language sufficient to speak his praise. He is a man such as the +Creator premeditated before the world rose out of chaos--a man in +the true image of his Maker!" + +Could Phillip Lawson then have looked upon this woman as she sat +there and spoke such holy thoughts--how simple and yet how +eloquent--could he then have heard the tenderhearted matron plead +for him what a flood of gratitude would have welled out from his +honest heart! + +"I have invited Phillip Lawson to 'Gladswood' purposely to study him +through and through, and each time I find something nobler in him to +admire." + +"I believe it," said Mr. Verne, gravely. + +"Then pledge yourself with me to bestow upon him all that can give +him the only earthly happiness he desires. Stephen, you are not +blind--you know he loves your child--make the way brighter for him-- +give him your confidence, your encouragement, and before a +twelvemonth has passed away you will be happier, Madge will be +happier, and Phillip Lawson will bless you while he lives!" + +Mr. Verne turned uneasily in his chair. He felt somewhat guilty of +not seeking the young man's confidence the previous evening when he +made allusion to Marguerite. + +"Stephen, I'm no fool; I can sometimes see more than some people +would like me to see--but I care little for people's opinions," said +Mrs. Montgomery in a defiant mood, "I am here to say what I think is +right--I care for nobody." + +"I know that the young man admires Madge, but we have proof of +nothing further." + +"You surely cannot say _that_, Stephen, and note the interest +which Mr. Lawson takes in your affairs. Ah, we women can see you men +through and through--you don't mean what you say." + +It did not take much persuasion to gain Mr. Verne as an ally to the +cause so dear to the woman's heart. + +Now what suggestions Mrs. Montgomery made to her brother-in-law and +his acquiescence, the whole-hearted management and cleverness, also +delicacy of plans, we do not care to reveal, suffice to say, that +the plans were matured and put into execution from that hour, and +that there were those who lived to thank Mrs. Montgomery with all +the fervor of their hearts. + +Mr. Verne was indeed happier from the light-hearted manner in which +Mrs. Montgomery strove to entertain him and relieve the monotony of +his busy life. "Sunnybank" had been closed from society for several +months. No guests desecrated the stillness of the deserted +drawing-room, and save the occasional calls of a few business men, +"all around was quietness." + +"I will make a change," said Mrs. Montgomery, and a change was made. +Phillip Lawson found time to drop in two or three evenings of the +week, and when the gentlemen were engaged over their game of chess, +there would suddenly steal upon their senses a fragrance that +portended hot delicious coffee, not to speak of the choice rolls and +delicate cheesecake. + +Mr. Lawson was truly at home in Mrs. Montgomery's society. He +admired her independent spirit and correct judgment as to what +should constitute society in its wholesome state; he listened with +eagerness to her exposition of the shame and rottenness of good form +and the consequent evils arising from them. + +One evening they were enjoying the refreshing breeze that stirred +the leafy shrubberies at "Sunnybank." Coolness reigned everywhere, +within and without. The halls were redolent with heliotrope, and +breath of roses, the hour was inviting and the conversation was +spirited. + +Mrs. Montgomery, clad in her silken gown, was indeed fitted to pass +close criticism. She was sensible looking, neat and respectable, and +her genial warmth of manner formed no secondary consideration. + +"It is disgraceful to society to tolerate it," said Mrs. Montgomery. +"I should like to see a girl of mine receive attention from such a +man, and to think of his going to Mrs. M.'s company utterly +incapable. Had I been there I would have insulted him before the +company." + +"It is just as well that you were not," said Mr. Verne, smiling. + +"We country people are verdant, Stephen, but thank heaven we escape +your _good-form_ style that is ruinous both to body and soul," +said Mrs. Montgomery with considerable vehemence. "Our young women +are educated to a sense of their position, and to demand that +respect which they ought. Ugh! just for one moment imagine a young +man of loose immoral habits seated in _our_ parlor. Why the +very thought of it makes one sicken with disgust." + +"Hester, if we had a few such women as you there would be a sweeping +moral reform throughout our land," said Mr. Verne, vehemently. "Yes, +we would have such a wholesome state of things as would entail a +world of happiness to succeeding generations." + +"I tell you one thing, Stephen, there would be no living beyond +one's means; neither this abominable keeping up of appearances, +which has possessed two-thirds of our people, and which is the cause +of nearly all the misery and degradation that we hear of every day +of our lives--and those mothers and daughters will be held +responsible for the souls of the suicides who were goaded to the +rash deed by their doings! Yes, Stephen, I say it, and hold to it, +that it is our women who are at the root and bottom of these +horrible misdeeds." + +"It is true in a great measure, Hester," said Mr. Verne, his face +betraying evident emotion--his voice strange and his manner +altogether changed. + +Mrs. Montgomery's words had a powerful effect. They took deeper root +than she intended and the woman felt a strange misgiving at her +heart. "What if he might seek refuge in such," thought she, and a +feeling of revulsion passed through her which was in nowise +comforting. + +Mr. Verne seemed to anticipate her thoughts. "It is an unpleasant +subject, and can do little good for either," said he, trying to +force a smile. + +"Yes, Stephen; I can bear your reproof, for I am too hot-headed. I +need a strong pull in the opposite direction to set me right." + +The sound of domestics astir suggested employment, and Mrs. +Montgomery set forth to superintend affairs with more concern than +the real mistress. In fact, there had been a sad want of attention +to matters in general. There was an apparent lack of system and good +management that only such an one as Mrs. Montgomery could set right. + +"I want you to do it this way," was her order, and it was done. + +An untidy chambermaid had been dismissed, and the cook was given her +choice to retrench in the enormous waste or find a new field for +such extravagance. + +It was indeed surprising what a change had been wrought during Mrs. +Montgomery's first week at "Sunnybank." + +"And to think of her coming from such charitable motives. The woman +is a host in herself." Such was Mr. Verne's comment as he began to +see how affairs were managed on the reconstruction plan, when even +the parlor seemed to admit the beneficial change. + +"I shall have to attend a meeting of the Board of Trade this +evening; and thinking it would be dull here, I asked Mr. Lawson to +come in and bring Lottie. You know the poor child idolizes him, and +it is a shame to keep him from her." + +"How kind of you, Stephen. I shall be delighted to see Lottie; she +is a sweet child. It really does me good to see the young man pet +his little charge and minister to her wants with the delicacy of a +woman. I tell you there are few men that will compare with Phillip +Lawson." + +Mrs. Montgomery was determined that she would let no opportunity +escape when she could say a word in her friend's praise. "They will +thank me one day for it," said she to herself, as she turned +leisurely towards a pot of heliotrope and stood inhaling the sweet +fragrance. + +"The Board of Trade to-night. No rest for the overwrought brain! +What a pity that our women, Instead of decking themselves out for +hours before a life-sized mirror, and when arrayed like peacocks +amble into drawing-rooms or conservatories to listen for so many +hours to the idiotic, half-formed expressions of the semi-monkeys +who answer to the fashionable appellation of dudes, should not give +themselves some fit employment. Oh, dear me! thank Heaven I'm not a +society woman, and still better, that none of my family can lay +claim to the title." + +As Mrs. Montgomery made the last part of her remark, she thought of +her first-born, the sweet, but bright-spirited Jennie, who was +always ready for fun and amusement and never was happier than when +administering to the wants of her fellow creatures. + +Jennie Montgomery was also a maiden of sound intellectual ability. +Her fund of reading was extensive. She never allowed a day to pass +without devoting two hours to good solid reading. Pope was a +constant friend, as was also Wordsworth, and few could give a better +exposition of the mental depth of this metaphysical poet, his +self-knowledge and his keen realization of the depth of such +knowledge. + +But of the expected guests. It was indeed a red-letter day for +Lottie Lawson when Phillip announced his intention of taking her to +"Sunnybank." + +"Oh! Phillip," cried she in ecstasies of delight, her saucy curls +dancing around the pretty head, "and I shall see Mrs. Montgomery; +was there ever such a lucky girl as I?" and the bright eyes danced +with joy and eagerness. "Goodness gracious! it's almost too good +news to be true. Phillip, what shall I wear? Dear me, if I had only +known I would have made Kitty do up my white lawn." + +The little maiden's countenance had suddenly changed from great joy +to dismay, and the indulgent brother was much amused. + +"I don't think it will make much difference to Mrs. Montgomery, so +long as your dress is neat," said he smiling, then added, "I hope my +little sister has not commenced to be vain already. It is too soon, +my dear." + +"Indeed I am not quarter as bad as the other girls," replied the +little miss. "I wish you could see how they dress for school; why +Nellie Bliss wears a different dress every afternoon, and to-day she +had one with the greatest lot of lace ruffles." + +"Well, well, my dear, let Nellie enjoy her ruffles, and Lottie +Lawson be a sensible little girl." + +As the brother fondled the fairy-like child, he thought of the +inherent weakness that showed itself thus and exclaimed as the +little form was beyond hearing, "the ruling passion truly," he +paused, then added, "with most women." + +To say that Lottie Lawson enjoyed herself at "Sunnybank" would be +speaking too mildly. Even the dogs gave her welcome, romping, +playing and frisking till warned to restrain their unwonted +hilarity. + +An oil painting of Marguerite Verne made the child clap her hands +with delight. + +"Oh, it is just like her! It seems as if Miss Verne were speaking to +us," cried she, getting as near to the portrait as she possibly +could. "I can imagine myself in Sunday-school now and our dear +teacher among us. When do you expect her, Mrs. Montgomery?" + +The bright eyes had a wistful look and gave the piquant face a +thoughtful tone. + +"I cannot say, my dear, but we hope we may expect her soon." + +The eager eyes favored the portrait with occasional glances while +the white fingers ran over the keys of the piano. + +A pleasant evening was thus spent and Lottie was delighted when it +was arranged that she would be allowed to pass many such pleasant +hours during Mrs. Montgomery's stay at "Sunnybank." + +"How thoughtful," was Mr. Verne's comment as he heard the voices in +the parlor on his return. + +Phillip Lawson with a pang at his heart could not but notice the +wearied look upon Mr. Verne's face, also the stooping form which +once had been erect and majestic, and his sympathetic look could not +escape the eagle eye of Mrs. Montgomery. + +"Business is business, my boy," said Mr. Verne as he bade his guests +good-night. + +"Yes sir, it is all business these hard times. Business is +business," and musing thus Phillip Lawson went on his way, so busied +in thought that he scarce heeded the prattle of the child at his +side. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +A COMBINATION OF EVENTS. + + +Four weeks had passed away and Mrs. Montgomery still presided at +"Sunnybank." The days were spent in a variety of ways that tended to +one grand end and that for the best. + +Lottie Lawson was blithe as a bee, humming little snatches of song +and often cheering the rooms by her presence. + +An important functionary among the domestics was Melindy Jane +Thrasher, the happy _fiancee_ of Mr. Moses Spriggins. + +Melindy Jane took much pride in informing her fellow-laborers that +"she had been engaged to work with the Verneses all through the +Montgomeryses, for she had seen the first Miss Verne along with her +intended up to the upper neighborhood at church, and she and a hull +lot of the young folks came out from Mill Crossin' to go, and when +they seed the grand folks, they'd inquired and found out all about +him. Then, what do you think? dad saw an advertisement in the paper, +and he rit right away and got this situation; and here I am ever +since, and s'pose will be for a _leetle longer_" and with a +knowing look Melindy Jane would draw her hearers' attention to Mr. +Spriggins, and by a series of phases expatiate on her lover's manly +form and weighty principles, not forgetting his importance among the +good folks of Mill Crossing. + +Marguerite Verne had often listened to these speeches, and +stimulated Melindy Jane's eloquence by her earnest attention, and +for such kindness she was eulogized in the presence of Mr. +Spriggins, until the latter vowed that "that 'ere Miss Verne hadn't +an equal in the Dominion." + +It so happened that Melindy Jane one evening asked for an hour or +two out, and the request being granted a few minutes later the happy +rubicund face of Moses, beaming with smiles, illuminated the gateway +as he passed through, hand-in-hand with his _fiancee_. + +Mrs. Montgomery was a lover of fun, and she enjoyed the sight with +evident relish. Mr. Lawson's voice soon after interrupted her +thoughts. + +"I came near being run down by one of your family, and an old friend +of mine," cried he, his manner bright and cheerful, "I did not know +that Mr. Spriggins was paying his addresses to anyone in this +house." + +"If you saw him, Mr. Lawson, you would soon be convinced of his +honorable intentions. Indeed, Mr. Spriggins is an attentive lover, +and in every way worthy of Melindy." + +"He is one of the best fellows I ever met," said Mr. Lawson, with +much enthusiasm. + +"You have reason to know him?" said Mrs. Montgomery, with evident +surprise. + +"He did me a very great service, Mrs. Montgomery, and one I can +never adequately repay." + +This was indeed a sudden revelation, but the lady showed good taste +in her replies, and was much pleased with the knowledge that Phillip +Lawson's character was made up of gratitude. + +Mr. Moses Spriggins thought proper to spend a dollar or two upon +Melindy "each time he came to town," and on this evening in question +the happy pair might be seen on Charlotte street making glad the +heart of the grocer by the extensive purchase of peanuts, peaches, +pears, bananas, and every choice confection that was appreciated by +Miss Melindy. + +"I tell yer what, Melindy, if I was a-livin' in town I'd live. I'd +buy them fellars out in less than no time," exclaimed Moses, as a +fair-sized banana disappeared from view at one gasp. "Tell you what +it is, Melindy, them fellars makes a fortin' out of this stuff; by +golly, it's good." A fact which was evident from the gusto resorted +to in mastication. + +"Thunder! what's that purty thing a-hangin' out in front of that +'ere stoppin' place? Look Melindy." + +"Why you goosey, that is the Royal Hotel light--the electric light." + +Melindy pronounced the three words with an air of pride, which +indeed seemed to say "please bear in mind that I am no ignoramus." + +"Wal, I do declare, if that aint the highfalutin' light they were +a-tellin' about up to Wiggleses t'other night." + +This was an unlucky speech for Mr. Spriggins. Melindy's face was +black as Erebus in less than a minute and her eyes fairly darted +fire. + +"Don't mention those Wiggleses agin Mose, or as sure as my name is +Melindy Jane Thrasher, I'll never speak to you agin!" + +"Now, listen to me, Melindy, I was a-goin' to tell you that I only +went up to Wiggleses to borrow a crosscut from Josiar. True as I +live I w'ant inside the gate for I met Josiar a-comin' out o' the +milkin' yard and I then and there ups and tells him what I was +arter." + +During this conversation the unconscious pair had gained the foot +of King street and turned up Prince William street toward Chipman's +Hill where they took a stand. + +"And you got the crosscut at the gate?" asked the perturbed Melindy, +rather timidly. + +"I did, you dear old gal. Now, what's the use of you gettin' jealors +of me and Josiar? I'm darned shure I don't be a-courtin' him." + +"Don't talk so simple, Mose," said Melindy, giving her affianced an +affectionate push against a large building that stood on the corner. + +"If I w'ant skeered of them 'ere police chaps I do believe I'd feel +tempted to kiss you in this very place!" exclaimed Moses in very +pathetic style. + +"I'd like to see you, Mose Spriggins, forgit yourself in such a +manner--it would be the last time you would act so in my presence," +returned Melindy Jane in simply bewitching tones and more bewitching +gestures. + +"Well, just you wait till we get back to Sunflower Dale." + +"'Sunflower', a nice name to be callin' our place. I wish that Mrs. +Verne heard you Moses, it would be the last time you'd poke your +nose in there, I can tell ye Mister Mosey." + +"Well, now see here, Melindy. I see town is makin' you too toney, +what's the use of cuttin' a fellar up so when he makes a little +mistake?" + +"Well, say Sunnybank, and I won't be findin' any more fault." + +"Well, Sunnybank! Aint that right Melindy?" + +"Leave out the _well_, and all will be well," said Melindy, +spitefully. + +"Melindy Jane Thrasher, you are a gettin' too cute for anything. +That was the cutest sayin' I've heerd for a long time. If you stay +in town much longer you will be able to talk with any of them +lawyers that's around as thick as thieves." + +"Moses be keerful what you say, for some of the same fellars might +have you hauled up for definition of character, and some of them can +afford to do it too, for I believe there are honest ones among 'em. +Indeed, I know of one." + +"And I bet I know the same chap," said Moses, jumping at the +conclusion, with an accompanying exhibition of elasticity, not +unworthy of the bygone arena, and then added, "and we both of us +seed him this 'ere evenin'. Aint that so, eh, Melindy?" + +"There, don't be silly, Moses," said the half-indignant Melindy, +pouting her ripe red lips, and trying to look very prim. + +When Melindy wished to administer reproof to her betrothed she +always addressed him as Moses, a circumstance which had a very +chilling effect upon the offender. + +"Well, I vow if it aint--speak of the old fellar and he's sure to +appear," cried Moses. And instantly they were recognized by the +stalwart young lawyer who was on his way homeward. + +"He didn't stay long. Perhaps the missus ain't in very good humor +to-night," surmised Melindy. + +"Perhap's he's too busy hisself. Like as not he's off on some law +scrape now. That's just it, for Court's a settin' all this week. +Well I hope Mr. Lawson will get a good share of the pickins, for +he's as honest as the sun, and when a fellar goes to him for advice +he gets it in good English law, and no runnin' roundabout way that +would puzzle a chap till his hair would turn gray." + +Doubtless Mr. Spriggins would have expatiated on his friend's good +qualities for a much longer time, but Melindy was not inclined to +have him waste so many eulogistic speeches at her expense. + +"How time goes! Well, it seems no time since we left, and here we +are back agin," said Melindy, glancing up at the grand facade of +"Sunnybank," which looked as pretentious as its neighbors on the +same imposing terrace. + +Mr. Spriggins was annoyed to think that it was only nine o'clock, +and he must part with Melindy. + +"You know what we used to learn in the little yellar book at home," +said the latter. + +"Yes, that's all very fine when a fellar hasn't anything better to +do, but when a feller has sich good company, he don't think of being +healthy, wealthy and wise, eh, Melindy." + +"We'll not quarrel about it, anyhow," said Melindy, evidently well +pleased at being reckoned such good company, then instantly +exclaimed, "What time are you agoin' to start in the mornin'; +perhaps you can run down, and I may have somethin' to send the +folks." + +A step upon the gravelled walk warned the lovers to retreat, and ere +long Mr. Spriggins was wending his steps up Sydney street, muttering +imprecations upon the unknown person who had so unceremoniously +broken up their rendezvous. + +Meanwhile Phillip Lawson was enjoying the quiet of his cosy back +parlor. He was seated in his huge arm-chair enjoying the _Evening +Globe_ and a choice cigar. + +Lottie Lawson had once remarked that brother Phillip might go +without his tea, but he could not sleep without seeing the +_Globe_. And the little maid was right, for nothing is more +inviting for the hurried man of business, the politician, the +professional or the student than the perusal of the evening paper. +Look into the counting-rooms, the offices, the libraries--aye, even +the brilliantly-illuminated parlors--and you will in each find your +answer. + +But we must turn to our legal friend. As Mr. Spriggins surmised, it +was court week, and a very busy one for Mr. Lawson. Brighter +prospects were now in store. Prosperity had dawned upon the untiring +student, and he looked forward with encouraging hopes. + +"Thank God I am here yet," was the young man's exclamation, as he +threw aside the paper and began to ruminate upon his prospects in +general. + +Strange to say he did not harbor ill-will to Hubert Tracy. He pitied +him with a tender pity, and mourned for the wreck of a life that had +such a good beginning. But Mr. Lawson had a feeling of enmity +towards his contemporaries in the far west. He could ill repress the +angry feelings that arose when the scheme presented itself in all +its horrid reality. + +"What ground for bringing the gang to the scratch and making a +startling expose of our legal brethren; yes, nice brethren too." + +No wonder that Mr. Lawson felt ashamed of his fraternity. If the +shades of Coke and Blackstone could only arise--what a reckoning +would be made. What a scene--aye, one that would need a Milton to +describe. + +Thoughts akin to these were passing through the young lawyer's mind +when he suddenly recalled the cause. The heavy brows are contracted +and a scowl appears. "The wicked flourish for a season and so may +you, my happy friends, but your happiness is not of the enduring +kind." Another scowl. "But if he succeeds I am miserable," muttered +Phillip Lawson, his countenance betraying deep agitation. "But I +will not suffer her to become a sacrifice. Heaven forbid." + +There was determination in the tone and in the gesture which +accompanied it. + +There was indeed to be a struggle between right and wrong, and a +bitter struggle, too, but an All-Wise Providence rules over all, and +disposes of events in an inscrutable order, and in the way He +foreordains for His own glory. + +It is necessary to explain how matters stood between Hubert Tracy +and the Winnipeg solicitor. + +The latter had entered heartily into the affair and was looking +forward to the big bonanza that he would gain. But some weeks passed +and hearing nothing further Mr. Sharpley resolved to test the +matter. Receiving no answer to the first letter he despatched a +second and was surprised to receive it re-addressed to himself. What +did it mean? Had Mr. Lawson removed to another field or had Hubert +Tracy played false? + +The solicitor then wrote an acquaintance making some modest +inquiries concerning Mr. Lawson's whereabouts and was further +surprised to find that he was still in St. John, also that he was +prospering in the profession and would one day rank as one of the +leading practitioners there. + +Mr. Sharpley then directed his interrogations across the sea and +much chagrined charged Mr. Tracy with duplicity. But it was the +latter who felt the most non-plussed. He cursed Phillip Lawson from +the bottom of his heart and hoped that he might live to crush him in +the dust. + +"Fool that I was to listen to his palaver!" cried he, "when I could +have contrived some means to silence him most effectually. It is +just what I deserve. He will dog my steps to the bitter end if I +cannot accomplish my work very soon." + +It was while Hubert Tracy was being thus humiliated that he received +a summons from Mrs. Montague Arnold and hailed it as an omen of +success. + +The interview was lengthy and boded no good to Marguerite. + +"Depend upon me, Hubert," cried the heartless young matron as she +graciously extended the tips of her taper fingers and smiled her +most enchanting smile which the young gallant more than graciously +acknowledged as he sprang into the cab awaiting him at the end of +the court-yard. + +A few moments later he was at the club, and surrounded by a host of +the most abandoned profligates he joined in the ribaldry and obscene +jests with a zeal that betrayed the utter depravity of his habits, +and also shewed that he had taken a headlong plunge into the vortex +and must soon become a hopeless wreck. And yet a short time ago, so +fair to look upon, Hubert Tracy had been indeed prepossessing in +appearance. His neat, well built figure, graceful but manly +carriage, agreeable address and fine manners gave him a significant +tone and made him much sought after in society. + +There was even a pleasing expression in the young man's face that +was really attractive. His chestnut locks of silken hair clustering +in luxuriant ringlets were indeed the envy of the many less favored +youth, while the hazel dreamy eyes, soft and expressive as a +woman's, seemed to suggest that they had once been the pride of an +indulgent mother and kind friends. + +"Zounds, Tracy my fellow, you're going all to sticks! What the devil +is up? Why, you look as if you had been trailed through seven +cities--got the blues,--eh?" + +"Worse than that, Turpin. I'm in a fair way for the Old Bailey." + +"The deuce you are!" exclaimed the latter, who owing to several +sharp feats performed upon some members of the club, was dubbed +Turpin. + +Mr. Turpin was a lucky kind of mortal who had a propensity for +living on the funds of his more fortunate friends and always kept an +eye to Mr. Tracy. + +The latter was lavish in expenditure and thought it a streak of luck +to have an individual like Turpin to cater to his caprice and assist +in making his every day life free from remorse or anything +approaching to it. + +"'Jordan is a hard road to travel,' eh Dick?" said Hubert Tracy as +he raised the cocktail to view and stood gazing upon it, then +swallowing the contents, as if anxious to get through the job, +exclaimed, "Heavens Dick, I wish that were the last drink on this +side of Jordan," and after a desperate effort to appear at ease the +young man left his rollicking set and sought his apartments in +Regent Square. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +MR. SPRIGGINS INTERVIEWS MR. VERNE. + + +While Mr. Verne sat in his office in Water street, busy as usual on +his exchanges, etc, an individual was making his way thither at a +rapid gait, which, in fact, bore more closely to business than +grace. + +The individual was Mr. Spriggins of Mill Crossing. Any one keeping +close behind the said gentleman might have heard the following +soliloquy. + +"Well, sir, I'm deuced glad I didn't let on to Melindy, for like all +wimen she'd be a peekin' to see what it was. It's terrible queer +that not one of 'em is better than another. Still we can't get along +without 'em, nohow." + +Here Mr. Spriggins emphasized the remark by a shrug of his herculean +shoulders, and allowed himself to think what a blank this world +would be without Melindy. + +"Wal, I reckon them bisness fellars have so many papers, round that +its 'tarnal queer they don't loose money, but ten to one this 'ere +thing don't amount to a goose egg." + +Mr. Spriggins had now gained the office, and with smiling +countenance inquired for Mr. Verne. + +A genial "come in" from the inner office inspired our friend with +additional confidence. + +Mr. Verne bowed in a respectful manner, and taking off his +gold-rimmed spectacles motioned the young man to a seat. + +"Good morning, sir," said the latter, feeling somewhat embarrassed +as how to begin. + +"It is fine weather, indeed," returned Mr. Verne, pleasantly. + +"Its no use delayin'," thought Moses, "I'll make a bold dash," and +jumping up from his seat, exclaimed, "You're Mister Verne that lives +in the big house on that high bank up there by the square?" + +"Yes, sir," said the latter, respectfully. + +"Well, sir, did you ever see this 'ere piece of writin' afore, I +picked it up near your house, and supposin' it were your'n I brought +it here." + +Mr. Spriggins placed the document in Mr. Verne's hand, and the +latter glanced at it carelessly at first, and was about to return it +to his visitor, when his eye fell upon the following: + +"We can make him appear so guilty that all the laws under heaven +could not clear him. Two thousand dollars would be a sum sufficient +to entrap him. If he is as trusting as you say, the easier will be +the job to do it. At any rate, Connors can finish what I undertake-- +that is the silencing forever of that law sprig." + +"Just be seated for a few minutes, sir," said Mr. Verne. "I think +this is to me a very important document." + +Mr. Spriggins was now quite at home. He took in the surroundings +with an air of interest, and became on terms of intimacy with the +handsome spaniel that lay near him. + +Mr. Verne's hand trembled violently as he re-read the letter. He was +deeply agitated, but fortunately the fact escaped Mr. Spriggins' +notice. + +"I am deeply indebted to you, sir," said Mr. Verne, addressing his +visitor. "I trust some day I shall be able to repay you." + +There was an earnestness in the tones and also a look of gratitude +that made Mr. Spriggins feel a sudden sensation in his throat--a +suffocation which made it impossible to reply--the big heart was +full to overflowing. + +"This is an honest creature," thought Mr. Verne as he pretended not +to observe his benefactor's emotion. + +Mr. Spriggins rose to go when suddenly Mr. Verne exclaimed "this is +not going to be our last meeting Mr. Spriggins," (the latter had +introduced himself previous to this) "I want to see you the next +time you are in the city. Remember you are welcome at my house any +time that you call. Don't forget to come." + +Mr. Verne received a more than hearty grasp of Moses' iron hand and +graciously escorted him to the door where he disappeared muttering +along the street, "By hokey, I'm the luckiest chap in all +Christendom. There's no knowin' but what I may turn out to be the +biggest gun among 'em yet." + +On his way home that day the hilarity of Mr. Spriggins was +unbounded. Even the canine denizens of the district through which he +passed received compliments of no secondary order, and to quote his +own expression "he was the happiest fellar between town and Mill +Crossin'." But we must return to Mr. Verne. + +About an hour after Mr. Spriggins' departure he is seated in the +library at "Sunnybank" waiting summons to luncheon. + +"What is the matter with your time in the office, Stephen?" said +Mrs. Montgomery with an amused look upon her face. Mr. Verne glanced +at his watch. + +"I made a mistake of an hour," said he absent-mindedly. "Poor man," +thought Mrs. Montgomery, "it is no wonder," and then hurrying off to +give orders for an early meal, left him to the misery of his own +thoughts. + +But this time they were not distracting ones. Mr. Verne had in his +possession proof of the baseness of Hubert Tracy and his legal +accomplices, and the more he thought of it the more puzzled he was. + +How did the letter get in the vicinity of "Sunnybank." It certainly +had been in the possession of some person or persons since it had +been received by Hubert Tracy, as he had now been abroad for nearly +three months. Had it fallen into Mr. Lawson's hands? Could it be +possible that he had thus been warned of this conspiracy and changed +his course of action? + +Mr. Verne thought over the matter and a light seemed to dawn upon +him. He remembered of hearing his young friend making some inquiry +as regards the affairs of a well known legal firm that had left St. +John and earned a well-deserved reputation in the far west. He also +thought of certain transactions which went to prove that at times +Mr. Lawson's prospects were indeed sadly blue, and that, doubtless, +Hubert Tracy had taken advantage of those occasions to hold up the +tempting bait. + +"Base scoundrel," muttered Mr. Verne with set teeth. "Providence has +not allowed him to ruin a noble life." + +Mr. Verne was not blind to outward circumstances. He knew full well +what had prompted the deed, and he shuddered as he thought of his +guileless child associated with such a character. He was in a +quandary as to what steps to take that he could ward off suspicion. + +Mr. Verne wished to keep the affair a secret until he could have +further ground for action. He knew that Mrs. Montgomery would be a +sure ally, but second thoughts prompted him to say nothing of the +matter just then, so he calmly supped his coffee at luncheon and +talked over certain little plans with more than ordinary interest. + +"Mr. Lawson is much engaged lately," remarked Mrs. Montgomery, as +she passed a second fragrant cup of coffee to Mr. Verne; "he only +had time to make a short call last evening. I forgot to tell you +before." + +"What is the matter, Stephen, you look alarmed or surprised or some +such way that I cannot describe," said the woman, glancing again at +her brother-in-law. + +"I must give you credit for having more of the imaginative than I +thought, Hester," said Mr. Verne, trying to cover his agitation with +an accusation. + +"I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or not, Stephen," +said Mrs. Montgomery helping herself to another of the delicious +cheese cakes, the pride of the time-honored cook at "Sunnybank." + +"You were speaking of Mr. Lawson, Hester. What had he to say?" + +"Nothing of much consequence, only that he was much occupied during +the week. He seemed in such good spirits that I told him that he +must have fleeced some poor mortal unmercifully." + +"Hester you are a dreadful woman. It is a good thing that people +don't mind what you say." + +"It would make little difference to me whether they would or would +not, Stephen. I shall always say just what my evil thoughts prompt +me to say, and as you remark that is considerable." + +In justice to Mrs. Montgomery, we might as well here add, that what +she said or did, was in a conscientious way. No slander could ever +be traced to her nor could anything that savored of deception find a +place in this honest woman's heart. + +"But to return good for evil," said Mrs. Montgomery, "I asked Mr. +Lawson to let Lottie go home with me." + +"Home?" questioned Mr. Verne, in surprise. + +"Yes, Stephen, I cannot stay much longer. The fall work is coming +on. Jennie is a host in herself, but I must not impose upon good +nature." + +"Jennie Montgomery is a rare jewel; and I least of all should insist +upon your staying longer. You have, indeed, done much for me." + +"Stop, Stephen, I am not going to listen to any such stuff. Indeed, +it's a pity I could not come down to amuse myself for a while +without you having such notions. The fact is, I needed change of +air, and now having a sufficient store to subsist upon for the next +half year, think I had better make tracks." + +"Did you think of it yesterday, Hester?" + +"To be honest with you, Stephen, I scarcely thought of it until the +sight of good-natured Moses Spriggins reminded me I had a snug +little nest in Kings County, and had better fly away to it." + +"Spriggins, did you say, Hester?" queried Mr. Verne, in a manner +that showed that the name had been hitherto associated in his mind. + +"Yes, sir, I said Spriggins. Did you not know that Melindy Jane +Thrasher has a suitor who calls as regularly as he comes to the +city?" + +Mr. Verne laughed cheerily, a circumstance which was so unusual that +the domestics in the basement were on the _qui vive_ to see +what was the matter. + +"And you happened to interrupt the lovers I suppose," remarked Mr. +Verne in his quaint dry way. + +"I did nothing of the kind, Stephen. I met Moses on the landing. I +tell you what it is, I have great respect for Moses Spriggins. Yes, +for every one of the family," said Mrs. Montgomery in an earnest and +respectful manner. + +"They live near you Hester?" + +"About ten miles, perhaps not so far. Simon Spriggins raised a large +family, but there are only two of the boys at home now, and Nell +Spriggins is a nice looking girl. I tell you their home is neat and +tasteful, although not very showy." + +"It seems quite a coincidence that the same Moses Spriggins should +have occasion to call at the office to-day--" + +"To ask for Melindy Jane Trasher, I suppose," cried Mrs. Montgomery, +with as much merriment as a young girl. + +"He was merely conveying an important message," said Mr. Verne, "and +in course of conversation I was quite interested." + +"Moses is one of the best hearted creatures for miles around. He is +often imposed upon when anything in the shape of tea meetings or +bazaars are on the go." + +"All's well that ends well," said Mr. Verne, rising from the table +quietly. + +"Quite a digression," murmured Mrs. Montgomery, as she touched the +gong and arose from her seat. + +Within the sanctity of his private apartments Mr. Verne now saw +clearly how matters stood. He was convinced that Phillip Lawson had +been in possession of the letter and that he had dropped it while +going or coming from "Sunnybank," and that Moses Spriggins, +following in his footsteps, had picked it up. + +"Truly, indeed, 'God moves in a mysterious way,'" mused Mr. Verne as +he glanced at the crumpled paper, "and to think they have been +foiled in the outset. To think that I have entertained such a +monster, and to have heard him applauded until I was nigh sick. +Heavens! if there be a retributive justice it shall surely be meted +out to that accursed viper, Hubert Tracy." + +The compressed lips and fierce scowl gave expression to the anger +within, and showed that when once aroused Stephen Verne was "a +foeman worthy of his steel." + +He deliberated long upon his young friend's magnanimity. + +"Lawson is a man of ten thousand, else he would have had the +satisfaction of seeing the whole gang reap their reward. Aye, +lynching is too good for them, the scoundrels. But the time will +come when they'll be found out, for they'll not stop at that," and +in clear distinct tones Mr. Verne repeated the following lines:-- + +"Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding +small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds +He all." + +Mrs. Montgomery was not satisfied with Mr. Verne's evasiveness. Like +most women she had a fair share of curiosity, and now she was doubly +curious. + +"It's no earthly use to try to sift Stephen, for he's as firm as a +granite bowlder; but one thing is certain, there's something in the +wind just now--something in which Mr. Lawson and Moses Spriggins are +both concerned, though either or both may be unaware of it. Let me +see," continued Mrs. Montgomery, elevating her eyebrows, and looking +very much like a lawyer when he has his client's opponent in the +witness stand. "Mr. Lawson was here last night and left early. Moses +Spriggins was here also, and left later. Now, as to what took Moses +to the office that's where the mystery is, and that there is one I +am as certain as the head is on my body." + +One good trait in Mrs. Montgomery's character was that she never +lost confidence in a friend until she had the most positive proof of +his guilt, her honest nature was slow to believe in the worst side +of humanity. + +"Whatever it is," murmured she, "it is the doings of some other +parties, for both are above suspicion." + +The entrance of Mr. Verne put an end to the soliloquy, but did not +drive away the subject, and when the latter was safely out of +hearing, Mrs. Montgomery exclaimed to herself "I see plainly that +Stephen is deeply agitated. He seldom carries that look. It is +something of an uncommon nature that has aroused him. He thinks he +hides his secret whatever it be, but poor Stephen is not schooled in +the ways of deception, and in the end it is better so." And +repeating the words, "'tis better so," the whole-hearted woman was +soon occupied over the ways and means of domestic economy. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +DESPONDENCY. + + +Much as we would like to follow other friends we cannot yet leave +Phillip Lawson. He is now in great trouble having met with a loss +that is great. + +"I might have known that it was too much good fortune for me," cried +the young man in sad and pathetic voice. "Fool that I was to carry +it about when I was so lucky for once in my life." + +Phillip Lawson was the picture of despondency. A heavy cloud had +settled down just as all had promised fair and now all was darkness +and gloom, not a ray of hope pierced the grim portals which had +closed so suddenly upon him. + +He thought of the Tuscan poet and wondered if it were possible that +his bitter experience had called forth that direful inscription-- + + "Abandon hope all ye who enter here." + +"Ah, my life is Hades! I look for none other!" cried Phillip, his +mind now in an unsettled state and ready almost to doubt truth and +revelation. + +"I have tried hard to lead a good moral life, to live according to +the teachings of the Golden Rule and to live with God's help in +accordance with the teachings of His holy doctrine, and why is it +that I am thus hardly dealt with?" + +We cannot blame our young friend if he be somewhat rebellious. His +faith is sorely tried and he is at first found wanting; but unlike +many others who have gone down under the weight of the angry +billows, stems the torrent and with his eye straight for the beacon +light reaches the haven in safety. + +"I believe that some good may yet spring from it. Hubert Tracy will +not have the power to injure my reputation. He may succeed for a +time, but there is a Nemesis cruel as death." + +Phillip repeated these words as if he were the avenging Deity +himself and the hoarseness of his voice made them sound doubly +prophetic. + +"If they could only have passed into Mr. Verne's hands instead of +mine it would have been better for all parties; but what's the use +of talking." + +Phillip looked sad and careworn, aye, ten years older than on the +previous night, and had Mrs. Montgomery looked in upon him then she +would surely have been more perplexed than ever. + +"It will never do for me to be hunting around the doors at +'Sunnybank.' For the life of me I cannot see how such a thing could +have happened." + +For the sake of explanation we must admit that our legal friend had +a failing which often turned out disastrously for himself and at +times for others--he was simply speaking--absent-minded, but bear in +mind it was only outside of business matters. As a clear thinker Mr. +Lawson had no superior, he was equal to any question, running over +with brilliant repartee and thoughtful speech. + +It was only when the office door was closed and business suspended +that he was guilty of this weakness, and as it on this occasion, +caused him to suffer much from the consequence we hope to prove that +he had overcome it. The fact was the paper had slipped between the +folds of his handkerchief when he had taken it to brush off some +dust that persistently adhered to his coat sleeve. There was another +view of the matter from a more jubliant source, Mr. Moses +Spriggins. + +The latter toiled away in the ten acre lot at Mill Crossing in the +happy thought of some day being "as big a gun as the rest of 'em," +and with the kindness received from Mr. Verne the happy climax was +almost reached. + +"Would'nt it be great," mused Moses as he followed the plough in the +field above referred to, "if when Melindy and myself go to town that +we would put up at them 'ere Verneses. Golly it would make the +Wiggleses eyes stick out furder than ever. They're a jealous lot at +the best o' times, and its sich a silly idear for Melindy to be +a-naggin' at me for goin' there when I never go nearer than the +rickety old gate." + +Mr. Spriggins was evidently taking on a few airs for he seemed quite +exasperated and ready to battle against such aspersions. Instantly +his face became radiant as the noonday sun, and he burst forth in +rapturous strains-- + + "What a man I would be and what sights I would see + If I had but ten thousand a year," + +until the hills and dales in the vicinity of Mill Crossing caught up +the refrain and all nature seemed to rejoice. + +"What's the use of wishin'? it won't bring the ten thousand any more +than I could turn that old millstream yonder tother way. But what's +the odds so long as yer happy?" and once more there floated on the +breeze-- + + "If I had but _one_ thousand a year." + +"Yes sir, I'd be content," exclaimed Mr. Spriggins, as he finished +the last stanza and took a vigorous pull at his pipe as means of +reconciliation with his present circumstances. + +"And, by-the-bye, I must go up to Ned Joneses to-night and talk him +into that business. It aint any sense for Ned and me to be a keepin' +up spite 'cause the old folks want ter. No sir, not this child, +anyhow." + +Between eulogizing and soliloquizing Moses' morning wore into +evening and having hitched up the old mare he set off for the post +office--a spot doubly endeared to him since Melindy Jane Thrasher +went to service, since which time there regularly arrived every +Monday evening a suspicious letter addressed:-- + +MR. MOSES SPRIGGINS, +Mill Crossin', +Kings County, N. B. In haste. + +Imagine the surprise of our friend on being presented with three +whole letters--nothing more, nothing less--and one was addressed +"Moses Spriggins, Esq." + +"I wouldn't take that as a joke, nohow, Mose," said a lugubrious +looking individual, whose face looked as if it had been playing "I +spy" with a tallow candle and got the worst of the battle. + +"Bet your life on it it's no joke; you're jest right Zeb, it's real +down airnest; the fellow that rit that ain't one of your jokin' +consarns." + +Mr. Spriggins glanced over Melindy's letter to see if she was in +good "speerits," and being more than satisfied, broke open the seal +of the second one, which was from Mr. Verne. + +It was written in a large and legible hand, and was couched in the +most simple language, and ended with a request that the finding of +the paper should be kept secret until such time as he (Mr. Verne) +should see fit to acknowledge it. "I do not doubt you, Mr. +Spriggins, only you might carelessly let it be made known among your +friends." + +When Moses read these lines he was more than delighted. They +expressed such confidence in him that he felt so proud, to quote his +own expression, "that he wouldn't claim relationship with the +Attorney Gin'ral." + +The third letter which drew our friend's attention, was a notice +from the Dominion Safety Fund Company, which almost gave as much +pleasure as the other, for in it lay, as Moses expressed it, "a big +bonanzer one of these days." + +But Moses was not destined to live many days in a perpetual ray of +sunshine. + +Mrs. Spriggins was a motherly and kind woman, careful, industrious +and economical, but she had one bad habit--that of scolding. + +"Mother could no more live without scoldin' than dad could live +without his tobaccer," was Moses' frequent comment when beyond the +old lady's hearing. + +The happy first-born was dear to Mrs. Spriggins as "the apple of her +eye," but he always came in for a decent share of the scolding. + +"Now, what that critter is a galavantin' to town and gettin' so many +letters is mor'n I can tell. Seems to me he must be neglectin' +sumthin', for I tell ye things won't git along without puttin' your +shoulder to the wheel." (Mrs. Spriggins had evidently heard of the +fable of Sisyphus, and gave it an original translation.) + +"That's all right Jerushy, but I don't think there is any danger of +our Moses. He's as stiddy as a rock." + +"Don't let him hear you say so, Simon, for its the worst thing in +the world to be a-praisin' your own children, and a-tellin' them +they're so smart, and good lookin', it makes them so ever-lastin' +conseity." + +Mr. Spriggins, Sr., was going to remark that there was no danger of +_her_ children getting spoilt, but he knew what was best for +himself, and kept a quiet tongue in his head. + +The next evening after Moses had been to the post office, he became +aware of the startling fact that his mother had been peeking into +his trousers pocket while she rearranged his neat little room, and +made it look more spicy by the addition of a set of snow-white +curtains. + +"'Pears to me Moses you have a lot of business agoin' on. Hope you +ain't writin' to any girls but Melindy. You know anything I despise +is a young man a-flirtin' with every girl he sees, and besides its +not what any honest man would do. It's well enough for them 'ere +city chaps that thinks no more of their word than eating their +supper, to be runnin' arter every piece of calicer they see, but I +tell you none of the Spriggins is agoin' to do it." + +Mrs. Spriggins evidently meant what she said if one could judge from +her vehemence, her snapping eyes and sharp tongue. + +"Don't be skeered of me a flirtin' mother, I'll stick to Melindy +while there's a button to my coat," said Moses trying hard to look +very dignified. + +"Well, what is all of 'em letters about?" + +"What letters mother?" queried Moses, with the evident delight of +extorting a confession. + +"Why as I was a-hangin' up your Sunday trousers some of 'em fell out +and I couldn't help a-lookin' at the writin' on the back. + +"From as fine a gentleman as ever walked the streets of St. John," +cried Moses quite emphatically. + +"What's comin' next! You, Moses Spriggins of Mill Crossin', a ritin' +letters to a gentleman. Let's hear all about it. + +"I'm not at liberty to tell you jest now mother, I'm sorry to say, +but it's all right." + +"Am I in my sober senses or am I in a nightmare? (No, there's Mose +as nateral as life.)" Then pointing her finger at the supposed +culprit Mrs. Spriggins exclaimed: "I tell you what it is Moses +Spriggins it's nothin' very good that you're ahidin' from your own +mother. Got into them lawyer's clutches at last? Ye used ter say ye +liked law and if I'm as good a prophet as I think I ort to be you'll +get enough of it. Like as not the farm and the stock and all the +utensils will go afore long. Oh dear me!" + +Mrs. Spriggins now stopped for want of breath and fawning herself +violently with the bottom of her blue gingham apron made a second +onslaught. + +"I tell ye what it is Mose there is no good comin' of this 'ere +gallivantin' to town every t'other day, anyhow." + +"Mother, if you would only have patience a few minits I might make +some explanation, but you seem to want to have it your own way," +said Moses, who had now determined to venture a word or two in his +defence. + +"Be keerful, Moses, how you speak to your own mother. It's time I +_had_ everything my own way, when other folks can't manage +their own affairs," said Mrs. Spriggins, with an angry toss of her +head. + +"Now jest listen a minit, mother, and if I'm wrong I'll give in," +said Moses, trying to effect a compromise. + +"Well, let's hear what you have to say for yourself; but remember, +you must not palaver it up to suit yourself, or I'll soon find +out--sure as my name is Jerushy Ann Spriggins." + +Moses had, to a certain extent, allayed Mrs. Spriggins' fears, and +brought matters to a satisfactory close, when a load knock at the +front door caused the latter to utter a startling exclamation, and +then run to the glass to see if her hair was parted straight. + +"Gracious goodness, mother, if there ain't the greatest crowd you +ever saw. There's Mister and Missus Squires and Deacon Rider, and +Missus Rider and little Joe Rider, and there's Huldey Ameliar +Dickson and Marthy Ann, and a hull lot more." + +"Moses Spriggins, are you a-takin' leave of your senses to be +a-standin' gapin' with your mouth open instead of runnin' to the +door and a-showin' 'em into the best room, and I'm not fit to be +seen. It's allus the way. If I had all my fixin's on there'd not be +a soul to come, but let one sit in their old rags, and the hull +country side will pop in." + +Moses had not heard the last part of the speech, for in less than a +minute he was at the front door, doing the honors with all the grace +imaginable. + +"Nell has gone to the store, but mother will be here in a few +minutes, so make yourselves to hum," cried the genial host, showing +the female guests the way into the spare room "to take off their +bunits." + +When Mrs. Spriggins appeared not a trace of the recent encounter was +visible. + +"Wal, Mrs. Spriggins, yer growin' younger lookin' every day," said +the good old deacon as he glanced at the hostess in her best gown +and black lace cap, not forgetting to admire the coquettish white +linen stomacher that completed the costume. + +"Deacon Rider, I'm afraid you are guilty of sayin' little fibs as +well as the rest of the folks. What do _you_ think, Mr. Squires?" + +Mrs. Spriggins' appeal placed the minister in a trying position, and +his better half came boldly to the rescue. "I tell you what it is, +Mrs. Spriggins, I'm not going to allow you to get all the +compliments. Just think of it, Deacon Rider drove all the way over, +and never paid one of us a compliment." + +"Well, well, if here ain't all the folks," exclaimed good natured +Simon Spriggins, bursting into the best room with several straws +clinging to his trousers--a practical illustration of attraction of +adhesion. + +"Missus Squires, I do declare! Why, it does one's eyes good to see +you. And Missus Rider, too--I haven't seen her for an age. Why it +makes me feel young agin to see one of my old beaux around. Eh, +Jerushy." + +"A pretty thing you, to be a-talkin' of beaux. Better go and get off +your old clothes first, for you'd scare the crows." + +Mrs. Spriggins then became deeply interested in the affairs of her +visitors and began bustling about at a great rate, and making hosts +of excuses for things "not a-lookin' as nice as they had orter, for +Nell had been a-spinnin,' and they had extry work besides." + +"Come, come, mother, you needn't be a-puttin' on airs now, for the +folks won't believe you, nohow." + +At this sally from Moses Spriggins the younger visitors set up a +laugh, and the older ones smiled and said "Moses is full of fun." +And after a few such preliminaries the party were ensconced in the +best room, enjoying the unbounded hospitality proverbial to the +Sprigginses, while Moses went up to his room to have another spell +at the important letter, and as he read over for the seventh time +the neatly rounded sentences, he felt that he could well afford to +bear reproof for the sake of having the good will of such a man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +VISITORS AT "GLADSWOOD"--THE FISHING EXCURSION. + + +An interesting trio graced the cosey parlor of "Gladswood" on this +glorious September eve. The balmy breeze stole softly through, the +open casement of the old-fashioned lattice window, and shed its +fragrance profusely. + +"Really, Jennie, this is more like an evening in June than +September. Why one seems to think there must surely be some of the +roses around." + +"And so there are, my dear," said Jennie Montgomery, taking Helen +Rushton by the arm and pointing to a small flower stand whereon sat +a fragrant rose bush crowned with tea roses. + +"They are indeed magnificent, Jennie, but I meant the little June +roses that made such a gorgeous sight the morning that Madge and I +arrived _sans ceremonie_." + +"You prefer wild flowers to the more brilliant sisterhood of the +hothouse, Miss Rushton," exclaimed Mr. Lawson with an air of +interest. + +"I must confess that I do Mr. Lawson, they seem so natural, so pure +and so unaffected. They are always associated with life as it should +be, and not as it is." + +"Helen you are a darling," cried Jennie Montgomery, "those are just +my ideas too. How is it possible that a refined city girl can foster +such sentiments when surrounded by such opposite and antagonistic +elements." + +"Jennie, my dear, you must not infer from this that I do not approve +of the forms and usages of society, for I _do_, but my society +is common sense society, if I may be allowed the expression." + +"You are quite right, Miss Rushton. Halifax will never lose her +prestige while she sends out women gifted with such ideas of true +worth." + +Helen slightly changed color but felt no embarrassment. + +Mr. Lawson had listened to her clearly advanced views and was +pleased with the style she argued and his last remark he considered +as no flattery. + +"What a pity Marguerite is not here," said Helen enthusiastically. + +"And Josie Jordan to enliven the scene," returned Jennie with a look +of mischief in her bright sparkling eyes. + +"Yes, and make one feel as if always eager and ready for the fray," +said Helen, "for commence as meekly as a saint that girl will have a +pitched battle before one gets half through." + +Jennie Montgomery's voice rang out in peals of hearty laughter and +ended by infecting her companions. + +"Poor Josie," exclaimed Jennie when the laugh subsided, "she is as +Charlie Verne says, 'a regular romp,' but she has a big tender +heart." + +"I think her manner is becoming much more subdued than when I first +saw her," said Phillip Lawson who had seen much of the wilful Josie +at the Rutherford mansion, whither he often spent a quiet hour in +the company of his friend Herbert Rutherford. + +Helen Rushton was truly fond of the hoyden girl and it was only from +a desire to get the others' opinion that caused her to make the +above remarks. + +"We need just such girls as Josie, Mr. Lawson, to keep the world in +a healthy state. I'm sure it would never do to have all wiseacres +like a certain young woman of my acquaintance." + +"And of mine too, Miss Rushton," cried a voice from the adjoining +hall. + +"Josie Jordan," cried both girls in amazement on beholding the +subject of their remarks standing upon the threshold, hat in hand, +and her hair in wild disorder about her neck, adding: + +"Yes, Josie Jordan, if you please. What's all the fuss about. Can't +I run up here without making your eyes stick out like rabbits'?" + +Phillip Lawson being almost concealed behind the window curtains now +betrayed his presence by a hearty laugh. + +"_You're_ not surprised at all, Mr. Lawson, and as the children +say, I'm not going to play pretend," exclaimed Josie, shaking the +young man heartily by the hand, then giving him a vigorous push in +the direction of the door, added, "Run out and see for yourself." + +The girls now indulged in hearty embraces, and Josie breathless with +delight went on to tell how she had planned the surprise and the +manner by which she effected her escape from her aunt's house. + +"It's no use, Josie, I believe you are capable of doing anything +after this," said Helen Rushton, raising her hands in holy horror at +the thought of the escapade. + +"I am not a party in the matter at all, young ladies," exclaimed +Herbert Rutherford, who now entered with Phillip Lawson, looking as +handsome as a prince with his large dark eyes and brilliant brunette +skin, with the least possible tinge of ruddy carmine exquisitely +blended. + +"Don't tell me that women can't keep a secret after this," cried +Josie, rocking to and fro in paroxysms of laughter. And in the +straggling explanations that followed they learned that Mr. +Montgomery had been concerned in the plot. + +"I couldn't stay down there back of sundown when I heard there was +such lots of company up here. No indeed; talk of solitude, I believe +Robinson Crusoe lied when he said he liked it. Yes, and Old Friday +too, if he said so." + +"Oh! Josie, you are beginning to disgrace a fellow already," cried +Herbert, alternating the words with genuine laughter. + +"Auntie will be weeping and wailing my absence. Poor old soul; she +don't deserve it, but I couldn't stay. Good gracious, there would +have been the expense of a funeral, and I'm sure that's something to +consider up in Brookville." + +Mr. Montgomery had now joined the company, and with Josie's +enlivening speeches it had a merry tone. + +"I cannot see how friend Herb should be so opportune," said Mr. +Lawson, with an arch glance at the incorrigible Josie. + +"Defend yourself, Sir Knight," cried the latter, in her pretty +artful way, that made the wavy ringlets play hide-and-seek with the +utmost _abandon_. + +"I was on my way to the fishing grounds, and you can imagine my +surprise on being hailed in this wise:--'I say, mister, can you take +a passenger?' On looking around I espied a young lady and bundle +waiting for transportation to Sussex, five miles out of my way. Just +think of it, and I had to stop, and here you see the passenger, +while your humble servant is without doubt the subject of a few +prayers from the boys who are anxiously awaiting a further supply of +rations." + +"They'll not starve till morning, Mr. Rutherford, and I think we had +better all form a party and go with you," exclaimed Mr. Montgomery, +who now occupied a seat beside Josie, and was as much a youth as his +fourteen-year-old son who had entered unobserved while the +conversation was going on. + +"Won't that be glorious!" cried Josie, springing from her seat and +clapping her hands with delight. + +"And I suppose the pantry must suffer for it," said the cheery +hostess, who had overheard her husband's suggestion. + +"Well, mother, I think you can afford us a good supply, and not +suffer the inconvenience of hunger either," said Jennie, placing her +hand caressingly upon her mother's shoulder, and thinking in the +meantime of the delicious pumpkin pies, tempting doughnuts and soft +gingerbread that were piled upon the pantry shelves in a manner +that, to quote a younger scion of the Montgomery family, "would make +a fellow's teeth water." + +The evening was indeed a jolly one at "Gladswood." Josie being +sufficient entertainment for a much larger company made the most of +her time, and the most shrewd observer could not detect anything +like gloom in Phillip Lawson's manner as he laughed and chatted +among the happy party. + +As the hour was growing late Helen Rushton requested that Josie +would sing something for them to "dream on." + +The latter possessed a soft, rich and musical voice of much +flexibility and easily adapted to meet the tastes of her audience. + +"What shall I sing?" cried she in imploring tones as her eyes +instinctively met those of Mr. Lawson. + +"Anything you like," replied several voices. + +As the girl took her seat at the piano she looked everything but a +hoyden. A sweet native grace possessed every movement and gave +dignity to every gesture. The pretty fingers, somewhat browned by +recent exposure, ran over the keys and a prelude soft and bewitching +floated around the room, then the bird-like notes warbled forth that +well-known song-- + + "'Tis evening brings my heart to thee." + +A solemn stillness prevailed. An exquisite sadness seemed to possess +each member of the company, but there was one who felt it keenly. + +As Phillip Lawson sat there listlessly turning over the leaves of a +handsomely-bound portfolio who could tell of the deep agitation that +almost unmanned him? Not a muscle moved, not a sigh was heard, not a +look was conveyed, yet deep down in his heart was a fierce conflict. + +"My God," thought the young man in the bitterness of his heart, +"will the dead past never bury its dead? Why does it come forth from +its shallow sepulchre and meet me on the most trifling occasions? +Even that romping girl has power to unearth the mystic presence." + +The last notes had died away and Jennie Montgomery cast a quick +glance at the young lawyer. Her intuitive nature was sadly alive to +the effect produced upon her friend. "Poor Phillip," thought she, +"he thinks he is secure, that none intrude upon the sanctity of his +thoughts. Poor Phillip, I would wish him happier things." + +"Such a song to amuse a company," exclaimed Herbert Rutherford. "If +Maude was here you might expect a crying match, and judging by the +rest of the faces I think we could count upon a pretty fair +exhibition of the pathetic." + +"Well, Herb, it is not for your individual benefit," cried Josie, +closing the book and rising from the piano. + +She was about to say something further when a glance from Mr. Lawson +caused her to stammer and blush in sad confusion. "What have I +done?" thought the girl. "He is angry at me." And whenever she +turned the reproachful eyes seemed to confront her. + +Was there any real cause for such alarm? + +Josie Jordan was of a highly-wrought, imaginative mind, quick to +suspect, impulsive and full of vagaries and oftentimes those +susceptibilities led many a wild-goose chase. There was another that +interpreted the look from a different standpoint. Jennie Montgomery +learned to realize Phillip Lawson's thoughts, and she felt that a +yearning sympathy had arisen within herself; yet, she knew full well +that her friend Josie was ignorant of anything which would suggest +the song, and as she was going to ask the hitter for one of her +favorites, Mr. Lawson came and stood beside Josie, exclaiming in the +softest and most gentle tone, "You sing well, Miss Josie, I'm afraid +that you have got yourself into trouble, for I am a lover of song +and--" + +"Have become a perfect bore," cried Josie, "there I have done you +the service to finish the sentence, Mr. Lawson." + +"Look here, Miss Jordan, the genial atmosphere of Kings County has +not any beneficial effect upon your good behaviour," cried Herbert +Rutherford, glancing at the pretty half-grown child with an air of +much gravity, and wondering if she will be a child-woman as well. + +"I like Mr. Lawson only he has a strange way of looking at you," was +Josie's comment as the girls sought a snug little nook upstairs to +have a quiet chat before retiring. + +"Mr. Lawson is a deep thinker, and ever in his brown-study his eyes +may happen to be riveted on you or any other object, yet he sees it +not. He is looking upon a picture perhaps fairer, perhaps less fair, +as circumstances may suggest, but depend upon it, he is lost to all +outward surroundings." + +The words had no sooner escaped Jennie Montgomery's lips than she +regretted them, but happily her remarks did not take deep root in +the minds of her girl companions. + +The many little tidbits of girlish gossip and jokes were followed by +merry laughter until the heavy stroke of the old clock of the +household suggested that if they wished a good day's sport they must +first have refreshing sleep, and soon all was still within the +quaint sleeping-rooms, wherein the merry maidens dreamt their +girlhood dreams. But in the snowy white chamber hitherto described +in a preceding chapter there were subdued sounds which betrayed the +disturbed state of the occupant. + +Phillip Lawson's couch was yet bedecked in its snowy draperies and +its perfect folds showed that no hand had marred its effect by +actual contact. + +The heavy hunting-case watch lying upon the dressing-case pointed to +the wee small hours. Yet it mattered not. The song was ringing in +the young man's ears. Ever and anon the beautiful refrain sounded +through the quiet room with increasing volume. + +"Why am I such a fool?" murmured the young man as he leaned upon the +window-sill and looked out upon the beautiful scene below. + +"Why are not my thoughts in harmony with this glorious picture-- +this realization of a poet's dream. Ah, truly, the heart is an +unruly pupil. It is ever rebellious against the teaching of the +stern monitress--Duty." + +Phillip Lawson heaved a sigh and then continued: "Whatever the +future will bring God only knows; whatever is is all for the best." + +A hush fell upon the troubled heart, and taking up the Book of +Prayers, the young man read the beautiful and sublime Evening +Service of the Episcopal Church, of which he was a consistent and +conscientious member, and in whose prosperity he took an active +interest, laboring hard both by his purse and by his personal +influence to increase its growth, and cherish sacred those memories +of the bye-gone past. But of the incoming morn. An unusual babble +and hurry-scurry time was going on long ere Herbert Rutherford had +thought fit to arouse his friend. + +"I say, Lawson, what in the mischief is the matter? Why, the folk +downstairs have been kicking up the biggest fuss for the last three +hours. How could you sleep? Gracious, how those girls are tearing +around--no allowance for nerves here." + +Phillip Lawson laughed and soon began to make his morning toilet, +while Herbert Rutherford betook himself to the stable to see if +everything was in readiness to start. To the latter's surprise he +espied Jennie Montgomery coming across the field with her favorite +spaniel close in pursuit. + +"Good morning, Miss Montgomery. What errand of mercy has demands +upon you at this early hour, for certainly it can be nothing less," +and the glance at the substantial errand basket was significant of +the interpretation. + +"I am the errand boy on particular occasions," said Jennie, her face +aglow with the healthful exercise. + +Herbert Rutherford looked at the beaming face and then at the trim +but graceful figure in neat print frock just of a length to show a +well-formed foot encased in heavy-soled shoes. + +"Talk of your city girls--there is a match for any of them," +muttered the young man as he saw the maiden spring over the opposite +stile and then throw back one of her sweetest smiles. + + * * * * * + +"A pretty fellow, by Jove," said one. + +"A nice commissariat," said a second. + +"Why didn't you wait until you came to pick up our bones?" shouted +another, with force sufficient to show that starvation had not yet +attacked the camp. + +"You're all right yet, I guess," said Herbert Rutherford, reining up +the pretty and spirited animal beside an old hut that served as +dining-hall for the party. + +"Herb, say, hope you didn't forget the corkscrew this time," shouted +a voice from behind an old stump. + +"Caesar and Anthony!" was the exclamation as the smiling maidens and +their attendants came in sight. + +"Josie Jordan!" cried a trio and the congratulations that followed +need not be repeated. + +A jollier party never fished in that well-known brook and better +appetites never were known than when the table was thrice set and +thrice cleared of the most tempting dishes that ever graced a +festive board. + +"Who would have ever thought of meeting you here, old bookworm?" +exclaimed a happy-looking youth hailing from a shipper's office on +the South Wharf. + +"Well sir, I would as soon have expected to see old Herodotus +stalking along with his wonderful Nine," roared another, slapping +Mr. Lawson with more force than elegance. + +"And I haven't steered across you since that night at Verne's. Quite +a change there since then, eh Lawson? Have you heard the latest +news?" + +Phillip had now drawn the speaker aside. He learned with regret that +Mr. Verne had suspended payment but had been granted extension. + +"It may turn out better than people think," returned Phillip. + +"Not a ghost of a chance for him. He's sure to go and a big smash it +will make." + +"It will go hard with Mr. Verne," remarked the former. + +"It will go harder with his fool of a wife," returned the other, +"she worked for it sure and is not to be pitied; but there is one I +do feel for--that is Marguerite." + +Phillip Lawson's reply was inaudible for the merry group came on at +a rapid rate and surrounded them with all the fishing apparatus +conceivable. + +"Poor Marguerite," muttered Phillip and he went on with his work as +if nothing had happened to mar his day's sport or divert his +thoughts across a wider stream. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +THE LOVERS' MISUNDERSTANDING MADE UP--MOSES KEEPS HIS SECRET. + + +On the evening after his arrival in the city Phillip Lawson found +his way to "Sunnybank." As he stood on the vestibule his thoughts +reverted to the missing paper. + +"It was so important; and now that I could have more hope than +before." + +It must not be presumed that the young man exulted over the reported +insolvency. He fervently prayed that Marguerite Verne should have +moral courage to bear up under the pressure of circumstances that +must necessarily follow, but he hoped that a life of usefulness +would be more acceptable than that of luxury hitherto enjoyed. + +"If it were only in my power to pay off every farthing of those +enormous debts gladly I would do it for her sake though she might +never know who was her benefactor." + +Such were the tenor of Mr. Lawson's thoughts as he advanced towards +Mr. Verne and received a hearty welcome--almost an ovation. + +"Mr. Lawson, you cannot imagine how much I missed you, else you +surely could not have stayed so long!" exclaimed the host springing +from his chair like a boy of sixteen. + +"Only five days in all, sir, since I was here." + +"Five days!" cried Mr. Verne drawing his hand across his furrowed +forehead as if to gain clearer perception, "five days! dear me, it +seems like five months--five months." + +Mr. Verne seemed for a moment or so to have forgotten that he had a +guest for he was lost in thought. Presently his mind cleared. + +"How did you leave all at 'Gladswood.' In fact I forgot that you +were there." + +Mr. Lawson then gave a brief description of the days spent at the +farmhouse and was pleased to note the very great interest with which +Mr. Verne listened. + +The solicitor was puzzled. He expected to find his friend in a state +of deep dejection, but instead he was more cheerful than usual, and +seemed to be exulting over some secret or newly-found joy. + +"He may be rejoicing in the thought that his child is soon to be in +a position which his reverses cannot affect." + +Phillip Lawson had no sooner uttered these words in an undertone, +than a deep chill seemed to paralyze his muscular frame. + +"Just as if that should be of import to a poor beggar like me, who +has no more than can keep the wolf from the door." + +Strictly speaking the last remark was somewhat hyperbolical, for as +we have hitherto been informed the young solicitor's professional +emoluments were now anything but scanty, but it was in the +bitterness of spirit that he made use of the words. + +"Have you heard from Mrs. and Miss Verne, sir." + +"There, I would have forgotten! It seems to me I am getting old +fast--nothing tells on a man like that," said Mr. Verne, smiling and +drawing from the pigeon-hole of a small desk a neatly-folded letter. + +"My little girl refers to you--listen to this"--and the fond father +read a portion of the letter, in which she referred to the young +lawyer, and begged that her father would convey her thanks for the +very great thoughtfulness of Mr. Lawson in trying to cheer him in +her absence and filling up the vacant place beside him. + +"Tell him, dear papa, I shall never forget him for it--never." + +Mr. Verne was deeply affected as he read the last sentence; also was +his visitor. + +"My Marguerite, she cares yet for her doting father. Yes, Mr. +Lawson, my child worships those who are kind to me." + +"You can never fully express Miss Verne's worth, sir. I am only too +happy to do anything that would secure her good wishes, for coming, +as they do from one so good, they most certainly result in good." + +"The man is honest," thought Phillip Lawson; "he does not wish me to +think that his daughter has any other feeling than that of +gratitude, and I honor him for it." + +The young man glanced around the elegant parlor with its glittering +furniture and costly _vertu_, and felt sad at the thought of +the great change that was in store for the delicate girl who had +been reared in the lap of luxury. He wished to refer to business, +but Mr. Verne evaded him at every turn, and when he rose to go, felt +somewhat uneasy and disappointed. + +"There is something astir," thought Phillip, as he passed down +Mecklenburg street and turned up Carmarthen, on his way home. "There +is something in the wind. I can already feel it in my bones," +exclaimed the young man, striding along with a rate of velocity +equal to that of his thoughts. + +A sudden fancy seized him. Quick as lightning it darted through +every nerve and electrified him with pain. + +"It must be so! Fool that I was not to see it before. Tracy has +proposed in the nick of time. He has had an accomplice whom it is +easy to guess. It's all up with me now, and she can send kind wishes +without a feeling of restraint" + +Phillip Lawson was indeed sore at heart. He reasoned long and argued +the ease to the best of his ability; but love is one thing and law +is another--the two abstracts cannot coincide any more than can a +parallelogram coincide with an equilateral triangle. "But must I +stand calmly by and make no effort to save her from such a fate. +Merciful heavens! There's no clue for me to prove what I had already +known. Why was I so unfortunate. Surely heaven will not suffer +Hubert Tracy to accomplish his designs. I wish him no bodily harm, +but I trust that he may yet atone for his deeds, and live to see the +error of his ways." + +By the time the solicitor reached his home he was calm and +collected. + +"Brother Phillip," was the first exclamation he heard; "look, are +not these beautiful. Josie Jordan brought them this afternoon. She +kept me laughing nearly all the time she was here telling about the +fun she had at 'Gladswood'." + +"Ah! the ferns are from Jennie Montgomery, I presume," said the +brother, giving them a second glance of admiration. + +"Yes, and the sweetest little letter you ever saw beside. Isn't she +lovely, Brother Phillip?" + +The _petite_ little maiden had now nestled closely in her +brother's arms; her flaxen curls showered around her in sad +disorder, while one plump little arm was entwined around his neck. + +"You must be dreaming, Brother Phillip. Why, you never heard my +question." + +"I beg your pardon, little one, for this time. Miss Jennie is all +that you think her to be," replied the brother, somewhat gravely. + +"Do you know what I was thinking of, you dear old brother," said +Lottie, emphasizing the speech with an affectionate hugging. "I was +thinking of all the nice young ladies you are acquainted with, and +wondering which one I would like you to marry." + +"What put such notions into your head, you silly child. Have I not a +little wife already. But let me hear the rest of it." + +Phillip Lawson indulged his pet sister in all her pastimes, and was +now an attentive listener to her proposals. + +"You know, Brother Phillip, there is Miss Verne--." + +"Yes--go on," said the brother in a quick, nervous manner. + +"And there's Jennie Montgomery and Louise Rutherford and Miss +Rushton and Josie Jordan, and--" + +"I think you have got enough now to decide from." + +"Well," continued Lottie, not appearing to notice the interruption. +"There is Miss Marguerite. I love her dearly. I feel like kissing +her picture every time I see it--well she is an angel, Brother +Phillip, and sometimes I think she is too good to marry anyone." + +"A compliment to the sterner sex," remarked Phillip, in an +undertone, then he exclaimed, "Child, where did you get such ideas?" + +"Oh, I hear the girls in school nearly every day, and yesterday +Belle Morris asked me if I would like you to get married." + +"I think the young ladies might find more profitable employment +during study hours." + +"Oh, we don't talk only at recess. Now please don't be angry, +Brother Phillip, for I never said anything." + +"Thank you little Miss Discretion. I am very glad that you do not +indulge in gossip. Listen to what Solomon says," and going to the +book-case Phillip took therefrom a Bible, and read from Proverbs +xvii. 9,-- + + "He that repeateth a matter separateth _very_ friends." + +Lottie saw that her brother did not wish to hear more on the +subject, and she again took up the bunch of pressed ferns which had +arrived from "Gladswood." + +"I wish that I could be as good as Jennie Montgomery. Why she's +scarcely ever idle one moment during the whole day, and she never +seems happy but when she is helping some person. Do you know Brother +Phillip the oldest people around love her, and she goes and reads to +the sick and runs all the errands for the sick herself." + +"I am glad you observed so closely my dear, and I hope Lottie Lawson +may one day be as good a woman as friend Jennie," said Phillip very +earnestly. + +"Oh, I know I never can have the happy way of setting everything +right that is wrong, and taking the tangles out of the most common +affairs the same way that Jennie does. Oh, no, Brother Phillip, +don't expect me to be anything like that." + +The fond brother could not fail to see that there was a vein of good +sense running all through the child's remarks, and he also noted her +quaint style of application. + +The appearance of Kitty, the housemaid, interrupted further reply. +With a respectful air the domestic made known to her master that, +owing to the death of a near relative, she had to remove to the +country to take charge of a family of small children. + +"Indeed, Mr. Lawson, you have been a good, kind master to me, and +that angel there"--pointing to Lottie--"the likes of her is not in +St. John. But I'll hear from yous often and when Tim is in town +he'll run in to see how yous are gettin' on." + +"And you must go immediately, I suppose?" said the young man who +indeed regretted the loss of an industrious and honest domestic. + +"Next Saturday, sir, Tim will be after me, and the children is a +sufferin' between whiles." + +"Very well, Kitty, we must do the best we can," and Mr. Lawson was +already prospecting over a trip to Mrs. Lee's Intelligence Office to +procure a successor to the lamented Kitty. + +"Look here Brother Phillip, I believe that I can get a new girl +without any trouble." + +"You little one!" cried the young man, laughing at the idea of such +a grave responsibility being associated with the child. + +"Wait a moment until I come back," said the latter who in a very +short time reappeared, breathless with anticipation. + +"Yes indeed, Melindy Thrasher is going to leave Mr. Verne's--Kitty +says so. Please let me go down and see. You know I am growing quite +old now and ought to be able to do lots of things." + +"As you wish, Lottie; but remember you must first find out if Mr. +Verne is aware of the fact." + +Within a week Melindy Thrasher was duly installed as general servant +in the Lawson cottage, a fact which is worthy of mention as it is +connected with other important matters relative to the affairs of +the solicitor. + +The new help gave general satisfaction and Lottie was much amused +with the girl's primitive manners, which even the associations of +"Sunny bank" could not altogether affect. + +One bright morning as the former was getting ready for school, she +was accosted by Melindy in the following strain: + +"Law sakes, Miss Lottie, how things do come 'round. Jest to think +that you and the young lady that was up to Mr. Montgomery's +happenin' to be the same identical one, and I was up to meetin' the +same Sunday. It seems so queer that of all places I should happen to +get here. But as I say there's no tellin' what may happen." + +"What a coincidence it is," thought Phillip, laughing as on passing +through the back parlor he overheard Melindy's remark. + +He had gone to the post-office on that morning and as he took out +the contents of the well-filled box discovered a letter which on +opening he saw was from Marguerite. + +"What can have prompted her to write. It would seem as if some one +else had written it. Marguerite Verne would as soon think of cutting +her right hand off as to write me unsolicited. And for what is she +grateful. It seems so ridiculous when all that I have done was to +entertain myself." + +The young lawyer once more read over the precious missive which was +written in the most simple, yet graceful style. It stirred him +deeply. + +It recalled the fair girl in all her _spirituelle_ beauty, and +made him doubly rebellious over the circumstances that thwarted all +his hopes. + +"Why was I not some heir to an earldom, for nothing less is +befitting such a one," thought the young man, feeling all the +bitterness that a heart can feel. + +Strange indeed, that from the moment Phillip Lawson uttered these +words he was a richer man, though he knew it not. He had to drink +deeper of the dregs of adversity ere he shall have cause for +rejoicing. + +Marguerite gave short pithy accounts of her visit, and was quite +enthusiastic over the wonderful sights that she saw on every hand; +also, the walks, drives and various places of entertainment. + +"It's no use to think any more about it. They have at length +succeeded in making her what I would have one time sworn that she +never would be--a woman of the world. Ah truly 'the spirit is +willing, but the flesh is weak.' Six months ago I never could have +believed that Marguerite Verne would have yielded to such worldly +influence. She seemed an angel among sinners. And she speaks of +Hubert Tracy in such a gushing style--so foreign to the modest +high-toned sentiments which always inspired me with a love of +truth." + +"Can it be possible that Marguerite Verne wrote that letter?" +exclaimed Phillip Lawson, holding it up before him and scrutinizing +every line. Then throwing it aside, added, with a deep tone of +resentment, "Is it possible that one must lose all faith in +humanity?" Then, as if some good spirit had whispered better things, +He raised his eyes and faintly exclaimed, "Father forgive me, I +have been sorely tempted," and set about some work with a fiercer +determination than ever to make his will subservient to his reason. + +Melindy Thrasher had not seen more than a fortnight's service in the +Lawson family when Mr. Spriggins made it convenient to stay and +spend the evening. + +Phillip being called away upon business the happy pair solaced +themselves in the inviting back parlor, and whiled away the hour in +the way that only such lovers can when one takes into consideration +the candies and peanuts that were conspicuous on this occasion. + +When the latch-key turned in the front door all was quiet within, +and the back parlor in perfect order. Faint sounds beneath the +window told the indulgent master that Melindy was taking leave of +her lover. + +Mr. Lawson was not guilty of eavesdropping, but what could he +do--the voices became more distinct. + +"I tell you what it is, Moses Spriggins, there hain't been no +secrets between us afore this, and I'd like to know why you can't +tell me what business took you to Mr. Verne's office. Now you know +you was there just as well as you know the head is on your body." + +"Come, come, Melindy--I ain't got no secrets from you. It's only a +little bit of bisness that I was a-doin' for 'Squire Verne--(Mr. +Spriggins had a habit of addressing all men of any importance by +such appellation)--and it's his secret, not mine, and you can't +blame a fellar for a-keepin' it when he is asked to do it, can you, +Melindy?" + +At this declaration the said Melindy was somewhat mollified, but +muttered something about the two being one. + +"Wal, never mind now," said Moses, "that's a dear Melindy; let's +make up," and suiting the action to the word the lovers made up, and +Melindy was satisfied that the secret did not belong to her +affianced. + +"But hold on, Melindy, how did you hear that I was at the office? +That's the stickin' pint; eh, Melindy, I've got you now." + +"I ain't a-goin' to tell you, Moses Spriggins; that's my secret," +said Melindy, affecting an air of disdain. + +"Now you've been a-listenin', that's a sure thing, Melindy, and I +think it's a-cryin' out shame to do sich a mean thing." + +"Now look here, Moses Spriggins; I'm not a'goin' to stand no +lecturin' from you, for if you don't like it, you can git as soon as +you like, for there's Ben Buckler would give his eye tooth to cut +you out!" + +"Come, come, Melindy; we won't say anything more about it. We ain't +a-goin' to be quarrelin' over nothin'." And very soon the lovers +made up a second time, while the solicitor turned away, indulging in +the same amount of curiosity as expressed by Melindy Jane Thrasher. + +"It is strange, indeed. Moses is truthful. Mr. Verne has some +secret, and he could have no more trustworthy confidante than the +self-same Mr. Moses Spriggins," and soliloquizing thus Phillip +Lawson sought the land of dreams-- + + "Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +A CHARACTER IS LUCK. + + +"Truly an interesting girl. There is a vein of good sense about her +that I admire. New Brunswick sends us some fine specimens of +females." + +The man who made these remarks was not a gallant of the ninety-ninth +degree, but was a sober, intellectual man of threescore-and-ten and, +judging from the clear, penetrative eye, one who had seen much of +the world as it is. + +"From St John did you say, Mr. Metcalfe?" + +"Yes, sir. Her father is engaged in the shipping business there, and +I am told is a very fine sort of fellow. I have met Miss Verne +several times and each time am more interested," said the old +gentleman, rubbing his gold-rimmed spectacles in a way that implied +"now for business." + +"By the way, sir; that reminds me of a case I have on hand. The +McGregor heirs are at a discount around here and our object is to +hunt up a branch of the family who emigrated to New Brunswick some +forty years ago. + +"Old Hugh McGregor, from whom the bulk of the property comes, was an +ironmonger who at one time did a large business in Glasgow, after +which he removed to Manchester, and resided there until his death in +1829. + +"His son Robert succeeded in the establishment and was prosperous, +living in good style in a suburban residence five miles from +Manchester. + +"As Robert McGregor had no children the nearest heir was his sister, +Jessie McGregor, who unfortunately fell in love with a young student +who attended the same institution as herself. Her parents becoming +acquainted with the facts had her removed and forbade all +intercourse; but love is stronger than bolts and bars, and the fair +Jessie set out to face the world with no visible means of support +but her husband's blandishments. But love is strong and the fair +maiden managed to eke out a subsistence and by untiring effort they +were at least in comfortable circumstances, and succeeded in +educating their first-born for the ministry, but ere the talented +young minister had preached a season his health gave way and he was +called away to reap the reward of the faithful. + +"The remaining child, a sweet girl of fourteen, was now the only +solace of the bereaved parents, and fearing that they would also be +deprived of their only joy, sold out their small property and +emigrated to New Brunswick, where they purchased some land, and also +by carrying on some other speculation were once more in prosperity. + +"Now," said the old lawyer, glancing up over his spectacles, "our +object is to trace this girl, who is the only surviving heir of the +McGregor estate." + +"But on what ground do you ignore Jessie McGregor, who may yet be +alive? She cannot be a centenarian yet, sir." + +"True," replied the former, "but Robert McGregor was aware of the +fact of his sister's death some years ago. The latter was too proud +to ask forgiveness for her rash act, and all intimacy ceased when +she left her parent's protection, for old Hugh McGregor was a harsh, +unrelenting man, whom if once thwarted could never be conciliated." + +"And how do you intend to proceed? Have you any further +information?" + +"None, sir--except that by some intelligence from New Brunswick +about ten years ago, Robert McGregor heard that his sister's child +married a farmer and was comfortably settled." + +"There is little trouble in finding the heirs then. Is the property +a valuable one?" + +"Real and personal estate amounts to something in the vicinity of +forty thousand dollars." + +"Not a bad heritage, I assure you, sir," said the other, with the +least perceptible smile. + +A month after the above conversation took place the lawyer was +interviewed by the same individual. + +"Yes, indeed, I immediately forwarded the notice to the St. John +_Daily Telegraph_ and to the _Daily Sun_, two leading journals +of that city, and yesterday was rewarded by a letter from a young +solicitor of that city making such inquiries about the McGregor +family that evidently shows that he is in possession of all the +facts that we wish to become acquainted with." + +"Are you at liberty to give his name. I am acquainted with the +majority of St. John lawyers," said the other, feeling a lively +interest in the subject. + +"Not at present, if I were really disposed to do so," said the +lawyer in the most good-natured manner. "The fact is I am not +exactly in the writer's confidence myself. He wishes, no doubt, to +communicate farther with some of the family in question ere he gives +himself publicity." + +"A sensible young man, indeed," ventured the New Brunswicker, for +such he evidently was in his unconventional aspect and easy-going +habits. + +On the evening of the same day the same gentlemen held a second +conversation, but this time it was not in a dingy lawyer's office. +The scene was a neat and pretty drawing-room, with all the necessary +adornments native to such an apartment, and also a higher class of +adornment--that of several interesting and fascinating women. + +"Home, sweet home," exclaimed Mr. Metcalfe, taking up the newspaper +which Marguerite Verne had just laid aside. "I see you don't forget +our old sheets. Well, they _do_ look familiar." + +"I must be very deeply engaged when I cannot find time to run over +the _Telegraph_ and _Sun_--the former I have read since +I was able to spell the words. It occupies a warm spot in my +affections," said Marguerite, smiling, while the soft roseate +blushes rose in sweet confusion upon her face. + +"You are a Grit, I presume, Miss Verne," said the host. "I see that +your favorite journal advocates that policy?" + +"I cannot say that I am, Mr. Stanhope. I have many friends on that +side, but really my sympathies go with the present government." + +"Then you should transfer your affections to its leading New +Brunswick organ, Miss Verne," said the New Brunswicker. + +"I admire it upon principle, sir. But pardon me, I am not versed in +politics, and cannot express myself upon the subject," exclaimed +Marguerite, taking up the _Sun_ to have a second glance at the +locals which graced its columns. + +"Not versed in politics, Marguerite! Do I hear aright?" cried a +vivacious and interesting maiden of medium height and fair +proportion, with an air of hauteur in her bearing characteristic of +a model English girl. + +The speaker was the lawyer's only daughter--a clever +conversationalist and well read in all those branches of literature +which elevate and ennoble the mind, and if applied to the female +character make woman more than a kind of being that can only talk +about what she eats, drinks, and more than all, what she wears and +what her neighbor wears; discuss the latest bit of scandal and take +a superficial view of everything upon which she languidly +condescends to pass judgment. + +"Miss Verne is an out-and-out Conservative, I can assure you," said +Mr. Metcalfe, who now came to the relief of his countrywoman with a +feeling of pride. "She can advocate the National Policy in a manner +that would gain over the most stubborn Grit." + +"Ah! Mr. Metcalfe, please do not over-rate my abilities in that +respect," said Marguerite in a manner which coolly implied that she +did not wish to get up such an argument as she certainly must if +confronted by the strong Grit views of her interesting and witty +companion. + +"Never mind, Marguerite, we will not measure weapons this time," +cried the former, "But I must try to shake some of the Tory off +before we have done with you. Remember I have made more than one +staunch Liberal convert." + +Marguerite laughed at the girl's spirit of enthusiasm and thought +"what a power is woman when her energies are directed aright?" Then +her thoughts took rapid flight to another and different subject. She +was thinking if it were possible for woman to exert her influence in +the manner she would like that the end would justify the means. + +"Not that exactly," mused the maiden as she thought of--but, +perhaps, it is better we do not unearth Marguerite Verne's thoughts +at that moment. She is doubtless sensitive, let us act accordingly +and turn to other subjects. There was a sweet simplicity in her +attire on this evening. Her dress of pale-blue bunting was plain +indeed, and save the silver bracelets upon her beautifully-rounded +arms, there was no other attempt at ornament. + +Her cheeks were pale, and a shade thinner than usual, and to this +fact the girl may attribute her liberty or rather freedom from the +giddy rounds of dissipation into which she was reluctantly forced +from morn to dewy eve and from dewy eve to rising morn. + +Mrs. Verne had to acknowledge that her daughter's health was getting +impaired, and that nothing but rest would restore her former +strength, therefore consented that Marguerite should spend a few +days with the young lady whom she met and became on intimate terms +during a short time spent on one of the steamers plying between +Liverpool and Belfast. + +Edith Stanhope, as we have hitherto intimated, was a bright, witty +English girl, and her companionship was healthful and invigorating. + +She admired the gentle, winning, child-like ways of the New +Brunswick maiden, and together they formed a pretty picture. + +Mr. Stanhope had been a widower for many years, his household +affairs being managed by a maiden sister, whose affection for the +child Edith increased as the latter grew to womanhood, and nowhere +could be found a more peaceful, inviting and cosy little nest than +that of the much esteemed and venerable lawyer--Charles Stanhope, of +Cheapside. + +Edith Stanhope had reached the age of twenty-one, and still "in +maiden meditation fancy free." Her life was an undisturbed and +peaceful dream--her days an enjoyable round of simple domestic +pleasure, broken in upon now and then by a few of the young +schoolmates or companions of her childhood. + +How keenly Marguerite then felt the difference of their respective +positions as she glanced up from the newspaper and saw the real +happiness that shone so steadily upon the girl's countenance, while +she, wearied with the gaieties of life, was yearning--oh! so +longingly--for the real domestic happiness that she must never +realize. + +"Marguerite Verne, am I to attribute that gaze to fond admiration or +pertinent curiosity?" cried Edith, going up to her friend and +playfully shaking her by the shoulders. + +"To neither, Edith," said Marguerite, almost sadly, "but to a worse +trait in my character--to jealousy," and the short sigh fell faintly +upon Edith's quick and acute ear. + +"To jealousy, you minx," cried the latter, who had a habit of +repeating the speaker's words, which, in many cases, gave more +effect to her arguments. + +"To jealousy, indeed. Is it because I have the audacity to address +your countryman, 'whose way of life is fallen into the sere, and +yellow leaf'," replied she, her eyes sparkling with animation and +keen enjoyment. + +"Thank you for the quotation, Edith," said Marguerite, running +her small, delicate fingers through the meshes of her friend's +golden-brown hair. + +The reply was interrupted by an exclamation of the New Brunswicker. +"Miss Verne I presume you have read both editorials. Is it not +amusing how each goes for the other." + +"Yes, Mr. Metcalfe, but I must confess that I am somewhat like a +lady whom I once heard say, 'Well, dear me, I think everything in +the _Telegraph_ is all gospel until I take up the _Sun_ and it +upsets every speck of belief as fast as it went up. Dear me, +I wish I knew which side was genuine, for both cannot be truth.'" + +A general laugh followed and Edith Stanhope exclaimed, "I think that +your friend must have been on the fence, Marguerite." + +"Yes, and watching to see which side to jump on in the coming +election," cried the old lawyer who had hitherto remained a +listener. + +A burst of merriment arose from the trio on the other side of the +room and rang out in peals of laughter. + +"Oh, papa, you naughty man to make such an unscrupulous remark +about one of our sex," cried Edith, assuming an air of injured +innocence and trying to look very severe. + +"I take it all back my dear. Come let us have some music. It is too +bad to be wasting so much time when one has an opportunity of having +so much ability on hand." + +"Do you allude to Marguerite or myself, papa," cried Edith gaily, +while she arose and playfully led her companion, to the piano. + +"It is dangerous to say much here unless one very carefully +considers ere he speaks," said the fond father, casting a glance at +his daughter that was worthy of the most ardent lover. + +"Well, well, papa, you will go scot-free this time. Of course +Marguerite will favor us." + +The latter needed no coaxing. She played a selection of +old-fashioned airs that were more appreciated than the most +brilliant fantasia or classic opera. Then followed a few of the +songs she used to sing for her father and one which had caused +the heart of Phillip Lawson to beat wildly as he stood listening +to the voice he loved so well and bitterly thought of the world that +lay between him and his buried love. + +"Miss Verne, you have certainly much power of expression," said the +New Brunswick gentleman as the last note had died away, and, Edith +Stanhope sat silent as if fearing to break the spell. + +"I seldom sing except to amuse my father, and the class of music I +practise is simple," was the quiet reply. + +A young girl attended by a gentleman several years her senior, now +entered the room. The former was Edith Stanhope's favorite cousin, +and the latter was a distant relative, who was home on a vacation +from a neighboring town, where he held a responsible position in a +banking establishment. + +"Ah, my fair cousin; and you have condescended to come at last," +ejaculated Edith, embracing the latter, and then extending her hand +to the gentleman, exclaimed, "and you, Frank, it is time that you +presented yourself. Just think, you have been here nearly a +week--" + +"Not so hard, cousin Edith. Your humble servant arrived on Monday, +and this, I believe, is Wednesday." + +"That's right, my boy, defend yourself," said Mr. Stanhope, looking +proudly upon the fair group around him. + +As conversation set in lively and amusement was the order of the +day, Mr. Stanhope and his friend quietly sat and looked on, +occasionally answering to some of the sallies sent off at their +expense. + +A servant now entered with the evening mail, and assorting the pile +Mr. Stanhope passed to Mr. Metcalfe the two provincial dailies. + +"The very information I was seeking," cried the latter in excited +tones. "Just read that." + +Mr. Stanhope glanced at the article in question and seemed lost in +amazement; then hastily exclaimed: "It is wonderful how these +fellows get things so soon. The matter has indeed gained publicity, +and the young fellow need hesitate no longer." + +"Miss Verne will no doubt be able to give you much information, as +the young lawyer is quite popular in her native city. I may have +known of him, but I'm inclined to think he has established himself +since I left St. John." + +Mr. Stanhope passed the newspaper to Marguerite, who, for some +unaccountable reason, felt more curiosity than she was willing to +acknowledge. + +As she silently read the paragraph a tremor passed through her +frame, and her heart began to throb wildly, but no emotion was +visible. + +"I am quite well acquainted with Mr. Lawson. He is a very great +friend of my father's," were the words that rose to the girl's lips +when she had gained courage to speak. + +"That is splendid," exclaimed Edith, who now became interested in +the matter; "I suppose he is young, and handsome beside," added she +in a different tone. + +"Keep that part of it to yourself, Miss Verne," said Mr. Metcalfe, +in a tantalizing manner; "Miss Edith is not going to rob New +Brunswick's daughters of what is theirs by right." + +"But if the fortune be forthcoming here we should insist that the +heir give some fair one here the benefit of it," cried Edith, who +thought she had the best side of the argument. + +"Don't quarrel over this matter, I pray," said the distant relative +with a merry twinkle in his eye, "I am going to ship for St. John +one of these days, and will, if possible, visit the McGregor heir +and make him acquainted with the designs of my fair Saxon Edith." + +"And you will exonerate Miss Verne from any complicity in the +matter." + +"Most certainly I do," said the relative, while Marguerite Verne +hurried carelessly away to hide the tell-tale blushes which sooner +or later would betray her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +FINANCIAL EMBARRASSMENT. + + +And now let us turn to Mr. Verne, who is in a sad state of physical +prostration. + +The financial storm which overhung his daily prospect has at last +swooped down upon him in merciless fury, hurling down every hope +that hitherto buoyed him up and whispered encouraging words as he +struggled on. + +Mr. Verne had shut himself in his private apartments and asked that +he might be left alone. + +But ere long he was besieged by interviewers. Reporters, anxious to +give the full benefit of the sad disaster to the clamoring public, +who must know to a farthing the amount of the liabilities, and, of +course, the assets. + +But before "morning wore into evening" Mr. Verne had the comforting +assurance of a sympathetic heart. Mrs. Montgomery had a telegram +conveying news of the assignment, and in a few hours she was at home +in "Sunnybank," trying every means within her power to console her +stricken brother-in-law. + +"It will never do to allow him to give up in this manner," said the +true-hearted woman in a conversation with an old and tried friend of +the family. "Something must be done to rouse him." + +On the same evening a _Globe_ containing the news of the +failure was handed to Mr. Verne as he sat with bowed head gazing +mechanically at the list of figures before him. The notice was +favorable to the man of business. It spoke of the sterling integrity +of Stephen Verne, and showed that the disastrous crash was from +circumstances over which he had no control. + +The cause of the assignment, it said, was due to the uncertainty of +the moneys due him. The liabilities were large, but the assets would +nearly cover them, and one thing was certain, the estate would not +hold back one cent. + +"Thank God," cried Mr. Verne as he threw down the paper and once +more folded his arms across his breast, looking, as indeed he was, a +total physical wreck. + +But human charity is not common to the general public, nor among the +weaker sex. + +"What will the Vernes do now without their grand carriages and +retinue of servants? That stuck up old Mrs. Verne will have to go +into the work herself, and do as other people, and not be sticking +on any more airs or she will get snubbed up pretty often." + +"Yes, and I wonder how she will manage her trains now going through +the kitchen when it was almost impossible for her to get along the +aisle in Trinity." + +"Pride always has a fall," chimed in another. + +It was indeed a noteworthy fact that throughout the whole range of +uncharitable remarks made upon the matter not one syllable was +uttered against Marguerite. + +On the contrary she excited the compassion of the most callous- +hearted. "Poor Marguerite, she will feel it bitterly." + +"Yes, most of all, for she loved her father dearly. It will almost +break her heart to see him looking so ill." + +"It was none of her doings I assure you. I have seen much of Miss +Verne, and have learned that her tastes are of the most simple kind, +and if she had her own way they would have lived in a more quiet +style than that of Sunnybank." + +The speaker was an intelligent woman of the middle class, whose +business brought her in daily contact with the young lady, and she +had thus formed a correct opinion of her. + +Mrs. Montgomery did not wish to intrude upon the privacy of the +stricken man, but she saw that he must be aroused from his apathy. + +"It will kill him sooner or later," thought she, "but he must live +to see a change for the better." + +"Stephen, you have not written Matilda. It is better that she +should know at once," said the woman, taking a seat beside her +brother-in-law, and placing her hand upon his shoulder as gently as +if he were an infant. + +"God bless you, Hester, I am not alone; I yet have warm friends, let +the world say what it will." + +Mr. Verne's frame shook with emotion, and the tears stood in his +eyes--a pitiable sight to the friend beside him. + +"The world may say that you are an unfortunate man, Stephen, but it +cannot say that you are a dishonest one," said the woman, cheerily; +"and remember, Stephen," added she, "it is partly to the delinquency +of others that you owe this." + +"True, indeed, Hester," said Mr. Verne, brightening up, "had they +given me time I would have redeemed every dollar of my common debts, +but as it is now, every cent's worth of property I own shall go +into the assignee's possession as assets, for the benefit of each +and every creditor." + +"Why, then, take such a gloomy view of the affair, Stephen? Hundreds +have been in the same position and came out all right in the end, +and I see no reason why you should form an exception." + +"That is true enough, Hester, but I feel that I am going downward." +And as Mr. Verne spoke he shut his teeth very firmly as if suffering +intense pain. + +Mrs. Montgomery was quick to detect the cause, but she made no +comment upon it. + +Prom the woman's heart went up a fervent prayer that Heaven would +avert the threatening blow, and that quiet and content would yet +reign in the now desolate home. + +It was only by the utmost persuasion that Mr. Verne could be induced +to eat a morsel of food. + +"You are doing yourself a great injustice, Stephen. Think what you +owe to your family. Think of Marguerite. Surely you will break her +heart." + +"Ah, Hester, you have spoken truly. I must bear up for the sake of +my child; but oh God, it is hard to be branded in the eyes of the +world as a rogue and a scoundrel. Mothers will curse me, and the +orphan's wail will haunt me throughout time and eternity!" + +Once more Mr. Verne placed his hand against his breast as if to ease +the spasmodic pain which had then seized him. + +"He is going fast," murmured Mrs. Montgomery, as she noted the +livid lips and pallid face that followed the spasm. + +"This cup of coffee will tempt anybody, and the rolls are delicious; +just taste one, Stephen." + +"I was thinking of my darling child, Hester; how do you think she +will bear the news? And to think of her being exposed to the scoffs +of the world. Hester, I can stand anything but that," and the groans +that followed were agonizing. + +"Stephen, I have more faith in Marguerite than you have. If you +think she will mope and worry herself to death you are sadly +mistaken." Then in assuring tones added, "I do not wish to hurt your +feelings, Stephen, but I firmly believe that as regards the +financial trouble, Marguerite will not care a straw. She is not one +of your namby-pamby girls, whom you could dress up and put under a +glass case to look at. No, Marguerite is a rational, human being, +capable of taking her place in the world, and looking misfortune in +the face with a determination to succeed in whatever she may +attempt." + +"Hester, you are a student of human nature. You are capable of +judging aright. God grant that my child may meet this trouble as you +predict," said Mr. Verne, as he tried to swallow the food which had +been so temptingly prepared by the ministering angel who now strove +to make smooth the hard, rough pathway over which he now daily trod. + +It was Mrs. Montgomery's hard, strong hand, that penned the lines +conveying the news to Marguerite. "I11 news comes soon enough." was +the former's remark, "and we can afford to await the next mail." + +As the important missive is on its way across the broad waters of +the Atlantic, let us take the liberty of intruding upon the privacy +of the mother and daughter who are still occupying their handsome +suite of apartments in Picadilly Square. + +Marguerite had returned from "Ivy Cottage," the pretty little home +of the Stanhope family, feeling much stronger and looking brighter +and more cheerful. + +"Mamma," exclaimed the girl looking intently into the handsome face. +"I have been thinking so much of home lately that it seems as if I +had room for no other thoughts, and, oh, you cannot imagine how much +I want to see papa." + +Marguerite made a striking picture reclining beside her mother, and +one arm resting on her knee. Her delicate morning wrapper lay in +graceful folds around her, and reminded one of the draperies of a +Venus de Medici. + +What a world of expression was in the violet eyes as they pleaded +for the return to the dreary cheerless home. What a depth of meaning +lay in the purely oval face so beautifully defined in every +lineament. What nature could withstand Marguerite Verne's +entreaties? + +"My dear, I am thinking just as much about home as you are, but I +keep it to myself. It is impossible for us to go for another month, +and you know we have promised Sir Arthur to make a visit at his +country seat--a beautiful spot I am told." + +"Surely mamma, you did not expect me to go there. I cannot endure +the thoughts of coming in contact with that disagreeable man," and +Marguerite shrugged her shoulders in unaffected disgust. + +"Marguerite, I am ashamed to think that I have a child capable of +such ingratitude. It is enough for Evelyn to become obstinate and +oppose me in everything, but, really, I did not expect it of you." + +At this point Mrs. Verne became deeply affected, and very much +inclined to cry, but she thought such a course inopportune and +availed farther provocation. + +"Has Eve been here lately, mamma," asked Marguerite, suddenly. + +"If you have any respect to me please don't mention her to me again, +Madge. I have done everything for that girl that a fond, idolized +mother could do, and what is my reward? Base ingratitude of the +worst kind. Talk of mothers; what do they live for; and Mrs. Verne +stood with clenched hands, looking, indeed, a living representation +of one of the Three Furies. + +"Mamma, dear, do not look like that, I cannot bear to see you thus," +cried Marguerite, catching hold of the fold of the cashmere gown and +attempting to draw her mother towards her. + +"I cannot help it, Madge, when my children are so disobedient. +Surely you cannot have forgotten the teachings of that Book, which +says, 'Children obey your parents in the Lord' for this is the first +commandment with promise. Oh, it is so hard to think that my +children have such unchristian spirits." + +"Come mamma, let us think of something else for a little while, and +then we will both act differently," said Marguerite, trying to +appear more cheerful than the circumstance would admit. + +"I may just as well tell you once for all, Madge, that nothing will +conciliate me but your acceptance of Sir Arthur's kind invitation +which we can forward without delay." + +Marguerite remained in silence for some moments. She was sorely +tried, yet she brought reason to bear upon every point at issue. "If +I go," reasoned she, "Sir Arthur will think that I give him +encouragement, and that would be acting dishonestly, and again if I +do not go mamma will have her feelings so deeply outraged that I +fear the consequence. Oh! that I were once more in the protecting +arms of my dear, dear father." The girl then thought of the lonely, +silent man, plodding on so patiently amid the daily straggles of +life, and her heart went out in deep fervent sympathy. + +Presently her mind was made up. Going straight to her mother's +dressing room, whither the latter had retreated in a state bordering +on madness, Marguerite threw her arms out in imploring gesture and +stood for a moment, then exclaimed between tears and sobs, "Mamma, +do not judge me harshly, I want to do what is right--but it is so +hard." + +Mrs. Verne saw that her daughter was relenting, and uttered not a +word. + +"Mamma, dear, give me time and I will prove a dutiful daughter." She +was going to say more when a servant entered with a note, which from +its negligent appearance was evidently written in much haste. It was +from Mrs. Montague Arnold, and contained only a few hurried +sentences, so unintelligible that Marguerite did not attempt to +interpret them. + +"I will go at once, mamma," said the latter, "and see what is the +trouble. Poor Eve, she seems always in some fuss." + +As Mr. Arnold's residence was only a short distance, Marguerite was +there in a very few minutes after the delivery of the note. + +"Oh, Madge, how can I tell you; I know it will break your heart. Oh, +poor papa? Oh! Madge--is it not dreadful?" + +"What do you mean, Eve?" cried Marguerite, her ashen face sufficient +proof of the shock she had already undergone. "Speak, Eve; for +heaven's sake tell me the worst. Is papa dead?" + +"Oh worse than that, Madge--worse than that. Death is nothing in +comparison!" + +"Eve, I cannot stand this horrible suspense; for mercy sake, I +implore you tell me the truth," cried the girl, her bosom heaving +wildly and her limbs trembling so that she had to grasp the mantel +beside her for support. + +Mrs. Arnold then pulled the bell-rope and a servant, or rather page, +answered the summons. + +"Bring me that package of letters lying on the small cabinet in my +boudoir," said she, with as much nonchalance as if nothing of any +importance occupied her thoughts. + +The boy returned and presented the desired package on a small and +unique silver salver, lined with gold and enamel. + +"Here it is, Madge," said Mrs. Arnold, passing a somewhat lengthy +telegram into the girl's hand. + +The latter run her eye hastily over the contents and turned deathly +pale. "Poor, dear, papa!" were all the words she could say, when an +icy chill ran through the delicate frame, and the tender-hearted +daughter fell into a deadly swoon. + +Mrs. Arnold did feel something akin to pity when she saw the +graceful form prostrate at her feet, and as she stooped down and +took the cold hand in hers, murmured "poor little Madge--you were +not fashioned for this decidedly calculating world. Your heart is +too tender--far too tender." + +"You must be brave, Madge," said Mrs. Arnold, on seeing Marguerite +restored to something of her former self. "I'm afraid you would be +more of a drawback to papa at present than a help." + +But Marguerite was of a different opinion. "Oh! if I were only near +him, to comfort him," thought she, "I could indeed do something. My +sadness to-day was but a presentiment of this. Oh, dear! will I ever +see papa alive again!" + +"Papa will be all right, Madge. It is to yourself you must now look, +for more depends upon you now than you at present realize." + +"You speak in enigmas, Eve. Tell me what you mean," cried +Marguerite, in a bewildered sort of way. + +"I will wait until you are a little stronger, Madge. Go home now and +tell mamma what has happened; I know she will act like a sensible +woman. You know, Madge, she is always composed. I verily believe," +added Mrs. Arnold, "that mamma would feel at ease if all the friends +she had committed suicide, or died from some fearful epidemic." + +"Don't talk about mamma in that way, Eve; I cannot bear to listen." + +Mrs. Arnold thought just then that the girl would listen to +something, perhaps to her, far more disagreeable, but she held her +peace. + +Poor Marguerite. All prospect of happiness had now fled from her +vision. She saw instead sorrow, disappointment, and, perhaps, death. +"If papa survives the shock I will face the world, and, amid +poverty, and the slights of my former companions, I will toil--yes, +I will work at anything that I can do in honesty." And with this +high resolve Marguerite set forth to break the sad news to her +worldly-minded mother. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +THE STORM THICKENS. + + +It would be much easier to imagine than describe the violent +paroxysms of grief (if we may use the expression) which seized upon +Mrs. Verne when Marguerite calmly broke the unwelcome news. Grief +did we say--yes--"not the grief that saps the mind," but grief for +the deprivation of those luxuries which the woman had considered as +part and parcel of herself. + +"It is just what one might have expected from the loose way in which +your father has been transacting his business," cried Mrs. Verne, +wringing her hands, and lamenting wildly; and then turning upon her +daughter the full benefit of her penetrating eyes, added, "and it is +not himself that will suffer the most, but think of us Madge. How +nice you will look going out to earn your living, perhaps, behind +some counter, or worse still, apprenticed to a dressmaker and +blinding yourself over such rags as we would not condescend to put +on, nor, more than that, recognize the people to whom they +belonged." + +After this harangue, Mrs. Verne threw herself into the elegant +fauteuil of carved ebony and oriental tapestry, and poured forth +another volume of tears more prolific than the first. + +"Mamma, dear, what is the use of all this. The affair is bad enough, +but it might be a great deal worse. Papa is still alive and we +can live just as happily on a small income as indulging in such +luxury. Really, my dear mamma, I feel that we are going to be much +happier. I need not, as you remarked, have to submit to any great +drudgery, I can teach music and painting, thanks to those kind +instructors who took such pains in my education, and if I fail to +make that kind of work remunerative, why I can easily fit myself for +a school-teacher." + +"Marguerite Verne!" cried the horrified mother, raising her hands in +gestures of dismay, "You will drive me mad! A daughter of mine a +school-teacher! Oh! dear, did I ever think I would raise a child to +inherit such plebeian ideas. Bad as Evelyn is with all her faults +she would not hurt my feelings in such a manner." + +Marguerite looked at her mother with a feeling of compassion, yet +there were rebellious thoughts in her mind. + +"Is it possible that mamma forgets poor dear papa, who is most to be +pitied?" murmured she, as she strove to hide the tears that would +flow in spite of all her efforts. + +"And only to think of your papa's slackness. I shouldn't wonder one +bit if he gave up every cent's worth of property, and all the +furniture into the bargain. It is just such a trick as he would do, +for the sake of being called an honest man. Yes, it is very nice to +hear people talking of 'honesty being the best of policy' where no +one is concerned in the matter; but when it comes home, I say a +man's first honesty is to his family." + +"Pray, mamma dear, do not worry over our worldly loss; it will all +come right," whispered Marguerite, in tones of endearment, and +stroking the luxuriant mass of silken hair that crowned the pretty, +classic-shaped head. + +"Well, I hope so, Madge; but I am sorry that I cannot entertain your +very convenient sort of opinion," returned Mrs. Verne, in a half +angry and petulant mood; then rising from her seat, took up a piece +of crewel embroidery, saying, "I suppose if I have to turn out and +earn my living I had better begin at once," and suiting the action +to the word, was soon busily engaged in making some pretty stitches +upon the handsome panel of rich garnet-colored velvet. + +While Marguerite sat buried in deep thought, turning over and over +in her mind what she must do, an attendant arrived with a letter. + +"It is from Aunt Hester," cried she, as she broke the seal and +eagerly devoured its contents. + +"It's just like her," said Mrs. Verne, as Marguerite passed the +letter for her to read. "Yes, she is one of Job's comforters, and +will make your papa feel a great deal worse than there is any need. +Of course, she will be preaching day and night of our extravagance, +and make him believe that we alone are the cause of all his +misfortune--I should say, mismanagement." + +"I think it was very kind of Aunt Hester to come to papa when he was +so lonely," replied Marguerite, with a choking sensation in her +throat. + +"Yes, and it is a great wonder she did not say that _her friend, +Mr. Lawson_, was one of the company, for it seems that not one of +the whole Montgomery family can exist without him." + +Mrs. Verne had emphasized the word friend in a very uncharitable +manner, and her tone was spiteful in the extreme. + +"Of course that letter means come home at once, but I think it would +make us appear very ridiculous to go until some settlement was made +and the gossips had their nine days' wonder over," said she in a +very cool and decided manner. + +"Mamma, dear, let us not delay one hour more than is necessary," +cried Marguerite clinging to her mother's arm as if to gain assent. +"We surely can be ready for the next steamer of the Anchor Line (the +Olympian) which sails on Saturday." + +"What nonsense, Marguerite! and only think of Sir Arthur's +disappointment! Poor man! It is such a pity, and we have received +such kindness." Mrs. Verne drew a long sigh and then added in an +altered tone: "If your papa insists upon our return we shall go, but +I cannot see why your Aunt Hester should take upon herself to +dictate to us." + +"We will, no doubt, hear from papa as well. You know, mamma, he owes +me a letter now," said Marguerite, hopefully. + +A caller was now announced and Lady Gertrude Fortescue, in her +beauty and amiability, was ushered in with all the deference due her +rank and position. + +Mrs. Verne was intoxicated with delight as she thought of the great +honor thus conferred upon her, and she soon forgot all her recent +trouble in the sunshine of her ladyship's smiles. + +"Miss Verne is certainly deserving of our most bitter hate!" cried +the latter in affected severity. "You know we English women cannot +tolerate a rival and this clever little Canadian (pointing to +Marguerite) has outshone us all." + +Marguerite was indulging in thoughts of a different nature, but she +managed to reply to her ladyship, and occasionally ventured a remark +upon some trivial matters. + +"You will be at the reception to-night, my dear?" exclaimed the +blonde beauty as she rose to go. + +Mrs. Verne glanced at her daughter for answer and was pained to see +the utter serenity of the pale but interesting face. + +"Miss Verne has been slightly indisposed to-day and I fear that she +will plead that as excuse to remain with Muggins." + +"You naughty little thing," said her ladyship, poking the said +Muggins with the top of her parasol and exciting lively responses +from his poodleship, then turning to Mrs. Verne exclaimed, "Mrs. +Arnold is looking well. It really seems to me that you Canadians +have found the long-sought elixir of youth and beauty." + +"You are inclined to flattery Lady Gertrude, but if you should ever +visit New Brunswick you will find many pretty women." + +"Now, my dear Mrs. Verne, _you_ are inclined to teaze," cried +her ladyship. You know full well that it is the gentlemen in whom I +am solely interested. What have you to say in _their_ behalf." + +"New Brunswick can boast of many handsome, brave and clever men," +was the reply, and this time Mrs. Verne spoke the truth. + +"Oh well, I shall, perhaps, go and see for myself. Good-bye Mrs. +Verne, and you my little rival, adieu until we meet again." + +Her ladyship pressed the tips of her dainty fingers and playfully +threw a kiss to Marguerite as she leaned against the balustrade and +watched her visitor depart. + +"What a sweet but sad face," thought the latter, as she was being +assisted into the grand old family coach with its richly-caparisoned +steeds and gay trappings. + +"To Hyde Park, James," then leaning back amid the luxurious cushions +the almond-eyed beauty murmured "that girl has a tender spot in her +heart which all the pleasures and gaiety of a thousand worlds like +this can never heal. Ah, well we women must endure," and with the +last remark there arose a sad and weary look that would seem +strangely at variance the gay, sporting butterfly who talked and +chatted of airy nothings in Mrs. Verne's drawing-room. + +And now to Marguerite. She has donned her tasteful gray walking +costume and accompanied by Muggins is on the way to Mrs. Arnold's +residence, not far distant. + +"I am so glad you have come, Madge, I was just going to send for +you. My head has ached all morning. I can think of nothing but dear +papa. Just imagine him without a cent in the world, and at his age. +Oh, it is too horrible for anything." + +Mrs. Arnold now drew her elegant lace handkerchief across her eyes +to arrest the falling tears. + +Marguerite was accustomed to her sister's demonstrations, and was +not at all affected as she should be. + +"Madge, you are aware, I suppose, of the trouble between mamma and +me, and now I have no one but you to offer any sympathy." + +Marguerite looked at her sister in surprise. + +"You need not look that way, Madge, I mean it, and when you +have--" Mrs. Arnold checked herself. She was on the eve of a +declaration which she must at all hazards supress. "I say it is +most cruel of mamma to treat me in the way that she does. Really, +Madge, it makes me feel terribly; and oh! poor, dear, papa! I don't +know why it should affect me so strangely, but really, Madge, I +cannot get it out of my head but that papa is going to die." + +"Oh, Eve!" cried Marguerite, clinging to her chair for support, +"pray do not say such a dreadful thing." + +"Well, you know, Madge, that grief will sap all the vitality of +stronger constitutions than papa's." + +Mrs. Arnold sat watching the effect of her words upon her sister, +and tried to be engaged assorting some letters that had been +misplaced in her desk. + +"If it were only in my power to save papa such trouble I would make +any sacrifice," cried the latter, suddenly glancing at Marguerite. + +"And would I not, too? Oh! Eve," said the girl, with an eager, +hungry look upon her face. + +"You can _now_, if you wish, Madge," said Mrs. Arnold, in the +coolest possible manner. + +"Eve, this is too serious a matter for jesting. You know not what +you say," cried Marguerite, wildly. + +"I know that you can pay every cent of papa's debts if you will only +marry Hubert Tracy!" + +"Eve! Spare me!" exclaimed Marguerite, turning deadly pale. + +"Yes, my dear--I knew full well that you could not make such a +sacrifice. Why did I mention it. Forgive me, dear Madge, I shall +never mention the subject again. I told Hubert that I knew it was +useless for him to urge the suit." + +"And he has spoken of it lately?" cried Marguerite. + +"Not later than this morning, my dear. He called a few moments after +you went away, and seemed to be in great distress at papa's +misfortune. Poor fellow, he was deeply moved, and said that if you +would only consent to be his wife that his immense fortune would be +at your entire control. What a pity, dear Madge, that you cannot +treat him as he deserves--he is such a generous-hearted fellow." + +Marguerite Verne was, indeed, an object of pity as she sat with her +eyes fixed upon the wall opposite, while a look of anguish now +settled down upon her features, and made them rigid as death. + +"Don't worry, darling. I cannot bear to see you thus. If Hubert +Tracy is not willing to settle papa's affairs without sacrificing +your happiness, why let it go. Papa may get over it, and if he has +to face the world and earn his living by drudgery, it may do him +good in the end; if not, we cannot help it, my dear: So don't worry +any longer." And Mrs. Arnold swept across the room with the air of +an empress, while with her lace handkerchief she wiped the tears +from Marguerite's eyes. + +"Has Hubert Tracy the full control of his estates, Eve?" + +"Yes, Madge. He has had ever since his uncle died, which was more +than three months ago." + +"Poor dear papa," murmured the girl in very bitterness of soul. + +"She will come to it yet," thought Mrs. Arnold, "nothing succeeds +like moderation," and with the most consummate adroitness commenced +asking questions concerning her mother. + +"You know, Madge, that mamma is so much wrapped up in Sir Arthur, +the ugly old bore, that she can listen to no one else, and for no +other reason than to have you addressed as 'my lady.'" + +"Oh Eve, do not say that." + +"I _will_ say it Madge, and more than that I will say that +mamma has no more respect for her children's feeling than for those +of her meanest servant. She would think it splendid to marry you to +a gouty old baronet old enough to be your father, yes your +grandfather, while I would not insist upon your favoring a handsome +young man with wealth and a large heart into the bargain." + +"Eve, you do mamma a great injustice," cried Marguerite, who be it +said to her credit, always defended the absent one, "she already +knows my feelings towards Sir Arthur and has used no coercion since +and now that we are soon going home there is no need of referring to +the affair." + +Marguerite was annoyed and her sister saw that she had said enough, +so with diplomatic tact, she became doubly tractable and tried to +appear in sympathy with every word that the girl uttered. + +"Are you going to accompany us to the opera this evening, Madge? My +amiable husband, anxious to make reparation for past neglect, has +formed a set and I must certainly go." + +Marguerite was pained at her sister's composure and thought of the +protestations of grief she had hitherto exhibited. + +"Is it possible," thought she, "that Eve can dissemble so much?" +Then turning to her sister she exclaimed: "Eve, I cannot go; I am +miserable enough already and--" + +"I see how it is, Madge, you are inclined to be selfish, and cannot +bear to see the happiness of others." + +"Happiness!" murmured the girl, "as if there is much happiness under +all this false glittering surface." But Mrs. Arnold heeded not the +remark and added: + +"Poor mamma, I know she feels badly, I will ask Montague to call and +invite her to join us. I know I did wrong to say so much, but at +times you know, dear Madge, I have an ungovernable temper." + +"I am going now," said Marguerite rising and holding out her hand to +Mrs. Arnold. + +"I know Madge well enough to perceive that she will have no peace of +mind this night. How she will brood over what I nave said!" and +turning to the spacious mirror Mrs. Arnold exclaimed, "Ah! madame, +you can dupe more clever minds than that of your confiding little +sister." + +In the quiet of her own room Marguerite Verne gave full vent to her +pent-up feelings in an outburst of tears. Hers was not a nature that +could endure with fortitude the ills that oftentimes befall +humanity; but like the fragile reed that bends with the storm, and +when the force of nature has spent itself raises its head +heavenward. + +And now the girl was prostrated, and bowed her head in keenest +agony. She wished not the interruption of mother or friends, but +remained silent and preoccupied. + +On the third day in question a reaction set in, and Marguerite had +made up her mind to act. + +"I am reconciled to my fate," murmured the girl, as she carefully +arranged her pretty morning toilet, and then went to her mother's +apartments to receive the extremely conventional style of +endearment. + +"You should have been with us, my dear," exclaimed Mrs. Verne, as +she glanced at the interesting maiden, and thought that grief, if +anything, made her more bewitching. + +"You should have been there, dear," cried she in ecstasies of +unfeigned delight. "It was such a charming little coterie, and the +dear girl has such a happy knack of making her friends appear at +ease, while Montague is so attentive that with all his faults one +can forgive him, and admire his highly-polished manners. And you +should have seen Lady Gertrude, my dear. She looked radiant in that +_eau de nil_ satin and honiton-lace flounces, but really I +think that her ladyship is very forward, as she certainly was making +love to Mr. Tracy and using all her blandishments with a master +stroke." + +"And what matters that to me," thought Marguerite, though she +expressed it not She was puzzled to know what had wrought such a +change in her mother, as the latter talked of dear Eve and Mr. Tracy +in one breath and seemed enthusiastic over each particular. + +In order to explain the cause of Mrs. Verne's altered manner we +would have to repeat a conversation which a few hours earlier took +place in Mrs. Montague Arnold's boudoir with mother and daughter as +occupants. Suffice it to say that a reconciliation was effected, and +that Mrs. Verne agreed to everything advanced by her daughter, also +that they were now united in a common cause, and that Sir Arthur +Fonister was ruthlessly cast aside for a more profitable +consideration, and one which would gratify the wants and wishes of +both. + +"But enough of this for the present, my dear," said Mrs. Verne, then +instantly changing look, tone and manner, exclaimed, "It is strange +that we have not heard from home. Madge, I trust, things are not +growing worse. Indeed, I feel uneasy, but we must be prepared; +nothing seems improbable nowadays." + +It was Marguerite's turn now to speak. Looking steadily into her +mother's face she asked, "Mamma, did Eve tell you what had passed +between her and Mr. Tracy?" + +"Yes, dearest, and I begged that she would think no more of the +matter. When she declared that she would make double such sacrifice +for her dear papa, I told her that I believed she would, but that +she was of a different disposition from you, and would suit herself +to circumstances, and besides she is of a strong mind and possessed +of much will, and is capable of smoothing all difficulties, while +you, my dear Madge, are a tender, sensitive creature, whom it would +be more than cruel to submit to anything contrary to your wishes." + +"Mamma, I am capable of more than you think. I have never +looked upon Hubert Tracy otherwise than a friend. Indeed I have +friends whom I like very much better, but I will receive him as my +future husband, and try to do the best I can to repay him for +unreciprocated love." + +With these words died all the hopes that Marguerite hitherto vainly +cherished, and as she received her mother's warm embrace, her heart +seemed to have suddenly turned to ice, and her breath more chilling +than the piercing blasts of the frigid zone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +MONTAGUE ARNOLD IN DIFFICULTY. + + +Scene, a London club-room. It is an early hour and the dons of +the gay metropolis have not yet put in an appearance. The +handsomely-furnished rooms are almost silent while the endless +array of porters and waiters are on the alert, and cooks are busy +in getting up the various epicurean compounds for which they +are noted and to which the gay votaries of these resorts are ever +ready to pay devoted attention. + +"What! here already, chum? You've kept your word for once." Montague +Arnold was somewhat inebriated but still in full possession of his +senses. + +Hubert Tracy glanced moodily at his companion and muttered something +in the fashion of an oath, then exclaimed, "and a deuced hard time I +had to get here." + +He was dressed in the most elaborate style and notwithstanding his +irregular habits was a prepossessing young man. His chestnut curls +gave a romantic look to his well-shaped head and would have elicited +the admiration of many a fair maiden. "Let us have what you want to +say, Mont." + +"I'm afraid that you're not in the listening humor, boy," said the +other with an ill-at-ease look and manner. + +"I ought to be pretty well used to it by this time," was the reply. + +"Well, the truth of it is I'm on the rocks again and you must get me +off somehow. Cursed fool that I was to risk my last ten thousand!" + +"Yes, and a kind of a fool that never sees his folly until too +late," exclaimed Hubert Tracy, in anything but sympathetic tones. + +"Heap on the agony, my boy! I can stand more than that!" said the +other taking a cigar from the elaborate case and puffing the +fantastic wreath of smoke into all visible space. + +"It's no use for you to be fighting against fate any longer. You +can't keep up this thing forever. Mont, your last venture was a +failure. What do you expect from this?" + +"As true as the heavens are above us you will be more than repaid. I +have spoken to Eve and she says that you can count on her sure. Yes, +sir, you're one of the family already." + +"Remember, Mont Arnold, if you fail now, when I need you most, there +will be the devil to pay." + +The young man gave his companion a look that almost startled him, +then added, "If I am fooled, Mont, there will be a just +retribution." + +"Good-heavens! don't look like that, boy; you would freeze a fellow +to the very joints and marrow; besides, there is no need of it now, +when you have everything your own way. Why, man, the old dame has +thrown over Sir Arthur." + +"Egad, I thought as much, from the way the old clown, glared at me +last night at the Plough and Harrow." + +"Plough and Harrow! what the deuce took you _there_?" + +"To see the country lasses have a glass of hot punch, and hear the +orations of the country squires." + +"And my would-be brother was representing his fair estate." + +"Representing the gout, more like, for as he got tipsy I could see +him wince, and when an old yeoman, with a big red head, made light +by the whiskey, fell over our friend, he roared louder than a calf." + +"It's all up with him and my precious mother, at any rate," said +Montague Arnold, twisting his waxed moustache into the most artistic +style, and laughing vociferously. + +Wine was now passed around, and both gentlemen became extremely +amiable. Family matters were discussed and confidences were +exchanged, and Montague Arnold received a cheque for _five_ +thousand dollars "to straighten him out once more," as he expressed +it, until he could make some settlement of his own financial +resources. + +Montague Arnold was not in want. He was possessed of a large income, +but owing to his extravagant living and dissipated habits, his +demands were daily becoming more pressing; and when he had staked +ten thousand dollars at the gambling table and lost, nothing but the +helping hand of Hubert Tracy could save him. + +The dissipated husband became very happy and at the same time very +garrulous. He discussed several of Mrs. Verne's qualities both as +negative and positive quantities, but more particularly the former, +and then referred to Marguerite. + +It may be said in justice to Montague Arnold that he considered her +the living embodiment of womanly perfection, and though leading a +fast life and seeing much of the grosser side of human nature, he +still considered pure, noble-minded women the most exquisite +production of God's handiwork. + +"Mont," exclaimed Tracy interrupting his companion, "if I can only +secure Marguerite Verne as my wife I will give up all my vices and +follies. I will lead a different life. Oh! if I had reformed years +ago I might have had no rival; but then, there is Lawson and he has +all along had the inside track." + +"And as poor as a church mouse; bah! No fear of Madame Verne +allowing her daughter to wed a penniless lawyer. Man, the chances +now are all in your favor." + +"The old lady was charmingly condescending last evening, I could +almost feel her smiles," said Hubert, becoming more buoyant in +spirits as the wine took effect. + +Other members of the club began to drop in and Montague Arnold being +a general favorite soon forgot his former straitened circumstances. +His spirits rose to an almost uncontrollable degree, while his +companion complaining of headache sought the outer air. + +As the club-room was situated in the fashionable West End of the +city, the young man turned his steps in the direction of Regent +Park, and sought the delightful shade of its sheltering foliage. + +Like Rotten Row, Hyde Park had also its favorite resort and in this +delightful spot Hubert Tracy sat him down to rest. He had not long +remained thus when he heard voices; and presently the rustling of +leaves showed that the speakers had taken seats on the other side of +the shrubbery. + +"She is one of the sweetest creatures I ever beheld," exclaimed a +lady rapturously. + +The voice and style of expression indicated the speaker as a woman +of rank, and from the outline of her form Hubert Tracy could discern +she was also a woman of taste and fashion, also that she was young +and exceedingly graceful. + +"Lady Gertrude is greatly in love with her, and she says that she is +the most interesting girl she ever met." + +"I am of the opinion of her ladyship," said the other, who also +appeared to be of rank and culture, "but I cannot say that I would +rave over Mrs. Arnold, as the most of our gallants do. In my eyes +Miss Verne is far above her sister." + +Hubert Tracy now felt a nervous sensation which made him uneasy, and +yet he was compelled to remain. His curiosity was aroused, and he +leaned eagerly forward where he could almost feel the speaker's +breath upon his cheeks. + +"It was reported that Mrs. Verne was very anxious to secure Sir +Arthur Forrister for Miss Marguerite, but it was hinted at Mrs. +Arnold's drawing-room, not many evenings since, that Mr. Tracy is +the lucky man." + +"What--not that young fellow who is so much in the company of +Arnold?" + +"Yes, the very one, Ernest. It is to be hoped that he will give up +his bad habits, for if all reports be true he is not a proper +husband for Miss Verne." + +"Who the deuce can they be?" thought Hubert, as he tried to get a +better view of the pair. Lovers they certainly were not. As he +listened he further learned that they were brother and sister, who +had met after some weeks of absence--the former being a cadet in a +military school in a neighboring borough. + +"Egad, my young fellow, if it were you who made the speech there +would be some fan before you shouldered your knapsack again," +muttered Hubert Tracy, as he sat eyeing the pair with no very great +affection; then adding, spitefully, "curse the women; they are first +and last in everything," stealthily crept out and was soon in the +open walk, jostled in turn by every pedestrian that crossed his +path. + +Not more than an hour had intervened when Hubert Tracy found himself +chatting at his ease and listening to the pretty society talk of +Mrs. Montague Arnold. She was attired in robes befitting a princess, +and diamonds flashed from the superb necklace of antique design. + +"You recreant!" exclaimed the beauty, throwing down the novel which +had occupied the moments intervening the completion of the +extravagant toilet and the arrival of an admirer. "I feel very much +inclined to impose severe punishment upon you. Is it becoming a +suitor to play truant when he wishes to hear favorably from his +'ladye fayre'?" + +Hubert Tracy's eye brightened with expectation, and possessing +himself of an elegant lounge, reclined in real oriental style. + +"I was at mamma's not an hour ago, and she is delighted at the +change I have made in Marguerite. She says that I am to have the +whole credit of her conversion. Really, Hubert, I am more than +delighted, and Madge is such a deaf good girl." + +"She is too good for me," thought the young man, but he deemed it +best to maintain a spirit of independence. + +Presently Mrs. Verne arrived, and also Marguerite, the latter +smiling and apparently cheerful, but very pale. She was dressed in +the utmost simplicity, and looked more childish and confiding than +ever. As her eyes met those of Hubert Tracy, a deathlike chill +seized her, but was unnoticed by the company. + +"Madge has been indulged in idleness quite long enough, now we +are to have some music," and sweeping across the room to the +music-stand Mrs. Arnold began selecting her favorite pieces. + +"Anything except conversation," thought Marguerite, and she played +some exquisite, old Scotch selections, which under any other +circumstances would act as a healing balm to a sore heart. + +She thought of the hours when she had no audience save the quiet, +silent man whom she loved so tenderly--that dear parent who had +sacrificed so much for his family, and the thought was almost more +than she could endure. + +"Why can I live on and pass through this dreadful ordeal, when so +many with bright, happy lives are suddenly cut off? But it is all +for his sake, and he has suffered more for me. Yes, papa, I will +make you happy, and you shall never know that I made any sacrifice +for your dear sake." + +As the hours crept stealthily on, Hubert Tracy was determined to +offer his heart and hand to the woman of his choice. + +Marguerite felt that her freedom was now gone forever, and resolved +to appear at her best, and on the following morning, when her mother +entered the breakfast-room, wreathed in smiles, and informed her +that Mr. Tracy had gained her permission to urge his suit, she +dreamily nodded assent, and tried hard to wear a bright and +reassuring smile. + +"Strength is given us from heaven," cried the girl when once the +privacy of her own room was gained, "and if ever I needed such it is +now. Merciful God, teach, me thy ways. Oh, give me the light of thy +countenance to brighten my darkened path." A handsomely-bound +volume lay on the dressing-case. It was the Book of Common Prayer. + +Marguerite lifted it in reverential tenderness. It was a keepsake +from her beloved parent, and she cherished it as something too +sacred for other hands to touch. + +As she opened it her eyes fell upon the collect for the eighth +Sunday after Trinity, commencing thus:----"O, God, whose +never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and +earth." + +"Precious truth," cried Marguerite as she read the words over +several times, then murmured, "How simple of me to repine when it is +my Heavenly Father who ordereth all things," and from that moment +Marguerite Verne found strength given from above, as she bowed her +head in meek submission, and resolved to lead a higher and better +life. + +"Madge, my child, you are looking radiant," cried the worldly +mother, as she glanced at her daughter, for no other reason than to +admire the style of the dress she had chosen for the reception of +Mr. Tracy. + +"And that corsage is so becoming, my darling. It alone would be +enough to charm the most prosaic suitor, and that bracelet shows off +so prettily on your white arm. I am so glad you put it on." + +"Mamma, please be less lavish of your compliments, I cannot stand +flattery. I would rather you would see some of my failings, and +teach me how to do what is right." + +Marguerite meant not to convey a reproof, but if Mrs. Verne had been +at all sensitive, she would have felt somewhat uneasy. She would +have felt that she had not given a thought to anything that +concerned the proper guidance of her children, and she would have +felt that the beauty of Marguerite's character was alone due to the +inherent goodness that possessed her and made her in all respects a +true, noble and beautiful woman. + +Marguerite has now made up her mind and she will not swerve from the +duty that lies nearest her. She meets Hubert Tracy with a calm +composure and a steady light in her soft expressive eyes and when +she had listened to his ardent declaration of love calmly +replied:--"Hubert Tracy I will be your wife but only on these +conditions--you will save my father from bankruptcy and ruin. Yes, +save and protect his gray hairs and I will bless you until my dying +hour." + +"I will do that and more Marguerite, if you will only promise to +love me--give me your whole and undivided thoughts," and falling +down upon his knees before her Hubert Tracy for once meant what he +said. + +True indeed the redeeming trait in his character was his love for +Marguerite Verne and any goodness that remained was now visible upon +his brow. Some trace of true manhood still lingered there and +arrested the gaze of the pure-minded maiden as she looked upon him +and prayed that the Omnipotent One would obliterate the earthy +incrustations so firmly impressed there and instead cause His image +to shine with undimmed lustre. + +The young man divined the maiden's thoughts and he bent forward +exclaiming:--"Madge, I am undeserving of you, God knows, but I will +try and be worthy of you. Will you trust me?" + +"Put your trust in God, Hubert. He alone can give you the support +you need," cried the girl in earnest tones. + +"God bless you, my precious darling. It is hard for you now, but +remember ere long you will bless the hour that you promised to be my +wife." + +Marguerite Verne now felt the pressure of her lover's embrace and +listened to his renewed protestations of love with a sad aching void +at her heart which she had hitherto never felt and she dared not +question herself as to the cause. + +None knew it better than her affianced husband, but in the great +selfishness of his nature he could look on with proud indifference +and stifle his badly seared conscience with the thought that one day +Marguerite would be the happier for her present choice. + +Truly it may be said-- + + "God moves in a mysterious way." + +Ah, Marguerite never once dreamt that a destiny was before her other +than that she had pictured out in frightfully vivid character. She +little thought that in a certain sense Hubert Tracy's predictions +should come true, and that she could one day exclaim-- + + "How natural is joy, my heart, + How easy after sorrow! + For once, the best has come that hope + Promised them to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +DARK DAYS AT "SUNNYBANK." + + +As Marguerite received the congratulations of her friends, who can +paint the suffering which the heroic maiden was trying to live +through. With pallid lips and thoughtful brow she received her +affianced, and permitted his endearments with a passiveness that +piqued him sorely; yet he comforted himself with the thought that, +like all other girls, she would soon get over it, and he would be +the subject of her entire devotion. + +Hubert Tracy knew full well that Marguerite had a secret recess +within her heart, where was hid away a very dear picture, but he +knew she was too conscientious to allow herself to look into that +chamber when the step she had now taken forbade all communication. + +He fully trusted her, and well he might. Marguerite had written her +father informing him of her betrothal and asking for his blessing. + +The letter was hopeful, and referred to the generosity of her future +husband in such a manner that one not in the possession of such +proof of Hubert Tracy's villainy would have gladly welcomed him with +a "God bless you, my son. Take my child and keep her happy until +death do you part." + +Mr. Verne clutched the missive within his trembling hands and sat +crouching over it an object of pity. + +"My God! is it possible that my child loves the demon? Oh, heavens! +am I spared to wreck her happiness as well as my own? Why did I not +die ere this fatal news had reached me? It may be all for the best, +but it is hard for me to bear. I must, and will, revenge the +dreadful wrong done to Phillip Lawson, and I must save my child from +what is worse than death! Death, did I say?" exclaimed Mr. Verne, +in hysterical tones. "I could see her decked in the robes of the +grave without a murmur, and strew flowers over her form without a +sigh--but to give her up to that monster of deception. Oh, God! it +is dreadful!" And the heart-broken man uttered a groan that would +have aroused the pity of the most callous wretch that ever-breathed. + +Dead silence reigned, and the affectionate spaniel looked into his +master's face with a sympathetic look in his eyes, and then began to +lick the weary trembling hands that were crossed upon the troubled +breast. + +"Poor brute, you feel for me," said Mr. Verne caressing the animal, +and being aroused to a sense of feeling. + +"It must never be--no never," and glancing at his watch he arose and +staggered to the other side of the room. + +"I shall see Phillip, God helping me. I now see the error in keeping +the fact from him so long, but it may be all for the best God keep +us faithful." + +It was well that Mr. Verne made that prayer, for his faith was +growing weak, and the words gave him strength, and as he wends his +way to Phillip Lawson's office, smiling upon each acquaintance that +he meets, none would suspect the desperate state into which he was +so suddenly plunged. + +"Phillip will help me," murmured he with a hopeful gleam in his eye. +"Yes, Phillip will help me--he is my good angel, he will not forsake +me now!" + +Great was Mr. Verne's disappointment on hearing that the young +lawyer had gone out of town on business, and would not return until +the following day. + +"God keep me faithful," again murmured the man, as he stole softly +up to his chamber, and quietly shut himself in, giving strict orders +that none be allowed to gain admission. + +But how often do we deceive ourselves; how often do we find that all +our plans come to naught, and we prove ourselves miserable +failures--altogether unfitted to accomplish the great task we have +so vainly aspired to. + +Mr. Verne had a worthy project in view, but he was not equal to the +effort. + +A domestic of "Sunnybank" being engaged at work in the upper hall +heard a faint noise in the direction of Mr. Verne's dressing room. +With feelings of alarm she ran to the spot and summoning all her +courage entered and found her much respected master in a swoon his +eyes wide open and his face rigid as death. + +Within a few moments the entire household were trying to administer +such restoratives as they deemed proper while awaiting the family +physician who had been telephoned for with all haste. + +When Mr. Verne gained consciousness he did not gain speech and when +his physician arrived it was found that he had been prostrated by +paralysis. + +"It is indeed a sad case," said the venerable looking physician as +he stood beside the afflicted man and read in the passive face and +benumbed limbs the story of an injured and cruelly outraged man. + +It was not the first time that the sharp but kind bluish eyes looked +down on such a wreck, and as they shed a silent tear we noiselessly +steal away. + +With the next day came the well tried friend Phillip Lawson. Sadly +he stood and watched the half-conscious man. A gentle pressure of +the hand was the only recognition, yet the young lawyer cherished +hopes that were solely attributive to himself. "He will yet come +around all right, sir?" said Phillip questioningly, but a grave +shake of the hoary head was the physician's only reply. + +Mrs. Montgomery (dear good soul) had now arrived and her presence +seemed to bring cheer into the house of gloom. + +At intervals the patient would watch her as she flitted noiselessly +in and out unceasing in her labors of love, and a faint smile would +light up his pallid face as if in recognition of such devotion. + +It was the hour preceding midnight and Mrs. Montgomery had been +persuaded to take a few hours rest while Phillip Lawson took her +place beside the bedside. + +Something in the wan face arrested the watcher's attention and +stooping closely down he saw that the man was trying to communicate +something that was on his mind. + +"Is it anything that I know of," cried Phillip in almost desperate +tones; "anything that I can do for you?" + +Mr. Verne gazed wildly upon him, then tried to raise his hand, but +he was unable for the task, and relapsed into his former state of +unconsciousness. + +"I will make another trial," thought Phillip, "when he becomes +himself again. Poor man! whatever it may be I'm afraid the secret +will die with him," and the silent watcher was indeed sad at the +thought. + +The young man's reverie was indeed a painful one. It had lasted for +more than an hour when he was aroused by a servant who now +approached him, bearing a tray upon which was a cup of delicious +coffee and some tempting cakes, which Mrs. Montgomery had +thoughtfully ordered ere she sought repose. + +"Such women are never half appreciated," thought Phillip as he sat +over the contents of the tray wondering why it was that two sister +could be of such opposite nature; then he thought of the still great +difference between mother and child--Mrs. Verne and the peerless +Marguerite. It were well known that he knew not of the circumstances +which had been the cause of the sudden prostration. + +Providence had been kind to Philip Lawson through the sacrifice of a +friend, yet the former knew it not, and when he had puzzled his +brains in every conceivable manner to assist Mr. Verne in +communicating to him the important message, he little knew it was +the hand of mercy that kept it back. + +What fervent prayers went up at that bedside; what supplications to +the throne of God; what anxious enquiries. + +Day after day found Phillip Lawson wending his way to "Sunnybank." +What a mockery the name seemed to convey. The golden sunshine was +afraid to enter, save by stealthy glimpses through the barred +windows and closed doors. + +"If Marguerite can only get here soon," said Mrs. Montgomery in +impatient tones. "You know Mr. Lawson it is the only remedy. Poor +man, it will either kill or cure. Poor Stephen, we must hope for the +best, but I'm afraid he has seen the best of his days," and the +corner of the linen handkerchief stayed the falling tears. + +"Poor girl," replied the young man, "she will take it very hard, but +Miss Verne is not one who will easily succumb." + +"Far from it, Mr. Lawson. She has the spirit of a martyr. I am not +afraid to say that Marguerite Verne would put us all to shame. Many +a time I have studied her character, and each time I found some new +beauties to admire." + +"There is just such a mixture of poetry and romance as is +appreciable," said Mr. Lawson, a slight color betraying his +interest. + +"Though I am a practical, matter-of-fact woman, I really admire the +vein of superstitious fervour that gives coloring to her many daily +acts." + +"I remember one day," added Mrs. Montgomery, "of asking her why she +wore such an ugly looking bracelet when she had so many pretty ones. +I can see the graceful figure, and the sweet smiling face, as the +girl turned upon me the full force of her powerfully magnetic eyes, +and with great earnestness replied: 'Dear Auntie, there is a story +attached to that bracelet, and you shall hear it," and taking a seat +beside me she began---- + +"Mamma always told us that you were an apt student in history, and +of course you know the story of James the Fourth of Scotland and his +iron belt, and how each year he added an ounce to its weight, that +it might inflict the greater penance." + +"I then said that when I was twelve years of age I had read the Lady +of the Lake for the sixth time, and that I had made Fitz James my +greatest hero, and notwithstanding his many short-comings, I yet +looked upon the benefactor of the noble Douglas, and the lovely +Ellen, with fond admiration." + +"What a glow kindled in Marguerite's cheek," added Mrs. Montgomery, +as she listened, and then with exclamation of delight she cried, +"Aunt Hester, I really adore Scott, and I think that I outdo you, +for I have committed to memory nearly all of the Lady of the Lake." + +"But about the bracelet," I said, remindingly. + +"Well, you know, Aunt Hester, I was not at all times a very good +girl," said Marguerite, with a sympathetic glance, "and, indeed, +found opportunity to make myself very disagreeable. It is indeed +true, Auntie. Well, one day papa brought in a very handsome bracelet +as a birthday present for Evelyn. It was a cluster of garnets in +gold setting, and at night time, when the light fell upon it, shone +brilliantly. I envied Eve her pretty bauble, and as I saw my sister, +many admirers glanced upon it. I felt uncharitable. Why could papa +not have given me one as well, I thought; and bitter feelings were +cherished against my dear papa, and indeed, Aunt Hester," exclaimed +the girl in all humility, "they might have rankled there, and made +me worse than I would care to acknowledge, when a little +circumstance, or trivial accident, came to my aid and taught me to +rise above it. Like you, Aunt Hester, I am fond of history, and +being out of reading matter, came across a volume entitled Tales +from Scottish History." + +"The very thing I have been seeking for months," I exclaimed, taking +down the work from the bookshelf, and admiring the substantial +binding of heavy dark blue morocco. Then I thought of the donor. I +turned to the title page and saw my name neatly inscribed in papa's +own handwriting. + +"My darling papa, I exclaimed he sees every want. Not a wish of mine +but is gratified; he has overheard me saying I should like just such +a work, and has lost no time in getting it. + +"I secured my favorite nook in the library and sitting down, the +first thing that caught my eye was an adventure of James the +Fourth--Scotland's Coeur-de-Lion in very deed. I read the story, and +it filled me with remorse. The prince, was guilty of rebellious acts +against his father, and I am guilty of rebellious _thoughts_. +He wore an iron belt as a reminder of the sad fact. Well, my dearest +and best of fathers, I shall have something likewise to remind me of +my ingratitude." + +"And you bought that homely bracelet, my child?" I said smiling at +her earnestness. + +"I did Aunt Hester, and when I feel that I am not doing what is +right I just run to my dressing case and slip that on my arm," +pointing at the same moment to the curious construction of bronze +and steel that encircled her alabaster-like arm. + +"And why are you wearing it to-day, my dear?" I asked. + +"I felt inclined to be moody, Aunt Hester." + +"I never remember of seeing such a bracelet worn by Miss Verne," +ventured Mr. Lawson who had hitherto remained a silent listener. + +"The occasion to which I refer, happened more than three years ago. +I remember sometime afterward of asking Marguerite if she had her +moody fits yet, and she smilingly said that the bracelet had been +consigned to a resting place among her store of relics." + +"Miss Verne now looks to a higher source. She needs no such +talisman," said Mr. Lawson with an air of deep reverence. + +"Yes, I believe Marguerite Verne is a Christian, though she makes no +loud demonstration of the fact. No one possessing the sweet +simplicity of character, the truly charitable spirit, and that +universal good will to her fellow creatures can be otherwise than a +Christian." + +Mrs. Montgomery had given emphasis to her speech, as she never was +weary in extolling the virtues of her favorite niece. + +A slight movement on the part of the prostrate man called Phillip to +the bedside. + +Mr. Verne had awoke to consciousness, and no doubt had listened to +the words so lately uttered. + +A smile was upon his face as he extended his left hand to Mr. +Lawson, and tried hard to regain his speech. + +"Do not exert yourself, sir," said the latter putting his arm around +the invalid with the tenderness of a woman. "All you must do is try +to get a little stronger before Miss Verne arrives, after that you +will be all right. It is enough to make any one sick to be alone in +this big house." + +Mrs. Montgomery watched the effect of the speech and felt sore at +heart. "Poor man," thought she, "he will never live to see it," and +as she looked a second time saw that Mr. Verne had suddenly relapsed +into that comatose state sadly akin to death. + +"Thy will be done," murmured the watcher, and tenderly replacing the +coverlid committed the prostrate form to the mercy of an Almighty +Father. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +DARK HOURS INDEED. + + +It is nearly midnight. Mrs. Verne had been prevailed upon (to use +her own words) to attend a musical soiree given by a fashionable +young matron in honor of her fifth wedding anniversary. + +Hubert Tracy now danced attendance upon his mother-in-law, elect and +on the present occasion was her beau chevalier. + +He had taken leave of Marguerite with much reluctance. Her wearied +and sadly pale face upbraided him but he kept stifling his +conscience with the thought that she would be happier when the first +impressions wore off. + +"I am beginning to believe all women are alike," exclaimed he +petulantly as he was awaiting Mrs. Verne's appearance, "made up of +April showers and ready to transfer themselves into a vale of tears +whenever they think of their boy lovers but when they've made a good +haul in the matrimonial net once and forever they forget all their +swains and live for one grand purpose--to impress their friends with +the greatness of their position. And I'm not going to be fooled +either I tell you, Miss Marguerite. You've got to toe the mark too. +None of your groaning over that chuckle-headed fool of a Lawson who +has no more sense than he needs." + +"I beg pardon Hubert, for the detention," exclaimed Mrs. Verne who +now made her appearance rustling in gros grain silk and sparkling +with superb brilliants, while the cleverly artistic touches +administered to deface the inroad of merciless Time would lead one +at first glimpse to suppose that the radiant matron was none other +than a pretty woman of twenty. + +"There is not the slightest need for apology," said the young man +bowing to the lady with the grace of a Crichton. + +"I grieve to leave Madge this evening, but you know, my dear Hubert, +that society is a merciless tyrant. Its mandates are cruel in the +extreme," and affecting the air of an injured woman Mrs. Verne +ensconsed herself amid the luxuriant cushions. + +"Marguerite is not looking well," said the affianced glancing; at +his companion to see that all was settled for her comforts. + +"The poor child has such severe headaches, but in confidence, my +dear, Hubert, I sometimes think she brings them on herself, for you +know that she is too much given to reading, not that kind of reading +that is needed or recreation, but works beyond what a woman should +attempt." + +Hubert Tracy was not altogether in a talking mood, and was glad that +his companion had claimed the floor. + +"I for one do not believe in women making such a display in the +literary line. There is no sense in it, Hubert." + +"You never yet saw a man in love with a literary star of the first +magnitude. Literature is not for women, and when I see one setting +up with an air of importance, and discussing science, history, +biography, aye, and even religion, I just think, well, my lady, if +you could see yourself as other see you, you would not get off your +stuff in that style. To tell the truth I despise literary women, and +if I had my way I would consign them to some seventh-class place of +refuge, where they could howl and shout until they become what they +generally end in--nothing." + +"I fear you would not make a bad attempt in that sort of business +yourself," said the young man much amused at the adroit manner which +Mrs. Verne sought to gain a compliment. + +"Heaven forbid it my dear, Hubert. From a child I always had a holy +horror of blue stockings, and when I looked upon their coarse +masculine faces I always experienced a feeling of disgust that I +must confess increased with the years." + +"And you have met many I presume." + +"I merely refer to the works of the photographer or the artist, +such, as you see on the vignette of their works. I am sure that they +are ugly enough to frighten any sensitive child." + +"But Marguerite is not one of that class," said the young man, +lazily readjusting a cushion that had slipped out beneath his head. + +"She is an exception so far as appearance is concerned, but that +does not excuse her," said Mrs. Verne, with a haughty toss of the +head, then suddenly changing her voice to a very tender and +confidential tone, exclaimed, "My dear Hubert, I am going to give +you a little bit of advice, and I know you will receive it kindly, +as you value my child's happiness. I wish you to have a warm +interest in everything that tends to her comfort; but above all +things, do not encourage in her that desire to be in seclusion, and +to mope and groan over imaginary grievances. It is, I am sorry to +say, a failing which she has inherited from her father; and though I +do not wish to speak disparagingly of my dear husband, I must say +that he is in many respects a very peculiar man. It is, indeed, very +discouraging for a woman to find that she has married a man who +takes not the least interest in society and prefers to remain, night +after night shut up in his own rooms, with no companion but a musty +old ledger and a filthy pipe. Ugh! the very thought make me sick." + +As Mrs. Verne's speech was accompanied by expressions of contempt +and disgust, the impression made upon Hubert Tracy was not of the +most flattering kind. He merely smiled, but gave no expression to +his thoughts. They were not what would please his mother-in-law +elect, and he had enough policy to conceal them. + +And now for a second scene. The carriage had rolled away and Mrs. +Verne had ascended the lofty stairway. As she stood in the corridor +to throw aside the heavy wrap that enfolded her, she heard a +confused din of voices. It startled her and caused her heart to beat +violently. + +"What a fool I am to get in such a state for nothing," but just as +the last word was uttered, a servant opened the door leading from +the inner hall. It was Marguerite's waiting maid. + +The girl's face spoke sad news. + +"In heaven's name what is the matter, Maria?" cried Mrs. Verne, +thinking that a murder had taken place in their midst. + +"It is Miss Verne, ma'am; but she is some better now. Oh! I thought, +ma'am, that you would never come--and she was asking for you." + +The poor girl was deeply attached to her young mistress and was +nearly bereft of her senses when she found the latter lying upon the +sofa in an apparently lifeless condition. + +A physician had been summoned, who pronounced the girl in no +imminent danger, but said that there was some anxiety to be feared +as regards nervous prostration. + +Marguerite had been quickly restored to consciousness, but she was +white as the coverlid that overspread the luxurious bed upon which +she lay so calm and still. + +"My child, what has done this," exclaimed Mrs. Verne looking wildly +around her as if for answer from some other than those that stood +about. + +"Don't be alarmed, mamma, I am better," said the girl, attempting to +raise herself upon the pillow, but she fell back exhausted, and +closed her eyelids, looking sad and wretched. + +Mrs. Verne was ill at ease as she watched at Marguerite's bedside. +Remorse for once seized upon her as she pictured herself moving +about the gay throng, and her child, perhaps, on the verge of death. + +"I might have known that she did not look herself, for those great +circles around her mouth and eyes ought to have told me of her +illness; but I trust she will soon be all right." + +Mrs. Verne took a second glance at the pale face to gain more +assurance and hope, and as she stood there tried hard to impute her +daughter's present indisposition to every source, but the real one. + +"The poor girl is fretting herself to death over her father's +failure, for she knows that it will affect his reputation in +society. She will not acknowledge it, but I am certain that she +would feel the snubs of our most intimate friends more titan I +would. Indeed, they would kill the poor sensitive Madge; and to +think that Stephen Verne brought all this upon his family by his own +slackness. Talk about honesty! It makes fools of people. A man who +is so honest that he must trust every other man he meets is a fool, +and worse than a fool, he's not only a fool towards himself, but a +fool towards his family." + +Such was an outline of the woman's soliloquy. She considered herself +the most unfortunate woman in the whole world, and wondered why it +was that some people are born to trouble while others never have a +care to ruffle their placid brow. + +The kind-hearted physician watched with deep interest the welfare of +his patient. + +He admired the sweet, pure face and the _spirituelle_ eyes +awaiting his coming with eager anticipation. + +"You must have brooded over some mental trouble my child, and you +know _that_ is not what brings the roses to a maiden's cheek," +and the disciple of Aesculapius once more patted the pale cheek to +force back the roseate blush of youth and beauty. + +"Doctor, you surely cannot say that I am to remain here many days +longer when I am so anxious to see my father. I know that he will +get better if I can only be near him to become his nurse." + +"I see where part of the trouble is, but there is a greater one +beneath that," thought the doctor as he sat writing out a +prescription. + +But like that great student of human nature he could not help +exclaiming, though in undertone, "'who can minister to a mind +diseased.' This is indeed one of the stubborn cases that I often +have to deal with--administer drugs and pills _ad infinitum_ +when the gentle pressure of a sympathetic hand or the soft tender +glances of a bright eye would act more effectually than all the +compounds which the London dispensaries can boast of." + +A bouquet of exquisite beauty had arrived and with it a nicely +folded note. + +Marguerite took the flowers within her trembling fingers and inhaled +the rich fragrance with a sort of reverence. Nature claimed a large +share of the girl's sympathies. She worshipped it as only the +student of nature should. She + + "Looked from Nature up to Nature's God." + +But when she had unfolded the delicate looking missive and looked at +the neatly formed letters not a ray of feeling was emitted from the +expressive face. + +"I see how it is," mused the man of experience; "poor child your's +has not been the only aching heart. You think one way and your +aspirations run another, or worse than that they accord and leave +you to the tender mercies of worldly and narrow-minded parents whose +sole motive is the accomplishment of their own sordid ends." + +Mrs. Verne's entrance solved the problem, to the entire satisfaction +of the physician. She had been detained in the drawing-room, and now +came to offer apology for delaying in the sick chamber. + +"Don't worry, mamma. I really am not so ill as you imagine," said +the girl, hopefully. + +"The invigorating New Brunswick breeze is the best tonic I can +prescribe," exclaimed the doctor, eyeing Mrs. Verne with close +study, "but this one must be taken first." + +A merry twinkle of the keen blue eye was directed upon Marguerite, +who now took the proffered slip of paper, and, to the very great +amusement of the practitioner, noted the Latin abbreviation. + +"Don't be too modest over it," said the latter, laughing. "I begin +to think my patient has been drawn into the mysteries of our lore." + +Marguerite reached out her hand to receive the kind goodbye, and how +pale and wan that little hand? + +Poor child, murmured the genial-hearted man as he shut the door so +softly and went forth in his daily rounds whenever and anon the +sweet face would rise up before him and shut out all the visible +surroundings. + +"The old, old story--poor thing--many such have I prescribed for in +vain, but it has been so from the beginning, and I suppose, will be +so to the end." + +But Dr. Refern's soliloquy was lost upon a desert air, and as he +pronounced Miss Verne convalescent he felt a tender pity in his +large, warm heart, and fervently prayed that the girl's future might +be made brighter and happier, and that she yet might return thanks +for his interest in her recovery. + + * * * * * + +"My Father!" + +What a scene. + +Marguerite is once more with her idolized parent, but the poor girl +is almost overcome with grief as she looked upon the altered looks +of the prostrate form. + +"My darling father," she murmurs, and vainly attempts to gain a look +of fond recognition. + +"Oh! father! try to speak to me," she cried, sobbing like a child, +"speak to your own Marguerite." + +It was a scene too sacred for other eyes, and Mrs. Montgomery turned +away. + +"Father in heaven," prayed the girl with arms uplifted and her eyes +raised in devout supplication, "forsake me not now; oh, give me back +my father--the father to whom I owe so much; Oh, grant that his +senses be restored, and I can hear his voice once more." Marguerite +threw herself prostrate beside the bed, and remained for some +moments in fervent meditation. + +The silence was indeed impressive, when suddenly Marguerite cast a +glance at the loved form, and a half-smothered cry burst from her +lips. + +Another glance and a murmured "Thank God," Marguerite Verne's prayer +was answered. + +"Marguerite." + +"My father." + +What comfort in these words? What tongue could tell of the happiness +that now filled the maiden's heart. She could not utter another +word, but put her arms around her father's neck and pressed upon his +wasted lips one long lingering kiss--so tender, so pure and so +sacred that it might well have accorded with the salutation of the +angels in heaven! + +And Marguerite Verne clad in robes of dazzling whiteness was indeed +a fit representation of an angelic being, whose sole mission on +earth was the doing of good and making others happy, but at a great +sacrifice, the greatest sacrifice that a maiden can endure--the +sacrifice of all her earthly hope. + +Yes, Marguerite could and would make such a sacrifice. She had +strength given her from the highest source, and she had faith in her +heavenly father. He would carry her through all she had now +undertaken. + +Mr. Verne had rallied sufficiently to recognize his child. He gazed +into the face he loved so well, and a faint smile overspread his +countenance. He lay with his hands clasped in those of his child and +seemed supremely happy. + +"It is almost a pity that he should be aroused from this happy, +trance-like state," said Mrs. Montgomery as she quietly raised the +sick man to administer the medicine that had been consigned to her +care. + +Marguerite once more pressed the thin lips and stood at a distance, +as if trying to think whether it were reality or dreamland. + +Other eyes looked upon the maiden and other hands clasped in prayer +were indeed very near. + +What subtle power caused Marguerite to look around? What subtle +power caused her to hold her breath as if oppressed with some +invisible presence? + +"Miss Verne, I'm glad you are here." + +"Thank you Mr. Lawson," was the quiet reply, but in the look there +was a world of sympathy that smote deeply into Phillip Lawson's +heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +A MINISTERING ANGEL--A SUDDEN REVELATION. + + +Phillip Lawson was not surprised at the great change which had been +wrought in Marguerite Verne. She was kind and thoughtful, but there +was a restraint that made him feel ill at ease. + +"Poor girl," thought he, "she feels her father's failure very +keenly, not I believe from a selfish view but from her relation to +others." + +The young man had not divined aright. + +He was not aware that Marguerite was the affianced wife of Hubert +Tracy. He did not know the nature of the blow that had made such +dire havoc upon the constitution of Mr. Verne. He did not know that +all the anxious moments of the latter were spent in vainly trying to +make known the bitter truth. He did not know that within Mr. Verne's +desk was concealed a document which might remain there until too +late! + +Mrs. Verne had arrived in a state bordering on distraction. + +She did not wish to meet any of her former friends lest she would +hear something that would grate harshly on her nerves. She suffered +much from headache and consequently remained most of the time in her +own apartments. + +"If your papa were at all times conscious of our presence, my dear, +there would be some sense in my remaining with him, but really Madge +I think the more quiet he is kept the better." + +"But mamma dear, one of us should be near so that with returning +consciousness he would recognize us." + +"But that is not very often, Madge." + +"Aunt Hester says that he asked for me very soon after I returned +last night. I am so sorry that she did not awaken me." The girl +looked sad indeed and to a more sensitive woman it would have been a +keen reproach, but Mrs. Verne was wrapt up in self and wished no +other feeling to find a shelter within her breast. + +Some days passed and no great change had taken place in Mr. Verne +yet the physician did not pronounce his case as hopeless. + +"We are all doing our best and I trust that there will soon be a +favorable change." + +Marguerite Verne heard those words with a deep sigh, yet she was +calm, and composed and even smiled at the eulogism passed upon her +skill in the many duties of the sick chamber. + +It was only when in her own room and none were near to witness her +grief that she showed the weak side of her nature. + +Many weary hours she lay and prayed that God would give her strength +to go through the sad and painful duty that ever and anon rose up +before her with a vividness that was cruel as death. + +"I cannot meet Mr. Lawson without a shudder!" she murmured between +sobs of deep and poignant anguish, "and I love him as I shall never +love another--but he shall never know it--ah no. I shall become the +wife of Hubert Tracy and try to be happy--yes, happy. And I shall +receive the warmest congratulations and I will smile as they think +me so happy and look upon me with eyes of envy." + +Marguerite now drew her hand across her eyes as if to shut out the +reality of the scene, while a chill made her shiver as if seized +with ague. + +"How foolish to be so weak," she murmurs, "darling papa, I would +make a sacrifice ten times as great for his dear sake," and +instantly the tears were dried and the girl was calm. + +"Poor, dear papa, I shall receive such glowing accounts of his +perfect restoration to health, and I can visit him often. Oh! if I +could live with him always!" + +Marguerite instantly smothered the half-formed sigh and sought a +momentary respite in carefully combing out the waves of soft, silken +and luxuriant hair. + +Such was the manner in which she passed the first fortnight after +her arrival. + +She became accustomed to the young lawyer's daily visits, and though +she knew it was not right, she could not resist a desire to await +his coming with all the eagerness of her nature. But further she +dare not go. The civilities exchanged were of a nature that fell +like lead upon the young man's honest heart, but he was attentive to +every word and wish, and always appeared with a kind voice and quiet +but cheery smile. + +But Phillip Lawson had a more bitter draught to swallow ere many +hours had passed over his head. + +Mr. Verne began to show signs of recovery, which the good old +physician smilingly attributed to the "ministering angel," as he +gaily dubbed Marguerite. + +The latter was quietly arranging some delicacies upon a silver tray +that stood on the pretty five o'clock. + +Phillip Lawson remained for a moment to contemplate the picture. +The girl looked so guileless and so childlike. The pale-grey +cashmere, draped in graceful folds, gave her an air peculiar to +some self-sacrificing Sister of Mercy, whose presence brought life +and light into the home of the afflicted ones. + +As she stooped to pick up a stray rose that had fallen from the +fragrant bouquet, Phillip saw the delicate hands become tremulous, +while the lips parted and the beautiful eyes were raised to heaven. + +"Oh, heaven!" murmured the young man "I cannot endure this," and +instantly he dashed forward with an impetuosity altogether foreign +to his gentle and, at times, grave demeanor. + +Marguerite was quick to detect the abruptness, but not a gesture +betrayed curiosity. + +"Papa has been sleeping for more than two hours--really Mr. Lawson, +I have such good news. The doctor has just gone out and he says that +every symptom is favorable and that he has every reason to believe +that he may rally very soon." + +"God grant it Miss Verne," said Philip, going on tiptoe towards the +couch, and gazing wistfully upon the emaciated features of his old +friend. + +"This is my night to remain with papa, but the doctor bade me ask +you to take my place. He seemed very anxious that I should do so and +I am willing to do anything that may be deemed necessary." + +"Strange that I came here purposely to make the same request," said +the young man, looking gravely into the girl's face. + +"How good of you, Mr. Lawson." + +But Phillip Lawson needs no praise, and Marguerite goes on with her +work, occasionally glancing at the time-piece to see how long her +father had been sleeping. + +And we come now to the hour of midnight. Trinity had sent forth its +hallowed chime, and the echoes had died away in the calm stillness +of the night. + +Silence reigned in "Sunnybank," not a sound save the heavy tick of +the old clock that stood at the top of the grand stairway. Phillip +Lawson with book in hand was trying to while away the hours and to +divert his mind from the unpleasant thoughts that now and then would +arise with peculiar vividness. + +A slight rustling causes him to start. + +"My dear boy." + +The young man leans gently forward and supports the upraised hand. + +"Phillip, I have got my prayer. Is Marguerite near?" + +Mr. Verne looked agitated, and Phillip Lawson feared the result. + +"But you must be very quiet now, Mr. Verne. You know that much +depends upon yourself." + +"Ah, Phillip, I know it too well, but I have something to tell you, +which is killing me by inches. Phillip you are the only one who must +know it now. The rest will come in good time--in good time my boy!" + +Phillip Lawson administered the soothing draught that had been +tri-hourly prescribed, then lovingly placed his arm around the +wasted form and laid him softly on the downy pillow. + +Mr. Verne's voice was much stronger, and it cost him less effort to +speak. + +"It will do more harm than good to deny the request," thought the +young man, and he leaned forward that the voice might reach his ear +with the least possible effort of the speaker. + +Mr. Verne drew a heavy sigh, and then began:--"Phillip Lawson, you +are one of the truest friends I ever had, and heaven will yet bless +you for all you have done for me." + +The young man was about to appeal when he saw that Mr. Verne would +suffer no interruption, so he calmly listened and uttered not a +word. + +"Phillip, it is a sad story that I have to tell, but I know you will +help me to bear up. I have only you to confide in--only you." + +Mr. Verne rested for a moment, and then continued, "It was the day +before I was prostrated that I called upon you but learned that you +were out of town until the following day. I wished to tell you +something that grieved me more than living being ever can know. I +had then in my breast pocket the death warrant of all my future hope +and joy--that fatal letter announcing the betrothal of my darling +Marguerite to that dissolute and unprincipled young man--Hubert +Tracy." + +Mr. Verne paused, then glanced at Phillip Lawson. + +"Ah my son, God knows I would it were otherwise, I know that you +love my child. I have cherished that secret as something sacred, and +lived in the hope that all would come right some day. Phillip, my +boy, I can bear _my_ grief, but it is hard to see the hopes of +a bright and useful life buried deep--so deep." + +The young man sat like one in a mocking cruel dream. The news +stunned him. It was so unexpected, and yet so true. + +"You have spoken truly Mr. Verne," said Phillip sadly, "I love +Marguerite as I shall never love another woman. She is lost to me +forever, but I shall cherish her memory while I live. Her image +shall be enshrined within my heart; my life's devotion, my guiding +star; they cannot rob me of that sacred duty. It is sanctioned by +heaven itself." + +Phillip Lawson now turned his face toward the couch. + +"I never will believe that my child loves such a man as Hubert +Tracy," said Mr. Verne, closing his eyelids with sheer exhaustion. +"She has been forced into it. Promise me Phillip you will help me +examine the matter closely. I am regaining some of my lost strength +and will be better able for the task." + +"I would like to assist you Mr. Verne, but I am in a delicate +position. I cannot see how Miss Verne would be entrapped into a +marriage against her own wishes. You know that Mr. Tracy was always +on terms of intimacy with your family, and besides he is rather +prepossessing, and would in all probability win the favor of any +young lady." + +"Phillip, you are generous to a fault. You could not say that man is +a villain and a scoundrel when you really would have proof of his +villany in your possession." + +"Heaven forgive me for it," mused Phillip, "it was for her sake that +I spoke thus. If she loves Hubert Tracy as I love her, then would I +sacrifice every feeling to do it. Would to God I could think as her +father does." + +The young man sat for a moment buried in deep thought. He was now +finding some ground for Marguerite's restraint when in his presence, +and he conjured up many imaginary doubts and fears to prove that she +loved Hubert Tracy. Even the letters which spoke in glowing terms of +such kind attention--did not every circumstance serve as further +conviction. + +Mr. Verne divined Phillip Lawson's thoughts. + +"Phillip, my boy, hear me. I may never rise from off this bed, but I +solemnly swear that Hubert Tracy will never place a marriage ring +upon Marguerite Verne's finger--never--" + +Mr. Verne now grasped Phillip Lawson's hand and held it there, while +the latter became suddenly inspired with bright hope. + +"This has been too much for you, Mr. Verne," said the young man, +soothingly. "But I have more to tell you, Phillip--something that +will stagger you." + +"Wait until to-morrow, sir, you will feel stronger." + +"Very well, my boy, let it be to-morrow," and Mr. Verne dropped off +in a peaceful slumber--aye, gentle and peaceful as that of a child. + +Phillip Lawson's thoughts were confusion manifold as he sat with his +hands folded listlessly across his breast. He was questioning the +genuineness of his motives in keeping from Mr. Verne a secret which +deeply affected the interests and welfare of his child. + +"If Marguerite loved Hubert Tracy why should I thwart her fond +hopes. Hubert Tracy has wronged me, though his act failed. Have I +any right to rake up the intended wrong and hunt him down as an +avenging deity. + +"And for what," asked Phillip, as he gazed wildly around, fearing +some one should intrude upon his privacy. "It was the green-eyed +monster that goaded the weak-minded Hubert to be tempted. And must +I, in possession, of all my senses, retaliate from the same cause! +Ah, no, Hubert. You will go free, but Heaven will not suffer you to +pollute a pure and innocent being. Ah, no." And more than ever +inspired with faith, in the decrees of an All-Wise Providence, +Phillip Lawson fully resolved to hold his peace. + +"I feel that I am doing what is right in the sight of Heaven, and +that thought gives me double resolution." + +Mr. Lawson's soliloquy was interrupted by the entrance of a domestic +who came to take his place. + +Mrs. Montgomery, being anxious, had also come in to make numerous +inquiries, and to see that the young man should seek some rest. + +"Blessings on her kindly soul," murmured the latter, as he went into +the tasteful dressing-room and threw himself upon the lounge, where +soft pillows and ample covering showed that loving hands had not +forgotten his comfort. + +But Phillip Lawson did not sleep. He turned listlessly from side to +side. He tried to divert his thoughts to business and to many and +varied subjects but through all and above all arose the words "very +well, my boy, let it be to-morrow." + +What a world of thought was running through the young man's brain as +he lay thus, turning over in his well-stored mind many of the +intricate problems of life and trying vainly to solve those which +more deeply concerned himself. + +In his short career midst life's struggles there was much to be +grateful for. There was indeed, as he journeyed through the +wilderness, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night and as +Phillip Lawson raised his eyes heavenward they caught the reflection +of that fire; his countenance glowed with a radiance that was truly +heaven-born and as Mrs. Montgomery passed through the room an hour +afterward there was still trace of the sacred invisible presence. + +Beading low the woman exclaimed "truly a noble soul," and with a +prayer upon her lips invoking Heaven's blessing towards the sleeper +she crept noiselessly away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +AN INTERESTING EVENT--SHADE AND SUNSHINE. + + +When Mr. Lawson called at "Sunnybank" on the following day he was +pained to hear that Mr. Verne had taken a bad turn. The physician +had given strict orders that none should approach him except an old +nurse who had seen much service in the family. + +"It has been too much for him," murmured Phillip as he closed the +doer behind him, and again the word "to-morrow" sounded +prophetically in his ear. + +But the solicitor was not allowed to indulge further in gloomy +thought. He had scarcely seated himself at his office desk when the +bright countenance of Mr. Moses Spriggins beamed upon all around. + +"Good morning, Mr. Spriggins," exclaimed Mr. Lawson heartily glad to +see the face of his honest friend. + +"Don't be too sure that you're glad to see me, Mr. Lawson," (Mr. +Spriggins having dropped the appellation of 'Squire) "for I've come +on a kinder disagreeable errant." + +"I am sorry to hear _that_, Mr. Spriggins. But perhaps it is +not so bad as you imagine," said the solicitor very cheerily. + +"It's the roughest on you, sir. I tell yer what it is, it ain't a +very disagreeable piece of bus'ness for me to git married to Melindy +Jane Thrasher when we've been a-courtin' mor'n two years--jest two +years last hayin' time, for Melindy came to our house to help the +wimmin folks and the first time I sot eyes on her I'd made up my +mind." + +Mr. Spriggins was becoming very eloquent on the subject and might +have said much more (not to the point) when interrupted. + +"And you have come to inform us that we must give up Melindy?" + +"Yes, sir, that is the hull thing in a few words," cried Mr. +Spriggins very much elated, "Isn't it a wonderful gift you fellars +have of speakin' right to the pint. By hokey, I'd give a good deal +if I was a lawyer--an honest, fair-square one like yerself, sir." + +"Thank you Mr. Spriggins," said the young man trying hard to look +serious. + +"I was at yer place last evenin', sir, and as Melindy and me talked +the thing over, she said that she felt backward of tellin' you, and +says I, Melindy, I'll see Mr. Lawson meself and tell him to look +out for another girl, so as you'd not be left without help." + +"And you have given us sufficient time, I hope," said Mr. Lawson, +smiling. + +"We're to be spliced a fortnight from next Tuesday, sir, and if it's +not askin' too much, I'd like terrible well if yerself and Miss +Lottie could come up to Mill Crossin' to be present at the +cer'mony." + +"If nothing prevents we will go," said the young man quietly. + +Mr. Spriggins sat for some moments and then informing the solicitor +that he had some business at the insurance office rose to take +leave. + +"I suppose you have heard of Mr. Verne's illness?" ventured Mr. +Lawson. + +"Yes, sir, Melindy and meself was a-talkin' the hull thing over last +night. He is a fine gentleman, sir,--and the young lady--I'm so glad +she's back again. Ah! she's a fine girl, sir. I bet the old +gentleman will be all right now, for the sight of her face is +bettern' all the medicine in all the poth'cary consarns in St John." + +What a temptation presented itself to the young man. He could easily +ask the honest-hearted fellow about his interview with Mr. Verne, +and of the effect upon him; also the nature of the conversation. + +That Moses Spriggins formed a connecting link in some future +disclosure he was doubly convinced, but it must come about by an +established order of things; and the young lawyer thanked God that +he was given sufficient strength to withstand the power of the +tempter. + +When Mr. Lawson went home that evening he received the full benefit +of the information imparted to Miss Lottie. + +It had been arranged that the latter should assist in the selection +of the indispensable trousseau, and this was indeed a source of +delight. + +Mr. Spriggins came to town many times ere he could suit himself in a +brand-new suit of clothes, also some new furniture to make things +look "kinder nobby." + +Nell Spriggins had been married some weeks previous, and as she had +borne away her "fit out," there were many vacant corners in the +Spriggins homestead, which of course fell to the lot of Moses to +restore in due order. + +But Mr. Spriggins was equal to the occasion. + +"It ain't every day a feller gits spliced, I can tell yer, and one +orter put the best foot for'ard. Tell you what it is, mother, +Melindy and me is a-goin' to make the folks' eyes stick out when we +'pear out in the Mill Crossin' meetin' house." + +The good old lady wiped her glasses and advised her son to be +moderate in his ideas, "for," said she, "I always think that a quiet +beginnin' makes the best endin'" + +"Endin', did you say, mother' Wal, that's very encouragin', to be +a-talkin' about endin' when a fellar feels like livin' till he has +to be killed off," and Moses' big blue eyes glistened like two big +china marbles. + +"Now, Moses, if you _are_ a-goin' to be married, you needn't be +a-losin' of every speck of sense. It's enough for a bit of a boy to +be a-makin' of sich light speeches." + +Mrs. Spriggins' remarks were brought to a close by Moses making an +exit via the back door, and when the privacy of the sheep-house had +been gained he sat down on a big log and began counting how much +money he had still on hand after his trip to town on the day +previous. + +"Let's see--there's thirty-six dollars and one cent. Yes, every +cent's a cent, and twenty-one dollars Sam Wiggles owes me, and the +two loads o' hay Jim Briggs is a-takin' to town this week--that's +sure cash--well, thirty-six and twenty-one is fifty-seven, and the +hay--wal, it's all as good as seventy-five dollars." + +A couple of huge hogs acting upon the aggressive in appropriating a +large share of hen feed, now interrupted the soliloquy, and after +combating the unscrupulous animals, Moses Spriggins once more seated +himself upon the log. + +"Wal, seventy-five dollars won't make a bad spread, neither. I'm +terrible sorry that there's trouble in the Verneses. I'd like deuced +well to have that Miss Margit--now that's too highfalutin a name for +me--if Melindy were here she'd git it off in good style." + +Silence reigned for a moment; then Moses took up the thread of +discourse. "When a fellar's gettin' spliced hisself he wants every +one else to follow. Wal, it's no use a-sayin' it, but if Mr. Lawson +and Miss Verne could have both a-come to the weddin' there's no +tellin' what might have happened. They'd git interested in the +cer'mony, and I'd bet ten to one they'd be a-proposin' before it was +over. Wal, sir, if Mr. Verne gits the leastest bit better, I'm +a-goin' after Miss Verne, sure pop." + +Moses having made such resolution now carefully folded the notes in +his business-like pocket-book and set off to do the work which +awaited him. + +It was, indeed, somewhat of a coincidence to know that at the same +moment when Moses Spriggins was speculating upon the prospects of +his legal friend that the latter should be also troubled about the +veritable Moses. + +Lottie Lawson had gone to "Sunnybank," brimming over with the +affairs of the elated Melindy Jane. + +Marguerite listened to the child's amusing description of the many +articles that were hourly displayed by the expectant bride, and when +consulted as to the choice of a wedding present, thoughtfully +proposed sending one herself. + +"Oh. Miss Verne, that will be delightful," cried Lottie, clapping +her hands in childish glee. "Why, Melindy will have lots of nice +things; I know what brother Phillip is going to give--a pretty China +tea-set--and mine, a pair of napkin rings." + +Marguerite smiled at the little maid's enthusiasm, and warned her +against being too communicative to Melindy Jane. + +"Indeed, she will not know what they are until brother Phillip and I +go out to Mill Crossing." + +Lottie took her departure and Marguerite once more sought her +father's room to take her place beside his bed. + + * * * * * + +"Spriggins, did you say, papa?" + +"Yes, child--I want the paper." + +"Which paper, papa--can I get it for you?" + +In the effort to make known his wishes his memory had failed him, +and Marguerite stood utterly helpless to execute that wish. + +"Something is on papa's mind--some paper. It is, indeed, of much +importance, for poor papa has been deeply agitated." + +The girl had noticed that her father's eyes always rested upon her +in a mute, half-despairing appeal, yet she had not courage to +question him upon the matter. + +"If I could only speak to Mr. Lawson, but there is a restraint +between us that I suppose under the circumstances is only natural. I +am the affianced wife of Hubert Tracy and Phillip Lawson is not the +man to take advantage of his influence." + +A heavy sigh escaped Marguerite and instantly she raised both hands +as if to compress the aching brow and wearied brain. + +In the quiet of her own chamber Marguerite Verne felt that she was +safe from human eyes. She longed to give vent to her pent up sorrow, +and sitting down upon a pretty ottoman (the work of her own +industrious hands) uttered a low and mournful wail--such only as +would express a broken heart. + +"Oh Phillip Lawson, it is hard to meet you every day of my life and +to know that we are strangers indeed--yes, worse than strangers. Oh, +my sad heart. None but heaven will ever know what I have suffered +and am suffering now. Oh, Phillip! Phillip! why is your image ever +before me! Why do you approach me with your grave but kind face and +hold out your hand in tenderest sympathy! Oh, my heart, it is +maddening! Why was I born to such feeling! Why was I cursed with the +susceptibilities of a warm and loving heart! Why were not these +sympathetic chords torn rudely asunder ere they could vibrate with +such anguish! Why did not my heart turn into stone ere it took root +in such deadly bitter soil! Ah well, love is common and grief is +common--'Never morning wore to evening but some heart did break.' +And I am only a drop in the great ocean--the great sea of +struggles--heart-aches and bitter groans!" + +A rustle of garments in the outer hall caused Marguerite to raise +her head and as she caught a glimpse of her sorrowful face in the +mirror opposite she felt a sudden pang and seemed to meet the mild +despairing gaze of her idolized parent. + +"Dear papa, what would he think of his rebellious child?" +Immediately the girl was trying to look brave and struggling hard to +set aside all the painful thoughts. + +Marguerite fortunately was endowed with much will power. She could +master her thoughts to such a degree that a quiet, calm content +would succeed, and in this condition she went to her mother's room. + +Mrs. Verne was now in a semi-invalid state. She was moody and +morose, and oftentimes much depressed. It would be charitable for us +to think that this woman reflected upon her past foolishness; and be +it as it may we will give her the benefit of the doubt. + +Mr. Verne saw little of his wife, but there were moments when his +thoughts went back to the child-wife of his youth, and a tear +glistened in his eye as he recalled the bright scenes of the sadly +dimmed life. + +But Marguerite Verne compensated for her mother's defects. She was +truly all in all to her fond parent. Her smile was his beacon light. +Her voice was more musical than harp or psaltery, and her loving +ministration were life indeed; and as each morning and evening the +girl clasped her hands and knelt beside her father's couch reading +aloud the several beautiful prayers for the visitation of the sick, +what soul could fail to be deeply affected. + +"What a picture for a Guido, a Rembrandt, or a Correggio," thought +Phillip Lawson as he stood on the threshold not daring to breathe +lest he break the solemn spell; and as he noiselessly turns away the +vision haunts him with increasing vividness. "Turn which way I will +it is always the same," he murmured, and entering Warwick's elegant +china store felt like anything but selecting a bridal present. + +But the world has its claims upon us, and Phillip Lawson was shown +the many beautiful patterns of delicate china cups, plates, etc., +and very soon selected a pretty tea-set that would make glad the +heart of the expectant bride. + +The young man had crossed over to the northern side of King street, +but had not gone many steps when he heard familiar voices, looking +around he espied the piquant Lottie and her domestic making their +way into the handsome and tasteful establishment of Manchester, +Robertson & Allison. The young solicitor was amused as he thought of +the conversation which he had accidently overheard on the previous +morning. + +But for the shopping excursion. + +Lottie with an air of importance had given much advice to the +jubiliant Melindy but when that great emporium, so dear to many a +woman's heart, had been, reached the latter almost lost her senses. + +"If Mose could just peek in wouldn't he stare?" said she, casting +her eyes on a pile of silks that had been displayed upon the +counter. + +Lottie smiled, and having directed Melindy's attention to a choice +lot of dress material stepped to the other end of the ware-room to +speak to one of her acquaintances. + +The shades were too dull to suit Melindy's taste. She wanted it for +a "pertikler occasion" and if she had thought in time would have +brought a "certain person" in to choose it. + +The merry twinkle in the clerk's eye brought Miss Lottie to the +rescue, and after much deliberation on the part of Melindy a heavy +piece of all-wool goods of bright maroon was at length decided upon +for the best dress, while another of fancy plaid was chosen for +reception purposes. + +It is needless to enter into detail of all the knick-knacks that +took Melindy's eye, but we cannot pass the millinery department, +into which the latter was ushered by the amused but undemonstrative +Lottie. + +A bonnet was, of course, the desired article. + +"It does look kinder nice," said Melindy surveying the pretty, +tasteful cream-colored lace with a bunch of neat French flowers in +relief, "but it looks to me as if it wasn't hardly dressy enough." + +"We can easily arrange it to suit your taste," said the young lady +in attendance as she went towards the show-case and began assorting +some bright-colored roses as more acceptable. + +"Wal, there's sumthin' more becomin'!" said Melindy into a high key, +"and I'm certain that 'person' would like it better." + +Melindy Jane cast a significant glance at Miss Lottie who in turn +gave it to the young lady and the result was significant smiles all +around. + +"Well, its nothing to be ashamed of. I s'pose we might as well tell +you that I want it for peerin' out with, and as there's alwus so +many remarks passed I'd like it to be sumthin' dressy." + +"Certainly," said the young lady, and within a very short time the +cream-colored bonnet was in reality a bed of roses, highly +suggestive to Miss Lottie of the lines-- + + "Oh my love is like a red, red rose + That newly springs in June." + +"There now," cried the delighted Melindy, looking in the mirror to +note the effect, "that's just the style that'll take Moses' eye. +Don't I wish he was here to see it." + +The indispensable white gloves and white net veil and bright +ribbons, flowers, etc., were now laid aside, and with a strict +injunction "to be sure send 'em right away," Melindy Jane Thrasher +was truly the happiest customer that ever emerged from the +time-honored establishment of Manchester, Robertson & Allison. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +HUBERT TRACY UNFOLDS HIS PLANS. + + +It must not be supposed that Phillip Lawson was remiss in his +regular duties--that he neglected the professional demands duly +devolving upon him. + +Our much-respected friend had seen adversity on every hand and in +many phases. He had struggled hard to overcome difficulties, and he +had smothered the pleading of his hungry unsatisfied soul; and as +from day to day he jostles his fellow man in the crowded +thoroughfares, or encounters him in the office, shop or study, the +same remark was common to every honest-minded citizen:--"Lawson is a +clever, industrious and good fellow, and well deserves the position +which he will one day occupy." + +And now, when it became an established fact that Phillip Lawson had +fallen heir to forty thousand dollars, it was, indeed, worthy of +mention that no one was heard to make uncharitable remarks. +Congratulations fell thick and fast, and last, but not least, came +those of Moses Spriggins. + +"Well, sir, I used ter say I'd be no small potatoes one o' these +days, but I never dreamed I'd have a millionar at my weddin'. Wal, +thar's no accountin' for miracles these times," and the iron hand +left its impress upon the soft palm of the "millionar" in a manner +that showed heartiness minus conventionalism. + +But there was another who tendered congratulations while a deeper +shadow settled down and shut out any approach of joy or gladness. + +Marguerite Verne could not fail to see the difference in her +mother's reception of Phillip Lawson as he now is, and this thought +gave her pain. + +The possessor of forty thousand, and a poor penniless lawyer, were +indeed two different beings in Mrs. Verne's partial eyes. They were +unlike in appearance, character, action--aye, as opposite as two +extremes could well be. + +Mr. Lawson, in his altered condition, was handsome, was more +distinguished looking, could converse more fluently, was more +polished and more gallant. + +But Marguerite Verne listened to her mother's eulogism with a calm +despair, and, save the pallor of her lips, no one could tell the +suffering within. What matters it now, thought the girl, as she bent +over a sheet of paper and tried to collect her thoughts. + +Hubert Tracy eagerly awaited the delicate missive that came as +regularly as the mail, and he now was looking forward to the time +when he would claim Marguerite Verne forever and forever. + +It was so hard to frame each sentence without the conviction that +every word conveyed the falsity of the girl's heart. How dare she +pen one word such as an affianced lover would expect! Oh, the agony +of soul that Marguerite endured as she combated with her honest +nature. + +Phillip Lawson never lost sight of the doings at "Sunnybank." He was +daily around the afflicted household and tried hard to bring cheer +along with him. + +That Mr. Verne was sinking fast the young man knew well, and he was +sorely troubled that the secret grief would never be communicated-- +perhaps in a way that might give relief. + +Would it be wise to force the subject, to venture an allusion to +Moses Spriggins, and thus arouse the seemingly comatose condition of +the dying man. + +"If I could mention the matter to Marguerite," thought Phillip, as +he sat in his office for a few moment's respite after a day of +toilsome labor over some perplexing law points in a case which +gained much notoriety, and which had also gained for the leading +counsel a reputation for earnestness and strict integrity that must +inevitably be crowned with success. + +"If I could only ask her advice in the matter," thought he, "what a +relief it would afford." + +But the words froze upon his lips, and Marguerite remained as before +in utter ignorance of the failure. + +"Why do such questions arise," murmured the young man sadly, and his +thoughts reminded him of the renowned son of Jupiter dying of thirst +with the tempting element raised to his chin, but could not partake +of a single drop. "Ah! there's many a modern Tantalus," said Phillip +wearily, "many a Tantalus." + +Marguerite had received several letters from Mrs. Arnold, but they +were vague, unsatisfactory and suppressed. There was an attempt at +concealment that gave the girl much concern, yet she did not +communicate the fact to Mrs. Verne. + +"Poor mamma has enough to think of," thought she, "and as they say, +it is no use to be borrowing trouble, so I'll hope for the best." + +Could one have glanced into Mrs. Montague Arnold's private life what +a picture would be presented to us--one anything but pleasing to +look upon--where alike was depicted disappointment, disgust, anger, +sullen resentment and hate. + +Add to this dissipation, an utter disregard for the home duties of +woman, and one can form some idea of the unenviable position of this +fashionable creature. + +Of the husband what can we say? + +Montague Arnold is indeed far on the downward road to ruin. +Dissipation has made fearful ravages upon his hitherto handsome +face, and in the bloated features, inflamed eyes, and idiotic +expression, there is little left to convey an impression that the +gay and fashionable world once coveted such a prize. + +The lowest gambling dens were now sought, and hour after hour the +man sat side by side with the scum of humanity. His days and nights +were scenes of carousal, his wife was left to her own resources, and +his home utterly desolate. + +Evelyn Arnold had written her sister many glowing eulogies of Hubert +Tracy's generosity, yet she did not acknowledge that to him she was +entirely dependent. + +Let us not utterly despise this young man. + +There was yet a spark of generosity in his nature and a desire to +lend a helping hand to the needy. + +As hitherto expressed, with different associations Hubert Tracy +would have been a different man. He began well but had not +sufficient will power to resist the tempter and like many a +promising youth who went out into the world with a mother's prayers +ringing in his ears, stumbled ere he reached the first milestone on +life's chequered road. + +Hubert Tracy was to a certain degree trying to make amends for the +wrong he had done towards himself and towards his fellow man. + +When the face and form of Phillip Lawson rose before him with +such vividness that he many times closed his eyes to shut out the +sight remorse would seize upon him and hold him in galling chains, +shewing us that the Divine impress was not entirely obliterated from +his nature and that some day one might expect a complete change. + +But of this young man's kindness to Mrs. Arnold. + +The latter had been accustomed to a lavish expenditure of money and +now that her husband's means had been squandered what was she to do? +Appearances must be kept up at any sacrifice and without any +apparent struggle. Mrs. Montague Arnold received from her sister's +betrothed a sufficient amount of money to meet her daily wants. + +Every beauty has her reign and so with the beautiful Evelyn. + +Another queen succeeded and with many a bitter feeling the former is +a thing of the past. Men have ceased to rave over the dark-eyed +syren and now behold her as a being of a secondary order. + +Mrs. Arnold attributed such slights to her husband's altered +position and loud angry words were of daily occurrence until at last +matters grew worse and they were completely alienated. + +It was now that Hubert Tracy proved himself a benefactor. He +remitted money and strove to give the unhappy woman all the sympathy +she desired. + +At times Mrs. Arnold's temper became ungovernable and as each +annoyance crowded upon her with redoubled force it was anything but +agreeable to listen to the frequent outbursts of uncontrollable +anger or to look upon a face made hideous by those degrading +exhibitions of a coarse and corrupt nature. + +Let us now take a look at this fashionable woman as she is vainly +trying to while away what appears to be a tedious morning. + +Mrs. Arnold has removed to another suite of apartments and the +change bears heavily upon her. + +With an air of disgust she surveys the plainly furnished parlor and +taking up a third class novel of the highly sensational type throws +herself upon the chintz-covered lounge and gives way to a series of +hysterical sobs more expressive of anger than grief. + +The once large lustrous orbs have lost much of their brightness and +the oval cheeks have lost their beauty of outline, while the rich +crimson hue has given place to a sickly yellow. Even the toilette of +the proud beauty bears traces of neglect. The rich and elegant +dressing gown of cashmere and velvet had been converted into money +and a dowdy-looking stuff wrapper supplied its place. + +Mrs. Arnold yawned and sighed wearily, then arose to look for some +curl papers but finding the effort too much once more sought the +lounge and novel. + +The sorrows of the heroine pleased her. "Misery likes company," as +the adage goes and Mrs. Arnold formed no exception. + +"Yes," mused she, "her lord, like mine, proved a failure, but here +the likeness ends--she got rid of him but there is no such luck for +me. I must put up with his brutal insults, his coarse language, his +murderous assaults--yes, I must bear it for better for worse until +death doth us part--" + +"Which I hope will be very soon, my dear, delightful spouse," cried +a hic-coughy voice from an outer room and instantly the bloated face +of Montague Arnold confronted his wife in tantalizing and brutal +aspect. + +We will pass over the scene which followed, suffice to say that the +inebriated husband finally betook himself to his room and--more +beast than man--lay until he was sufficiently recovered to set out +for the scene of dissipation to be enacted on the coming night. + +When quiet was fully restored and Evelyn had once more found respite +in her heroine's increasing woes a familiar step sounded in the +passage. + +"Come at last Hubert, I wish you had been here sooner." + +Mrs. Arnold then gave an exaggerated account of her husband's +proceedings, and began sobbing wildly and hysterically. + +Hubert Tracy did not like scenes, but he had to await Mrs. Arnold's +pleasure. + +He had of late been trying to lead a better life and had given the +slip to several of his debauched companions, but on the previous +evening he had been unable to withstand their urgent entreaties and +as he wended his way to Mrs. Arnold's residence his aching brows and +dizzy head gave evidence of the sad fact. + +"I have had news from home, Evelyn." + +"Yes," said the latter faintly. + +"Your father seems no better. Madge has little hopes of him, and +your mother's health has undergone a great shock." + +"No, doubt," was the sarcastic reply. + +"Evelyn," said the young man in earnest tones, "I shall eagerly +await the coming mail, for I have signified to Madge my intention to +cross the Atlantic!" + +"So soon," cried Mrs. Arnold with awaking interest. + +"Yes, Evelyn, I cannot endure this suspense much longer. Madge is +the only woman who can reclaim me, and I must now insist that she +will be my wife at an early date--at any rate I wish to be in St. +John at the settlement of the affair. It has been a great mistake +that I did not accompany your mother and Madge." + +"Oh, Hubert, the thought makes me feel worse, if possible." + +"You will come with me, Evelyn, and if Mont sees fit he can shake +off his fellows and come too." + +"I go home Hubert! No indeed, I would rather die than face the +people of St. John, Ah no! You must say that I am looking so well, +and so brilliant, and am so happy that I prefer English society to +dull provincial life! + +"True, Hubert, I have done much for you, and you surely will carry +out my wishes." + +"I certainly shall, Evelyn, and more than that I shall never forget +that to you I owe all the happiness of my life." + +"You may well say so Hubert. But for my scheming Madge would have +yielded to mamma's entreaties and became the wife of her pet--Sir +Arthur." + +"Well, it's all over, now," said the young man impatiently. "You +never will have cause to regret the steps you have taken, and I +trust we will be a happy family one of these days." + +Alas! it is an easy task for us to propose, but the Great Disposer +of our destinies finds it necessary to circumvent our plans and show +us how utterly helpless we are. But we will not forestall events. We +will calmly await the end, in a direct order comforted by the +cheering thought that patience is a virtue and worthy its reward. + +"Hubert, have you ever thought of Phil Lawson lately. I must tell +you some news." + +Mrs. Arnold then, with greater gusto, referred to the fortune, and +in sarcastic tones amused her friend with the great change it would +make in the heir's position, and the brilliant match he would also +secure from the same source. + +"So much the better," said Hubert, "he'll not be poking his nose +where he's not wanted." + +Hubert Tracy tried to appear as indifferent as possible, but in his +own mind he was ill at ease. Any allusion to Phillip Lawson opened +afresh a very tender spot in his memory. + +"Would to God the fellow were dead," thought he, "though he never +did me any harm. Perhaps, after all, he never would have had courage +to propose to Madge--but then its best to be safe." + +It would seem as if Mrs. Arnold had divined her friend's thoughts. +"Hubert," said she, rather excitedly, "I firmly believe, and will +always believe, that if we had not taken matters in time that Phil +Lawson, with his long-winded speeches, would have wrought a spell +upon papa and so completely influenced him that he would have had +Madge body and soul, for I am certain that she was fool enough to +encourage him." + +"I believe so, too," said Hubert, dryly, and not at all pleased with +the woman's reference to a rival. + +"It was only his poverty that kept him back. I tell you some +upstarts of lawyers have impudence enough to face anything; indeed, +when they stick out their shingle they think they are fitting match +for a princess." + +Mrs. Arnold was sarcastic in the highest degree, and her expression +was scornful as well. + +"And I suppose the forty thousand will assist materially in giving a +little more cheek," said Hubert, laughing. + +"You may bless your stars that it did not arrive a twelve-month +ago," said Mrs. Arnold, in a teazing manner that was not at all +acceptable to her companion. + +"Ah, well, Eve, let us think none the less of him. Perhaps he +carries a heavier heart than we would wish," and, glancing hurriedly +around, Hubert Tracy bowed to his companion and passed out as if +bent upon some particular errand. + +Little did the thoughtless young man realize that this was his last +conversation with Mrs. Arnold, nor did the latter, as she called to +mind the fact that Hubert Tracy had, for the first time, addressed +her familiarly as "Eve,"--the name she bore in her father's home-- +that it would also be the last. Oh, well, this is one of the many +lessons sent to teach us what we are, and what we should be:--, + + "Let manhood think that death may come + When least it seemeth nigh; + And, though content with this bright home, + Yet be prepared to die." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +CONFESSION AND RESOLUTION. + + +November's chilly blast moaned hoarsely around the heavy solid walls +of "Sunnybank," and the weird sound of the rustling leaves impressed +one with thoughts alike weird and melancholy. + +Marguerite Verne sat in the library poring over some accounts. +Several letters lay beside her ready for mailing and as she glanced +occasionally at the outer door she is evidently awaiting some +person. + +The suspense is of short duration. A bright cheerful face is soon at +her side. + +"You dear old coz, have I kept you long waiting?" + +"Only two minutes," said Marguerite glancing at her watch, then +hanging the pretty bauble within reach added, "Cousin Jennie I +believe you are equal to a time piece." + +An affectionate embrace was the outcome of the compliment and very +soon the apartment looked brighter and more welcome. + +The fire in the grate sent up a more cheerful glow as if it were +trying to shew its appreciation of the newly arrived guest. In fact +all things animate and inanimate tried to do homage to the sweet and +cheery Jennie Montgomery. + +The willing domestic who had answered Marguerite's summons, had no +sooner finished her task than a message was conveyed from Mrs. +Verne's chamber requesting Marguerite's immediate presence. + +Jennie followed and her presence of mind soon quieted her aunt's +violent fit of hysteria, and bathing the aching brows with Florida +water coaxed the restless woman into a soft and gentle sleep. + +"What would I do without you, darling!" said Marguerite, her eyes +filling with tears and then hastily shading her delicate face sought +the nurse to make inquiries about her father. + +On being advised that it was better not to disturb his restless +slumbers she instantly returned to the library. + +"It is cosey in here to-day, Madge. Just see how angry the sky +appears. How fast the clouds are moving! Look! they seem furious!" + +Marguerite having finished her accounts, now looked about for +something farther to do. + +Her eyes were attracted towards a handsome volume that lay upon the +sofa. Its rich cream and gold binding giving a pretty contrast to +the elegant upholstering of the said article. + +The first words that claimed the girls attention ran: + + "Wake maid of Love! the moments fly + Which yet, that maiden-name allow; + Wake, maiden, wake! the hour is nigh + When Love shall claim a plighted vow." + +Hitherto Scott had been one of Marguerite's favorite authors, but +now she threw down the book as if stung by an adder. Her blood was +chilled in her veins, and she seemed as if petrified. + +It were well that Jennie Montgomery was busily engaged looking over +the broad rows of bookshelves in quest of some thing suitable to her +fancy. + +It was also well that she found the desired volume and had +comfortably seated herself for a good long read. + +Cousin Jennie might well be termed a book-worm, for, notwithstanding +the fact that she was a clever housekeeper, an industrious handmaid +and a skilful needlewoman, no girl had, considering her advantages, +been a more extensive reader. She was conversant with many of the +standard authors, could discuss freely upon the most abstruse +subjects and also kept herself well posted in all the leading events +of the day, a fact which goes to prove that there is no woman no +matter in what circumstances, but can, if inclined, give some +attention to the improvement of the mind, and make herself a fairly +intellectual being. + +Marguerite's thoughts were painful, indeed. "The hour is nigh," she +murmured. Hubert Tracy's letter had arrived, and the well-known +lines had doubly recalled the fact. + +"Would to heaven that it might never arrive," then suddenly checking +the wicked wish the girl exclaimed, "it is so hard to bear. Oh, +Heavenly Father, forgive my wicked, sinful heart." + +"Madge, whom do you think I met as I was going along Princess +street?" + +Jennie had now turned towards her cousin. Her honest face was fair +to look upon. Its genuineness was stamped in bold characters upon +the open brow and reflected in the clear expressive eyes. + +"Why, none other than Helen Rushton. She has just arrived from +Fredericton where she has been for six weeks. She introduced me to +her friend Miss Boynton who is such a nice-looking girl, not a +beauty but interesting and very graceful." + +"She called a few days after I came home," said Marguerite, "but I +was unable to leave papa. Helen is a good girl, Jennie." + +"I always liked her," said the latter, putting a little marker in +her book, "and I would give anything to have her visit us. Mother +seems much interested in her." + +"I think that I met Miss Boynton at Mrs. Greene's last winter. Is +she not tall and slight with auburn hair and straight regular +features, with just enough hauteur to give her an air of quiet +dignity?" + +"The very same, Madge. You are quite an adept at description," said +cousin Jennie with mock gravity. "But I have something worth +telling," cried she excitedly, "Louise Rutherford is engaged to Mr. +Noyes. It is really true, for Helen told me that she congratulated +her, and she did not deny it." + +"I expected to hear it before this," said Marguerite somewhat sadly. +"They are to be married early next spring and most likely will go to +Europe." + +Whichsoever way Marguerite directed her thoughts there was always +some reminder of her own gloomy prospects. + +Louise Rutherford's betrothed was an intimate friend of Phillip +Lawson's. Their interests were much in common and in their outward +appearance there was a striking resemblance. + +"Phillip will be the next!" thought the girl "Ah, yes. Heaven never +intended that such a man would not realize his highest and fondest +hopes. He will receive the congratulations of friends and I will +smile and join the pressing throng, while my heart will ache and +throb so wildly. But no human heart ever was so freighted with +sorrow that it had not sufficient resisting power. Ah, no." And the +soft white palms are folded together as if the speaker had invoked a +prayer. + +Jennie Montgomery had also been indulging in some speculative +thoughts, for she stole softly to her cousin's side, and, putting an +arm around the girl's neck, exclaimed, "Madge, darling, I have +longed for a good opportunity to say what I wish, and forgive me if +I make you feel badly." + +Marguerite looked at her companion, and her lips grew deadly pale, +but her manner was calm, and not a shade was visible upon the +madonna-like face. + +"Madge," said Jennie, with excited and wistful gaze, "tell me why +you promised to marry Hubert Tracy. I am certain you couldn't love +him! Oh, Madge! what has prompted you to do anything so dreadful?" + +Marguerite Verne sat like one in some horrible dream, not daring to +move lest she might become the victim of some dread Gorgon or Fury. + +"Speak, Madge, or you will frighten me to death," exclaimed Jennie, +imprinting a warm kiss upon the cold rigid lips. + +The effect was electrifying. + +"Oh! cousin Jennie, you know all! I will not hide it from you. I am +going to marry Hubert Tracy to save my father from the depths of +poverty. Poor mamma shall never know what I am suffering for her +sake; and if I could make a ten-fold sacrifice, I would do it to +bring my darling father back to life and health--but he shall never +know--oh no!" + +"Marguerite Verne!" exclaimed the excited girl, raising her right +hand aloft in wild, appealing gestures, "you will _never_ marry +Hubert Tracy! Heaven could not, or would not, allow it. Oh, no, +Madge! Heaven could never sanction, such an act. Madge," exclaimed +the girl, with all the intensity of her nature, "you are tempting +the Almighty." + +"Jennie, Jennie! spare me! oh, spare me! have some mercy!" cried +Marguerite, sinking at her cousin's feet, and clinging to her with +the force of desperation. + +"Ask me not Madge. I can have no mercy in your case. Think me cruel +as you will, I will always be of the same mind, and mother is +indeed, if anything, a great deal harder upon you." + +"She surely cannot be if she knew all Jennie," said Marguerite in +wild, agonizing tones. + +"She blames you for not having sufficient combativeness to oppose +the influence brought to bear upon you." + +"Surely Aunt Hester cannot think that I would be doing right to go +contrary to the wish of my mother--yes, and all." + +"She does, indeed. She says that you are to obey your parents only +when their motives are honest and right, not otherwise, and you know +well, Madge, that your father, were he in possession of all his +senses, would never sanction such a course; and furthermore, Madge, +I firmly believe that the very thought of it is consuming the few +drops of blood that vainly try to give warmth to the broken heart." + +"Jennie Montgomery, if you have one spark of pity, forbear. It is +cruel to upbraid me with being my father's murderess, when I would +willingly give my life to save him. Oh! Jennie, you cannot mean what +you say. Oh! my poor father." + +Marguerite was now an object of pity. Her hands were clasped above +her head, and in that half-prostrate position she seemed a living +representation of some Grecian maid who, more than two thousand +years in the past, with like struggles, had climbed the marble steps +leading to the Acropolis and with lips pallid as the ivory temple +near, wailed out her woes to the myriads of deities that met her +despairing gaze. + +But for the nonce Jennie Montgomery had steeled her heart and looked +as indifferent as a Zeno. + +"It will do her good. There is more work on hand yet"--these and +other remarks of a like nature escaped the daring girl as she rose +to her feet and glanced at the angry clouds trooping along the grey +November sky like hordes of insatiable warriors bent upon further +deeds of prowess. + +"Cousin Jennie!" + +"Yes, Madge," said the latter going toward her cousin with as much +composure as if their conversation had been of the most common +place. + +"Cousin Jennie," said Marguerite raising herself with an air of +determination, "I thank you for your harsh but wholesome words. They +have given rise to a train of thoughts which I shall soon put to the +test and you, my dear, must await the result." + +"What now, coz? If it be anything that will relieve you from such +disgraceful bonds, I will enter into it body and soul." + + * * * * * + +"Better to-day, dearest papa? I am so glad," and Marguerite rained +kisses upon the emaciated cheeks. + +"And cousin Jennie is here to congratulate you upon looking so +well," Marguerite now motioned her cousin to the bedside. + +"Uncle Stephen," said the girl taking the trembling hands between +her own, "you must hurry and get well for I'm not going to leave +here until you do." + +Marguerite having supplanted the nurse for the entire afternoon and +having taken the precaution to learn from the good old doctor that +her cheerful presence would do good turned the occasion to the best +possible account. + +Side by side sat the two maidens in striking but happy contrast. +Cousin Jennie's neatly fitting frock of wine-colored serge was +relieved by point lace collar and cuffs, the work of her own deft +fingers, while a cluster of white geranium served to complete the +toilet and give a subdued tone to the highly brilliant complexion. + +Marguerite's plain black cashmere with bodice of rich velvet +harmonized most exquisitely with her soft _spirituelle_ beauty +and set off the purity of the purely transparent complexion. + +How many have gazed with tearful eye upon that most bewitching of +portraits, that of Mary Queen of Scots in costume of black velvet, +time-honored ruff, and as reminder of her belief, the massive jet +crucifix was suspended from the most perfect neck that was ever +fashioned by the hand of the Divine Craftsman. + +It is while gazing upon Marguerite Verne that our thoughts carry us +back to the ill-fated queen and as we note the striking personal +resemblance, thank a kind Providence that the maiden's lot has been +cast in happier days and in a land not blighted by the harrowing +associations of those stormy times. + +But to our subject. The dutiful daughter goes softly toward the bed +and raising the shrivelled hand from the snowy coverlid looks into +the languid eyes as if she would read the thoughts which she now +longed to hear. + +"Papa I want to say something. Will you promise me that you will not +get excited. You know I am under orders." + +"Nothing will excite me now my child. Excitement is only fit for the +people of the earth, and I am now already on the verge of another +and I trust a better world." + +Marguerite would fain have urged her father to forbear, but she knew +full well that it was the truth. + +"Well, papa, we are all in the hands of God. He will do what he +thinks is best for us." + +The quivering lips and tremulous tones gave expression to the +overflowing heart, but the girl bore up bravely. + +"Papa, here is my accuser," said she, grasping Cousin Jennie by the +hand and drawing her forcibly to his side. "Now, dearest, tell papa +what you told me in the library." + +Cousin Jennie trembled somewhat. She was alarmed lest her words +might add to the grief of the dying man. But she must not waver now, +and in measured tones she repeated almost word for word the same +conversation which had so deeply affected the sensitive Marguerite. + +Mr. Verne listened, and as the girl proceeded his eye kindled and +his lips moved as if in deep gratitude. + +Cousin Jennie's eyes now flashed upon Marguerite, and as if by +intuition Mr. Verne's also sought his daughter. + +"My child, this may be the last question I shall ever ask you! +Answer me truly! Do you love Hubert Tracy with a deep and tender +love--such a love as a true woman gives to her husband?" + +There was silence deep as death, then a sweet voice, murmured: +"Papa, I know it is sinful, but I cannot! Oh! I cannot love him!" + +"God be praised for these comforting words. Come close my child." + +Marguerite had her face down upon the pillow, calmly awaiting the +loved voice--the voice that ere long would be silent forever! + +Mr. Verne had been tenderly raised to a sitting position, and +supported by pillows, he was comfortable and easy. A smile lighted +up his countenance and he looked calm and happy. + +"Marguerite, my child, in presence of God and his holy angels, I ask +you now to make me a solemn promise--I can ask you now, thank God, +with a feeling of delight--promise me that you will from this hour +renounce that bad and unprincipled man--Hubert Tracy." + +Marguerite was bewildered. What knowledge had of late been imparted +to her father? But it matters not. She is not to question, and with +firm voice, exclaimed: "As Heaven is my witness I hereby break the +bonds that bind me to Hubert Tracy," and as if some invisible aid +had been wafted from that upper world the costly solitaire, diamond +dropped upon the floor and rolled into a darkened recess, where for +the time it was safe from human eyes! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +A TURNING POINT. + + +What a change a few moments often make! They seem of small note and +yet to many lives they have wrought wondrous things. + +Marguerite Verne sought her father's presence with a heart sad as it +were possible to be, and left it some time later with a new light +dawning upon her. A ray of hope had given warmth to her whole being, +and in the inaudible "Thank God" what a world of gratitude was +conveyed. + +But it must not be inferred that the girl had no misgiving. The +picture of the disappointed lover hung before her as a reminder that +her release was purchased at the expense of another's happiness. +Marguerite reasoned with herself. She was of a deep argumentative +turn of mind, though her actions did not always endorse the +statement. + +"How shall I ever have courage to write Hubert!" thought she! "How +shall I pen the words inflicting such a blow! Poor fellow! Whatever +his faults are, and papa must know of some, I am certain he loved +me, and would try to do better. Indeed, the only consoling thought I +had was being the means of making him a better man, but then, it is +dreadful to think of him as having committed some crime! Poor +fellow! he has been led into it," and heaving a deep sigh of relief +Marguerite once more felt truly grateful that she had been rescued +from a fate which now to her seemed terrible. + +"Papa does not seem inclined to explain matters and perhaps is as +well," said she, taking a small portrait from a cabinet putting it +away in a drawer which she seldom opened. "I will not destroy it. +Poor Hubert! some day I may feel even more sympathy than I do now;" +and Hubert Tracy in miniature was consigned to its solitary resting +place. + +Marguerite Verne's words were prophetic indeed. + +She had remained some moments in utter abstraction when Cousin +Jennie hastily entered telling her that Mr. Lawson had just left and +that her father wished to see her. + +"What an early call for Mr. Lawson," thought the girl as she went in +answer to the message. + +Mr. Verne's face caused Marguerite to clutch the chair beside her +for support. + +"Is he dying!" thought she, "dying, and our clergyman from home. Oh, +if he were here to give us comfort." + +But Marguerite was mistaken. Her father's voice was stronger than +usual and his eye kindled with something of the old fervor, then +drawing from beneath his pillow a slip of paper raised it to +Marguerite. + +The latter did not faint or indulge in any hysterical outbreaks as +is fashionable on such occasions but quietly read the lines and with +calm composure stood for a moment as if waiting for some one to +speak. + +"May God have mercy upon his soul! Poor fellow, he had passed away +ere the letter could have reached its destination." + +Mr. Verne spoke these words in a deep reverential air. They were +sacred to the memory of Hubert Tracy. + +Poor misguided young man. He had gone out one bright Sunday +afternoon flashed with the anticipation of his fondest hopes and as +he stepped gaily on board the saucy-looking yacht that awaited him +at the pier a boisterous shout went up from merry-making companions. + +Who among the lookers-on, glancing at the calm sky, would have then +predicted the approaching storm. + +Sad to relate none who went out ever returned to tell the sad story. + +Some waterman who afterwards passed the spot brought back the +tidings that the trim little craft was a complete wreck and that so +far the bodies had not been recovered. + +Strange as it may seem Montague Arnold suddenly aroused himself from +his semi-brutal state and sent a lengthy cablegram to none other +than Phillip Lawson. + +We will not question the motives which prompted this sense of duty. +Let us charitably hope that the impression left by the Divine +Architect was not entirely obliterated, that his last generous act +was due to that source. + +It was the evening of the same day that Marguerite Verne had +received the news of Hubert Tracy's sad end. + +She was in her own chamber, locking perplexed and troubled. "Am I to +blame for his death? Heaven forbid! Did I wish it! Ah no!" then she +thought of Cousin Jennie's prophetic speech and a chill seized her +as of ague. "It is indeed hard to decide between right and wrong. +Will I ever feel real happiness again! Will not the bitter past +come up and taunt me with cruel heartlessness. Would it not have +been better if he had lived! then I would have had an opportunity to +know myself better than now!" + +What causes the girl to start? A well known step is heard on the +stairway, and a voice that has power to thrill every nerve, is heard +in conversation with Cousin Jennie. + +"I cannot see him," murmured Marguerite, "I must not let him think +that I am glad of my release." + +The cosey reception-room was directly underneath, and much of the +conversation within could be distinctly heard. + +Mrs. Verne having sufficiently recovered to make her appearance now +formed one of the company. + +Her manner towards the young solicitor was warmth itself. It was +painfully embarrassing to the sensitive girl to hear the labored +speeches addressed to the guest. + +"It is better that I remain in ignorance, for such knowledge will +only make me act more ridiculous, in fact, I would not be myself +when I was prejudiced to such an extent." + +Marguerite then arose, and stole quietly along the upper hall until +she sought the curious-looking apartment already described in a +preceding chapter. + +Master Charlie and several of his chums were seated around an old +table and were having some fun over that highly intellectual game +known as "old maid" or "old bachelor." + +With an air of gallantry the young gentlemen arose and each had an +impromptu seat for the fair visitor. + +"We are not very presentable to ladies, Miss Verne," remarked a +rather handsome boy of thirteen, possessed with that I-am-a-man look +so amusing and comical. + +"Oh, Madge, what good luck brought you to our den? Come let us make +'old maid' of you, I've been 'old bachelor' six times." + +"And he is afraid that it will turn out so in reality one of these +days!" said out the lad who had not hitherto spoken. + +"I might as well be diverting these children as brooding over real +and imaginary woes. It cannot be wrong. If papa could only look in +upon us now as he often did." + +"I can stay a few moments boys--that is if you will be quick." And +suiting the action to the words Marguerite wedged in between two +curly-headed urchins brimful of fun and mischief and ready for +anything that might honestly be termed a good time. + +"I thought so," exclaimed the jubilant Charlie, clapping his hands +in wild delight, "Madge is old maid." + +A round of applause greeted Charlie's speech and amid the general +confusion Marguerite made a hasty retreat. + +Mrs. Verne's voice could still be heard but with increasing +distinctness and her marked flattery was painfully distressing, but +the girl was careful to avoid the trying ordeal. + +"Eve's letter must be written before I sleep," and instantly +Marguerite was seated in Cousin Jennie's room, where a bright fire +glowed in the grate and everything looked bright and cheerful as the +maiden herself. + +"No gloom can come in here," said the girl in a manner that showed +that she was trying to fortify herself against intruding thoughts. + +"Hubert was kind to Eve, she will surely mourn for him. He was more +attentive than Montague, and I believe had more sympathy." + +It was well for Marguerite that she was ignorant of her sister's +sadly altered condition. As she pens the lines she fervently prays +that Montague Arnold may take warning from his friend's sad fate and +that Evelyn may feel more interested in her husband and give less +concern to the fogies and recklessness of fashionable society. + +Mr. Verne's condition now appeared more favorable. Marguerite was +buoyed up by the thought that it was almost impossible that her +father could be taken away from her. "A kind Providence sees fit to +restore him to us," murmured she as the door closed upon the +venerable benign countenance of their much endeared physician. But +the latter did not hold out false hope. When questioned as to his +opinion he spoke kindly and said that he was doing all that could be +done. + +Another week had flown, and Saturday night was ushered in with a +quiet that was inspiring, reminding one most forcibly of the lines: + + "The cheerfu sapper down, wi' serious face, + They, round the ingle form a circle wide, + The sire turns o'er, wi' patriarchal grace + The big ha' Bible, once his father's pride." + +Though Saturday night at "Sunnybank" presented a different scene the +faithful picture was often presented to Mr. Verne in a way that +filled his soul with a deep religious fervour and inspired him with +a filial reverence for the time-honored custom of his worthy +ancestors. + +But of the present. Marguerite had been reading from the _Church +Witness_, and having finished her task or rather pleasure, sat +down upon a low stool beside the grate, gazing upon the red hot +coals with a far off look in her violet eyes! + +"Has Phillip been here to-day, my dear?" asked Mr. Verne arousing +Marguerite from her reverie. + +"Not to-day, papa." + +"I would like to see him this evening." + +"James can go for him if you wish, papa." + +"Very well, dear, just say that I wish to see him, if at all +possible." + +Marguerite glanced at the tiny alarm clock that stood on the table. +It was nearly eight o'clock, and in all probability Mr. Lawson might +not be found at home, but she gave the message to the trusty errand +boy, and once more was installed as watcher in the sick room, having +an uncomfortable dread of meeting the expectant visitor. + +"James has indeed been successful, papa," cried the girl as she +heard the well-known footsteps in the corridor, then hastily added, +"I shall be in the library, papa. You can ring when I am needed." + +Marguerite had not gone many steps when she stood face to face with +Phillip Lawson. + +Despite her efforts to appear calm the flushed cheeks were a sad +tell tale. + +She reached out her hand in a friendly way but seemed nervous and +embarrassing, a circumstance which might easily be ascribed to the +painful anxiety that at times possessed her. + +"Papa seemed so anxious that I proposed sending for you," said +Marguerite in her winning gentle way. + +"I am glad that you did, Miss Verne; I was just leaving the house as +the message arrived." + +Mr. Lawson was soon seated beside his old friend. + +The latter, within the last few moments, had become much excited and +the young man felt uneasy. + +Mr. Verne, having divined the latter's thoughts, exclaimed, "Don't +be alarmed Phillip, I have much to say before we are through. This +may be the last opportunity--the very last." + +"Never mind sir, you're worth a dozen dead men yet," said Mr. Lawson +in a cheerful voice. + +But the effect was lost upon the dying man. + +"Phillip Lawson," said he, his voice calm and distinct, "I have +asked God to give me strength to-night and I have not asked in vain. +He has been good and merciful to me through it all and on this bed +of affliction I have made my peace with Him." + +A tear shone in the listener's eye and fell upon the floor. + +"God has indeed been good to me. He has revealed Himself in a number +of ways. Not once has He withheld His hand. The plots of the wicked +have been frustrated. When their hands were lifted against me He +laid them low in the dust. Ah Phillip, I have much to be grateful +for." + +Mr. Verne then pointed to a small box which Phillip brought to his +bedside, when a small key was produced. + +"Take this," said he, "and on opening the lower drawer on the right +side of my desk you will see a miniature Japanese cabinet. Bring it +to me." + +Mr. Lawson did as requested, and with trembling hands Mr. Verne drew +forth a paper which he passed to the young lawyer. + +"There is a document, which doubtless you have seen before, at least +I always thought so," said Mr. Verne, eyeing his friend with eager +look. + +"I have indeed, sir, but never would have thought of it being in +your possession." + +It is needless to add the explanation that followed, the reader +being well acquainted with the facts, but we can try to imagine the +joy that leaped into Phillip Lawson's heart. + +Never within so short a time was realized more true happiness. + +"Mr. Lawson," said Mr. Verne, "I want to say a few more words. I +feel that my days are nearly numbered, and that soon my voice will +be silent. It is, indeed, a painful subject, but duty demands it. +Ah! Phillip, what man would have acted towards that unfortunate +youth as you have done. Yours is a generosity that is seldom met +with." + +Mr. Verne seemed for a moment lost in deep thought, then exclaimed: +"Ah! Phillip, God's ways are wonderful. Let us thank Him that the +barriers are broken down--that ere long you may possess the rarest +treasure that this earth can give." + +Mr. Verne's voice sank into a deep whisper as he uttered the solemn +invocation: + +"And now may the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of +Jacob, rest upon thee forever my son." + +The icy fingers which had lain within those of the other, now +relaxed their hold. + +Mr. Lawson seeing that the man was growing weaker, made an excuse to +leave. + +"Phillip," said Mr. Verne in a hoarse tone, "When I have laid in my +grave for three months I want you to show my child that document. +Then plead your suit, and if from my home above it be possible that +it is granted me to witness the scene, I shall pray for you both. +Yes, Phillip, the prayer of an invisible presence shall light upon +you and crown you with a happiness, that will have no end." + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +TIME'S CHANGES--MONTAGUE ARNOLD. + + +Gloomy scenes are not agreeable to the general reader we will now +pass over the period when death and its inevitable sorrow +overshadowed the once festive halls of "Sunnybank." + +A great change had taken place, yet when settlements had been made +the estate was in a better condition than was at first supposed. The +trustees were men of the strictest integrity, who made ample +provision for the afflicted family. + +With feelings of relief and gratitude Marguerite learned that +"Sunnybank" was to be sold for the benefit of the creditors and that +a cosey little home had been provided instead. + +With Mrs. Verne it was otherwise. + +She went from room to room bemoaning her sad lot and wondering if +any other mortal ever had such a cross to bear. Poor woman! It was +hard to teach submission to such a spirit. + +Phillip Lawson was a true comforter. He was not officious, nor was +he remiss, but had a happy faculty of being near when he was most +needed. + +Marguerite was daily losing part of the disagreeable restraint which +had hitherto placed such an inseparable barrier between them, and if +at times she appeared forced and formal it was from a sense of shame +at her mother's undisguised patronage. + +None could now execute Mrs. Verne's slightest wish in a manner like +Mr. Lawson, none could give such friendly advice, in fact none could +do anything but Mr. Lawson. + +The pretty suburban cottage into which Mrs. Verne and Marguerite +were now removed was indeed worthy the name of home. + +Its surroundings alone were sufficient proof. In summer its neat +garden front, vine-clad porch and graceful elms guarding the +gateway! But it was when one entered the inviting hall and glanced +through the several cosey rooms that the home feeling was realized. +A tasteful parlor looking out upon the garden is the spot where we +now care to linger, for seated in a familiar looking arm-chair is +Marguerite. + +She is busy over a piece of Kensington work which has to be ready +for the approaching bazaar. + +"It is well that I am of some service," thought the girl as she +stitched away upon the pretty designs, admiring the artistic groups +of lilies and fern leaves. + +Clad in deep mourning Marguerite was striking in appearance and the +man must be a stoic indeed who could look upon her without feelings +of tender interest. + +Such were Phillip Lawson's sentiments as he was ushered into her +presence. + +"Miss Verne," said the latter on being seated, "I have called this +evening to convey a message from Mr. Spriggins." + +"Was he in the city to-day--and gone back without calling? Well that +is too bad, for I had a message to send to Melindy; there now, that +reminds me of the Christmas cards." + +"He bade me tell you that it was impossible for him to call to-day, +but that he would bring Melindy in on next Tuesday, and I suppose +from that you may expect guests for dinner." + +Christmas was drawing nigh, and the "Sprigginses" were not +forgotten. Marguerite had knitted a handsome scarf to gladden the +large heart of Moses, while a pretty tidy had just been completed +for the new easy chair in Melindy's best room. + +Mr. Spriggins had become a general favorite with the Vernes, and +also with Mr. Lawson. He had dined with the latter a fortnight +previous, and left brimful of gratitude and good wishes. + +Mr. Lawson with all his integrity had been somewhat evasive, but +bear in mind the fact that he is doing so from a sense of duty--a +solemn obligation. + +He did not inform his fair companion that Moses Spriggins had been +detained in his office for more than an hour, and that a serious +compact was entered into between the lawyer and his former client. + +We will not relate the conversation that passed, but let the reader +imagine the look upon Moses' rubicund face when Mr. Lawson presented +the missing document, and made the necessary explanation as to the +means by which it came into his possession. + +"It is a miracle, nuthin' more nor less," exclaimed Moses, his eyes +dancing with delight. + +"Things are a-turnin' out jest as I expected. Wal, I do believe I'll +beat that ere Dr. Wiggins yet! Pity he wa'nt a Kings County feller +too!" + +"But Queens is a pretentious county. She must not be set aside, +Moses," said the solicitor laughing. + +"Wal, there's another subject I have to prophesy on, but I s'pose as +your a modest sort o' chap will hold my tongue. (It was no later'n +last night Melindy was a-tellin' mother I was too long tongued), and +I was only sayin' a word or two about some little family matters. +Wal, I'll keep dark a little bit longer," while Mr. Spriggins gave a +very significant glance towards Mr. Lawson, and enveloping himself +in his home-made ulster went forth to "bide his time." + +And now, while Marguerite is striving to be happy and make others +happy, attending to the wants of the needy and awaiting with anxious +solicitude the arrival of the English mail, we turn to a darker and +sadder picture. + + * * * * * + +"For God's sake don't let them carry me off body and soul! Ah, they +hiss at me with their venomous tongues! Yes! yes, they are crawling +over me! They are sucking the blood in my brain! Evelyn, come to me! +I will not send you away again. Oh, take me out of this fire! I'm +burning! Oh God, I'm burning to death!" + +Such were the incoherent ravings of the shabbily clad creature who +had been found lying in a gutter at the end of a street leading to +an alley in which were several notorious gambling dens. + +Like the parable of the Levite and Samaritan many "had passed by on +the other side," but there are good Samaritans at the present day +and one came in the form of an elderly gentleman with locks of hoary +hair and a benign yet sad expression of countenance. He is +accompanied by a sweet-faced woman and a delicate looking child with +flaxen curls and eyes of heavenly blue. + +"Stay Clarice, we must see who he is, or why he is here," said the +old gentleman putting the child in the care of a friend and +hastening to the scene with the agility of youth. + +"That man was thrown out of that farthest tavern there, sir," said a +raw-boned youth, who was standing with his eyes and month open +awaiting further developments of the case then before him. + +"The same old story, father. They encouraged him until the last +farthing is gone, and then he is turned out to die. Oh! how +horrible," and the woman laid her hand upon her father's arm as if +wishing to get away from the sad and cruel sight. + +"He was once a gentleman, sir," said the youth with the air of one +who knew much of the affairs of the neighborhood, and was anxious to +impress the bystanders. + +The old gentleman beckoned to a couple of policemen, and thus armed +made his way to the infamous den. + +The grey hairs and reverential mien pleaded more than the most +honeyed words, and within a short time all necessary information was +obtained. Amid shrieks and groans, Montague Arnold was placed in a +cab and conveyed to a public hospital, and the good, old Samaritan +went on his way happy in the thought of having done his duty. + +Nor did he rest here. + +On the following day, after having made inquires as to the +unfortunate man's condition, he set forth to find the destitute and +unhappy wife. Five or six hours search in a wretched tenement +habitation, and a sad scene presented itself. + +After climbing the third flight of rickety stairs the old gentleman +sees a shabbily dressed woman, and as he glances at the surroundings +his soul sickens. All is drear and desolate. The apartment is cold, +and a few coals seem trying to keep a little glow that the poor +creature may not succumb to the pitiless element. + +Some coarse shirts are lying upon the rude table--it is the same old +song which Hood made immortal:-- + + "Stitch! stitch! stitch! + In poverty, hunger, and dirt, + Sewing at once, with a double thread + A shroud as well as a shirt." + +"Do not fear madam, I am no bailiff. I have come to bring you to +your husband," said the old gentleman in trembling accents. "Oh +spare me, dear sir! I never wish to see his face again! His brutal +treatment has left me as you now see--this wretched hole and these +dry morsels! Oh God! did I ever think this would be my sad fate!" + +Who could recognize in this wretched-looking creature any semblance +to the peerless proud beauty--Evelyn Verne. + +Ah, surely the proud soul must have passed through the waters of +much tribulation--surely she is humbled in the very dust. + +"I cannot go, sir. Oh no, I cannot go!" exclaimed the woman in +piteous accents, covering her face as if to shut out the sight of +human sympathy. + +"Listen to me, madam," said the old gentleman in his soft touching +way, and then the humiliated woman heard a tale of woe that entered +deeply into her soul. + +What a change those words had wrought--such a change as mortal can +scarcely dream of! + +"I will go with you, sir," said Evelyn with tears streaming, down +her cheeks. + +As she glanced at her threadbare garments a feeling of embarrassment +was visible upon her emaciated face, but it was momentary. + +The good old man led the way and Evelyn followed, but at respectful +distance, and as the frowning edifice rose above them what mortal +could have withheld pity for the almost demented creature! + +"If Marguerite could see me now! And Phil Lawson whom I once +despised. Ah, now he is a prince indeed. I honor him above men!" + +What sentiments for Evelyn Verne! Why such sentiments? One of God's +messengers has at last struck the missing chord and awakened a flood +of divine melody more acceptable to the quiring hosts than the lays +of measured song. + +"This way, my child," says a benign matron in a kind and sympathetic +voice, and Mrs. Arnold stands gazing upon the sadly bloated face of +her husband. + +"Eve, you have come! I am not deserving of such kindness--but it is +nearly over now, I shall trouble you no longer. Oh, if I could undo +the dreadful past what a different life I would lead!" + +"Hush, Montague! we have both been to blame. Not more than an hour +ago I could have cursed you with my whole heart, but now I trust in +God that I am a different being." + +The old gentleman had remained in the hall but was now summoned to +the bedside where he learned the sad story of the wreck of two human +lives. + +"I was selfish and wayward; heartless and cruel. Many wrongs +have been encouraged because it was all right in the eyes of the +hollow-hearted fashionable world. Oh! society! you have much to +answer for!" + +Mrs. Arnold broke down completely, and gave way to heart-rending +sobs. + +"Let her weep," thought the old man, "It will do her good." + +Montague Arnold now raised himself upon the pillow, but the effort +was too much, and he sank back exhausted, murmuring, "It will not be +long." + +"Oh! Montague! my husband," exclaimed the woman, rushing wildly to +his bedside, and putting her arm around his neck, "Oh! my husband, +you must not die. We will began life anew, and each hour atone for +the past." + +"Let us thank a merciful Saviour that atonement has been made both +for you and me, Evelyn." + +"How came my husband to realize such a change," asked the +grief-smitten wife, gazing sadly into the old man's face. + +"The good Chaplain remained with him nearly all night, and on +passing my house this morning came to tell us that the dying man had +indeed become truly penitent." + +"Thank God!" was the fervent reply. + +Evelyn was now left alone with her husband, and she knew that it was +impossible for him to live many days. She strove to smooth his dying +pillow, and give all the consolation that lay within her power. + +It was indeed a sad but tender sight to notice the wistful gaze of +the still lustrous eyes, the hectic flush of the wan cheek, and to +listen to the spasmodic cough which spoke too plainly that hasty +consumption had sought out its victim with unerring aim. + +The physician on going his daily round now entered the ward with a +look of sympathy in his kindly face, and as he glanced at the +careworn creature seated in a corner, felt a sudden pang shoot +through his generous heart. + +Another day dawned and Montague Arnold was yet on this side of the +grave. + +Evelyn went to and from the old lodging, with a firmer step yet with +an aching void at her heart. + +Why did I not see my folly ere it was too late? Ah! mothers, why not +educate your daughters to be sensible beings? But why do I speak +now? It is too late! and drawing her shawl close to keep out the +winter's wind the woman pressed on amid the surging tide of +humanity, pressing against hearts, perhaps, heavy, as her own! + +"Is it an apparition," thought Mrs. Arnold, as she stood for a +moment to gaze upon a lovely child, standing besides her husband's +cot. + +It was surely an angel in disguise sent to cheer his last moments. + +A bouquet of choice flowers shed a delightful fragrance. They are +the gift of the child. + +"This is too sad a place for such innocence," murmurs the invalid, +taking the bouquet and pressing it to his lips. + +"Lalia is accustomed to such scenes, Mr. Arnold, I take her with me +on my daily rounds, that she may see the sorrows of humanity, and I +trust she will never grow so selfish as not to feel for them too." + +"May you receive the greatest reward," cried the wretched Evelyn. +"Ah! much promise is in store for your child." + +The little one glided toward the speaker, and putting the tiny white +arms around her neck, impressed a warm kiss upon the quivering lips. + +"Good-bye, Lalia! When you grow to be a woman wear this for my +sake," and Montague Arnold took from his finger an old-fashioned +ring--the gift of his dying mother. + +The child looked at the precious relic, as if it were too sacred +to touch. Then spoke her thanks through the soft dreamy eyes-- +beautiful as an Italian sky. + +"Good-bye, Lalia," and the child went forth with a sadness prophetic +that from these icy lips those words were the last she would ever +hear. + +And the child was right. On the following day as the sun was sinking +in the west, Montague Arnold was sinking into his last slumber. + +Respiration became difficult, and his words were almost inaudible. +As his wife knelt beside him, and clasped the cold hands within her +own, she tried hard to appear calm. + +"You forgive all, Eve?" + +A kiss upon the rigid lips was the silent but expressive answer. + +A fervent "God Almighty bless you," a faint sigh and Montague Arnold +had sought another and we trust a better home. + +Mrs. Arnold is truly a widow in a strange land, yet He who is the +husband of the widow has not forsaken her. The aged gentleman, his +dutiful daughter and the lovely Lalia have given her the warmest +sympathy, and taken her to their snug and cosey home. + +Only a few weeks had passed away since Evelyn had written +Marguerite, but how much had transpired in that time? It was when +she had received a second letter that the thought occurred that she +had been remiss. + +"Marguerite, sweet girl! she will never knew what I have suffered," +and with these words upon her lips Mrs. Arnold sat down and penned +as much of her sad story as she then thought fit to confide. + +"That is all," murmured the writer folding up the blurred page and +addressing the letter. Then for the first time since the days of her +happy, sunny childhood Evelyn Arnold took up a neatly bound +Testament. She had an indistinct remembrance of something concerning +the prodigal son and now wished to know for herself. + +The sad, pathetic picture soon possessed a charm and the story was +read over many times ere the volume was laid aside. + +"Thank God," mused the reader and the words were wafted aloft until +they reached the + + ----"Kingly palace gate; + With frontispiece of diamond and of gold + Embellished." + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +THE LIVING PRESENT. + + +The bitter, cold days of winter are nearly at an end. The forces of +nature are now exhausted and the elements have settled down into +quiet rest. + +"How time flies!" exclaimed the solicitor glancing at the calendar +opposite his desk. "Three months to-day since I made that promise." + +Phillip Lawson looked happy. His office had a cheerful aspect, and +his surroundings seemed to indicate that the young man was contented +and happy. + +"Four o'clock and the fellow is not here! Well, I can afford to be +disappointed to-day. It matters not." And putting on his great coat +Phillip Lawson made his way down town and as he strode along at a +rapid gate we were not surprised to hear one of the "oldest +inhabitants" remark "Gracious! what a fine strapping fellow that +young Lawson has got to be. I bet he'd turn the scales at one +hundred and eighty." + +The evening of the same day another scene is before us. + +A graceful figure is seated beside the grate of the neat, cosey +parlor which we have hitherto admired. + +A deep blush rises upon the maiden's cheek as she turns over the +leaves of the handsome volume lying in her lap. What causes that +blush? What latent property lies hid in a withered moss rose? What +beauty to arrest a maiden's eye? + +These are questions to be decided by the fair ones who perhaps in +like manner have treasured away, far from human eyes, a few, petals +of a withered rose or perhaps "only a pansy blossom." + +Ah, the tell tale crimson that will betray Marguerite in spite of +all her grand theories of will power! + +"It is Phillip!" and the rapid beat of that uncontrollable organ +sends the crimson flood surging over the marble brow with redoubled +force. + +"Pardon my coming to-night, Miss Verne. It is on a sacred mission--a +solemn obligation to the dead." + +Phillip Lawson's voice was husky, and his muscular frame vibrated +with the depth of emotion. + +Marguerite grew pale, but the young man's reassuring words brought +relief. + +"It is nothing to grieve for. It is somewhat unpleasant for us all, +but we must not consider our feelings." + +A familiar face greets the young man with a pleasing smile. + +Mrs. Arnold is indeed a changed woman. She is now a true friend an +honorable and honest friend. + +The once peerless beauty is no longer a silly, heartless nobody, but +a being with feelings, and aspirations of a higher kind; and as she +stands before us much altered in appearance, with much of the former +beauty gone, we can indeed rejoice that in its place is a happy, +soft subdued expression that makes even the plainest face comely and +fair to look upon. + +"I am glad that you have come Mr. Lawson, I have been thinking of +you the whole evening. I have so much to ask you about papa. It +seems that I never can get him out of my mind. I can see him now +looking so interested, just as he did when you happened to come to +'Sunnybank.' Oh! Mr. Lawson, will I ever cease to feel the deep +remorse that is almost killing me." + +"That is just the way she goes on from morning till night," +exclaimed Mrs. Verne, who now entered, and extended her hand to her +guest in a quiet and kindly way. + +The young man was at a loss for words, and thinking it best to say +nothing just then, suddenly held up the missing document. + +"This is the promise I made Mr. Verne," said he, addressing himself +to Mrs. Verne, then placing the letter in Marguerite's hand. + +The latter glanced at the contents, and trembled violently. + +Mrs. Arnold was the first to speak. + +"Is it the confession of a murder, Mr. Lawson. It must be something +terrible." + +"Bead it for yourself," said Marguerite, awaking from her stupor. +"Truly God has watched over us from the first. Oh! mamma, think what +I have escaped." + +"Hush! Marguerite. Let us never refer to the past again," said Mrs. +Arnold, with a calm resignation so characteristic of the noble +spirit which now actuated her. + +"Phillip Lawson, you have proved the truest friend that my father +ever had. You have been true to us all, and we little deserved such +sacrifice. Many a time I have held you up to ridicule when I knew in +my heart that you were honest and good." + +Marguerite had noiselessly stolen from their midst. She was deeply +overcome and nature must have its way. + +"You will pardon me, Mrs. Arnold, if I give you the same advice +which you thought fit for your sister--_let us forget the past and +live only for the present_." + +Phillip Lawson was somewhat agitated. A clear, steady light shone in +the intellectual gray eyes, and a noble resolve was written in +relief upon the generous face. + +"Mrs. Verne, I have something further to say." And the young man +repeated the conversation which took place when the document was +brought from its resting place when Mr. Verne had invoked his last +blessing upon those whose happiness was so dear to him. + +"Mr. Lawson, I will also add _my_ blessing, and may Heaven +shower upon you all the happiness that such as you deserve," then +taking the young man's hand and pressing it to her lips Mrs. Verne +withdrew to her own room. + +"Bless you, Phillip. You are all to me that a brother can be," and +leaning her head against the stalwart frame Mrs. Arnold gave vent to +the pent-up grief and wept like a little child. + +Phillip Lawson sat for some moments after they had left the room. +His eyes were bent upon the floor and his face was grave indeed. + +"Evelyn has told you all, Marguerite?" said the young man rising +from his seat and approaching the spot where the girl stood smiling +through her tears--like golden sunshine through an April shower. + +"And I have come, Phillip." + +Who can picture the joy those words gave? + +"Marguerite, my own! mine forever!" exclaimed the enraptured lover +pressing the maiden to his breast and impressing upon her lips such +kisses as only a pure, noble-minded man can give. + +Oh, the bliss of that happy betrothal hour, when two souls are +forever made one--when two hearts outwardly estranged at last find +the realization of their earthly bliss! + +Phillip Lawson goes forth from the cosey home as the affianced +husband of Marguerite Verne and with him go our heart's best wishes +for a life to be crowned with all the happiness that this world can +give. + +Poor Mrs. Verne. She may at times have felt somewhat disappointed +when she thought how surely she could have had a baronet for a +son-in-law, but in charity for the woman's weakness we will forbear. + +It is really wonderful how quickly news travels. Not a week had +passed ere Mr. Spriggins came in with a double share of +congratulation from himself and Melindy. + +"I tell ye what it is Mr. Lawson, I'm ahead of Wiggins, for I've +never failed in one of my prophesies. They're every one a-comin' +true jest as I said," and Mr. Spriggins slapped his friend on the +shoulder with a force worthy his muscular frame. + +"You know I hinted about it at my weddin' and you looked sorter shy +and put me off, and you had it in yer head all the time. Wal, I'm +beginnin' to think men's as deceivin' as wimin." + +Mr. Lawson made a few appropriate remarks and Mr. Spriggins began to +think "it was nigh about time for startin'" when suddenly he jumped +to his feet exclaiming, "I do believe I'd a-gone off without tellin' +you the most thrillin' story that you'd ever heard. That ere thing +just put me in mind of it," added he, pointing to a circular of the +Dominion Safety Fund. + +"I remember Miss Verne a-tellin' me that it was the best consarn in +the Dominion and I do believe now she's turned out a prophet too. +Now to my story (as they say in love affairs)," and giving his +waistcoat a vigorous pull Mr. Spriggins resumed-- + +"You know them ere Wiggleses that Melindy used to be jealous of? +Wal, they had a cousin, Jerushy Cursye, and she married a fellar +that used to work up at Deacon Jones's. Wal, to make a long and a +short of it, they were spliced and came to live on a new farm out in +the backlands. Wal, sir, they had a purty tough time gettin' along +for the first year or so, but Jerushy was study as a rock and made +things go as far as the next one I kin tell you, and so when they +were five years in the log house they began to think of gettin' up a +frame house and puttin' on considerable airs; and one day I tackled +Bill and says I, look here, Bill, if you want to make a good +investment (a purty good word for me, Mr. Lawson)," said Moses with +a wink, "I'll put you on the track." + +"Good gracious! yes, Moses, says he, it seems I must have had sich a +feelin' meself, for I was a-wonderin' yesterday what I could do to +make Jerushy and the family sure of a good livin'." + +"Safety is the word, says I, and as soon as you could say Jack +Robinson, I explained the bisness, and next day Bill made an excuse +to go to town and came home $1000 richer." + +"That was the man you had in here about a year ago," said Mr. +Lawson, with an air of interest. + +"The very one. Poor Bill! he had no notion of cheatin' the consarn, +for he was hearty as a bear, but he took a cold in the woods, and +gettin' bad treatment it turned to consumption, and he died in less +than no time. + +"Poor Jerushy took it dreadful hard, and the nabers was a wonderin' +all the time how she could get along--for you know Mr. Lawson, that +a farm ain't much good without a man or hired help. Wal, sir, what +do you think--it was no more nor three or four days after the +funeral that a letter came to inform the widder that she was to +receive $1000 for her late husband's policy. + +"Well, sir," exclaimed Moses, with a twinkle of the big blue eyes, +"It was equal to a circus to see how the folks flocked from all +parts to hear if the story was true, and I believe there was a good +many of the wimin folks jealous of Jerushy's streak of luck." + +The lawyer burst into a genuine and hearty laugh, then exclaimed, +"Moses I am afraid that you are rather uncharitable towards the fair +sex." + +"Wal, now sir, because you've happened to fall heir to a terrible +nice gal, you needn't think they're all angels, for they ain't by a +long chalk." + +Mr. Spriggins now made a stride towards the door. + +"Bless me if it ain't later'n I thought. The goin' is terrible bad +and Melindy will be kinder anxious, so good-bye," and the loquacious +Moses made his exit in a style that might not, strictly speaking, be +considered "good form." + +But the postscript most be attended to in the form of a second +appearance. + +"I say, Mr. Lawson, when are you a-comin' out? Can't you come some +Sunday, and bring Miss Verne and Miss Lottie and be sure and send us +word, so as Melindy can have a fire in the best room, and a dinner +fit for city folks." + +"You may see us all out there some day when you least expect us," +said the young man, smiling in his peculiar way. + +"All right, sir! Off this time, sure. Don't forget to tell the +insurance man about the nine-days' wonder up at the Crossin'," and +with this parting injunction, Moses disappeared in good earnest. + +An hour later, as the latter is jogging along the king's highway +happy as mortal can be, Phillip Lawson is indulging in a quiet +reverie beside his bright, cheerful fireside. + +Though possessed of much means there is no attempt at display in the +pretty tasteful cottage. + +The young solicitor had too much good taste, culture, and breeding, +to follow in the wake of shoddyism. He was a true gentleman, and as +such he cannot take a false movement either to the right or the +left. + +What glorious day dreams can now be woven from the golden threads of +happy thought? + +Phillip Lawson is happy, indeed. He thinks of the fair maiden who +hourly awaits his coming with the flush of fond expectation mantling +the delicate cheek, and as he gazes upon the faithful portrait of +his betrothed, murmurs, "Is there aught on earth so pure and true as +thee my own--my Marguerite." + + "Confiding, frank, without control, + Poured mutually from soul to soul, + As free from any fear or doubt, + As is that light from chill or stain + The sun into the stars sheds out, + To be by them shed back again." + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +THE NORTHWEST REBELLION. + + + "The great heart of the nation heaves + With pride in work her sons have done well, + And with a smile and sigh she weaves + A wreath of bays and one of _immortelle_." + --_Toronto Mail_ + +It is the spring of 1885--a memorable one to many a bereaved +household. The Northwest Rebellion is at its height and our +brave-hearted volunteers are starting to the front "to do or die." + +On that lovely May morn many a patriotic mother looked on her +first-born with a smile of encouragement upon her lips and a dull +aching at her heart. And that boy's farewell kiss! It lingers, oh so +lovingly, upon the quivering lips and pale cheek! But the brave soul +can suffer this much and more if her country needs it. She can send +all--husband, son and brother. Ah, yes, the true heroes are oftenest +found at the quiet fireside, or in some sequestered spot on a lonely +hillside, where, surrounded by the orphaned ones, they struggle on +and on--on to the goal where all such deeds are crowned with a crown +of victory that is unfading. + +We need scarcely speak of that time when our beloved New Brunswick +mustered her little band of heroes, when each county gave its share, +when each vied in patriotic ardor and enthusiasm. It is well known +to all. And who among the countless throng that gathered at the +Intercolonial Railway Station of St. John did not feel a thrill of +emotion that perhaps he or she would never feel again? + +And there were many of our friends--aye, all that could go--were +there. + +Marguerite Verne, with face of angelic purity, stood bidding adieu +to the dear ones. Beside her was Mrs. Arnold draped in her mourning +weeds and looking indeed a changed woman--a woman with a heart now +ready to sympathize with others and ready to do aught that duty +dictated. + +"I thought I'd see all the folks here!" exclaimed a voice and Mr. +Spriggins is instantly beside them, his honest face beaming with +patriotic pride. + +"Wal, wal, it is wonderful to see sich a crowd. I wouldn't a-missed +it for a good deal," cried he, looking around with an air of +bewilderment. + +Mr. Spriggins soon became _more_ excited. The York contingent, +including the Infantry School Corps, now arrived, and judging from +the appearance of the surging mass that formed the escort and moved +to the martial strains of the I.S.C. Band, there never was a more +genuine expression of Canadian loyalty. And the eulogiums passed +upon the worthy little band were heard on every side--"What fine, +orderly-looking fellows. They'll compare favorably with any of the +regulars." True saying, indeed, New Brunswick has a right to be +proud of her volunteers. They are ever ready to respond to the call +of duty, and to the end maintain the reputation of the British +soldier. + +But of our friends. Marguerite felt sad indeed. She had witnessed +the parting of an aged mother and her youngest boy, and a mist now +shaded the thoughtful eyes. + +Phillip Lawson next joined the group. + +"I need not ask if you are going, Mr. Spriggins," said he smiling, +"as I see you are minus the uniform." + +"But I'm true blue all the same, sir. I tell you the Spriggins are +never skulkin' when they're wanted. Jim Spriggins goes without any +coaxin' and if it w'ant that I can't get away from Melindy I'd go +too." + +"Your brother volunteered, I suppose," ventured Mrs. Arnold, with an +air of interest. + +"Indeed he did, ma'am, he and another fellar from the Crossin', and +I brought 'em down." + +Mr. Spriggins made a flourish with his brawny arm and beckoned to +the young men who now were introduced, and received warm +congratulations. + +As cheer upon cheer rose from the crowd Moses became half frantic +with enthusiasm. + +"Tell ye what it is, Mr. Lawson, them's the fellars to scare the +half-breeds. Bet your life on't, they'll soon make quick work of the +Injuns round Frog Pond and Cut Knife Creek." + +Marguerite could ill repress a smile as she caught sight of Lottie +Lawson's face, so expressive of quaint humor and mischief. + +And now the historic air--"The Girl I Left Behind Me," falls on +every ear. Those inspiring strains played by the 62nd Fusiliers Band +as the train moved off amid deafening cheers and shouts of "God +bless you," will ever be remembered as souvenirs of that eventful +morn, recalling the enthusiasm which then burst forth from the heart +of every true Canadian. + +"It seems too bad that they had to go because Riel had to get up +such a fuss. Why don't they get him and kill him off before he will +have the chance of killing many of our brave fellows." + +The girl spoke with considerable force as she finished her speech. + +"Bravo! little sister," cried Phillip, patting the flushed cheeks by +way of applause. + +"And you think the guverment did the square thing by them ere +half-breeds, do you?" + +"Certainly, Mr. Spriggins. What right had they to sell out their +claims and go and settle on any place they wished without making any +recompense whatever. How do you think affairs would end if they were +allowed to go on without any stop being put to them?" + +"Wal now, see here, Miss Lottie, I believe you'd make as good a +lawyer as your brother. Spose you've a-learned this from his +discourse and sich like. Wal, I b'lieve the guverment is right, and +at the nixt 'lection I'll remember every word you've said. I allus +thought they was the squarest fellars we've ever had yet--them +fellars that got out this ere policy." + +"The National Policy; Mr. Spriggins," ventured Marguerite, +smilingly. "People may talk to the contrary but it has done much to +improve matters. I am not a politician but I must say I like the +National Policy and hope it may exist while there is need of it." + +"Wal done, Miss Verne, I b'lieve you could lecture better'n some of +them fellars that come up lection times. I'm sure they could'nt hold +a candle to you." + +A general laugh succeeded and Mr. Spriggins was delighted to think +he had made such well-timed remarks. + +The party had now arrived at the corner of Coburg and Charlotte +streets when the latter hastily exclaimed. + +"By Jiminey! I must go and see about a tub that a woman was to leave +for me in the market. It's a good thing I did'nt forgit; for Melindy +would have my head off." + +"I don't think Melindy is so dreadful as you seem to say, Mr. +Spriggins," ventured Lottie, who had gone a few steps in advance, +but now turned face to face with the jubilant Moses. + +"Will we wait dinner for you, Mr. Spriggins?" asked Marguerite, +looking earnestly at the sturdy son of toil as if she knew the full +value of the rough but generous nature. + +Marguerite was one of the few who could fully appreciate the lines +of Scotland's gifted bard-- + + "A king can make a belted knight, + A marquis, duke, and a' that. + But an honest man's aboon his might, + Guid faith he maunna fa' that." + +She had moral courage to stand up boldly for those whom the +fashionable world would sneer at. She was not ashamed to recognize a +plainly-dressed acquaintance in the most public thoroughfare, nor +did she ever make an excuse to be pre-occupied when approached by +some coarse but well-meaning inferior. + +Other subjects now crowd upon us. + +Aunt Hester once more gladdens the Verne cottage with her cheering +presence. Sunshine follows every step of the happy and hearty +matron. + +"_Not a bit older_, you say, Evelyn. Now I did'nt come here to +be made fun of in that style. It was no later than this morning that +your Uncle William told me I was greyer than he! Now there's +conflicting opinions enough for one day," and the hearty laugh that +followed showed that Mrs. Montgomery was as full of life as ever. + +"William was afraid that you might grow conceited in your old age," +said Mrs. Verne in a languid manner. To do justice to the latter it +must be said that she was more natural than the Mrs. Verne of +fashionable "Sunnybank." + +"That's just what Jennie told him, Matilda," said Mrs. Montgomery, +taking down a pretty panel that Marguerite had just finished. + +"It is exquisite," added she viewing the picture from several +points, in order to study the most striking effect of light and +shade. + +"Do tell me, Matilda, have you ever heard of the Lister family? Did +they go back to their delightful Parnassus and revel in the music of +their delectable Castalian spring?" + +The mock gravity of the speech afforded considerable merriment. + +"You have surely heard of the grand match which Urania made," said +Mrs. Verne. "Why it was announced in most of the leading Canadian +papers." + +Poor Mrs. Verne! She almost betrayed her besetting sin, but Mrs. +Montgomery, good soul, seemed unconcious of the fact. + +"Only think," cried Marguerite, "of Urania talking up those sublime +theories to Sir George Vandewater of Cornwall." + +"A Cornish knight," cried Mrs. Montgomery, clapping her hands with +genuine glee. + +"And sixty years into the bargain," chimed in Evelyn. + +"You are rather severe, my dear," said Mrs. Verne, addressing her +daughter in a somewhat petulant tone, then turning to her sister +added, "Evelyn wishes to imply that Sir George is sixty. I can't see +that he ought to pass for an old man. I've heard that he does not +look an hour over forty; and twenty thousand a year Hester." + +"He needs it all! poor man! for he will have a sorry time of it," +said Mrs. Montgomery in a tone of mock compassion. + +"But that's not the best of it, Aunt Hester, I must tell you the +biggest joke you ever heard," cried Fred. Verne, now a handsome +and intelligent stripling of eighteen, who had just appeared on the +scene in time to have his say also. "You know that they went to +Ottawa about a year ago, and shortly afterwards I found a copy of +the Ottawa _Times_ with an announcement that the Misses +DeLister of New Brunswick were the guests of Mrs. Geoffrey Renfrew." + +"DeLister," cried Mrs. Montgomery, between fits of laughter. "Well, +Fred, that is the best joke, indeed! No wonder they caught the poor +Cornish baronet." + +Mrs. Verne did not relish her sister's raillery, but she had gained +enough sense to say very little about the Listers and their stroke +of good luck. + +"I don't know how many letters I commenced with 'Dear Cousin +Jennie,' and just as I got the length of the Listers new title +something always happened to prevent my finishing." + +"You need not try to invent any excuses to Cousin Jennie for your +remissness my dear little brother," cried Marguerite, giving the +youth a sisterly embrace with her fair arm, and running her fingers +through the meshes of clustering curls. + +"What a pity we never thought of that dodge before," cried Fred, +brimming over with mischief. "I tell you what DeVerne would have +stood high at Ottawa." + +"Can't you let the poor Listers alone, Fred," exclaimed Evelyn, +trying hard to look serious, as she glanced at the life of the house +wedged in beside Aunt Hester on the dainty little sofa. + +Evelyn now arose to give some orders for tea, Marguerite glanced +over the evening paper, and seeing that Aunt Hester and her mother +were on the eve of a quiet chat went to her own room. It was in the +gloaming and the girl enjoyed that hour more than words can tell. +Her thoughts were happy ones. All was now bright and fair, and if at +times she took a retrospective glance at the unhappy past it gave +her more cause to be thankful. It always brought up a quotation from +a sermon which she heard in a church in Fredericton-- + + "Night shows the stars; affliction shows the man." + +And true indeed. Affliction showed the true Christian piety of the +lovely Marguerite. It brought out all the inherent beauty of her +nature, and when on certain days she prayed for those who had been +tempted to destroy the happiness of her betrothed it was always +thus: "They are only human! God forgive them!" + +Apropos of Hubert Tracy's accomplices, we may say they were allowed +to go unpunished. + +"Marguerite," exclaimed Phillip Lawson, taking the taper fingers +within his own. "We are too happy to wish any ill upon a human +creature. Let us trust in God, they may yet to see the great wrong +they tried to commit upon a fellow being; and may they feel such +remorse as will be productive of true penitence." + +And the young man did not pray in vain. Messrs. Sharpley & Connors +felt much chagrined as they heard through the medium of the press of +the prosperity of the young and talented lawyer and often +experienced a feeling of uneasiness when they thought how matters +might have terminated. And who will not say that at times there +arose before them a great tribunal where they must answer for the +projected crime. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +THE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY--CONCLUSION. + + + "Farewell! a word that must be, and hath been-- + A sound which makes us linger,--yet--farewell." + --_Byron_. + +"Gracious, Melindy; one would think the half-breeds were a-comin'. +For mercy sake come out and hear the rumpus." Moses Spriggins had +rushed into the kitchen, his eyes ready to start from their sockets. + +Melindy was busy frying pancakes and setting the table for the +evening meal. + +"Now, don't bother me; you see the cakes is a-burnin' already,"-- +but Melindy did not complete the sentence for the toot of a horn +near the barnyard proved that her better half had some grounds for +his conjecture. + +"It's a gang of roughs a-tryin' to git somethin' to steal. By +jiminey! we'll settle em' sure as our name is Spriggins," and Moses +made a rush for the guns and ammunition with all possible haste. + +"Great scott! they're a-comin' round to the front door." + +"I say! Mr. Spriggins, this is a nice reception for invited guests; +open the door and let us in." + +The words had the effect of magic. The door opened and revealed +Moses and Melindy armed for fight with a good supply of ammunition +in the foreground. + +The scene that followed baffles description. The ludicrous +expression upon the face of host and hostess is something to be +imagined. + +The roars of laughter were deafening and it was some time before +Phillip Lawson could make an attempt towards explanation. + + * * * * * + +"A what-do-ye-call-it weddin', Miss Lottie?" cried Moses, now +re-appearing on the scene with his best clothes on, plus a flaring +red necktie to match Melindy's "peerin out dress." + +"A variety wedding, Mr. Spriggins. Now, you are not to blame any of +the others for not sending you word because I made each one promise +that it would be kept a surprise." + +"Wal, I can tell you, it is a nice surprise, but I felt kinder +skeered at the fust, eh Melindy!" + +The latter looked quite bridish with her maroon dress and lace +ruffles and white flowers--the same which she purchased at +Manchester three years previous, still as fresh as if bathed in +morning dew. + +And the number of guests! + +It was no wonder that Mr. Moses Spriggins was in a state of dire +confusion as he surveyed the smiling throng of intelligence, grace +and beauty, and last, but not least, the pretty and becoming +costumes of the fair wearers. + +Foremost in the group is Marguerite Verne. "She looks too good +for anything," says the enthusiastic host as he contemplates the +sweet maiden in a neat black satin frock relieved by a spray of +forget-me-nots and pansies. + +"And Miss Lottie, what shall I call you--a great big doll with a red +shiny dress on." + +"Moses Spriggins, I'm ashamed of your ignorance; why it's pink +veiling Miss Lottie has on, and I'm sure she looks nicer than any of +them china-faced dolls in shop winders." + +"Wal, wal, Melindy, you wimin folks oughter know mor'n men folks," +replied Moses rushing out of the front door to see if the "hosses +were all seen to." + +The best room never appeared to more advantage than on this festive +occasion. The old-fashioned looking glass seemed to take pride in +reflecting the pretty faces and sunny smiles, while the cheerful +fire on the hearth played hide-and-seek with the brazen andirons, +and sent out a glow of warmth that was emblematic of the big warm +welcome of the generous family. + +Each guest had to receive a share of Mrs. Spriggins' eulogium, and a +lively time ensued. + +But the crowning event of the evening was a still greater surprise. + +Mrs. Spriggins had been summoned to the kitchen for a few moments, +and on her return to the best room saw a sight that almost took away +her breath. + +The tables, chairs, and every inch of available space were crowded +with such, a variety of useful and pretty articles that one might +imagine himself in Blanchard's. + +Poor Moses was for the moment speechless, first looking at one guest +and then at another. + +Mr. Lawson now came forward, and in a few well-chosen remarks +addressed the host and hostess, and on behalf of the company +tendered congratulations on the third anniversary of their marriage. + +Wreathed in smiles the host arose to reply. + +"Ladies and gentlemen," said the latter giving his cravat a very +artistic touch, "if Mr. Lawson wa'nt a lawyer I'd a-tried to say +somethin', but I can't get a word out nohow, only Melindy and me +will never forgit your kindness--and the skeare." + +The applause that followed was long and loud, and as the good host +made a hasty exit from the room, Marguerite did not fail to see the +big tear that rolled down the sunburnt cheeks. + +"And you noticed it too, my darling," whispered Phillip to his +bethrothed, as he gained her side. + +"Yes Phillip, I was just thinking that those tears were more +precious than pearls--the essence of real gratitude." + +"God bless you, my own," said the lover, seizing the little hand, +and folding it so tenderly within his own. + +But the time is not for love-making scenes, and the pair are aware +of the fact. + +Marguerite is ready to assist in doing anything that she can, and +the guests now begin to make merry in real earnest. + +A neighbor who could "perform upon the violin" was despatched for by +the enthusiastic Moses, and the light fantastic was in indulged in +with a zest, and all is "merry as a marriage bell." + +Let us glance at some of the familiar faces as they pass to and fro +through the figures of a quadrille. + +Mrs. Arnold is opposite us, looking quiet and content. She is happy +in the thought that she is trying to do her duty, and by striving to +live for others to atone for the past. + +"You are doing nicely, Mr. Spriggins," says she to her partner, by +way of encouragement. "I believe that you make fewer mistakes than I +do." + +"Wal, they say one has to creep a-fore they walk, so I spose I can't +be a dabster at the bisness yet--but jist look at them folks." + +"Them folks" were Miss Lottie and a graceful young man who bore a +striking resemblance to the young solicitor. The latter was Mr. Tom +Lawson who had grown up an intelligent, manly fellow, and on having +shown much ability as a civil engineer, had been appointed to a +lucrative government position at Campbelltown. + +Lottie hailed with delight her brother's flying visit, and when the +two sallied forth to purchase a neat and chaste toilet set her +delight was unbounded, and when the said articles occupied a +conspicuous place among the wedding presents no guest was happier +than this impulsive little maiden. + +"But can't that insurance man fling himself in great style," cried +the radiant Moses, eyeing a certain official of the Dominion Safety +Fund who, at Miss Verne's request, was also a guest. + +Mrs. Arnold smiling at her partner's earnestness, cast a glance +towards the object of the remark then replied, "It was so kind of +Mr. ---- to join us as his time is limited." + +"Wal, one good turn deserves another, Mrs. Arnold, for Miss Verne +praised up that consarn so that I went right off and got all I could +to join it, so you see all through this life it's give and take?" + +"Quite true, Mr. Spriggins, but we don't always live up to that +principle," said the other with a shade of sadness in her tone. + +Mr. Spriggins had penetration enough to see in what, direction Mrs. +Arnold's thoughts were drifting and his discretion came to his aid. + +"Wal, this ere affair will be a nine-days wonder among the nabers, +the folks will be so jealous that they'll not come to have a squint +at the brick-nacks--that's what you call them ere ornaments and sich +things ain't it?" + +"Bric-a-brac, Mr. Spriggins," replied Mrs. Arnold, in the mildest +manner possible; also trying to appear serious. + +"Wal, I'll be jist like Melindy. When she's a-puttin on airs before +the nabers sometimes she'll tell 'em she ain't out enough now to +know sich and sich things!" + +The music ceased before Mrs. Arnold had time to reply, and with an +air of awkward gallantry Mr. Spriggins led his partner to a seat. + +"Never say again that you can't dance, Mr. Spriggins," cried the +exuberant Lottie, bounding toward the latter with the grace of a +fairy, "and be sure to remember that you are my partner for the next +round dance." + +"Round dance," said Moses in perplexity. + +"A polka for instances, Mr. Spriggins!" + +"Oh, yes, when I used ter go to school the gals used to have me +a-dancin'--this is the way it goes Miss Lottie," and instantly Mr. +Spriggins was performing sundry evolutions to his own accompaniment +of "I've got a polka trimmed with blue." + +"If that Moses ain't a-makin' a guy of himself a-dancin' I'd like to +know," cried Melindy, as she emerged from the kitchen and caught a +view of her better half in his inimitable polka feat. + +But Mr. Spriggin was unconcious of the fact and nothing happened to +mar the effect of the successful attempt. + +The brilliant Louise Rutherford might indeed claim more than a +passing thought; her striking beauty was never more conspicuous that +when surrounded by her most intimate friends and partaking of the +hospitality of Mr. Moses Spriggins. + +With due respect to host and hostess, the young ladies had appeared +in their most bewitching toilets, and in response to Marguerite's +playful reminder, "Louise, it is a wedding celebration," the latter +had donned a handsomely-trimmed garnet silk relieved by a heavy gold +necklace, while a broad band of gold crowned the dusky hair and made +a fitting coronet for the dark-eyed Houris. + +"I cannot realize that you are going away so soon, Helen. It is +selfish to wish that you would remain this winter, but self is my +besetting sin." + +Helen Rushton put her plump white arm around the speakers waist, and +thus they sat for several minutes. + +Helen was to start for home on the first of the week following, and +her companions could not bear the thought. Louise Rutherford loved +the girl as a sister, and though their natures were strongly in +contrast there was a firm bond of sympathy between them. + +"Just think Louise how many changes have taken place since I came? +Who then would have dreamed that Josie Jordan would become a +clergyman's wife?" + +"Think!" said Louise, with considerable feeling, "I dare not let +myself think, each day brings its own thoughts. Life to me is made +up of enigmas and puzzling contradictions, and not being endowed +with an extra amount of brain power content myself with the +comforting words--''tis folly to be wise.'" + +"What shall I call you, Louise, a pessimist?" + +"For goodness sake! Helen, be moderate. Remember that a successful +speaker always adapts himself to the capacity of his hearers." + +"What's all this about? preaching I suppose--something about +hearers! Jennie Montgomery!" cried both girls in concert. + +Cousin Jennie was truly the ruling spirit of the party. She was +ready for anything that was proposed and met each difficulty with a +happy solution. + +Had Louise Rutherford gone further into the subject of changes she +might have claimed the bright eyed Jennie as illustration. + +A change had come to happy "Gladswood," Leslie Graham had won the +esteem of aunt Hester, and in return had gained the heart of her +daughter. + +The fond mother does not regret her loss for she knows that the +young man is possessed of all those traits of character which are +truly noble and elevating, and which cannot fail to bring happiness +to her whose happiness is his only concern. + +Ah! yes, in Jennie Montgomery's face one can read her secret. She +loves and is loved in return and that is all we wish to know. + +A few minutes later, by a happy coincidence, there is a quartette +grouped together in careless but artistic style. + +"This reminds me of a morning at 'Sunnybank.' Do you remember it +Madge?" + +A slight quiver of the pretty lips was followed by a faint blush-- +Helen Rushton raised her hand as if to gain audience. + +"That is intended for me girls. I am the only one who is not +engaged. I was at 'Sunnybank' on the morning to which Miss Louise +refers, and certainly I was the one who made the remark." + +"Helen is mistaken, I think," said Marguerite in her soft, sweet +way. + +"She is indeed," said Louise, with much earnestness. "It was while +we were in the library, and all sitting together Josie Jordan +suddenly called out: 'Girls where will we all be two years from now? +That two years expired yesterday, and the thought now occurred to me +as we became grouped together in the old familiar way." + +"Forgive me, Louise, darling, I am too impulsive. Let us now take on +two more years and hope that when the time expires we will be as +happy then as now." + +"Heaven grant it thus," was the fervent prayer of each, though the +words were unsaid, and as the merry party returned homeward full of +life and gaiety there were none who felt happier than Marguerite +Verne and her three companions. + + * * * * * + +A glorious autumn day in 1886 brings together a joyous and happy +group--the old familiar one. The hostess of the luxurious home is +the wife of Phillip Lawson. Ah! Marguerite you can never lose your +angelic beauty and softness of expression. In the violet eyes there +is a light that sheds a radiance over the little household, and +imparts a warmth to each suffering heart that has been chilled by +contact with the selfish and calculating world. + +"Helen you are a darling! you are true blue!" were the words which +greeted the smiling visitor as she pounced in upon the fair young +matron, with the flush of excitement upon her fair, broad forehead +and oval cheeks. + +"Girls you look charming! One would think you were expecting your +beaux instead of a few old married men! Why I thought when folks got +married they did not primp at all." + +"I'm glad that you are agreeably mistaken, my dear," said Mrs. +Noyes, her charms enhanced by the rich bronze silk de Lyons, that +set off her faultless form to advantage. + +Mrs. Arnold now entered, followed by Mrs. Verne and a host of hearty +congratulations were passed around within a very short time. + +Mrs. Phillip Lawson's boudoir was a perfect gem in itself, its pale +blue and silver draperies harmonizing with the taste of its +mistress, while the delicate and artistic touches of the graceful +hand were proof of the labors of love there performed. + +"Madge! you old dear, the only thing I envy you is this charming +spot," said Helen as she stood admiring the pretty work while the +others are reclining upon the inviting ottomans, and cosey chairs of +the most unique designs. + +"The very words I said when I first entered it," said Cousin Jennie, +looking as youthful as when we met her at "Sunnybank." + +"The effect of mind upon mind," said Mrs. Noyes, with a sly, roguish +smile upon the red pouting lips. + +Helen Rushton threw herself into a handsomely carved fauteuil with +cushion of pale blue satin, embroidered with a wreath of lily of the +valley and soft cream roses. + +"How time flies!--two years girls, since we made our promise--and I +am the only old maid left in the crowd. What a world of consolation +is in that thought!" + +"Helen Rushton this is a fit place for your confession, and you +shall not stir until you have made it, my precious one." + +The speaker was Cousin Jennie, now Mrs. Leslie Graham. + +Mrs. Lawson sat for a moment as if buried in earnest thought, and as +her companions glanced at the sweet, sympathetic face they were also +affected in turn. + +The past with all its light and shade was lovingly touched upon, and +as the gentle Marguerite's eyes were dimmed with tears her heart was +full of gratitude. + +Helen Rushton _did_ make a full confession of her love affairs, +expressly for Cousin Jennie. What that confession was we will not +say, but presume upon the imagination of the reader. It is several +hours later. Helen has retired to her own room, and her old friend +lingers lovingly beside her. They chat of other scenes and other +days, and the hour flies too quickly. + +A step is heard coming through the hall. Ah! the magic of that step. + +"It is Phillip, Helen," and a gleam of love lights up the angelic +face. + +"Good night, dearest," exclaimed Marguerite, embracing her friend in +the old school-girl fashion. + +"Good night, Marguerite, if my life be indeed half as happy as +yours; it is all I ask." + +"Yes, Helen, I am truly happy," and the young wife went forth to +meet the loving embrace of a tender, true and devoted husband. + +"Ah! my darling, where is to be found such happiness as ours?" + +Phillip Lawson needed no reply--no other language than the depths of +those violet eyes. + + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARGUERITE VERNE, BY AGATHA ARMOUR *** + +*********** This file should be named 6945.txt or 6945.zip ************ + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, verne11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, verne10a.txt + +This eBook was produced by Andrea Ball, Juliet Sutherland, +Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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