The sun. [volume], November 29, 1891, Image 21

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I... !Page& - SI 38. IjJ 5ittX Pages 21-28. j
l "t . NEW YORK, SUNDAY. NOVEMBEK 29, 1891. " f
I THEQUAL1TY0FMERCY
I A-Story of Contemporary
I American Life.
I By WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS.
I (cp7Titi.itM.krtr.D.nou&)
I SECOND PA1T.
I CHAPTEB XL
I Mtti took the lower road, that wound away
I from Wade's ehuroh toward the Northwlok
I elaoe: but as ho went he kept thinking that he
I ions not reallr trr to aeo 8uzett. It; would
b monstrous at auoha time: out of all pro
I erltir. of ' decency: It would be taking ad
I vantage of her helplestnoss to lntrudo upon
I hr the offer of help and of kindness whloh
)ury instinct of her nature must revolt from.
There wia only one thins that.oould Justify
his coming- andthatwaa impossible. Unless
,i earns to tell her that he loved .her. and to
ask her to let him take her burden upon him. to
ibare her ehame and her sorrow for his Iots's
ule, he had no right to see her. At moments It
tetmedas It that were right and he oould do
It, po matter how. Impossible. and then heal
most ran forward: but only to check himself.
I ts.stop short, and doubt whether not to turn
back altogether. Br sueh faltering progresses
, ht found himself In the Northwlok avenue at
last, and keoplaff doggedly on from the man
sion, which the farm road had brought htm to.
until he reached the cottons at the avenue
fit. On tho threshold drooped a figure that
Ui's sight of set his heart beating with a stifling
pull in his throat, and ha floundered on till
lit made out that this languid figure was Ade
line. He could have laughed at the Irony, the
Jnoekery of the anti-climax. If It had not been
for the face that the old maid turned upon him
at tie approach of bis footfalls, and tho pleas
urtlbat lighted up Its pathos when-sho recog-'
nlzed him.
"Oh. Mr. Hilary 1" she said, and then she
could, not speak for tho twitching of her lips
and the trembling of her chin.
He took her hand in sl!once.and It seemed
natural for him to do that reverent and tender
thing which Is no longer a part of our custom :
hJnt over it and kissed the chill, bony
knuckles.
She drew her hand away to find her hand
kerchief and wipe her-tears. " I. suppose
you've come to see Buzette: but she's gone up
to the Tillage to talk with Mr. Putney: he's our
Uwytr."
-Xtt," said Matt.
"I presume I don't need to talk, to you about
that fetter. I think and I bolleve Buzette
will think so. too. In the end that his mind is
affwted. and he just accuses himself of all
these things because they've. been burnt Into
it so.1 How are your father and mother ? And
roar sister?"
3ho broke off with these questions, he could
ee. to stay herself in what she wishod to say.
" They are all well. Father Is still in Boston :
hat mother and Louise are at. the farm with
me. They sent their love, and they are anx
lous.toknow It there Is anything "
" Thank you. Will you sit down here ? . It's
so clots indoors." She made room for him on
the threshold, but he took the step below. .
" I hope Miss Buzette Is well ?".
" Why. thank you..not .very well. There Isn't
aprthlut, really .tho. matter: but we didn't
titbfof us sleep, very, well, last night: we
. -fcttwifeorted. I don't know as I ought to toll
yqfci'she began. I don't suppose it's a thing
yqv wld know about, any, way : but I've got
totalhtosoniebody. ",
.. , M&s .NorthwickV; veald Matt. " if . there Is
tnyJMng In.th'e world that I can tdo. for, you. or
that you even; hopel can do, I beg you to let me
hrarit. I should be. glad beyond all word a to
btlp"yott!" i
. "Oh. I don,'t know as anything can be done."
she began, after the fresh gush of tears which
were her thanks, "but Buzette and I have been
talking it over a good deal, and we thought we
would, like to seo. your fathor about it 'You
sesiSuzette can't feel right about our koeplng
tho Wee hero, if father's really done whatTie
tarshe's done. Wo don't believe ho has: but
f if he he, he, has got to be found somewhere.
And mid e to give up the money he says ho has
got. Buzette thinks we ought to give up tho
mousy wo havo got in tho bank fttoen hun
dred or two thousand dollars and sho wanted I
should let her give up her half of the place,
here: and at first I did say sho might But
come to find out from Mr. Putnoy. tho wholo
jIac would have to be sold before It could bo
divided, and I couldn't seem to let it.
Thst was what we disputed nbout. Yea!
We had a dlsDUte: but it's all right
now. or it will be. when we get tho oompany to
say they will stop tho lawsuit against fathor.
If he will give up the monoy he's got and wo
will give up the place. Mr. Putney seemed to
think he company couldn't stop it: but I don't
ewhyorioh corporation liko that couldn't
do almost anything it,' wanted to with its
moner."
Hor Innocent corruption did not shock Matt,
nor hor scheme fpr defeating justice, but ho
smiled forlornly at tho hopelessness of It "I'm
afraid Mr. Putnoy Is right" He was silent,
sad then at the despair that came Into hor
I fas. lie hurried on to say: "But I will see my
father. Miss Northwlck: I will go down to see
mm at once, and if anything can bo honorably
and fairly dono to savo your father. I am euro
he will try to do it for your sake. But don't ex
pect anything." he said, getting to his foet and
puttlne out his hdnd to hor.
"Vo-no!: I won't" sho said, with gratitude
that wrung his heart " And-won't you
wait and see Suwtte?"
.Matt reddened. "No: I think not now. But.
Perhaps. I will come back: and-and-I will
come soon again. Good-by!"
" Mr; Hilary I" she called nfter him. Ho ran
hack to her. It If your father don't
think, anything can be done I don't want he
would say anything about It."
" Oh. norcertalnly not"
"And, Mr. Hilary I Don't you let Burette
nowlpoketoyou. m tell her."
, why. of course,"
On his way to Boston tho affair seemed to
vovr ss and less Impossible to Matt: but he
mllyknpwnothlngottholegal complications:
pa when he proposed it to his father, old Hll
ry shook his head. " I don't believe it could
hodono. The man's regularly indicted, and
e a In contempt of court as long as he doesn't
Present himself for trial. That's the way I
understand It But I'll see our counsel. Whoso
Mheraoisthls?"
" I don't know. Miss Northwlck told me of
it: but I fancied Miss Burette "
Yes." said Hilary. "It must have cost her
fmost her life to give up her faith In that piti
ful rasoal."
"But after she had done that. It would cost
.," not',ln to Tlve up the property, and as I
Undsrstood Miss Northwlck. that waa her sis-
r s first Impulse. Sho wished to give up her
I-u . e8tota unconditionally; but Miss
nwlck wouldn.t congentt nnd th6y ,,.
h S11 on tho conditions she told mo of."
.i. lMi H"ary- " I hlnk Miss Northwlck
''""fed tho most sense But or course. Hue's
"noblo girl. Bhe almost transfigures tlmt old
51I father of hers. That fellow
!v "mlngton-ought to como forward now
2?" himself nmarUf he Isone. Any man
"Wit be proud of such a girl's lovo-and they
1 tail. " ,n,"eiU him. Bnt he seems
I " prehtted to dangle after his uncle'a
wife. He Isn't good enough for her. and prob
ably he always know It"
Matt profited by tho musing fit that camo
upon his father to go and look at tho plcturo
over the mantel. It waa not a new picture : but
ho did not fool that ho was using his father
quite frankly; and ho kept looking at it for that
reason.
' If those poor creatures gave up their prop
erty, what would they do ? They've absolutely
nothing olso In tho world I"
"I fancy." said Matt "that Isn't a considera
tion that would weigh with Suzotto North
wlok." "No. If there's anything In heredity. Uio
fathor of such a girl must have soma good In
hlm. Of course, they wouldn't bo allowed to
suffer."
"Do you mean that tho company would ro
gard tho faot that It had no legal claim on tho
property, and would rocognlzo It In tholr bo
half?" "The company!" Hilary roared. "The com
pany has no right to that proporty. moral or
legal. But we should act as If we had. It It
were unconditionally offered to us. we ought
to acknowledge It as an aot of charity to
us, and not of restitution. But evory man
Jack of us would hold out for a right to it that
didn't exist and we should tako It as part of
our due: and I should be suoh a coward that I
couldn't toll the Board what I thought of our
pusillanimity."
"It seems rather hard for men to act mag
nanimously In a corporate capacity, or even
humanoly." said Matt " But I don't know but
there would bo an obscure and negative justice
In suoh action. It would be right for tho oom
pany to accept tho property, it It was right for
Northwlck's daughter to offer it and I think It
is most unquestionably right for hor to do
that"
"Do you. Matt? Well, well." said Hilary,
willing to bo comforted, " porhaps you're right
You must send Louise and your mother over to
see her."
" Well, perhaps not just now. She's proud
and sonsltlvo. and porhaps it might seem In
truslvo at this juncture ?"
"Intrusive? Nonsense! she'll be glad to
seo them. Bend them right ovor I"
Matt know this was his father's way of yield
ing the point, and he went away with his prom
ise to say nothing of the matter thoy had
talked of till ho heard from Putney. After that
would be tlmo enough to ascertain the where
abouts of Northwlok, which no one knew yet
not even his own children.
What his fathor had satd in the praise of
Buzette gave his love tor her unconscious ap
proval: but at tho same time It created a sort
of comedy situation, and Matt was as far from
the comlo as ho hoped he was from the roman
tic In his mood. When he thought of going
direct to her. he hatod to bo going, llko tho
hero of a novel, to offer himself to the heroine
at tho moment her fortunos woro darkest: but
ho knew (hat ho was only like that outwardly,
and inwardly was simply nnd humbly her
lover, who wishod In any way or any measure
he might to be her frlond and helper. Ho
thought ho might put his offer in some such
form as would leave her free to avail herself n
little, it not much, of his longing to comfort
and support. her in lior trial. Butatlast ho
saw that ho could do nothing for tho present
and that it would be cruel and useless to give
her raoro than the tried help of a faithful
friend. He did not go back to Hatboro'. as
he longed to do. He went baok to his farm,
and possessed his soul with such patience as
te could. . v
CHAPTEB XII."
Suzotto came back from Putney's office with
such a disheartened look that Adeline had not
the courage to tell her of Matt's visit and tho
errand tie bad undcrtAkon for her. The law
yer had said no more than that he did not be
lleveBnyththg could bo done. Ho was glad
, thoy had deolded not to transfer their prop-
erty to the compansf without 'first trying to
mnko, interest for their fathor with it; that
IfVas their right and their duty, and he would
try what could bo done: but ho warned Suzottb
that ho should probably fall.
"And then what did he think we ought to
do?" Adeline asked.
" Ho didn't say," Buzette answored.
" I presume." Adeline went on. after a little
pause, "that you would like to give up tho
property, anyway. Woll.,you can do it. Bu
zette." Tho joy sho might have expocted did
not show Itself in her sister's face, and sho
added. " I've thought it all ovor, and I seo It as
you do, now. Only." sho quavoredV " I do want
to do all I can for poor fatlwr. first"
" Yes." sold Buzette. spiritlessly. " Mr. Put
ney said wo ought"
"Sue." said Adollne. nfter another llttlo
pause. " I don't know what you'll think of
me for what I've done. Mr. Hillary hnsbeon
here "
"Mr. Hilary f
"Yes. He camo ovor from his farm "
"Oh 1 I thought you meant his father." Tho
color began to mount into tho girl's rheeks.
"Louise and Mrs. Hilary sent tholr love, and
they all want to do anything they can: and
and I told Mr. Hilary what wo were going to
try: and ho said ho would speak to his fathor
about it; and oh. Buzette. I'm afraid I'vo
dono more than I ought!"
' Buzetto was silent, and then. " No," sho said ,
"I can't seo what harm thoro could bo In It"
"He said." Adollno pursued with joyful ro
Ilof. "he wouldn't lot his fathor speak to tho
rest about it till wo worn ready, and I know
ho'll do all he can for us. Don't you ?"
Blie anxwored, " I can't sen what harm it can
do for him to speak to his fathor. I 'hopo. Ad
eline." tho added, with tho sorority Adeline
had drcadod, "you didn't ask It as a favor
from him?"
"No, no! I didn't indeed, Suot It came
naturally. Ho offered to do It"
" Well." snld Buzotto. with a sort of relaxa
tion, and sho fell back In tho chair whoro sho
had bnen sitting.
" I don't see." said Adeline, with an anxious
look at tho girl's worn face, " but what wo'd
both better have the doctor."
" Ah, tho doctor I" cried Buzette. " What can
tho doctor do for troubles like ours ?" She put
up her hands to her face and bowed herself on
them, and sobbed, with the first tears she had
shed since the worst had come upon them.
The company's counsel submitted Putney's
overtures, as he expected, to the 8tate'a attor
ney. In the hypothetical form, and the State's
attorney, as Putnoy expected, dealt with the
actuality. Ho sold that when Northwlck's
friends communicated with him and ascer
tained his readlnoss to surrender the money
he had with him. and to make restitution In
every possible way, it would be time to talk of
a nolle proitquL In the mean time, by the fact
of absconding ho was In contempt of court.
He must return and submit himsolf for trial,
and take the chanco of a merolful sentence.
There could be no othor answer, he said, and
he could give none for Putney to carry back to
the defaulter's daughters.
Buzette reoelved It in silence, as it she had
nerved herself up to bear It so. Adeline bad
faltered between her hopes and fears, but she
hod apparently decided how she would receive
the worst. If tho worst came.,
"Well, then," sho said, "wo must glvo up
tho place. You can got tho papers ready, Mr,
rutney."
' I will do whatocr you say, Miss North
wlck." "Ync and I don't want you tn think that I
don't wmt to do It. It'i my doing now:
an I If m sister was all ugalnst it. I uliould
wihIi to do it all tho same."
Matt Hilary learuod from his father the ro
suit of the conference with tho Btato's Attor
ney, and he camo up to Hatboro' the next day,
to soe Putnoy on his father's behalf, nnd to ox
press tho wish of his family that' Mr. Putney
would let them do anything he could think of
for his clients. IIo got his mossage out bung
llngly. with ombarrassod circumlocution and
repetition ; but this was what It came to In the
end.
Putney listened with sarcastlo patlonoe.
shifting tho tobacco In his mouth from ono thin
cheek to tho othor, and letting his fierce bluo
eyes burn on Matt's kindly faco. .
" Woll. sir." ho said. " whatdo you think can
bo dono for two women, brought up as ladles,
who ohooso to beggar themselves ?"
"Is It so bad as that?" Matt asked.
"Why. you can judgo for yoursolf. My
present Instructions nro to mako their wholo
estate ovor to the Ponkwassot Mills Oom
pany "
"But I thought-I thought thoy might have
somothlng besides somothlng "
"Thero was a llttlo monoy In tho bank that
Northwlck placed there to their credit whon
howontaway: but I'vo had their instructions
to pay that ovor to your oompany. too. I sup
pose they will acoopt It ?"
"It Isn't my company." said Matt. "I'vo
nothing whatovor to do with It or any com
pany. But I've no doubt thoy'U accept It"
"They can't do otherwise." satd the-lawyer,
with a humorous sense of tho predicament
twinkling In his eyos. "And that will loave
my cllonta just nothing in the world until
Mr. Northwlck comes homo with that fortuno
ho proposes to make. In tho moan tlmo thoy
have their chance of starving to death, or liv
ing on charity. And I don't bellove." said
Putnoy. breaking down with a laugh, "they've
tho sllghost notion of doing cither."
Matt stood appalled at tho prospect which
tho brutal tonus brought before htm. He re
alized that, after all. there Is no misery llko
that of want, nnd that yonder poor girl had
chosen something nardor to bear than hor
fathor's shame.
"Of course." he said, "thoy mustn't be al
lowed to suffor. Wo shall count upon you to
see that nothing of that kind happens. You
can contrive somehow not to lot thorn know
that they aro dostltuto."
" Why." said Putnoy. putting his leg ovor tho
back of a chair Into Its seat for his groator
case in conversation. "I could. If I were a law
yer In a novel. But what do you think I can
do with two women llko these, who follow mo
up every inch of tho way and want to know
just what I mean by every stop I tako ? You're
acquainted with Miss Suzotto. I suppose?"
"Yes." said Matt consciously.
"Well, do you supposo that such a girl as
that when sho had mado up her mind to starve
wouldn't know what you were up to If you pro
tended to have found a lot of money belonging
to her under the cupboard?"
"Tho company must do somothlng." said
Matt desperately. "Thoy have no claim on
tho property, nono whatovor!"
"Now you're shouting." Putnoy put a com
fortable mass of tobacco In his mouth, nnd be
gan to work his jaws vigorously upon it.
"They musn't tako It they won't take it 1"
crlod Matt.
Putnoy laughed scornfully.
CHAPTEB Xni.
Matt mndo his way homo to his farm, by a
tlresomo series of circuitous railroad connec
tions across country. He told his mother of
tho now shape the troublo of the Northwicks
had takon. and asked her it.she could not go to
seo them nnd And out some way to help them.
Louise wished to go instantly to seo them.
She cried out over tho noble action that Bu
zetto wished to do: sho knew It was all Buzette.-
liV..j v, ..-
" Yes. It Is noble." said-Mrs. Hilary. " But I
almost wish she wouldn't do It" '
"Why. mamma?"
V It complicates matters. Thoy could have
gone'on living there very well as thoy were,
dnd the company doesn't nood it; but now
whore .will they go? What will become of
them?"
Louise had not thought of that and she
found it shocking.
"I supposo." Matt said, "that the company
would let thorn stay whero thoy are. for tho
present and that they won't bo actually house
less. But they propose now to glvo up tho
money that their father loft for their support
till bo could carry out tho crazy schemes for
retrieving himself that ho speaks of in his
letter: and then they will hnvo nothing to
live on."
" I knew Suzotto would do that!" said Louise.
'Before that letter camo out sho always said
that hor father nover did what tho papors said.
But that cut tho ground from undor her feet,
and sueh a girl could havo no peacotiil sho
had given up everything everything!"
"Something must bo done." said Mrs. Hilary.
"Have thoy has Suzotto any plans?"
"None, but that of giving up the little monoy
thoy havo left In tho bank." said Matt, for
lornly. "Woll." Mrs. Hilary commented, with a sort
of magisterial authority, "they've all man
ogfil as badly as they could."
"Woll. mother. thoy hadn't a very hopeful
case, to Login with," said Matt, and I.oulso
smilod.
"I suppose your poor fathor Is worried nl
mobt to doath about It," Mrs. Hilary pursue .
"Ho was annoyed, but I couldn't seo that ho
had lost his nppotlto. I don't think that even
his worrlniont is tho lint thing to bo consid
ered, though."
" No ; of courso not. Matt I was morel y try
ing to think; I don't know just what we can
offer to do: but wo must find out Yes, wo
must go and seo them. Thoy don't seem to
have any one else. It is vory etrango that
thoy should havo no relations they can go to 1'
Mrs. Hilary meditated upon a hardship which
she soemod to find personal. "Well, we must
try what wo can do," sho said, rdontlngly,
after a moment's pause
Thoy talked tho quostlon of what she could
do over futttely, and at the end Mrs. Hilary
said, " I will go thero in tho morning. And I
think I shall go from there to Boston, and try
to got your fathor off to tho shore."
"Oh!" said Louisa
"Yos: I don't like his being In town so late."
"Poor papal Did ho look very much wasted
away, Matt? Why don't you get him to come
up hero?"
"He's been asked," said Matt
"Yes, I know ho hates the country," Louise
assented. She roso and went to the glass
door standing open on the piazza, where a
syrlnga bush was filling the dull, warm air
with its broath. " Wo must all try to think
what we can do for Suzotte."
Her mother looked at the doorway after sho
had vanlshod through it. and listened a
moment to her voice lit talk with some ono
outside. Tho two voloes retreatod together,
and Louise's laugh mado Itself hoard further
off. "She is a light nature," sighed Mrs.
Hilary.
"Yes." Matt admitted, thinking he would
rathor like to be of a light nature himself at
that moment " But I don't know that there Is
anything wrong In It It would do no good If
ho took tho matter hoavlly." "
"Oh, I don't moan tho Northwicks entirely,"
said Mrs. Hilary. "But sho Is so in regard to
ovorythlng. I know sho Is a good child, but
I'm afraid sho doesn't feol things dooply.
Matt, I don't bolluvo I llko this protcgd of
your?." ,
"MasnolW"
"Ves. Ho'sloo liiloiibc."
"Aren't you a llttlo difficult, mother?" Matt
asked. "You don't iko Louise's lightness,
and you don't like Maxwoll's Intensity. I think
ho'll get over that Ho's sick, poor fellow; ha
won't be bo Intense when he gets b otter."
... ,
LaWMMIIHMMWSaSWMMHSl
"Oh. yos: vory likely." Mra. Hilary paused,
and thon sho adddd abruptly, "I hopo Louise's
sympathies will bf'ooncontratedon Buo North
wlck for a while. n$w."
"I thought they wro that already." said
Matt "I'm sure Loulso has shown herself
anxious to bo her,, friend ovor slnco her trou
bles began. I hadn't supposod sho was so at
tached to her so constant "
"Bho's romantlo: but she worldly; shollkos
tho world and Its' Ways. Thoro novor was a
girl who llkod bettor tho ploasurp. tho Interest
ofthomomont I, don't say sho's flcklo; but.
ono thing drives anothor out of hor mind. Bho
llkos to llvo In a dream ;' sho likes to mako-bo-Hove.
Just nowesho's all takon up with an
ldylllo notion of aountry lite, bocauso sho's
hero In Juno, with that sick young roportor to
patronlzo. But she's tho creature of hor sur
roundings, and as soon as sho gets away sho'll
bo a different person nltogothor. Sho's a
strange contradiction I" Mrs. Hilary sighed,
"If sho would only bo entirely worldly. It
wouldn't bo so difficult: but when hor mixture
otunworldllnoss corqos tn. It's qulto distract
ing." Bho waited a moment as if to let Matt
nsk her what sho meant: but he did not. and
sho went on: "Brio's cortatnly not a Blmple
character like Bus Northwlck. for Instance."
Matt now roused himself. ."Is sho aslmplo
character?" ho oskod, with a show of lndlffer
onoo. "Perfectly"' said his mothr. "Sho always
acts from prido. That explains ovorythlng
sho docs." .1
"I know sho Is proud." Matt admitted, find
ing a certain comfort In openly recognizing
traits In Buo Northwlck that ho had never do
celved himsolf about. Ho had a feeling, too.
that ho was behaving with something like tho
candor duo his mother. In Baying. "Icohld
Imng'lno her betng:imperious, evon arrogant
nt times; and certainly sho Is n wilful person.
But I don't soe.",honddod, "why wo shouldn't
credit her with something better than prldo in
what sho proposes' to do now."
"Sho has behaved vory well," said Mrs.
Hilary, "and much bettor than could havo
boen expected of hor father's daughter."
Matt felt himsolf getting angry at this scanty
justice, but ho tried to answer calmly, "Surely
mother; thorp must bo n point whoro tho blamo
of the lnnocontendst I should bo very sorry
if you went to Miss Northwlck with tho Idea
that wo were conferring a favor in anyway.
It soems to me that sho is indiroctly putting
us under an obligation which wo shall find It
difficult to discharge with delicacy."
"Aro'tyou rather fantastic. Matt?"
" I'm merely trying to bo just The company
has no right to the property which she is going
to give up."
"Wo aro not tho company."
"Fathor Is the President"
"Woll, and ho got Mr. Northwlck a chance to
savo himsolf. nnd ho abusod It nnd ran away.
And if sho is not rosponsltdo for hor fathor,
why should you fool so for yours ? But I think
you may trust mo. Matt, to do what Is right and
proper ovon what Is delicate with Miss
Northwlck."
"Oh. yos! I didn't mean that."
"You said something liko It my dear."
"Then I bog your pardon, mothor. I cer
tainly wasn't thinking of her nlono. But sho
Is proud, and I hoped you would lot her foci
that wo realize all that sho is doing."
"I'm afraid." said Sirs. Hilary, with a final
slgb. "that if I were qulto frank with hor I
should tell her sho wosa silly, hoadstrong girl,
and I wishod she wouldn't do it" ,
CHAPTEB XIV.
Tho morning which followed was that of a
warm, lulling, luxuriant June day. whoso high,
tides,, of life spread to everything. Maxwell
felt thorn in his weak pulses 'where ho sat
writing ' at an open window, of tho farm
house, and early id tho forenoon ho como
out on tho piaaza of the farmhouse,
with a cushion clutched in ono of his lean
hands: his soft hat brim was pulled down
ovor his dull, dreamy oyos. whero tho far-off
look of Ills thinking still lingered. Louise
was In tho hammoqk. ,and sho lifted herself
nlortlyoutof It at sight of him. with a smito
for his absent guze.
" Hovo you got through ?"
" I'vo got tired : or! rather. I'vo got bored. I
thought I would go up to tho camp."
"You're not going to IIo on the ground,
thorq?" sho asked, with tho importance nnd
authority of u .woman who puts hoiself In
clinrgo of a sick man, as a woman ulways must
when there Is such a man nonr her.
" I would bo willing to bo undor It such a day
as this." he said. "But I'll tuko tho shuwl. it
that's what you mean. I thought it was lioro?"
"I'll get It for you," said Loulso; undliolet
hor go into tho parlor and bring It out to hlm.
She laid it In a narrow fold ovor his shouldor:
ho thanked her carjelossly. and sho watchod
him sweep languidly across tho buttorcupped
and dandellonod grs of tho meadow land
about tho house, to the dark ehelterof tho pino
gro oat tho north. -Tho sun struck full upon
tho long levels ot the boughs and ktndlod tholr
noedlos to a glistening mass; underneath the
ground was red, and through the warm-looking
twilight of the sparse wood tho gray can
vas of a tont showed; Matt often slept thoro lu
tho summor. and so tho place was callod tho
camp. There was u hammock between two of
tho truos. just beyond tho low stono wall, and
Loulso saw Maxwoll got Into It
Matt camo out on tho piazza In his bluo
woollen shirt and ovoralls and high boots, and
his cork holmot topping all.
"You look llko n cultivated cowboy that had
gobbled an English tourist Matt," said his
sister. "Hao you got anything for mo?"
Matt had some letters In his hands which
tho man hnd just brought up from tho Post
Office "No: but then) are two for Max
woll "
"I will carry them to him. If you're busy.
Ho's just gono ovor to tho camp."
" Woll. do." sold Matt Ho gnvo them to hor.
and ho asked. "How do you think hols this
morning?" ,
"He must be pretty woll; he's boen writing
ovor since breakfast"
"I wish he hadn't," said Matt "He ought
really to bo got away somowbero out ot tho
reach of newspapers. I'll seo. Loulso. how
do you think a girl like Buo Northwlok would
feel about an outright offor ot help at such a
tlmo as this?"
'"How. help? It's very difficult to help peo
ple," said Louise, wisely. " Especially when
they're notablo to help themselves. Poor Buo!
I don't know what she will do. It Jack Wil
mington but ho never really cared f.r her,
and now I don't belio'vo sho cares tor him. No
It couldn't be."
"No; tho Idea ot 16ve would be sickening to
hor now."
Louise opened her oyos. "Why. I don't
know what you mean, Matt If sho still cared
for him, I can't Imagine any tlmo when she
would rathor know that he cared for her."
"But hor pride wouldn't she feel thut she
couldn't meet him on equal terms"
"Oh, prldel BtuffI Do you suppose that a
girl who roally cared .for a person would think
of tho terms sho mot him on ? When It comes
to sueh a thing as that thero Is no prldo; and
proud girls and mook girls aro just allko llko
cats in tho dark." ,
"Do you think bo?" askod Matt; tho sunny
Clifton, which had boon wanting to tliom bo
fore, camo into his oyes.
"I know bo." said Louise. "Why, do you
think that Jack Wilmington still "
"No; no. I was jdst wondering, I think I
shall run down to Boston to-morrow, and boo
father Or, no I Mother won't be baok till to
morrow evening. Woll. I will talk with you, at
dinner, about it" ' ...
Matt wont off to his mowing, and Loulso
hoard the cacklo ot hlsmaohlno bofore she
rcachod tho camp with Maxwoll's lottors.
"Don'tgotupl" sho callod to him whon ho
lifted himsolf with ono arm at tho stir of hor
gown oyer tho pino noodles. "Morelytwo tot
ters that I thought porhaps you might wont to
seo at once."
Ho took thorn, and glancing at one ot thorn
throw It on tho ground. "This Is from Biker."
ho said, opening tho other. "It you'll excuso
mo," and ho began to read It "Woll. that Is all
right." ho satd, whon ho had run It through.
"Ho con manage without mq n llttlo whllo
longor. mitnfow moro days like this will put
an and to my loafing, I beglnto fool llko work,
for tho first time slnco I camo up hore."
"Tho good air Is beginning to tell." said
Loulso, sitting down on tho board which
formed a bench botwoon two ot the treos front
ing tho hammock. " But if you hurry baok to
town now ypu will. spoil ovorythlng. You
must stay, tho wholo summor."
"You rich pooplo nro amusing." satd Max
woll, turning himself on his side, and facing
her. "You think poor peoplo can do what thoy
like."
" I think thoy can do what othor pooplo llko,"
said the girl. "If they will try. What Is to pro
vent your staying horo till you get perfeotly
well?"
".Tho uncertainty whethor I shall evor get
porfoctly woll, for ono thing," said Maxwell,
watcliln-' with curious Interest tho play ot tho
light and shade flecks on her faco and figure.
"I know you will cot woll. If you stay," sho
interrupted.
" And for another thing." ho went on, "tho
high nnd holy duty wo poor pooplo feel not to
stop working for a lhlng as long as wo lire.
It's a casto pride. Poverty obliges, as well as
nobility."
"Oh. pshaw I Prldo obliges, too. It's your
wicked prido. You'ro worso than rich pooplo.
as you call us; n great deal prouder. Bich
peoplo will let you help thorn."
"Bo would poor peoplo. If thoy didn't noed
holp. You can tako a gift If you don't nood it.
You can ncceptan Invitation todlnner. if you'ro
surfeited to loathing, but you can't lot any ono
glvo ou a menl it you'ro hungry. You rich
pooplo uro llko children, compared with us
poor folks. You don't know ltfo; you don't
know tho world. I should llko to do a girl
brought up like you in the ignorance and help
lessness of riches."
" You would make me hateful."
" I would make you charming."
"Well, do mo. thon!"
" Ah. you wouldn't like It"
"Why?"
"Because I found It out in mynowspaper
work, when I hnd to Interview people and
write thorn up people don't llko to have the
good points they havo recognized; thoy want
you to colobrato tho good points they haven't
got. It a man is npiiable and kind, nnd has
something about him that wins everybody's
heart ho wants to bo portrayed as a very dig
nified and commanding character, full ot In
flexible purposo nnd indomltablo will."
" I don't soe." said Louise. " why you think
I'm weak and low minded and undignified."
Maxwell laughed. "Did I say somothlng of
that kind?"
"You meant It."
" If ever I havo to Inten low you, I shall say
that under a mask of apparent lncoberency
and lrrcloance. Miss Hilary conceals a pro
found knowledge of human nature and a gift
otdivlnatiou which explores tho most uncon
scious opinions and motives ot her in'tor
locutor. How would you like that?"
"Pretty well, because I think It's true. But
JhTOldpi'tJUko to bo Interviewed.'' .. '
J ivolCyou'ro sufo from me. My Interview
ing day's are oV&r. 1 bollovo If I keep on get
ting better at fh'e rnto I'vo boon going the last
woek. I shall be able to writo a play this sum
mer; besides doing my work for the Abstract.
It I could do (bat and it succeeded, tho riddlu
would bo read for mo."
" What do you menn ?"
'Tmean that I should have a handsome in
come, and could give up newspaper work alto
gether." .
"Could you? How glorious!" said Louise,
with tho sort of matornal sympathy sho per
mitted herself to feol for tho sick youth. "How
much would you get for your play?"
"If ft wore' only reasonably successful.lt
would bo worth 'fle or six thousand dollars a
year." ,
"And is that a handsome Income?" sho
asked, with mounting earnestness.
Ho pulled himsolf up in tho hammock to get
hor face fully In viow. and askod. " How much
do j on think I'vo boonabloto avoragoupto
this time?"
"I don't know. I'm afraid I don't know at
nil about such things. But I should liko to."
Mnxwoll let himsolf drop back Into tho ham
mock. "I think I won't humiliate myself by
giving the figures. I'd bottor Ieuo it to your
imagination. You'll bo euro to mako it
enough,"
" Why should you bo ashamed of It if it's
ovcrsollltlo?" sho asked. "Butlknow. It's
your pride. It'a llko Sue Northwlck wanting
to gi o up nil lior proporty bocauso hor fathor
wroto that, letter, and said he had used the
company's money. And Matt says It Isn't his
property at all. and ,tho company hns no right
to it. If sho glvos it up sho and her sister will
have nothing to llvo on. And they won't let
themsehes bo holpod any moro than than
you will!"
"No. Wo bogan with that; pooplo who need
help can't let you help thom. Don't they
know where their fathor Is?"
"No. But ot courso they must, now, before
long."
Maxwell said, after tho silence that fol
lowed upon this; "I should liko to hao a
peep Into that man's soul."
" Horrors! Why should you ?" asked Loulso.
"It would ho such sploudld raatorial. If ho
Is fond of his children"
"HoandHuedoto upon each other. I don't
seo how sho can endure him; ho always made
me feel creopy."
"Than ho must liavc written that lettor to
conciliate publlo fooling and to make his
children easier about hlm and his future. And
now if you could see him when he realizes that
ho's only brought morn shamo on thom and
forced them to beggur theuibolves It would
bo a tremendous situation."
"But I shouldn't like to seo him at such a
time. It seems to m thot's worse than Inter
viewing Mr. Maxwell."
There was a sort ot recoil from him In hor
tone, which perhaps ho felt. It seemed to In
terest rather than oiTend him. " You don't get
tho artistic point of view."
"I don't want to get It. if thafslt. And If
your play Isgolngtoboubdut any such thing
as that "
"It Isn't," sold Maxwoll. "Ifallod on that.
I shall tty a comic mothu."
"Oh!" said Loulso, In tho concesslvo tone
peoplo uso whon thoy do not know but they
have wronged somo ono. She spiritually came
back to him. but materially sho rose to go
away and leavo him. Bho stooped for tho let
tor he had dropped out of tho hammock uud
govo It to hlm. " Don't you want this ?"
"Oh, thank you! I'd forgotton It" Ho
glnucod at tho superscription. "It's from I'ln
noy. You ought to know l'lnney. Miss Hilary,
if you want tho true artistic point of low."
"Ishnnlltorary man V"
"l'lnney? Did you roud the account of tho
defalcation In thn whon It II rut camo
out? All Illustrations t"
"That? I don't wonder you didn't oaro to
read his lot tori Or porhaps he's your
Mend "
"Plnney's everybody1 friend.", said 'Max-
l
woll, with nn odd sort of relish. "He's do
Hghtful. 1 should llko to do l'lnney. Ho's u
type." Loulso stood frowning nt tho mere
notion of Plnney. "Ho's not a bad follow, Miss
Hilary, though ho is n rcmorscloss Inter
Vlowor. Ho would bo vory good material. Ho
Is a mixture of motlvos. Ilkoeorybody else.
but ho has only ono ambition; ho wants to bu
tho greatest newspaper mnn of his generation.
Tho Indlos nearly always llko him. Ho net or
lets flvo minutes pass without spoaklng ol his
wife; he's so proud of hor ho can't koopttllL"
"I should think sho would dotost him."
"Bho doesn't. Bho's qulto as proud of him
as ho Is of her. It's affecting to wltnoss their
devotion or it would bo It It were not such n
bore."
" I can't understand you," said Louise, loav
lng him to his loiter.
CHAPTEB XV.
Part of Matt Hilary's protest against tho
status In which ho found himsolf a swell was
to wash his faco for dlntior In a tin basin on
tho baok porch, dlko tho farm bauds. When
ho was alone at tho farm liu had tho hands cat
with him; whon his mothor nnd slter woro
visiting him ho pretended that the tablo was
too small for thom nil atdlnnerand tea, though
ho continued to breakfast with tho hands, bo
causo the hidioswero novor up nt his hour;
tho hands know well enough what it meant,
but thoy liked Matt,
Louise found him at tho roller towol.aftor
his omblematlo ablutions. "Oh. Is it so near
dlnnor?" sho asked.
"Yos. Whero Is Maxwell?"
"I left him up at tho camp." Sho walked a
little way out Into tho ground Ivy that matted
tho back yard undor tho scattering spruce
trees.
Matt followed, and watched tho homing and
doparting bees around tho hives In tho deep,
rod-elovorod glass near tho walL
"Thoso fellows will bo swarming before
one." ho said, with a mbasuroof tho good
comradeship ho felt for all living things.
"I don't see." said Louise, plucking n ten
der, green shoot from one of tho fir boughs
overhead. "why-Mr. Maxwell Is so hard."
"Is ho hard?" asked Matt "Well, perhaps
ho Is."
" Ho Is very encoring and blttor." said tho
girl. "I don't llko It."
"Ah. ho's to blamo for that" Matt said.
" But as for his hardness, that probably comes
from his having had to mako such a hard fight
for what ho wants to bo in life. That hardens
people, and brutalizes them, but somehow wo
mostly admiro them and applaud thom far
their success against odds. If wo hadntruo
civilization a mnn wouldn't havo to fight for
tho chance to do tho thing he is fittest for. that
Is. to bo himsolf. But I'm glad you don't liko
Maxwell's hardness; I don't myself."
"Ho socms to look upon tho wholo world as
material, as he calls It; ho doosn't seem to re
gard peoplo as fellow beings, as you do. Matt
dr evon as servants or Inferiors: ho hasn't ho
much kindness foe them as thut."
"Woll, that's tho odious side of the artistic
nature." said Matt, smiling tolerantly. "But
ho'll probably get over that: ho's vory young:
ho thinks he has to bo rclontlossly literary
now."
"Ho's older than lam!" said Louise.
"Ho hasn't seen so.much of tho world."
"He thinks ho's seen a great doal more. I
don't think ho's half so nico as-wo supposed.
I should call him dangerous."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that, exactly," Matt re
plied. " But ho certalnl y hasn't our traditions.
I'll just step ovor and call him to dinner."
"Oh. no! Letme try it lean blow tho.horn."
Sho ran to where tho long tin tubo hung on the
porch, and, coming out with it again, set it to
hor lips and ovoked somo stertorous and
crumby notes from it "Do you supposo ho
saw mo?", sho asked, running back with tho
horn.
.Matt could not say: but Maxwoll hid seen
her. and had thought of a poem which ho im
agined illustrated with tho figure of a tall,
beautiful girl lifting, n long tin horn to her
tips with outstretched arms. Ho did not know
whethor to namo It simply Tho Dlnnor Horn,
or grotesquoly. Hobo Calling tho Gods to Noc
tar. Ho debatod tho quostlon as ho camo lag
ging over (he grass with his cushion in ono
hand and Finney's letter open In tho othor.
Ho said to Matt who camo out to got the
cushion ot him. "Hero's something I'd like
to talk o or with you, when you've tho time."
' Well, after dinner," suld Matt.
Pinnoy's lettor was a long one. writton In
poncllonone sidoof long slips of paper, llko
printer's copy; the slips were ench carefully
foliocd In tho uppor right-hand cornor: but
the language wan tho languaca of PInney's
life, and not thu docoratlvo diction which ho
usually addressed to tho public on such slips
of pnpor.
"I guess." It begun. "I'vo got onto tho big
gest thing yet. Maxwell. Tho Events Is going
to send mo to do tho Social Hclenco Congress
which mocts In Quohoo this your, and I'm
going to take Mrs. Tinney along and havo a
good time. Sho's got so sho can tnnelllrt-t
rato.now: and the changowlll do her uud tho
baby both good. I shall Interview tho social
sctonco wiseacres, nnd do tboir proceedings,
of course, but tho tiling that I'm onto is North
wlok. I'o always felt that Northwlck kind of
belonged to yours truly, anyway; I was tho
only raun that worked him up in any sort of
shnpo at tho tlmo tho defalcation came out.
and I'vo got a llttlo Idea that I think will
simply clean out nil competition. That lettor
of his sot mo to thinking, as soon us I read It.
and my wifo and I both happoned on
the idea at the snmo time: clear enso of
telepathy. Ourlde'i Is that Northwlck didn't
go to Europe ot courso ho didn't! but ho's
just holding, out for term, with tho company.
I don't bellcvo ho's got off With much monoy;
but If ho was going into business with it in
Canada, ho would huo laid low- till he'd made
his investments. Bo my theory is that hu's got
all tho money ho took w itli him except his liv
ingoxponsos. I hollevo I can llud Northwlck.
nnd I am not going to como homo without
trying hard. I am going to hmou deti otlvo's
legal outfit, and I flatter myself I can gut
Northwlck ovor tho frontier somehow, and re
store hiin to tho arms of his anxious friends
of the PonkwasDet Company. I don't know
yet just how I shall doit, hut I guess I shall
dolt I shall have Mrs. PInney's advice nnd
counsel, and she's n team; but I shall lmo to
lenvohcrand tho baby at Quebec, while I'm
roaming round in lUmouskl and thowildur
ncfsgcnorHlly. and I shall need actho help.
"Now, I llkod some things in ihat Alutract
article of yours. It was snuppyaud literary,
and all that, audit showed ginspot tho sub
ject. It showed a humane and m.-rcilul spirit
toward our honored fuund thut could bo made
to tell in my little g.imo If I could get thu tiao
of it.. Bo I'vo concluded to let you In on tho
ground floor. If sou want to go Into tho enter
prise with me. If you don't, don't glvo It
away. That's ull. My Idou Is that Northwlck
can bo got at quicker by two than by one; but
wo havo not only got to get at hlm. but wo
havo got to got him. and get him on thlssldo
of Jordan. I guoxs wo shall liuvo to do that by
moral suasion mostly, nnd that's whoro our
inasstvo und penetrating Intellect will bo right
on deck. You won't ha o to play n part, either.
If)uu bellewitlmt bis only cliuneo yr hupp!-not-H
on earth Is to como homo uud spond
the rest of his llfn In State prison, jou cun
conscientiously work him fiom that point of
viow. Sorioiirtiy. Maxwell, 1 think tills is a
groat chance. If there's any of that money ho
speaks ot wo shall havo our pickings; and
thon, as a moro scoop, If wo got ut Northwlok
at all, whether wo can coax him over the line
or not wo will knock out tho fellow that flrod
y A
tho EphcsUn tlnnio so that ho'll novor come to) iff
tlmo lu all utornlty. , if
"I mean business. Maxwell: I luvon't men- "
tinned this to anyhody tut my wifo yot and it
you don't go lu with me. nobody shall I want ifc
you. old boy, and I'm willing to pay for you.' If
HiIh thing goes through. I shall be In a poll- -If
Hon to namo my own placuaud price on tho 5f
Ecenlii. Icxpeet to be managing editor bofore ?
the yenr's out. uud then I shall secure the bot J
talent ns loading writer, which his namo lo 3
Brlco U Mavwell, and don't j on forget It p
"Now. you think It ovor. Maxwell. Thoro's '1
no hurry. Tuko time. Wo'vo got to wait till
tho Soe. Sol. Congress meets, any way.. and ,sj
wo'vo got to lot tho professional pursuitdls -.3
out This lottor of Northwlck's will sot a lot
of detectives after him. and if they can't find 8
him. or oan't work him nfter they've found 3
him, they'll get tired nnd glvo lijmiipfora
bad job. Then will bo tho tlmo for tho glftod t
amateur to sten In nnd show w lint n frooaud ,1
untrammelled press can do to punish vice and 4
reward virtue." 4 Mj
CHAPTEK XVI. ,)
Maxwell explained to Mutt, ns ho hud ux- i
plained to Louise, thatPlnney was tho roportor -jw
who had written up tho Northwlck case for (1
Tho Kcentt. He snld. nfter Matt had flnlshod ,M
reading tho letter. "I thought you would like -OH
lb know nbout this. I don't regard Pinnoy's 'ijj
diim on my sllcnco where you'ro concerned: jj
In fuct. I don't feol hound to hlm. any way."
"Thank you. "snld Matt. "Then I suppose H
his pmpofnl doesn't tempt you ?" M
"Why.,yosHdoes. But not as he Imagines, ' ,'S
I' should llko biioli an aihenturo well enough. M
bocuuse It would give mo a glimpse of llfo and ,m
character that I should llko to know somo- iS
thing nbout. But tho r.tpurlor business nnd ft jj
tho detective business wouldn't nttruiit me."
"No. I should supposo not" said Matt iri
"What tort of fellow, personally. Is this -ffl
rinnny" jl
")h. ho Isn't bid. He Is a regular typo." 1(1
said Maxwell, with tacit, oiuoy.n.mt of the 'M
typicality of Piniiey. "Ho hasn't the least -gl
phancn-inthu world of working up Into any USJI
controlling place lu thu pnpor. 'i'hoy thin t tal
know much lu tho AVmf ollleu; but they do !M
kiuiw l'lnney. He's 11 uroatllur and brag- . 'f?
gart, und he lias no moie notion of tho linniu- -Jft
nlties of private hfo than null, perhaps it's .'ff
because ho would as s.ion turn his life insido V
put ns not. and. in fuct. would rathor. But la
he s very domestic, und vory kind-hearted to it
his wife: It seems thoy havo a baby now. und 5E
I've nc; doubt l'lnney Is a pattern to parent. fift
He's always nd Iblng on to get married ; but $1
he's a bom Bohemian, He's tho most harm- 1
loss creature lu thu world, so far ns Inten- 1!
tinny go. anil quite soft-heurted. but ha ;
wouldn't spare hln dearest friend, if ho could I
inakocopyof him; it would bo impossible. I '1
should say ho was first newspaper man, and "i
then 11 mini. Hn's a;i ituiully common nature,
and hasn't tho llrst literary instinct. If I hud (
uny nostery. or ujoroprijiucy that I waited to
guard, und I thought I'irfaey wuh on the scout
of It. I shouldn't him, any moru scruple In I '
setting my foot on him tlmu I would on that
snake. ' !
A llttlo reptile, allured by their immobility. '. .
hnd ernnt nut of tho stono wall which they t '
worn standing near, nnd lay fhisliltigitH lieon i'A
ejesiil them, und running out its tongue, a ' j
tniked thremluf trcmuloiiH siiirlet Maxwell '13
brought his heel down upon tts lioad us ho i '
sui;o. nnd ground it into tho earth. 3 ,
Matt winced at the anguish of the twisting i
nnd writhing thins. "All. I don't think I S ',
should havo killed it!" i;'.
' I should," said Maxwell.
" Then ynu think ouo couldn't trust him?" f
'ics. If you put your foot on him In soma 'h
sort of agreement and kept it thoro. Why, of l"
courso! Any man can bo held. But don't lot f
rinnoy havo room to wrlcgle."
They turned and walked uway. jrott koeplng ;
the imogoof the tormented snake in his mind; t
it somehow mixed thero with the Idoa of ',
Plnney. and unconsciously softened him to- J
ward the reportor. "J
"Would thero be any harm." ho asked, after ,U
a whllo. "In my acting on a knowledges! thla v
letter In bohalf of Mr. Northwlck's family?" . :
"Not a bit." said Maxwell. "I make you
perfectly tren ot it. as tar as I'm concerned : , :
und it can't hurt Piunoy, oven if he ought to be '
spared, lie wouldn't snuro iou." ' -)
"I don't know," said Mutt" that I could Just- 1 t
ify myself in hurting him on that ground. I 1 I
I shall bu caretul nbout him. I don't at all , ' ;
knowthntl shall want to usq it; but It has ' "
just struck me that nerhans But I don't 1 I
know! I should have to talk with their attorney ', "
I will seo uhout it! And I thank you very i
much, Mr. Maxwell." '
"Look here. Mr. Hilary!" said Maxwell. . y,
"UsePlnnevullyou please, nnd all you can; ' i
but I warn you he is a dangerous tool. Ho I .;
doesn't mean any harm till ho's tempted, and -
whon it's done ho doesn't think it's any harm. ' 1
Ho isn't to ho trusted au instant beyond hi I f
self-interest; nnd yet ho has flashes of uneel- U
flhhness that would decolvo tho ery elect I
Good henenb!" cried Maxwell. " if I could get j'
such h character as PInney's Into a story or a ,
nlny.,1 wouldn't tako oddB from any man llv- ;;
Ilis notion. whntcer it was. grew upon 1
Mutt, so that ho waited moro and moro impa- J.
tlcnllv for his mother's return, in order to net u(
upou it. When sho did got back to tho farm )i
sho could only report from tho Northwicks '
thut she had said pretty much what sho ;1
thought sho would liko to sny to Suzotto con- s
cernlng her wilfulness nnd obstinacy in wish- j
ing to give up her property; hut Matt inferred !
that shu had nt tho sanio time been ablo to in- 1
fiisow much motherly comfort into hor scold- ; I
ing thnt it had left tho girl consoled I
and encouraged. M10 had found out I
trom Adeline thnt their great dis
tress was not knowing jet where their
father was. Appnrcntlv ho thought that his '
published lettor whs Mifllcient reassurance for
the time being. Perhaps ho did notwish thara
to get ut hlm lu anyway, or to have his pur-
pot.es affected by any appeal from them. Per- ' '
naps, us Adeline Hi inly beliotud. his mind had . '
been warped by his suffering hu must haNO
suffered grentl and ho was notablo to rea- -t
sou qulto sanely about tho situation. Mrs. 1 j
Hllarv spoke ofthe dignity and strength which , -both
the sisters showed in their trial and pres
ent stress. Sho prulsod Muzetto, especially;
she said hor trouhlu seemed t 1 havo sottenoa I 3
and eiiastoncd her; sho was ie illy 11 noble girl,
nnd she had sunt her lose to Loulso: thoy hnd '
both wished to be romeuinored to oven one.
" Adeline, ehpeelally. wished to bo remcmbi-red 1 I
tojoii Matt; sho r-aid they should never for- .
get jour kindness."
Mutt got uer to Hatboro' tho noxt day, and
went t( sen Putney, who recelvo I him with ,
sume ironical politeness, when Matt said be 1
had enmn hoping to bu usuful to bis cllonta, '
tho Miss NortliwIfkH. '
"Well, wo ull hopo something ot that kind.
Mr. Hilary. You wcro hero on 11 mission of
that kind before. Hut muy I ask why ynu I
think I should believe you wish to bo usotul to
"Yes. Your father Is tho President of the 1
company .Mr. Nmtliwick hud his little ombur- M
rassineut with, ami tho natural prosumi tlon m
would lie that on could not really bu friendly
toward his family"
"Hut uo ore friendly! Allofus! My father
would do them unysenleo In his power, cun
histent with his duty to-to-Hits busiuebsus-
boi-lntus."
"Ah. that's just the point. And you would all .
dounythitig)oucoiildfortliom. consistent with
jnurdtity to him. i'liut's perfectly right per- M
leetly natural. But you must Hcothatlt doesn't
form aground ot common interest for us I
talked with vou about tho Miss Northwicks'
HtfiUrs thu other day ton much. I think. Hut
I can't to-duy, 1 shall bu glad to coimirso
with ou on any othurtoiiin discuss the ways '
of Uod to man. or any little Int-rest of that m
kind. But unless I can seo my way clearer to M
confidence netweeuus In roirurd to my clients'
nlfalrs than 1 do at proteut, i must avoid '
Ilium."
It was absurd; but in his hlch good -will
towunl Adeline, and in his latent tenderness
for buzette, Matt was hurt by the lnwyei'sds-
trust, somewhat us vju uro hurt when tn-
cashier r a Miangb bunk turns over your
check und sus ou must bring some one to
recognizu-y mi. It nt Mutt a pang; It took
him a moment to own that Putney was right
Then ho hiiid: "Of course, I must offer you
proof somehow that I've come to you In good
faith. I don t know ex ictly how I shall be
111 lu to do it. U011I1I too assurance of mr m
frlend.Mr. Wade, tho rector of MtMlchaol's r
l'hu namo seemod to ulTuet Putney pleasant-
It; ho smiled, and thuu ho bald. Brother
Wndu Is u cood man. and his words usually
earryeoinletlon. but this is 11 serious subjoct. S
Mr. Hilary." lie laughed, and concluded ear-
nuxtly, " You must know that I can't talk with
jou ounnysiieiiaiitliorlty. Icoiildu'ttulk with
Mr. Wndu hiinxell." , M
"No, nn; of course not, Matt ussentod, and
ho tookrhlmsolf off crestfallen, ushumod ot
Ills own short-siglitednehs.
Thero was only ono way out of the I rouble, '
nnd now ho blamed himself fur not baling
tried to tako tiuit wuvut tho outset, lie hud S
justillod himself lu shrinking from it by many
plausible oxeues. but homiiM im-tlfi hlmselt H
1111 longer. Ho rejoiced In teellnj compelled.
as It wore, to take It. At least, now, ha should
not bu acting from any hellish impulse, and It H
theroworouinthlngunsoomly In what ho was
going to do, lie should havo nn regrets on that H
score, o on In tho shame of failure- H
Zb (10 continued, M