The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-31

You have had tho only expanauoh
which think It necessary to give to
You, or to him." she answered.
"In plain English, it's your sovereign
will and pleasure, Miss Vcrindcr, to jill
my sonr -
Rachel was silent for a moment. Sit
ting close behind her. heard hcr sigh.
Mr.. Bruff took her hand. and gave 1t q
little squeeze. She recovered herself, and
answered Mr.. Ablewhite as boldly rs ever.
Il have exposed myself to worse mis-.
construction than that she said. And
have borne II patiently. The time has
gono by when you could mortify me
by calling me q jilt.'
She spoke with q bitterness Of tone
which satisfied me that the scandal OF the
Moonstone had been In some way recalled
to her mind. i have no more to say she
ad.led, wearily, not addressing the words
to any one in particular, and looking away
from us all, out of the window that was
nearest to her.
Mr.. Ablewhite got upon his feet, and
pushed away his chair so violently that II
toppled over and fell on the floor,
II have something more to say on my
side,' he announced, bringing down the
flat of his hand on the table with bang.
II have to say that If my son doesn't feel
this insult, dor :.
Rachel started, and looked Mt him In
sudden surprise. =.
InsultP' she repeated. What do you
means?
Insult!' reiterated Mr.. Ablewhite. q
Al;.o VnrtnHar fpr
breaking your promise to my son! know
1t Us ccrtainlya rs II you had confessed 1t IN
SO, many words. Your cursed family
pride is insulting Godfrey as 1t insultcd
me when I married your aunt. Her fam.
ily-her beggarly family turned their
backs on her for marrying an honest man,
who had made his own place and won his
own fortune. had no ancestors. was
not descended from set of cut-throai
scoundrels who lived by robbery and mur'
der. / couldn't point to the time when
the Ablewhites hadn't shirt to their
backs. and couldn't sign their own names
Ha! ha! wasn't good enough for the
Herncastles when I married. And, now
1t comes to the pinch, my son isn't good
enough for you. suspected 1t all along
You have got tho Herncastle blood In you
my young lady! / suspected 1t all along
"A very unworthy suspicion" remarked
| Mr.. Bruff. Il am astOnished that you
have the courage to acknowledge it,
Before Mr.. Ablcwhte could find word,
to answer. Rachel spoke in tho tone of the
most exasperating contompt.' Surely,
she said To the lawyer, this Is beneath no
tice. IF hc can think in that way, let u'
leave him to think rs he plcascs. From
scarlet Mr.. Ablewhite was now becoming
purple. He gaspcd for breath; he looked
backward and forward from Rachel to MIR
Bruif In such frenzy of rage with boti
| of them that he didn't know which tn Mt
tack first. Hiswifc, whohad sat impcnctra
bly, tanning herself up to this time, bcgar
| TO be alarmed. and ATTEMPTED, quite use
lcssly, to quiet him. 1 had. throughout thi
distressing interview, felt more than on'
| Inward call To Interfere with few earncs
words, and had controlled myself under {
dread ofthe possible results, very unworthy
of Christian Englishwomen who looks
MOTTO what is meanly prudent, but to wha
Is morally right. At the point ut which
matters had now arrived rose superior
to all considerations of mere expediency
If l had contemplated interposing an!
remonstrance of my own humble devising
l might possibly still have hesltated. Bu
the distressing domestic emergency which
now confronted me was most marvclously
and beautifully provided for In the Cores
pondcncc of Miss Jane Ann St.mper-Let
ter one thousand and one, on "Poaco II
Families" rose in my modest corner
and l opened my precious book.
"Dcar Mr.. Ablewhite," | said, "on'
word!"
When first attracted the attention 0
the company by rising. could see that h'
wason the point Of saying something rude
tome. My sisterly form of address check
cd him. He stared in hcathcn astonish'
mcnt.
tn UE CONTINUED.