The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-03

brusquo Why. Jim, old boy, that ended In
uuerulous incohcrence, the young lady to cast
understanding, half-coauettish look at him. and
the old gentleman to begin. Our desire. Mr..
North"-but the effort was futile. Mr.. James
North. standing before them with folded arms.
looked from the one to the other.
Il have not thought much OF you for twelve
month. J." he said. quietly. but / have not for
gotten YOU. Gomez
He led the way few steps in advance. they
following silently. In this brief interview they
felt he had resumed the old dominance and in
dependence against which they had rebelled
more than that. in this half failure OF their first
concerted action they had changed their 1ucru-
lous chickering's to a sullen distrust Of each
other. and walked moodily apart as they fol-
lowed James North into his house A fire
blazed brightly on the hearth few extra seats
were quickly extcmporized from boxes and
chests. and the elder lady. with the skirt OF her
dress folded over her knees-looking not unlike
an exceedingly overdressed jontcd dol-dried
her hounces and her tears together Miss
Maria took in the scant appointments Of the
house in one single glance. and then fixed her
eyes upon James North who. the least con
ccrned OF the party. stood before Them grave
and patiently expectant.
Well" began the elder lady in a high key
after all this worry and trouble you have given
u.s. hih'ts udN'u YOU huDlnlnR W say Dpyou
know-havo you the least idea what you are
doing what egregious folly you are commit
ting ?-whnt everybody is saying? Eh' Hcav-
ems and earth do you knowwho | amp"
You are my fathers brothers widow. Aunt
Mary" returned James quietly. If am COM
hitting any folly 1t only concerns myself. IL
cared for what people said should not be here ;
II loved society enough to appreciate its good
report should stay with It,"
But they say you have run away from society
to pine alone for worthless creature-a woman
who has used you. as she has used and thrown
away othcrs-a"--
"A woman" chimed in Dick. who had thrown
himself on James's bed while his patent leath-
ers were drying" woman that all the fecrs
know never intended here however. he met
James North's eye. and mutterng something
about whole thing being too diotic to talk
about" reapscd into silence.
You know" continued Mrs North. that
while we aud all our set shut our eyes to your
very obvious relations with that woman. and
while myself often spoke Of II to others as
simple Irritation and averted scandal for your
sake. and when the climax was reached. and
she herself gave you an opportunity to sever
your relations. and nobody need have been
wser-and she'd have had all the blame-and
its only what she's accustomed to-you-you !
you. James Northl-you must scally go.
and. by this eytravagant piece OF idiocy and
sentimental tomfoolery. Lei everybody see how
serious the whole affair was. and how deep il
hurt you and here in this awful place. alone
where you're half drowned to get to 1t. and are
willing to be wholly drowned to get awayl oh.
don't talk to me. l won't hear tits Just too
idiotic for snything!'
The subject OF this outburst neither spoke
nor moved single muscle.
Your aunt. Mr.. North. speaks excitedly. >"
said the elder gentleman: yet | think she
does not overcstimate the unfortunate position
in which your odd fancy places you. I know
nothing OF the reasons that have impell.d you
TO this step; only know that the popular opn e
ion Is that the cause is utterly inadequate. You
are still young. with future before you. I
need not say how your present conduct may
imperil that. II you expected TO achieve my
good-even 10 your own satisfactorily this
conduct
Yes-if there was anything TO be gained by
il - broke in Mrs. North.
II you ever thought she'd como back but
that kind OF woman don't. They must have
change. Why" began Dick suddenly. and
as suddenly lying down again.
Is this all you have come 10 say" asked
James North. after moments patient silence.
looking from one to the other.
AMP" screamed Mrs. North is it not
enough ?"
Not to change my mind nor my residence at
present" replied North. coolly.
DO you mean to continue this folly all your
life -
And have Coroners inquest. and adver-
tisements and all the facts in the papers,"
And have her read the melancholy details
and know that you were faithful and she was
not ~
This last shot was from tho gentle Maria. who
bit her lips rs II glanced from the immovable
man.
" believe there is nothing more TO say" con-
tinucd North. quietly. Il am willing to believe
your intentions are as worthy as your zeal. L.,
us say no more" he added. with grave weari-
ness. " the tide is rising. and your coachman
is signalling you from the bank"
There was no mistakng the mistaken posi-.
tivcness Of the man. which WAS all the more
noticeable from its gentle but utter indifference
to the wishes OF the party. He turned his
back upon them as they gathered hurried,
, around the elder gentleman. while the words
He cannot bee in his right mind It's your
duty TO do it" It's sheer insanity" Look AT
his eyc! all fell unconsciousy upon his ear
, " One word more. Mr.. North" said the elder
gentleman, little Iortentousy TO conceal nj
evident embarrassment. =" 1t may he that your
conduct might suggest to minds more practica
than your own the existence Of some aberra
ton Of tho ihteect-some temporary mania
that might force your best friends into a quasi.
, legal attitude Of"
Declaring mo insane" interrupted Jane.
. North with the slight impotence of man NOR,
p anxious to end proix interview than comha
an argument ." think differently AS my
aunls lawyer, you know that within the las
year have decided most Of my property to hc
and her family. | cannot believe that SC
, shrcwd an adviser rs Mr.. Edmund Carter woulC
, ever permit proceedings that would invalidat'
that conveyance"
1 Maria burst into laugh Of such wicked graft
, ncation that James North. for the first time
raised his eyes with something of interest Ia he
r face She coorcd under them. but returnc,
his glance with another like bayonAt flash
, Tho party slowly moved toward the door. james
North following.
4 Then this is your final answer p asked Mrs
/ North stopping imperiousy on the threshold
beg your pardon?" quericd North. hal
alsiractcdly.
1 Your final answer'
I Oh, certainly"