The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1884-02-09

eyes," drawlingly spoken. Excuse
me moment, Mr.. Abercrombie. while 7
lock you in.''
"Lock me in, madame"
''Precisely."
Mr.. Abercrombie stared with amazed
eyes. 81 don't think thatI exactly COM
prehend your meaning.'
"Well, then, will endcayor 10 mako r.
clear.''
Mrs. Maberley had locked the door on
the inside by this time and placed the kew
in her pocket.
- have heard, Mr.. Fame Abercombie. -
she placidly continued, "'that you have q
very nigh opinion of what is called re-
spectability. You are proud of the name
you bear, and would consider any publ
city attaching to it decided disgrace.
Am right?''
"You are, unquestionably. madam.''
"Any publicity, for instances, like that
of being found hidden ina lady's closet"
S'Madam -
IL thought you would get indignant,'
proceeded Mrs. haberley, with laugh.
"Such scandals are bad enough when q
man of twenty-five is connected with them.
But when one Of sixty, or thereabouts-''
''Be good enough to unlock the door,
Mrs. Maberly?" exclaimed Mr.. Fame
Abercrombie, with irate haughtiness. 'T
do not understand your conduct, though I
understand enough Of it to see that you are
attempting some-some'
. ''Practical joke, Mr.. Abercrombie! Up
On my word, you are right. With the ex-
ception, however, that the whole matter is
anything buta joke to you. It too closely
concerns the happiness Of your niece,
Emelne Maynard.''
"My niece?'
"Ies! Do you know, Mr.. Fame Aber-
crombic, that unless you make me solemn
promise, this morning, every person in
this hotel shall know, before evening, that
the very respectable parsonage whom [
have the honor Of addressing was found by
me hidden in 8 closet Of my chamber?''
'But such a statement, madam, will be,
as You know, an atrocious falsehood.'
Mrs. Maberley laughed gay, little,
malicious laugh, her eyes sparkling with
fun.
''Of course, it will, >" she answered cool-
1yr S,o.FsC
ever, when vouch FOR its truth.''
''For heavens sake, madam. inform me
why am TO be scandalzed in this-tI.is
shocking style?'' - ~~
"Because,' and Mrs. Maberley's eyes
flashed now scornfully, "because, sir, you
have treated your niece, Emeline, in SO
brutal manner. There is no objection to
Leonard Leavitt for Emeline's husband,
save an absurd, tyrannical, snobbish one
which you yourself have raiscd."
"And you wish me- stammered poor
Mr.. Fame Abercrombic, thoroughly
aghast.
Il wish you, Mr.. Abercrombie, to re-
move that objection. Unless you do so |
shall open this door and shrek away your
character, through this great hotel, in less
than five minutes.'
''Shriek away my character?'
"Exactly!' exclaimed Mrs Maberley.
"Extreme cases require extreme remedies.
Moreover, [ shall give you but short
warming"
The man glared at her as if he would
like to knock her down.
She went on cool!y.
''Consider, Mr.. Fame Abercronbie, 'she
said (which is it to be--your respectable
ity preserved intact Or its utter and ir-
remediable ruin? | am in earnest. [ was
never more in earnest in my life. love
Emeline, and have an opportunity Of saw
ing her from. great unh"ppiness. You are
in a trap. You had better yield graceful
ly, acknowledging your defeat. Come, de-
eide quickly. Either swear ne q solemn,
sacred, binding oath that you will freely
consent to Emeline's marriage with Leon
ard Leayitt or else find yourself suddenly
converted from the irreproachable MIR.
Fame Abercrombie into somebody whose
best friends feel privileged to talk against
as having lost caste and respecta bility,
The victim paused, a moment. But there
was no escape.