The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-09
CHAPTER III.



are thinking hard and reasoning with our
selves She never dropped the smallest al
hlsion % Prendergast- and Sophia. glad of
the opportunity seizaSl the favorable mo-
ments AMI showeFsd caressss and attentions
upon her mother, which the mother for her
part received with every mark of satisfac-
ton. Thus the time, which, had it fulfilled
Sophia's expectations, would have been one
long sCsne OF reproaches and regrets. did as
a matter Of fact glide easily and pleasantly
BY, giving another Illustration Of that great
common truth, that II we only wait until our
troubles actually come they VIII often turn
out no troubles at all Sophia. however,
wondered what the moot case could be thar
her mother so pondened and argued with her
self
~Sophy, the little woman said one morning
at breakfast, this house is too large for US.
shall give it up, and rent small one rather
nearer the town. Our lease expires in Sep
temher, and don't fancy another winter in
tins lonely place.
So this had been the matter Of internal
debate. Sophia was not at all surprised 70
find that her mother was giving up the
BeeeheS, for the burglary ives a sufficient
-eason; but when the oid woman began 10
ak OF reasons Of economy. she concluded
cusing her flight by alleging pe,uniary mo-
tives. Sophia. however som found that
there was more in the matter than she hal
imagined
Il shall keep one carriage in the future, no
more, Mrs Temple said few days after.
'0ne carriage. one horse. and one man SER
want. Quite enough for us two
Mamma Sophia cried, the idea Of YOU
trotting about in little hrouchau with one
horse' How funny You viii feci,7
Not at all. dear, so long as the carriage Is
neat and the horse what a horse should be
Quite enough for MS, Sophv. More seems af-
fcctatjon; Just like those Dones Horrid
people. with a fresh carriage for every dav in
the week--and such horses, II strikes me that
whenever vUl-ariau makes money and re-
tires, being of no family himself he resolves
to have horses with a petIigree No. no,
Sophy, shall not lose anything by living
quietly. Leave that la me, dear; YOU may
safely leave that to me
Great was the astonishmcnt Of Eettleweil
Not that we wondered at Mrs Temple giving
up the Beeches: with Us, as with Sophia. the
burglary was a sufficient reason for that. But
when she chose small box of a villa near
the entrance of the town, and put down two
of her carriages dismissed 1--WE of her SER
wants, and in general way reduced her ex-
penditureS by more thsn sne-half we were
surprised indeed. Had Sophia heeu married
the affair would have bee,i intelligible. but
who, for any motive except neces-
sity, ever heard OF a matchmaking mother
lowering her mode of living unti all her
ldaughters were settleds There was a great
deal of talk in KettleweI, and great deal Of
whispering Had Mrs. Temple been living
beyond her means. Had she made some bad
speculation, Was this only the prelude to
final crash, All these questions were asked
freely, and most of Us had some surmise to
make; but nobody quite agreed with any
body else except in one point-Alrs. Temple
was not the woman to retrench without ur-
gent reason; and after all, the most likely
reason was that she had not the money to
maintain her original grandeur. One spite
ful lady friend congratulated her ironically
behind her back on having married two
daughters well, at all events, and said that
even il the mother died a bankrupt, dear
Sophia would always have comfortable
home with her sisters.
Car and SibyI were as much amazed as the
rest, and, not daring to inquire of their
mother, they heset Sophia with questions
which she was unable to answer Sibyl WAS
especially searching for reasons why, her
husband having directed her mind 30 the
subject in his elephantine way.
at IS not for US he said, pausing as he
stirred his coffes-for they were at break
fast-''it is not for us to ask questions, but
still your mothers conduct is unaccountalle
If you could find out whether she has been
speculating, or il her affairs are involved, 1
might interfere with advantage-to your
mother
Goldmore, as he said this, cleared his throat
aI,f
in an imposing way. The chin was very
well shaved, and the shirt collar very white
and stiff, as is invariably the ease with
milionairos in the morning
Il might advise with your mother" the
great man added, seeing that his wife did
not speak, "and tender her my aid. .
Sibyl was really alarmed ut this suggestion
from her husband, who, as she well knew,
was neither a meddler nor one who formed
his opinions hastily. She hurried Off to
Sophia and declared her misgivings; and all
Sophia could say was that there seemed good
reason for fearing that something was wrong.
But, Sophia added, she had already tried
every possible means to find out her mothers
actual position and motives, and had entirely
failed.
"In that case Archibald Goldmore said,
when his wife reported this result 20 him, II
troduce the subject. 1t is my duty to offer
her my counsel What can she know about
businessH
And be called upon little Mrs. Barbara,
who received him with her usual cheerful
ness. Goldmore was favorite with her in
his way
~You know me well enough to be quite
sure that ! am no 'Paul Pry,' the millionaire
said. He seemed to think that there was
magnanimity in his very mention Of that
character in connection with himself al
hope l don't intrude' is not often on my lips.
for this simple reason-I kaotU l don't in
trude.n
Little Mrs. Temple gave him brisk nod
ard smile, and he proceeded. approaching
his subject with slow dignity, as if he were
driving the lord mayors coach round q
ticklish corner
I'VE have been a little surprised-Sibyl
and myself-at the great change You have
made in your household and knowing, as va
do, your sound common sense we are sure
there IS a good reason for it. 1t Is n great
change" he added, looking round the small
drawing room, although you have displayed
your usual good taste here from from-fioor
to ceiling
YES Mrs. Temple replied unconcernedly,
s-it is a nice little house
@This has been bad time for investments y
Goidmore remarked, resolved to keep near
his real business, -and expenses are very
heavy. I have sometimes thought how little
! imagined when / first married, how costly
my establishment would be- The old rogue
lived to the full third within his income.
Il am sometimes frightened at expenditure,
Mrs Temple
Are your she remarked Now. [ never
am,1
Il am glad 10 hear it. - he answered .To
tell you the truth. was afraid that YOU
might have found your own expenses a little
in excess Of your calculations; and 10 lie quito
plain with you, | came this morning to know
if there is any business You would like to
talk over with me | know, GoldmOre said
with the modesty Of monarch, something
about affairs Now can be of any use &c
youi Can my knowledge of-the money
market this being joke he laughed a lii
tle-''be of any use to youT
Not any, Archibald she said. Il alway.
manage my owR business"
There is no difficulty can clear upg'
"All nay business Is straightforward and
ineligible >
Then, . said the batfied inquirer, 1T only
remains for me to say that l hope you d.
not consider my visit and my offer at al
impertinentf'
Quite the contrary. Archibald. = She cried
vivaciously. Kind, most kind No one in
the world ] would sooner have consulted if
had wanted advice. But | don't want advice
Archibald"
So Archibald Goldmore went home as wis
as be came; and when his wife met him in TIA,
avenue and asked him If he knew everything
it was with some slight vexation he rephec
that he knew nothing
But have my fears he said. @and very
grave fears However, he added. seeing hi
wife's face fall, -don't lie alarmed. IL any
thing happens we shall see what can b
done He spoke like a financial pillar; ther'
could be no dreadful crash in the family 3
/ long as he stood unshaken.
Ee,ertnn and f,nrcIir.. tall a.. nntfe,