The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-08-19

rest and, not daring to inquire of their
mother, they beset Sophia with questions
which she was unable to answer. Sibyl was
especially searching for reasons why, her
husband having directed her mind to the
subject in his elephantine way.
at is not for us, he said, pausing as he
stirred his collector they were at break
fast-"it is not for us to ask questions, but
still your mothers conduct is unaccountable
If YOU could find out whether she has been
speculating, or if her affairs are involved, /
might interfere with advantage-to your
mother"
Goldmore, as he said this, cleared his throat
and shifted his chin between his shirt collar
in an imposing way. The chin was very
well shaved, and the shirt collar very white
and stiff, as is invariably the case with
millionaires in the morning.
81 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 at 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 to him, 81
shall call upon your mother myself and in
troduce the subject. 1t is my duty to offer
her my counsel What can she know about
businessT'
And he 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 l 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. "'I
hope don't intrude is not often on my lips,
for this simple reason-I knOtO 1 don't in
trude."
Little Mrs Temple gave him brisk nod
and smile, and he proceeded, approaching
his subject with slow dignity, as if he were
driving the lord mayors coach round a
ticklish corner.
1--WE have been little surprised-Siby
and myself-at the great change you have
made in your household; and knowing, as we
do, your sound common sense, we are sure
there is a good reason for it. 1t is a great
change" he added, looking round the small
drawing room, although you have displayed
your usual good taste here from-from-foor
to ceiling"
"Yes," Mrs. Temple replied unconcernedly,
ut is nice little house"
"This has been bad time for investments, "
Goldmore remarked, resolved to keep near
bis real business, "and expenses are very
heavy. have sometimes thought how little
l imagined, when first married, how costly
my establishment would be-" The old rogue
lived to the full third within his income
II am sometimes frightened at expenditure,
Mrs. Temple"
"Are your she remarked "Now, never
amp
" am glad to hear it," he answered. "To
tell you the truth, was afraid that you
might have found your own expenses little
in excess of your calculations; and to be quite
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 to
youl Can my knowledge of-the money
marketn-this being joke he laughed lit
tle-"be of any use to your
"Not any, Archibald" she said. u always
manage my own business"
"There is no difficulty can clear up9"
"All my business is Straightforward and
Ineligible"
"Then," said the baffled inquirer 'it only
remains for me to say that l hope you do
not consider my visit and my offer at all
impertinentp
"Quite the contrary, Archibald, she cried
vivaciously. "Kind, most kind. No one in
the world l would sooner have consulted if
! had wanted advice. But don't want advice,
| Archibald"
So Archibald Goldmore went home as wise
as he came; and when his wife met him in the
avenue and asked him if he knew everything,
! it was with some slight vexation he replied
that he knew nothing.
"But have my fears, he said, "and very
! grave fears However," he added, seeing his
! wife's face fall, "dont be alarmed If any
! thing happens we shall see what can be
done" He spoke like financial pillar; thert
could be no dreadful crash in the family SC
! long as he stood unshaken.
! Egerton and Caroline talked the matter
over, too, and Egerton said at once that his
mother-in-law was going out of her mind
and deeming it his duty to prepare Sophia
for the worst.
II have noticed this coming on for months,
he said to her, while she could scarcely look
him in the face for laughter. "There have
been many symptoms which l have been
watching. would not be frightened, Sophia
being frightened never does any good-but
Y -4il 7 I SbO1115 c1aaTN with
strait waistcoat under my pillow, and then
if anything sudden happened, you could claE
it on Forewarned is forearmed, Sophia"
Thus both within the family circle ant
outside it the affairs of Mrs. Temple were dis
cussed, with great assiduity; but relatives
friends and acquaintance were alike left il
the dark
The ordinary set Of people talked the mat
ter over, wondered surmised, and then for
got all about it. But the family could not 81
lightly dismiss doubt which concerned thel
own interests; and in the family the whis
pered belief was that the little mother, TO
all her shrewdness, had run into extrava
gance and that poverty was now forcing he
to retrench. Then came questions: What
her position now? From what source come
her income9 What will Sophia have whel
she dies! And these misgivings were tn
more anxious, because it was already know
that portion of her property, at least woul
at her death go to her first husbands heir.
CHAPTER ".
REV. ANTHONY BRENT CEASES TO BE RECTOR
With all her seriousness Sophia had neve
been what we call an ecclesiastical girl Th
modern fashion of church decoration an
other customs of reverence and taste in re