The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-07-07

TACT was that the recollection OF MS
abrupt dismissal from England on very
slight grounds, at his sisters instance,
still ranked in Toms mind, which was
further prejudiced by the artless and
touching complaints Of Hilda's tyranny
and selfishness which his mother let.
tiers to him, for some years past. had
contained Hilda, on her part, re-
marked with disgust that her brothers
hands were not as white and soft rs
they might have been, that his manners
were suggestive of the rough life he
had led, and in short. that he was not
quite a presentable member of society.
1t seemed to be Toms humor to affect
Difference and awe of his sister which
he did not feel, and Hilda, throughout
the interview, had an uncomfortable
suspicion he was testing with her. de
politely but firmly declined to give up
his situation and return to Buenos
Ayres, but he raised no difficulty about
consenting to keep in the background.
Don't you fear, Hilda," he said,
giving her a brotherly salute as they
parted, II won't trouble the noble
swell you are going to marry, nor you
either Only when you are turned OH,
| shall emerge from my obscurity and
live with mother. That's understood. "
Certainly. Tom," said Hilda, smil-
ing graciously, and endeavoring not to
evince disgust at the odor of tobacco
which his embrace impaired. "When
am married my husband shall obtain
a post for YOU"
"Wait till ask, my girl, that's ALL"
said Tom, with an aggressive laugh.
So Miss Hilda Dulcimer was fain to
be content with the terms her brother
voluntarily submitted to, nor did he
give her the slightest cause for uneasi-
ness. Her mother, happy at having
her son near her and seeing him occa-
sionally, acquiesced in the conspiracy
of silence regarding him, and as his
existence was not suspected by any
one. no contretemps arose. Mean
while five of the six months of the en-
gagged period elapsed. Hllda's trous-
seau was in an advanced state of prep
aration, when one afternoon she found
her mother almost fainting in her chair,
with an evening newspaper in her
hand.
Mother! what is the matter?" cried
Hilda, with an uncomfortable PRESENT.
ment of evil.
"My dear child. a dreadful thing has
happened" murmured poor Mrs. Dull
elmer, carefully avoiding her gaze.
"What, mother?"
"Your poor dear brother"
"What has he been doingw IN
quired Hilda, sharply, as she turned
pale.
"Nothing! He is innocent, the poor
dear boy is innocent" returned Mrs.
Dulcimer, firmly. "But-but-"
Hilda snatchcd away the paper which
her mother handed to her, and with
outward composure, which dissembled
her dismay and horror, read that her
brother, under his adopted name OF
TrOwer, had that day been committed
for trial on charge of robbing his en-
ployers by means Of forgery.
"God help us all!'' she calculated.
"What fearfully shocking thing!'
"He is innocentr' reiterated the poor
mother, in tears.
Innocent!' repeated Hilda, with an
expression which, could he have seen
it, would have been wholesome reve-
lation to Lord Lexicon. "At least, he
is committed for trial. 1 suppose that
means something more than mere sus-
picion."
There was long and painful pause,
during which Mrs. Dulcimer sobbed,
while Hilda bit her lip till the blood
started, as she reflected with knitted
brows.
Il knew it would come to this, y
Hilda said at length, gloomily. "What
a blessing | never told Lord Lexicon
IL suppose you must tell him nOwP''
said her mother. nervously.
"What" cried Hilda, with undis
guised amazement.
al think he should be told" sale
Mrs. Dulcimer, uneasily. 1T will
come out. Of course, you and | must
support the poor boy through his trou
bles. We must decline all invitation.
for the present"
"Mother, are you mad?' CRIED
Hilda, almost with violence. "Tel
Lord Lexicon! Refuse invitations
Why, mother, We must do nothing,
either of us, to give any one the least
suspicion of this awful business"
1t was Mrs. Dulcimer's turn to Civ,
way to a display of temper now, ant
! the poor, meek spirited lady astonishet
her daughter by her resolute bearing
Hilda, she said. could decide for hersel
the propricty of concealing the matte
. from Lord Lexicon, and for her par
she was determined to be loyal to he
. son. Hilda found it necessary to aban
don vehemence and inSistance. and t,
adopt plausible arguments to bring
her mother round to her views. Sh
feigned to believed that her brother wa
innocent, and pointed out that to draw
) attention to his unfortunate position
from which he would doubtless be hon
orably acquitted, would be mistaken
policy. 1t cost the astute young lady
an hours serious talk and remOn
STRANGE to overcome her mother
scruples, but in the end she triumphed
Poor old Mrs. Dulcimer was as plasti
as clay in the hands of her beautiful
, daughter, and she ended by reluctant
consenting to humor Hilda's wishes.
t 1t would be useless to attempt to de
scribe the agony of mind which tn
poor mother endured during the mex
few days. In addition to suspense an
, anxiety on her sons behalf she wa
| compelled by her daughter to go int
society and wear smiling mask owe
p her woe. Hilda was relentless in allow
r ing her mother no peace even to broo
nrnr hnr Sorrow The heanfv wa