Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-11-07
che Evil Genius.
DOHESTIC STORY,
EY TILEIE COLLINS.
BEFORE THE STORY,
A DOMESTIC STORY.

BEFORE THE STORY.
The mrmN--s " tie family AT Mount Nor
W. Consulted together. before sydney West
eIneld was informed of her brothers disap-
pearancc and OF her mothers death.
Speaking first. as master Of the house, Her
bert Linley offered his opinion without he>i-
tation. His impulsiye kindness shrank from
the prospect OF reviving the melancholy rec
elections associated with Sydney'S domestic
life. why distress the poor child just as
she Is beginning to feel happy among u.s."
he asked. Give me the newspaper; shan't
feel easy til have torn 1t up"
His wife drew the newspaper out Of his
reach. Wait little" she said, quietly;
''some of US may feel that it is no part Of our
duty TO conceal the truth"
Mrs Presty spoke next To the surprise
of the family council, she agreed with her
son-in-law.
somebody must speak out" the old ledy
began, land mean to set the example. Tell
ing the truth" she dec. ,red turning severe
ly to her daughter sis , more complicated
affair than you seem to think. It's a ques-
ton of morality, of coarse; but-in family
circles, my dear-it's Sometimes a question
of convenience as well. Is 1t convenient to
upset my grand-daughtcr's governess just as
she is entering on her new duties? Certainly
not! Good heavens! what does 1t matter to
hy young friend Sydney whether her unnat-
ural mother lives or dies? Herbert, second
your proposal to tear up the paper with the
greatest pleasure"
Herbert, sitting next TO Randall, laid his
hand affectionately on his brothers shoulder.
Are you on our side?' he asked. Randall
hesitated. Always the same" said good
humored Herbert "Randal never knows
his own mind"
This was the view generally taken Of the
younger brothers character. Relatives and
friends never discovered that Randall Linley
was one of those rare persons who possess
an evenly balanced mind. A sensitive man
In temperament, the impulses to which he
was subject were held habitually In check by
the sense Of Justice, which was the pred0m!-
nant sense in his moral nature. The result,
looking at the surface only, produced an ap-
pearance of indecision, which was false ap-
pearance in the strictest sense Of the word.
~ feel inclined to agree with you," he said
to Herbert ut does seem hard to recall Miss
Westeriield to the miserable life that she has
led, and to do it in the way Of all others
which must try her fortitude most cruelty.
At the same time"
"Oh, don't spoil what you have said by
seeing the other side Of the question: cried
his brother. you have put 1t admirably;
leave it as it is"
AT the same time" Randall gently per
sisted, II have heard no reasons which sat
isfy me that we have a right to keep Miss
Westerfield in ignorance of what has hap
pened."
This serious view of the question in debate
highly diverted Mrs. Presty. II do like that
man," she announced, pointing to Randall;
The always amuSes me. Look at him now
He doesn't know which side he is on, him.
self"
HE Is on my sde," Herbert declared.
''Not hep
Herbert consulted his brother. what dc
you say yourself?'
Il don't know" Randall answered.
''rherep' cried Mrs. Presty, "what did
tell YOUR
Randall tried to set his strange reply in the
right light II only meaR," he explained,
that want little time to think"
Herbert gave up the dispute and appealed
to his wife. you have still got the Ameri
can newspaper in your hand" he said
"What do you mean to do with it?''
Quietly and firmly Mrs. Linley answered
" mean to show it to Miss Westerfeld."
against my opinion? Against your moth
er's opinion?" Herbert asked. Have we NJ
influence over you? Do as Randall does
take time, my dear, 10 think"
She answered this with her customary
calmneSs OF manner and sweetness of tone,
II am afraid / must appear obstinate; but II
Is indeed true that l want no time to think;
my duty is too plain to me-"
Her husband and her mother listened q
her in establishment Too amiable and too
happy-and it must be added too indolent-
to assert herself In tho ordinary ornAreonci0s
Of family life. Mrs Linley only showed Of
what metal she was made on the very rare
occasions when the latent frmness in hel
nature was stirred to Its innermost depths.
The general experience of this sweet-tem-
pered and delightful woman, ranging over
long intervals of time, was the only expert.
ence which remained in the memories Of the
persons about her. In bygone days they
had been amazed when her unexpected read
iness and frmness Of decision presented an
exception to a general rule-just a. they
were amazed now.
Herbert tried last remonstrancc. us Il
possible, Catherine, that you don't sec the
cruelty of showing that newspaper to Miss
Westerfeldr'
Even this appeal to Mrs Linley's sympa-
thies failed to shake her resolution. "You
may trust me to be careful" was all she said
In reply; II shall prepare her as tenderly fol
the sad news from America as II she was q
daughter OF my own"
Hearing this, Mrs. Presty showed sudden
interest in the proceedings "When do YOU
mean to begihr she asked.
AT once, mamma"
Mrs. Presty broke up the meeting On tn
spot "Wat till am out of the way" shl
stipulated. do you object to Herbert Civ
ing me his armP Distressing scenes arc not
In his way or In NINE"
Mrs. Linley made no objection. Herbert
resigned himself (not at all unwillingly) to
circumstances. Arm in arm he and his wife's
mother left the room.
Randall showed no intention Of following
them; he had given himself time to think.
I'VE are all wrong, Catherine" no said
'and you alone are right What can I do to
help your
She took his hand gratefully. always
kindl Never thinking of yourselfI l will
Gee Miss Westerfield in my own room. Wait
here, in case want YOU"
After much shorter absence than Randall
anticipated, Mrs. Linlcy returned. Hast
been very distressingr' he asked, seeing the
traces Of tears In her eyes.
There are noble qualities" she answered
sin that poor ill-used girl Her one thought
Is soon as she began to understand my mo
tive In speaking to her, was not for herself
but for me. Even you, q man, must have
felt the tears in your eyes, II you had heard
her promise that should suffer no fnrthel
anxiety on her account You shall see nc
distressing change in me- she said, 'wher
We meet Tomorrow All she asked was II
be left in her room for the rest of the day.
= feel sure of her resolution to control herself
and yet should like to encourage her il
can. Her chief sorrow las 1t seems to me-
must be-not for the mother who has *
shamefully neglected her-but for the poo
little brother, castaway, lost in strange
land Can we do nothing 10 relieve hel
anxiety?'
Il can write" Randall said, ITO mar
whom know in New York; . lawyer In
large practice"
THE very person we want! Write-pray
write by to-day's postv'
The letter was dispatched. 1t was decided
and wisely decided, as the result proved
10 say nothing to Sydney until the answer
was received. Randaps correspondent wrot,
back with as little delay as possible. He ha(
made every inquiry, without success Not
trace Of the boy had been found, or Tin thu
nDiUion NJ v,nli~oN Hlrol., al ~ c,,r a