The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-08-19


hotel and waited there, full of misery
and foreboding, for an answer. He did
not stir out the whole evening, but no
answer came.
The next morning Mr.. Greene rose
haggard and weary. When he opened
his bedroom door to take in his boots he
found letter awaiting him. With
feverish haste he snatched it up and
looked at the superscription. 1t was in
feminine hand, but it was not his
wife's. 1t was from his half sister, Rose
Briarl Full of terrible and unutterable
forebodings Mr.. Greene opened the let
ter. His worst fears were realized. The
letter ran as follows:
SNoBroN, Thursday.
MY DEAR misunderstanding has come to
my knowledge which think that in fairness
you should know Yesterday morning I re-
ceived letter from your wife putting Off an
engagement had to take tea with her this
| afternoon. AS she gave no reason for doing
SO, / thought would call at the time fixed and
| just see what was the matter; If she was at
home, could easily say that hadn't received
| her letter. When got to the house the SER
want who opened the door aroused my sus-
picions by the way she answered me, SO made
few inquiries, and found that your wife has
not been seen by one Of her acquaintance In
Snobton since the day you left home. Worse
still, when got back Just looked again at her
letter to me- and then l noticed that, though
| 1t affects to be written at Snobton, the post
mark on it is Rottenborol You can draw your
| own conclusions
write this as being your half sister, and in
terested in keeping up the respectability of the
family. Yours affectionately, ROSE BRIAR.
Mr.. Greene took no breakfast that
morning. He remained in his bedroom
| till after 10 o'clock. Then he went out
and drove straight to Mr.. Morcraft's Of
| fee.
In very nice time, Mr.. Greene" said
that gentleman cheerfully, as he ar
ranged his papers to go over to court.
I'm going home by the 11.30," was
Mr.. Greene's reply.
The lawyer stared at him in amaze
ment
"Well, if you do" he said, "it's all up
| with your case"
"Confound my CASE" answered Mr..
Greene with weak vehemence; sit has
been the plague and ruin of my life.
Settle it, pay the rascal his money, do
anything you like. I'm going home"
The solicitor looked at Mr.. Greene
thoughtfully. He saw his client was in
earnest. After a moments reflection,
he said: "Well, I'm not sure but settling
would be better than fighting. You see,
Svendeleri Is pretty sure to win, but he
doesn't want to be shown up, SO think,
in order to keep his dirty work private,
he would concede good DEAL Just
come over to court for five minutes, and
we'll see If we can't arrange matters"
Reluctantly Mr.. Greene went over. A
hurried consultation took place between
solicitor and counsel, and then between
the counsel on each side. His lordship
was little late in taking his seat, but
even then terms had not been settled,
and counsel asked for a few minutes to
see whether ii would be possible to save
the trial. Both his lordship and Mr..
Greene were getting impatient, when
| counsel announced that terms had been
arranged. Mr.. Greene was to pay half
Svendeleri's claim, and each party to
bear his own costs.
Every favorable TERMS" whispered
Mr.. Morcraft to Mr.. Greene, as the lat
ter rose to hurry out of the court ''By
not fighting it you saved cool thou
sand"
Mr.. Greene at that moment did not
care farthing whether he had gained
or lost. All he wanted was to catch the
1870 to Snobton. and all he hoped for
was that Miss Rose Briar would turn out
| to be mistaken.
On arriving at Snobton Mr.. Greene
drove first to his half sisters lodgings
Miss Briar was in. She received him
with face in which an assumption of
sorrow and pity only accumulated the La
tent look Of joy. She showed him the
letter. The postmark was unquestiona-
bly, Rottenboro
"Come with me-" said Mr.. Greene.
eff she denies it I'll confront her with
you"
"With pleasure" cried Miss Briar,
and there was no doubt she spoke the
truth.
When they reached Mr.. Greene's house
the couple walked into the drawing
room. In a chair near the center of the
room Mrs. Greene was seated, looking
very pale and worn. She rose when her
husband entered and gazed at him and
Miss Brfar in startled, half frightened
way.
$50 you're back" said Mr.. Greene in
harsh voice.
Mrs. Greene cast her eyes down and
made no reply.
'sWhere have you been these last three
days" demanded her husband, sternly.
"Pll-rll explain, Harry" said Mrs.
Greene, in weak and hesitating way,
"as soon as we're alone"
"She's ashamed to confess before me-"
put in Miss Briar, in an exultant tone.
Mrs. Greene was woman of spirit,
and this taunt reused her blood.
| "Pm ashamed to confess where l was
before nobody" she answered hotly,
''and least of all before you, whom de-
spise. But you know too much about
our private affairs already, and I'm re-
solved that you shall not have another
opportunity Of gossiping about them, as
far as can help it."
"But in this case you can't help it,
sneered Miss Briar. 81 happen to know
where you were. It was Iwho told your
husband. Yes, you have me to thank
for that"
Mrs. Green gazed fiercely at Miss Briar
for a moment. Then, turning to her
husband, she said, Harry, will you pro-
tect me against this woman%
"Where have you been these last three
daysr" demanded Mr.. Green again, with
out attending to his wife's request.
81 refuse to answer you while she is
present." replied Mrs. Greene.
"You needn't be SO particular, my
DEAR" cried Miss Briar. II know al
ready where you were. You were at
Rottenboro."
cts falsel" exclaimed Mrs. Greene,
absolutely false. Is this her last SLAM
der, Harry"
Where were you them" asked Mr..
Greene.
"If must speak-I must" Mrs. Greene
answered. 81 was at Braxby, attending
on poor Joe. He wrote to me last week
that he was i'll, and when you went to
town ran over to see him. He was so
i'll l stayed to nurse him, but he grew
worse and worse until-until last night
the poor boy diedl" And here Mrs.
Greene flung herself back into her chair.
and covering her face burst iato food
of tears.
The husband stood silent, lost in be-
wilderment and shame. But Miss Briar
retained at once her GOODNESS and her
boldness.
-V-Ngy