Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-01-20
CHAPTER VI.

Mrs. Stuart felt not little annoyed
at the interview with Mrs. Arnold. She
dismissed any thought of evil on
Helen's part, save perhaps desire to
marry into a good family and secure
home for herself and brother. She
could not blame the poor girl for that,
for she had hard time, ''dear knows )"
but then, she didn't want her marrying
into their family, and especially the son
of whom she was so proud. Now, if
she should marry Clarence, it might do.
Clarence was to be plain farmer, and
Helen would make "some farmer
good wife," but Warren had been sent
to college, he had a profession and
must look higher than hired girl. He
must marry some lady from the city or
town. The soliloquy of Mrs. Stuart
was about as reasonable as the solil-
oquies of mothers sometimes are.
When she spoke to her husband
about the matter that night, he be-
came furious and declared that Helen
Lakeman should leave the place.
''She shall go at once" the farmer
said. ~ have been observing with
what skillful hand she has drawn her
net about Warren. She shall not have
him."
II do not think Helen is to blame"
"You don'tP" snapped the angry
father, as though he blamed his wife
for the mischief that had already been
done. "Well, do. 1 can see her
schemes, and Warren's n fool not to
see them, too"
"But don't mistreat Helen, Jacob"
said Mrs. Stuart. II can't help but
pity the poor girl"
II did pity her. but I don't now.
That is the thanks we get for having
any thing to do with such emery trash.
People always get paid for meddlin'
with EN-"
"Well now, Jacob, don't be unreason-
able. You will ruin every thing by get
ting mad and driving Helen away"
said Mrs. Stuart. You will get War
rem aroused, and he will take her part
and probably go with her."
"Then what would you do, Aman-
DAP" asked Mr. Stuart, with a sneer.
"Have EN- married in the kitchen and
give 'em an Unfair in the parlor, sup
pose. No, let her go, and if Warren
wants to go with her, let him do so. l
swear she shan't stay on the place."
Mrs. Stuart was silent. Her husband
was violent, and the shrewd woman
always allows her husband to quiet
down before she attempts to manage
him. A person would be fool to try
to handle rrd-hot iron, and it would
be equally rs foolish to try to handle a
red-hot man.
Mr.. Stuart cooled rapidly; perhaps
more rapidly than he otherwise would
have done if he had had plan of his
own. He knew in his sober moments
that his wife was shrcwder than him.
self. and he depended upon her shrewd-
ness to cXtricate them from this diff
ticulty.
"What is your plan for managing
this P" he finally asked.
Mrs. Stuart was silent; her needles
clicked and she bowed her head over
her knitting.
MANDY, are YOU speechless P" he
asked, exhibiting his veXation.
mo. can speak YET" she answered,
still knitting away.
"What is your plan for managing
this affair ?"
"Oh, if you are going to manage il
yourself. it's no use to make any sug'
gestions," said Mrs. Stuart.
Now don't be foolish, Mandy
what's your plan P"
Give got none of my own. I thinl
the plan suggested by Mrs. ArnolC
would be about the best"
"What is it P"
"Oh, if you intend to have your owl
way in the matter go ahead it's no us'
for any one else to interfere"
Mr.. Stuart was silent a few moments
He stretched his feet out before him
thrust his hands in his pockets, Will
his brow was like a lowering thunde
cloud.
-G ~ = L IIuIINI tks.a