The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-08

The sound of a colloquy in the hall ar
rested the attention Of both men and tie
door opened TO admit the singular figure of
their aunt. Mrs. Fenton had been a wit
and beauty forty, years ago; now grim
and faded specter she appeared.
Read that!' she murmured and sank
into a chair by the firesIde.
Maurice and Marcus read the message to-
getAer- 1t was dispatched from a station
hot far away. 1t said: Expect ME about
nine; am on my way. Robert Fenton."
What has happrned?" walled the poor
lady He hates the place and l have only
helped him on his promising TO remain
away. What more can he want?"
Why 90 you receive him at ALP" burst
energeticaliy from Maurice He never
comes near you except 10 rob you. his very
father cast him off. He is a thief and a
forger! Don't vince, Aunt Kitty 1 know
what I'm talking about. You could hand
Inn over Yer. t2 t the Police i you chose, and
casts blight upon this house as soon as he
enters It. l, for one, can hardly keep my
hands off him"
Maurice glanced at the clock. It was
nearly 9. and on the stroke of the hour there
came 20 the ears of ali assembled the omi-
nous rumbling of cab-wheelS on the gravel
drive. Not one of the Stoneroyd household
moved to welcome the new arrival. Robert
tentOn opened the dining-room door and
looked in. Dead silence greeted him.
'.Quite pleasant family party" Robert
said. " Delighted to be ut home, sweet
home again. You all look SO happy and
comfortable"
what have you come back for2" ex-
claimed Mrs. Fenton, rising gaunt and
quyering to her feet.
want to embrace my relatives, of
course, and to introduce to them new ad-
dition TO our genial circle"
Then he threw open the drawing-room
door.
81 have a delightful surprise for all of
YOU" he said. This lady is my wife,
Felice, and L have brough: her to live at
StonerOyd."
In the conventional plainness of her long
mantle of dOve-cOlored cloth, Felice gave
an impression of height and of dignified
ease she was far from possessing. The
wide-brim felt hat she wore, together with
the long gauze veil dependent from it
and wound about the lower part Of her
features, concealed her face so effectually
that it was difficult for her husbands rela-
tiyeS to judge of her looks or of her age.
Although my wife is an heireSs in her
way" put in Robert, looking meaningly at
Marcus, she has been very simply brought
up, and will give you no trouble. My pres
ence is necessary in Clofield until after
Monday, the day on which the conditions of
our Uncle William Fenton's will come due,
YOU know, boys" he added in a louder
tone, and with his most irritating smile,
The day on which we produce our three
little books, and see what we have been able
to hide away in that old stocking during the
past five years. Once that business is set
tied, shall probably be able to resist the
destinations OF the town of Cloield and of
my atfectionate family circle. But, until
then, must stay in the neighborhood; and.
since your accommodation is limited" he
continued, turning again to his mother, 81
Will leave my wife only in your care and
VIII return myself to the town by the cab
that IS Still waiting outside. Ia, ia, Maurice
and Marcus. We shall meet on Monday.
Depend upon it, shall be there Felice
come and show the cabman which luggage
IS yours"
Robert gave directions as to which pack
ages should be taken into the house, and
then, holding his wife's arm, he drew her
after him into the dining-room. The table
had not yet been cleared, and he helped
himself to glass of claret from a decanter.
Felice was silent. She was longing to ask
him to take her with him, and not to leave
her to the grudging hospitality so tardiIy
q. onered as the price for his departure. But
already In month of marriage Felice had
learned that her wishes and her happiness
counted for nothing in Robert Fenton's
eyes. SO she fell back on her usual policy
OF passive waiting until her lord and master
should announce his will. He went on
drinking glass after glass of claret until he
had emptied the decanter, glancing fur
lively at bis wife from time TO time where
she sat motionless on chair against the
wall, her face hidden in the shadow of her
hat, and her gray-gloved hands crossed upon
a small traveing-bag she held on her knee.
This last article arrested his attention.
After looking at 1t several times he re-
marked with an attempt at playfulness.
" Oh keep close hold of that bag. | don't
believe you've put 1t down since we started
Yesterday evening: What have You got in
side 1.-THE notes ?"
Yes; and my trinkets."
:: u want this money of yourself mine,
rather, for it is mine. What else did /
marry you Tor? l want il, l say, tonight:
because 1t must be banked In nv name to-
MorIo~, that / may make all the show can
on, Monday. Neither Marcus nor Maurice
Is hkely to have made by their wits what I
nave made by marrying you; and if Won
: thInK m going to miss fortune because Of
any petty feminine haggling on your part
eIt Fentoni" A''D
Il didn't quite know you until ,o-nigh, ,,
s1e sald, strange look coming into her
Wlde-open gray eyes, fixed and fearless now
put j think In future / shall understand
you better. That was your sole motive
tfleh, IN marrying me-just to get a balance
at Your bankers by a certain date ?"
. lie broke Int volley of oaths under his
breath, and swore he would answer no mora
questions, warning her at the same time TO
"exaspefate him no further, as he already
hated the sight Of her.
She waited, with her hands firmly clasped
on the bag, until he had finished speaking.
knew the amount his brother and cousin
had severally put by
Because, il L understand. that is the
sum'you wish to surpass," she said, in the
same level tones. Il have not realized until