Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-02-21
CHAPTER ".


AUGUSTUS DECISION.
On the second day following the death
of poor little JEANNE Smithers, Mr.. Eus-
tace Meeson was strolling about Birming
ham with his hands in his pockets and an
air of INDIGESTION on his decidedly agree
able and gentleman-like countenance
Eustace Meeson was not particularly cast
down by the extraordinary reverse Of for
tune which he had recently experienced
He was young gentleman of a cheerful
nature; and, besides, it did not so very
much matter to him. He was in a blessed
condition Of celibacy, and had no wife
and children dependent upon him, and he
knew that, somehow or other it would go
hard if, with the help of the one hundred
q year that he had Of his own, he did not
manage, with his education, to get liv-
ing by hook or by crook. So it was not
the loss Of the society of his respected
uncle, or the prospective enjoyment of
two millions Of money, which was troub-
ling him Indeed, after he had once
cleared his goods and chatteIs out Of
Pompadour Hall and settled them in
room in q hotel, he had not given the
matter much thought But he had given
a good many thoughts TO Augusta Smith
ers' gray eyes, and, by way of getting
an insight into her character, he had at
once invested in a copy Of Terminals
Vow, thereby, somewhat against
his will swelling the gains of
heeson' 5 TO the extent of several shillings.
Now, "Jcmima's Vow, though simple
and homely. was a most striking and pow
erful book which fully deserved the
reputation that it had gained, and it af-
fected Eust&ce-who was in so much diff
ferent from most young men Of his age
that be really did know the difference be,
tween good work and bid-more strongly
than he would nave liked to own Indeed,
at the termination Of the story, what be-
tween the beauty Of Augustus pages, the
memory Of Augustus eyes, and the
knowledge Of Augustus wrongs, Mr.
Eustace Meeson began to feel very much
as though he had fallen in love Accord
iugly, he went out walking and, meeting
a clerk whom he had known in the Nee
son cstabHshmcut-one OF those who had
been discharged on the same day as him
sclf-he obtained from him Miss Smith
ers' address, and began to reflect as to
whether or 10 he should call upon her.
Unable to make up his mind, he con
tinucd his walk till lie reached the quiet
street where augusta lived, and, suddenly
porceiving the house OF which the clerk
had told him, yielded to temptation and
rang.
The door was answered by the maid of
all work, who looked at him a little curl
ously, but said that Hiss Sn1ithers was III,
and then conducted him to door which
was half open, and LETT him in that kindly
and agreeablr fashion that maids of all
work have. Eustaco was perplexed, and,
looking through the door to see if any one
was III the room, discovered Augusta her
self, dressed III some dark material seated
in a chair, her hands folded on her Zap, her
pale face set like a stone, and her eyes
gazing into vacancy He paused, wonder
ing what could he the matter, and as he
did so his umbrella slipped from his hand,
making noise that rendered it necessary
for him to declare himself
Augusta rose as he advanced and looked
at him with a puzzled air, as though she
were striving to recall his name or where
she had met him
Il beg your pardon, he stammered; II
must introduce myself, as the girl has
deserted me. am Eustaca Meeson."
Augustus face hardened at the name
eff you have come to me from Messrs.
Meeson & Co. she said quickly, and
then broke OH, as though struck by some
new idea.
Indeed, no, said Eustace. Il have
nothing in common with Alessrs. Meeson
now except my name, and | have only
come to tell you how sorry was to see
you treated as You were by my uncle.
You remember, | was in the officer"
Yes, she said. with suspicion of a
blush, ! remember you were very kind.
"Well you see, he went on, Il had
great row with my uncle after that, and
it ended with his turning me out of the
place bag and baggage and informing me
that he was going to cut me off with
shilling, which, he added refiectively,
che has probably done by now"
do understand you, Mir Meeson, to
mean that you quarreled with your uncle
about me and my books?'
yes, that IS so, he said.
1T was very chivGlrous of you," she
answered, looking at him with new born
curiosity Augusta was not accustomed
to find the knights Grant thus prepared,
at such cost to themselves, to break q
lance in her cause. Least of all was she
prepared to find that knight bearing the
hateful crest Of Meeson-if. indeed, Nee
son had crest.
Il ought to apologize. she went on,
presently. after an awkward pause, for
making such 4 scene in the Office, but
wanted money so dreadfully. and it was
so hard to be refused But it does not
matter now it is all done with"
There was dull, hopeless ring about
her voice that awolle his curiosity. For
what could she have wanted the money,
and why did she no longer want it2
Il am sorry" he said. "Wll you tell
me what You wanted it so much for2''
She looked at him, and then, acting
upon impulse rather than reflection, said
in q low voice:
"If you like | will show you"
he bowed, wondering what was coming
next. Rising from her chair, Augusta
led the way to door which opened out
Of the sitting room and gently turned the
handle and entered, Eustace following
her. The room was q small bedroom, of
which the faded calico blind had been
pulled down; as it happened, however,
the sunlight. such as it was. ha2t ftsll