The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-06
CHAPTER XVIII.

1
father which he had observed so painful,
hitherto Neither did she shrink from the fac
| they had to deal with. In the trust established
between them. they spoke OF 1t all openly. and
II there was any difference in them concern.
ing it. the difference was in his creator for
benranco toward the unhappy man. The,
both spoke OF his wronRloing as II it were his
innrmity: they could not do otherwise: and
they both insensibly assumed his irresponsi
billy in measure: they dwelt in the fiction OF
tho persuasion OF a mental obliquity which,
would account for otherwise upaccountab!e
things.
1T is what my sister has always said" Sue
eagerly assented to his suggestion OF this
theory. Il suppose it's what I've always be-
| lieved. too somehow. or couldn't have lived
Yes: Yes. 1t must DO So" Matt insisted.
But now the question is how to reach him
and mako como beginning OF the end with
him. suppose it's the suspense and tho I'M
certainty that arc breaking your sister DOWN."
"Yes--that and what We ought to do about
giving IN the property We-Iuarrelcd about
that at first: We couldn't see it alike; but now
I've yielded: we've both yielded and we don t
know What to do"
I've must talk all that over with your law
yer in connection with something I've just
heard Of" He told her Of Pinney's scheme.
and he snil. I'VE must see II We can't turn it
! TO account
They agreed not to talk Of her father with
Adeline. but she began it herself. She look ed
very old and frail as she sat ncrvously rocking
herself in n corner oi the cottage parlor and
her voice had a sharp anxious note. What
think is that now We know father is alive. we
oughtn't to do anything about the property
without hearing from him. It stands to rea-
son. don't you think it does Mr.. Hilary. that
ha hatk hon, Al,
We ought to do. Any rate. l think we ought to
wait and consult with him about it, and see
what he says. The property belonged to
mother in the first place, and he mightn't like
to have us part with it,
Il don't think you need trouble about that
now. Miss Sorthwick." said Matt. Nothing
need be done about the property at present"
- But ke-p thinking about It. ! want to do
what Sue thinks is right, and to SEQ II Just in
the light she does and I've told her would
do exactly as she said about it, but now she
won't shy. and SO think we've got to wait and
hear from father. Don't your"
Decidedly: think you ought to do nothing
now till you hear from him." said Matt.
Il knew you would" said the old maid.
and II Sue will be ruled by me. she'll see that
1t will all turn out right. l know father. and
know he'll want to do what is sensible. and at
the same time honorable He is a person who
could never bear to wrong any ono out of
cent"
WELL" said Sue. I'VE will do what Mr.. Hill
airy says and now try not to worry about 1t
any more" she coaxed.
Oh. yes! It's well enough to say not to
worry now. when my minds got going on it,"
said the old maid. ENORMOUSLY: she flung her
weak frame against the chair back. and she
began to wipe tho gathering tears. But il
you'd agreed with me in the first place, it
wouldn't have come to this. Now I'm all
broken down. and don't know when shall he
well again.
TWAS a painful moment: Sue patiently ad-
justed The cushion to her sisters shoulders,
while Adelines tongue ran hclpiessly on.
You were SO headstrOng and stubborn,
thought YOU would kill me. You were Just
like a rock. and could boat myself to pieces
against yeu. and you wouldn't move"
Il was wrong" said the proud girl. meekly
I'm sure" Adeline whimpcred. II hate to
make an exhibition before Mr.. Hilary az much
as any one but l can't help it: no. can't My
nerves are all gone"
The doctor came. and Sue followed Matt out
OF DOORS to leave her. for the first few confiden-
till moments, sacred to tho flow OF symptoms
alone with tho physician There was u little
seuuestared space among the avenue frs be-
side the lodge. with BENCH toward which hs
led theway. but the girl would not sit down.
Sho stood with her arms fallen at her side, and
looked him steadily In the face.
- It's all trne that she said Of mo sat my
self Ike n rock against her / have made hor
slck. and II She died I should 10 her muir.
derer!'
He Put his arms around her and folded her
to his heart oh. my love. my lovo. my love"
he lamented and exulted over her.
Sho did not try to resist: she let her arms
hang at her side: sho said. rs this the way we
keep our word H-already!"
"Our word was made to DO broken; we must
have meant 1t So I'm glad we could break 1t |
30 soon. Now I can truly help you: now that |
you are to be my WIFE,"
She did not gainsay him. but she asked.
What will you think whsn you know--you |
must have known TINT used to care for some |
one elso: but he never cared for mep 1t ought
to mako you d0spise mo: it made ME despise
myself! Eat 1t Is true. I did caro- all tho
world for him. once. Now you will say"
Now. more than ever" said the young man,
silencine her lips with his own. and In their
trance Of love the world seemed to reel away
from under their foet. with all its sorrows and
shames and leave them In mid-heaven.
"Suzette" Adeline's voice called from
within. "suzette! Where are your
Sue released herse! and ran into the cot
tage. she came out again in q little whilo and
said that tho Doctor thought AdelIne had
better ~ to bed for n day or two and have
thorough rest and relief from NIL excitement.
"We mustn't talk before her any moro. and
you musn't stay any longer"
He accepted the authority she instinctively
assumed over him. and found his dismissal
already OF tho order Of things He said. YES.
III 80 at once. But about"
She put card into his hand. You can see
Mr.. Putney. and whatever you and he think
best will BIO best. Haven't you been our good
angel ever since? Oh. I'm not half good
enough for you. and 1 shouldn't be- even IL
there were no STAIN"
Stop" he said: he caught her hand and
pulled her toward him.
Tho doctor came out. and said In q low voice.
There's nothing to be anxious about. but she
really must have quiet I'll send Mrs. Morrsll
down to see you. after tea She's quiet it.
self"
Suzette submitted. and let Matt take her
land again In parting.
oil, ar |