Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-03-06
CHATTER LV.

CHATTER Lv.
The front windows of the Brightwater
cottage look out on quiet green lane in
Middlesex, which joins the high road within
n few miles of the market town OF u xbridge
Through the pretty garden at the back runs
little brook, winding its merry way to a
distant river. The few rooms in this pleas
ant place of residence are well COO welD
furnished, having regard to the limits of
building which is cottage i'm the Strictest
sense of the word. Water-cOlor drawings
by the old English masters OF the art orna-
ment the dning-roOm. The parlor has been
transformed into library. From floor to
ceiling all four of its walls are covered with
books. Their old and well-chosen bindings
seen in the mass present nothing less than q
feast Of color to the eye. The library and
the works of art are described as heir-looms,
which have passed into the possession of the
present proprietOr-One more among the
hundreds of Englishmen who are ruined
every year by betting on the turf.
So Sorely in need Of little ready money
was this victim of gambling-tacitly per-
mitted or conveniently ignored by the auda-
ciOus hypocrisy of a country which rejoiced
in the extinction of Baden, and which still
shoulders at the name of MOnaco-that he
was ready to let his pretty cottage for no
longer term than one month certain; and
he even allowed the elderly lady, who drove
the hardest of hard bargains with him, to
lesser by one guinea the hOuSe-rent paid for
each week. lie took his revenge by means
Of an irOnical compliment, addressed to
Mrs Presty. What a saving 1t would be
to the country, nam, II you were chancel-
lOr of the eXchequerv With perfect gravity
Mrs. Presty accepted that welI-earned tri-
butte of praise. "YOu are quite right, sir; l
should be the first official person known to
the history of England who took proper care
of the public money"
Within two days Of the time when they
had left the hotel at Sydenham Catherine
and her little family circle had taken posses
sion of the cottage.
The two ladies were sitting in the library,
each occupied with book chosen from the
well-stocked shelves. GATHERINGS reading
appeared to be more than once interrupted
by GATHERINGS thoughts. Noticing this cir
cumstance, Mrs. Presty asked If any remark
able event had happened. and il 1t was
weighing heavily Oh her daughters mind.
Catherine answered that she was thinking
the child did weigh heavily on her mind.
Some days had passed tshe reminded Mrs.
Presty) since the interview ut which Herbert
Linley had hidden her farewell. On that
occasion he had referred to her proposed
marriage (nevcr to be marriage nOwD in
terms Of forbcarance and generosity, which
claimed her sincere admiration. 1t might
be possible for her to show grateful appre-
ntn f.f 1, Il, I.Il ~
his little daughter, he must h1yc felt acutely
his long separation from her; and it was
quite likely that lie might ask to sec Kitty.
There was now an obstacle in the way of her
willing compliance with that request which
1t was impossible to think Of without re-
morse, and which it was imperatively nee
essary to remove. Her mother would under
stand that she alluded to the shameful false
hood which had led the child to suppose that
her father was dead.
Strongly disappearing Of the language in
which her daughter had done justice to the
conduct of the divorced husband, Mrs.
Presty merely replied: "YOu are Kitty's
mother; leave it to you"-and returned to
her reading.
Catherine could not feel that she had de-
served such an answer as this. Ibid plan
the deception" she asked. Did l tell the
lie?'
Mrs. Prcsty was not in the least offended
You are comparatively innocent my DEAR"
she admitted, with an air of satirical indulg-
ence. You only consented to the decep-
ton, and profited by the lie. Suppose we
own the truth. You arc afraid"
Catherine owned the truth In the plainest
terms: "Yes. am afraid"
"And you leave 1t to me?'
81 leave it to you."
Mrs. Presty cOmplacently closed her book.
II was quite prepared to hear it." she said |;
'all the unpleasant complications since your
diyorce-and heaven only knows how many
OF them have presented thcmselves-have
been left for me to unravcl. 1t SO happens
though was too modest to mention it pre-
maturely-that have unravelod this COM
plication. II you only have eyes to see II,
there is way out Of every difficulty that
can possibly happen" She pushed the book
that she had been reading (across the table,
TO Catherine. Turn to page $40" she said.
''There is the way out"
The title of the book was Disasters at
Sea" and the page contained the narrative
OF shipwreck. On evidence apparently IT.
reSistible, the drowning Of every soul on
granted-when remnant Of the passengers
and crew had been discovered on a desert
island, and had been safely restored to their
friends. Having read this record of suffer-
ing and suspense. Catherine looked at her
mother and waited for an explanation.
Don't you see it?' Mrs. Presty asked.
Il can't say that do.'
The old lady's excellent temper was not in
the least rufiled, even by this
"Quite inexcusable on my part" she &C
acknowledged; Il ought to have remem-
bered that you don't inherit your mothers
vivid imagination. Age has left mo in full
possession Of those powers Of invention
which used to amaze your poor father. lie
wondered how 1t was that never wrote
novel. Mr.. Presty's appreciation Of my in
tellect was equally sincere; but he took a
different view. Beware. my DEAR he said,
of trifiing with the distinction which you
now enjoy; you are one of the most remark
able women in England-you have never
written novel; Pardon me; am wander
ing into the region of literary anecdote,
when ought TO explain myself. Now pray
attend to this: propose to tell Kitty that l
have found book which Is sure to interest
her; and shall direct her attention to the
lamentable story which you have Just read.
She is quite sharp enough there a sparks
Of my intellectual fire In Kitty to ask II the
friends Of the poor shfpwrecked people were
not very much surprised to see them again.
To this shall answer: Very much, indeed,
for their friends thought ey were dead