The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-11


Well, young mar, now what's all this
between you and Susy? I'm looking after
her interests-same as if she was my own
girl. 1t you got anything to say, now's
your time. And don't you shilly-shally
too long over it either, for you might as
well know that girl like that can have
her pick and choice and be beholden to no
one. And when she don't care to choose
there's me and my husband ready to do
for her all the same. We mighn't be able
to do the anteek Spanish Squire. but we've
got our line of business, and it's COM
Portable one."
To have this said to him under the roof
Of Mrs. Peyton, from whom, in his sensi-
tiveness. he had thus far jealously
guarded his secret, was even more than
Clarence's gentleness could stand, and
fixed his wavering resolution.
II don't think we quite understand each
other, Mrs. McClosky," he said, coldly. but
with glittering eyes. II have certainly
something to say TO you; If it is not on a
subject as pleasant as the one you pro-
pose, it is nevertheless one that l think
you and are more competent to discuss
together" Then with quiet but unrelent-
ing directness he pointed out to her that
Susy was legally adopted daughter of
Mrs. Peyton, and as a minor utterly I'M
der her control; that Mrs. Peyton had no
knowledge of any opposing relatives, and
that Susy had not only concealed the fact
from her, but that he was satisfied that
Mrs. PeytOn did not even know of Susy's
discomfort and alienation; that she had
tenderly and carefully brought up
the helpless orphan as her own
child, and even if she had not
gained her affections was at least
entitled to her obedience and respect; that
while Susy's girlish caprice and inexperi-
ence excused her conduct, Mrs. Peyton
and her friends would have a right to
expect more consideration from q person
of Mrs. McClosky's maturer judgment.
That for these reasons, and as the friend
of Mrs. PeytOn-whom alone he could
recognize as Susy's guardian, and the
to discuss the young girl, with any refer
ence to himself, or his own intentions.
An unmistakable flush asserted itself
under the lady's powder. "Suit yourself,
young man, suit yourself" she said with
equally direct resentment and antagonism.
"Only mebbee you'll let me tell you that
Jim McClosky amt no fool, and
mebbee knows what lawyers think
OF an arrangement with sister,
in-law that leaves real sister
out! Mebbee that's a SISTERS title you
amt thought of-Mr. Brant! And mebbee
you'll find out that your chance O. gettin'
Mrs. Peyton's consent amt as safe to
gamble on as you reckon it is; and meb-
bee-what's more to the purpose-if you
did get it, it might not be just the trump
card to fetch Susy with And to wind up,
Mr.. Brant, when you do have to come
down to the bedrock and me and Jim Nc
Closky. you may find out that him and me
have discovered better match for Susy
than the son of old Ham Brant-who is
trying to play the Spanish grandee off his
fathers money on couple of women.
And we mayn't have to go far to do it-or
to get the real thing-Mr. Brant!"
Too heartsick and Disguised to even no.
a himsplf ho linn ~
of her last words, Clarence only arose and
bowed as she jumped up from the table.
But as she reached the door he said, half
appealingly:
Whatever are your other intentions,
Mrs. McClosky, as we are both Susy's
guests, l beg you will say nothing of this
to her while we are here. and particularly
that you will not allow her to think for q
moment that | have discussed my rela-
tons to her with anybody.
She flung herself out of the door with
out reply, but on entering the dark, low
ceiling dining room she was surprised to
find Susy was not there. She was conse-
quently Obliged to return to the veranda,
where Clarence had Withdrawn, and to
somewhat ostentatiously demand of the
servants that Susy should be sent to her
room at once. But the young girl was not
where to be found. Clarence, who had
now fully determined as last resource
to make a direct appeal to her, listened
to this fruitless search for her with some
concern. She could not have gone out in
the rain, which was again falling: she
might be hiding somewhere to avoid a re-
currence of the scene she had perhaps
partly overheard. He turned into the cor
ridor that led to Mrs. Peyton's houdoir.
As he knew that it was locked he was sur
prised to see by the dim light of the hang
ing lamp that duplicate key to the one in
his desk was in the lock. 1t must be
Susy's-and the young girl had probably
taken refuge there. He knocked gently;
there was a rustic in the room and the
sound of chair being moved, but no re-
ply. lmpelled by a sudden instinct he
opened the door and was met by cool
current OF air from some open window.
At the same moment the figure of Susy
approached him from the semi-darkness
of the interior.
IL did not know you were here" said
Clarence, much relieved. he knew not
why, ''but am glad, for wanted to speak
with you alone tor a few moments"
She did not reply, but he drew match
which he knew stood on the table. The
wick of one was still warm, as if it had
been recently extinguished. As the light
slowly radiated, he could see that she was
regarding himwith an air of affected uncon-
Germ but somewhat heightened color. 1t
idea that she had come there to avoid an
after scene with Mrs. McClosky or himself
OR perhaps both. The room was not dis
arraged in any way. The window that
was opened was the easement of the deep
embrasured one in the rear wall, and the
light curtain before it still swayed occa-
sionally in the night wind.
I'm afraid had row with your aunt,
Susy," he began lightly in his old familiar
way, "but had to tell her / didn't think
her conduct to Mrs. Peyton was exactly
the square thing toward one " no had been
as devoted to you as she had been"
80. for goodness sake! don't go over all
that again; said Susy, impatiently. i've
had enough of it,"
Clarence flushed, but recovered himself.
Then you overheard what l said and
know what think ?' he said calmly.
Il knew it before" said the young girl
with slight supercilious toss of the head.
and yet a certain abstraction of manner
as she went to the window and closed it.
Anybody could see it! | know you
always wanted me to stay here with Mrs
Peyton and be coddled and monitored, and
catechised, and shut up away from any
one, until you had been coddled and mon
itored, and catechised by somebody else
sufficiently to suit her ideas of your being
a tit husband for me. told aunty it was
no use our coming here-to-to-"
ITO do what ?" asked Clarence
ITO put some spirit into you," said the
young girl, turning upon him, sharply;
woman's apron strings. To keep her
from making a slave of you as she would
of me- But it is of no use. Mary Rogers
was right when she said Won n All m ;pish