Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-10-07

push and assurance can edge her wal
into the most exclusive circles now
adays. She was quite sure that she
was tar superior to that vulgar Mrs.
RuRgles, who was presented at the
last drawing-rOom; yet she, Mrs.
Peter Macbrag, had never had the
opportunity of making her curtsy to
her majesty.
Don't you think, my dear. that
you had better wait until you are
Lady Macbrax?" her husband re.
marked one evening at dinner after
one of these harangucs.
! Mrs Macbrag stared.
Are you serious, Peter?" she said
solemnly; Though for that matter
don't see why you shouldn't get a
title. Any one who doesn't mind the
expense can be a knight, or a bar
onet or course you would only &C.
cept a barOnetcy"
'Of course" assented Mr.. Mac
braQ. well, the. fact is, Maria, that
l think 1t highly probable that my
benevOlence and er-political services
will be rewarded before the year is
|
Smokeford and take house In town."
AS Mr.. Macbrag finished speaking
a servant entered the room with q
note.
"a young man is waiting for an
answer, SIR"
Mr. Macbrag opened the note, and
as he hurriedly ran his eye over the
contents his ford complexion grew
pale and he muttered something I'm.
complimentary to the writer.
''Show him into the library" he
said to the servant.
mo bad news I hope. Peter, re.
marked his wife anxiously.
'Oh, no; only a matter of-busi-
ness Nothing OF Importance.
But when Mr.. Macbrag entered the
library and confronted his visitor his
anxious manner belied that state.
ment
$50 you've come back" he said,
abruptly, to the shabbily dressed in
dividual who rose on his entrance.
Eyes. was tired of colonial life,
The climate of New Zealand is agree
able. but it didn't quite suit me. l
thought change to England would
benefit my health-and purse"
Possibly" said Macbrag drily.
''but it does not happen to suit me.
can't and won't have you living in
England. 1t isn't safe, ana it's con-
trary to our agreement"
''That's lust what I've come home
to see about" retorted the young
man, with an unpleasant smile; sthat
agreement has expired. I mean to
make another more favor able to my.
SELF"
Mr.. Macbrag's face was study as
he turned it on fis unwelcome
visitor.
"Another agreement-more favor.
able terms" he stammered. "Im.
possible."
II am sorry to hear it. because
your refusal will put me to the pain
tul necessity Of"
''Silence, sir! IL won't be threat.
ened in my own house," interrupted
Mr.. Macbrag, with dignity. Take
chair and let us talk over the mat
ter dispassionately and in a friendly
spirit"
The visitor took a chair but
evinced no disposition to be friendly.
'If l had known how we'll the
world has gone with you of late years
should have made shorter stay in
New Zealand" he began defiantly.
'.But month or two ago l saw in
an English newspaper that you had
given 81, 900 to something or other
l forgot what-so thought l might
as we'll look you up again."
"HOW much do you want? II a
f10-note would be of any service to
yOu@"
IA f10 note! Rubbish! Five years
ago, when l accepted $500 and my
fare to New Zealand from you, l was
young and easily gulled. Now know
my power. These are my terms; you
can accept or refuse them as you
please, but IL you refuse them you
will take the consequences. n I want
81, ZOO down and share in your busi-
ness"
Macbrag's self-posession again gave
way at this appalling proposition. He
stormed and clustered and sWore, but
all in vain. The visitor was firm,
and in the end he left with Macbrag's
promise to think the matter over and
give him an answer the next day.
Before the end of the year Peter
Macbrag was gazetted as a baronet;
the town house his wife coveted was
taken, and the worthy pair began
their life in London under the hap
piest auspices
The shipbuilding business. the
source of the wealth which had done
so much for the Macbrags, was now
superintended by Mr.. Eustace Fitz.
sharp the. energetic manager and
junior partner, who within the last
few months had gained the confidence
of the head of the firm. Lady Mac
brag seemed to resent the ascendency
which this clever gentleman had over
her husband, and when Mr.. Fitzsharp
dined at their house she could with |
difficulty hide her dislike.
HE is ugly and ill-bred. and he
novor 1npEc vo,, in <hn fcn~