The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-10-04

My dear boy, you really ought to marry
money. l have been thinking the matter
over very seriously; l do not see what else
you can do. You find absolutely no attTac-
tion in the Bar, i understand, and Art with
you is much less profession than an amuse-
ment. Naturally you will always be in
dependent to a certain extent; but every
young man ought to do something for him
self in this world. If he can't earn money,
he ought to marry It." She jumped up, and
shook lapful of shells into the fender.
" You disappoint me, Gerald-yOu do, indeed.
What on earth is the difference whether a
girls pretty or not? A pretty face won't
give you good house, my child, nor park
hack, nor a hunter. Look out for wife with
something solid in the way of settlements
and expectations-tha's the advice of your
mother to you. And now ring the bell for
me, please; the cook is sending me the
treacle and brown sugar into the library, and
I'm going to make some toffee."
You are going L beg pardon"
gasped Gerald.
Il am going to make toffee-toffee-
toffee! Did you never hear of it? Come
and see how it's done"
He followed her obediently. He no longer
attempted to understand her-he now set
down the attempt as waste of time-but in
her range of mood, which covered a century
or so, there was fascination he was unable
to resist. He even began to pardon Mr.
Justice Singleton himself. She was intoxi-
eating. Whether she were 16 or so, whether
she admonished him like his grandma other,
or crouched on the hearthrug and scOrehed
her cheeks. stirring treacle in a saucepan on
an AbbOttsford stove, his stepmother was
adorable
Now, it is entirely to be desired that, if a
young mans father marry again, his son
shall approve the object of his choice; but
if the flial criticism go the length of deem
ing the lady adorable" that is not to be
desired, and threatens, moreover, rocks ahead
for the young mans peace of mind. There
are certain things we are chary of admitting
plainly to ourselves, and Gerald was no
more candid than the majority in his reve-
ries; but vaguely, and without putting it into
words, he became conscious by degrees that
he was thinking of his stepmother far more
often and more admiringly than she or his
father need require. For day or two after
this occurred to him he said, Nonsense"
and Pooh, pooh" but day or two of the
undivided society of girl by whom we are
already attracted produces enormous deyel-
opments, so presently he no longer said
OOu, anu DtcH ClOuu5 VI HlcNltd-
tive "Honey-dew with drawn brOws, and
debated how best he could get away.
At this stage, while he was moodily con-
sidering what excuse he could offer, an
alteration was to be observed in the attitude
of Mrs. Singleton. She neither favored him
with her ludicrous assumption of maternity
now, nor behaved like a schoolgirl. It was
hard to realize, but she even appeared to be
bashful. Also she avoided him. Once
when he called her Kate" she changed
color. A week ago be would have sought
an explanation; to-day he refrained-a lack
of curiosity from which conclusions may be
drawn. The fortnight for which Mr.. Justice
Singleton was absent had nearly expired
and the fact made Gerald's duty more diff
cult. Having waited for his return so long
it looked odd to depart just as he was ex-
pected. Nevertheless, the duty was plain,
though the path might have its awkward
ness; and one morning he descended to the
breakfast-room resolved to announce his in
tention and to act upon it.
She was seated at the table, reading
letter that had come for her. He ignored
his own, perceiTing that she looked pale and
disturbed.
Not bad news, trust?" he asked
NO." she said, neryously-" it is
nothing"
She lapsed into reverie, and then blushed
vividly as their eyes met.
"Coffee?" she asked.
Thank you-yes.
"He stirred his cup slowly, and wished
her out of the room. When they were alone,
however, he still found nothing to say.
There was long silence, which they broke
together
"Gerald -
"Kate"-
81 beg your pardon" he said. "Please go
on"
"It was-after you"
"I-what / was going to say" he mur-
INJURED, is that l find 1 must go to town
for few days. 1t is important"
"At once?" she said
Yes, Immediately. hardly know when
/ shall be back"
He wondered if this were enough, or
whether he should proceed to assure her
that he should no longer make the house his
home. Her next inquiry settled the point
You will return in time to receive your
father?"
II shall run down as soon as I hear he
has arrived-for the day"
There was another pause. She played
restlessly with the flowers in her dress, and
twice it seemed as if she were about TO speak,
yet did not.
~ had something wished to say to you,"
she faltered at length. II hardly know
how, yet want to do it."
"There is nothing can refuse you, you
may be sure" he answered quickly. "If
yOu"-
at isn't that" she said "it s that I am
ashamed
Her face had grown as pale as the lilies
that she wore, and her breath came and went
anevenly. He leant back watching her with
his heart in his throat, paralyzed with fear
of what her extraordinary nature might
prompt her to declare.
"It is" she said, with rush, =" it is con-
fession!n
"There is Say nothingl" he ex-
claimed Kate-Mrs Singleton-don't
give me any confidence you may regret, 1
beg you"
"Oh!" she gasped-" OH" And then,
almost before he understood that she was
crying, she covered her face with her hands
and ran out of the room.
He sprang up from his chair, and began to
pace the floor excitedly. The world was
spinning round him. He knew he loved
her; he still felt the sob that she had uttered
in his own throat. He was conscious that
she was coming back to him, and realized
that it was impossible for him to leave the
house without seeing her again. The serv-
ants steps sounded on the hall, approaching
to clear the table. He hurriedly resumed
hi and On tho 10 ant ,afiapad