The Dickinson press., 1894-04-28
CHAPTER III.
Two Tyrnnts.


Because he saw unusual solicitude on
his wife's face, because instead OF the
habitual calm and placid look in her
eyes there was excitement and anxiety,
he refused her ministratiOns and would
let no one but Minna bind up his In.
jured wrist.
The guests went away early, Rad
stock remaining last. in order. so he
said, to thank Mrs. harrington better
than he could in the presence of strlng-
ers for her kind reception Of him.
THAT man. is not sincere" said Mill
ma to her sister-in-law, as they stood
In the hall when Kadstock had Shu!tlcd
away. "He knows YOU We're kind to
him, he doesn't feel it,"
Duke, who was standing near enough
to Overhear this, rcbukcd her sharply
for her hcart!eSsneSs in turning the
cold shoulder to Il man just because
he was down in the world. AIinna lis
tened very quietly, and then turning
her eyes, which she had Kept dcmurc
~ down, asked:
Haven't you anything to say to
Cicely then. who treated the old ruff
fan as If he had been Il prince
Duke seemed disconnected only for
n moment Then he said quickly:
Il don't expect my wife to insult her
husbands guests
And will, these words lie walked
straight into the library without an
other look ut either of 1hem.
Duke having shown such Il strong
partiality for Joseph Kadstocls, one of
his wifc's first cares was to conciliate
that unattracetive old gentleman by in
viting him to dinner and to tea. and
(}nintr hnls htSt tNifl,
to mitigate the effect If Nlinnas rrsu-
lutte coldness toward him. But this
treatment fortunately only proved the
shrewdncss Of Minna's estimate of
his character. From alternately SER
vile and familiar. his manner rapidly
became familiar with only occasional
lapses into servility, and thereafter
familiar and jocose. This development
was hard to bear. but Cicely bore it,
Coincident with this gradual change
in Radstock's demeanor. however,
Cicely noticed an alteration for the
worse in Duke also. He grew not only
irritable, but morose and taciturn; his
| wife and sister saw less and less of
him. and the short time he spent in
their society grew daily more unendur-
able to all three. At last. one day
when she suggested inviting Radstock
| to lunch with them on the following
Sunday, Duke turned upon her in Il
sudden outburst of fierce anger.
What on earth can you see in that
old scoundrel that you must be having
| him here morning, noon and night!'
he asked in Il shaking voice. Isn't
it enough for you that he's going to be
my ruin?"
Without another word, without an
other glance at his wife, who fell back
in speechless horror, he dashed out of
the house, leaving her to put what con-
struction she pleased upon this out
burst. She said nothing about it to
Minna, hoping for an explanation from
her husband. That evening, on his re-
turn from the city, he did, indeed,
try to laugh off the effects of his
hastily uttered words, but this attempt
they had some serious meaning.
OF course Mr. Joseph Radstock got
no more invitations to Dial House.
But he was not to be shaken off so cas-.
lily.
One evening. shortly before the time
at which Duke was expected home
from the city, one Of the housemaids
came to inform her mistress that Mr..
RadstOck was outside, but that she
didn't like to let him in, as she was
sure he was tipsy.
'And he's behaving in such way,
ma am, not civil like he used to be
but says he will come in, and he's as
good us anybody here, and if he's not
let in it will be worse for everybody
And he's pulling away ut the bell and
making disturbance. Shall l send
to the stables and get Latham to send
him away, ma'am!'
NO." said Ciccly, very quietly, rising
and coming to the door, Il will so an(
speak to him.
The lady thought, as well she might
that the constant kindness she ha(
shown him would give her influence
!, with him, But Joseph Radstock saw
In gentleness and courtesy only weak
ness, and in truth he felt Il much great
er contempt for Cicely than for he
patronizing and occasionally bullyin
husband At the first sight of him, o
opening the front door, she doubte
3 her powers. He had been drinkin
and there was confidential swagge
3 In his manner and a surly insolenc
! In his tone which recalled Duke
a alarming words. and with which sh
felt unable to cope.
| etculuts, WI. 4AttuSlOSNs
began, trying to be cOnciliatOry. ~
J. YOU want to see my husband, he
mo, I don't want to see your hui
. band; / see quite as much as wal
of him ut the office. I want a Dime
, and l shall be obliged if you'll invit
ME to have one. You'll excuse my mai
ing SO free? But you and wei
always pals, If may make bold to s.,
so"
} 1t was quite clear that cOnciliatOr
MANNERS were thrown away upon til
half-tipsy rascal; and Cicely, with a
icy fear at heart. resolved to assume
new attitude and learn the worst. ST
therefore drew herself lip and sai'
with cold dignity:
, II am afraid you overrate tt
} strength of our friendship, Mr.. RAJ
stock. I cannot invite you to dim.
this evening"
He gave drunken laugh, and pl
his foot inside the door, as she W;
about to close 1t.
"Wait bit. 4 shall stay here unit
= your hushand-my dear nephew
comes back, and then sAe whether 70
= will invite me or not. A pretty thin
for a gentleman to be insulted by
> chit like YOU at the house Of his OW
nephew"
Cicely did not answer. She In
caught sight of her husband at the ot1
er side Of the wide road, and she wal
ed with loudly beating heart for Ii
approach. If only he would seize til
insolent wretch by the collar, as woul'
she knew, be his natural impulse, he
mind would be relieved. If, on til
other hand. Her heart sank us sl
saw the look of sick anxiety whic
Dukes face as1umed when he caugl
sight of his uncla.
= Radstock, hearing footsteps benin
him, turned and laughed loudly.
D "Here, Duke" he said with IL mali
2. nant nod of the head toward Cicel
"I've been begging this wife Of you
n' for an invitation to dinner, and m
dams too proud to give it me. Pm n
good enough, suppose. Ha, ha!'
Duke scowled, not at him, but
C!cely.
Let him in," he said shortly.
And Cicely. without q word NOV
back from the doorway, feeling