The record-union., 1895-05-11

"You don't understand these things.
Magdalen," said Mrs. Haldane. in tone
of almost active reproof. And the Rev.
Paul Marvin turned to her at once.
II think Mrs. Cotgreave does not wish
to understand them," he said, in slightly
satirical tone. 'She considers them be-
meath her. Good-by, Mrs. Haldane.
My kindest thoughts to the good hus-
band: Good-by, Mrs. Cotgreave. Can
you deign to shake hands with me?"
Two minutes later he was going down
the steps into the street.
Long before he reached his own door
Paul Marvin's face had changed extraor-
dlnarlly. Its vigorous vlvaclty dlsap-
peared before certain heavy concentra-
tion OF thought. Once only was it's SOM
Der absorption broken; and then it was
the look of defiance and antagonism with
which he had met Mrs. Cotgreave's eyes
that leaped up in every feature as his
fingers closed like vice round the ac-
count books he carried.
Arrived at the vicarage he let himself
IN and went straight to his study. Two
letters, unopened, lay upon his table. He
had flung himself into his writing-table
chair and sat there staring at them.
The word Of the Rev. Paul Marvin was
his parish of 200 odd souls. He had the
primary gift OF eloquence; he had the
power of organization which often goes
with vigorous and restless tempera-
ment; he had strong and dominating
personality. The five years during which
he had held his present living had raised
him to the position Of spiritual and social
autocrat, adored by the vast majority,
respected, and, perhaps, feared even, by
the minority by whom he was not
adored Ii such position has its dam
gers; if the man who occupies 1t stands in
need OF some counteracting influence
at once tender and clear-sig ghted it was
not in his own home that any such an in
fuence met Paul Marvin. His wife was
a querulous, weak-minded woman,
wholly incapacitated by hysteria from
fulfilling any of the duties of life. Even
the care of their two little boys was more
than she considered herself equal to; and
they had been sent, as little more than
babies, TO school in the country. Paul
Marvin had no domestic life. He lived
IN public, in the life of the parish.
The house was very still. AS he sat
there looking down on the topmost of
the two unopened letters, there was not
the taintest sound to be heard. AT last he
moved. He stretched out one hand, took
up the letter and opened it.
DEAR MR.. MARVIN" it ran-"I am
exceedingly sorry to have to point out
that no notice whatever has been taken
of my last letter to you. L ain reluctantly
compelled To tell you that unless the
check, SO long overdue, reaches me in the
course of twenty-four hours, [ shall re-
sign to you the charge with which you
have Intrusted me and place the matte
in the hands OF my solicitor.
Faithfully yours, JOHN HERIoT."
a heavy breath parted Paul Marvin's
lips, and he moved them little to moist
en- them. Then he let his hand fall slowly
on to the table. crushing the latter.
''What am [ TO do?" he said in low
voice.
Moments passed, and he did not stir.
Then he moved mechanically and took
up the other letter. There was an inclos-
ure, and as mechanically he held it as he
read
DEAR SIR: / inclose check for one
hundred pounds towards your school
subscription. Kindly allow me to ap-
pear anonymously on your subscription
list. l do not intend tocreate prece-
dent. Faithfully yours,
"PHILIP ALLARDYCEO