The record-union., 1895-05-11
CHAPTER II.

"You look portentously we'll employed,
Richard. l think. after ALL | had better
not apologize for having kept you up"
Nearly two months had passed. Mrs.
Cotgreave had been dining out; her
brother had waited to receive her, and he
was sitting at the table before business
like array of papers.
He looked up as she came in, lifting a
rather heavy face.
You needn't to apologize certainly,
Magdalen," he said. al was very glad of
an opportunity to get this done. It's
the draft of the balance sheet for tie
school fund"
4 little smile of half interest touched
her face, and she held out her hand.
MAY | lookup she said.
Her brother glanced up. Then he put
a sheet OF paper into her hand.
Not particularly interesting to you,
Pm afraid!" he said.
She shook her head, still with that little
smile. as she glanced down the paper.
Then she lifted her head.
II thought balance sheet represented
all the in-comings and out-goings for The
year?" she asked.
This one only dates from July" he
answered. 1.-The fund wasn't opened
until then. 1t represents the out-goings
and in-comlngs from July to Decem-
ber."
Mrs. Cotgreave made no reply. She
was studying the paper intently and the
smile had disappeared from her face.
There are not many people who wish
to conceal their good deedsW she said at
last; 'only two anonymous subscribers
one $50, one 9lO. l suppose you don't
know who either of the donors are, Rich
ard?"
Mr.. Haldane laughed. "Oh, yes, do"
he said. Mrs. Grace gave the ESQ, and
old Miss Newton the tenner."
'Are you quite sureY'
The exclamation broke from Mrs. Cot
greave sharply and abruptly.
Pm quite sure" was the answer.
Now If you wanted to do me a good
turn you'd offer to go through the pass
book with me and tick the entries off.
But expect your tiredr'
To this vague surprise Mrs. Cotgreave
turned to him instantly, throwing off her
wraps brusquely.
Ppm not in the least tired" she said.
make haste, Richard. You take the
paper, and PHI read out the entries in the
book"
1t was not long task, even though.
saying that she had lost the place. she
made him go twice through the receipts
for November and December. And at
the end she pushed her chair back sharp
ly and stood up.
idly. mo mistake anywhere! Good
night, Richardn'
And The next moment she was gone.
During the two days that followed
Mrs. Haldane went the length not only
of deciding that her sister-in-law "felt
the cold,' but of further communiug
with herself as to whether Mrs Cotgreav We
were not OH the verge of a serious illness.
Mrs. Cotgreave's temper and general de-
meanor were, indeed, such as to require
some accounting for. They varied, al
most from hour to hour, between such
brusQueness as was almost acerbity and
an absent minded depression in which
nothing seemed to interest her. She
spent more time than usual in her own
room, fatty and fiercely refusing to at
tend one of the vicarage working parties,
which had hitherto been source of the
greatest entertainment TO her.
But it was to the vicarage, nevertheless,
that Mrs. COtgreave proceeded on the
third morning. She was looking very
pale, even a tritie haggard; and there was
sunken look. suggestive Of want of
sleep, about her eyes. Her inquiry for
Mr.. Marvin received smiling assent.
and she followed the servant across the
hall.
For an instant, as his eyes fell upon her,
singular flash of expression passed
across Paul Marvin's face. Then with
out moments hesitation he advanced,
holding out his hand.
Mrs. Cotgreave, he exclaimed. "This
is indeed an unexpected pleasure. Is it
possible that l can have the honor of be-
ing of any service to you?"
His tone was rather curious. AS though
the momentary shock of her appearance
had slightly disturbed his balance, its ex-
preston seemed to be in abeyance, to
to await Developments, as it were. But
if his demeanor was not quite usual, Mrs.
Cotgreave was still more unlike herself.
She had turned white to the very lips.
and the strong lines of her face were re-
Taxed as with nervousness hardly to
be controlled. She did not speak, and
Paul Marvin's quick eyes took in the
signs of her unusual agitation almost be-
fore his own words were uttered. His
expression developed. 1t grew firm and
rather hard. as with a grateful sense of
superiority.
Let me turn the chair to tie fire for
you," he went on, ignoring her silence
and giving her time to recover herself
with pleasantness Of manner which was