New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-12
THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING

Gene, al. angr!iy. What Is the good OF ten
mound note to pauper? I ask you that. Matilda.
and you can't answer me. II you could give the
girl a thousand pounds-something that could be
invested and give her q fraction OF an income-it
would be all very we'll. But what In the name OF
fortune is the use of stavihg of the workhouse
for two or three weeks with dole OF ten
pound note?"
my dear William. you have totally missed the
mark" replied his interlocutrix. calmly There
10 no talk OF a ten-pound note. for Theodore
wouldn't accept money: nor OF the workhouse.
for she would sooner take service as a Kitchen
maid than think OF such n thing. But the poor
child 10 In great grief and even II she had the
heart to walk from her fathers grave into
eoverness's situation II wouldn't be decent All
want 10 to see her In place OF shelter TIL she ID
a little more fitted to cope with the world"
And may ask what asylum Is going to have
the honor Of receiving Miss Brakespear?" asked
the General.
He was . tall. spare man: his face was like a
lions face. and he had the qualities which are
usually supposed to belong to lions. He was
brave to audacity. and on occasions he could be
generous to fault; but ne was narrow-minded.
and prone to be irritable. His sister was tall
and spare too but there her likeness to hei
brother ceased For she possessed nothing Of hi,
dices and limitations.
II was a question in the neighborhood whether
the Generals buster governed Miss de Laury or
whether Miss de Laury's composure and little
shafts Of satire governed the General But the
Generals son. Arthur. and the servants knew.
and they consequently possessed their happy
souls IN peace.
Miss de Laury did not Immediately answer the
Generals question. ana he therefore grumbled
on
II never liked Brakespear." he said 1T was
ne who ruined Arthur's career. and I've never
forgiven him. and never shall. A fool and
maniac! What did he by poking his head
into a disease that no man understands?'
1T il very much to be regretted that Dr.
Brakespear died before his researches were COM
.plete." remarked Miss de Laury. If he had dis
covered how to prevent cancer. he would have
been one Of the worlds greatest benefactors"
"Humph! A man has no business TO set up for
q public benefactor when he has burdened him.
self with a private family. What did the fellow
mean by leaving his daughter on the parish? He
was not only fool and madman-he was
scoundrelv' cried the General
Theodore is not on the parish" observed Miss
De Laury. "She has $500"
Five hundred pounds" exclaimed the General.
"How can any woman live on the interest OF
$500? ask you, Matilda, whether you could live
on the interest Of $500. tell you the man was a
scoundrel!
II certainly could not live on the interest Of
$780, nor can Theodore" said Miss de Laury.
"But luckily she Is young. and when her first
sorrow Is past she will be able to work. Besides.
there are other possibilities"
II know; you refer to Arthur. Once for all.
Matilda. let me assure you that II Arthur Is ever
ass enough to marry Miss Brakespear. cut him
out Of my will. Isn't 1t enough that the father
has turned my own boy into medical man? He
shall never marry the girl"
Arthur is enthusiastically fond OF his pro-
fession. William"
Exactly. He IL going to follow In Brakespears
footsteps and ruin himself In research. But I'll
put my foot down upon 1t at once Brakespears
influence was pernicious enough He shall never
marry Brakespear's daughter Do you hear?"
II hear. But can't promise that Arthur will
heed. Young men usually go their own way"
do you mean TO imply that Arthur Is seriously
attached TO Miss Brakespear?"
Every seriously. believe"
Matilda. do you mean to insinuate that they
are engaged?"
mot al ALL Arthur would do nothing dishon-
orabie, and II would hardly be honorable of him
% propose 10 girl before he had finished his
education"
but you imply that he means 10 propose 10
her ~ soon ~ he II settled In lfe9'
"undoubtsdly"
"1'hen they may both 20 10 the devl" cried the
General.
II don't think there will be any need" said
Miss de Laury. Arthur will have his mothers
money when he In nvc-and-twenty. and you can
not rescnd your promise Of buying him a prac-
tlce. They will be poor. but poor people are often
very happy
The General sank down In a chair with
groan His arms hung down. his legs fell apart;
there was air OF defeat about his melancholy
face and about his long limbs. that seemed I'M
able to bear their own weight
Miss de Laury went on knitting.
Tea will be here In a minute" she said. as II
tea were her only thought.
Its 80 maddening to see ones son throw him
self away-one's only son." said the poor General
pathetically. why couldn't he have taken a
fancy to Jessie Thurton? A bright. pretty.
piquant creature like that One would think a
young man would jump at such girl!'
Eyes; the vagaries Of love are very strange"
said Miss de Laury.
II can't think how he ever looked at that girl
Of Brakespear's?"
"She Is pretty. William"
ever saw"
you make her nervous you stare at her and
glare at her. and ask her abrupt questions: and
she Is shy and sensitive and can't bear 1t. She
80 exceedingly clever and very good"
"She can't be good" asserted the General.
"Car je lie Dis ct lie repete.
On nest pas bon Quand on est bette"
ne quoted.
do you call her better" said Miss de Laury.
sweetly
YES do" maintained the General. You may
try to Illustrate me much ever you like,
Matilda but tell you plainly shall not leave
my money to the possible children OF Miss
Brakespear."
IL don't ask you TO do so. All want is a little
breathing time for this poor child"
"Ah, forgot You were going to tell me Of
some asylum where she could be temporarily
received"
Eyes. William ! want her to come here"
The General sprang to his feet.
"Herew he calculated.
ILL L.