The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-12-14
P VII.

for Phebe's victory that in the succeed
action seemed to proclaim herself the
acknowledged mistress of the house.
She waited in sullen inactivity for a
day or two after Harvey had sent the
letter to his mother, expecting to be
summoned by Mrs. Atherton for a con-
ference, though she had no intention
Of resigning the keys, the symbol Of
her authority, without a struggle, hav-
Ing fully convinced herself that as the
wife of the defrauded sharer in the es-
tate this authority was hers by right.
1t is surprising how readily the COW
etous and selfish believe what they
wish to believe. There is no doubt
that Shylock considered himself justly
entitled to his pound Of flesh, despite
the triling inconvenience the giving
of it might cause Antonio, and his line
Of argument has been pursued by many
another, though in a modified degree.
Helen was prepared to back up her
unauthorized claim with a dozen in
genious arguments which she detailed
to Harvey with a sweet FEASIBILITY
that made him her convert in the end,
though some of his scruples were hard
to overcome. But she was a convinc-
ing talker and knew where to stop;
her closing sentence always left him
with a new thought that did its work
in her absence. Gratitude is not the
dominant trait of humanity, and 1t is
pleasant to be convinced that what we
have blindly enjoyed Is a privilege
we may arbitrarily claim Is a right.
So the days passed on, and Gladys
gave no sign, Helen made vigorous
movement. She dismantled the best
guest chambers, a suite Of two hand
some rooms, and fitted them up luxu-
riously for her sisters. taking furniture
from every part OF the house to carry
out her fancy. Why keep vacant, and
In the center OF the house, rooms that
could be used to advantage? she ar
gued. In this town OF short distances
they never had resident guests, and
the chambers in the wing and on the
upper floor were quite sufficient for the
few who tarried for the night. Hell
ems reasons were always logical, and
stated in a manner SO copiously con
vincing that In agreeing with her ar
guments her hearers lost sight Of the
fact that she raj regulating q matter
IN which she had no concern.
She had excellent taste and ample
materials to work with; the suite, now
arranged. as parlor and bedroom,
which also served al day nursery
looked 30 charming when completed.
that with her sisters help and man
agement she extended the work. Of
renovation to other apartments. Every
evening, when Harvey returned from
business, he was playfully dragged
Into some room In ourse Of alteration.
and his appreciation demanded by the
group Of happy workers. II he had
m~isgivings. they argued them away:
|if he objected, as he sometimes did,
they cooed and laughed him into com-
pliance. The odds were against the.
hoy: there was a se~xcasessor his weak
nesa. sSs
Gladys took her meals In her own,
rooms, and never left them except for!
! daily string upon the upper balcony,
on which her side windows opened.
SPhebe, ii her pilgrimaxss hack and
forth % the Kitchen and pantr4es. raw
AL that was Eotng on and her face
rev grimmer than ever. But she
made no protest, andHelen, quick To