The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-18

selfish, and practical; Mrs. Payne thought
him much steadier and more businessiiks
than when she nrst knew him. There was
nothing to tell her he had been deterioria-
ting ever since.
Mrs. Payne had eight children of her
own. and her husband possessed one son
by an earlier marriage; but. unlike many
women-better women than herself. too
she never made any difference between
BERTHE and the others. She was really and
truly as fond of him as she could have
been of anyone.
He was only a tiny child when she mar
ried his father. and he always seemed like
her very own. He had had a very delicate
childhood. and even now. at twenty-three.
looked weekly and far from robust: but
Mrs. Payne and his father studied him in
all things. and always persuaded each
other that he was growing stronger.
1t was the second year of their tenancy
OF the Wilderness. and the whole family
were gathered round the breakfast table.
when Mr.. Payne. who had been reading the
newspaper. dropped 1t with O start.
"sir John Bellairs Is dead, Sarah he
exclaimed. H died suddenly on Tues
day."
Mrs. Payne started.
You are quite surey"
We'll. It's IN the paper. Dear me. why
he's years younger than I am. Who'd have
thought he would 60 frstr"
Mrs. Payne finished replenishing the
children's cups with Q very thoughtful
face. Her husband had taken up the pa
per again, but she felt sure he was not
reading q single line. Suddenly he locked
up.
You'd better not wait for ne this morn
ing. Berthe: I'll come up BY . later train"
By profession and calling Mr. Payne was
traveller for . wholesale house In the city.
His original proclivities had been for art
he believed himself . second ~Irvine-but
when he married Miss Sarah Hawkins, her
father had more practical notions. The
old man had some influence with his own
employers. and never rested TIL he got
James in "the house." BY the time he had
learned the business he wac prompted to
the post Of traveller. II was generally
giles with his salary.
One Of the firm, CHANGING to be at South
end. had condescendingly called at the
Wilderness. In spite of the lack Of paint
and the neglected garden he knew the rent
could not be less than fifty pounds . year.
He saw the children the picture Of health
and neatness. the two trim maids. and he
went back with the Impression Jim Payne
must be getting deeply into debt.
He was mistaken. Mr.. and Mrs. Payne
WED not q shilling they could not pay.
II the visitor had guessed them to have
. private source Of income quite indie
pendent Of his arm he would not have been
30 far out.
There were lots Of rooms At the wilder
ness. and one of them had been appre-
priated to Mr.. Payne for . study.
When he rose from the breakfast Id
Glanced at his wife. and. leaving the chill
dren to finish their meal alone. she fol-
lowed him to the study.
She remembered afterwards, when she
thought Of that day. that It wal high tide
and the sea looked deep blue In the sun
light a. II came dashing over the sands.
while the turquoise sky was Just hecksd
with little touches of silvery cloud.
Il never thought II would come % SOON"
said James Payne slowly. Il am not pre-
pared"
Shall W lose the money" asked his wife
anxiously. 1T would be hard to give up
four hundred a year after all this time"
He pondered q moment before he an
swered:
II should say not. I must make Inquiries.
and discover the terms OF Sir John' will.
and the names OF his executor. I rather
fancy Lady Bellairs will see the expediency
Of continuing her husbands policy"
Have you ever seen herr
"Never: he cut me dead. you know, be-
fore his second marriage. II was one of
his conditions that I should never present
myself at Kingswood."
why did you say you were not pre-
asked his wife abruptly. Theirs
be only one course: you must see Lady
Beilairs."
He laughed shortly.
'Oh. she'll have to continue the four hum
fred a year right enough! I'm only think
Ing II I couldn't make Q better bargain with
someone else"
Mrs. Payne's eyes sparkled. She owe
money better than anything else In the
world.
A short. earnest conversation between
and wife. then James Payne went
IN to catch his train. and the mistress Of
he wilderness hurried a little more briskly
han usual over her household duties. de-
,uted her eldest girl to preside at the chill
iren's dinner. int was herself whirled up
70 London By the midday train.
Mrs. Payne was . weil-preserveA. ma
.ronly woman, and she always dressed
30 she looked . very presenta-
be visitor when she rang the bell Oh
crimea villa, Bennerton Grove. She had
,een pacing up and down the Grove for
ONE minutes beforehand. and saw Mr..
Linden come out with her two youngest |
.hildren-thefe was no one but herself to |
AXE them for walks since Lettice's dismis- |
al. She only waited till the trio were well
tut Of sight before she walked up the short |
,ront court.
"Is Miss Linden at homer
Betsy. the little servant, stared with all
Ter might and main. Never since she came |
o Crimea Villa had a visitor inquired for |
diss Lettuce.
mo. mA'am." she said slowly. 81 |
rent away yesterday. and she's never COM
Nc back no more"
Mrs. Payne felt nonplused.
do you mean that she Is married?'
"Oh. dear no. ma'ami She's gone to try
nd get a situation as governess or COM
'anion. The master got into a tantrum
something. and he just turned her
The visitor produced two bright half J
owns. and slipped them into Betsy's
and.
could you give me Miss Linden's ad- J