Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-01-17
CHAPTER X.

interval she had forced herself into
cold calmness that enabled her to
meet, them composedly. Almost before
they were seated Harvey, who seemed
much excited. opened the subject up
permost in the minds of all.
$50 you threaten to shut up the
house and go to New York;" he an
grily asked.
at is an intention, Harvey, not a
threat"
And do you think l will submit to
such a course, merely because you
have chosen to quarrel with my wife,
whose only offense has been her care
for US both? You do not know me,
madam"
Il am afraid / have never known
you, Harvey"
Perhaps not; you hadn't applied to
my character the test of injustice and
the most monstrous selfishness ever
shown by mother to son!" he hotly
retorted. Helen had made good use Of
her half hour. you reared me with
the expectation Of sharing your prop
erty; but for that | should not have
married. And now you coolly say that
henceforth must depend upon myself
II, who have been accustomed to
every luxury!"
II think you would have married In
any case" said Gladys, in a tone that
made his eyes waver for moment. 1T
Is as well; l do not fear for your fu-
ture. You certainly have not suffered
from my selfishness in the past"
Don't you think the less you say
about your past the better?" he asked,
carried beyond all prudence, all kind
ness, by burning sense Of his wrongs.
For full minute they looked stead
lily at each other; her womanly In
tuition enabled her to read the
thoughts that owed their existence to
Helen, and her weakened affection for
him seemed to fall dead.
IF live to be a hundred" she said
slowly, her face hard with scorn, 81
will never forgive you for that insult.
even though l know it originated with
the woman who has so strangely per-
verted your moral nature. Your wick
edness and covetousness deserve pun
ishment, and 1t has overtaken you in
the way you will feel most; for though
you have no legal claim upon my
money, l always intended to provide
for you when you came of age, and
should have carried out the intention,
in spite of the fact that you married
against my wish, had not your wife's
character SO soon revealed itself. Re-
cent events have shown me that you
are equally unworthy, and not dol
lar of mine shall ever pass into your
possession and hers unless you come
to actual want"
A dead silence ensued. Both listen
ers saw that Mrs. Atherton was in
earnest, and had been pushed too far,
though righteously pushed; for they
had SO blinded themselves by specious
reasoning that even now they would
not admit they were wrong. 1t was
Helen who broke the dreary pause.
You hated me from the first" she
said in a voice uneven with rage, "and
have we'll calculated your revenge. You
know I would die for Harvey, and by
making me the apparent medium of
his downfall, you try to infict upon
me the most narrowing of punish
ments. But here you fail, Gladys
Atherton, for it is you who have been
his ruin. You have scorned me, not
In words, perhaps, but with meaning
looks, for having decoyed him into
marriage before, your appointed time.
know how you regard my people
that, too, your looks have told. And
what are you, pray, with all your
pride? In the beginning bold, pam
pered girl following the first man who
though 1t worth his while to beckon
her to shame, for aught she knew or
cared. so that her fancy was graft
fed"
Harvey" cried Gladys, deadly pale.
IBID this impious woman be silent.
She is speaking of your mother"
"A mother to be proud of, truly!"
Helen, her eyes imperative
ly demanding Harvey's silence, though
she spoke SO fast and loud that he had
no opportunity to interrupt her, even
had he wished. THE wife OF a drunk
ard and gambler, the widow of GRIM
inal! despise you, and so shall your
son. Be very sure of that. But we'll
have our right II we claim them In a
court of law. l doubt II you have
power to withhold what you call your
How do We know your story
Is true? You were not squeamish In
the past. when you had a purpose to
serve, 1t appears. Why should you be
over particular at this late day."
Gladys, still pale, but with her
former look Of scorn intensified, turned
TO Harvey.
you have heard your wife, sir.
have no claim upon her affection, as
on yours. and care nothing for her
opinion unless you uphold her in it.
Do your"
This Is not the time for heroic
speeches and professions Of belief in
virtues that never existed" he said
sulkily, his eyes on Helen's prompting
face. I'VE must recognize the fact
that the person who marries unwisely
entails certain consequences upon the
children of the marriage for which he
or she owes them compensation.
Through you I am my grandfather's
natural heir, and should not be robbed
OF my birthright. II l am covetous
in urging a just claim. what then are
you? In keeping control of your prop
erty you may be right by law. but
you are acting dishonesty none the
less. So far I agree with my, wife,"
With low cry Gladys fell back In
her chair. AS II waiting for the sig
nal. Phebe entered the room, terrible
old woman in her wrath.
II am going to tell them the truth,