Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-04-22

SLar0C Ii spo6Cu10Ss SUI pTlSc- 1CSs
at the actual question than at its die
tatorial tone. His complexion was
usually very ruddy; it now became a
curious purplish red, even to his eyes
and his bald crown, as if he had been
dipped in a vat of his choicest dye.
"You mustn't do that kind of thing,
you know, you'll spoil your chances in
the church; and, more than that,
can't have you and him disturbing my
workpeople, and setting them against
me. 1 can't say anything to him, but
I must tell you can't have it; it won't
do at ALL"
''I don't know" answered, "what
right you have, Mr.. Steinhardt, to talk
to me in this fashion"
was angry. He moved about the
glasses and decanters near him.
"Wbat right? Your salary comes
out of my pocket; your rector can't pay
it."
"That," said I, sis matter between
you and the rector, sir.''
"Perhaps it is. But want to tell
you that I must be master in this vii
lage; and if you are bent upon interfer-
ing with me, or between me and the
people, you shall 60 away-that's all.
You keep to your preachings, and your
visitings, and your tea meetings." he
continued, in tone, doubtless, meant
to be placatory, ''and you will do very
WE'LL"
''I take it to be my duty, Mr.. Stein
hardt," replied ,"to concern myself
= rbn% ho >f - L<
people; and, to my mind, the dreadful
condition of the valley, and"
"Oh, ,-d-d sentimental nonsense!"
he exclaimed. "The valley is here for
us to make money out of the best way We
can."
''It is, of course, of no consequence
that don't agree with YOU" said I ;
"but as to what shall think or say on
these Or any other matters, can GER
tainly take no orders from you, sill.
You must excuse me saying it."
every WE'LL" He sat moment in
silence, lingering his glass; he seemed
not to have expected this conclusion.
Then he rose and said, as if he were
quite unconscious of having treated me
with rudeness. "We had better join
the ladies'
''If you will excuse me-" said 1, "I
think I must say good night"
''Eh?" He looked at me in some
surprise. ooh, you should talk to the
women little while at any rate. But
just as you please"
The invitation was exasperating1y
unconceI ned, but, thinking this was
but his habituaally churlish Teutonic
way, and that if did not appear in the
drawing room the ladies might be dis
tressed, accompanied him. Both of
the ladies glanced at me rather Curl
ously; probably showed signs of dis
composure. Soon Mr.. Steinhardt with
drew to his study and his pipe.
"You've been having words with
Emmanuel, Mr.. Unwin," said Mrs.
Steinhardt, almost as soon as her hus-
band was gone. cts all about that
dreadful lecture affair, suppose. He
thinks you've gone against him in it,
and Emmanuel can't bear to be gone
against (The good lady always pro-
nounced her husbands name with a
lofty sense of its scriptural prestige.)
sore, "that Mr.. Steinhardt should ex-
pect to have his own way everywhere
and in everything, any more than an
other man."
"Mr. Steinhardt," said Miss Lacroix,
sis now alone in his authority, now
that father is gone, and he is by his
nature what you would say despot-
oh, yes, dear Mrs. Steinhardt, he is-if
any one is not obedient to him he is
not nice at all. He said hard, rude,
cruel things to YOU, Mr.. Unwin-in-
deed, yes" said she in answer to my
look of surprise, 81 know he did; I felt
him saying them all the time and be-
sides, I saw him saying them with his
eyes all dinner time. But you must
not trouble about his words; they come
from his nature, which he cannot help,
suppose.
"W hat things, to be sure. you do
say, Louise!" exclaimed Mrs. Stein
hardt. "and what eyes you have got!
My word!''