Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-10-24

uepSuueuC upon his UrolneI DOuuty,
tor naturally his allowance stopped
with the demise of his father. 1t also
dawned upon him that now Marcia
would be called upon to make dc
cision, and that she would perhaps pre-
fer g baronet de facto and dejure to
a penniless young barrister with
law and few facts in his favor.
1t is not surprising, then, that he
felt very much like a modern Esau,
and in no pleasant mood, when, ON
the third day after the funeral, as the
brothers were at breakfast, the new
Sir Arthur said, in his hesitating habit
OF speech:
"Er-er-Rick, if you're not going
out this morning l should like a word
with you"
Sir Arthur had what is called a bad
manner; he was self-conscious and
bashful to a degree; upon ordinary
occasions he was apt to hesitate and
falter and founder, although at other
times and upon other topics where he
was sure of his ground he could be
terse and even epigramatic. -
Rick looked up from his letters, and,
being in the dumps" as he would
have expressed it, merely grunted an
assent
Nothing more was said until the
meal was ended. Then, leaning back
in his leather chair and lighting a
cigar-Sir Arthur abhorred tobacco-he
said suldly, sarcastically giving his
brother his title
well, Sir Arthur what is it?"
IF was NOT worry an ono,;--
Yet it may be conceded that fate had
certainly not been kind to Richard.
At bottom he loved his brother, and
in his heart he knew that Sir Arthur
wanted to do the right thing. But a
perverse humor held him that morn
ing, and he would make no effort at
complaisance or Cancellation.
Sir Arthur flushed painfully at Kicks
carelessly contemptuous tone. He rose
and went to the window, where he
stood in silence while the secondhand
of the old clock licked solemnly half
way round its dial.
"I-I-want to put things right, old
man." he said at length, facing inward,
towards Rick, who sat moodily smok-
ing, his cigar tilted towards the CELL
ing.
do you? That's kind" was the
curt rejoinder.
The baronet looked at his brother in
mute surprise; the hot color famed
in his sallow face and as suddenly
left it paler than it's won't He had
never before seen Rick like this But
he controlled himself and went on, a
little more fluently, as though the other
had not spoken.
Eyes. 1 happen to know what
fathers intentions were about money
matters, and 1 am prepared to carry
them out to the letter."
Did he tell you to do it?" inquired
Rick laconically.
'You remember he never spoke after
they carried him home" said Sir
Arthur reproachfully, 'but knew from
what he said to me at times that you
were to be taken care of-that you
would have been provided for If there
had been willard 1 simply mean to
act in his stead
All this was certainly very fair and
generous, and the baronet looked ex-
pectantly at Richard for some sign Of
a relenting humor. But the perverse
devil which clutched his heart-strings
would permit no relaxation, and the
only response was a monosyllabic and
irritating
"Well?"
Sir Arthur's patience was giving
way, and signs of the Dysart temper
appeared in the shape of certain
twitchings and indentations Of the
nostrils, yet he kept himself in hand
wonderfully.
There is not much ready cash, Rick
you know there never has has BEEN"
he went on, "but father set aside certain
sums which you were to have at his
death. / believe the amount is now
something like a couple Of thousand
pounds, and this shall be paid in to
your account as soon as the lawyers
can arrange it"
Thanks awfully," drawled Richard.
He knew in his heart that Sir Arthur
was acting nobly and generously, even
as he would have acted had their posi-
tons been reversed. Yet back of It all
was the knowledge, common to each,
that woman had come between them.
that they both loved her. and hat only
one or them could possess her. This
hardened both Of them.
But Richard had begun the interview
badly, and the Dysart pride, which was
fully as bad as the Dysart temper,
would not let him descend from his
lofty perch. And although he knew he
was wronging his brother grievously
by the suspicion, the fend within COM
PEELED him to continue
And SO you wash your hands OF
me, and can go to the devil with your
two thousand poundsi"
Sir Arthur's par1eace was exhausted,
and even his affection could not with
stand this last thrust, coupled with
what had gone before. Still, as Rick
waxed hot, he grew cool.
1T Is matter of complete indifer-
ence to me what you do or where you
CO." he retorted icily. 81 have done my
duty. More you could not ask; more
you shall not have. ! wish you good
morning and a better temperi"
With these words he turned away,