The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-08

llIe moved more SuOOGlly LnaQ II ever
had done before. Superficial vexatlons
there were, but Agnes purpose in life
now moved too far below the surface to
be disturbed by any but profound emo
tons. t
She had come almost to believe that
she never again could feel the extrem-
ity of torture to which she formerly
had been sensitive, when she was forced
to experience another Of those shocks
which seemed to threaten the springs Of
life. It happened in February after the
expiration of the two-years' grace
granted Mrs. Sidney Sidney to redeem her
before Ferdinand had received a let
ter from Mrs. Sidney explaining that
the winter had made unexpected de-
mands upon her purse, offering to pay
him a part of the money, and asking
for another year In which to pay the
rest. DR.. Quinn had written also, COR
roborating Mrs. Sidney's statement,
and adding that he would be able in a
year to buy the home from her, and
that at the same time he would allow
her life-residence there. Agnes never
sion from Ferdinand as to what he in
tended to do with her mother 8 home.
She knew that he had not answered her
mothers letter, and when she saw him
preparing to 60 to Kent instead Of writ
ing she began to worry. She did not,
however, receive any satisfactory an
swerr to her questions, and it was not
till Ferdinand's return from Kent the
following day that the subject was
plainly opened between them.
He spent part Of the afternoon at his
office, so that her anxiety had time to
grow, and when she met him in the hall
n
prehension that she asked at once, Is
it all right-about the house, Ferdi-
nand9'
He put away his cap and ulster be-
fore he replied, and then said, with
satisfaction in his voice:
: eyes, it is all right. Come into the
library and I will tell you.''
Agnes followed him into the room
with misgivings, and altho he offered
her chair, she stood waiting for him
to speak. ~, -, :. ) 49, a.,
your mother than I expected he an
nounced. "I have sold the house fol
two thousand dollars more than she her,
self asked DR.. Quinn for it,"
i. i. +
Agnes had expected that if Ferdinand
should insist upon selling the. house she
would at least receive warning OF his
intention. It was, therefore, in
she began to reply. "You have solo
the house9 But DR.. Quinn. Z
Then the blood rushed into her fac
and she did not finish her sentence. Sh'
put her hand on the back Of the chat
and steadied herself against dizzi
ness that came over her. The utmos
that she had allowed herself to thinl
had been llyTgexceeded.. The roo
had been sold from over her mother
head in winter when she had cripple
relative to care for. Where would the,
goY To Beatrice's, to Peasants, t
The little farm which her mother al
ways had held in reserve, but whic
was unfit for hoime9 The thought tina
it was her husband who was filling he
mothers last years with needless sol
row, with implacable determinatio
piling burdens upon that failing bu
still cheerful spirit, while she hersel
could neither hinder him nor help he
mother, came upon her with full weigh
of meaning. She frightened her grip o
| her chair, refusing to credit, the sltus
| ton.
IT am not sure that I understand
|, Ferdinand,', she said. cit has com
! on me so suddenly. Do you really mea
that you have sold my mothers hous
away from herP''
, "sFor $4,000 more than she herse]
: asked DR.. Quinn, - repeated Ferdinan'
, The expression of business compla
; ence on his face began to be qualife
t by something elsa subdued but gri1
. satisfaction at having requited Quin
! for the slight the latter had put upos
Q him in refusing his patronage Of tt
t Doctors surgical invention. He ha
!. managed his mother-in-law g busine
\ SO as to gain $4,000, which he had d
I termined to use toward her supper
and at the same time he had taugl
q Quinn the lesson that poor men cou]
: not afford to be independent.
;. i. ~. i.
e Agnes sat down and began to swa
slightly back and forth in her effort
n control herself.
: Ferdinand feared the result of Il
o tumult Of her feelings, but he did NJ
: attempt to touch her. WDon t, Agnes,
e he urged gently. This transactit
h means at least two years support f
s your. mother. The house is poor i
e vestment, and getting worse all tt