Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-26
VIII.
The House Desolate.

VIII.
The House Desolate.
When they reached Gaunt Royal Henry,
white faced and solemn, met them in the
hall.
WELL Henry" asked Lady Betty. anx-
iously.
You are too late" he replied. gravely.
Sir Richard walked past him without a
word, and for the moment there was an
ugly look on his face.
Then he and Lady Betty made their
way upstairs into the presence Of the
dead.
"A sudden SEIZURE" said the doctor.
'Her heart has been In a bad way for
some time. 1t was all over half an hour
after 1 arrived
With these few simple words he with
drew from the room and left the two
mourners alone.
Lady Betty came forward to the bed
side and kissed the cold, white face. Then
she knelt softly down and covered her
face with her hands and prayed.
Sir Richard stood apart. There were
no tears in. his eyes. and he was not the
sort of man to give way to violent out
burst of grief But in his own selfish
way he had loved his mother and his sor-
row was genuine enough. Il was made
doubiy bitter by the thought that he him.
self was In some way to blame for her
death, He scarcely dared to approach
the bed. but stood few feet away from
1t. and stared flxedly at the kneeiing fig
ure of Lady Betty.
Then he turned and withdrew, softly
closing the door behind him. He realized
that he was not fit to be In the same
room with either the living or the dead.
During the next few days Sir Richard
Gaunt lived his life apart from the
others. He declined to even speak to his
brother. and the few conversations he had
with Lady Betty were brief. chiefly con-
nected with the funeral arrangements. He
took all his meals alone in the library.
and made 1t clear that he did not wish
for the society of any one.
At the funeral itself the two brothers
and Lady Betty were the chief mourners,
and the whole countryside turned out to
do reverence to the family which owned
q large but unproductive slice of the
county. The demeanor Of the three prin-
cipal figures in the ceremony was cor
rect and not calculated to call for re-
mark. No one knew that the two broth
ers were not on speaking terms. and that
Lady Betty's sorrow was mingled with Q
fierce rage against the two men who
could bring their quarrels even to the
side Of their mothers grave.
During the time which elapsed between
the death and the funeral Richard Gaunt
had effaced himself but directly the cere-
mony was over and the relations had de-
parted he lost no time In giving vent to
the words which he had withheld from
respect to the dead.
His interview with Henry was certainly
not one which should have passed be-
tween any two brothers who had just
been united in a common grief
They were alone In the library on the
morning after the funeral Sir Richard
~
younger brother. and it was quite clear
from the outset that they were not to be
pleasant ones.
1T should like to have a little chat with
cigarette. I'VE may not meet again for
some years. and I suppose you are leav-
ing by the midday train"
Henry had not thought Of leaving by the
midday train. but he took the hint.
Yes. l believe that Is the only good
Il shall instruct my solicitor to pay of
that mortgage as soon as possible
Yes. IL you would. One can't afford to
lock up twenty thousand pounds at pei
cent nowadays"
Every WE'LL that matter Is settled.
am Obliged to you for the loan: Well
Henry. I hope you are satisfied with your
work though imagine that you cannot
have expected such a complete disaster
such an absolute breakup of every
What do you mean?'
''oh. you know well enough what
mean" Sir Richard replied. savagely. 81
have held my tongue till now out Of re-
spect for the dead, but now intend tc
speak plainly. You are responsible fol
my mothers death. and you know It. She
was Ill and you went to her with SOME
tYumped-up scandal about me and Betty
don't know what poisonous lies you tolG
her: ! suppose / never shall know. But
have not the slightest doubt that 70,
f.. with your handiwork."
"How dare you! cried Henry Gaunt
exasperated beyond all control. "Hov
dare you talk 10 me like this-at such q
timer'
II dare anything. And l talk to 20,
now because 1t is the last chance ! shall
get Of talking to you. AS long as l an
alive you'll never set foot in this house
asain. Is that plain speaking enough
fer you?"
ut is not only plain. Dick" said Henry
with some dignity ''but it Is exceedingl!
vulgar. I will not prolons this painful
and very unseemly interview"
He walked to the door and, opening 1t
looked back at his brother. who was still
glaring at him like wild beast.
"Good-bye. Dick" he said. smoothly
.'one OF these days you will see what
With this parting shot he closed tn
door and Sir Richard Gaunt was lef
alone.
For few moments he scowled angril.
at the door. then he flung himself into
chair and Tit cigar. One interview wa
over. but there was another yet to come
and IL was possible that, though II Nigh
not prove as unpleasant. 1t would be ia
more difficult.
After ten minutes elaboration he ram
the bell.
please ask Lady Betty II she can spar
me few moments" he said to the ser
want. Say that wish to see her on Inn
portant business.
The servant departed, and q few min