The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-11-05


careworn look coming over her sweet
face. i must go about my business.
We seem to be doing no good, and it
is not worth while waiting till Reggie
comes back"
Arthur followed her to the door.
Don't be down, old girl. he said
kindly. Something is sure to turn
up.
I never heard that anything did
turn up for Mr.. Micawber," she an
1swered, quickly. /" At all events it is
no use folding ones hands to wait
until 1t does
He drew back. q don't want to do
that, !" he said. quietly.
@Oh! Arthur, did not mean any
thing, but it does rile me to see
Reggie with all his splendid talents
and his grand education. and every
thing to be thrown away on such a
paltry employment; and yet, If he re-
fuses it, 1t is like giving up wider
prospects still. There, wont grum-
bic. And. drying her eyes, Janet
went of.
Arthur went slowly downstairs
with his hands in his pockets. This
theory of Reggie's splendid talents
was it only a theory2 He had be-
lieved in it implicitly in spite of
every successive report, first from
school and then from oxford-either
Reggie was growing too fast for
york, poor boy, or he had an unfair
master, and Reggie could never stand
a master he did not like. Then at
Oxford he had turned out to have lost
all the previous years of his life by
having been so badly taught. Then
1t was most unsafe to press on the
highly. strained intellect of genius;
and, finally, Reggie obtained no hon
ors, merely scraped through as hun
dreds of others have done, and came
home beautifully got up in appear
ance, but with small honor to him
self, and a gratif1ed feeling of self
respect, in the belief which he found
mistaken in the breasts Of his family
that his superiority was unassail-
able, only that he had been unfor-
tunate in his surroundings.
Arthur had his hand on the handle
of the door when his father came out
Of the library and stopped his exit.
-" Here, Arthur, 1 want you," he
said, briefly. st.s-szss
The library of Denstone Court was,
alas! only now called so by courtesy,
as the books were gone. Only the
shelves remained. It was
4 fine room, and, like the rest of the
house, had about it the ghost of de- !
parted comfort and luxury.
The Squire OF Denstone Court |
ooked about as worn away and shah |
~ as his own furniture. He had let |
everything slip helplessly through his
myers. His poverty might at one |
fme have been grappled with, but |
he time had gone by now.
Poor Mr.. Denstone got more and |
more deeply involved, more and more |
hopeless; and he found no help in his |
wife, who, worn out by the cares of |
Ter large family and the feeble petu= |
ance of her lord, had subsidized into |
| mere household drudge. The sons
Ind daughters might. have been
comfort individually, but they were
! tremendous incubus en- masse.
One powerful friend they had in |
he Uncle Alfred, the successful Liv-
erpool merchant, who had sent Reg
maid to Oxford, and whose offer of |
clerks place in his house, at salary |
Of sixty pounds a year. had seemed |
such a downfall to all their hopes.
It was On the subject Of this offer |
that Mr.. Denstone wanted to speak |
to his son. 49,.
"Come here, Arthur" he said, ner-
vously, and sit down. T want toetaik
to you, but it f1dgets meeto see you
"You look tired, father" said Ar
thur, kindly. II am afraid something |
has worried you.
IT am always tired and always
said Mr.. Denstone, impa-
tiently, thrusting his hand through |
his thin gray hair, shut I am quite |
used to it now. thank heaven. 1t is
really your mothers fault, she does
worry so about Reggie.
What about him?" said Arthur.
surprised. OF course, the salary iG |
not very high one, but with his tai
ents he is sure to set on, and my |
uncle will probably offer him a part.
But he is not to haveit, you see.
Not to have it? Has my uncle re-
tracted his offer?"
Yes, he has; and in the most un-
hattering manner. It is that that has
SO upset your mother.
= am SO sorry" said Arthur, fer
vently.
Il always knew how it would be, >
said Mr.. Denstone, ENORMOUSLY.
" Reggie gives himself the airs of a
marquis, and dresses like a dandy.
Your uncle is a plain man, and, bless
my soul, he married his cook, as you
know, and can't be expected to be
judge of refinement. He actually
writes these words. Your son is
much too fine gentleman for me.
want clerk, not a young swell; and
want a fellow who appreciates the
luck of getting the place, not one
L.