Charlevoix county herald., 1910-01-08


rich, and was grateful that they had
not fallen into debt. But che house
had suffered; the furniture began to
show signs of hard usage; the car
pets were growing threadbare, and
the profits of the business would GER
tainly not enable her to replace them
when they were quite gone. And she
had other troubles. She had insisted
upon releasing Burrell from his en-
gagement, arguing that his salary was
not more than sufficient for two. She
would not consent that he should be
burdened with the support of her
mother and sisters, as hundreds of
other women had done before her.
Burrell, who was superintendent of
the electric light works, had to admit
that she was right, and, while he re-
leased her, he did so with the clear
understanding that he considered him.
self still irrevocably bound, and
should continue to do so as long as
she lived, or until she married some
other man.
And, moreover, he came to board
with them, and found consolation in
seeing her constantly, and helping and
comforting her in a thousand ways.
He was especially fortunate in be-
ing able to mollify old Mr.. Worthing-
ton, listening patiently to his COM
plants and his interminable stories,
and he even relieved Miss Vantage at
chess, permitting himself to be beaten
with the utmost amiability. But his
indulgence drew the line at the old
mans criticism of the house and its
management. Not only did he stop
him, but he intimated pretty plainly
that he was ungrateful. Il reckon l
am" he replied, grufily, 'but l haven't
any patience with their fool talk about
their rich kin; l don't believe they
have any"
This, however, was to be at last
proved beyond cavil. Mrs Wilton re-
ceived a letter from Jabez Wilton's
agent in San Francisco-he never
wrote, himself; he always telegraphed.
The letter stated that Mr.. Jabez Will
ton would start east that morning,
and be with them five days later.
Mighty preparations began at once.
Mrs. Wilton insisted upon giving up
her own room to Uncle Jabez, and
went to the expense of buying a new
carpet and new curtains she also
brought out the few remaining relics
of their former rosperity-picturss
and bric-a-brac and embroidered
cushions.
The eventful day came, dull ard
threatening, with a biting east wind.
A fire cracked in the crate, casting
rosy shadows upon the wall and cell
ing of the cheerful room, which was
in readiness for its prospective occu-
pant. At the last moment Susan had
filled a bowl with splendid yellow
chrysanthemums and placed it upon a
table by the window.
The train was due at four o'clock,
and Burrell and Susan had gone to
the station, hoping to recognize the
expected arrival by some sort of in
tuition.
Mrs. Wilton ran upstairs after they
had gone to see if any thing needful
had been forgotten in the guest cham
Der.
On the threshold she detected an
unmistakable odor of tobacco. She
opened the door and stood transfixed.
There sat old Mr.. Worthington in
his shabby dressing gown, lounging in
the armchair, smoking his pipe, his
slippered feet on the fender.
Newspapers were scattered about,
and he had been lying on the lounge,
as the disordered pillows made evil
dent.
We'll, really, Mr.. Worthington!"
said Mrs. Wilton, her eyes flashing
she knew him to he capable of any
thing must say that this is I'M
pardonable."
She was always ladylike.
He turned and glanced at her calm
ly over his shoulder, and did not stir
"Sit down, Arabella," he said at
length, and don't excite yourself. 4"
Arabella indeed! Addr sssing her
by her Christion name! He had never
been quite so impertinent rs this.
She walked across the raom and
stood beside him, painting with indig-
nation.
I've a right here" he said with un.
usual mildness. I'm the man you've
| fixed up this room for, and Susan will
not find me at the station. I've been
in your house some time, as you'll al
| low"
Mrs. Wilton did not in the least
comprehend what he was saying; she
was so daZed that she could not
! speak.
This has been done before" he
went on, I've read about it, wanted
to make certain as to who and what
you all were before entering into an
arrangement that l might regret. Sit
down, do" And thus urged, she
dropped Imply into a chair beside
him. The truth at last dawned upon
| her Int shp could only look M hin, a.,