Red Money

of a sybarite, he required a great deal of money to render him happy. Like the immortal Becky Sharp, he could have been fairly honest if possesse

p, and with characteristic promptitude, Garvington had conveniently forgotten how nearly he had escaped the iron grip of Justice. In fact, so entirely did it slip his memory that-on the plea of Pine's newly discovered origin-he did not desire the body to be placed in the family vault. B

id bluntly, when the question was being

you wish

exploit her. "We can talk about it when the will has been read, and we know exactly

in spite of the genuine regret she felt for her husband's tragic death. Garvington was qui

lly serious. "Not even that you count on me to settle your

ill, my dear. Yo

ut I am not nec

ostentatiously dense to her true meaning. "It is hysteria that speaks, and n

eless it was to argue with the man. "Go away and don't worry me. When poo

rd, taking a hasty departure out of diplomacy. "Surely, Ag

guessed the jealousy with which the hot-blooded gypsy had regarded the early engagement of Agnes and Lambert. If he had done so, he assuredly would not have invited the young man down to the

l have every honor shown to his memory. Noel and I, as representatives of his wife, my dear sister, shall follow him to the Lam

emptuously, "he will ask Pine for money, as soon as they rise to attend the Great Assizes!" which bitter remark showed t

ke all the lower orders, they loved the excitement of an interment; the gypsies from the camp followed, since the deceased was of their blood; and many people in financial and social circles came down from London for the obvious reason that Pine was a well-known figure in the City and the West End, and also a member of Parliament.

was given of the funeral. But neither by word of mouth, nor in print, was any suggestion made likely to afford the slightest clue to the name or the whereabouts of the assassin. Having regard to Pine's romantic career, it was thought by some that the act was one of revenge by a gypsy jealous that the man should attain to such affluence, while others hinted that the motive for the crime was to be found in connection with the millionaire's career as a Gentile. Gradually, as all conjecture proved futile, the gos

a condition attached to such inheritance irritated Agnes and caused Garvington unfeigned alarm. Pine's solicitor-he was called Jarwin and came from a stuffy little office i

eed not be made public," said Mr. Jarwin blandly. "A pr

ar of what might be forthcoming, since with relatives there could be no risk of betrayal. All the same, he waited for the reading of the will with some perturbation, for the suggested secrecy hinted at some posthumous revenge on the part of the dead man. And, hardened as he

r. Jarwin was singularly short and concise. Pine had never been a great speaker, and carried his reticence into his testamentary disposition. Five minutes was sufficient for the reading of the will, and those present learned that all real and personal property had been left unreservedly to Agnes Pine, the widow of the testator, on condition that she did not marry Noel Tamsworth Leighton L

power of speech. He looked at the lean, dry lawyer, and demanded fiercely if no legacy had

n, folding up the single sheet of legal p

re no le

e at

ne remembe

to the silent widow, who could not trust herself to speak, so angered

k and inconsequent way. "I'm sure I was always nice to Hubert and he might have

cks and frills. But I agree with you this will is dreadful. I am not going to sit under

u are not mentioned in the testament, Lord

n was rather disconcerted.

ned the widow, who was

ed her brother. "It preve

dry cough. "Lady Agnes can marry any one she chooses to, sa

did not wish to add to the embarrassment of the scene. It was the widow who replied. "Did Sir Hubert tell you why h

position. He simply instructed me to draw up the will you have heard, and gave me no explanatio

e I marry M

her brother, growing so scarlet that he see

silence, but carefully avoided the eyes of the cou

d Jarwin, slightly weary of so obvious an answ

s the mo

question, as Jarwin, and not

read the will again?"

are of what

ney goes to a certain person whose name is menti

ngton, with a gleam of hope that Pi

envelope, and gave it into my charge. It can only be opened when the ceremony of marr

"He disguises himself as a gypsy, and comes to burgle m

disputed will into his black leather bag. "A man who can make two mil

a gypsy and a burglar,"

eing a burglar, I venture to disagree with you. He had some reason to visit this house at the hour and in the manner he did, and doubtless if

hat Pine was such a blighter as to leave me nothing, I'm hange

Let him rest," said Lady Garvington, wh

omewhere else than in my

dy Agnes sharply. "Don't

rget it. Much use

id his sister with a meaning glance

ing, Noel?" asked Lad

o say," he rejoined, not lif

, but this is not the place to say it. Mr. Jarwin," she rose to her feet, looking a queenly f

so mutely bowed and took a ceremonious departure, paying a silent tribute to the widow's strength of mind. "Poor thing; poor thing," thought the solicitor, "I believe she loves her cousin. It is hard that she c

d have called it-to prefer love to hard cash. Still, she made no hasty decision, seeing that the issues involved in her renunciation were so great. Garvington, showing a

e, cutting him short. "I wish to ha

he money," whispered Garvington in

e replied in the same low voice; "but I am

It is better to have love than money. Besides, it only means that Fred

erated, and, seizing her arm, he drew her

ambert, who still continued to stare at the carp

the same tone, and wit

you have to

loved one another, although heaven knows that our affection has

part us

early, I can't expect you to give up two millions for the

an loves a man

es flashed with surprise and delight. "Ag

nd. "I would rather live on a crust with you in the Abbot's Wo

d Lambert moodily. "Pine's will does

nswer, Noel, after w

wance for my feelings. It is right that a man should sacrifice all for a

, if they love

nk what people w

do this, you must do that. There is no difficulty when the matter is l

nner and read the answer in her eyes. "Yo

e. Rank has its obligations, Noel. I recognized that before, and therefore married Hubert. He was a good, kind man, and, save

r?" Lambert

e usual way, through the newspapers. Then what will people say, Noel? Why, that I became Hubert's wife in order to get his money, since, knowing that he was consum

ade no suc

renounce the money and marry you, if only to show how I despise the millions. But as a Lambert I must think again of the family as I thought before. The only question

ton's estates a

than Hubert did, until my brother's demands became so outrageous that it was impossible to go on lending and giving him money. Hubert did not trust him so far as to give back the mortgages, so these will form a portion of his estate. As that belongs to me,

gs as bad

st as bad as the rest, and, moreover, has no head for figures. He does not know the value of money, never having been in want of it. But if ev

oom with a startled air. "That would finish the Lambert family with a

she said

r what-th

ive him every attention, and I believe that I was able to help him in some ways. I shall utilize my experience to see the family lawyer and go into matters thoroug

," she whispered, "I shall marry you. In doing so I am not disloyal to Hubert's memory, since I have always loved you, and he accepted me as his wife on the

ert nodded. "

I trust that the sacrifice will not be nece

ambert, returning the