The Scarlet Feather
OMETHING LE
n? I want to see what that lazy scamp of a husband of yours is
on bit her lip as she tugged at the blind cords savagely, and gave her master a defi
as slaves. That, my good woman, is where you make a mistake. Yet, you are slaves-slaves, do you h
we don't suit y
ue of money. We 67 happen to suit each other. Your husband has more sense than you. He does the work of two men, and he's paid for it. If the positions were reversed,
ood temper this morning-good for him-and he looked well pleased as his eye traveled slowly ove
d then you can get about your business. Those maids down
take for lunche
mumbling interval, "and, if anybody calls, I won't see 'em-except Notley, who comes at eleven. And, when he comes, send hi
ve nothing
m not a hard man, you know, when people understand that I stand no nonsense. But I always have my own way. No one can get over me. You and I understand each other, Mrs. Ripon, eh? Yet, I doubt if you'd
, ano
ty dollars a year more, and save me t
softly, and closed the door. When she was on
you. You spoil your own life, and you're spoil
nt lover of horticulture-his only hobby. As advancing age laid its finger more 69 heavily upon him, he had become increasingly irritable and impossible. Every human instinct seemed to have shriveled up and died-all s
ugh one of the archways in the hedge that surrounded the herb garden. She walked slowly, every now and then breaking off a flower. As she tugged at a trail of late roses, sendin
er shut out of the place, daughter or no daughter. What does she want here? Begging again,
into the room, bringing with her the sheaf o
ng no notice of her greeting. "I allow no one to rob my garden. You are no
across the room very slowly, and rang t
," she added, as the girl closed the door behind her, "we must have a little talk, my dear father. I want some mone
were made of it. Do you know what you and your husband have cost me? I tell you I have no money for you,
s pledged. He must go to the war, and he must 71 have the money to go with. If I could go to anybody else and borrow it, I would; but there is no one. If you will let me have a check for th
daughter, for she generally succeeded in getting something out of him; but he was determined she should have n
o be a waiting game, we can both play it. I sha'n't leave this room until you sign Dick's check, and you know quite well that I go thro
o a table which stood in one of the windows, carefully selected a vol
his screwed-up eyelids, and, as she
can do. I'm expecting Notley, my lawyer, this morning, and I don't want to be worrie
ou I should not go from this room until I had the money
not to be admitted again, unless by my express instructions. What was the amount you
s disgracefully little for an outfit a
g young vagabond-a thief, too. Have you f
is to sell. But we're wasting time. Shall I write the check? Ah! 73 here's the
t in his increasing petulance
her," she said with assumed indifference, and t
. Five hundred dollars for a couple of suits of
he remarked, with a sudden abandonment of i
t's more
ll make i
he coverlet, while his lips and tongue worked as with a palsy. "Fifty dollars! Do you want
he date was filled in, and the
-not a penny
y not repeat the successful forgery? He w
wer down filled 74 in the numeral, p
ing me to desperation
he snarled. "If you keep me waiting
carcely looking at the check. She drew it away from him swiftly-for sh
ousand
fore was adopted. This time there wa
but, unfortunately, she made the alteration, as before, with the rectory ink, which was of excellent quality, and in a few hours
prosperity, her husband's debts paid, her own dressmaker's bill
leave a small b
d economize i
eased. But their good fortune-for they considered it such-had become known to every creditor as if by magic. Bills came pouring in. If the aggressive builder of the new Mission Ha
im out of difficulties. He had ceased to do more than bless and thank her. He was glad of the respite, and had already begun to build castles in the air, and formulate a won
tattered, whining specimens of humanity rang his door-bell. They had piteous tales to tell of children d
rrest, and almost at the moment when his m
ly, as he strode into the study. "I hear you've been up to
put forward unanswerable arguments-the expense of your outfit-our responsibilities-our debts, and all s
nervously, and heard
thou
be paid. There was a man here this morning to arrest you. At least,
est
awful blow to
red it. But you've got five
n't cashed ye
yes glistening. It was his respite, and
don't know what a mean hound I've felt in not being able to pay the smaller tradesmen, for they are mor
unt to, Dick?" asked Mrs. S
must be paid before I go will amoun
l be paid now? You see, the money
I might be killed. And I'd like to fee
e sobbed, rising and fli
st. Dick embraced his beautiful mother, and kissed
some of them look upon it as their last chance. They think th
He's getting quite white with worry. Ha
the town during the day, doing the work of six men. If you could manage another fifteen hundred fo
oing to leave us? Harry Bent proposed yesterday afternoon at the Ockl
back. Don't let us talk of it. I'll run over and pay the check into my account
eck-lovingly, and sigh
ested, "it would only be decent of me to go up and thank hi
," cried the guilt
t do to give him any further
ay nothing ab
ut
you, and say nothing about the amount. Don't remind him. He m
to the bank with the check, feeling t
strode indoors, unannounced. As he reached the bedroom door, Mrs. Ripon was coming out, red in the face and spluttering with rage, arguing w
strange room, and sa
I've called to see you to sa
hands, and positively spitting the words out. His previous fit of anger flow
e war, grandfather, an
b, too, sir-a
ard set. The insult
for money, sir, beca
Your generosity has touched me, after your
positively clawed the air, and his eyes gleamed. "I'll teach you your duty to your elders, sir. I've
e young man, hotly. "You know th
ood news,
ded and collapsed
e hand. I am answering a patriotic call; and, if I
sir. I'll have you know you're not, sir. No
pairing sigh, a
-bye, grandfather
-and be damned to you
d my adieu. You have always misunderstood and a
gain; but he tried to rally. His strength failed him. He leaned ove
ld man. I never mean
d with a sigh, and he lay