Double Harness

imself in them. Not merely the home was in danger, but Tom's position and career, also Tom's solvency. He had always lived up to his income; now, without doubt, he was spend

gh it would be but a short step. And he refused obstinately to ma

hink of the childr

ere he was going and what his going there must mean to them. Yet he held on his way,

, but-- It was past

her a real fright by now. Per

menable! G

nd hold out the olive branch, you know, will you

pened to be cross with his pleasures too-they were so ver

aymore's nerves were still so upset that his excuses were accepted-it was morally certain that Harriet, if she became angry, would taunt him about his boy. Selford? That was absurd. And it was not a woman's work.

n?" he demanded. "Why the devil am

urt you if she does fly

ually chastened mood, performed the wifely function of m

dded, with a look across the table: "Perhaps some

flushed

," she said ra

cally. "I build great hopes on it.

After lunch I

ite back c

ould the poor

call on him. Ha, ha!" John's hopes made him merry and jovial. "I say, I shall get back as early as

yourself be

Oh, no, I wo

built all his trust on this last remainin

arriet on Sunday. Not much harm can happen in th

hind the tea-things at the breakfast-table, deep in thought, trying to picture the work of the day which lay before her. It was extr

ise man chooses a discreet executor. With this notion in his head he hunted about, and did find two or three letters. But they were quite harmless; in order to see this he read them through, and then laid them down with a smile. After a few moments of reflection he put them into an envelope, sealed them up, and placed them on a table by him, ready for Christine. He was a man of forty-five, and he looked it. But he was tall, thin, well set-up, and always exceedingly well turned-out. Beyond his rank and his

ed her with great cordiality and with no embarrassment, and made her sit down in a chair by the fire. She was a little pale,

nk to what I owed this

interrup

y have guessed. I've

not

e letters in

are

notes of yours-all

put them in the fi

s well put them in

letters, Christine look

s sent m

ent you

and again perhap

ould have come of my ow

always friends. But suppose you do insist o

ked at

, but I-I had no reason to give if I'd

on drew an understa

sent me to borrow

money? What

fficulties. He wants a

come himself? It'

I mean, he's been to Grantley Imason. And-and he

Does that

per. "He's put it all down there. I think I'd better give it to you. It says what he wants, and when he must

y well. It was quite unchanged. Then she watched him while he read. He had grown older, but h

y!" This remark recalled Christine's

e terms that he

hink he expects to get it back. I say, John's been having a bit of a p

he loss of his reputation, and-

! He's a good

swer to that,

en tho

this money means to us; I've told you it means avoiding ruin and bankruptcy and all that disgrace. That's what John

look at this paper, and to think it over a little. It is a goodish bit of money, you know.

s brow over th

k, you must find some good, some plausible, reas

al

om the paper in

esn't know the tr

the fire, looking dow

or-or you wouldn't be her

ll into th

he'd never ask you fo

of John, but he would hesitate to say the same about e

o lend it-not though it

it, whatever it means. P

ow how to put it. I mean, is that

can't put them in words. It's

ng it in her. Perhaps the last six years had made a differen

o say to John? Are you going to say to him tha

at you said you couldn't; you'

ed disc

ather shabby,

would be quite likely that it

pecting t

g to do with it. I suppose-well

led dol

for her purpose. It s

ured again. "What'll he

-I told you I

aid, so terribly hateful to her. But it was there. All she had given she had given long ago-given freely long ago. Now was she not asking a price for it-and a price which her husband was to share

friend, he would like to do John a good turn. In his case the very circumstances which so revolted Christine made him more inclined to do John a good

or," he said, smiling. "I don't think y

expect me to?" sh

ion, seeing the threatened opening of a disc

ailure and all th

surely go steady; and Grantley Imason had lent money. He built a good deal on that. And-yes-in the end he was ready to run a ris

unications," he said lightly, but kindly, almost affectionately. "And you mustn't feel that sort of

ote. He came back to her, h

d the cheque four days, because I must see my bankers about it. Oh, it's not inconvenient; onl

ands, and with a playful show of

seek an apt form of expression. "This has been an uncomfortable jo

ke it. I daren't accept the r

e eager to

perfectly square with me; now you'

ed in a smile of scorn. But-well, sometimes one l

ad to help-downright

because I cou

ight glad you c

they wouldn't have it in one way, he had always been quite ready to offer it to them in the other, so long

, it might puzzle your young friend. And give old John

nk, I'm g

Ah, I see I mustn't often remember! Well, you're right, I suppose. But

ver come to

at that, but still he was q

's no good being remorseful and that sort of thing; it just wears you out. It would

Her lips trembled, bu

ey won't be about you. You can always"-she hesita

ed and kissed h

heque off to poor old John, and both of you be as jolly as you can." He pressed her han

ot help smiling as she said her last good-bye. W

since evidently she did not believe it, and it might have upset her. But really, in the end, was it not more odd to send Christine if he had no inkling at all than if he had just some sort of an idea that there was a reason why her request might be very much more potent than his own? He was inclined to think that John suspected

out the subject which grieved them both so much-Mrs. Selford's taste in frocks. Matters were in an even more dire way now; Anna could get no frocks! Bet

ads," she s

mented Anna, "because I should pay for

ef to that effect. It was a m

g to see Lord Caylesha

old enough to b

him riding sometimes with Mr. Imason, and he's just the so

, but turned her

our alliance is only on

was a trifle uneasy. Had any of that talk filtered through l

d me he'd been

a man if he's a bachelor. Sheer f

o see him about? O

estion. It showed that nothing very much of the

d he's got one that we thought we could buy cheap. John was

'd sold a pair." Anna

e of a lie. She had chosen one which, implying that Anna was in her confidence, pleased and quieted that young woman, and sent h

f it as possible. Since she had been compelled to go, let John forget under what pressure and how unwillingly she had gone. Thus the faintest breath of suspic

ld actually be not safe for him. She was convinced of this when she saw the strain in his eyes an

e to do no work! I haven't been able to think of an

ed. Here's a cheque from Lord Caylesham. It's post

the table and rested his head on his arm. He seemed

ort! By Jove, he is a g

he was sure he could trust you, and was glad to help you.

and her hat as she was speaking

way. I can look people in the face. I shan't bring the business to ruin and shame. Oh, I've had my lesson-I go steady now! And if I

ur head, John dear! Tr

ou didn't like it; I know you hated it. You're so proud, and I like that in you too. But it wasn't a time for pride, and you put yours in your p

pulled her to her feet, drawing

hn," she sai

you want to g

kiss, but quietly

im lightly o

me go! I-

," he said good-natur

eat and watched him tu

nd paid no heed to a sudden quic

Christine sat a prey to vague forebodings. She felt as though th