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