The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE EVIL GENIUS. 19 «T'll tell you when I’ve done.” ‘That won’t do! I must know the amount first.” He handed her back her papers for the second time. Mrs. Westerfield’s experience of poverty had never been the experience of such independence as this. In sheer bewilderment she yielded again. He took back the original cipher, and locked it up in his desk. ‘‘Call here this day week,” he said, and re- turned to his book. | ‘You are not very polite,” she told him, on leaving the room. ‘‘ At any rate,” he answered, ‘“‘I don’t interrupt people when they are reading.” The week passed. Repeating her visit, Mrs. Westerfield found him still seated at his desk, still surrounded by his books, still careless of the polite attentions that he owed to a lady. ‘* Well ?” she asked, ‘‘ have you earned your money ?” ‘‘T have found the clew.” ‘< What is it ?” she burst out. ‘‘ Tell me the substance. I can’t wait to read.” He went on imperturbably with what he had tosay. ‘* But there are some minor combinations which I have still to dis- cover to my own satisfaction. I want a few days more.” She positively refused to comply with this request. ‘‘ Write down the substance of it,” she repeated, ‘‘ and tell me what I Owe you.” He handed her back her cipher for the third time. The woman who could have kept her temper under such prov- ocation as this may be found when the mathematician is found who can square the circle, or the inventor who can discover per- ‘gig motion. With a furious look, Mrs. Westerfield expressed er opinion of the philosopher in two words: ‘* You brute!” She failed to produce the slightest impression on him. ‘*My work,” he proceeded, ‘‘ must be well done or not done at all. This is Saturday, eleventh of the month. We will say the evening of Wednesday next.” Mrs. Westerfield sufficiently controlled herself to be able to review her engagements for the coming week. On Thursday the delay exacted by the marriage license would expire, and the wedding might take place. On Friday, the express train con- veyed the passengers to Liverpool, to be in time for the depart: ure of the steamer for New York on Saturday morning. Having made these calculations she asked, with sulky submission, if she was expected to call again on Wednesday evening. ‘“No. Leave me your name and address. I will send you the cipher, interpreted, at eight o’clock.” Mrs. Westerfield laid one of her visiting-cards on his desk, and left him. 8.— The Diamonds. The new week was essentially a week of events. On the Monday morning Mrs. Westerfield and her faithful James had their first quarrel. She took the liberty of reminding him that it was time to give notice of the marriage at the church, and to secure berths in the steamer for herself and her son. In: COMMICELOO® S (E() im