Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

ao — . ~~? — —_—_— ——— a Ee Ae > ome es ee Sage - ~ “> : a o = trolled himself. other. was ill, and her father did not mention it. He appeared to be in his most ‘“‘ iron” mcod, is expression changed when he entered the house, however, and he inquired anxiously for his daughter. Being told that she was resting comfortably, he entered the parlor. He sat down, and his face grew stern and thoughtful. Alice’s illness complicated matters, It had come suddenly, shortly before he was ready to take her away from the house. Now, she could not go for some time; at the best, she would be unfit for traveling for several days. This meant a good deal. He had planned to send her away, so that he could deal firmly with the complications besetting him, but the plan had failed. She was still there, and he must meet all questions. On that day he was to give answers to both Mrs. Brackett and Nathan Bradley, in the mat- ter of their ambitions, and there was no time to wiry new schemes, He must meet the danger oldly. All this was in his mind when the door open- ed and Mrs, Brackett made her appearance. The forty-eight hours allowed him for decision had not fully elapsed, but he bad a presenti- ment that his wife had come to renew her re- quest, The lady settled down in a comfortable chair and smiled gracioualy. ** Alice is doing very well,” she announced, ‘* Have you been in to see her?” **Not personally, but I sent my maid to in- quire,” ‘* You have not been in at all, have you?” he continued, in an ominous voice. ‘*No, judge. Iam afraid | should make a poor attendant for tbe sick, and I. have had Alice’s well-being in mind. Do not ascribe my course to neglect: it is simply that 1 should be worse than useless there. My maid, Marie, has made frequent inquiries, thougb.” Abram Brackett did not press the point. He was disposed to blame his wife for her indiffer- ence and lack of sympathy, knowing it was pre- cisely that, and nothing else; but he was of the ve that her presence would not be advisa- ble in the sick-room. He was satisfied to have her stay away, but not inclined to overlook her indifference, ‘**Would it not be well to send to Boise City for a skillful physician?” continued Mrs. Brack- ett. ‘*T think Crandall will do very well.” ‘* Remember that Alice is your daughter!” The reminder from the fair lady might well have provoked a cynical smile from one who kuew her as well as the Iron Judge did, but his gloomy face did not change, ‘*T think she willsoon be well again.” ‘* Too much care cannot be taken.” ‘“*T agree with you.” ** Especially as she is delicate,” ‘** Is she that?” ‘*Why, most certainly. Why, else, should she have had this illness? I am never ill, nor are you. Alice is frail and weak, and like a pre- cious plant, should be tenderly cared for, I fear she is not long for this world, and, unless due care is used, we shall be bereaved!” The lady instilled considerable pathos into her voice, and looked sadly at the floor. It was well that she did so. Judge Brackett was re- garding her with a gaze so sharp, stern and suspicious that it must have betrayed him had it been Fn rept He knew his wife was a hypocrite, and her present course of conversation added fresh fuel to certain suspicions that were in his mind. _ Why had she observed that Alice was delicate? z f Ceesar y a d magni —that she was net long for the visible world? The judge knew that, re her present ill- ness, there was no foundation for this prophecy. Slight as Alice was of figure, in a general wa she was strong, well developed physically, and as likely to live to old age as any one else. Her blindness had curtailed freedom of move- - ment, but she was not ‘‘ frail and weak,” as her step-mother had stated. Others had fallen into the same error, and so expressed themselves to Brackett in the past, and he would not have thought strange of his wife’s words had they not come at such a crit- ical time, and been accompanied with professed anxiety which he knew to be assumed. Fortunately, his dark, suspicious glance was not seen by Mrs. Brackett, and he soon con- ** May not her present illness arise from otber causes?” he asked. Agatha met his gaze frankly. ‘* What causes?” she asked. ‘* Possibly she bas taken some injurious sub- stance into her stomach,” he suggested, * What could it be?” “Can you suggest nothing?” Husband and wife looked steadily at each His gaze was penetrating, but guarded; hers was unwavering and, in appearance, inno- err fearless, ‘* Nothing,” she replied, after a pause. ‘““I1f we were not all well except her, I should believe something might accidentally have been put in her food,” he continued, watching his wife’s face closely. She did not waver or avert her gaze, —_-_- or ree ae ee “ee *% Garry Kean. LS — ‘Tt is hardly likely. I ascribe her illness to her natural physical weakness.” ‘* You may be right.” The judge spoke without vinced that nothing was to be gained by h questions, he was willing to let the matter drop. ‘*T have come to you on business,” observed Mrs, Brackett, manifestly pleased to find a gap in conversation. ‘* Yes, Agutha,” ‘* You were to give me an answer, to-day, re- garding an important matter.” ‘© What is that?” ‘* Why, as to whether we are to support Colo- nel Yoke Norman iz his ambition to be mayor.” The judge passed his hand wearily across his forehead, ‘“‘[ have no heart to speak of political in- trigues, to-day,” he responded. ‘*But you promised the answer at this time.” ‘True; butdo you not see how I am situated? I can think of nothing but Alice,” ‘*] thought you were a man of iron.” ““T should be one with a heart of stone if I forgot my suffering child.” here was a slight flash of the lady’s eyes. She gave Abram Brackett no love, and expected none in return, but her jealousy of Alice would not allow her tohear the girl constantly praised and feel no resentment. She would have vented her irritation in angry words, but nobody knew better than she that the judge could be as im- movable as a mountain when his firmness was fully aroused. Precipitation might defeat her dearest am- bition, and bumble her lower than the Cesar she admired and criticised in the same breath. She had determined to be forbearing and shrewd; she struggled to remain calm, and succeeded, CHAPTER XIX, THE ‘*RED” COMES FOR HIS ANSWER, PERSUASIVELY Mrs. Brackett made answer, -‘* The city election is close at hand,” ‘“* True.” ** And Colonel Norman wishes to declare him- self without delay.” ‘*Let him doso, It is not necessary that the first sign of his candidacy should be a procession with you and me walking at the head as bearers of blazing torches.” Brackett spoke with sarcasm, and his wife quickly answered: ‘*Am I to understand that you decline to give your aid?” ** You are to understand,” the judge explain- ed, recovering prudence, ‘‘ that [ cannot con- sider this matter until 1 am sure Alice is out of danger, I have no heart for ordinary plans. Do not think me forgetful of your wishes, but it is best that you should consent to a further postponement. Let the matter rest as it is for now. Mrs. Brackett was disappointed, but she was crafty. oe Ot course I am willing to make any sacri- fice for your sake, but I am also selfish euough to desire a reward in the future. I will waita few days, but in return shall expect you to ac- cede to my wishes in due time, really cannot bear disappointment. The time is come when IT can reach the pinnacle of my ambition, and eclipse all the rest of Jack’s Delight. By follow- ing Colonel Yoke Norman’s banner we go to victory, and our small world will be conquer- ed, But when it is, Judge Brackett, I shall not lose my grand station, like the lamented ! pave: paused, hesitated, laughéd shortly, and added: ‘* What a small stake it is, after all—the lead in a town like this. Ah! ab! I could wish for wider fields of operation, but if one lives in a toy-house she can hardly hope to conquer the world. Sufficient for the day is the victory thereof!” Always power; always ambition! That was the guiding star of Mrs, Brackett’s life, The judge listened with cold contempt, He cared notbing for human glory. As a lawyer and as a judge he had been a marked success, but no dazzling light of increased greatness could lure him on, Had he been appointed chief justice of the United States, he would have taken the office because it was, so to , a ood business chance, but not one iota of pride would have been aroused by his eleva- tion, Mrs. Brackett bad more to say, and she said it. She spoke with eloquence, referring to the advantages of power and high estate; she paid a tribute—limited—to Ceasar; and then gra- ciously informed Abram that, owing to Alice’s she would cheerfully postpone consider- Colonel Yoke Norman’s ease for a few illness tion of ays. | Then the august lady left the room with a ficent sweep of her skirts which would have made a — pale with envy. When the door closed, the husband looked after her meditatively, but with a changeless face. He was too thoroughly a man of iron to even shrug his shoulders at an ambition which hesitation. Con- 7. —_ LL sss ssn rT — ——__—_—_ — - -— a me Oe he could not appreciate, but he had no sympathy with her wishes, —_ thoughts soon wandered to other chan- nels. There was nothing to reassure bim in medita- tion, and he arose and began to pace the room. ‘*Agatha is disposed of for the time,” he thought, ** but what of Nathan Bradley? He is to come for an answer this afternoon, and no excuse will pacify him, He will not care whe- ther there is illness in my family or not. He will insist upon an answer—wbat answer shall I make?” The judge made an impatient gesture. ** Tf [ could deal as I wish, I would soon an- swer Nathan Bradley. The sconndrel should be thrown from my house by the servants, More than that, he should be in prison. He has boldly threatened to create a riot here, if the re- spectable people do not give him a clear road in his ambition to be mayor, The ruffian! I would have him arrested at once for that threat were it not for the secret he holds, That secret cripples me—it is a mill-stone around my neck.” Restlessly Brackett paced theroom. He felt wholly helpless, and it was all the more painful because the mood was something new to him, Accustomed too as be was to meet all emer- gencies with iron will and a resolute front, he was not fitted, in spite of his strong will, to deal with a crisis like this. Had he been unscrupulous, he would have used his power to crush Nathan Bradley. It could have been done, but he was not the man to resort to crime, Presently his mind wondered back to Mrs. Brackett. Here was another fruitful subject for speculation, If he bad spoken plainly, he would have admitted that he did not know what to think of bis wife. It was the opinion of Doctor Crandall that Alice bad, accidentally or by means of some one’s design, taken poison into her stomach, and he inferred that it was arsenic. A year before, the judge had by chance discovered that bis wife had a small quantity of that deadly drug in her possession. He bad inquired why she had it, and had been satisfied by a careless ex- planation. It was not so now. The incident of the past returned persistently, and connected itself with his thoughts of the present. Had Mrs. Brackett’s arsenic figured in Alice’s illness? If so, had it been given her by design? If so, who had done it? Abram Brackett shivered as he reflected upon the subject, but he did not weaken, ‘* T will await the report from Boise City,” he said, aloud; ‘‘then, if our suspicions are con- firmed, there shall be aninvestigation. If there is guilt in this house it shall be unearthed—ay!, even though it turn the finger of accusation upon the mistress thereof!” | His stern face and contracted brows reveal- ed his irrevocable determination, and Agatha Brackett might well have been troubled had she known of the rising storm. The day wore on; noon came and passed; the sun began to sink in the heavens. The door-bell rung, and the prompt servant found Nathan Bradley there, ‘Is Brackett in?’ Nathan asked, airily. ‘* Yes, sir; walk in!” The ri answer pleased the applicant. He knew that bis standing was not good with the better class of citizens, and this | ger pei mes led him to believe that Brackett had given orders to have bim admitted at once, The Judge was in the parlor when Nathan en- tered, reading a paper wjth an appearance of calm indifference. ‘‘ How are you, Brackett?” saluted the visitor, with gay confidence. The host looked up without a change of counte- nance, ‘*Sitdown until I get this article read!” he composedly directed. Nathan’s face flushed slightly, but he obeyed after a little hesitation. Brackett read on serene- ly for a space of several minutes before he deigned another glance, Then he laid down the paper and looked up. ; ‘‘The New York stock-market is very firm this week,” he remarked. ‘« Are you interested in stocks?” Nathan asked, sulkily. ‘‘Not at all; but I try to keep abreast the 3 times.” , - ‘* We are making history right here,” “What! bave you branched out as an author?” ‘* Judge Brackett, have you forgotten the er- rand which has brougbt me here?—the appoint- ment we made?” ; Nathan spoke angrily, but the Iron Judge showed not a ripple of excitement. ‘* Not at all,” he replied, ‘* T have come for my answer.” Brackett glanced at the clock, ‘The time is not up,” he remarked, “Tt lacks only a few minutes.” ‘* True and we will overlook the difference.” The judge spoke with calm deliberation which was very annoying to Nathan, Confident as he was, at times, of his ability to bend Brackett to bis will, there were other times when be remem- bered the [ron Judge’s resolution and felt doubt- GOMmic S) m ,OO 14 r é —— a ™ _