A HEAVY BLOW
Snow was drifting around the Grange before a bitter wind when Mowbray
sat in his study with a stern, anxious face. The light of the lamp on
his writing table fell upon a black-edged letter that lay beside a
bundle of documents; the big stove in a corner glowed a dull red, and
acrid fumes of burning wood escaped as the icy draughts swept in.
Mowbray's hands and feet were very cold, but he sat motionless, trying
to rally his forces after a crushing blow.
The sound of music reached him from the hall, where some of his younger
neighbors were spending the evening, and he frowned when an outbreak of
laughter followed the close of a song. He had left his guests half an
hour before, when the mounted mail-carrier had called, and he could not
force himself to rejoin them yet. He must have time to recover from the
shock he had received. Since he left the hall he had been trying to
think; but he had no control of his mind and was conscious of only a
numbing sense of grief and disaster.
He looked up as his wife came in. Her movements were generally quiet,
and when she sat down her expression was calm.
"I got away as soon as I could," she said. "I am afraid you have had bad
news."
"Very bad. Godfrey's dead!"
Mrs. Mowbray started. Godfrey Barnett was her husband's cousin. He had
been the managing director of an old-established private bank in which
Mowbray's relatives were interested, and the dividend upon some of the
shares formed an important part of the Colonel's income.
"I'm very sorry," Mrs. Mowbray said softly. "Godfrey was always a
favorite of mine. But it must have been sudden; you did not know that he
was ill."
Her heart sank as she saw her husband's face turn grim. The blow had
been heavier than she thought.
"He said something about not being up to his usual form when he last
wrote, and Alan alludes to a cablegram that should have prepared me, but
I never got it. No doubt it was overlooked. He mentions that the strain
was almost unbearable--the crisis at the office--and the inquest."
"The inquest!"
The Colonel took up an English newspaper.
"It's all here; Alan says there's nothing to add. I've been trying to
understand it, but I can't quite realize it yet. The paper and the
letter came together. I suppose he waited a few days, thinking he had
cabled."
The Colonel paused, and Mrs. Mowbray gave him a sympathetic glance, for
she knew what his forced calm cost. The Mowbrays were stern and quiet
under strain.
"Well?" she said.
"They found Godfrey dead, with a bottle of some narcotic beside him.
The doctor gave evidence that he had prescribed the drug; it seems
Godfrey couldn't sleep and his nerves had gone to bits. The man was
obviously tactful and saved the situation. The verdict was that Godfrey
had accidentally taken too large a dose."
"Ah! You don't think----"
"I dare not think--he was my cousin." Mowbray shivered and pulled
himself together. "Now for the sequel. You haven't heard the worst yet,
if one can call what follows worse."
"Don't tell me. Give me the paper."
He handed her the journal published in an English country town and she
read the long account with a feeling of deep pity. It appeared that when
news of Godfrey's death spread there had been a run on the bank.
Barnett's business was for the most part local; and struggling
shopkeepers, farmers, small professional men, and a number of the
country gentry hurried to withdraw their money. The firstcomers were
paid, but the bank soon closed its doors. Then came the inquest, and
Mrs. Mowbray wondered how the merciful verdict had been procured. It was
all very harrowing, and when she looked up her eyes were wet.
"He must have known!" she said. "It seems heartless to talk about the
financial side of the matter, but----"
"It must be talked about, and it's easier than the other. I think I know
why the bank came down, and perhaps I'm responsible to some extent. When
one of the big London amalgamations wanted to absorb Barnett's, Godfrey
consulted me. I told him I wasn't a business man, but so far as my
opinion went he ought to refuse."
"Why?"
"Barnett's was a small, conservative bank. Godfrey knew his customers;
he was their financial adviser and often their personal friend. The bank
would take some risk to carry an honest client over bad times; it was
easy with the farmers after a poor harvest. Godfrey could give and take;
he managed a respected firm like a gentleman. In short, Barnett's was
human, not a mere money-making machine."
"I can imagine that," Mrs. Mowbray responded. "Would it have been
different if he had joined the amalgamation?"
"Very different. Barnett's would have become a branch office without
power of discretion. Everything would have had to be done on an
unchangeable system--the last penny exacted; no mercy shown a client who
might fall a day behind; one's knowledge of a customer disregarded in
favor of a rule about the security he could offer. I warned Godfrey that
so far as my influence could command it, every vote that went with the
family shares should be cast against the deal; although the amalgamation
had given him a plain hint that they meant to secure a footing in the
neighborhood, whether they came to terms with Barnett's or not."
Mrs. Mowbray thought his advice to his cousin was characteristic of her
husband, and, in a wide sense, she agreed with him. He was a lover of
fair play and individual liberty; but the course Godfrey had taken was
nevertheless rash. Barnett's was not strong enough to fight a
combination which had practically unlimited capital. The struggle had
no doubt been gallant, but the kindly, polished gentleman had been
disastrously beaten. What was worse, Mrs. Mowbray suspected that her
husband was now leading a similar forlorn hope at Allenwood.
"I suppose it means a serious loss to us," she said.
"That's certain. Alan has not had time to investigate matters yet, but I
gather that my relatives do not mean to shirk their responsibility.
Barnett's, of course, was limited, but the name must be saved if
possible and the depositors paid. I will tell Alan that I strongly agree
with this."
It was rash and perhaps quixotic, but it was typical of the man, and
Mrs. Mowbray did not object.
"I'm sorry for you," she said caressingly. "It will hit you very hard."
Mowbray's face grew gentler.
"I fear the heaviest burden will fall on your shoulders; we shall have
to cut down expenses, and there's the future---- Well, I'm thankful you
have your small jointure. Things are going hard against me, and I feel
very old."
"It's unfortunate that my income is only a life interest. The boys----"
"Gerald must shift for himself; he has had more than his share. I don't
think we need be anxious about Lance. The boy seems to have a singularly
keen scent for money."
"But Beatrice!"
"Beatrice," said Mowbray, "must make a good match. It shouldn't be
difficult with her advantages. And now I suppose I'd better go down. I
think the effect of this disaster must remain a secret between us."
He locked up the papers and shortly afterward stood talking to Brand in
a quiet corner of the hall.
"If it wouldn't be an intrusion, I'd like to offer you my sympathy,
sir," Brand said. "The mail-carrier brought me a letter from my English
steward."
"Thank you; it has been a shock. Did you deal with Barnett's?"
"I understand they have handled the estate accounts for many years."
"Then you will be relieved to hear that it's probable all the depositors
will be paid."
Brand made a gesture of expostulation; but Mowbray's mind had taken a
sudden turn.
"So you haven't disposed of your English property!" he commented.
Brand's glance rested on Beatrice, who was standing near, talking to one
of the younger men. Her eyes sparkled with amusement and there was warm
color in her face. Her pose was light and graceful; she seemed filled
with eager gaiety, and Brand's expression hardened.
"No," he replied in a meaning tone; "I may want the place some day.
Perhaps I'd better warn you that I haven't given up hope yet, in spite
of my rebuff."
"I wish she'd taken you," Mowbray said frankly. "It would have been a
relief to me; but I cannot influence her."
Glancing back at Beatrice, Brand was seized by a fit of passion. He was
a strong, reserved man, who had cared little for women--he had, indeed,
rather despised them. Now he had fallen in love at forty-two, and had
been swept away. Hitherto he had generally lived up to a simple code of
honor; but restraints were breaking down. He would have the girl,
whatever it cost him or her. He knew the strength of his position. It
might be necessary to exercise patience, but the odds were on his side.
"This is a matter I must fight out for myself," he said in a hard voice.
"And I mean to win."
Mowbray looked at him in surprise. There was something new and
overbearing in the man's expression which the Colonel resented, but he
supposed he must make allowances.
"You have my good wishes," he said; "but you must understand that that's
as far as I can go."
He moved away and soon afterward Brand joined Beatrice.
"I must congratulate you on your cheerfulness," he smiled. "You seem to
cast a ray of brightness about the place to-night. It drew me. Being of
a cold nature I felt I'd like to bask in the genial warmth."
Beatrice laughed.
"That sounds stilted; one doesn't expect such compliments from you."
"No," Brand said with a direct glance. "I'm old and sober; but you don't
know what I'm capable of when I'm stirred."
"I'm not sure that I'm curious. To tell the truth, it costs me rather an
effort to be gay to-night. Somehow, there's a feeling of trouble in the
air."
Brand thought she had no knowledge of her father's misfortune--it was
unlikely that Mowbray would tell her; but she was clever enough to see
the other troubles that threatened the Grange in common with most of the
homesteads at Allenwood.
"So you face it with a laugh!" he said. "It's a gallant spirit; but I
dare say the boys make it easier for you. Trouble doesn't seem to touch
them."
He looked about the hall, noting the careless bearing of the handsome,
light-hearted young men and the three or four attractive girls. Their
laughter was gay, their voices had a spirited ring, and the room was
filled with warmth and brightness; yet he felt the presence of an
ominous shadow. This afforded him a certain gloomy satisfaction, the
meanness of which he recognized. He knew that he could not win the girl
he desired by his personal merits, but the troubles he thought were
coming might give him his opportunity.
Beatrice was presently glad of an excuse for dismissing him, and when
the others had gone she went to her father, who was standing moodily by
the hearth.
"You don't look well to-night," she said.
"I'm not ill."
"Then you're anxious."
"I must confess that I have something to think about."
"I know," said Beatrice. "Things look black just now. With the wheat
market falling----"
"What do you know about the market?" Mowbray asked in surprise.
"I read the newspapers and hear the boys talk. They're brave and take it
carelessly, but one feels----"
Mowbray gave her a keen glance.
"Well, what do you feel?"
"That I'd like to help you in any way I can. So far, I've taken all you
have given me and done nothing in return."
"You can help," he answered slowly. "It would ease my mind if you
married Brand."
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Not that! I'm sorry, but it's impossible."
He made a gesture of resignation.
"Well, I can't force you."
Beatrice was silent a moment.
"It's hard to refuse the only big thing you have ever asked," she said
hesitatingly. "I really want to help, and I feel humiliated when I see
how little I can do. Mrs. Broadwood and Hester Harding can manage a
farm; Broadwood says he only began to make money after he married." She
paused, seeing Mowbray's frown, and went on with a forced smile:
"However, I can at least cease to be an expense. I have cost you a great
deal one way and another, and now you must give me nothing more."
"I'm afraid I may have to cut down your allowance," he answered
gloomily.
"That's one thing I can save you." She looked at him with diffident
eagerness. "I've been thinking a good deal lately, and I see that if
wheat keeps getting cheaper it may be serious for us all. Couldn't we
take precautions?"
"What kind of precautions?"
"Oh, I can't tell you that--I don't know enough about farming. But
perhaps we could make some changes and economies; break more land, for
example."
"If we lose on what we have broken already, how shall we economize by
plowing more?"
"It sounds logical; but can't you save labor and reduce the average
expense by working on a large scale?"
"Perhaps. But it needs capital."
"A few new horses and bigger plows wouldn't cost very much. We are
spending a good deal of money on other things that are not directly
useful."
Mowbray looked at her with an ironical smile and Beatrice felt confused.
She remembered that she had staunchly defended her father's conservative
attitude to Harding, and now she was persuading him to abandon it.
"This is a new line for you to take," he said. "I should like to know
what has suggested it. Has Mrs. Broadwood converted you, or have you
been talking to the Americans?"
"I meet Mr. Harding now and then, and he generally talks about farming."
"I suppose you can't avoid the fellow altogether, but politeness is all
that is required. He has a habit of exaggerating the importance of
things, and he can only look at them from his point of view."
Beatrice felt guilty. Her father had not forbidden her speaking to the
man; he trusted her to remember what was due to her station. She could
imagine his anger were he to suspect that she had allowed Harding to
make love to her.
"Kenwyne and Broadwood seem to agree with him," she urged.
"They're rank pessimists; you mustn't listen to them. Try to be as
economical as you can; but leave these matters alone. You don't
understand them."
She went to her room, feeling downcast. She had failed to influence him,
but it was partly her fault that she had been unable to do so. She had
wasted her time in idle amusements, and now she must take the
consequences. Nobody except Harding would listen when she wished to talk
about things that mattered. She felt ashamed of her ignorance and of her
utter helplessness. But perhaps she might learn; she would ask Hester
Harding to teach her.