SCOTT'S WIFE.
The wedding was over. Scott had been to San Francisco and returned,
bringing his bride, radiant in diamonds and rich apparel. She was a
handsome dark-haired woman, with finely-cut features and an
exquisitely molded form. Her tapering fingers fairly blazed with
costly diamonds. The evening reception given at the Wilmer mansion was
a brilliant affair, and everyone present admired Scott Wilmer's wife,
as she appeared in her rich pearl-colored satin dress and costly
jewels. Mrs. Wilmer had welcomed them home the day before, highly
pleased with the choice her son had made. June kissed her new sister
in a loving way, and Mr. Wilmer gave her a quiet and kindly welcome.
Scott inquired for Paul, and on investigation found him in the library
with his head bowed on the broad window sill, the tears dropping from
his eyes.
"Why, Paul, my boy," said Scott, as he placed his hand on his head,
"are you crying? What is that for?"
"For nothing," Paul answered. "I am foolish, I know, but it seems to
me as though I were all alone again. I have been so happy, and you
have been so kind to me."
"I can still be kind, can't I?" Scott asked, with a smile.
"Oh, sir," said Paul, "I did not mean that you would not; but----"
"But what? Do you think Irene is a tyrant?"
"Oh, no, sir! Please do not think I dislike your--your--wife. I do not
know."
"Very well; dry your eyes and come to the parlor and let me introduce
you."
"Please, Mr. Wilmer, I would rather not."
"You must; you will be obliged to meet her sooner or later, so come
now."
Paul arose, and wiping the tears away, followed Scott to the
parlor, where he was presented to the bride. She received him with an
air of hauteur, though not unkindly. Paul knew that she meant to make
him feel his inferior position, but was by no means embarrassed.
He bowed with such an easy grace that Irene wondered where the boy
who acted in a menial capacity had received his instructions, he
was so self-possessed in the presence of strangers. Though she felt
the least bit annoyed that he did not feel intimidated in her
presence, she could but admire his classical features and lovely eyes.
She remarked to Scott some time later that there was something
about the boy that she could not "quite understand." Often she
would look up to find his searching gaze fastened upon her, as
though he would read her very thoughts, and, boy though he was, he
was capable of making her very uncomfortable.
"I cannot think," Irene said one day to Scott, "what the boy can be
thinking of sometimes, when he looks at me with those great dreamy
eyes; and once, when I asked him what he was thinking of, he answered
coolly, that he did not care to tell. Just to think of his answering
me that way! I had a half mind to box his ears."
"I hardly think that would be advisable," Scott answered, closing his
lips in a manner that told plainly that he meant what he said.
Irene soon began to learn Scott's nature, and she saw that whatever
opposition she made to his will must be done in secret; and though he
was ever kind and gentle, she knew that he would adhere strictly to
the right, whoever the opposing party might be. There had been a
slight misunderstanding between Irene and Paul in the library--at
least, that was what she called it. She entered one day and found Paul
poring over a book of poems.
"Why, Paul," she said, "you seem to spend a great deal of time here;
you have permission, I suppose?"
The boy's crimson lip curled scornfully.
"Certainly, I have; if I had not I should not be here."
"Does your master pay you for studying?"
"My work is always done before I come here; for that I am paid, and my
employer, not my master, has very kindly allowed me the privilege of
using the library. As for a master, I am neither a dog nor a slave."
"You are very insolent, at least."
[Illustration: "Does your master pay you for studying?"]
The boy's face grew crimson as he said:
"If I am not wanted here I can stay away."
"It would be much pleasanter for me if you would do so. I, myself, am
a great reader of poetry, and this seems to be the most appropriate
place to read, and I prefer to be alone."
"I am very sorry that I have been in your way, and I will try in
future not to trouble you," Paul said, as, with a low bow, he left the
room.
Irene fairly trembled with rage as she saw Paul bowing with as much
politeness and composure as though he really were her equal.
"To think," she said, "that he dare to look me straight in the eye as
though he were reading my very thoughts; just as though he were as
good as I am! I will make him learn his place, if Scott cannot; or
rather, will not."
In the hall Paul met June, who came bounding along, dressed in the
most becoming blue muslin, trimmed with lace, and her golden hair tied
with a blue ribbon and falling to her waist in a most bewitching
fashion.
"Come, Paul! Scott says you can drive me out in the phaeton, if you
will," she said, approaching him.
Irene entered the doorway just in time to see Paul playfully pinch
June's pink cheek and to hear him say:
"How sweet you look, June!"
"Why, June," said Irene, "do you ride with your brother's hired
help?"
"I ride with Paul."
"Does mama allow it?"
"Why, yes; Scott says I can do so."
"And I suppose Scott's will is law," she said, trying to look pleasant
and to smile.
"Oh, yes," June said, returning the smile, which she did not
understand as well as did Paul. "Yes, I always ask Scott."
Irene said no more, and she allowed June to give her a good-bye kiss,
just as Scott always did if June were going out only for an hour; but
she lost no time in seeking an interview with her mother-in-law, whose
nature was the most congenial of anyone around her. They were seated
in Mrs. Wilmer's room. Rene, as Mrs. Wilmer always called Scott's
wife, entered with a smile on her face, and of course just happened to
speak of Paul and June riding together, not forgetting to mention the
little piece of really playful familiarity, but which was highly
colored.
"Of course, mama, I would not care, but I do so love darling little
June that I really cannot bear to see her do anything improper, and I
am sorry to say that she and Scott are both too regardless of caste.
Don't you think so, mama?"
"You are perfectly right, my dear Rene, and I am glad that your ideas
coincide with my own. I have two of the dearest children in all the
world, but to tell the truth, they are both like their father in
regard to pride. The Wilmers never had enough for the high position
they occupied in society."
"Perhaps, between us both we may ingraft a little more pride in their
natures, for I see they are sadly lacking."
"It is possible that with your help I may accomplish what I have
failed to do alone, but I sometimes get really discouraged, for it
seems so natural for them to have too little pride. Why, it is just as
natural for June to stop and smile on some poor little beggar as if
they were dressed in satin, and she has mortified me more than once by
bowing to some shabbily-dressed school girl."
"Of course it will not do. People in our position cannot bend to such
servility. One thing I have noticed which I think should be checked,
though I hope you will not openly rebuke June, for in that case she
might think me a mischief maker, which I would not be for the world;
but I have so often noticed Paul's familiarity, and it has fairly made
my blood boil. June says they are like brother and sister, but you
know it is very convenient for young people to feel a sort of
relationship for each other, and if you will watch closely you will
see for yourself that she has a dangerous love for him."
"It may be true, but I have never thought of June being so silly as to
care for the society of Paul, especially as I have so often cautioned
her not to bring herself down to his level, and really had felt quite
easy on the matter, seeing him appear so distant and seeming to know
his place so well; and really, they are nothing but children."
"Well, of course you must keep this a secret, but June did speak quite
impudently to me the other day when I reproved her. She said she would
be apt to keep Paul's company as long as he remained here. You should
have seen how angrily the boy looked at me, and how proud and defiant
his look when June defended him. I could have annihilated him, and if
June is so determined to keep his company I think the wisest plan is
to send him away."
"Scott would never consent to that. He says he is a perfect jewel and
he would not part with him under any consideration, and now, dear
Rene, I warn you to deal very cautiously with Scott, for he never
commits one act without first studying every particular, and weighing
well the result, and I believe if ever I were to wrong Paul, or anyone
else, and he knew me to be in the wrong, he would never forgive me
until he had seen justice done."
* * * * *
When Irene spoke so insultingly to Paul it sank like an arrow into his
heart.
"I would not care so much if she were not Mr. Wilmer's wife; but, oh,
I do hope she will not make him dislike me; I would rather die," he
said to June.
"Oh, do not say that! I am sure you could live even if Scott were to
forsake you."
"Could I? I do not believe it."
"Well, I do not believe she could make Scott dislike you, and if she
does, why, I will be your sister always--as long as you live."
Paul looked a thousand thanks as he turned to June, saying:
"I shall always remember that, my little sister, and if your brother
should turn against me, I shall at least have one friend."
"You may be sure of that; so please do not look sorry any more. I am
sure mama will treat you well, too."
"Yes, she will, if----"
He was about to say if she is not influenced, but not wishing to hold
up before June her mother's weak traits, he said:
"If she can."
He knew Mrs. Wilmer's failing as well as though he had been a man of
years.