A COMBINATION OF EVENTS.
Four weeks had passed away and Mrs. Montgomery still presided at
"Sunnybank." The days were spent in a variety of ways that tended to
one grand end and that for the best.
Lottie Lawson was blithe as a bee, humming little snatches of song
and often cheering the rooms by her presence.
An important functionary among the domestics was Melindy Jane
Thrasher, the happy _fiancee_ of Mr. Moses Spriggins.
Melindy Jane took much pride in informing her fellow-laborers that
"she had been engaged to work with the Verneses all through the
Montgomeryses, for she had seen the first Miss Verne along with her
intended up to the upper neighborhood at church, and she and a hull
lot of the young folks came out from Mill Crossin' to go, and when
they seed the grand folks, they'd inquired and found out all about
him. Then, what do you think? dad saw an advertisement in the paper,
and he rit right away and got this situation; and here I am ever
since, and s'pose will be for a _leetle longer_" and with a
knowing look Melindy Jane would draw her hearers' attention to Mr.
Spriggins, and by a series of phases expatiate on her lover's manly
form and weighty principles, not forgetting his importance among the
good folks of Mill Crossing.
Marguerite Verne had often listened to these speeches, and
stimulated Melindy Jane's eloquence by her earnest attention, and
for such kindness she was eulogized in the presence of Mr.
Spriggins, until the latter vowed that "that 'ere Miss Verne hadn't
an equal in the Dominion."
It so happened that Melindy Jane one evening asked for an hour or
two out, and the request being granted a few minutes later the happy
rubicund face of Moses, beaming with smiles, illuminated the gateway
as he passed through, hand-in-hand with his _fiancee_.
Mrs. Montgomery was a lover of fun, and she enjoyed the sight with
evident relish. Mr. Lawson's voice soon after interrupted her
thoughts.
"I came near being run down by one of your family, and an old friend
of mine," cried he, his manner bright and cheerful, "I did not know
that Mr. Spriggins was paying his addresses to anyone in this
house."
"If you saw him, Mr. Lawson, you would soon be convinced of his
honorable intentions. Indeed, Mr. Spriggins is an attentive lover,
and in every way worthy of Melindy."
"He is one of the best fellows I ever met," said Mr. Lawson, with
much enthusiasm.
"You have reason to know him?" said Mrs. Montgomery, with evident
surprise.
"He did me a very great service, Mrs. Montgomery, and one I can
never adequately repay."
This was indeed a sudden revelation, but the lady showed good taste
in her replies, and was much pleased with the knowledge that Phillip
Lawson's character was made up of gratitude.
Mr. Moses Spriggins thought proper to spend a dollar or two upon
Melindy "each time he came to town," and on this evening in question
the happy pair might be seen on Charlotte street making glad the
heart of the grocer by the extensive purchase of peanuts, peaches,
pears, bananas, and every choice confection that was appreciated by
Miss Melindy.
"I tell yer what, Melindy, if I was a-livin' in town I'd live. I'd
buy them fellars out in less than no time," exclaimed Moses, as a
fair-sized banana disappeared from view at one gasp. "Tell you what
it is, Melindy, them fellars makes a fortin' out of this stuff; by
golly, it's good." A fact which was evident from the gusto resorted
to in mastication.
"Thunder! what's that purty thing a-hangin' out in front of that
'ere stoppin' place? Look Melindy."
"Why you goosey, that is the Royal Hotel light--the electric light."
Melindy pronounced the three words with an air of pride, which
indeed seemed to say "please bear in mind that I am no ignoramus."
"Wal, I do declare, if that aint the highfalutin' light they were
a-tellin' about up to Wiggleses t'other night."
This was an unlucky speech for Mr. Spriggins. Melindy's face was
black as Erebus in less than a minute and her eyes fairly darted
fire.
"Don't mention those Wiggleses agin Mose, or as sure as my name is
Melindy Jane Thrasher, I'll never speak to you agin!"
"Now, listen to me, Melindy, I was a-goin' to tell you that I only
went up to Wiggleses to borrow a crosscut from Josiar. True as I
live I w'ant inside the gate for I met Josiar a-comin' out o' the
milkin' yard and I then and there ups and tells him what I was
arter."
During this conversation the unconscious pair had gained the foot
of King street and turned up Prince William street toward Chipman's
Hill where they took a stand.
"And you got the crosscut at the gate?" asked the perturbed Melindy,
rather timidly.
"I did, you dear old gal. Now, what's the use of you gettin' jealors
of me and Josiar? I'm darned shure I don't be a-courtin' him."
"Don't talk so simple, Mose," said Melindy, giving her affianced an
affectionate push against a large building that stood on the corner.
"If I w'ant skeered of them 'ere police chaps I do believe I'd feel
tempted to kiss you in this very place!" exclaimed Moses in very
pathetic style.
"I'd like to see you, Mose Spriggins, forgit yourself in such a
manner--it would be the last time you would act so in my presence,"
returned Melindy Jane in simply bewitching tones and more bewitching
gestures.
"Well, just you wait till we get back to Sunflower Dale."
"'Sunflower', a nice name to be callin' our place. I wish that Mrs.
Verne heard you Moses, it would be the last time you'd poke your
nose in there, I can tell ye Mister Mosey."
"Well, now see here, Melindy. I see town is makin' you too toney,
what's the use of cuttin' a fellar up so when he makes a little
mistake?"
"Well, say Sunnybank, and I won't be findin' any more fault."
"Well, Sunnybank! Aint that right Melindy?"
"Leave out the _well_, and all will be well," said Melindy,
spitefully.
"Melindy Jane Thrasher, you are a gettin' too cute for anything.
That was the cutest sayin' I've heerd for a long time. If you stay
in town much longer you will be able to talk with any of them
lawyers that's around as thick as thieves."
"Moses be keerful what you say, for some of the same fellars might
have you hauled up for definition of character, and some of them can
afford to do it too, for I believe there are honest ones among 'em.
Indeed, I know of one."
"And I bet I know the same chap," said Moses, jumping at the
conclusion, with an accompanying exhibition of elasticity, not
unworthy of the bygone arena, and then added, "and we both of us
seed him this 'ere evenin'. Aint that so, eh, Melindy?"
"There, don't be silly, Moses," said the half-indignant Melindy,
pouting her ripe red lips, and trying to look very prim.
When Melindy wished to administer reproof to her betrothed she
always addressed him as Moses, a circumstance which had a very
chilling effect upon the offender.
"Well, I vow if it aint--speak of the old fellar and he's sure to
appear," cried Moses. And instantly they were recognized by the
stalwart young lawyer who was on his way homeward.
"He didn't stay long. Perhaps the missus ain't in very good humor
to-night," surmised Melindy.
"Perhap's he's too busy hisself. Like as not he's off on some law
scrape now. That's just it, for Court's a settin' all this week.
Well I hope Mr. Lawson will get a good share of the pickins, for
he's as honest as the sun, and when a fellar goes to him for advice
he gets it in good English law, and no runnin' roundabout way that
would puzzle a chap till his hair would turn gray."
Doubtless Mr. Spriggins would have expatiated on his friend's good
qualities for a much longer time, but Melindy was not inclined to
have him waste so many eulogistic speeches at her expense.
"How time goes! Well, it seems no time since we left, and here we
are back agin," said Melindy, glancing up at the grand facade of
"Sunnybank," which looked as pretentious as its neighbors on the
same imposing terrace.
Mr. Spriggins was annoyed to think that it was only nine o'clock,
and he must part with Melindy.
"You know what we used to learn in the little yellar book at home,"
said the latter.
"Yes, that's all very fine when a fellar hasn't anything better to
do, but when a feller has sich good company, he don't think of being
healthy, wealthy and wise, eh, Melindy."
"We'll not quarrel about it, anyhow," said Melindy, evidently well
pleased at being reckoned such good company, then instantly
exclaimed, "What time are you agoin' to start in the mornin';
perhaps you can run down, and I may have somethin' to send the
folks."
A step upon the gravelled walk warned the lovers to retreat, and ere
long Mr. Spriggins was wending his steps up Sydney street, muttering
imprecations upon the unknown person who had so unceremoniously
broken up their rendezvous.
Meanwhile Phillip Lawson was enjoying the quiet of his cosy back
parlor. He was seated in his huge arm-chair enjoying the _Evening
Globe_ and a choice cigar.
Lottie Lawson had once remarked that brother Phillip might go
without his tea, but he could not sleep without seeing the
_Globe_. And the little maid was right, for nothing is more
inviting for the hurried man of business, the politician, the
professional or the student than the perusal of the evening paper.
Look into the counting-rooms, the offices, the libraries--aye, even
the brilliantly-illuminated parlors--and you will in each find your
answer.
But we must turn to our legal friend. As Mr. Spriggins surmised, it
was court week, and a very busy one for Mr. Lawson. Brighter
prospects were now in store. Prosperity had dawned upon the untiring
student, and he looked forward with encouraging hopes.
"Thank God I am here yet," was the young man's exclamation, as he
threw aside the paper and began to ruminate upon his prospects in
general.
Strange to say he did not harbor ill-will to Hubert Tracy. He pitied
him with a tender pity, and mourned for the wreck of a life that had
such a good beginning. But Mr. Lawson had a feeling of enmity
towards his contemporaries in the far west. He could ill repress the
angry feelings that arose when the scheme presented itself in all
its horrid reality.
"What ground for bringing the gang to the scratch and making a
startling expose of our legal brethren; yes, nice brethren too."
No wonder that Mr. Lawson felt ashamed of his fraternity. If the
shades of Coke and Blackstone could only arise--what a reckoning
would be made. What a scene--aye, one that would need a Milton to
describe.
Thoughts akin to these were passing through the young lawyer's mind
when he suddenly recalled the cause. The heavy brows are contracted
and a scowl appears. "The wicked flourish for a season and so may
you, my happy friends, but your happiness is not of the enduring
kind." Another scowl. "But if he succeeds I am miserable," muttered
Phillip Lawson, his countenance betraying deep agitation. "But I
will not suffer her to become a sacrifice. Heaven forbid."
There was determination in the tone and in the gesture which
accompanied it.
There was indeed to be a struggle between right and wrong, and a
bitter struggle, too, but an All-Wise Providence rules over all, and
disposes of events in an inscrutable order, and in the way He
foreordains for His own glory.
It is necessary to explain how matters stood between Hubert Tracy
and the Winnipeg solicitor.
The latter had entered heartily into the affair and was looking
forward to the big bonanza that he would gain. But some weeks passed
and hearing nothing further Mr. Sharpley resolved to test the
matter. Receiving no answer to the first letter he despatched a
second and was surprised to receive it re-addressed to himself. What
did it mean? Had Mr. Lawson removed to another field or had Hubert
Tracy played false?
The solicitor then wrote an acquaintance making some modest
inquiries concerning Mr. Lawson's whereabouts and was further
surprised to find that he was still in St. John, also that he was
prospering in the profession and would one day rank as one of the
leading practitioners there.
Mr. Sharpley then directed his interrogations across the sea and
much chagrined charged Mr. Tracy with duplicity. But it was the
latter who felt the most non-plussed. He cursed Phillip Lawson from
the bottom of his heart and hoped that he might live to crush him in
the dust.
"Fool that I was to listen to his palaver!" cried he, "when I could
have contrived some means to silence him most effectually. It is
just what I deserve. He will dog my steps to the bitter end if I
cannot accomplish my work very soon."
It was while Hubert Tracy was being thus humiliated that he received
a summons from Mrs. Montague Arnold and hailed it as an omen of
success.
The interview was lengthy and boded no good to Marguerite.
"Depend upon me, Hubert," cried the heartless young matron as she
graciously extended the tips of her taper fingers and smiled her
most enchanting smile which the young gallant more than graciously
acknowledged as he sprang into the cab awaiting him at the end of
the court-yard.
A few moments later he was at the club, and surrounded by a host of
the most abandoned profligates he joined in the ribaldry and obscene
jests with a zeal that betrayed the utter depravity of his habits,
and also shewed that he had taken a headlong plunge into the vortex
and must soon become a hopeless wreck. And yet a short time ago, so
fair to look upon, Hubert Tracy had been indeed prepossessing in
appearance. His neat, well built figure, graceful but manly
carriage, agreeable address and fine manners gave him a significant
tone and made him much sought after in society.
There was even a pleasing expression in the young man's face that
was really attractive. His chestnut locks of silken hair clustering
in luxuriant ringlets were indeed the envy of the many less favored
youth, while the hazel dreamy eyes, soft and expressive as a
woman's, seemed to suggest that they had once been the pride of an
indulgent mother and kind friends.
"Zounds, Tracy my fellow, you're going all to sticks! What the devil
is up? Why, you look as if you had been trailed through seven
cities--got the blues,--eh?"
"Worse than that, Turpin. I'm in a fair way for the Old Bailey."
"The deuce you are!" exclaimed the latter, who owing to several
sharp feats performed upon some members of the club, was dubbed
Turpin.
Mr. Turpin was a lucky kind of mortal who had a propensity for
living on the funds of his more fortunate friends and always kept an
eye to Mr. Tracy.
The latter was lavish in expenditure and thought it a streak of luck
to have an individual like Turpin to cater to his caprice and assist
in making his every day life free from remorse or anything
approaching to it.
"'Jordan is a hard road to travel,' eh Dick?" said Hubert Tracy as
he raised the cocktail to view and stood gazing upon it, then
swallowing the contents, as if anxious to get through the job,
exclaimed, "Heavens Dick, I wish that were the last drink on this
side of Jordan," and after a desperate effort to appear at ease the
young man left his rollicking set and sought his apartments in
Regent Square.