TOM'S WEAKNESS
"Then he's come to the scratch! I thought he would. You're a clever
lass, Jane," said her father.
"Nothing clever about it. I haven't given him much encouragement," she
said.
"What are you going to do?"
"That's for you to decide."
"It concerns you more than me. Do you love him?"
"I'm not sure."
"Eh! Not sure--you've had time enough."
"He's difficult to understand," said Jane.
"In what way?" asked Tom.
"I can hardly say; it's hard to explain. He seems fond of me; he might
make a good husband."
"What's amiss with him?"
"Oh, nothing; but sometimes he frightens me," she said.
"Good Lord, how?" exclaimed Tom.
"He's fierce at times--he's terribly determined even when he's making
love."
"That proves he's in earnest."
"Perhaps so; it shows he wants me, anyhow."
"That's in his favor. He's offered marriage, so he means right by you."
"It's his only chance," she replied.
Tom thought there was a good deal of common-sense in her; he put it
down to his credit that he had brought her up well, opened her eyes.
"He must have money. Perhaps I'd better have a talk with him."
"What about?"
"He ought to settle a sum on you," said Tom cautiously.
Jane smiled as she thought: "You want money out of him, but you mean
well."
"Men with cash generally give their wives a bit down," said Tom.
"If he did that, wouldn't it be rather like buying me?" she asked.
"Lord, no! Rich folk do it, the swells. Why shouldn't he?"
"He's not what I'd call a swell--real gentleman--not like Mr. Chesney,"
said Jane.
"That's different; there's not many men like him."
"No, that's true," said Jane with a sigh.
"I'll put a few questions to him," said Tom. "Wonder what his business
is?"
"Surveyor; he says so."
"Can't make it out why he hangs about here so long without it's for
your sake, lass."
"Perhaps that has something to do with it."
"Must have," said Tom.
He waited to see Carl Meason, who came the next morning, eager to have
Jane's answer. He had a long talk with Tom Thrush; they went for a
walk; Carl returned alone. He at once put the question to Jane, saying
he had her father's consent. She made up her mind quickly. It was a
chance she must not let slip--there were no eligible suitors in the
neighborhood.
"I will marry you, Carl," she said. "You must be very good and kind to
me."
He drew her to him, and kissed her passionately, vowing he would do
everything possible to make her happy. He would have promised anything
to gain his own ends.
"I want to be married in Little Trent Church," she said.
"I'll get a special license," he replied. "We've no time to wait."
"You're in a hurry to be off," said Jane.
"Business, my dear. I'd not have stayed so long at the Sherwood Inn if
it hadn't been for you."
"You do love me--it's not make-believe?"
"Is that make-believe," he said, crushing her in his arms, kissing her
many times. She recognized it was anything but make-believe; he wanted
her badly, he must love her.
"Let me go," she said, panting.
"You believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you."
"And you love me?"
"Yes."
He crushed her again, then reluctantly let her go and stood looking at
her.
"I've seen the parson," he said. "He's a queer old fellow; said he
must see your father about it--and you."
"That's quite right. We sort of belong to him; he's our guide. I go
to church."
"I told him he'd have no difficulty with you, or your father, that
you'd both consent," he said.
"But you didn't know we would!" she remonstrated.
"I was sure of it," said Carl.
When he left, Jane wondered if he had promised or given her father any
money; she half suspected there had been some bargaining and resented
the thought. She knew her father loved her dearly, but he also loved
money and would go far to get it.
Tom Thrush came home, putting a bold face on, but looked rather
sheepish.
"It's settled; I've taken him. We're to be married in Little Trent
Church. Parson's coming to see us about it," she said.
"Drat him, what's he coming for?" said Tom irritably.
"Carl says we're to be married as soon as possible by special license.
I suppose that's what he's coming about," replied Jane.
"He's in a hurry."
"We're going to the sea--for the honeymoon," said Jane, blushing
prettily.
"She's a beauty," thought Tom. "I wonder if she could have done better
for herself?" He was seldom satisfied with anything.
"Where to, what seaside?" he asked.
"He said he could not tell me before we left. He didn't want the
people about here to know."
"That's queer. Why shouldn't he?" growled Tom.
"He's good reasons for it, no doubt," she answered. "Was anything said
about money?"
Tom shuffled uneasily in his chair.
"Well, yes, we had a few words about it."
"What did you say to him?"
"Told him it was usual for a man of means to settle something on his
wife."
"Well, what did he say?"
"Laughed; said he wasn't exactly a rich man but he could afford to keep
a wife in comfort. Then he offered to give me a hundred pounds to put
by for you in case anything happened to him. He said it would do for a
bit until his affairs were settled. I said it wasn't much. We argued
the thing out. He's promised two hundred; that's not so bad," said Tom
in a hesitating way.
"Did he give you the money?" she asked,
"No, he's bringing it to-night."
"To hand it to me?" she asked.
"I said I'd best keep it for you until you wanted it."
Jane smiled.
"You'll be sure and take care of it, Dad?" she said.
"Upon my soul I will. You know I'm a careful man with money, Jane," he
said eagerly.
"I shall want a little pocket money when I go away."
"He'll give you some. He's sure to be generous."
"I think he has been generous in giving you two hundred pounds. I
shall not ask him for any. You can spare some," said Jane.
"Of course it's not mine; it's yours," protested Tom. "But where's the
harm in getting a bit more? He knows we're not well off."
She shook her head.
"No," she said. "I will not ask him, and you must not."
"Very well, my lass. Suppose we say ten pounds."
"Not enough; it must be twenty at the least."
Tom gave in at once. She might refuse to let him hold the money for
her; that would be a calamity. Jane regarded this transaction with
Carl Meason doubtfully. It was too much like bargaining for her; but
she loved her father, knew his weakness, and forgave. After all, the
money was hers, and he was honest and would not touch a penny of it; he
merely wanted to gloat over its possession.
Carl Meason saw Tom Thrush alone and handed over the two hundred
pounds. He was generally free with his money, and well supplied.
"Jane'll have to go to Nottingham to buy a few things before she's
married," said Tom, feeling his way. He had promised Jane not to make
more demands on Carl, but this did not include broad hints.
"I'll take her over," said Carl.
"That's all right; I can't afford to give her much," said Tom.
Carl grinned, rather savagely, inwardly cursing Tom for a greedy,
miserly man. Well, he'd have Jane--that was his reward.
"I'll see to it my wife shall have all she wants," he answered.
"You'll not find her extravagant; she's been well brought up," said Tom.
"Trust her father for that," said Carl.
Jane went to Nottingham with Carl Meason; she found him liberal. He
bought her expensive dresses and wraps; she began to have a sense of
importance.
Tom Thrush was surprised. Jane had never seemed quite so good-looking;
he considered Carl Meason had secured a valuable prize.
"I'll not deny he's dealt liberally with you," said Tom; "but you're
worth it."
Carl Meason was satisfied when he saw Jane dressed at her best. She
was even prettier than he thought; her new clothes certainly brought
out her good points to perfection. The scruples of the parson were
overcome after he had talked freely with Tom and Jane. He had doubts
about the wisdom of the match, but kept them to himself.
They were married in Little Trent Church and Eve Berkeley was present.
She had been much surprised when Jane told her she was to be married to
Carl Meason.
"Are you quite sure you love him, Jane?" asked Eve.
Jane was not quite sure, and said so. Eve warned her she was about to
try a dangerous experiment, run considerable risk.
"I am very fond of you, Jane, and I want to see you happy," she said.
"Consider it well; there is time to draw back. You do not know much
about Mr. Meason--nobody does; he is rather mysterious."
After this interview with Eve Berkeley, Jane had doubts as to the
wisdom of the course she was pursuing; they vanished when out of her
presence.
There were several villagers in the church and Jane's appearance
created a mild sensation. She seemed quite the lady, exceedingly
pretty. They had hitherto considered her as one of themselves, now she
looked superior.
Carl Meason was proud of his young bride, but he wanted her all to
himself, and after a brief stay of a couple of hours they left the
Sherwood Inn in his motor and started on their journey amidst the
cheers of the villagers. Carl had taken care to leave a liberal amount
of money with Abel Head for the villagers' benefit; he wished to create
a good impression and succeeded--for a time.
Tom Thrush made the most of his hours at Sherwood Inn. He was a
temperate man, but this was a special occasion. There was an ample
supply of liquor, to which he did full justice. The thought of
returning to his cottage and finding no Jane there made him feel lonely
and he remained at the Inn until closing-time.
Abel Head walked some of the way with him, and as they were about to
part, said:
"I hope Jane will be happy. She's a good girl, far too good for Meason
I'm thinking."
"Her'll be all right," said Tom. "The man's behaved well; he'll be
proud of her, you see if he's not."