 CHAPTER XIII. THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD After that there was a lull in the Burnham household. The various excitements of the days just past seemed to have been somewhat like storms which left the air clearer. There was about this time some letting up in the pressure of Judge Burnham's business affairs and he was more at home and exerted himself to be entertaining to both wife and son. As for Ruth, she made many concessions in the way of society life, went with her husband to several state dinners that bored her exceedingly and even to an elegant breakfast or two, and to one massive and oppressive evening party where the crowds were too great either for dancing or cards, and she tormented her conscience when once more at home by asking it in what respect the evening's entertainments had been lifted higher because of the absence of these amusements, or whether it would not have been better to have danced than to have indulged in some of the chit-chat which she overheard, that old pretense of logic which she was too tired just then to cast aside, paralleled and folly by the statement, it is better to lie than to steal. While one forgets or ignores the fact that if such a statement could be proven, it would prove nothing unless indeed one were driven of necessity to a choice between these two employments. As for the young ladies, their life flowed on in an endless stream of parties, concerts, private theatricals and what not. Ruth was indebted to them for some letting up of her burdens. It was their choice not to have the elegant entertainment which was being planned until toward the close of the season. The Ereph, who was more outspoken on many subjects than her sister, announcing frankly that their object was to see what the Everts and the Wheelmans were going to do before their turn came as there were hints in the Ereph something very unique from those quarters, and they, the Mrs. Burnham, were fully resolved that nothing more brilliant than their own party should be possible that season. So Ruth breathed more freely because of this respite and kept her plans concerning the gathering to herself, time enough to bring them to the front to be perhaps sharply combated when the occasion for action was at hand. Meantime in her leisure hours she had some interests more to her mind than society furnished. She was now a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and in their weekly gathering for prayer she found herself surrounded once more by an atmosphere of earnest Christian life that rested and encouraged her. She had been so long among people who did not know how to pray that she had almost forgotten how busy some women were in their Lord's vineyard. It was inexpressibly comforting to be greeted as one of their number and to hear her name mentioned gratefully in their prayers. It being utterly foreign to her nature to live ever so slight a deception she had told her husband at the first opportunity of her joining herself to this organization. But it was at a time when he was undergoing that sharp self-questioning which I told you was not without its good results, and though he winced a little at the information and shrugged his shoulders, and said he had supposed such organizations were not in accordance with her taste, yet on the whole he bore the news very well. There were no crusades in the air at present, and although it was never safe to prophesy what a band of women would do, still when it came to the point he felt that he could probably trust his wife's elegant, high-bred nature to do nothing incongruous. That they should meet to pray each week certainly could not harm anybody, and while it was peculiar of course there was nothing low about it. So if they enjoyed such occupations why should they not indulge themselves? Judge Burnham realized that he was just now in high favor with the leading spirits of this union. Their smiles were bright and their bows most cordial when they met him on the street. Two or three indeed had offered him personal thanks for his intervention in behalf of their homes, and though he had gaily disclaimed any complicity with their schemes and assured them that he was no longer the owner of the Shenandoah and therefore not responsible for any of the whims which had brought about the present state of ill-humor on the landlord's part, they accepted this as a graceful joke and were grateful all the same. As for the little new owner of the Shenandoah it had not taken him an hour to learn how to instruct his legal advisor in such a thorough manner that the guests of that house had still to look elsewhere for their choice wines. Matters generally were in the condition of Lull which I have described, when Judge Burnham came home one evening, later than usual, with the announcement that he must leave by the morning train for a long and he feared tedious business trip that would detain him for perhaps two months. He spent half an hour in trying to convince Ruth that she could accompany him leaving Erskine in charge of the young ladies, but finding her steadily determined to do no such thing he abandoned the idea and gave himself to the business of making ready. Frequent journeys had been common experiences of his business life, but this was a more extended absence than he had of late been obliged to make, and Ruth, as she turned from the platform where, with Erskine, she had watched until the smoke of his departing train was lost in cloud, felt an unusual sense of loneliness. Life had been pleasant her during these few weeks than in a long time before. It seemed hard that the pleasantness must be so soon broken. Erskine begged to wait and watch the eastbound train, which was even then whistling in the distance, and among the passengers who hurried from it his mother saw young Hamlin. His California trip was concluded then, would his intimacy with Mintubbie renewed, she wondered, or had she already found some greater attraction? And then she told herself resolutely that she need not worry about that. She had done what she could in regard to it. If they chose to be intimate friends now, they need not fear interference from her. In the leisure from wifely duties which now came to her, she found herself turning more and more to the society of women who composed the Christian Temperance Union. The prayer meeting, never very largely attended, was yet the gathering place for the choice spirits of the Union, and Ruth found herself rested and uplifted whenever she came in contact with them. She grew more and more interested in their plans for meeting the enemy, and began to take an earnest part in some of them. She might never have made the proposition, but she warmly seconded it, when one of the ladies said she thought they were strong enough to sustain a gospel temperance meeting on Sunday afternoons. Ruth had very little idea what sort of gatherings these were, but the name sounded inviting. The first meeting was a revelation to her. People came whom she thought never went to meeting, and behaved some of them in such a manner as to make her half-feel that they would better not be there. Wasn't it a sort of sacrilege to permit such conduct in a religious gathering? However, she rose above this. If they did not know how to behave in a gospel meeting, or knowing did not care, surely they needed the enlightening and refining influences of the gospel in an unusual degree. Besides, some of them sat quite still, chewed no tobacco, and listened, especially when Mrs. Bacon prayed, as though there was a new power about them whose influence they felt. Ruth grew intensely interested. Meantime, home life went on much as usual. The young ladies were out every evening and kept closely to their rooms during the day when not riding or paying visits, so that the lady of the house saw very little of them. She was relieved from even the semblance of supervision over their goings and comings by the installment of one who was supposed to have the right to protect them. Mr. Jerome sadderly deserves possibly more than a passing introduction, yet I find that I have heretofore not remembered to give him even that. You are to understand, then, that he had, quite recently, come into the family life as Miss Seraph's accepted suitor. Ruth, when informed of it, had realized once more that she certainly was not the mother of these girls. Had she been, with what an utter syncing of heart would she have given one away into the keeping of such a man as Jerome sadderly? As it was, she smiled a faint smile which had in it the slightest possible curve of the upper lip, as she said to Judge Burnham, people must choose according to their individual tastes, I suppose. Yet Mr. Jerome sadderly, in the eyes of the fastidious, fashionable world, was considered unexceptionable. He belonged to one of the old families of the city, had a reasonable fortune in his own right, and an unlimited one which would probably come to him in the future. He was elegant in dress and manner, his mustache was carefully waxed, his shapely hands were cared for tenderly, and he knew how to hold a lady's fan or parasol, or attend her to the piano or the carriage or the refreshment room in the most approved style. In fact, the girls in that stage of development, when such phrases are used, said his manners were perfectly lovely. Yet Mrs. Burnham, unreasonable mortal, regarded him with feelings which were on the very verge of dislike. He had been well enough when she could pass him, along with others of his clique, with a cold bow, or at most a dignified good evening. But to be on such terms that he felt privileged to toy with the spools in her work basket, and say in name nothings to her while he waited for the young ladies, or to saunter in just before the bell rang and announce that he had come to stay to dinner, and to be obliged to accord to him not only the attention of a polite hostess, but a semblance of the familiarity which his position in the family circle demanded, this was, to the last degree, an annoyance to Mrs. Burnham. It was all the more trying, of course, because Mr. Satterley remained in blissful ignorance of his inability to entertain or interest his prospective mother-in-law. Truth to tell, he believed himself to be irresistible to all ladies of whatever age and position. He considered himself posted on all subjects, whether in art, literature, or music, and unhesitatingly expressed his opinions with an air that was intended to quench any opposing views from any source whatsoever. Indeed, so entirely satisfied was he with his own wisdom that I do not think he would have hesitated to dispute the most eminent scientist which the world has produced if he ventured a scientific statement not in accordance with Mr. Satterley's preconceived opinion, though that opinion might have been adopted because of a chance remark that he had heard someone make at the breakfast table that morning. In short, Mr. Satterley had an abundance of the conceit which is the visible sign of superficiality. You will perhaps be able to imagine how trying to a woman of Mrs. Burnham's stamp was anything like familiarity with such a person. She confessed to herself with cheeks that burned over the thought that such things had power to annoy her, that when he began with an oh, my dear Mrs. Burnham, I assure you you are utterly mistaken about some matter trivial in itself, but about which common sense would suppose her to be better posted than he could be, she felt sometimes like throwing her book at him, especially was it trying to her when he discoursed learnedly on religious topics, making the wildest statements which were without even the shadow of a solid foundation and proceeding gravely to argue about them as the accepted standards of the Church. Of course he was a young man holding literal views and advanced ideas and whatever other term may be coined to disguise indifference or antagonism, and the patronizing way in which he would sometimes say, why, my dear Mrs. Burnham, I assure you you are too cultivated a woman to hold to any such ignorant absurdities as are involved in that belief, made Ruth resolve more than once that she would make no reply to any of his platitudes on any subject whatever. He is in his very babyhood as regards conversation, she said to herself with curling lip, of what used to try to talk with such a person, but when a man asks a point blank question it is very difficult to make no reply. It was just after one of these emphatic resolves that Ruth sat, silent and annoyed, listening to Mr. Satterley and Minta while they merely chatted over a sermon that they had heard preached the night before. Mr. Satterley was waiting to escort Sareff to the theatre, and this was Minta's method of amusing him while he waited. The text of the sermon had been quoted in a tone which would indicate that that, too, was food for amusement. It is appointed unto all men once to die and after that the judgment. After much merriment at the preacher's expense, Mr. Satterley attacked Ruth's grave and silent protest. My dear Mrs. Burnham, don't you think such themes are entirely obsolete in these days? What themes? Determine not to discuss this question with him, the only way seemed to be to ward off his questions. Why, the themes which have to do with old superstitious ideas of the judgment and the attempt to frighten people into some sort of mysterious preparation for the same. I confess that I thought all such ideas were obsolete among people of culture. Do you think that death is obsolete, Mr. Satterley? Oh, death, why, dear Madame, that is but a debt which is paid to the laws of nature. Then is there any objection to learning how to pay it gracefully? If you are very familiar with deathbeds, you must be aware that there are different ways of meeting this law. By the way, did it ever occur to you that it was a somewhat bewildering law of nature which takes the little child to-day and the old man of three score and ten to-morrow, and that it may be a young woman or a young man in his prime the next day? I could understand it better as a law if it were held to times and seasons and meddled only with ripened grain. He seemed puzzled by her reply, quite different from what he expected, and hesitated for a moment during which Seraph entered in all the dazzle of full dress. It is well you are come, Minta said. Mama and Jerome were quarreling about death and kindred cheerful subjects. There is no telling what the outcome would have been. It is suggestive to say the least, Seraph, that your dress is very thin and your throat even more exposed than usual, and the night is cold. If I might be allowed to advise, I should say you ought to wear a warmer garment than that, unless you desire to court the presence of some of death's attendance. Mama, said Minta, with mock seriousness, that is almost a pun, and about so solemn a subject as death. I am really shocked. Then, Seraph, a warmer dress would be more comfortable I admit, but the trouble is it isn't fashionable to wear high-necked garments in full dress. And you know, Mama, you trained us to a very careful attention to fashion in all its details. We want to do full justice to your early teachings. As Madame Dupont used to say, a young lady who is not out of fate in all that regards the demands of fashion is dead already. It was a keen pointed arrow and it struck home. Ruth sat and thought about it after she was left alone, as she had sat and thought many a day since her work for these girls began to develop in ways of which she had not dreamed. She had been careful even of the minutest details. She had labored to impress upon the minds of the uncouth, careless girls, the importance of tints and shades and wits and shapes, and perfect fits. How could she know that they would come to mean so much more to these girls than she had meant, so much more than they had ever meant to her? She recalled the day when Susan, having done for them all she could, the question of boarding school was being discussed, and the claims of Madame Dupont's establishment had been urged by some of Ruth's fashionable friends. Susan had said quietly, I know Madame Dupont's girls, they all learn how to dance and dress. Then she, the one who had stood in the place of mother, had replied, I know her girls have the name of being superficial, but that depends, after all, more on the girls than on their teachers. And really, Susan, it seems absolutely necessary that Seraph and Minta should go to a school where they give special attention to grace of movement and refinement of manner. They are so deficient in these respects. Besides, they teach dancing in all boarding schools, I suppose. Susan had said no more, and after further discussion, the choice was made in favor of Madame Dupont, and to her the girls were sent for two years. And Madame Dupont's teachings had been, a young lady who is not all-fate in all that regards the demands of fashion, is dead already. Ruth's memories ended, as they nearly always did, with a sigh. Minta had followed with Mr. Hamlin, leaving Mrs. Burnham to the troubled thought of which I told you. Mingling with her anxieties was this one which had to do with young Hamlin. It was all very well for her to assure herself that she had no responsibility to do so. Mingling with her anxieties was this one which had to do with young Hamlin. It was all very well for her to assure herself that she had no responsibility in the matter, that she had done all she could. The fact remained that people were looking to her to interfere in this intimacy, which seemed to have been renewed with tenfold bigger since Mr. Hamlin's return. Marian had sent her a little note, assuring her that the very worst might be believed of the stories which were afloat concerning him, and begging her to use her influence with Judge Burnham before it should be too late. I have no influence, declared Ruth. She was quite alone when she said it, and would not have repeated it in any person's hearing for the world. But in her heart she believed it to be painfully true. At one time she resolved to enclose Mrs. Dennis's note in her next letter to her husband without comment of any sort. But she shrank from doing this in the belief that only harm could come of it, and in her miserable vacillation as to what was best to do, she did nothing. Even though Mrs. Stuart Bacon said to her one day, Dear Mrs. Burnham, do you know it is probable that that young Hamlin may be arrested for securing money under false pretenses? Isn't it sad, and his family connections have always been so eminently respectable? Not a word said Mrs. Stuart Bacon about the young man's intimacy in her family, but Mrs. Burnham's cheeks glowed over the thought that this too was a warning. It was in the evening of that day that Mr. Satterley said to her, I doubt whether the judge, if he were at home, would care to have Minta's name coupled with young Hamlins as much as it is. There are some ugly stories afloat concerning him. Then why do you not warn her? Mrs. Burnham had asked irritably, angry with herself that, by so much, she must seem to accept his relations with the family, and also that she must, by this, admit to him her own powerlessness. But Mr. Satterley had shrugged his shoulders and laughed, and asked her if her experiences with Minta led her to believe that that young lady was disposed to receive warnings very graciously. And then they had been interrupted. These last two hints Mrs. Burnham did report to her husband, with the information that the young man was becoming marked in his attentions, that on some pretext or other he and Minta were together nearly every evening, and that, as he was well aware, there was nothing which he could say or do to prevent it. This letter was sent after Judge Burnham had been absent for six weeks, and his wife hoped that the hints it contained might hasten his movements. Meantime, on the evening in question, she was not left long to solitude. Kate came to her in the library with a puzzled air. Mrs. Burnham, there is a young person in the hall who asked to see you on special business, and inquired particularly if you were alone. What sort of a young person, Kate, some friend of the young ladies? I don't think so, ma'am. Oh, no, I am sure it isn't. She is neat-looking and civil-spoken enough, but she doesn't belong to them. Then I suppose it is someone in search of employment. You might take her name and address and tell her I will see what I can do for her, though I am not on that committee. If you please, Mrs. Burnham, I don't think that will satisfy her. I asked her if there was a message and if it was something I could do for her and not trouble you, and she said, oh, no, she must see you and see you quite alone. Poor thing, it must be someone in distress. Let her come to the library and excuse me to my collars while she is here. But the young person who presently appeared before her did not look in the least as Ruth had immediately planned that she should. She was a girl of perhaps twenty, with a face which under favorable circumstances might have been beautiful. As it was, framed in clustering natural curls, and set off by eyes which, when they were not red with recent weeping, must have been very lovely, she was strikingly interesting. Her manner was so much that of a lady that Ruth half-throws to meet her with the ceremony of society customs, though the exceeding plainness of the young woman's dress showed that she was not making an ordinary society call. Mrs. Burnham, I believe, she said in a clear and not uncultured voice. That is my name, said that lady. Be seated, please. You have the advantage of me. Your face is familiar, but I cannot think where I have seen it. I belong at the lace counter in Myers and McAlpine's store. You have seen me there. The tone was very assured. Evidently this young woman remembered her customer. A sudden light appeared on Mrs. Burnham's face. She recalled the pretty young girl who had interested her by her courteous and unselfish ways. Be seated, she said again cordially, with a wave of her hand toward the low rocker near. I am glad you have come to see me. Is there any way in which I can serve you? Mrs. Burnham, may I ask you a question which may seem very rude? I do not mean it for that. The poor child is in some trouble, thought the lady. Some difficulty between her employer and herself, probably, in which she thinks I can help her. Well, if I can, I will. Ask me whatever you wish, she said aloud, and I will answer it if I can. And her smile was intended to be reassuring. But the question was utterly unlike what she had expected. Mrs. Burnham, is the taller of your two daughters engaged to be married to Mr. Jerome Satterley? Then, as the look of astonishment on her hostess's face deepened into displeasure, she added in nervous haste. I knew you would consider me a bold, insolent girl, but I have indeed good reasons for asking, and I thought I ought to come to you rather than to anyone else. Perhaps, if you could give me your reasons for asking so strange a question upon a subject which cannot in any way concern you, I might be able to judge you more leniently. Mrs. Burnham's voice was coldly dignified now. She had an abundance of what, for want of a better name, we may call family pride. But the girl made haste to respond. Oh, indeed, madame, it does concern me most bitterly. If it did not, I could not have come to you with it. If you will answer me just that question, I shall know better how to tell you the story, and I am sure you will say that I ought to have asked it. Mrs. Burnham was puzzled, but the girl was evidently intensely in earnest. We do not usually speak of such family matters saved to intimate friends, she said, but it is no secret, I believe, and I see no reason why I should hesitate to tell you that Mr. Satterley and Mrs. Seraph Burnham are engaged to be married. Then, madame, I ought to tell you so that you, her mother, can explain to her that he is not to be trusted. Even at such a time, Ruth could hardly restrain a smile of sarcasm over the thought that she was supposed by anyone to be the person to advise with and care for Mrs. Seraph Burnham. But nothing of this thought showed in her words. Indeed, she said, with lifted eyebrows, that is a serious charge. One should know exceedingly well what one is saying who uses such language as that. Oh, I know, I know only too well what I am saying. I can give you proof of it. I did not come here because I wanted to, or without knowing what risk to my own reputation I ran. But I thought I could talk with you because, Mrs. Burnham, she broke off suddenly, and then, before Ruth could speak, began again, working the fingers of her un-gloved hands together nervously while she spoke. I need not make it a long story. I have been engaged to that man for nearly a year, and we were to have been married very soon. When I tell you this, and then tell you that he left me without a word of explanation, without any cause, so far as I know, beyond the one that he found a face that suited him better, do you not think I am true in saying that your daughter cannot trust him? Engaged to you? These were the only words Mrs. Burnham seemed capable of speaking. Yes, I'm engaged to me. It sounds strangely to you I knew it would. You cannot see how it is possible that the name of a poor girl like me, a clerk in a fancy store, should have the right to be coupled with that of Jerome Satterley. I do not wonder. I used to think so myself, and I said it was because he was unlike other men, nobler and better. Mrs. Burnham, you will want proof of my story. I can give it. Look, I still wear the ring he gave me. I am a poor girl, but we are respectable. We were not even poor always. Papa was a wealthy merchant, and Mr. Durand, one of the firm of Durand and Parkman, is my uncle. Mama is a widow, and we are poor enough now. I have been a clerk in a fancy store for three years, helping to support her and the younger ones. And you met Mr. Satterley where? In New York, I was a clerk in Jennings's at the Silk Counter. I met him at my uncle's here in town one evening, and then when he came to New York, he called on me and was good to mama and the children. Better than anyone in the world, I thought. And in a very few weeks, he told me that he had come to New York on purpose to get acquainted with me, that he did not care how poor I was, that he had money enough for both of us, and that mama should live again in the style to which she had been used. He stayed in New York for four months. His uncle, Mr. Telford, is the president of the Grand Street Bank, and he stayed at his uncle's. When he went away, he was to come again in the spring for me. I can show you many letters from him which say so. Oh, I could prove it by witnesses if it were necessary. He talked frankly to mama. She did not trust him, and he took it hard, and so did I. But mama knew. She drew from her pocket a package of letters carefully tied with a blue ribbon, and began with eager haste to untie them, while Mrs. Burnham questioned her as one in a dream. Let me understand. I thought you were a clerk here in town. I am the dam. I have been here two months. I secured a place. Mr. Jennings recommended me. I had not heard from Mr. Satterley in weeks, and I was so miserable, so sure that he was sick, or that some serious trouble had come upon him, that I could not rest without trying to find out. So I came here, and I have found out. He does not know that I am in the city, but I have seen him almost every day for two months, and I have watched him with your daughter until I know she is going through just what I have been, and I want to warn her. Believe me, Mrs. Burnham, that is all I want. It is not money that I am after. I never mean to bring any trial for breach of promise, though the promises were plain enough and often repeated. Read that. And she thrust before her hostess an open letter, which at first glance could be recognized as Mr. Satterley's very peculiar writing. As the girl said, the promises were plain enough and repeated oftener than for an honorable man would seem to have been necessary. Ruth, as she read it, could not help thinking aloud. This reads like a man who is not accustomed to being believed. Does it? I did not think so, and I believed in him utterly. I almost quarreled with Mama because she could not fully trust him. I used to lie awake nights, thinking how we, he and I, would heap beautiful coals of fire on her head. He told me I should furnish her room myself with all the elegances that money could buy, and that I should make it exactly like the one she used to have if I chose. What an evening it was! The doorbell rang several times, and Kate came once with a message from one of the ladies of the union who was importunate. But Ruth waved her imperiously away with the assurance that she could see nobody no matter whom. Late into the evening the talk went on. Proof piled upon proof, incontestable, that the elegant Mr. Satterley, with the date of his wedding day actually set, had turned in swiftness and silence away from his deliberately chosen bride, and set himself vigorously to wooing another. But I do not understand, Mrs. Burnham said at last. I do not see how he expects to manage. He must know that you will hear of it, and that you can make him serious trouble. Why does he not at least try to win you to silence? A deep blush overspread the young girl's hitherto pale face, and she shook her head as she spoke quickly. He knows that I will not give him any trouble in the way you mean. He trusts me as fully as I trusted him. If I cannot respect him, I want nothing of him. But could I let him deceive another as he has me? In the sight of God, Mrs. Burnham, all I want is to save her. I ought to have spoken before, but I could not believe it possible. He may be in earnest this time, but what proof can he give her that he has not given me? Over another question of her visitor, Ruth felt the blood roll in waves up to her very forehead. Mrs. Burnham, do you think a person who is a Christian ought to marry one who is not? No, said Judge Burnham's wife steadily and without hesitancy, and then that tell-tale blood had mantled her face. Mama thinks the same, said the unsuspecting girl, intent only on her own story. And oh, I thought so too once, but I gave it up. I was so sure I could win him to Christ, and here I could not even. She stopped abruptly as she had frequently during the evening. There seemed to be some sentences that she did not trust herself to finish. The voice was lower when she commenced again. Sometimes I have thought it was God's punishment upon me for putting another in the place of him. It is God's love for you, my friend, in saving you from a miserable life. The words were impulsive, but they came from the heart's depths. She sat and thought long about it all after her guest had gone, sat even until she heard the merry voices of the returning young ladies and their attendants. Then she gathered in haste the work and the magazine that had long before dropped from her hands and made a retreat to the privacy of her own room. She had much to think about. What part was she to play in this pitiful tragedy of human life, which had been so unexpectedly thrust in upon her? She had promised the poor little clerk at the lace counter that she would do what she could toward warding, or as she phrased it, saving her daughter, Seraph. Her daughter, what a miserable mockery of words! If she were in very truth her daughter, if her spirit burned within her, would not the girl recoil in horror from a life so utterly false as this? Yet did she expect it of her? She sat late into the night trying to plan how it would all be, what she would say to Seraph, and also, more important, what Seraph would say to her, and what the outcome of it all would be. Would it humiliate the girl more, she wondered, to have the knowledge of her promised husband's false nature come through her lips? Yet who would tell it if she did not? The father was away, and there was certainly need for haste if anything was to be accomplished. Though what could she hope to accomplish? Yet in the name of their common womanhood, she could not let this one, to whom she stood before the world in the place of mother, go on in ignorance of the hollowness of the staff she was trying to lean upon. Ruth pitied her and pitied herself for the part she was to bear in the drama, and fell into a troubled sleep at last, still uncertain how to perform her task. Still uncertain, in fact, the next morning, when, opportunity alone with Seraph, soon after breakfast, and mindful of her promise to not let another day pass without warning her, she began with a hurried, Seraph, spoken in a tone of such evident perturbation, as to cause that young lady to turn from the flowers she was arranging, and answer a wondering and inquiring, well? And then Ruth wished she had not spoken, and knew not what words to put next. End of Chapter 14, Recording by Tricia G. Chapter 15 of Judge Burnham's Daughters This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Judge Burnham's Daughters by Pansy. Chapter 15. All come. Do you know a young girl by the name of Hollister, Estelle Hollister? Never heard of her. The reply was made in that tone of easy indifference, which says, She is nothing to me, and I have no interest whatever in her story. She is in charge of the lace counter at Myers and McAlpine's. Oh, a pretty girl with yellow-brown hair? Yes, I noticed her. I remember somebody called her Estelle. She admires me, I fancy, with a little half-conscious laugh at this tribute to her beauty. She waits on me as though I were a queen. Did you ever hear Mr. Satterley mention her? Jerome, certainly not. He has no special interest in pretty girls in the abstract, I believe. Again, that indifferent tone and half-conscious laugh. He knows her, said Mrs. Burnham, and the tone was so significant as to cause an angry flush on Seraph's face and a haughty inflection in her voice as she said. What do you mean? It may not have been a wise way of commencing. Mrs. Burnham, as she thought it over afterward, felt sure that it was not, but at all events the subject was fairly opened. There could be no waiting now for a more favorable time. She went through the story steadily with admirable brevity and yet with telling distinctness. She had studied the points which could not be challenged and presented them clearly yet with as few words as possible. If she had been a very tender, real mother, she might have made the statement more tenderly. With pitiful, loving words slipped in between the wounds she felt obliged to make. But she could hardly have done it more skillfully with a view to letting her victim know the truth with as little torturous circumlocution as possible. She was conscious of a great pity for the girl to whom she was speaking. If she really loved the man, it would be a terrible blow. In any case, it would be galling to her pride. She did not know whether to be glad or sorry that they were interrupted by the sudden entrance of Minta before there was opportunity for a word in reply. Then Ruth went away to her own room to think it over and wonder what sort of an explosion she had set in train. She found that her knowledge of serif was not sufficient for her to determine with any feeling of certainty what her course would be. That she was capable of being very angry was unquestionable, but on whom her anger would be visited was a matter of doubt and more or less anxiety. It was, therefore, in the expectation of some sort of moral upheaval that Mrs. Burnham passed the remainder of the day, and she might be said to be prepared for almost anything when serif's voice held her in the library that evening just before dinner. Mama, we were interrupted in the midst of your exciting tale this morning. I was sorry, for I wanted to ask you whether you intended to take Jerome into your confidence also. I do not understand you, was Ruth's cold reply. The extreme flippancy of the young lady's words and manner led her to expect nothing but rudeness from this interview. Why, I thought my language was plain. I mean, do you intend to tell him about the young woman with whom you are on confidential terms, or have you engaged to enlighten only me? Do you not intend to tell him? I, why should I? My lady did not take refuge with me. It was you she honored with her confidence. Serif, there is really no reason why you should speak of the subject in this manner. I told you a sorrowful story this morning, because I thought it must told, and I did it with as little pain to you as I knew how. And only because, judging you as one woman of honor judges another, I felt it was your right to know it. And what do you expect me to do? I do not presume to dictate or even advise. I promised the poor girl that I would warn you, and as well as I knew how, I have done so. There my responsibility ceases. You will do, it is to be hoped, what you think you ought. If I thought I would be understood, I would express to you what I certainly feel, my deep pain that you should have been so deceived, but as it is. Serif interrupted her hurriedly. But as it is, there is no need for anything of that sort. I am sure I am grateful for your sympathy, but I think it misplaced. You and I look at a great many things from different standpoints. This is one of them. I do not think Jerome is the worst man in the world, merely because he has had a little flirtation with a sharp girl. I do not suppose it is by any means so important a matter as she made you believe. Girls of that stamp always think a gentleman wants to marry them if he lifts his hat to them in passing. In any case, it is all over now, and I do not see why I should make him and myself uncomfortable by mentioning it. You say the girl doesn't want money, but a handsome present will go far toward making life brighter to her, I have no doubt, and one of these days I will see that she receives it. I tell you this that you may see I can be sympathetic as well as yourself. What I want to say to you is that I would prefer you're not mentioning the matter even to papa. I don't see any occasion. If the silly girl had come to me with her complaints, it would have been much more sensible in her, I think. What was a woman of Mrs. Burnham's character to reply to a woman of such a character as this? She stood before her dismayed. She really had not supposed that society could build in a few short years so fair and false a structure. I have nothing further to say, she replied at last. I did not promise to tell the shameful story to anyone but you. Whether I ought to do anything more, I have not yet decided. It is not so pleasant a theme that I shall like to dwell upon it. I will only remind you that it may not be wise to keep your father in ignorance of it in view of your approaching marriage. The poor girl may have friends who will not be so considerate as herself and your father's services as a lawyer may be needed, in which case it might be well to have him forewarned. A swift look of mingled pain and anger was the only reply that Seraph had opportunity to make to this for her mother passed her and went immediately to the dining-room. Dinner was served at once and Jerome Satterley was one of the family party. Seraph chatting with him as gayly as usual while the woman who had been acquainted with the fashionable world for years found herself too shaken and distressed and angry to talk with anyone. The only comment on this was made by Mr. Satterley as the door closed between them while Seraph and he made their way to the music room. What is the matter with Mrs. Judge? Have I displeased her more than usual in any way? It seems to me that the word glum would about fit her disposition tonight. And Seraph's gay, sweet laugh rang out as she said. There's no accounting for mama's moods as you will learn when you come to know her better. Mrs. Burnham did not know what Seraph did, but for herself she knew she avoided even the street on which Myers and McElpine's store was located. It made her heart throb with indignant pain even to think of the sorrows and wrongs of the fatherless young girl who toiled there. And the days went by and still Judge Burnham did not return. Ruth did not even know whether or not he received her words of warning. He was constantly moving from point to point and his letters had great difficulty in finding him. He wrote frequently, always with the same story, unexpected delay and the hope that his exile was now nearly over. Matters were in this state on a certain Sabbath afternoon in March, when Ruth left her home to go to the Gospel Temperance Meeting in a state of great perturbation. The reason for this was twofold. In the first place, much to her own astonishment, she had been persuaded into allowing herself to be named as leader of the meeting. You who were well acquainted with Ruth Erskine will remember that this would have been a startling innovation to her even in her girlhood, and the matron had not developed in those directions. It had been a very great trial to her to consent to taking her turn with the others, rather the few among the others who were willing to share this responsibility. Still she was not lacking in moral courage, you will remember, and her conscience being closely questioned, could give her no sufficient reason why she should refuse to share in a work whose object she approved. Once pledged, she made what preparation she could for the formidable work. The second source of anxiety she tried hard to hold in the background until the hour of her trial should be over. It grew out of a briefly worded, bewildering sort of note from Marion, brought her by a special messenger but an hour before. Dear Ruth, forgive my importunity, but the time has come when you must really interfere in regard to that intimacy, even to the extent of issuing commands if need be, until her father returns. I will not trust myself to be more explicit on paper, but Mr. Dennis wishes me to assure you from him that he believes it will be a matter of lifelong regret with you if you do not protect her now. Do not delay another day, in great haste, Marion. Protect her, as if she did not know that Minta would tolerate no attempt at protection from her. What was she to do, if Judge Burnham were only at home, if Mr. Satterley were, but of what use to mention him? Ruth had only contempt for him. But it was the hour for the meeting and she must put this thing away for a little time longer. When the strain of the next two hours was over, she would have time to think. As she hurried along the street, a little late and much annoyed there at, her eye fell upon something that caused her added annoyance. The committee of arrangements were but mortals and therefore mistakes of judgment as well as of taste ought to have been pardonable. But Ruth was in no mood to grant pardon as they're flamed at her from the lamppost in what seemed to her painfully conspicuous letters the announcement gospel temperance meeting at Burnham Hall time three o'clock sharp all come Mrs. Judge Burnham will preside to Ruth's excited fancy it seemed as though her name was shouted at her by those great staring letters from every lamppost it flamed out this was entirely an innovation no leader's name had been announced before why should those hateful capitals be forced upon her on the whole she reached the hall in a very excited frame of mind and it took all the influence of the opening hymns and prayer to reduce her to something like composure the hall was unusually full Ruth thought that there were more men present than she had ever seen there before her voice sounded strangely to herself as she read the Bible verses which she had selected as the foundation of her talk but the listeners to judge by the entirely quiet respectful attention they gave her were satisfied it was a novel situation at first the leader seemed able to think only of the loud beating of her own heart and while she was reading the last verse but one of her selections she realized that she could not recall a single word of the sentences that she had prepared for her introduction but the very last verse took hold upon her thoughts stilled her wild excitement helped her to feel that she was permitted to be God's messenger to these men and women many of whom showed plainly by their faces that they knew him not thus sayeth the Lord stand in the court of the Lord's house and speak unto all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the Lord's house all the words that I command thee to speak unto them diminish not a word if so be they will harken and turn every man from his evil way and now shalt say to them thus sayeth the Lord the wonder and solemnity of the fact that God had given her a message to deliver here held her by its power the one thing which she now desired was to speak just the words which he commanded her language was very simple she not only could not recall the carefully prepared phrases which she had meant to use but she ceased to try out of the fullness of her conviction that they were men and women who needed God and that he was waiting to receive them she spoke the room was very still the women who were with her on the platform listened with a sort of hushed ah they forgot to be nervous to wonder whether that young man in the corner who was chewing tobacco meant mischief to whisper together as to what had better be sung when the speaker was through or to do any of the little restless things that in their nervous anxiety they were generally led into doing suddenly Ruth in the middle of a sentence her whole heart she thought centered in a desire to lead someone to feel his need of a savior came to a dead pause every vestige of color fled from her face leaving her white and motionless like a marble statue mrs. steward bacon half rose in alarm was she going to faint oh what would they do down near the door or at least not more than three seats from the door at the extreme end of the long hall seated between certain rough-looking men who had crowded in late was judge bernum mrs. steward bacon had seen him when he came in she had nudged mrs. parkman's elbow while ruth was reading those bible verses and had whispered that she did not know judge bernum had returned and she must say it was a very beautiful tribute to his wife's influence for him to lay aside his prejudices sufficiently to come and hear her but ruth had not seen him until that supreme moment when the sight of him took from her the words she was about to speak and brought her with shock back to earth again it all passed in a moment and mrs. bacon sank back in her chair with a relieved sigh ruth had forgotten the sentence she was uttering never mind that strange power as of god took hold of her again said to her speaking low so no ear but hers could hear you are god's messenger you are to speak to these men all that god has commanded you you are to diminish nothing you may never have another opportunity what human being ought to influence you now say unto them thus sayeth the lord it takes much longer to tell it than it did to think it before some had even noticed the hesitation the clear cultured voice went on young man god is speaking to you he wants you wants you today wants your brains and your strength and your influence for himself why do you wait you know you need him there was a movement on the very last seat a sort of undertone disturbance two young men pushing each other chuckling speaking almost aloud in their amusement judge bernam arose went with a light tread over to the last seat and sat down close beside the rougher of the two young men the disturbance ceased the clear voice went on gathering firmness the movement had not disturbed her neither had the muttering of the two bent on mischief she had for the time being gotten above it all the women seated on the platform looked at one another and nodded in satisfaction they could see each other's thoughts it was splendid and judge bernam to do that he is not going to have his wife treated rudely they should not wonder if he could be one into coming every Sabbath what a stroke of genius it was to have secured mrs. bernam as a co-laborer besides who had imagined that she could talk like this so much we know about people's hearts judge bernam was never in a more rebellious turmoil against his surroundings and environments than at that moment he would have told them a curious story about his coming to that meeting end of chapter 15 recording by trisha g chapter 16 of judge bernam's daughters this liber box recording is in the public domain judge bernam's daughters by pansy chapter 16 on the mount and in the valley it was Ruth's own letter of warning reaching him at a late hour on saturday having been sent after him from various post offices where he had left addresses that finally brought him home on the sunday express instead of stopping off at showroom and waiting for the midnight train as he had planned a few hours more or less might not make any difference but then possibly it might and being a businessman accustomed to weighing with scales that were turned sometimes by very slight causes he resolved to postpone his business at showroom and go home at once on the journey he had been more or less annoyed several political discussions with other sunday travelers had ruffled him considerably then he had been obliged to listen to and explain away a very much distorted addition of the story connected with the Shenandoah and its change of owners very wild in what he considered very silly reports about his having changed his political basis came to his ears and he was obliged to refuse congratulations from one side and smoothed the feelings of a ruffled constituent on the other all together when he stepped from the platform of the train at his own station he was in the mood to wish that he had not been such a fool as to cater to his wife's whims and so make all this talk about the Shenandoah and to wish especially that he had never heard of such an organization as the women's christian temperance union imagine him then walking rapidly uptown making an effort to throw off his ill humor and be ready to greet his family graciously confronted by those flaming letters on the lamp posts the bulletin boards and every conspicuous place possible gospel temperance meeting at Burnham hall time three o'clock sharp all come they even have my name dragged in because i happened to own the building i'll have that hall named something the first thing i do tomorrow muttered the irate man and then he rubbed his eyes and shaded them from the glare of the afternoon sunlight and looked again those large letters could he believe his eyes or his senses mrs. judge Burnham will preside it was hard on him really i will not have you entirely unsympathetic with him if you do not try to understand the people who are of another world than yours to in short put yourselves in their places occasionally how do you expect to be other than narrow and cold in your charities this was entirely contrary to all his preconceived ideas of propriety as well as utterly out of line with his sympathies it was also very unlike Ruth no one understood that better than she did herself she as you know had been through a conflict on account of it she had taken up the work as a duty across from which she shrank her husband having neither words in his vocabulary could not be expected to understand how it was possible for this sentence to refer to his wife yet what other mrs. judge Burnham was there in the city or in the world for that matter this mystery must be looked into without delay he drew out his watch it was now 15 minutes past three and that odious Burnham hall was but four blocks away he must go and see for himself and this was what had given mrs. Stewart Bacon a chance to nudge her companion's elbow and smile her surprise and approval when the great man entered the hall he went forward the moment the closing hymn was sung with a smile of greeting on his face and a hand held out to Ruth you did not expect me in your audience I fancy hardly said Ruth since I thought you still hundreds of miles away but you do not need to hear me say I am glad though the surprise for a moment nearly took my breath away she seemed not in the least embarrassed and was giving only half attention to him her eyes meantime following the movements of a roughly dressed young man who appeared to hesitate in doubt just what to do he advanced a few steps then turned and stood irresolute just as judge Burnham had possessed himself of his wife's heavy fur-lined cloak and had said you would do well to wait until you reach pure air before you don this she turned abruptly from him made a quick dash forward and laid her hand on the frayed coat sleeve of the young man may I speak just a word with you he heard her ask and then he stood and waited with what grace he could while the voice dropped too low for even his strained ears and he could only watch the young man's eyes were bent on the floor but his face was working under the spell of some powerful emotion he even put up his hand and furtively brushed away a starting tear as Ruth talked and her husband chafed what an insufferable piece of Bali it all seemed to him his wife standing there in eager low tone speech with an uncouth fellow smelling of tobacco and cheap whiskey actually keeping her light hold on his arm with that shapely hand of hers more than that at some response of the fellows given with apparent energy and a lifting of his eyes a light such as even he had never seen before broke over the face whose every expression he thought he knew and then the ungloved hand met that hard red one in a firm and evidently cordial grasp it was but a few minutes though it seemed almost hours to the waiting husband then she turned to him again the peculiar light still in her eyes I am ready now she said and they went down the stairs with the noisy crowd and had walked nearly the length of a block before judge Burnham broke the silence it occurs to me that this is an entirely new departure very said Ruth gently I never did such a thing before in my life I did not imagine that I possibly could even now she was preoccupied she was hardly giving a thought to the one to whom she was speaking or to the probable effect of the whole scene on his nerves the simple truth was she had just been brought face to face with a new and solemn joy which is unlike any other joy to be experienced this side of heaven which is understood only by those who have experienced it in which can no more be described than one can describe the air we breathe or the heaven to which we are going she had been permitted of the Lord to speak such words as had moved the soul of a young man a young man who was in peril whose widowed mother was even now mourning for him as one lost to her and to God he had been moved more than merely emotionally that tremendous potentate that rules destinies the human will had spoken I will do it the young man had said and the tone and the look that accompanied the words and above all the answering witness of her own soul made her sure that the decision which had to do with time and eternity had been made and she had been the instrument it was the first time in her life that she had ever been so distinctly chosen and used was this a time for wondering what a man who belonged outside the camp would have to say to her even though that man was her husband there were humiliations enough ahead but this was her moment of exaltation her manner irritated Judge Burnham how could it be otherwise he did not understand it was she trying to show him how utterly indifferent she was to his wishes we should have agreed perfectly in that opinion he said with marked significance I confess I had not the least idea that you could possibly do anything of the sort is it a proper time to ask how you came to make such an unpleasant discovery as what she asked gently but with infinite stupidity she had not been following him enough to understand him she was thinking what an evening it would be to that voice mother when she heard the news as that you were endowed with the peculiar qualities which made it possible for a woman to step on to a public platform and her rang an audience of course men and low-bred women certainly these words were not easily misunderstood Ruth flushed under them but still her voice was gentle unusually so I did not harangue them I think I was only talking to them about the power of Jesus Christ to save and I felt so keenly that they needed saving as to forget all other considerations what do you think of that he asked almost fiercely they were passing one of those odious posts with its flaming letters they looked as much as a foot in length to Ruth as her eye caught them now I do not like it at all she said hastily I do not understand why they did it at first I was really angry but I do not mind it so much now I am sorry to hear it will it impress you in any degree if I tell you that I mind it very much indeed it was the first greeting which I received on my arrival and if I had caught the fellow putting one of them up I should have kicked him into the road I know why they did it they like to have your name bandied about the town as it will be tonight in the mouth of every low saloon keeper and the drunken habituaries of his house it adds to their importance to know that they have done something which will set the vulgar world agape anything for no deriety is their motto the flush had died away from Ruth's face she was growing very pale this was a rapid descent from the mount where and she had been standing only a moment before she had felt as though earth and its common places could not touch her again because she had been permitted for a moment to stand face to face with Jesus Christ yet here was the keen cruel world at her very elbow they had been walking rapidly unconsciously judge Burnham had quickened his pace with every angry word he spoke and by this time they had reached their own door he applied his night latch held open the door with his accustomed courtesy for his wife then closing it quickly stooped and kissed her and held her with his arm while he spoke Ruth I am angry I don't think I was ever more so it seems to me I have been unfairly treated as if you must understand me better than this afternoon scene would indicate but I have been long away and have missed you sorely I have been looking forward all day to the pleasure of meeting you it was hard on a man to have to meet you where and as I did but I do you justice even now in my indignation I give you credit for not being of the same spirit with this notoriety loving crowd though you have somehow fallen among them I know the power of religious fanaticism I have studied it more or less as I came in contact with it in the line of my profession I even know that it has been carried to such excess before now that the doors of lunatic asylums have had to close on its victims I trust I may have strength of mind enough to shield you from great harm you will bear me witness that I have not often laid commands on you of any sort that in theory and practice I believe in the utmost freedom of individual will between husband and wife that is compatible with true dignity but you have really forced me unintentionally I fully believe but nonetheless really to say to you that it is something more than my request much more indeed that you should never enter the doors of such a place again as that in which I found you this afternoon now let me beg that you will make a complete change of dress both for your sake and mine let us rid of any reminder of the offensive scene positively Ruth even the lace on your sleeve smells of bad tobacco Mrs. Burnham went up the winding staircase with a slow weary air all the pulses of her life seemed to have stopped beating yet thought was all the time very busy she had been brought suddenly down to the level of the commonplace again with questions to settle which must be thought about just how far was she bound to obey her husband's dictation in this matter for though courteously phrased it amounted to nothing less than a dictation was she bound in honor to withdraw from this bit of Christian work to which her soul had responded must she even give up the hour spent with those Christian women in their place of prayer had not the Lord called her to the work had he not honored her in it and were her husband's claims to be put before his if she had really been the human means of saving a soul this afternoon was not that return enough to enable her to endure all the disagreements of life and the discomforts arising there from but on the other hand had the Lord called her to do just this thing whether her husband approved or not there were so many things of which he did not approve yet about which there was no question which she must do of course that perhaps when it was possible to yield one odd she did not know and found that she could not decide just where the odd came in it was easy to tell what one wanted to do she would like to go down to her husband that moment and say to him that she was sorry their two ways did not agree but that in this way which she had chosen and which had its reward and which she loved with all her soul she would certainly walk Ruth Burnham of yesterday would have done so but the Ruth Burnham of today had been on the mount with God for a little while and found somewhat to her bewilderment that all her judgments of men and things were softened and that even such questions as these must be looked at in the light of unselfishness meantime she slowly made the entire changes in her dress which had been called for this much at least she could do she was glad there was no question in her mind about it she smiled somewhat curiously over the discovery that her recent experiences had made her look at even so trivial a thing as this in a different light yesterday she would have said that she was sorry her dress did not suit him but it really was the most appropriate garment she had for the hour and she must ask him to be content with it today such a response looked humiliatingly hateful had she really been a disagreeable Christian through all these years at last she came to this conclusion that no decision in regard to the other matter was possible now she must put it aside with steady will until such time as she could be alone to think and to discover just where that solemn odd belonged at present there was other work for her disagreeable work there was that letter of warning from Marion in her pocket must it be shown to her husband she shrank from this with an aversion of which she was ashamed though she recognized the reason it was because she did not want to hear these friends of hers criticized sneered at perhaps but what a humiliating thing that she must expect for them such treatment at her husband's hands on the whole you will not think it was a pleasant homecoming after her hour of exaltation yet i want to tell you that the last thing she did before joining her husband in the library was to kneel in her place of prayer and thank god for the clasp of that rough red hand and the decision in the voice as it said to her i will do it above all the turmoil of conflicting anxieties rose the note of joy for this new soldier added to the ranks of her king Erskine was in the library in full tide of joy over his father's return there could be no doubt as to the heartiness of this welcome and judge Burnham was enjoying to the full the eager kisses and extravagant delight of his boy there were no vexed differences of opinion here to mar the pleasure at least there were none which appeared on the surface he rose on his wife's entrance smiled as he gave her a swift survey and noted that she was dressed in his favorite colors said thank you in a very expressive tone and drew an easy chair for her close to his own evidently he considered the matter that had come between them already settled the talk flowed on on different topics during Erskine's presence he taking a liberal share in it all from the music room came the hum of voices interrupted frequently by a sharp dry cough judge Burnham glanced anxiously in that direction from time to time and once interrupted himself to say it seems to me that seraph's cough is worse than usual it is much worse roof said she has exposed herself cruelly during the past two weeks and today is quite feverish who is with her in the music room Mr. Satterley I think no one else have you not seen her oh yes she came to me for a moment he arose as he spoke lifted Erskine to the ceiling and down again then said with a sigh well pop and jay run away now to Joan mama and I must do some talking without your interruption end of chapter 16 recording by trisha g chapter 17 of judge Burnham's daughters this LibriVox recording is in the public domain judge Burnham's daughters by pansy chapter 17 a plain understanding well he said again as the door closed after Erskine I received your letter with its enclosures which were as clear as the reports of professional detectives and reminded me somewhat of them what do you gather from it all what are the reports and from what source do they come I know very little judge Burnham save what that letter tells you people do not speak plainly to me the air seems to be full of vague rumors even Mr. Satterley as I told you is disposed to offer a warning even Mr. Satterley you speak as though he were the last person from whom you would expect propriety we as a family seem singularly unfortunate in our choice of friends none of them suit your tastes what does Satterley mean at least you could question him you are mistaken I was less willing to question him than I would have been some of the others he did not choose to enlighten me further than I told you and by this time Ruth had decided to say nothing about that letter from Marion which lay hidden in her pocket what did it tell more than he already knew judge Burnham shook himself impatiently as though he would give much to shake off the whole disagreeable subject I suppose I must look into the rumors he said taking long strides up and down the room I worked myself into almost a panic last night thinking it over and rode all night and lost perhaps a thousand dollars or so by not stopping off at showroom I had a sort of impression that there might be a crisis pending though I am sure I don't know why but the reports were so vague as to afford ample food for the imagination if one gave them any hearing at all I suspect I was foolish to notice them but tomorrow after I have looked into matters at the office I shall see if I can find out whether it is a case of blackmail or simple meddling it is hard if a man cannot have one evening of rest in his own home Sunday at that Sarah really coughs dreadfully I'll have Westwood come out in the morning and see her don't delay another day said the warning letter in Ruth's pocket she drew it forth reluctantly I have nothing beyond what I wrote you save this which came to me this afternoon I suppose you will attach no importance to it however he read it through hastily his face glooming over it why didn't you show it to me at first he demanded how can I tell whether to attach importance to it or not unless Dennis is a born fool he would not send such a message to a woman without having some show of reason at least I will see him and demand an explanation I'll go in on the next train but dr. Dennis will be in the midst of his evening service Ruth said dismayed she hardly knew why well evening service will not last all night I suppose if you had told me when I first came I could have caught him before service began now I shall have to wait until it closes and then wait for the midnight train I presume pretty hard on a man who has been traveling every night for a week Judge Burnham was rarely so ungentlemanly as this he must be very much worried Ruth thought and she busied herself without further words in certain little attentions for his comfort his last words as he closed the door were seraph ought to attend to that cough tonight tell her to take some hot lemonade and retire early I'll have westwood call first thing in the morning but seraph came to the dinner table half an hour afterward looking knotted all ready to retire she was in very rich evening costume of the subdued sort that the fashionable world assumes when it wants to do honor to the proprieties of the Sabbath and yet be as elegant as possible you are surely not going out tonight Ruth exclaimed rather than asked noting the flush on the cheeks which was deeper than health produces and the quick movement of the hand to her side when she coughed I surely am if you were musically inclined you would know that tonight is the great treat of the season at st. Peter's where is papa I thought he would want to hear fenwood sing he went to town on the six o'clock train though I do not think he will attend st. Peter's but seraph really excuse my persistence but you look ill enough to be in bed your father heard your coffin was troubled he wished me to ask you to take hot lemonade and retire early seraph laughed musically I shall probably retire early quite early tomorrow morning unless we are so fortunate as to make the 11 o'clock train and I do not suppose we can it is a long drive from st. Peter's to the station Ruth was so thoroughly convinced of this danger of venture into the chill night air especially as a sleety northwest rain had set in that she attempted a further remonstrance if I were mr. saturday I should protest earnestly against this exposure seraph I am sure your father would not approve he said he should call dr. westwood early in the morning mr. saturday knows better mama than to interpose authority even married women do not obey unless they choose as you will certainly bear me witness and as for failing and hearing fenwood sing just because papa is nervous about a cough is not to be thought of I should go tonight if I were sure of taking so much cold that I could not appear again this season judge bernum did not return on the midnight train ruth's cathedral clock told three just as he entered her room his state of mind the next morning might have been described by mr. saturday's word glum he made not the slightest attempted conversation either in his room or at the breakfast table and in reply to minta's statement that seraph was not able to lift her head from the pillow said he was not surprised that she was alive was the only matter for astonishment there could be this morning and so far forgot himself as to add even in the presence of robert who was waiting on the table that he should think if there had ever been any justification for interference in the plans of the young ladies it would have made itself apparent last night that he was simply amazed when he saw seraph in town then he turned to minta before she had come to the gleam of merriment in her eyes over this public rebuke of her stepmother where were you before you joined your sister at st. peters last night why i was in several places i lunged with ali paul and went from there to hear the anthem at the clark place cathedral with whom why papa with the one in whose charge i was of course i stayed in town on saturday with ali spharnam robert said judge bernum suddenly returning to the proprieties long enough for that we do not need any further serving mrs. bernum can he be excused then before the door was fairly closed after him that answer does not enlighten me as to your escort why papa you know surely without my telling you that i was with mr hamlin didn't you see us together did you leave home in his company no sir certainly not i told you i went home with ali spharnam on saturday she was here to lunch and i went into town with her and met hamlin at her house yes sir he was there to dinner by appointment i suppose minta's face had grown unbecomingly red under this fire of cross questioning at last she spoke papa what does all this mean what if i had engaged to dine at a friends in company with other guests it is nothing more than i do constantly i do not understand you it means that you have been warned several times during my absence against this particular young man and that you have chosen to pay no attention to the warnings though they came some of them from a source which i should not suppose any young lady of intelligence would overlook it also means that you are to have nothing to do with this individual from this time forth neither to dine with him nor ride with him nor speak to him if he presumes to call evidently judge bernum did not understand his daughter papa she said speaking steadily though her face had now grown very pale i do not know what right you think you have for ordering me about as if i were a child i obeyed you like a slave for years i know and i trembled before you even at a time when you were treating me in a way that the commonest kitchen girl does not expect but that time is past i discovered long ago how insufferably i had been treated and although you have done what you could to make me forget it i have not i can tell the story very distinctly if i have occasion and if you expect the slavish obedience to your orders that you used to receive when i had been kept in such ignorance that i did not know my rights you will be disappointed for i am of age and shall do as i please if he did not understand the character of his daughter neither had she correctly gauged him the angry and insolent address had the to her unexpected effect of quieting his outward excitement the habits of years resumed their sway he was again the watchful wary lawyer who had an enemy to hold in check and interests to guard really he said and a half quizzical smile was on his face ought i to apologize do you think or forgetting that i had a young woman to deal with instead of a naughty child who deserved punishment i had for the moment forgotten the lapse of years i will order my speech more carefully you are of age it is true so you will remember am i and this is my house and the funds that enable you to live your free and hitherto apparently satisfactory life are mine you are at liberty to choose if you prefer the society of those whom i utterly disapprove you will seek that society outside of my house neither need you return to it after having enjoyed yourself among your chosen friends since you have chosen to refer to the past in a manner that would almost seem to cover a threat i will admit that my memory is also good and that when i returned after a prolonged absence abroad to find that you were utterly unfit mentally and physically for companionship with me i did the only thing i knew how to do furnished your guardians unstintedly with money and left you to yourself until my wife appeared on the scene and showed me what years of careful training could do to make you fit companions for people of culture if you prefer now to prove that we were both mistaken and that your preferences are for the low in character and the degraded in life you will of course be at liberty to make the facts as plain as you choose the social positions of mrs. bernum and myself are perhaps you are aware quite equal to any strain that even you may put upon them after this very plain understanding i will take the trouble to add what you hardly deserve that i have convinced myself of the utter worthlessness of the person under discussion as i would have taken pains to show you had i not felt because of knowledge that came to me last night from outside sources that you had already received warning enough to satisfy any reasonable woman but i will add mine the stories that you have heard are undoubtedly true and more are true than you know anything about the man is not fit for a respectable woman to acknowledge with a bow if even after your exceedingly improper language this morning you conduct yourself properly we will let the memory of it drop and your position in our home shall be in the future what it has been in the past you are at liberty to choose you will observe that after all i have not acted the part of an excused guardian to a young woman who was of age but of an indulgent father being willing to condone even almost unpardonable insolence because i attribute it to the undue excitement of the moment and now i trust we fully understand each other he arose as he spoke and turned toward his wife i beg your pardon my dear for this long detention at the breakfast table do not expect me to luncheon we are on the eve of an explosion in the business world which will bring ruin to both character and bank accounts in certain directions i found last night that this matter involved more than i had imagined possible i will send westwood out to look after sarah he had talked himself into a parent good humor his parting bow and good morning to minta were if not fatherly at least courteous and he only smiled when she vouchsafed no reply she will come to her senses when she has had time to think he said to ruth who followed him to the hall with a face full of anxiety i had no idea she was so full of fire i am afraid my dear you have had more to bear from her than i had imagined possible but this miserable business when we are well over with it will be beneficial to her perhaps the scoundrel will be safely lodged in prison before many days oh yes it is as bad as it can be in every way the misery of it is that our name must be dragged somewhat into the slime i had no idea she was so much in his society if your friends had not been so afraid of their communications we might have kept ourselves out of the day new month i can furnish my lady with particulars by tomorrow which will startle her no money will not help him in the first place there is none he has involved his uncle in utter financial ruin don't be alarmed in answer to his wise anxious suggestion that he did not yet understand minta that she might be on the verge of some desperate step i understand her well enough to know that she will hardly take any steps today she is not an idiot she has plenty of burning blood in her veins angry she is without doubt but solitude and time for reflection will compose her nerves but judge bernum if she should really be attached to the man how can you know what influence he may have over her i wish she was to be in your care today attached nonsense she is attached to his fine horses and the gay life he has shown her and her pride is roused that is the extent of the mischief besides the man will be too busy today to think of her i tell you there is to be an earthquake which will take him off his feet and he is unprepared for it however i will add a word of emphasis to quiet your fears and he opened the dining room door again minta had risen from the table and was standing at the window with her back to the door my daughter he said his voice a trifle kinder than it had been before i trust you fully understand me that if you choose to remain under my roof and look to me as your father for protection you are under commands to have no communication in any form with any person by the name of hamlin or with any person connected with him i will explain more fully to you after a day or two she neither moved nor in any manner indicated that she had heard a word but the moment the door was closed she turned toward it a pair of flashing eyes and said will you indeed no doubt you will enjoy the explanation end of chapter 17 recording by trisha g chapter 18 of judge bernum's daughters this libra vox recording is in the public domain judge bernum's daughters by pansy chapter 18 stormy weather from the hall ruth went directly to inquire as to seraph's condition and found work for mind in hands the girl was in a burning fever her whole frame racked with an incessant cop and she lay with both hands pressed just robbing temples it was evident even to ruth's inexperienced eyes that she was seriously ill and that much valuable time had probably been already lost she dispatched a special messenger at once for dr westwood and busied herself until his arrival in using what remedies or alleviations she could think of he came sooner than she had dared to hope her messenger having found him on the road he had once made it evident that he did not consider himself as having been called a moment too soon and for the next hour ruth was absorbed in arranging to have his minute instructions carried out he was so manifestly planning for a very serious fight with disease that she was solemnized by the thought and for the time being all minor matters were laid aside the speed with which a well-ordered house can accommodate itself to a change of circumstances would make an interesting study for the curious before noon of that busy day a large back room which had a southern exposure and was not so crowded with dainty furnishings as where the young ladies rooms had been under the doctor's supervision prepared for the sick girl and she had been carried there and a professional nurse installed the lady of the house drew a long breath of relief as she came slowly down the stairs having received the final directions of the tall quiet self-sufficient young woman who had swiftly obeyed the doctor's summons and had laid aside her things with the air of one who had always belonged just in that room ruth had the feeling that she had been dismissed it brought with it a sense of relief the responsibility was lifted from her shoulders it brought with it also a touch of pain recalling as it did the grave facts of her life if she were in truth the mother of that sick girl or if she held in her heart the place which some second mothers won no hired nurse could possibly supersede her there as it was and then the touch of pain came again meantime there were other things to think about where was minta and how was this distressing phase of their life to end she believed she knew the girl better than the husband did she by no means expected a quiet yielding to his commands but just what form the rebellion would take would depend probably on what advice she received from mr. hamlin and then ruth thought with a sudden start of dismay that in her anxiety and preoccupation there had been opportunity for plenty of communication between the two now that she stopped to think of it it was strange that in all the arrangements for seraph's comfort her sister had taken no part she went hurriedly to her room and knocked wondering the while what excuse she should make for intruding but no answer was returned to her knock she went to the parlors to find them deserted in the music room kate was dusting do you know where i can find miss mintha ruth asked trying to keep her voice as usual she has gone out ma'am she went several hours ago was she alone the tone was hurried and an eager quiver of anxiety showed in the voice yesam she was alone when she left the house she told me that she would probably not be into lunch i told her the doctor was here and that miss seraph was pretty sick and she said yes she knew it i thought perhaps she was going on some errand for miss seraph probably that is the case ruth said turning away with a startled fear nevertheless that it might not be for the rest of the day she tormented herself with a hundred nameless fears and wonderings what ought she to do was it important that judge bernum should know of the girl's absence should she telephone him but how absurd to send him a message that mintha had gone out for a walk how insulting to the girl if she had really gone as kate surmised on some business for the sixth sister it would not do to telephone anything like that perhaps she might go herself into town and give her message in person but it was not probable that judge bernum would be in his office he had hinted of business that involved others she did not know where to look for him and when with much trouble she found him what had she to say but that his daughter was very sick and she had left her with hired attendants only while she came to tell him that the other daughter was out walking such a course was not to be thought of well then suppose she wrote him a note and sent it by a special messenger and then she had visions of the messenger going from office to courtroom to the offices of brother lawyers asking many questions following the busy man from point to point coming upon him perhaps in the midst of his most distracting anxieties interrupting him with a note which had simply to tell that mintha had gone out leaving word that she might not be back to luncheon the whole thing began to look absurd to her and as later in the day seraph grew worse rather than better and the professional nurse was glad to have her to hand this thing and remove that she put aside the other anxiety and gave herself to helpfulness nobody lunched finally except irskine and the nurse it was drawing near to the dinner hour before ruth could get away again for a moment's rest her first inquiry was for mintha she had not returned nor had any message come from her about these bare facts there was nothing of necessity to rouse anxiety to Kate it had merely the air of an everyday occurrence mrs. Burnham was still in mourning attire there had been no time to think of dress judge Burnham would not like this it was one of the points on which he was fastidious to a fault his wife wondered whether there would be time to make some changes before he came and then he came mr. Satterley was with him and Ruth noted that he looked worn and anxious she wondered if he had heard of seraph's illness and if he really cared for her enough to be troubled judge Burnham did not even seem to notice the morning dress where is mintha were his first abrupt words without even the ceremony of a bow she has gone out trying to speak as usual gone out where I do not know she went while I was otherwise engaged and left no message for me Kate says that she told her she might not return to luncheon engaged do you know what you are talking about is it possible you have let her disappear without any knowledge of her whereabouts he had never spoken in this manner to his wife before Ruth controlled her voice and her feelings he was evidently either terribly angry or terribly alarmed judge Burnham you forget had I any right to control her movements or power to intercept them right power you do not know what you are saying I tell you you should have locked her in her room if need be rather than let her slip away she interrupted him judge Burnham you are speaking very loud and unnecessarily exciting the servants I am expecting mintha every moment you surely know it is nothing unusual for her to be late meantime seraph is very ill at this information mr. sadderly gave a start of dismay seraph he echoed what is the matter but judge Burnham's excitement was not quieted I cannot help it he said irritably illness is the very least of our calamities if the other one were sick with the smallpox even we should have cause for thanksgiving I tell you I am afraid she has gone to destruction the fellow has escaped us somehow just when we thought we had the net securely laid he received information from some source and has disappeared when did mintha go what did she take at which point he turned abruptly and strode through the hall into the library Ruth waited only to answer a few of mr. sadderly's anxious questions then followed her husband he had gone to his dressing room the exclamation which he gave the moment he opened his toilet case brought her to his side he had a sealed letter in his hand from which he tore the envelope savagely Ruth looked over his shoulder as he read dear papa I was going to tell you something this morning but you were in such haste and so savage that I hadn't opportunity we had planned a lovely little surprise mr. hamlin and I we didn't tell anybody about it save the necessary persons just for the fun of the thing we meant to have a very original entertainment connected with it as soon as you reached home but you have quite spoiled our plans by your fierceness and since I am a dutiful daughter in spite of your insinuations this morning and want to do my best to obey you and since it is quite impossible for me to have no communication in any form with any person by the name of hamlin for the simple reason that that happens to be my own name I will do the next best thing at which you so kindly hinted and take myself out of your house until such time as you may wish to see my husband and myself if you really need proof of my statement you might consult the reverend charles stevens rector of saint stevens who lives at south side near the green street chapel an obscure little place in which to be married I admit but the fun of the secrecy lay in obscurity your devoted daughter minta bernam hamlin it was a hard blow I am sure you will not be surprised that judge bernam felt it too in his very soul he had not been a very watchful father certainly when his children were young he had almost deserted them with a disposition that grew out of pure cowardice during the period of their disappointing girlhood but he had not lavished time and attention and money on them for the last half dozen years for nothing as it began to dawn upon him that they were not only to be endured but were actually subjects for congratulation his interest in them deepened and as the years went by and they became objects of general admiration you will remember his pride in and ambition for them knew no bounds all the more this feeling seemed to sway him because it came with the force of a discovery after he had resigned himself to nothing but humiliation in connection with them he did not name the feeling pride and I have no doubt that affection had somewhat to do with it a great deal perhaps during these later years one cannot lavish so much on any person without feeling to say the least a deepening interest in the person and besides the bernam blood of which this man was so fond was certainly in their veins still it was his pride which had received a death below it was bad enough to have the name of a man who proved to be not only a villain but an unsuccessful one mentioned in the daily papers in connection with his daughter he had even thought during this busy day of making an effort to suppress the items which whenever he had a moment of leisure seemed to float before him such for instance as it seems that young hamlin spent the evening before the discovery in company with miss bernam the youngest daughter of judge bernam of the firm of bernam bacon and company or it is said that young hamlin frequently enjoyed the hospitalities of judge bernam's elegant home and presumed to be on friendly terms with his beautiful daughters or any other of the dozen offensive ways of gossiping about such matters which newspaper reporters seem so thoroughly to understand he had thought for a few moments quite seriously of attempting to make it worth the while of these leading reporters to keep his daughter's name out of the accounts but had finally abandoned the idea as beneath his dignity after all he said to himself what does it matter the fellow was intimate in dozens of leading families and that he admired my daughter so much more than any of the others is not so unusual a thing as to cause surprise i think i will let this part of the annoyance shape itself as it may it will soon be forgotten and he had worked the harder toward getting matters in train for the grand expose and then had come that sudden discovery of flight a flight accomplished so boldly and gracefully as to awaken no suspicion in the minds of any looker on that more than an afternoon ride with the lady of his choice was being planned and then had followed judge bernam's unspoken fears that the lady about whom there seemed to be very contradictory accounts might be his daughter though he really did not believe that such a thing was possible he believed that the young lady's pride would hold her back from such a step and then had come the rush home to relieve what he told himself were perfectly groundless fears that a man like that of course had intimacies with women of whose very names a daughter of his was ignorant and then had come this final blow in the shape of a half comic holy heartless letter with that name attached mint of bernam hamlin the unsullied bernam name linked at last with that of a gambler and a forger certainly the father was to be pitied a great deal of work had to be done in the next few days much that judge bernam had labored hard all that first day to accomplish he labored equally hard to prevent in the days immediately following the man who was his daughter's husband who had joined his name and story irrevocably to hers was to be dealt with differently if possible from the one who had simply under a mistaken idea of his character been admitted to the house as a passing acquaintance it was not that judge bernam felt any softening apart any pity for the daughter who had so wronged him his efforts were not so much to shield her as to keep the bernam name as much away from the public as possible therefore he withdrew charges which he meant to push and was silent where he had meant to speak plainly and pay large sums of money to purchase the silence of others in regard to certain points therefore it was that by dint of tremendous effort not only on his part but on the part of others friends of young hamlin and by processes known to lawyers this breaker of the laws escaped the verdict of justice and was able to take up his abode in the same city where his evil deeds had largely been accomplished this much settled judge bernam took exceeding pains to have it understood that his motive for his share of the work had not been pity for the sinner but pity for himself that now he was quite through with the whole matter mrs hamlin was no longer to be considered as a daughter of his he did not want to see her again nor to hear of her in any way she had chosen between them and must abide by the decision he ordered certain trunks and boxes to be packed and sent by express to the boarding house where the newly married couple were now staying and with them sent a note briefer than the one minta had written but in every sense of the word dignified in which he had distinctly stated that from this time forth all communication between her and the family to which she had here to fore be longed was to cease that he had done what he could to save her husband from the prison life which he so richly deserved and that in doing this he had performed the last service for one who was once his daughter that she need ever expect at his hands this was hard on the young scoundrel of a husband he had not so reasoned out when all these plans were formed in his mind he had not known Judge Burnham in the days when his daughters were ignored and neglected he had believed that the father's heart was inextricably wound about this beautiful daughter in particular and that after a few angry words and a few tears and a few sobbing petitions on her part for forgiveness she would be restored to her place again and his falling fortunes be retrieved and set on a firm basis he had meant that this should be done without other unpleasantness than would be necessarily involved in learning that there had been a private marriage he had intended that the Burnham wealth should save him from a public exposure it had been the lawyer's vigorous onslaught during that one day which had brought about the end with a precipitancy entirely unnecessary that Judge Burnham might have avoided all this publicity had been made only to plain by the speed with which he quieted the storm he had raised the moment he found out that his own name must suffer in only a secondary degree whatever disgrace came to the name of Hamlin it was all bitterness and weariness of soul and Judge Burnham aged under it meantime perhaps it was almost a relief to his angry spirit that Seraph continued very seriously ill and that he had to put aside his bitter thoughts and hurt pride and think of and help care for her in many ways end of chapter 18 recording by Tricia G