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THE SOUTHERN WORLD. SEPTEMBER 1,1884.
Written especially for the Southern World.]
TEE SISK? Of ROSE DARREL.
BT JOHN ESTKN COOKE.
fThis story began in No. 11 of Volnme 8.
Back numbers can be had at 6 cents per copy.
All rights reserved.]
XX.
THE MAJOR EBNtCTS A LOAN.
Major Singleton came down to break
fast in a figured dressing gown and em
broidered slippers, and seated at his
bachelor board, sipped his coffee and
perused a newspaper which had arrived
by the morning mail.
It was a very handsome apartment,
like all the rest in the Oakwood house.
The floor was covered with variegated
matting; there was an ancient sideboard
with a carved back: and the heavy ma
hogany chairs, and large table black and
shining, had about them an air of wealth
and “ respectability.”
The Singletons were in fact a very old
and respectable family. They had lived
here at Oakwood generation after gen
eration in great ease and elegance; and
it is not to be wondered at that the gal
lant Major should have indulged the
weakness of regarding it as incumbent
upon him to keep up the family tradi
tions.
He had certainly kept them up with a
steadiness which did honor to the repu
tation of the Singletons for spending
money.
As soon as he came into possession of
his property the Major, as before related,
had proceeded to enjoy himself. He
had given the best dinners of any gen
tleman in the county; had passed his
summers at the watering places; and
spent his winters, not infrequently, at
the capital of the State, where His Ex
cellency the Governor, charmed with
his elegant manners, had appointed him
to a place on his staff—whence his mili
tary title of Major. During the war he
had retained this position, and relieved
his duties at the seat of government by
cards and wine, not to mention flirtation;
and then the Major returned to his patri
monial acres and married.
He had taken this step from a sense of
duty. It was incumbent upon him, he
declared, to keep up the position of the
family, and it had been threatened.
Owing to his careless and generous
nature, the Major had fallen into the
hands of vulgar money lenders. All
those pleasant occupations at the State
capital and elsewhere required funds;
and as Oakwood was a valuable proper-
erty there had been no difficulty in rais
ing money upon it. The Major had
therefore raised it, without looking very
carefully at the rate of interest. When
that troublesome matter was forced upon
his attention, he cheerfully added the
amount to the capital and gave a new
bond; and this went on until he sudden
ly discovered that Oakwood was no long
er his own.
Then the Major sat down and reflect
ed. It seemed that he was not to enjoy
any more wine or card playing; and,
horrible thought 1 might even be com
pelled to discard kid gloves.
The result of his reflections was that
it was incumbent upon him as the repre
sentative of the Singletons to look about
him for a young lady of solid attractions;
and he had proceeded to do so with the
happiest results.
Going to the springs with his fine
equipage and four glossy bays, he had
createa a sensation there, and at the end
of the season bore off' a partner of his
joys. He had carefully ascertained the
condition of her bank account before
proposing; had found it satisfactory, and
the encumbrances upon Oakwood having
been promptly paid off, the Major re
sumed his gay existence—which indeed
had not been interrupted.
Then followed what has already been
related. His wife died; the Major was
inconsolable, but consoled himself, and
ere long began to look about for another
partner of nis existence. It was neces
sary that she should have money, as
Oakwood was again “ shingled over with
mortgages,” and the result had been
these frequent visits to the Meadows and
the fair widow there.
As he sipped his coffee on this morn'
ing, the Major's expression of counte
nance indicated satisfaction. He had
called on Mrs. Darrel the day before and
passed two or three charming hours
with her. It was probable that if the
fair widow had not made up her mind
to become Mrs. Singleton she would
speedily do so; and with his newspaper
lying in his lap the Major smiled, no
aoubt contemplating the agreeable pros
pect before him.
He was thus pleasantly engaged when
a loud knock was heard at the door, and
an old servant entered respectfully and
announced " Mr. Hicks, sir.”
Now Mr. Hicks was a money lender months—that’s the day of judgment,
who had come into possession of a large Major 1”
number of the Major’s promises to pay, And Mr. Ilicks departed,
and was thus his chief creditor. Noth
ing could have been less agreeable than
a visit from him on this morning; and
in fact the Major’s brows contracted into
what might have been called a decided
frown.
“ The devil 1” he muttered. “ I must Major was on his way to the Meadows,
see him. Can’t say I’m not at home! He was clad with great elegance, and as
These fellows study our habits and come usual wore spotless kid gloves; his drag
to call before we are out of bed.” shone like ebony and his glossy bays
The old servant was waiting respect- tossed their superb heads;—from the
fully. silver plated harness to the groom seated
“ Ask Mr. Hicks to come in,” said the rear, the whole turnout was a model of
Major. taste and elegance.
And Mr. Hicks duly came in# The Major was fond of driving and
He was a small, wiry personage, with rarely surrendered the lines to his ser-
a dirty shirt bosom and keen eyes—the Vft nt. Now and then he made his ap-
two details seeming to harmonize. The pearance driving four in hand in the
: J * *- J ” ' streets of Scarborough; and those who
criticised this ostentation were obliged
seeming
eyes plainly indicated that their owner
was indifferent to the state of his linen,
and that matters of much greater im
portance occupied his mind.
“ 8ervant, Major. Glad to see you,”
said Mr. Hicks as he entered the room.
Major Singleton reached forward and
wrung his hand with cordial pleasure.
“ My dear Hicks!—this is a real pleas
ure,” he exclaimed, beaming on bis vis
itor. “ The fact, is I was just thinking
of you, and hoping you would come to
day. I want some money J”
Mr. Hicks looked much shocked and
smiled in rather a wintry manner.
“ Well, we are in just the same box,
Major. I want a little myself, and call
ed to ask what you can do for me.”
Major Singleton laughed heartily.
“Whatamount would you require?”
he said.
Mr . Hicks took out a large pocketbook
of soiled leather and produced a package
of papers from it.
“I can
ute.’
tell you the amount in a min-
He ran his eye over the figures on the
backs of the papers and said:
“ It foots up to forty-two thousand.
There s a few dollars and cents over but
we'll call it the even forty-two thousand.”
Major Singleton and Mr. Hicks looked
intently at each other for a moment.
The expression of Mr. Hicks was signifi
cant, the Major’s jocose.
" A little matter like that is not hard
to manage between friends,” said the
Major, laughing; “but I am surprised
to find you think I would permit you to
knock off the odd dollars and cents.”
“I am willing,” said Mr. Hicks with
a somewhat puzzled air, “ if—”
“ I will never consent to it. Business
is business, Hicks. Let me look at your
papers.”
Mr. Hicks handed the package to Ma
jor Singleton, who carefully examined
them. They consisted of an extensive
assortment of his promissory notes and
bonds.
“The amount is forty-two thousand
and eleven dollars and thirty-five cents ”
said the Major. ’ •
“ Knock it off,” said Mr. Hicks, gen
erously.
“ Can’t think of it,” said Major Sin
gleton.
And going to a table upon which there
were writing materials, he wrote a few
lines.
‘‘I think that will answer,” said the
Major, with unaltered gayety.
Mr. Hicks took the paper and read it
with attention.
XXI.
MAJOR SINGLETON TAKES A BIDE AND
WRITES A NOTE.
Two hours after this conversation, the
~ udtouiouuu were uuugeu
to acknowledge that nobody was a more
admirable whip. The Major was par
ticularly famous for his manner of tak
ing off his hat to ladies as he passed
them—bowing so low as he did so that
he seemed to have forgotten that he was
managing his spirited horses.
At such moments he was the picture
of enjoyment and was evidently inter
ested in all around him. Waving his
hand in its delicate kid, he would cry,
How goes it, my dear fellow?” to the
friend he passed; call his horses by
their pet names, and diffuse, as he dart
ed onward, an atmosphere of unbounded
gayety.
On this morning such friends as he
met were impressed with the idea that
something had occurred to put the Ma
jor in the highest spirits. In fact his
face was radiant and his very moustache
seemed to curl with pleasure.
Did this self-satisfaction arise from the
result of his interview with Mr. Hicks?
If so his feeling of triumph might have
been pardoned. The closest money
lender in the county had come for his
money and had lent more; and this won
der had been effected by the Major’s elo
quence.
It is true that he had offered Mr.
Hicks considerable inducements. He
had executed his promissory note at
ninety days for three thousand dollars,
and the amount of Mr. Hicks’ check re
ceived in return for it was only two
thousand five hundred. There was also
the further inducement that on his mar
riage with Mrs. Darrel all his debts
would be promptly paid, since that lady
was now certain to inherit the Meadows
property, under Colonel Ludwell’s will.
But even conceding that these arguments
were calculated to produce a certain ef
fect, there remained a large margin of
doubt which could only have been over
come by the Major’s glowing represen
tations. Mr. Ilicks had indeed summed
up all by the admiring statement that he
could “tout talk the devil;” and per
haps the Major remembered those flat-
“® n toJ w 9 rds as be was driving toward
the Meadows, and derived from them a
sentiment of self-complacency.
He was ushered into the drawing room
at the Meadows by the respectful old
butler, and Mrs. Darrel did not make
him wait very long.
. As she entered the Major rose, and
taking the hand she offered, bowed low
?Tfi r ^J e . lad y suddenly colored a
•A?T. th , e . Maior had touched the hand
with his lips; and then they sat dawn
and discussed the weather.
It is a very useful topic, and smoothes
the way for others more interesting; but
the Major seemed to be quite enamored
of the subject.
“I have never seen such weather in
n V Py dear madam!” he exclaim
ed 1 ’ The air is as mild as May and I
could not resist the temptation to drive
It was the promise of Major Singleton
to pay him at the end of ninety days the
just and lawful amount of forty-five
thousand dollars with interest from date.
I should like a little pocket money
at this moment, mv dear Hicks,” said
the Major cheerfully. “ You might give
me the difference—a trifle of two or
three thousand, and if in the meanwhile
I should want more I would call on you ” “ “ j" 1CD1DI ' temptation to drive
The discussion which ensued between 3 ?• 5 ee y° u - 1 even hoped that I
the Major and Mr. Hicks was long and “ g l - ladu 9® you to take that long
animated. To employ a military phrase P. romi sed drive with me—it really will
the attack was vigorous and the resist- &I® y » u rose8 » though you do not need
ance obstinate. At the end of two or
three hours the Major’s gallant assault „i;„Li e , word ® Mre - Danrel colored
triumphed over his opponent, and Mr sll 8htly and murmured;
Hicks, throwing into the fire the Major’s u „ aid 1 cannot to-day. ”
note, took another at ninety days for Q „„Lui he ,., ai ° r continued to urge that
three thousand dollars. He then went w h bea 1 u ?/ ul feather was not apt to
to the table and wrote a cheque for two «mtiM nd Damd > who was the most
thousand five hundred dollars, which he ^ miabIe °* persons, finally yielded.
smiling Major, iSJS £ **
^Sjotwte/iubre^: TT’?
“ Yes, I’m going, Major—maybe I had eav Mtinr vnn^ k ° b u d glanced at the
better not have come. You’d y out talk Bs expression d Jnt V !h b ®® n - dazzlled by
££8- and he'd end by lending you ^hWgfove? Z
-yHy don't.think that! “e^oi'wLph." 08 '" with ““-
You datter me I eiclauned the anulmg Soon he and Mm. Darrel were seated
“ Yon would 1 Chore’s no standing up
against you,” said Mr. Hicks admiring
ly. “ I came to get my money and I
have lent you two thousand five hundred
hones toward Scarborough.
‘ I thought the drive towa
nave lent you two thousand five hundred would be mnw Wayside
more. But remember—this tic^.e three ^Mrs. Darrel, faintly. ®’ murmured
“ There will be time to take both
dear madam,” returned her
“there’s a very fim8sSretehbSron P ^ 10n ’
and! wish to L,owyonT.^“ d „^
r ” ef M ,y ”? ^obt on ^heaonsati^n which
~ Maior Sr
But the Major repeated his argument*
as the bays darted onward, and SS
were now so far on the way that it real 1*
back 0 * 8eem W ° rth Whil ® * oturn and go
The bright equipage flashed into Scar
borough, and passing along Main street
issued from the town teyond. W
Darrel had not been mistaken. As thev
passed they were followed by everfeVe
There was no longer any doubt. * As
Major Singleton and Mrs. • Darrel we ®
nding out together they were certain !
engaged to be married! ®«amiy
The Major had thus accomplished one
of his objects, and internally rejoh ed
He now concentrated his thoughts on an
this drive? e8tl0n 8hould ^propose 2
i A i tJ ?® JW clatt ? red along on the
level stretch beyond Scarborough hi
weighed the pros and cons with th!
anxiety of a General in the (ace Ji h!
enemy, who is called upon to dec 3!
whether he will attack at once or defi
it to another occasion. e er
The ardent nature of the Maior
prompted attack, but he hesitated
Then there was his servant—it was in ‘
possible to indulge in romantic eloquence
in nis presence.
For a mil® or two he was undecided;
then they turned and went back toward
Scarborough, when his indecision seem
ed to com® to an end. They had passed
through the town and were emerging
from the eastern suburbs when Major
Singleton suddenly drew rein, throwing
his bay" upon tbeir haunches
“ Will you pardon me, my dear mad-
nm? he said. “I quite forgot a little
matter of business.”
And turning to his servant he said •
“6° back Mr. Thwackett’s and say
that I will call on him at ten to-morrow.”
The servant at once got out and was
proceeding to obey the order when the
Major called out to him:
“ I will come back through town—re
main until I return.”
“It is nearly half a mile to Mr.
Thwackett’s office,” said the smiling
Major, turning to his companion, “ and
I really ought not to expect you to wait
—it would be unpardonable.”
Then the fair Mrs. Darrel probably
knew what was ccming. A deep blush
suffused her face and she looked intent
ly at the carpet of elegant brussels upon
which her feet rested.
In obedience to the least possible
touch of the lash the bays resumed their
headlong gait, and the gossips who fol
lowed it with their eyes saw it disappear
on the road to Wayside.
No one at Wayside saw the vehicle
pass, nor did the Major turn it at the
Meadows gate. It is probable that he
knew of other drives more attractive;
and that as these might lead up and
down hills it would be necessary to pro
ceed slowly and while away the time in
conversation.
It is certain at least that the drives
selected were not short, for the drag
containing the Major and Mrs. Darrel
did not return until evening.
Mr. Ludwell was upon the portico as
it .drove up, and it was impossible to
misunderstand the expression of his
face. He said nothing, however, and
the Major having assisted Mrs. Darrel
from the vehicle, pressed her hand,
bowed with an air of the deepest devo
tion, and took his departure.
What had happened? It was impos
sible for Mr. Luawell to ascertain. He
was evidently very much puzzled, but
was obliged to remain in that state of
mind; and after all it did not seem a
matter of much importance whether be
should understand or not. Had he not
surrendered the property and deter
mined to return to the West? Mrs.
Darrel’s private affairs could not greatly
interest him.
If he was curious, however, on the
subject of what had taken place during
the drive, it is a pity he could not have
looked over Major Singleton’s shoulder
on his return to Oakwood. That gentle
man had no sooner taken off bis kid
gloves and stretched himself in an easy
chair than he drew pen and paper to
him and indited the following epistle:
Mv Dear Hicks—Call to-morrow and Lrin*
your check book—I waut another thousand o
•o. Thu business we talked about is a» go* ,
tintshed, and all your claims will be settled >
fully secured.
If you don’t like to lend any more mone> on
Oakwood you might on the Meadows prop* rl >-
The Major signed only his initial 5 to
this note. It was imprudent to write i
perhaps, but there was no probability