Part 36 (2/2)
”How?”
Irene did not reply.
”How can you keep him from gambling?”
”I shall merely tell him to be careful.”
Max wondered that Rene had such a faculty of controlling her father's actions.
”I hope you will bring him to time, for he really squanders a great deal, and you may need it.”
”Yes; we need all that is ours by right; though, of course, when you come in possession of your estates we shall be amply provided for.”
Max frowned slightly as he said: ”Oh, of course, but that may be some years yet. We can't tell just when these big fortunes do come in.”
”Certainly, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. But you were speaking about making a change. Are you afraid to do so?”
”Afraid of what?”
”That Scott will be looking for me?”
”Oh, no,” said Max, thinking that Scott had too much sense to search for a truant wife, for he would not do so himself.
”Don't you think he will?” she asked.
”No, no, darling, he will not follow you when he knows into whose hands you have fallen, for he must know whom you love best.”
”He knows very well, and sometimes I tremble for what he might do.”
”Do not be alarmed,” said Max with a yawn, ”he will not trouble you.”
It was one evening in the month of March that Max entered the room where Irene sat, and asked her to give him ten dollars, as he had a bill, he said, that must be paid.
”It seems to me,” said Irene, ”that you are using a great deal of money lately.”
”No more than I am obliged to; a man can't live on air.”
”I have none now,” she answered a little petulantly.
”What have you done with your last installment?”
”You have used a good share of it; I don't know what for.”
”It is mighty little I have had lately.”
”Where are you going?” she asked, as she saw him preparing to leave the house.
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