Part 31 (2/2)

”Thank you; it has been a shock. Did you deal with Barnett's?”

”I understand they have handled the estate accounts for many years.”

”Then you will be relieved to hear that it's probable all the depositors will be paid.”

Brand made a gesture of expostulation; but Mowbray's mind had taken a sudden turn.

”So you haven't disposed of your English property!” he commented.

Brand's glance rested on Beatrice, who was standing near, talking to one of the younger men. Her eyes sparkled with amus.e.m.e.nt and there was warm color in her face. Her pose was light and graceful; she seemed filled with eager gaiety, and Brand's expression hardened.

”No,” he replied in a meaning tone; ”I may want the place some day.

Perhaps I'd better warn you that I haven't given up hope yet, in spite of my rebuff.”

”I wish she'd taken you,” Mowbray said frankly. ”It would have been a relief to me; but I cannot influence her.”

Glancing back at Beatrice, Brand was seized by a fit of pa.s.sion. He was a strong, reserved man, who had cared little for women--he had, indeed, rather despised them. Now he had fallen in love at forty-two, and had been swept away. Hitherto he had generally lived up to a simple code of honor; but restraints were breaking down. He would have the girl, whatever it cost him or her. He knew the strength of his position. It might be necessary to exercise patience, but the odds were on his side.

”This is a matter I must fight out for myself,” he said in a hard voice.

”And I mean to win.”

Mowbray looked at him in surprise. There was something new and overbearing in the man's expression which the Colonel resented, but he supposed he must make allowances.

”You have my good wishes,” he said; ”but you must understand that that's as far as I can go.”

He moved away and soon afterward Brand joined Beatrice.

”I must congratulate you on your cheerfulness,” he smiled. ”You seem to cast a ray of brightness about the place to-night. It drew me. Being of a cold nature I felt I'd like to bask in the genial warmth.”

Beatrice laughed.

”That sounds stilted; one doesn't expect such compliments from you.”

”No,” Brand said with a direct glance. ”I'm old and sober; but you don't know what I'm capable of when I'm stirred.”

”I'm not sure that I'm curious. To tell the truth, it costs me rather an effort to be gay to-night. Somehow, there's a feeling of trouble in the air.”

Brand thought she had no knowledge of her father's misfortune--it was unlikely that Mowbray would tell her; but she was clever enough to see the other troubles that threatened the Grange in common with most of the homesteads at Allenwood.

”So you face it with a laugh!” he said. ”It's a gallant spirit; but I dare say the boys make it easier for you. Trouble doesn't seem to touch them.”

He looked about the hall, noting the careless bearing of the handsome, light-hearted young men and the three or four attractive girls. Their laughter was gay, their voices had a spirited ring, and the room was filled with warmth and brightness; yet he felt the presence of an ominous shadow. This afforded him a certain gloomy satisfaction, the meanness of which he recognized. He knew that he could not win the girl he desired by his personal merits, but the troubles he thought were coming might give him his opportunity.

Beatrice was presently glad of an excuse for dismissing him, and when the others had gone she went to her father, who was standing moodily by the hearth.

”You don't look well to-night,” she said.

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