Beulah - Page 201/348

"No, mother has gone with Mrs. Rallston to see about some poor,

starving family in the suburbs. She will be back soon, I dare say.

Mrs. Delmont has sent her carriage, and Helen is waiting for me; so

I must go. Beulah, I am very sorry, we have been cut out of our

practicing. Don't go home; stay with mother to-day, and when I come

back we will have a glorious time. Can't you now? There's a

darling."

"Oh, you wheedling, hypocritical madcap, take yourself off! Of

course Beulah will try to endure the stupid talk of a poor old man,

whose daughters are too fashionable to look after him, and whose

wife is so extremely charitable that she forgets it 'begins at

home.' Clear out, you trial of paternal patience!" He kissed her

rosy lips, and she hurried away, protesting that she would much

prefer remaining at home.

"Beulah, I gave Hartwell that parcel you intrusted to me. He looked

just as if I had plunged him into a snow-bank, but said nothing."

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh, don't thank me for playing go-between. I don't relish any such

work. It is very evident that you two have quarreled. I would about

as soon consult that poker as ask Hartwell what is to pay. Now,

child, what is the matter?"

"Nothing new, sir. He has never forgiven me for turning teacher."

"Forgiven! Bless me, he is as spiteful as a Pequod!"

"Begging your pardon, Dr. Asbury, he is no such thing!" cried Beulah

impetuously.

"Just what I might have expected. I am to understand, then, that you

can abuse my partner sufficiently without any vituperative

assistance from me?" He brushed the ashes from his cigar, and looked

at her quizzically.

"Sir, it pains me to hear him spoken of so lightly."

"Lightly! Upon my word, I thought Indianic malice was rather a heavy

charge. However, I can succeed better if you will allow--"

"Don't jest, sir. Please say no more about him."

His face became instantly grave, and he answered earnestly: "Beulah, as a sincere friend, I would advise you not to alienate

Hartwell. There are very few such men; I do not know his equal. He

is interested in your welfare and happiness, and is the best friend

you ever had or ever will have."

"I know it, and prize his friendship above all others."

"Then why did you return that watch? If he wished you to wear it,

why should you refuse? Mark me, he said nothing about it to me; but

I saw the watch, with your name engraved on the case, at the jewelry

store where I bought one just like it for Georgia. I surmised it was

that same watch, when you intrusted the package to me."