A Cure: A Story

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CURE. BY GEORGE D. PARKINSON. Two women had just entered one of the residences in West Seventy-second St. (New York). As they laid off their wraps, it was not difficult to fix their relaticm to one another. A certain similarity of expression stamped them as mother and daughter, although their features were different in type. Mrs. Laughlin's hair was growing grey. Her face wore a look of sadness, and was, besides, ratter dull. It did not seem ever to have been cap- able of vivacity. This negative expression was, in the daughter, merely a certain timidity of glance. The girl was pretty, about twenty, of a fresh ai:»d youthful complexion and moderate height. Bolh were fashionably dressed, and the home was luxuriously fumished. Not a word was exchanged between the two until the up- stairs sitting-room was gained, and the door closed. Mrs. Laugh- lin sank into a chair, and gazed at the fire. She was the first to speak. "I cannot think of it otherwise than as a direct guidance, Rose. Mrs. Byle seems a dearer and more valuable friend to me every day." Rose came over to her mother and sat down beside her. Mrs. Laughlin continued: "The thought that it should have been your father who was so near us to-day! I have not felt his presence so vividly since his death. " The widow leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. Rose stroked her mother's forehead, murmuring; "Yes, moth- er." Then after a moment, "Our course is plain. I will marry Mr.'^Montvain in six weeks' time. Mrs. Byle's inspired words this

A CURE. 341 afternoon were like a command." She rose and went to her own room. Half-an-hour later, mother and daughter dined alone to- gether. It may have been half-past eight that evening when the maid brought up a card to Rose. "Tell Mr. Howard to wait, " said the young lady. She entered the drawing-room, her hand trembled slightly as she gave it to the tall and stalwart man who rose at her entrance. "I am glad that such a friend as you are, is the first to learn a bit of news of importance, that is—of importance for me," said Rose after a few minutes conversation. "That friend is more sensible of the honor than he can tell you," said Howard, gallantly. Miss Laughlin paled slightly as she said, "I am going to marry Max Montvain in six weeks' time." The face of the man opposite her clouded over arid he said gently, "That is unexpected news. I hardly know Montvain, but —the fact is, from what I know of him, I would never have fancied him in the light of your husband," Miss Laughlin hesitated and an uncertain look was in her eyes. "It must be," she said at length. "I have known Mr. Montvain three months. Mother thinks highly of him, and wishes me to marry him. To-day we were at Mrs. Byle's again, and had some wcnderful experiences. We received several messages from my own father, and he expressed it as being his will that I should take this step. Mrs. Byle has wonderful powers!" She had spoken in a low tone, and with downcast eyes during the last few sen- tences. Howard controlled himself with difficulty. There was complete silence for a moment. Rose finally said, "You say, 'from what you know of Mr. Montvain.' What do you know of him?" "Not much," said Howard in a strained and rather cold voice. "What I do know is not of the best flavor." Suddenly his heart surged up within him. "Rose," he said, "you know that I am more to you than a mere friend. I tell you that you are taking a step which will ruin your whole life. Montvain is an adventurer, or worse. I know it, though I have no proof yet. May I take the place of your father and brother in this matter? You and

342 IMPROVEMENT ERA. your mother have received this man. Others have done so- But all is not rigjht with him. " He had risen to his feet as he commenced to speak, and now he stood before her. She rose, too, but turned away her head. Fear, hope, and uncertainty were wring- ing her. Suddenly she wheeled around towards Howard, and put both her hands in his for a moment. Then she left the room pre- cipitately. Matters had taken their course, and Max Montvain had now been for two weeks engaged to Miss Laughlin. His brilliant man- ner, his remarkable powers of conversation, added to a handsome face had succeeded in completely winning the heart of Mrs. Laugh- lin, largely accustomed to the dull companionship of her own thoughts. She and her daughter had led lonely lives the last few years. Their circle was not large, and included almost no male friends beside Howard and Mcntvain. They had met Montvain in the Adirondacks in September, and he had assiduously cultivated them since returning to town. Mrs. Laughlin had inherited the usual third of her husband's fortune, of which the remainder was now Rose's, but wealthy as she and her daughter were, society had small attractions for them. For three years Mrs. Laughlin had been an ardent believer in Spiritualism, and had almost given herself over to the guidance of a clairvoyant and medium named Mrs. Byle. Her daughter hardly knew what society was, so quiet had been her life by her mother's side. Yet the tie between mother and daughter was not a strong one. The mother's nature was undeveloped through lack of training. The daughter's, pos- sessed of great capabilities, was trembling and straining to burst from its sombre surroundings into the light of life and sunshine. Since her engagement, a cloud of doubt had* been hanging over Rose. She mistrusted both herself and her mother. Everything to which she had been [holding just seemed crumbling in her fingers. One evening just^before dinner. Rose, in answering the tele- phone, recognized John Howard's voice. "Are you free to-morrow evening?" After a second's pause, —* 'Unless Mr. Montvain should come. ' ' ' 'He will not;]come, Rose. Will you trust yourself to me for the evening?"

A CURE. 343 "How do you meaii —'He will not come'?" asked Rose, won- deringly. "I have reasons for thinking he will not. Will you be willing to go with an old friend if he calls for you in a hansom at eight to-morrow?" Rose tried to calm her voice; which would tremble a little from excitement in spite of her as she said, "Yes, I shall expect you, then; thank you; good-bye," and hung up the receiver. Howard helped Rose into the hansom next evening, and as the two sped down the avenue she felt safe and at home with her companion. He was genial, but his face was serious. As the cab reached Washington Arch, and plunged into the wilderness belo.v the square, she could no longer keep the w:rds back. "Now you must tell me where we are going." "I will tell you where and why," answered Howard, his man- ner growing grave and business-like. "Since leaving you a fort- night ago my spare time has been devoted to trying to substantiate my statements regarding Mr. Montvain. " He paused and looked at his companion. She was leaning far back in the other corner- of the vehicle, gazing straight before her. He continued : "I obtained his address, and had not got much farther than- the collection of a few bits of information regarding his daily habits, when chance led him in person across my path. I had been to the theatre alone rather less t'.ian a week after seeing you, and had gone afterward to a little restaurant in Twenty-fifth Street." Miss Laughlin had leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. Howard went on in a low tone. "Montvain was pointed out once to me at a railway-station-^ Though I had seen him only on that one occasion, I had no diffi- culty in recognizing the man facing me at the next table as being he. He was not alone. A rather stout and still young woman was with him. Both were in evening dress. I could see the woman's profile distinctly in the mirror at her side, and should know her f gain if I saw her." As Hc\ard said this, gently and distinctly, he felt that the knee that hd teen just touching his trembled a little. He was silent for a few minutes. The rubber tires of the hansom ware not sufficient to prevent a violent jolting of the vehicle on thsse-

344 IMPROVEMENT ERA. down-town streets. Miss Laughlin did not seem to be disturbed by it, however. Her limbs were quite immovable. Howard went on, firmly, ' 'I overheard som€ of their conversa- tion. It was of an intimate character. Champagne was opened, and the woman proposed a toast to 'your approaching marriage, and its practical benefits to all concerned.' There seemed to be an understanding between them on some money-matters, and they booth seemed to be looking forward to some stroke of good luck. When the pair rose to go, it was one o'clock. They agreed to meet at one of the down-town Hungarian restaurants to-night at eight-thirty. We are going there now. I want you to see them yourself." Howard felt that Rose leaned heavily on his arm as they enter- ed Stralce's restaurant. The usual glare and blare of lights and music met them at the door. They stood a moment practically hidden by a screen, while Howard made a brief survey of the crowded room. In the far corner to the left were the pair he sought, both in street dress this time, but in the same jovial mood as they had been a week ago. He pointed them out to Rose, but he was not prepared for the deadly paleness which followed her distinguishing them. She staggered and leaned close against him. "'0 God," she whispered, "take me away from here." He half supported, half carried her to the waiting hansom. "Was that the same woman?" He just heard the words and answered, "y^s." "It was Mrs. Byle," she said, and leaned her head on his shoulder from sheer weariness. A thousand thoughts had sped through Howard's mind during the last five minutes. He bent his head over the face beside him, anc^ said, gently, ' 'Do you think you could learn to love me with- out a medium?" Rose shuddered a little, then said, half whispering,'! did, long ago." University of Chicago.