As she thought these things, there would come back to her memory the thought of the sweet girl whose picture had stood on his bureau, framed in gold-tooled blue leather. A very expensive frame that she had seen in the shop window on the boardwalk, until it disappeared. And the first time she had glimpsed that picture on the bureau as she passed the room when the maid was making the bed, there had been no frame on that picture, she was sure. There hadn’t been any opportunity, of course, to be sure then, because the maid was closing the door just as she passed. That was why she had made that bold dash into the room that morning, to see if the picture was really that girl she had seen with him eating dinner at the Sterling that night. And when she snatched that silly Bible she had meant, next, to ask him who the girl was. But she would do it yet. She would find out about that girl, and she would cut her out. Just the way she had snatched his Bible and flung it across the room, so she would snatch that girl away from him. There would be a way, and when she got home, she meant to work it out. Even if she didn’t want him anymore herself by that time, she would crush that girl. Even if it broke his silly heart, she would do it. Even if it made his own words about her come true, that she only cared for herself and for no one else. Well, perhaps she did. Why not? You never got anywhere in this world if you didn’t look out for yourself, and if Paige didn’t come back to her of his own accord by fall, she would crush him, too. There were ways. She would take her revenge for his indifference.
Reva sat a long time considering ways in which she might crush that unknown girl, and through her get revenge on Paige. That girl was the sweet religious type, probably, the kind that is horrified at all kinds of amusements, scandalized at a girl who would do anything unconventional, like what she had done today. Very well, then she would get a story around about that girl, hints that she was not as good as she pretended to be. She could get such things into the papers, and she could tell Priscilla Brisco. Priscilla got around to most of the houses in their town, dressmaking, and she loved to be interesting and tell news. Just a few words here and a few words there. It wouldn’t be difficult to spread a story. And if she could find out who that girl was, who her parents were, perhaps she could extend her punishment to them, too.
Of course, she would have to find out a lot about the girl and her family, and a lot of other things, before she could really crush that girl, and Paige. But she would do it! And then, when Paige came crawling back to her and begging her to take him over, she would laugh with a sneer at the end of the laugh, and run away. He was running away from her now, because he loved that old antiquated Bible better than he liked a girl with a pretty face and a lot of money. That was Paige, and she would certainly have her revenge on him. And anyway, she would find that girl and smash her! It was going to be interesting. It would take time perhaps, and she hated taking time for anything, but after all, things that took time were the best.
Meanwhile, back at home in his pleasant, familiar room, with his own books all about him, and his father’s old commentaries, and Bible dictionary and concordance to consult when he got into some difficulties that he had to solve, Paige was hard at work. He never even thought of the girl who had dared to snatch his precious Bible and fling it away. He was only thankful that he was not required to attend her anymore.
Across the road, June’s mother, knowing nothing of her husband’s letter to their daughter, had written June a letter telling her of all the happenings in the church and at home, and one sentence read, “Your Paige Madison is still faithful to his Sunday school class. He came home from the shore before evening on Saturday and was with his class on time on Sunday, and from their rapt expressions during lesson time, I can see they already adore him. I was watching them last Sunday while Mrs. Beech taught my class for me, and was amazed to see those bad boys who used to carry on so, not only during opening and closing exercises but all during their class time, sitting quietly during the whole session, finding the hymns for their teacher, finding the places in their Bibles, and seeming to be answering questions eagerly. I tell you, when a young man can do that with a class of boys, he is worth his weight in gold.”
That letter reached June the day she started home, and gave her pleasure on the way.
June was sorry to leave her uncle, for she could see that he had depended on her greatly. He had been most kind and gentle with her. Gentle, too, with his grouchy old wife, whom he treated as tenderly as if he were her young lover, and June could not help but think how her aunt must have bullied him all these years. Yet they were both Christians and doubtless had no idea what a jangle their lives had become!
Before she left for her train that night, June had taken time to write a short, earnest letter to her cousin Ella, telling her that her father had written calling her home, as her own mother needed her, and imploring Ella to ask to be released and come home to her own parents. She especially stressed the need of Uncle Barnard, who was very feeble and greatly worried by all the conflicting voices. She suggested that Ella would be able to manage all these things and keep both father and mother from harassment, as the servants, if left to themselves, seemed both willing and capable. She closed with a few words of loving greeting and sent up a prayer that somehow this appeal might reach her cousin. Then she addressed it and gave it to her uncle to mail. He accepted it with a smile of understanding and promised not to mention it to anyone.
Then June went in to say good-bye to the hard aunt who was still aggrieved that June was going off and “leaving her to suffer,” as she put it.
“You’ll be sorry, June, I’m sure you will. I had great plans for what I meant to do for you in the future.” Then she vouchsafed a hard little cold peck of a good-bye kiss, and that was all. It left June with a feeling that she had been cast out in spite of her most earnest efforts. But when Uncle Barnard put her in the taxi that was to take her to the train, he pressed a good-sized check into her hand and said it was his thanks offering for the sweet way she had kept her temper through all the trying weeks. There were tears in June’s eyes as she drove away, waving a good-bye to the household. The two maids and the nurse were standing in the doorway shedding a few tears themselves at her departure. A trying duty well done had brought a loving reward. Jane and Betsey had each of their own accord told her how beautiful she had been and how she had set an example to them of bearing blame pleasantly, even where there should have been no blame. They had promised faithfully to try and follow her example. And the nurse had praised her and told her she was “a true Christian.”
Seated at last in her train, all the parting, pleasant and sad, thought over and put away for future memories, June read over her last letters that had come in just before she left.
She began with her mother’s letter and was thrilled at her news about Paige and his Sunday school class. How wonderful that he was developing this way, with nobody earthly to help him and plunged as he was into unpleasant circumstances. She kept reading that part of the letter over and over again, until she finally began to realize what she was doing. She simply must not let her mind dwell so much on one young man. He was only a friend, and they had known one another so short a time. Of course he had asked for her picture, but that meant nothing in these happy-go-lucky days. Not that Paige was a happy-go-lucky young man. But pictures were not counted so much today, and he was her friend. Besides, he was down there at the shore all the week, and there was no telling but that rich, handsome daughter of his boss would turn up sometime. Well, that was none of her business. He was her friend, and she was glad he was interested in his Sunday school class. Then she read the letters from her own class and was pleased to see how some of those girls had grown spiritually. Of course, her mother had been teaching them during her absence, and mother was a wonderful teacher. They would have had the right truths and would have grown.
She read her father’s tender letter. How wonderful it was going to be, to be home with her own dear parents again. Oh, why had she ever thought she had to leave them for Aunt Letitia? Still, th
ere was that sorrowful-looking nurse, who seemed to have been impressed. Perhaps she had been sent there to witness to her and the two maids. And gentle Uncle Barnard had been so happy to have her. If there ever was a saint of God, he was one, although he didn’t think so in the least himself. Oh, but she was glad it was over! And then she read her mother’s letter over again and took a deep breath when she came to the part about Paige. It was so very good to know that he had found the Lord and gone straight to work for Him.
But now she must definitely stop thinking about him. She had her work to do, and he doubtless had his. They would meet from time to time and be good friends, but she mustn’t be silly and imagine that this meant more than it did.
She must plan for her girls in Sunday school. Perhaps they would be interested to come to the house once a week and have a little Bible class. They needed to learn more than could be taught in the brief Sunday school hour.
How good it was going to be to get home! That was her last thought before she dropped asleep.
Chapter 19
In the home city where the Madisons lived there was another firm of financiers for whom Paige Madison used to work as a boy, before he went overseas, even sometimes on vacations while he was in college. They were not so loudly advertised as Harris Chalmers. Their offices were not so luxuriously furnished as the Chalmers outfit, nor so ostentatious in their ways. They were more quiet and conservative, yet sterling true in their dealings and standards. It was with them that Paige had often found himself comparing his present successful job and finding the contrast not good. They were the Brown Brothers, Christian men whom wise people knew and trusted, firm, substantial men who stood high as conscientious Christians. Nobody questioned their integrity. Everybody respected them, even the ones who called them old-fashioned.
The senior Brown brother died while Paige was overseas, and Paige had not seen the other brother since he returned from service. He had always understood that the son of the other brother was to come into the firm when the war was over, and hence he had not himself applied to them for a job when he came back. He did not know that it was through his connection with the Browns that Mr. Chalmers had heard of Paige.
It was Tuesday evening of that first week after Paige was at home that Mr. Samuel Brown called to see him.
Paige was surprised and very much pleased to see him. He had always been fond of both brothers and felt honored to be remembered.
It was good to feel the hearty handshake and see the kindly eyes searching his face the way they used to do.
“Well, Paige, I guess you know my brother died in the spring, and my boy went off to war and got killed, and now I’m alone.”
“Yes, sir, I knew about your brother. My father wrote me while I was overseas, but I didn’t know about your boy. I just got home myself, you know, and I haven’t had much time to get around and find my old friends. Oh, but I’m sorry, sir. I guess you’d know how I feel about them both. They were always so nice to me.”
“Yes, I know,” said the older man, struggling for self-control. “Yes, it’s hard to have them go, and hard to be left alone, and now I don’t know just what I’m going to do. I hate to see the business go. I thought my boy would take over one day, but I guess he’s got a better job up in heaven now.”
“I’m sure,” said Paige with a ring in his voice. “But you’re not going to sell out, are you? You look well. Can’t you carry on?”
“That’s what I came to see you about, Paige. Thinking over everybody I know, you are the only one I’d like to have with me. I know you’re with Chalmers now. Is that a permanent job or just a temporary thing? Are you entirely happy there?”
Paige’s heart leaped, and he lifted honest eyes.
“No, I’m not happy nor satisfied,” he said. “Not the way I hoped to be. Not the way I was with you people.”
“Would you like to come back if we could arrange the terms? I suppose you’re getting big money where you are?”
“I certainly would like to come back, Mr. Brown,” said Paige, a great eagerness in his eyes. “It wouldn’t matter so much about the amount of money, if I could be with you. You know, I just don’t seem to fit where I am. But I’m not so sure whether I could be released at once, and you want someone right away, don’t you?”
“As soon as possible of course, but if there were hope of getting you, I’d get a temporary helper and wait. What’s your contract? How much notice do you have to give if you resign? You see, it’s this way. My boy’s gone. There are no relatives that I want to pass my business on to. Of course, my brother’s widow will have a share, but she has no children to inherit a partnership. I’m looking for you to sort of take the place of my son.”
“But I’ve almost no money to invest in it,” said Paige sorrowfully.
The older man waved his hand.
“That’s all right, boy, I’ll see that part for a while till you have some. You put yourself in, and I’ll put the money in, for the present. Got your contract here? Go get it, and we’ll see how we can fix it. I don’t want to steal you away from Chalmers, of course, if things are going all right with you there, but I’d like you to know there’s a place for you with me, if you want it, and we’ll fix the terms up, though I don’t want you to lose anything you value by making the change.”
Paige went upstairs and got his contract, and together they discussed the matter.
“Well, I guess you’ll have to give at least thirty days’ notice if you resign,” was the conclusion. “How soon can you manage this? Of course, you want to be perfectly honorable about it. I’ll manage somehow till you come. Before I do anything I’ll wait to hear from you after you’ve had an interview with Chalmers. He may change your mind, you know. Besides I’ve been told you are interested in his daughter. They tell me you’re engaged to her. Is that right?”
“It certainly is not right,” said Paige, his eyes flashing. “Where did you hear a thing like that?”
“Oh, I’ve heard it here and there. They said you’d gone down to the shore with the family and were pretty chummy with them all, taking the girl to dances and all that.”
“Well, I don’t know where you got it, but it’s not true. Mr. Chalmers was supposed to be sick and wanted me to go with him to the shore to answer the mail and attend to business for a while. I didn’t want to go, and wouldn’t promise at first, but finally it seemed I had to promise to go part-time, he made such a song and dance about it. And then after we’d been there a few days, that girl came barging down and changed the whole thing. I found myself roped into taking her places, dances, all sorts of things, and I hated it. I just don’t fit with a girl like that, Mr. Brown. And don’t get an idea I’d ever be engaged to her. She is not my style.”
They talked rather late, and Paige was greatly elated at the outcome. Now if he could only get Mr. Chalmers to agree to release him! He puzzled all the next day on just how he should make the approach for it and finally asked the Lord to show him what to do or say. Soon after that prayer there came a letter from Chalmers, written by Bill Arsdel, telling Paige that he would like him to take over that western trip he had told him about. There were seven mortgages to be foreclosed, and he wanted them foreclosed this time, all of them. “See?”
Paige wasn’t long in answering that letter and sending it by special delivery, airmail.
Dear Mr. Chalmers:
Your letter concerning the western trip is received. I’m sorry, I cannot do that sort of work, and I’m finding out more and more that I am not cut out to fit in with your policies.
I feel that under the circumstances you will agree with me, and I am therefore handing in my resignation, to take effect at once, if you are willing. I know that the contract asks for thirty days’ notice on leaving, and if you want me to adhere to that, I’ll be glad to finish the thirty days in the office work for which I was originally hired, but I would be deeply grateful if you could find it convenient to allow my service with you to terminate at once. I am sorry, of course
, that I have not been all that you wanted me to be, and I shall be interested to know how you are. Hoping your health will soon be fully restored, and thanking you for your kindness.
With all best wishes,
Paige Madison
Paige sent the letter right away. And then he went back to his desk and worked as he had never worked before, ready to go if and when allowed, and to leave everything in such shape that his absence might be regretted, rather than rejoiced in.
Late in the afternoon a telegram arrived from Chalmers.
YOUR RESIGNATION ACCEPTED WITH REGRET TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. SORRY YOU COULDN’T SEE THINGS MY WAY.
HARRIS CHALMERS
So that was that. Mr. Chalmers was angry, of course, and might regret it later and come back and try to get him to change his mind, but Paige, though he was sad at the abrupt way Chalmers had replied, rejoiced that he was free. He gathered up his belongings from his desk, said good-bye to his secretary and one or two others who were still in the office doing late work, and went home.
He went at once to the telephone and called up Mr. Brown, telling him the outcome of his letter, and received a glad welcome.
“Come down next Monday morning and we’ll start with a clear slate and make our plans,” said Mr. Brown.
“And you aren’t sorry yet that you asked me?” questioned Paige.
“Not even a little bit,” came the hearty reply that warmed Paige’s heart.
Then Paige went to his mother with the news, his eyes shining, till she said he looked as he used to when he was a little boy and someone had given him a football.
“Oh, my son!” she said. “You don’t know how glad I am about this! I’ve been so very troubled about your staying in that firm of worldly men, I felt almost from the start that it was not the place for you.”