Talbot's Angles

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Blanchard Amy Ella. Talbot's Angles

CHAPTER I. THE END OF A DAY

CHAPTER II. THE CLINGING VINE

CHAPTER III. LEAVING THE NEST

CHAPTER IV "DEPARTED DAYS"

CHAPTER V. THE ALARM

CHAPTER VI. AN INQUISITIVE NEIGHBOR

CHAPTER VII. WAS IT CURIOSITY?

CHAPTER VIII. A DISCLOSURE

CHAPTER IX. THE LETTERS ON THE TRUNK

CHAPTER X. PURSUING CLUES

CHAPTER XI. A NEWSPAPER

CHAPTER XII. A BRACE OF DUCKS

CHAPTER XIII. AN ANCESTRAL PILGRIMAGE

CHAPTER XIV. TWO BUGGIES

CHAPTER XV. A DISTINCT SENSATION

CHAPTER XVI "BEGONE, DULL CARE"

CHAPTER XVII. AS WATER UNTO WINE

CHAPTER XVIII. THE DELIBERATE CONSCIENCE

CHAPTER XIX. OF WHAT AVAIL?

CHAPTER XX "THE SPRING HAS COME"

Отрывок из книги

When, two years earlier, Martin Talbot brought his wife to the old family homestead of Talbot's Angles, Linda determined to make the best of the situation. If it was for Martin's happiness to marry the pretty, rather underbred, wholly self-centered Grace Johnson, his sister would not be the one to offer disillusionment. Grace was from the city, dressed well, had dependent little ways which appealed to just such a manly person as Martin. She made much of him, demanded his presence continually, cooed to him persuasively when he would be gone, pouted if he stayed too long, wept if he chided her for being a baby, but under her apparent softness there was obstinacy, and the set purpose of a jealous nature.

Between Linda and her brother there had always been good comradeship, but not much over-demonstration of affection. Each felt that the other was to be depended upon, that in moments of stress, or in emergency there would be no holding back, and consequently Martin expected nothing less than that Linda should accept a new sister-in-law serenely, should make no protests. In fact, he was so deeply in love that, as is the way of mankind, he could not conceive that anyone should not be charmed to become the housemate of such a lovable creature as he assumed Grace to be, one so warm-hearted, so enchantingly solicitous, so sweetly womanish, and, though he did not exactly underrate Linda, he grew to smile at Grace's little whispers of disparagement. Linda was so cold, so undemonstrative; Linda was so thoughtless of dear Martin. Why, she had never remarked that he was late for dinner. Wasn't it just like Linda to go off by herself to church instead of walking with them? How unappreciative sisters could be of a brother's sacrifices. Not every brother would have supported his sister so uncomplainingly all these years, but dear Martin was such an unselfish darling, he never once thought of its being a sacrifice, and that a less unselfish man would expect his sister to take care of herself. Martin was so chivalrous, and so on.

.....

"Yes, quite harmless, really good-hearted, I think, but rather dull. However, though she may bore one, she has no affectations. She is devoted to Grace, and I think will be of great use to her."

Miss Ri nodded understandingly. "Take off your things, dear," she said gently. "You are going to stay to dinner, you know, and then we will choose a room for you." She missed the color from the girl's face and noted the heavy shadows under the violet eyes, when Linda removed her hat. "Poor darling," she said to herself, "only time can help her. Grief sits heavily on her heart." She turned to a curious old cupboard in one corner of the room. "You must have some of my home-made wine," she said, "and then we will pick out the room. Would you like one looking out on the river or on the road?"

.....