Jess of the Rebel Trail | Page 4

realise that I must give you
something. But isn't your price exorbitant?"
"It might be for some, but not for you, Mrs. Randall. I understand that
you are one of the largest tax-payers in this city, and in your own name
at that. Why, I am astonished at myself for my moderation in asking for

so little from such a rich woman. I might have made it a thousand at
least."
For a few minutes the woman remained in deep thought. Grimsby
never took his eyes from her face. He was quite elated with himself, for
he felt sure of success.
At length the woman gave a weary sigh, rose slowly from her chair,
and crossing the room, sat down before a handsome writing-table.
When she at last came back to the fire-place she was holding a cheque
in her hand. Eagerly the man reached out to receive it. But the woman
waved him back.
"Just a minute," she told him. "Before I give you this I want you to
promise upon your word of honour that you will never ask me for any
more money."
"I promise, madame," Grimsby replied, bowing, and placing his right
hand upon his heart in a dramatic manner. "I shall make myself as
scarce as I always do when my creditors are after me. What more can I
say?"
"And you will never breathe a word of this to anyone?"
"Trust me to keep the secret, madame, I shall not even tell my wife."
The woman was about to say something more, but a startled look came
into her eyes, as she turned apprehensively toward the door. Nervously
she thrust the cheque into the man's hand.
"Here, take this," she ordered, "and leave the house at once. Somebody
is coming."
Without a word Grimsby seized his hat, sped across the room, opened
the door and disappeared. Trembling violently, the woman sank down
in the chair and buried her face in her hands, a veritable picture of
abject misery and despair.

CHAPTER II
REBELLION
The man had been gone but a few minutes when the door was again
opened and a girl entered. She was a vision fair to behold as she paused
for an instant while her eyes rested upon the woman crouched before
the fire. She evidently had just come in out of the night, for she wore
her out-of-door cloak, and her hair was somewhat tossed by the
violence of the wind. The rich colour of her cheeks betokened the
healthy exercise of one who had walked some distance. An expression
of anxiety came into her dark-brown eyes as she crossed the room, and
bent over the woman in the chair.
"Mother, mother, what is the matter?" she demanded. "Are you ill?"
"Oh, it's you, Jess, is it?" the woman languidly asked as she lifted her
head. "I thought it was Maggie. I was not expecting you so soon. What
brought you home so early?"
"It must have been my guiding angel," the girl smilingly replied. "So
you were lonely without me? Was that the trouble?"
"Yes, I suppose that had something to do with it. But I am not feeling
well to-night. This room seems very oppressive."
"You are too warm," and the girl glanced down at the fire. Her eyes at
once rested upon the stub of the cigarette lying upon the grate where
Grimsby had thrown it. She also smelled the smoke of tobacco and
instantly surmised that something out of the ordinary had happened to
agitate her usually self-possessed mother.
"Somebody has been here annoying you," she cried, turning
impulsively to the woman. "Was it Tom asking for more money?"
Again the woman bowed her head, and made no immediate answer.
Her thoughts were active, and she was glad of any excuse.

"How did you know he was here?" she at length asked, without looking
up.
"I met a man hurrying from the door as I came in. It was too dark to see
who he was, and he did not seem to notice me at all. Tom knows my
opinion of him, and so he is not anxious to meet me. I did not think of
Tom, though, until I found you so upset. And he was smoking too, for
there is the stub of his cigarette. Why can't he leave you alone?"
"He never will, Jess. He is just like Will and Dick. They are always
bothering me about money, as if I haven't been giving to them for years.
They are just like helpless children."
"Worse, mother. They are three useless men. It is well that I am a girl,
for I might be tempted to follow their miserable example. Are you not
glad that you have only three sons instead of four?"
Receiving no reply, the girl