human
Why do you stare at me in that manner, Beth?
gpt
I don't know.
human
Then, stop glaring like that. How many times have I told you that it is unladylike?
gpt
You're going to take his place from him because he cannot pay that loan! she whispered.
human
How can you be so cruel?
gpt
I see, I have been unwise in telling you.
human
You didn't tell me, but I could not help guessing the truth.
gpt
I'm doing it for his good, and unless you believe me,----
human
For his good! You can't mean that! You shall not stoop----
gpt
Stoop! He caught up the word with a hiss. But he soon controlled his anger, and dropped his pale face into trembling hands.
human
God help me! They that hurt me are even of my own household!
gpt
Father, I don't want to hurt you. I'm not your enemy! she cried.
human
I'm only your little Beth trying so hard to see why you must do this terrible thing.
gpt
Come to me,
human
I shall try to tell you all about it, if you will listen. I didn't intend to, but it is more than I can bear to have my own daughter question my honesty and integrity. Harold's unjust insinuations are almost more than I can bear. Now, if you----
gpt
Don't say it, Father! I have not doubted your word yet. I don't want to now. I won't doubt you. Tell me all, and I'll try to see this from your point of view.
human
You guessed rightly about what I have to do. The mortgage on Josiah's place----
gpt
You can certainly extend that, if only for six months. You don't need the money.
human
Don't interrupt me again, please. It's a far more serious thing than the small loan I made to Josiah to repair his place with. The old homestead was willed to Josiah's half-brother, providing he should outlive Josiah. Josiah knew nothing about that fact, and when he was so informed by his friends years ago, refused to listen to any of us. The half-brother left the country rather than quarrel with him over the estate. Later, this half-brother was in serious financial trouble, and I happened to come across him when he was in dire need of money. Knowing of the will, I loaned him all he needed, and took out a first mortgage on his property. Owing to peculiar circumstances, I put in a provision that there was to be no foreclosure so long as the interest was paid. I even went beyond the request which the man made, by including another clause which prevents me or my heirs from foreclosing before the expiration of two years after the last payment of interest. Have you followed me closely?
gpt
Well, each year the interest has been paid in full up to the last two. As long as it was forthcoming I said nothing. I have not mentioned a word of this transaction between the half-brother and me, for I knew his hot temper would get the better of him. He thinks the man was drowned at sea, and it is best that he continue to think so. I have misled him into the belief that I was foreclosing because of the small loan I made last spring, and I trusted to his usual secrecy and apparent ignorance to say nothing about it to any one. But from the arrogant manner he maintained toward me last night I fear he has said more than is good for him. And I have every reason to think that the meddler is the minister. I doubt not but that is the reason why he has gone to the city to-night, and I don't think he has gone alone.
human
When must that interest be paid?
gpt
Before midday, Saturday. The other loan does not come due for more than two weeks, but the time was so near that I did not think of Josiah questioning it.
human
Who has been paying the interest on the other loan?
gpt
I do not know, but it has doubtless been coming from some estate of the father-in-law of Josiah's brother.
human
Why was it dropped?
gpt
That I cannot tell you. I should have done nothing even now had I not learned that this half-brother has come into that estate through the death of the wife's father. I have every reason to believe that he could pay not alone the interest, but the principal as well, if he so desired.
human
Perhaps this half-brother does not know about the inheritance.
gpt
That is absurd. He does know, or should. The fact is, he is an outlaw and is hiding from justice.
human
But why should you make Uncle Josiah suffer for what his half-brother did?
gpt
That is the very thing I am trying not to do. Can't you see where it would place him if I told him the truth?
human
Yes. But I see no reason why you can't let things go on as they have, and forget the unpaid interest.
gpt
I have no power to do that. I put the matter in the hands of my lawyers in order to force the hidden rascal to take action.
human
I think it would be best to tell Uncle Josiah all about it, and let him help you find the one who should pay.
gpt
Such action would be senseless for two reasons: it would give Josiah grief and pain, and he would be unable to meet the obligation. It was larger than what the place would cover when first made, and with the deterioration in the value of the property it now far exceeds its worth. Then, there is the interest for two years.
human
Why don't you offer to buy the place, even paying more than the mortgage calls for? It would be a kindness.
gpt
I made such an offer through my lawyer, but Josiah refused.
human
Then, why not cancel it altogether?
gpt
That would be very unbusiness-like, he declared curtly.
human
But even if I so desired, it would be impossible now. I have permitted my lawyers to use the foreclosure as a threat, and I'm duty bound to see it through.
gpt
If it is absolutely necessary to go through with this, I don't see that it would make it any more terrible if we should tell Uncle Josiah the whole story. It would, at least, save his thinking ill of us. Then, there is the chance that he might suggest something.
human
Beth, I'm bound by my word to say nothing. That was the one promise I made to Adoniah.
gpt
Adoniah!
human
Yes. I did not mean to speak his name, but it can do no harm.
gpt
Why,--that was the first name----Is he the same man Harold is trying to find?
human
I'm sorry to say that he is.
gpt
The one whose last name was Phillips?
human
Yes. But why do you take such interest in him?
gpt
And he is a brother of Uncle Josiah?
human
A half-brother,