CHAPTER XVIII.
"Where lives the man that has not tried How mirth can into folly glide, And folly into sin!" --Scott.
Ralph Conly was not a favorite with any of his Ion relatives, because theyknew his principles were not altogether such as they could approve, norindeed his practice either; yet they had no idea how bad a youth he was,else intimacy between him and Max would have been forbidden.
All unsuspected by the older people, he was exerting a very demoralizinginfluence over the younger boy. Every afternoon they sought out someprivate spot and had a game of cards, and little by little Ralph hadintroduced gambling into the game, till now the stakes were high inproportion to the means of the players.
On this particular afternoon they had taken possession of a summer-housein a retired part of the grounds, and were deep in play.
Ralph at first let Max win, the stakes being small; then raising themhigher, he won again and again, till he had stripped Max of all hispocket money and his watch.
Max felt himself ruined, and broke out in passionate exclamations of griefand despair, coupled with accusations of cheating, which were, indeed,well founded.
Ralph grew furious and swore horrible oaths, and Max answered with arepetition of his accusation, concluding with an oath, the first he haduttered since his father's serious talk with him on the exceedingsinfulness and black ingratitude of profanity.
All that had passed then, the passages of Scripture telling of thepunishment of the swearer under the Levitical law, flashed back upon himas the words left his lips, and covering his face with his hands hegroaned in anguish of spirit at thought of his fearful sin.
Then Mr. Dinsmore's voice, speaking in sternest accents, startled themboth. "Ralph, is this the kind of boy you are? a gambler and profaneswearer? And you, too, Max? Do you mean to break your poor father's heartand some day bring down his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave? Go atonce to your room, sir. And you, Ralph, return immediately to Roselands. Icannot expose my grandchildren to the corrupting influence of such acharacter as yours."
The mandate was obeyed promptly and in silence by both, Ralph not daringto gather up his plunder, or even his cards from the table where they lay.
Mr. Dinsmore took possession of both, and followed Max to the house. Inthe heat of their altercation the lads had raised their voices to a highpitch, and he, happening to be at no great distance, and hastening to thespot to learn the cause of the disturbance, had come upon them in time tohear the last sentence uttered by each, and had taken in the wholesituation at a glance.
He went directly to his daughter's dressing-room, and sent for Violet tojoin them there.
Both ladies were greatly distressed by the tale he had to tell.
"Oh," sobbed Violet, "it will break my husband's heart to learn that hisonly son has taken to such evil courses! And to think that it was arelative of our own who led him into it!"
"Yes," sighed Mr. Dinsmore, "I blame myself for not being more watchful;though I had no idea that Ralph had acquired such vices."
"I cannot have you blame yourself, papa," Elsie said, with tender look andtone, "I am sure it was no fault of yours. And I cannot believe the dearboy has become a confirmed swearer or gambler in so short a time. He is awarm-hearted fellow, and has a tender conscience. We will hope by divineaid to reclaim him speedily."
"Dear mamma, thank you!" exclaimed Violet, smiling through her tears."What you say of Max is quite true, and I have no doubt that he is at thisvery moment greatly distressed because of his sin."
"I trust it may be so," said Mr. Dinsmore. "But now the question is, whatis to be done with him? I wish his father were here to prescribe thecourse to be taken."
"Oh, he has already done so!" cried Violet, bursting into tears again. "Hesaid if Max should ever be guilty of profanity he was to be confined tohis own room for a week, and forbidden all intercourse with the rest ofthe family as unworthy to associate with them. I begged him not to compelus to be so severe, but he was inexorable."
"Then we have no discretionary power, no choice but to carry out hisdirections," Mr. Dinsmore said, feeling rather relieved that the decisionwas not left with him. "I shall go now and tell Max what his sentence is,and from whom it comes.
"And, unfortunately, it will be necessary, in order to carry it out, toinform the other members of the family, who might otherwise holdcommunication with him.
"That task I leave to you, Elsie and Violet."
He left the room, and Violet, after a little sorrowful converse with hermother, went to her own, and with many tears told Lulu and Gracie what hadoccurred, and what was, by their father's direction, to be Max'spunishment.
Both little sisters were shocked and grieved, very sorry for Max, for itseemed to them quite terrible to be shut up in one room for a whole week,while to be out of doors was so delightful; but even Lulu had nothing tosay against their father's decree, especially after Violet had explainedthat he had made it in his great love for Max, wanting to cure him ofvices that would make him wretched in this life and the next.
Rosie was still more shocked and scarcely less sorry than Lulu and Gracie,for she had been taught to look upon swearing and gambling as very greatsins, and yet she liked Max very much indeed, and pitied him for thedisgrace and punishment he had brought upon himself.
It was she who told Zoe, seeking her in her dressing-room, where she wasmaking her toilet for the evening.
"Oh, Rosie, how dreadful!" exclaimed Zoe. "I never could have believed itof Max! but it is all because of the bad influence of that wicked Ralph.I see now why Edward disapproves of him so thoroughly that he didn't likeme to ride with him. But I do think Captain Raymond is a very severefather. A whole week in the house this lovely weather! How can the poorboy ever stand it!
"And nobody to speak a kind word to him, either. I don't think they oughtto be so hard on him, for I dare say he is grieving himself sick over itnow, for he isn't a bad boy."
"No," said Rosie, "I don't think he is; I like Max very much, but ofcourse his father's orders have to be carried out, and for that reason weare all forbidden to go near him, and we have no choice but to obey."
"Forbidden, indeed!" thought Zoe to herself. "I for one shall do as Iplease about it."
"Zoe, how pretty you are! that dress is very becoming!" exclaimed Rosie,suddenly changing the subject.
"Am I? But I can't compare with Miss Deane in either beauty orconversational powers," returned Zoe, the concluding words spoken withsome bitterness.
"Can't you? just ask Ned about it," laughed Rosie. "I verily believe hethinks you the sweetest thing he ever set eyes on. There, I hear himcoming, and must run away, for I know he always wants you all to himselfhere; and besides, I have to dress."
She ran gayly away, passing her brother on the threshold.
Zoe was busying herself at a bureau drawer, apparently searching forsomething, and did not look toward him or speak. In another moment she hadfound what she wanted, closed the drawer, and passed into her boudoir.
Edward had been standing silently watching her, love and anger strugglingfor the mastery in his breast. If she had only turned to him with a word,or even a look of regret for the past, and desire for reconciliation, hewould have taken her to his heart again as fully and tenderly as ever. Hewas longing to do so, but too proud to make the first advances when hefelt himself the aggrieved one.
"All would be right between them but for Zoe's silly jealousy and pride.Why could she not trust him and submit willingly to his guidance andcontrol while she was still so young and inexperienced--such a mere childas to be quite incapable of judging for herself in any matter ofimportance? In fact, he felt it his duty to guide and control her till sheshould grow older and wiser."
Such were his thoughts as he went through the duties of the toilet, whileZoe sat at the window of her boudoir gazing out over the smoothly shavenlawn with its stately trees, lovely in their fresh spring attire, to thegreen fields and woods beyon
d, yet scarcely taking in the beauty of thelandscape, so full of tears were her eyes, so full her heart of anger,grief, and pain.
She had not looked at her husband as he stood silently near her a momentago, but felt that he was gazing with anger and sternness upon her.
"If he had only said one kind word to me," she whispered to herself, "Iwould have told him I was sorry for my silly speech this afternoon, andoh, so happy to be his own little wife, if--if only he hasn't quit lovingme."
She hastily wiped her eyes and endeavored to assume an air of cheerfulnessand indifference, as she heard his step approaching.
"Are you ready to go down now, Zoe?" he asked in a freezing tone.
"Yes," she answered, turning to follow him as he led the way to the door.
There seemed to be a tacit understanding between them that theirdisagreements and coldness toward each other were to be concealed from allthe rest of the world; in the old happy days they had always gone downtogether to the drawing-room or the tea-table, therefore would do sostill.
Also, they studiously guarded their words and looks in the presence of anythird person.
Yet Elsie, the tender mother, with eyes sharpened by affection, hadalready perceived that all was not right. She had noted Zoe's disturbedlook when Edward seemed specially interested in Miss Deane's talk or MissFleming's music, and had silently determined not to ask them to prolongtheir stay at Ion.
The supper-bell rang as Edward and Zoe descended the stairs together, andthey obeyed its summons without going into the drawing-room.
Violet's place at the table was vacant as well as that of Max, and Luluand Gracie bore the traces of tears about their eyes.
These things reminded Zoe of Max's trouble, forgotten for a time in herown, and she thought pityingly of him in his imprisonment, wondered if hewould be put upon prison fare, and determined to find out, and if he were,to try to procure him something better.
She made an errand to her own rooms soon after leaving the table, went tohis door and knocked softly.
"Who's there?" he asked in a voice half choked with sobs.
"It is I, Maxie," she said in an undertone at the keyhole, "Zoe, you know.I want to say I'm ever so sorry for you, and always ready to do anything Ican to help you."
"Thank you," he said, "but I mustn't see anybody, so can't open the door;and, indeed," with a heavy sob, "I'm not fit company for you or any ofthe rest."
"Yes, you are, you're as good as I am. But why can't you open the door?are you locked in?"
"No; but--papa said I--I must stay by myself for a week if--if I did whatI have done to-day. So please don't stay any longer, though it was ever sogood in you to come."
"Good-by, then," and she moved away.