The garden in front of the Hampton cottage was at its best on a bright summer afternoon. As Mrs. Hampton stood in the midst of the flowers, her eyes shone with pride. She was very much at home here, and loved each flower, from the delicate, fragrant mignonette to the gaily-coloured, boisterous tiger-lily. The fence surrounding the garden was lost in a wealth of vines, chief among which was the morning-glory, whose vase-shaped blossoms were drooping sleepily beneath the sun's hot glare.
Close to the garden ran the main highway, and at times Mrs. Hampton lifted her head and looked longingly down the road as if expecting someone. She was a woman of generous mould, and graceful bearing, scarcely past the meridian of life. It was not age which had whitened her hair, and years of toil had not stamped the furrows upon her brow, nor fixed the sad expression in her clear blue eyes. Something more subtle than the silent alchemy of time had wrought the change, and of this Mrs. Hampton was thinking now.
The click of the garden gate startled her, and turning quickly she saw Gabriel Grimsby, hot and dust-laden coming toward her. His face was beaming as usual, but more sunburnt, and he was mopping his forehead with a big red handkerchief. Mrs. Hampton smiled as she held out a hand of welcome.
"I am glad to see you, Gabriel," she accosted. "It has been a long time since you were here. Busy, I suppose?"
"Very. My, it's hot!" he panted, as he again wiped his brow. "I never felt the heat so much before. It must be ninety in the shade."
"Hardly that," and Mrs. Hampton smiled. "Come up on the verandah, Gabriel. I think you will find it nice and cool there."
Grimsby at once followed Mrs. Hampton out of the garden, and up the steps to the spacious verandah, where he sank at once into a comfortable chair.
"This is great!" he exclaimed. "You are fortunate in having such a beautiful spot."
"You are tired, Gabriel. Just rest yourself. I shall be back shortly."
Grimsby smiled contentedly when Mrs. Hampton had gone, and looked curiously around.
"The Hamptons must be doing well," he mused. "House newly painted, farm in good condition, and garden the finest I have seen. They must have a snug bank-account from all appearance. And why shouldn't they? If there was a brood of kids to feed, such as I have, it would make a great difference. Maybe they've made good with that coal mine. Anyway, I guess I've struck this place about the right time. People who have plenty should help them who haven't much. This is certainly restful after that long walk. I wonder where John is."
His meditation was interrupted by Mrs. Hampton's return. She carried a tray containing a glass of home-made wine, and a plate of frosted doughnuts. Grimsby was all alert now, and smiling blandly.
"This is certainly good of you, madame," he remarked as he took the glass, and one of the doughnuts. "It's not often I get treated this way, especially when I call on business."
"What are you doing these days, Gabriel?" Mrs. Hampton asked as she placed the plate of doughnuts upon a flower-shelf near at hand, and seated herself upon the verandah steps.
Grimsby sipped the wine, and bit off a piece of his doughnut before replying. Then he looked at his hostess in a quizzical manner.
"Don't you know my business, madame?"
"I am afraid not, Gabriel, as you have been at so many different things during the last few years. I hope you have settled down to something steady for the sake of your family, at least."
"You need not worry at all about me now," and Grimsby's eyes twinkled. He was thinking of the surprise he had in store for this woman, so he could take her words with good grace. "But money isn't everything, madame. Just think of that poor girl who drowned herself last night at Benton's wharf. She had all the good things of life, and yet she was not happy."
"What girl?" Mrs. Hampton asked. "I haven't heard about her."
"No, I suppose not. I only learned the news this morning. Men are now dragging the river for her body."
"It is certainly sad. Who is she? and why did she drown herself?"
"She is the only daughter of Randall, the big lumber merchant. Her father and mother wanted her to marry some young Lord, Donaster I think is his name. But she objected, so when they insisted, she took the matter into her own hands and made an end to her young life. So you see, madame, money isn't everything, is it?"
"Was she quite young?" Mrs. Hampton asked, unheeding Grimsby's question.
"About twenty, so I understand. And very pretty, too. I have seen her two or three times. She was very much sought after by young men, and a great favourite in society, so I have been told."
"How did she drown herself?"
"Went out in a boat, so I believe, and jumped overboard. They found the boat adrift down river this morning, and her hat was picked up along the shore. That's about all I know."
"Dear me, this is very sad," and Mrs. Hampton sighed. "I suppose John will know more about the affair when he comes home. Help yourself to the doughnuts, Gabriel."
"Thanks, madame. They are delicious. Your son is not at home, then?"
"No. He went to the city yesterday, and I am expecting him at any minute."
"What a big, fine-looking fellow he is getting to be, madame. I saw him the other day, and was surprised at the way he has grown. He's a great worker, too, so I hear."
"Yes, John is a good boy, Gabriel. He is a great comfort to me."
"Better than a daughter, eh?" As Grimsby asked the question he noted that Mrs. Hampton gave a slight start, and it pleased him. "A girl wouldn't be much use on a farm such as this," he continued. "I suppose he's doing something with that coal mine, too."
"It's the mine that took him to the city. The prospects are very encouraging, so I am anxious to hear how he has made out."
"A daughter, then, wouldn't be able to carry on such work, would she, madame?"
"I suppose not," was the somewhat slow reply. "But why do you ask? Why do you mention a daughter to me?"
"Why shouldn't I? You have a daughter, haven't you?"
At these words Mrs. Hampton's face turned white. She rose to her feet, her whole body trembling, and confronted Grimsby.
"What do you mean?" she gasped. "Why do you ask whether I have a daughter?"
"It's true, though, isn't it? There, now, don't get so worked up. You seem to take my simple question very much to heart."
With her hand pressing her side, Mrs. Hampton stood staring upon the placid man before her. What does he know? she asked herself. Why did he mention a daughter to me?
"I see I am not far astray, madame. You have a daughter, and it is concerning her that I am here."
"Oh!" It was all that the woman could say, but the tone in which it was uttered clearly expressed the agony of her soul.
"Yes, madame, you understand now my business. For some time I tried to enlighten people's minds by supplying them with good literature. But business is dull these days, so I have been forced to turn to something else for a living for me and mine. And I must say that this new business pays much better. I am a stand-between, and in that capacity I am here to-day."
"A stand-between! I do not know what you mean."
"Quite true, madame. It is hard for you, living so comfortably, to understand how difficult it is for some people to stand between those they love and poverty. I fear I have not done very well along that line in the past, though I am improving now."
"But what has all this to do with my daughter, of whom you speak?" Mrs. Hampton somewhat impatiently asked. "What right have you even to suggest that I have a daughter."
"Can you deny it?"
"Yes, I do."
"Madame! I am surprised at you."
"You need not be at all surprised, sir. I had a daughter once, but she has been dead for many years."
"Ah, madame, dead to you, perhaps, but not to others. Have you forgotten that?"
For a few seconds Mrs. Hampton tried to maintain her composure. But the strain was too much upon her, so sinking down upon the steps, she buried her face in her hands. Grimsby was by no means affected by the woman's distress. He rather enjoyed it. He knew now that she was in his power. Drawing forth a package of cigarettes, he selected one, lighted it, and smoked in silent contentment. He had often seen his wife in just such a situation, so it was nothing new to him.
At length Mrs. Hampton lifted her head and looked at Grimsby. There were tears in her eyes, and her face was drawn and white. The comfortable, self-satisfied man annoyed her, and a wave of indignation swept upon her.
"Why have you come here to-day to torment me?" she asked.
"Torment you! In what way?"
"By your words of insinuation."
"Are they not true?"
"Suppose I deny them?"
"It would be no use, madame. I have all the necessary proof."
"Of what?"
"Don't you know? Do you wish me to tell what happened in a private hospital, twenty years ago, and how you exchanged----"
"Stop, stop! For God's sake, don't say any more!"
"You acknowledge it all, then?"
"How can I deny it? But who told you?"
"Madame," and Grimsby flicked the ashes from his cigarette as he spoke, "when a man has a wife such as mine, sooner or later he learns many interesting things."
"Your wife! What does she know?"
"Evidently too much for your peace of mind."
"But how does she know?"
"Simply because she happened to be Hettie Rawlins before she became Mrs. Grimsby."
"Hettie Rawlins," Mrs. Hampton repeated. "That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?"
"In that private hospital, madame. She was the girl who exchanged the babies. Surely you have not forgotten her."
"Oh, now I do remember. And she is your wife?"
"She is, unfortunate for her."
"This is all new to me."
"Strange that you should forget her, isn't it?"
"Not at all, I knew her only slightly at the hospital, as she was seldom in my room."
"But long enough to transact a very important business matter, eh?"
"Yes, yes, too long! May God have mercy upon me for my sin! It is almost more than I can stand."
"But you have stood it well all these years, madame."
"You think so, do you? But you little know what agony of soul I have endured. Oh, it has been terrible!"
"H'm," Grimsby grunted, "it seems to me you have had many compensations, such as the money you received, a fine place like this, a good son, you call your own, and the prospect of making considerable out of your coal mine. Surely they have been a balm to your heart and mind. They would be to mine, anyway."
"No, no, no!" the woman declared. "Nothing can ever take the place of my own sweet baby I so rashly bartered away. I thought so once, fool that I was, but I know better now. No matter how dear another child may become, and John means much to me, it is not one's own flesh and blood. No one but a mother who has suffered can fully understand this. During the twenty years that have passed since my fatal mistake, my baby girl has been ever with me. If alive, she is a young woman now. She goes by some other name, and calls another woman 'mother.' She does not know of my existence, and even if she heard my name or met me face to face, I would mean nothing to her."
Mrs. Hampton ceased, and looked out over the rippling surface of the noble St. John. Far down the river her eyes caught the gleam of a white sail, bending to the gentle breeze. She knew that the boat must be the "Eb and Flo," for Mrs. Tobin had called that morning and told her that she was expecting her son and husband home. But it meant nothing to her, neither was she aware of a slight graceful girl standing by the captain's side, asking questions about the various places along the river. Had she but known, how soon her look of indifference would have vanished.
"So you have no knowledge, then, as to your--your daughter's whereabouts?" It was Grimsby speaking, and it aroused her from her reverie.
"None at all. I do not even know the name of the woman who got my baby."
"She was very wealthy, I suppose?"
"I believe so, but----" She suddenly stopped, and an expression of hope leaped into her eyes. "Tell me, do you know where she is? Your wife must know, anyway."
She waited almost breathlessly for a reply, but when Grimsby smiled and shook his head, the light of hope faded from her eyes.
"You don't know?" she asked in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
"I didn't say that, madame. Maybe I know and maybe I don't. But what good would it do if I should tell where she is? You could not get her back again, no matter how hard you might try. And, besides, she wouldn't want to come. She has been brought up to a life of luxury of which you know nothing. She moves in high social circles, and would be ashamed of you. Suppose she should find out that you are her mother, what would she think if she learned how you sold her for money when she was a helpless baby? Have you thought of that?"
"Stop, stop! For God's sake don't say any more!" the unhappy woman pleaded. "It is all too true, but I can hardly bear it. I know she would scorn me for what I did. But it would be a comfort if I could look upon her, see her face, and know that she is my child. If I could but feast my eyes upon her even for a few minutes, it would mean everything to me."
"No, madame, you are mistaken. If you saw her once it would make you more dissatisfied than ever. It would only add to your agony of soul, of which you speak."
"So you won't tell me, Gabriel?"
"No, I must not."
"Then why have you come here to-day to torment me? Why have you mentioned my child to me? I believe you know where she is, and yet you will not tell me. What is the meaning of all this?"
"Ah, now you are coming to the point," and Grimsby smilingly rubbed his hands together in satisfaction. "I have a definite purpose in coming to see you to-day. I felt that I could not delay any longer. It is a mere matter of business, nothing more."
"Has it anything to do with the mine, Gabriel?"
"Oh, not at all. It is far more important to you than that. It has to do with something that happened twenty years ago. There, now, madame, keep calm. Don't get excited. I see you understand to what I refer, and that is good. Now, how would you like for that to be known?"
"Heavens, man! Are you in earnest? Surely you must be joking."
"Not at all. I was never more in earnest in my life. I merely asked if you would like the above-mentioned transaction made public. That is all I wish to know."
"No, no; it must not be mentioned. For almost twenty years it has been kept a secret, and why should the public know of it now? It would break my heart. I could never face anyone again. And John, who is so dear to me, what would he think? How could I explain? It must not be! You will not tell, will you?"
Grimsby lighted another cigarette, crossed his legs, and smoked contentedly. He was quite satisfied, so could afford to take his time. This woman's trouble was nothing to him, and no accusing conscience worried him in the least degree. He was past all that.
"I shall not tell, madame," he at length replied, "that is, providing you make it worth while."
"In what way, Gabriel? What can I do to obtain your silence?"
"There is only one thing that will perform the charm. It has seldom failed. I believe it is still powerful to silence tongues. It will keep mine still, at any rate. Is it hard to guess what that is? You should know of all women, for it proved effective twenty years ago."
Mrs. Hampton started, and looked keenly into the face of the man before her.
"Do you mean money?" she asked. "Is that what will silence your tongue?"
"Ah, I am glad that you have guessed it, madame. It will save unnecessary talk. Yes, it is money, for it is money I need more than anything else."
"Gabriel Grimsby! I cannot believe this of you. I always considered you a man above such things. Are you willing to take money for keeping silent? Would you not be afraid to use it?"
"Afraid! Of what, pray?"
"Of what might happen. Money obtained in such a way never does any good."
"Are you speaking from experience, madame? It was not so in your case, I believe."
Mrs. Hampton made no reply. Her eyes dropped, and, her face flushed. Grimsby knew that the thrust had gone home, and he again smiled.
"You understand, I see," he continued. "That is the only thing, madame, which will cause me to keep your secret."
"And if I don't give you anything?"
"You will have to take the consequences. Are you willing to do that?"
"No, no! This must never be known. How much do you want? Tell me quick, and let us get through with this terrible business."
"I am quite as anxious as you are, madame. The amount depends upon how much you are prepared to give."
"You want me to mortgage this place, I suppose. You will not be satisfied with a small amount."
"Indeed I shall. Surely you must have some money on hand now. That will be sufficient for the present. Then, when you sell your mine, you might remember your benefactor."
"Benefactor! Robber you should say," Mrs. Hampton indignantly retorted. "To think that I should be held up by such a person as you. But it cannot be helped, I suppose. Will one hundred dollars satisfy you? It is all I have."
Grimsby bowed, and waved his hand in an eloquent manner.
"It will be very acceptable to me just now. One hundred dollars! It seems like a fortune to me. It will do nicely."
Mrs. Hampton rose to her feet, and remained for a few seconds thoughtfully silent. Then she turned toward Grimsby.
"If I give you this money, Gabriel, how can I trust you to keep this secret?"
"I give you my word of honour, madame. Bring the Bible, and I shall swear by it."
Mrs. Hampton gave a deep sigh as she turned toward the door of the house. "I am afraid, Gabriel, that your word of honour isn't worth much, and that the Bible wouldn't make any difference. However, I suppose I shall have to trust you. Just wait a minute."
Grimsby was greatly pleased with himself now. His eyes were turned toward the river, fixed upon the white sail which was much nearer. He had accomplished his object easier than he had expected. In a short time Mrs. Hampton returned, and handed him a roll of bills.
"There, you will find the full amount," she quietly told him. "It is all I have in the house. I hope you are satisfied."
Grimsby was about to speak, when a raucous toot of an auto down the road caused Mrs. Hampton to turn suddenly. At once her face went very white, and she laid her hand heavily upon the man's arm.
"It's John!" she gasped. "Leave at once!"
In an instant Grimsby was on his feet. He seized his hat, leaped down the steps, rushed toward the gate, and was walking rapidly down the road as the car sped up. The driver hailed him in passing. He waved in reply, and then hurried on his way. Grimsby was not anxious to meet John Hampton just then.