Partners Part 18

"That is impossible," protested Jessie. "There are so many things to order and prepare. You must see yourself that the time is too short."

"I see nothing of the kind," declared Gustave. "The business part my brother will arrange, everything can be settled within the time named.

In your America everything is done at express speed, speculation, fortune-making, even living and dying. I do not find this custom unpleasant since it can be extended even to marrying, and as your future tyrant I require you to become my wife in four weeks."

Jessie did not appear to dread this tyranny too much, but after some discussion she, smiling and blus.h.i.+ng, consented, when her lover said--

"At least I can stand by my brother when the first storm breaks, and it will not be long before it does. At the Consulate, of course, all the particulars will be learnt, and by the evening they will have spread through the whole town. That amiable agent, the admirer of my literary fame, will first tear his hair, and then send telegram upon telegram to New York. I wish I could see how Jenkins and Co. breathe fire and flame, and wish me in the lowest depths of h.e.l.l. With G.o.d's help I hope to renew that pleasure whenever my articles appear. They shall learn to know the pen they wished to buy."

"But do you think really that my guardian can release himself from these obligations?" asked Jessie.

"He must, at any price! After the events of to-day there is no choice left him, and he is business man enough to save all that is possible.

Jenkins will certainly make his life a misery to him, so much the better! Then he will be obliged to turn his eyes towards Germany, and we shall win him back. He will never return to his old fever for speculation, and here there is so much temptation to it. The ice is now broken, and Frida has so much of the charm of novelty about her that we may confidently leave the rest to her. I pledge my word on it, in a few years she will bring her father home to us!"

They had unconsciously reached the sh.o.r.e, and now stood by the bench where Frida had sat on that memorable evening. Before them lay the sea, bathed in suns.h.i.+ne.

Gustave pointed across it, while he put his arm round his future wife.

"There lies my native land, Jessie! In a few weeks it will also be your home, as it was the home of your own mother, and as such you will learn to love it. What my brother declared this morning may be true--that here the intellectual field too, is wider and freer than with us, that one rises more rapidly here, and wields a mightier power, even with the pen. With us just now, our first duty is to hold high our flag in the midst of the hottest fight, and to defend it with the whole strength of our lives. But that I will do joyfully and with all my heart, and ask no other reward than that my Jessie, my beloved wife, shall be contented with her egoist."

THE END.