Notwithstanding the words she had spoken, Marcia waited with breathless
anxiety her brother's return; for the sound of voices, in earnest, if
not angry, conversation, rose through the house. Presently he came back
with a look his face seldom wore,--a fierce look that transformed his
handsome features to a fiend's.
"You have your wish, Sister Marcia,"--and the words were shot out like
fiery arrows,--"I am to leave you, and go to jail."
"To jail?" exclaimed both at once, in terror.
"Yes,--to jail. Gratifying to you, I suppose. 'Tis to me,--very."
"What is the meaning of this?" asked Mrs. Sandford.
"It means, that one of my creditors pretends to believe that I am about
to abscond, and has had me arrested, that I may give bail not to run
away with an empty pocket."
"Can't you get out?"
"Some time, undoubtedly; but not till I give bail."
"For how much?"--
"Twenty thousand dollars."
"Can't you get some one to become security?"
"I don't know. Perhaps I might get Greenleaf!"
Marcia winced, but did not answer the taunt.
"Good-bye, my dear and independent sister!"
Marcia turned her back upon him, confounded between sorrow and
resentment.
Pages:
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166