“I have had no trouble,—only,—well, something happened which was quite unlooked for by me, anyway. Major Walden is in trouble, I think, though I do not understand the nature of it.�
Lissa looked interested, and her eyes searched his face questioningly.
Nathan drew up a chair and sat down.
“We were both in the office looking over some notes and papers in the desk this morning when the mail was brought in. There were two or three letters and some newspapers, which latter he tossed over to me to examine. While thus engaged I was startled by a strange sound from the Major, and looking up I at first thought he was in a fit. His face was pale and distorted, and he shook like a man with the ague. He clenched an open letter in his hand, which I thought must be answerable for his condition. I sprang to him and unbuttoned his collar, as he appeared to be choking, and he seemed to be relieved, though it was some time before he could control himself, or articulate. When he did, it was to hiss the words ‘scoundrel, villain, devil!’ with insane fury. I did not know how to act, or what to say to him, and so after shutting and fastening the door, that no one might intrude on us,—an act which he seemed to approve,—I stepped into a little private office opening from the room and busied myself with the ledger accounts, while I waited for him to grow calmer.
“It was fully an hour, I think, before he called me, and then I was surprised at the change in him. He looked ten years older, and his face had the pinched look of one recovering from an illness. His hands shook and he seemed entirely unnerved. ‘Nathan,’ he said, ‘I have received a severe shock, and it has proven almost too much for me. But there are reasons why I wouldn’t want my family to know anything about it, and I shall have to ask you to say nothing here of what you have heard or witnessed. I will explain it all when I feel able to do so. At present I think the best thing for me to do is to take a little change of air, and I believe I’ll run down to Omaha for a day or two. I reckon I’m really sick enough to warrant a day off,’ he said, trying to smile.
“‘Just call at noon and say to Mrs. Walden that I’ve gone to Omaha on business. Had to hurry off to catch a train, or some such clap-trap, or say—I’ll write a note to that effect. You see, I fancy she’d better not see me now.’
“I told him his countenance would betray him, for he really looked ill, and he had much better not go home if he wanted to conceal the fact, and so he went off to the station and left me to fix up matters as best I could. I am more puzzled about the matter, as I am familiar with all his business affairs and investments, and know everything is ship-shape and flourishing. However, as he promised to explain everything when he returns, I need not speculate upon it now I suppose.
“There is another matter I wanted to speak of,� continued Nathan, “and that is in regard to this man Russell. I don’t know what to think of him. Mark is terribly opposed to him and his coming to their home, and if we encourage Alice’s meeting him here—�
“I think Mark has no right to let unreasoning prejudice rule him the way he does,� interrupted Lissa. “He knows nothing against him, and yet he is ready to accuse him of all the crimes in the decalogue.�
“I don’t like to think of his power over Esther McCleary, Lissa.�