Read The Rebel Wife for Free Online

practice. I wasn’t happy that you did that to your mother, but I like the old ways anyway. If you choose to do that to Eli, well, I won’t interfere.”
    We sit together quietly. Judge’s eyes move back to the ceiling. He looks at me quickly and then at the floor, his hands on his knees. “Augusta, I want you to understand that you will never be in need. I will see to that.” He drums his fingers against his knee and then coughs into his hand. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Were you very familiar with Eli’s business interests?”
    “No,” I answer. “But I am very interested to learn.” There is a creeping coldness coming over my shoulders. What could he be getting at?
    “I have talked with Jim Stephens at the Planters and Merchants Bank, and I will meet with him again soon. He is doing an accounting in detail, an inventory of Eli’s assets at the bank as well as his outstanding debts. When I heard how serious Eli’s illness was, I went to him immediately.”
    “His debts?”
    “It seems that Eli has been entangled with the bank for some time, and as more than just a holder of capital stock. He took out mortgages on a variety of his properties and against his stock in the bank.”
    “What does that mean?” I lean forward.
    “It means that the economic convulsions of the last few years left no one untouched. Perhaps you were unaware. Your mother was in her last illness. But the panic impacted everyone’s interests, Eli included, for all his seeming invulnerability. Eli had interests in railroads and mines, many of which are now worthless. There seems to be more than just losses on investments. He was playing a few rounds of monte with the bank, and it’s unclear at this point who the winner will be, if anyone. I am sorry to have to tell you.”
    “How can that be?” The words stumble out of my mouth. It isn’t possible. How could he come here and tell me these things with Eli barely cold?
    “Eli and I did not see eye to eye on many things, but we agreed on our concern for you and your interests. It was one of the things we could talk about.” He exhales heavily, almost heaving through his nostrils. I nod, too weak even to smile. Judge inhales to begin again.
    “We were not allies otherwise. That’s true. After the war, I could see the way the wind was blowing. It was no use to fight against it, although I’m proud to say I never took the oath.” He pauses and looks at the rug, tracing the curl of the ivy with his eyes. “The wind has changed again, Augusta. I think Eli realized that, too. Maybe he realized it too late. I don’t know. But the Republicans were not going to stay in control of the state. They were not going to ram Negro rule down our throats. The people of Alabama—the people of the South—would not let that happen. I could get beyond that for your sake. I know there was a lot of fear in Albion back when you were married, and perhaps your mother, God rest her soul, did what she thought was best. I know you did, too. And I have stood beside you for all that. I stand beside you now. I know that things are not perhaps as you had hoped, but the days we have lived have been full of unexpected—unanticipated—shocks. You will survive this one as you have survived the others.”
    Shocks? Negro rule? What does any of this have to do with Eli’s money? Everyone talked as if the man owned everything in town. And now Judge is telling me there’s nothing left? It’s all worthless? Because of Negro rule and the Republicans?
    “I will come back to you as I know more. I wanted to acquaint you with what I knew at this point.”
    “Thank you, Judge. I’m sorry, I just can’t believe this. I don’t know what it all means.” He watches me with discomfort. He was never one for sympathy. I tug my handkerchief from my sleeve and grip it.
    “It will all work out. I am investigating everything, and I will unravel Eli’s affairs. If there is need, I’m sure the bank can extend you