, 1864-02-27
Tie Ebony Casket.
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
All that was earthly Of Mr.. Samuel ba
bington, lie man of good repute, profuse il
charity, muniicent in Hospitality, esteemc,
for his high prubity, and envied for hi
marvellous wealth, was conveyed to tn
tomb. The business of the bank went OF
as usual; the halE-closed shutters, for
time, staving of, it may be, the coming ca
tastropho. There were two men alone +,
whom the real state of affairs had been re
vealed, and on the night of that day, whel
the funeral procession had wended its slov
way from the portals Of Belgraye House
those two men were seated in the same Ii
brary where short week previously deatl
had come SO suddenly, as it seemed to somC
so cruelty. A mass Of papers and pile o
ledgers were arranged upon the table be
fore them. Through the still hours o
night they labored unremittingly at the Ions
straight lines Of figures which the books anC
papers revealed, stopping now and then t.
ask some brief question, and again witt
busy hand and brain resuming their toll.
The light Of another day had streamed
through the chinks Of attS closed window
shutters, and the hands on the ~dialplate Of
the timepiece on the sideboard were pointed
to the hour of nine in the morning ere
Hugh Sherwood, with a sigh Of relief
threw down his pen, and turning to John
Rudderforth, said:
al perceive amongst the list of deposi
tors, that Sir Everard D'0yley is marked
down as one whose claim is the highest"
"And one, fear, who is likely to be most
pressing" returned John Rudderforth.
Il do not think so" said Hugh Sher.
wood. lie is an old schoolfellow Of mine
and / think l may venture to trespass on
his friendship"
"Have care, sir" said John Rudder.
forth. "Sir Everard D'Oyley is a rejected
suitOr Of your cousins"
"That can make no difference" said
Hugh, lightly. at was no affair Of the
heart with him; he never had one."
He has vanity, though" said John Rud.
derforth "yanity which has been wounded
perhaps humbled."
81 think can manage him, and silence
him." said Hugh, quietly. He is gen.
tleman."
"Oh, of course" said John Rudder.
forth, with u touch of irony. "Was he
not one Of your poor uncles most constant
guests 7"
without his claim,' pursued Hugh,
there will be sufficient, with the sale Of
the Ashdale estate, to meet.all demands"
doubtless" said John, without hi
claim" =.
"Then leave him to me-" said Hugh.
"But Grace" pleaded John Rudder.
forth, with marked emotion; "your kind.
hearted, proud spirited cousin, will she not
be a.
"Silence" said Hugh, sharply; and a
CLEAN of triumph stole over his careworn
features as he leant across the table, and
whisperingly asked, +" Can you keepa secret !
OF course you can. There, read that, said
he, placing folded paper IN the bank
clerks hands.
"What is this?" asked JOhn. -
"Read it, man-read ii" said Hugh, in
the same urgent whisper.
John RudderfOrth did read il and, be.
foro he had finished doing so, the paper was
damp with tears. He grasped Hugh Sher.
woods hand, saying, in broken accents, " II
| think you one Of the noblest- hearted men
in the whole world, what will she think 7"
"Nothing," replied Hugh, quietly, as he
grayely placed the document in his pocket.
book "she will never know IL. would
take your simple word, John Rudderforth,
before the solemn oaths Of many other men
] know, still you must pledge me that the
knowledge Of this transaction shall never
pass from your keeping"
The pledge was given, and the silent grip
Of their hands put the irrevocable seal upon
it.
"The joy l feel in this rction, John, u
said Hugh, with fash Of pride ovespread.
ing his manly features, and lending them a
more than common beauty, "outweighs the
pain of my poor uncle's errors. Whoever
Grace Darlington chooses for husband,
the one happy thought will eyer be mine
a thought that nothing can rob me of-that
my ministering hand has shed the halo Of
comfort round herr that to me she owes
her position Of independence through life
that through me no coveted luxury need
ever be withheld from her."
at is easy to foresee who will be her hus-
band" said John, with happy smile.
Perhaps moi" sighed Hugh.
"She can never throw away noble
heart like yours; it is against reason, y
urged John.
Reason, ehm said Hugh with an in.
credulous curl Of his lip; "what il my love
is despised by her? There, there he
hurried on, /" il is sinful, selfish to talk Of
that now. Will one month serve to wind
up my late uncle's affairs g'''
Amply" returned John.
"Then you will be kind enough to init.
mate, that at the end Of that iii.as the bust.
ness will be transferred to oElier hands, y
said Hugh with peculiar emphasis.
"To other hands 2" reiterated John, in
surprise.
Yes" said Hugh, smilingly, "pcrhaps
to mine Imay have fancy for turning
banker myself"
John Rudderforth wisely refFained from
further questioning. He gathered together
the ledgers and papers, shook hands with
Hugh, and departed to resume his old posi-.
ton at the bank.
"Now,' solilOquized Hugh Sherwood
the bitterest task is reserved to the last
My tongue must tell her that the steeled