Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-11
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY, MARCH H. 1864.

i'hNA 'iNhs bAis DuliiOu a HiAlllGh ~ iAlN
in clear business-like manner the at--
fairs he had on hand. They were com.
picated, and somewhat hazardous, but ]
was in a mood for bold specuatlons. The
risk rather fascinated me besides, there
was room for almost limitless money
making. After satisfying myself of Mr..
Bullion's soundness, pencuniarily, as well
as otherwise, | agreed to become a part
ner in the firm he wished to establish.
Ii was only of piece with my earlier
good fortune that all my schemes should
prosper. In the two years which follows
ed we went on enlarging our operations,
and making the b S upon which we
stood still surer. was rapidly accumu-
lating vast fortune.
Meantime, a city had grown up around
US. Out of the diversity of elements
something like society was being formed.
Mr.. Bullion's house was the centre Of
perhaps as good a set as any other. His
daughter, the queenly Louise, had LOST
none of her charms, and might now count
ner admirers by scores. She was always
in the midst of brilliant circle, living
upon conquest and excl ement, and scat
terng the shafts of keen and polished
wit with a cruel Indifference.
1t would not be the exact truth to say
that Mr. Bullion and became friends.
In truth, no two persons could well be
more Indifferent to each other; but | sat
at his table, and entertained him at my
own, we had a mutual confidence, we
were posted in regard to each others at
fairs, and in short maintained respecta-
BILE appearance of good fellowship.
| could see that he liked 10 have me
at his house, and that he was satisfied to
see Louise in my care. But | was not
society man. Its ceremonies wearied,
and its yapidi;ies disguised me; SO | was
content with occasionally looking on in
the early stages of ball, or sitting be
side Louise through the first act of a
play.
She did not practise her art upon me.
Always polite, always cold, conversing
1uently if by chance her interest was ex-
cited, and then revealing mind Of rare
power, but never showing any trace Of
feeling, have no complaint to make OF
Louise. If she had aIured me then in
deed my fault would not have been Who'll
ly without excuse.
At length Mr.. Bullion and myself had
been associated three years. We were
to settle our affairs at this time, and as
certain Just where we stood. Atterward
we looked forward to still larger specu-
lations. We found ourselves far richer
than we had imagined. In his hilariy
Mr. Bullion insisted upon my returning
to dinner with him.
Its the privilege of the SENIOR he
said with blandness be knew well how
10 wear we can discuss our affairs
none the worse over bottle of Chateaux
Margaux.'
Louise came down 20 dinner in full
opera dress. Her beauty was radiant,
her diamonds of pure lustre, her smile as
sweet, yet as cold as ever. When !
came back to my chair, after opening the
door for her to pass out, her father said,
helping himself and me to another glass
as he spoke;
If you were a good judge, l should |
ask you if that is not a woman TO be
proud Of
Every one admires Miss Bullion
remarked, after moment, seeing was
expected tc reply.
Yes. 1t adds strength to a mans po
sition to be connected with handsome
woman, and one who queens it in society.
Why don't you get married, Burton ?
And with these words my partner
rose, and walking over to the fireplace,
leaned his arm upon the mantle piece,
and looked at me. | said something
about want of leisure, etc.
True, if one we're to marry and settle
down into a humdrnm domesticity. |
am going to be frank with you'-Mr.
Bullion was never frank unless he could
make an extraordinary good bargain
to be frank with you, Burton. | wish il
would please you and Louise to marry
Louise is my only child. 1--we consoli-
date our fortunes, it will give Us a
strength and power greater than that OF
any other house on the Pacific. Your
business need not suffer. Louise has too
many resources of her own to be exact
ing
Before the image Of the beautiful wo-
man who had just left us, there arose
another face, less strangely fair, perhaps.
but yet Of a wondrous sweetness. Gold. |,
en- brown hair parted smoothly over
white forehead, tender blue eyes in whose
depths dwet an innocent content. 0,
Ethel why do you haunt me thus? Bit
ter reproach | could bear, but that look
of mournfu sweetness cuts me to the
heart.
'WeH, Burton ? said Mr.. Bullion, af-
ter a brief pause. in which my thoughts
had been thousands of miles away.
Excuse me- | stammered but the
lady
win not object said my partner, gai'
ly. In fact. TO be frank with you, Lou~ C
ise has been spoken to concerning the r
arrangement, and has the good sense to 5
see its advantages i
Il appreciate your kindness, Mr.. Bull r
on,' said, presently, 'but in so grave a &
matter you will not expect me to come to h
a decision at once p
by no means. l Imerely presented the I
subject for your consideration. And now f
% something little more in our line f