The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-07-11

Now, Anna, even to struggle were folly.
Everything is in confusion. Fortunes,
the accumulation of years, are crumbling
into dust mutual confidence is destroyed;
II frightful panic is sweeping over the
land. Men who would have opened
their purses to me freely a month ago,
are now in extremity. No, no, Anna, it
is vain to look for help. The breakers
are just ahead, and our good ship is
drifting fast upon them. No human arm
can save us
Still the young wife would not abandon
hope.
Il will trust in Heaven to bring you a
safe deliverance,' were her words some
hours later. NO wrong was intended,
and therefore, l must believe that the
dreaded consequences will not be permit
ted to fall with their crushing weight
upon you. Two months yet remain, if
understood it, before the notes fall DUE
"A little less than two months.
"A great deal may be done in two
months, Edward, o, do not despair.
Dear comforter = said Mr.. Fleetwood,
looking down upon the face of his wife.
Il would hardly deserve the name of
man, were l TO give up wholly, with
your sweet solicitations to effort rit ging
in my ears. But what can | do! |
stand at The foot of a high mountain, the
sea on either hand; and, stretching my
gaze far upward, see only a perpendicular
wall of rock. have no wings, and can
not rise like the eagle and escape the
danger that is leaping toward me anil
threatening swift destruction
In whose possession arc the notesF
asked Mrs. Fleetwood.
They are gone, wholly beyond my
reach was the answer. Instead of be-
ing left in the hands where they were first
placed, as collateral security, they have
been discountcd-the original obligation
Of five thousand dollars paid, and the bal
ancc of the money appropriated by nay
false friend. They stand, now as any
other debt against the company, and, as
| have said, wholly beyond my reach
Would it not he well, suggested Mrs.
Fleetwood, to find out who has them
can see no good result likely to flow
from that knowledge, replied her husband.
IF they were discounted in the bank.
there is only one way to recover them,
and that is for me to lift them in advance,
Of the time when due. If they are in the
hands OF some money lender the c;,sc is
hopeless
But Mrs. Fleetwood urged her husband
to find out who held the notes, if it Was
possible to gain accurate intelligence in re-
gard TO them, 'Then,' she said, we can
measure the Full magnitude of this evil,
and find the way of escape, fthat be pos
siblc.'
1T is impossible, Anna!' replied Mr..
Fleetwood, impatiently.
Forgive me, Edward : said his wife,
her eyes filling with tears But can
not cease to urge this thing upon you
Hope only lies in the removal of these
notes out of the way. First, then, we must
find where they are.
'WeF Mr.. Fleetwoods voice had in
it a tone Of curious interest.
Yes We, Edward. There istoo much
at stake, now, for you to reject, or even
think lightly of aid or counsel, come from
whence it may. Even woman may sug.
Gest something by which man may profit
in an extremity like this, though the com.
mon language of business may be to her a
strange language. Again, then, let me
urge you to find out where those danger
Gus notes are to he found
Il will know ere sleep closes my eye.
this night :. said Mr. Fleetwood, speaking
a few minutes later, from the ardor of a
suddenly formed purpose.
Let it be tonight, then, if possible
the quicker the truth is known the better
But let me say be very circunispcct, said
his vile, as she saw an unusual sternnes:
in his face, as if some desperate resolution
was forming.
Thank you for the caution. need
it, was his answer. His voice had in it q
low thrill Of excitement
is Mr.. Floyd at home !! The inquiry
was made by Mr.. Fleetwood at tie door
of handsome house not far distant from
his own dwelling, and within ten minutes
after parting from his wife.
what name shall | say , asked the
waiter.
Mr.. Fleetwood
'Mr Floyd wishes you to excuse him,
tonight said the waiter returning to the
parlor into which he had shown Mr..
Fleetwood
Say TO Mr.. Floyd that cannot excuse
him lie must see me tonight, and now.
The waiter hesitated.
Is he alone ? inquired Mr. Fleetwood
Yes
Entirely alone!'
Yes
And his room is
'On the second foor.'
Front 7
NO sir-back.'
Il will find him. And MIR. Fleetwood
missed the snrnrised u,a;ter onI su,on,