The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-01-30
THE BANKERS LOVE.
A NOBLE HEROINE.

the rich banker, Nh Brandon, was seated
IN his room, busily engaged in writing ;
he was interrupted by the entrance of a
clerk, announcing that lady, who de-
sired to see him a short time alone, was
waiting at the door OF the banking house;
she had arrived in hackney coach, and
had sent IN message to this effect, not
wishing to alight until assured that Mr..
Brandon was disengaged and willing to
receive her.
The clerk delivered his message; Mr..
Brandon looked both puzzled aud an
noyed, but gave orders that the lady
should be admitted.
Mr. Brandon was about sixty years of
age; he had commenced life as junior
clerk of the establishment he had risen
by gradual and regular rotation to the
senior partner; in person he was COM
monplaee, not to say vulgar, about the
middle height, stout and clumsiy made,
his features large and prominent, his
face red, his eyes round, blue and un-
meaning, his thin locks plcntifully
sprinkled with grey his manner was
precise and formal, his dress plain and
old fashioned
He placed a chair for the reception of
his visitor, and seated himself gravely in
another beside the fire, folded his hands
before him and awaited her appearance
The door opened to admit her; she en-
tered it closed behind her; she ad-
vanced into the room, and the banker
raised from his seat.
She was young and beautiful; tall,
magnifccntly formed, with face whose
w Of
intellectual was the expression, SO spark
ling with the light of genius, so beam
ing with the fire of an unquenchable en-
erey.
Her dress was plain and evidently Sc
lectcd with view to economy, but taste
full and elegant There was in her
whole style and manner that decision
and confidence which is the result of
high fasi ion, and that ease which inter-
course with the world alone can give.
The banker sprang forward to meet her !;
he took her hand affectionately. "Mad-
eline," he said, ''you have retu: ned at
last How glad | am to see you again +!
l thought you dead, or lost-lost to me
forever. Where have you spent the in
terval since we met? Why have you
hidden yourself from me? Oh, Made
line ! l have suffered much for you"
''Do not call me Madeline: I am no
longer Madeline Vernon I am"
Married, Madeline /. Say not so.
Married p And the banker actually
gasped with excitement.
.'No-no" Said the lady smiling /;
.sbut am no more known by that name !;
and those with whom reside call me
Mary Clinton"
MIR. Brandon remained silent she
spoke again.
II could not continue dependent on you
i could not live on your bounty l re-
solved to find subsistence for myself or
perish. | have had my struggles; l
have suffered much but I have succee-
ded and seek you again, to thank you
for your past kindness-to entreat your
continued friendship. I am happy; at
least, | am content. have obtained a
situation as governess I reside in an
obscure and gloomy part of the city but
the family serve is opulent. My salary
is liberal one and if have no pleas
urcs, at least | have few annoyances, and
no insults y
She spoke quickly and with an effort,
and she ceased abruptly.
"Oh, Madeline is this life for you?"
"I have no CHOICE" she answered /;
ri must submit to my fate.'
s'You have choice. | have offered
you all have to offer. I renew my pro-
pcsals-be my wife,
"No. Mr. Brandon !! I thank you
from my heart thank you but it can
not be. Pity me not am happy !"
"Happy! Madeline Vernon, do you
remember what you have been 2"
eyes I remember-I rememberr' r'
''And I, too, remember J" (And the
banker, rising, paced the room with hur-
ried stcps.) | remember ALL can tell
you all 1 can recall those times when,
among the proud, your father was the
proudest; when among the gay and
lovely, you were the gayest--the most
beautiful I can go further back, and I
can see your mother-y. are her i'm
age, Madeline ! she whom, as dream,
was ever present to my sight-she whom,
as dream worshiped Well, she mar
ried. She chose your father-the gal
lant, and admired Henry Vernon-and
they were happy. Then I can recall
your birth-you, their only child and
from the first I loved you; loved you
for her sake! can recall their rapid
rise from af1uence to the possession of
enormous wealth-their luxury! Then
she died.
ga few years pass away, and you take
her place. You appear, the mistress of
matchless charms, the heiress of untold
riches. Who SO admired ? SO courted
How often have watched you when you
saw me not In the Park, at the opera,
who was SO gallantly attended who
greeted with SO deep a homage as Made