Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-12-11

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| 1t was dreary morning in November; the
rich banker, Mr.. Brandon, was seated in his pri-
vate room, busily engaged in writing he was
! interrupted by the entrance of clerk announc-
ing that a lady, who desired to see him for a
short time alone, was waiting at the door of the
banking house; she had arrived in hackney
coach, and had sent in a message to this effect,
not wishing to aligbt until assured that Mr..
Barndon was disengaged and willing to receive
her.
The clerk delivered his message Mr.. Bran
don looked both puzzled and annoyed, but gave
orders that the lady should be admitted.
Mr. Brandon was about sixty years of age he
he had commenced his life as junior clerk of
the establishments he had risen by gradual and
regular rotation to the dignity Of senior partner
ia person he was commonplace, not to say vul-
gar, about the middle height, stout and clumsy
made, his features large and prominent, his face
red, his eyes round, blue and unmeaning, his
thin locks plentifully sprinked with gray his
manner was precise and formal his dress plain
and old-fashioned.
He placed chair for the reception of his Wis
iror, and seating himself gravely in another be-
side the FIRE, folded his hands before him and
awaited her appearance. The door opened to
admit her; she entered it closed behind her
she advanced into the room, and the banker
started from his seat.
She was yonng and beautiful; tall, magnf-
Gently formed, with face whose beauty of fea-
ture was its least charm, so intellectual was the
expression, so sparkling with the light Of genius,
so beamng with fire of unquenchable energy.
Her dress was plain and evidently selected
with view to economy, but tasteful and ele-
CANT. There was in her whole style and man.
ner that decision and confidence which is the re-
suit of high fashion, and that ease which inter-
course with the world alone can give. The
banker sprang forward to meet her he took
her hand affectionately. Madeline" he said,
you have returned at last How glad | am to
see you again | thought you dead, or lost
lost to me forever. Where have you spent the
interval since we last met? Why have you hid
den yourself from me Oh, Madeline ! | have
suffered much for you"
DO not call me Madeline; l longer
Madeline Vernon; ! am"
"Married Madeline Say not So Married -
and the banker actually gasped with excitement.
"No-no - said the lady, smiling; ''but am
no mere known by that name; and those with
whom reside call me Mary Clinton"
Mr. Brandon remained silent and she spoke
again.
~ could not continue dependent on you; |
could not live on your bounty; | resolved to
find subsistence for myself perish. | have
had many struggles | have suffered much but
have succeeded and | seek you again, to
thank you for your past kindness-to entreat
your continued friendship. | AM happy; at
least, am content. | have obtained a situation
as a governess | reside in an obscure and
gloomy part of the city; but the family serve
is opuent. My salary is a liberal one; and il
have no pleasures, at least have few annoy
ances, and no insults"
She spoke quickly and with effort, and she
ceased abrubtly.
"Oh, Madeline is this life for you'
81 have no choice" she answered " / must
submit to my fate"
You have choice l have offered you all
I have to offer. | renew my proposals-be my
wife,"
sNo, Mr.. Brandon I thank you-from my
heart thank you but it cannot be. Pity mt
not | am happy ~
"Happy ! Madeline Vernon, do you remember
what you have been?''
''Yes, l remember remember ~
And |, too, rememberr' And the banker
rising, paced the room with hurried steps,. g
remember ALL can tell you all | can recall
those times when, among the proud, your fathe
was the proudest; when, among the gay ant
lovely, you were the gayest-the most beautiful
l can go further back, and can see your mothe
you are her image, Madeline she whom, as
dream, worshipped Well, she married. Sh
chose your father-the gallant, the admiret
Hehry NernOn-anu tney were nappy- IDen
can recall your brth-you, their only child
and from the first loved you; loved you fo
her sake J | can recall their rapid rise from af
fuence to the possession of enormous wealth
their luxury! Then she died"
GA few years pass away, and you take he
place. You appear the mistress of matches
charms. the heiress of untold riches. Who s.
admired? so courted? How often have
watched you when you me not In tn
park, at the opera, who SO CALAMITY attended
who greeted with so deep homage as Madeln
Vernon, the only daughter of the wealthy banke
the proclaimed beiress of the 'Merchau
Prince? Your suitors, also, were they not NUN
berless? What was not offered to your accept
anee? what did you not reject2 Rank, title
station-personal qualifications that might mat
with such as yours-fortunes equal to your own
All what might you not have beene alb wha
are you now? Well, the sequel-the sequel
All, now you weep Your father, he becomes
bankrupt worse, worse-a dishonored bankrupt
But one way lies before him-but one path
dark and gloomy on that he enters-by that h
escapes all - shame, insult, contumely! II
dies ! will not dwell upon his death of hor
ror but you were left young, beautiful ant
alone. Young, beautiful, alone and poor, m
child, what snares were aronnd thee Then
came-I, your dead mothers humble lover. |