Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-29

which ! must speak TO you to-night-abou
which have wanted TO speak to you long
time | feel he was leaning against tn,
chimney-piece opposite his friend and look
ing with intense scrutiny into his quiet fac,
81 that ! have been dreaming dream
which word of yours could at this mo
ment dispel. Tell me if a greater kindness
than your silence, though the kindness il
sure to be the motive of that Tell me a
once, Dart. It cannot he very pleasant Il
you to see my anxiety. You are far toc
good fellow to feel pleasure in that"
"What am | TO tell you ?" inquired
Maurice Dart, without meeting his compan
ions eyes.
Surely, you know, said to myself thai
when | met Isabel here in your house, to
night, | would find out if my fears were
well grounded; and il could not discover
! would ask you for the truth before left
Dart end this suspense wearing on me. II
has been growing through all these month.
side by side with my love, and has become
unbearable at last"
Maurice raised his head now, and met his
companions anxious, questioning eyes. al
am glad you have spoken, Maitland" he
said. al have guessed at your anxiety
while have felt my own; and have often
wished TO break the silence we have held on
this one point fancied you had some
thing to tell me. fancied so but now
when ! saw you re-enter the room"
Indeed, no" exclaimed Walter, with hi,
usual frankness. ." wish TO heaven had
| wish dared to say that Isabel had given
me encouragement enough to make me ever
hope And could not ask her toto love
me while felt that you knew how useles,
it would be-"
al do not know" returned Dart-hi.
words sounding very slowly after Walter's
eagerness, yet all his self-command failing
to hide their new ring of hope. Isabel has
never heard a word of love from me. She
is gentle and kind and winning always but
| cannot read beyond"
"To me, too, she is bright and pleasant
always" put in Maitland, restlessly; "and |
can discover nothing more. fancied you
could put me out of one phase of this un-
certainty"
"And you are very glad to find cannot, -
met with smile which was strangely wist.
full for such strong and manly faces.
"Dart," said Mr.. Maitland, "you are the
elder man-the richer-the better, too
You shall speak first. Do it as soon as
you can"
"Seniority has no claim in such a case as
this" said the senior partner. ave can
wait"
81 can wait no longer" put in the younger
man impatiently. Anything will be bet.
ter than this suspense. Why on earth
should we wait Isabel knows us thor.
oughly, now. She knows we are both too
old for this love of ours to be anything but
1aot,lNr Che Enn,re~ 3 ,,u
and of our positions TO make her decision
easy to her. So let us know the worst, or
best. You have the right to speak first"
al will not take it, said Mr. Dart, speak.
ing more quickly than he had yet done
Let us write. Let us write-together."
A few minutes silence, while Walter
thought this over-leaning his head on the
arm which rested on the chimney-piece.
Let that be decided urged Maurice
We will write tomorrow. Let her receive
the two letters together, that she may think
of us together Promise me your letter shall
be ready for to-morrow's post
al promise" said Maitland, raising his
head again. "Thank you for this arrange
ment."
CHAPTER m.
The fire roared and cracked cheerily in
the private room at the bank, but neither OF
the partners had arrived.
al never knew MIN so late" remarked
Tom Leslie, as if finishing aloud puzzling
conjecture.
"Who Old Dart ?"
"Mr. Dart Yes"
"Leslie feels it incumbent on him to up
hold the dignity of his partners" put in
another clerk " His breast swells proudly
with fellow-feeling."
What an idle set you are, this morning. p
remarked Tom, turning from his desk with
a quick, kindly smile which made his face
so pleasant to look upon. " As soon as am
senior partner ! shall give you all a sweep
ing dismissal"
The listeners laughed, enjoying the alb
surdity of the idea, and one or two ques
toned him, with mock anxiety, as TO the
treat he intended to stand them ON the occa
sion. Through all the laughter Tom pursued
his work. and Dart noticed this when he
entered the bank, and though it was but
very curtly he answered Toms quiet greet
ing, yet before he reached the inner door he
turned aud spoke to him.
"Cool outside, Leslie. Keep up good
fires. 1t is hard,' he muttered to himself
to pass him without a word" Then Mr.
Dart let the spring door close behind him
and sitting down in his office chair, leaned
on one arm only-as very calm men do wheI
they are i'll at ease, as well as tired. He wa:
sitting so, looking moodily down into tn,
fire, when Mr.. Maitland entered the room
The senior partner did not turn to greet him
and even when Walter stood upon the rug be
side him he did not venture to meet his eyes
Maurice" began the younger man, 81
suppose ! may congratulate you. 1t i,
rather hard yet no one ought to do it 81
heartily as IL, who know what a good fel
low you are, and what-what a wife yol
have won.'
A glance of surprise into his friends face
and then Mr.. Dart spoke in few words, a!
was his custom
She has refused me, Maitland"
Refused you'll"
Walter repeated the words, though not in
credulously. Only truth, he knew, coulC
have weighted them so sadly. q" She has re
fused me, too" he said. She has neve
cared for me but as friend-simply anC
only as a friend
In few kind words to me-" said Mr.
Dart, without looking up, she told me sh
had given her love elsewhere was trying
when you came in, to prepare myself to tel
you, rejoice in your happiness, Maitland
and now you-you come, and say the sam,
| to me-"
Buried in one long, sad thought, the part
ners in the good old firm sat in their silen
room, while the work and pleasure of tn
world went on without. But the days dutie
had to be gone through, and these were no
the men to shun them selfshly.
81 suppose we had better settle wit
Leslie about his holiday" remarked MI
Maitland that afternoon, sending TO sun
mon Tom TO the partners room. " He Wi
lose every glimpse of summer if he wait
longer"
{" He should not have postponed his hol
day lie had his choice. Well Leslie
when do you wish TO start Z" inquired tn
senior partner, when Tom entered the room
:" You said about the middle of October
and this is the GOTH"
"Thank you, Mr. Dart, but il it woul
make no difference, | would rather take m
holiday from the Goth"
4" "Then it is TO be hoped You are going o.
visit" remarked Walter Maitland, plea.
antly; " for November days are not tn
pleasantest for tourist"
81 am not going on a tour, SIR" Tor
hesitated only moment then both his lii
teners were conscious of new earnestnes
in his voice. :" should like to. tell yot
gentlemen, why | want my holiday theI
The both is to be my wedding-day."
Mr.. Dart returned quietly to his writing
Mr.. Maitland arose from his seat and move
to the fire. turning his back TO Tom. Befor
the eyes of both the partners there hovere
u face which had led them, too, 10 dream c