Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-09-08
CHAPTER II.

Dart, Maitland, Dart & Go"
The names stood unaltered on the
great plate; yet-except the sleeping
partner, away in India now-each one
represented by that sign was perfectly
aware that great alteration had been
growing in himself ever since Colonel
Conyngham and his daughter had been
living in Highborough. The strong bank
walls no longer limited his hope and am
bition. Beyond them stood revealed
home of love, and ease, and sunshine,
brightly possible, and in this future the
only mission of the gool old bank was to
furnish the home with luxury.
1t was winter night. The bank win
dows were bolted and barred, the great
books were locked in the trusty safes,
and the manager was asleep up stairs,
with the blunderbuss beside his bed.
But in his brilliantly-lighted drawing
room at home, the senior partner sat
alone-a striking-looking man in his
evening dress, with the hot-house flowers
fading in his coat. The room had been
filled with guests up to this time, but
now Mr.. Dart sat alone before the fire,
buried in thought which deepened
minute by minute, until the door was
opened, and Walter Maitland re-entered
the room he had lately left.
81 could not help coming back" he
said, beginning hurriedly to speak, as if
the words forced themselves from him
in his nervous haste. tThere is one
thing about which must speak to you
to-night-about which I have wanted to
speak to you long time. I feel he
was leaning against the chimney piece
opposite his friend, and looking with in
tense scrutiny into his quiet face" that
[ have been dreaming dream which q
word of yours could at this moment dis
pei. Tell me if greater kindness than
your silence, though the kindness is
sure to be the motive of that. Tell me
at once, Dart. 1t cannot be very
pleasant to you to see my anxiety. You
are far too good fellow to feel pleasure
in that"
"What am to tell you ?" inquired
Maurice Dart, without meeting his COM
panion's eyes.
"Surely, you know. I said to myself
when I met Isabel here in your house
tonight, I would find out if my fears
were we'll grounded; and if I could not
discover, I would ask you for the truth
before left. Dart, end this wearing sus-
pcnse on me. It has been growing
through all these months side by side
with my love, and has become unbeara-
BILE at last"
Maurice raised his head now, and met
his companions anxious, questioning
eyes.
81 am glad you have spoken, Matt
land," he said. "I 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 something to tell me.
fancied so but now when l saw you re.
enter the room. /"
Indeed, no." exclaimed Walter, with
his usual frankness. ct wish to Heaven
I had. wish I dared tosay that Isabel
had given me encouragement enough tc
make me even hope. And I could MOI
ask her toto love me while felt thai
you knew how useless it would be-"
81 do not know" returned Dart-hi,
words sounding very slowly after Wal
ter's eagerness, yet all his self-commant
failing to hide their new ring of hope
Isabel has never heard word of Low,
from me- She is gentle and kind, ant
willing always; but [ cannot read be
yond.
"To me. too, she is bright and pleas
ant always" put in Maitland, restlessly
and I can discover nothing more.
fancied you could put me out of on
phase of this uncertainty"
And you are very glad to find can
not" said the elder partner.
And then their eyes met, with smil
which was strangely wistful for sue
strong and manly faces.
"Dart," said Mr.. Maitland, "you ar
the elder man-the richer-the better
too. You shall speak first. Do it 9
soon as you can. s6
"Seniority has no claim in such cas