Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-08-31


of the world went on without. But thu
days duties had to be gone through, anC
these werc not the men TO shun then
selfishly.
" suppose we had better settle will
Leslie about the holiday" remarked
Mr.. Maitland that afternoon, sending L
summon Tom to the partners room. "H,
will lose every glimpse of summer If hi
waits longer"
" He should not have postponed hi
holiday. He had his choice. Well
Leslie, when do you wish to startP" in
quired the senior partner, when Tom en-
tered the room. You said about Tho
middle of October, and this is the Goth.
Thank you, Mr.. Dart, but if 1t would
make no difference, would rather take
my holiday from the 29th."
Then 1t Is to be hoped you are going
on visit" remarked Walter Maitland
pleasantly; Z" for November days are moi
the pleasantest for tourist"
" am not going on tour, sir" Ton
hesitated only moment, then both his
listeners were conscious of new ear.
nestness in his voice: "I should like tc
tell you, gentlemen, why / want my holi
day then. The Goth is to be my wedding.
day"
Mr.. Dart returned quietly to his writing
Mr.. Maitland arose from his seat and
moved to the fire, turning his back to
Tom. Before the eyes of both the part.
ners there lowered face which had led
them, too, to dream of possible we'd
ding-day-dreams from which they had
so lately been awakened.
1t would be hard, with these memories
rising thick, to talk to their favorite
clerk of his good fortune, yet it was not
in Walter Maitland's nature to let any
selfish feeling prevent him.
Indeed, Leslie2" he said. "I am sur
prised; but very glad, of course, to hear
1t. prognosticate every happiness for
your wife. OF course l cannot do so for
you until know who she is"
You know her we'll, gentlemen, "said
Tom, flushing, Her father, Col. Conyng-
ham, is my mothers cousin. We have
rarely visited them except when they were
alone, because-at my mothers cottage,
of course, we could not entertain their
guests. We have always been-as old
friends and relatives should be; and
have always loved Isabel. But it was
necessary for us to wait little. Though
it would be difficult for you to realize
the fact, gentlemen, marriage is an ex.
pense and debt"
" You can go, Leslie" remarked Mr..
Dart, without raising his head.
And the holiday, sir?"
"Take your holiday when you choose;
only don't make such fuss about it,"
And there is nothing more you in.
tended to say to me, MIR. Maitland?" in
quired Tom.
81 should say" remarked Walter,
with jealous anger in his eyes, cit is
an irreparable mistake you are making to
marry on your income unless you had
chosen wife in your own position and
used to such a life as your mothers"
My mothers life was such life as
Isabeps at Isabel's age" said Tom, ond
for moment his face was really hand.
some in its flush of honest pride; land
Isabel has known what my msther's life
is for many year past. Would ! marry
her under any false pretenses?"
81 presume, then, that Miss Conyng.
ham knows the extent of your incomey"
asked Maitland, with compressed lips;
I" or have you, in your foolery, been rep
resenting yourself as partner in this
bankG Her eyes are open to the folly of
what she is doing, eh?"
81 She knows everything, sir" rejoined
Tom, much puzzled and little angry;
:" and she does not call it folly"
You can 60"
The clerk left the room, closing the
door quietly behind him.
They must have had harassing let.
ters," he said to himself, trying to ac-
count for his partners impatience.
g They have a good deal of anxiety
which we subordinates are spared" And,
thinking this, he took his seat and wrote
away more diligently than ever, while
his fellow.clerks wondered over his
mood.
Leslie ought to 60"
Those were the words which at last
broke the silence of the room which Tom
had left.
eyes"
Then the days work went on to its
close, and the partners, separating on the
bank steps, went their several ways,
linking very lOngingly of one to whom
both had been faithful. This was the
irst night for many months which either
lad spent without these bright, vague
lreams of what his home might be with
sabel at its head; and their hearts were
llled with resentment against the winner
II the prize which they had coveted.
You knew this morning that she was to
marry some one elsc-why should your
thoughts be harder now that you know
Who has Won herr" So voice seemed
'rguing with them, but, below all, the
'ngry thoughts surged on.
For him to be the one to gain her
le, paid servant in the bank!
When Mr.. Dart reached the bank next |
norning, worn and harassed after his |
leepless night, he found that Maitland, |
ontrary-to his usual custom, had arrived |
'efore him. Though the two friends
.reeted each other as usual, most unusual |
Hence settled presently upon them both.
eventually the senior partner, making an |
fort, remarked on the GOODNESS of the
Teather, and, his companion, putting
own letter which he held, answered !
eisurely. But his pleasant blue eyes
'ere restless and rather dim, and, the
loment the answer was given, the silence
trapped them both at once.
For an hour the Office clock had ticked
solo in the quietness, when Walter
laitland rose slowly from his chair, with
le Times unfolded in his hand, and, let.
ng the paper fall, came and stood upon
le rug beside his friend, who had Just
''entered from the bank. Very gently
laid his hand upon his seniors shoui.
er.
" Dart, old friend, l want to speak
Nv words to you in great earnest. Since
e met yesterday morning have grown
feel quite certain of one thing quite.
he time has not in reality been very
ing, but it seemed so, and gave me
lenty of opportunity for thought; and
hat have grown to feel so sure of is
his; l shall never marry now"
" Nor !, " replied Maurice, meaning it
men do not often mean the phrase,
Iough they utter it as firmly.
"l-fancied not. Now we are both
ealthy men, Dart" continued Walter,
'avely and gently, land this wealth we
Tered, day or two ago, to Isabel Con.
lgham. You guess what am going to