The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-09-12
CHAPTER II.

The names stood unaltered on the
great plate yet-excepted the sleep
ing partner, away in India now-each
one represented by that sign was per-
fectly aware that great alteration
had been growing in himself ever since
Colonel Conynghaln and his daughter
had been living in marlborough. The
strong bank walls no loRger limited
his hope and ambition. Beyond them
stood revealed a home Of love, and
ease, and sunshine, brightly possible;
and in this future the only mission of
the good old bank was to furnish the
home with luxury.
1t was a winter night. The bank
windows were bolted and barred, the
great books were locked away in the
trusty safes, and the manager was
asleep up stairs, with the loaded blum
derhuss beside his bed. But in his
brilliantly-lighted drawing-room at
home the senior partner sat alone-a
stribing-looking man in his evening
dress, with the hot house flowers fad
ing in his coat. The room had been
filed 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-en-
tered the room he had but lately left
81 could not help coming back" he
said, beginning hurriedly to speak, as
il the words forced themselves from
him in his nervous haste. "There was
one thing about which must speak
to you to-night-about which l have
wanted to speak to you for long time.
| feel"--he was leaning against the
chimreypiece opposite his friend, and
looking with intense scrutiny into his
quiet face-"that | have been dream
ing a dream which a word Of yours
could at this moment dispel. Tell me
if it is so. 1t will be a greater kind
ness than your silence, thougn the
kindness IS sure to be the motive of
that. Tell mo at once. Dart. 1t can
not be very pleasant to you to see my
anxiety. You are far TO good a fell
low to feel pleasure in that"
"What am | to tell you ?" inquired
Maurice Dart, without meeting his
companion's eyes.
"Surely you know l SAID to my
self that when ! met Isabel here in
your house, to night, | would find out
if my fears were we'll grounded and if
l could not discover, / would ask you
for the truth before left. Dart end
this wearing suspense for me. 1t has
been growing through all these months
side by side with my love, and has be.
cume nubearahle at last !"
Maurice raised his head now, and
met his companions anxious question
ing eyes. Il am glad you have spok-
ed, Maitland p he said. IL have guess.
ed at your anxiety, while l 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. | tancied SO but now,
when | saw you re-enter the room"
Indeed, no 7" exclaimed Walter
with his usual frankness. 81 wish to
heaven | had. | wish | had dared to
say that Isabel had given me encour-
agement enough 10 make me even
hope. And | could not ask her to-to
love me while | felt that you knew
how useless it would be-"
II do not know" returned Dart
his words sounding very slowly after
Walters 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 pleas
ant always" Fut in Maitland, restless
ly "and can discover nothing more.
| faucied you could put me OFT of one
phase of this uncertainty"
"Aud you are very glad to find |
cannot )" said the elder partner. And
then their eyes met, with a smile which
J was strangely wistful for such strong