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

"Dart, Maitland, Dart g. Co."
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
bad been growing in himself ever since
Colonel CoDynghaiH and his daughter
had been living in Highborough. The
strong bank walls no longer 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 winter night. The bank
windows we're bolted and barred, the
great books were locked away in the
trusty safes, and the manager was
asleep up stairs, with the loaded blum
derbuss beside his bed. But in his
brilliantly-lighted drawing-room at
home the senior partner sat aloDe-a
strikiDg-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
if the words forced themselves from
him in his nervous haste. "There was
one thing about which l must speak
to you to-night-about which l have
wanted to speak to you for a long time.
/ feel"--he IS leaning against the
chimEeypiece opposite his friend, and
looking with intense scrutiny into his
quiet face-"that have been dream
ing dream which word Of yours
could at this moment dspel Tell me
if it is so. 1t will be a greater kind
ness than your silence, thouga 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 fel-
low to feel pleasure in that"
"Wbat am to tell you ?" inquired
Maurice Dart, without meeting his
companion's eyes.
"Surely you know l SAID to N.Y.
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.
come nnbearable at last !"
Maurice raised his head now, and
met his companions anxious question
ing eyes. IL am glad you have spOk-
ed, Maitland !" he said. IL have guess
ed at your anxiety, while have felt
my own and / have often wished to
break the silence we have held on this
one punt. fancled you had some
thing to tell me. | tanUied SO but now,
when | saw you re-enter the room"
"Indeed, no r. exclaimed Walter
with his usual frankness. 81 wish to
heaven l had. | wish | had dared TO
say that Isabel had given me encour-
agement enough 70 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" Eut in Maitland, restless
! ly "and | can discover nothing more
| faucied yoI could put me OFT of one
phase of this uncertainty"
"And you are very glad to find
cannot - said the elder partner And
then their eyes met, with a smile which
! was strangely wislful for such strong