Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-09
fContinued from first psge.l

however inadequately he might have ser
we'd them.
Neither they nor their subordinates ever
veniured to speak TO him concerning MS
son, but II was somehow generally under
stood that the old man was saving all he
could. aud sending it from time TO time
aclcss the sea Tor the benefit OF the unhap-
DIV exile. had no doubt now that his ex-
penses in the way OF public charity had
ceased, these savings were considerable /;
but took no account of them in connec-
ton with my poor sister; If Frederic
Raynor had grown ever so prosperous.
whether by his own exertions or by
his fathers help, | conld not have
welcomed him as a brother-in-law and
| should have beeu sorry to hear OF his re-
turn to England, because l knew Kitty
loved him still. My affection for my sis
ter must be my excuse for any hardness
may seem to have shown toward my
former friend and indeed by reason OF the
change | saw in her, and OF the indlgna-
ton | experienced on beholding 1t, my
very employment with Halland Brothers
had become distasteiul to me, from Its
connection with her misfortune. Other
wise had reason TO be more than satisfied
with the behavior Of the firm, who (doubt-
less from what | had told them on that I'M
happy day, though they never referred to
i) had become Unexpectedly alive TO my
merits. and conferred upon me considera
ble promotion. When ! brought her the
good news, Kitty congratulated me much
more warmly than | had expected; 1t
seemed to me that there was a certain un-
pleasantness in deriving prosperity from
source which, however indirectly, had
been the ruin OF her happiness; but her
characteristic unseltishness Gas | sup
posed) prevented the dear girl from look
ing on the matter with a jaundiced eye,
but rather regarded it as the natural re-
ward of good desert.
About four Years after poor Fred's de-
parture, during which time not one word
had dropped concerning him from his
fathers ups, an important change took
place in the office.
1t had been, as | have mentioned, the
custom ever since its establishment for
one At least OF the members of the firm 10
eside ON the business premises. and they
had up to this time been inhabited by the
younger Mr.. Halland; but circumstances
now occurred (snd very unexpected they
were, namely. his marriage) which took
him elsewhere.
Mr.. Jacob Raynor was therupon request
ed to take hi. place, and certainly in a
very gratifying way. In order to keep
up the rule vi the house, he was to take
possession as resident partner a consider
able sum, amounting indeed 10 f2O00,
being paid over to him at the same time
as his necessary qualification.
Indifferent as he had long become to
al ha
old mau from his lethargy, though curious
" enough, without producing any exuulta-
ton. lie seemed 10 be impressed by the
magnitude Of his new responsibility rather
than by its advantages, and went about
with more thoughtful lace than ever,
though this manner was no longer so alb
sent and dreary as heretofore. BY his
promotion step was gained by all the
juniors, and tor my part | found myself
the second clark, the duties OF which post
brought me into immediate contact " ith
the principals. Accordingly, on the very
morning after Mr.. Raynor mad taken pos
session, 1 was the first TO 60 into his pri-
vate room (lateiy occupied by Mr. Hall
land, Jr., with the usual pile OF office let
tiers. This apartment was on the ground
floor, bat separated from the rest OF the
premises by long stone passage, and IN
sured an absolute privacy for all business
interviews. l did not much relish my
new employment, on account oil It's bring
ing me into connection with Mr.. kaynor;
but ii had known what was to come OF
il, l would rather have been Junior all
my days than have gone through such an
experience.
The first object that met my eyes as
entered the parior (as il Was caiied) was
the new partner sitting in his chair, with
his head fallen forward on the desk be-
fore him in pool OF blood; pistol was
clutched in his right hand, with which he
had with terrible lteralness blown his
brains out, Tor they were scattered on the
opposite wall.
II appeared afterwards that he had not
been to bed the previous night al all, but
had sat up where l had found him, and
shortly alter daylight had committed the
fatal deed; but at that time SO overcome
was | by the shock that | understood lit
tie beyond the fact that the unhappy man,
whose life had been one at least OF good
intentions, and which had certainly been
actuated by good principles, had put al
end TO his existence by his own hand. All
business was OF course suspended for that
day, and was obliged TO tell Kitty what
occurred (even ii | could have kept so sad
a secret 10 myself, which is doubtful 10
explain my return home at such an unus-
ally early hour. All she said was, God
forgive him" and then as il involuntari-
lv. my poor Fred" which showed
whittier the thoughts OF her bruised heart
were tending STILL
IConclnded to-morroW.