The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-06-03

plored him to control himself as much
as possible. What he said to me was,
in substance, as follows. l made ex-
haustive notes of it as soon as | left his
room, and | am confident that / have
succeeded in recalling many of Sir
James actual phrases. 1t made very
powerful impression upon me, and do
not doubt that it will equally excite the
interest and sympathy of the reader.
" was born" he said, in London
in 1912. My father was the rector of
St. SIS, and after putting me to a
good school he sent me to Cambridge.
took my degree in 1888, and then
went to the bar. My chief friend, both
at Cambridge and at the inner temple,
was Horace Raven, young man who
possessed astonishing ability, remarka-
bly, good looks, great ambition, and the
prospect of succeeding to large for
tune and to one of the oldest English
baronetcies In all these respects,
need scarcely say, he was my superior.
| was poor man; | had only my ener-
gies to depend upon; and / had no in
fluential relatives, no near relatives, in
deed, of any kind, except my father,
being an only child, and my mother
having died during my infancy. AT the
bar | was, for a youngster, fairly sue
cessful. Raven and / had chambers
together; we had our law books in COM
mon, and we were on such terms of
friendship that we were known on our
staircase as 'the brothers. For some
years lived a very happy life. made
enough to live in tolerable comfort, and
in time, indeed, felt myself justified
in looking out for wife.
Zone evening Raven and went to
an entertainment at Lady DIS. We
there met Miss Mary Bagster, a young
lady of surprising beauty, and before
the night was spent we had both-as /
learned subsequently-fallen in love
with her. Her father, like mine. was a
poor clergyman. l had but little diff
Guilty in establishing myself upon a
footing of intimacy with her family, and
often when 1 visited them Raven ac-
companed me. Mary-though she was.
as l have said, inexpressibly lovely
was of somewhat cold disposition.
She was unenthusiastic and self-con-
tanned to an unusual degree, yet, in her
way, she was ambitious. She desired to
marry man who would make his way
in the world; and it was only after
SONY very flattering hints about me and
my ability had been let drop in her
presence by her father, who evidently
favored me, that she consented to be-
come my wife. Raven was not at Mr.,
Bagster's house on that eventful even
ing. Next morning, when | met him
at our chambers, | told him of what had
occurred. He then congratulated me
in a somewhat extravagant manner.
"' When are you going to be mar
ried?' he asked.
"' Soon / replied. There is no
reason why we should delay. l could
wish that l were little better off; but
our misfortune in that respect will, l
trust, disappear in course of time. AS
it is, we shall, l think, be able to do
pretty WELL
go wish you joy!' said Raven, as he
rose to 90 into the chancellor's court,
where he had brief that morning.
81 had then no idea that he also
loved Mary Bagster, and that he had
determined, even at that late hour, if
not to wrench her from me for himself
at least to prevent my marrying her.
His conduct toward me remained, so far
as could see, exactly what it had been
previous to my engagement. He was
genial and friendly, and appeared to
take an absorbing interest in all my
plans for the future, and actually
accompanied me to Brunswick square
to look over a house which was to be
let, and which / thought of taking and
furnishing. found that the place would
be rather beyond my means, and told
him so.
"' Never mind, Jack he said, you
will find something better perhaps. But
l certainly should like you to have the
house.
"That evening we were sitting to-
gether over the fire. Jack! he said,
suddenly, I'VE are old friends, and l
want to give you handsome wedding
present.
He had, should explain, recently
succeeded to the baronetcy and the es-
tates, and was now rich man.
go You are very good answered.
Anything that you may give us will be
valued, not merely for itself, but for the
sake of the giver.'
60 We have had chambers together
he resumed, for more than seven years
/ shan't like losing your company; foI
of course | shall be robbed of a good
deal of it now. Be plain with me, Jack
Would not money be more useful to you
than mere present ? 1t usually is ac.
ceptable, / believe, in these cases.
" thanked him feelingly for his fore.
thought. 1t would be particularly well
come, | said.
" Without another word he drew his
chair to the table, took his check-book
from a drawer, and filled in a draft,
which, after he had carefully examined,
he handed to me.
" took it, and gazed at it with as
constituent; it was for a thousand
pounds! My dear Raven gasped,
for was overcome by this act of appar-
ent and unexpected generosity, it is
too much; it is too good you. l can
not think of accepting it,
"' You know that | can well afford
it, he said, CURLY. insist upon your
taking it, If you refuse we can nc
longer remain on terms of friendship.
60 Nay, Ravenp / cried, while my
heart seemed to rise to my throat. Do
not misunderstood me. This is noble
of you. | thank you with all my heart
but cannot accept such large sum-
He would not listen, however, tC
my refusal, and finally l yielded.
Mary Bagster was at the time pay