The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-04
on THE BALANCE.

lay, and darkness was closlngin all around
as we rode hOmeward together, Maud
Bradford and /, after a long and exciting
run with the Vineyard hounds. L had
piloted my companion successfully through
a somewhat difficult country, but we were
still a good way from home. Our tired
horses plodded slowly along at the pace
that SHIFTED them best, while their riders
forebore to press them, although these last
were not without apprehensions of a scold-
ing when they reached home for being SO
late.
/ had long been in love with Maud, but
had never before mustered courage to tell
her as much. But now she looked so hand
some and bewitching, and smiled upon me
so kindly. that tumbled into the avowal
before 1 knew what / was about. And
Maud was neither surprised nor angry.
She blushed little, smiled, looked down
at the plashy road and up at the murky
sky-where a sulky CLEAN of sunlight still
lingered-and then she turned to me with
happy light in her eyes that was not to
be mistaken.
ut is all right with me, Frank" she said,
as i seized her disengaged hand; but you
will have to talk my father over hrst:
Mr. Bradford had accompanied his daugh-
ter to the meet but we had left him behind
at the first fence. looking out Tor gap,
which it appeared he could not md. No
doubt he had ridden home, and would nave
something to say to on our return. But
at the next turn of the road we overlook
him. and at the sight of him our horses,
heads diverged, and we ROAD q great oeai
further apart than before. But Mr.. Brad
ford was in great good humor. He had
managed to see q good deal of the run, by
iudicious short cuts along miry lanes. and
he was so pleased with his own perform
ance that he looked indulgently upon our
escapade.
we reached the grassy ride that led directly
to the Grange, which the Bradfords had i'll
habited for several generations.
had a mind to excuse myself, for l was
weakly DESTROYS of pOstpOning the opera
ton of talking over' Mr.. Bradford TO
more prOpitious occasion, but an encourag-
ing gesture from Maud made me accept
the invitation.
Not that there was anything formidable
about Mr.. Bradford. Indeed, he was the
best friend / ever had. He had been my
guardian. and the trustee for the little
property that inherited from my mother;
he had placed me in his bank when my ed
ucation was finished, and was giving me
the more, felt that was making an I'M
grateful return In trying TO win his only
daughter, for whom he might fairly expect
a more brilliant alliance. For, though l
was we'll OH, as IL DdCutlOT-COu1u
afford to keep horse and take a day with
the hounds occasiOnally-yet my annual
budget was but poor affair after ALL And
then, although as tar as family CONNECTIONS
were concerned, L was, at least, equal to
the Bradfords- yet there had been some
thing queer about my father. He had come
to grief In some way or other. and had lett
my mother to break her heart over his de-
sertion. Not that she would acknowledge
that he had deserted her. He had only
gone away to find fortune and a home for
her ON the other side of the Atlantic.
But my mother never heard from him
again, and know that his neglect brought
her to the grave Yet, to the last, she
loved him, and wore a portrait of him al
ways in locket next her heart. On her
death-bed she gave me this locket, and
made ME promise that, If ever my father
and came to meet, would be dutiful
son to him-a promise that 1 made with
some reservations. for l had come to hate
him for his neglect of her, and had prom
ised myself that. when came TO be a man,
i would make him suffer for what she had
endured. But these boyish impressions had
grown feebler now, and. with the advent of
my passion for Maud. had almost disap-
peared and my chief anxiety was lest her
father should make 1t point against me,
that might prove, after all, "a chip of the
old block" for had heard people say.
How like young Forester grows to his
father"
Dinner at the Grange passed quietly
enough. There were no other guests, and
Dir. Bradford retailed the various episodes
of the days hunting to his wife, who smiled
pleasantly and now and then put in word,
which was all her husband wanted to keep
him going. Maud was even more nervous
than j, and when she followed her mother
from the room. and ventured to squeeze
her hand in passing. she gave me an anx-
ious, half-frightened glance as she whis-
: pered: Don't be long," And then. screw
ing up my courage. / took a seat at Mr..
BradfOrd's side and plunged at once into
what had Tn
With his head supported on his hand, Mr.
Bradford listened TO me in silence, gravely,
and even sorrowfully. it seemed to me-.
tshed my story. 81 ought to have foreseen
this and prevented it. But, after all, per-
haps it is only young mans fancy-and a
girls. Can't you give 1t up7"
i shook my head, and was in the way of
explaining what vital affair 1t was for
both of Us when he interrupted me.
Il will take all that for granted, Frank,
prove hard-hearted. But if you persevere
you will drive me into explanations that
may be painful to both of u.s."
With that he rose, and, unlocking
drawer in his escritoire. drew out a small
parchment-coveredy volume.
Frank" resumed Mr.. Bradford, laying
his hand kindly on my arm, II am going
to give you a proof of my complete con-
fidence in your honor and trustworthi-
ness. / have the reputation of being a
rich man. If i were, should like nothing
better than to make you young people
happy. Well. here is my last balance-sheet,
which no other eye but mine has yet seen
Look il over and Judge for yOurself.n
To this demurred. Mr.. Bradford's bal
ance-sheet was nothing to the affection
which existed between Maud and myself.
If he were not so rich as people thought
then all the better, as far as was con-
cerned. for there would be less inequality
between us. Still Mr.. Bradford urged me
to read the document before me. Said that
he wanted my advice as an expert. Well,
on this ground, could not refuse to glance
at his schedule.
At first sight the document seemed of a
highly satisfactory character. 1t struck
me that the item of cash in hand and at
call was rather small considering the
amount of liabilities. But with an institu-
ton that enjoyed the solid credit of Brad
ford's old bank. perhaps, it was not neces-
sary to keep large reserve of cOin. Any
how, there was a comfortable balance in
Mr.. Bradford's favor of about f1OO, 200. But
n rapid glance at the assets that made ND
the satisfactory balance suggested certain
nisgiyings: Freehold and leasehold prop
critics, valued at 10000 Reversionary in
terests. estimated at f30,0
VIII it do, Frankf" asked Mr.. Bradford,
with keen glance at my face.
The only objection i could make was
that, perhaps, too much capital was locked
up In the above item.
"You have hit the blot. Frank said Mr..
represented by mortgage on the Thunder
NJ