Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-29
CHAPTER III.
THE USURER'S BARGAIN.


Of lake about two miles out of New
Orleans, and also of a handsome house
in that city. 1t is at this latter resi-
dence that we will introduce him to the
reader.
Gerald Leslie was in the very prime
of life. Scarcely yet forty-five years of
age, time had set no mark upon his
thick chestnut hair or his handsome
face, save few almost imperceptible
wrinkles which the cares of the last
year or two had drawn in rigid lines
about his well-shaped mouth.
His features were massive and regu-
lar; the brow broad and intellectual;
the large hazel eyes bright but yet
thoughtful; and there was shade of
melancholy in the general expression
OF the countenance which lent a pecu-
liar charm to the face of Gerald Leslie.
fered. 1t was the face of one who
found himself lonely man in the very
prime of life; in that hour of all other
hours in which man yearns for the
smiles OF loving eyes, the warm pres
sure of friendly hands It was the face
OF one who had discovered too late that
he had sacrificed the happiness of his
life to mistaken principle.
While the good ship Virginia is sail
ing away from the dim blue shores of
the fading English coast, bearing Mrs.
Montresor, her nephew and niece and
Cora Leslie, to their far Southern
home, let us enter the planters luxu-
rlously furnished study, and watch him
as he bends over his desk.
The burning Southern sun is ban
lshed from the apartment by means of
Venetian shutters; the floor is covered
with cool mating woven from Indian
reeds; and the faint plash of a fOun-
the house is heard through one of the
open windows.
1t is not a pleasant task which occu-
pies the planter. His brow contracts
as he examines the papers, pausing
every now and then to jot down two or
three figures against long row of ac-
counts which look terribly formidable
even to the uninitiated. AT last he
throws down heap of documents with
a weary sigh, and flinging himself back
in his chair, abandons himself to
gloomy thought.
Eyes the truth is out at last" he NUT
tered; mo hope of a settlement in Eng
land; no chance of happy home on
the other side of the blue Atlantic with
my Cora, my only one. Nothing before
me but the weary struggle. Of q ruined
man, with difficulties SO gigantic that,
struggle as [ may, they must close in
upon me and crush me at the last. Oh,
Philip Treverton, but for the cruel de-
ception you practiced upon me, l
should not be in this position"
Philip Treverton was Gerald Leslie's
late partner. He had been shot a
twelvemonth before the opening of our
story, in sanguinary duel with
young Frenchman, who had insulted
him in a gaming-hOu But the two
men had been more than partners, they
had been friends; true and sincere
friends; and Gerald Leslie no more
doubted the honor of his friend, Philip
Treverton, than he would have doubted
his own.
Amongst the debts owed by the two
planters, there was one of no less than
one hundred thousand dollars due to a
lawyer and usurer, one SilaS Craig,
IN New orleans; Tor ne was known TO
be hard creditor, pitiless to those
who were backward in paying him.
In an evil hour Gerald Leslie and
Philip Treverton had had resource to
this man, and borrowed from him, at a
cruelty heavy rate of interest, the sum
above mentioned. TrevertOn was I'M
like his partner, a reckless speculator,
and, unfortunately, not little Of a
gamester; he therefore thought lightly
enough Of the circumstances. Not SO
oppressed him like a load Of iron, and
he was determined that it should be
repaid at any sacrifice. lie gathered
together the money before leaving New
Orleans to visit his daughter in En-
o1o op1 infrI1cfn1 thn tn hiu
partner, Treverton, with special direc-
tions that it should be paid Immediate
ly to Silas Craig
Gerald Leslie knew that his partner
was gamester, but he firmly believed
him to be one of the most honorable of
men, and he had ever found him strict
ly just in all their commercial dealings.
He departed, therefore happy in the
thought that the debt was paid, and
that Silas Craig, the usurer, cOuld no
longer rub his fat greasy hands, and
chuckle at the thought of his power
over the naughty planter. Gerald Les
lie. He departed happy i'll the thought
that his next voyage would be to con-
vey him to all English home, where the
tyranny of prejudice could never OPP
press his beloved and lovely child.
The first intelligence which greeted
hllu oll LID lCUuI III W NCN vi ICoilIo3 was
the death OF his friend and partner.
Philip Treverton had died a week be-
fore Gerald Leslie landed. lie had died
at midnight in a wretched chamber at
a gambling house. There was mys-
terry about his death-his last hours
were shrouded in the darkness Of the
silent secrets of the night. None knew
who had watched beside him III his dy-
ing moments. The murderer had es-
capped; the mutilated body of the muir
dered man was found in the waters of
the Mississippi.
Philip Treverton's death was sad
blow to his survivor, Gerald Leslie.
The two men had been associates for
years; both thorough gentlemen, intel
lectual, highly educated, the y had
been united in the bonds of a sincere
and heartful friendship.
What then were Gerald Leslie's feel
ings when he found that his friend, his
partner, his associate, the man whom
he had fully trusted, had deceived him;
and the money, left by him in Trevor
tons hands had never been paid to
Silas Craig?
In vain did he search amongst his
friends papers for the receipt; there
was not one memorandum, not one
scrap of paper containing any mention
of the hundred thousand dollars; and a
week after Gerald Leslie's return, he
received visit from the usurer, who
came to claim his debt. The planter
gave him bill at twelvemonth's
date, the heavy interest for that period
fearfully increasing the debt. This bill
came due on the very day on which we
have introduced Gerald Leslie to the
reader, and he was now every moment
He was still without funds to meet