“‘LOTTIE,’ said Mr. Rockland, one bright morning as he rose from the
breakfast table, ‘I am going to bring half a dozen friends to dinner
this evening, and want you to have everything arranged in splendid
order. The Governor will be among the distinguished guests. May I depend
on you?’
“‘Give me a check for three hundred dollars, and six kisses, and then I
will discuss the matter with you.’
“‘There is the check, and you may take the kisses--there, there, don’t
smother me! What are you going to do with that money?’
“‘I am going to give it to Mrs. McCay.’
“‘I inferred as much; but you had better not let her have it all at
once; give it to her in small sums, as she needs it--but what about the
dinner?’
“‘You may trust that matter entirely to me.’
“‘Very good. I shall expect a first-class dinner, to be served at six
o’clock.’
“‘It shall be done.’
“‘Give me back one of those kisses, then I will go.’
“‘Take it, dear papa, and as many more as you wish.’
“The iron lawyer drew her fondly to his heart, stamped a kiss on her
lips, and went to his office.
“‘Now, Eddie,’ said Lottie, as she took my arm, ‘take this money and
spend it for Mrs. McCay, in such a manner, and in such sums, as in your
judgment will best promote her welfare. You may consider yourself
invited to dinner.’
“‘What hour shall I come?’
“‘You are a privileged guest, and may come when you please. Go along
now, and attend to Mrs. McCay, and I will arrange my plans for the
dinner.’
“I made my appearance at Mr. Rockland’s residence by five and met Lottie
at the front portico.
“‘What induced you to come so early, Edward?”
“‘I wanted to be with you--that is all; but how does it happen that you
are dressed so exquisitely this evening? I declare, you have made a
complete success of it! You look like an empress prepared to receive a
dozen kings as her guests. I never saw you looking so pretty as you do
now. What does it mean?’
“‘Read that note, and it will tell you.’
“‘DEAR LOTTIE--Prepare dinner for a dozen distinguished guests. Two
senators and their wives are with the Governor, and will dine with
us. The Honorable Cyrus Bramlett, a cousin to Viola, has just
arrived, and will sojourn with us two weeks.
“‘YOUR PAPA.’
“‘Who is Cyrus Bramlett? I never heard of him before.’
“‘He is a member of Congress from New York, and said to be an orator of
wonderful powers. He will object to a marriage between Harry and his
cousin.’
“‘Why so?’
“‘Because he will want her himself.’
“‘I hope he will leap into the arena at once, and contend for the
prize.’
“The guests had all arrived by six, and a feeling of delight thrilled me
when I saw Lottie receiving her distinguished guests with so much
dignity and self-possession.
“When dinner was announced, the Governor offered his arm to Lottie, Mr.
Rockland took charge of one of the senators’ wives, while Flipout
escorted the other, and Mr. Bramlett gave his arm to his fair cousin;
and as the guests marched into the dining-room, I could see Wallingford
eying Mr. Bramlett in a manner which plainly showed that he was greatly
annoyed at the attentions bestowed on Miss Bramlett by her distinguished
cousin. I imagined that I could perceive signs indicative of an
approaching storm, and the thought gave rise to serious apprehensions in
my mind. The young member of Congress from New York had scarcely taken
his seat at the table when he commenced an animated conversation with
Lottie.
“‘Bramlett,’ said the Governor as he promenaded the veranda with that
gentleman, a few moments after dinner, ‘that Miss Wallingford is a most
extraordinary girl--she surpasses any one I have ever met, both as
respects beauty of person, and mind. They say she outwitted all the
lawyers on the trial of your cousin’s case, and set a trap which caught
two of the State’s witnesses.’
“‘Yes, it is true, and my pretty cousin is much indebted to Miss
Wallingford for her deliverance in that unfortunate affair. I intended
to be present at the trial myself, but was prevented by severe illness.
I have come to take my fair cousin home with me.’
“‘Yes, and to make her your wife, I suppose.’
“‘My aspirations have not dared to soar quite so high as that, though to
win such a rich gem would be a triumph worth contending for; but I
vaguely suspect that the heart of my fair cousin has already been
captured. Did you notice how she appeared to drink inspiration from
Wallingford’s eyes across the table?’
“‘No, I did not, but what of that? you must remember the old threadbare
motto, “Faint heart never won fair lady.” Go in and cry.’
“‘“Since the struggle must enlarge,
Thy motto be--Charge, Chester, charge!”
“‘Your excellency offers good advice, but I believe I will lay siege to
the other castle.’
“‘Ah! Bramlett, you will lose your labor there, for Demar has been
commander of that fair castle so long that the memory of man runneth not
to the contrary.’
“‘Yes, but Harry Wallingford shall not marry my fair cousin, unless he
gives his beauteous sister to me.’
“As the dinner progressed, the flow of wit increased until every guest
began to participate in it. Politics and religion--finance and
agriculture--science and art--music and history, were all largely
discussed.
“‘Come,’ said Harry as he laid his hand on my arm, ‘let us go out on the
corridor and smoke a cigar.’
“I took his arm and we began to pace up and down the floor. The weather
was quite warm, and not a breath of air could be felt.
“‘Come, let us go into the garden; I could not control myself if I
remained here. Let us sit under these vines, on this little bench--I
feel the oppressive heat more than usual.’
“We had not been there more than twenty minutes when Quillet and Bullger
came walking slowly toward us. The night was not a very dark one, though
there was no moon, but the stars appeared to shine unusually bright. We
were completely hidden by the overhanging vines, and as we preferred to
be alone, we remained silent, hoping that the two lawyers would pass on;
but they went into the summer-house, which was not more than twenty feet
from where we sat. They were conversing in very low tones, but we could
hear every word they said. I started to rise from my seat, as I was
unwilling to play the part of an eavesdropper; but Harry caught my
sleeve and pulled me back to the seat, and in a whisper requested me to
be still and listen.
“‘What do you think of Miss Bramlett now, Bullger?’ inquired Quillet.
“‘The more I see of her the better I like her; but it is no use for a
fellow to fall in love with her, for they say she is going to marry
Harry Wallingford.’
“‘Yes, and I must confess that I am astonished to hear it.’
“‘Why?’
“‘Because he was engaged to her before she got into her late trouble;
but as soon as she was put in jail, he told her to her face that he
thought she was guilty. She ordered him to leave her presence, and
commanded him never to speak to her again. He deserted her, while she
was under the cloud, and left her to paddle her own canoe; but as soon
as it appeared that she was innocent, what does he do but beg pardon and
make matters smooth again.’
“‘I suppose he loves her money better than he does the girl. I always
did despise a fortune-hunter.’
“‘Yes, and so does every honest man; but I cannot understand how such a
sensible girl could be so ready to give her hand to such a man.’
“‘Pshaw! don’t you know that where a woman once loves a man, she never
forsakes him, no matter what he does?’
“‘Well, I suppose there is something in that, but Harry Wallingford is a
very brilliant young man, and I used to think he was the very soul of
honor; I did not think he would ever justly win the name of
fortune-hunter.’
“‘Neither did I, but human nature is very weak, you know, and the prize
in this case is a very tempting one, because Miss Bramlett is very
beautiful, and possessed of an amiable disposition, as well as a great
fortune.’
“‘By Jove, the bait is enough to trap anybody!’
“‘Ah! you are right there; but Lottie Wallingford is the apple of my
eye. I had rather have her for my wife than to be king of England.’
“‘Yes, no doubt you would; but there is no likelihood of your ever being
king of England or the husband of Lottie Wallingford, either, because
she belongs to Ed Demar.’
“‘Well, he is a lucky dog, anyway.’
“‘Come, let us walk back to the house; it is no use to covet our
neighbors’ property--those two girls are not for us.’
“While that conversation was going on, Harry had his hand on my arm, and
it was all I could do to keep from crying out, for his finger nails sank
down into my flesh so as to bring blood.
“‘Let go my arm, Harry; you are hurting me.’
“‘I ask pardon--I did not think what I was doing; does it not surprise
you to see me sitting quietly by your side?’
“‘No, why should I be surprised?’
“‘Do you think I would let any man talk that way about me, unless he was
telling the truth? Have I not been guilty of every charge they made
against me? Of course I have; but thank Heaven it is not too late to
make the proper atonement. Edward, it is all over with Viola and me. I
do now solemnly swear, by everything that I hold sacred, that I never
will marry her until my fortune is equal to hers; so help me Heaven!’
“‘Harry, I do believe you are a real coward.’
“‘Yes, that is certain, but there is no use to scold me about it. If
Viola will agree to wait till my fortune is made, all right; if she
refuses, let her marry her cousin, and be done with it.’
“‘As to that, you need have no fears whatever, for she worships you, and
if you forsake her, it will kill her; yes, I mean exactly what I say--it
will certainly kill her.’
“‘In the first place, I do not intend to forsake her, for I love her as
no man ever loved a woman before, and if she will wait for me, I will
make a fortune as sure as my name is Harry Wallingford.’
“‘By the by, Harry, I have a little secret to tell you.’
“‘What is it, pray?’
“‘You know that Viola bought a little bottle of strychnine, and refused
to tell why she purchased it?’
“‘I certainly do, and her refusal to tell why she bought it was the
strongest evidence against her.’
“‘True enough; well, I can tell you all about it; she got it when you
were very ill, and everybody thought you were going to die. She was
preparing to commit suicide; and if you had died, she would not have
survived you an hour.’
“‘Great Heavens! is that so?’
“‘It is; for Lottie pumped the secret out of her. Now you must be very
cautious when you inform her of your intention to go to California.’
“‘If she will only trust me, and agree to wait for me, I will never
forsake her; but let us walk back to the house, else we will be missed.’
“Time glided on, and Harry lingered by Viola’s side, strolling about the
flower garden with her arm locked in his, and dreading to make his
intentions known to her. Love was urging him to marry the girl of his
choice, and be happy, while pride was making a desperate effort to
separate him from his love.
“Miss Bramlett and Lottie were seated on a low wooden bench in the
summer-house engaged in an earnest conversation. Harry Wallingford made
his appearance at the door.
“‘Come in, brother,’ said Lottie. ‘I am glad you happened here, because
I want you to join me in persuading Viola to abandon the idea of going
with her cousin to New York.’
“‘If Miss Bramlett will not yield to your solicitations, I am sure she
would not to mine. It would be unjust to her distinguished relative to
deprive him of the company of his fair cousin. The fact is, we ought not
to expect Miss Bramlett to remain among such dull people as ours, when
such brilliant members of Congress claim her company.’
“Miss Bramlett bent her eyes toward the ground, while her cheeks were
red with anger; but she bit her lips to smother her feelings. Lottie
turned pale, and gazed at her brother with a look of astonishment, while
a painful sensation darted through her heart. She was convinced that her
brother had become jealous of Cyrus Bramlett, and she well knew that it
was without cause.
“‘Take a seat here, brother,’ said Lottie, ‘and arrange that bouquet for
me, while I go and gather more flowers.’
“This was a ruse on Lottie’s part to leave Harry and Viola alone, as she
thought it the best plan to insure a reconciliation between them.
“‘Miss Bramlett, I suppose if you go with your distinguished cousin, you
will spend the winter in Washington?’
“‘No; I shall remain in New York.’
“‘We shall be very far apart when you go to New York and I to San
Francisco.’
“‘What do you mean, Mr. Wallingford?’
“‘Viola, I am going to start for California in the morning, and it may
be a long time before we meet again; I wish to ask you a serious
question, and I want you to give me a serious answer.’
“All color now instantly fled from her cheeks, and her body trembled
violently.
“‘I am going to seek my fortune in the far West, and I wish to know if
you will promise to be mine when I return?’
“If you go to California, it is my opinion that we never shall meet
again.’
“‘Why do you think that?”
“‘There are many reasons I might mention that cause me to think it; but
if you will excuse me, I had rather not talk about such a painful
subject.’
“‘Miss Bramlett, have I been mistaken in believing that you loved me?’
“‘If we ever meet again, ask the question and you shall have a candid
answer.’
“‘Would you have me go so far away without knowing my fate?’
“‘I would not have you go at all; but it appears that your resolve is
made, and I suppose you know best what you ought to do.’
“‘I know that I am an idiot, and that I have succeeded in convincing you
of that interesting fact, and that you will rejoice to be rid of me.’
“‘This is not the first time you have unjustly suspected me, but I hope
it will be the last.’
“‘Why, then, did you so suddenly conclude to leave us and that, too,
before you knew of my intention to go to California?’
“‘Because I have no home here; in fact, I have no home anywhere, but I
have friends and relatives in New York who will give me a home.’
“‘Yes, indeed, you have one distinguished kinsman who, I dare say, will
offer you a home, and a heart to boot, and I could not blame you for
accepting such a brilliant offer.’
“‘Mr. Wallingford, your language does not afford me any pleasure, and
unless you have something else to talk about, I guess we had better
separate.’
“‘I crave your pardon--I assure you I did not mean to annoy you.’
“Then, in a fit of anger, he abruptly walked away.
“Harry started to California next morning, without having any other
interview with Miss Bramlett, thus letting his pride again master his
heart.
“Ragland’s body was found floating in the river, at the head of
President’s Island, without any marks of violence on it, showing clearly
that he had committed suicide. Poor man! perhaps he deserved a better
fate, though he had not led the sort of a life that produces happiness.
An appetite for strong drink, and a love for the gambling table, had
ruined him before the discovery of his wife’s infidelity was made.
“Mr. Rockland received a letter from one of the trustees at New York
stating that the death of Mr. Ragland created a necessity for Miss
Bramlett to come there immediately. Within ten days after Harry had
started for California, Viola was on her way to New York, accompanied by
her cousin Cyrus.
“Over a month had elapsed after Viola’s departure, when Mr. Rockland
received a letter from a lawyer in New York, of a most startling nature,
the perusal of which plunged us all into the deepest gulf of distress.
Here is the letter--let it speak for itself:
“‘NATHANIEL ROCKLAND, ESQ.:
“‘DEAR SIR--I know you will be surprised and deeply pained to learn
that the trustees appointed by Bolivar Bramlett’s will have
converted the entire estate into cash and fled to parts unknown.
Every possible effort has been made to capture them, but without
success, and it is pretty well ascertained that they have crossed
the ocean, and are safe in some foreign land. But, my dear sir, I
have not told you the serious part of the story yet--and you will
think so when I do. Miss Viola Bramlett has mysteriously
disappeared from her boarding house, and despite the efforts of the
police to discover her whereabouts, the mystery remains unsolved. A
week ago she left her boarding house on Fifth avenue, telling her
friends that she was going to A. T. Stewart’s store on Broadway.
Nothing was thought about it until night, when her friends began to
make inquiries about her. She had been to the Stewart store, and
made some trifling purchases, but instead of ordering the articles
to be sent to her boarding house, as was her usual custom, she took
them with her. Three experienced detectives were employed
immediately, and up to this writing, they have failed to make any
discoveries, except that she was seen standing on the wharf near
the water’s edge just before dark on the day she left her boarding
house. If she was alive, it seems to me that the detectives could
not fail to find her; therefore I fear we may expect the very
worst. Ever since her arrival in this city she has appeared to be
very unhappy, and was often found weeping. She avoided company,
rarely speaking to any one, and the only conclusion we can arrive
at is that the poor girl has committed suicide. Every possible
effort will be made to find her, and if we succeed, I will
immediately inform you by wire.
“‘Very respectfully,
“‘ALBERT DALMAXIM.’
“I shall not trouble you with a history of our misery, produced by this
awful news, but drive on to the end of this unpleasant part of my story.
In obedience to Lottie’s request I set out immediately to New York to do
all in my power to unravel the strange mystery; promising if Viola was
found to bring her home with me. I wrote a short letter to Harry,
inclosing Mr. Dalmaxim’s letter, and urged him to come home without
delay.
“When I arrived at New York I learned that no clew to the missing girl
had been discovered, and that the police and detectives had given up the
contest. I went to work in earnest, determined to exhaust every plan I
could think of to find Viola. But at the end of ten days hope died in my
breast, and I was compelled to conclude that Viola had drowned herself.
I remained in New York a month, and it was with a sad heart I started
home, when I thought of the distressing news that I would be compelled
to communicate to Lottie. I had not been back home but a short time when
Harry returned from California looking more like a ghost than a man.
“‘Is she found?’ he gasped, as he staggered into my office and dropped
into a chair.
“‘No, but we still have hopes. You are ill, Harry; let me go home with
you--Lottie is looking for you.’
“‘No, I will not go home--I cannot bear to look into dear Lottie’s face
now. I am going immediately on to New York, to spend the remnant of my
life in searching for poor Viola; though I have but little hope of ever
seeing her dear face again.’
“‘What about your uncle’s will?’
“‘Oh! don’t let us talk about that now; money has been my ruin. I am a
rich man now, but it comes too late. Fortune still continues to hurl her
deadly missiles with unerring aim at me. Everything goes wrong with me;
my uncle did make another will, and placed it in the hands of a trusted
friend, who happened to be traveling in Europe when my uncle died. If
that friend had been at home all would have been well, but my luck would
not have it so. The man with whom the will had been left fell ill and
died in Scotland, and when his administrator took charge of his effects
in San Francisco, my uncle’s will came to the surface, giving his
property to Lottie and myself. Curse the will--curse the money--curses
on my luck--a double curse on my foolish pride! Why did I not take Viola
with me as my wife? Because I never was known to do anything that ought
to be done. Viola told me that if I went to California we never would
meet again. I did not understand her meaning then, but it is plain to me
now. She was contemplating suicide then, and she has since carried out
her intention. Here, Eddie, take this envelope, and when you know I am
dead you may open it. Don’t stare at me that way, please--it is nothing
but my will, giving all my property to Lottie. She has the good sense to
make the proper use of it. Give my love to my darling sister, and tell
her when I find Viola she shall see me, but never until I do. Comfort my
darling sister, and don’t let her grieve about her unfortunate brother.
She will make you happy, as you deserve. I would give all the world if I
had your happy disposition; but alas, it cannot be so! Good-by, old
fellow; we may meet again, but never until I find Viola.’
“Before I could muster courage to answer, he was gone.
* * * * *