CHAPTER I.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 69, 27 September 1884, Page 4

CHAPTER I.

■TJCSsIK AND UKJI UHARDrAK. It was the afternoon of a sunny day in spring. Tho doep peacofulness and quiet nowhere to bo found in tho great seaport ruled undistiubed around a country house outside the gieatseaof ioofs, wliosc paik-! like gioundo stretched down to theshoie It was one of those elegant and luxurious villa» inhabited by rich citizens who wished to avoid the noise ot the town, yet did not caie to loss time by travelling long distances. Jn the drawing-room, the French windows of which opened into thegaiden, a lady and gentleman weie engaged in earnest conversation. The cheeks of the young girl glowed with excitement as she struggled u ith suppressed tears, while the man appeared poriectly calm and indifferent. He was a middle-aged man, with grey hair, and cold, stern features, whoso whole exterior spoke the man of business. The freezing indillcicnco of his manner never akeied for a moment, even in the most animated discussion, while his way of speaking was dry and businesslike, without any warmth of language. " Keally, Jc^ie, L am weary of heaiing again and again the old arguments and the old lamentations," lie said. "As your guaidianand kinsman I have undertaken the charge of j our future, and I think the futuie 1 oiler you is surely attractive onounh. But i girl with a foolish romantic head like yoius never will sec what is conducive to hoc real happiness." The gill's foolish lomantic head wa.s at any r^ic not w anting in attractions. AYithout beintc icgidaily boautiful, tlie blonde hair, soft but expressive feature.-, and the blue, somewhat enthusiastic eyes were extraoidmaiily fascinating. Atthis moment, however, the youthful face was lit up with pa.saionato emotion, and the same emotion quiveied in her voice as she answered : — "My happiness 1 What you call such, Uncle Sandow, is very far from being my ideal ot happiness." <! You will pei haps explain to me, then, what hazy and fantastic ideas the world repre-ent^ to you '! ' said Sandow in his most sarcastic tone. "Happiness is a biilliant position in society, supported by wealth, at tho side of a husband who would be your resource in all circumstance. This is offered you with tho hand of a man " Whom I have- never seen," interrupted Jessie. " But you will sec him in an hour. Moreover my brother is not a stranger to you, though you have never seen him. His poitiait leaves nothing to be desired in externals, and you have yourself told me that jou have no inclination cl&ewheie. Thciefoie why this obstinate opposition to a connection for w hich Gustav is so ready V" " Just because he is so ready • I cannot and will not trust my future to a man who does not hesitate a moment to consider before he throws over his self-chosen profession, his caieer so brilliantly commenced, his people, or his native land, when a prospect of a wealthy marriage is held out to him." Sandow shrugged his shoulders. " These are the exaggerated views encouraged by your German education. You were sentimental enough by nature. Selfchosen profession indeed ! Brilliant career ' You seem to have a high opinion of the position of a German journalist. Gustav's pen is admired and sought for just so long as the whim of the public and the present position of politics last. Sooner or later that will have an end, and his career be over. Here in America he is offered independence, wealth, and an enviable position as head of a great house of business. He would be worse than a fool to reject all this to go on writing leading articles." "That is a matter of taste ; but I can assure you, Uncle Sandow, that it is just the same to me whomsoever you may choose for a partner, so long as you do not include me in your business arrangements." "Idoit in your own interest. You know it was your father's wish that your fortune should remain in the business. He always hoped that his position there would be taken by a son in-law. It was not granted to him to see his -wish fulfilled while he lived." " jNo," murmured Jessie. " for he would not have had tho heart to force my inclinations as you are doing." Sandow made an impatient movement. " What an exaggerated expression ! I am not thinking of force in any way, but I do desire that you will listen to reason, and not reject this alliance without reflection simply because it does not fulfil your romantic ideals. You are now nineteen, and must begin to think of matrimony. Ideal marriages such as you dream ot do not exist. To everyone who sues for your hand your fortune will play the principal part. The days of disinterested love are long ago over, and if anyone should play off that comedy for your benefit, he will only do it that he may have more powor to squander your money afterwards. It is better that you should see clearly now, that the disillusion may not be so hard to you as it would be later." There was incredible heartlessness in the iron coldness with which he recommended this step to his ward, which to a maiden's heart is glorified by all the illusions, dreams, and hopes of the happy future, and which he set forth as an example in arithmetic, her fortune being the factor. Jessie's lip 3 trembled with emotion at this pitiless prognostication, for the unhesitating decision with which it was laid down convinced her that Sandow was merely stating his own convictions. She had already found out what it meant to be a rich catch, and thus attract the selfishness and calculations of all the people with whom she came in contact Her guardian, too, it seemed, only saw and respectedin her the heiress— a bitter thought for a young girl longing with a passionate heart for love and happiness. "You have nothing of that sort to fear here," continued Sandow, who took her silence for some measure of consent. "This match offers equal advantages. Gustav with you receives a fortune and an excellent position in the commercial circles here ; you remain a partner in your father's business, and have the security that your wealth will be guarded and increased by your own husband. The affair is so clear and simple that I really cannot comprehend your obstinate opposition, and the lees because you used to be so interested in Gustav. You always read his articles with ever recurring enthusiasm." " Because I believed in the writer ! Because I could not think that all this glowing patriotism, all this enthusiasm for the grand and beautiful, meant only phrases,

which could be thrown overboard at the call of self-interest." "The knights of the pen live by fine phrases," said Sandow impatiently, "It is their business. It would be a bad caso for them if they had to turn all their words into deeds, (iustav wrote as his position and the spirit of the age demanded of him, and now ho acts as reason demands of him. If he did not, I should not take him as a partner. But lot us end this dispute. Ido not press for a decision either to-day or to-morrow, but I confidently expect your decision to bo a consent." "Never !" cried Jessie with flashing eyes. ''I will never belong to a man who takes me merely as a clause in a business contract —an egotist, who uses all that is dear and sacred to others as a means to his end. Neither now nor ever !" Sandow took very lifcfcle notice of this passionate protest. If Jessie had been his daughter, he would simply have given her his 01 tiers, and obliged her to obey them ; but ho knew the limits of a guardian's pow er too well to try such measures here, lie knew, hoAvevcr, that his long-continued and dreaded authority had a sort of influence over the young girl, and he was determined to use it. "We will defer it," said he, rising. " I am now going to the station, and in an hour I shall introduce my brother to you. You will devote your attention before everything to learning to know him ; the rest will follow. Adieu." With this he left the room, and the carriago which had been waiting for him was hoard driving away directly afterwards. Jc&sie remained alone, and when no longer under the spell of those cold, stern eyes, her tears burst forth with uncontrolled force. This young girl evidently did not belong to those oneigelic natures who set will against will. In her tears she betrayed the weakness of a character accustomed to be led, and in this first struggle she felt her whole powerlcssm ss. It was indeed the fast struggle of her life. Brought up in fortunate circumstances, caved for and guarded by the tender love of her parents, trouble had first attacked her in the death of her mother, and two years later in that of her father. In his will, Sandow, the old fiiend and paitnev of tho dead man, was appointed guardian of the orphan; and the interests of her fortune could not be in better hands. But Jessie had never been able to attach her-clf to her uncle, though she had known him from childhood, lie was a near relation of her mother, who was of German biith. Neaily twelve years previously he had come to America almost destitute, and had sought and found a situation in her fathci s business. It was said misfortune and bitter experiences bad driven him from Europe ; what it really was Jessie had never been able to learn, for even her parents seemed only partially acquainted with the facts, and .Sandow himself never alluded to the subject. At first he was only given a subordinate position in the office on account oi his relationship, but he developed such vestless energy, such foresight and activity, that he soon rose to the highest place under the head of the biwnest* ; and when a ditlicult crisis in their afl'aiis had been surmounted only by his sharp sighted ability and watchfulness, he was taken into the firm as a partner, and under his quid ance it soon started on a new career of prosperity. A scries of speculations, as bold as they were fortunate, rai-ed this hithoito secure iirm to the position ot one of the liivt in the city ; and the new master knew so well how to use the influence lesulting on thi^ li^o that he was soon sole authority, or at least had the casting vote in its a flairs. In this manner Sandow had become in a comparatively short time a rich man. As he was alone in the world, he lived with his relations, but in spite of this long habituation, and in spite of community of interests, he had never had any hearty friendship with them. His cold, severe manner forbade all near approach to true feeling. He had no interest in anything but the business and his increasing work for it, and never sought rest and relaxation in the family circle. He seemed to have no need of them. Jessie's father had no objection to his partner taking the greater part of the work and care off his shoulders ; he himself was inclined to the enjoyments of life, and the comforts of home. As their inclinations were so dissimilar, their relations had always been best w hen founded more on external interests than on real friendship. Now the management of the business, ai,d the control of the fortune of the young heiress, lay in Sandow's hands alone, but he ! soon extended his rights as guardian to a control over her future also. With the same unmitigated egotism which characterised all his undertaking:?, he planned the match between his brother and his ward, and he was astonished as he was indignant that his scheme, accepted by one party without conditions, should bo rejected by the other. He laid very little weight on this opposition, however, and was convinced thatthisgirl, who had hitherto shownneither power nor will to act independently, would not oppose his wishes in this case. The hour he had mentioned as the time it would take to drive to the station and back was hardly passed when the carriage wheels were again heard, and the two gentlemen directly afterwards entered the room where Jessie still remained. (To be Continued.)