CHAPTER V.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 208, 25 June 1887, Page 6

CHAPTER Y.

IS WHICH THERE IS AN INTRODUCTION. At seven sharp on Monday morning Walter presented himself in the office of Mr Conant, who immediately accompanied him to the block, where he was introduced to Mr Wayland, the master builder, and set regularly to work as an apprentice. We cannot follow him through the year that ensued -, one or two incidents will sorve

as links in our story, and show something' of the struggles through which he passed, and the success which he attained. He did not liko the carpenter's trade any better than he had anticipated. It was hard, rough work, and not at all suited to his taste ; but Mr Conant had said that it would be an important stepping stone toward the goal which he was seeking so he threw his whole heart into usiness, determined to master it in all aetails in order that he might appty its rinciples to his future profession. Tho first three months were indeed very trying ones to him, and he found that he did not care for much but sleep and rest ; after his day's work was done, even as Mr I Conant had said. He was lame and sore in every joint ; his hands were bruised, and cut, and scratched, from contact with rough boards, and the' awkward use of implements to which h& was so unaccustomed, and looked little like those delicate members, which for years had been white and soft as a woman's, and of which he had been not a little proud. But these wei'c minor trials, and being possessed ot a strong constitution and a splendid physique, he gradually became more used lo his work, and soon learned how to favour himself. His muscles toughened, his sinews strengthened, until at length he began to glory in the new powers that were being developed within him, and to expeiiencc .some of the dignity and nobility of labour, albeit his tastes were not exactly suited thereby. Alter a time he began to feel the oldambi tion to get on faster rising within him, and one night ho presented himself at Mr Conant'b house and requested that he might have something given him for evening occupation. The architect, who had 'been watching hi<3 progress with great interest, and was well pleased vith the way he had conducted himself, willingly complied with his request, gave him a key to his ofiice, where he could work comfortably, and began to initiate him in tho more intricate myoteiies of his pro' Session. This was woi k that just suited our hero, and as time patted, lie became more and more inspired with a love ior hi-, business ; his enthusiasm waxed stronger, while he began to appreciate the wisdom that had directed him to master the fundamental principle^ oi construction. Mr Conant was surpiised at the rapid btriden that he made, and soon allowed him lo a.wsb him upon his plans, and often consulted him regarding points that required a good deal of thought and judgment. Towaid tholasu of the year Mr Conant contracted to piepare plans and superintend the building of an elegant new residence, that was to bo erected upon the banks of tho Schuylkill and not very far from Fait mount Park, the beautiful public grounds of the city. There wa^ upon these plans considerable work lhatMr Conantallowed Walter to share with him, anditwasnotlon^ 1 before the young man became absorbed in ib, and devoted so much time to it that his employer began to fear that hio health would .sutler from such close application. But his enthusiasm did not abate until the designs were completed, and then he was as familiar with every detail as the gre^t architect himself. Mr Conant had piomi-ed that they should bo delivered to the owner upon a certain day; but he found that he should be obliged to be out of town at that time, so he requested Walter to take them to a certain street and number, with a message to the effect that he would call upon his return and explain anything that might, not appear plain to the gentleman. The young man was very proud of his commission, and started forth in high spirits ; but what was his surpiisc upon ascending the steps of the mansion to which ho had been directed, to find himself before the -v ery door from which had issued the attractive maiden whom he had encountered that day when he had first started: forth " to seek his fortune," and who had so entranced him with her sweet song, and whose beautiful face still haunted many of his -waking and dreaming hours. He knew that the name of the gentlemaru who was about to build was Gordon, butjbehad nob associated him in any way with the lovely girl whom he had often longed to meet, but whom he had never seen since that bright summer day. He mounted the marble steps with quickened hearth*^'- ~ L 'Ms unexpected disoov* 6ry, and fang the bell. A si rvant answered the call. Walter inquired for Mr Gordon, and was bhown into the library, where the gentleman sab reading by a handsome table in the centre of the room. He delivered Mr Conant's message, and handed the plans to him, whereupon the gentleman cast aside his paper and was instantly all attention and interest. " Sit down a moment, young man, he said, waving Walter to a chair ; "I would like jusb to glance at them, and then I may have some message I would like to send back to Mr Conant." . Walter obeyed, and took the chair offered him. Glancing around him, he noticed that the room was most luxuriously furnished, and that there were evidences of great wealth all about him. The many books in their rich bindings and elegantly carved cases ; the choice pictures upon the walls, and costly busts of great authors, scattered here and there, all spoke of abundant means. Mr Gordon had become absorbed m his plans, and the stillness was becoming awkward and oppressive to Walter, when all at once, from somewhere above, there came the sound of a fresh young voice trilling a popular opera air. He flushed to his temples, and his hearc gave a sudden bound. He instantly recognised the voice, and it made him long to look once more into the lovely face of its owner. "These plans are certainly very attractive, Mr Richardson," Mr Gordon observed, looking up just then ; " but 1 wish Mr Conant could have come himself this evening, for there are some questions I would like to ask— some things that 1 1 do not quite understand. However, I suppose I can go down to his office any day and he will make everything plain to mo." "Perhaps I can tell you, sir," Walter said, l'ising, and moving toward the table. " 1 assisted Mr Conant about the plans, and am quite familiar with them." Mr Gordon seemed well pleased at this intelligence. Ho moved a chair to the table for him, and for an hour kept him lousy explaining and talking over various matters connected with the new residence he was contemplating. Just as Walter arose to go, there came a light step and a rustle outside the library door ; then a gentle tap. "Bobeit, may I come in?" queried a sweet voice, and, without waiting ior a reply, the door swung open, and a vision of loveliness appeared upon the threshold. Walter stood spell-bound. The beautiful girl of whom he had been dreaming for months appeared like a framed picture m the doorway. She was clad in a misty dress of white tullo and lace, looking as if she had suddenly dropped to earth from some fleecy cloud. The light, airy costume suited her delicate style of beauty to perfection, and her only ornaments were sprays of dark-green

feathery ferns, that made a charming contrast, and nodded and qui\ evecl with every movement of her graceful fignx'e. *' Excuse me, Robert," she said, flushing and drawing back, as she met Walter's admiring eyes, and recognised him instantly ; "I did not know you had company." "Never mind, Ruby, you know I told you to como to mo before you went out," replied Mr Gordon, turning to the bright vision with a smile. " You look like a fairy fresh from some mountain dell, and if I were going (o Mrs White's lawn party, I should "claim you for at least half-a-dozen dances. But, pardon me," he added, turning to Walter, who stood irresolute and embarrassed before the beautiful apparition, "Mr Richardson, allow mo to introduce my sister, Miss Gordon." Walter bowed low, and Mies Cordon swept him the prettiest little curtesy imaginable, while she expressed her pleasure at the meeting. Then -he turned again to her brother and asked, v istfully : " Can't you come up to Mrs White's bynnd - by, Robert? You know I enjoy dancing ith you better than anyone else, and I'll , are half a dozen dances for you, if you like." Mr Gordon laughed heartily. " What would all your young admirers say, pc'ife, if they could hear that, I wonder — to prefer a grey-headed elder brother to the gallant bcaus of the day ?*' " Tis the fashion to admire old things nowaday--, you know," she retorted, archly : then added, " but truly, you always lit your step to mine so nicely. I won't interrupt you any further, though — that is, if you think I'll do,' 1 she continued, demurely, but witli a shy glance, as if she were half ashamed to have anyone know that she had come for her brother's approval of her costume before going out. There was a world of tenderness in the strong man's face as his eyes lested upon her ; and truly, she was as lovely af-> a dream. „ You (dimi/i do, Ruby; but, really, I believe 1 never saw you quite so pretty before,'" lie said, fondly ; then fadded. with a mischievous glance at Walter's earnest face, '" and I am sure / am not the onh; one who will think so to-night. Has Mr Carpenter come for you yet V" Walter started at the sound of that name. "No; but I am expecting him every moment. There, that must be his ring now and I must run for my wrap." "Good bye, Robert. I wish you would come later. Good evening, Mr Richardson." And w ith another bewildering glance and bow, pretty Ruby Gordon vanished from the room. " You must excuse this little domestic by-play, Mr Richardson," said Mr Gordon, turning to Walter, as she disappeared, while a tender smile still lingered on his lips ; ''but I have no chikhen, and I have always n ade a pet of my younger sibter. I must confess to a weakness for liking to see her at her prettiest, so it has been my custom to have her come to me whenever she is circle 1 for company. But I thank you for giving me so much of your time this 'evening 1 . I fear that I have detained you i longer than I ought." " Indeed, I am very glad to have been able to explain your plans to you, and I am at your service at any time, if Mr Conant should be engaged, and I can render you any further assistance," Walter replied, as he bowed him&elf out, and turned to leave the house. In the hall he encountered Edmund Caipenter face to face. So it "-as Edmund after all, as he had feared, who was to escort Miss Gordon to Mrs White's lawn party, and a thrill oi pain shot through his heart at this confirmation of his fears. Young Carpenter seemed much surprised to see Walter theie, and the old frown of annoyance clouded his face as he recognised him. He had not seen him since he had told him he could not accept his offer, but had decided to take his future into his own hands. " Very well," he had coldly replied. " I suppose there is nothing to prevent your doing as you please." And that was all that had been said upon the subject. Now, however, curiosity prompted him to stop him, while he remarked, with something of in his tones : "Really. Walter, I was not aware that you were a visitor to this house. ' "I am not," Walter replied, " I merely came upon a matter of business for Mi Conant. " "Ah ! Well, how are you getting on, and how do you enjoy the carpenter's trade ?'' The tone, more than the question itself, brought a hot flush to Walter's cheek. " I believe I have been doing very well : at all events I am sure that the knowledge which I have gained will be of the greatest practical use to me in the future," he answeied, with quiet dignity. " Indeed ; when you graduate let me know, and maybe I shall have a job that I can give you. Ah ! Miss Ruby, you ar-s ready ; we have a delightful evening for Mrs White's party," and Edmund Carpenter turned abruptly from the young man, who had shared his home for many years, the unpleasant glitter in his eyes, the disagreeable sneer on his lips changing to smiles as Ruby Gordon came tripping down stairs, enveloped in a long wrap, a " fleecy nothing " of blue and white wool wound about her golden head. " Are you acquainted with Mr Richardson ?" she asked, looking a trifle surprised at finding them engaged in conversation. "I have that honour; our acquaintance dates back ten years or more," Edmund replied, a sarcastic smile revealing his white teeth, while his face clouded again as he noticed the light which came into Walter's eyes as they rested upon the fair girl. Ruby remarked it, also the hot flush which the words had called again to the young man's cheek, and somehow she j felt as if she wished to make amends for it. " Tell me, please, Mr Richardson," she said, turning to him with her most winning smile, "were those the plans for my brother's new house that I saw upon the library-table ?" " They were, Miss Gordon." " And did you make them V' " Oh, no," replied Walter, with a smile. "I am too young in the business to have such a responsibility upon my shoulders. I merely assisted Mr Conant about some of the minor details and with the specifications. " " I am very impatient to see them, and I shall make Robert show them to me the first thing to morrow. Perhaps," she added, with a coquettish little toss of her bright head, "I may not be exactly suited with the arrangement of my rooms. Do you suppose the great architect could be prevailed upon to make any changes at my suggestion ? " "I am sure he would be very glad to please you, if he could do so," Walter responded, his whole face aglow with admiration, for she was so pretty, so sweet, and so natural in her manner that it was a delight to watch her. " Ahem ! Miss Ruby, I am afraid that we shall lose our first quadrille if we linger," Edmund Carpenter here interposed. He was raging inwardly that Walter should presume to stand there so com-

posedly and converse with the young girl, and ho abruptly stepped between them, Avhile he cast a dark look of jealous anger at the young man. Ruby lifted a pair of wondering eyes to her escort at this rudeness, and she saw at onco that he disliked her new acquaintance. But she was inclined to resent this surly treatment of a gentloman ' in her brother's house. "1 suppose it is time for us to go," she said, a trifle coldly, aud drawing her slight figure more erect ; then she added, more cordially than she had yet spoken : "Good-night, Mr Richardson, I hope I shall meet you again, soon, then I will tell you how I like the plans," and with a 'fiiendly smile and nod, she took Mr Carpenter's proffered arm and passed out to the cirriage which stood waiting for them, while our young architect went back to his hum file room in Mr Way land's modest house, taking with him a gleam of sunehiuo that brightened many a subsequent day. (To be Continued.)