ISHMAEL OR IN THE DEPTHS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 469, 7 May 1890, Page 3

ISHMAEL OR IN THE DEPTHS.

BY MRS EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH Author of “Self-Raised,” “Fair Play,” “Th< Missing Bride,” “A Noble Lord,” “How He Won Her,” “The Prince of Darkness,’ “ Tried for Her Life,” Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER XLVlll.—(Continued). * What a sensation Claudia entree into Bociety will make ! I should like to be in Washington next winter when she comes out 1 Ah ! but after all—what a target for fortune-hunters she will be, to bo sure!’ sighed Bee. ‘ She is beautiful and accomplished, and altogether lovely enough to be sought for herself alone !’ exclaimed Ishmael, in the low and faltering tones of deep feeling. * Ah, yes, if she were poor ; but who on earth could see whether the heiress of a million were pretty or plain, good or bad, witty or stupid ?’ *So young and so cynical!’ said Ishmael, sadly. * Ah, Ishmael, whoever reads and observes must feel and reflect; and whoever feels and reflects must soon lose the simple faith of childhood. We shall see!’ said Bee, rising, and drawing her grey silk scarf around her shoulders.

* You are not going ?’ ‘ Yes ; I have much yet to do.’ * Can I not help you ?’ ' Oh, no; there is nothing that I have to do that a classical and mathematical scholar and nursling-lawyer could understand.’ * Then, at least, allow me to see you Bafely home. The nursling-lawyer can do that, I suppose? If you will be pleased to sit down until I hear this young hopeful say his lesson, I will close up the schoolroom and be at your service.’ ‘Thank you very much; but I have to call at Brown’s the overseer’s, and i would much rather you would not trouble yourself, Ishmael. Good-bye. When we all get settled up at the house, which must be next Saturday night, at farthest, you must come often to see us. It was to say this that I came here.’ * Thank you, dearest Bee ! I shall esteem it a great privilege to come.’ ‘Prove it,’ laughed Bee, as she waved adieu, and tripped out of the schoolroom. Ishmael called up his pupil for recitation. The little savage could not say his lesson, and began to weep and rub his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket. ‘Youmought let me off this once, anyways,’ he sobbed. ‘ Bub why should I?’ inquired Ishmael. * A-cause of the pretty lady a-coming.’ Ishmael laughed, and for a moment entertained the thought of admitting this plea and letting the pleader go. But Ishmael was really too conscientious to Buffer himself to be lured aside from the strict line of duty by any passing fancy or caprice ; so he answered : ‘Your plea is an ingenious one, Eddy ; and since you have wit enough to make it, you must have sense enough to learn your lesson. Come, now, let us sit down and put our heads together, and try again, and see what we can do.’ And with the kindness for which he was ever noted, the young master sat down beside his stupid pupil, and patiently went over and over the lesson with him, until he had succeeded in getting it into Eddy’s thick head. * There, now! now you know the difference between a common noun and a proper one ! are you not glad ?’ asked Ishmael, smiling. ‘ Yes ; but they’ll all be done supper, and the hominy ’ll be cold!’ said the boy, sulkily. ‘ Oh, no, it will not. I know all about the boiling of hominy. They’ll keep the pot hanging over the fire until bed-time, so you can have yours hot as soon as you get home. Off with you, now!’ laughed Ishmael. His hopeful pupil lost no time in obeying the order, but set off on a run, Ishmael arranged his books, closed up his school-room, and started to walk home. There he delighted Hannah with the news that her former friend and patron, Mrs Middleton, was soon expected at Rushy Shore. And he interested both Reuben and Hannah with the description of beautiful Bee’s visit to the school. * I wonder why he couldn’t have fallen in love with her ? thought Hannah. CHAPTER XLIX. STILL ONWARD. His, all the mighty movements That urge the hero’s breast. The longings and the lovings. The spirit’s glad unrest, That scorns excuse to tender, Or fortune’s favour ask, That never will surrender Whatever be the task! M. F. Topper. Beatrice did not come again to the schoolroom to see Ishmael. The memory cf old school-day friendship, as well as prompting of hospitality and benevolence, had brought her there on her first visit. She had not thought of the lapse of time, or the change that two years must have made in him as well as in herself, and so wher6sbe expected to find a mere youth, she found a young man: and maiden delicacy restrained her from repeating her visit. On Thursday morning, however, as Ishmael was opening his school-room, he heard a brisk step approaching, and Mr Middleton was at his side. Their hands flew into each other and shook mutually before either spoke. Then with beaming eyes and hearty tonos, both exclaimed at once : •* I am so glad to see you !’ * Of course you arrived last night! I hope you had a pleasant journey, and that Mrs Middleton has recovered her fatieue,’ said Ishmael, placing a chair for his visitor. * A very pleasant journey ! The day was delightfully cool, and even my wife did not suffer from fatigue. She is quite well this morning, and quite delighted with her new home. Bub, see here, Ishmael! how you have changed ! You are taller than I am ! You must be near six feeb in height! Are you not ?’ *1 suppose so,’ smiled Ishmael. ‘ And your hair is so much darker. Altogether, you are so much improved.’ * There was room for it.’ * There always is, my boy. Well, I did nob come here to pay compliments, my young friend. I came to tell you that, thanks to my little Bee’s activity, we are all comfortably settled at home now; and we should be happy if you would come on Friday evening and spend with us Saturday and Sunday, your weekly holidays.’ ‘ I thank you, sir; I thank you very much. I should extremely like to come, but— ’ ‘Now, Ishmael, hush ! 1 do not intend to take a denial. When I give an invitation I am always very much in earnest about it; and to show you bow much I am ; in earnest about this, I will tell yon that I

reflected this was Thursday, and that if I ! | asked you to-day you could tell your friends when you get home this evening, and come to morrow morning prepared to remain over till Monday. Otherwise, if I had not invited you until to morrow morning, you would have had to walk all the way back home to-morrow evening to tell your friends , before comine to see us. So you see how much I wished to have you come, Ishmael, * and how I studied ways and means. Mrs Middleton and all your old school-mates are equally anxious to see you, so say no more about it, but come !’ ‘lndeed, I earnestly thank you, Mr Middleton, and I was not about to decline your kind invitation in toto, only to say that I am occupied with duties that I cannob neglect on Friday evenings and Satur--1 \ day mornings ; but on Saturday evening I shall be uery happy to come over and spend Sunday with you.’ ‘ Very well, then, Ishmael; so be it; I accept so much of your pleasant company, since no more of it is to be had. By the way, Ishmael!’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘ That was a gallant feat and a narrow escape of yours, and it was described to me by my niece Claudia. Nothing less than the preservation of her life could have justified you in such a desperate act.’ ‘ I am grateful to Miss Merlin for remembering it, sir.’ ‘Asif she could ever forget it! Good Heaven ! Well, Ishmael, I see that your pupils are assembling fast. 1 will not detain you from your duties longer. Good-morning ; and remember that we shall expect you on Saturday evening.’ ‘Good-morning, sir; I will remember; pray give my respects to Mrs Middleton and all the family,’ * Certainly,’ said Mr Middleton, as he walked away. Ishmael re-entered the school-room, rang the bell to call the pupils in, and commenced the duties of the day. On Saturday afternoon, all his weekly labours being scrupulously finished, Ishmael walked over to Rushy Shore Beacon, as Mr Middleton’s house was called. It was a very large old edifice of white stone, and stood upon the extreme point of a headland running out into the river. There were many trees behind it, landward; but none before it, seaward ; so that really the tall white house, with its many windows, might well serve as a beacon to

passing vessels. Around the headland upon which it was situated, the waters swept with a mighty impetus and a deafening roar that gave the place its descriptive name of Rushy Shore. As the air and water here were mildly salt, the situation was deemed very healthy and well suited to such delicate lungs as required a stimulating atmosphere, and yet could not bear the full strength of the sea breezes. As such the place had been selected by Mr Middleton for the residence of his invalid wife. When Isnmael approached the house, he found the family all assembled in the long front porch to enjoy the fine water view. Walter Middleton, who was the first to spy Ishmael’s approach, ran down the steps and out bo meet him, exclaiming, as he caught and shook his hand : ‘How are you, old boy? how are you? looking in high health and handsomeness, at any rate ! I should have como down to the school to see you, Ishmael, only, on the very morning after our arrival, I had to mount my horse and ride down to Baymouth to attend to some business for my father, and I did not get back until late last night. Come, hurry on to the house ! My mother is anxious to see her old favourite.’ And so, overpowering Ishmael with the cordiality of his greeting, Walter drew his friend’s arm within his own, and took him upon the porch in the midst of the family group, that immediately surrounded and warmly welcomed him. ‘ How handsome and manly you have grown, my dear,’ said Mrs Middleton, with almost motherly pride in her favourite. Ishmael blushed and bowed in reply to this direct compliment. And soon he was seated among them, chatting pleasantly. This was the first of many delightful visits to Rushy Shore, enjoyed by Ishmael. Mr Middleton liked to have him there, and often pressed him to come. And Ishmael, who very well knew the difference between invitations given from mere politeness and those prompted by a sincere desire for his company, frequently accepted them. One day Mr Middleton, who took a deep interest in the struggles of Ishmael, Baid to him :

‘ You should enter some law school, my young friend.’ ‘ I intend to do so, sir, as soon as I have accomplished two things.’ ‘ And what are they ?’ ‘ Saved money enough to defray my expenses and found a substitute for myself as master of this little school.’ * Oh, bother the school! you must always be sacrificing yourself to the public welfare, Ishmael,’ laughed Mr Middleton, who sometimes permitted himself to use rough words. ‘But to duty, sir?’ ‘ Oh, if you once make it a question of duty, I have no more to say,’ was the concluding remark of Ishmael’s friend. Thus, in diligent labour and intellectual intercourse, the young man passed the summer months. One bright hope burned constantly before Ishmael’s mental vision—of seeing Claudia ; but, ah ! this hope was destined to be deferred from week to week, and finally disappointed. Judge Merlin did not come to Tanglewood as usual this summer. He took his daughter to the seaside instead, where they lived quietly at a private boardinghouse, because it was not intended that Miss Merlin should enter society until the coming winter at Washington. To Ishmael this, was a bitter disappointment, but a bitter tonic, too, since it served to give strength to his mind. Late in September, his friend Walter Middleton, who was a medical student, left them to attend the autumn and winter course of lectures in Baltimore. Ishmael felt the loss of his society very much ; but as usual consoled himself by hard work through all the autumn months. He heard from Judge Merlin and hie daughter through their letters to the Middletons. They were again in Annapolis, where Miss Merlin was passing her last term at the finishing school, but they were to go to Washington at the meeting of Congress in December. As the month of November drew to a close, Ishmael began to compute the labours, progress and profits of the year. He found that he had brought his school into fine working order; he had brought his pupils on well; he had made Reuben Gray a very good reader, penman, arithmetician and book-keeper ; and lastly, he had advanced himself very far in his chosen professional studies. But he had made but little money, and saved less than a hundred dollars. This was not enough to support him, even by the severest economy, at any law school. Something else, he felt', must be done for the next year, by which moremoneymightbemade. So after reflecting upon the subject for some time, he wrote out two advertisements—one for a teacher, competent to take charge of a small country school, and the other for a situation a s book-keeper, clerk, or amanuensis* In the course of a week, the first advertisement

was answered by a Methodist preacher living in the same neighbourhood, who proposed to augmenb the small salary he received for preaching on Sundays, by teaching a school all the week. Ishmael had an interview with this gentleman, and finding him all that could be desired in a clergyman and country schoolmaster, willingly engaged to relinquish his own post in favour of the new candidate on the first of the coming year. His second advertisement was not yet answered; bub Ishmael kept it on and anxiously awaited the result. At length his perseverance was crowned with a success greater than he could have anticipated. It was about the middle of December, a few days before the breaking up of his school for the Christmas holidays, that he called at the Shelton post-office to ask if thero were any letters for .* X. Y. Z.’ those being the initials he had signed to his second advertisement. A letterwashanded him ;at last, then, it had come ! Without scrutinising the handwriting of the superscription, Ishmael tore it open and read :

Washington, December 14th. Mr ‘X. Y. Z.’—l have seen your advertisementinbhe “Intelligence.” lamin want of an intelligent and well educated young man to act as my confidential secretary and occasional amanuensis. If you will write to me, enclosing testimonials and references as to your character and competency, and stating the amount of salary you will expect to receive, I hope we may come bo a satisfactory arrangement. Respectfully yours, Randolph Merlin.

It was from Claudia’s father, then ! It was a stroke of fate, or so it seemed to the surprised and excited mind of Ishmael! Trembling with joy, he retired to a private parlour of the quiet little village inn to answer the letter, so that it might go off to Washington by the mail that started that afternoon. He smiled bo himself as he wrote that Judge Merlin himself had had ample opportunity of personally testing the character and ability of the advertiser, but that if further testimony were needed, he begged to refer to Mr James Middleton, of Rushy Shore. Finally, he left the question of the amount of salary to be settled by the judge himself. He signed, sealed and directed this letter, and hurried to the post-office to post it before the closing of the mail.

And then he went home in a maze of delight. Three anxious days passed, and then Ishmael received his answer. It was a favourable and a conclusive one. The judge told-him that from the post-office address givenin theadvertisement.aswelias from other circumstances, he had supposed the advertiser to be Ishmael, himself, but could not be sure until he had received his letter, when he was glad to find his suppositions correct, as he should much rather receive into his family, in a confidential capacity, a known young man like Mr Worth, than any stranger, however well recommended the latter might be ; he would fix the salary at three hundred dollars, with board and lodging, if that would meet the young gentleman’s views ; if the terms suited, he hoped Mr Worth would lose no time in joining him in Washington, as he (the writer) was overwhelmed with correspondence that was still accumulating. Ishmael answered this second letter immediately, saying that he would be in Washington on the following Tuesday. After posting this letter he walked homeward, calling at Rushy Shore on his way to inform his friends, the Middletons, of his change of fortune. As Ishmael was not egotistical enough to speak of himself and his affairs until it became absolutely needful for him to do so, he had never told Mt Middleton of his plan of giving up the school to the Methodist minister and seeking another situation for himself. And during the three days of his correspondence with Judge Merlin, he bad not even seen Mr Middleton, whom he only took time to visit on Saturday evenings Upon this afternoon, he reached Rushy Shore just as the family were sitting down bo dinner. They were as much surprised as pleased to see him at such an unusual time as the middle of the week. Mr Middleton gob up to shake hands with him ; Mrs Middleton ordered another plate brought; Bee saw that room was made for another chair; and so Ishmael was welcomed by acclamation, and seated among them at the table.

‘ And now, young gentleman, tell us what it all means ! For glad as we are to see you, and glad as you are to see us, we know very well that you did not take time to come here in the middle of the week merely to please yourself or us; pleasure not being your first object in life, Ishmael!’ said Mr Middleton.

‘ I regret to say, sir, that I came to tell you I am going away on Monday morning,’ replied Ishmael, gravely, for at the moment he felt a real regret at the thought of leaving such good and true friends. ‘ Going away !’ exclaimed all the family in a breath, and in consternation; for this boy, with his excellent character and charming manners, had deeply endeared himself to all his friends. * Going away !’ they repeated. ‘ I am sorry to say it,’ said Ishmael. ‘ Bub this is so unexpected, so sudden !’ said Mrs Middleton. ‘ What the grand deuce is the matter ? Have you enlisted for a soldier? engaged as a sailor ? been seized with the gold fever ?’ ‘ Neither, sir ; I will explain,’ said Ishmael. And forthwith ho told all his plans and prospects, in the fewest possible words. ‘And so you are going to Washington, to be Randolph Merlin’s clerk ! Well, Ishmael, as he is a thorough lawyer, though no very brilliant barrister, I do not know that you could be in a better school! Heaven prosper you, my lad ! By the way, Ishmael, just before you came in, we were all talking of going to Washington ourselves.’ ‘ Indeed ! and is there really a prospect of your going ?’ inquired Ishmael, in pleased surprise. ‘ Well, yes. You see the judge wishes a chaperone for his daughter this winter, and has invited Mrs Middleton, and in fact all the family, to come and spend the season with them in Washington. He says he has taken the old Washington House, whicli is large enough to accommodate our united families, and ten times as many.’ * And you will go ?’ inquired Ishmael, anxiously. ‘ Well, yes—l think so. You see, this place, so pre-eminently healthy during eight months of the year, is rather too much exposed and too bleak in the depth of winter to suit my wife. She begins to cough already. And as Claudia really does need a matronly friend near her, and as the judge is very anxious for us to come, I think all interests will be best served by our going.’ ‘ I hope you will go very soon,’ said Ishmael.

‘ln a week or ten days,’ replied Mr Middleton. Ishmael soon after arose and took his } leave, for he had a long walk before him, and a momentus interview with Hannah to brave at the end of it. After tea that evening, Ishmael broke the news to Reuben and Hannah. Both were Considerably startled and bewildered, for they, no more than the Middletons, had received any previous hint of the young man’s intentions. And now they really did

nob know whether to congratulate Ishmael on going to seek his fortune or to condole with him for leaving home ! Reuben heartily shook hands with Ishmael arid said how sorry he should be to part with him, but how glad he was that the young man was going to do something handsome for himself.

Hannah cried heartily, bub for the life of her, could not have told whether it was for joy or sorrow. To her apprehension, to go to Washington and be Judge Merlin’s clerk seemed to be one of the greatest honours that any young man could attain ; so she was perfectly delighted with that part of the affair. Bub on the other hand, Ishmael had been to her like the most affectionate and dearest of sons, and to part with him seemed more than she could bear ; so she wept vehemently, and clung to her boy. Reuben sought to console her. ‘ Never mind, Hannah, woman, never mind. It is the law of nature that the young bird must leave his nest and the young man his home ! But never you mind ! Washing-town-city ain’t oub’n the world, and any time as you want to see your boy very bad, I’ll just put Dobin to the waggon and cart you and the young uns up there for a day or two ! Law, Hannah, my dear, you never should shed a tear if I could help it! ’Cause I feel kind o’ guilty when you cry, Hannah, as if I ought to help it somehow !’ said the good fellow.

‘As if you could, Reuben ! Bub it is I myself who do wrong to cry for anything when I am blessed with the love of such a heart as yours, Reuben ! There, I will not cry any more ! Of course, Ishmael must go to the city and make his fortune, and I ought to be glad, and I am glad, only 1 am sich a fool. Ishmael, my dear, this is Wednesday night, and you say you are going on Monday morning ; so there ain’t no time to make you no new shirts and things before you go, bub I’ll make a lot of ’em, my boy, and send ’em up to you,’ said Hannah, wiping her eyes. Ishmael opened his mouth to reply ; but Reuben was before him with : ‘So do, Hannah, my dear; that will bo one of the best ways of comforting yourself, making up things for the lad ; and you shan’t want for the money nor the fine linen, nyther, Hannah, my dear ! And when you have got them all done, you and I can take them up to him when we go to see him. So think of that, and you won’t be fretting after him. And now, childun, it is bed-time !’ On Friday evening Ishmael, in breaking up his school for the Christmas holidays, also took leave of his pupils. The young master had so endeared himself to his rough pupils that they grieved sincerely at the separation. The girls wept, and even rude boys sobbed. Our stupid little friend, Eddy, who could nob learn grammar, had learned to love his kind young teacher, and at the prospect of parting with him and having the minister for a master roared aloud, saying : 1 Master Worth have allers been good to us, so he have ; but the minister—he'll lick us ever so much !’

Ishmael distributed such parting gifts as his slender purse would afford, and so dismissed his pupils. On Sunday evening he took leave of his friends, the Middletons, who promised to join him in Washington in the course of a week. And on Monday morning he book leave of Hannah and Reuben, and walked bo Baymouth to meet the Washington steamboat. „ CHAPTER L. '< V '(-3 ;. < . * claudia’s city home. How beautiful the mansion’s throned Behind its elm tree’s screen, With simple aitie cornice crowned All graceful and serene. Anon. Just north of the Capitol-park, upon a gentle eminence, within its own well-shaded and well-cultivated grounds, stood a fine old family mansion, that had once been the temporary residence of George Washington. The house was very large, with many spacious rooms and broad passages within, and many garden walks and trellissed arbours around it. In front were so many evergreen trees, and in the rear was so tine a conservatory of blooming flowers that even in the depth of winter it seemed like summer there. The house was so secluded within its many thick trees and high garden walls that the noise of the city never reached its inmates, though they were within five minutes’ walk of the Capitol and ten minutes’ drive of the President’s mansion. Judge Merlin had been very fortunate in securing for the season this delightful home, where he could be within easy reach of his official business, and at the same time enjoy the quiet so necessary to his temperament. That winter he had been appointed one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, and it was very desirable to have so pleasant a dwelling place within such easy reach of the Capitol, where the Court was held. At the head of this house his young daughter had been placed as its mistress. She had nob yet appeared anywhere in public, She was reserving herself for two events : the arrival of her chaperone and the first evening reception of the President. Her presence in the city was not even certainly known beyond her own domestic circle ; though a vague rumour, started no one knew by whom, was afloat, to the effect that Miss Merlin, the young Maryland heiress and beauty, was expected to come out in Washington during the current season. Meanwhile she remained in seclusion in her father’s house. It was to this delightful town house, so like the country in its isolation, that Ishmael Worth was invited.

It was just at sunrise on Tuesday morning that the old steamer Columbia, having Ishmael on board, landed at the Seventhstreet wharf, and the young man, destined some future day. to till a high official position in the Federal government, took his humble carpet-bag in his hand and entered the Federal city. Ah ! many thousands had entered the National capital before him, and many more thousands would enter it after him, only to complain of it, to carp over it, to laugh at it, for its * magnificent distances,’ its unfinished buildings, its muddy streets, and its mean dwellings. But Ishmael entered within its boundaries with feelings of reverence and affection. It was the City of Washington, the sacred heart of the nation. He had heard it called by shallowbrained and short-sighted people a sublime failure 1 It was a sublime idea, indeed, he thought, but no failure ! Failure ? Why, what did those who called it so expect? Did they expect that the great Republic should spring into full-grown existence as quickly as a hamlet around a railway station, or a village at a steamboat landing? Great ideas require a long time for their complete embodiment. And those who sneered at Washington were as little capable of foreseeing its future as the idlers about the steamboat wharf were of foretelling the fortunes of the modestlooking youth, in country clothes, who

stood there gazing thoughtfully upon the city.

‘ Can you tell me the nearest way to Pennsylvania Avenue ?' at length he asked of a bystander. * Just set your face to the north and follow your nose for about a mile, and you'll fetch up to the broadest street as ever you see ; and that ’ill be it,’ was the answer. With this simple direction Ishmael went on until he came to the avenue, which he

recognised at once from the dessription. The Capitol, throned in majestic grandeur upon the top of its wooded hill at the eastern extremityofitheavenuejandgleaming white in the rays of the morning sun, seeming to preside over the whole scene, next attracted Ishmael’s admiration. As his way lay towards it, he had ample time to contemplate its imposing magnificence and beauty. As he drew near it, however, he began to throw his eyes around the surrounding country in search of Judge Merlin’s house. He soon identified it—a large old family mansion, standing in a thick grove of trees on a hill just north of the Capitol grounds. He turned to the left, ascended tho hill, and soon found himself at the iron gate leading into the grounds. Here his old acquaintance, Sam, being on duty as porter, admitted him, and, taking him by a winding gravel walk, that turned and twisted among groves and parterres, led him up to the house, and delivered him into the charge of a black footman, who was at that early hour engaged in opening the doors and windows.

He was the same Jim who used to wait on the table at Tanglewood. ‘Good-morning, Mr Ishmael, sir,’ he said, advancing in a friendly and respectful manner, to receive the new arrival. ‘ The judge expected me this morning, Jim ?’ inquired Ishmael, when he had returned the greeting of the man. ‘ Oh, yes, sir ; and ordered your room got ready for you. The family ain’t down yet, sir ; but I can show you your room,’ said Jim, taking Ishmael’s carpet-bag from him, and leading the way upstairs. They went up three flights of stairs, to a small front room in the third storey, with one window, looking west. Here Jim put down the carpet-bag, saying:

* It’s rather hisrh up, sir ; but, you see, we’re expecting Mrs Middleton and all her family, and of course the best spare rooms has to be give up to the ladies. I think you will find everything you could wish for to hand, sir; but if there should be anything else wanted, you can ring, and one of the men servants will come up. And with this, Jim bowed and left the room. Ishmael looked around upon his new domicile. It was a very plain room, with simple maple furniture, neatly arranged ; a brown woollen carpet on the floor ; white dimity curtains at the window ; and a small coal fire in the grate. Yet it was much better than Ishmael had been accustomed to at home, and the outlook from the only win dow compensated for all deficiencies. Ishmael walked up to this window, put aside the dainty white curtain, and looked forth ; the whole of the city of Washington, Georgetown, the windings of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, Analostian Island, and the undulating hills of the Virginia and Maryland shores, lay spread like a vast panorama before him. As the thicket was a necessity to Judge Merlin’s nature, so the widely-extended prospect was a need of Ishmael’s spirit ; his eyes must travel when his feet could not. Feeling perfectly satisfied with his quarters, Ishmael at last left the window and made his toilet, preparatory to meeting the judge and—Claudia ! ‘ Oh, beating heart, be still ! be still !’ he said to himself, as the anticipations of that latter meeting, with all its disturbing influences, sent the blood rioting through his veins. Without being the very least bit dandyish, Ishmael was still fastidiously nice in his personal appointments ; purity and refinement pervaded his presence. He had completed his toilet, and was engaged in lightly brushing som9 lint from his black coat, when a knock at hi 3 door attracted hi 3 attention. It was Jim, who had come to announce breakfast and show him the way to the morning-room.

Down the three flights of stairs they went again, and across the central hall to a front room on the left that looked out upon the winter garden of evergreen trees. Crimson curtained and crimson carpeted, with a bright coal fire in the polished steel grate, and a glittering silver service on the whito draped break fast-table, this room had a very inviting aspect on this frosty December morning. The judge stood with his back to the fire, and a damp newspaper open in his hand. Claudia was nowhere visible—ahasty glance around the room assured Ishmael that she had not yet entered it. Ishmael’s movements were so noiseless that his presence was not observed until he actually went up to the judge, and, bowing, accosted him with the words:

‘ I am here according to appointment, Judge Merlin ; and hope I find you well.’ ‘Ah ! yes ; good morning! how do you do, Ishmael?’ said the judge, laying aside his paper and cordially shaking hands with the youth. ‘ Punctual, I see ! Had a pleasant journey ?’ ‘ Thank you, sir; very pleasant,’ re turned Ishmael. ‘ Feel like setting to work this morning There is 'juite an accumulation of corres pondence groaning to be attended to.’ *I am ready to enter upon my duties whenever you please, sir.’ ‘ All right,’ said the judge, touching a bell that presently summoned Jim to his presence. ‘ Let us have breakfast immediately. Where is Miss Merlin ? Let her know that we are waiting for her.’ ‘“Miss Merlin” is here, papa,’ said a rich voice at the door. Ishmael’s heart bounded and throbbed, and Claudia entered the breakfast-room.' . Such a picture of almost Oriental beauty, luxury and splendour as she looked ! She wore a morning robe of rich crimson foulard silk, fastened up the front with garnet buttons, each a spark of fire. The dress was open at the throat and wrists, revealing glimpses of the delicate cambric collar and cuffs confined by the purest pearl studs. Her luxuriant hair was carried away from her snowy temples and drooped in long, rich, purplish, black ringlets from the back of her etately head. But her full, dark eyes and oval crimson cheeks and lips glowed with fire too vivid for health as she advanced and gave her father the morning kiss. ‘I am glad you have come, my dear ! I have been waiting for you !’ said the judge. ‘ You shall not have to do so another morning, papa,’ she answered. ‘Here is Ishmael, Claudia,’ said her father, directing her attention to the youth, who had delicately withdrawn into the background ; but who, at the mention of his own name, came forward to pay his respects to the heiress. ‘ I am glad to see you, Mr Worth,’ she said, extending her hand to him as he bowed before her ; and then quickly detecting a passing shade of pain in his expressh face, she added, smiling:

* You know we must begin to call you Mr Worth some time, and there can be no better time than this when you make your first appearance in the city and commence a new career in life.’ ‘ I had hoped always to be “ Ishmael ” with my friends,’ he replied. ‘ “ Times change and we change with them,” said one of the wisest of sages,” smiled Claudia.

* And coffee and muffins grow cold by standing ! which is more to the present purpose,’laughed Judge Merlin, handing his daughter to her seat at the head of tho table, taking his own at the foot, and pointing his guest to one at the side. When all were seated, Claudia poured out the coffee and the breakfast commenced. But to the discredit of the judg-e’s consistency, it might have been noticed that, after he had helped his companion to steak, waffles, and other edibles, he resumed his newspaper ; and, regardless that coffee and muffins grew cold by standing, recommenced reading the debates in Congress. At length when he finished reading and saw that his companions had finished eating, he swallowed his muffin in two bolts, gulped his coffee in two draughts, and started up from the table, exclaiming : ‘ Now, then, Ishmael, if you are ready?’ Ishmael arose, bowed to Claudia, and turned to follow his employer. The judge led him upstairs to a sort of office or study, immediately over the breakfast-room, having an outlook over the Capitol grounds, and fitted up with a few book-cases, writing-desks, and easychairs.

The judge drew a chair to the central table, which was covered with papers, and motioned to Ishmael to take another seat at the same table. And as soon as Ishmael obeyed, Judge Merlin began to initiate him into his new duties, which, in fact, were so much of the same description with those in which he had been engaged at Tanglewood, that he very soon understood and entered upon them. The first few days of Ishmael’s sojourn were very busy ones. There was a great arrearage of correspondence ; and he worked diligently, day and night, until he had up all arrears to the current time. When this was accomplished, and he had but two mails to attend to in one day, he found that five hours in the morning and five in the evening sufficed for the work and left him ample leisure for the pursuit of his legal studies, and he devoted himself to them, both by diligent reading and by regular attendance upon the sessions of the circuit court, where hej watched, listened, and took notes, comparing the latter with the readings. Of course, he could not do all this without reducing his labours to a perfect system, and he could not constantly adhere to this system without practising the severest selfdenial. I tell you, young reader of this story, that in this Republic there is no * royal road ’to fame and honour. The way is open to each and all of you ; but it is steep and rugged, yes, and slippery; and you must toil and sweat and watch if you would reach the summit.

Would you know exactly how Ishmael managed this stage of his toilsome ascent? I will tell yon. He arose at four o’clock those winter mornings, dressed quickly and went into the judge’s study, where he made the fire himself, because the servants would not be astir for hours ; then he sat down with the pile of letters that had come by the night’s mail ; he looked over the judge’s hints regarding them, and then went to work and auswered letters or copied documents for four hours, or until the breakfast bell rang, when he joined Claudia and her father at table. After breakfast he attended the judge in his study; submitted to his inspection the morning’s work ; then took them to the post-office; posted them : brought back the letters that arrived by the morn--ng’s mail, and left them with tho judge to be read. This would bring him to about eleven o’clock, when be went to the City Hall, to watch the proceedings of the circuit court, making notes and comparing them with his own private readiugs of law. He returned from the circuit court about two o’clock ; spent the afternoon in answering the letters left for him by the judge ; dined late with the family ; took the second lot of letters to the post office, and returned with those that came by the evening mail ;gave them to the judge for examination, and went up to his room to spend the evening in reading law and comparing notes. He allowed himself no recreation and but little rest. Hi 3 soul was sustained by what Balzac calls * The divine patience of genius.’ And the more he was enabled to measure himseli with other men, the more confidence he acquired in his own powers. This severe mental labour took away much of the pain of his ‘ despised love.’ Ishmael was one to love strongly, ardently, constantly. But he was not one to drivel over a hopeless passion. He loved Claudia! how deeply, how purely, how faithfully, all his future life was destined to prove ! And he knew that Claudia loved him ; but that all the prejudices of her rank, her character, and her education wero warring in her bosom against this love! He knew that she appreciated his personal worth, but scorned his social position ! He felt that she had resolved never, under any circumstances whatever, to marry him ; but he trusted in her honour, never topermither, while loving him, to marry another ! And in the meantime, years of toil would pass ; he would achieve greatness ; and when the obscurity of his origin should be lost in the light of his fame, then he would woo and win Miss Merlin !

Such were the young man’s dreams, whenever in his busy, crowded, useful life he gave himself time to dream. And meanwhile, what was the conduct of the heiress to her presumptuous lover? Coldly proud but very respectful! For, mark you this-—No one who was capable of appreciating Ishmael Worth, could possibly treat him otherwise than with respect. CHAPTER LI. HEIRESS AND BEAUTY. 'Tis hard upon the dawn, and yet She comes not trom the ball, The night is cold and bleak and wet, And the snow lies over all. I praised her with her diamonds on ! And as she went she smiled, And yet I sighed when she was gone, I sighed like any child. Meredith. Meanwhile, all Claudia Merlin’s time was taken up with milliners, mantua-makers and jewellers. She was to make her first appearance in society at the President’s first eveningreception, which was to be held on Friday, the sixth of January. It was now very near the New Year, and all her intervening time was occupied in preparations for the festivities that were to attend it. On the 23rd of December, two days before Christmas, Mr and Mrs Middleton and all their family arrived. They came up by the Columbia, and reached Judge Merlin’s house early in the morning. Consequently, they were not fatigued, and the day of their arrival was a day of unalloyed pleasure and of family jubilee. Ishmael took sympathetic part in all the rejoicings, and was caressed by Mr and Mrs Middleton and all their younger

children as a sort of supplementary son and brother. On Christmas Eve, also, Reuben Gray, Hannah and her children came to town in their waggon. Honest Reuben had brought a load of turkeys for the Christmas market, and had ‘ put up ’ at a plain, respectable inn, much frequented by the farmers, near the market-house ; but in the course of the day he and his wife, leaving the children in the care of their faithful Sally, who had accompanied them in the character of nurse, called on Ishmael and brought him his trunk of wearing apparel. The judge, in his hearty, old-fashioned, thoughtless hospitality, weuld have had Reuben and his family come and stop at his own house. But Reuben Gray, with all his simplicity, had the good sense firmly to decline this invitation and keep to his tavern.

‘For you know, Hannah, my dear,’ he said to his wife, when they found themselves again at the “ Plough,” ‘we would bother the family more’n the judge reckoned on. What could they do with us? Where could they put us? As to axing of us in the drawing-room or sitting of us down in the dining-room, with all his fine, fashionable friends, that wasn’t to be thought on ! And as to you being put into the kitchen, along with the servants, that I wouldn’t allow ! Now the judge, he didn’t think of all these things ; but I did ; and I was right to decline the invitation, don’t you think so ?’ ‘Of course you were, Reuben, and if you hadn’t declined it, I would, and that I tell you,’ answered Mrs Gray.

‘And so, Hannah, my dear, we will just keep our Christmas where we are ! We won’t deprive Ishmael of his grand Christmas dinner with his grand friends ! but we will ax him to come over and go to the play-house with us and see the play, and then we’ll all come back and have a nice supper all on us together. We’ll have a roast turkey and mince-pie and egg nog and apple-toddy, my dear, and make a night of it, once in a way ! What do you think?’ ‘ I think that will be very well, Reuben, so that you don’t take too much of that same said egg-nog and apple-toddy,’ replied Mrs Gray. ‘ Now, Hannah, did you ever know me to do such a thing ?’ inquired Reuben, with an injured air. ‘ No, Reuben, I never did ! But I thin that a man that even so much as touch spiritable likkers is never safe until he is his grave,’ said Mrs Gray, solemnly. ‘ Where he can never get no more!’ sighed Reuben ; and as he had to attend the market to sell his turkeys that night, he left Hannah and went to put his horses to the waggon. Bo fine a trade did Reuben drive with his turkeys that he came home at ten w r ith an empty waggon and full pocket-book, and told Hannah that she might have a new black silk ‘ gownd,’ and Sally should have a red calico ‘un,’ and as for the children, they should have an outfit from head to foot.

Christmas morning dawned gloriously. All the little Middletons were made happy by the fruit of the Christmas tree. In the many kind interchanges of gifts Ishmael was not entirely forgotten. Some loving hand had remembered him. Some skilful hand had worked for him. When he went; up to his room after breakfast on Christmas morning, he saw upon his dressing-table a packet directed to himself. On opening it he found a fine pocket-handkerchief neatly hemmed and marked, a nice pair of gloves, a pair of home-knit socks and a pair of embroidered slippers. Here was no useless fancy trumpery; all were useful articles; and in the old-fashioned, house-wifely present, Ishmael recognised the thoughtful heart and careful hand of Bee, and grateful, affectionate tears filled his eyes. He went below stairs to a back parlour, where ho felt sure he should find Bee presiding over the indoor amusements of her younger brothers and sisters. And sure enough there the pretty little motherly maiden was among the children. Ishmael went straight up to her, saying, in fervent tones; ‘ I thank you, Bee ; I thank you very much for remembering me !’ ‘ Why, who should remember you if not I, Ishmael? Are you not like one of ourselves ? And should I forget you any sooner than I should forget Walter, or James, or John ?’ said Bee, with a pleasant smile. ‘ Ah, Bee ! I have neither mother nor sister to think of me at festive times ; but you, dear Bee, you make me forget the need of either.’ * You have “ neither mother nor sister,” Ishmael? Now, do not think so, while my dear mother and myself live ; for I am sure she loves you as a son, Ishmael, and I love you—as a brother,’answered Bee, speaking comfort to the lonely youth from the depths of her own pure, kind heart. But ah 1 the intense blush that followed her words might have revealed to an interested observer how much more than any brother she loved Ishmael Worth ! Judge Merlin, Claudia, Mr and Mrs Middleton and Ishmael, went to church. Bee stayed home to see that the nurses took proper care of tho children. They had a family Christmas dinner. And after that Ishmael excused himself, and went over to tho * Plough,’ to spend the evening with Reuben and Hannah. That evening the three friends went to the theatre, and saw their first play-the Comedy of Errors—together. And it did many an old, satiated play-goer good to see the hearty zest with which honest Reuben enjoyed the fun. Nor was Hannah or Ishmael much behind him in their keen appreciation of the piece; only, at those passages at which Hannah and Ishmael only smiled, Reuben rubbed his knees, and laughed aloud, startling all the audience. ‘ It’s a good thing I don’t live in the city, Hannah, my dear, for I would go to the play every night !’ said Reuben, as they left the theatre at the close of the performance. ‘And it is a good thing you don’t, Reuben, for it would be the ruination of you !’ admitted Hannah.

They went back to the ‘ Plough,’ where the Christmas supper was served for them in the plain little private sitting-room. After partaking moderately of its delicacies, Ishmael bade them good-night, and returned home. Reuben and Hannah stayed a week in the city. Reuben took her about to see all the sights and to shop in all the stores. And on New Year’s Day, when the President received the public, Reuben took Hannah.to the White House, to ‘pay their duty ’ to the chief magistrate of the nation. And the day after New Year’s Day, they took leave of Ishmael and of all their friends, and returned home, delighted with the memory of their pleasant visit to the city. Ishmael, after all these interruptions, returned with new zest to his duties, and, as before, worked diligently day and night. Claudia went deeper into her preparations for her first appearand t in society, at the President’s first dre- jing room of the season. The night of nights for the heiress came. After dinner Claudia indulged herself with a long nap, so that she might be quite fresh in the evening. When she wok'' up she took a cup of tea, and immediately retired to her chamber to dress.

Mrs Middleton superintended her toilet. Claudia wore a rich point-lace dress over a white satin skirt. The wreath that crowned her head, . the necklace that reposed upon her bosom, the bracelets that clasped her arms, the girdle that enclosed her waist, and the bunches of flowers that festooned her upper lace dress, were all of the same rich pattern —lilies of the valley, whose blossoms were formed of pearl, whose leaves were of emeralds, and whose dew was of diamonds. Snowy gloves and snowy shoes completed this toilet, the effect of which was rich, chaste and elegant beyond description. Mrs Middleton wore a superb dress of rubycoloured velvet. When they were both quite ready, they went down into the drawing-room, where Judge Merlin, Mr Middleton, and Ishmael were awaiting them, and where Claudia’s splendid presence suddenly dazzled them. Mr Middleton and Judge Merlin gazed upon the radiant beauty with undisguised admiration. And Ishmael looked on with a deep, unuttered groan. How dared he love this stately, resplendent queen 1 How dared, he hope she would ever deign to notice him ? But the next instant he reproached himself for the groan and the doubt-how could he have been so fooled by a mere shimmer of satin and glitter of jewels ? Judge Merlin and Mr Middleton were in the conventional evening dress of gentlemen, and were quite roady to attend the ladies. They had nothing to do, therefore, but to hand them to the carriage, which they accordingly did. The party of four— Mr and Mrs Middleton, Judge Merlin and Claudia—drove off. Ishmael and Beatrice remained at home, Ishmael to study his law books ; Beatrice to give the boys their supper and see that the nurses took proper care of the children. {To be continued.)