CHAPTER I.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2209, 4 September 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER I.

11 Axn you say they want one thousand pounds for the partnership? Oh dear, what a large sum !' said Agatha, musingly. 'It is to us impecunious mortals,' I answered ; ' though many a man would think it quite a small amount.' • How I wish you had the money ! There in no way by wh : ch that sum could be obtained, I suppose ?' she asked. I shook my head. • No, dear ; I cannot see the slightest chance of such a thing, unless,' I added, laughingly, 'some obliging old miser's ghost would appear and direct me where to find his hidden store.' • But that's not probable,' sighed Agatha. ' Very improbable, indeed. In the first place, there are no ghosts— a belief it) spiritual appearances is a delusion ; secondly, it is only in novels fortunes are thus discovered, and the deserving young man rewarded. In real life the * deserving young man generally finds virtue to be Its turn rnrurd !' 1 1 am afraid so ; certainly you are always industrious, and success comes not. Oh, Cyril, how happy we might be with but a quarter of the wealth some people enjoy !' There was a suspicion of tear* in AtrathaV blue eyes, though *he trud to smile, 10 I hastened to di*pel them. "Ch^er up, little lassie," I cried ; "some day, percham:e, wo nlso sh*U be rich — only have pntience. I winh I could purchase this partnership, for it. would brintf me in a Tery f.iir income ; but it is no u«e fretting over what cannot be helped, nn let us talk of hoinrthing else." But Agatha, womanlike, returned to the subject. 1 I cannot help talking of it. If you only hid *orne wealthy relative who would advance you money.' 1 Very true. •If »/* and ends were pots and pans, there'd bo no work for tinker*,' I quoted, addinir, 'I have hot .v rich rotation in the world.' •Papa would b* only too glad to help you if lie could,' the said, 1 I know it dear ; he is a capital fellow.' • But ho hn« not the m-ans, (Jvril ; nice people ire always poor. You lei ow papa would haro had a fortune l«ft him by hi* father, only he tli.splu.ised him by lm marring, >, and j>o he disinherited him.' ' Yet, it has provi'd ,i very luppv uninn, in spite of that. And a* you, mv di'.ir one, are the off-spring 1 of it, let u> not rejrret that it took pbice. Now, t ilkmir of weddinjrs, dismiss from your mind the partnership which 'miirht h ivcWm,' ainl look forward to the- on" wlne'.i, I Im-t. will be in thef.iture Di you mulei-tand my mcntiinjr, A .rath • •' ' Her dimples camr into pliy. Hut no reply in w»irds was vo'ichsafed to tne. Ai:n f h i Brandon '111(1 I hid hern en^i'_ r eil foi two ye'ir-, w.iitinir li'»p< lully until a (Miilioient in-vctie won] 1 cti ihle u> t-i marry. I w,is ,i M )H' itoj whose n ime hid been placed on the R iIN .soino v< ir> .iu rr '. but it h id only r 'suited in my nbt li'iinj- a modet.'itc salary as m m iiririLr rlt ilc in the firm of Chenitou arid Saundeis Tliis very day they hid offered me a junior hhure in the pnrtnrrsh'p, but the neces. s.iry cish was not forfhcomiiu'. I«^. »as now the Lonj; Vacation, and I hid roni^ on a visit to the plea.sint little vill i in Cotlntn, where my bctrothe 1 resided with her parents.