CHAPTER XV.
GLOOMY FOREBODINGS.
The excitement of election had hardly subsided when Daley was declaredbankrupt. With the loss of property his mind became shattered. Broodingover his troubles and looking upon himself as a victim of the grossestpersecution, his brain became so diseased that he would talk of nothingbut fancied wrongs. Friends, observing his singular actions, littlethought that he contemplated revenge. Two weeks later, however, Daleyentered the bank, pulled a revolver from his pocket and fired two shotsat his late antagonist. Luckily the pistol failed to do its work, andDaley was secured before he could do more mischief. Raving and swearingthat he would have Senator Hamblin's life, he was removed at once, hisfriends promising to send him to an asylum. Senator Hamblin agreed notto prosecute him, but the affair caused great excitement, much sympathybeing expressed for Daley. His case was only one of many: men infatuatedwith politics are often overwhelmed in financial and social ruin,occasionally followed by dethronement of reason.
Sargent's position in the bank caused much comment, but he was a goodaccountant and at once became conversant with his work. Cashier Aldengladly saw how readily he fell into the routine of a teller's duties,for he himself had long been doing the work of two men. While glad tohave so useful an assistant, he did not feel the confidence he wished inthe new teller, for Sargent lacked that frank expression of countenancethat all business men look for in one another. Besides, the attitudethat Sargent had occupied toward the president of the bank prejudicedAlden's mind against him. The new cashier knew that Sargent, over hisown signature, had made statements reflecting upon Senator Hamblin'scharacter, and had subsequently under oath denied them, his rewardbeing the position as bank-teller. If Alden had been a politician hewould have seen nothing unusual in such inconsistency, but being only abusiness man he judged Sargent by business rules, just as if politicswas not a rule unto itself.
One evening Senator Hamblin was writing letters in his private office atthe bank when Sargent entered, and said:
"Excuse me, but I desire to get a book I have here."
"All right, Sargent. How do you like your new place?" said the Senator.
"It suits me nicely. Just my fit, thanks to you, sir. Anything I can doto serve your interests I shall be ready to perform."
"Anything, Sargent?"
"Yes, sir! You can command me to do anything you will. I am indebted toyou, and only too anxious to serve you."
Senator Hamblin hesitated as if about to speak, and then in a low toneof voice said:
"I have some very important work I may call upon you to perform. It isvery peculiar, and will require the greatest secrecy. You have doneprivate work for me before, and whatever you do now will not be withoutreward. I am not quite ready. In the mean time attend strictly to yourduties, and make yourself strong with the cashier. Win his confidence inevery particular, and you will have no cause for regret. I have takenyou into my confidence as well as my employ. You can go now, as I haveletters to write, and wish to be alone."
"Good-night, sir!" said Sargent. "When you need my services, command meand I shall obey," and he passed out of the building.
"Yes," said Senator Hamblin, "I believe he will do anything I desire,and with his assistance a trap can be laid for Alden, for I amdetermined he shall be put out of the way."
He had just written a letter to Mannis, containing the following lines:"When shall I see you? I desire to know what has occurred to your mindto help along that little scheme. You must have a programme. Shall wemeet soon?" Folding and addressing the letter, he soon after started forhome, and arriving there saw Belle and George Alden in the parlor. Hedid not enter the room, but passing the door muttered angrily:
"We will spoil that fun soon. Curse it! I wish I could strangle him!"
His hatred for the cashier increasing, he could not drive the thoughtfrom his mind that Alden was really doing something criminal. A certainvillain named Iago once worked himself into a similar frame of mind.Hamblin's one absorbing thought was to ruin Alden, and thus estrangefrom him his daughter's affection.
Belle felt sure that her father's tranquillity was not permanent.Expecting another outbreak, she never awoke in the morning withoutsaying to herself, "I am afraid it will come to-day." Her father oftenspoke of money losses, accompanying his remarks with these words:
"I should not care, if my daughter were as well provided for as Idesire." Although raising no objection to George Alden's visiting thehouse, he was always cross after seeing him there. At the bank he spoketo him only on business, and as the cashier attended strictly to hisduties there was little reason for conversation between him and theSenator.
Of course all this could not escape the attention of the village people,for "folks will talk." Everybody had his own views about the matter.George Alden was often seen with the beautiful daughter of the bankpresident, and it was remarked that the young lady seemed a satisfiedparty to the arrangement, so the village gossips had a rich morsel toroll about in their mouths.
One of the directors of the bank, a regular sitter in one of theCleverdale stores--where that detestable creature, the male gossip,may be found every evening warming his toes as well as warming thereputation of his neighbors--related his suspicions to fellow-sitters,who in turn related them to their wives, and finally the news wasgenerally circulated that Senator Hamblin disliked Cashier Aldenbecause the latter admired his daughter. This was enlarged upon tosuit the crowd where the subject was under discussion, until the wholeneighborhood knew more about the private matters of the Hamblin familythan did the family itself. There is nothing wonderful about this,though, for the family who knows as much about its own business as theneighbors do has never yet been discovered.
Belle observed with pain her father's angry countenance, and sighed asshe thought of the change that had come over him in a few short months.Once she was his pet; he never entered the house without uttering wordsof endearment or presenting her some token of affection; now, sullen andmorose, he took his meals in silence, and the old, happy, sunshiny dayswere only memories.
George Alden hearing her sigh looked into her face, and said:
"Why are you sad?"
"I was thinking--thinking of the happy past."
"And has the present or future no happy moments?"
"Yes, it has many; but oh, George, time works some dreadful changes.Once I was my father's pride, but that day has passed, and now he has nolove, but ambition; no companions but such as Miller and Paddy Sullivan;no thought but for politics, and few aims outside of public life. Oh,how I should enjoy one single moment of the good old days--when I had afather."
George offered some lover's sympathy of a kind that, although made bylips, does not put itself into words. But he said:
"It makes me sad to realize that I am much to blame for this state ofaffairs. If I thought you would be happier I would make the greatestsacrifice man can, and give you up. I know by his every action towardme that I am the subject of his hatred. He considers me a thief who hasstolen his most precious treasure, and if I did not fill my position atthe bank acceptably I should not be retained an hour."
"Is he unkind to you, George?"
"No, he never speaks to me except on business matters. If he hasanything to say, any little pleasantry to relate, it is always toSargent, whom he treats in a far more friendly manner than he does me."
"What kind of a clerk does Sargent make?"
"He is a good accountant, perfectly correct, and very apt and quick tolearn; writes a fine hand, and has the most wonderful power of imitatinghandwriting I ever saw."
"Do you have confidence in him? Is he a man you can safely trust?"
"H'm--well, he is your father's choice, he trusts him; why shouldn't I?"
Belle, with true womanly instinct, was not satisfied, and said:
"Be frank with me, George. You must have reason for distrusting him,and I ask your confidence. No one more than I can desire you to have atrustworthy clerk."
"I c
an only say I am not impressed with his honesty. Perhaps I amprejudiced, for you know he has not placed himself on record as onewhose word can be relied upon. Belle, when Sargent stepped into thebank I should have resigned at once had it not been for you."
"For me! why?"
"Because your father wished him to have the position. No harm may comeof it, but I have a presentiment of evil. Pshaw; it's a foolish whim,no doubt, and I should not be influenced by it, nor worry you with it.I think it is time for me to be off when I torment my sweetheart withpresentiments. Good-night."
Belle went directly to her mother, who said:
"What is it, Belle? is anything wrong to-night?"
"Oh, I don't know. Why did papa engage that Sargent as bank clerk? Hedoes not bear a good reputation. George does not have confidence in him,and I am afraid he is not a trustworthy man."
"You and George don't like him, eh? If you and George will please attendto your own affairs you will both appear to better advantage."
Belle started; it was her father who had spoken; he had entered the roomunperceived, just in time to hear her remark.
"Papa, as you have heard me, I cannot recall my words. After hispublishing such a statement about you, I cannot repress my indignationagainst the fellow. I do not like him, and with due respect to you haveno confidence in him."
"If my daughter will not interfere in the public and private businessmatters of her father," said the Senator coldly, "but will be guidedmore by his advice and judgment, her future will be happier, and hercompanions not of that class who slander their betters."
So speaking, he left the room. Belle's temper rose quickly; the hotblood mantled her cheek, and her eyes flashed fire.
"George Alden's character is as far above that detestable Sargent's asthe sky is above the earth. Papa hates those who are good and noble, buthe takes to his confidence such men as Cyrus Miller, Paddy Sullivan,and that Sargent. Oh, this detestable politics! It steals the honorableinstincts from good men, and makes them willing to sacrifice any andevery thing to gain power. It has taken away my dear father, and leftyou a widow and me fatherless. God pity us both!"
Sympathetic words calmed the daughter's grief somewhat, and a fewmoments later, bidding her mother good-night, Belle gained her room andfell upon her knees before the only Friend who entirely consoled herwhen she felt desolate. She arose comforted. She was scarcely asleepwhen she dreamed that, again a little girl, happy and free from sorrow,she saw her father and flew to meet him. As her arms were about toembrace him, a serpent's head darted before her, the face changing tothat of Sargent, who said:
"Beware, maiden! I am the god of political ambition, and am about tocrush you in my coils."
As it wound its dreadful length about her she reached forth her handsand piteously implored her father to save her. He only laughed, andsaid:
"Oh, no, my daughter; I am the slave of the serpent. He demands yoursacrifice, and I must obey."
Looking again, she saw the faces of her father's political friends, alllaughing at her, and the serpent said:
"Only ten seconds to live!"
Closer and closer its coils tightened about her; she could scarcelybreathe; her agony becoming unbearable, she gave a loud shriek, andcried:
"Oh, mother, save me!"
Springing to the floor, the frightened girl beheld her mother enteringthe room.
"What is it, child? How you frightened me."
"It was a hideous nightmare. I thought I was being crushed by a serpent."
After relating her dream, Belle tried again to sleep, but during theremainder of the night the phantom haunted her. Truly, her dream wasonly a presage of the grief and trouble in store for her.