Part 1 (1/2)
Cord and Creese
by James de Mille
CHAPTER I
THE LETTER FROM BEYOND THE SEA
On theof July 21, 1840, the _Daily News_ announced the arrival of the shi+p _Rival_ at Sydney, New South Wales As ocean steaation had not yet extended so far, the advent of this shi+p with the English er crowd beset the post-office, waiting for the delivery of the mail; and little knots at the street corners were busily discussing the latest hints at nehich had been gathered froers
At the lower end of King Street was a large warehouse, with an office at the upper extreilded letters the words:
COMPTON & BRANDON
The general appearance of the warehouse showed that Messrs Coeneral agents, or so mentioned two men were in the inner office of this warehouse One was an elderly gentleman, with a kind, benevolent aspect, the senior partner of the firm The other was the junior partner, and in every respect presented a marked contrast to his companion
He had a face of rather unusual appearance, and an air which in England is usually considered foreign His features were regular--a straight nose, wide brow, thin lips, and square, massive chin His complexion was olive, and his eyes were of a dark hazel color, with a peculiarity about them which is not usually seen in the eye of the Teutonic or Celtic race, but is so the people of the south of Europe, or in the East It is difficult to find a naipsy; so those who call the the ed to Napoleon Bonaparte, whose glance at ti his netism? Or the revelation of the soul? Or what?
In this reat Napoleon The contour of feature was the saht be seen those grand shadohich French artists love to glorify the Emperor Yet in addition to this he had that same serene immobility of countenance which characterized the other, which could serve as an impenetrable mask to hide even the intensest person
There was also about this race of attitude, or of , theHow such a man could have happened to fill the position of junior partner in a commission business was certainly a problem not easily solved There he was, however, a man in appearance out of place, yet in reality able to fill that place with success; a man, in fact, whose resolute will enabled hi of life to which either outside circuht invite hiht to be open by this ti at his watch ”I a I noticed quotations of wool rather higher than by last ht to do very well by that last cargo”
Mr Compton smiled
”Well, Brandon,” said he, ”if it is so it will show that you are right
You anticipated a rise about this time, you know You certainly have a remarkable forecast about the chances of business”
”I don't think there is much forecast,” said Brandon, with a smile ”It was only the most ordinary calculation made from the well-known fact that the exportation this year had been slight But there co his head a little to one side so as to look up the street ”The letters will soon show us all”
Mr Compton looked out in the direction which Brandon indicated and saw the clerk approaching He then settled himself back in his chair, put his hands in his pockets, threw one leg over the other, and began whistling a tune with the air of a man as so entirely prosperous and contented that no nehether good or evil could greatly affect his fortunes
In a short ti the letters down upon the table nearest Mr Compton, he withdrew
Mr Compton took up the letters one by one and read the addresses, while Brandon looked carelessly on There were ten or twelve of them, all of which, except one, were addressed to the fir the others, and reaching it out in his hand said:
”This is for you, Mr Brandon”
”Forthe letter he looked at the address with eager curiosity
The address was simply as follows:
Louis Brandon, Sydney, New South Wales
The letters were irregular and loosely forh written by a tremulous hand--such letters as old men form when thethe letters of the fir any further notice of his partner The latter sat for so to open it He held it in both hands, and looked fixedly at that address as though fro