The Cleverdale Mystery; or, The Machine and Its Wheels: A Story of American Life

by W. A. Wilkins

  CHAPTER X.

  THE CRUELTY OF AMBITION.

  Senator Hamblin sat alone in his private office at the bank, evidentlyengaged in taking a moral inventory of his position. Although winning avictory at the caucuses, he fully realized having slipped down lower inthe scale of morality. His canvass had already cost over five thousanddollars, to say nothing of the loss of honor and the awakening of bitterhostility against himself in his own political household.

  He knew it would take a large amount of cash to elect him, andhypocritically condemning the corrupt use of money by Daley and hisfollowers, agreed with himself that he must exceed Daley's corruptionfund or else be defeated. He fully realized the multiplicity of evilsthat beset him, but did not desire to turn back.

  "I will be elected," said he, "cost what it may, and then try to recoverwhat I lose. There is no backing out now, for the convention will beheld next week--then for the result. Daley will bolt the ticket, but Iwill overwhelm him through the power of money. You infernal little godMammon, how powerful you are! You have overthrown empires and dynasties;how easily, then, you can overthrow the machinations of a boltingclique! We shall see."

  Just then George Alden entered and handed him several letters. Glancingover the superscriptions, his eyes fell upon the well-known handwritingof his admired friend, Assemblyman Mannis. Quickly opening the envelope,he read as follows:

  MANNIS MANOR, HAVELOCK, September 20, 187-.

  MY DEAR SENATOR: I write to congratulate you on your victory over your enemies. We made a gallant fight for you here, and as I am chosen delegate from our town, you can readily understand who has won here. It has been reported that this place elected a bolting delegate, but Havelock is the only town, my dear friend, failing to elect one. Havelock will, therefore, be solid for you at the convention.

  For a long time I have contemplated addressing you upon a subject interesting me individually. The deep shadow of affliction that gathered over your loved home has delayed the request I am about to make.

  To say that I admire your charming daughter scarce expresses my feelings, yet I would not make known my affection nor presume upon paying her attention without the consent of her honored father. I now ask your consent to address her, with the honest intention of winning her heart and hand. I am a bachelor, and, until I met Miss Belle, had no thought of breaking away from a life of singleness. Please convey my regards to Mrs. Hamblin and Miss Belle, and if my request is not considered presumptuous kindly write me in reply at an early day.

  Sincerely, your friend, WALTER MANNIS.

  As the Senator concluded reading the epistle, a smile of satisfactioncrossed his face.

  "This is one of the happiest moments of my life! With such a brilliantman for my son-in-law I should indeed be a proud father--but there isAlden. Well, she must drop him, and at once. Did I dare send him away,he should go this very day. But no; he is a favorite with all thedirectors, and he is certainly a faithful man. Ah! there's Sargent, hecan be induced to do any work I desire him to perform. After election,he will have a position in the bank, for our cashier will surely die,his place will be filled by young Alden, and Sargent will be chosenteller. Alden should not be allowed to longer visit my daughter, but howcan it be prevented? I shall at once make my wishes and Mannis's requestknown to my wife and daughter. Poor Belle! She is deeply interested inAlden, but what of that? Isn't my word law in my own family? Is not aman justified in guiding the destiny of those belonging to him? In fact,does not the imperative duty devolve upon a parent of making provisionin life for his loved ones? This intimacy between Belle and Alden mustimmediately be broken."

  Thus he reasoned, trying to justify himself in allowing ambition tomislead him, but in contemplating the programme his conscience wasnot easy nor his mind comfortable. Seizing the letter, he started forhome, but on reaching the street met Miller, who wishing to see him onimportant business, he returned to the office. Before Miller left othersarrived, and the hours passed quickly without the interview taking placethat was to bring pain and trouble to a young girl, merely becauseher heart was to be considered of less consequence than her father'sambition.

  The engagements of the afternoon and evening made it necessary forSenator Hamblin to postpone the proposed conversation with his wife anddaughter. On the following evening Belle, returning from the house ofa friend, met her lover, who saluted her affectionately, and, offeringhis arm, proposed a walk. As the two passed along the street, they werehappy as mortals usually are when the little god of love is binding themtogether with chains that do not gall except when one tries to escapefrom them. Absorbed in each other's society, they spoke of the past,the happy moments at Lake George; and then Alden poured the thoughts ofhis heart into the willing ear of the maiden at his side. His tale oflove elicited from the heart of the happy girl a modest response, thatnevertheless answered its purpose completely.

  Then they began to forecast the future, which was not as clear as theydesired, for both were conscious of obstacles obstructing their paths.Belle knew her father's consent to her marriage with George Alden couldnever be obtained, while the young clerk felt the enmity of SenatorHamblin toward him was not of a nature easy to be overcome. Still, whatlover has ever lacked hope in proportion to what was to be hoped against?

  Belle, full of joy, entered her home and sought her mother, telling ofthe happy hour passed; and as she related her joy, the loving parent,embracing her child, said:

  "Darling, my blessing rest upon you, and may God soften the heart ofyour father; may the ambition holding him in its clutches spare youryoung heart sorrow."

  The following morning, Mr. Hamblin arose from the breakfast-table, andsaid:

  "Belle, I should like a few moments' conversation with you," and gentlyleading her from the room to his private apartment, he said:

  "My daughter, I wish to speak of a matter that interests not only yourfuture, but that of our family. You have arrived at an age when you willbe called upon to make choice of all that brings happiness or sorrow.Life's journey may be made joyous or a highway paved with sharp stones,hedged in with thistles and pitfalls. You are beginning the road withoutknowledge of the trials and vexations that may obstruct your progress.Unskilled in the ways and manners of those who will seek to turn youfrom the path of duty, you must know a father's love and anxiety for hisoffspring makes him anxious about her future welfare. You have passedfrom girlhood to womanhood and must soon choose a companion. I shouldalways reproach myself did I fail in my duty toward assisting you tobegin the journey aright."

  The trembling girl, scarce knowing what reply to make, fully realizedthat the long-dreaded interview had begun, and a deep sigh escaping her,she said:

  "I hardly understand your meaning, father, but I cannot believe you socruel as to leave the one most interested without a voice in deciding amatter of such vital importance as you hint at."

  "I see you comprehend me. Assemblyman Mannis asks the privilege ofaddressing you. He is rich, respected and talented, having already wonhonors of which few young men can boast. Coming from a good family, heis a prize that any lady may well feel proud to win. Ah, I see you donot receive this proposal as I wish. I did not expect you to think wellof it at first; but, Belle, you are possessed of good judgment, and mustsee that the union of the estates of Mannis and myself would give usgreat power."

  "But, papa, I cannot give him my heart, that is another's. While I amready to obey you in everything else I cannot change the current ofaffection, even at your bidding. Oh, spare me any moments of sorrow, anddo not urge me, for I cannot receive the attentions of your friend."

  "Cannot! but you _must_! This is only sentimentality. Once the wife ofWalter Mannis, your affections would be his. As your father, I must seethat you start aright in life. I am older than you, and have seen theworld from all sides. People bow to station and
wealth, it is the 'opensesame' to every heart--the key unlocking the door of every house in theland. Be not hasty in your conclusions, my darling; you are a sensiblegirl, and I believe the infatuation that beset you at Lake George willsoon wear away, and the scales now dimming your vision fall, revealingnot only your duty but your path to happiness as well. Do not shedtears, but bear up and look upon this matter as your father thinks bestfor your future welfare."

  Belle suddenly brushed away the tears; her eyes flashed, her flushedface showed plainly that passion raged in her heart. Always gentle,seldom allowing anger to rise, Belle had ever spoken kindly to herfather. Now, unable to control herself longer, she broke forth:

  "As my father, I suppose, you have the right to barter or sell me, souland body, to the highest bidder. Yes, you can advertise and even receivesealed proposals for my hand. But, father or not, I say distinctly thatso long as I live, with mind clear and under my own control, I shall_never_ be the wife of Mr. Mannis! I also believe him too honorable todesire such a union were he aware of my feelings. No, sir! I say now, asyour child, I will never marry a man who has not my love."

  As she spoke she looked the proud and noble woman that she was. Her hairhung loosely about her face, her lustrous eyes shone like diamonds, andthe rich tinge of vermilion on cheeks and lips were in striking contrastto the paleness of her father.

  Senator Hamblin was filled with conflicting emotions. Admiring hisdaughter for her positive character, he was enraged at her bold defianceof his orders. But his lips soon became firmly set and a look of angerdispelled that of admiration and surprise.

  "Belle," he exclaimed, "my orders must be obeyed. You shall marry WalterMannis. I have no more to say at present, except that young Alden shallgo from the bank, for it is he that has made you defy your father. Yes,he shall go as soon as I can get rid of him. He has rewarded me forgiving him employment by stealing my best and greatest treasure, and heshall pay for it."

  He ceased speaking, and casting an angry look upon Belle, quickly leftthe apartment.

  Belle gazed after him for an instant, and wildly throwing up her hands,exclaimed:

  "What have I done, oh, what have I done to merit this?"

  Bursting into tears, she staggered as if about to fall, when Mrs.Hamblin entering, caught and bore her helpless daughter to a sofa. Thestricken girl opened her eyes, and exclaimed:

  "Oh, Mamma! Papa has spoken cruel words to me; he will dischargeGeorge; he wants me to marry Mr. Mannis. God help us all when a fatheris willing to sell his own flesh and blood to gratify his politicalambition!"