The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-25

looking sadly at the copy, is to inquire at Mrs.
MIXERS residence, and to try If her references
can help me?"
"That is the only chance I see at present"
| answered the treasurer. 81 heartily wish l
could have been Of some further assistance to
you"
With those farewell words to comfort him,
Wilding set forth on the journey Of investiga-
ton which began from the Founding doors.
The first stage to make for was plainly the house
| of business OF the bankers in Lombard street.
Two OF the partners in the firm were inaccessi-
BILE to chance visitors when he asked for them.
The third, after raising certain inevitable diff
culties. consented to let q clerk examine the
ledger marked with the initial letter "M." The
account of Mrs. Miller, widow, Of Groombridge
Wells, was found. Two long lines, in faded ink,
were drawn across it, and ct the bottom OF the
page there appeared this note : " Account
closed, September so, 1887"
SO the first stage Of the journey was reached,
and 90 it ended in No Thoroughfare After
sending q note to Cripple Corner to inform his
partner that his absence might be prolonged for
some hours, Wilding took his place in the train
and gLaII6Q IOI Lu0 hcCOuo peo60 Oh - JSUASst
Mrs, Miller's residence ct Groombridge Wells.
Mothers and children travelled with him ;
mothers and children met each other at the
station ; mothers and children we're in the shops
when he entered them to inquire for Lime-Tree
Lodge. Everywhere the nearest and dearest OF
human relations showed itself happily in the
happy light Of day. Everywhere he was re-
-. - Ia1uoion from Uhich ha
had been awakened 30 cruelty, OF the lost
memory which had passed from him like o re-
Election from o glass.
Inquiring here. inquiring there, he could
hear Of no such place % Lime-Tree Lodge.
Passing 0 house-sgent's Office, he went In
YEARLY and put the question for the last
time. The house-agent pointed across the
street to . dreary mansion OF many win
dovs. which might have been o mandatory,
but which was an hotel "Thst's where Lime
Tree Lodge stood. sir" ssid the man, "ten
years ago."
The second stage reached, and No Thorough
fare sgaintl
But one chance was LEFT. The clerical refer
ence, Nj. Harker, still remained to be found
Customers coming in ct the moment to occupy
the house agents attention, Wilding went dow
the street, and, entering o booksellers shop
asked il could be informed Of the Reverend John
Harker's present address. -l.i
The bookseller looked unahectedly shocked
and astonished, and made no answer. G
Wilding repeated his question.
The bookseller took up from his counter o
prim little volume in q binding Of sober gray.
He handed it to his visitor, open ct the title
page. Widing read
"The martyrdom Of tho Reverend John Har-
ker in New Zealand. Relsted by q former mem
Der Of his flock"
Wilding put the book down on the counter.
"I beg your pardon" he said, thinking o little,
perhaps, of his OWL present marsyrdom while ne
spoke. The silent bookseller acknowledged the
apology by o bow. Wilding went out.
Third and last stage, and No Thoreughfare
FOR the third and last time.
There was nothing more to be done there
was absolutely no choice but to go back to Lon
don, defeated ct ell points. From time to time
on the return journey, the wine merchant looked
ct his copy of the entry in the Founding Beg
lister. There Is one among tho many forms OF
despair-perhaps the most pitiable of an-which
persists in Disgusting itself as hope. Wilding
checked himself in the act Of throwing
the useless morsel Of paper ont OF the car
rage window. "It may lead to..something yet"
he thought. "While I live, I won't part With it.
When 1 die, my executors shall find it sealed up
with my will"
Now, the mention Of his will set the good
wine merchant on o new track Of thought. with
out diverting his mind from its engrossing sub
iect. He must make his will Immediately.
! The application Of the phraseN Thoroughfare
to the case had originated with Mr.. Bintrey. In
their first long conference following the dis
covery, that sagacious parsonage had Q hundred
times repeated, with an obstructive shake OF the
head. "No Thoroughfare, sir, No T~horoughfare.
NV belief is that there is no way ont Of this at
| this time OF day, and my advice is, make your
| self comfortable where you are"
In the course Of the protracted consultation, 6
magnum Of the forty-Ave-year-old port wine had
been produced for the wetting Of Mr.. Bintrey's
legal whistle. but the more clearly he saw his