The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-09-21

Oub lIOUl Iuc uOllOW o10SJ olO"ly Vhe
ashen shadows crept athwart the sunk
en- face, and the rain tapping carelessly
at the window panes seemed to repeat
the one awful monosyllyble-"Dead
Dead
"You can give me no clue to himi"
"None whatever, sir" said the bank
er, trimming his nails with pearl-han
died eraser, and glancing incidentally
at the clock. ''It is as told you-ht
drew out the little account here
more than two years ago. Since ther
we have seen and heard nothing Oi
him."
The inquirer, tall, portly man Of
about forty, with an olive skin and
bright black eyes, rose with gesture
of agonized impatience.
"Good heavens? that l should have
come all these weary leagues to be foil
ed at last Tell me, sir, is there nc
one to whom | could apply for infor-
nation Surely, in city like this,
some one must know of John Merlin's
whereabouts"
81 really cannot say, sir" said the
banker, courteously. Stay, though
l will enquire Of my clerks"
He touched the little bell by his side;
it was answered bya grey-haired old
porter.
"Stilson, tell Mr.. Marbury to ask the
young men in the Office if they knew
anything of the John Merlin who had
little account here two years ago.
"Please, sir" said Stilson, "he lived
in my brother-in-law's house last spring
and"
"But where is he now 7" questioned
the stranger eagerly, while the olive
cheeks became colorless; and the hand
on the table clenched itself uncon-
sciously. "What was the number of
the house and the name of the street -
"Well, sir" said Stilson, respectfully,
"you see he couldn't pay rent nohow,
and about month ago he moved
away"
"Wherep
"That's just what my brother-in-law
couldn't find out, sir, and
"Allow me to offer you glass of
wine, SIR" interposed the banker, solic-
itously. "You are ill.," -
''Not i'll, thank you-but heart bro
KEN"
The banker looked up rather surpris-
ed at the hollow tone of despair in which
the words we're spoken.
"Mr. Merlin must have been dear
friend, sir" he asked, rather than
said.
"He was my father"
'Indeedw echoed Stilson. Then the
little boy with him"
"Was my son. Yes, l know they
thought me dead; but l was resolved
not to come back to them until / could
atone for the boyish faults, the thought
less extravaganza of my youth. Now |
am richer than ever dreamed or or as
pired to be, and-alone. / wish you a
good afternoon, sir"
1t was raining, as people say, a deluge
yet the softest gales of Araby might
have been breathing spice across his
brow for all the notice Theodore Merlin
took of the storm Yet, as he passed a
druggists gaudily decorated establish
ment, the glimmer of its colored jars
through the rain. seemed to suggest
some new idea.
'.Itis useless" he muttered to himself,
"and yet"
He turned abruptly, entered, and ask
ed for the directory.
Certainly, sir-just back of the
door," said the man politely-then re-
sumed his interrupted chat with the
other clerk.
Every cent of itw
"Wellw exclaimed the other, Il had
given that up as bad debt. So Jack
has gone around to old Merlin after all"
The directory fell from the strangers
hand upon the floor. The clue was
found at last-found by the merest
chance in the world
Through the driving rain the car
riage was swiftly urged onward, its two
occupants Theodore Merlin and the
druggists clerk.
How slow the horses are" ejacula
ted the former, biting his lip with fe-
verish impatience.
"Shall we never be there ~
I'VE are making pretty good time" "
said the clerk, respectfully, "but the
streets are bad"
'I'could walk faster" said Merlin. ir-
ritably. ''Is it far from herel"
Not very, but"
He hesitated and cleared his throat.
"But you must bear in mind, sir, that
the old gentleman was very ill.,"
"lll? l have been i'll myself. That
is nothing-all the drugs and doctors on
this side of the Atlantic shall be called
in to his aid. l am a rich man now,
and money can do wonders
The clerk shook his head:
at cannot save him, sir, although it
may prolons days to months"
al will net listen to you," said Mer-
lin, with flushed angry brow. "How
dare you speak in that way to Hle' Do
Won know what have endured in pros
pect of this hOuri Do you know the
miles have travelled, the days toiled
And Now