The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-21
CHRISTMAS STORY
NO THOROUGH AR E.
By
CHARLES DICKENS AND WILKIE COLLINS
LConttnUed nom Our last isme.l


them l am gone to the Founding" All that
his partner had said to hin, all that his lawyer,
following on the same side, could urge, had left
him perssting mistaken in his own point of
view, To find the lost man, whose place he had
usurped was now the psramo unit interest OF his
lie, and to inquire at the Founding was
plainly to take the first step IN the direction of
discovery. To the Founding, accordingly, the
wine merchant now went.
The once-familiar aspect OF the building was
altered to him, an the look of the portrait over
The chimney-piece was altered to HIM, His one
dearest association with the place which had
sheltered his childhood had been broken away
from 1t forever strange reluctance possessed
him when he stated his business at the door.
His heart ached as he sat alone in the waiting
room while the Treasurer OF the institution was
being sent for to see him. When the interview
began it was only by q painful effort that he
could compose himself sufficiently to mention
the nature OF his errand.
The Treasurer listened with q face which pro-
missed all neediul attention, and promised
nothing more,
owe are obliged to be cautious" he said,
when 1T came TO his turn to speak, about all
inquiries which are made by strangers"
You can hardly consider me a stranger
answered Wilding, simply. 81 am one Of your
poor lost children here, in the bygone time"
The Treasurer politely rejolned that this cir
cumstance inspired HIM with special interest
in his visitor. But he pressed, nevertheless, for
that visitors motive i'll MAKING his inquiry.
Without further preface, Wilding told HIM his
motive, suppressing nothing.
The Treasurer rose, and led the way into the
room in which the registers of the Institution
were kept. "Al the information which our
books can give is heartily at your service" ne
said. AFTER the time that has elapsed, am
afraid it is the only information we have to offer
you"
The books were consulted and the entry was
found, expressed as tollows:-
''3d March, 1885. Adopted, and removed
from the Founding Hospital, male infant,
named Walter WIlding. Name and condition of
the person adopting the chld-Mrs Jane Ann
Miller, widow. Address-Lime-Tree Lodge,
oombridge Wells. Reisrences-the Reverend
John Harker, Groombridge Wells; and Messrs.
Giles, Jeremle, and Giles, bankers, Lombard
street."
ais that all" asked the wine merchant. "Had
you no after-communication with Mrs. Alller /"
"None-or some reference to it must have
appeared in this book"
May take copy OF the entry !"
me make the copy for you"
"My only, chance, l suppose" said Wildng
looking sadly at the copy, ''is TO inquire at MIS-
Miller's residence, and TO try if her references
can help mew
'That is the only chance see at present."
answered the Treasurer. II heartily wish |
could have been of some further assistance to
you."
With those farewell words to comfort him,
Wlldrg set forth on the journey of investiga-
tion 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
inaccessible to chance visitors when he asked
eWtable difficulties, consented to let a clerk
examine the ledger marked with the initial
letter "M.n The account OF Mrs. Miller, widow
of Groombridge Wells, was found. Two long
lines, in faded ink, were drawn across 1t; and
at the bottom of the page there appeared
this note;-"Account closed, September 30,
1887"
So the first stage of the journey was reached,
and so it ended in No ThOroughfare. After
sending a note TO Cripple Corner to inform his
partner that his absence might be prolonged
for some hours Wllding took his place in the
train, and started for the second stage on the
journey-Mrs. Miller's residence at Groombridge
Wells.
Mothers and children travelled with him;
mothers and children met each other at the
station; mothers and children were In the
shops when he entered them to inquire for
Lime Tree Lodge. Everywhere, the nearest and
dearest of human relations showed itself hap
PLY in the happy light of day. Everywhere he
was reminded of the treasured delusion from
which he had been awakened SO cruelly-of the
lost memory which had passed from him like q
reflection from glass.
Inouiring here, inquiring there, he could hear
of no such place as Lime-Tree Lodge. Passing
house-agent's Office, he went in wearly and
put the question for the last time. The house
agent pointed across the street to a dreary man.
sion of many windows, which might have been
a manuiactory, but which was hotel. "Ihats
where Lime-Tree Lodge stood, sir" said the
man, "ten years ago."
The second stage reached, and No Thorough
But one chance was left. The clerical refer
ence, Mr. HarkeT, still remained to be found.
Customers coming in at the moment to occupy
the house-sgents attention. Wlldng went down
the street, and entering a booksellers shop,
asked il he could be informed OF the Reverend
John Hsrker's present address.
The bookseller looked unaifectedly shocked
and astonished, and made no answer.
Wilding repeated his question.
The bookseller took up from his counter 8
prm little volume in a binding of sober grey
He handed it to his visitor, open at the title
page. Wilding read:-
"Ihe martyrdom of the Rev. John Harker in
New Zealand. Related by former member o.
Wilding put the book down on the counter
''I beg your pardon" be said, thinking little
perhaps of his own present martyTdom while be
spoke The silent bookseller acknowledged the
APOLOGY by a bow, Wilding went out.
Third and last stage, and No Thoroughfare fol
the third and last time.
There was nothing moro to be done; there
was absolutely no choice but 10 go back To
London, defeated at all points. From time tC
time on the return journey, the wine merchan
looked at his copy of the entry in the Found
ling Register. There is one among the mani
forms of despair-perhaps the most pitiable o
all-Which persists in disgusting itself as hope
Wilding checked himself in the act OF thro VIM
the useless morsel of paper out OF the carriaR
window. at may lead 10 something yet"
thought. while l live, won't part with II
When die, my executors shall find 1t sealed u
with my wll.n
Now, the mention OF his will set the goo
wine merchant on new track Of thought
without dlYerting lis mind from its engIossln
subject, he must mRl1e his will Immediately.
The application of the phrase No Thorough
fare TO the case had originated with Mr.. Binrey
in their hrst long conference following the d
cOyery. that sagaciOus person had hundre
n1aetV r.ttY k,,I-. g 1,