The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-12-11
GheQnteuiqenrer,
FOULPLAY.
q N ov H L.
ny oEAs, READE AND DION pouciuAuLr.
CHAPTER XIV,

room in ienChurCl Street; the 1nne
Office OF Wardlaw and Son; Iarg
apartment, pannelled with fine ole
mellow Spanish oak; and all the furni
ture in keeping; the carpet, n thick AK
minister of sober colors; the CHAIRS, o
oak and morocco, very substantial; {
large office table, with oaken legs like
very columns, substantial; two Milne
safes; u globe of unusual size. with
handsome tent over it, made OF roar
leather, figured; the walls hung with
long oak boxes, about eight incheI
broad, containing rolled maps OF higI
quality, and great dimensions; to con-
suit which, oaken sceptres tipped with
brass hooks stood ready: with these
the great maps could be drawn down
and inspected; and, on being released
flew up into their wooden boxes again.
Besides these were hung up n few
drawings, representing outlines, and
inner sections, of vessels: and, on q
| smaller table, lay models, RlmauRcs
etc. The great office table was covered
with writing material and papers, all
but square space enclosed with a lit
tie silver rail, and inside that space
lay purple morocco case about ten
inches square; 1t was locked, and con-
tRined an exquisite portrait of Helen
Rolleston.
This apartment wns so situated. and
the frames OF the plato CLASP window 5
SO well made and substantial, that, let
a storm blow thousand ships ashore,
1t could not be felt, nor heard, in Ward
| laws inner office.
But appearances are deceitful; and
who can wall out Il sea of troubles,
and the tempests of the mlnd7
The inmate OF that office was battling
for his commercial existence, under ac-
cumulated difficulties and Dangers
Like those who sailed the Proserpine's
"a ir1r ,fn fnt,
so nearly swauped her, his eye had
now TO be on every wave, aud the
sheet forever in his hand.
His measures had been ably taken;
but, as will happen when clever men
are driven into II corner, he had backed
events rather too freely against time;
had allowed too slight Il margin for
unforeseen delays. For instance, he
had averaged the Shanuon's previous
performances, and had calculated on
her arrival too nicely. Sue was a fort
night overdue, and that delay brought
peril.
He had also counted upon getting
news OF the Proserpine. But not -
word had reached Lloyd's as yet.
AT this very crisis came the panic OF
go Overend and Quincy broke; and
WardlaW's experience led him to fear
that sooner or later there would be n
run on every bank in London. Now
he had borrowed 100000 at one bank,
and e25. 600 at another; and, without his
ships, could not possibly pay quarter
of the money. II the banks in question
were run upon aud obliged 10 call in
sll their resources, his credit must 60;
and this i'll his pTecariOus position, was
ruin.
He had concealed his whole condi-
ton from his father by false book.
Keeping. Indeed, he had only two
a in nj
Michael Peniold and Helen ROlleston's
portrait: and even TO these two he
made halt condolences. He dared not
tell either of them all be had done, and
all he was going TO do.
His redeeminS feature was rs bright
AS ever. He still loved Helen ROLES
ton with chaste, constant, and ardent
anec ton that did him honor. He loved
money too we'll; but he loved Helen
better. III alI his troubles and worries,
il was his one consolation, TO unlock
her portrait, and gaze on 1t, and purify
his soul for a lev minutes. Sometimes
he would apologies to 1t, for an act OF
the loss of your" was his favorite ex-
cusc. No: he must have credit. lie
must have money. She must not suf.
fer by his past imprudences. They
must be repaired, ut any cost-Ior her
sake.
L
Mr.. Penfold was sorting the letters for
his employer, when buxOm young
woman rushed into the outer office,
crying, 40 Mr.. PenfOldw and sank
into L chair, breathless'
"Daar heart! what Is the matter
now?" said the old gentleman.
~ have had dream, sit: dreamed
boat; and the wind it was a blowing
and the sea a roaring to that degree as
Joe looked at me, and says he, Pray
for me, Nancy Rouse so l says, 20
dear, Joe, what is the matter? and what
ever is become of tho PrOserpine?'
"'Gone to He'll" Gays he: which he
knows 1 object TO foul language. Gone
-here-' says he, 'and L am sailing in
her wake. o pray for me, Nancy
Rousev With that, tries TO pray in
nv dream, and screams instead, and
wnkes myself. o Mr.. Penfold, do tell
me, have you got any news of the Pros
erpine this mOrning"
"whnt is that to ,you?" inquired
Arthur Wardlaw, who had entered
just in time to hear this last query.
"Whnt is it to mer' cried Nancy,
firing up; "it is more to me, perhaps,
than it is to you, for that matter"
PenfOld explained, timidly, "Sir,
Mrs. Rouse is my landlady."
(which have never been TO church
WIN any hldu etOl the haIhe VI housr
leastways. not in my waking hours"
edged in the lady.
.Miss Rouse. 1 should say" said
Penfold. apologizinG. Il beg pardon,
but Thought Mrs. might sound better
in landlady. Please, sir, Mr.. Wylie,
the mate of the Proserpine, is her-her
-sweet-heRr
mot he. Leastways, he is only on
trial, a lter manner"
"OE course, sir-onlynfter a manner"
added Penfoid, sadly perplexed. "AIiss
Rouse is incapable OF anything else.
But, if you please MN, don't pre-
sumo to know the exact relaliOn';-
and then with great reserve-"But, you
know you are anxious about him."
Miss Rouse shifted, and threw her
nose in the air,-as If to throw doub:
even OH that view of the matter.
"Well, madam" says Wardlaw, 81
am sorry to say can give you no in
formation. I share your anxiety, for
have got GlGO,0 600 OF gold in the ship.
You might inquire at Lloyd's. Direct
her there Mr.. Penfold, and bring me
my letters"
With this he entered his inner Office,
sat down, took out golden key, open.
ed the portrait OF Helen, gazed at it,
kissed 1t, uttered a deep sigh, and pre-
pared 10 face the troubles of the day.
Penfold brought in a leather case like
an enormous bill.book 1t had thirty
vertical compartments, and the names
of various cities and seaports, with
which WRTdlaw IL Son did business,
were printed in gold letters on some OF
these compartments; on others, the
names of persons; and on two compart-
ments, tine word miscellaneous" Mi
chael brought this machine in, filed
with correspondence enough to break
n n "a heart link