The Worthington advance., 1882-09-28
How He Nearly Went Under.

to Boxnor with his brother officers on
the rcgimental drag. hilarious and excit-
ed, according to precedent, It was by
no means the first time he had beeni
badly hit, but on this occasion his losses
we're so serious and involved such grave
consequences that l,efeltalmost stunned
Ut the dismal prospect before him. -
He could not disguise the fact that 4e
was utterly broken. Impellcd by des-
peration to stake his honor and rcputa-
ton upon the result Of the Goodwood
cup, he found hi.nselfa ruined man, an
able to meet his engagements and guilty
Of recklcssness which might be called
by u very unpleasant name. He re-
turned to town stricken with horror and.
despair, and mechanically turned his
steps towards the club. As he was walk
ing westward he came face to face Will,
the man ofall others he would most glad
ly have avoided at the moment, for Mr..
Porter Bligh was his rival for the alfec;.
tions of the girl he loved. Jack attempt.
Cd to pass by with a nod ,, but Mr.. Porter
Bligh bounced upon him.
II 3y, Mr.. Howard! This is bad
news for YOU, isn't it?" inquired Mr.,
Bligh, mysteriously. . !:
"Dcuced bad" replied, Jack too mis-
cradle to conceal his discontinue even
from his rival.
II was afraid so. I am sorry to hear
it," continued Mr.. Bligh in a tone which
was not practically sympathetic. l have
Just called on Miss Trevanen. l prom
ised to let her knowathe result of the
race immediately" >.~ ~
"Indeed," said Jack, with Il twingc ut
his heart, as he guessed the cause Of the
young lady's anxiety.
. II got friend to wire me the winner
from the course, and directly received
the telegram I took it Oh to Miss Trcv:l-
men. She could not see me but sent it
in to her."
Mr.. Bligh impaired this information
with the air Of man who is talking for
the sake Of keeping up Il conversation:
All the while he was scanning Jacks
miserable lace with very keen eyes.
''Which way are you going" he in
'":1e" To the he'cRtt cl"6,: replied Jack, moving
off. "Iou are going back to the city, I
suppose" {
turning on his heel. Il should like to
have chat with you. Between us we
may be able to set things straight"
Mr.. Bligh had i confident tone and
manner which on ordinary occasions IT.
ritatcd Jack very much, but which, in
his present frame of mind, sent mo-
mentar::' ray of hope through his bosom.
Nothing was further from his thoughts
than the idea Of seeking the assi tanCc of
his rival in the difficulties which encou,-
passed h,m, but he instinctively Jumped
ut the prospect of a practical suggestion,
just as 4 drowning man will clutch ut !
straw. He secretly entertained rather
an exaggerated notion Of Mr.. Bligh's tact
Gated opinion that wealthy city man,
who had amassed a fortune by energy
and enterprise, was the personilicat;on
of worldly wisdom.
Mr.. Bligh passed his arm through
Jacks with unaccustomed familiarity, but
did not Immediately continue the con-
versation. Jack was naturally rcticent
about his affairs with Il comparative
stranger, and consequently nothing was
said on the subject until they were both
seated in a corner of the smoking room
Of the PHI nnix Club, which at that hour
and on such day was completely de-
serted.
"Well, Mr.. Howard, what is the tiy-
urc?'' inquired Mr.. Bligh, cheeriIy, as
lie lit cigar. .,
Jack looked at his companion with a
puzzled expression. He could not con
ceal the motive of his sudden frienu|i-
ness, yet he knew him sufficiently well
to feel sure that he was not actuatcd by
pure benevolence. It was rumorcl
that Mr.: Porter Bligh had made i: good
deal OF his money in inscriptions ways,
though no definite charge had ever been
proved against him. But he looked so
possible seriously to believe what was
said about him by envious persons; and
us Jack gazed upon the bold, handsome
features, the nea.ly arranged iron-grav
hair and wbiskcrs. and the scGate attire
OF his rival, he was seized with q feeling
OF remorse Ut having doubted his good
nature.
ut is really very kind of you, Mr..
Biiyli, to interest yourself about me-"
Don't mention it. l am always
pleased to do turn to friend when
~ can" said Mr.. Bligh in an off-hand way.
Now, how much would you require to
enable YOU to settle up at Taters,ils on
Monday?'
Jack named sum which caused Mr..
Biigh to give a loud whistle, for not an
ticipatine that his rival contemplated Of
ferins his pecuniary aid, he did not at
tempt to conceal the magnitude Of his Ii.
abilities. Mr.. Bligh seemed quite taken
aback by the amount, and sat silent for
some minutes, reviewing his shapely
finger nails with,a meditative air, while
Jack wondered what was passing in his
mind. Presently he said, without look
ing up:
Glow much can you get?'
Nothing" said Jack, dejcctedlv: "at
least. nothing that would assist me.
might raise few hundreds, perhaps"
Won't your uncle shell out-the Bar
onet, 1 mean?"
mo; we quarrcled long ago." said
"ae married to spite you, I've heard, i,
and he seems to have affected his p,,r-
pose completely now that he has two
sons OF his own," said Mr.. Blish, with
rather course laugh.
Jacks face flushed. for it was not
pleasant to be relnin ted, in the moment
OF adversely, Of the origin of his nisfor-
tunes. lie had been brought up as heir
P'oSuHptNc W Osf spencer Howard, Il
wealthy. crotchet old baronet, who, after
helping to form the young mans expcn-
sive tastes and habits by lavisl, libcraiity,
suddenly took offence at Il word spoken
IN Jest and stopped supplies. Sir Spen-
GERS subsequent marriage ruined his
j nephew's expectations and brought his
" creditors down upon him, since which
time Jack Howard had been going stead
lily down hill. sss
Restraining his impulse to give Mr..
B'igh curt answer, lie said quietly:
.'lt would be perfectly hopeless to ap-
ply to my uncle. Besides, he has gone
abroad, and l don't quite know where
he is: l believe he has taken his wife
and. family tor trip to Canada to visit
an estate he has bought there"
well, 1t seems to me you are in q
considerable hole, Mr.. Howard" said
Nj. Bligh, assuming business-like tone
You will have to make up your mind
to leave England ut once"
THAT is trifle. 1t is the notion of
Z boiling as defaulter that don't like. !"
said Jack. I'm fact, I've made up nv
mind to stay and face it out"
Nonsense. That would subject Won
to good deal of funpleasantness without
hOINv 0nY UOOf1 to onvo,,, - ,o:xl NJ