The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1886-02-10

He astonished Mr.. CaIhcm that cven,,
ing by the announcement Of his inten.
ton to 60 down to Tregarthen without
delay. In answer to the tutors IN
quiries he could only say that he had
lately possessed himself of information
of the utmost value to his protector,
and that it could not be conveyed by
letter, but must by the very nature Of
it be delivered by word of mouth.
Phil was not the sort of young man
who invents mendacious yarns on pur-
pose to get opportunity for clandestine
amusement; but the tutor was yet a
little scared by this arrangement, and
not easy in his mind even when he had
accompanied his pupil to the station,
and had seen him safely in the railway
carriage, booked through to Gorbay.
The youngster knew well enough
that he was going to wound the best
friend he had ever had in his life, but
he believed, (and he nerved himself in
that belief with a courage beyond his
years) that he might bring peace back
again to mind which had not known
peace for many day. 1t was Quix-
otic enterprise, perhaps, and there are
even people in the world who would
think it meddlesome; but he was moved
TO it by gratitude and affection, and by
the beautiful ideals which have value
for the young.
From London to Cornwall is long
ish railway journey, and he had plenty
of time in which to look at his purpose.
There were many moments when for
Arthur's sake he felt afraid of it, but
never really faltered in it. He had
written, before starting, to announce
his arrival, and at Gorbay station he
found one of the Pollarths awaiting
him.
"Grown man now, Mister Philip"
said the messenger, admiring him; II
didn't hardly knaw ye."
He carried the travellers portman-.
teau to the water-side, set it into the
boat, took the sculls leisurely in his
big, brown hands, and pulled across
the bay, with Phil at the rudder. The
old housekeeper stood on the sands at
the Sea-gate, and Phil, who had kissed
her when he went away, kissed her on
arrival.
"How is Mr. TregarthenP" he asked.
"Ailing," she "ailing a bit
badly, I'm afraid, Mr.. Philip. He's
had dreadful cold all winter, and he
looks wild-like, as if he was worried.
And 60 to bed he won't for nights to-
gether. Sits stewed up in that laber-
try, and sometimes won't touch his
very meals"
When they reached the house Phil
marched straight to the laboratory
door, and would have Knocked there;
but the housekeeper stopped him.
"You must wait till he comes out,
sir" she said, whisperingly. "He
won't let himself be disturbed for any
thing"
Nonsense" said Phil, who began to
feel his homecoming little dreary.
"He will see me, know"
He knocked, and the housekeeper
rustled away. Receiving no answer,
he knocked again, more loudly, and
after pause he tried the handle of the
door. Tregarthen sat, in dressing-gown
and slippers, in an old leathern arm
chair, and at first Phil thought him
asleep. His right hand hung idly at
the side of his chair, his left in his lap,
and his head was bent in an attitude Of
complete repose.
"Arthurl" said Phil, softly, prepared
to back without noise from the room.
Tregarthen looked up at him.
"Ab, Phil You herep" and without
rising he stretched his languid right
hand across his body and shook hands
in so mechanical way that Phil
dropped his limp fingers in distress.
Tregarthen's released right hand went
back to its former place, and his head
was bent as before. His left hand still
lay in his lap, knuckles downward and
Phil now saw that Tregarthen's gaze
was fixed with a sort of dreamy intent
ness on piece of greenish crystal
about the size of pigeons egg-to all
appearance precisely such a trife as
might be picked from the waste heaps
Of any glass factory.
[To BE CONTINUED