Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-07-13

| "But ~ never uSeu tO nc 30, ItlCIlaTusi
/ cried In astonishment.
"Dear me, no, sir" he returned prompt
| ly. "Thats why every ones so sorry
about It'll II was only early In this year
| that he broke out like this; and we've all
been hoping that he would get ever the
fit before you noticed It,"
'Is he such favorite In the house,
then?"
"Not exactly what you would call
favorite, sir; but he has always been
very much looked up to and respected
since he has been with tho firm; and ]
suppose no one likes TO see n man throw
ing away good position like he is do
ing"
When Richards had left the room, ]
sat for some time thinking over what he
had said. "It was only early In the year
when he broke out like this" Early in
tho yearl Then Levens had taken TO
drinking habits Mt just the very time
when was least likely TO notice tho al
teration In him-whilc was still smart
ing violently from the pain caused by
tho loss Of Cynthia. True, tho pain was
no less acute now than IL had ever been,
but IL was IA different sort OF pain. II no
longer camo in bitter spasrnodic attacks,
Us 1t had done at first; It had smmered
down into dull, steady, hopeless heart
ache, q constant gnawing sense of some
thing wanting, which / was always
dimly conscious of, no matter how was
occupied.
wondered what she was doing now2
In his last letter Horace had told me
nothing Of her beyond the fact that she
sent her best wishes Her best wishesl
What u poor, empty mockery after all
that had been!
Tho next morning had Levcns in and
spoke to him as well as l was able,
dwelling principally upon tho loss md
ruin to himself which must at length
result IL he continued his present con-
duct.
at IL trouble that has done II, Mr..
Quinton," he said, humbly. as he turned
to leave me, with every sign of deeply
felt shame upon him. IL should never
have done 1t but for trouble"
IL he had stopped would have asked
him for his confidence; but he was 30
anxious 10 get away out of my sight, 80
crushed by the degradation of his posi-
ton. that felt 1t would be cruel TO keep
him, aud let him go with his trouble
unexplained. little thought as
watched him shambllng out mt tho door
how soon and In what circumstances
that secret trouble was 10 bo made
known to me.
A few days passed away in tho usual
plodding, listless way In which all days
passed with me now, and ! was again
sitting lonely and thoughtful over my
after dinner pipe, when Richards knock
cd Mt tho door and told mo "a person"
was down stairs asking to SEQ mo.
Didn't he give his namc?" Iasked.
"No," said Richards, "ho didn't give
his name, but he said you would know
him when you saw him."
Although had one Of my most misan-
thropical fits on. and would gladly have
been left free from all companionship
that night. ! had no sufficient excuse
handy, and was obliged TO give grudg-
ing assent to tho unknown's admission
Wien hc came into the brightly light
ed room l looked mt him attentively, but
was obliged to confess myself at q loss
whereat he beamed in evident delight.
81 never should have believed n beard
could have made all that difference" no
said. "To think Of your not recognizing
me, oven when close like this! My Lame
Is Benson-the detective. you knoww
"Of courscI' cried, shaking hands.
81 remember you now, although, as you
say. tho beard does make an immense
change. And how Is tho world using
your
"Tolerably well. sir; Two nothing 10
complain of rs things so! rvegonc into
tho public busincss-Siven up tho forco
altogether. I'd been wanting to do It
for some time. and certain little affair
tina. took place some nine months ago"
with n solemn wink--"put It In my
power to mako bid for a little house
that I'd had my eye on for some time"
~ see" said, wondering II this visit
was due to tardy fit Of gratitude. "And
do you like your new calling as well NJ
the old one?"
Better sir-much better on all ac-
counts! But l haven't called on you tG-
night to talk about myself, but about
that same little affair. I've played as
square with you all through that business
as you did with me, sir, every Bit"
"Tm sure Of that, Mr.. Benson"
4 THANK you. As soon as l found
was really on the right track sheercd
oil and took up another clew which
| knew would lead me right away from
the true one; and so managed to divert
suspicion from the real party"
| ut was very good Of you, and I'm all
the more grateful To you because it was
not so set down In the bond"
| 'Well, sir, what Two como To tell you
tonight il that there's immediate danger
OF the truth coming out now. in spite Of
all our past trouble 10 keep it quiet. The
party himself-you know whom mean;
the principal in that little job--has met
with a nasty accident, tumbled through
street grating, not much in itself, but
serious matter TO him owing TO his
shaky state of health, and he's gone a
bit oil his head. They brought him into
my house, as luck would have it; and,
when l heard what he was talking about,
! bundled him into our private parlor
ana sent oil for the doctor. instead of
having him taken To the hospital He's
an old customer OF mine. you see-has
| 't'' "o"SS 'OiSt'htiS over SINCE No
had it, When the doctor came, he
looked very queer about the case, SO !
left my potman in charge and came
round to SEQ what you would like TO
have done. If he goes to the hospital,
you see, he's likely TO blab, and know
you
"Stop minute!" cried, feeling thor
oughly bewildered, I'm all at sea!
don't know In the least what you are
talking about. Who has tumbled down
grating and gone oil his head3 You