The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-23

Our scenenow changes from the wild ocean
and its perils to II snug room in Frnclurch
Street, the inner office of Wnrtlluw md Som
u large apartment, pnnee.l with fine old
mellow Spanish oak: md all the furniture
in keeping: the carpet, n Thick Administer of
sober colors; the chairs of oak and morocco;
very substantiuI: u lurge otiice-tab.e with
onken legs like very columns, sul,stnntial;
two Miner safes; IL glole of unusual size,
with n handsome tent over it, made ofroan
leather figured; the wallshung with long oak
boxes, about eight inches broad, containing
rolled maps of high quality and great di.
mensions to consult which. 0ak ei, s,rpters in
ped with brass h0uksstOod ready: with these
the great maps could be drawn down and in,
apertetl: and. on being released. flew up into
their wooden boxes again. Besides these
were hung up IL few drawings, representing
outlines, ind inner sections Of vessels: aud,
on Il smaller table. lay models. almnnncs etc
Tn" great otiice-tabe was covered with writ
ing materials and papers, all but Il square
space inclosed with II little silver rail. and ill.,
side that space lay purple morocco cuse
about ten inches square; il WINS locked, and
continued an exquisite portrait OF Helen
RollestOn.
This apartment was so situated and the
frames of the plate.glass windows NO well
made and substantial, that, let astorln blow
a thousand ships ashore. it could not l,c felt,
nor heard, in Wartllaw's inner office
But appearances arc ,lrceitfml: and who
can wall out II sea Of troubles. md the tenn
pest of the mind?
The inmate Of that office was lmttling for
his commercial existence. under accumulated
difficulties and dangers. Like those who
sailed the Proserpinr's long boat. upon that
dirty night, which, NO nearly swnmped her,
his eye had now to he on every wave. ind the
sheet forever in his hand.
His measures had been ably taken: hut, az
will happen when clever men are driven into
II corner, lie had backed events rather too
margin for unforeseen delays. For instance.
lie had averaged the Shannon's previous per-
formances, and Ind cnlulutctl on her arrival
too nicely. She wins IL fortnight overdue,
and that delay brought peril.
lie had als0 counted upon get ting news OF
the Proserpinc. But not a word had rencl,etl
LlOyd's ns yet.
At this very crisis came the panic of &c.
Overensl and Gurney broke: and Narilnw q
experience led him to fear that sooner or lat
or, there would he IL run on every bank in
London. Now he had borrowed 1000
ut one bank, and e35,O00 at another:
and, without his Ships, could not pos
sibIy pay IL quarter of tho money. II the
banks in question were run upon, and
Obliged to call IN all their resources, his
credit must go; aud this. in his prccarious
position, was ruin.
Hehnd concealed his whole condition from
his father, Ivy false bookkeeping. Indeed,
he had only two c0ntidunts in the world:
poor old Michael Pcnfnll. und Helen ROLES.
toms portrait: and even to these two he
made hali-conHdences lie dared not tell to
either Of them all lie hnd done, and all he
wins going to do.
His redeeming feature was ~ bright as
ever. He still loved Helen I.olrston with n
chast, constant, and ardent affection that
did him honor. lie loved money too well;
but he loved Helen better. In all his trou-
bles and worries, it was his one consolation
to unlock her portrait, md gaze on it. and
purify his soul for n few minutes. some
times he would apologize to it for an net of
doubtful mortality. .'liow can I risk the
loss OF your" was his favorite excuse. No.
he must have credit. He must have money;
She must not suffer by his past impru,lences.
They must be repaired ut any cost-!or her
sake.
1t was ten o'clock in the morning; Mr..
Penfold was sorting tho letters for his en-
ployer, when u buxom young woman rushed
into the out Office, crying, .Ol', Mr.. Pen
fold!" and sank into u chair breatllless
"Denr heart! what ID the matter now"
said the old gentleman.
II have had IL dream, sir; dreamed saw
Joe Wylie out on the seas, in q boat; and
thswind it was a-blowing and the sea a-roar