The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-02-11

vi DoAb oh0 0huO Woo hAphOhoO DhOBJN
and until she knew the true cause OF
his desertion OF her. II such it was, she
would hold him just as dear.
The new developments in their cxcit-
ing history were the cause OF much in
teresting conversation between mother
and son for good many days. The
lawyers cabled 10 Franco and before an
other week passed their agents there
had given them Iuil particulars and 1t
was definitely decided lha, some time
during the coming sprlny MrS. Bregy
and Eugene should start for Amiens.
AS soon a. this was settled upon,
Eugene thought ne might venture to
say something 10 Armida about 1t.
She In tuln informed her mother and
the consequence was that the Bregys
were often tho subject Of conversation.
Mr.. Wilcox rather doubted at first, but
he afterwards said: The lawyers must
know something about II, for they are
trustworthy mon, and would not send
the woman oil on wild goose chase. |
suppose this young grocer will be a
very big man now and may take 1t into
his head to want to marry Armida." He
was talking to Mrs. Dolaro when he
said this. She quickly replied:
"0h, no, | do not think matters are
quite MS serious as that But how Is 1t
about the woman's supposed husbandP
Has she forgotten him amid tho new
excitement"
mo. indeed, she has not. On the con-
trary she promises to spend her money
when she gets it for the purpose Of try
ing to find her husband"
THAT reminds me to ask If you nave
yet heard any thing from Percy" was
Mrs. Delaro's next question.
"No, have not and it Is causing me
much concern. have sent message
after message, but no reply comes and
tomorrow have made up my mind to
cable the American Consul at Buenos
Ayres and ask him TO investigate. 1t Is
getting serious and steps must be taken
at once to ind out where he Is" A Sec
ond later the aged friend Of the Delaro
family spoke up suddenly and asked:
"Dld you hear that Mr.. Howe, part
ner of Mr.. Emerick's, is dead?"
mo. / did not" replied Mrs. Delaro.
ut occurred some time ago" said Mr..
Wilcox. "and | heard downtown that this
limerick is returning from Buenos
Ayres, having closed out his business
there. Also that he is going to sell out
altogether He is rather queer fish, |
am told, some OF his business transac-
tions' mot being quite as square as they
might be. The consequence is that he
is not spoken Of very we'll among busi-
ness men and has few friends"
Then hope that you will en-
deavor to see him as soon as he arrives,
for Percy was very anxious that you
should. lie seemed to have some idea
that you will know the man." said Mrs.
Delaro.
you may depend upon 1t shall dc
my best to see him when he gets here,
for | am as much interested as anybody
in knowing who no really Is"
For tho next week or two there were
no new developments either in regard
to Percy Lovel or the Bregys' fortune
Eugene and his mother, acting on the
advice OF Mr.. Blodger, made rapid
preparations to leave for France, ant
had even taken passage on the LA Gas
coigne" for the early part OF May.
MIR. Wilcox was suffering intense
anxiety on account Of not hearing from
Percy, and longed for the time TO come
when no would receive some informn
tion by mail from the American Consul
to whom he had telegraphed asking hin
to make inquiries. In fact so grea
was the old fellows anxiety that hi
began to show signs Of 1t in his feat
ures. Tho old gentleman was very 70
bust, and could have combatted success
fully any severe physical trial, but tht
stress of worry on his miud owing to thu
halo OF uncertainty which surrounded
the fate OF his chosen friend and com
panion we're too much for him. ii,
grew restless, sometimes oven irritable
and finally was told by his medica
adviser that he must cease 10 troubl,
himself 30 much or he would be a yer.
sick man. Still nothing could diver
his thoughts, and on the day that Mr.
Limerick landed in New York from tn
Rio steamer, Mr.. Wilcox was compelled
to take to his bed. The strain on hi
mind had been too much and he had h
succumb Mrs. Delaro and Armida ha,
done their utmost TO cheer him, and haI
endeavored to force him to cat an
drink, and take amusement TO diver
his thoughts, but their efforts we're o
no avail.
In delicately.furnished bedroom 4
the house near Gramercy Park wa
gathered small company, wistfull
gazing upon bed whereon lay th
quiet form OF an old man. The littl
group consisted OF Mrs. Delaro and he
daughter, Mr.. Blodger and physician
and they were sadly watching thel
good friend, Mr.. Wilcox, tie tide {
whose life was fast ebbing away.
Joel Wilcox was an old man who ha
long since passed the thrce-score-ant
ten milestone on life's highway, and
slight cold, added TO intense anAiet!
on account OF the man whom he ha
grown to love as son, had produced
| fever which proved too much for b
, vitality. The old fellow had outlive
, his day and generation, though, indee'
, he had In his younger days cut adri
a