Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-08-13
CHAPTER VII.

Ny chief regret is that 1 was not
present when Henry and Sin1re met.
To one who knew what to look for, as
I did, that could not have failed to re-
veal something. But when l came In
the meeting had already taken place
and Siufre had retired to her room.
"She is always so thOughtful-so much
tact" mother remarked. "She fancied
we could talk more freely with Henry
il she were not present, though really
I look upon her as quite member OF
the family, apart from her being my
niece"
All the time that Henry and were
exchanging our greetings and congratu-
tiOns, and our first questions and an
swers, was specializing about him and
sinfre. He has been changed, i'm
proved aud also in some respects in
jured by bis life in the world, but on
the whole he appears more improved
and less injured than might have been
anticipated. His being 80 years old in
stead OF 20 is enough Of itself to account
for a great deal. The youthful outlines
OF his face have matured. IL is the face
OF a gOOd-humored man Of the world,
somewhat unprincipled and reckless
perhaps, but what is called a thorough
good fellow, aud then there is that
CLEAN Of genius In his eyes and In some
OF his unconscious manifestations that
must laways mark a difference between
him and the type TO which he otherwise
belongs.
Yet is easy to see that his physical
ard social nature-the life Of the senses
and external facultieS-haS been too
much for his genius. His spiritual in
tuitions have never gained coutrol OF
him. De has done nothing bnt "have a
good time" or aim TO have IL. The pic
lures he might have painted, the books
be might have written, the music he
might have composed. are all In the
limbo Of the unborn. 1t is a great pity,
though don't think Henry himself is
oppressed by any regrets on that score.
He probably thinks be could set TO
work, II be chose, and produce a mas
terpiece at any moment, But the time
for that possibility is gone by. He has
taken his final direction, though he may
not know 1t.
In some respects he Is already an
older man than either John or l. There
are lines about his mouth aud at the
corners OF his eyes that tell a tale in 8
man OF 80. And during the twenty-tour
hours that be has been with Us l notice
that he nos only smokes constantly,
bu, that be drinks altogether too much.
He does not drink as John does-until
he is drunk and done with IL. he Is
never drunk, but be iS always taking
"nips" OF brandy from his pocket flask,
and fancy he empties IL at least twice
a day. Nevertheless, barring little
nervous disorder, his health seems fair
" sound. The congenital cheerfulnesS
OF his disposition Is doubtless a great
sanstiye agency.
Meantime he Is as handsome as the
heart OF woman could desire. II his
traits OF either mind or body were biz
less masculine than they are, be would
be too handsOme-a mere lady's man.
But Whatever else may be said about
Henry, be is a msn-a thorough male
creature. There is not feminine fiber
IN him. Even the tenderness that ever
and anon informs his tone and manner
Is OF wholly masculine quality. His
voice is q sort OF mufled bass as I'M
common as IL is winning, and his laugh
is irresistibly humorous and contagious.
| wish nature had given me such a
laugh.
Tn figure he Is we'll set up-not too
tall--bnt one can see be is less athletic
than he was four years ago. In every