The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-11

poIh the old mans hands and vowed
everlasting gratitude The thought that
perhaps a letter from Lady Blanche
might be waiting at his rooms took him
on in a great hurry. Uncle Onesimus
fingered for moment or two.
These fine lords you have over here
Know how to drive hard bargain" he
said, which set me wondering.
l caught a glimpse Of Clayton a week
or two later and got him TO come round
10 my chambers, where he stopped till
the small hours. He tried hard not to
talk Of Lady Blanche, but without much
success. / learned that Uncle Onesimus's
ueed or glft was complete, and was told
the figures Of Clayton's income, and how
much had been settled on his wife The
sum was considerable.
I didn't think Uncle Onesimus was
rich enough 10 spare so much, Clayton
said. Isn't it awfully good Of him?
Dear old Uncle Onesimus"'
The happy lovers We're married at the
close of the London season. The we'd
ding was like most other fashionable
weddings, and was reported fully in the
ladies' papers, where Justice was done to
eVerything-from the brides dress,
miracle of art, 20 the brooches, the ''sift
OF the bridegroom" which helped TO
adorn the bridesmaids
The breakfast was spread at Lord
Leominster's. and was a highly imposing
function. Lady Blanche looked very
ing in her hair a tiara of diamonds which
was the present of Uncle Onesimus. The
old man beamed benevolence on the
happy pair. Lord Leominster proposed
his health before we separated. and made
quite a speech In his best parliamentary
style. while the subject of his praises
looked grave. The toast was drunk with
enthusiasm, and then Clayton proposed
three cheers for Uncle Onesimus. We
cheered and lifted our glasses again, ana
4 sNawau 4saI
her little hands vigorously. and the old
man had his brief moment OF triumph
and happiness.
When the bride rose to change her
dress. the bishop who had conducted the
ceremony tried 10 interest Uncle Onesi-
mus In some new benevolent scheme.
But no check was forthcoming, and the
bishop was a little disappointed.
Il hope you're not giving up philan-
thropy, Mr.. Potts" he said In a half
jocular tone. Uncle Onesimus bowed
only.
When the happy pair had driven OF
Uncle Onesimus and I walked away to-
gether He had become very low-spir-
tied.
Harry and I'll never take our trip to-
gether now" he said; 'never"
A little later he added:
Seems to me that I shall be a bit
lonesome without the boy. Perhaps III
evening. Mr.. Baywiek."
But / was leaving England. and I told
Uncle Onesimus so.
l was away from my native land for
nearly three years. During that time
events which | need not mention here
had brought my lame into the neWsp2-
pers, and on my return 70 London I
found myself a society lion. Lady
Blanche Clayton was naturally one OF
the first 10 utilize me in that capacity.
and my presence helped on more than
one occasion to I'LL the draWing-rooms IN
Park-lane which she presided over. Be
sides these great occasions ] di0ed wish
the Claytons as often as my other en-
gagements would permit. and talked over
schoOlbOy days with my host. one day
inquired after Uncle Onesimus. and
Lady Blanche informed me that she be-
lieved he had gone back 10 America.
Il expect our variable climate didn't
suit him." she said.
Clayton looked "A little confused as this
statement was made, and when We Were
alone he came back 10 the subject.
at may seem rather strange" ne said
"but / don't really know what has be-
come of the dear old man. The fact is
Lady Blanche didn't take kindly TO him
and didn't like his calling here. And I
am afraid that he got a mo- at home
once or twice-and the last time he had
seen me go in not long before him-we
had passed him. IN fact, driving-and he
felt very much hurt He went down the
steps crying. It seems. / heard about Il
afterward. IL was an awful shame. you
know. and / would have liked to call
on him, but 1 didn't know exactly where
he lived and then ones time IS so dread
fully filed up. But I've felt very bad
about 1t several times since"
/ felt a little uneasy about the old man,
and all the more when / heard that the
furniture Of his fat had been sold by
auction directly after the wedding. l
made some inquiries. but could learn
nothing. Uncle Onesimus had disap-
peared and left no trace. l told Clayton
what I had done and the negative re-
suit one day when 8 o'clock had taken
me TO taste Lady Blanche's tea.
"Oh, he's gone to America" that lady
said confidently. "and he's much better
there poor, dear man
Just then a letter was brought in for
Clayton. who read it and seemed dis
turbed.
ct Is from Uncle Oneslmus." he said.
land he's i'll. very III. I'm afraid. He
wants me- l must so and see him."
Remember you have to take me out
to dinner" Lady Blanche said.
The address from which Uncle Onesi-
mus had sent his one line Of summons
was Denmark-st.. Finsbury park. APP
pealed TO by Lady Blanche. / had to say
that Clayton's going might endanger the
dinner.
TT is nearly six" I remarked, land
Finsbury park Is a long way off. And
IL Uncle Oneslmus were really very il
you might not like to come away at
once"
Just So" said Lady Blanche; its
quite clear you can't go now" I re-
lieved Clayton's scruples by Offering to
go myself, and to let him know If the
old mans Illness was at all serious.
"But how does he come to be living at
Finsbury parl?" Clayton asked. To
which neither Lady Blanche nor / re-
piled. though 1 think we both guessed
why.
At any rate l was not very much sur
prised to find that Denmark-st. was a
very poor sort of thoroughfare. and that
the room in which Uncle Onesimus was
lying was very poorly and scantily fur
nished. But / was surprised and inn
measurably saddened to see how very i'll
the old man was. The doctor happened
to be making his call, but / didn't need
his authority to tell me that my poor old
friend had only few hours to live. He
was then asleep, and professional nurse
sat at the bedside.
"She's only just come" the doctor ex-
planned. II got her on my own respon-
sibility. But he has some wealthy
friends, il seems-he wrote to somebody
In Park lane. 1 suppose he's a sort Of
protege Of theirs. I suppose 1 did right"
he said interrogatively.
quite right" l said; and as he was
leaving i asked him to forward a tele-
gram TO Clayton. / took my seat at the
head of the bed opposite the nurse and
sat there waiting till the old man should
wake This happened in about an hour.
and at first he took me for Clayton.
Harry, dear boy he said.
/ told him that Clayton would soon