The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-01-10

very man to do that, put IN Mr.. Clephan,
| "Pll warrant he'll ind your son. 1t Is
mission to suit one Of Andrews sdventul
Gus spirit. I only wish could substitut
my own SON But Andrew is not to be 81
perseded. envy him his opportunity"
"Wc all envy the opportunities of youth,
said Sir Thomas. Then turning to my ff
ther. with smile, you see, Kilburnie, m
| motives are selfish after all"
"As was ready to wager, yeur motive
do you honor, Sir Thomas" afMwered m
father stoutly, "and he were no son O
mine, who, going to India, would not exer
himself to do what you wish.n
With that my father looked at me as
to say There, now, speak up. There
something to your taste perhaps.n
"Ineed hardly assure you, Sir Thomas,
said, clearing my throat, for my excitS
ment was great, 81 need hardly assure yoi
that If ever set foot In India my first bust
ness will be to find Donald.n
"Thank you, my dear boy" RESPONDED
Sir Thomas, while his voice shook and hi!
eyes glistened THANK you. Only pra,
Semember that should you change youl
mind you will not let this generous prom
lse to me in any way hinder you. will
not accept your service on any other condi
ton"
Never fear, Sir Thomas. Never fear, u
answered my father for me. MAKE your.
self quite at ease on that score. II he
changes his mind, he will tell you SC
frankly.n
MY hearts thanks to you, Kilburnie. y
murmused Sir Thomas. "You have made
me 90 years younger My spirit-ah, me!
But there, there. Shall we join the ladiesi
4 daresay they are feeling rather lonely"
And we rose and left the room.
MY dear Isabel" cried Sir Thomas, with
the glee OF boy, as we entered the draw
ing room; come here, child. have news
for you" She rose instantly and met him
with pretty look of expectation on her
face.
"Mr. Andrew Is going to India and will
search out Donald, !" continued Sir Thomas
There's news to gladden. your heart, my
child"
Isabel turned toward me, her eyes eleam-
ing with a dewy. wistful brightness and
her hands shaking with sudden tremor,
SO that l would fain have taken hold of
them to comfort her.
"Oh," she said, advancing a step nearer
me, and speaking in low voice which |
fancied was meant for my ear alone, ''if
yon could only get tidings Of my brother
cannot tell how grateful l should be. But
the news that you are even to try seems
too good to be true. How can we ever thank
your What can we ever do to repay your"
And !, with my hot face and leaping heart
certainly could not tell her.
The joy that gave Sir Thomas and Isabel
new life filed me also with an exquisite
delight, but when they were radiant with
hope and happy by anticipation, my dear
mothers face blanched SO that my glad
ness was checked by the duty of comfort
ing her. In this Office Isabel came to INV
help with the sweet words and winning
ways that were all her own, and by dint OF
our unceasing perseverance in looking at
the sunny side of things and keeping the
dark out of view, in little while my moth
er smiled through her tears, owning, with
q fervent embrace. that 1t was good for
young men to go out into the world and try
hazards with fortune. Few have such
friends, Andrew" she said, looking toward
Isabel, while clinging to me. "And would
not stand between you and distinction, far
less would l hinder you from doing a
worthy action" And then she and Isabel
laughed and cried together, while chewed
my thumb in a corner, and there was an
end of objections
1t must be understood that was not to
go solely As Sir Thomas emissary to seek
out Donald. was going primarily on nv
own naccount-to push my own fortune--and
Sir Thomas mission was, as he was pleased
to put 1t, "a mere act Of charity done TO a
stranger out OF the goodness of my heart"
aet IN truth the charity and goodness were
all on the other side Sir Thomas furnish
ed me with letters OF introduction to the
Dest known ana most Influential men in
BOMBAY, besides writing many private and
special letters in my behalf which l did not
see. My career was to be a mercantile one
that, on mature consideration, being
thought to afford the easiest and speediest
way to af'iuence for one Of my talents
The richest Europeans in India are mer-
chants and bankers" said Sir Thomas,
"and they are all, as the saying is, seH
made men. The days of the East India
company are over There are no fortunes
being made In that service now, though"
In significant voice, lit was not always
so. But India is wide field, and these let
ters, Mr, Andrew, will. think, put you In
position to choose according to your
tastes. nave no advice to offer except not
70 be In too much haste to decide"
For what Sir Thomas bad specially at
heart all provision was made both in letters
and In money. OF the last there was to be
absolutely no stint. was to spend as
much and as long as should think proper,
or in other words as long as there should
be the faintest hope of tracking Donald.
My bankers shall have full instructions
In the matter" said Sir Thomas, land in
the meantime we must not forget prelimi.
nary expenses" Whereupon he insisted on
my taking In ready money and bankers,
drafts a sum that seemed to me fortune.