The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-21

you' What can we ever do to repay your"
And !, with my hot face and leapipg heart,
certainly could not tell her.
The JOY that gave Sir Thomas and Isabel
new life filled me also with an exquisite
delight, but when they were radiant with
hope and happy by anticipation. my deal
mothers face blanched so that my glad.
ness was checked by the duty of comfort
ing her. In this Office Isabel came to my
help with the sweet words and winning
ways that were all her own, and by dint Of
our Inceasing perseverance in looking at
the sunny side Of things and keeping the
dark out of view, in a little while my moth
er smiled through her tears, owning, with
a fervent embrace. that it was good foi
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 corner. and there was an
end of objections.
1t must be understood that was not ts
go solely rs Sir Thomas emissary to seek
out Donald. was going primarily ON my
own naccount-to push my own fortune-and
Sir Thomas mission was, as he was pleased
to put it, "a mere act of charity done to a
stranger out of the goodness of my heart. I"
Yet in truth the charity and goodness were
ali on the other side. Sir Thomas furnish
ed me with letters of introduction to the
best known and most influential men in
Bombay, besides writing many private and
special letters in my behalf which did not
see My career was 10 be a mercantile one
that, on mature consideration, being
thought TO afford the easiest and speediest
way TO affiuence for one of my talents.
1.-THE richest Europeans in India are mer.
chants and bankers" said Sir Thomas,
"and they are all, as the saying is, SEX
made men. The days of the East India
company are over. There are no fortunes
being made in that service now, though"
in a significant voice, ''it was not always
so. But India is n wide field, and these let
tiers, Mr.. Andrew, will, think, put you in
a position TO choose according TO your
tastes. have no advice to offer except not
to be in too much haste to decide"
For what Sir Thomas had 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, "and in
the meantime we must not forget prelimi-
nary expenses" Whereupon he insisted on
my taking in ready monev and bankers
drafts sum that seemed TO me a fortune.
Finally, as was In great glee with my
prospects and protested against delay, 10
was arranged that in exactly three weeks
from the date OF my Homecoming l was to
sail from London In the steamship the
Pearl of the Orient. commanded by Cap
tain Rogers, who, being friend Of Sir
Thomas, was charged TO provide for my
comfort on shipboard
Aud SO the ultimate decision was made.
I was to lift anchor and set sail for the un-
known. as so many did before and so many
will do after ME. How l Jared there, how
the reality belied all dreams and anticipa
tions, how fate mocked at wisdom, made
nsught Of forethought and a plaything Of
me IL will be the business Of succeeding
pages TO tell. Coming events cast no shad-
ow before, and In the meantime I was eager
and happy.
How the three weeks passed ! cannot
very well say. 4 MAS q frequent guest at