Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-12-22
A BLESSED LONDON FOG.

IL was Saturday in London one No
yember day The shops were being
closed for the weekly half holiday, and
the shop men and women were making
plans IOr their well earned relaxation.
Henry Moore finished entering an or
der TO be executed the following Mon
day, closed Che big ledger with a clap
and shut it up in his desk.
Henry seemed in no hurry to have
done with business ana Detake himself
10 pleasure. He took down his over
coat slowly from the hook where it
hung i'm the closet behind one of the tall
book shelves. brushed his Sunday hac
also hanging there in readiness for a
jauut with an distracted air and made
his way out on The street by Il side door
He walked along, still meditating, pull
ing en- pair OF new gloves, till he
reached Picadilly circus. There he
stopped, looking around uncertainty, as
though in search OF inspiration as TO
how his afternoon should be spent
Suddenly his eye caught the words
Crystal Palace on one side of an on
nibus in huge letters. He looked at his
watch.
Just in time to catch the train at
Victoria he thought. AS wei go
there as anywhere
On his way down to Sydenham, Hen
ny Moore studied the advertisements in
The newspapers ne had brought with
him. There was q concert at the pal
ace that sounded attractive.
For lack of other society he took from
his pocket and Tere2d q letter he had
received that morning from his married
sister and only surviving relative, Jane
the prudent who always considered it
her duty to impart valuable advice Of
various kinds 20 ler Younger brother.
Henry smiled as he read the mother
w glmcnit'cns. gave q l'-tle sign as he
realized that it certainly was sad to be
alone. and frOwned slightly as he con-
tinued reading James letter, in which
she informed him that she had found
exactly the wife to suit him-pretty,
with money, too, and the most capable
girl possible-and inviting him to come
down Christmas. when he could see her
and make his arrangements There
was no reason for waiting. THE mar
rage could be in the spring the writer
concluded.
No man likes to be dictated to in these
matters. even when it is palpably to his
advantage. Henry's bristles rose.
lie sat trying to picture the probable
pride that had been fixed upon for him,
feeling toleraDly sure that she wouldn't
do and growing rebelliOUs during the
process. If il was bad to be lonely, it
was worse to have a clog tied around
ones neck. Solitude at least implied
independence. and wife chosen by an
other was bound in the nature of things
to be Just the kind one would not chose
for himself. His only chance of escape
was to refuse James invitation for
Christmas. Away from her he felt
strong enough to hold his own, but once
get into her parlor all self decision was
over. ne knew very well. No; lonely
Christmas i'm q boarding house was bet
ter than abject, unconditional surren-
der
Bv the time the train stopped Henry
Moore had worked himself up into
most Iaudable condition Of self aSser-
ton and swung out of the carriage and
mn the long wooden passage leading to
for himself. And yet when he saw the
pleasant little groups of three or four
around him. or worse still, a pair only,
perfectly happy IN each others COM
panv. with the prospect Of an after
Moons iollifcat1on as well. a feeling OF
incompleteness would steal over him,
and of longing. too. Why could not the
mot possible she" come to him as well
rs 10 others? Sought out. though, by
himself. No cut and dried, made to or
der Young woman, to be selected purely
for utility. like one from a row OF coats
in q reach me down" store.
Tho trouble was that Henry had little
or No chance of meeting nice girls in
his own station. He had only lately
come to his present post in London as
assistant TO a bookseller on a large
s,ala. formerly a friend Of his father.
Nv all the laws Of tradition his master
sSould have had a charming daughter
or En- least a niece whom Henry could
have married as preliminary TO step
Ming into the business, but unluckIy,