The morning times., 1895-12-22
CHAPTER XXIV.


If any man more miserable and detected
| than John Kenyon lived in the broad Domin-
| ion OF Canada he was indeed a person to
| be pitied. After having sent his cable
gram to wentworth lie went to his very
| checrless hotel, and next morning when
he woke up he knew that Wentworth would
have received that message, but that the
chances were ten thousand TO one that he
could not get the money in time, even II
he could get it at ALL, Still lie resolved to
stay in Ottawa, much as lie detested the
place until the hour the option expired.
Then, he thought, he would look around
among the mines, and see II lie could not
get something 10 do in the management OF
one OF them. This would enable him to
make some money and to help pay off the
Indebtedness which he and Wentworth
would owe in London as q result of their
disastrous speculation. Hefelt So depressed
that lie did what most other Eugishmen
would have done III his place: he took a
long walk. He stood on the bridge over
the Ottawa river aud gazed for a little
while at the Chaudiere Falls, with the mist
rising from the ChaSm into which the waters
plunged. Then he walked along the other
side of the river among big sawmills and
huge interminablc piles Of lumber, with their
grateful piney smell. BY and by lie found
himself in the country, and then the forest
closed in upon the bad road on which he
walked. Nevertheless he kept on and on
without heediug where he was going. Here
aud there lie saw clearngs in the woods
aud log shanty. or perhaps a barn. The
result of all this was tilat, being healthy
man, he soon developed an enormous ap-
petite, which forced Itself upon his atten-
ton in spite of his depression. Ii noticed
the evening was closing around him, and
so was glad to come to'a farm house that
looked better than the ordinary slanty he
had left behind. Here he asked for food,
and soon sat down 10 a plentiful meal the
coarsencss of which was more than COM
pensated for by the excellence of his ap-
petite. After dinner he began to realize
how tired he was, aud felt astonished to
hear from his host how far he was from
Ottawa.
You can't get there tonight" said the
farmer; "it is no use your trying. You
stay with us tonight and 1 II take you in
tomorrow. I'm going in there In the
afternoon" And so Kenyon remained all
night, and slept the dreamless sleep Of
health and exhaustion,
1t was somewhat late in the afternoon
when he reached the city Of Otta wa. Going
toward his hotel. he was astonished to hear
his name shouted after him. Turning
round, he saw man running toward him
whom he did not recognize.
"Your name is Kenyon, isn't It?' asked
the man, somewhat out of breath.
"Yes, that is my name"
~ guess you don't remember me. ]
am the telegraph operator. We have
had dispatch waiting for you for some
time, cablegram from London. We
have searched all over the town for you
but couldn't find you.''
"Ah," said Kenyon, "Is IT Importance
"Well, that l don't know. You had
better come with me to the office and
get it. OF course, they don't generally
cable unimportant things. / remember
1t said something about you keeping yourself
in readiness for something"
They walked together to the telegraph
office. The boy was stil searching for
Kenyon with the original dispatch, but
the operator turned up the file and read
1t to him
"You See it wants an ans wer," he said
that's why / thought it was important
to get you. You will have plenty of time
for an answer tonight
John took a lead pencil and wrote the
cable dispatch which wcntw worth received.
He paid his money and said: Il will go
to my hotel; it is the - House. / will
wait there. and If anything comes for me,
send Ii over as soon as possible"
"All right" said the operator; 'that is
the best plan: then we will know exactly
where to find You. or course. there is no
use IN your waiting here, because we can
get you in five minutes. Perhaps I had
better telephone to the hotel for you If
anything comes"
"Very well,' said Kenyon "I will
leave 1t all in your hands,"
Whether it was the effect of having been
in the country or not, John felt that, some
how, the cablegram he had received was a
good omen. He meditated over the i'll
luck he had suffered in the whole business
from beginning TO end, and thought OF old
Mr.. Longworth's favorite phrase. There's
no such thing as luck"
Then came a rap n his door, and the bell
boy said: There is a gentleman here
wishes to speak to you.'
TEL him TO come up" was the answer.
and. two minutes later, Won Brent entered
ANY news?'' he asked
John, who was in state of mind which
made him suspicious OF everything and
everybody, answered. mo, nothing fres,,,-
''Ah. l am sorry for that had some hopes
that perhaps you might he able to raise the
money before IL O'Clock tomorrow. or
course. you know the option ends at noon
tomorrow"
"Yes. / know that"
''Did you know that Longworth was in
town."
NO" said Kenyon, q have been out of
town myself"
"Yes. he came last night. He has the
money in the bank, as told you. Now
will not accept 1t until the very latest
moment. Ofcourse, legally, cannot accept
1t before that time, and Just as legally /
cannot refuse his money when he tencers IL.
am very sorry all this has happened more