The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-21
gcopyright. 1896. by Bachelor. Johnson ano
Bacheller.l
n PART IL.


While he still had little money left
he would go to London, and there,
as a literary man at anyone's disposal,
face the struggle for existence.
No need TO make known his inten-
tion TO the old friends. His departure
should be explained as a temporary
removal to London for purposes OF
study. In a month or so he could
write thnt circumstances obliged him
20 STAY in town for an indefinite peri
cd: his library should be sent up as If
for use. but really for sale; and the
house there would be no difficulty in
letting for some fifty pounds year
lust enough, if the worst came TO the
worst. TO save him from destitution.
OF course. he must break the habits
md the connections of a lifetime; un-
less he were so fortunate as to estab-
lish himself in a decent literary career,
of which he had painfully little hope.
The probability was that he would
come to be thankful for hack work at
the British museum, such as he himself
had occasionally employed poor devil
to do, ere yet the day of evil dawned on
his life.
The resolve taken, he bore up man.
fully. All he had TO do before actual
ly leaving the town was to go through
his papers, destroying and packing,
and meanwhile to wear the accus-
toned face. Not soul suspected him.
He even took the chair at the annual
meeting of the Literary society, and
made speech which was considered
brilliant. Not the faintest hint that
he might be obliged TO sever his con-
nection with this and other local or
carnations. Two days later "our
learned fellow-townsman" was report
ed as usual in the borough press, with
yonted encomium; and Marfieet
smiled dolefully as he glanced at the
familiar column.
He knew the day of Miss Clouds,
return; the day before would see his
departure. To meet her, and answer
questions about his historical essay,
was a humiliation he could not endure.
Doubtless she had mentioned the mat
ter to other people, and this disaster
alone would have been all butsufiicient
to drive him into exile. How foolish
70 have spoken of his attempt! But it
was all one now. On the last day he
sat hour after hour in his study, totally
unoccupied, his mind miserable
blank; he sat till late at night, and
on going to bed bad but snatches of
unrefreshing sleep. Early next morn
ing, when only the humber classes NJ
rnc townsfoIk were about, cab con-
veyed him. to the station. His servanta
understood that he would be away for
two or three weeks-nothing more.
When the moment came for breaking
UP the establishment, he must rely
upon his sister, or her husband, resi-
dent few miles out of town, to trans
act the necessary business for him.
Before midday he arrived in London,
and went first of all to hotel where
ho was known; but before nightfall he
Ind searched for and settled upon a
lodging; modest, as befitted his humble
prospects. The address, however, was
not such as would excite surprise when
communicated to his friends.
Oddly enough, the next day brought
him an access of cheerful, even sanguine
spirits. Though late in December, the
weather was remarkably bright; he
walked about the streets with revival
of bodily vigor, and saw his position
from quite changed point of view.
After all, was not this supposed calami-
ty the very best thing that could have
befallen him? Down yonder he was
merely rusting. sinking into premature
old age; here. Gin streaming London's
central roar" his energies would rise
to the demand upon them. Pooh! as
If such a man as he could not make a
place for himself in literary lifel There
were at least two or three old college
friends with whom he might renew in
timacy--men pretty well to the front in
various callings, and more likely than
not able to be of use to him. lie had
done most unwisely in neglecting these
early acquaintances. Maybe saw il
now-he ought never to have made his
home in that dull little country town,
where ignorant fattery and facile tri-
umphs fostered all the weaknesses of
his temperament. Heaven be thanked he
was not yet forty, and his resources
would last till he had got an independ-
ent footing. Ho, hol How many
poor devil would be glad to exchange
positions with him!
This mood lasted for about week;
long time, considering that Marfleet
Lived alone in lodgings, and permitted
his landlady TO supply him with meals.
But he was sustained by the renewal of
acquaintances with two of those old
friends of his, who really seemed quite
glad TO meet him again. and asked him
to dinner, and talked as men do whom
the world has provided with store Of
goods. To these men he by no means
revealed the truth, but fell into their
complacent tone, and spoke for the
most part as IL all were well with him.
The second week saw him medltative,
and inclined TO solitude-which he had
so little difficulty in securing. He now
reProved himself for having struck a
false note with his genial friends; il
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