Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-27
CHAPTER XXI.
AN ANGRY EPISTLE.
WHITTIER now q

WHITTIER now?"
The thought in Henry Harding
mind-the words upon his lips, as with
heavy heart he leaves Mrs. Mainwar-
ing's house, and turns along the road
with step undecided. He does not
look back: he will never more go there.
That cottage ornee, so late the abode
of one he believed almost an angel,
seems now to be inhabited by devils,
and, hereafter he will shun it as pest
house. If Belle Mainwaring fancy she
will ever have him at her feet again,
she is strangely mistaken. The scales
have fallen from his eyes, the reasons
for his objection are revealed, the whole
scheme is clear to him, the baseness OF
both mother and daughter-that OF the
latter even the less excusable.
The more he reflects On it, the more
his heart shrinks within him, losing its
love. Torn, it may suffer for a time,
but that is not the place to seek salve
for it. Thence came the sting-there
is only poison.
Once out of sight the house, he makes
stop and stands frresolute on the road,
again muttering to himself, whittier
now?"
Home? No, not there either. Home
is no longer such to him, after what he
has seen and read--that VIII. But
how came it there. and when was 1t
made? That same morning his father
spoke OF it in the very terms in which
it is drawn, but only as thing condi-
tional, only as threat. He finds it has
been carried out; surprised at this, and
puzzled to think how, when, and where.
Ha, he has the explanation. And 1t
explains what the coaehman told him
on returning from Clayfield-of his
father having been there on business
with lawyer Woolet-another little
manner that seemed strange TO him.
And since. Woolet's trap had been up
the road. He himself saw 1t passing
hack towards the town, and the fresh
wheel tracks he observed upon the
sand OF the sweep in front of the cot
tage. must have been caused by 1t.
No need for further conjecturing.
His father has made his Will that very
morning, the lawyer assisting him, and
! soon as made the latter communicated
It to Mrs. Mainwaring-left a copy OF
II with her. He now remembers MOTTO
ing that the ink on the document seem
ed scarcely dry.
What Woolet's motive for thus be-
traying confidence he does not stay TO
inouire. Enough for the time think
ing Of the consequence, so sad and ex-
asperating. Nor yet upon this does he
regrettingly dwell; in the rage OF his
heart. with its love crushed out, rather
regarding It in the light Of fortunate
circumstance-an escape
His thoughts are now all given to
his father. Those written words have
reused. kindled within him. an indag-
nation even greater fnan tndt due 70
the ones spoken by his sweetheart But
for the first, in all likelihood he would
never have heard the last In sense,
he should rejoice at this. but he does
not Disinheritance. That, too. in Ia
your OF one he can scarce call brother,
and who has never behaved to him as
such. Who would not feel the slight
as harsh blow, especially when struck
by the hand of father
Henry Harding feels it bitterly. keen
~. 1t weakens the thread OF his filial
affection, almost sewers IL; strong be-
fore, but for this reason all the more
sensitive, and easily snapped b twain.