Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-13

their aggregate enables him + keep 4
good house over his head-one OF the
best in Clayfield-with a handsome
horse n brougham. or trap as he
terms it; also a pony and chase for his
children-for MI. Woolet is the father
of q family.
Notwithstanding this prosperity. hs
is not satisfied. OF boundless ambition.
! he aims at obtaining clients Of higher
scale, for by that only can he himself
expect to mount up. For a long tins
he has labored to little purpose, but OF
late things seem to be looking I'D. es-
peeially since Mrs. Mainwaring came ia
reside in the n~eighborhood. Her sty-
lish phaeton, frequently seen drawn I'M
in front OF his door, proves that at
least n of the aristocracy does not
disdain seeking his professional serv-
ices.
In her case. however, 1t is not Alto
gether a thing Of choice, or voluntary.
Mr.. Violet is the agent to whom she
pays rent for her cottage ornee, and
that is occasionally in arrears. Be-
sides. the lawyer lends money in small
sums, but at large interest; and, as
rumor has it, the Colonel's widow has
also permitted him to become her cred
itor. All of which would account for
her condescension in employing him
4 nrnfnNCTnnnllU rs nIn~ fhn nfrfttfx~
shown him. For she shows him. In
deed, something more; it is known that
upon occasions he is received as a
guest at her house.
Still, Mrs. Mainwaring isn't much.
Though sufficiently fashionable, she is
not the most desirable of clients-for
most wishes to have upon his list.
She is poor, and she wants employ
ment by the rich-the real squirearchy
OF the county-proprietors of parks
and grand residential estate, with nu-
merous farms and woodlands attached,
out of which he may get plenty of
pickings, by drawing of leases. con-
tracts for timber, and the like. He
had hoped to secure whitley, on his
first coming to the county; but the City
man. like himself, seeking social eleva-
ton, bestowed his patronage on a more
aristocratic firm.
Though so far disappointed, Mr..
Violet is not despairing. 1t Is a long
lane that knows no turning. He has
plenty of money, and can afford to be
patient. So he sits in his Office. like
a spider within its web, feeding upon
the small flies, but hoping in time to
catch the big once.
Never has this hope seemed so near
realization rs when, one fine day, the
trampling of a pair Of horses, and the
grinding Of two pairs of wheels. sud-
denly coming to a stop. tell that a
grand carriage has drawn up before his
door.
Looking through the wire screen Of his
office window. he sees n ~lemon-colorei
chariot, with a coachman on the box
weighing at least eighteen stone. with a
| footman beside him OF more moderate dk-
mensions but equally imposing appearance.
In It is a gentleman whose hair shows age,
while the facial Observation-Disclosures
tache and military whlskers-bespeak tho
old soldier.
But Mr.. Violet has no need for conJec-
ture. lie knows the livery. as also the
face seen inside the carriage.
General Harding!"
The lawyers heart is in his throat a.
he mechanically mutters the name. He
trembles with pleasant anticipation: in
deed, so overcome is he with II, that he
has scarce sufficient command OF himself
to ring the little table bell, and summon
his solitary clerk from the back office.
"%Jennersl' he stammers out, as this pale
faced familiar make appearance. "auick
to the passage. and be ready TO open the
door when you hear a knock. General
| Harding's carriage is outside. And bark
We. Jenners; II the General should come
IN, see that you get into the middle room.
and stay there till I call you
BY the middle room MI. Woolet means a
small apartment. thinly partitioned be-
tween his front office and another at tho
back. Jenners needs not this explana-
ton. He knows the place and understands
the injunction. Many a time and oft has
he ensconced himself in that cupboard-liks
enclosure to hear that passed between his
employer and any client whose converse
ton is deemed necessary TO make note OF.
Il wonder what the General can bo
wanting with me" soliloquises the lawyer,
as his clerk slips out. Lawson, OF Lin
coins Inn-ields is his man. i never heard
of his doing any legal business In Clay
field.
Mrs. Mainwaring comes into his mind.
He knows all about the relationship be-
tween her and her neighbor-of their mn.
tual antipathy, neither has done much 10
co~nceal-knows. to, something OF how the
land lies between the Generals sons and
the widows daughter-indeed a good deal.
Can't it be anything relating TO thls7
He is not left long time for conjecture.
Almost on the instant OF the clerks dis
appearance a laundering knock, such az
only a footman knows how to give. re-
sounds to the inHermost recesses OF the
house.
Instantly the outer door is opened. and
Mr.. Woolet. standing behind that Of his
office. which no has drawn a little a5ar,
listens with all his ears ~deiightedly as
he hears the double inquiry-whether rs