Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-09-03

"
Nigel, with directions for a groom to
be sent with it that same night to the
post-office, in time for the morning
mail.
But neither on that night nor ever
after does its envelope receive the soil
ing of a postmark-why, Nigel Harding
alone knows.
On reaching London, Henry Harding
repairs to fashionable West End Ho-
tel, where on former visits to the me-
tropolis he has been accustomed to
sojourn. But, admonished by the state
of his exchaequer, he perceives this sort
of thing will not suit, as he would soon
be in debt, without any prospect of re-
deeming himself. All the money he
has is a -five-pound note, which chanc-
ed to be in his pocket on the day OF
his distracted departure from Beech
woods. He has his watch besides, with
some spare clothes and other effects,
which Warrener has directed. But
these are not money, and will not meet
the demands of an hotel bill, which, in
a West End establishment, soon be-
comes heavy. True, he has some
friends in London, though not many
and none to whom he would think of
applying for assistance under the cir
cumstances. For he fancies they may
have heard of what has happened
both the estrangement from his father
and the rejection of his sweetheart.
The thought of it is enough; and, too
proud to brook ridicule or accept SYM
pathy, ne not only declines calling on
his old acquaintance, but studiously
avoids them.
To make an encounter less likely, he
forsakes the arstocratic neighborhood,
betaking himself to more modest hos
telry in High Holburn, where he will
see no "swells."
But even there board and lodging
have their prices, which, however low,
must be paid, and by a stranger in
ready cash; SO that in short time he
finds his new residence becoming also
untenable His watch has to go, along
with other trifies disposable at a pawn
shop; till at length he has nothing left
him save the suit of clothes upon his
back.
For the first time in his life Henry
Harding feels the inconvenience of i'm
peeuniosity, though there is something
that preys even more upon his mind
this, the behavior of his father He
had hoped to have his request granted,
and the thousand pounds paid over to
him That would have set all right;
and, also supplied, he would at once
have gone abroad Having allowed
reasonable time to elapse, he has call
ed at the Office of Lawson & Son to in
quire whether they have received the
order for its payment He did not so
shape his inquiry, but simply asked if
there had been any communication re-
lating to him from his father, the an
swer being: "No-not any," of course
courteously given, for by sight they
know him to be General Harding's son.
In a couple of days he called again,
and several times after, on every occa-
sion asking the same question, almost
word for word. and in almost similar
terms receiving reply; only, when at
length little pressed, extended to the
statement that they had had no letter.
nor any other communication from
General Harding since some three
months ago, when he wrote to them
about the purchase of certain shares in
East India Stock
Hes not going to let me have it"
bitterly soliloquses his son, after leay-
ing Lawson's Office for the last time,
determined not to go there again Il
suppose he thinks I'm not punished
enough, and he'll have that precious
half-brother of mine to back him up in
Withholding it Well, he can keep it.
l shall never ask him for another shill-
ing-if l were starving"
This is a sort of pleasure in this self
abnegation during its incipient stages;
but it is rather due to revenge than
virtue, and soon dies out, changing to
pain With Henry Harding, it remains
as long as it would with most men,
What with the treatment he has re-
ceived both from sweetheart and par
ent, his spirit has been sorely chafed;
and now this new slight, reminding his
resentment, prompts him to resolve
never again returning to Lawson's Of
fice-a resolution he keeps, though it
costs him a struggle, to which one less
Independent would have succumbed.
For he is now forced to face the appal-
ling fact that he is without shrilling
in the world-in short, pauper upon
the streets of London
At this crisis, he pethinks himself of
one who might befriend him-the
young Italian artist At least to him
he can unbosom himself without fear
of shame He goes to Golden-square,