The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-07-30
CHAPTER TX.
A Search and Its SEQUEL.

Three days passed away and Aot O
solitary word was received from Mari
on West. Esther showed signs al
acute anxiety and disappointment
Clement became irritable and restless,
and manifested a strong Discrimination
for food. He was passing through an
experience that troubled him a good
deal. His philosophy was breaking
down. His heart was getting the bet.
ter OF his judgment.
He argued that there was no reason
on earth why he should worry a single
moment over Marion West: that at
best she was only a chance ~acquaint-
ance-a girl without name or family;
that as humane and Christian people
they had done all hat could be expect,
ed of them: and that 1t was hardly
likely, In the natural order of things,
that she would cross their path again.
He argued also that he had done
with women-that he had proved by
painful and humiliating experience
that they were not to be trusted; that
the old adage, Once bitten, twice
shy" was particularly applicable in
his case; and that IL he allowed him.
self to be captivated by a girl in her
teens after what he had passed
through he deserved to be locked up
in a lunatic asylum.
Also he made mental vows that he
would not allow himself to be capti-
vated-that he would be master of
himself at all costs; that he would
cease to worry about Marion West and
forget her.
All this as a mental and even a
moral exercise seemed admirable
enough. Unfortunately, the results
were not commensurate with the ef
fort. His arguments remained with.
out a flaw, but his heart refused tc
obey.
On the fourth day he discovered
that he had business that would take
him to Plymouth, possibly to Bristol
and that he might have to be away
two or three days, Esther looked
surprised. His mother was glad that
the committees OF the county council
found him something to do. II had
long been evident to her that he lack
ed sufficient employment, and she had
begun to fear that she had made a
mistake in insisting that he should
live the life of a country gentleman
He was of too active a temperament
to ~vegetate successfully in such
place as st. Chloe. He was spelling
for lack OF use, growing hard and bit
ter and cynical when he ought to be
bright and hopeful and optimistic.
He left by the earliest available
train, and was in a somewhat dolCrous
mood. He was conscious OF q certain
moral deterioration which did no
tend to improve his spirits. HI
would have been happier II he hat
had the Courage to take his mother
nj Esther into his confidence. Blu
after the role he had chosen to play
he could not bring himself to the con
fession that he was consumed will
anxiety to discover what had becom,
of Marion West. He reached Exeter
about noon, and. jumping into a cab
drove at once to the address of the
late Mr.. Mayhem. He expected u
find q private residence, instead O
which he found a suite OF Offices. Mr.
Pinder, commission agent, was now ii
possession. He had succeeded Mr.
Mayhem, for whom he had been for {
considerable time managing clerk.
Mr.. Pinder was pleasant and, up t
a point. communicative. Miss wesr
had called earlier in the week. H,
was sorry she had travelled so far I,
no purpose. She ought to have writ
ten earlier. What had become of he,
he did not know. She had seemed
little upset, but was by no mean
overwhelmed at the news Of Mr.. MAY
hew's death. She had asked q grea
many questions, and had intimate,
her intention Of instituting Inquire
In other directions. She might still
be in the city, but he thought IL wa
scarcely probable. Up to this poin
Mr.. Pinder was quite ready to give In
formation. but when Clement bega,