This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1882 Excerpt: ... "Well, I should think the man's daughter would be likely to know where he is. Use a little family influence." Harry coloured a little and looked offended. However, he did see Mrs. Clayton, and asked the question. And then he told her, incautiously, of the legacy that had been left to the boy Jack; but he got no news in return. Bessie really did not know where her father was. She herself was in great tribulation; all the plenty that had been some compensation to her for an ungrateful marriage had come to an end, for her husband was dismissed and disgraced, and had taken to drinking worse than ever. They were soon to leave their house, too, and had nowhere to go yet. "You must do something for us, Harry," Bessie said, and Harry felt that he must; but he did not see the way. "Rich as you are," said Bessie, "you might give Jem a lump sum and send him away." Whatever her faults, there was a kind of staunchness about Bessie that preserved her from utter ruin. No one in the neighbourhood believed it, but in real truth Harry's connection with Bessie had not been actually a guilty one. And yet she would have left her husband at a word, and gone off with Harry, who though well aware of this, had never said that word. But to live with her husband and entertain a favoured love? no; Bessie's confused notions of right and wrong were altogether clear on this point. Nor would she risk her footing in one home till she had secured another. "Harry, I'm yours if you'll take me away," she had said to him more than once; but that was a step that Harry's means did not admit of, even had he been mad enough to jeopardise all his future for her sake. So Harry knew well enough what was meant by giving Jem Clayton a lump sum. Of course, Bessie believed him rich; he had all the accesso...