1920-12-18 — Page 15

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1920

"THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH."

(Continued from Page 13.)

fairly in, and then there would be skating, and sliding, and the heavy old barges, "frozen up somewhere near a wharf, would smoke their rusty iron chimney-pipes all day, and have a| lazy time of it. *

In one place, there was a great mound of weeds or stubble burning and they watched the fire. so whine in the day-time, flaring through the fog, with only here and there a dash of red in it, until, in corsequence as she observed of the smoke "getting up her nose," Miss Slowboy choked --she could do anything of that sort. the smallest provocation-and woke the baby, who couldn't go to sleep again. But Bower, who was in advance some quarter of a mile or so. had already passed the outposts of the town, and gained the corner of the street where Caleb and his daughter! lived, and long before they had reach- ed the door, he and the blind girl were") on the pavement waiting to receive

on

thent.

and as unquestionably in his own element, as a fresh young sahnee on the top of the Great Pyramid.

"May!

My dear old friend

cried Dor, running up to meet her "What a happiness to see you ?”

Her old friend was, to the full, as

hearty and as glad as she and it really was, if you'll believe me, quite a pleasant sight to see them embrace. Tackleton was a man of taste, beyond all question. May was, very pretty.

THE CHINA MAIL.

.

15

I might be sure I have it right? And semckimes (but then I was a child) have wept, in my prayers at night, f to think that when your images as:> Forgot cended from my heart to heaven, they?

I quite forgot the pipe. John.” Forgot the pipe? Was such a won-

'She: der ever heard of: the pipe!

--T & it directly. soon done,"

..

might not be the true resemblance ofü It's yourselves. But I have never kää these feelings long. They have, pass- ed away, and left me manqul and

"Some of them are dent," said in which there was least of what wes *Come, come!" renined, the car-sure up"-she laid her hands upon breath-as in a tranpe sate of de-

Do:;" and some of them forgotten: romantically and sillily called love, tier clapping his sounding hands, her breast and hold here! light with the whole proceedings.

Certainly, if these old gentlemen Some of them, if they could stand were always the happiest; and that"Where's the pipe were inclined to have fiendish joy in among us at this moment, would not she anticipated the greatest possible the contemplation of Tackleton's dis-believe we were the save creatures; amount of bliss--not rapturous bliss; comfiture, they had good reason to would not believe that what they saw but the solid, steady going article be satisfied. Tackleton couldn't get and heard was real, and we could for- from the approaching" nuptials. She on ar sil; and the more cheerful his get them so. Ho they would not concluded by informing the company that to-morrow wis the day she had intended bride became in Dot's so believe one word of it!" ciety, the less he liked it, though he **Why, Dot!" "exclaimed the car-lived. foc, expressly; and that when it

was over, she would desire nothing But it was not so soon done, either. had brought them gether for that rier. "Little woman !** purpose. For he was a regular dog She had spoken with such cames:- better than to be packed up and dis-It lay in the usual place the carrier's contented."

"And they will again,” said Caleb. in the manger was Tackleton: sndness and Ere, that she stood in need posed of, in any gameel place of ceadhought pocket with the little

ponch, her own work, from which she **But, lather off my good, gentle, when they laughed, and he couldn't of some recalling to herself, without burial. are used to a pronty face, how, when he took it into his head, immédiate- doubt.

As these remarks were quite un was used to fill it: but her hand shoes father, bear with me, if I am wick- Her husband's check was

so, that she entangled ir (and yet hered;" said the blind girl. it comes into contact and comparisonly, that they must be laughing at him

answerable which is the happen hand was small enough to have come to the sorrow that so weights me with another pretty face,

seems for "Ah. May!" said Dot. -- Bear.

perty of all remarks that are safficient the moment to be homely and faded, dear, what changes: To talk of those

ly wide of the purpose they changed and hardly to deserve the high opinion merry school-days makes one young

the current of the converstitie the tigrating it-those little offices in which his moist eyes overflow; she was st you have had of it. Now, this was again."

diverted the general attention to the. ter at 2 the case, either with Dot or

veal-and-ham pie, the cold mutton, the have commended her discretion earnest and pathetic. But he did not

were vilely done, from first to last. understand her yet.. In order that potatoes, and the rart.

During the whole process, Tackleton

"Bring her to me." said Bertha:

You know sometimes, when you

May: for May's face set off Dot's, and Dor's face ser nữ May's, so naturally and agreeably that. as John Peery- single was very near saying when he came into the room, they ought to have been born sisters-which was the only improvement you could have suggested.

"Why, you ain't particularly old.

Forry." John replied. How many you add 10 May's, I am sure I don't know," said Dor,

But she can't be much laughing. less than a hundred years of age on

her next birthday."

"This

out easily. I am sure), and bungled down!" terribly. The Alling of the pipe andį Her father could rat choose but ler?

With these good-natured words, he strode away, and presently was heard.

held her by bach hands:

very gentle. far he merely interfered, as he supposed, to shield old Tackle ton; but it proved effectual, tre she stopped, and said no more. There was an uncommon agitation, even in her silence, which the vary Tackle at any time: are you?" said Tackleton, who had brought his half-shut ton.

eye to bear upon her, noted closely, the bouled beer might not be sight-stood looking on maliciously with the I cannot hold it closed and shut "Look at my sober, plodding hus-and remembered to some purpose too. ed. John Pearybingle proposed to hand there," returned Dot.

* He

May untered no word, good or bad, morrow the wedding day; and called half-closed eye; which, whenever

met hers-or caught it. For it can within myself. Bring her to me adds twenty years to my age at least. but sat quite still, with her eyes cast upon them to drink a bumper to it hardly be said to have ever met an-

faber" Don't you, John?**

down, and made no sign of interest before he proceeded on his journey...

other eye: rather being a kind of trap { She knew he hesitated, and said, in what had passed. The good lady For you ought to know that he only to snatch it up--augmented her con- May. Being May!” her mother now interposed, observ-rested there, and gave the old horse fusion in a most remarkable, degree.

He had to go some four or

May heard the mention of her Tackleton had brought his leg of

ing. in the first fristance, that girls x bair.

Why, what a clumsy Dot you name and coming quietly towards were girls, and bygotes brgoats, and five miles farther on and when he fare, this afternoon" said John. her, touched her on the art. The mutton. and wonderful to relate; a

that so long as young people were returned in the evening, he called for could have done it better myself. I blind girl turned immediately, and art besides but we don't mind a

young and thoughtless, they would Dot, and gook "another rest on his way. Boxer, by the way, made certain little dissipation when our brides are

"Ha ha!" laughed Tackleton.probably conduct themselves like home. This was the order of the day verily bélieve!” delicate distinctions of his own, in the case: we don't get married

Look into my face, dear heart, bis communication with Bertha, which every day--and, în addition to these Hollow as a drum, that laugh though young and thoughtless persons, with on all the plenic occasions, and had

· Read persuade me fully that he knew her dainties there were the veal-and-harm And he looked as if he could have two or three other positions of a co been. ever since their institution.

less sound and incontrovertible char-1

There were two persons present.

in company with Boxer, and the old sweet heart sait Bertha to be bind. He never sought to at pic. and things" as Mrs. Peery twisted Der's neck, comfortably.

**Dear dear!" said Dot. tract be atention by looking at her.bingle called them: which were chief

"Only Facter. She then remarked. in de besides the bride and bridegroom horse and the cart, making lively with your beautiful eyes, and tell as he often did with other people, but puts and oranges, and cakes, and such

to remember how we used to talk, a vont spirit, that she thanked Heaven elect, who did but indifferent honour music down the road. What time thee if the truth is written on it.”

**Dear Bertha, yes!"" dreamy Caleb still stcos, watching his school, about the bushands we would she had always found in her daugh to the cast. One of these was Dot.bind daughter, with the same expres- touched her invariably. What experie small deer. When the repast was set

The blind gut still, uptunting the too flushed and discomposed to adsp ence he could ever have had of blind forth on the boant, Ranked by Caleb's choose. I don't know how young, ter May, a dutiful and obedient child:

blank, sightless fate, down which the a great and how handsome, and how gay, and for which she took no credit to her herself to any small occurrence of the sion on his face. people or blind dogs. I'don't know, contribution, which was

Bertha :** Kid Caleb softly tears were coursing last, addressed; He had never lived with a blind mas- wooden bowl of smoking potatoes the how lively, mine was not to be Any self. though she had every reason to moment: the other, Bertha, who rose

I don't believe it was entirely owing to her up variedly, before the rest, and left What has happened? How changed her in these words:-- ier; mor had Mr. Boxer the elder, nor was prohibited, by solemn compact, as to May's -Ah, deart

you are my darling. in a few hours viands) know whether to laugh or cry, when self. With regard to Mr. Tackleton the table. from producing any other Mrs. Boxer, nor any of his respect.

she said. That he was in a moral

since this morning. You silent and able Family on either side, ever been Tackleton Ted his intended mother-I think what silly girls we were.””

**Good-bye" said Stout John May seemed to know which to do: point of view an undeniable indivi- visited with blindness. that I am in-law to the post of honour.. For

I shall be back at point of view a son-in-law to be de nought coat. for himself, perhaps, but he had go: high festival, the majestic old soul and tears stood in her eyes.

"Even the very persons them sired, no one in their senses could the old time. Good-bye, all!" hold of it somehow; and therefore he had adorned herself with a cap, cal-

"Good-bye. John." returned Caleb. had hold of Berths too, by the skirt,culated to inspire the thoughtless with selves-real live youfig men-we Ex-doubt. She was very emphatic here.)

"We With regard to the family imo which He seemed to say it by rote, and She also wore ed on sometimes," said Dor. and kept hold, until Mrs. Peerybingle sentiments of awe. and the baby, and Miss Slowboy, and her gloves. But let as be, genteel. little thought how things would come he was so soon about, after son to wave his hand in the same uncon

"But think how cheerful, and how I never Exed on John. I'm solicitation, to be admined, she be scious manner; for he stood observe the basket, were all got safely within or die? doors.

Caleb sar next to his daughter: Dor sure: I never so much as thought of Lieved Mr. Tackletox knew that, aling Bertha with an anxious, wonder-happy you have been. Bertha? How as moch a child as ever blindness can And if I had told you, you though reduced in purse, it had some ing fact, that never altered its er- good, and how much loved. by many be: Every blessing on your head! May Fielding was already come: and her old school-fellow were side him.

people." were ever to be married to Magretensions to geribity; and that if

Light upon your happy course! Not and so was her mother a little by side: the good carrier took care querulous chip of an' old lady with a of the bottom of the table.

**That strikes me to, the heart. dear the less, my dear May"—and they Tackleton. why you'd have slapped certain circumstances, not wholly un-

Wouldn't you. May?"

connected, she would go so far as to "Good-bye, young shaver said!

father! Always so mindful of me?] drew towards her, in a closer grap peevish face, who, in right of having Slowboy was isolated. for the time me.

-"not the less, my bird, because. waist like a bedpost, was being, from every article of furniture Though May didn't say yes, she say, with the indigo rade, but to the folly carrier, bending down to kiss preserved

Caleb was very much perplexed to to-day, the knowledge that you are supposed to be a most transcendent but the chair she sat of, that she certainly didn't say no. or express which she would not more particu- the child; which Tilly Slowboy, now Always so kind to me **

larly reler. bad happened differently. intes upon her knife and fork, had

understand ber.

to be his wife has wrung my heart? figure: and who, in consequence of might have nothing else to knock the to by any means.

Father. Mey having once been better off, or of baby's head against.

Tackleton laughed quite shorted. might perhaps have been in posses deposited asicep. (and strange to say.

To be to be blind, Bertha, my almost to breaking. hbouring under an impression which! As Tilly, stared about her at the he laughed so loud. John Peery-sion of wealth. She then remarked without damage) in a little cot of Ber-

for the sake of all he has done to re she might have been, it something dolls and loys, they stared at her and bingle laughed 100. in his ordinary that she would not allude to the past. tha's furnishing: good-bye! Time poor dear," he faltered," is a great May: oh, forgive me that it is so had happened which never did hapa the company. The venerable old good-natured and contented manner and would not mention that her daugh will come, I suppose. when you'll affiction; but

ru out into the cold, my little I have never felt it cried the lieve the weariness of my dark life:3 pen, and seemed to have never been gentlemen at the street doors (who but his was a mere whisper of a tes had for some time rejected the particularly likely to come to pass-were ait in full action) showed especial laugh. To Tackleton's

suit of Mr. Tackleton: and that she friend and leave your old father to find girl. "I have never felt it, in and for the sake of the belief you have

but it's all the same was very gen-interest in the party, pausing occasion-

You couldn't help yourselves. for would not say a great many other enjoy his pipe and his rheumatics in its fuiness. Never: I have some in me."when I call Heaven to witness Where's times wished that I could see you, or that I could not wish him married to dear wife more worthy of his good teel and patronising indeed. Gruff, ally before leaping, as if they were all that. You coulén's resist es, you things which she did not say, a great the chimney-corner; eh?

could see him-only once. and Tackleton was also there. doing listening to the conversation, and then see.” said Tackleton.

"Here we length. Finally, she delivered it as Dot?"

"I'm here. John she said, stare father, only for one little minute-ners!" the agreeable, with the evident sen-plunging wildly over and over.

(Continued on Page 17.) alare:

Where are the general result of her observation Here we are!

that I might know what it is I trea- and experience. that those marriages ing. sation of being as perfectly at home. great many times, without baiting for your gay young bridegrooms now.”

aware of.

He may have found it out the better gracing of this place at the for the colour flashed into her face. dut: and That he was in, an eligible | Peerybingle. pulling on his dread full all day 5. What is it? Tell me thought that is not for your good,"

Miss

about.

pression.

"There is not, in my soul, a wish

bright May: There is not in my, Oh, father, father cried the soul, a grateful recollection stronger blind giri, bursting into tears. "Oh, than the deep remembrance which is 5 my hard, hard fate?"

stored there, of the many, many times when, in the full pride of sight and a beauty you have had consideration “ for blind Bertha, even when we two were children, or when Bertha, was

Calch drew his hand across his eyes belore he answered bee.

"

י

A WATCH

Makes an Ideal Gift

A Splendid Selection Can be Seen AT

J. STEER,

Ice House Street.

REPAIRS EXPERTLY CARRIED OUT

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