1920-12-18 — Page 17

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1920.

"THE CRICKET ON THE

HEARTH."

(Continued from Page 15)

While speaking, she had released May Fielding's hands, and clasped her garments in an attitude of mingl ed supplication and love. Sinking lower and lower down, as she proceeded in her strange confession, she dropped at last at the feet of her friend, and hid her blind face in the folds of ber dress.

THE CHINA MAIL.

•

17

Wheels beard. A horse's feet, head to whisper in her ear; and She had been above-stairs with the poc chi maey hasgone upward with palling up his shirt-collar to make been nothing-nothing rash in thờ The barking of a dog. The gradual suffering him to clasp her round the baby. getting it to bed. As he sat a better fragrance than the richest him smart, and mincing merrily night?"

The carrier turned upon him quick- approach of all the sounds. The waist, as they moved slowly down brooding on the hearth, she came incense that is burned before the about that very room to teach him scratching paw of Boxer at the door! the dim wooden gallery towards the close beside him, without his know richest shrines in all the gaudy how to dance!

Because he's gone!” said Tackle They turned, and stared immensely "Whose step is that?" cried door by which they had entered it. ledge-in the turning of the rack of temples of this world-Upon your Bertha, starting up.

He saw them stop, and saw her turn his great misery, he last all other own bearth; in its quiet sanctuary: at him when they showed her with: said the window's open F. Whose step? returned the carries.to have the face, the face he loved sounds and put her little stool at surrounded by its gentle influence the blind girl; for, though she carried don't see any marks: to be sure it's almost on a level with the garden; standing in the portal, with his 50, 50 presented to his view and his feet. He only knew it, when he and associations; hear her! Here cheerfulness and animation with her but I was afraid there might have brawn face ruddy as a winter by the He upon his head, laughing, as her looking up into his face.

berry saw her, with her own hands, adjust felt her hand upon his own, and saw me! Hear everything that speaks wheresoever she went, she bore those been some—some scaffe. Eh?**

the language of your hearth and influences into Caleb Plummer's from the keen night air.

she did it, at his unsuspicious nature!

He nearly shut ip the expressive With wonder? No It was his home!"

home, heaped up and running over. mine."

And pleads for her?" inquired The blind girl's love for her, and trusty, altogether; he looked at him so "The other step, said Bertha. He clenched his strong right hand frst impression, and he was fain to

at first, as if it would have beaten look at her again, to set it right. No. the carrier.

In her, and gratitude to her; her own hard. And he gave his eye, and his "The man's tread behind you?"

All things that speak the langs good, busy way of setting Bertha's face, and his whole person, a sharp "She is not to be deceived." down a lion. But opening it imme not with wonder. With an eager

carrier, laughing.diately again, he spread it out before an inquiring look; but not with age of your hearth and home must thanks aside; her dexterous little arts twist. As if he would have screwed observed the

Come along, sir. You'll be welcome, the eyes of Tackleton (for he was wonder. At first it was alarmed and plead for her!" returned the cricket. for filling up each moment of the the truth out of him.

"Make yourself easy,” said the visit in doing something useful to never fear!'

tender of her, even then), and so, as serious; then changed into a "For they speak the truth."-

And while the carrier, with his the house, and really working hard carrier. "He went into that room- He spoke in a load tone; and as they passed out, fall down upon a strange, wild, dreadful smile of re "Great Power!" exclaimed her he spoke, the deal old gentleman desk, and was as weak as any infant. cognition of his thoughts; then there bead upon his hands, continued to while feigning to make holiday; her last night, without harm in word or He was wrapped up to the chin, was nothing but her clasped bands sit meditating in his chair, the bountiful provision of those standing deed from me, and no one has He's not so much a stranger, and busy with his horse and parcels on her brow, and her bent head, and presence stood beside him, suggesting delicacies, the veal-mad-ham pie and entered it since. He is away of his his reflections by its power, and the bottles beer; radiant little face | own free will. I'd go out gladly at " that you haven't seen him once, when she came into the room, pre-falling hair. Caleb," said the carrier. "You'll pared for going home.

Though the power of Omnipotence presenting them before him, as in a arriving at the door, and taking that door, and beg any bread Now, John, dear! Good-night, had been his to wield at that moment glass or picture. It was not a solitary leave; the wonderful expression is her from house to house. for life, if I

presence. From

the hearthstone, whole self, from her neat foot to the could so change the past that he had give him house-roam till we go?”

"Oh, surely, John, and take it as May ! Good-night, Bertha "

he had too much of its divine property Could she kiss them? Could she of mercy in his breast, to have turned from the chimney from the clock, crown of her head of being a part of never come. By he has cute and the pipe, the kettle, and the cradle; the establishment--a something peces gone. And I have done with him 1” an honour."

"He's the 'best company on earth she be blithe and cheerful, in her one feather's weight of it against from the floor, the walls, the ceiling,sary to it, whith it couldn't be with-

*ObWell, I think he has got off to talk secrets in," said John parting? Could she venture to reveal her. But he could not bear to see and the stairs; from the cart without all this the fairies revelled in pretty easy," said Tackleton, taking have reasonable good lungs, but be

The sneer was lost upon the carrier, ber, with love and pride, so innocent everything and every plate with pealingly, and seemned to say, while area and, when she rose and which she had ever been familiar, some among them nestled in her who sat down too, and shaded his left him, sobbing as she went, he felt and with which she had ever entwin- dress and fondled her. "Is this these with his hand, for some little ait a relief to have the vacant place ed one recollection of herself in her wife who has betrayed your con

time, before proceeding.

"You showed me last night," he beside him rather than her so long happy husband's mind; fairies Sidence? cherished preSENCE. This in itself

said at length, "my wife: my wife was anguish keener than all, remind-beside him as the cricket did, but to More than once or twice, thrice that I love; secretly ing him how desolate he was become, bass and bestir themselves. To do in the long thoughtful night, they

father, smitten at one blow with the entered. truth, have I deceived her from the cradle, but to break her heart at last!"

It was well for all of them that Dot, that beaming, useful, busy little Dot-for such she wes, whatever faults she bad, and however you may learn to hate her, in good time it was well for all of them, I say, that

she was there, or where this would tries 'em, I can tell you. Sit down her face to them without a blush? | her crouching down upon the little our, and the cupboard within, and and loved her for. And once aganda chair. have ended it were hard to tell. But Size All friends here, and glad to / Yes. Tackleton observed her closely, seat where he had often looked on the household implements; from they looked upon him all at once, ap-

Dot, recovering her self-possession, interposed, before May could reply. or Caleb say another word.

see you!"

and she did all this. !

When he had Imparted this as Tilly was hoshing the baby and she surance, in a voice that amply crossed and re-crossed Tackleton, corroborated what he had said about dozen times, repeating drowsily Come, come, dear Bertha! come his lungs, be added in his natural" Did the knowledge that it was to away with me! Give her your arm, tone, "A chair in the chimney-corner, be its wifes, then, wring its hearts May. So! How composed she is, and leave to sit quite silent and look almost to breaking; and did it you see, already; and how good it is little woman, kissing her upon the for. He's easily pleased.". forehead. Come away, dear Bertha. Come! and here's her good father will come with her; won't you, Caleb? To-be-sure!"

came trooping forth. Not to stand

of her to mind' us,” said the cheery / pleasantly about him, is all he cares fathers deceive it from its cradles but and how the great bond of bis life all honour to Her image. To pull showed her to him sitting on her fav-|

Well well! the was a noble little Dot in such things, and it must have been an obdurate nature that could have withstood her influence. When she had got poor Caleb and his Berth a away, that they might comfort and console each other, as she knew they

ing back-the saying is, as fresh as

any daisy; I say fresher to mount

of consequence in the cap and gloves and prevent the dear old creature from making discoveries.

"So bring me the precious baby Tilly," said she, drawing a chair fo the fire:" and while I have it in my lap, bere's Mrs. Fielding, Tilly, wil tell me all about the management of babies, and put me right in twenty points where I'm as wrong as can be. Won't you, Mrs. Fielding?"

Bertha had been listening intently. She called Caleb to her side, when he had set the chair, and asked him. in a low voice, to describe their visitor. When he had done so (truly now! with scrupulous fidelity), she moved, for the first time since he be had come in, and sighed, and seemed to have no further interest concerning him.

יד

to break its hearts af last"

"Now, Tilly, give me the baby I Good-night, Mr. Tackleton. Where's. John, for goodness' sake?”

"He's going to walk, beside the horse's head," said Tackleton, who helped her to her seat.

"My dear John. Walk? To- night?"

was rent asunder.

The more he felt this, and the more he knew he could have better borne to see her lying prematurely dead before him with their little child upon her breast, the higher and the stronger rose his wrath against his enemy. He locked about him for a

weapon.

it

Thus the night passed. The moon went down; the stars grew pale; the the cold day broke; the sun rose- The carrier still sat, musing. in the

ton.

"I confess to having bad my sus picions always," said Tackleton

"And that has made me objection- able here. I know."

"But as you did show it me," pur" saed the carrier, not mindenst him

·

"And tenderly," insinuated Tackle him by the skirts, and point to it purite seat, with her bent head, her

"Conniving at that man's disguise. when it appeared. To cluster round bands clasped on her brow, her fall- it, and embrace it, and strew fowers ing hair. As he had seen her last and giving him opportunities of for it to tread on To try to crown And when they found her thus, they meeting her alone. I think there's its fair head with their tiny bands neither turned nor leaked upon him, no sight I wouldn't have rather seen. To show that they were fond of but gathered close round hes, and than that. I think there's no man in and loved it; and that there was not comforted and kissed her, and pressed the world I wouldn't have rather bad one ugly, wicked, or accusatory on one another to show sympathy to show itma." creature to claim knowledge of it and kindness to her, and forgot him The mafed figure of her husband

There was a gun hanging on the nene but their playful and approving altogether. made a hasty sign in the afirmative wall. He took it down, and moved selves The carrier was in high spirits and the false stranger and the little a pace or two towards the door of His thoughts were constant to her only could, she presently came bounc. | good fellow that he was, and fonder nurse being in their places, the old the perfidious stranger's room. He image. It was always there. ~

of his little wife than ever,

horse moved off. Boxer, the uncan-knew the gun was Icaded. Some

She sat plying her needle, before "Clumsy Dot she was, this after-scious Boxer, running on before, shadowy idea that it was just to the fire, and singing to herslf. Such a chimney-corner. He had sat there and as you saw ber-my wife my noon?" he said, encircling her with running back, running round and shoot this man like a wild beast, blithe, thriving, steady little Dot! The with head upon his hands, all night wife that I love his voice, and eye. guard over that bridling little piece his rough arm, as she stood, removed round the cart, and barking as seized him, and dilated in his mind fairy figures turned upon him all at All right the faithful cricket had been and band, grew steadier and firmer as from rest" and yet I like her some triumphantly and merrily as ever- until it grew into a monstrous demon once, by one consent, with one pro- chirp, chirping on the hearth. All he repeated these words, evidently in tow. See yonder, Dot!"

When Tackleton had gone off like-in complete possession of him, casting digious concentrated stare, and seem-night be had listened to its voice. All pursuance of a steadfast purpose He pointed to the old mas She

besy with him. All right she had it is right and just that you should looked down. I think she trembled. Wise, escoring May and her mother out all milder thoughts and setting ed to say, "Is this the light wile you right the household faries bad beta "as you saw ber at this disadvantage.

are mourning for?" home, poor Caleb sat down by the up its undivided empire. He's ha, ha, ha-he's full of fire beside his daughter, anxious and

There were sounds of gaiety out been amiable and blameless in the also see with my eyes, and kn admiration for you!" said the caftier. remorseful at the core, and still say.

That phrase is wrong. Not cast side-musical instruments, and aoisy glass, except when that one shadow {

his milder thoughts, but art tongues, and laughtet. A crowd of fell upon it

my areast, and know what my mind Talked of nothing else the wholeing in his wistful contemplation of

ing ou

is, upon the subject. For it's set- way here. Why, be's a brave old as Have True ven her from her fully transform them. Changing young merrymakers came pouring He rose up when it was broad day. tled," said the carrier, regarding him boy. I like him for it!"

mon in among whom were May Fielding and washed and dressed himself. He attentively. cradle, but to break her heart at them into scourges to drive

And nothing can "I wish he had had a better sub-last

***retty girls. Dot was couldn'd go about his customary cheer-shake it now." Turning water into blood, love Intö | 77

and a score ject, John," she said, with an uneasy

The toys that had been set in Her image, sorrowing, humbled, but

hate, gentleness into blind ferocity, the fairest of them all; as young fu avocations he wanted spirit for Tackleton muttered a few general Not even the Welsh giant, who, glance about the room-at Tackleton motion for the baby had all stopped still pleading to his tenderness and any of them too. They came to sum-the-but it mattered the less, that words of assent, about its being according to the popular expression, especially,

and run down, long ago. In the mercy with resistiess postres, Bever on her to join their party. It was a it was Tackie's wedding-day, and necessary to indicate something or was so "slow" as to perform a fatal surgical operation upon himself, in jovial John. There's no such thing. bably cake dolls, the agitated rock urged him fo the door: raised the she laughed, and shook her head, and gone merrily to church with Dolj and unphed as it was, it had a "A better subject:" cried the faint light and silence, the imperture with resistiest power revet dance. If ever little foot were made he had arranged to make his rounds other: but he was overawed by the for dancing, hers was, surely. But by mury. He had thought to have manner of his companion. Plain and emulation of a juggling trick achieved Come! off with the greatcoat, offing-horses with distended eyes and by his arch-enemy at breakfasttime with the thick shawl, off with the nostrils, the old gentlemen at the weapon to his shoulder; fitted and pointed to her cookery on the fire, and But such plans were at an end. It something dignified and noble in it, not even he fell half so readily into heavy wrappers; and a cosy half-street doors, standing half doubled nerved his finger to the trigger and her table ready spread, with an exult was their own wedding-day too. Ah! which nothing beer best began t the snare prepared for him, as the hour by the fire! My humble service up upon their failing knees and cried, "Kill him! Is his bed!"

ing defiance that rendered ner mere how Tittle he had looked for sach sous honour dwelling in the man old lady into this artful pitfall. The mistress. A game at cribbage, you ankles, the wry-faced nutcrackers, He reversed the gun to beat the charming than the was before. And close to such a year!

could have imparted. fact of Tackleton having walked out and I? That's hearty. The cards the very beasts upon their way into stock upon the door; he already held so she merrily disassed them, nodd- and furthermore, of two or three and board. Dat. And a glass of beer the ark, in twos, like a boarding it lifted in the air: some indistinct ing to her would-be partnere, one by ton would pay him an early visit; pursued the carier, "with very little The carrier expected that Tackle- "I am a plain rough man,” people having been talking together here, if there's any left, small wife!" school out walking, might have been design was in his thoughts of calling one, as they passed out with a comic and he was right. He had not walked to recommend me. I am not a clever at a distance, for two minutes, leav

His challenge was addressed to the imagined to be stricken motionless out to him to fly, for God's sake, by al indifference, enough to make them to and fro before his own door many man, as you very well know. I am ing her to her own resources, was old lady, who accepting it with with fantastic wonder, at Dot being the window-

go and drown themselves immediate- quite enough to have put her on her gracious readiness, they were soon false, or Tackleton beloved, under When, suddenly the struggling firely if they were her admirers and theyutes, when he saw the toy-mer-not a young man. I loved my little dignity, and the bewailment of that engaged upon the game. "At first, any combination of circumstances. mysterious convulsion in the indigo the carrier looked about him seme-

lumined the whole chimney with a must have been so more or less: they chant coming in his chaise along the Dot, because I had seen her grow trade. for four-and twenty hours. times, with a smile, or now and then

glow of light; and the cricket on the couldn't help it. And yet indifference road. As the chaise drew nearer, he up, from a child, in her father's hearth began to chirp!

was not her character. Oh, no! For, Perceived that Tackleton was dressed house; because I knew how precious But this becoming deference to her called Dot to peep over his shoulder experience, on the part of the young at his hand, and advise him on some

No sound he could have heard, no presently, there came a certain carrier ut sprucely for his marriage, and she was; because she had been my human voice, hot even bers, could so

that he had decorated his borse's life, for years and years. There's mother, was so irresistible, that after knotty point. But his adversary be a short affectation of humility, shefing a rigid disciplinarian, and subject

have moved and softened him. The

The horse looked much more like began to enlighten her with the best to an occasional weakness in respect

The Dutch clock in the corner artless words in which she had

Again the staring figures turned

bridegroom than Tackleton, whose grace in the world; and sitting bolt of pegging more than she was en- struck ten, when the carrier sat down told him of her love for this same upon him all at once, and seemed to upright before the wicked Dot, she titled to, required such vizulance on by his fireside. So troubled and cricket, were once more freshly say, "Is this the wife who has for half-closed eye was more disagree

ably expressive than ever. But the did, in half an hour, deliver more his part, as left him neither eyes nor grief-worn, that he seemed to scare spoken; her trembling. earnest saken you?" infallible domestic recipes and pre- ears to spare. Thus his whole the cuckoo, who, having cut his ten maner at the moment, was again A shadow fell upon the mirror or carrier took little heed of this His cepts, that would (if acted on) have attention gradually became absorbed melodious announcements as short before him; her pleasant voice-oh, the picture-call it what you will. A thoughts had other occupation..

“John Peerybingle!" said Tackle" utterly destroyed and done up that upon the cards; and he thought of as possible, plunged back into the what a voice it was, for making great shadow of the stranger, as he young Perrybingle, though he had bothing else, until a hand upon his Moorish palace again, and clapped household music at the fireside of first stood underneath their roof ton, with an air of condolence. "My been an infant Samson.

shoulder restored him to a conscious. his little door behind him, as if the an honest manthrilled through covering its surface, and blotting out good fellow, how do you find your

unwonted spectacle were too much his better nature, and awoke it isto all other objects. But the nimble self this morning?” ness of Tackleton.

life and action. for his feelings,

fairies worked like bees to clear it off "I have had but a poor sight, Mr.ciled it to myself, and came to think He recolled from the door, like a again; and Dot again was there. Tackleton," returned the carrier, might be possible that we should shaking his head; for I have been be married. And in the end, it came man walking in his sleep, awakened Still bright and beautiful.

Rocking her little baby in its cradle, a good deal disturbed in my mind. about, and we were married," from a frightful dream; and put the gun aside. Clasping his hands be singing to it softly, and resting her But it's over now! Can you spare fore his face, he then sat down again head upon a shoulder which had its me half an hour or so, for some beside the fire, and found relief in counterpart in the musing figure by private talk?”** tears.

which the fahy cricket stood..

"I came on purpose." returned The night I mean the real night; | Tackleton, alighting. Never mind

a

11

To change the theme, Dot did a little needework-she carried the contents of a whole warkbox in her -pocket; however she contrived

it. I don't know then did *little nursing; then a little more needlework: then had a little whispering chat with May, while the old lady dozed; and so in little bits of bustle, which afternoon. Then, as it grew dark, what the matter was,

"I am sorry to disturb you but a word, directly."

ས་

I'm going to deal," returned the carrier. "It's a crisis."

"It is," said Tackleton. Come here, man!'

"

CHIRP. THE THIRD.

If the little haymaker had been armed with the sharpest of scythes, and had cut at every stroke into the carrier's heart, he never could have gashed and wounded it, as Dot had

done. There was tha: in his pale face was quite her which made the other rise imme

The cricket on the hearth came

to the door; and bless her, what a welcome she bestowed upon him!-

head with dowers and favours.

a

.'

many men I can't compare with who never could have loved my little Dot like me, I think!TM

He paused, and saftly beat the ground a short time with his foot, before resuming

"I often thought that though I wasn't good enough for her, I should make her a kind husband, and per haps know her value better than (another; and in this way I recon-

"Hah!" said Tackleton, with s significant shake of his head,

"I had studied myself; I had had experience of myself; I knew how much I loved her, and how hapov I

I had not-I feel it now-sufficiently considered her."

manner always, found it a very short idately, and ask him, in a hurry, ber; so bound up and beld together out into the room, and stood in not going by fairy clock-was wear the horse. He'll stand quiet enough, should be," pursued the carrier. "Bat

and as it was a solemn part of this

"Hush! John Peerybingle," said

It was a heart so full of love for

by innumerable threads of winning remembrance, spus from the daily Working of her many qualities of

institution of the picnic that she Tackleton. "I am sorry for this endearment; it was a heart in which should perform all Bertha's house am indeed. I am indeed. I have hold tasks, she trimmed the fire, and been afraid of it. I have suspected swept the bearth, and set the tea- it from the first." board out, and drew the curtain, and lighted a candle. Then she played an air or two on a rude kind of hazy, which Caleb had contrived for Bertha, and played them very well;

What is it?" asked the carrier with a frightened aspect.

"Hush! I'll show you, if you'll come with me."

for Natore had made her delicate The carrier accompanied him,

18

she had enshrined herself so gently and so closely; a heart so single and so earnest in its truth, so strong in right, so weak in wrong, that it could cherish neither passion nor revenge at first, and had only room to hold the broken image of its idol,

But slowly, slowly, as the carrier

ing now; and in this stage of the with the reins over this post, if you' fairy shape before him.

"I love it," said the fairy voice, carrier's thoughts, the moon burst give him a mouthful of hay.” repeating what he well remembered, out, and shone brightly in the sky. The carrier having brought it from for the many times I have heard Perhaps some calm and quiet light the stable and set it before him, they it, and the many thoughts its harm had risen also, in his mind and he turned into the house. less music has given me.'"

could think more soberly of what bad She said so!” cried the carrier, | happened.. True!"

Although the shadow of the he said. "I think?” "This has been a happy home, stranger fell at intervals upon the John; and I love the cricket for its glass always distinct, and big, and of time. Plenty of time.”

thoroughly defined it never fell so sake!"

"You are not married before noon," "No," answered Tackleton. "Plenty

When they entered the kitchen,

cry of consternation, and plied their moved from it by a few steps. One

most inspiring manner.

**

*To be sure," said Tackleton- Giddiness, frivolity, fickleness, lová- of admiration! Not considered! AB; left out of sight! Hah!”

"You had best not interrupt me,” said the carrier, with some sternen

'till you understand me, and you IE wide of doing so. If yesterday, Tá have struck that man down at a blow

It has been, Heaven knows," darkly as at first. Whenever it at Tully Slowboy was rapping at the who dared to breathe a word agains little ear as choice a one for music without another word. They want at brooding on his hearth, now cold as it would have been for jewels, if across a yard, where the stars were and dark, other and fiercer thoughts returned the carrier. She made it peared, the fairies uttered a general stranger's door: which was only reher, to-day I'd set, my foot upon he she had had any to wear. By this shining, and by a little side door, began to rite within him, as an angry happy, always-until now.”

The toy-perchant gazed at his "So gracefully sweet-tempered; ittie arms and legs, with inconceiv-of her very red eyes (for Tilly had face, if he was my brother time, it was the established hour for into Tackleton's own counting-house, wind comes rising in the night. The having tea; and Tackleton came where there was a glass window, stranger was beneath his outraged domestic, joyful, busy, and light-able activity, to rub it out. And been crying all night long, because

whenever they got at Dot again, and mistress cried) was at the keyhole; in astonishment. He went on back again, to share the meal, and commanding the wareroom, which roof. Three steps would take him hearted!" said the voice.

was closed for the night. There was to his chamber door. One blow "Otherwise I never could have showed her to him once more, bright and she was knocking very loud; and softer toneTM

"Did I consider," said the carrier, spend the evening.

"that I took her at ber age, and Caleb and Bertha had returned 20 light in the counting-house itself, would bead it in. "You might do loved her as I did returned the and beautiful, they cheered in the seemed frightened.

but there were lamps in the long murder before you know it," Tackle-carrier.

"If you please I can't make noi

with her beauty-from her young some time before, and Caleb had sat narrow wareroom; and consequently ton had said. How could it be mar The voice, correcting him, said They never showed her otherwise body hear," said Tilly, looking round. down to his afternoon's work. But

der, if he gave the villain time to "no"

than beautiful and bright, for they "I hope nobody ain't gone and been companions, and the many somes of

which she was the ornament; he couldn't settle to it, poor fellow, the window was bright.

A moment!" said Tackleton grapple with him hand to hand! He being anxious and remorseful for his Can you bear to look through that was the younger man.

He repeated, "As I did." But were household spirits to whom false and died if you please!"

which she was the brightest, firtle not firmly. His faltering tongue hood is annihilation; and being so. This philanthropic wish, Miss Slow-star that ever shone, to shut hes daughter. It was touching to see window, do you think?”.

It was an ill-timed thought, bad for resisted his control, and spoke in its what Dot was there for thes, but the body emphasised with various new from day to day in my duri him sitting idle on his working stool,

"Why not?" returned the carrier. the dark mood of bis mind. It was an

own way, for itself and him,

one scrive, beaming, pleasant little raps and kicks at the done; which led and keep my tedious company regarding her so wistfully, and al

I consider how little suited I was'u ways saying in his face."Have I

sun of the carrier's home!

"Shall I go?" said Tackleton. her sprightly humour and how Received her from her cradle, but to

*Upon your own hearth

The fairies were prodigiously excit. "It's curious.

wearisomea plodding man dike #❤ The hearth she has blighted,”ed when they showed ber," with the The carrier, who had turned bis must be, to one of her When it was night, and tea was do murder before you know it."

to pass by night, and where the timid interposed the carrier.

baby, gossiping among a knot of age face from the door, signed to him to Did: 1. consider that dose, and Dot had nothing more to

The carrier looked him in the face, would see shadows struggling in the "The hearth she has how often! old matrons, and affecting to be go if he would.

in me, or cizira in do in washing up the cups and Saucers; in a word for I must come and recolled a step as if he had been ruined windows when the moon was blessed and brightened" said the wondrous old and matronly herself,

So Tackleton went to Tilly Slow. her, when everybody to it, and there is no use in putting struck. In one stride he was at the dim, and hear wild noises in the cricket; the hearth which, but for and leaning in staid, demure old it off when the time drept for window, and he saw

her, were only a few stones and way upon her husband's arm, at boy's relief; and he too kicked and her? Never. Ob, shadow on the bearth! Oh, He was the younger man! Yes, tricks and rusty bars, but which has tempting thel such a bud of a little knocked: and he too failed to get the of her peral nature expecting theater's retura in every sound of distant wheels, hier truthful cricket! Oh, perfidious wifel yes; some fover who had wap the been, through her, the altar of your woman to coure the idea of hay least reply. Bat he thought of tryingful disposition and manner changed again, her colour "He saw her, with the old man old heart that he had never touched home; on which you have tightly abjured the vanities of the world the handle of the door; and as it wish I never had came and went, and she was very no longer, but erect and gattan Some liver of her early choice of sacrificed some petty passion, fish in general, and of being the sort of opened easily he peeped in, looked not for mig reatless. Not as good wives are, bearing in his hand the false white whom she had thought and dreamed, ness, or care, and offered up the person to whom it was no novelty at, went in, and on came running the toy When listening for their busbands, hair that had won his way into that for whom she had pined and pined, homage of a tranquil mind, a trusl to be a mother: yet in the same out again.

"Joha Peerybingle," said Tackle No, no, no. It was another sort of desolate and miserabla home. He saw when he had fancied her so happy ting nature, and an overflowing breath they showed her, laughing at

"I hope there has restlessness from that.

her listening to him, as he bent his by his side. Oh, a gony to think of it heart; so that the smoke from this the carrier for being awkward, and [ton, in his "ear..

break her heart!" :

A moment more," said Tackleton. angry thought, goeding him to some The figure, in an attitude of increature, who had been the light and to no result whatever. Don't commit any violence. It's of avenging act, that should change the vocation, raised its hand and said

no use. It's dangerous, too. You're cheerful house into a haunted place

a strong made man; and you might which lonely travellers would dread

.

stormy weather.

without

the fell