1920-12-18 — Page 21

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1920

"THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH."

(Continued from Page-19,

"I should have done it, my dear, i am afraid,” returned Caleb, “it 1 could have made her bener than she

W25.

1

But I must have changed her! for the worse. it I had changed her at all. Nothing could improve her,

Bertha.

i

THE CHINA MAÏË.

Americas was alive said Caleb, since believed she did, and now I am trembling.

sure she did."">

"He is alive!" shrieked Bot, re- moving her hands from his eyes, and clapping them in ecstasy; look at him: See where he stands before you, healthy and strong: Your own dear living, loving brother, Bertha:

"Heaven help me?" said the car rier.

**This is worse than all."

"Constant to her," said Edvard.

and returning. full of hope, ther many hardships and perils, to redeem my part of bur old contract. I heard,

ble as in her present transports.john, every day and hour, l'loved you paper, apparently containing a ring, There never were congramlations so more and more. And if I could have from his, waistcoat pocket. endearing and delicious, as those she loved you better than I do, the noble "Miss Slowboy," said Tackleton, lavished on herself and on the bride. words I heard you say this morning,"will you have the kindness, throw

Amid the male of emotions in his would have made me. But I can't, that in the fire? Thank'ee." breast, the honest carrier had stood, All the, affection that I had (it was a confounded. Flying, now, towards great deal, John) I gave you, as you ber, Dot stretched out her hand to well deserve, long, long ago, and 1 have no more left to give. Now, my dear husband, take me to your heart again: That's my home, John; anj‍ never, never think of sending me to any other?!?

All honour to the little creatre for wenty miles away, that she was false stop him, and retreated as before,

her transports:

All honour to her

21

was the theme of general admiration. She was a stumbling-block in the passage at five-and-twenty minutes past two; a man-trap in the kitchen at half-past two precisely; and a pit- "It was previous engagement, fall in the garret at Ave-and-twenty quite an old engagement, that pre- minutes to three. The baby's head vented my wife from keeping her was, as it were, a rest and touchstone appoinment with you, I assure you," for every description of matter→→→ "No, John, To: Hear all: Don't

said Edward. to me; that she had forgotten me: and owe me any more, John, vill you've

animal, vegetable, and mineral. No- ears and laughter, when the three had bestowed herself upon another heard every word I have to say. It

justice to acknowledge that I revealed come, at some time or other, into "Mr. Tackleton will do me the thing was in use that day that didn't were locked in one another's arms and a richer man. I had no mind to as wrong to have a secret from All honour to the heartiness with reproach her: and I wished to see her. you, Jobs. I'm very servy. 1 didn't

It to him faithfully; and tha: I told close ecquaintance with it Confident as the blind girl had been which she met the sunburned sailor and to prove beyond dispute that this think it any harm, till I came and sat delight from seeing a glorious little get it." said May, bhshing.

You never will derive so much him. many times. I never could for- Then there was a great expedition when she asked the question, her fellow, with his dark streaming hair. was true. I hoped she might have down by you on the tile stool last women in the arms of a third party.

set on loot to go and find out Mrs. delight and pride in the reply, and her half-way, and never turned her ross been forced into it, against be own right. But when I knew by what as you would have felt if you had "Oh, to be sure."

"Oh, certainly! said Tackleton. Fielding; and to be dismally penitent renewed embrace of Dot, were charm-little mouth aside, but suffered him to desire and recollection. It would be was written in your face, that you had seen Dor run into the carrier's em It's quite correct.

Oh, it's all right. to that excellent gentlewoman; and ing to behold.

kiss it, freely, and to press her, to his small comfort, but i would be gone.seen me walking in the gallery with brace

Ms. Edward to bring her back by force, il need- "More changes than you think lor, bounding heart?

I thought, and on 1 came. And honour to the cuckoo loo-why might have the truth, the seal truth: thought. I felt how giddy and how at earnestness that ever you behti bridegroom.

That Edward," and when I knew what you unmitigated soul-fraught little piece

It was the most complete." Phimmer, 1 infer?"

el, to be happy and forgiving. And may' happen though, my dear," said

"That's the rand rettened the when the expedition first discovered Dot. Changes for the better, or bursting out of the trap-200r observing freely for myself, and jode wrong it was.

her, she would listen to no terms at mean; changes for great joy to some in the Moorish pelace like a house-ing for myself, without obstruction of bow could you, could you, think so?"

But oh dear John. in all your days,

"Ah! I shouldn't have known you. I all, but said, an unspeakable number of us. You mustn't let them startle breaker, and hiccoughing twelve times the one hand, or presenting my own. rog to much, if any such should ever on the assembled company, as if no influence (if I had any) before her on again! Join Peerybingle would have may be sure Dot was likewise; and

You may be sure the carrier was sir." said Tackleton, seronimising his of times, that ever she should have Litle woman how she sobbed in a state of perfect rapture; and you face narrowly, and making a low bow. lived to see the day and could not bappe, and affect you? Are those

the other: 1 dressed myself unlike caught her in his as

give you for si wheels upon the road? You've

be got to say anything eke, except myself you know how: grd waited wouldn't let him.

Bet no; she you may be sure they all were, in

"Thank'es.

"Now carry me to the grave;" which quick ear, Bertha. Are they wheels?"

on the road-you know where. You'l

clusive of Miss Slowboy, who wept

"Mrs. Pecrybingle," said Tackle-seemed abfurd, on account of her not "Yes. Coming very fast."

had no suspicion of me: neither had Not for a long time yet? When I was include, her young charge in the stood with her husband; "I am sorry-

"Don't love me yet, please John: copiously for joy, and wishing to ring suddenly to where she being dead, or anything at all like I know you have a quick Look, John said Caleb exult--had she." pointing to Dor. "until i

it. Alter a time, she lapsed irzo a car," said Dot, placing her hand uponingly, look here: My own boy whispered in her ear at that fireside. was because I remembered May and tors, handed round the baby to kindress, but upon my life I am sorry observed, that when that unfortunate sad about this intended marriage, dear, general interchange of congratula-laven't done, me a very great state "of dreadful calmness, and her heart, and evidently talking on, as from the golden South Americas; aty and she so rearly betrayed'ine.** fast as she could, to hide its palpitat. | own son? Hime that you fitted out. But when she knew that Ed. Edward such young lovers; and knew everybody in succession, as if-it were!

You are better than I thought you. train of circumstances had occurred ing state." because I have noticed it and sent away you sell? Him that you ward was alive, and had come back." that her heart was far away from something to drink.

John Peerybingie. I am sorry. You in the indigo trade, she had loceseen oken, and because you were so quick were always such a friend to:"

Tackleton. schbed Dot. now speaking to; bersell.

You believe that, now. I

understand me; that's enough. It's that she would be exposed, during to find out that strange step last night;,

as she had burned to do, sil through

Don't you, John

But now the sound of wheels was quite correct. ladies and gentlemen her whole life. to every species of Though why you should have said, as

this narrative:" and when she knew 1 very well recollect you did say,

his purpose, she advised him by all sh at this appeat; but she stopped Benha, Whose step is that! and

mears to keep his secret close: for him again why you should have taken any great

No: keep there. please join triend John Peerybingle er observation of it than of any other Edward Was it you?

#29 thech 100 open in his When I laugh at you, as I sometimes "Now tell him all cried, Dot. ( nature, and too clumsy in all artifice | 32. John, and call you clumsy and a

step: I don't know." Though as I said

the world great changes and we can't do better than prepare ourselves to be str. prised at hardly anything."

had got drenk, for joy!

The carrier, entered, started back. And well he might, to find himself in sach good Company.

The carrier advanced to seize him by the hand: bit, recoiling, as some feature in his face awakened a re- memberance of the deaf man in the

said—

myself in his eyes, ever again."

I was the man. said Edward.

"There was 2

Caleb wondered what this meant: perceiving that she spoke to hira, no into the house of your old friend Tess than to his daughter. He saw rejoiced the carrier. her, with astonishment, so Bunered frank boy once-how many years is and distressed that she could scarcely. Caleb, since we heard that he was breathe; and Molding to a chair, to dead, and had it proved, we thought ¿save herself from falling.

-Tho never would have doce that." "They are wheels indeed!' she

"There was a generous friend of pared, "coming nearer: Netermine, once more a father to me than And now you hear them stopping at a friend." said Edward,, "who never as the garden gate! And now you would have judged me, or any other hear a step outside the door-the man, unheard. You were he. So same step. Bertha. is it not !--and

am certain you will hear me now. NOT

1 The carrier, with a rected glance She uttered a wild cry of uncontrola Dot, who still kept far away from Lable delight; and running up to him, replied. "Well that's but fair, Caleb, put her hands upon his eyes. I will." as a young man rushed into the roon. and finging away his hat into the air, came sweeping down upon them.

Is it over?" cried Dot. - Yes:

bis

okt

John was going to make another heard again outside the door: and all. and perfectly satisfactory. Good-insult and contumely; and that she

||

a humdrumm

Tackleton was coming back. Speedi

somebody exclaimed that Gruff and

:

morning!

was glad to find it was the case; and With these words he carried it of, begged ther wouldn't trouble them. ly that worthy gentleman appeared and carried himself of 100; merely selves about her for what was she? ooking wann and flustered.

stopping at the door, to take the 5. dear? "Why, what the devil's this. Jobs Bowers and favours from his horse's forget that such a being lived, and a nebody but would Peerybingle: said

Tackleton, head, and to kick that animal once, in woold take their course in life with

From this bitterly sarcastic

charch and I'll swear I passed her

doce such www

in which she gave vent to the re- Of course, it became a serious markable expression that the worm.

you but if you can do me the favour high feast and festival in the Peery-said, if they had only given her their I haven't the pleasure of knowing as should mark these events for a that, she picked to a soft regret, and rather a particular engagement this cordingly. Dot wem to work to pro- bad it in her power to suggest. Tak- to spare this young lady, she has bingle calender for evermore. A confidence, what might she not have morning.

entertainment, as {ing advantage of this crisis in her should reflect undying honour on the feelings. the expedition embraced house and on every one concerned: her: and she very soon had her and in a very short space of time, gloves on, and was on her way to she was up to her dimpled elbows Jahn Perrybingle's in a state of un- "I mean that, as I can make al-in flour, and whitening the carrier's impeachable gentility: with a paper fowance for your being vexed,"

re-coat, every time he came near her, parcel at her side containing a cap fed the ather with a site by stopping, niin to give him a kiss of state, turkist as tall,, and quite as am as deaf to harsh discourse this That good fellow washed the greens, stiff, as a mitre. morning as I was to all discourse and peeled the turnips, and broke the Last night."

plates, and upset iron pots full of cold water on the fire, and made him sell sell in all sorts of ways; while

"Ber"I can't spare her returned Edward. "I couldn't think of it."

"What do you mean, you vaga bond?" said Tackleton.

just now, there are great changes in "Tell him. Edward; and dont spare being a clumsy man in general," | dear old goose, and names of that There's some mistake. E appointed the ribs, as a means of informing him for her.

me. for nothing shall make me spare said Dot, half laughing and-halt cn./sort, it's because I love you. Jons. Mrs. Tackleton to meet me at the that there was a seren loose in his, I mood, she passed into an angry one."

ing to keep it for him. And when well and take such pleasure in she that's me. John." sobbed the your ways.

and wouldn't see you ***And could you steak, disguised, | Eule woman roid him all, and how shered in the least respect to have here she is! I beg your pardon, SIT: Guty now, to make such a day of it would wrn if trodden on; and, after

on the road, on her way here. Ob! arrangements. his sweetheart had believed him to you made a king to-morrow," be dead; and how she had at last "Hooray!" said Caleb, with un- been over persuaded by her mother usual vigour. "My opinion?" in a marriage which the silly, dear And when I speak of people being of thing called advantageous: and middle-aged. and steady. John, and when she that's me again, John pretend that we are told him they were not yet married couple. going on in a" jogarot sort of though close upon it), and that it way, it's only because I'm an such a would be nothing but a sacrifice if it'silly lile thing. John, that I like: went on, for there was no love on her sometimes, to act a kind of play with side: and when he were nearly, mad beby, and all that; and make believe." with joy to hear it then she-- that's She saw that he was coming; and mais again said she would go te stopped him again. But she was very tween them, as she had often done early too late. before in old times. John, and would-No, don't love me for another sound his sweetheart and be sure that minute or two. if you please, John: what she-me again. John--said and What I want most to tell you. I have The look that Tackleton bestowed thought was right. And it was light, kept to the last. My dear. good. upon him, and the start he gave! Joha! And they were brought to geremus John, when we were talking I am sorry, sir." said Edward. a couple of professional assistants, there was much looking out for them gether. John: And they were mar- the other night about the cricket. holding our May's left hand, and es hastily called in from somewhere in down the road; and Mrs. Fielding ried. John. an hour ago? And here's had it on my lips to say, that at first pecially the third finger. that the the neighbourhood, as on a point of always would look in the wrong and the beide: And Gruff and Tackleton i did not love you quite so dearly as young lady can't accompany you to Efe or death, ran against each other morally impossible direction; and may die a bachelor: And I'm a happy do now: that when I first came home church: but as she has been there in all the doorways and round all being apprised thereof. hoped she Eule woman. May. God bless you here. I was half afraid. I mightn't asce this morning, perhaps you'll the comers; and everybody humbled might take the liberty of looking

She

irresistible little learn to love you every bit as well as excuse her." woman, if that be anything to the per- I hoped and prayed I might-being Tackleton kooked hard at the third everywhere.

bver Tilly Slowboy and the baby. where she pleased At last they Tilly never came our came: a chubby, little couple, jogging pose; and never so completely irresist so very young John Bit, dear finger, and took a little piece of silver in such force before.

Her ubiquity

(Continued on Page 26.)

30

"Happily over?"

"Yes!

"Do you recollect the voice, déar Caleb: Did you ever hear the like

of it before?" cried Dot..

I my boy in the golden South

*You must know that when I left here, a boy," said Edward. I was, in love; and my love was returned. She was a very young girl, who perhaps (you may tell me) didn't know her own mind. But I knew mine; and had a passion for her

- You had!:

exclaimed the ried. You."

"Indeed 1 had." returned the other. And she returned it I have ever

was.. an

Then there were Dot's father and mother to comic, in another Erde chaise; and they were behind their time, and fears were entertained; and

MOTOR AT CHRISTMAS

and

GET YOUR CAR FROM THE

MERCURY CARACE

First Class Cars for Hire.

Private Cars Garaged at Moderate Charges. Repairs & Painting A Speciality.

Tel. 977 & 1345.

No. 61, Des Voeux Road Central