1921-12-10 — Page 16

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"THE (CHIMES."

(Continued from Page 12')

"I beg your pardon, I'm sure!' aid Trotty, pulling up his hat in great confusion, and between the hat And the torn lining, fixing his head

into a kind of bee-hive. haven't hurt you."

"I hope I

As to hurting anybody, Toby was not such an absolute Samson, but

that he was much more likely to be hurt himself; and, indeed, he hadi flown out into the road like a shuttle- cock. He had such an opinion of his own strength, however, that he

"I'll show you his house with pleasure."

"I was to have gone to him else where to-morrow," said the man, accompanying Toby, "but I'm un easy under suspicion, and want to clear myself, and to be free to go and seek my bread-I don't know where, So, maybe he'll forgive my going to

his house to night."

"It's impossible," cried Toby, with a start," that your name's Fern

"Eh!" cried the other, turning on him in astonishment.

"Fera Will Fern!" said Trotty, "That's my name," replied the

other.

THE CHINA MAIL.

here we are indeed, my precious Meg. surprising you!"

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 121,

Keep away from me! Let my cot have taken care on her, the union

lying somewhere on the stairs; and Mightily delighted Trotty ~ was, tage be. My doors is dark enough eight-and-twenty mile away from

I'm pretty sure there was a bit of when the child went timidly towards without your darkening of 'em, more, where we live-between four walls With which words Trotty, in Bacon too. As I don't remember him, and having kissed him, fell back Don't 100k for me to come up into (as they took care of my old father breathless state, set, the child down where it was, exactly, I'll go myself upon Meg again. the park to help the show when when he couldn't work no more, before his daughter in the middle of and try to find 'ein,

"She's a sensible as Solomon, there's a birthday, or a fine speech though he didn't trouble en long); the floor. The little visitor looked With this inscrutable artifice, Toby said Trotty."Here we come, and making er. what not. Act your but I took her instead, and she's lived ence at Meg and doubting nothing withdrew to purchase the viands he her we-no, we don't---I don't mean plays and games without me, and with me ever since. Her mother had in that face, but trusting everything he had spoken of, for ready-money, that--what was I saying. Meg, my be welcome to ent and enjoy 'em. a friend once, in London here. We she saw there ran into her arms. at Mrs. Chickenstalker's; and pre precious?"

"Here we are and here we go!" sently came back, pretending that he We've nowt to do with one another.ase trying to find her, and to find I'm best let alone!""

Meg looked towards their guest, work too; but it's a large place, cried Trotty, running round the room had not been able to find them, at Seeing

who leaned upon her chair, and with that the child

"Here, Uncial first, in the dark. in Never mind. More room for us to and choking audibly. his arms, had opened her eyes, walk about in; Lilty 1" KVA

Will, here's a fire you know! Why "But here they are at last," said his face turned from her, fondled the and was looking about her in wonder,

don't you come to the fire? Oh, here Trotiy, setting out the lea-things, child's head, half hidden in her lap. he checked himself to say a word or smile which melted Toby more than

Meeting, the child's eyes with a we are, and here we go! Meg, my all correct! I was pretty sure it

"To be sure," said Toby. "To be two of foolish prattle in her ear, and tears, he shook him by the hand,

precious darling, where's the kettle? was tea, and a rasher. So it is. sure! I don't know what I'm ram. stand her on the ground beside him.

Here it is and here it goes, and it'll Meg, my pet, if you just make the bling on about, tonight. My wits Then slowly winding one of her long name," he said," but I've opened my

"I don't so much as know your bile in no time!"

tea, while your unworthy father are wool-gathering, I think. Trotty really had picked up the toasts. the. bacon, we shall be Fern, you come along with me. forefinger like a ring, while she hung,

curious You're tired to death, and broken about his dusty leg, he said to you; with good reason. I'll take your course of his wild career, and now circumstance," said Trotty, proceed-down for want of rest. You come

advice, and keep clear of this Trotty-

put it on the fire; while Meg, seating ing in his cookery, with the assistance along with me." the child in a warm corner, kneeled of the toasting-fork, "eprious, but The man still played with the down on the ground before her, and well known to my friends, that I child's curls, still leand upon Meg's pulled off her shoes, and dried her never care, myself, for rashers, nor wet feet on a cloth. Ay, and she for tea. I like to see other people laughed at Trotty too-ao pleasantly, enjoy 'em," said Trotty, speaking so cheerfully, that Trotty could have very loud, to impress the fact upon blessed her where she kneeled; for his guest,-"but to me, as food, they're, he had seen that when they entered, disagreeable." she was sitting by the fire in tears,

was in real concern for the other him by the arm, and looking cauti tresses round and round his rough heart free to you, for I'm thankful to kettle somewhere or other in the ready, immediate. It's a

party; and said again-

I hope I haven't hurt you?" The man against whom he had run a sun-browned, sinewy, county looking man, with grizzled hair, and a rough chin-stared at him for a homent, as if he suspected him to be in jest.

But, satisfied of his good faith, he answered-

"No, friend. You have not hurt

me.'

Nor the child, I hope?" said

Trotty.

"Nor the child," returned the man. "I thank you kindly."

As he said so, he glanced at a little girl he carried in his arms, asleep, and shading her face with the long end of the poor handkerchief he wore about his throat, went slow

ly on.

The tone in which he said, "I thank you kindly," penetrated Trotty's heart, He was so jaded and fontsore, and so soiled with travel, and looked about him so forlorn and strange, that it was a comfort to him to be able to thank any one: no matter for how little. Toby stood gazing after him as het plodded wearily away, with the child's arm clinging round his neck.

At the figure in the worn shoes now the very shade and ghost of

leather shoes-rough

leggings. common frock, and broad slouched nat, Trotty stood gazing, blind to the whole street. And at the child's arm, clinging round its neck.

"Why, then," cried Trotty, scizing ously round, for Heaven's sake don't go to him I Don't go to him He'll put you down as sure as ever you were born. Here! come up this alley, and I'll tell you what I mean. Don't go to him."

His new acquaintance looked as if he thought him mad; but he bore him company nevertheless. When they were shrouded from observation, Trotty told him what he knew, and what character he had received, and

all about it.

The subject of his history listened to it with a calmness that surprised

"I'm not a cross-grained man by "Justice," suggested Toby, natur, I believe; and easy satisfied,

Ah!" he said. "If that's the I'm sure. I bear no ill-will against name they give him. This justice. none of 'em. I only want to live like And tomorrow will try whether I there's better fortun' to be met with, one of the Almighty's creaturs. can't I don't-end so there's a pit somewheres near London. Good dug between me and them that can night. A happy New Yeat!" and do. There's others like me. You might tell 'em off by hundreds and by thousands, sooner than by ones" Tratty knew he spoke the truth in this, and shook his head to signify as much.

I

"Stay" cried Trotty, catching at his hand, as he relaxed his grip, "Stay. The new year never can be happy to me, if we part like this. The new year never can be happy to me. him. He did not contradict or in-

if I see the child, and you go wander terrupt it, once. He nodd d his head "I've got a bad name this way," ing away, you don't know where, now and then-more-in corrobor sald Fern; "and I'm not likely, I'm without a shelter for your heads. ation of an old and worn-out story, afeared, to get a better, Tain't Come home with me! I'm a poor it appeared, than in refutation of it; lawful to be out of sorts, and I AM man, living in a poor place; but and once or twice threw back his out of sorts, though God knows I'd can give you lodging for one night hat, and passed his freckled hand sooner hear a cheerful spirit if I and never miss it. Come home with over a brow, where every furrow he could. Weil! I don't know as this me! Here! I'll take her cried had ploughed seemed to have set itsalderman could hurt e mach by Trotty, lifting up the child. "A image in little. But he did no more. sending me to jail; but without a pretty one! I'd carry twenty times friend to speak a word for me, he her weight, and never know I'd got might do it; and you see!". Tell me if I go too quick for you. pointing downward with his finger. I'm very fast. I always was 1" Trotty at the child.

said this, taking about six of his trot. ting paces to one stride of his fatigued, companion; and with his thin legs quivering again, beneath the load he bore.

It's true enough in the main." he said, "master; I could sift grain from husk here and there, but let it be as 'tis. What odds? I have gone against his plans; to my misfortun'. I can't help it; I should do the like to-morrow. As to character, them gendefolks will search and search and pry and pry, and have it as free from spot or speck in us, afore they'll help us to a dry good word! Well! I hope they don't lose good opinion as easy as we do, or their lives is strict indeed, and hardly Before he merged into darkness worth the keeping. For myself, the traveller stopped; and looking master, I never took with that hand round, and seeing Trotty standing-holding it before there yet, seemed undecided whether to return or go on. After doing first the one and then the other, he cante back, and Trotty went half way to meet him.

"You can tell me, perhaps," said the man, with a faint smile--" and if you can I am sure you will, and I'd rather ask you than another where Alderman Cute lives."

Close at hand," replied Toby.

him what

wasn't my own; and never held it back from work, however hard, or poorly paid. Whoever can deny it, let him chop it off! But when work won't maintain me like a human creetur; when my living is so bad, that I am hungry, out of doors and in; when I see a whole working life begin that way, go on that way, and end that way, without a chance or change; then I say to the gentlefolks

"She has a beautiful face," said Trotty.

"Why, yes!" replied the other, in a low voice, as he gently turned it up with both his hands towards his own, and looked upon it steadfastly. "I've thought so, many times. I've thought so, when my heart was very cold, and cupboard very bare. I thought so t'other night, when we were taken like two thieves. But they-they shouldn't try the little face too often, should they, Lilian? That's hardly fair up- on a man!

Why, she's as light," said Trotty, trotting in his speech as

well as in his gait for he couldn't bear to be thanked, and dreaded a moment's pause; "as light as a feather, Lighter than a peacock's feather-a great deal fighter. Here we are, and here we go! Round this first turning to the right. Uncle Will, and past the pump,. and sharp off up the passage to the left, right opposite the publichouse. Here we are, and here we go. Cross- over, Uncle Will, and mind the kidney, pieman at the corner! Here we are "I never had one," he returned, and here we go! Down the Mews

"She's shaking his head.

my here, Uncle Will, and stop at the brother's child; a orphan. Nine year black door, with T. Veck, Ticket old, though you'd hardly think it; but Porter, wrote upon a board; and she's tired and worn out now. They'd here we are, and here we go, and

He cank his voice so low, and gazed upon her with an air so stern and strate, that Toby, to divert the cur. t of his thoughts, inquired if his 1e were living.

warm now! "!

Will

chair, still turned away bis face. He didn't speak, but in his rough course fingers, clenching and expanding in the fair hair of the child, there was an eloquence that said enough.

"Yes, yes," said Trotty, answering Yet Trotty sniffed the savour of unconsciously what he saw expressed "Take her "Why, father!" said Meg. "You're the hissing bacon-ah-as if he in his daughter's face.

Get her to bed. crazy tonight, I think I don't know liked it; and when he poured the boil with you Meg Poor little feet. How cold they are!" lovingly down into the depths of that where you lie. It's not much of a what the bells would say to that. ing water in the teapot, looked There! Now, Will, I'll show you "Ob, they're warmer now ex-snug cauldron, and suffered the place only a loft; but having a loft, claimed the child. "They're quite fragrant steam to curl about his I always say, is one of the great con- note, and wreathe his head and face veniences of living in a mewa; and haven't rubbed 'em half enough, this, he neither ate nor drank, except a better let, we live here cheap. 'No, no, no," said Meg.. We in a thick cloud. However, for all till this coach-house and stable gets We're so busy. So busy! And when at the very beginning, a mere morsel There's plenty of sweet hay up there. they're done, we'll brush out the for form's sake, which he appeared belonging to a neighbour; and it's as damp hair; and when that's done, to eat with infinite relish, but declar-clean as hands, and Meg, can make it. Don't give way. A new we'll bring some colour to the poored was perfectly uninteresting to him. Cheer up! that's done we'll be so gay, and brisk, Will Fern and Lillan eat and drink; pale face with fresh water; and when No. Trotty's occupation was to see for a new year, always! and happy"

and so was Meg's. And never did spectators at a city dinner or court banquet find such high delight in seeing others feast-although it were a monarch or à pope as those two did, in looking on that night. Meg smiled at Trotty, Trotty laughed at Meg. Meg shook her head and made belief to clap her hands, applauding Trotty: Trotty conveyed, in dumb show, unintelligible narratives of how and when and where he had found their visitors, to Meg; and they were happy. Very happy.

The child, in a burst of sobbing, clasped her round the neck; caressed her fair cheek with its hand; and said, "Oh, Meg! ob, dear Meg!

Toby's blessing could have done no more. Who could do more!

"Why, father!" cried Meg, after a pause.

"Here I am, and here I go, dear!" said Trotty.

my

Good gracious me!" cried Meg. "He's crazy! He's put the dear child's bonnet on the kettle, and hung the lid belrind the door!"

"I didn't go to do it, my love," said Trotty, hastily repairing this mistake.

Meg, my dear?"

Meg looked towards him and saw that he had elaborately stationed himself behind the chair of their male visitor, where with many my sterious gestures he was holding up the sixpence he had earned.、

i

"Although," thought Trotty sor rowfully, as he watched Meg's face, "that match is broken, off

see " "Now, I'll tell you that," said Trotty after tea. "The Attle one, she sleeps with Meg, I know."

With good Meg!" cried the child, caressing her.

"With Meg."

The hand released from the child's hair, had fallen trembling, into Trotty's hand. So Trotty, talking. without intermission, led him out as tenderly and easily as if he had been a-child himself.

Returning before Meg, he listened for an instant at the door of her little chamber; an adjoining room. The child was murmuring a simple prayer before lying down to sleep; and when she had remembered Meg's name.

dearly, dearly"-so her words ran-Trotty heard her stop and ask for his.

It was some short time before the foolish little old fellow could compose himself to mend the fire, and draw his chair to the warm hearth. But, when he had done so, and had trim- med the light, he took his newspaper from his pocket, and began to read. Carelessly at first, and skimming up and down the columns; but with, an earnest and a sad attention, very

"That's right," Trotty. "And shouldn't wonder if she kisses Meg's father; won't she? I'm Meg's soon.

"I see, my dear," said Trotty," a; I was coming in, half an ounce of tea father."

(Continued on Page 16.)

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