London's Heart

slation and reprodu

ND

, REGENT PRES

T STR

NT

H

DECLARES THAT HE IS NOT

LE JUNIOR DISCOURS

THE ROYAL WHIT

LDRAKE COMES TO A

ELDRAKE DOES A

GRAV

THE I

ND EMANUEL CREAM

CREAMWELL AND HIS SON TAK

OES OVER T

WITH THE REALITY, SETS U

YPOD WANT

ER OF THE NORT

ULLS-HOW SPIDERS

WHETHER EVERY FRIEND IN

CAPTAIN

A HAPP

BEATING O

TS THAT IT IS TIME FOR MU

EXPECTED

TELLS A VERY

LOVE

OMMENCEMENT

YEARNINGS AND

THE WARNING OF DON'T

SURP

IX COMFORT

ZZIE IN HE

DS HIS OYSTER D

PODMORE H

AW PROTECTS KNOWN BY THE TITL

THE POL

IT NECESSARY TO CAL

GOOD

ED UPON THE DOCTRINE OF RESPONSIBILITY,

FELIX GAI

RE HAS A DREAM, A

LIX BECOMES

FRED'S LA

EPSOM

ON TH

LOUDS BRIGH

HELDRAKE MAK

. A

SHELDRAKE P

THER AND

HECKMATES MR.

N'S H

PTE

RE DECLARES THAT H

HIMS

rning. If Soho ever had bright days in the shape of a sunny youth, it must have been very long ago. No trace of them remains; a settled sadness lies upon

man-owls, who sleep by day and prey by night. On the doorstep of some of the houses in which these persons dwell, children in the afternoon play with marbles and broken pieces of crockery. Here is a group composed of half a dozen dirty-stockinged little girls, who look at you shyly as you pause before them, and put their fingers in their mouths and giggle surreptitiously. Speak to this one--a clear gray-eyed girl of some eight summers, with intelligent well-formed face and beautiful light hair. Question her, and bribe her with pence, and you may obtain from her the information that she lives in the next street, at the baker's, on the second-floor back; that mother and father live there, of course; that seven brothers and sisters live there, making a family party of ten in all; that they h

tters--glares at you defiantly, as if it is aware beforehand that doubt of its assertion must necessarily rise in your mind. The window of the shop, in which the stock is displayed, is dusty and dirty, and everything behind it has a faded and second-hand appearance. In a corner of the window is a sheet of not

BBLE J

OR OF A

Ribs

e-set or Ne

f

peedily Recovered

entry that he has had a most Extensive

DS OF P

, he has never turn

formed or Weakened through Improper Treatment, and has in a ver

ination, and Operat

.m. till

without the vexatious delay which is o

PAY. ADVICE

brella and Parasol Hosp

as to be suggestive of prison-windows--and limbs and wings and dead bodies of flies. These latter seem to be the peculiar attribute of shop and parl

. A woman, who lodged somewhere in the vicinity of the coal-cellar, was often the occasion of much distress to the knockers and ringers. This woman, who always made her appearance fresh from the washing-tub, and who came up-stairs invariably wiping her wet arms upon her apron, was afflicted with the perpetual conviction that a ring or a knock, whether single, or double, or treble, was certainly intended for her; and as her temper was none of the sweetest, unpleasant scenes occurred. Many a box on the ears did youthful knockers and ringers receive from the damp hands of the disappointed woman, and many an angry mother would make her appearance in the passage a few minutes afterwards and exchange shrill civilities with the bad-tempered castigator. Sometimes these angry mothers would go almost into hysterics because the woman below declined to comply with such invitations as, "Come up, and I'll show yer!"

ying, looks at you saucily and demurely, coquetting the while with a white handkerchief which she holds in her fingers. The stove is hidden by an ornament of paper flowers, the colours and arrangement of which are more artistic than the majority of those sold in the streets. There is one singular peculiarity about the furniture in the room: everything movable is on wheels. The chairs, the table, a footstool, the very ornaments on the mantelshelf--all on wheels made expressly for them. There is no carpet on the floor; but the chairs make no noise as they are moved, for the wheels (made of box or deal, according to requirement) are covered with leather. Even the flower-pots on the window-sill have wheels, and the old man is at present occupied in making wheels for a work-box, which it is not difficult to guess belongs to the young girl whose portrait hangs above the roses. He works noiselessly and slowly, and with great care. It is evident that he is engaged on a labour of love. He handles the wood as if it were sensitive; he looks at his handiwork fondly, and holds it up to the light and examines it with loving interest. Once he rises and stands before the mantelshelf, and gazes with a tender light in his eyes at the picture of the young girl. Then he returns to his tools, and resumes his work. A slight sound disturbs him, and he pauses in his work to listen. As he listens he raises his hand to his ear, and directs his eyes towards a screen, which makes, as it w

man is awake, grows more restless still as he hears the last click. "Alfred promised to be here by this time," he says, with an anxious look at the door as he lays his work aside. On a little table near the bed are two medicine bottles, one large and one small, which, with thei

r Lily's," he muses. "If Alfred doesn't come home, and

e door. It heralds the appearance of a young woman, one of the lodgers in the up

e says abstractedly,

she answers; "I'm in a hurry.

e doctor was here in the afternoon, and I could tell by his face that he th

r. Wheels! My sister's little boy's down with the feve

rious,

s. One thinks of one's own, Mr. Wheels, at such times. Thank God, our little one's upstairs, asleep, safe and wel

old man sympathisingly, "and of how near she

have done without her I don't know. When Polly was a-laying there so quiet and solemn and white, and my heart was fi

ok to her after that! and how fond she was of my girl! B

wasn't home any more. And I was frightened when I thought of Jim. His heart's bound up in Polly, you see, Mr. Wheels; they used to have quite a little play between them of a morning. She'd creep close to him in bed, and put her arms round his neck, and there they'd lay a-cuddling one another for half an hour before he had to get up. When he had had his breakfast and had kissed her a dozen times, and was out in the passage going to work, she'd call him back and make fun of him, and they'd laugh together that cheery like that it did my heart good to hear 'em. Sometimes she wouldn't call him, and he'd wait in the passage. She knew he was waiting, and she'd set up in bed, with a cunning little smile on her lips, and her head bent forward, and her pretty hand raised, listening. He knew what was going on inside that little head of hers, and he'd stamp his feet and pretend to go downstairs. Then she'd call out to him, 'Father, father!' and he'd say, 'Here I am, Pollypod!' and they'd have another romp together, until he said, 'Now I must be off, Pollypod!' and away he'd run, waking half the people in the house with his clatter. I was always easy in my mind about Jim when he went away like that. I thought of all this after the doctor gave Polly up, and I was frightened. Jim was very late that night, and Lily was with me when he came home. 'How's my little Pollypod?' he said; but he didn't wait for an answer--he saw it in my face. I thought he'd have gone mad; but we got him quieted after a bit, and Lily sat up with me that

being such a gossip. "I've come to ask you, as you're going to stay in,

would go to the music-hall, and bring Lily home. I can't leave my daughter, you see, and

d off his legs; and he's worse on Saturday than on any other night. How he manages to tumble through the streets is more than I can tell; it's a mercy he ain't run over. He always waits in the passage for me to come and help hi

econds until Mr. Podmore makes his appearance. He has not long to wait. In a short time he hears the street-door opened and slamm

for a few moments, then shuffles along the passage. Coming to the stairs, he sits upon the lowest step, and yields to the soft-sleeping murmurs which are overpowering him. Rousing himself, he sets himself in motion again, and begins to ascend the sta

s clearly, "Here am I, wide awake, and armed at all points. Touch him if you dare with any but a friendly hand! Address him at your peril in any but a friendly voice! I'm on guard, faithful and true, and I can distinguish friends from foes. I can smell them." No signs of impatience are visibl

Mr. Podmore," s

-even

is a well-made man, thirty years of age perhaps, and belongs unmistakably to the working classes--to one of the most perilously-worked of the working-classes. He carries a blue-cotton pocket-handkerchief containing an empty basin and plate which has held his dinner, and his hands and face are bl

?" murmurs Mr. P

rding Mr. Podmore doubtfully, "that she's gone to see

soft sleep-murmurs take more complete possession of him; he sways forward in his chair, and is on the

ng an apprehensive look towards

re. "I have enough--noise--ever

tion of asking him to go for Lily; his great anxiety now is to get rid of the tired-out man. But Mr. Podmore, overpowered by exhaustion, and

elf, Mr. Podmore. Don't you think yo

s head on the old man's breast; "if you'll--let me be.

g for you. I want

s upon the bed, and after licking Pollypod's face, curls itself at the foot of the bed, following its master's movements now with lazily-watchful eyes. Mr. Podmore clings to the old man, who assists him on to the bed, and determines to wait

on't I, Pollypod!) I've been on duty--now--since five o'clock--this morning--and I'm dead--beat. (Dead--beat, Pollypod!) What'd the public--say to that--if they knew it? I'm dead--beat--and I ain't accountable--for myself. (Am I, my pretty?) I wish the public--and the company--'d try it theirselves,

as dead-beat as it is in the power of mortal to be, sleeps the deepest of deep sleeps. While the faithful dog, cozily coiled up on the bed,

PTE

JUNIOR DISCOURSES

r on the second landing, on which was inscribed--again in yellow round-hand on a blue ground: "U

es on moderate terms. Mrs. J. Gribble junior was also hard at work on silk and gingham.

that of its owner. In your fancy you could see the faded gingham, on its rickety frame, being borne along through wind and sleet; and if you peeped beneath the awning you would see a patient-looking woman, meanly dressed, and you would know, without being told in so many words, that the burden of life had withered all the roses that once bloomed on her cheek; for a dozen years since she could have been but a girl, and could not have been otherwise than pretty. Here was one, thin and sleek, with ivory handle, which said, "I am faded gentility." It needed no great stretch of the imagination to see the hand in its well-worn and much mended glove that had clasped that handle in the stre

ior. "I thought it was too late fo

lied the old man. "I'll not sit down, pl

ir of the house of Gribble junior was hidden by a parasol, of which the child had made an i

Wheels," said the mother. "H

s improving. She wa

, nodded gently two or three times to express sympathy with the old man, who

ilk and whalebone. Nothing like commencing young! That there young un's going to be a useful member of society. I made up my mind to that before Mrs. J. G. made up her mind to present him to me, as a body might say. He can use his left hand as well as his right. No rights and lefts for me. They shall both be right

remarked that Gribble

ibble junior sent a pleasant merry look in the direction of the old man,

very considerate,"

professors of anatomy or not, would think the same way; if they'd think it was going

ving by an effort to arrest his wandering

ience'll carry him a good deal farther back than mine will, as you may

part of the world, now or twenty years since or twenty years to come, that

not yet found the opportunity of introducing the object of his vi

, it's co-operation. You should start him on the subject one night; he'd open your eyes for you. There isn't an article you can mention that co-operation hasn't laid hands on--except cats'-meat, perhaps. The co-operative men don't draw the line nowhere, except at cats'-meat. There isn't a thing that father sells that they haven't gone into: not that father's business is the only business that's put upon. They go into coffins, and that's going far enough, I'm sure--as a body might say. They take a penny off everything; tallow-dips, yellow soap and mottled. As for s

d from the sick-room. Mrs. Gribble observed his anxiety, and knowing

ls. I'll go and sit in you

went out, and sat down patiently. He had not

. I told father not to do it, but he wouldn't take my advice. What's the consequence? The paper's fly-blown, and co-operation keeps moving. Father says he doesn't know where it's going to stop, and what's going to be the end of it, and says that people ought to set their faces against it. B

ot an unpleasant sight to witness. One father carries his treasure carefully and proudly, and proclaims, "This is Ours, and we think all the world of it!" While another holds his burden loosely, and proclaims, "This is Ours, and I wish it was Yours!" See this last specimen of the British father slouching along, and his wife walking discontentedly a few steps behind him. He carries his baby in the most uncomfortable of positions, with its head hanging down. He is a miserable dissatisfied man. He does not look this way or that, but straight before him, surlily and wearily. He seems to say, "A nice kind of thing this is, after my hard week's work! I can't go out for my Sunday walk without dragging the brat along with me. What a fool I was to get married!" And though really the burden is as a feather's weight in the strong man's arms, his discontent makes it as weighty as so much lead. There isn't a bright bit of ribbon in the child's dress, and if you could see into the man's heart, you would learn that it would not be a very great grief to him if the child were to die quietly i

the mind of Gribble junior as he continued

I own, or isn't enough, perhaps I ought to say, to drive a shopkeeper wild)--that if he could catch hold of a co-operation manager, he'd pitch into him. I told him that if he did, he'd very likely get locked-up for it; and he said, 'Never mind, I shouldn't be the only martyr that's suffered in a good cause.' The fact is, Mr. Wheels, father belongs to the old school--he won't keep moving; and as all the world's on the move, he's left behind. I belong to the new school; and I run along with the tide as fast as I can. Mrs. J. G. belongs to the new school, and so does her brother. His name

ishing tap to the patient in h

rk for the ni

, and whispered to the old man that the

he won't take it from any other hand than mine or Lily's; and it's now half-past ten o'clock, and I ought to be at the Hall to bring Lily home, although it'll be a

?" asked Gri

ed to be here at ten o'c

t with your girl down-stairs

ughter's got to have her medicine given her directly she wak

or, with great good-humour, "do

r were unwilling to give to another a task that he would fain perform himself.

ore the old man was finished, and

night?" he called out in

e. My Lily!" He uttered the last words softly to himself, in a tone of infinite tenderness. "Here are the tickets. This admits to the Hall; show it to the man at the door, and he'll let you in. Wait until Lily comes on; and when she has finished--which'll not be un

at the opportunity of getting free admission to a music-hall. "Get supper

at musing, with that yearning of deep love which is almost painful in its intensity. Soon the Swiss clock struck eleven, and the old man laid the cloth for supper. There was the little cruet on wheels, and the breadbasket, and the salt-cellar; and each plate and dish had a wooden rim on the bottom, in which very small wheels were in

TER

ROYAL WHITE R

a ten-pound note to call his own, and he was always blithe and happy. His father had been a struggling small tradesman all his life, taking just enough over his counter to keep body and soul together, as he expressed it; and therefore, alt

s almost blocked up by the busy crowd of men and women and boys and girls with which it was filled. The living stream moved, it is true; but the waters were unhealthful and turbid, and ran sluggishly. In one part of the thoroughfare it was dark, and the shops were closed; in another--that portion which was in immediate contiguity to the Royal White Rose--every shop was open and driving a busy trade. Hansom cabs, with senile men and painted women in them, were rattling along; man-rakes and boy-rakes--from the twelve-year-old smoking his penny cigar with his hands in his pockets, to the fifty-year-old with his hat on one side and his black whiskers and dandy cane--sa

d in the most brilliant of coloured inks, lined both sides of the passage which led to the pay-place. Upon these announcements Gribble junior gazed admiringly. The Great This will appear. The Great That was engaged. The Inimitable Noodle, who had been patronis

frequenters of the Hall. In the programme, which Gribble junior had purchased for a penny, was a portrait of the Chairman, in which his large nose was considerably toned down, as a body might say (to use one of Gribble junior's favourite phrases), and his moustache presented a noble and imposing appearance. A biography of the distinguished man was also given, in which he was credited with many rare qualities, and from which you would infer that his career was one of spotless virtue; but had you been aware of the true facts of the case, you would have regarded the biography with considerable doubt. Gribble junior read also in the programme an advertisement of an eminent music-seller in the West, who had published those justly popular and refined favourite songs, "Fie, for Shame!" and "The Only Way to enjoy Life!" with a portrait of the composer on the title-page. As he was reading this, the band struck up a well-known air, and the Incomparable Lackbrain appeared in an outrageous costume to instruct the audience in "The Only Way to enjoy Life." According to his laying down of the law, the only time to enjoy life was after midnight; the only place, in the streets; and the only method, to drink champagne and brandy hot until you reeled home to your bed at three o'clock in the morning in a state of intoxication. The Incomparable illustrated the last phase. He set his hat at the back of his head, pulled his hair over his eyes, untied his cravat and let it hang loose, hitched his coat off one shoulder, buttoned his waistcoat awry, and pulled one leg of his trousers nearly up to his knees. In this condition he reeled about the stage, and drivelled and laughed like an imbecile; and, having thus distinguished himself, retired, after an egreg

's a swell up in that box; he's drinki

ne like, Bill?"

tasted it," was t

e," said the wife, with a

n the habit of giving utterance to such unmeaning combinations of words that we may expect

lauded energetically when the fascinating Lily was announced, and the mana

n her once," obs

ght to kill half an hour, and was surprised to see such a

ng very striking about her, but she

ocent!" interrupted the gen

he isn't!" exclaimed

her music-hall, rose or dandelion, for eight months?" i

said; "because a girl's a ballet-girl or a singer, she can't be hones

." But as Manager Storks did marry a ballet-girl, who was a good and industrious wife, and as he

s who'd reckon you up in no time, a

e virtues of ballet-girls. I only meant that it's against the order of things for a pretty girl to be in a music-hall for eight month

s indifferent manner, he was not at all

"she is a little beauty!" And he clapped hi

at. Truly, what had been enacted previously within the Royal White Rose Music-hall gave the lie to the title; but here was a rose, a pure white rose, which justified it. She was dressed in white silk, and had white flowers

r Storks curiously. He would have given something for s

e it," was

tman. Hush! What a

n's awfully sweet on her, I heerd. So is that gent in the box." Suchlike comments were made freely in the Hall, as were also a few others of a different nature. Said one painted young woman in pink silk to another in blue, "She's the very image of my sister Bess as she was twelve years ago. I've got a picture of her at home." And another, a faded woman--you could se

soon found himself on the stage. It was dark and almost quiet. The last song had been sung, and the last strains of music had died away; the curtai

re business was supposed to be done, there were a dozen persons at least drinking at a bar in a corner. The Incomparable Lackbrain, the Inimitable Noodle, and the Flashiest Man in London, were there, laughing and drinking with the manager and the gentleman w

d, "how strange to see you

me to tell you that he couldn't come for you himself, because

sappointment in her voice, "as I have to fold my dresses. I alw

or looking after her admiringly, and think

sked the gentleman at

ked on to the stage, followed by his friends. When Gribble junior explained that he had come to fetch Lily home at the req

of strangers knocking

ge, it must be confessed. The luxury of adjectives was by far too freely indulged in. Gribble junior did not think so; he positively glowed with delight. Was he not almost rubbing elbows with the Inimitable Noodle and the Flashiest Man in London, whose dress and walk hundreds of boys in London were imitating! As

s for an introduction, Miss

ite Rose bouquet," he said gallantly. Ready of speech and smooth of manner was Mr. Sheldrake as he addressed Lily. He was not satisfied with Lily's bow, but held out his hand, on the little finger of which was a plain band of gold, in w

r; "I have an escort." And she placed her hand on

home," said Mr. Sheldrake in his most agr

ingly, and thanked him, b

w steps with you," h

first and last especially, were driving a brisk trade. The pushing, the struggling, the anxious faces, the drunken forms, the senseless enjoyment, the joyless mirth, the fevered life, the various aspects in which human nature was there presented, were sad to witness. Here and there in the scene were patches of shade formed by narrow thoroughfares where no light was, and at the corners of these thoroughfares, standing in the shade and forming part of it, policemen migh

day, ain't i

eman good-humouredly, "an

to arks yer somethin' fust. He wants to know why these 'ere swell shops is allowed to keep open arter twe

as the only reply

ed the costermonger; "'er

man, illustrating the position with eloquent

n's "barrer," used effectual arguments to relieve himself of the controversial costermongers, who cons

about the pleasure it would give him to improve an acquaintance so agreeably commenced. Notwithstanding that it was past midnight, he threw out hints that nothing could affor

ooking up at the light in the room where the old m

PTE

AKE COMES TO A S

y to interfere with him. He glanced up at the first-floor window, and saw the shadow of a woman upon the blind. "I wonder if that is her room," he thought. "What a little nugget she is!" He wished that somebody would come to the street-door, that he might ask if Lily lived on the first-floor; but no one came, and the narrow street was still and quiet. "

ht, policem

uiesced the pol

s beat long,

erable ti

t about here

e out there;" with a nod of his head in the

. Saturday nig

r; Saturday nig

r, poli

, sir; not all

d, and the policeman

ing to drink abou

ceman somewhat stiffly. "The house

drake bethought himself of another. But firs

hat house oppos

le, sir. Half a dozen f

n interpreted, "Behold me, one of her Majesty's servants, always ready to do my duty." Then he looked up at the sky, and down on the pavement,

zen families, I

king--not to say slinking--position, hiding itself demonstratively in the cuff of the policeman's coat. He slipped a piece of silver into it, and the jaws of darkness instantly devoured it up. The policeman was evidently in an unconscious

ouldn't tell how long that would last; no more could any one else. He had seen a good many stage girls commence well and end badly. How badly? Well, fast, you know. It was enough to turn a girl's head; the lights, the music, the dresses, and the lots of swells with money hanging round 'em. Didn't think it would turn this one's, though. Any relatives? O, yes, she had a brother. Younger than her? No, a couple of years older, he should say; very much like her; come home late sometimes; a little fast, the young fellow was. And a mother, bedridden; the doctor often goes there. And a grandfather; a strange old fellow--a character. Immortality Wheels, people call him. Was t

g slowly towards the Royal White Rose Music-hall, and just at the point of his asking whether the old man's fancy was

I am! Ain't I? I'll make you prove your words! You want the papers down on you agin, that what you want. We sha'n't move on! We'll stop here as long as we like!" And in the midst of all a clear and angry voice, crying, "Take your hands off me! Take your hands off me, I say!" The voice acted like a charm upon Mr. Sheldrake; he made his way into the centre of the crowd, and soon ascertained that it was nothing but an ordinary street row common to the neighbourhood, caused in the first place by two or three persons lingering on the

soon to be run at Newcastle-on-Tyne, when the policeman pushed them into the road, and said he would take them into custody if they stood there a moment longer. The crowd cheered him as he spoke, and the police began to lose their temper. The policeman who

ietly stepped between them, knowing that the touch of the policeman's hand would be adding fuel to flame. But for Mr. Sheld

you don't want to be locked up all night. The policemen h

p," said the young man; "but what right had they to interfere w

a tone of dangerous decision, "Now, then, if you don't move off this minute, we'll march you to the station-house." He produced his stave, an

rriedly, placing his arm in that of the young man; "but don't y

upted the unreasonable yo

ut of this. I don't like to see a young gentleman like you mixed up in such an affair. Look at the riff-raff about. Where are

e feather. The excitement, however, being over, they rapidly dispersed, grumbling at the peaceable issue of the affair. Soon Mr. Sheldrake and his charge were in a

you are, interfering with my

ed Mr. Sheldrake with perfect g

yours?" asked the young man, n

Come, come; I see that you are angry with me for interfering; but you must admit that the position you are in now i

thing," exclaimed th

but he suppressed it instantly. They were walking slowly as they conversed, and Mr. Sheldrake, allowing his comp

to cool oneself alone here in the quiet streets, than to be dragged to the station-house, and have the clothes torn off one's back. You were not born yesterday! You know what the police are, and how the magistrates side with them. They'l

t softer tone, though still with constrained m

a sister now, how

threw a sharp look at his companion, and smi

gled to rid himself of his ungracious bearing, and partially succeeded. "It se

Mr. Sheldrake shook

t assist another in such a case! Let us suppose that you are

promise?" aske

l come and help me out of it as I've helped you. You'll see how I'll take it! I shall be savage with you of course, at first, but give me

ciously as Mr. Sheldrake had done. "For you're cool, you know," he said, "and not so easily fired up a

I managed to escape that unpleasant

r own sake?" asked t

eldrake, mentally confounding t

ne, I hope; if so, you may save yoursel

r yours; for

n; and that's the reason of y

epted this interp

of what has occ

," interrupted the young ma

walking home with her to-night did you a little service. She spoke

hat is

lad to improve our acquaintances

ied Alfred half graciously; "

am. None the wor

g manner of uttering that small word to express, "No, you're none

lapping Alfred on the shoulder. "One gets behind the scenes, and sees all sorts of things, and learns

d complacently, being now on

Sheldrake, slowly and thoughtfully; "an

pting a cigar from Mr. Sheldrake's cigar-case. "Ple

rains--which you've got, I'll be bound--can be as go

louds, it suited his purpose to leave it there. "Plenty of ways of making

rice, which should not be lost sight of. His utterances just now seemed to be th

ey are. You know a

Mr. Sheldrake, with modest boastf

lfred, with a furtive glance at his companio

with an appearance of gratitud

anything

tween you and me, I made a

hought you knew all about racing! I say, do you keep a book? Do

suggested Mr. Sheldrake, as if unwil

me. Besides, I have a latch-key. I wish we could go and sit down somewher

tand, although it is past one o'clock on Sunday morning. I know others, but they are too far away." Alfred followed every word with admiring interest. This man of the world, this swell who was behind the scenes, and who seemed to

ds a policeman

f a thief wants to hide, let him hide in a crowded city. If you want to do an illegal act, do it in

t genial and brightest of men, and inquired

? I've travelled about here and there, and I don't think there's a city in the world where the institution of Tip is so thoroughly understood and appreciated as in this very city of Lon

nd out of sight, and the calm footstep of the watchman of the night heralded Mr. Sheldrake's friendly policeman. He touched his hat to Mr. Sheldrake, and while that gentleman held brief conference with him, his slinking hand asserted itself up his coat-sleeve, where it may be said to have lurked, thirsting for Tip. The comedy, which had been so successfully performed once before during the night, having been repeated successfully, the policeman (awaking from another little sleep) leisurely led the way, Alfred being in the rear. As they walked thus in single file, Mr. Sheldrake's thoughts, put into intelligible language, would have read thus: "That w

inment, closed according to the law, and the mysti

ter who had opened the door, and who, with his shirt-sleeves tucked up and his thick

ections

t," and departed to pursue his duties, ready at any moment with his slinking hand to

PTE

RAKE DOES A GOO

e to Alfred with the air of an old acquaintance, and seemed as if he would have been per

y," he commenced familiarly; "backed

y; backed it in April, and got thir

hundred," Alfred put i

s, and quickly done," observed Mr.

ental arithmetic," wa

nd you've got to seize them at the proper moment. To do that properly, you must be smart at figures, and then you're all right. I know many a man who can't writ

glass, his face be

olt," he said. "You stuc

t; I hedged,

ldn't have

t the commencement of April that the colt was at thirty to one, and a fortnight afterwards it

othing," said Alfred rapidly, having been looking out for ano

heldrake in admiration, to Alfred's intense d

nk so? I th

this minute to be able to re

nty, though,

if he keeps his head cool. Did y

to wash down a rising remorse. "I wish I had known you then. You m

ter's sake. I wish we had known ea

y Grand. Everybody said Bothwell was sure to win, and

rses; never back more than one, an

" There was something painful in the speaker's eagerness as he looked for consolation in the face of his companion. "And you won over five t

beat his foot fre

heldrake, with a keen watc

han was good for him, and this may have been the cause of the sudd

een for that. But I shall make up for it all right on the Northumberland Plate. Christopher Sly's sure to win; don't you think so? All the prophets say he can't lose. Look here;" and he pulled out a handful of letters and papers, and, trembling with eagerness and excitement, made selections, and read from them. "Hear what Pegasus says: 'Never in the Annals of racing has there been such a certainty as Christopher Sly for the Northumberland Plate. The race is as good as over, and thos

the odds were a little longer on h

one place. You can only get six to four about him now," said Alfred exu

you stand

in--over three hundred. I shall pay off wh

, nothing have. You're just the stamp of man to break the ring. When it's known that you can afford to lo

an's cigar case and his diamond ring, and boasted of the gimcracks he intended to buy for Lily and himself when he received his winnings. By the time they had finished their brand

fellow," said Al

"I wouldn't say much at home of what we've been speaking about. Wait t

dded acqu

ake, "you know where to come to; and you'll find tha

drake was one of the best fellows in the world, and that gentleman going his impressed with t

ccording to his favourite habit; "a very good night's work. You can win that nugget through her foo

PTE

VE

o take advantage of the girl's love and devotion for him, and to cause her anxiety. This was not the only unwelcome thought suggested by the silent monitor that keeps watch in the mind of a man whose sense of right is not entirely blinded; and Alfred received the points of these nettles discontentedly, as others are in the habit of receiving them, making excuses in response which he vainly strove to believe were not shallow. He fell back at last upon the most

ght fell upon the stairs from the room on the first-floor.

e," she said, with her arm roun

ashamed of himself for the condition he was in. His gait was unsteady, and his voice was thick. His senses were not so clouded, however, as not to be able to perceive that somethin

her, Lily?

linked her hand in his arm, and besought him to come up-stairs quietly. He stumbled up by her side, and every slip he made caused her to quiver with keenest pain. That he should come home at such a t

th such intensity that her whisper was almost

ed wonderingly, and in

od before h

ot as you are! You will be

elt that it would be greater shame to see him drunk than to know he was drunk and not look upon his face. But her suffering showed itself in her voice. All that she said was, "O Alfred, Alfred!" and sank upon her knee

n a glass too much to drink?" he asked. "There!

. Weak pliable natures such as his are continually building a

s rebuke was his look, that Alfred, glad of an opportunity of attacking somebody in his own defence, started to his feet in unreasoning anger. But, what with hi

lly visited upon the children?" Then, with a compassionate glan

unheard-of thing for a man to come home an hour later than u

oking steadily into Alfred's ey

ass his white and trembling lips. But presently he muster

this minute! Let me go, Lily!

lf at such disadvantage, and so clearly in the wrong, he had the cunning of a weak

said, in an imploring tone. "Don't sp

not ignorant of that; and if grandfather thinks he can bully me without my answering him, he is mistaken. He tak

u of anything, Alfred;

ept free from crime," ex

don't know what has occurred. Don't speak so loud! Your v

hat's the matter with the time?

"It is like fate. So I parted from the father, and

laimed Alfred roughly. "I'll see if mot

ied look, and the old man's solemn gesture, made h

then of his grandfather, "and why do you

r present state would not desire t

worse? Why don't you answer

ld man, quietly and solemn

TER

IRON

e full disgrace of his condition came upon him, an

hard to me, grandfather

red. Has your conduct to-night been such

y humbled; "but you will do me the justice to believe

ate repentance, Alfred,

ose to Alfred's lips

d mother die,

coming. It seemed to hi

ered seeing Gribble junior tear along, struggling with his coat, and it was another sting to h

say? Did she

speak; she wa

d to you or Lily, grandfath

ly, thank God! Her life has not been a happy one; and it is God's mercy that she was spared in h

w, grandfather.

an took her in his arms and kissed her

nd entreated to be allo

hat you say? You are frightened! Nay, nay, dear child! Sleep will compose you.

her mother no great love had ever existed; the dead woman's nature had been repressive; an overwhelming grief had clouded her life, and she had yielded to it and sunk under it. She had hugged this grief close, as it were, and so wrapped herself in it, that her natural love had become frozen. So that the feeling which Lily experienced now in her dreams, for her dead mother, had nothing in it of that agonising grief which springs from intense love. And yet she shuddered at the part she was playing towards that grey cold form. It was lying before her, and she, dressed in bright colours, was dancing and singing round it. The contrast between her own gaiety and the dreadful stillness of the form she was dancing and singing to, impressed her with horror, and she strove to be still, but could not. Her struggles made her hysterical in her sleep--for Lily was sleeping now--when suddenly peace stole upon her, and she was calm. But it was not a comforting, refreshing peace; it was oppressive and painfully intense. A man stood before her, with his eyes fixed steadily upon hers. This man was one who, a few weeks before, had performed for a benefit at the music-hall. He was an electro-biologist, and Lily had been terrified by his performances. He had stolen away the wills of some of the persons upon whom he had operated, and made them do this and that at his pleasure; to pull down the moon; to drink water and believe it wine, then soapsuds; to shiver with cold; to be oppressed with heat; to dance; to stand still; to b

d in life. The light of love had not illumined her latter days, and strength had not been given her to fight with grief. Alfred was awed into good resolution as he looked at the dumb inanimate clay. "I won't drink s

de came o

man," he said; "almost to

Youth had not departed from it; it seemed inde

led her when she first pressed you in her arms, and look at

changes that have occurred in our lives. The gay spirit chilled; the cheerful heart dulled by long suffering; the

the hurts and wounds, shall not make life despairing. The flowers we h

, grandfather," said Alf

e; she is with

rds, and Alfred sank upon his knees by the bedside, and perhap

eauty they possessed in youth. I would give much that it had been so with you

ls of pleasure that hurried through him as he held the pretty child in his arms, and looked at his wife smiling happily in bed. His wife had died soon

he commentary of his thoughts, "of the strangeness of

wonder, and the old

, aged by a grief that was hard enough to bear without being made harder by constant brooding. When my wife died, your mother was a babe, and my wife was almost a girl. So they parted. How do they meet n

rought with them a consciousness of something higher than the aspirations by which he had hitherto been guided. If such influences as those which softened him and made him better for the time were less fleeting and more endurable, we should be the gainers

before he desired Alfred to rise. With a distinct purpose, which he was anxious not to disguise, he at the same time moved the s

after a slight pause, "hav

except to repeat that I am ashamed of myself for comin

th Lily's workbox, which was on the tabl

. But you have do

ndfather,

another. These occasions happily come but seldom in life, and sometimes t

grandf

ok upon me

es

to say to me--no confi

icular that I

the old man's face like a cloud. But a

love

do that, g

unded by temptation. I am growing very old; my strength may fail me any day, and you m

ill be all right; I'll see to that! I'll take her away

lfred, she ear

't to be expected that s

et you yourself are doing but li

eek. I must have clothes, and other things; and I can't help spending a shilling or two, and somehow or other it all goes. I must do as other youn

dustrious and painstaking, a pr

the head. "I am bound to them for three years more before I can make

old man suddenly, lo

ied Alfred evasively.

ly--"the straight way. Alfred, go to the cupboard,

ess came over

choed, with a curious indecision, and

dly; "you know the box. Yo

ed swiftly to the cupboard, and taking out a small iron box, laid it before his grandfather.

ten wondered what was in this little box. Every house, ev

ed Alfred, nervously. "Surely it is time to

ything to say to me? Is there anything on your mind that it would relieve you to speak of? Think a little. Errors may be repaired; but a time comes when it is too late for reparation. Look at your mother, and say if it is not too late

yes averted from the table, cau

o me! I don't understand you. It is not the first time to-night that you have thrown out these insinuations. What did you mean b

you from crime! Once more I say that the remorse of

" cried Alfred violently. "I deny it entirely

command. "I made a promise to your mother

table, and his heart beat wildly a

ter understand my motives for speaking of it in this manner. One hundred pounds was the exact sum required, and I hoped in a month to have counted it out, and to have completed a tardy atonement for a life's disgrace." Alfred turned to his grandfather in amazement, but did not speak. "Shilling by shilling," continued the old man steadily, "the little heap grew and grew. No miser ever valued gold and silver more than I did the money this box contained. I hoarded it, counted it, reckoned upon my fingers how man

box. It contained nothing but t

ntion to the box; "there is nothing in it but th

with a furtive look into the box.

do no

other

not

Alfred, with an effort to appear at

ief that telling her of the

poken. You know," added Alfred, his manner, which had hitherto been moody and embarrassed, bri

ubled. Hitherto he had exhibited a strange eagerness when Alfred showed most embarrassment; and as this dis

examining the box carefully; "how could it have been ope

was never without one key or the other. Say that once when this occurred, the thief, knowing that the box contained money, watched me out of the house. That then he entered the room, and, going

er by him he must be a professional burglar. There are plenty of lodgers in t

cription in the house. Remember, Alfred, tha

say, grandfather; you ought to

impression in either may have been an afterthought. That from this impression he had a false key made. That on this night three weeks, when I

ther, but quite circu

mother may have been awake, or perhaps in that half-wakeful condition during which fancy and reality are so strangely commingled as not to be

ced from Alfred's trembling lips; he c

the matte

man; "it is late, and I was not

read in her watchful face and manner whenever I went to the cupboard; I saw the subject upon her lips and the fear to speak. I saw gratefulness struggling with doubt, as day after day went by and I did not refer to the

are speaking in enigmas, and I'm not good at solving the

the numbers, and a shrewd detective would most likely soon discover where the false key was made.

?" suggested Alfred with nervous eagerne

in the matter myself. You may be able to recover the money,

brightened again, as he inquired what was t

was the question asked in retur

ather. I was very yo

To what end your mother made me promise to tell you the story of her life and to speak plainly of

imed Alfred fretfull

im. I gave him my daughter's hand, and they came to London to live--not in such poor lodgings as these, but after a better fashion. I gave my daughter such a dower as I could afford, and they started in life with the fairest of prospects. It was not long before troubles came; it was not long before your mother learned that she had married a drunkard--worse, that she had married a gambler. These things are hard for me, your mother's father, to tell, and hard for you, your father's son to hear. But they are true, and if they serve to point a warning finger to the quicksands of life where, if you do not avoid them, all that is honourable and good

ried Alfred, wit

unstable as water, as Reuben was; selfish in his desires and pleasures; with no gratitude for love; with no thought that life has solemn duties, and that there is in it something purer, brighter, sweeter, than the false glitter that attracts weak minds; therefore he wrecked his life and broke your mother's h

reluctant to proce

; I must he

live with her. Your father was away sometimes for days together, and your mother had no dependence but me. One night late, long after we had retired, your father came home without warning. He stole into my room stealthily, and roused me. He h

uncontrollable agitation, an

s of the world be sharers of his crime and his disgrace. His shame would have clung to you all your lives. He gave me the name of the man whom he had robbed. By daylight I was in the wronged man's house, by his bedside. This man loved money better than justice. I represented to him that he could not have both. He chose the first. I made terms with him, and sacrificed all but a bare pittance. Between us we

lemn face of the dead woman, to whom peace had come at last. Alfred turned his eye

father

uble his wife and children more, and one from the man he wronged, giving quittance of what

ld out his hand to his grandfather, who took it in silence,

been very good to us, and

the old man opened it, and

e cried,

tood before him. Her eyes

erly placing his arm round her, "

as if she found comfort there. He led her into

, poor child," said the o

he still sleeping, with her sweet face turned towards the morning l

TER

ANUEL CREAMWELL

r loves his emoluments better than his church? And yet in common minds a mean suspicion is sometimes engendered as to the comparative value of one and the other in the eyes of the clergy. Without indorsing this suspicion--rejecting it, indeed, as the vilest of calumnies--it is curious to observe that, when a minister has a "call," the summons from heaven generally holds out the promise of an increased e

predecessors of these great men were crumbling away in the picturesque old churchyard, making the soil rich for buttercups and daisies, with which the dirty children played and pelted one another. There were many picturesque bits of scenery about Stapleton; notwithstanding its poverty, it was not an undesirable living for a clergyman, and the patching-up and medicining of souls--which, according to doctrinal teaching,

How was salvation to be obtained? They went to church, and listened to their pastor's words, but found no consolation in them. The refrain of his sermon was the same now as it had been the first day on which he ascended the pulpit, and preached to them not salvation but the other thing. As he and the members of his flock grew older, he grew more stern, and they more disconsolate. The time for them for reaching grace was getting very short, and still corruption held them fast, would not let them go indeed. When the Sabbath service was ended, they wended their way home, depressed and in the saddest of moods. For their pastor hurt and bruised the miserable sinners without mercy. He said, "This shall ye do out of fear of the Lord;" and no su

), and preaching the highest and holiest lessons for years to persons who did not, could not love him, was one of the strangest of anomalies. In his exhortations he seemed to declare, "I am sent to bruise, not to heal; here is a stone for you; here are vinegar and salt for your wounds; here are shadows and awful images to appal

. But it was remarkable that no person had ever been known to utter a word in praise of him. Women--especially women in humble life--did not like him; and he produced a curious effect upon children. Sometimes the

s on the mantelshelf were ugly figures in dark wood and stone. Flowers were never seen in the house. The gas was never lighted until night had completely fallen. Nothing more oppressive can be conceived than the effect which this gloomy house and the gloomy fashion i

d rob life of its sunshine and flowers and tender feeling, and who grudge to the hungry every sweet morsel that kind impulse and kinder natu

had never been raised against him; he was above reproach. He may have been a little stiff and uncompromising, a little too severe in his notions of this and t

btedly they must have been worthy; undoubtedly they must have been just. What is known as "Justices' Justice" has been a theme for satire and rebuke as long as we can remember, and it is a blessing to live in a land where it would not be tolerated that one in power having committed a gross injustice--having, perhaps, helped to make infamous what might have been made bene

r the other, or with both, and prompted and advised them, and indeed directed their verdicts; so that it might almost be said that they spoke out of his mouth. Dressed in his little brief aut

the theft, and in hot temper sent for a policeman, who straightway locked up the ferocious thief. Then the master repented of his hasty action, made inquiries, and from what he learned, deemed that

sked the Justice, prompted

" was the evasive reply; "

emarked the Reverend Mr. Creamwell to the Justic

want to know what you have learned since.

lied the trad

ator. "The boy is a thief, and he must--eh? yes, certainly; quite

nown to steal before) was sent to prison, where, surrounded by gentle

t

h violets could not have been more welcome and refreshing to him than these black bits of wood were to her. They held out the hope of light and warmth. They were temptingly within reach. She stooped and picked them up, and put them into her apron, the humble badge of the Order of the Poor. Unfortunate Jane Plummer! Behind her was a policeman with a true policeman's spirit. He was off duty, but the ruling passion for taking people into custody was strong within him, and he never missed a chance. Besides, he yearned for promotion; he looked forward to being a sergeant. Animated by this blessed hope, he was as zealous a subordinate as could be found in the ranks. He knew Jane Plummer; knew that she was the poorest of the poor; knew that she had no fire, and no money to buy fuel; knew the meaning of her he

to the dummy by his side, who nodded with the wisdom of an

with sobs, Jan

assing by Mr. Icicle's wood, I gathered a few sticks to boil my kettle. There is a path through the wood, and I picke

ny money upon h

a farthing, y

e, having property, read Jane Plummer a lecture upon her offence, and, looking at some writing on a paper handed to him by his rever

ore owl's wisdom, "that this will be a caution to y

ever, never, never do so again and w

r tooth, he often had to wrestle with his tender feelings; but he overcame them, as Jacob did the angel. And this mention of Jacob suggests the vision of his ladder. Say that the steps of the ladder by which the Reverend Emanuel Creamwell was to ascend to heav

PTE

AMWELL AND HIS SON TAKE

for knowing. At the simple suggestion of the thought, a darker cloud casts a shadow upon the window through which the sunbeam has stolen, and it vanishes, leaving the study utterly dreary and gloomy. The furniture in the study is heavy and ponderous, the curtains to the windows are heavy and dark, and the bookcase is oppressive and burdened with lore. Can the house, of which this funereal study forms part, be a home? The cloud passes, and the sunbeam is alive again. Trua

ch of England! And the man's name is Verity, too. How could it have

et of papers from his

debt. The statute of limitations has wiped off the obligation years ago. But the moral claim remains

culiarly adapted to fiction), has come home after many years of absence, with no prospects, no profession, and no settled aims or views for the future. Not that this gives the young gentleman the slightest concern. He is as careless a soul as is to be met with here and there, and he can spend a sovereign or a sixpence with equal pleasure. An uncle, who had paid all the expenses of his training and education (upon the express understanding that his nephew was to live away from home), had l

it is afternoon, it is the fi

-day,

he name out, his son la

r; Felix, if

ives the latter proposition,

d your reason for c

father. It sound

," says the Reverend Ema

could respect a man with the name of Shadrach. Besides," a

firm do y

enough, father, that you never think of the one but the other two partners

mouth of the Reverend Emanuel Creamwel

ngs is especially displeasing to me, and is entir

elf here," says Felix, with the sligh

Whoever lives here must conform to my rules.

e, s

t allow

n. I'll smoke my cigar in t

ur not smoking at a

king because you don't smoke? If it were not fo

clash. One is harsh and sour; the other is tolerant and sweet. Felix was more the son of his mother than the son of his father; the sweetness of her nature had come to him with the milk he

nuel Creamwell, as his son stopped at the dangerous word,

ther. You have some business matters to speak to me

mwell looks among the pap

you know, died

rmed me. Did you see

t for its being understood that he intended to leave you as his

brother, and he ha

ing the expenses

pts Felix. "Please to remember tha

says the Reverend Emanuel Creamwell with a

fer your thinking that I reminded you of the circumstance in

re me. The tone of your remarks, and your general bearing towards me, proceed from the sti

er showed any love for me--coming home with a studied resolution to try and conform to my father's wishes, and to gain for myself a place in his affections--I find myself baffled at every turn. When my father met me, after years of absence, he met me with no smile upon his face. He might have been a man of stone for all the warmth he showed to me; a stranger could not have e

nto scenes and into a way of living that would certainly not meet with my approval; and if you w

nd enough to tell me something more of my uncle? I have my future to look to now, and although it does not give me any anxiety, for I am sure to be all right"--wi

es for. I hope you have reflected seriously upon th

her," says Felix laughingly; "

Reverend Emanuel Creamwell.

e has been in the habit of looking upon as unworthy of regard, that Felix with difficulty suppresses his disdain; but he is of too frank and open a

the world to mourn; there are things in it that I like to enjoy, and that I think I was sent to enjoy; otherwise, they would not be provided. I sha'

point of honour not to falter, and he goes on to the end with a certain manliness that

in the matter of religion?" asks the

tation, "I suppose I should call myself a Church-of-Englan

d Emanuel Creamwell, after a pause, "to enter i

ss, I should

nce. "As I was your uncle's nearest relative, and it was understood that you were his heir, I thought it my duty, immediately I heard of his death, to hasten to his house. I then, to my astonishment, discovered that he had expended the who

ng him of a responsibility which he is afraid may fall upon him, and which he is wishful to be rid of, he is not displeased at this triumph over his son. But Felix

nderstand now the reason of his urging me to choose a profession. He knew that he had nothing to leave me, and that I should have to depend upon myself

mwell grimly, "that we should all be prepared

ped me to make a career for myself. But that is still before me; I haven't the slightest fear. The circumstance of his leaving so small an estate speaks for him. It proves that in the allowance he made me he went to the full extent of his means, and that between us we managed to swallow up his annuity pretty well to the last shilling." In

some years ago, that when he died all his papers and letters should be burnt. This was done; they were all burnt with the exception of one, which contains the recital of a singular story; I

and his father are to some extent unnatural. Anxious as he is to find the road to his father's good wishes--affection seems to be out of the question--the consciousness is forced upon him that the only r

hing else to sp

ourse to his congregation. This clearing of the throat did not have the effect usually produced; it did not clear his voice. On the contrary, his tones on these occasions inv

f, but the subject is the same--y

ry for it

I should exercise an unwise leniency towards you in matters which I deem of the utmost importance. You have contracted habits which I do not approve of. Your views I do not appro

with somewhat of recklessness; "

e Reverend Emanuel Creamwell, the gulf between fa

ch writer said upon the subject of outward observances and inward spirit. He said that the true man is

e common manner of French romancists,

"Why drag the soul in?" but

fingers and thumbs, and making an arch of them, "from the point we are speaking up

and not a child. I have opinions of my own, and it

me implicit obedience. You have n

N

on. I am not rich; I have but little money to spare

y the world. I shall get along well enough wit

y opinion of your views. You say in reply that you are a man, and have opinions of your own. Those opinions you will perhaps find it advisable to change. Until a profession

lodgment elsewhere, when an interruption occurs. Voices are heard in the passage, and the Reverend Emanuel Creamwell's housekeeper makes her a

to see you,

pted," replies the R

ey insi

am

rit

hem co

heels with Lily and A

PTE

S OVER TO

effect that the soul that had once animated the clay beneath it had assuredly gone to the place where the wicked ceased from troubling and the weary are at rest. The letters which recorded this desirable consummation of a life's labour were nearly worn away by time, and the woeful tombstone, as it leaned towards the earth, exhibited in its attitude a yearning to fall upon its face, and to go also to the place where the weary are at rest. Over the head of Gribble junior's heir a large umbrella was spread to protect him from the sun. The umbrella served two purposes--it kept the child in shade, and advertised the business. For glaring upon the Cambridge blue silk was an advertisem

oked the meals for them until after the funeral; and Mrs. Gribble junior, being a perfect marvel with her needle, set to work at once making a black dress and bonnet for Lily. This quick practical sympathy is very common and very beautiful among the poor. Then Mrs. Podmore and Mrs. Gribble junior had settled that they ought to go to the funeral, which was to take place somewhere near Gravesend, in accordance with the wish of the dying woman. They spoke of it to their respective husban

weary manner, when his wife had finish

s. Podmore "What sha

t--for her. My Pollypod! She'll smell--the country--and see--the sun." He was falling off to sleep, when he pulled

ore: "I shall have a nice meat-pudden for

m in the coach for them all. Mrs. Podmore's great difficulty was a black dress to go in; she could not go in a coloured dress, and could not afford to buy a ne

chiefly reserved for Lily and the coffin. "Hush-sh-sh! There's the coffin. Hush-sh-sh!" as if their very whispers might disturb the dead. Then, when Lily came out, the women shook their heads, and said, "Poor dear! Poor dear!

y co-operation, also patronised the starting of the funeral with his presence. He had a corrugated face, not unlike the outside of an old walnut-shell, a

took it in some measure as a tribute to himself, and even derived satisfaction from the thought that many of the persons who stopped and gazed must believe him to be a near relative of the deceased. He was as little of a hypocrite as it is in the nature of human beings to be, but he deemed it necessary to his position to assume a mournful demeanour; and he did so accordingly, and sighed occasionally. When the coach got away from the narrow streets, it moved faster. Gribble junior had brought a Cambridge blue-silk umbrella with him, which, however, he did not open on the journey. He and his wife and Mrs. Podmore enjoyed the ride amazingly. To escape for a few hours from the narrow labyrinths of Soho was good; to get into a little open country where grass and flowers were growing and blooming was better; and to see bright colour come to the children's cheeks and bright sparkles to their eyes was best of all. It was as Mr. Podmore said, a treat for t

t; wouldn't you? Wicked box! Father couldn't play with me if I was shut up in y

Polly for comfort, and the child,

I want

peculiarities that she wa

l, P

's mother

Polly!

hut up in the

e from us,

he inquisitive little Pollypod; "and

olly,

y?" inquired the pertinacious

Polly," said Lily,

God taken h

pointin

odmore kept her there, and whispered to her that poor Lily was not well and must not be teased. But the child, at intervals, turned her

e churchyard and by the grave. There a man, taking old Wheels aside, spoke a few word

ne of uncontrollable agitation. "Here--be

d that there w

d man. "Is that his house? I will go and

n, followed by his grandchildren, walked swiftly

. If the thoughts which animated the minds of the five persons in that sombre study had been laid bare, the strangest of contrasts would have been seen. There sat the Reverend Emanuel Creamwell; behind him was his son. They were at variance with one another, an

in the lightest breath from zephyr's mouth. It was so with Lily at this time. A harsh word would have caused her to quiver with pain. The effect which the suddenness of her mother's death, and the terrifying dreams that followed, had produced upon her had not passed away. Like the lily she stood there,

t might have been beaten--had come in second, perhaps; had lost "by a head." If it had, there was woe in store for him. If he were in London, he would know; this uncertainty was torturing. Now he was in the depth of misery: Christopher Sly had lost, and

rds. A strange and unexpected trouble had been added to his grief,

at Felix did he found cause for anger, and he believed that his son was animated by a distinct wish to thwart and oppose him; this very proffered courtesy to one of these persons was another argument in his mind again

commenced the old man, in a

Reverend Emanuel Creamwell

harshly-spoken word

children," indicati

x, as he followed the court

rcely perceptible nod, and a colder chill came upon Lily's sensit

n, "who before she died expressed a wish to be buried in the plac

ly necessary, I should sa

pause before he answered; but strength seemed to come to him

ldren is waiting in the

my message, I

spoken to me as

they suf

words which were delivered to me cam

nger lighted up the small eyes o

e here to revil

l humility, sir,"

me to repeat

been mistaken. I cannot believe th

t they cannot answer straight. Do

s,

to the effect that I cannot perform

dead-" exclaimed th

the minister, finishin

allen, but for his helping hand. Inward fire possessed the soul of the Reverend Emanuel Creamwell at the action of his son and his wrath was expressed i

g! But I thought that your helplessness and

y do you refuse to perform the last

ers of the Wesleyan Methodist body, and the woman was not baptized

at God

derate haste. If, when he heard the rejoinder, he could have cause

man, in a tone of bitter calmness.

n's sympathetic movement towards Lily, that Felix had gone over to the enemy, and a consciousness possessed him that Felix was not displeased at hi

to revile God through His minister. It is such as you w

man interrup

dead woman is waiting for me. I must go and seek a minister

oed the Reverend Emanuel

nister, as that

odist minister can be allowed to pray in my churchyard!"--with a protecting look and motion of his fingers towards the ground whe

be buried?" asked the old ma

uried in silence," r

unbeam, with its myriad wonders, vanished on the instant, while the truant flashes of light

, and the words came slowl

h that covers her? What have we done, that the last consolation of prayer shall be denied to us?" Then looking the minister steadily in the face, he said in a firm voice, "Ac

hen the voice of the Reverend

ing, attend to me for a few moment

y life up to that time--I and my poor daughter.

ou myself. Yo

one child, she

e same--you had

ndeed for most of the time been engrossed in torturing himself about Christopher Sly and the Northumberland Plat

ons," continued the Reverend Em

Lily away. It is too close for her he

rings she had experienced during the dialogue between her grandfather and the minister, had been too much for he

y," exclaimed Felix hur

he house, and br

or a minute or two. It will do her go

d selected this place as being likely to revive

said in the same hurried eager tone, "you will lay me

ered the things wildly about, and came flying down again, with a fine white handkerchief and a bottle of Cologne wa

lace it on her forehead, so. N

, which turned crimson beneath her gaze. But his task was not yet completed, it seemed. He took from his pocket a flask, whic

lips to it; there's no harm in it. Your brother

earty, and frank, and good in it, that it refreshed her

ly," he said; "it

tle, and felt s

ndfather?" s

before I go," and here his voice faltered, and became more earnest, "I want you to say that you forgive

een kind to us It was not you who said those dreadful w

e that the sins of the father shall be visited on the children. I am in that state

d, in a very gentle voice; "I am not we

he persisted; "it will pleas

she said, with

e again, and into the study where his father and old Wheels were, Lily's sad smile

eamwell's house, the conversation between the minister and old Whe

short a time as possible, sir, as

man who is about to smite his enemy on the hip; "possibly you would not have remai

n why I wished the tender girl who was here

aving warranty to do so, his effects being the property of my son, I came upon this paper. It recites a singular story of an e

ries of embezzlement.

f intercession by you on his behalf, and how, somewhat out of compassion and somewhat out of policy, criminal proceedings were withheld. You unde

deny?" asked

t Felix ente

deny. The st

l who should be expiating his crime in prison, presume to lift your voice against me!

e man from whom the mone

is d

id old Wheels; "one hundred pounds

property," said the Rev

sappointment in the old man's voice

s is

the law judged it not. The children who were here awhile ago were babes at the time, and it was to save all of us from shame and misery that I undertook to repay the money. I have been all my life paying it, as you may see by the statement in your hand. I did not know that such a document was in existence. I have a signed quittance for the money at home, and have had from the time I paid the first instalment, which

arther. Yo

; everything but this last small triumph had gone wrong with him; he had been crossed, almost defied, at every turn. First, his son; then, this presumptuous old man, whose words were still burning in his mind. And his son's silence now irritated him. Every moment added to his irritation. Felix, standing with his face to the

," said Felix. "I ask your pa

demanded the Reveren

ersons intruded upon us. You offered me a shel

rstanding that you c

in the conversation that had lately taken place. "And this old man has been all his life paying a debt for which he was not liable! The

stern rejoinder of the Re

t that all his papers should be burnt, and I

od. It is worth money to you

ght laugh, in which there was bitte

Creamwell, with face white with anger, watched the burning of the paper. Felix let the ashes fall

. "I wash my

Reverend Emanuel Creamwell, placing hi

elix gravely; "I shall

the room quie

PTE

H THE REALITY, SETS UP

looking when he was a little child. When he came home, a man, she had addressed him in the old familiar way, and he was surprised at the change in her; but he soon recognised that living all her life

you going?"

hurchyard,"

, afte

o knows where he goes to after

er that?" s

d; and added, somewhat bit

e, Felix,

again he attemp

treatingly; "let me speak

hen; I cannot sp

n his handkerchief lingered in the air. He placed his hand upon the chair, and in his fancy the sweet air became associated with the tender girl who had reste

ere are you goi

plied--softly, for he was thinkin

o you r

thing dearer than l

a quarrel with

e said lightly, "and

e repeated, showing no temper at his light ma

n't agree. There are not tw

sure; ther

stay here and vex him: it would be unfilial. If he is right, I must sit in sackcloth and ashes, and

settl

for yourself? It came, somehow. That is enough. If you ent

interrupted. "I

you think

ink I

ll it to you. To have a father and not have a father--as is the case with me--is dreadful. For father and son to disagree is dreadful also. So I shall imagine a father, and as he is sure

of seriousness in his tones that showed

the moment he set foot on English soil. They threw their arms round each other, like boys, and laughed to keep away the tears. When I came to the railway station here--just half a mile from where we stand--I looked about me with a dim hope that my father had come that distance to welcome his son home. But there are fathers and fathers, Martha. Now, if I had been wise, and had set up my imaginary father before the train stopp

ressed him with a phantom presence, and said in a mock-seriou

is hand, and vow to pay him all respect. He

-all the more strange because she sought to suppress them--brought light to her dull white face as Felix with fantastic grace stooped to kiss the han

Felix--had they anything to do wi

them before

with the quarrel with you

nature, Martha," he said, laughing. "You

t you, Felix," s

thing without them. We were on the verge of the precipice as they entered. I must go and see how they are getting along, and if I can be of

no house for sunshine. I knew when yo

t on this place; will you pack up such things as a

all be ready

y oyster-knife?" He felt in his pockets with a comical air. "Ah, it is h

hand he held out to her, bu

e know where yo

will let

e money of my own

his fingers on her "Enough has be

nk you do right

love or sympathy. The cold austerity of this house is enough to turn heart and face to

cause I suit him; and I am not entirely without love. I have somethin

TER

D WANTS

the earth by its side, and the women of the party were sitting on convenient tombs

for two other old men, and the girls in dirty pinafores to go for other girls in dirty pinafores. These new-comers were as intere

t them. But, when she asked, wanting to know, her mother bade her "Hush!" as she had done in the coach, and Pollypod was fain to hold her peace. It was not difficult for her to let the matter rest for a time, as there were plenty of other things to occupy her mind. Now and then a butterfly flew by, a

ied the old men; but when she plucked their trousers, they moved away without a word. She had therefore given up the attempt as hopeless. Now, all at once, here was a handsome young man, handsomely dressed, and he immediately became an object of interest to Pollypod. Felix, seeing the child gaze at him, smiled at her, and Pollypod smiled in return; and to show that she was prepared to give good interest for amiability, came and stood by his side, and looked into his face

. The sight of the child's artless face did him good, a

d bright face, and the flowers in his coat. These latter had an especial attraction for her. She thought how pleased father would be if she could take t

ed, seating himself upon a tombstone. "

her finger to her lips, and her head inclined for

quired, amused at the chi

n who won't bur

ce was reflected on his as

close to him

at; I'm very, ve

little

e I lik

ild pleased and soothed h

od, clenching her little fist, and stamping her

y?" pointing

hat's Mrs. Gribble, and that's my mother, and that's the b

me is

wo or three times, to express approval, In proof that she was di

e's Pol

ol

s Jim Podmore, and I'

stablished--she sat down on the tombstone beside him. She put him at

like b

ed that he did like butter, and the triumphant tone in which she announced the discovery evidently enhanced his value in her eyes. Then she asked, Did she?

chyard," said t

es

eople ar

es

is going to b

es

mother is shut up in a box

tangled in a theological disputation with an op

, and when we di

often and often, but

aimed Felix. "Is not that a bea

her says we'll go to heaven if we're good. And that's heaven. I'm going to be

to answer, and he despaired of making

-and-by you will become a woman; then you will grow older and older, and your

die--al

is always young; it never grows old, and when our bodi

she said in her prayers every night. She did not understand, but she had fa

s there, little maid. Earth takes care of

hands clasped in her lap, where the flowers had f

le one, it

is there, althoug

ments before she spoke again. "I want to know!"

oung. God w

till I'm old, for I want

n, littl

oming down to earth, and placing her hand in th

d Felix merrily; "we're

le maid; and after being kissed, she fell to

anxious to learn something of Lily and

long way! It was

ve a long wa

live in Lond

indeed, Pollypod. Ar

Lily lives on the first floor; baby and Mr. and Mrs. Gribble live on the second f

ry high up

n, and comes home so late! But we play in bed every morning. And we've got a dog; Snap's his name. He goes out t

ne, Pol

to look at them before I go to sleep; sometimes I see pretty faces in them, like Lily's. I dream of everything. I shall dream of you to-night, and shall look for your

, and taking the flowers from

unch," he said, "there wil

e to be kissed again, an

were good,

ad been when he came into the churchyard; the old man and Gribble junior had not returned. Having nothing better to do, and burning with a desire to know more of the fair gi

m of everyth

d held up her bunch of flowers admiringly, turning them this w

ou dream of

after a little consideration. "I kno

wh

ious importance. "And, O, it looked so beautiful! It had large blue eyes--and moved them!-

as your own doll

sed her lips. "I haven't got one," she said wi

pause that followed, knowing tha

ar from where we live, with such funny things in the window--and there's a Doll in the middle of them, just like mine that's in father's ship. Father says mine is handsomer, and that mine has a smaller nose and pinker lips. I go to look at

to denote that she was to give him all her attentio

ghtfully; and then said, with a sha

ttle one. A wizard can see things,

her blue eyes dilating. "Can y

es

ha

lying in bed, looking a

of infinite content. "Who's in the r

because father co

irl is asleep bef

here's some one else in the r

ollypod, twining her fingers together

s upon one, and it changes. Lips come--like Lily's; eyes come, bright--like Lily's. P

ispered Polly

place a Do

s!

of it, and holds it in her arms. And while sh

!" cried Polly

nother

d Pollypod

nd the captain is bowing--bowing--bowing; and the stars are shining--shining--shining in

ypod, reviving. "F

d's Doll! And as sure as we sit here talking, the captain,

ht Pollypod jumped to her

llypod," said Felix, sharing in Poll

little maid, almost in a whisper. "

" replied Felix, dwelli

she got b

est in t

pink

this rose,

red l

s cher

is She d

ind, and mauve boots, and the lov

in all Her silken glory. The little maid was in a state of beatific bliss; and she saw the ship sailing, and

ned her eyes, and

like her. You're

ure as can be. Mot

her mother; and Felix strolled out of the churchyard with the idea o

urpose by an incident th

n the circumstance; for public-houses are everywhere, and churchyards should no more be deprived of the consolation their presence affords than other places. No sooner had our driver got rid of his load of flesh and clay than he sought the handy ale-house, to bait his cattle and moisten his sorrow. The former task was quickly accomplished, but the latter occupied a much longer time--a proof that his sorrow was very keen, and needed a great deal of moistening. When Felix approached him, he had paid at least half

o drive the party home. A very few words with the man convinced him of this. He was qu

and with occasional hiccoughs, "didn't bargain th

and his "guv'ner") was so manifestly impossible of accomplishment in

n the bargain, and as the job's paid for beforehand, and as I've got my family to lo

ared to mount. His foot was in the air when

learnt the name of the street and the number of the house in which Lily lived. His purpose being served,

apology for allowing the man to depart, "and it will be better for them to have a

de arrangements for the hire of a waggonette and a pair of good horse

rchyard: I shall return in the morning. I wonder," he mused, as he walked towards the

TER

THE NORTHUMB

r remembrance accompany you, and these are the best of prayers. It is better as it is, perhaps; better that your dust should be

streaming down the faces of the women; and Pollypod for a few moments forgot her Doll and the ship that was bringing it home over the seas. The heir of the house of Gribble junior was awake and in his father's arms, and the enthusiastic umbrella-doctor tilted the baby over the grave, so that the child might have a good view of the coffin, in the belief probably that it would "open up his ideas, as a body might say." Notwithstanding the minister's decree, Lily's mother was not buried: in complete silence; for the twittering of birds and the soft hum of insec

o bring my Doll this

little maid,"

see the

d, "and the w

a task to perform, however, and he addressed himself to Gribble junior, and telling him that the mourning-coach was gone,

erally, though he looked only at Gribble junior, "that the man has

quired Gribble junior in perplexi

waggonette at your disposal? It will be pleasanter driving than in the close coach, and you will reach home more quickly." All but the old man looked up gratefully at the proposal. "The evening will be fine, and

the rest of the company. He himself also, against his own judgment as it seemed, felt inclined to the young man. This feelin

offer is made out of pure d

he thought of Lily, and of the share sh

ly at the earnest face of Felix; "I cannot be mistaken. You are the y

r," replied

s son," interru

or the share I took in that interview by my presence, I humbly as

hard to belie

k you

to Lily, and it seemed to be not so difficult. But if the kind offer sprang from sinc

suspicion, I know; I should be surprised were it otherwise. But come, sir, your own sense of justice will grant me this. Let me be judged, not by you alone, but by those who accompan

who had brought shame on all of them, came to the old man's mind as he heard the words. He walked to where the others were standing, and found Pollypod in a state of feverish delight at the prospect of being driven home in such a beautiful carriage. Mrs. Podmore, of course, was equally pleased, because of the treat in store for her child, and because she fell in love immediately with any one who was kind to Polly. Gribble junior spoke in enthusiastic te

r you. I am the onl

s face flushed

ys against me, sir. S

be but a churlish way of accepting your courtesy. No; the obligation

he world, sir. M

sness that this was a serious epoch in his life. Martha the housekeeper was sitting at one of the upper windows, evidently w

t next to you?" ask

tle one," replied Felix,

ble junior, and by this offer secure

pleasantest manner, but in a subdued tone, so as not to intrude upon the grief of the mourners in the waggonette. Pollypod told all about the ship that was bringing home her Doll; and Gribble junior, understanding in a literal manner the kindness of Felix, entered readily into Pollypod'

l he does is to shake his head and put his hands in his pockets. As if a man can get along that way! When that youngster's knickerbockered," with a backward notion of his head toward his baby, lying in his wife's lap, "I've made up my mind that his clothes sha'n't have any handy pockets in them where he can hide his hands. It breed

remarked that it must pu

in the world are fools. An umbrella has ribs and bones and a frame and skin, like a human being; and they break their bones and get bent and out of order, like human bei

r was in a state of perfect happiness, and his countenance was more inflamed than ever; but he evidently resented the circumstance of their driving home in such a smart carriage, for as Felix drove briskly past h

old man. The sincerity and honesty of their driver were so apparent, that they could not regar

ld," Felix thou

dows; did not dream of them. He turned to look at Lily. Her head was resting upon the old man's breast; she was asleep, and there was peace in her face. The old man smiled gratefully and thoughtfully upon Felix, and the smile made him glad. How could shadows come? Everything was fair for him. He felt a soft touch upon

orry," sai

little

our street. And I should li

u are so sleepy and tired now th

uld like to sleep and wake up,

smart waggonette brought all the neighbours to the doors and windows again, and Felix was scrutinised and di

an to Felix, as they stood by the street doo

heory of my own that every human act is dictated by a feeling

an shook

our theory would lead one to suppose. Of t

cided that the presence of a stranger was not desirable after the day's fatigu

er, in which he would learn whether Christopher Sly had won or lost the Northumberland Plate. Instead of Alfred, the old man saw Mr. Davi

ate at your absence. I hope it will not be long before we hear your charming voice again. This is your grandfather. Allow me to present myself: Mr. David S

passed on. Although he had not seemed to notice Felix, he had really, in a qui

few seconds, and his countenance brightened as he thought, "Ah, they have just come from the funeral; the woman was to be buried i

compliment he turne

ou good-night," said

posing any payment were required, paid him a hundred times over for the little service he had rendered them. When Lily and

Pollypod. I

the forward little maid; "I w

Polly!" exclaimed Mrs. Podmo

uredly, taking Pollypod in his arms; "I'l

ave read Mrs. Podmore's thoughts as he stepped into the passage with her child in his arms, he w

houlder; the cunning little maid was in a delicious trance, and was wishfu

es

he Cap

es

Doll is

ee it, P

stars are

ully, Po

"it is night, and t

ert themselves even in the dim light, and Felix thought that Pollyp

to you, sir," said Mrs. Podmore to h

me to anything," replied Fel

r, and she encircled

nd a kiss for the Captain, and two for You! I sh

n the landing of the second

stopped and spoke to Miss

es

you think

that it was impossible f

self," said Gribble junior dr

id he mean by saying that the White Rose was quite disco

should see her and hear her! She looks like an angel, and sings like one. She's not like any of the others. You see, a girl must do something, and between

e and simple a girl as Lily should be associated with some of the things he heard and witnessed there.

nd musing upon the future. He strolled over Westminster Bridge, and lingered in admiration; thinking, and thinking truly, that he had never seen a more wonderful and beautiful

was sleepin

h her face towards the roses, was dreaming of her Doll

nt of the race for the Northumberland Plate, which had been won by an old horse called Taraban; and muttering, with white and trem

TER

--HOW SPIDERS C

desire to cut into you; but there is really nothing to be alarmed at in the apartment, the most noticeable article in it being a turn-up bedstead; for at night it is converted into a sleeping apartment for the doctor's assistant. This assistant, who has a passion for too much bitter beer, and who tells the customers under the pledge of secrecy that he is a partner in the concern, is a moon-faced, bald-headed man, who has walked the hospitals, as the women whisper to one another. He is mysteriously spoken of as being very highly connected, and he continually talks of going down somewhere for a week's shooting; but he never goes. His present lowly position is popularly supposed to be due to his having been a little wild, and it is rumoured that he is in hiding, which immensely enhances his reputation. The queer little shop has quite a bustling appearance during the hours of consultation; but very different pictures are presented in the morning and evening. In the morning it is the males, who, chiefly in their dinner-hour, throng to the doctor for his advice; but the ev

s the upper portion of the house? Let us step up and s

weather, and every other consideration whatsoever, paled to insignificance before the news that a noble sportsman had insisted that Christopher Sly, the sensational animal of the day, who had been backed for pounds, shillings, and pence, should carry a ten pound penalty for winning another race a short time since; how the question was discussed and what excitement it caused, those who had backed the horse trembling in their shoes lest they should be "done" out of their soon-to-be winnings at the last moment; how the stewards were unable to decide the point before the race, and how the horse declined in the betting from 6 to 4 to 2 to 1, still being first favourite however; how eight runners came to the starting-post, Christopher Sly bei

aban," he exclaims; "not one.

pile addressed to Adolphus Fortescue, Post-office, Rugby; here is another addressed to Horace St. John, 43, Diddledom-place, W.C.; here is another addressed to James Middleman, Box 67, Post-office, Leicester; here is another addressed to W. and B. Tracey, 87 1/2, Essex-road, E.C.; and others to other names and other addresses, all of which he has opened with his own hand, as if he were one and all of these persons combined. Perhaps he is; he looks confident enough and shrewd enough to be a score of men in one. Perhaps his own proper name, which any detective would be able to tell you without going to the bottom of

ar tipster, but a Gentleman moving in the very Highest Circles, and his honour is unimpeachable. A terrific Sum will be won upon this Moral Certainty, which will absolutely walk in. But remember--only to Gentlemen will this secret be imparted, and only upon the understanding that it will not be imparted to outsiders. At present, 100 to 1 can be obtained. This is the greatest certainty in the annals of racing. Send immediately 5s. worth of postage-stamps and your Word of Honour that

67, Post-office, Leicester, vindictively advises you (impre

ing! Now or never! Now's the day, and Now's the hour! Faint hearts never won great fortunes yet. Trust not to stable-boys and specious impostors, but send six stamps and a stamped directed envelope immediately to

orthless selections will bring you to ruin. Send a stamped envelope for our system--our infallible system--by which loss is r

nother, a

men who will Pledge their Honour to respect his confidence, and send him ten guineas from winnings. This advertisement emanates from no common tipster, and well merits the conf

is a sharp cunning rogue indeed, and has as many aliases as Argus had eyes; and the mine in which he digs is rich enough, in all conscience, to make the fortunes of a th

ek that, in the innocence of his heart, he was explaining to an intimate

d pounds if the horse you send doesn't win, or that you will eat the horse, or something of that sort. Plenty of fools'll believe you. You'll get lots of answers, and any number of stamps--more than enough to pay for your advertisements six times over. Well, then, you make a list of the horses that are likely to start for the Plate.

nd answers at all? Why not stick t

t a wing to his nose, and in other delicate ways asserte

s impossible for the horse to lose; that the stable are backing it heavily, and all that sort of thing. Well, one of the horses wins--Taraban, Christopher Sly, or any other--it doesn't matter which. Then you look out the names of the subs to whom you sent the winning horse, and you send them congratulatory letters--you hope they have won a pot, and that they will send you a percentage on their winnings; you've got a

simple as this one, gulls must abo

orks on this summer afternoon, he he

old un,"

hich may be about fifty--who presently enters the room. An old man, with restless eyes that seek the ground, as if fearful of looking any one in the

ays Con, "got pl

tain Leonard Maginn, who, as represented by Muzzy, is certainly not a credit to the army; and they all contains stamps from persons eag

taveley, when the old man has completed

lot," is the answer, in

stamps back to get d

strive as he may. "I haven't kept a few stamps back, Mr. Con. You ought to know better, Mr. Con, than to ask me such a question. I don't want them, sir, I don't want them. I ba

ens the letters Muzzy has brought. "Not one of the prophets went for him.

tell you how I spotted the winner, Mr. Con. I wrote the names of the horses on pieces of paper, sir, and shook 'em up in a hat, and the f

body tremble and shake in sympathy, as h

s. "Yes, that's him, on the stairs.

p on him, Muzzy; it i

give him a dollar if he let's me have the money now. I'll take eleven dollars--eleven f

ers the room, "what are you shaking and quavering about

avely, Mr. Sheldrake seats

"I'd have backed it for more--for all I could raise--but a

your luck,

ner, sir, and never had the money to back them. But l

uth half a dozen times, and stands looking timidly

asks Mr. Sheldrake, with an inward ch

s to pay me the odds on Taraban. I'm in

drunk wi

ness that everything about him gives the lie to his words. "I've taken the pled

arnest imploring manner makes him suddenly serious, an

old man," he sa

orward to den

k at

demand. He raises his eyes a dozen times, but he c

r," he murmurs

u could look respectable if you h

sir; but I should want better clothes

ep sober, if it was

f drink as long as I live--not another drop! Shall I take

a betting-book, and stands wa

ool! When I want you to take

ir--at any minute." W

t you to turn o

ou please, si

t would you do if I were to say, 'Muzzy, old man, I've got

vant he is to that gentleman, not that the dirty work which he performs for his employer would be poorly paid if he received his wages threefold. All that he is conscious of is that he is an old man, very feeble, ver

y depend on the old man, sir. He's a little bit

then; you

hand over his mouth with a parched air. When he h

at twelve to one,

and I wish I'd known wha

ke eleven dollars if you'll settle with me now, sir. The landlady'll be d

r interest, and the old man slouches out of the room and into the streets, and wh

any one should come in and detect him. The barman, knowing his wants, would fill the bottle. If Muzzy was rich, he would produce a second bottle from another pocket, this the barman would also fill. Quickly placing the bottles in his pocket, Muzzy would lay upon the counter the exact price of the liquor (having provided himself beforehand with the necessary change), and

ss which life contained

PTE

THER EVERY FRIEND IN N

to assist me in a private little matt

vernor," was C

f my cards, on which I have written, 'Do what you can for t

lend it to hi

Christopher Sly, and lost; he's in a mess, and I want to do him a g

est shall I

ake it something handsome; he will agree to

Con, sagely; "it makes me laugh to see their l

. You'll have t

be a long

s. I don't expect he'll be able to pay

ow whistle--a whistle of curious inquiry, which expressed, "What's his little game,

be impossible for you to lend him money under the circumstances. But don't let him go away. Angle with him unt

fect

l inclined to let me be taken in again, or to follow my example. My great fault is that I think too well of people: I believe that everybody is as honest and straightforw

tily, and Mr. Sh

ss, you know, and if you feel inclined to do any

," said Con,

t of my own pocket, although you hadn't the slightest claim upon me. It was only the week before last that I took a poor man out of prison, and paid his debts for him, and set him upo

still wondered what on earth

own cunning and cleverness; he was always shaking hands with himself. "You've had losses lately; all your money's locked up, and you've been disappointed in people not keeping their promises; b

structions, and Mr. Sheldrake presently took his d

wait. The fly soon

but care and overwhelming trouble; looking very much like a fly who

s legs, and looked nervously at Con Staveley; but finding no comfort in that gentleman's face, looked into his hat with a like result

ad the words on

ine.' Happy to see you. Any friend of Mr. Sheld

young man did not know how to commence. Observing his hes

ow for all that. Doesn't look sharp enough after Number One, though; and that doesn't

ed muttered assent

d fool? Backed it for a crown. No pluck. He might have won a heap of money, and now the chance has gone. About this time last year a fellow came in--just as you have done now--asked about a horse for the Cambridgeshire--wanted to know the odds. A hundred to one I offered. 'I'll take it to fifty sovs.,' he said. I gave it to him, five thousan

say, "that isn't the b

ee-and-easy Con. "Fire away. Do anyth

ith his hat; and Con Staveley thought, "What a soft young fool he is!" "The

topher

like a moral cer

e of the prophets went for him. I was bit myself

he man he was about to ask to assist him had lost heavily on the same race, rendered his ch

f you can't believe them, whom are you to believe? All the morning papers gave Christopher Sly as the absolu

" asked Con

nst Christopher Sly. The horse was then at only three to one, and he gave me ten to one. I sent him the ￡2, and was afraid he would return it to me, because he had given

nging to his nature to endeavour to justify himself in his own eyes by attempting to prove what an exceptionally unfortunate person he was. This is one of the idiosyncrasies of weak and selfish natures, which seek to find comfort in the f

Con Staveley's silence boded no good result, "and told him I was in a hole, and wanted to borrow some

here and lending there, taking this man out of prison and paying his debts, and setting that man on his legs, he'll

y friend Mr. Staveley, and take my card; he'll do what you want up

Con; "I've got a good deal of money put into my han

nterest," said

so far as regards money that doesn't

ds I can ma

urity can

!" stamme

got prospects--expectations? I've lent money to a good many swells upon their own and their friends' names, but

gloomily: "but I'll be sure to pay you. Do you think I'

money for? To pay betting debts? They're not recoverable in law; and even i

common but very miserable assumption of high-mindedness;

bserved Con mercilessly, somewhat relishin

t confess that, taking advantage of his position in the office of his employers, he had committed the common indiscretion of "borrowing" money for a few days. If he did not replace it at once-well, he was terrified to think what might occur. The minut

it--to be paid in three months, say. Have you got a responsible frien

"I don't know anybody

ell, the fellow didn't pay, and Sheldrake insisted on cashing up, though I hadn't the slightest claim upon him. There's not one man in ten thousand would have done it; but it was like Sheldrake all over. I took the money, of course; it was business, you know, but it wasn't friendly. I don't want the same thing to occur again. Sheldrake th

heart growing fainter and fainter, "a

n a situatio

lerk at Tickl

lar

shillings

s from one part of the table to another with ver

imploringly. "I can put it all by, if you'll

pay the interest, my boy," was Con'

If he mentioned her, it might improve h

oney," he said in

elessly from Con.

Rose Music-hall. Her name's Li

her. But about this fifty pounds you want--I really don't think I can do it for you. Very sorry--very sorry, indeed, because you're a frie

se of a too late repentance is the bitterest of experiences!" He was suffering this bitterest of experiences now, and felt the truth of his grandfather's words. And yet he took credit to himself for the good resolution he had come to, of being a better man if Christopher Sly had won the Northumberland Plate. Whose fault was it that the horse had not won, and that this monstrous undeserved misfortune had come upon h

ings? Ah, Alf, you here! I thou

upon him. "Like Paul Pry, I hope I don't intrude," s

d Con; "our bus

nd Mr. Sheldrake clapped Al

efusal to accommodate him, as on account of Sheldrake's recommending him to a man who had failed him in this desperate cr

won't lend m

ot on my recommendation. Come, come, St

ondon would let him have what he wants. Why, he can't even giv

name goo

riends, and I'm not to see y

ir," said Mr. S

of my friends. Remember the three hundred you had to pay me

. You've no business to mention those things. You know I do

hat's all. For t

you might win it on a horse fifty times over in five minutes! The

ey directly the race is over, and any interest he likes to charge, and I'll give him the tip, too, if he likes." (W

asked Mr. Sheldrake in a reproachful

oulders, indicating that it

imed Mr. Sheldrake. "If I had the money to spare, I'd lend it

friend wai

fred said, No; "he must

him have it," sa

t all inclined

riendship, curse him, he didn't want any more of it! and otherwise expressed himself to

acing debts are not recoverable by law, so that whoever he owes the money to must wait until he can pay. Let your friend pay his debts after the Goodwood Cup is run for; he'll be all right then. As for friendship, you're

said. He considered a little, and asked if Con could let

sing. "I've got some writing to do in

e alone, Mr.

ow you, or anything about you. He is only anxious to protect me. I have been let in a good many times by one and another, and I've paid him money

t you in,"

veley for the money. But I can't shut my eyes to what he has said. You must deal a litt

es

people you've l

already. I had to stak

th commission

es

ated before he aske

r own money th

did not

' study of Alfred's downcast face, "and I don't want you to say anything you would

care so much for my own sake--but there's Lily. She's fon

our mess, Alf. I'll stand your friend, as I said I would, a

. Sheldrake's hand. The revulsio

this for Lily's sake, so you may than

the world," cried Alfred,

should like her to

what a friend you've been to me. You are a trump!

ill at three months for seventy-five pounds, and would have signed it for a hundred and seventy-five, without murmuring at the interest charged. The two hundred per cent. per annum seemed to him fair enough, and when Con Staveley gave him the cheque, and the business was concluded, he gaily asked his friends to c

trick or two," h

n the face of stronger than he. Have they not reason? They are stronger than the law, which is powerless to touch them. Yet it is

TER

PTAIN

ock at night, and the woman is working by the light of one candle. If ever woman was happy, this woman is as she plies her needle and looks at her child, and hums a few bars of a song softly to herself. The roses on the child's face rival the real and artificial ones in the room. It is a beautiful face to gaze at, and the brown eyelashes, and the curly brown hair, and the lips deliciously parted, make a delightful picture, which, were I a painter, I should love to paint.

ful readiness which is not worthy of a better cause, for the cause is a good one enough as it is. I declare it always gives me a pleasurable sensation to see a good housewife--the true household fairy--sit down of an evening at her fireside, and make preparations to attack the contents of a basket where woolen stockings and cotton stockings shake hands--no, I mean feet--together, and lie down side by side in amicable confusion. What a homily might be preached upon the contents of some of these baskets, which tell of many mouths to fill, and of many li

h wonders; imagination is bringing to the child fantastic creations and scenes of exquisite loveliness and grace. Though the strangest of contrasts are presented to her, there is harmony in everything. The light, the fresh air, the brighter clouds than those she sees in the narrow streets, play their parts in her dreams in a thousand happy shapes and forms. She walks with Felix in a field, gathering flowers more beautiful than she has ever yet seen; there are silver leaves and golden leaves, and all the colours of the rainbow hide themselves in flower-bells, and then peep out to gladden her. There are lilies, and roses, and wallflowers, and daisies, with the fresh dew glistening on their leaves and stems. She and Felix wander and wander unt

s. Mrs. Podmore jumps from her chair at the sound of his steps, and

m, with a great sigh of re

n empty basin from him--Jim's favourite dinner is a meat-pudding, in the making of which his wife would not yield the palm to the Queen's cook. Snap, t

rself--old woman?"

ve had such a bea

wanders to Pollypod's

our--she's

" is the reply. "It's do

ers, and takes t

esent for father. She tried to keep awake to give them

he lays his great dirty face and bushy head on the pillow. But when he sits down to his supper, with the flo

ut something, Jim;" and draws h

pretence of eating, and presently lays his kni

spaper boys--a-calling

, J

about--a

Has there

ur line. A lot o' people--hurt--badly

of apprehension flashes into Mrs. Podmore's eyes as s

, Jim, was it? Don't

but he evidently takes it to heart alm

lieved of her fear; "but it would ha' been wo

might ha' been--it might ha' be

, then

them. There was a child among 'em--a little girl"--(his voice breaks here, and his eyes wander to Pollypod)--"they didn't know what--was the matter with her. She breathed--and that was all. Dick Hart--(he's got a little girl hisself, mother--and he wouldn't lift his finger--agin any man)--Dick Hart--he trembles--and cries--when he sees the little thing--a-laying so still--and he whispers to a mate--as how he wishes--some one--'d come and strike him dead--where he stands. As he says this--the little thing's mother--runs in wild-like--

they do t

s got to be protected. Lord save us! As if it was our fault! As if it was us!--the public

him," says Mrs. Podmore, w

Dick, he's out of a billet now--and hasn't got anything--put by. I tell y

y'll see to her

g, as they know--that Dick Hart's wages is just enough to keep him and her--and his little girl--and that it's next to impossible--he could lay anything by--for a rainy day--you'd think, old woman--that now Dick's in trouble--the Company'd pay him his wages--till he got out of

ance to entertain it, and fills him with terrible fear. This very night he himself had a narrow escape from an accident. He was very tired, and even as he stood waiting to shift the points for an expected train, he fell into a dose. For how long he did not know--a second, a minute, or many--but he was suddenly aroused by a furious

one night, when he was dead-beat, he should fall asleep again on his watch, and not wake up until it was too late. Then the fancy comes upon him that the little

Felix is a gentleman;" but Pollypod whispers, "No, he is a wizard;" and tells of the ship and the Doll and the Captain, and speaks in such good faith, that Jim is troubled in his mind, and thinks, "That all comes along of my stupidity about my ship coming home! Polly'll break her heart if she doesn't get the Doll." Jim cannot aff

e bedside kissing Pollypod before he goes, she makes him put s

k like Felix

in the ridiculous hope that some swell had dropped a sovereign, and that it might be his luck to come across it. But no

f it to gratify the poor man's child. It is always sailing over the seas, freighted with precious t

on this morning. Pollypod had said to her father, "Lea

me difficulty, for the bed is all tumbled about, looks Pollypod straight in the face, with a serious demeanour worthy of the occasion. He receives the intelligence that Pollypod imparts to him with no other expressions of feeling than are contained in short barks, and blinks, and rollings back

rs in the house make as little noise as possible, and Jim Podmore, as he goes down-stairs to his work in the early morning, treads as softly as his heavy boots will allow him, so that he shall not disturb her. She derives comfort also from Alfred's happier mood. The

things look brighter. I'm going to love you more than ever. I'm going to do so

Alf," she replies, with

way! You let me alone for knowing a thing or two. We'll hav

s him softly. Alfred is proud of her--proud of her beauty, proud of her gentle

iend that any man ever had--the noblest-h

m glad of that! Who is it? He must

he asks the question, and an in

w friend after all, now I come to think of it. But he's a man every inch of him. He gave a hundred and twenty pounds to a poor widow-woman who was left penniless! The week before last he paid a p

, sharing Alfred's enthusiasm, and wonderi

lfred says this with a light laugh

a pity,

u knew what a friend he is to me! And I shouldn't wonder if

filled with joy--for your sake, my dear, that you have found

bearing had made a great impression upon her, and her thoughts dwelt much upon him. But it was only yesterday that she first sa

guess who it is,

lad! Glad to find he is as good and noble a

long ago that w

Alf dear--b

st Saturday night--just five days ago--that

itement of the conversation had brought to the cheeks, dies rapidly away. Her hands now lie idly in her la

in the world. You guessed at once--I saw it.

nd kisses her lips. She kisses him thoughtfully, a

h a good frien

u!--and all, perha

n, she places her

earted! And has done a

aracter, and nothing displeases him so much as for people to speak to him about his

Alfred's is so. A great weight seems to have been lifted from his mind, and he is more considerate of her than is usual with h

et-door makes her heart beat loud and fast, and during the last two days she has tired out her little legs by running up and down-stairs to see if the Captain is at the door. Mrs. Podmore is not so sanguine. She tries to prepare Pollypod for disappointment, but nothing can shake the child's faith. He was the nicest-spoken gentleman (said Mrs. Podmore to Lily, in confidence) that she has ever set eyes on. But Lord love you! he only told Pollypod the

u say, Polly." says Lily to he

Pollypod says in reply. "I wish it w

s afraid the child will work herself into a fever. So Lily proposes that Pollypod shall come and sit with her and her grandfather, and Mrs. Podmore consents, all the more willingly because she wants to clean up for Sunday. Pollypod is glad to go down to the first-floor, for she wi

," says old Wheels, "I'll

he's sure to come!

Old Wheels is on the point of suggesting that they shall light the lamp, when a knock comes at the street-door--a strange knock. Not a single knock for the first-floor, not two deliberate knocks for the second-floor, nor three for the third; but a rat-tat-tat, with a flourish which might be intended for some person in

e here?" he asks of No

door. "On the third-floor, but she's b

something for

tement Lily rises, and accompanies the

es

merrily for the child's sake, and

eplies the ma

heels; "the little gi

of the Fancy e

TER

PPY

e a true seaman, he kept his own counsel. If he had any evidence to guide him to a satisfactory assurance other than his sense of sight might have afforded him, he did not show the acknowledgment of it. But there being no sun, he could not take an observation; the darkness in the room was like a fog at sea. He may have had other evidence; voices that were familiar to him may have been one. As on the ocean, when night usurps the place of day, and not an h

and a gentle spirit. Otherwise, he would scarcely have been here on his present errand, where there was no freight charges to receive--nothing but the overflowing gratitude of a poor little child, who had never had a doll, and who lived contentedly upon the thought of one, for a lo

walking an impossibility. Hoarse voiced men were bawling out inducements to intending purchasers, who stood debating and reckoning up before making the bold plunge. Some of the barrows were presided over by pale-faced women, as nervous anxious-looking as many of the timid ones who bargained for their wares. Here, a foreigner, having made his purchase, hurried away with hanging head, as if what was hidden beneath his coat was something to be ashamed of, or was so precious that it needed swift lodgment in his garret before he could consider it safe. Here lingered a hungry man, looking and longing, or a cunning beggar who, by the counterfeit misery on his face, drew pence and halfpence from others needier than himself. But what was given was given ungrudgingly and with earnest sympathy. Here stood an old man and a little girl with a basket on her arm. The old man was sliding some coppers and two or three small pieces of silver in the palm of his hand, calculating what it would buy for the Sunday dinner, and the girl was looking up into his face with a pleasant ligh

ed. When Lily heard the Captain's voice--which most surely have been unfamiliar to her, it was so gruff--she relinquished Pollypod's hand, and softly went to her seat. There are some moments which are very precious to us; now and again in our lives visions of pure happ

he Captain's side, excl

e littl

m the C

that it was a pleasure to hear it.) "Felix said you would,

in my arms, litt

wh

, I think s

O

s could not have

ing of a match against a box, and guessed that it was

Lily was sitting in the darkest shadow of the room, and he was not looking that way. The old man readily assented to the proposition to talk in the dark a bit, and the shadows of the peaceful summer nig

jection, and if you will pa

e old man, "from one accredited as yo

n's fancy," sa

n of the Fancy," observed the old m

sant as night, when it is fine and balmy, as this summer's night is, and when you can look over the bulwarks into the water, and see it wake into living light as the ship sails on. Then

to his voice, and had given it a flavour. So the old man thought evidently, and thought the flavour was of

moon to-nig

of the sea, or at some time of

ear and bright--like truth, like modesty, like virtue, like

good ship Fancy? The old man rubbed his hands in satisfaction, and being drawn still closer to

about the mo

y purpose; and about the stars also. I ou

signs at sea; they are testimony. On land, we glance at them carelessly, regardless of their beau

me to speak at greater length than he deemed proper, or as if this were not the right time to re

r, I pray. Y

ve him courage to persevere and to suffer; and they taught him the lesson that, however lonely, however forsaken, however utterly wretched a man may be in the world, the future contains for him a revelation in which there is much goodness and sweetness. Which is surely true. For this beautiful world, with all its wonders, was not made in vain; and we, the highest form of intelligence it contains, have not played out the parts allotted to us when the curtain drops upon our lives

e was to ask questions, she did not interrupt it. Taking adva

you fin

lass; my friend F

e is

soon. Did you thin

told Snap so, and everybod

What makes y

your voice is different. Where

orld, and under it, and in the

! How can a shi

, and does,

cious little maid, who was in her glory, asking questions, an

eart of a little girl when I was so many miles away, and how could I know th

no sorrow; and "O, how I should like to be there! O, how I should like to see!" murmured Pollypod, as the bright pictures were presented to her young mind. Even the old man, who had tasted the bitterest of experiences, listened approval t

isn't it

The child answering, "Yes, yes!" eagerly, the old man lit the lamp. They all looked with curiosity at the Captain, who, however, had found something exceedingly interesting in the street, and as he was looking out

own selfish pleasure, that I sailed under false co

her delight may be imagined. She ran out of the room, and called her mother excitedly, and then ran back and jumped into Felix's arms, forgetting even her doll for the moment. Mrs. Podmore coming down-st

wrapping the doll, and revealing its glories. Its reputation as the most beautiful doll that ever was seen was firmly established in a moment. Pollypod gazed at it in mute ecstacy, and worshipped the giver with all her heart and soul. The great longing

he sat and listened with a soul in harmony with everything about her. It was very seldom that her grandfather had the opportunity of enjoying a quiet hour with a nature which so nearly resembled his own. Both he and Felix evidently loved to look at common things from almost an ideal point of view, and the most ordinary matters, as they conversed upon them, were oc

t without noise. It was not quite an idle whim, therefore; it has occupied my time, which otherwise would have hung heavily, and I have really grown to believe that it could be made to ser

nd themselves conversing upon deeper than mundane matters. They had

is pure and good in itself--it matters little what it is. To me it is the worst kind of arroga

don't believe?"

mprovement--that only man advances, improves, discovers, acquires, and that all other things in Nature are the same now as they were in the beginning? That the sun rises as in the olden time; that the seasons are the same; that all forms of vegetable life show no change in all these

en wake to kiss Felix. She smiled as he kissed her, and Mrs. Podmore thrilled with joy as she gazed, in thankful, full-hearted admiration, on the beaut

TER

ING OF T

things by which he was surrounded would be most suitable to a young gentleman in his position. The weapons with which he was armed to fight the battle into which he had thrown himself were trustfulness, simplicity, and faith in human nature. These weapons are good enough, in

riends; for it may be truly said that the only friends he had in London lived in the little house in Soho inhabited by the Podmores, and the Gribbles, and Lily and her grandfather. He found plenty

suspecting that Felix had broken it purposely, so that he might have an excuse for ca

uch a nature as to cause him to value money, or to be careful of it; and while he had it in his purse, he spent it freely. He did not do so from recklessness, but from a largeness of nature (although he himself would have disputed it warmly and with a quaint logic), in the light of which small matters of feeling were ridiculously magnified, and the world's goods dwindled down to insignificant proportions. Therefore, while he had he spent; and it was fortunate for him that his tastes and desires were simple and easily satisfied, for he grudged himself nothing. The present being amply provided for, he had no fears and no anxiety for to-morrow. Hi

begged of you was an imp

ied Felix. "I am selfish

this reference to one

t to give would be to deprive myself of a gratification. I say to myself sometimes, almost unconsciously (but the sentiment which prom

n was amus

comes afterwa

hat is enough. It is an investment. I give away a penny, and receive the best of interest. Pure selfishness, upon my wor

animated face of Felix; "it is better to trust than doubt

ws which can there be seen daily. With the broad-shouldered, frizzly-haired Italian with his monkeys, residents of Short's-gardens, where probably the dumb brutes are not so tenderly treated as strangers, who see them hugged to their master's breast as he walks along, might suppose them to be. With another monkey also, a poor little creature, who, being pulled this way and that by a chain attached to its master's wrist, capers on the pavement (generally at night) to the dismal moaning of an organ, upon whose grinder's face a ghastly smile for ever sits, suggesting the idea that it must have been carved upon his features in infancy. With the melancholy-looking, straight-haired young man who plays operatic selections upon the spout of a coffee-pot and through the nozzle of a bellows, and who selects the widest of the side thoroug

Strand, he saw pictures infinitely worse in the effect they would be likely to produce than those which were published in the objectionable paper. The portraits and full-length pictures of nearly naked women, taken in every attitude that the lascivious imagination could suggest, and paraded conspicuously in these windows for public admiration, were worse, in their insidious badness, than anything that Holywell Street ever produced. There was no disguise of what are called "female charms" in the pictures; they were displayed to their fullest extent to feed the sensual taste, and neither art nor any useful purpose was served by these degrading exhibitions. On the contrary; they tended to mislead, in their incongruous mixture of worth and shamelessness. For here was an actor deservedly popular; here was a courtesan, deservedly notorious; here wa

e cheap neighbourhood, and there he would look things straight in the face. It is amazing what comfort is found in metaphor, until the time for action arrives. In making this resolution Felix worked himself into such a state of excitement that he really believed he had already commenced life in earnest. At first he thought of Soho, but very slight reflection induced him to forego the temptation of living in the neighbourhood of Lily. "Whatever struggles I have," he thought, "I will keep to myself." Chance directing his steps to Vauxhall, he saw there numbers of bills in the windows announcing rooms to let. Seeing a decent-looking woman with a baby in her arms standing at the door of a house in which there was a first-floor to let, he spoke to her, and asked for particulars. The rent for sitting-room and bedroom was very mode

swiftly into the street. Martha Day! To see her in London, away from his father's house, with whose gloom her own joyless gloomy manner was so thoroughly in unison that they might have been deemed inseparable, would have been surprise enough in itself; but to see her there, in that house, so suddenly and strangely, was so great a surprise that for a moment he thought he had seen an apparition. When the first shock of the surprise was over, he looked after the woman, and saw her turn the corner of the street. Then he knew that he was not mistaken--it was Martha Day he had seen. He hurried after her, intending to speak to her; but when he turned the corner, he could not see her, and although he ran hither and thither, he could find no trace of her. Strangely perplexed, he walked slowly back to the house. Perhaps she had come there to see him--but how could she know he lived in that house, having bee

me way." He tore up the letter, and wrote another, giving his address at a post-office in the locality. As he went down-stairs in the dark to post the letter, he brushed somewhat roughly against a lodger who had just entered the house, and something which the man carried in his hand dropped to the ground. It sounded like a bottle. "I beg your pardo

ut of faded bed-hangings. She was by no means attractive, having bad teeth and a peculiar habit of squeezing the corners of her eyelids, as if she had some nice things there which she wanted to keep all to herself. She sang a song, and there was no applause. Whereupon, the Chairman struck on his bell, and said she would oblige again. She obliged again. The audience did not seem to mind her, one way or another. She obliged a third time, and the refrain to her third song catching the sympathy of her hearers, she finally retired in triumph, and then the audience wanted to see her again, and she didn't come. Felix did not like to think of Lily in association with these things, and he walked away from the place in nowise soothed by his visit. Naturally light-hearted as he was, a strange sadness was upon him to-night, and whether it was by chance, or because his gloomier mood induced him to observe them more closely and take them to heart, the darker shadows of life forced themselves upon his attention; turn which way he would, he could not escape from them. He had just passed a throng of night-birds, dressed in gay plumage, when sounds of mirth arrested his attention, and he saw before him a child-girl, perhaps fifteen years of age, with blue ribbons in her hair, with mocking flowers in her brown hat, with a white clo

f administering it? Some few healers there are, who toil not in the light, and whose earnest lives are devoted to their work. Blessings on them, and on every heart that dictates benevolent remedy, even although it can only reach a few out of the many suffering! Blessings on the head that devises it, on the hand that administers it! You who walk through life wrapped in the cruel mantle of selfishness, heedless of the wails of your helpless brothers and sisters, stand aside; you wh

of light. What mysteries were being wrought within those chambers? How beat the pulse of London's Heart? What links in the greatness of the mighty city were there being woven? Perchance within sat some poor seamstress stitching for bread sleepily through the night, wearing--O, dreadful paradox!--wearing her life away so that she might live. Not fables, not legends of the past, are such

TER

HAT IT IS TIME FOR MUZZY

n, that he hastened, with trembling fingers, to light a candle, still keeping the bottle hugged to his breast the while as tenderly as if it were human. The candle being lighted, he felt as if he had escaped some great danger, and his manner became more assured. Before laying the bottle on the mantelshelf, he looked at it wishfully, and uncorking it, was about to drink, when he closed his lips with a snap, and resisted the temptation. Taking off his hat, he produced from the interior a flower which was stuck in the lining for safety. This flower was evidently intended for a

as he noted these evidences of comfort

aised by the contemplation were not pleasant ones, and he rose and walked about in the same restless, uncertain manner. Soon he was in his own room again, and the bottle was in his hand uncorked. "I could have kept from it if she had been here," he muttered; "but how can I when I am alone--alone?" He repeated the word two or three times with desolate distinctness. "Alone--alone--always alone until she came! What should I do if she went away? And she may--she may. That young fellow who comes to see her so often--who is he, who is he? I wish he was dead, I mustn't go into the room when he's there--Lizzie hasn't told me so, but I know I mustn't. And there they sit, laughing and talking-Laughing and talking! No, not always. He made her cry once; I heard her. I'll ask Lizzie who he is. If he wants to take her away, I'd like to kill him--secretly, secretly!" The feeble old man scowled as he said this, and mechanically took a glass from the cupboard, and poured some gin in it. But a restraining influence was upon him even then, and he did not immediately raise it to his lips. "I promised her I wouldn't," he said; "I swore I'd give it up. But how can I when I have no one to talk to? So old a friend too; so old a friend! I should have gone mad without it many a time. I'll take one drop--just one little drop. But she mustn't know--she mustn't know." Looking round warily, he, swiftly and with a secret air, drained the glass, and immediately afterwards endeavoured to assume an unconsciousness that he had broken his promise and his oath. But although presently he took a second draught in the same secret manner, it was evident that he could not quite satisfy his conscience, for he pushed the empty glass from him, retaining the bottle in his hand. "What made me buy it? I didn't intend to,

Muzzy!" exclaimed Mr. Sh

," said Muzzy, his looks contradicti

t be alarmed; ther

shionable hat, and with his moustaches carefully curled. He did not remove his hat, but looked round upon the room and

and with inward trepidation; for any occurrence o

the table and took up the empt

drake in the face as he told the untruth, but failing m

ing, but it's of no consequence;" and said aloud, with another dispara

can afford, si

ke merrily; "it's my opinion you ha

if I had, I should live i

ch Muzzy had bought for Lizzie. "You amo

who lives in t

," said Mr. Sheldrake, with a swift but s

ies up my place, and cooks a bit for me now and then.

s talk, this ch

ot at ho

men are sly ones, some of them;

t when the d

rose and clo

y, let's t

s,

o-night, old man. You're getting t

ir," implored Muzz

to do, and in the case of a blow-up they'd frighten all sorts of things out of you. The fact is, we're going to break up the

e. You'll find the old man faithful to the last. I didn

interest to be so. You'd go to the dogs fast enough if I t

had said enough to strike terror to Muzzy, who

fficient pause, "a little while ago if it was poss

ember,

told me just now, that

er was a frighten

and for all--no more of your lies to me. You've been drinking

tone. "I felt lonely, and I did buy a little--not much, upon my soul, sir!--

zzi

o, in such a place as this, with not a soul to speak to? It is a terrible lonely life, sir, and grows worse and wo

undoubtedly have emptied his bottle of gin in a very short time. Mr. Sheldrake, with an air of thoughtfulne

Lizzie, how

ould say, sir; but I

re her p

as non

he live

s,

she get he

ne, sir; and sometim

opped this cross-examination. A look of aston

t?" he ask

d Muzzy; "no one else but he

en--quick! Com

zzy to the door. The persons outside w

Lizzie," sai

. Sheldrake, with strange eage

nvy, passed across Muzzy's face. "It's a

ly, and Mr. Sheldrake demanded

red Muzzy reluctantly

w him--what

ut I know his voice; I

he had made a gratifying discovery. By this time the persons outs

oor, stepped quietly into the passage, and listened to the voices in Lizzie's room. Returning with

d Muzzy, without the slightest con

PTE

ECTED PR

ke's face, and his lips twitched nervously as he passed the back of his hand across them with the air of one who is thirsty. The sudden interest which Mr. Sheldrake exhibited in Lizzie and her lover was evidently distressing to

ollowing the current of his thoughts

e, s

work living up in a

uzzy; "I have never heard her co

use in the suburbs, say in St. John's-wood or Kensington, or better still near to the river-

ment at his employer,

t respectable life, as a widower, s

Muzzy, rising i

fty neat stories can be made up to suit the case, if there is need of explanation. Of course it will not be kept secret that the man who enables you to do this is Mr. David Sheldrak

underst

an come for an hour's quiet now and again, and where my frien

o do so, sir,"

of a home, instead of living the pig's life you are living now. But only on the understanding, mind you, that Lizzie lives with you." (The same increased restlessness in Muzzy's eyes, the same nervous twitching of his lips, the same action of his hand across his parched mouth, were observable in Muzzy's manner, at this fresh reference to Lizzie.) "Tell her that a stroke of good fortune has fallen to you suddenly, and that you owe it to me to give or to withhold. Ask her to share your home as your daughter or your niece. You want nothing from her. If she wishes to continue her needlework, let her do

d Muzzy eagerly, "a fortune, if I h

. Sheldrake easily, "and you

om the cause of his unea

words, "for all this. Whatever position you place

" was the masterful rejoinder, "or

ant to a

ions, old man," interrupted

said Muzzy, with a courage

, you must.

a good g

id she

k the room next to me, and then after a little while everything seemed changed. If you were to ask me who

ou driving

n't know, sir, what it is to live alone; to feel that you are growing older and older, and to be tormented wi

you to d

an a lonely

with Lizzie, and just the reason why you should jum

ter sufficient courage to put it; but

an any harm t

d long; he seemed to be relieved from

o how can I mean any harm to her? Nay, more; I should not have the slightest objec

m there," cried

ay you were jealous. Let the youngsters alone; let them enjoy themselves. You were young yourself once,

my nam

-night. You can report progress to me a

Sheldrake was really in earnest. "I never saw him so serious as he was to-night," he muttered. "He has some new money-making scheme in his head, and he wants the old man's assistance. Yes, that is it. I thought at first that he meant harm to Lizzie; and rather than that, rather than that-" he thought out the alternative, still looking in the glass. "As father and daughter," he said. "Father and daughter!" What memories of the past did those words conjure up? If any, not pleasant ones. For he sighed and grew more thoughtful, and, letting the glass slide upon the table, covere

are yo

izzie;

TER

S A VERY SI

girl's cheeks were flushed; bright happiness danced in her eyes. She cam

slightest suspicion of coquettishness to her appearance. She held a candlestick in her hand, but the candle in it was not lighted. Although she stood still for a brief space, gazin

ut of your wi

ight. If she had spoken her thoughts, the words would have been: "The dear fellow! It does my heart good to see him linger about the house. I used to see that with Mary, and Mary used to watch through the blind." (Here, to be faithful to her musings, would have

still more brightly, as with a happy sigh she turned

key, daddy

dear, t

come ho

ten o'cloc

y one? Did anyb

e, Liz. You expect

wish I had b

with a light shake of th

ad compan

ce--a strangely jealous look, too, which seemed to imply that he

mpany?"

one who has be

her which heightened the contrast between her graceful person and his unattractive form. Not that t

ou talking,

d company al

ith a blush

you talkin

eat noise; Some One tal

u. Lizzie," he said, as if the thought had just occ

in the pass

e blew it o

id." With the pleasantest

dark," he suggested, in a s

aps--Some

sic, and her joyous happy manner, and her clear voice an

id; "Some One and me. I should like to be an a

an arch look to provoke a favourable verdict. Muzzy

e did you go

ppy at Daisy Farm, because of the name; but it wasn't so. They were all in trouble until the end of th

't thi

n who had been doing wrong--stealing money from his master--robbed his own father (as we all thought he was), so that he could put the money back. Some One got regularly excited over it; but it turned

ho

at the idea, and he looked at me so strangely, and said, 'But you wouldn't throw me off as that heartless girl did in the play, would you, Lizzie?' I said, 'No; that I wouldn't.

izzie," said Muzzy; "

presently the laugh that was like music came from her, evoked by something pleasant that she had seen or heard in

you,

ank yo

of her pretty ways he had but one answer, of course. Then she placed it in the bosom of her dress, which was slightly

saw it there; especially after what he broug

rned with a large bunch of flower

t a lucky girl? Just think! Two

a poor on

nd I shall put it in

aced it in her bosom by the side of the othe

nd of flowe

bury my face in them, like this, and shut my

the future as she wished it to be. It was filled with sweet promise, as it nearly alwa

g her face and holding

d were dark and sombre; and as glimpses of long-forgotten times flashed through them, he sighed as one might have sighed who, wandering for a generation through a strange country filled with discordant and feverish ci

ving away from the dusty streets in a pretty little

xclaimed, with her face

es, Lizzie, w

't speak for sixty seconds

silent until

s. It is built of old red brick, the windows are ve

doubtless she had seen at one time or another. Even when she opened her eye

ike to live in s

live in a rainbow?" w

say I mean

is, sometimes. Do you really

with me to-night--a good friend--ha

n't very nice for you!" she s

d, looking wistfully at her. "Don

hould like a good deal of money. If fifty pounds were to tumble down the chim

more serious and attentive. "Such a house as you saw just now you may have, perhaps

!" she e

hat I was when you

she replied, with a laughing eva

"I was a lonely miserable man. There was no light in my

ips, to stop the farther confes

ble shadows creeping over the walls. I saw them in the dark, stealing upon me. One night, when these fancies were upon me, driving me almost mad--how long ago was it, Lizzie?--I heard a little voice singing in the

he said, humouring

if you might take it away, and I said Yes. Then you tidied up the room, and made the bed, and I sat wondering at your goodness, and wondering why the shadows didn't come w

; it was yourself--it wa

s he hesitated. "It

ddy, and that's the reason wh

for the flat bottle, half filled with gin, was in

l," she exclaimed merrily

ou who keep me from them. I know now what it is to have some one to care for me; if I had known

one care for you, dadd

e, that I never knew how dreadful a lonely life was until you came and showed me the mise

een like a ship tossed amidst storms, overhung by dark clouds, battered and bruised by sunken reefs. Suddenly a rift of light appeared, and the old worn ship floated into peaceful w

you want me

rtunate enough to get this house, where there

ngly. The turning over of a new leaf, indeed, for her who had ne

it when I spoke of you. H

ave a noble nature. But I don

ow what,

re now. Ah, you smile, but you might be mistaken in me. I like to have my own way,

ar," he humbly assent

she mused; "he is fond of

ed, but I may, because I am an old

ou guess th

wanted to be certai

nswered him with her eyes. They fell into silence for a

member your f

N

r mo

never s

ther friends be

rmission, for she has been like a mother to me. Mother! ah, to have a good kind mother to love, and who loves you--what happiness! I h

"tell me something of you

wers in her breast. Graceful as the leaves of the flowers was this young girl; not more delicate was their colour than the colour in her face. The

s of things, and of course Mrs. Dimmock always took their parts, so that you may guess, daddy, I was not very happy. I heard sufficient of the conversation between my aunt and Mrs. Dimmock to make me tingle all over. It served me right, for listeners never do hear any good of themselves; but it was as well I did hear, notwithstanding, as you will see presently. My aunt was in arrears for my board and lodging, and she was compelled to hear patiently--for my sake, I felt it!--all the hard things that Mrs. Dimmock said to her. 'I shall be able to pay you by and by,' my aunt said, O, so humbly! 'I can't afford to wait till by and by, ma'am,' Mrs. Dimmock answered, 'and I can't live on promises--they're like pie-crusts, made to be broken. It is a shame that such a big girl as her should be eating charity bread.' Just think, daddy, how I felt when I heard that! 'If she can't pay for her bread-and-butter, let her work for it, if she ain't too fine and proud. If she wants to live on charity, she must go somewhere else and get it; I can't afford to give it to her.' I think, daddy, that if I had been on fire, I. couldn't have run out of the house faster than I did. I had an idea at first of running clean away, but the thought of how kind my aunt had been to me prevented me. Instead of that, I watched for her, and saw her come out of the house and look anxiously about for me. She was always very pale, but her face was whiter than I had ever seen it before. She brightened up when she saw me, and I drew her a long way from the house before I would let her talk. When she began, how I pitied her! She couldn't get along at all, and would have gone away without telling me anything, if I hadn't said that I was in the passage and heard her and Mrs. Dimmock speaking together about me. She looked so frightened when I told her, that I was frightened myself; she was dreadfully anxious to know all that I had heard, and seemed to be relieved that I hadn't heard any more. I supposed that Mrs. Dimmock had been saying worse things of me than I had already heard, and I wasn't sorry that I went out of the house when I did. 'And so you are poor, aunty,' I said to her, 'and I have made you so!' 'No, my dear, no, Lizzie, no, my darling!' she said eagerly. 'You haven't made me so; I had enough, more than enough, and to spare, and I was putting by money for you, my dearest, and saving up for you. But like a foolish woman I put it into a bank, and they have robbed me and a thousand other poor creatures. The bankers were thieves, my darling, thieves! and there's no law to touch them, and I can't get my poor little bit of money out of their pockets! I thought I should have gone mad when I went yesterday, and found the place shut up; and it was no consolation to me to find others that had been robbed hanging about the great ston

dear," re

very busy, and had a great deal to do--and they had to go out by themselves. Nearly always when they came home I had a bit of supper ready for them; and when Mary's sweetheart went away aft

ight, Lizzie, wh

im a sly h

more to tell. Mary got married, and then I came

," he said, "is the portra

e woman. She has had some great trouble, I am sure, although she never speaks of it. I ha

y--is sh

y happy. She will

osed tenderly on the locket hanging at her bosom. Mu

I am to live with you as your dau

g that Lizzie expected him to

sn't it a

ed, in a slightl

n deep silence. Perhaps it was the prospect of the new life that was before him that caused him to start when Li

d, taking the locket from his h

ank into his chair, with an oppression of vague thought upon him. Lon

TER

E L

r you if farther experience of his amiability do not compel you, with groans, to reverse this verdict. Attached to the popular interpretation of "man of the world" are profound and puzzling depths. A man fails in business, lifts up his eyes, looks mournfully around him, buys sackcloth and ashes, sighs frequently, is soul-despondent, grows a little shabby, meets his creditors, obtains his release, and, hey, presto! smilingly re-enters, the circle from which he has been temporarily banished--re-enters it calm and confident, with no sign of defeat upon him. He is received with open arms, for it is whispered that he has "means;" and if one says to another, "Is it not strange that Mr. Plausible, who was in such difficulties last month, and was supposed to be ruined, should be living now in such good style?" it is ten to one that another answers, "He is a man of the world, sir, a thorough man of the world;" and lifts his hat to Mr. Pl

as too selfish. He was one of those who never have stings of conscience, simply because he believed that he had a right to have and to enjoy whatever he desired. In his own class he was a triton among the minnows. It was not a very desirable class, nor were its manners and customs to be commended; the first grand aim of its members was not to do unto others as you would others should do unto you, but to do all others, and take care others should not do you. No form of cheating and rascality was too bad for them, if an honest penny could be turned by it; and it is a sad thing to be compelled to say that even the honour that can be found among thieves was very seldom to b

ou know of one? I do not. And you have but to find it out to shake the decorous owner from his propriety. Archimedes

manners and free purse had been an open sesame to sham affection before to-day; they would not fail him with Lily. But although he paid her pretty compliments in his softest tone, they did not produce the impression he intended. Other girls had received such gratefully, and had been merry with him; but Lily had no word of response for his honeyed speech. She received his compliments in silence and with eyes cast down. Little by little he discovered the difficulty of

lities to fit her for the distinction. She was not strong minded, nor wilful, nor hoydenish, nor very far-seeing, nor very clever. She required to be led; she was not strong enough to lead. She was capable of devotion, of much love, of personal sacrifice, and was rich in the possession of the tenderest womanly qualities--of those qualities which make the idea of woman cherished in the innermost heart of every man whose good fortune it is to have been associated at some time of his life with a loving tender nature. Many a man has been kept pure by the memory of such an a

of such a love as Lily crowned him with, and as she was in every way capable of, notwithstanding the vitiated atmosphere of the Royal White Rose Music-hall. That she was enabled to retain, untarnished, the simplicity of character which made her beautiful, was due no less to her own innate purity than to the influence of her grandfather, who from her infancy had watched and guarded her with jealous care. Lily did not pause to ask herself if it was love she felt for Felix; she was too contented with the present to analyse her feelings; happiness took possession of her when he was with her, and it was sufficient for her to sit and listen and silently worship. She deligh

g castles in the air with enthusiastic speech, the entrance of his grandfather drove him into silence, or into monosyllabic answers to the old man's inquiries. He resented the quietly-watchful manner with which the old man regarded him on those occasions, and sometimes would leave the room suddenly and fretfully. Up to this time the old man had avoided speaking to Lily upon the subject. He knew how Lily loved her brother, and that the growing estrangement would be made more painful to her by an explanation of his fears. But although Old Wheels seemed to be not satisfied wit

suit of clo

, in a half-defiant, half-careless ton

it a very little

come to you for the m

ok offence even at this. It would have better pleased the

not getting in

e paid for this suit,

tly. But to Lily he was more affectionate than ever, and spoke glowi

ld are fools," he said arrogantly; "t

he evaded her with light laughs, and, being much given to slang, declared that he w

into conversation about the growing estrangement between him and his grandfather; but he steadily refused to speak upon the subject, farthe

suspect you, Alf

n old head on young shoulders, you know. I'm fond of pleasure and of seeing a little bit of life. All young fellows are. He'll confess himself wrong about me

Alfred? I thought yo

y. I'll tell you by-and-by,

ingly, and with her arm round his neck

as if half tempted to tell her,

erhaps--I've got mine. Girls have their secrets as well as men. All except you, Lil

tween them. But as hers was sacred, so she felt his to be; she kissed him tenderly, and, looking into his eyes, with all her heart in hers, read so

randfather, A

rest in such things. He fretted, however, because the old man glanced at hi

now, Lily," said Old Wheels. "

spect--I suspect!" with an ar

ou suspect

ing--just supposing, grandfather--that a young man has a portrait in his pocket which he lo

her grandfather's face; he was sil

such a por

scious imitation of her broth

ollowed. There was no lack of conversation when these three were together. But Lily had her duties to perform, an

o the hall, and watched the strangely-suggestive throng that found their business

ide of being, how it

e faces God! what bo

ls interrupt

ound you; you will see but few base ignoble faces. Some of them might be ta

pretty features and the expression on

seems to create them and make them multiply. The light attracts them; they see only the glitter, and do not feel the flame unti

h any distinct idea of their applicability to t

uman being, banked by

ning morrow, with a p

hispering rain, feel t

like swallows round the

hirling streets 'mong

y landscapes, with fine

thed in sunset on a mo

the shadow of the gr

iad veins, in leaves, in

in clover; beating,

they can scarcely understand and can but feebly express! We live in

ain subject for more than one reason, but I was aware that the time must come when silence could no longer be maintained. Our acquain

pleasure," interrupted Fe

strained myself from speaking to you on the subject which was

y, s

another, and ask yourself whether, if you were in my place, you would not feel it due to yourself to act as I am doing. If you remember, you came into your fath

d expectations. He died suddenly, and I returned home, possessing certain ideas and certain habits not pleasing to my father. The day on which you came to the rectory was appointed by my father for our business interview, and then I learned that my uncle had not left any property, and that I was not to come into the magnificent fortune my father had

d from my lips that it was Lily's father who had brought this shame upon us. But doubtless

I know not

ooked gratef

ave practised such restraint; I might have exp

not got

ore that day, and it might contain mis-statements which, for the children's sakes, should no

Felix quickly, as he saw an expression of disappointment in the old man's face; "no

Old Wheels, in a tone of mingled prid

, s

o h

re is no record of the circum

ls, with a dim glimmering o

for me before I returned home, complied with the request, and burnt everything with the exception of this si

it w

left my father's room, I burnt this paper, as

without re

lace, sir," he said, turning the old man's words against himself, "and

Felix grasped it cordially. Thes

he elder; "you make me young again. It would hav

ght of Lily; but he restrained his speech. The time had not yet come; he was very nearly

handing a small packet of money to Felix, whose face grew scarlet as, with reluctant hand, he took the packet, for he divined truly that no other course was open to him; "soon it will all be repaid, and then a great weight will be

the old man's words, b

, I would give much i

irrevocable. Were it not for this debt of shame hanging upon us, do

know-" inter

ay; it may be my duty to tell her; and then,

lix eagerly, thinking of the pa

I think I see trouble coming. I pray tha

tly; "but if I might venture to ask one thing, and yo

t is, Felix," repli

ime you want a friend upon whom you can depend, and who

ill call upon

k you

into contact with such associations as those by which she is surrounded at the Royal White Rose. But it was what I conceived to be a sacred

as I know," a

they may come to her, as they come to most of us. They may come to her undeservedly, and through no fault of hers;

express more plainly, prompted the old man's wor

spared; our necessities demand it all. And when I think, as I do often, that this dear child, tender as she is, has been and is workin

e the portraits of Lily hung, an

will be worthy of her--to one who holds not lightly, as is unhappily too much the fashion now, the sacred duties of life." The prescience of a coming trouble weighed heavily upon the old man, and his

d man in sympathy, but dare

ou. It relieves me to confide in you; strange as it may sound to you, you are the only person I know to whom I would say what

ghter, sir-" s

d man, "and I dare not at present speak to her of them; they would

Alfred--could you n

at sudden movement he could stifle the gasp of pain

I should do an injustice which it would be difficult to repair. Tell me. Have you ever noticed

ad been asleep, and had just awoke. Now that you mention it, it strikes me more forcibly. This has always occurred when you and I have been engaged in

I am the only one that knows it, and it has given rise to fears of possible danger to her, in the event of anything occurring to me by which she would be deprived of my watchful care. She is but the child of my child, Felix, but she is so near to me, so dear, so precious, that if heart-photographs could be taken, you would see my darling i

elix waited for his next

tted unresistingly--her nature is singularly gentle--and Alfred and I left her. It was daylight when our interview was ended; Alfred and I went to the door, and opening it, saw Lily lying on the ground, asleep. Poor child! she had been much agitated by the events of the night, and was frightened of solitude, so she had come to the door of the room where we were sitting, finding companionship in being near us, and hearing perhaps the murmur of our voices. Thus she must have fallen asleep. I called to her, 'Lily!' To my surprise, she rose slowly, and stood before us; but she was not awake. She nestled to me, and came into the room, still asleep; and even when I led her into her own room, she followed me, still sleeping. We laid her upon her bed, and I sat by her for hours, watching her. When she awoke, she had no consciousness of what had passed, and I would not distress her by telling her. Three times since that night I have discovered her in the same condition. Her rooms open into mine, as well as into the passage, and it is usual for her to call out a good-night to me as she puts out her candle. I always wait for these last words from her before I retire to rest. My bed, you see, is behind this screen, where her poor mother lay sick for so long a time. On the first of the three occasions I have mentioned she kissed me, thoughtfully as I observed, and went into her room. I waited for a long time for her 'Good-night, grandfather,' but it did not come. I whispered her name at the door, and asked in a low voice if she were asleep. I spoke low on purpose, for if she were sleeping I did not wish to disturb her. She did not answer me; but I saw the light still burning in her room, and I opened the door gently, and saw her sitting by the table. She had not undressed herself. I went to her side, and took her hand. She rose, and I saw that she was asleep. Fearful of the consequences of suddenly arousing her, I thought it best to leave her; I led her to the bed, and left the room, taking the candle with me. I did not sleep, however; I waited and listened, and within an hour I heard her moving about the room. When she was quiet again, I went in, and found that she had undressed and gone to bed. The following morning I thought she would have spoken to me about it and about the candle being removed, but she made no reference to the circumstance. After that I was more carefully observant of her, and in less than a fortnight I discovered her in the same condition for the second time. Anxious to test whether her mind was in a wakeful state, I returned to my room, and called to her. She turned her head at the sound of my voice, and I called again. She came from her room slowly, and sat down when I bade her; seemed to listen to what I said to her, and smiled, as if following my words, but did not speak. More and more distressed at this new experience of Lily, and fearful lest some evil to her might arise from this strange habit, I consulted in confidence a doctor who lives near here, who is somewhat of a friend of mine, and whose knowledge and ability deserve a larger practice than he enjoys. He was much interested in my recital; he knows Lily, and has attended her on occasions. More than once he has spoken to me about her delicate mental organisation. 'The girl is all nerves,' he has said; 'an unkind word will cut her as surely as a knife; she is like a sensitive plant, and should be cared for tenderly.' And then he has said that as she grew older she might grow stronger. But, you see, it has not been so. I asked him whether he could account for the condition in which I found her, and at his request I related to him every particular and every detail which might be supposed to be associated with it. He said he could come to but one conclusion--that these

e and Lily's; and if ever I can be of service to you or to her, depend upon my

aid the old man, a

you said to Lily at the doctor's request, and which

indly and encouragingly, an

which you suppose she took

, Fe

he answer

by words. You must b

he bade the old man good-night, thought

life of this dear girl! She has a secret. Ah, if that secret concerns me, and I can win her heart

TER

CEMENT OF

ser to each other. Beset as he was with doubts and fears, Old Wheels found a fresh cause for disturbance in this circumstance; and he was not successful in hiding his disturbance from Alfred, who showed his consciousness of it in a certain defiant fashion, which gave his grandfather inexpressible pain. But the old man

ly is not looking s

t before last. 'I don't think Lily is strong,' said Mrs. J. G. to me; 'she looks pale.' A

Such a place is not fit for a young girl--so tender as my Lily is, too. I will take

ld set all night and listen to the comic songs." And Gribble junior, to whom a music-hall was really a joy and a delight, hummed the chorus o

sked Old Whee

either, mind you! I was going to say something--what was it?" Here Gribble junior scratched his head. "O, I know. Well, when I said to Mrs. J. G., 'It's that music-hall,' she said, with a curl of the nose, though I didn't see it, for we were abed, 'You men's got no eyes,' which was news to me, and sounded queer too, for

of the cause of Lily's paleness, and wondered if she were right. "There is but one man whom I know," he thought, "Who is worthy of my pearl. I should be happy if this we

nd his grandchildren were sitt

to-day, and I'm going to t

flush of delight. Old Wheels also looked at

continued Alfred; "it is a fine da

kissed his hand; the pleasure was all

s manner towards his grandson than he had expressed for many a day; "Lily seldom gets an opportun

grandfather?" a

h anticipation. Old Whe

eplied, "but you have be

you love me just a little bit too much." And she took his face between her hands, and kissed him, once, twice,

said; "you are worthy of all

with, "That she

holding a hand of each, and out of her affectionate nature and her gladness at their more cordial

mself unnecessarily, and, out of his hopes, he smiled and nodded affectionately at Alfred. Alfred smiled in return,

we start, Alfr

best to go early. Then we can have a ramble and a

, and grandfather

gestion, and Old Wheels saw the cloud. Invo

n away now, and get dressed." Lily being gone, the old man continued, "I spared you the

spoken with exceeding i

il Lily's enjoyment? and it would spoil her enjoyment

ly; "I thought I had had enough lecturing. I

ust do everything in our power to avoid giving her pain. I am

I could!" And Alfred ratt

eels s

are still the same, Alfred

t believe I should be better off

twithstanding," observed the

fretful tone. "A young fellow can't have a shilling in his pock

Lily, who came in, dressed in her best, and looking as pretty and modest as any gir

t keep back an uneasy feeling because she was away from him. He accounted for it by saying that old age was selfish; but that reflection brought no

g," said Felix, as they shook hands; "you kn

, Fe

bricklayer, because I am Jack-of-no-trade, and don't know anything. I am neither this n

in the papers

at the third-floor window--saw the flames surrounding them and creeping to them like fiery serpents--saw that fireman, God bless him! scale the ladder and rescue

d Old Wheels, sharin

ch they inserted. What you read this morning was mine, and I feel q

ne!" exclaimed Old Wh

I came to ask you if you would come with me into the country for a few hours, somewhere close enough to this ci

p as you so kindly propose. She wanted me to come, but I have business at home and could not, so I cannot accompany you. If you are not fix

s in the world," said Felix eager

es

earnestly a

, a thousand ti

d sat down contentedly to his work--a cart which he was maki

o into Bushy Park. "I ought to have gone there at first," he thought. He strolled into the beautiful grounds, and down the grand avenue with its lines of noble chestnut-trees. In the distance he saw a lady on a seat, and a gentleman standing by her. His sight, quickened by l

TER

NINGS AND UN

on Court is open to all the world and his wife, and the chestnut-trees in Bushy Park have a wide renown. They are beautiful through all the year, in and out of blossom; their leaves have shaded many thousands of lovers, and will shade many thousands

e had, it is difficult to determine how he would have acted. Men are to be found who are at once so selfish and so weak that they bring a moral blindness upon themselves. In the pursuit of their own selfish ends the

ateful spirit in a hundred little affectionate ways. Every little incident afforded her pleasure, and strangers looked admiringly at her bright face. When she and Alfred arrived at Hampton Court, she was in the gayest of spirits. She chatted merrily on all sorts of subjects, and drank in the goodness and the beauty of nature with a spirit of exceedin

"and I have you to thank for it, de

of kindness. As she pressed his arm to her breast, and held it there, Alfred thrilled wi

know wha

t, d

you are m

ghed as he sa

you love me,

fe be without

s dross. Out from the branches flew a bird, and after it another. Lily's eyes followed them. Up, up into the clouds, which seemed fit dwelling-place for the graceful things, until they were lost to sight. But Lily did not miss them; for in the clouds she saw her hopes reflected. She was in harmony with the peacefulness and beauty of

res. They walked with soft footfalls, and spoke with bated breath, and wore a solemn expression on their countenances, which seemed to say, "we are walking among the dead!" One might not inaptly have imagined, indeed, that at night, when no profane footstep disturbed the silence, the palace was a palace of ghosts and shades that rose from the floor, and started from frame and wainscot, to play their parts in the shadowy world to wh

s are not your ways, whose belief is not your belief. There is not room for all; some have no business here. To be human is not to be humane." Lily's heart grew faint as she gazed at this stern face, and it was only by a strong effort that she wrested her attention from it. She was glad when she was out in the sunshine and among the flowers again, and her lightheartedness soon returned. Alfred's mood was more subdued. Lily did not notice when they started from home that his gaiety wa

d proved disastrous to him. The acceptance for seventy-five pounds which he had given to Con Staveley would soon be due, and he had not the means to meet it. He had borr

her to think well of me--not without deserving it, Alf; I think I deserve it--that I'm disposed to stick to you. You'll have a slice of luck one day, my boy. That tip of yours for the Cup was a bad one; but better luck next time, that's my motto. How much did you lose? O, that wasn't a great deal" (making light of what was a serious sum to Alfred); "you'll soon pull that up. Of course you'll be able to meet that little bill of Staveley's? If I didn't think it was all right,

and supposing that Mr. Sheldrake failed him, he did not know where to turn for assistance to float him through his money scrapes. Of one thing he was certain--it depended upon Lily whether Mr. Sheldrake continued to be his friend. He extracted comfort from this thought; for as the word of promise is often kept to the ear to break it to the hope, so he cajoled himself into believing that Lily entertained a warm feeling for Mr. Sheldrake; he believed it because it was vi

ou are enjoying

othing better t

njoy it all the more because you have brought me and because you are with me.

th a groan. "Isn't it a shame, Lily, that

l the prettier from her lips, because she was the last person in the world who

are hundreds of people who have m

ing tone, "one can do with a v

a girl; if you were a man

a readier mental acquiesce

o idea of. He has to move in the world, and do as others do, if he doesn't want to look mean and shabby; it's hard lines on a fellow when i

nto his face suddenly, "you sp

if you could help

), who was strolling in the gardens, saw the action, and thought, "How fond that girl is of that young fellow!" naturally setting them down as sweethearts; and in his superior wis

ied curtly; "tha

you, dear? I

ter use he could make of Lily's earnings than his grandfather, and how many fi

ised tone at his bitterness

acious manner; "whatever grandfather is mixed up wi

e out of the day. "I can't tell you how grieved I have been to see the way you behave to each other. You do

don't know myself? Directly you went out of the room this morning, he began to

. If it were placed distinctly before her that she would be compelled to choose between them, she would have chosen Alfred. This contingency did not present itself to her now, but she was suf

t, Alfred--yours

ously, in return. "Now I ask you

generous and loving readin

lf, almost instinctively

y I didn't show him the chain the other day. I don't want to say anything against him, but young men are not the same as they used to b

ily, looking at h

nd had anybody that you loved--there! now it's o

ave you some one like that?

rest, prettiest, best girl in the worl

nothing,

nd make her a present now and then, perhaps; and because of that, grandfather's always at me, preaching--pr

n the gardens, and people's eyes were upon them; so she was compelled to restrain the impulse, and to content herself with caressing his hand and saying, "I am so gl

and soul, Lily."

t what a question! As

day was again! Earth, sky, air, grew lovelier in the light of her happines

as well as I l

e of it; she couldn't do o

ed Alfred, with

I love her already, my dear. Of course,"

puss?" he asked, wit

nd said, with an affect

ind it--there!" and she touc

taking Lizzie's portrait from his pocket. "What d

ng a heavy retribution upon them one of these days. But in this instance they found a zealous

ted Alfred.) "I can tell that. And she has brown eyes, like mine. And you

, I am so unhappy with it all! I am the most

by these alternations of feeling. "Mis

t condition of happiness. Earth contained no brighter lot; and if in the Heaven and future life we believe in and look forward to-

lfred, a little sulkily, "and I told you: mone

ly; "I forgot it in my delight at the news you have to

not know what it is, and how it weighs me down. How can I show my face

ght me here for a holiday to-day, and I have been thoughtless enough to come,

ed him in a generous light which he so little de

sn't much I give you, Lil--not as much as I should like to. Until I saw Lizzie, I had no one to love but you, and now, when everything might be so splendid with me, here am I stumped becaus

tip" or the Cesarewitch was, but she was too anxiously

money you wa

t much,

ask gra

ted her with su

ather must not know anyth

answered readily;

dfather to be doubtful of him. Then how could he tell her to what purpose her earnings were devoted? If she knew that, not only would she become acquainted with the shameful story of their father's crime, but s

h it, and took an impression of it, and from the impression had a false key made. Then, on the very night his grandfather had mentioned, he watched the old man out of the house, and took the iron box from the unlocked cupboard. He opened the box, and was taking the money from it when he heard a sound from the bed behind him. Turning, he saw his mother with her eyes open, as he thought, watching him. For a few moments he could not stir, he was so dismayed; but a sigh from his mother which was half a groan completely aroused him, and going to the bed he found his mother asleep. Relieved, he completed the theft. This scene was always before his eyes when he was in trouble; when his money affairs were easy, and h

TER

WARNING OF DON'T T

e intention of "getting the best" of his neighbour, if he can possibly manage it; and Alfred was not one of the exceptions that proved the rule. His moral consciousness was as spotted as the morality of those he elbowed. There were men who backed the favourites, who backed the jockeys' mounts, who backed the stable (whichever one it might be), who backed their fancy, who backed the owners, who backed the issue of famous sires, who backed the prophets' selections, and who laid out their money in accordance with a system. Many of them had private information of such-and-such horses, and knew for a certainty that they must win--some from superior excellence of their own, some because their opponents were not going to try. Men of straw most of them; miserable crawlers through the crooked ways of life, striving to reach the heaven of their hopes by means of any species of roguery; who will look their friends in the face, and lie deliberately; who take the name of God in vain a dozen times an hour; whose hands and tongues are ready at any moment to fi

the "knowing ones" there is no necessity here to inquire; it can scarcely be by the exercise of the cardinal virtues, which pagans declared to be justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude, although the second-named, prudence, bears a wide and various meaning, and they might lay claim to it in the interests of self. However it was, there stood Don't Touch Me on the black board, and there before his eyes cantered Don't Touch Me on the turf, with a celebrated jockey on its back. "I'll back it for every shilling in my pocket," thought Alfred, "and make a good haul." But he would make sure that he was right. How? By one of those foolish superstitions which gamblers believe in. He wrote the names of the eleven runners on eleven pieces of paper, folded them separately, and shook them together in his pocket. "Now," he said, "if I draw Don't Touch Me, that will settle it." He put in his hand, and drew one of the folded pieces of paper. Opening it he read Don't Touch Me, and that settled it. "It's the favourite," he said, almost aloud, in his excitement, as he consulted the lists, and saw that Don't Touch Me was quoted at three to one; "it's the favourite, and it's sure to win!" Down went his money. Not all with one man. One man might not be able to pay him so large a sum when the race was over. So he invested twenty pounds with one, ten with another, five with another, until he had put all he had upon Don't Touch Me. He stood altogether to win about a hundred and seventy pounds. He selected "safe men" to bet with. In some lists, kept by men who looked remarkably like costermongers with a polish on, the odds against Don't Touch Me were quoted at four, five, and even six to one; but Alfred knew that these worthies were welchers, and not all their seductive offers, not all their flattering "Now then, captain, what d'ye want to back?--any odds on outsiders!--give it a name, captain--what'll you put a fiver on?" could tempt him. He knew the ropes better than that; he knew that these capitalists, whose stock-in-trade consisted of a bit of chalk, a stool, a printed placard, and a lead pencil, were swindlers, who were allowed to rob with the policeman looking on. Truly, if Justice is blind, the law that is supposed to lead to it has a cast in its eye. Having made his great venture, Alfred went to look at the horse that carried it. It was a noble-looking animal, in splendid condition, fit to run for a man's life. Just behind it, making its way leisurely to the starting-post, was a horse named the Cunning One. Alfred laughed as he noted the difference between the two horses. He was in the enclosure where the swells were, having, after his winnings on Never Despair, paid for that privilege; and as he laughed now, he heard, "I'll take a thousand to thirty." "I'll give it to you," was the answer of a bookmaker; "a thousand to thirty against the Cunning One!" Turning, Alfred saw the man who had taken the bet, a tall, thin, languid swell, who drawled his words out as if speaking were a labour. A thick moustache covered his lips, or something might have been seen in the expression on them that would have given the lie to his apparently unconcerned and drawling manner. "There's thirty pounds clean thrown away," thought Alfred, with a look of contempt at the languid swell; "a nice fly chap he is to back such a horse as the Cunning One. It's only fit for a scavenger's cart." Away went the horses to the starting-post; there was a difficulty in getting a fair start, each jockey trying to "jockey" the others. Full twenty minutes elapsed, the while a very Babel of sound, created by the hoarse strong voices of the betting men, kept the fever of excitement to boiling-point. Again and again the cry "They're off!" was raised, and again and again came the mild addendum, "No; another false start." During this time Alfred heard nothing, saw nothing but the horses; he had staked his all upon Don't Touch Me, and it was upon that horse of all of them that he fixed his attention. The jockey's colours were pink; those of the jockey of the Cunning One were saffron. Alfred noticed that both these horses were kept comparatively cool and quiet by their riders while the false starts were being made. This was all in Alfred's favour, and he remarked it with satisfaction, and said, "It's all right, it's all right! Don't Touch Me is sure of the race." But his face was pale with suffering, notwithstanding. How he wished it was all over! "I won't put another shilling on," he said. "When the race is over, I'll go straight home." At length the horses were coming together, and a straight line of variegated colour was seen. "It will be a start this time," said some one, and the next moment the flag dropped again, and, "They're off! They're off!" burst from a thousand throats. Before the horses had gone a hundred yards Alfred saw the pink jacket of Don't Touch Me and the saffron jacket of the Cunning One in the rear. "All the better," he thought; for it was a two-mile race, and it was good policy to save the wind of the horses that were intended to win until the final struggle. On they came, rushing like the wind past the grand stand, and although no great distance separated them, saffron and pink were the absolute last. The race was being run at a great pace. Alfred was ablaze with excitement. The horses were lost for a few moments behind a great clump of bush on the other side of the course, and when they reappeared the aspect of affairs was changed. The horse that had made the running had dropped behind, and one or two others also were at the tails of Don't Touch Me and the Cunning One. A mile and a quarter of the race was run, and these two horses were held in with wrists of steel, while the riders sat as if they grew out of their saddles. Now they are coming into the straight run home. "A monkey to a pony on pink and saffron!" shouts a bookmaker; "a monkey to a pony, first past the post!" He is right in his judgment. The final struggle is not yet come, but slight efforts on the part of the jockeys enable Don't Touch Me and the Cunning

TER

PRI

ked her, in reply, whether she did not have confidence in him, whether she mistrusted him, whether she thought he had not good reason for what he said? To all these questions she answered, O, yes,

in but you; but I could not keep anything secret for long from the dearest s

this day? She would be worthy of his confidence; he need be sure

for me, and she actually did, and took a puff. She didn't like it, though; but she'll do anything for me. There's one thing I've been thinking of, Lil. When you

nswered Lily, "and Mrs. P

little Polly's only a child. What I mean is, a girl of your own age--one

had a girl friend;

alking about ME! Mind you always search under the table when you're talking secrets, Lil,

tracted from it all kinds of gay

f, that you could make a thousan

d so I could, and more per

ated, curious to know the m

--a race worth thousands of pounds--and

clever of y

taking full cre

unds by that, Alf? A thousand pound

make it? Why, I'll tell you. Here I am with 'the tip.' The tip," he continued, noticing her puz

Lily's si

dent air; he was in his glory, airing himself on ra

eforehand what horse i

Some horses that run haven't a cha

t right

perhaps he backs another; then of course he doesn't want

hook h

doesn't seem right to me; b

am I with the tip; I know the horse that's going to win. Well, what do I do, naturally? I bet on that horse. I put as much money on that horse as ever I can scrape together, and when the race is over, there I am with my pockets full. I can get fifty to one on my tip. Think of that, Lil. Fifty to one aga

bling? and isn't gambling wrong?

rent. A young fellow didn't have the chance he's got now of making a fortune in a day, if he's wide awake. That's why I don't want gran

on me, dear Alf. I

se last words in

. You know what grandfather thinks of the newspapers. You know that he's always speaking in praise of them, and saying what capit

, de

educator, because they taught him things and showed him truthfully what was going on round about him, and that they

, I heard

ry move on the board; and they tell you what horses to back, and what horses are going to win. They are educators and improvers, I can tell you, Lil! And they tell a fellow lots of things worth knowing--though I don't follow them always; not I! I

ophets were his Bible, he would have been as near to the truth as he ever was in his life. T

ns about each race in some of the newspapers, and people get to know which horses have the best chances, and which horses are sure to run straight. Though, to be sure, you nev

be any wrong in it after

t grandfather

what grandfather

ummed up, "that

ost invariable way of

getting out of all my money troubles, and of making

Lily, "I am ve

ier, Lil. But you can't be quite

"I forgot. Forgive me for my selfish

good deal up

pon me

nd of course I'm anxious! for to tell you the truth, I owe some

Alfr

'em, are like two musty old Brazil nuts. Old Flint looks as if he hasn't got a drop of blood in his body; I don't believe, if you pricked him, that you'd get a drop out of him. Well, he came to that, I suppose, because he was steady and worked hard, and never saw a bit of life, and never enjoyed himself; never wasted a minute, I daresay; a precious steady young card he must have been when he was my age, poking his nose over his law books, which give me a splitting headache only to look at 'em. You should see what he's grown into, Lil,

ription and with the vivacity with which Al

ith his brilliant effort, and concl

all yet," said Lily q

ing his nails nervously; "you know that, with the exceptio

ldrake,

en for him. If he was to throw me over I should have to run fr

o speak in that dreadful manner. "You make me so unhapp

mpathise with me but you. I can't tell Lizzie all these things. It would make me look small, and no man

rnations of feeling, Lily said w

see the meaning of your words, you may be sure that you will get comfortably through all your difficulties. We have been e

thing will come right--you'll see! Why Lily--look yonder! Is not that Mr. Sheldrake coming along? Yes, it is, by Jove! A

re of a broad patch of sunlight, strolled leisurely towards them; apparently he was in an idle mood, for he stopped every two minutes, and gazed about him with a bright look and with the air of one who was gratefully enjoying the beauty of the scene. It was singular that he never once looked before him, and he must therefore have been unconscious of the presence of Lily and Alfred. His grateful mood took a benevolent turn presently, for observing an old woman humbly dressed walking in the shadow of the trees, he called to her, and gave her a small piece of silver. Truly we are a nation

hen asked of Alfred gaily, "What brings you into the woods? You ought to be reckoning up six-and-eightpence! This is not a fit place for lawyers, is it, Miss Lily? They're no

ied, "No, indeed!" and looked at her brother affectionately. Alfred, however, was not quite at his e

surprise of coming upon: you both so unexpectedly--in such a totally unexpected manner. I am an idle dog, Miss Lily, and I often take it in my head to run int

agreeing with him, a

; "agreeing that Alfred is not cut out for a lawyer; agreeing that the country is so much b

manner in which he regarded the birds was unmistakable evidence that he possessed a kindly nature. Then the stories which Alfred had told her of Mr. Sheldrake's benevolence recurred to her, and she was disposed to be angry with herself for being uncharitably disposed towards him.

erything we wish for

ke gallantly, "your wishes are so sim

n that is!" she remarked, t

those who had too little; things were unequal, that's what they were. Why should people be condemned to wish, when their wishes were reasonable and good, as Lily's wishes were? If there was one thing that would delight him more than another, it would be to be allowed

ke, after a few minutes' conversation of

out daring to look at it. What could it contain? Was it from Con Staveley, reminding him of the acceptance so nearly due, and which he had not the means of paying? Or was it

sked Mr. Sheldrake, with a

s, but with surprise and pleasure. Opening the note hastily, he read, "Dear Alfred,--I am waiting for you. Mr. Sheldrake will tell you where I am.--Your own Lizzie

ed seems pleased at something, doesn't he

was more remorseful than ever for the injustice she

" asked Alfred, drawi

s the reply. "I hav

know who

saw her

e is

within a few hundred ya

d Alfred. "How d

ied Mr. Sheldrake wit

ou

four of us now--two and two--just as it should be. You are a sly one, Alf. Well, never mind; you've got one of the prettiest little girls I ever set eyes on. I made the arrangement with her yesterday, and made her promise n

t of friends!" and became almost outrageous

e, "about that little acceptance o

esently. I've got the tip for the Cesarewitch, and I shall make a pot of money. Can you manage it for me

or you, for Lily's sake. Don

or him outside an inn opposite the entrance to Bushey Park. "Run off to her," he said; "Lily and I will wait for you here. Yo

ace Alfred has

uch a surprise for you. I don't believe any man ever had a more out-and-out friend than Mr. Sh

ppiness to her brother. But, being left alone with him for the first time during their acquaintance, she did not feel quite at her ease, and it was while she was listening--wi

he is your brother. I should like to see the man who would want a stronger argument than that. I dare say you know that he is a litt

" sai

you he will have to thank. Or stay," he added gaily, "suppose we say that he has to thank the pair

h," said Li

together for Alfred's good. I'm sure he deserves it, for he's a good fellow, and such a

nd, and Mr. Sheldrak

ily, where do you think

very excited, all of a

has a sweetheart, the happy fell

d me only th

. She is waiting outside the park

r answer a brig

drake. But he had seen that, when they shook hands, Lily had held out hers first; and he saw, as he turne

ce. Among their audience was Lizzie, who took great delight in street exhibitions. She was dressed in her best clothes, and looked, as Mr. Sheldrake had said, as fresh as a peach. Her whole attention was not given to the performers, for she looked about her every now and then, expectant of some one. But she

TER

MFORTS M

Staveley would be made all right. "It is only for a little while," he said to himself, as he came to the gates of Bushey Park; "when the Cesarewitch is run, I shall be all right. I daresay Sheldrake will put something on for me." Attracted by the crowd assembled round the street acrobats, he paused, and saw Lizzie. He saw also

e whispered

Alfr

unrestrained joy in her face, that Martha Day bit

cted to see yo

ked Lizzie archly. "If you

y, she took his arm, and c

to go back," he said, wit

't this a delig

e immediately conscious of the proprieties, gave his hand a little squeeze, and with

ke my new

I didn't noti

ment, in a tone

anything but you

tone of gratification, wit

y pretty,

or my bon

ug you, Lizzie," wa

ripples in her voice. "So many peo

asked, giving h

ers--because I

having untied himself, Lizzie beckoned to him and gave him the money,

ught them l

glad

not yet settled. She dire

night, Alf. I want to

hat that I should have

Do you like it? Feel wh

eezed

is in it be

?" she asked

ou

toss of her head. "But it's t

prettiest dre

and then she inquired anxious

he said he thought it m

you knew anything about it! If I had ugly feet, of course I sho

ve got the pretties

logic) as a decision in her favour respe

thing for myself without considering whether you w

cal eye that her pani

stful gaze. To them it was the pleas

ether, Alf," said Lizzi

l hug you. I won't be able not to." (Mo

quiet, Alf, I s

gularly knocked over. I had to read it twice before I could make sure. How long have you kno

they resembled the character of the American people, which

ightful fairy st

Lizzie. Do

like a delightful fairy story, and if you don'

ything, if you'll only

pon a time-" Here she paused, in the most tan

ed the last time I

ot having the most remote idea as to whe

t week, you l

e right. Well, everything's altered since then. I don't li

not knowing what t

go to her? I hop

and is longing to see you. But we've no occasion to hurry.

d tender, "you're a dear patient boy, and now I'll b

they did not notice Felix, who brushed quite close by them. He saw them, however, and saw at the same moment what

w strange to meet you h

ment. Taking, almost mechanically, the hand he held out to her, she clasped it firmly, and made a movement in the direction of the

in me?" asked Mart

n that direction for a minute or two. You appear to me not to quite know

them?" pointing aft

es

saw t

es

they lo

arts, I shoul

pain escaped fr

now them,

now

ch o

must not lose

he lovers, and again Felix held her back. She had clasped his hand so f

said, "you must go alone.

!" cried Martha passiona

. Martha had exhibited much affection for him, and he was disposed to assist her to the utmost extent of his power. There had always been something odd and strange in her behaviour to him; but he had ascribed this to her eccentric manner. He had, however, never seen any signs in her of the stormy currents of feeling which she now exhibited, and which were brought into play by the girl whom he had just passed, and he had seen for the first time. What connection could exist between that bri

could see the movements of the party in the distance; she ha

ough clouds were gathering about him, he had already committed himself to one determination--not to allow himself to be blinded by unworthy doubts. He had extracted a promise from Lily's grandfather, had pledged himself, as it were, and the old man had put a trust in him. It was not in his nature to betray a trust, nor to give way to mean suspicions. Suspicions! Of Lily, and her truth and innocence! No, indeed. "I have watched her from infancy," the old man had said, "and I know her purity. I pray that she may be spared from life's hard trials: b

y piecing together many things in connection with Lily, deduced chiefly from what had been said by her grandfather regarding her. "To her, as to others," the old man had said, "life's troubles may come. To her may come one day the sweet and bitter experience of love. When it does, I pray to God that she may give her heart to one who will be worthy of her--to one who holds not lightly, as is unhappily too much the fashion now, the sacred duties of life." In the very interview in which these words were spoken, the old man had said to Felix, "You would give me faith if I needed it. It would have been my greatest pride to have had such a son." Swiftly upon this came the old man's advice to Felix to follow Lily and Alfred to Hampton Court. These things and the unexpressed meanings they conveyed--(her

isfaction from the companionship of the girls; "b

! I would trust y

hing else as dear to you.

at Felix, and with the slight

hat you had no relations. I

ring her composure.) "But that do

nner that you love her

ad any), all other demands upon my love, had passed out of my life. Rather than see her come to harm"- (she stretched out her hands, which now were slightly trembling, and strove hard to preserve her quiet calm demeanour; but she could not quite succeed, as the tremor in her voice testified.) "Rather than see her c

ed calm of her voice presented a stra

ow you are h

N

u come upon

befriended me. Yesterday I went to where

did she

out of the street-door as he was about to open it. He had not been very curious about the other lodgers in the house, being wishful that they should not be curious about him; but on two or three occasions he had seen a girl go up the

zie lived, and were to

said in it that in a day or two she would tell me more. But I coul

estnut tree, the branches of which bent over them protectingly; their attitude bespoke the exercise of much affectionate feeling. Lizzie was speaking with animation, and Lily was listening, with a smile on he

and," observed Felix

ad a good

s well for

emembrance of

es it all to

" replied Martha q

ix

u shall know the rest when you come to London, which I hope will be soon, but not until I write you another letter to tell you where to come to. I am going to move, aunty dear, into a nice house, where I'm going to be very happy and comfortable; and although I said at first that I must tell you about it before I did it, I have been persuaded to wait until it was done, so that I might give you a real pleasant surprise. Now, this is to tell you just so much, and no more,--and to tell you, too, that you mustn't

once before without my knowing, and she promised me then, seeing the unhappiness it caused me, always to consult me in any matter of importance. She has not done so; I have s

sincere compassion for her distress of

r. What do these words mean? I tortured myself with putting meanings to them. It was impossible for me to get to London yesterday, and I had to wait until this morning. O, what a weary night I passed, Felix--what a weary, weary night! I lay in the dark, and the tick of the old clock in the passage almost maddened me, it

a moment afte

ng as I was sure that Lizzie was well and happy. There was my comfort; there i

o herself by a gentl

I cannot help it. I have

" he said, "bef

e cont

d to be very happy, and talked and laughed with light hearts; while I with my heavy load hung behind, so that they should not see me. They stopped at a railway-station, and the gentleman left Lizzie standing on the platform, and came along to the ticket-window to get tickets. My veil was down, and as I did not know him, it was not likely that he would know me, even if he saw my face; so I mustered sufficient courage to approach close to him, and heard him ask for tickets for Hampton Court. I took a ticket also for this place, and came in the same train, but not in the same carriage. I was alone in the carriage, and I had plenty of time to think what it was best for me to do. I was a long time before I made up my mind; and then I decided that it would be best for me not to discover myself to Lizzie unless I was compelled. My girl was keeping some part of her life from me, I thought, and I should know better how to act if I found out what it was. I had never seen this gentleman before, had never heard of him from Lizzie. He looked like a gentleman, but still like that kind of gentleman that it would not be wise for a girl in Lizzie's position to know too well. I thought of the temptations which surrounded a young girl like Lizzie--she is very, very pretty, dear girl!--in a great city like London. Imagine my agony. After all, girls are girls; they like pleasure and excitement; and Lizzie was living by herself. But I dared not think long upon this; it weighed upon me

s father's house in Stapleton, Martha admitted her and her grandfather and brother t

man who came to Liz

, Fe

see his f

re not for my love, I should not

"do you ever remember s

ion it, there seemed to be something familiar in his face as I looked at him. But no,

Martha. And now" (dismissing the su

s to me again, which she is sure to do soon; then I can speak to her. At another time I think of going u

e would be gl

Martha, in a grateful to

the gentleman who brought her from London be likely to remember that he saw you at t

n everything you say; you can see things in a clearer light than I can. I am

e you rightly, you would suf

. I would suffer much to sav

look in approval, a

g, Martha--sure that Lizz

ye

you can see that she is happy. It would be a pity to spoil her enjoyment. You agree with me--I see

it will make me very unhappy to be sent away. For one reason, Felix. You must not think that

two do you ref

brought Lizzi

her d

then--you ha

ink a litt

ook she gave to Mr. Sheldrake, and of which he had been an involuntary witness--not even the confidential relations which seemed to subsist between them--could make him believe that. "Although love comes--how?" thought Felix. "Who can analyse the subtle influences which compose it? who can set down rules for it?" But the strongest argument he found to strengthen his belief that Lily did not love Mr. Sheldrake was that her grandfather knew nothing of it. And, on the other hand, from what had passed between himself and Old Wheels, the hope had been born within him that the old man suspected and approved of his feelings for Lily. "He would not encourage me by the shadow of a word," thought Felix, "if he thought that Lily loved another. She may not love me, although I have sometimes thought that I might win her love; but I may have been misl

lations; neither did he suspect Alfred of deliberate treachery against his sister. All that was ill in the matter he set down to the credit of Mr. Sheldrake. And this was the more strange because he would admit of n

ger. He drew a deep breath, and looked steadily at the persons of whom he had been

," he said, "that you coul

it," sh

ind upon one point. I am acquainted with the young man who looks like Lizzie's sweetheart--it is strange how things are linked together, is it not? The young lady you see with them is his sister--as pure and good a girl as breathes in this

tremulous tenderness had stolen into

we say has meaning in it. What I say to you now, I know; for I have come in contact with that pure soul and simp

my mind is inexpr

e moving off. I intend to s

idence in him; and he, waiting until the party were ahead of h

when he returned; "they are at the inn no

d she took his hand, and l

, of what you said just now

e, I suppose, in c

, Fe

it be sacred between us, and do not let any refe

all the time when h

in the porch of your father'

een you since

laimed, in surprise.

rise, Martha; the day seems full of surprises

nd the number of the hous

zie lived! I was at th

myself very quiet, Martha, and have not been desirous of making acquaintances. So now you know where to come and s

ere is n

nce to his former home, a

ill write to you to-morrow. When you hear from Lizzie

ded, then, wha

ings will shape themselves for me.

theatre since I was

ecessary for his plans to put on a fox's skin. It may be that

ER XX

IN HER

bush and garden, and that Westminster and Islington were made pleasant by green woods and fields. Then, houses were few and far between; now, they are so thickly clustered that (animated, perhaps,

l round it, just such a house (or at least she says it is) as Lizzie saw among the flowers when Muzzy proposed that they should live together. Lizzie is bustling about the house now, singing as she runs up and down-stairs, and old Muzzy--henceforth to be dignified by the name of Musgrave--looks up from the table, upon which are a number of letters and circulars

tly with the handle in his hand. "Good-night," he heard Lizzie cry; "and don't forget--on Thursday!" A low voice replied in words that Mr. Musgrave did not hear, and then there was pleasant laughter, and "Good-night!" "Good-night!" a dozen times repeated. After that Mr. Musgrave,

morrow, daddy," she said, and kis

he previous day. The window in this room looks out on the garden at the rear of the house. At the end of the ga

for dinner and that it will soon be ready, and asks hi

"do you think it

it, Lizzie?" he

ok in her face. "It seems strange when you come to think o

in what w

ing you once said to me. You said you

ve told you

true, isn't

it is

d that nobody in the world do

o

ldrake hasn't known you very long. What m

y master

ill last! You see, daddy, I am inquisitive, as all girls

sitive girl indeed. What makes her so inquisitiv

don't know!"

t, Lizzie? You

a little distance from here yesterday,

ts Lizzie's sharp eyes at work studying his face,

hat question Mr. Sheldrake had returned a scornful reply. But Lizzie's statement revives his suspicion. Her honour is as dear to him as a daughter's would have been. But how to warn her? Her high spirit would not p

Sheldrake did not make love to me. I am not

meeting with him, Lizz

it wasn't quite right; but then I thought of the noble character you gave him, and I was curious to see him. And you mustn't think, daddy, that I can't take care of myself. So I told you what was the truth when I said I was going to Hampton Court to meet Some One, but I didn't tell you how it

t this doesn't bring us any ne

refer her to me. You will fall in love with her directly you see her. Lily and I are going to be great friends; she is coming to spend the day here on

did you say

y not, daddy, for brother a

the question immediately. He pauses

can't describe her face, there is such a dreamy look upon it sometimes. You must w

ldrake know s

roposed it

he has in her locket, and he gazes at it long and earnest

ccording to the advertisement, might be reasonably supposed to live in a letter-box at a post-office not a mile distant from Ivy Cottage. Mr. Musgrave, going to that post-office twice a day, never comes away empty-handed. The letter-box is his Tom Tiddler's ground, where he picks up gold and silver as represented by postage-stamps. And it is not the only Tom Tiddler's ground which has been discovered by the persevering explorers. A mile from Ivy Cottage, in another direction, is another post-office, whereto sportsmen are invited to send more postage stamps to the cousin of the most successful jockey of the day, and receive in return the "straight tip" for the above mentioned races, "the greates

at they are as distinct frauds as can be found in the criminal record, are allowed to take root and to flourish without check or hindrance. The large sums of money that are paid for long advertisements in the front pages of certain sporting newspapers by the rogues

te of excitement until T

r is so strange and new. This is just such a house as I should like if I was settled. You know

ed," h

anything better. Hom

fred--in a good

a lawyer's office. But he

tions? Ric

ons. No; not rich that way. But he's sure to have plenty of money some day. He is very clever. Lily says so too; she is

ything in it is clean and fresh; there are flowers on the table, and

door of a room which leads into hers. But that

his Lily's room; although, when she comes to stop with us for a few

g to stop wit

said what a pleasant thing it would be for me,

at is for your pleasure

"you must like Lily very, very mu

try to,

ple of hours, and Alfred i

e to stop at home to see her, Lizzie

in a tone of disappointmen

this letter. I only rec

e at the office in London by a certain time, to tal

But it can't be helped, I suppose.

in it, my dear; it is

ook, and says again she su

daddy," she calls after him

re are lost for the time in the pleasure she feels in Lil

he says to Lizzie, "so I thought I would bring lit

s, gazes in silence at Lizzie for a few seconds, and then, having made up

ike

to the girls every now and then, "wanting to know" something or other. As for Lizzie and Lily they desire nothing better than to be left by themselves; girls, when they get together have so many importan

says Lizzie, "but he was obliged to

explanation, for Lily has understood

. When Lizzie comes to the part which introduces Mr. Sheldrake's name into the narrative, Lily listens more at

zie, keeping close watch on Lily's face. "He does it out of pu

Lily; "he is a great friend of Alfred's.

on Court, to meet Alfred and you? He wouldn't let Alfred know befo

now, then, that we w

ouldn't have tak

ted. "Alfred may have mentioned it to him the day b

ly, to dispel the cloud; adding, with a wise air

respond, to the exclusion of distressful thought. She talks of Alfred and of her love for him

here?" The colour mounts to Lily's face, and to

elix, Polly?"

bought me my doll. I wish I had it with me. And we all love him so--don't we, L

great deal of meaning in the little word, if any value can

TER

IS OYSTER DIF

s, good and bad, who are playing their parts in this drama of every-day life. For if it in any way resembles what it professes to be, the drama here presented should re

le of spring. Certain changes have taken place in the circumstances and lives of

who are regular frequenters of these halls. But that better sentiments can be awakened in their hearts is proved by the earnest and honest enthusiasm which is evoked by the simple singing of a simple ditty, belonging to a school whose days unfortunately are not of the present. It is but a very few weeks ago that I strolled into one of the very lowest music-halls in the metropolis, in which, upon the occasion of my visit, there were not too many honest men and women, notwithstanding that the hall was quite filled. Among other indecently suggestive songs was one, the title of which I refrain from mentioning, but which has grown into a catch-phrase, and may be heard to-day uttered openly by boys and girls all over London, with laughing meaning. The title of this song is supposed to have brought much money and reputation to the Eminent Comic who i

move any uneasiness from him, she strove to be even more affectionate to him when they were alone. The other was, that the purpose for which Old Wheels consented to her appearing upon a stage was served. The debt of shame was paid, and Felix, feeling very sorrowful the while, was compelled to accept the balance of the hundred p

more often found the old man alone. Lily had a girl companion, the old m

they are nearly the same age. It is but natural also that brother and sister should cling toge

here, then?"

to her house; I have never been asked. E

y,

uth and inexperience. And he has so strong an influence over Lily that I am afraid to do anything with reference to her of which he does not approve; for he would be sure to use it as an argument against me in his confidence with my darling. God knows I do not want anything to occur to weaken her love for me!

for Old Wheels had paused, as though

m," said Old Wheels, looking earnestly at Felix, "as would ha

old man--"had you reason to suppose that he had any influence

e he has. I believe that she would have heeded, and wou

bold enough to offer would hurt Lily's tenderest feelings--inasmuch as it would almost of a certainty clash with her deep affection for her brother. Suppose that, seeing this, knowing this, and believ

is hand, which Old Wheel

ture, out of regard for her helplessness? To put aside, as well as it is in his power to do, his own feelings; to be content to do as you do--to wait and hope. To do more--not

r lad, how can

efore this time what it is--but I must not give it expression. If the time should ever come--and I pray that it may--when I feel that I can speak free

s worth. When he could not afford the pit he went to the gallery, and would not have been ashamed to be seen there by any of his former friends. At one time his funds were very low, so low, indeed, that he could not afford a dinner; so, apples being in, he lived upon bread-and-apples and cold water, and made merry over his fare. He told no one, and he was not in the least to be pitied; he was learning life's lessons, and was bearing reverses bravely, without repining and without self-exaltation. He tried the usual resources of helplessness; he could draw and paint indifferently well, and one day (just before his bread-and-apple fare commenced) he almost ruined himself by laying-in a stock of cardboard and crayons. In a few days he had two sketches ready, of which he thought so highly that he said, as he surveyed them, "Upon my word, I don't think I'll part with them." But he laughed at his vanity the next moment, and out he went to sell them, and came back with them under his arm. No one would buy them. He tried again the next day, and the next, and the best result that he could obtain was that a shopkeeper offered to put them in his window, and to divide the proceeds with him, supposing they were sold. Felix agreed readily enough, put a low price upon them, and went round every day to look at them in the window. He did not dare to enter the shop. "The shopkeeper might ask me for storage expenses," he said with a laugh. Then cam

said; "they were blocking up the w

h?" aske

rug," said the sh

n them to a chemist,

tared; he had no

eper, and then defended himself, without being accus

he shopkeeper wit

sir," he said;

thinking he had got hold of a queer custom

ain way, for the shopkeeper would have readily given more for it; but then Felix was conscientious, and did not set too high a price upon the man. He dashed off a couple of other caricatures, and sold them likewise. The scene of one was laid at a narrow luncheon-counter which he had visited. There were three barmaids serving, but only the backs of their heads could be seen. There is no need to say that this back view was imposing. The comicality of the sketch was in the faces of the eaters, with which the narrow counter was lined. They were depicted eating their luncheons after the fashions of their various temperaments. Some were solemn, some were farcical; the face of one was buried in a pint-pot: all were gr

one night, when he saw this friend in the stalls. Their eyes met, and they recognised each other. Felix made no sign, the chasm between stalls and gallery was so deep and wide. But when

, old

ey, ol

en, Felix; but I was surpr

ds low, old boy. B

f away. Isn't it glorious?

Charley's arm, and they made a capital supper, laughing a

" said Charley, "tell u

arley looking for him after the play to shake hands with him had gladdened his heart--"hi

ast. They were supping together in Charley's room at the very

to know you, Fel

f Grand Bashaw with twopence-ha'penny in my pock

," remarked Charley. Felix twirled

llow, I must kno

ore to return, with his twopence-ha'penny in his purse; of his coming to London to conquer the world; of his failure; of his funds running out; and of his taking to the arts for

you are

in silence, and lo

ley, "we used to have no secrets;

ou know this one, at all events, and you know it from me. But don'

rd only

as I

a l

Which, in the old days, was a favourite cry with them wh

me money of yo

rley, old boy

you s

ed, rather

the bush between us two. The grog's confoundedly stro

; but I must earn it. Now, if you could

"I can by Jove! You can d

odded e

oprietor, under the rose. What a glorious thing it would be if we could get a London correspondent, who moves in the best society"--Charley winked, and Felix responded--"who is hand-and-glove with all the political nobs and the literar

"and the Penny Whistle can afford a special London correspondent, I could send a capital two columns every wee

fellow!" cried Charle

ore under the circumstances. If the proprietors write to

spondent at the sum fixed by himself. He ran to Old Wheels, and

TER

ORE HAS

hey bear? This ascertained, apply the strain to its utmost, until blood, bone, and muscle can no longer bear it, and fail, naturally, to perform their task. Then throw aside, and obtain fresh. Jim Podmore would not thus have expressed it, but the conclusion at which he had arrived is the same as the conclusion here set down. The only person who knows of his fast-growing infirmity is his wife. He confides to her the various stages of this "daze;" how he goes to work of a morning pretty fresh, and how, when his fair day's work is being turned into a foul day's work by the directors' strain, he begins to tire. "I seem to--fall asleep--gradually," he says, "although I hear--everything about me. All the wear and tear--of the day--all the noise--all the slamming and shouting--all the whistling and puffing--seem to get into the middle--of my head--and buzz there--as if they were bees. And so I go off--with this buzzing. Then I jump up--in a fright--just in time, old woman!--to shift the points--but I'm all of a tremble--and feel fit to die. Then I fall off--into a daze again--and the buzzing goes on--in my head. Then Snap--good old dog!"--(Snap lick

working its servants, which he works up with good effect in his newspaper letters and other ways. Felix likes to get hold of a good public grievance, and has already learnt how to make capital of it. But, indeed, he could not write earnestly on any matter in which his sympathies were not in some way engaged. Pollypod

rattling away complacently on this subject and that. He likes Felix, who indeed is a favourite with them all, but he has contracted an inveterate dislike to Mr. Sheldrake, and never loses an opportunity of saying an ill word concerning that

for David Sheldrake, otherwise he might be taken for a fool for parting with his money so freely to a young fellow for whom he cared no more than for the snuff of a candle. David Sheldrake knew every trick of the game he was playing. Madly infatuated as he was with Lily, he was too completely a man of the world to throw away the sums of money he advanced to Alfred from time to time. But the fact of it was, he got it all back; what he gave with one hand he received with the other. He made an express stipulation with Alfred that Con Staveley should be the medium of all the young fellow's racing speculations; so that no sooner did David Sheldrake lend, than Con Staveley swallowed. Therefore, although in the aggregate, Alfred owed David Sheldrake a large sum of money, the astute David was really very little out of pocket. He was aware that, in other ways, Alfred was more extrav

said, "I think I should close on you;

ned, white a

orld had been more than usually pressing in his attentions, and Lily had shrunk from them--"for God's sake, Lily, don'

m upon his face, stopped h

le or half so unfortunate as I am! There's only one girl in the world who loves me--a

t the dearest brother that sister ever had! How could

d sullenly; his fears blinded him to the unselfi

s healed. Lily received her reward; Alfred kissed her and embraced her, and called her the dearest sister! She found cons

TER

ROTECTS KNOWN BY THE TITLE

usiness to look after the humblest of them all, and it is but a fair tribute to his genius to state that he made Number One a brilliant success. It has been shown how cheaply he bought the reputation of being Alfred's sincerest and most generous friend, and how he received back through h

ceivers. But it being a peculiarity of the British law that, in so far as it affects racing matters, a man may pick his neighbour's pocket in Scotland, but must not do so in England, a garret was taken in Glasgow, and thither Con Staveley bent his steps to perform his part in the Discretionary Investment scheme--which consisted in receiving and pocketing the money of the gulls. Innocent readers who are not acquainted with these matters may doubt the statement that a man may rob in Scotl

he machinery. The circular (of which a copy lies before the present writer) issued and advertised by the myths, Montague and D'Arcy, commenced by declaring in large letters that a certain fortune without the slightest risk was within the reach of the humblest, and that Messrs. Montague and D'Arcy had conferred an incalculable boon upon the public at large by reducing speculation on horse-racing to a means by which immense sums of money might be realized weekly by a small stake. Fortunes, said these public benefactors, were being daily realized by investing in accordance with their Marvellously Lucrative and Ever Triumphantly Successful Method of Turf Speculation. Many gentlemen who never backed a horse for a shilling held large stakes in the system, as the safety of capital, and the immense profits that were weekly realized, and promptly p

ectors were well satisfied to leave gentlemen to judge for themselves as to the correctness of the assertion, that the winnings realized week by week by

ONS. At Lincoln . . .

. . . 25

. . . 10

. . . 50

. . . 5

. . . 50

. . . 25

. . . 2

. . . 2

. . . 50

t . . .

l . . .

y . . . 2

y publicly expressed their willingness to forfeit the sum of ￡1000 to any investing client at the above-named

agnificent results in the shade. At Newmarket, for instance, the most extraordinary and almost marvellous success had attended their operations in the first three days, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursd

realize

"

"

"

"

"

could forward as high a stake as One Thousand pounds. At this point they stopped, for the line must be drawn somewhere. They

entioning names), and gave as their bankers the Royal Bank of Scotland, and as their address, the garret in Gla

by a lithographed letter, detailing how all the race-meetings upon which the speculator had not invested had turned out marvellously profitable, and how the particular race-meeting upon which he had desired his money to be invested had, "for the first time during the past five consecutive seasons, turned out a failure." However, they consoled their unfortunate client with the assurance that at the race-meeting which would take place next week "winning was reduced to an absolute certainty," and that, as there was not the slightest chance of losing, they trusted that their client "would take their advice, and invest ￡25, ￡50, or ￡100, and realize a few thousands forthwith." Remaining his faithfully, Montague and D'Arcy. Of course, if more money were sent, it shared the fate of the first; and notwithstanding the groans and curses of those who were thus robbed in open daylight, the ball rolled on right merrily. No one knew that Messrs. Montague and D'Arcy were identical with David Sheldrake and Con Staveley. Thei

in the course of conversation, b

way of making money. Did you see the advertisement

fancy I have met a Mr. Montague at some of the meetin

ulling the paper out of his pocket, "a ￡100 stake r

drake's comment. "If I had ￡20 or ￡80," sai

ou're driving at, Alf. I'll give you a cheque for

n, I shall be able to give you

en wrote the cheque and gave it to Alfred, and two days

round Lily's brother, until he had the i

TER

OLISH

age. Within this time, Lily and Alfred had come by invitation to take tea with Lizzie and spend the evening with her. The young people were in good spirits, and Mr. Musgrave sat in his corner listening to their light-hearted chatting. In the course of the evening Lily sang two or three old-fashioned simple songs, and altogether the time was a happy one. Then Mr. Sheldrake dropped in, and whatever little part Mr. Musgrave had played in the proceedings was over from that moment. But when Lily and Alfred were going home, Mr. Musgrave, with hands that trembled from eagerness, held Lily's mantle for her, and pressed her hands, and said that she had made him young again, and that he had spent the happiest evening he had spent for years. He entreated her to come again, and to come o

ed a change in him,

id, "you have grown

splease you, sir," was

t is a compliment to me, for I think

ir, you

clapped him on

ate to mend,

e not,

er sprung from a man's weakness, or even vice, he was all the more gratified, so long as it did not affect him. There was no doubt, however, that Mr. Musgrave was

e old man was making castors for a little cigar cabinet which he had bought second-hand at a shop a day or two before. He had cut holes in the bottom of the cabinet, so that the castors were almost hidden from sight, and he had devised

e, "it is for Felix. You did not tell m

Lily, that I am going

la

lly watching Lily's face with more of keenness than his words warranted; "I am so used to his coming

grandfather, than you used to b

-hall I saw more of you than I do now. But i

nd sat upon a stool at the old man's feet. He looked down upon her fondly, and raised

That's my own dear darling! And you have not

ndfa

imes. I, of all the world, should not say anything to hurt my Lily's feeling

or all your care of me? Don't think, dear, that I have no consciousness of it. If you were to look into my heart, you would see yourself there. Ki

g ago, Lily. I want you to smile and to be glad, as youth should be. I want you to confide in me, if you have any trouble. Lily, my child, my daughter

ere is part of my sadness, part of my pain. Don't ask me too many questions, grandfather. Let us hope everything will

o see it more clearly. "Lily!" he e

love you with all the love a daughter can give to a father. If my heart

u must not despond. Why, I, nearly two generations older than the little flower lying on my bosom, do not wish yet for the rest you sigh for! I want to live and see my flower bright and blooming, not drooping as it is now. Come, cheer up, little flo

, and although there was sadness in the smile,

along well. Do you know, Lily, that though he has never spoken of it, I believe he endured hardships when he first c

; go

d us crawling over the face of the earth, wrapt up in ourselves, each man thinking only of himself and his desires, and making so little of the majesty of nature as to believe himself of more importance than all the marvels of the heaven and earth.' But he was not quite right, and I told him so. I told him--no, I should rather say, I reminded him--that every man did not live only for himself. That in the lives of many men and women might be found such noble examples of right-doing and self-sacrifice as were worthy to be placed side by side with the goodness and the majesty of things. 'Right,' he answered at once, 'nature does not suffer--we do.' Then he asked me to account for the suffering that often lies in right-doing. I could not do this, of course. I tried to maintain the side I took in the argument by saying that the suffering s

hear you talk so, although I cannot und

soothing to Lily; his gentle voice

see his heart and the rare nobility of his nature. Our argument ended thus, 'Come,' I said, 'answer me fairly. Can you believe in a man giving judgment against himself?' 'If,' he said, 'by "yourself" you mean your hopes, your desires, your heart's yearnings--and these, being in the life of a man, comprise himself--I answer, y

old man's breast; her eyes wer

ieve this,

neither of them could have explained how it had come about, both by some mysterious instinct were aware of the solemn significance wh

uty. If I had a friend whom I loved, whom I trusted faithfully and implicitly, whom I believed to be honest and true and single

and the next moment her face

t he had to bend his head to hear, "do

most as soft as hers, for she had paused

h a crisis has arisen in the life of

dear

his sweet flower, his spring flower, and obeyed her. They remained silent for a long while, and Old Wheels thought she had fallen asleep. But Alfre

d you have c

she gave him, and asked h

the country, and we'll have a regular time of it. Well, now, I've come to give you a bit of chan

ily, "you are kind. I s

ith Lizzie to fetch us. We'll have to be quick; so bustle, Lil, and get tea read

id not observe it; and soon tea was ready and over, and Lily went to her ro

afraid you were going to dress yourself out, as Alf

into the room, had heard the question; "we'l

ake nothing but the commonest commonplaces of conversation ever passed; they did not get along very well together, and although neither could have complained of the other for want of politeness, each knew that the other was not his fri

Lizzie, who had dressed herself in her brightes

's a pity that they only allow four in

eplied Mr. Sheldrake politel

h a hurried motion of his hand; "Lily is

ie, with somewhat of earn

s, my dear," s

g anxiously to every footfall on the stairs. Felix seldom missed an e

r?" he asked,

ept a little token from me. I know you smoke, and passing a shop where I saw this cabinet for sale, I thought you would like it, as a small remembrance from

s of character," he would say laughingly, when he showed his few trophies of friendship. He thanked the old man warmly, and said he was afraid it would lead him into extravagance, as it necessitated an immediate in

e a box,

. Sheldrake gav

run round to th

man gave him a grateful look in reply, and bade Feli

ox, and bending over them occasionally were Mr. Sheldrake and Alfred. A great many opera-glasses were levelled admiringly at the box, at which marks of attention Mr. Sheldrake was mightily pleased, t

ad departed from it. Mr. Sheldrake was loud in his applause. "It was a wonderful piece! A grand conception! And how well the principal actor plays the part of the burgomaster!" Alfred was also pleased with it, but neither of the girls liked it. Towards the end of the act Lizzie wanted Lily to shift her seat to the back of the box, but Lily whispered "No, no!" and was not conscious that she spoke. She was fascinated, and could not move. The two men, of course, went out for refreshment, and sent in some for the girls, which neither of them touched. The secon

first, said he did not know what kind of a piece it was, and then turned petulant, and called Lizzie ungrateful. On another occasion, this would have led to a lovers' quarrel, but Lizzie's attention was otherwise occupied ju

heerful voice, delighted that the

rwrought, and for answer she

Lizzie to Mr. Sheldrake, wh

e said, "You little tiger-cat, I will pay you for this!" Lily drew Lizzie to the back of the box, out of sight of the audience, whose attent

had noticed Lily's pallor and the horrible fascination which the drama had for her. He had

int out to you, who will either walk or ride, and to follow them in suc

when he saw him, and he raised his whip to his hat, and said, "A

ER XX

ECESSARY TO CALL

casion. If those who enlist in the ranks of the drama would but act on the stage as they act off it, there would be no talk of the decadence of dramatic art. Every trace of

am I, L

he theatre was so hot tha

!" A look of joy filled her eyes as t

is hand and retained it. By this tim

that overcame me. The horrib

, and Lizzie

more. It was only a piece of acting, after all.

emphatically at Al

sort of a piece this was, or I sho

ed Lizzie, with a sharp glance i

stice, and not for the first time to-night. I have too high a regard for M

ed eagerly; "and Lily knows it to

rry for all this. I am the only one to

sions of sympathy for Lily, and he even relented so far towards Lizzie as to hol

as ready to depart, "I propose

ided tone, not at all softened by the

drake bi

k for all

go without me, and of cours

Sheldrake's invitation, Li

and we have a long way to go.

heldrake hesitated; bu

ve her way. How do you propose we shall go home?" he asked of Lizzie

d see Lizzie home. Mr. Sheldrake made no demur to her suggestion, and the party drove from the theatre. But he stopped the cab at the corner of the littl

a word or two to you. The girl

he cab, and then he turned upon Alfred, and as

her in such a humour before. I hope you don

uch else but the cause. Look here, Alfred, I don't want to pry into your secrets, my boy, and I

errupted Alfred eage

ustn't come any of her tricks with me. Take my advice. Tell her to be more civil to me for the future. If she isn't--" here h

the threat conveyed in the words. It suited Mr. Sheldrake not to no

eldrake held out his hand to assist Lily from the

put a restraining

have a long way to go, and Mr. Musgrave is waiting up for you,

we must rattle on. Good-night, Mr. Sheld

zie, the more gentle nature of the two, presently crept close to Alfred and placed her hand in his. He threw it from

fred, that you behave

tter emphasis. "Been the rui

fre

ll for you to cry Alfred in that tone; but it

Alfred?" she interrupte

ng her words; "it's always the way. Mr. Sheldrake is right

you ought no

he world that I would not do for you

there is nothing in the world that you would not do for my sake, why shoul

striving to read his thoughts. She could not see his features distinctly in the glo

u were afraid of Mr

e if he turned rusty. He g

I displea

. I wish I was dead! I am the most miserable wretch in the world! If

t to see you so unhappy. I know you love me and Lily. And you ought to be sure that we are better

t isn't, and it is in Mr. Sheldrake's; and

self, Alfred, what

the reason you suspect him, and can't be civil to him. Y

I am sure of another thing--that you, in your hear

adn't," gro

old me he was your

ost torn to pieces as it is. You ought to comf

ve a better right to your confidence that the girl that loves you with all her heart and soul?--as I d

on

Mr. Sheldrake more than you can pay.

and how one unfortunate day he won a few pounds, and came home flushed with the idea that he had found the philosopher's stone; how little by little he had been led on, with the inevitable result of losing more than he could afford; how on one important race, when the prophets and tipsters in e

at manner. You can imagine what I suffered, Liz! I thought I had fortune in my hands; and I had, but I was tricked o

n box. Then he went on to narrate how he had made Mr. Sheldrake's acquaintance, and how that gentleman had lent him money from time to time, and how misfortune continued t

idn't know in their whole bodies as much as I knew in my little finger, make hundreds and hundreds of pounds. It only wants sticking to, Liz. I'll make all our fortunes yet; you see if I d

me of his good spirits. Lizzie listened in silence, and interrupted h

you can hold out for a long time.' Well, then, I ask him how it was he had managed to make his money; and he can't help telling me the truth. He was dead broke, Liz, in a worse fix than I'm in now--ay, a thousand times worse--he has told me so lots of times; but he stuck to it until on one race he had taken a bet of a thousand po

ny of Mr. Sheldrak

e--Con S

h, "Con Staveley!" as if desirin

re as fate. He has told me so, often, laughingly. 'You'll nip me one of these fine days, Alf,' he said; and 'I shall have to hand you over a big cheque. Well, you may as well

ill-chances that he was not "rolling in money" at the present time, "you see where my chance lies. I shall be sure to come up all right, if I go on. And I must go on, Liz; that's a f

try to

t one time you were always praising him; and you've some reason to be t

id Lizzie thought

matter of prejudice. But her instincts were dead against him; and she thoroughly distrusted him. There is often in woman's character a sort of unreasoning reason, to the whisperings of which she tenaciously clings, even though outward evide

rless. Lizzie had a large share of woman's wit and cunning, and much confidence in herself. In her musings now, Mr. Sheldrake presented himself to her in the light of a foe to her dearest hopes, as one who was weaving treacherous webs around her friends; and she found herself watching him, and looking about her for some means to break the threads, and so defeat him. "If I had some one to help me," she thought, "some man to depend upon who is not in Mr. S

for Lizzie, heard the sound of th

e inside, Alf

will bid Lizzie

zzie, with a kiss, which sent the old

was endangered and his honour was lost. How much better had it been for him and all of them had he avoided the fatal snares! "Let me but once get free," he thought, "and I will take care not to be caught again." In this way do all weak natures repent the consequences of their folly. What was bad in Alfred's nature sprang out of his weak

thed and comforted him, and when he bade her the last good-night, and gave her the la

p when you get home

d think

ly, half sadly. "See. When you are at home, knock at he

sight, then went indoors, where Mr.

joy yoursel

ry lively piece, and Lily was ill. Why, how pale you've turned, daddy! S

izzie; she was well when

a lively one. But it was horrible. I wouldn't go to see it again for ever so much. Well, and the theatre was very

s right,

nd wanted me and Alfred to start off at once in a cab from the theatre--but I wouldn't have it so. I insisted that we should all go together, and that we

nto his face that it would have startled him to see. But

it will be as well not to quarre

ngerous enemy, wo

ear; very

wards him; we shall have to be on our guard. To be civil to him to

he walked about the room restlessly, with a bright flame in her cheeks. Presently she grew calmer, and sat

, Lizzie; we will

. Sheldrake wanted us to go with him to some supp

te r

ht, and this enemy of ours with the c

much set against Mr

y word I say, and a good deal

and could turn us out of t

be cunning, and must enter into a league against him. Shake hands upon it." And she he

your words convey a deeper meaning than they express. But I am an old man, and I have seen trouble, and have fel

prospect of this pretty little cottage to me, that I was wilful, and might tease you a good deal, and that for that reason you had better consider very seriously whet

my sake, Lizzie,

d deal for my own. I thought ho

ce with her hands

r it, my child! You have brought much happiness to me, and t

with the tear

erful thin

life. The time may come--and soon--when you will learn it. I have become a better man

tool at his feet, and too

"and a new one. We all of us have secrets, I

you a secret that

not even you. I have promised. You must not ask m

ll me the reason of your fe

e you loved best in the world--suppose you knew that he was rea

ll supposi

any minute he pleases. Alfred told me so to-night. O, daddy, daddy! I am unhap

any way that I can. Does Alf

e than he

that co

d would be angry. Alfred has lost

w its nature. She had been curious about it, and once or twice had asked the old man; but he had laughingly evaded her, and it w

with Mr. Shel

man named Co

erhaps had been an unconscious instrument in Mr. Sheldrake's hands, and had assisted in Alfred's entanglement. But what could be Mr. Sheldrake's motive? There was nothing to be gained from Alfred, who had no money and no expectati

ldrake been friends for

ot twelve mon

ey become a

w, but I suspect i

hoed the old man,

ause of her. I think--no, I don't think; I am sure

man without principle, without honour, without heart--had designs upon the tender girl who had brought light into the old man's life. Lizzie had indeed found a frie

ll, daddy!

e silence that followed he did not reveal. But a new strength seemed to have entered into him, and

tell you that when you brought Lily here as your friend, I was glad. I have grown

d and emphatic wa

is unworthy of her. Yo

lthough I have tried to coax her a hundred times. She loves another man. I

man, L

e best of

. I have a stake in this, perhap

o glad I have spoken to-night. The man she loves and who loves her, I am s

ittle while ago, my dear. I give it t

hand to her; and something altogether so new and earnest in him, t

aid; "do you know if h

never

some lette

, da

come up with you, and you will give me one or two of his letters. Trust me, child,

droom door again, when

match for this ene

with a bright look, "you

TER

COU

in which Lily lived, and Lily was about to ring the door-b

conversation with you to-n

gested that they should go indoors and talk; but Mr. Sheldra

eak to you i

s face for an explanation

ather is not

randfather's fault

rtune, perhaps. He is not so much a

ith a beating heart. "You are wrong--

can see that your grandfather is not over cordial to me. He has no right to be othe

stly. "Alfred has told me of your kindness to hi

our of a few minutes' quiet conversation with you--although I accept it as a great favo

use was an arched avenue which led to one of the larger thoroughfares. Not many

ur talking together at this time of night wi

n his sleeve, and waited an

n expression of tender solicitude, "that the ef

was very stupid of

elp it. And you are the last person, I

d her eye

, and I could not help reproaching myself for

weak; you did not know what kind of

k you. You do me greater justice than your fri

s the very reverse of that. You must n

m the most unfortunate of men, for I have by some unaccountable means incurr

wishing, that Lily would have re

fferently towards me, to think better of me, for they must k

es

er--you and I--to work together for Alfre

es

tood Alfred's friend through thick and thin--very few men would have stuck to him as I have done. However, I can take no credit to myself for d

him Alfred would be made to suffer. He released her presently, and encouraged by her submission his treacherous arms would have stolen round her waist. But instinctively she evaded the embrace, and stood apart from him. Had her life depended upon it, she could not have acted ot

e armour of modesty is, was never better shown than in the fact that the man of the world had not yet found courage to address her simp

ure of them; I only know th

he has been very injudicious--it is a mild phrase, but I would not distress you by using a harsher term. Let us say th

ly, in an agony of alarm

hrough it, you and I. Many a young fellow has been wrecked through want of a fri

if for help; "not to-night. It is late, and gran

it in his power to pull him through his difficulties. I make no boast of being his friend--it is the simple truth. And what should there be to displease you in the knowledge that I am

r. Sheldrake, ind

uld show a better regard for Alfred's position. Your grandfather is cold to me--Alfred's sweetheart misjudges me; but I could forgive these, if you were kind. It is d

owing what was coming, and dreading it. Mr. Sheldrake dropped his voic

e that I drove to the hall on the following evening, and being acquainted with Storks the manager, we spoke together about you. You remember on that night I threw you a bouquet--I bought it especially for the pretty girl who had made such an impression upon me--and after the performance I came to the back of the stage, and had the pleasure of being introduc

delivering it. There was no tremor in his voice, for the situation was not new to him. He had delivered himself of artificial love-phrases to a score of girls in his time, and he had become practised in the art; bu

oken to her, and it met with no response in her heart. But thought of Alfred's p

red the house--see what an impression you made upon me!--it was my good fortune to m

her reply, a

spered, as if it w

een us, and it has been in my power to assist him on many occasions. I have done so, as you know, for your sake, and because I love you. There is no need for me to say m

power to resist. But at this critical moment a quick step was heard coming into the archway. Lily turned w

el

movement

ed his hat

is anxious about

n him to-nigh

me that you had gone to the same theatre. He exp

ldrake, biting his lip with vexation at the interruption, an

"Her grandfather must be satisfied of that, but I th

said Lily. "Alfred has

ily was about to accept it,

his person, Miss Lily, that t

indeed did Mr. Sheldr

essary," said Felix, with th

drake would

the lad

o cause for

e you go," said

ook, Felix fell b

as passed between us an entire secret. For Alfred's sake. Out of consideration for you, I have not told you how serious hi

m, he shaped with his lips the warning words, "For Alfred's sake," and turned away w

ng wrong in stopping to

but don't say anyt

it has so strange an appearance that any one less generous t

you in any way--that I know you have troubles which you are compelled to keep to you

he gave her the assu

ion to make befor

, Fe

since eight o'clock. I saw your grandfather then, and he told me you had gone to see The Bells, and a

dreadful, Felix! Did y

d that you we

watching m

e back of the pit, and

come to the theatre expressly to watch over her. Involuntarily sh

at home with your grandfather, I saw no other way of avoiding an unpleasant explanation with Mr. Sheldrake than to say what was not e

, when the only feeling I have is one o

o you, which may need forgiveness; but I depend upon your generous nature not to mi

owing that it would be to him the greatest happiness earth could afford. But he mastered the impulse with manly resolve, and with a tender and chivalrous regard for her weakness. There was no fear, no doubt, in her face

attling with the world, a man must not wear his heart upon his sleeve--there are too many vultures about--he must not oppose a bare breast to foes whose breasts are mailed. I am expressing myself in this way, so as to make you understand that I--who, I would have you believe, despise meanness and unworthiness as heartily as it is in the power of man to do--feel the necessity of using weapons in life's battle which I would fain throw aside. There is nothing more noble than simplicity of heart--I worshi

er! How skilfully and delicately he had contrived to tell her that

o need for me to say how dearly your grandfather loves you, and what anguish you may bring upon him if you allow suffering to come on yourself unprepared. In both your brother and your grandfather you should confide, and from your grandfather's larger experience of the world, and from his whole-hearted love for his dear child, good counsel would surely come, if counsel be needed. I shou

honour you for wh

at, that I should fail in my duty and my love if I neglected to take him int

ted Lily, with all the earnestness of

your trouble. It is the dearest privilege of affection to share the troubles of those we love. If I were married"--his voice trembled slightly here--"the first consoling

rength is there in sincerity and honesty of purpose! If anything had been wanting to make him inexpressibly dear to the girl he loved so loyally, to make

nded with me for speaking as I have done, we will go in to your grandfather. I look upon myself as a very conspirato

ch of her lips thrilled through Felix, and so powerful a happiness filled his heart, as he thought of what might be in the future for him and for her, that a mi

TER

PON THE DOCTRINE OF RESPONSIBILITY, A

ich bound her. On this night she saw clearly what before had been but dimly presentable to her. She saw that Felix loved her; and also that Mr. Sheldrake had a passion for her. She was instinctively conscious that there was nothing in common in the sentiments of

found that worthy man and his wife working cheerfully as usual. Gribble junior's father, the victim of co-operative stores, was sitting in a corner nursing the baby, and had a

g at, Mr. Wheels?" asked Gribble

ssed a desire to

they would be trying next to bring b

urse, the laugh

buy coffins. Mind, John, when I'm dead, get my coffin made by an honest tradesma

or, in a business-like tone, and yet with affection;

go on in a proper way. But co-operation'll b

eatre," observed Old Whee

d Mrs. Gribble; "she's b

Gribble junior. "He's never been to one. You see, Mr. Wheels

n; it's too late. M

ay makes Jack a dull boy. Go in for everything, I say--go in for work, and g

nd said gaily that the co-operative st

ed Mrs. Gribble junior, with a

faithful to his theories; "it ain't likely that anyth

ade, Mr.

maker, and would like the job of mending his umbrella. 'But I've only got this one,' he said, 'and I want to go out again.' 'I'm prepared for that, sir,' I said; 'here's my card; and here's a new umbrella as good as yours. I'll leave this with you to use till I bring back your own, properly mended.' He was tickled at the idea, and was more tickled when I told him that, trade being slack, I had come out on purpose to look for umbrellas that wanted mending. 'You're an industrious fellow,' he said, with a laugh. 'Yes, sir,' I answered, 'if work won't come to you, you must go to work. Keep moving, that's my motto. If you can't get work, make it.' Well, he gave me h

s of expression in them brought to him the remembrance of sentiments almost similarly expressed by Alfred. The same vague declarations of being able to make large sums of money by unexplained means; the same selfishness, the same boastfulness, were there embodied. But not the same remorse which Alfred had already experienced; that was to come afterwards, and the despair which ever accompanies it. "We were happy then, my daughter and I," the old man murmured; "happy before he came. My daughter's life might not have ended as it did, in misery; might not have been passed, as it was, in miserable repinings. He brought a blight upon us." And then came the thought, "Like father, like son." He paced the room with disturbed steps. "Alfred's father," he thought, "wrecked the happiness of the woman who loved him, who trusted implicitly in him--wrecked the happiness of my daughter, who was once as bright as my darling Lily. And how

solemnly promise not to trouble my wife with my presence as long as I live, and not to make myself known to my ch

rd Man

ard of him. No one but I has ever read this paper, unless Alfred, when he took the money

ul dog waiting for him. Snap, directly he saw the old man, looked in his face appealingly, and walked towards the stairs. Old Wheels, taking the candle

ly shaking the sleeping man; "you mustn't

is nap. But Old Wheels shook him more roughly, and he rose to his feet wearily, a

eels, taking Jim Podmore's arm; "you'll be m

es, accompanied Old Wheels up-stairs. When he arrived at the first landing, he appeared to think he

asleep again," persisted Old Wheel

ed Jim, "to go to bed--

aughed sligh

at the end of the time," he said

don't shake me--any more!--I'm awake--that is, as awake--as I shall be--till to-morrow morning. I

he st

eets--as I walked along. I was so--dead-beat. I'm glad

e did not speak. Jim shook himself much as a dog does when he comes out of the water, a

nd I made up my mind--that I'd speak--to some o

ere you spea

this way. I never told yo

remember," rep

king there now--not him--ain't working anywhere--can't get it. Willing enough--Dick Hart is--and a-breaking his heart--because he can't get it. He'

theme was powerful enough to master his

ly at his master. "What then?" Jim repeated. "Why, I should be--what Dick Hart is--a-wandering about--in rags--a-starving almost. I should be worse than him--for when I think--of the old woman up-stairs--asleep--and my lit

ith a soothing motion on t

"Tell me calmly what you want. Yo

it. And it ain't likely--begging your pardon--for being so rough

t's

ension at Old Wheels, and then

ouble--and mustn't be spoken

heels gently, "to tell me so

fit to drop down dead with fatigue. He couldn't keep--his eyes open--as I can't sometimes--and when the accident--takes place--he goes almost mad. But that doesn't alter it. The accident's done--and Dick Hart's made accountable. He's took up--and tried--and gets six months. If what he did--had ha' been his fault--he ought to have been--hung--but they didn't seem--quite to know--whether he was to blame--or whether--he wasn't--so they give him six months--to make things even, I suppose. While Dick's in prison--his wife's confined--with her seco

s he could do to keep himself awake. He indulged himself with a few drowsy

o the officers' ears--or the directors'--that we'd been making up money--for a man as has been discharged--and's been in prison--and's cost the Company a lot o' money in damages--(for they had to pay two men--wh

odmore dozed off again, and would have fallen into

asked th

I've told you before--and as I've been ready to myself--and that then--when a accident happens--which wouldn't have happened--if he'd been fresh--or if a fresh man had been--in his place is it right, I want to know," and Jim Podmore raised his arm slowly and lowered it, and raised it ag

hese questions very difficult to answer, Jim Podmo

slowly to his feet, "you'll have--to carry me. So I

for the purpose of ask

ing was going to happen--withou

ls good-humouredly, "bu

puzzled man, "but

t wi

happen--as sure as my name's--Jim Podmore. It's bu

sted Old Wheels, "br

s. What would you call

sentiment, I

Good-night, Mr. Wheels. I've got--a presentiment-

ul Snap at his heels, and within an hour Old Wheels h

TER

X GAINED

m to come in. A look from Lily decided him, and the three faithful souls ascended the stairs to t

of my fainting, Felix.

omise

ut Mr. S

well,

h exquisite sensitiveness that any harsher sound

, I know--you must be right." (The unspoken words came to her: "My

d towards them with a pleased expression in his face, brought there by the circumstance of Lil

self it would be almost a wise act to hasten it, if possible. He had quietly made it his business to acquaint himself with the nature of Mr. Sheldrake's transactions; and, notwithstanding that that gentleman was close and crafty, Felix had learned much concerning him. The knowledge sprang naturally, as it were, out of Felix's profession. He was correspondent for two country newspapers, and had managed to insert the thin end of his wedge into the wall of London journalism. He was working his way, steadily and unobtrusivel

te of literature, but he could no more resist the inclination to strike hard blows at public shams and injustice than, being naturally truthful, he could resist the inclination to tell the truth. Of course he could effect but little good, The great shield beh

leisure should go through the formula known as "seeing life"--a process which to some is a sad tragedy, and which to nearly all is a bitter experience. Very few come out of that fire unscathed. Charley had gone through this formula--fortunately for him, in a superficial way. Charley's parents were good people enough, and had tacitly agreed that their son must "see life" before he settled; everybody's sons saw life before settling, and Charley must not be an exception. So the young fellow went into the world, and in the natural course of things became mixed up in matt

to races. It didn't turn out well, and after dropping nearly two hundred pounds, I went to my father, and made a clean breast of it. He paid my debts, and made me promise to give up the infatuation, as he called it. I promised willingly enough, for I had made up my mind before, and I am sure I shall never be drawn into the net again. The f

y. The Derby is a wonderful sight. I should like t

idle amusement, saw much to astonish him. As they were making their way

who had over a hundr

much at home. Felix, not wishing to be seen by Mr. Sh

tting-man?"

d as sharp

d these meetin

e interested i

I know

tly," observed Charley, jud

like him. But you haven

course I have been to; he is always t

the subject, but la

connected with your betting experi

ge things among them--well, perhaps not strange in themselves, but strange that

ers from

ose I send yo

like to

ecessary for the rapid and certain realisation of "fabulous sums"--a phrase which many of the advertisers used in the traps they set, unconscious of the ironical truth it contained. But what Felix was doing was a means to another end, and he lost his money cheerfully. He began to frequent race-courses also, and on one occasion, early in his experience, he saw Lily's brother, as he expected to see him, running hither and thither in a state of blind excitement. With a set determination, Felix watched the young man during the whole of the day, saw the fatal infatuation which urged him onwards, and saw him pass through the various stages of hope, suspense, and ago

imself on the Thames Embankment. As he stood there, musing, gazing into the solemn river, he became conscious of a sudden tremor in the air. He looked around with a feeling of vague ala

ER XX

A DREAM, AND W

ess which it is beautiful to see. A neighbour's child had been ill, and required constant watching. The mother, worn out with her labour of love, had fallen ill herself. And Mrs. Podmore flew to her aid, and attended to her household duties, and nursed her and the child through their sickness. The cheerfulness with which Mrs. Podmore undertook this task and performed it, as if it were a duty incumbent upon her, cannot be described. The best reward she could receive was hers: the mother and child recovered their health, and were strong enough to attend to themselves. Late in the p

etched himself on the ground, and with half-closed eyes watched his master's face. Snap blinked and blinked, but although occasionally his eyes were so nearly closed that only the thinnest line of light could be seen, the dog never relaxed his watchful gaze. Jim sat in his chair, pipe in mouth, and smoked and dozed, and thought of Dick Hart and his wife and children, and of his own wife and Pollypod, till they all became mixed up together in the strangest way, and in the phantasmagoria of his fancy changed places and merged one into the other in utter defiance of all probability. Thus, as he leaned forward to catch the sweet breath that came from Pollypod's lips, the child's face became b

n the room, and he saw Dick Hart brought in between two men. Dick, when his eyes lighted on the piteous sight of the little girl lying like that, trembled as if ague had seized him, and began to sob and cry. "I did it! I did it!" he gasped. "Why don't some one strike me down dead?" As he uttered these words, and as he stood there, with a face whiter than the face of the child who lay before him, a woman rushed in and cried in a wild tone, "Where's the man that killed my child?" Upon this, with a cry wilder than that to which the poor woman had given vent, Dick Hart wrested himself free from the men, whose hands (in their grief at what had occurred) were only lightly laid upon him, and rushed out of the room like a madman. The men followed him, but he was too quick for them, and before they could lay hands on him again, he had jumped from the platform on to the line, dash

her--feelings in which joy and pride were so commingled as to be inseparable. The time was night, in the wane of summer, and many a smile came upon the woman's lips, and many a tender thought dwelt in her mind, as she laid out the little garments and examined them to see where they wanted a stit

r little legs as straight as she could, and calling her mother's attention for the hundredth time to her flaming red treasures. Mrs. Hart knelt before the child, and admired the socks with the most outrageously-exaggerated turns of speech, and pulled them up tight, to her child's infinite delight an

ery much, Rosy, won't

ery, ve

upon a certain point, and she seized the present favourable opportunity. She had heard a great deal about this little brother whom she was

quisitive little girl,

e fanciful title by which Rosy had al

the happy mother; "almost su

y of "verys" which must be left to the imagina

, Rosy? Why the d

of her new red socks. Mrs. Hart was silent also, worshipping her little girl. If

doctor bring Bun

-bed," replied th

there no

, de

ut of a parsl

not know that any one was in the room until she heard a voice calling her name. The voice belonged to a neighbour, Mrs. Thomson, and Mrs. Hart rose to he

Mrs. Thomson? What i

ighbour; "remember how near your time

cried Mrs. Hart, th

nything about Dick? Has he had an accide

s not

een frightened about him. It's a shame and a sin

into the room a man employed by

p, and pressed the child close to her breast. The man judged

an accident, and one or two people have been hurt; he

mself?" asked the wife

e man; but Mrs. Hart did

best husband and the best father in the world! And they're going to punish him

l!" remonstrated Mrs. Thomson. "He'll come

the man; "but he's going to remain a

you take care of Ros

, you're not going ou

I'm going to see them managers and directors,

charge, and hurried downstairs, followed by the man, who said it was best to let her have

ll this time, and witnessed the i

by the presence of his wife. "Everything seemed to take place in a flash of light, like. I suppose it was because I was tired out wi

s during the interview, and

er for you if I'd been killed, though. I don't know; I don't know what to think. You'd better take wh

ly helpless. If he had had money, he might have sent for a lawy

ed, he was never absent from Dick Hart and his wife during all this time, althou

ot occurred. "Perhaps," said this daring champion, to the admiration of Jim Podmore, who nodded his head in confirmation and approbation at every thrust the lawyer made--"perhaps you will say that the prisoner was wrong in allowing himself to be so overtasked; but he has a wife and child dependent on him for support, and his wife is now at home, expecting every hour to saddle him with another responsibility. The prisoner is a hardworking man, and a poor man, and had he refused to perform the duties required of him, never mind at what sacrifice to himself, never mind at what peril to the public--as has been too often unhappily proved in other cases--he would have stood a fair chance of being dismissed from the service of the Company. If this case serves in any way to direct public attention to the manner in which too many servants of the railway companies are overworked, it will be fortunate that it is tried; but the prisoner must not be made the victim of a bad and abominable system. Not many days ago the coroner of Middlesex, at an inquest held upon the body of an engine-fitter, who was crushed to death between two engines, stated that no fewer than thirty railway servants are killed in his district every year; and he very pertinently wished to know whether such wholesale slaughter was altogether necessary. This is not the question for you to answer now, but it may lead you to a merciful view of the prisoner's case; for the perils of the service are sufficiently great in themselves, and should not be made greater by unfairly tasking the powers

amazing to what shifts some honest unfortunate folk are compelled to resort in the necessity that nature lays upon them to eat or die: which last is not an easy thing to do. Dick came out of prison and tried to get work, and failed. He was compelled also to resort to such dishonest shifts as adopting a name that did not belong to him, as denying this and that unworthy

k and unable to move out of his room, that he had never been known to be drunk, and that neighbours sincerely pitied him and spoke well of him; also that the mistress of the school to which Rosy went gave the child and her mother an excellent character. Asked what she had to say for herself, Mrs. Hart told the truth: she went out to get bread for her husband and children; she asserted that she was compelled to beg. The magistrate said she should have gone to the parish. Then she told a piteous story. She had gone to the parish, and the relieving-officer (a mock title, surely!) refused to give her any out-door relief, but said she and her family might go into the workhouse, if she chose. She declined to do this, as in that c

rnished home, and was gazing sadly at their white pinched faces, when suddenly Rosy's face changed to that of Pollypod his own darling; in the place of Mrs. Hart he saw his own wife; and he himself stood where Dick Hart had stood a moment before. These figures, himself and his wife and child, vanished as suddenly and as strangely as they had appeared, and

hrough the crevices of which Jim saw smoke stealing. He looked towards the bed: Polly and her mother were fast asleep.

ER XX

COMES A

, and ran down a few steps, on which the fire had not yet seized. He was beaten back by the flames. He fancied he heard cries from the lower part of the house, but he could see nothing for the smoke. There was no escape that way. Snap ran hither and thither in the wildest agitation, barking at the flames to keep them down. As Jim Podmore threw open the window in despair, to see what means of escape that outlet afforded, he saw the forms of persons hurrying to the street, and heard the cries they uttered. Those below could not distinguish his face, for he had closed the door again, and impelled by some strange process of reasoning, had locked it to keep out the flames. They saw, however, that some one was standing at the window, and they called out to him, but he was too agitated to understand what they said. The front of the

is on fire;" and muttered inly, "I knew that presen

the dark surface of brick, and voices reached them, rashly advising them to jump down. But they were on the third floor, and althou

ed, with thick breath; "perhaps the fire escape'll c

embrace. She turned to the door, but he cried out to her not to open it,

hat's by the window. Put Polly down, and give me a

scape through the window, and Mrs. Podmore flew to help him. The door bega

Mrs. Podmore. "We sha

the rope firmly to the foot of the bedstead, and threw the other end out of the window. It reached a little below the second-floor window. As he leaned forw

mother, and child were now together at the window; "and the man's jumped into

w street, and brave men were

" Jim lost sight of his own danger for a moment. "It'll be our turn

and only Jim Podmore and his wife and child remained in the burning house. The flames w

d Jim of his wife, with a tightening grasp on the kn

im," replied the

here are others below them, holding them up. You'll have to dr

fainting woman; "I can't.

ut upon the rope. Happily it held and bore strain. Those below wat

on the ladder, and sounded clear and distinct, as from a si

e crowd were frozen as it were in the throats of the excited throng as Jim, assuring himself by a hasty glance that his child was safe, began

old woman! Polly's safe! Hold me tight--don't loose you

saw the peril of his faithful servant, and having hurriedly ascertained that his wife and Pollypod were unhurt, he ran up the ladder and called out to Snap to jump. The dog had but one alternative--to be burnt; so he risked his limbs, and jumped clean on the shoulders of his master, whence he rolled safely into the crowd, who cheered merrily at the episode. Soon all the rescued ones were assembled in a house at the bottom of the street. Their neighbours had lent them clothes, and they stood looking stran

d I don't remember anything until I was pull

had aroused Alfred to a sense of his danger. Felix responded cordially, and was sufficient of a

here the fire

house," said Old Wheels; "but it does not matter t

d a dozen times, and lo

ed me,"

"Didn't he make a rope and creep out of

ou cau

with a happier ending. Some one saw the fire--some one cried out-

furniture burnt, every scrap of spare clothing burnt, no money in his purse, and not insured for a s

money, and had thrown his clothes and those of his wife out of the window, not having had time to put them on. Gribble sen

anything of his dream.

m. If you hadn't fell asleep in the chair, y

oked going to work without 'em

struction of their worldly goods, that comfort was theirs. The only one who seemed to make light of

ution. In the afternoon of the following day he b

ck up, I should tell you to pack up at once and get ready. As it is, yo

at him for

"will you come and

yes,

he comes straight from his work to my house to-night; so y

s drew Fe

this to m

d obtain on reasonable terms for a short time. I have taken it as a

speculatio

trifling one to me--I am doing fairly well now, you know--if you all cheated me out of the rent. Seriously, sir, I know you woul

koned

think your new

n't g

seemed to extract happi

like it to be?

n exclamation

g everything ready for you now. Mrs. Podmore has a room upstairs. A

llypod jumped for joy; Mrs. Podmore burst out crying, and throwing her ar

their new residence. Even Alfred was delighted, alth

TER

S LAST

of money, and Mr. Sheldrake had promised to give it to him, knowing that it would be returned to him through Con Staveley. "He will be mad at not seeing me," thought Mr. Sheldrake, "and he will set it down to the manner in which the girls behaved to me last night. They will be sure to hear of it from him, and it will do them good. At any rate, it will show them that it is a dangerous game to play fast-and-loose with me." Mr. Sheldrake's vanity was wounded; he had never taken so

refuge, and when he learnt that they had gone to live in a house very near to that occupied by Mr. Musgrave, he smiled complacently. "I could not have hoped for anything better," he

ing, thank you,"

arsely, "I am told you were burnt righ

right; we did n

friend," persis

eels, "and one came--

was, Mr. Sheldrake put the question dir

eak of it, and I shall please him, I

tened Mr. Sheldrake. When the old man spoke of this best of friends, Pollypod chimed in wi

rite with all of you,"

. Father says he's a trump, and mother loves him. So do I, dear

ad stolen into her face, and, for contrast, a dark cloud overshadowed M

ng an affection for one w

e because I am so often in the habit of strolling about Soho during the small hours. Many a time have I walked up and down your street for an hour at least after midnight. Now what hard fortune was it that prevented me doing so on this occasion?" He intended these words to convey a s

-or artfulness? Any way, she is a witch, and has set me on fire, I will have her! I could almost make up my mind to marry her." A serious consideration for such a man as he, who look upon girls merely as the playthings of an hour, and in whose mind womanly virtue and goodness are like dead wood in a forest. That, in case he made up his mind to such a contingency, there would be a doubt of success, was too manifestly ridiculous to be entertained for a moment. As he mused, he saw Alfred coming towards him. The young man did not see Mr. Sheldrake at first, and that gentleman stepped aside to observe Alfred's manner,

Mr. Sheldrake, to whom Alfred's manner

clapped me on the sh

elessness, "for all the world as if I were a detective off

that he wished not to offend his companion; "I'm nervous, that's the fact. Been smoking and dri

psom to see

ou'll do what

presently. You've go

something else I'm going to do if

w sys

but a plan which must pre

one. "But come, I want to have a talk with you." They were

the theatre together, and, remembering how she had spoken to him then, he was somewhat surprised at her amiability.

she said; "and even Alfred had to put u

d, pleased with her change

haking hands again with Lizzie, "let byeg

dily; "I don't think he

rd's room, because she was never allowed to enter it. Mr. Sheldrake had a private key, and before he opened the door, he turned to Lizzie, who had accompanied them to th

he significance, "I'm as glad for

clench her little fists, and shake them at an airy picture of himself which she conjured up, he might have altered his agreeable tone. His manner also changed dire

om the appearance of the room and the shelves, a large amount of work was evidently gone through, not a loose document nor a scrap of writing was lying about. This circumstance appeared to give Mr. Sheldrake much satisfactio

n, Alf,"

d down some figures from them; and laying his hand upon the

o your new hou

fred, "to tell you about the fire, and wher

I was not pleased with your sister. They will have to learn, if

lt that his best plan would be to listen q

od it. Every advance that I make--except," he added with a sneer, "those advances I make to you--is met as if I were an enemy instead of a friend. It is time for this to

answered Alfred moo

nd, eh? No half-m

" responded Alfred a li

bush? No concealment

on

imself upon some one--"you say this not because it is for your interest to say it--not because you are in my debt, and I could shut

ive can I have

ntinue your friend, and to be my frien

was forced from him by fear, Mr. Sheldrake laughed lightly, and with an op

n the room, and being in the dark herself, could not be detected. A small lumber-room, the door of which she had partly opened, and which swung noiselessly on its hinges, was ready to afford her the means of concealment should the suspicions

ng me, Alf," said Mr. Sheldrak

e?" Alfred mustered up sufficient cour

the old man I don't care one jot; but he influences Lily, and has power over her. She follows the cue he gives her. The old man said they wanted for nothing; that t

the blush which had come to Lily's cheek when P

onsense," said Alfred, "and P

now. Who is this friend, this paragon, th

aving befriended them, and they had given him the promise. But Alfred felt that to hesitate now, and to beat

Creamwell. He in an

onversation with Lily after we came from the theatre.

ore; and with the sudden introduction of the subject came a glimpse of light--a new revelation--which enabled him

r my grandfath

the words, and Mr. S

uite certain as t

nd with a fuller consciousness of what was at stake; "and although I have never asked m

by

ired Alfred in his tu

us, if we ever come across each other. I know I can make it even with you. He has a motive, doubtless, and I don't believe in disinterested f

of my bills

uments equally valuable. Here is your bill for sixty pounds, due thre

I understood you to say,"

judgment upon i

at

It will be best for you to understand at once that I am in serious earnest. Miss Lizzie would not

t kept an

rally; and what between me and Con Stavely, the debt is as near three hundre

eatingly, "If you will advance me what you promised for the City a

f you

g to do--even if I trusted entirely to chance--luck must turn. You h

ch do y

e course of the year gone by, that the result was a certainty, if he had only the money to back his opinion. "If I can

essed so heavily upon him; there was a sharp

ld you back for

the old cordiality in Mr. Sheld

s on Xanthus, and twen

other ten

e with on the race-cours

I can't consent to that. I shall give you no

raft and Xanthus--fifteen pounds on X

t? Xanthus I know is good--all

knows all about it. The stable have been keeping it dark, and they're all going to put their money on. I shall be able to pay you every penny back, and I shall

he odds about

x to one about Xanthus. I only back Xanthus to save

l give you the

o mistake. How can I thank you! A

ke the bet rather than anybody else; for then," he a

to twenty-five pounds--that will be three hundred and seventy-fiv

pocket, and the despair which filled him but a fe

ow, and now I want your voucher for t

he effect that Alfred had borrowed of him forty pounds, with which he had backed two horses named for the City and Suburban

lessly, and remarke

rded to any of the othe

ssrs. Tickle and Flint, in case you didn't pay, or in case I found that you were playing me false--or in case of other contingencies I need not mention just now. It might induce them to make an mediate examination of t

and in his voice that Lizzie on the outside of the door was com

to such a course. It depends more on others than on yourself. And now I think our little c

drake came down and shook hands with her, she accompanied him to the gate and wishe

meet her. Now if Kingcraft pull off the City and Suburban- Well, Con Staveley can give the odds. I'll tell Alfred that my b

y despair one moment, buoyed up by hope another. S

Alf, for behaving so

you are; I wish

ong-minded, that's all. And I d

y that, Liz. I

you loved me as well as I love you,

t her with

Who told you

f his troubled face, altered her tone as if she were schooling hers

wh

te that man!" she exclaimed, with flashing eyes. "There's nothing mean that he wouldn't do; he has a false heart, and his smooth wo

ll all turn out for the best. Don't worry m

low worthless things. As Lizzie's arms stole tenderly round his neck, and as her sweet words fell upon his ears, he was conscious that he had never

den, "I have not acted rightly to y

u to speak like that. I should be satisfied if I could see you happier in your mind. You have some grief that you will not let me share, and that pains me. You seem to be f

to the sound of loud voices in the street. The speakers had stopped outside the house, and Alfred crept so

she asked, with a fainting heart.

een foolish, and have not taken care of myself. It will be all right after next Tuesday, and we'll be happy again as we used to be. Come,

ck, dear, with

m, all this trouble will be over, and we'll commence a happy life--you, and I, and Lily.

her head upon his shoulder. Something

r it will tell itself," she said, in a ton

pursued me so steadily that I have been driven almost mad. Ah, Liz, I love you! You'll see how I love you when a

arms, grateful for his

thing to you, d

darling; ki

him, and he

be like this for a long, long time, what happiness it would be! I almost feel as if

ing abo

Lily!

heldrake has been paying her

he likes

loved as you love Lily, and who loved me as Lily loves you, I wou

zzi

re clearly before. Do you believe that Mr. Sheldrake has

therwise-" crie

you, that if he were to say to her, 'I have your brother in my power, and I can bring misery and shame upon him, and will, if you are cold to me!'--if he were to say this to Lily in his own bad

words came faintly from a

r lessons than Lily has had to learn, and I should not be so easily led as she would be. A bad, calculating man, as Mr. Sheldrake is, could work upon such a simple nature as hers more easily than upon mine. I should be strong w

his agitation, and turning from her. "

spite all his selfishness, he loved next in the world to Lizzie. All the sweet memories of his life, until he met Lizzie, were of his sister, and he had conspired again

ou, Alfred," said Lizzie, after

ore clearly now, dear

her, with that true man, if

d h

es h

e told

no telling. We women know. He has

n, Li

ind to, and out of the nobleness of hi

her," groaned Alfred, "and for

do better. Promise--and I will help you, with all my strength, and so will Lily and Felix

y about him, Lizzie. I am

went home, he knocked at his grandfather's door. It was

k your forgiveness

et, in joyful agitation. He

sob, taking Alfred's hand, "Not

art and kissed him. Lily, hearing

ried Old Wheels. "Co

deepened. The tender movements she made towards Alfred and her grandfather, the expressions of exquisite happiness she uttered, almost unconsciously, every now and then,

here," said Old

. This reunion seemed to

PTE

SOM D

may be luck

, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, i

aft! There was a plain proof. How could the horse lose after that? He laughed gleefully, and would not entertain the thought that he had purposely written the name of this horse on a larger piece of paper than the others, so that he might be sure of drawing out the one he wanted. He went to bed, and dreamt of the race. The whole of the familiar scene passed before him in his dream; he had staked a lot of money on Kingcraft, and he saw the horse sailing past the winner's post, an easy winner, and found himself the winner of a thousand pounds. "Why not?" he asked of himself, as he awoke exultant; "why shouldn't I win a thousand pounds? If I could borrow money somehow, I could pay it back at once. No one would know, and we should all be happy." He read the daily newspapers eagerly, and sucked fresh hope and renewed incentives from them. The papers said that Kingcraft was in blooming health; that the stable believed in him; that a fine jockey was to ride him to probable victory; and that the public were backing him. Even, thought Alfred, in his endeavours to come to a fair conclusion, even if Kingcraft should, by some strange and unaccountable chance, not come in first, what horse was to beat him? For, notwithstanding the honest and upright manner in which the national sport is carried on, strange and unaccountable occurrences do sometimes happen; roguery does occasionally triumph. Well, what horse would win, if Kingcraft came in second instead of first? Xanthus, of course. Xanthus, the horse that was rising daily in popular favour. Were not all the honest and disinterested tribe of prophets and tipsters warning their miserable public to look after him? Said one, "Xanthus must not be lost sight of;" said another, "Keep Xanthus on the right side;" said another, "Put a bit on Xanthus;" said another (a cautious prophet, who never allowed himself to be caught tripping), "But--if--notwithstanding--nevertheless--such or such a thing occurred to Bertram-

ving clause in a few words which he could quote by-and-by, in proof of his own sagacity, in case the horse should win. He pinned his faith, after much wavering, on Xanthus and Bertram, chiefly on the former, and in an elaborate and confusing summing up, declared, in capital letters, that one of these must win, and that either Kingcraft or Marmora would be certain to be among the first three. Alfred was much excited by the hopes held out in this prophecy; and, with some difficulty, obtained from his employers leave of absence for the following day. He had not been too attentive to his duties lately, and his employers demurred at first; but he pleaded the fire that had taken place in Soho, and said that

Old Wheels thoughtfully, "for the bette

righter and happier than they did a lit

Old Wheels followed her

" he said; "you looked so pretty standing

e?" she asked saucil

k hands with Old Wheels, whose face, notwithstanding

ood at the gate. "Dear Alf! See! He's running into Li

u," said Lizzie, as she stood in the

her face between his hand, a

en's a lucky

" she cried, with a l

love you the least bit in the world. Here's

te, he pressed her in his a

s of men in the middle of the road, or leaning against the public-house corners, talking in quiet and almost solemn tones, which indicated that they were absorbed in considerations much more important to them than racing--the means of living from hand to mouth, of which one sees so much on the turf." He read how one individual "in the centre of these groups, footsore, wretched, ragged, and deplorable, had formerly been a tout in highly prosperous circumstances, and absolutely won close upon ￡1500 when Blair Athol won the Derby;" and how this unfortunate man was "exciting the compassion of his almost equally forlorn companions by narrating how he had walked, or rather crawled, for weeks by road from Liverpool, as nigh starving as makes no matter." He read how the mysterious horse, known as Pax, was conveyed to the scene of action in high state, in a "private van drawn by four grey horses:" and how his owner and backers, confident of victory, declared, in racing phraseology, that the horse would "walk in." This and much more Alfred read, and then came to the kernel--the prophecy--which stated that either Pax, Xanthus, Bertram, Kingcraft, or Phosphorus would be certain to win, and that of the five, Xanthus, Bertram, and Kingcraft were the three upon which this wise prophet pinned his faith. Alfred looked round triumphantly. The carriage in which he was se

much he would win if this horse that he had backed came in first and that second, or that first and this second; as to how much he would win under the most favourable circumstances, supposing three of his horses came in first, second, and third. Indeed, he worked himself into a state of belief that it was certain two of his horses would be first and second; and if fortune favoured him out and out, he would go home with twelve hundred pounds in his pocket. Losing was an impossibility. If a shadow of doubt intruded itself, he banished it instantly by a reference to his prophet. Twelve hundred pounds! He parcelled it out. So much to pay Mr. Sheldrake--so much to replace what he had "borrowed" from the office--so much left. There they were! All the horses were out, and the course was clear. Such bright colourings of jockeys' caps and jackets--such grand action from the beautiful creatures they bestrode--such confident smiles on some of the jockeys' lips--such eager scrutinising on the part of anxious investors. There was Kingcraft--there Xanthus--there Bertram--there Phosphorus--there Pax, that was to bring anything but peace to those who

Alfred, hiding his face as well as he could, slunk through the crowd to the rear of the race

TER

HE W

in response, but no sound came from them. He thought he had spoken aloud, however, and his eyes, after the first swift recognition of Mr. Sheldrake, sought the ground miserably. Mr. Sheldrake made a pretenc

. I was told by the best jockey of the day that Digby Grand could not be beaten

said no word. He was in a stupor o

to-morrow. He says he'll go to your place of business, and if you don't pay, he'll split on you to your employers. That would be serious, wouldn't it? I should advise you not t

. He laid his hand upon Alfred's arm, and Alfred shivered a

an answer, Alf. Ha

tered Alfre

demanded M

had in the world

me," said Mr. Sheldrake with distinct emphasis, "How you ar

olently, but did n

ed Mr. Sheldrake; "but I know more than y

and moved away slowly, Mr. Sheld

an, whose eyes never left them, was following them watchfully and warily. A p

l up with you. You daren't go back to the office until your accounts are squared, and you daren't go home. The detectives will be on the look out for you. I daresay if T

s raised imploringly a

have something to show your people, and to prove to them, if

ocket-book, and handed it

ouble and danger, and cannot come home; my friend, Mr. Sheldrake, is the only man I c

he words, and Mr. Sheldrake took th

e said, with a friendly nod; "you kn

ed to avoid him, but Mr. Sheldrake had left Alfred very suddenly, and the old man's m

e exclaimed. "Wha

e not missed a year. I was at the first City and Suburban in 1851, when Elthiron won; and the next year, when Butterfly won; and the nex

gular walking racing calendar! Did you b

I had no

er, you can do a little business for me. You see that young fel

haded his eyes

d as they used to be, b

enough. It's Alfred,

re, to be sure. I

t him go out of your sight. I want to know

o home to-night,"

doesn't, you must see where he puts u

r w

oney, and I don't intend that he shall give me the slip. Perhaps he

retty sister," suggest

want to be turned off at a moment's notice, do as you're told, and ask no questions. And look here, old man, you know the Myrtle Inn? Well, inquire there

ely, and crept away in the di

and not to know that you are watching him. You can drop me a line

manner did not seem to please Mr. Sheldrake, who mutte

knows too much. I'll square up the concern, and get rid of him this year.

. All this money had been lost in betting, and in vainly striving to recover what had gone before. Even in the midst of his despair he groaned to himself that he had done his best, that he had tried system after system, prophet after prophet, with the same result; and that ill-fortune, and not he, was to blame. There was some special reason for each fresh loss--some special reason applicable to that case alone, and which could not by any exercise of forethought have been anticipated or avoided. It brought that smallest of consolation to him which consists in the reflection that the same thing would have happened to anybody else placed in his position; but it brought sharp stings also in the reflection that he might have known, or ought to have known, that such and such a thing might have been anticipated, or suspected, or guessed, and the unfortunate result avoided. No consideration of this descri

first thought which flashed through his mind was that the old man had been set to watch him. That this presumption was the correct one was due, not to Alfred's perspicacity, but to his fears. In his condition, every face that was familiar was a face to be suspected. Alfred cast furtive glances at the old man, who, having seen Alfred's recognition of him, looked about listlessly in every direction but that in which Alfred was. He seemed to have come to the spot entirely by accident, and Alfred was partly thrown off his guard by the old man's manner. "But I will make sure," thought Alfred, and he set traps, into which the old man unconsciously fell. Alfred slunk behind a hedge, which was not thick enough to hide him completely from sight, and remaining there for fully a quarter of an hour, watched and waited, and when he emerged into the open plain, the old man was still there, looking about him with ill-concealed listlessness. "He is watching me!" thought Alfred, trembling in every limb. "Who set him on? How can I escape?" He had no thought of addressing the old man to ascertain his purpose. No cordiality had grown between them during their acquaintanceship; Alfred knew that in some way Mr. Musgrave was connected in business with

injury enough already, and I can never, never atone for it. All hope has left me, and I wish my miserable life were ended. I can only ask you to think kindly of me and to forgive me. If I did not love you, I should not be as unhappy as I am. I am afra

the railway station, ran after him, and bargained with him to delive

me," said Alf

young woman shall have the letter all right. You look a

d to a quiet spot, and threw himself on the ground, waiting fo

TER

S BRIGHTE

ver it appeared to be clearing away. She ran up and down the stairs, and in and out of the rooms, singing her old songs. She was in the happiest of moods, and her grandfather listen

ld self again, Mrs.

ill wind that blows nobody good, and the fire has done Lily the good turn of sen

her," answer

Podmore, with a half sigh. "It was a hard blow for Jim, tho

heels, "if some of us had been hurt and burnt,

Wheels. I wish he was anything but what he is, and that he could get a living in a reasonable way, where he wouldn't be worked to death as he's being worked now. It ain't fair to flesh and blood, and flesh and blood can't sta

thank

commencing a verse of a favourite

mile, "but there's something else besides fresh air to account for her

" asked Felix, who entered as sh

e with another smile of much meaning, intended especially for the old man;

t so far to go home when his work's done as he had when we lived in Soho. You see how lucky th

it," replied Mrs. Podmore, with an affec

l words, the mother an

ix," said Old Wheels; "has any p

oth anxious and

ted London correspondent to a leading colonial newspaper. By his advice, I sent an initial letter--in my best style, of course; a regular trap for them," added Feli

Old Wheels, rubbing his hands; "I

ousness, "from a worldly point of view. But there are other matters I

interposed Old

do not think I have told you that Lizzie, Al

e first time I

ed with me, it is right that you should be acquainted with everything that concerns me. Martha is with Lizzie at the present mome

my mind that, on every occasion when we were expected, in the natural course of things to meet, sudden

know of

disinclined to make new acq

ly fond of Lily,

e child would win her way to any heart. It speaks well for him I am very glad to hear it. Exceedingly fond of

adopted daughter. It seems to me as if he feels that he cannot

s more cheerful than she ha

d the old man watched his attitude and manner with a curi

h to say. About Mr. Musgrave: he and I have had confidential busi

fita

th Lizzie, and has discovered something else also. Lizzie, it appears, is not Martha's niece, as I understood: she is her daughter. The story that Martha tells of an early marriage and of being deserted by her husband, who enlisted and died in India, my father refuses to believe. He insisted that Martha should promise not to see Lizzie any more, and Martha indignantly left his service. She has been with him for a great many years, and she says that it suited her; that she was fit for nothing else, and that it supplied her with means to

x; Lizzie is

ther to part with a woman who must have been wonderfully useful to h

what

knows of the tie which binds Alfred to Lizzie. It is in some way to punish me that he has provoked this breach;

a reconciliation with

s of his life; but he is my father, and it will best become me to be silent as to his judgments and motives. I am but a young man, but it seems to me that my life is clear before me. I do not aspire to riches. I have one great hope, and if that is fulfilled, I shall be content to work with others of the world's workers, satisfied with modera

e say to your

which she has kept all her life, and Lizzie probably knows by this time that she has a mother. Now, sir, I come to my one great hope. I have waited until now, when not only my position is assured, but when another matter which has c

said Old Wheels, tre

about

uddenly, and in a tone

oment,

led him to rise. He stood with averted head, silent for many mome

ix; go on,

your permission to tell her,

grasped F

onour and tenderness, for which I should not have esteemed you less, Felix; no, not one whit--I feared that something of this sort might have prevented you from speaking. The sad

a little cry of surprise and pleasure, and then, seeing something in his face that she had never seen before, stood for an instant pale and trembling. Bu

raight from gra

ut to play their great stake. She stood sile

o a book, and by good luck I may find a publisher who will publish it; or to a play, and by good luck I may find a manager who will produce it. Whichever it is may be successful, and another hundred pounds may come in my purse. If I do not do either, or if I am unsuccessful in the doing, my position is good enough, and I sh

east, and with such joy in her heart as seemed to make life too happy. A long silence followed, a silence that was like a p

u glad,

led clos

devote my life t

x." She spoke the wor

ife, and these will be suff

wife!" tenderly. She rai

have bu

at

el

with grateful music as h

tto, Lily, or a bad title for my book

rst time I saw Lily, I thought to myself, There is my wife; and I schemed for the result. I have acted my part very

y were sittin

ave everything your own way. I have no doubt that Lily has made up her mind--as I have

ness, Lily had lost sight for a time of Alfred's troubles. Now they recurred to her, and brought with them the ima

confidence, and coax him to confide freely in us. I know your love for him, Lily, and you know,

e for the first time on that day; of the story of Mr. Sheldrake's goodness that Alfred had related to her (Felix smiled gravely at this); of the persistent manner in which Mr. Sheldrake had impressed upon her that it was for her sake, and for her sake only, he was her brother'

ttle while ago, Felix--when I was afraid to think of what might occur to him--and to me," she added in a dreamy tone. A mom

and safe wit

cies. I shall watch my sensitive flower very jealously, and she must trust to my judgment wholly. You have doubts! Why, I have had them! and for a long time have been afra

, Fe

over you even then, although I had no

come to me and sp

en the cause of disturbance, of which Mr. Sheldrake probably would h

fully and tenderly; "for you l

then. But love often show

poke again. "You said once, Felix, that th

know I said

than love? That supposing these two stand before us, duty on one si

eatre? Duty should be followed first; much that is bitter in life it makes sweet. But when love

feelings until to-day. Ah, I know! Love has made me wise. Now we will not talk of this any more now; we s

word,

rd; you made m

could not repeat t

art I

list

soling thought that would arise to my mind, should misfortune overtake me, would be, 'Thank God, I have one at home who will sympathise

called him away in the afternoon, and he left her, saying he

er for you, Felix,

to town, the happ

TER

AKE MAKES

ace had a flush of happiness in it, and the sombre effect of her black dress had been lightened by Lizzie, who had insisted on her mother's wearing one or two pieces of bright ribbon. Yet, notwithstanding the joy which the disclosure of their nearer and dearer relationship must have brought to both Lizzie and Martha Day, uneasy shades of expression rested occasionally on their features. The cause of this uneasiness in Lizzie seemed to be entirely within herself, and to be in no way connected wit

elix. There is only one other thing w

it seemed to her, Alfred's fate and hers was being decided. Strangely enough, she also dwelt superstitiously in her thoughts upon the three times seven kisses Alfred had given her when he parted from her in the morning. "They will be sure to bring him luck," she had said t

e together," s

with their arms around each other's necks, whispered confidence to each other. One thing--her most precious secret--Lizzie was burning to tell her friend; but she restrained herself. She had solemnly promised not to speak of it until Alfred gave her permission. In the evening, when she and her mother were at home again, she

ld have looked after her better!" But when Lizzie awoke, Martha was careful that her daughter should not see any traces of agitation. "I will

ittle Polly had gone to London for some bits of clothing which friends had gathered together for them; they were expected to return by train at about ten o'clock. Every now and then

hough she has been hinting at it mysteriously from the very first day we saw Felix--when he drov

he comes home," said Lily; "but I wi

other half an hour, and at the end of th

," he said, with pretended petulance; "I

appy light in her eyes; "I have be

t is blowing quite cold, dear child. Let me keep you warm in my arms. Ah, Lily, Lily, now I can die happy when my time comes. But what am I thinking of? To speak of such a subject at such a time! Talk of dying, indeed! I

spel his sadness; "he's a long way off though, for he'll

w look up at the ceil

el

e lamp. What

el

e fire. What

el

eyelids gently; "Felix is not on th

of tones, taking his hand, and pl

the old man standing quietly by her side, with his hand on her shoulder, looking down upo

mused on the time gone by, and thought of L

im since that dreadful time! If he is living now, would it not be a good thing that he should witness his daughter's happiness? But if the

struck. Lil

she said impatiently. "I

s," said the old man. "S

zie come too, and Mr. Musgrave. Mr. Musgrave is very fond of m

roat, when she suddenly exclaimed, "It's a sha

ink," he added gaily; "Felix may come i

d be a good friend to him--a true friend. How much happier Alfred had been these last few days! his troubles seemed to be over. His smiling face, as she had seen it this very morning, when he ran back and kissed her, appeared in the fire among her other fancies that she conjured up there. Alfred and Lizzie married--herself and Felix in their little home-. She saw every room in it, and saw them all smiling at one another in the fire before which she was kneeling. But why was not Alfred here now? Swiftly she thought, "He cannot be with Lizzie; for the first thing Lizzie would tell him about would be about Felix and me, and Alfred would have run home to me at o

anddaughte

es

t to s

at

h the closed door: she was alone in the h

he inquired a

ay, unless

ing to you no

body wi

r, Lily answered, "No; w

e you a

ewhat of a lonely one, and her grandfather had warned her not to open the do

her returns. He will be here present

. "My instructions are to give it into your hand, a

d, in an agony of terror, and murmuring i

it to me told me to say, if anything like this occurred, that

no longer, but tore open the door, panting. A man, who

s cap. "Here is the letter, and I am to wait for an answer. You can

e a deer up-stairs into the light, o

is probable that his life hangs upon your prompt action; his safety certainly depends on your secrecy. He is in the greatest danger. If you love him and wish to save him, come and see me immediately. I am waiting at the end of the road, at the corner of the True Blue public-house. The messenger wh

Sheld

r she loved so dearly that, without considering, she ran to her room for

gave you this letter?" she asked breathl

e True Blue, and told me to br

alk as quick as you can;

ompletely out of breath, and her heart beat so violently that she reeled and would have fallen, but for a friendly arm held out for her support. She clung to it instinctively, and looking up the next moment, saw that it

t to speak, but he anticipated her; "it is a great re

itated tone. "What is the matter?

rs. There is a private room in this public-house in which we can talk for a few minutes undisturbed. Nay," he said, in a sad tone, "do no

not we t

ause, if any person overheard us, your brother would be

was a clock hanging up, and she saw that it was half-past nine. A comfortable-looking woman was stan

little parlour with the door open. You can ask for the use of it y

unded by her suspicions of him. Lily walked into the public-ho

he asked, "for a very few moments, undi

and was surprised at her appearance there. "You c

nful suspense for Mr. Sheldrake to speak. He had noticed that when she entered the room she had moved timorously towards the door as if for protection, and he experienced

hem--I owe to myself a certain amount of self-respect, and I stand in danger of forfeiting this, and of placing myself in a false light, by silent submission to your distrust of me. But"--and here his voice grew less restrained, and his words were expressed with mor

peak more plainly, and tell me for w

your brother's sake. It is a

fascination, and although he knew that she was at his mercy, he was instinctively conscious, bold and unscrupulous as he was, that he held no power for ill over her. Her innocence and trustfulness were a stronger armour than any which cunning

te that I wrote

e it

aid, as he took the note from her ha

her, and he, glancing at the not

was destroyed, "of such evidence falling i

quisite distress, "that his life-

ered into for his good can now be carried out. I am rea

rother--anything. But I do n

diately; he will tell you in wh

to see him! Where is he! O, Mr. Sheldrake,

er that seized her warned him of the indiscretion he was about to commit. "But this is no time to speak

Bring him to me, but do not torture

him, and he took them in his, and look

vert all this misery. Listen to me calmly. I cannot bring Alfred to you; he is in hid

treated a step or two, nearer to the door of

have averted--to-morrow, when you learn the miserable fate that has befallen the brother who loved you so fondly--you may repent what you have done. But, unjust, and cruel as you are in thi

turned from her, his heat bea

acrifice that I would not make for Al

would be ready to make any sacrifice for y

so sudden and terrible, and I am so much in the dark--with

onduct to speak for itself. Knowing my own motives and the more than good-will to yourself which prompted them, I wished you to depend upon me, and to trust in me, as you may do implicitly, believe me. I have in my

paper which Alfred had written

de; for I cannot sto

th difficulty; the wor

rake, is the only man I can trust, and the only man who

ke, almost tenderly. "You know Alfred's ha

d by conflicting doubts; "I will come with you. But I must

lacing writing-materials before her; "n

ote hur

. Do not be anxious about me. I will return soon, and you will know that I have

ke. "If you can contrive to look less sad--if you could even smile--as we

lfred's danger. The messenger who had brought Mr. Sheldrake's note was outside, talking to his companions. She hurried to him, and giving him the pa

aid to her hurriedly, "I want

r Lily's note to her grandfather go into th

he said to the man; "give me the lett

drake, throwing half-a-crown on the bar, said, "Give your customers some beer, landlady

aid Mr. Sheldrake to Lily; "I'll get up outsid

cy on his part see

hurriedly and nervousl

the driver to

rted when he saw a number of men running

tter?" he call

y ran past towards the railway station. Mr. Sheldrake did not

tion. He saw no person, however, and he returned to the front door. As he stood there irresolute, the same thought came to his mind that had occurred to Lily; that Lizzie would have been certain to tell Alfred of the engagement between Felix and Lily, and that Alfred would have come home i

knocked, M

rtha Day

no reply. I have been here for nearly ten minut

not intend to come back to-night, but I could not rest away from my darling. Come round the

r of the house, and

my girl has gone out for a

t," the old man said, "th

eary, out of doors

s uneasy because he has not come home, and she

tches, seemed to find something strange

me home, and L

sleep, as you said,"

way to Lizzie's room. "You won't mi

her. She went into Lizzie's bedroom, and felt the bed. Lizzie was not there. She began to be alarmed. She glided quickl

elf. "Can Lizzie have been frightened because of what I said

d rocked herself to an

ring Martha's distress. "We are all closely connected by affectionate ties,

ds. "You are his grandfather, and I dare not tell you.

into the old man's fac

h Alfred? Nay, answer me; I am

n him. He has brought shame upon her, and I only am to blame! I should have watched

y--a grief which I never dreamed of, never suspected. I thought our troubles were coming to an end, and that this day, until now so bright and so

t the thought of Lily waiting at h

sadly at the bowed figure of the unhappy mother;

nied him to the street-door, but she paused t

and seek Lizzie

he is likely to be?"

ich way to turn. I'll wait here; perhaps she'l

ht was over, he hurried away, leaving her alone with her grief. His own heart

TER

RIS

entered the sitting-room, and looked around for Lily. She was not there. "The puss!" he thought, with a smile. "She thinks Alfred is with me, and she is hiding herself. Lily; Lily!" No sound broke the silence that followed, as the old man stood, with head inclined, listening for the response. But the silence seemed to speak, and his heart turned cold. He looked around again with a vacant eye, and murmured, more than cried, in a helpless tone, "Lily! Lily!" with the same result. He wandered into her bedroom, and into every room in the house, but found no trace of his darling. Then a feeling came upon him, like the feeling of death, and almost deprived him of consciousness. But after a little while, by a strong effort of will, he recovered himself somewhat. "I must think! I must think!" he murmured; and wrenching his mind from the lethargy of despair which was stealing over it, he thought over all that had occurred. Presently a comforting thought came to him: the coincidence of Lizzie being absent from her house was a sufficient reason for his darling not being at home. "I have been away longer than Lily expected," he thought as he descended the stairs towards the street. "Lily grew anxious, and coming after me met Lizzie, and perhaps Alfred as well. I must have missed them on the way." In the h

eery tone; "I said I'd be here at ten.

ubled eyes was reflected instantly in the eyes of Felix, as in a mirror. For a moment a shadow

" he asked aga

then?" asked the old

ssed away, and Felix's

et me? The dear girl! She thought

heels, who had received the suggestion with a feeling of intense gratitude, convinced that Feli

ith you, Fel

se, he went into Lily's bedroom. He had not thought before of ascertaining w

f, smiling. "It's so long since I was young that I see everything

f Martha Day's agitation; but as Felix and he walked to the railway-station, they recurred to

Felix exclaimed in amazement. "And Martha

bly distressed at Li

you seen Mr. Sh

N

go to Epsom and see the City and Suburban run." Then to the old man,

hter than I have seen

hat he had been told. As they approached the railway-station they saw a number of persons hurrying thither, and some coming from it, with looks of haste and alarm. Felix was about to inquire the cause of this--

d Felix; "wh

t on the line," said the

said Felix to Old Wheels, quickening his st

cident. And upon the shock of this news, and of its probably evil consequences to his humble friends,

nly a moment--

came composed. He had resolutely shaken off all si

have taken place to-night that I cannot overcome the impression that something of serious moment to persons whom we love has occurred, or may occur. If it be so--and I am convinced that my feeling springs from something more than mere nervousness--only calm reflection and steady action will help us. Lily may not be here; she may have arrived home in our absence, and will be alarmed that there is no one there to receive her Nay, she will not be able to get into the house. If she goes round to Lizzie's house, she will find n

ment, and saying hurriedly, "I will act exactly as

ined permission to the platform. There he found everything in co

" he asked, in a

seems to be hurt rather badly. There

fault w

was half asleep when the acci

xclaimed Felix. "T

assenger who had answered Felix's questions--"but whatever it

ard the last question, said, as he passed

s way into the waiting-room, and saw, in the centre of a little group, a

he leant over the sad cou

o his face, and recognised him

between each word. "My Polly! my darling! she's dead! s

made it bleed. He laid his hand commis

like this, did you? O, why don't the doctor come! Will no one bring a doc

writhing form, apart from the group, and with so strong an agony in

lay a finger on me! I ain't safe to be touched or talked to. I've killed my child

reason; and knowing that it would do the man good

Podmore? I'm you

d of the friendly voice. He turn

She didn't know, when she cuddled me in bed afore I went to work, that I meant to kill her before the day was out. 'And when's your ship coming home, father?' she asked me; 'and when's your

owards Jim with somewhat of a rough m

do him good. He knows that I'm his friend, and he doesn't mind

sir," said the

Keep the people away

lthough Jim could see neither his wife nor child,

e's done dozens o' times afore; and she says, with her eyes shut, 'Here's the ship a-sailing, a-sailing, and here's the waves a-curling, a-curling'--she knew it by heart, sir, every word of it--'and here's the captain a-bowing, a-bowing.'

y a few yar

ove away, and let the

but Jim Podmore was deaf to ever

n the train. I thought mother and her was home long ago. But I know'd it'd come to this--I've feared it for months and months. If it wasn't to-night, it'd come some other time. But I shoul

mpathetic eyes. It seemed to Felix as if it knew that something serious had occurred. Jim Podmore was som

to go into the room to hear what the doctor say

into the waiting-room. The people made way for him, and, to Felix'

that's all. Killed! not at all, thank God!" And "Thank God! thank God!" ca

aken his hand and kissed it.--"You must be a wise and steady mother; and if you don't at once stop crying like that, I declare you'll

s neck. Mrs. Podmore was about to clasp the child to her bre

? No--that's right, that's right. I'll go home with you, and will see the l

and seeing Felix, her eyes brightened, and she

nd, sir, and b

o understand that his precious Pollypod was comparatively unhurt

ha'n't mind that now. I'll try and ge

me, before you join your wife, have you see

nt, and passed his hands across h

emembered seeing Lily if she'd been here. No, sir; I haven't seen her; but that ai

om!" echoed Felix, not

shilling from a passenger for taking a letter t

r from his wife and child. The last thing he saw before he left the station

iety; and when he saw Felix coming along by himself, his anxiety was redoubled. Felix

he asked, as he drew the

Felix.

en seen at the

eels of the accident caused by Jim Podmore;

ly hurt," said Old Wheels--"very, very glad

and only care. You have no the

e, F

ht as he spoke. "That is a proof that she went from the house with delib

s, Felix

anybody is at home at Mr. Musgrave

ed in a very

bsence and theirs. The only thing I cannot understand is that Lily did not leave a line

in a low tone, "can there

ments; he was mentally busy deci

hat a passenger from Epsom gave a porter a shilling to take a letter to Lizzie. That letter eith

Alfred," interposed Old Whe

Now, sir, you must still be content to remain quiet, while I ride to London. I s

don, Felix?" asked the old man, gain

at his work to-day. Without that information, we might take a false step; with it (if it be as I suspect) I think I see pa

lock as he ran upstairs to Old Wheels, flushed with the exercise. H

she has no

n at his office to-day. He asked for leave of absence

have spent h

was run to-day, and Alfred has been betting on that

suspense. "A greater one than h

y that you should know. From what I have heard to-night, I sus

ith his hands, and sobbed qui

s had transpired. Can you see the connection between these things, and Lily's connection with them Alfred, having lost in the race money that did not belong to him, is afraid to show his face at the office, is afraid to come home.. A letter arrived for Lizzie from Epsom; that letter is written by him, and tells her probabl

ck, neither she nor I had any suspicion of these occurrences. We thought Lizzie was at her house; we expected Alfred's arriva

stable near is the one from which I hired the horse to go to London." And here Felix stamped his foot, and exclaimed excitedly, "Fool that I w

e with Mrs. Podmore, in the unlikely contingency of Lily returning in their absence. Polly was asleep, and m

" said Mrs. Podmore in a whisper; "but y

h their trouble, and promised ob

she said; "but one of us will be sure to be on the watch. If Lily c

Lily, and intrusting them to Mrs.

grateful for," he s

answered. "God bless you, and s

. There was only one man there, and they had some difficulty in arousing him. He refer

ye on the page on which the record was made; "a brougham and pair for a customer" (me

ired t

y name, has gone with it. Hired by a g

was it h

y. Thompson is generally selected for

I do

p: wears an old white overcoat. Now I think of it, I saw him a

Felix briskly.

ppened to be passing just then, and now I

ation. "Here's something to get another d

ck license, sir.

ing at his watch. "Come along, Mr. Wheels;

were being urged by the landlord to leave, as the time was come to close the house. The potman was busy with shutters and bolts; behind the ba

ou?" asked Felix. "And there is time, isn't there, fo

ck, as a matter of form--it was

tlemen; you'll find it more comfortable?--Now, tu

some of the customers of the True Blue was

upon that other pint, and that the most serious consequences to his health would ensue if it were refused. The landlady paid no attention to the entreaty, but devoted herself to Felix and Old Wheels, who had stepped into the parlour at her inv

uch importance, my dear madam," he said; "and w

lady, flattered by the courtesy of so well-looking a

suppose we agree that it shall be a secret between us

d her acquiescence, h

of questions, I am af

said the amiable woman; "

r door at about half-past nine

three or four wai

here, with the driver Thompson, a man with a crooked nose and a

ly. "There's no mistaking Thomps

l us who hir

n this parlour for more than ten minutes talking with--with-" But her eyes lighted upon Old W

inquired Felix quickl

tating look towards Old

ung l

es

ere's a good creature. You kno

you like to mention who you think i

granddaughter?" asked F

s held hi

ctantly. "There! you shouldn't have forced

me over his face, and

g nearer and nearer to the unravelling of the plot. And remember, too, dear sir, that I have almost as great a stake in the discovery as you have yourself. There has been foul play, as you suggeste

r that tears came int

me if she could have the use of the parlour for a few minutes, undisturbed. She wanted to speak to the gent

mes. See, sir, how near we are comin

, sir; I never set eyes

ce. No, it wasn't him, said the landlady. Then Felix describ

cab had taken? No, she didn't know; but she would call the potman in; he was outside all the time. The potman was called in, and being ref

s hand. "Now, potman, is there anything else you know.

scratched

n a hearty tone, giving the man the c

"I don't remember anything else; but there's

empty at this time, a

out at the back door. The landlady explained. "Dick has been drinking here all night, sir. You

ly if he was a lawyer. Felix stopped his questioning to answer, "No;" and the landlady said, To be sure! How could he be? He wasn't dried-up enough. When the cross-examination was over, they had learnt all. Of Mr. Sheldrake giving Dick Maclean a letter to take to Lily, and of the instruction that he was to give it to the young lady in secret, and to tell her, if he found any difficulty in delivering it, that it was a matter of life or death to some one whom she loved; of the young lady accompanying him to the

that what they wanted now was a light trap and a smart horse. Now thoroughly enthusiastic in the cause, t

Felix, shaking hands with her

dozen of them, if she had t

rity?" asked Felix. "Here are four five-

her heartily again and again. While the smartest trotting mare out of London was being harnessed, Old Wheels looked at Felix, wistfu

ed her as I trust her now. Dear girl! Pure heart! When I lose

pressed him in his arms, and sobbed upon his shoulder. Th

said, in the midst of her indulgen

n the lightest trap and behind the smartest

a great parcel of sandwiches and a bottle of brandy. "It's the righ

they were on t

TER

LDRAKE PLAY

ivately with him, had smiled when she left the public house, and had voluntarily entered the cab which was conveying them along the Epsom road. He could prove that he had been a friend to her brother, and, according to the logic of figures, a heavy loser by him; he could prove that he had been on intimate terms with Lily, and that she had accepted favours from him. So far all was well. But, going a point farther, Mr. Sheldrake, carefully considering the position as the cab drove along, was puzzled. He had not definitely settled upon the next step. He had, in a vague manner, decided that to bring the brother and sister together--to make Lily clearly

, Mr. Sheldrake?" she asked

t a gre

ondon before now; but the road is s

ned. "I told you, if you remember, t

not come from London; he went straigh

Lily; he went to

d a sharp

have confided in me?

. Sheldrake gently; "I had no

ame you, Mr

d. Kind words from her we

ened of being on

I am here to

ars fe

of Felix and her grandfather, and of their unhappiness at her absence. But there was some small c

nly we can save him. And of course I thought you knew where he was. If there has been deceit, it has not been on my part. And even at this stage, I cannot submit to be placed in a false light, or to be misjudged. I have endeavoured to make you acquainted with the unhappy positio

t helpless in this man's hands. "We will go

e, then," he

too much." Then he fell a-thinking of the wives of his friends, and how superior Lily was in every way to any of them. "She'll do me credit," he thought. He was dimly conscious that Lily entertained a tender feeling for Felix; but that this would fade utterly away in the light of his own magnanimous offer he did not entertain a doubt. He mused upon the future in quite a different mood from that he was accustomed to; for the purifying influence of Lily's nature made itself felt even in his heart, deadened as it had been all his life to the higher virtues. And now they were nearing the end of their journey. In the distance could be s

on. As they entered, and walked upstairs into a private room which Mr. Sheldrake ordered, Lily looked about, expecting to see Alfred. Mr. Sheldrake, attentively

notice the look of sudden distrust and surprise which came into her face at his

warn her against this man. But although, in the light of these new impressions, a veil seemed to be falling from before her sight, and although love for Felix, and

Lily. Is there anything par

lf, resting her ha

a voice that was firm, despite it

discomposed by h

s not her

"For what reason, then

he stumbled over his words, and for once in his life his assurance failed him. Had he been at his ease, and had he spoken with his usual plausibility, he might still have been successful in deceiving her;

with you to see my bro

ing his lips; "I will go and search for him

d his fart

here to see my broth

her; he must strive to leave more favourable impression behind him. But the words he wished to utter for the purpose of quieting

ng for?" he asked,

, escaped from her, and she tur

up there; but he knew that, even if the cab were still at the door, she could not see it, for the window of the room looked out upon the back of the inn. As Lily leaned out of the window, Mr. Sheldrake fancied he heard a voice without, but he set it down to the accoun

g over her tenderly. "You are over-wrought a

erself by a

anything of the cab," she answe

I suppose. It is a long drive, rem

he door, and the

re to-night, si

" he

"This gentleman does n

g look came

, and Mr. Sheldrake closed the door. "What is the meaning of this?" h

n a matter of life or death. I cannot rest until I see him. H

ly. "I will go and bring him t

ll. But promise

will not promise," he said, hailing thi

that you will not return here to-n

pe from him was upon him. In the light of this fear she became more than

know that I love you--tha

t with her hand on her heart, "you canno

What wil

e in the hope of

that? You will st

all that I

finding Alfred to-night, yo

es

gaily: "I will show you that you can

his for a moment, and deeme

from the inn. "I was afraid she was going to tu

TER

AND D

in the bar, and heard the front door open and close upon him as he walked out into the night. Then, with a grateful "T

miss; I'll w

iting for him at the top of the stairs. She drew him into the room with eager haste, and clasping him round the neck, cried again, "Thank God! I am safe now! You will not leave me, will you? Stop with me--for my grandf

othingly; "I told you she had only f

ave, remembrance of what had passed came to her; and she clung to him in a passion of tears, and beso

me down-stairs

said Lily, when they were alone.

how you came here. When I saw you looking out of the window, I placed my finger on my lips

n them on the road and at the inn. He listened attentively, and with varying shades of emotion; and when she ceased speak

," he said, "but not from him. Wh

nterrupted entreatingly, c

atisfied. Then I will not leave you again. I shall be absent for half

. Sheldrak

sary for your safety or your honour!" What inexplicable passion, inwardly borne but not expressed, was it that caused his limbs to tremble as he held her to him

t for half an hour, my dear, and trust me thoroughly.

onviction with it; but hi

" she said. "I trust you thorou

grateful sob he was about to kiss her

l she knows all." And left t

he landlady had lit the fire, and had drawn a couch to t

e arranged the rugs about her with a tenderness which surprise

ind, sir. Come and sit near m

movement of his hand he overturned the candlestick,

it, child," he said; "w

; it brings rest to me. I shall be glad when day comes." She paused between each sentence, expecting him to speak; but he sat

st," he replied presently

you

ht have been useful and happy,

r, you speak as if your heart was troubled! Come closer

me to do that, I will fall at your feet and bless you! This wasted life that I

ak; it pains me to h

rt will burst else; and I have waited for this

s,

n of himself and of his desires as he speaks now, for he was arrogant, insolent, selfish, and inconsiderate to his heart's core. Bitter has been the fruit of these passions; but had he died a hundred deaths he could not have expiated the wrong he inflicted. And yet he did not awake to the consciousness of this until a few months since--until all the wrong was accomplished, and until he had sunk to a shameful depth--until a terrible retribution had ripened, to fall upon him for his deeds. No one was to blame but he. Life presented fair opportunities to him. He had youth, he had strength, he had a wife who loved him; but the curse that lies heavy upon th

nised interest. She could say nothing to comfort him; her emotion was too powerful for speech. In trembling suspense she waited for his next

first saw her, and heard her pretty voice singing in the room next to his, it seemed as if a vision of the past had fallen upon him. This girl and he became friends, and he grew to love her, and loves her now. Often, as he looked upon her, he thought that his daughter, if she was living--his daughter whom he had not seen since she was a babe--would be something like this bright girl. One night the man's employer came to him and made a strange offer. On the condition that he could persuade this girl to live with him as his daughter or his niece, a small house near London was to be taken, of which he was to be the tenant and ostensible master. While they w

e from the sofa, and approached him tremblingly. She knelt at h

his nam

ame throug

fre

art's name is Li

es

u have related to

, miserable m

ivion. Then upon the darkness in which his soul was wrapped broke a silver line of light

the

he fell on the ground at her feet,

ve something mo

hat has passed, so that you may be prepared. You will h

ed!" she cried, i

have seen him. I went to him

, and looked about trem

at once. Come! Why

and striving to calm her, "you must be guided b

he knows that I am here? O, let us go to him, dear fa

would not bring great

, n

being kept secret. For he is in hiding, my dear. Sit down, child, and be satisfied that for the present you are serving him be

e with

ers was this nigh

to think to what his agony and remorse might drive him, and I wandered everywhere in search of him. For six hours, my dear, I hunted for him in vain. I was distracted. It was a dark cold night, and I was worn-out and wearied. At nearly eleven o'clock I was on the plains, near to some gipsy tents, about half a mile from here. I thought of Lizzie's misery at Alfred's absence, and I thought of you also, dear child. I did not know what it was best for me to do. Shall I return home? I asked of myself. And as I stood, uncertain and helpless, I heard a voice that was familiar to me. It was Lizzie's voice, my dear. She had been searching also, and with a woman's wit knew that it was useless to inquire at the inns or wander about the town in search of him. She guessed rightly where it was most likely he would try to find refuge. She went to every tent and every camping party on the plains, and made her way where I could not, and received answers and civil words where they were denied to me. At the gipsy tents, near which I had halted, she was told that a man with the horrors on him--don't tremble, child!--had come and wanted to camp with them; but they had turned him away, and would have naught to do with him. Lizzie described Alfred to them. Yes, they answered, it was some such sort of a man. She searched for him near those tents, and found him lying under a hedge in a state of delirium. Dear child, be calm! let us pray that he will get well, and that this great trouble may be tided over. It is not Mr. Sheldrake that he has to fear. But I haven't finished my story yet. Li

on his shoulder,

u both!" he s

hen, presently, she pretended to fall asleep, he knelt by the couch, and

TER

ATES MR. DAV

the neighbourhood making inquiries, has been unsuccessful in finding any trace of him or Alfred. Mr. Sheldrake has settled with himself that this dereliction of duty must not be overlooked. "The old man must go," he thinks: "Ivy Cottage has served its turn. It is getting rather warm there, and Old Muzzy is beginning to know too much." The reflection that Ivy Cottage is getting too warm is not entirely new; certain victims who had been fleeced by Mr. Sheldrake and his agents had been writing threatening letters to him and Con Staveley addressed to Ivy Cottage, and the secret of their connection had in some way leaked out. Now, Mr. Sheldrake does not desire a public exposure; such a thing would be annoying and expensive, perhaps dangerous. He knows well enough that many of his transactions will not bear the light, and that in some instances a boundary line withi

t all round. He owes me money; he owes a person of the name of Con Staveley money. Of course what he owes me does not matter, but this Con Staveley is a hard nail, and insists on having his money down, or he'll prosecute. Even that wouldn't be so bad; but Alfred has done worse. He has

he pauses here, expecting her to say

ly, Mr. Sheldrake, how

ere, he came to see me. I thought I'd best set to work at once, and I got him to give me an account of the debt. Well, he puts confidence in me, and he not only gave me

you w

m, and her eyes are towards the ground. "Ah," he thinks, "she knows what is coming;" and says aloud, "The very first night I saw Alfred, I told him I would be his friend for his pretty sister's sake, and I have kept my word. He would have had to cave-in long ago if it hadn't been for me; but again and again, when he was going to the bad, you stepped in and saved him. He knew this all along. He knew that it was for your sake I helped him through his troubles. You s

t wo

and although she speaks in a whisper, as if

at you

mmunicates with an inner room is swiftly and softly opened. Emboldened by her silence, which he interprets favourably, he is approaching nearer to her exulta

ng-" says Old

s his lips, and ac

daughter. I was about t

around Lily, kisses her, a

ght eyes to Mr. Sheldrake, whose own eyes shift and waver, and shrink, as falsehood

eldrake, a white fury g

vertheless," sa

own lips," cries Mr. Sheldr

n open her lips to y

! But she s

side is seized by a stronger hand than

recognises Felix. "Are

ix, with a smile. "You s

is not assuring. Felix stands before him as firm as a rock, and with a kindling light in his eyes, which

s a plo

s the answer. "Plot against plot

hall

sh

passion breaks against him as the sea bre

to trick that young lady with fine speeches. But if s

she will

"Take her!" he says, with a toss of the hand, as discarding a worthless thing. "She came with me fro

ly, and holds Lily

driven that horse more than once, and I know the livery-stables to which it belonged. It was by another lucky chance that I inquired of the ostler at the Myrtle whether a man of the name of Thompson, a man with a crooked nose and a hare-lip, had d

il you to save Master Alfred from the hulks. It is my mission now to assist him t

uin. Some public attention has been drawn to the class to which Mr. Sheldrake and Mr. Staveley belong, as you may have observed. The law hitherto has been comparatively powerless, because of the want of sufficiently direct evidence; the rascals are a cunning set. But I and my detective friend have in our possession documents by which we shall be able to prove distinct fraud; and as those who administer the law wait but for the opportunity to convict,

s may be in Felix's hands, and whether Felix is speaking tru

itnesses!" he says. "You can

e courage when Felix

ere any more of us. I told you there was one

Mr. Musgrave comes forward. Then, for the first time, the consideration

he exclaims, with an oath

confidence, and what passes between us is, as the lawyers say, without prejudice. But you have not seen all the cards

o

e, mind) with him. If we are compelled to make this case public, he appears against you. We hold him harmless, and he is satisfied to get out of a serious scrape without a scratch. In no one instance was

What stakes are

im for all money directly or indirectly advanced to him by you and Con Staveley. We know almost to a

if I r

x sm

f those bills as bear his name. Those bearing Mr. Staveley's name we should be a

upted Mr. Sheldr

th while to prosecute. But we should not want it, I believe. We shall be able to keep Alfred's name out of the proceedings. The other cases we have against you are, in my detective friend's opinion, amply sufficient. And be sure of this"--and here Felix's voice grew stern--"that unless the terms I have stated are ac

anner carry conviction with them

se bills, and the quit

our hands

letters--you dog, you!" with a dark look

revailed upon

cept; I can have my

please. This is a

ange the bu

l call my detec

heldrake regards him. Lily and her father and grandfather do not speak, but they worship Felix with their eyes; and now and then he turns and gives them an encouraging smile,

says, as he receives certain letters and pape

very particular in the wording of the paper which releases Alfred fr

the same form of words to you; but I am satisfied that the bills tally with the list, and

e, energetically buttoning his

test interest in kno

ployers, to tell them where it is likely they will find the runaway clerk who has embezzled

rying from the room, when Felix, in his br

ll, we will say of honour. If you go, you will find that they have nothing to say against Alfred. But I should advise you to beware of Tickle and Flint; they

ve with no good feelings in his heart, you may be sure.

accepted fifty pounds on account. It was not an easy matter to persuade them; but I pleaded with them effectually, and it is a satisfaction to

ress his hand to her trembling lips, and bid Go

ys to Old Wheels. "I would not change my

*

t Martha Day from London, after his visit to Alfred's employers. Before he returned to the inn, to play the pri

ter in there. Keep with h

Lizzie turned with a low cry, and th

s morning, mother; but you

t night, my dear

ve been! If I had thought you were c

lix found me at the house this morni

hly in his sleep. She knelt by his side, but could not make sense of the words that came from his lips. Names of h

lying under a hedge in a strong fever. He has not recognised me yet.

dear c

ng. Filled as was Martha's heart with yearning love for her child, there was an ex

l your lov

e it, de

you are

after a pause Lizzie conti

going to mak

zzi

mise. Ah, mother, you are not tender to him; you have not kissed him; you have no kind thoughts

owing tears came from her eyes, and she wrenched h

, child;

e. You spoke some words to me last evening. They are in m

ole forward, and imprisoned it. An eager light flashed into Ma

A weddi

il he gave me permission. He wanted to make his fortune first, poor dear! I have broken my promise

*

ving now. Alfred went through a very severe illness, but has almost recovered his strength. He is very humble; let us hope that the bitter experience h

is proper position in society, and deprive him of the mean

ef for support, and between them would have found it difficult, after their long battle of life, to muster sufficient money to pay for one day's food. The policeman said he charged the woman with the terrible offence, and that she denied it, and said she had merely broken a bit of dead wood with her foot. The woman being deaf, could not examine the witness. The magistrates pronounced the sentence, as dictated by the clergyman. She was found guilty, and was condemned to pay one penny for the damage done to the property of a man who was too merciful to prosecute; w

------

sing and degrading that it would, like some foul leprosy, eat away the conscience, until a man comes to think that it is your duty to yourself to 'do your neighbour as your neighbour would do you!'" The defendant in this disreputable action was twe

------

thout a limp. Sometimes when Jim Podmore looks at her as she limps along, it seems to him as if she is treading on his heart. Jim has o

and he have many quaint conversations together, and Lily and Pollypod listen with delight to their discussi

E

* * * *

Regent Press, King St