Miser Farebrother (vol 3 of 3)

wo men paused in front of Uncle Leth's house

he number,

the other; "s

cker brought 'Melia Ja

ge at home?" ask

d 'Melia Jane; "h

Lethbri

s,

Farebrother, is stopp

s,

she

't see her, if that's

n't we

ody but us. Poor thing! she's no sooner

" His voice was soothing and sympathizing, and 'Melia Jane, who had not been too favour

psing into her original view. "You don'

pity for any young lady who is ill, I hope." He smiled so kindly upon 'Melia Jane that she

ed last night," said 'Mel

ngs occur every night. Which p

an air of scornful defiance, "who knowed anothe

stranger, seemi

t. Lor' bless you! The artful way in which he'd pump people, so's to get out of

right and perhaps you're wrong. Now if I were to ask you whether Miss Ph?be Farebrother sle

d I shouldn'

However, I will not ask you, and in proof that I'm not quite the bad sort of fellow

ch Mrs. Pamflett had given

d 'Melia Jane, holdin

wear it y

ing a

restore lost property? But one must be sure first that it gets back into the hands of

ome to think of it, I 'ain't seen

is yesterday." H

tle eagerly; "she had it on wh

des." He returned the brooch and the veil to his pocket. "I won't trouble yo

me shall

ill not know it. You can sa

e went up to Ph?be's bedroom, and gave the message to her mistress,

e to speak to you in p

arlour, and the one who had spoken al

force. I am engaged upon an inquiry of a serious natur

ree hundred pounds, she feared that the terrible anxieties through which she had passed with respect to her husband's liability were about to be renewed. Sh

y the utmost distress. There were marks of violence upon her, she was bruised and bleeding, her clothes were torn, her mind was distraught. They could get nothing from her but sobs and tears. On the previous night when her absence was remarked, and they learnt from 'Melia Jane that she had gone to Parksides, they were almost distracted. Tom Barley, being off duty, was sought for immediately, and upon being made acquainted with what had taken place, had started off instantly for Parksides to protect Ph?be and bring her back. He had not

, and he started for his bank with so heavy a weight upon his heart that he almost prayed for death. No day-dreams on this morning; the real

a second thought. But when he reflected upon it afterward, he was of the opinion that it was worth much more than a second thought, and that indeed it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to h

ccurred in his own career. He had received a brief in a case in which some hundreds of thousands of pounds were involved, and he was in high feather about it. With great animation he made Uncle Leth acquainted

le Leth humbly; "I have not underst

fact was, Uncle Leth, feeling that he had lost his honoured place in the world, deemed

eyes. Uncle Leth was as tall as Fred, but on this morning he stooped lower than usual;

d Fred gently, "w

sobbed Uncle Leth, turning away

trouble, and you want me to run. Not likely, Uncle Leth. I love you and

, F

e in tr

es

ut m

es

not leave you till you do. You have a good ten minutes to s

this moment Uncle Leth

l me, Un

tes there were to spare, the stor

ried Fred, to Uncle

of the young man to make light of such a blow. But Fred held Un

w it at home

es

left all of th

ken," sobbed Uncle

Leth's arm, "just you listen to me a moment. There is nothing to b

mock me

l your kindness to me, to think that I should mock you! I am going to get you out of your tr

Fred! You call i

in your hands, if not to-night, at all events to-morrow. Give me the name and address of the man who holds it and who de

Fred?" asked Uncl

such a pinch-as truly as I hope, despite all obstacles, to make her my wife, and to live a long and happy life with her! Quick, now, your time

carried away by the young man's impetuou

ll write it out. 'My dear Wife,-Do not worry about the bill. It is paid, and I am happy. God bless all at home! Uncle Leth.' How much? One-and-a-penny-ha'penny. How is that? Oh yes,

him a bright smile, jumped int

siness visit to a gentleman whose trade-mark was three beautiful golden balls; perhaps he left another acceptance for a smaller amount than the original bill, with his own and a good friend's name on it, in Shylock's hands. But all the "perhapsing" in the w