The Cruise of the Make-Believes

alue of men. Had it been necessary for him, at any time in his later life, to pass a strict examination in the Gentle Art of

for a sovereign, with a pitiful tale pitched to charm the coin out of his pockets; and how, in other cases, you would have to drop your demands so low as a shilling or even possibly a sixpence. It i

willing arms, as it were, of a wife who had always done something to help him. It merely became necessary for her to increase her efforts; Mr. Meggison was in no hurry to look for work, and gradually the truth was forced upon him that he need never do so again. T

newspaper by heart. More than that, he might have been heard often demanding to know why this man and that did not obtain the employment that was obviously waiting for him in a busy world. And so in time he grew to the belief t

e a familiar figure in his poor neighbourhood, and accepted with each day that which was provided for him, not without grumbling. In time the patient wife folded her hands, and sighed, and fell asleep; and the patient

nty wardrobe, and for tobacco and drinks; he would have been a poor thing without money in his pockets. Hence the borrowing-hence the tapping of any and every one with whom he came in contact. Therefore, too, it is small won

very genuine horror, at the prospect of love or marriage being even suggested to her; had been short with Harry Dorricott, when he had seen that boy's eyes turn with an

ld not do to upset Bessie; he had better watch, and be silent. So he had seen other meetings, until at last that night had arrived when Bessie was not in the house, and when she came in very late, and crept up t

ng-with a friend. No-she had not spent money over it; she would not have thought of doing such a thing; the fri

nt the greater part of the evening at my club," he replied stiffly.

ndeed," she broke in; and he decided that it

is less frequently; came into the house at unexpected moments, and was to be found loitering about on the staircase, and in rooms in which he had no business. Also he haunted that

ng before her time; he did her the justice to know that no ordinary man would have attracted her attention, or have drawn her away from the life her father had mapped out for her even for an hour. More than that, those who dwell in Arca

ed that she supposed he would be going out soon; he declared that he would wait a little while; he might not, in fact, be going out at all. He seated himself in his shabby easy c

n the evening, my child," he said, with a new tenderness that was startling to the girl. "Here you've been cooped up in the house all da

rden, father," the

shopping which you ordinarily leave to Amelia; go yourself on this occasion; you will probably buy more economically than she will.

s disappointed, because the garden would have been welcome, and it might just have happened that a face w

hing about him. He argued that it was a rare thing for Bessie not to be in the garden late in the evening if the weather happened to be fine, and that the man on the other side of the wall would be nat

see her, if possible, and that he would have a little tender whimsical explanation with her, in which, appropriately enough, he would play the part of a species of elderly friend or brother, and would in fact be very good to her. He recognized that that feeling of protective tenderness for the girl was growing; but he told himself sternly that it was, of course, merely the

ed inside for a moment; he would get over the wall, and would surprise her when she came out again. He did so, and, carefully avoiding the broken boards in

smoking-cap a little rakishly on one side of his head; and sauntered out. He went with the air of a gentleman about to gaze upon the beauty

me down from their contemplation of the stars, and so gradually to rest upon the intruder who stood before him. He gave a very fine start,

xclaimed

Gilbert, looking helplessly at th

d my property!" said Mr. Meggison, keeping his voice remarkably low, and watchin

aid Gilbert quietly. "I live next door here; I came over

cautious tones. "Came over to see my daughter? And what do you

but I fancy her father has not troubled very much about her until thi

; took another step forward, and laid a hand on Byfield's arm. "Sir," he said solemnly-"I am sure of it. Only you

of course, to trespass on your premises, Mr. M

ng his hand and wringing it. "I like the look of you, sir; I like the blu

kwardly. "Is Miss-Miss Meggison in the

randiloquently towards the other chair, "on a necessary errand connected with househo

Meggison-hardly more than a child; and all her youth is slipping away, a

dically to search himself, until presently he drew from out his clothing a doubtf

er, sir. I have lain awake at night thinking about her-wondering about her-planning for her. I have mentioned to friends at my-my club that I am tortured concerning her. 'What,' I have asked, 'is to become of one so tender-so loving to an unfortunate father-so willing to work for that unfortunate father?' That is the question I have asked othe

ak, or to answer that hypocritical whining voice. He knew, however, that if he was to do anything to help the girl he must control himself, and must make what u

g; it is a thousand pities that she cannot be taken out of this place-a

ought that I am so helpless-that I can do nothing. The truth of the matter is that I was never brought up to do anything-not anything that would pay; I blame my parents bitterly for that. My late wife-devoted soul!-would often say that I

e wandering from the subject a little-the subject of your daughter. H

of deep determination. "Bless you, my dear sir! No

d smoking-cap a little further on to one side of his head, and leaned nearer to his companion, and a

he first place, that whatever is done is

he opened his eyes very wide. "Of course-of course-B

d Gilbert. "In the second place,

at him with growing un

rom me, and I would not ask her to do so; it would be an insult. I ask you to do so"-(Mr. Meggison pocketed that insult cheerfully, and said nothing

on, rubbing his hands, and nodding his he

gison, it becomes necessary, in order that this whim of mine may be carried out, that you and I should have a little

r against the side of his nose. "Splendid notion-and very easy-eh?" He co

," said Gilb

of disappointment. "Well-perhaps you know best.

said Gilbert. "I do not imagine for a moment

much money should have come had Fate trea

orld of London, and London streets and sights and sounds; but that bigger world for which she longs-that freer world of trees and flowers and blue skies. In oth

e of whom she has never heard-no-that wouldn't do, because she knows all my relatives. Work that suddenly brings in a lot of money? . . . No-she wouldn't believe i

lative-a distant relative-very much removed.

ly mean by the term 'smal

of about fifty pounds

it with a snap; opened it again, as though intending to spea

r or not he was actually real. Then suddenly and harshly he burst out laughing. "Fifty pounds, in

stands it, I am rather a rich man, and the fifty pounds is quite easily to be found. I am living in Arcadia Stree

im, and to catch his hand between both his own. "A bargain, sir?" he exclaimed, in a rapture. "

now; I can see your daughter coming straight through the house towards us. Come round and s

ed Meggison, shaking his hand again. "A gr