Uncle William

seemed charged with it. One almost listened to hear them crack in the stillness of the long nights. Little snow fell, and it was soon dispersed-whirled away on the fierce blasts that s

aps. There was a widow with three children, a mile down the shore. Her husband had been drowned the year before, and there was no brick loose in her chimney to loo

d ten o'clock of winter mornings often found him with breakfast dishes unwashed and the floor unswept. Andy, coming in for his daily visit, would cast an uncritical eye at the frying-pan, and s

He's got another done," Uncle William would respond: "that makes three; that's putty good." Andy had ceased to ask about the money for the boat-when it was coming. He seemed to have accepted the fact that there would never be any, as placidly as William himself. If there was dawning in his mind the virtuous resolve to help out a little when the

nging a letter from the artist. Uncle William searched for h

the letter. "I can read

Andy, thank ye." Uncle Willi

e letters in the temporary absence of Uncle William's spectacles. He found them more entertain

with pleased countenance. "Now, that'

e wh

pride held the voice,-"and one of the cove down below, and two up by the end of old Bodet p

g to do with 'e

lted the letter. "'The Exhibition of American Artists'-su

ze, I s'pose." Andy's to

hat he'll be sendin' me suthin' pretty soon. I guess likely there'll be pr

uth the Jennie." Andy s

bbe not. Want a gam

liam brought out the board and arra

ovements, his eye

our mov

. . The spirit of the game descended upon him. He

ere and there in loving calculation. At last h

ays make," said An

beat that w

ed forward another piece. The quick

ildly. He set his man

s forehead. His hand reached out and drew back. The fingers reached ou

ard, a hand on either knee,

ou're going to get into trouble," he s

enough. I gen'ally

did it with the gaze of a sleep-walker. Outside the wind had risen and dashed fiercely against the little house. Neither man lifted his head to listen. Their hands reached mechanically to the pieces.

t last, with a heavy sigh, he lift

ove in triumphant haste

wning in his eye. He looked at the pieces affect

e glanced again at the bo

at him with genial meaning. A littl

why don't you take it? Take it if you're

le William moved

ounter in place w

lliam mo

looking stern

stay to din

N

to have a l

't s

rmin' put

!" He moved t

rom its peg. "You better put this on if ye

d buttoned it up

stay, we could play another after dinner-play the rubber. You beat

e under its gloom. "When you g

t watch from its fob pocket and looked at it with absent eye. His gaze deepened. He looked up slowly. Then he smiled-

time is it

e, Andy. Guess you'd bette