Dick and Brownie

at he had six shillings in his pocket. Six shillings got without working for them,

of it. "Why, I know!" he almost exclaimed aloud, as a particularly pleasant idea struck him. "I'll go to the big football match

r's door, he bade her get up sharp, and light the fire, and get the breakfast, because he had to

nd must look his best; and his mother, rejoicing in the prospect of a day of freedom from him, cooked him the last egg she had, an

er the darkness nor the cold could affect their energy or spirits, and Bob's spirits rose too,

aid, loudly, tossing a shining

mping the ticket he held in his hand, glanced sharply at t

ob. "Ninepence, please." Then, seeing the look of

e other two florins,-the only money he possessed in the world. He saw himself t

ring of them on the wood he knew the truth, and his passion blazed out

or pretty near, and I'll set the p'lice on him, I will. Why-why-I might have been had up myse

search of a policeman. His disappointment about the foo

last night, and he can't have got so very far. He's Tom Smith, the hawker, and he'd got his van in a field nigh 'pon the top of Woodend Lane last night-put it there without a with-your-leave or a by-your-leave! Trespassing, that's what he was, and that's another thing you can have him up for. He wa

s anxious as Bob himself to follow up the case. Policemen did not get much chance in little country places, and promotio

h-for-for showing him

d at him sharply. "

d avoid giving true explanations; but the policeman, to his relief, did not pr

Where was the child he wanted t

no. I don't know

a look-out for a man, probably with a caravan

ver there?" interrupted B

a distant field. From the road beneath it, it would not be visible to any passer-by, but looking across country as they wer

chap don't get a chance like this every day. C

the constable, made his way to the field where the caravan stood. Tethered t

" whispered Bob

ds which now reached him, and more viol

f the van they found the very man they were in search of lying on the ground rolled in a rug, with a

hing I can sell you?" he asked, imp

ing-brush, by the looks on

," said the con

is face had suddenly turned an unhealthy gray colour

y," answered the

o brought that c

jerked his head and h

s to say he hasn't been passing it himself, and-and of cour

ou've got to come along of me now. If you can explain i

s of holding out. His brain was busy, though, trying to think

of the bad money you've got!" burst out Bob, u

ed over and laid hi

e or two other little

ome little affair ab

at th

my own

prove it, and that you're her lawful

y out of the window, had caught sight of the policeman grasping her husband by the arm. Day and night for years she had been fearing this, and now it had ac

rtled even poor old worn-out Charlie, wakened Huldah from th

er uncle, holding him securely, in spite of Aunt Emma's attack. But why was

able, and slipping down the steps cut the rope which held Dick, then, sheltered from view by the van itself, she clambered through the hedge with the dog at her heels, and away and away

han ever in her life before. She did not know there had been time to communicate with the police, and t

he horse and van. What would she do, day and night alone? How could she manage? Could she, Huldah, go and leave her like that!-but could she live that dreadful life again! Every day going further and further from Miss Rose and Mrs. Perry, and the dear little cottage, never perhaps to see them again! Huldah sat

d she'll be troubling about us so, and-and there's Miss Rose too"-more tears trickled down Huldah's cheeks,-"yet I can't go and

rible, noisy screams, and bitter cries and shoutings. Tom Smith was being led away by th

ht before, and her head throbbed painfully too, but these were as nothing compared with the pain of her poor little aching disappointe

ugh the hedge, and up

t," she said, gently,

They won't do anythin

how black the cas

ent anger against herself. Springing to her feet, she snatched the heavy whip from the van,

money, and if you hadn't run away he'd never have had to do it. 'Tis all your fault he's took, and I'll make you smart fo

cked and startled by the sight of another policeman close to them. In the no

lance at the man in blue, a

hat she had killed the child. In her terror for herself, her anxiety about her husband was forgotten. She began to wail and sob and beg forgiveness. She threw h

e cold water,"

"That's all there is," she said, apologetically. It was very little, but with it

h's pulse, and laid his hand over her heart. "It is beating," he muttered, in a tone of relief. Then he lifted her on to the blanket, and wrapped

ring where she was. At sight of her aunt and the policeman the old

kindly. "And don't you be afraid of me. I've come t

red Emma Smith, su

ough; they all want

er as you lays it on. I should be taking you u

n. "Well, she's mine, and no one

that you're a fit and proper person to have her. In the meantime I've got my orders to fetch her away, and if you want her

t got any,

ome. Hurry up; but first of all, has s

e. I haven't got a

f me you shall have a good cup of tea and a bit

n out. She was so dazed too, she could not think what to do, or what she ought

she would feel better able to walk when once she had started; but even the standing on her feet seemed too much f

d her aunt's rough voice calling after them, "You've no right

. "Oh, by the way, I've forgot one thin

n muttering angrily, and banging the door a

tness stole over her again, and she knew that to walk was beyond her power. Now and then she heard the policeman talking in a friendly voice to Dick, who walked close beside them, and Dick's excite

were too kind and gentle for that. One of those standing

and when did you have anything to eat last?

ong ago as that," she said, feebly. "I had some

in one, and have got muddled. You will feel better when you've had a basin of ho

esently one of the others brought her a basin of hot bread and milk, and a plateful of food fo

, simply, looking up with grateful, friendly eyes at

nless I'm very much mistaken!" and Huldah, following the direction of his eyes as they travelled to the door, gav