The Oriel Window

ning-room, Ferdy carefully carrying his presents, which had been increased by that of a nice big

made their appearance; it

to be. Many wonderings had there been about it, for Mrs. Ross had smiled in a very mysterious way once or twice lately, when something had been said abou

there was a lovely bouquet of flowers-hot-house f

y best flowers. Why, he doesn't even like mamma herself to cut these big begonias. They are splendiferous, aren't they, Chris? I shall tak

t the very least inch of an idea this time, and generally,

a drawer, a pair of gold sleeve-links, or, or-no, not a writing-case,

any of those?"

pa and mamma'd be sure to give me something nic

is sister quickly. "It's a bad habit to get into, that of fa

. "I may get it some day, and one reason I want it so is tha

c carpet we planned so about once, or the table with lovely things to eat on it, that there's

fairy magic way. I mean that papa and mamma might do it some day, and it's rather been put into my head this morning by this,"

ced her hand

"It's much better not, a

if you'd rather I didn't. Now let us think

put in words, for just then

mother came in. "Many, many happy returns of your bir

wers, and cook, and the others!" exclaimed t

her of them had anything in the shape of a parcel big o

Ross, "and ours-papa's and mine-is quite rea

" Ferdy's father replied. "And-yes

her was, he had a way of meaning what he said, and they had learned not to make objections. And, after all, they did manage to get through a very respectable

, though they said nothing, the children's faces showed what was

ie called it,-"Leila, you keep these two young people quietly in here for five minutes by the clock. Then all three of you come round to the

at the clock must really have stopped, or that something extraordinary had h

, Chris, you take one hand and I'll take the other. You w

promise,"

was pale with excitement and his breath came fast. Yet he was n

aid gently, "don't

y sm

we've tried not to think about, haven't we, Chrissie? Oh," he went on, turning to h

could reply. Though her face had got pink instead of pa

apa's "Now," or the "Oh!" which in spite of herself escaped his sister, to reveal the delightful secret. For his ears had caught certain tell-tale sounds: a sort of "champing," and a rustle o

as the

his bright brown coat gleaming in the May sunshine, his eager but kindly eyes looking as if they took it all in as he r

the sudden opening of his eyes in the strong clear sunshine-he felt half dazed. "Papa, mamma, a pony of my

father. "I am quite sure Chrissie will be able to ride him

nd petting the pretty creature. The pony was all saddled and bridled, ready for Ferdy to mount and ride

nd ride up and down a little. He'll be all right," he added, turning to the co

eager, but as gentle as

between four and five, I'll take you a good long ride-round by Durn

as all Ferdy

ad been examining

r you, I think, sir," he said, and

ut nothing to mind. Indeed, Ferdy, to tell the truth, would have enjoyed a little more. The coachman led hi

in front of the porch. "Mayn't I gallop him, papa, this afternoon w

fad, so for a few days we must just be a little cautious. Now trot back to the gates once more, and then I think you had better dismount for

ain, a little bit

ned to come back to the house, and his mother was just stepping indoors, her face still lighted up wit

ere a couple of beautiful peacocks at the Watc

ll-behaved on the whole; though, as is always the case with these birds, their

as they came all at once into view on a side-path

wail from Chrissie, and in an instant-an instant that seemed a lifetime-Ferdy's mother saw what it was. He had been thrown, and one foot had caught in the stirrup, and the startled pony was dragging him along. A moment or two of sickening horror, then a sort of silence. One of the men was holding the pony, Mr. Ross and the coachman

, scarcely knowing that she spoke; "

buried her own terror-stricke

you see? Ferdy's killed. That's Ferdy where papa is. Don't go, o

ster, Mrs. Ross's strength and sense came back to her as if by m

r of the oriel room at once; it is such a little way upstairs; and tel

love, flew along the drive to the spot where her husband and the coachman were still bending over what still was, or had been, her Fe

me quick," she gaspe

y pale, his lips so drawn and quivering,

erton?" he said, in a strange dazed voice. "He has

ruddy face; it seemed all stre

we could get a drop or two of brandy down his throat, and-yes, I think

ve it me-a spoon-yes, that's right. And

over his forehead, as if

spoke of the innocent cause of this misery. "Larkins, go at once for Mr. Stern; you know the shortest way," for there was

of brandy and water between Ferdy's closed lips-then another;

sir-ma'am-I do

deep sigh, and Ferdy's eyes opened slowly. They opened and-it was like Ferdy-t

ered, "is it time to ge

hed to her eyes, but they were partly tears of joy. Her boy was alive; at

led look came over him. He tried to raise his head, which was resting on Merton's arm, but it sank down agai

said. "Have I hurt myself? Oh dear, did I fa

s an accident. I hope you will soon b

only I wish I was in bed, mamm

ly a cut on your forehead. But that'll soon heal. Yo

erchief up into a little pad, which he soaked in the fresh cold water, and laid it on

d his father's neck. But the movement hurt someho

," he wh

ish went through his

f," said Mr. Ross; "lie qu

making no sound-perhaps he half fainted again; there he lay quite helpless, like a little baby, as with slow, careful tread

She started violently, then c

her mother was close behind

little girl's unuttered question. "Ferdy has opened

made place for hope. Her

he say? Oh, then he can't be so very

ng, and be sure of nothing, till the doctor

rt went down. There was little they could do; they scarcely dared to undress him till the surgeon came. It was a terrible hour or