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32 X

HOUSES OF CLASS.

By WatSace LSoyd,

"A stronp: story, a philosopliical roinanio fu'.l of tlio riin< t"!ouL''it of more
than twenty ycars'o" iulivo pioIfH.Hional liir. IniuHcci liloud cdihjui inl iii!if,'ntv
tiHrii, and a Hiif,'K"Mtiuii ti'iidiiiK to iiiuki- iiiarruii^cH more Iiajiyy i>la.( a leading iiart
in lliiH atory, wiiich ccrlauily Icnd.s hi i1;c i..:liHiiTi'<tUtii."--luint'iiii (HdUc.

"Tiit^ clnicntal onorfiyof tlic iiarra;i\'c, the \;vai'ily of tlicdoliiications, tlwfear-
loH3n('»a of ai>j;foa<;liiiiLr tlio iincoiiirs^cd hi)riu,r.H or' wcxiial iitlraction call to /nind
llio iiiaK|.i'ri)io(U' of Tiioiua.s Hardy, '.Iinlc, tiio ( o.?. nrc' ' HoiiHcsof (HaHW' is i.ot
a'l(In^^:■iod lo (lio callow young person, but to men and v.-onnn of tliou^lit."— :l''o-
roiito Cuaada alobe.

" III' li;i3 mailo IdH Btory so actively fertile that all rcadcr.s will enjoy it for tlio
talc it.solf, aliliouuli it.-* valno lies in the viialiiy and irnili of ttic ideaw cmliodied.
Iln.a.iii naiiiiM* as we know ii, sjioaks cveryw'icre. Tiio book is an interesting
study of human life-"— />oaY(ju Jdctf.

" Jlv lias sought witl. some success toframc In fiction a little of the pliilosojihy of
everyday life, and has drawTi his studies fi'om his cxi)erieuce in a family ])rac-
tic(< of medicine."— 7'/ii7i«, 'limes.

"' Houses of (llar.s ' is a book that will almost c(^rtainly make a success on this
Bide of tlio water as well as on tlie other."— y>u/Kio/t, JJnf/lund, 'J hiu » and Kclio.

"The work is heartily recommended toall who love that which is interesting, en-
tertain'nt? to ta'.k about, and aitove all, that wlii. h ilies not i'ollow flit bDUteu path
In fiction, bul is original and iww."— Cleveland Ua:tUc.

"The story is clear cut, with lnterestin:r characters and ontcrtaining dialogue.
It is ill many ways out of the ordinary a;i<l poflsesses a literary value far above the
average."— Troy 7"imcn.

"Dr. T,liy,'i's characters are for the most part, creatures of warm ;i;ilHatirig llesh
and bloiiil, "pitifully frail and faully, as su' li creauires are apt lo be, bui magiu-lic
lu their v, ;y luiniaiiily. — j'Vici Deaiyncr, ^Nl.c i'ork.

" II. is a charact(>r study of i)rofound interest."— ^ [ban.!/ Tivirs-Unioi:.
" rie ha.-i t ikon his cliaracters from real life, with no alteini)t to gloss over their
raul.saoil i.iiiierfei;tion8."—C'o;n )/(,'/-('/.(/ Aiivi'rtim'r, Nov \<)rk.

".VI! i!iis goes to (support the artru'-ient that jjcople sliouldi;"! ir.arry unh'ss there
is an ailinity Itetween tlu'Oi, and tliat a kno\vled);(< of the principles ui animal mag-
uetiam would guide men and women to harmonious h;arriages."— i>f<roif Free i ft xs,

"Tlio tali) has an originality aad philosojjhy of its own."— A'oc;(e.yf'/ Dcmncrat.

" T)r. Wallace i.loyd comes near the ed';e in his »tnYy."—Ctcrriand I'laivdiaUr.

" DiH'ldedly it is not meat for babus, eithiT in the way it Lan.lles paasiou or the-
ology."— AY'w JIaven yt^cs.

" From a purely literary r.tandpoint it has (Claims, t>eing exceedir. ;Iy v, . i; written
and mrst profoundly lek."— .t?«rrica*t Jiouk JieiwrUr, nmaha, 2<iv.

"'There are many good things in 'Houses of (tlasM' The .■■iud-up ia almost
raasti'rly."— /^o.vfo.i Thnett.

" A story thatis farabovetlielevel ofordinary romances. "—/)'')()A-».>'//i'»- and Xexvs-
uian, y. y-

'Tliat the book la Interesting from cover to covi r is proved by t]:e old time teat
that the roaxler who begins it will saerilice hours oi sleei) to llnish it."~- 1! uuiilton
(('aiiiden) Times.

" The antho.' is a man of much ability, with an open ndnd on many snt)Jccts, and
'Houses of (Hass' will beread tlirougli by all who lake hold of ihe book."— /7tt-
ni'iir Mail Kiupire, Toronto, Canada.

" More imiiortant than most Iwoks." —Pkiladflpli ic /'em.

"Thereare passagesiu 'Houses of (ilass' ascc.ldly sarcastic as Swift, sometitiu\s
the author is hh seiitimentalas t-'terne. ami once or twice the pathos is not surpassed
by eveii Dickens."— />(<//t'r//(, J o.yi, cnni'jeviCe, Canada.

" Tt leaves thobeaten path ;.ud strikes out into the v.ildern(\ss of pldlo.-i.iphy, but
Itdi.os not go so far as to leave beliiml the sunlight and the llowers. ' — y«<iij/tuivu.
Li,< Sentinel.

" Far above the level of ordinary romances."— /'ecA'// Mountain Xews.

" Deserves to be read by all thinking people."— /)«/((/'fN' {('anai(a) lia)iner.

"Tlie magnetic iio\\ er of one human being ttver auotlier is made Hie key to the
plot " -Toledo I'.lade.

' '''he voliune is replete with events that stinuilatiUhe better qualities of the
n>a«ler, and encliain h;s interest from first to la8l."--J/(/uf, S. i'.

HOUSES OF GLASS.

^ ROMANCE,

WALLACE LLOYD.

(DR. JAMl^s a.tr.,„ \

JAMES ALGIfi.)

"But the greatest Of these is charity;'

TORONTO :
^■- ■'■ GAGR & COMPANY, L.m.tbo

1899.

m^r'Si

1813

J t f"^

. y k

Entered according to Act of Parliament of Canada, in the office of the
Minister of Aprieulturc, by Thk W. J. Gagk Comi'ANY (Limited), in
the year one thouaand eight hundred and ninety-nine.

^V!l

PREFACE.

In endeavouring to frame in fiction a little of the
philosophy of everyday life, I would crave tlic reader's
indulgence ujxmi the methods I have employed.

In a task of this kind, I felt that I could best serve
the cause, not by startlini^ events and strikin<^ charac-
ters, but by a closer analysis of those conditions and
occurrences, which form the warp and woof of life.

Believing, that truth after all, is stranger than fic-
tion, I have not gone afield for highly coloured heroes
and villains, but have taken characters from real life —
men and women, with all their faults and imperfections.

Venturing thus on the uncertain sea of public opin-
ion, I have no guiding star but my own conscience, no
compass but my own experience, and no excuse but
the importance of my theme.

From the cradle to the grave there is no step fraught
with such momentous consequences to ourselves and
to posterity, as the joining of our hands in holy wed-
lock. In these days of divorce, when incompatibility
of temperament and dissimilarity of religious faith are
legitimate pleas for the severing of sacred ties, it be-
hoves us to cultivate more fully the spirit of benevo-
lence and charity. The frequency with which " lack of
affinity " is brought forward, points clearly to the duty
of investigating the magnetic relations of the sexes.

We cannot surely show greater respect for the laws
of society than by endeavouring to harmonize them
with the laws of nature.

[3]

4 PREFACE.

A union based on tlic moral, physical and spiritual
affini'y of man and wf)man, is the only one which na-
ture stamps as ,t;ciuiine, and any violation of this prin-
ciple brinies with it its own punishment

Duiin^ twenty years of active professional life, I
have nad the grand privilec^e of occasionally bringing
together separated husbands and wives, and restoring
harmony to unhappy homes.

The hope of stimulating philosophers, scientists ana
thinkers, and furthering discussion and investigation,
has cheered me on. ii a word, a hint or a thought,
which I have dropped, will bring hope to any hearth,
or sunshine to the heart of some poor suffering crea-
ture, then I shall feel that my effort has not been in
vain.

To honest, earnest men and women, who have at
heart the welfare of our race, to husbands and wives,
to fathers and mothers, do I dedicate this work, in the
hope that through all its obscurity, they will grasp the
spirit in which it was written, and view with charity
its many mistakes and imperfections.

Wallace Lloyd.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

I. New Arrivals .
II. disenchantment

■ •

III. Getting Acquainted

IV. Gore P'arm
V. Two and Twenty Years After

VI. Broadview and its Proprietor
VII. Adaptation
VIII. A Child of Nature
IX. An Unwelcome Guest
X. An Interview
XI. Retrospection on Wheels
XII. Mother and Son

XIII. Gowanstone

XIV. -When the Cat's away the' Mie

Play."

XV. A Lucky Hit ...'.*

XVI. Aftermath

• • • ,

XVTT. A Disag-reeable Surprise
XVIII. " When Gree^ Meets Greek '

will

tAGW

15
20

25
30
42
48

53
60

77
82

96
103
II I
116

^SJ

i^Mt^B^^'

' i^» iiii*a3^«;jrj^'jfcfgX'j-''>8)';Wy""'^^ '

} CONTENTS.

Cmaptkr

Pa(,e

XIX. The Honc}'moon . . . .

121

XX. The Home Coming ,

I-^"

XXI. A Vacant Chair . . . .

'3-^

XXII. Motley and Monarch

137

XXIII. An Evening at the Doctor's .

142

I-

XXIV. A Broken Pane . . . .

150

XXV. Marion's Debut . . . .

^s(> ^

XXVI. Purer Light ....

163

XXVII. A Touch of Nature

169

XXVIII. "Uneasy Lies the Head that Wear?

a Crown "...

174

XXIX. An Old Acquaintance

180

XXX. " Multum in Parvo " .

. 185

XXXI. A Friendly Call

190

XXXII. Crossed Wires ....

196

XXXIII. " The Land o' the Leal " .

. 201

XXXIV. Dr. Bcnnefs Spectacles .

. 205

XXXV. A Difficult Problem .

.214

XXXVI. The Deep, Dark Valley .

.219 f

XXXVII. A Stranger in a Strange Land .

XXXVIII. A Needle in a Haystack

.232 -I

XXXIX. Jake Fetterly's Conversion

• 237

XL, The Spider and the Fly

. 245

XLl. Cupid's Capers

i,
• 252 1

XLII. A Legacy and a Lover

• -59 ; 1

XLIII. A Tempest of the Soul

• 264 1

XLIV. Ways and Means

• 269 1

XLV. Where Paths Divide .

• 273 1

XLVI. Gotham's Griefs

• -77 1

XLVII. Propriety's Holiday .

• ^^3 i

XLVIII. The Skeleton of the Feast .

• ^9° m

XLIX. Vicarious Atonement

. 296 1

L. A Crown of Thorns

• 302 1

LL A Documentary Diagnosis

. 306

f^T^iiiffy.

CONTENTS.

Chapter

LII.
LIII.
LIV.
LV.
LVI.
LVII.
LVI 1 1.
LIX.
LX.
LXI.
LXII.

Lxiir.

LXIV.
LXV.

The Warrcs of Sin
GiKlirm a Grief .

Tlic Rose and Its Thorn

A Thunder.Bolf from a I^hie Sky

The Evils of Procrastination

Oil on Troubled Waters

Adversity's Jewel

Bill Niger's " Ketch " . [

A Welcome Visitor .

Sapping and Mining
A Lay Sermon .
Turning Towards the Sun .
Reconciliation
Christmas Chimes

Pack

3 '9

3^5
328

339
344
348

354
360
36S

377
3'Sr

391

HOUSES OF GLASS.

CHAPTER I.

NEW ARRIVALS.

One sultry summer afternoon, a rrroun of people
were gathered at the door of the post office at Graze-
lys Mills. In fact, this little assembly represented
two-tiiu-ds of the entire population of the village if
indeed, a few scattered buildings in the heart of a
wilderness really deserved that name.

One solitary store, an inn, a blacksmith shop and a
schooI-hoLise, made up the list of public buildings, and
these, with a few dwellings of the most primitive kind
constituted the entire settlement.

All the buildings were constructed of logs, with the
exception of the hotel, which had the proud distinc-
tion of being composed of lumber, rough and un-
planed though it was.

But the inn had other marks of distinction, which
made it a trito;i among the wi/mo-ws. It was fully
twice as large as the other buildings. It had an up-
stairs, a full complement of windows, brick chimneys
and panelled doors. In view of all this grandeur, the
inhabitants considered that it was fully entitled to the
imposing signboard, which swung from a huge post m
L7i^' ,^"J^:;nnounced, " The ]5ay Horse Hotel, by E.
make Ihis very signboard, with its gilded letters
was admired by all and sundry, and what purported to
be a rampant steed, immediately over the name, was

19}

HOUSES OF GLASS.

considered by the juveniles of the village to be a tri-
umph of the painter's art. Indeed, the hotel had a
modern appearance, which contrasted oddly with the
store adjoining; it.

The latter building' was low and long. It had seve-
ral front doors, and had evidently been extended from
time to time, either in proportion to the growth of the
family or the increasing revenues of its owner.

At the end adjoining the inn, was a window of many
panes, on whose sill there sat several yellow cans ot
mustard ; a box labelled starch, and a venerable glass
dibli covereii with dust. These were flankjd right and
left with bottles of castor-oil and pain-killor, while
from a nail at tiie door hung a pair of cov/hide boots
and a wasli board. Out of compliment, no doubt, to
the prosperity of the place, the whole front, signboard
and all, had been whitewashed so extravagantly that
one could scarcely trace over the door, the words
" Post Office,"

The two buildings were connected by a rough plat-
form running along the front, forming a sort of side-
walk, and halfway between them was a solitary tie post
.for the convenience of travellers and customers.

About half a mile down the river, which followed a
circuitous course through the broad valley, was a re-
cently-erected saw and grist mill; the importance of
which industry had lately changed the name of the
place from, *' Langtry's Hollow" to " Grazely's Mills."

Despite its primitiveness, the little hamlet was a very
important feature of the district, being widely known
amongst the settlers for miles around. In many cases
they were forced to make a journey of several days on
foot or with an ox team to get a grist from the mill.
Mr. Grazely, the proprietor, was considered a great
man, for with the exception of a small mill, built by a
man named Go wan, about thirty m.iles up the river,
there was not another industry of the kind in the
county.

There was one other resident of the village who was
almost as widely known as Grazely. A citizen, who
not only rivalled the mill-owner in his greatness, but
detested him with all his heart.

NEW ARRIVALS.

This was Ml*. Lans^try, postmaster, and first settler
in the place Diversity of talent was his strong pcint.
He was merchant, bailiff, mas.nstrate, apothecary, local
preacher and veterinary surgeon.

Not satisfied with alleviating the ailments of the
cquineand bovine races, he occasionally t-.ied 1; is hand
on the nobler animal, man

He could cure fits, worms, and colic. Indeed, some
enthusiasts went: so far as to say that he could relieve
pain of any kind Whether he had ever relieved any
of his patients of the burden of life, it is impossible to
say. but if such was the case, it neither shook liis con-
fidence nor disturbed his consciencco But Mr. Lang-
try's talents were not confined to profession.d lines,
for he could put a rung in a chair, a pendulum in a
clock or a patch on a shoe.

His neighbours had truly great cause to wonder hov/
any single head could contain so much If he did oc-
casionally mix molasses with his mail matter, or politics
with his preaching, the settlers were not too fastidious,
and any one of them would have told you that Mr.
Langtry was the smartest man in the district,

The strong feeling of jealousy between him and the
mill-owner ripened into bitter hatred when the place
changed its name. Every letter and paper the post-
master took from his mail bags, reminded him of his
hated rival

Yet he had some advantages over the mill-owner, and
he made the most of them. He could preach a fairly
good sermoU; play on his melodeon all the necessary
hymns, and lead the singing with a fine baritone voice.
Every Sunday after church, his popularity ran liigh,
and held good till about the middle of the week. Then
it took a sudden drop till by Saturday night his rival
was generally a full length ahead in the race for public
favour.

Mr. Gra/.ley was young and unmarried, he gave em-
ployment to several men and was not "stuck up. '

Langtry had knowledge, which was useful to the
communit)', but Grazely had horses. The mili-owner
not only had a multiplicity of horses and waggons, but
he actually owned the stage, and drove a buggy with

JSSSHRB'^-wj^'Sa

m .

HOUSES OF GLASS.

a top to it like those they had in the city These fea-
tures, and tile lium of his saws, gave him the privilege
and prestige of naming the place

On this particular afternoon, the stage was away late,
causing many conjectures to be offered as to the cause
of delay.

The narrow, white road (called the State Line), in
its gradual slope into the valley, was almost hidden
from view by the trees, which in some places formed a
canopy overhead, so that from the post-office the eye
could only trace its course by a long, straight gap in
the giants of the forest.

This had been watched ior an hour past, till every-
body was tired waiting^ The maidens in their pina-
fores giggled aside by themselves, the boys cut whistles
and traded knives, and the old timers seated on sundry
barrels and boxes, discussed the ' p'ints " of Grazely's
new team, or aimed tobacco juice at flies.

A yoke of oxen, hitched to a " jumper " containing
some sacks of flour, were drowsily nodding their heads
and switching their tails, and a pair of fat hogs were
wallowing contentedly in the shadow of the water
trougho

The screeching of the saws over at the mill was soft-
ened by distance into a cooing song, and acted like a
lullaby on the little gathering. The maidens subsided,
the boys quit blowing their whistles, and Phil Snider,
the most talkative man in the settlement, was snoring
against the tie post.

At last, after several hours of waiting, the peaceful
elysium was broken by a shout of — " here he comes."

The slumberers were astir in a moment, like a hive
of bees.

The men gave an extra hitch to their trowscrs^ re-
adjusted their broad brimmed hats and exchanged
exhausted quicks for fresh ones.

The postmaster rushed to the door, glaring with an
air of stern authority through his spectacles, and every-
body was on the (/i/i vi^w.

So slowly did the cloud of dust come down the
slope, that some one suggested the approaching vehicle
to be an ox team.

NEW ARRIVALS. f^

" No sirce," exclaimed Snider, annihilatirif^ a fly
with his deadly aim, '' that's Bill's dust all ri^dit and I 11
go you ten to one he's got a load on/

The vehicle's unusual tardiness served only to heighten
the general curiosity, and when at last the stage burst
from its canopy of leaves, it was greeted with a perfect
storm of exclamations

There, in the front seat of the big yellow " demo-
crat/ sat a lady and a gentleman, the ff^rmer holding
in her arms an infant, which she was endeavouring to
protect from the rays of the sun with a shining black
parasol,

Away up in the rear, upon a throne of trunks and
boxes, sat Bill Innes, the driver, proud as an emperor.
With a calm dignity peculiar to iiimself, he held the
reins high above the heads of his passengers, and, as
the team with a spurt (specially prepared for the occa-
sion) came dashing up to the tie post, he jauntily shied
the mail bag at the head of the postmaster.

Strangers at any time caused great excitement, but
here were species of the gcniis homo hitherto un-
known.

The gentleman had flowing mutton-chop whiskers,
a white waistcoat, kid gloves and eyeglasses. Not
honest spectacles with wires at the sides to fasten to
your ears , but glasses that sat on his nose, and were
attached to the button-hole of his vest by a black
cord.

The lady was tall, plump and dark , while he was fair
and slender. Then her attire was out of all reason.
Her cape was a mass of beads neither good for wind
or weather, and in some places where the dust had
failed to settle, her dress glistened in the sun. But it
was her bonnet, fearfully and wonderfully constructed,
which marked her as a bird of plumage hitherto un-
known in an American forest.

All the open doorways in the village were tem-
p>)rarily transformed ir»to frames for living pictures,
where buxom dames and grey-haired grandmas, gazed
with wondering eyes at the new comers. Thev cas-
ually noticed that the baby was in long clothes and
that the mother was a trifle awkward in handling ito

HOUSES OF GLASS.

Mrs. Dorris (the village midwife), gave a profes-
sional nod to her neighbour across the way, and shouted,
'* her first I guess."

The group at the post office stood rather on the
defensive, against what appeared to them a common
enemy. They huddled together at one end of the
j)latform, and defiantly awaited developments.

Two or three of the more inquisitive ones crowded
up to Bill to inquire who the swells were, but the
driver, with an authority which no one thought of
resenting said, "hold yer jaw will ye. Here Jim,
Hank, give me a hand to rub the mares down! I'm
afraid they're overheated !"

Left to themselves, the strangers dismounted from
the vehicle as best they could, and stood on the plat-
form a few moments, evidently awaiting some one to
greet them. T^inally the gentleman spoke.

" Is this Grazely's Mills>"

" Taint nuthin else," replied Snider with a wink that
exploded the juveniles, and relieved to some extent
the uneasiness of the villagers.

The lady's large black eyes flashed through her veil,
and the gentleman glared through his glasses. Turn-
ing to a bright-looking lad, the stranger handed him a
piece of silver and asked where the inn, or public house
was.

The boy looked astonished. " Why right there," he
said nodding his head towards the open door. " Don't
you see that sign," and he pointed proudly to the
cinnamon-coloured steed w^ith its forefeet in the air.

" Thank you, my boy. You are a gentleman. Gen-
tlemen arc always civil to strangers." This last re-
mark was made with a meaning glance at Snider, caus-
ing the village Nestor to slink back into the crowd.

Turning again to the lad the stranger asked where
the landlord was.

*' Gone fishing."

*' Well, where is the landlady ?"

"Gone over to Charley Walker's, cause the baby's
got the measles."

The gentleman smiled at the boy's precocity, but the

DTSKNCHANTMENT.

1
4

lady huj^<;cd her baby tighter, and raised her veil to
kiss it.

Fortunately for tht'm, l^ill at this mcmciit came
round from the stables, and took the situation in at a
glance. " Sorry to keep you waitin', mam," he said
deferentially to the lady, " but my team had to be seen
to at once." '* Come right in and make yourself to
home. The folks don't appear to be in, but the}-'ll
show up presently. I seed Julia and Sally lookin' out
the top windows a minnit ago."

"/in' this the only public }iousc in the place," in-
quired the lady.

"Yes, mam," responded Bill 'vith a polite bow, " and
for twenty miles around. lUit don't you git scared.
If you never get worse bed and grub than Ted Blakf '11
;.',!ve ye, you'll get through the world slicker'n most oi
us. Leastways that's how I've got it figgercd up."

CHAPTER II.

DISENCHANTMENT.

|r,

ien-
re-

LUS-

lere

The excitement caused by the advent of the strangers
kept steadily increasing all afternoon, and before sun-
set it was at white heat.

The villagers might have overlooked the fact that
these new arrivals did not look like any other persons
who had ever come to town, but the quantity and for-
midable appearance of their baggage was something
beyond their comprehension. The trunks, which were
piled high on the stage, bore no resemblance to emi-
grant boxes. They were rivetted and shod with iron,
and consequently must contain something of unusual
value.

Nobody could guess who the strangers were or what
their business was, but everyone agreed that the trunks
meant business, and were made "a purpose."

mmtmsmirmmim

wwt^

HOUSES OF GLASS.

They were fairly covered with red and bhie tickets.
IMiil Snider climbed up on the \vai;on to read them.
"Boscastle to London. Gee whiz, they're British-
ers I

" You mij^ht a knowed that by the eyeglasses," said
another. " London to Liverpool," " Liverpool to New
York," and so on till the strangers were traced from
starting point to destination.

That evening an informal meeting was held in front
of the post-ofifice, to discuss the situation, and the town
fathers were all on hand to lend their assistance.
Neither the landlord nor the stage-driver had given the
faintest clue, but Air. Langtry was expected to offer
some solution of the mystery.

" It is quite certain," said the postmaster, " that the
gentleman is not a United States Government official,
as some of you have suggested, and it is equally certain
they are not ordinary emigrants. Boscastle is in Corn-
wall. I know the place well. In fact, I was born within
a few miles of it. But what can be their object in
coming here, I am at a loss to say. I shall probably
be able to tell you all about it to-morrow before mail
time," and with a bow, Mr. Langtry returned to his
sanctum.

This, however, did not satisfy the meeting, and the
investigation went on. " Perhaps he is some timber
speculator."

" Not he," said one of Grazely's sawyers, '* he don't
look sharp enough."

'* He's sharp enough for Phil Snider, I hear," ex-
claimed the landlord with a laugh which went through
the whole assembly.

"That's all right. Ted, but mebbie I ain't t/rroo with
the i/i^^^/ yet," growled Phil. "He's a sort o' ' smart
Aleck,' just a leetle shade too fresh."

"There's two of a kind then, Phil," laughed Blake.
" Julia," he shouted to his wife standing in the door-
way, " where's Bill Innes gone ?"

" He took the girls over to the party at Binkley's,"
replied his spouse.

" 'Tain't any use if Bill was here," said Sweeney.

DISENCHANTMENT

ITc tol<l

hi^

lon't

cx-
)ugh

I with
mart

hike.
Lloor-

« »♦

fy ^'

mey.

" He don't know ii bit more'n the rest of us.
mi-' so, hissclf."

The inquiry came to a dead stand still. Jt looked as
if further investigation would have to be jiostponcd,
when a small boy who had been listening attentively to
the discussion, came to the rescue.

" I seed him open a black box an' take out a long
shinin' thing what had a glass end onto it. Me'n
Harry Bowles wuz lookin' throo the winda. VVu/.n't
we, Harry ? "

" Sure thing," replied Harry with a complimentary
nod.

" What did it look like, Harry ?" queried the laml-
lord. " Tell us as near as you can."

Bowles, junior, thus appealed too, was fully alive to
the gravity of the situation^ He jauntily stuck his
hands into his trowsers' pocket- and squirted a jet of
saliva through an opening in his front teeth. " Well,
gentlemen, it 'peered to me like a spy glass or sumthin'
to look through."

" Dollars to doughnuts he's a surveyor for the new
railroad," exclaimed the landlord, slapping his thigh,
" and them big trunks has got his kit in them. Come,
boys, I'll take chances on it and ' set them up,' all
round. Then you can help me unload the boxes.
We'll go in and 'wet orr tubes ' on the head of it."

The foam on Blake's beer, was a sort of argument
that usually carried conviction. Everybody seemed
satisfied with the landlord's solution of the mystery.

As they were about to drink to the success of the
new railroad Lem Dorris, with his squeaky soprano
voice tainted with Irish brogue, made a new sugges-
tion, " Mebbie it's the ne-ew ma-an what's cumed to
tak the Gore Farm on the hill.'*

This was greeted with roars of laughter. The idea
of the " dood " being a farmer was too ridiculous for
anything.

"Well, yez may laff, but Grazely telt me he had a
hitter frae the company, an' it is selt to an Inglishman
frae Lundun, Isn't that so, Grazely," Lem continued,
turning to a young man who had just entered.

HOUSES OF GLASS.

" Quite so^ quite so, Mr. Dcjrris, but I'm afraid l)y the
look^ C'u the trunks that he ain't your man, no, indeed."

A different .scene was being enacted upstairs in the
spare room., " My God, Jane," said the husband,
pacing the Hoor we can never stay here. The pros-
pectus said 'a town A town, indeed. Why, it is a
wilderness peopled with savages. God knows what the
farm »s like if they call this a town I have not the
courage to ask about the farm. They can t give me a
civil answer. They would only jeer at me ' The
baby was sound asleep on the bed, and the mother oat
with her face buried in her hands.

" just fancy " he continued, '' living in a place like
this, it would be worse than death It would be a liv-
ing death. Just imagine, this is the best room in the
house he went oH; waving his hand at the rough un-
plancd boards while the floor creaked and rattled under
his feet ' Why it is more like a box stall, and the
bed there — why it is simply a litter on stilts. '

'^ The bed are clean, William, said his wife, speaking
for the first time, and looking towards where the in-
fant lay under a flaming-colored, loud-patterned quilt.
' Marian iiave gone asleep; dear, please not to wake
her If you like you can lie down beside hen It aie
needful I should think it over.

She sat with folded arms deeply absorbed in thought,
looking the very picture of sullen despair. The hus-
band was evidently of a less fretful disposition, for
after carefully and suspiciously inspecting the cleanli-
ness of the bed, he threw himself down, and m a few
moments was sound asleep.

She took out her purse, and counted their rtore c;if
wealth Ten five pound notes, four and sixpence
English.; besides some American silver she could not
count.

'• Will us let the forty pounds go and get shut of all
this ' Will there be any farm at all or are it all a
hoax, she said.

She opened a small hand satchel, and took out a
document, which she read to herself in a subdued whis-

DISENCHANTMENT.

ili-
;w

ill
11 a

t a
his-

per. " Tract of land known as Gore Farm near the
town of Grazcly's Mills. '

She paused and heaved a si^di at tlie decefition of
callln<; this wilderness a town " Two lumdred acres
more or less. Ten acres clearini^. House and barn in
fair state of repair." " Deai me,' she said to herself,
" we are tricked antl roi^iied Mow his fiither would
lautrh at the low bred hussv and his foolish son But
they siiall never know I shall fi^ht and work. I are
not afraid of work. I have all when I iu.vc him '

She replaced the document in her satchel and sat
looking at 'er Lirge but shapely hands, as an import-
ant part of ner capital. Ha there was his rinc^ on her
finuer. She turned it round and round, witi\ a f/rati-
fled look in her face.

It was a plain gold hor>]) with nothing particular to
admire about it, but she hx/ajd at it fondly for a long
time.

Diving into her satchel again, she drew forth her
marriage certificate. After reading it over she care-
fully placed it in her purse beside her other valuables.

" There are not many would be so good and true as
William. Poor fellow, he have no idea what are before
liim, but if he be only contented us will get along. No
matter, us will go and see the farm. I shan t tlinch or
give in."

Her attitude was now full of a determination which
almost amounted to defiance. The resj)onsibility of
her position seemed to make her grave be}-ond her
years. She was young and strong, and her self-reli-
ance had been fully developed by her past life. She
was already recovering from the sh(jck of disappoint-
ment. Hope was again asserting itself.

Then she opened the windcnv to get a breath of fresh
air., and looked out into the night.

It was a clear, beautiful, balmy night, but everything
looked so strange and terrible, that her courage seemed
to leave her. Even the nioc^i appeared to have risen
in the wrong direction, and there, in its pale light were
the relentless dark-green wooded slopes stretching
away to the southv/ards.

Forest, forest everywhere as far as the eye could

IIOUSKS OF GLASS.

rcacli, nnfl in her morbid fanc}-, the dark shadows
seemed hiin<;ry to engulf her. Tlie noises downstairs
hail ceased, and all the lights had disappeared. Some-
thin*^ about the solemn stillness seemed to crush her
with a sense of her own helplessness — a stillness,.
broken only by the far off soncjof the whippoorwill, and
the ([uiet swish of the river down at the sluice-w\ay.

The same treacherous moon tliat shone so softly
thioujj^h her own little window in far distant Cornwall,
was smiling and mocking at her grief in this terrible
wilderness.

She laid her forehead on the rtnigh sill of the window,
and gave vent to the first tears she had shed since the
shores of old England faded into sea and sky.

CHAPTER III.

GETTING ACOUAINTED.

On the following morning, Mr. Langtry was some-
what surprized and very much gratified, when the
strange lady with stately step came along the platform,
and, first stopping to decipher the sign over the door,
entered his establishment.

He was astonished at the massivencss of her figure,
which he mentally noted was about five feet nine, with
a probable weight of thirteen stone or more. A young
giantess with coal black eyes, and rosy cheeks, holding
an infant in her arms. Yet there did not seem to be
any masculinity in her shape or form, for her outlines
were rounded and graceful, and her carriage was pecu-
liarly dignified and lad}'-like. But when she spoke, the
postmaster modified liis first estimate of her.

" Be you the postmaster here ?"

" Yes, mam," replied that functionary, bowing po-
litely. "Can I do anything for you ?"

" I have a letter here to read if you'm oblige me by

"•"^m^m-iH

GETTTNT, ACOUATNTEn. 2 1

hearkcnincT to it," and taking a paper from htr pocket
she road,

"To PosT^f ASTER, Gra/elv's Mir.i.s.

'■Please deliver to Mrs. Jane I laiford the keys of
Gore farm, aiui render her peaceable possession ot the
said estate."

Signed,

" ].J.. FicjT & Co..

'' Agents liurcka Land Companv.^'

" Let mc look at it." said the postmaster, reaching
out his hand for the document. She drew back, and
hesitated. " I don't wish to offend, sir, but vou'm better
give mc the key f^rst. You sec my husband thinks
they have rogued us out of forty pounds, and us don't
know who to trust."

'; '^\l [ -^^-^C'" I^iu-^i^^^l Mr. Lang^ry. " Yankee tricks
eh ! Well, to tel you the truth there is no key at all.
VVe fastened the door by a bolt inside and crawled out
ot the window.

The lady turned a trifle paler and leaned against the
little counter for support. " It arc even worse than
we thought, sne exclaimed in a despairir.- tone.

Mr.Langtry now came out of his sanctum to cr.m-
fort his visitor. " Don't let a little matter lil--e that
annoy you, NIrs. Halford. The place is a L^ood one.
1 he timber abne IS worth ten times the nioney you
paid for It. The forest may not look very invitincr to
you, but every tree is as good as money. And novv let
me welcome you to our little village and offer you the
liand of a Cornishman."

- wkTI'a/ P^^^^'J^^^'i^ surprise passed over her face.
What ! You a Cornishman } You can have the letter
— and welcome.

.u"i^'^'!!^' 5 ''/'' ']'' ^'^"^^^^ican citi;^en, now, and I love
the land of the free, but I was born at Tregoodwell,
and though I was only young when I came out I can
famty remember the name of Halford. Pshaw ' never
mind the letter or the key. We will see that yov get
possession Well, well ! So your husband is a Halford
of Boscastle !

HOUSES OF Gr,ASS.

The yniin^ mother bent her head over her babe to
hide the wave of colour wliicli s\vc[)t over lur face. " I
don't think he are any relative. Halford are a coni-
nrn)n name in Cornwall." How did he know where she
had come from, she wondered.

'* No matter, we shall be great friends, Mrs. Halford,
I feel that instinctively. Milly," he shouted, " come
here immediately. Here's a lady all the way from lios-
castle, within a few miles of where I was born."

As Mrs. I.angtry came waddlin;^ in she reminded the
stranger of the fat woman at a Punch and Judy show.

" Our new neighbour, Milly," said the postmaster, in-
troducing them. " Her husband has bought the Gore
Farm, Mrs. Halford, my wife."

" You might come in and sit down," said Mrs. Lang-
try, smiling and leading the way into the parlour. '"Sit
down and rest yourself. Voii don't need to stand in
order to grow big. Let the baby come to me," she
continued, reaching out her arms to receive it. **No
fear, it won't Ci'y. l^abiesand dogs like good people,"
at which remark her fat body shook with laughter.

" Don't mind my wife, Mrs. ILalford," pleaded tlie
postmaster, apologetically. " She is always laughing,
even when there's nothing to laugh at."

" Well, it are better than crying," responded their
visitor, ** or growling, either," and they all laughed in
chorus.

Even the baby, as it was dandled up and down,
seemed to catch the merriment from the fat lady s face.
It gave a little crow of laughter and was rewarded by
a shower of kisses.

"What is the little darling's name ?"

" Her are called Marian."

"She's got your nose and eyes," said Mrs. Langtry,
looking critically at the little face, " but I can't say
whether she is like her Pa, for I have never seen him.
When Charley was born," she continued, with sup-
pressed laughter, " Mr. Langtry kept remarking how
good looking the chdd was and wondering who he
looked like. So I told him one day he needn't trouble
himself as long as the boy didn't look like any of the
neighbours."

-^^.^smm-^-

Jtry,
say
liim.
jsup-
Ihow
be
luble
the

OETTTNC Arnt^ATNTKD. t$

Tliiough the stranger was scMiiewhat shocked slie
couu^ not help joining in tlie liearty laui'li, in(ire es-
pecially as her hostess was fairl)' vibrating m In r chair.

"Now, Milly, really you ought to be ashanicil, talk-
ing so before a stranger."

"Oh, never niiiul," responded the visit»ir. "Jokes
go free. I think when I get <iown-heartcd I'll call on
your wife, Mr. Langtry."

"And you shall always be welcome," returned the
postmaster with a polite bow. "Come, Christina, and
shake hands with the lady," he said, turning to a lanky,
awkward girl of twelve. " Go and get Charlie, too."

"This is our little family," said the hostess, "and
this is wj' bab)'," she added, pointing to a little fellow
with fair, curly hair and nut-brown legs. " Look at
the size of him. He isn't quite two years old yet."

"You have only two, then?" (jueried the visit(^r.

"Yes, but we have as many kinds as anybody," res-
ponded Mrs. Langtry. " and we may have more yet."
This was followed by another outburst of laughter and
more expostulations from the scandalized postmaster.

" Come, Charlie, won't you come and give me a
kiss?" said Mrs. Malford, catching the little fellow up
in her arms. In a moment his little brown fist came
smack on her face, and with a squirm he jumped to the
floor and ran behind his mother.

" You little rascal, how dare you !" shouted his father,
^ g'^'hig him a shake. " Go off about your business, you

i. young ruffian. Christina, you go and lock him up in

the room for av/hile. Really," continued Mr. Langtry,
in apologetic tones, "he is a spoiled boy. lie gets his
I own way in e\crything. Why, he has actually cut
I your lip and made it bleed."

" Oh, it are nothing but a scratch against my tooth ;
but now I must be going. I have everything to do."

"Can I do anything for \'ou in the way of groceries
or kitchen hardware ?" inquired tb.e merchant, rubbing
his hands and bowing suavely.

" Dear me, yes ! I shall want everything. I have
plenty of bedding, dishes, ornaments aiid clothing, but
where shall us get some furniture?"

Mr. Langtry smiled and shook his head. " We don't

HOUSES OF GT,ASS.

keep furniture here. You see settlers, as a rule, don't
want mucli. I can lend you a table, a bench and a
couj)1e of chairs, and I will get anythinf^ you wdsh on a
week's notice. You will have to put up with a shake-
down till then, for we lent our spare bed to Mrs.
Sweeny, who is ill. Just make out a list of what \-ou
want, and I will attend to it."

** I am most ashamed to take all this kindness," said
Mrs. Ilalford when everythins^ was arranged. " I
shall leave a five-pound note on account."

"Here is a customer worth haviiiLr," said Lanidev to
himself : as he tenderly fini^ered the note, and placed
it away in his pocket book. It was the first he had
seen for many a day and was all the more welcome on
that account.

" Now you want to get moved out. Let me see !
The only way will be to get one of Grazely's teams.
This Grazely, madam, is a perfect young upstart, but
his teams are the only ones witliin reach. Christina,
show the lady down to the mill, but, remember, don't
go in yourself. The only enemy I have in the world,
Mrs. Halford, but you can pay him and no thanks to
him."

Mrs. Halford found the young mill-owner more civil
and courteous than she expected. She was surprized
to see so young a mar. the proprietor of such an ex-
tensive business.

His large nose was slighth' hooked at the point, and
his keen gray eyes had a slight squint, but otherwise
the expression of his face was rather pleasant and
kindly.

" Certainly, certainly, you can have a team," he said
in a sharp thin voice. " You needn't mind the pay
just now," he added as she opened her pocket-book.

" My motto is, pay and be paid, Mr. Grazely, thank
you. I shall want a barrel of flour as well."

" Very well, very well. Hiram will have the team
at Blake's door right after dinner, and my buggy for
yourselves as well. I can't change this note, madam,
at present," he went on, scrutinizing his customer, " but
you can give it to me again."

Grazely was satisfied that the lady had an honest

r,ORE FARM.

face, and besides, he saw a whole bunch of notes in licr

purse

As she was about to leave, he suc^j^n^stcd puttinir
some nails and boards in the warrcron, in case of an
emer<,rency, and .illowint,^ Iliram VVatson to stav at
the farm for the afternoon to help them.

Grazel}' was a very shrewd business man. He knew
well the policy of throwing an apple where there was
an orchard.

No man gave more dimes to the children in gratu-
ity, or fewer dollars to their fathers in w;.ges.

He got the name of bjing free handed, whilst at the
same time he hired his labour cheaper than ;uiy man In
the State. Mis favourite maxim was, " it is easier to
make money out of friends than enemies."

CMAl^TF.R IV.

GORE FARM.

Jane Halford's first thought the morninn- after
their arrival, was how to reconcile )ier husban.fto his
new surroundings.

^ She herself found her courage come back with sun-
nse. Determination returned with the dawn of a beau-
tiful day. But she must think of him.

Knowing his great weakness for sport of an v kind,
she determined to make use of it in softenin<>- the shock
of disappointment. He gladly accepted the su^rrres-
tion, that he should go fishing, but she insisted that'he
should not go alone. " Get the landlord to go with
you, or you'll be lost in the terrible woods," she said.

" Why, Jane, one would think I had never seen a
trout stream or angling rod before. I cannot ret lost
It I follow the stream."

*' Yes, but how will you know when you'm <^oin'^ uu
or down ?" t, t, i

ik)Usp:s of CI, •.n'^^.

'' Goodness alive, the water can't run up hill," he
replied, laui^hinij, as he hurried away to make prepara-
tions.

Mr. Blake, nothini]^ loth to be out of hearinijj n{ the
jibes about the new railroail, i^ot ready his taclde and
went with him.

In spite of their promises to be back in good time,
they kept everybody waiting a full hour, causing Ivirs,
Ilalford much uneasiness.

At last they appeared bearing a hnc catch of speck-
led beauties. William was breathless in his praises of
the sport. Mr. lilake was generally conceded to be the
most .skilful angler in the district, but his guest had
fairly beaten him, and in consequence was pleased with
himsidf and everybody else. Indeed, he talked and
laughed as ga}Iy as if this were not to be one of the
most fateful days in his life. In his enjoyment: of the
sport, he lost sight of the grim necessities of everyday
life. Me forgot that ho had left the primrose path for-
ever, and that his inheritance was toil.

Soon evcrvthing was readv. The waggon with its
load of trunks and sundries, was at the door. Mrs.
Blake insisted on donating a day or two's cooked vic-
tuals just to be neighbourly, aiul the landlord himself
vowed eternal friendship for so good a sportsman as
Ilalford.

Both the buxom daughters, Sally and Julia, had lit-
tle presents for the baby, and they all made promises
to visit the farm at an early date.

Iwerybody was so kind, so friendl}', and so thought-
ful, that the strangers vowed the people of Grazely's
Mills to be the kindest mortals under the sun. This
very kindness acted as a buffer betweeii them and their
new surroundings, making an impression upon them,
never to be forgotten.

To cap the climax Christina Langtry climbed up on
the waggon, explaining that her ma sent her to mind
the baby, and keep them company for a day or two.
In lion(Hir of t!ie occasion, dressed in her Sunday best
.she perched herself on the highest box. Her magenta
stockings and copper-toed shoes dangled in mid-air,
while she luxuriated under the shade of a faded para-

GORE FARM.

up on
mind

two.

best
.iron t a
id-air,

para-

sol, and waited for the excursion to start. She was

evidently pr;)U(l of her projected trip to the country.
.She was a mark of envy for tiio other juveniles of the
village.

Ik'fore leaving, Mrs. Halford ran into tlie post-office
and grasping Mr. Langtry's hand said, " I are only a
stranger here, but if us can ever do you a good turn
we'm not forget this day."

As ihey drove up the long incline to tin.- west, be-
hind Mr. (irazely's spirited roadster, Mr. Halfortl was
quite gay.

" The greatest fisliing on earth," he said. " Never
saw anything like it. If Ponsonb}" were here he'd go
wild. A.d the game ! why I saw scores of partridge
and hare... It is as good as having an estate of one's
own. Better, because there are bears and wolves as
well." Thus he rambled on, talking about his fishing
rods, and his guns, with almost boyish enthusiasm, seem-
ing to forget the errand he was on.

But the young mother was abstracted and thought-
ful. It was an important hour in her life, and she felt
the gravity of the situation all the more keenh', because
he did not. Occ.isionally heaving a deep sigh, she kept
a sharp look out for the clearing.

Nothing but forest, forest, forest, and yet they must
be nearing the farm, for it was said to be only three
and a half or four miles from the village. When they
reached the upland, they could, through occasiiMial
gaps in the trees, catch glimpses of t'.ie broad valley
behind, and the village nestling by the river,

Mr. Langtry told them it was the first clearing to the
right hand side of the road, but so far there was noth-
ing but virgin forest. For a time they drove slowly
along a narrow, level stretch of road, where the trees
formed an endless canopy (H'erhead, and they began
to think, there must be some mistake, when suddeidy,
they came to a gap in the forest and tliere in front of
them was Gore Farm.

In the middle of a clearing, which was still dotted
with stumps, stootl a low, log house with one door, and
one small window. At the end was a large chimney
of rough stone, whose base widened out at the bottom,

rrrr-

ITOUSER OF GLASS.

i\nd i^ave an impression, that the house hafl been built
to the chimney, instead of the chinme}' to the house.
The only si^L;n of paint about the pLice, was on the
door, which had been daubed witli bright red.

Either the artist had merely been cleaning his brush
or the supply of paint had run out, for the lower third
was untouched, and even the upper part had been
tre ited with a partiality which could scarcely have been
intentional. Tlie bundle of rags which filled the space
of a vacant pane in the window, and the bones of some
dead animal in the foreground, gave the place a most
d iabolical apper* '-ance.

The young couple sat mute and motionless gazing
at their future abode.

Had they left their home and friends, crossed the
trackless ocean and travelled thousands of miles for this ?
This dungeon of desolation, this wretched hovel, this field
of weeds and stumps ! Must they cast their lot in this
dreary wilderness where they would see no human face,
and hear no voice but the sighing of the forest trees,
or the howling of v>'ild beasts? Must they immure
themselves in this vast, leafy tomb, and bid the world
good-night ?

The horse stood champing his bit, impatient to be
moving, but the driver kept a tight rein and sat in a
dazed condition, scarcely knowing what to do. A
sickening, dreadful despondency came over tliem, which
seemed to chain them to the spot and hold them
speechless.

At last the sound of the waggon coming up behind
broke the spell.

Holding her baby tighter to her breast, the young
mother clasped her husband's hand. In a moment her
frame was shaking with sobs, and the big tears were
coursing down her cheeks. Poor creatures ! From
their dreams of an American Eldorado they had a rude
awakening.

But they must dry their tears, for the big, fat, shin-
ing bays are coming up behind, and Christina is singing
a rollicking song about " gettin' out de wilderness," a
very anti-climax to their despair.

Alongside the ugly slash fence Mr. lialford led his

)ehind

young

Mit her

, were

From

a rude

GORE FARM.

beast till he reached an ot)-nIng, th/n turned into the
clcarin<,^ carefully pickin|^ his way between the stumps.

The teamster followed in his tracks, the load sway-
ing and creaking over the rough, uneven ground in
such a way as to fore: the songstress to abandon her
vocal efforts and concentrate her energies in the direc-
tion of hanging on.

The house, or rather hut, contained three rooms,
and, 'hank goodness, had a huge fireplace.

Immediately after the light was let in the young
wife's mind was engaged in planning her future house-
hold. When she got her own furniture she would place
a cupboard here, a table there, and further over she
would hang a picture or an ornament.

Is there not an inspiring constructiveness in planning
and decorating even the humblest home ? Born in the
httle maid who arranges her play-house, it seems to
grow from year to year and reaches a climax when the
young wife first feels the inspiration of her own fire-
side.

It is a sort of coronation which proclaims her
queen, and, free from the glitter of pomp and power
it kindles in her heart a glow which sheds its light on
future generations, and blossoms into patriotism.
Every sweep of the broom put strength in Mrs. Hal-
ford's arm ; every rug she laid upon the rude floor
gave fresh elasticity to her step, every pot and pan
nestling in its corner gave a fresh hope, and every dish
consigned to its rude shelf chased away a fear.

Christina ar.d the teamster were both very helpful.
The latter had surely kept bachelor's hall, he was so
handy with everything. Once or twice she bantered
him about it, but the stoical Mr. Watson never laughed
and seldom spoke. He only worked and whistled.

William sat outside minding the baby and was sur-
prised to hear his wife's musical laugh. " Strange crea-
tures ire women," he thought, "beyond all compre-
hension. Crying one minute and laughing the next.'*

Before long three busy pairs of hands brought order
out of chaos, and cheerfulness out of gloom. When
the logs were crackling on the hearth and the white

HOUSES OF GLASS.

cloth spread for sii{)pcr, the younc,^ v.ifc hummed little
snatches of song in the very gladness of her heart.

Never '.v.)iild she forget the little evening meal in
which they all joined.

i lie glossy bays were contentedly munching their
oats from a box at the open dov)r, a bird was singing
and svvingingnear its nest on a tree at the window, and
the long, soft shadows of evening were putting their
fairy-like touches on the far off wooded hills; the baby
was drinking contentedly at Nature's f(jnt, the kettle
was singing on the hearth, and years afterwards the
young mother looked back to that hour as the luip])iest
of her life.

Oh, gilded palaces and stately mansions, ye are beg-
gars both whose bread doth turn to stone !

How little yc know of the hajjpincss of humble
homes !

CHAPTER V.

TWO AND TWENTY YEARS AFTER.

Perhaps the only class of people who have many
opportunities of seeing the beauties of sunrise, are those
who enjoy them the least.

The farmer in every portion of the civilized world, is
forced by the nature of his calling, to work during his
busiest seasons from dayliglit till dark, antl when he
rises from his bed in the grey dawn of the morning,
yawning regretfully over the shorliiess of his slumbers,
he is noc usually in a frame of mind to enjoy the beau-
ties of nature.

His first waking hours are often tinged with bitter-
ness at the drudgery and monotony of his everyday
life.

When Sunday comes, it is welcomed as a day of rest,
and both in town and country the weary toilers take
advantage of the opportunity, and sleep till the sun is
high in the sky.

-.'-lis

TWO AND TWENTY YEARS AFTER.

becr-

Yct the early riser on a balmy June morning is surelv
repaid for Jns trou'ole, wlu-n sunrise is a perfect son«r Jf
nature, full of j^lorious i)ron-!isc. '^

At least, so thou-ht a youncr man who was drivin-
rapidly eastuard tiiis particular Sunday mornin- on
one of the principal roads leading to Levisville, a tdi'riv-
itig iScw England town.

The rolling liiUs and fields of shaded green the
yroods where spring had woven such wondrous chkrm-
r.i leaf and blossom, the sparkling dew, the balmy
scented air, the awakening songs of birds and chaindne
tints of cioud and sky-all took part in transforming
this weary, ^\ ork-a.day world into a land of beauty and
bliss. ^

As our traveller nearcd the top of a long incline
known locally as " the mile hill," the bright sunshine
glistened on the wheels of his newly painted bucrcry
brought more clearly into view his finely gn.omed
grey horse, and showed the driver to be a young man
ot about five and twenty.

He was dressed in a neatly fitting coat and trowsers
ot grey tweed, a spotless white vest, and a sailor-shaped
straw hat, with a broad black band.

The whole turnout had a spick and span appearance
even to the shining black harness, which sat so beconv
ingly on the glossy sides of his dapple grey '^teed
Ihe care bestowed, both on his equipage and his per-
son, indicated not that this early riser was out to enjoy
the beauties of nature, but that there was a lady in the
case. His closely fitting gloves, spotless linen, and
smoothly shaved chin, gave him a clean and cool ap-
pearance, and, fortunately for his toilet, the dew still
he d in control the dust of the broad, white road

_ Keaching the top of the hill, he came to a full stoi^
eitner to rest his beast, or to enjoy tlie panorama bo-
iore him.

Away to the eastward, the road ran down the incline

and narrowed into a white line, till it seemed to reach

lie sky while as far as the eye cc^ild reach, lav beau-

t.^ul ro l;ng fields dotted v ith farm houses and build-

inn;

Here and there were patches of woodland, and

HOUSES OK CLASS.

throuj^h the valley a ripplinj; strc:im snn;;- ilf-, rurrylln^
son<^, <4"listcninL; aiul L^i.uicini( in the niorniiu.,' sun.

Witli ihc exception of a few cattle and siu;ep {.(raz-
ing (juietly by the rtjaclside, lu^t a living object v.'as in
si<^ht.

Our traveller was evidently dec ply impressed with
the view, ft)r, removing Ids hat, cither out of sc I'.inient
or to enlarijc the area of his vi;;ion, he stood motionless
in Ids vehicle, L;azini^ away into the distance.

Just while he is in tins position, we have an excellent
opportunity' of scannin;^ his features, ami of discoverini;
what manner of a )'oun;.;" m;in is t!ds, wlu) is such a
lover of nature as to apparentl}' f')r;.;et tlie errand
whicli was cau.sinir him such haste »-ii!va few moments
before.

One could see at a jdance that he \\as no iXdonis.
His features were too prominent and well marked.
Yet that first lool* convinced )'ou tliat he was "some-
body." His f.ice bore the stamp of intellectualit)- in a
hiiTh detuee, and his jet black hair, combed straijTlit u])
from his massive forehead, g ive him a peculiar air of
command.

AlthouLjh somewhat ovcrr.hadovv ed b}' a pair of heavy
eyebrows, his c^rey eyes were clear and keen, but not
unkind. The heavy black mustache wlnk.ii adorned
his upper lip did not hide tlie lines of firmness about
his mouth, and his square chin only em})hasi/.ed his air
of determination. A stronj.,^ face full of char;icter and
individuality, thou.i^h pride and passion v.ere a trifle
too apparent. His form bore the same cliaracteristics
as his face. H;; was t>dl, lar^je-boned and muscular,
but too anri'ular for sym.metrv.

Like all other human beinL^i^ David Gordon's charac-
ter and countenance had been lar<^fely influenced by Ids
surroundings, ar.d iC one could read ari;dit, his life had
not been a path of flowers.

Awa)' back on the road which lie li>-id just travelled,
la)- the town of Gowanstone where, sir.ee Ids boyhood,
he hc'ul fought the wolf of want an.l map.;;.;ed to sup-
port his widowed mother.

i'iiUerprise, economy and deterniiiKiiion, luid at la^.t
given him a victory o'/er ids lov.iy estate.

•iwo A-:n T«Tr,-Tv vi;.'.::s ait.-k.

J ooi.Ic ,s,u,lth,it Gordon w,.,s on a fair «-nv to m-t

nch riis nature uul not Ht him for the .s„i;or,linatc

posjnon of journeyman miiler, but ho had b,)rno with

shn.q.. and arro-« of outrageous fortune" until I "

v.-as able to leas_^^ tl,e ('.■uMnstone Mills and beeomo

n;,n.ster „,s cad of servant. Not onlr tin's, b n " v

nat he had a competency, he had decided that in .1 e

■ear fnlure l,e would tal.e unto hin,selfa wife, ^o o,'

;us bright .Sunday n.H.rnin.;:, he w„s on his vas- to -ee

tnc object of his alfecti(;ns "

MVhat'Vd'w "'"'■ ''■■'';'*,' "'"Pf '■" ■■'••■ni:-.Htion.

1 ., c ", '"-'""" '" c.vpand o.ie-s sold Xo

vondcr that Scotland an.l Switzerland are fan, us fo
the.r p,atriot,s,n. There's inspiration in these ■■

Suddei,:y he remembered his err.md. Rcseatin,.

i.niself n, h,s vehicle and spreading the liHtt ru, ovo?
!us knees, he .saul softly, " Come, Dan. old'f, 11, -• , ',
away ho went down the grade at a rattlii,..i.ac., p: '

)an seeme.l to enjoy the situation. The gay arch' o-'
nis shapely neck, and a coyness about h^^V of l'
ears denoted exhilaration of spirits, while the cl. t ;
of si, oofs, and thedee,> l,„n,of ,i,e buggv, furni • le^
. SI ableaccompannnent to the snatcl e7 of son- in
v.liich Ins master was now indnhdn<- "

Davul Gonlon's heart was full of happiness for everv

un, of he w eels was bringing him 1,'eaivr to'",;: ,

1 c but it ""•\':™,"-"-'l'-' "-'-eks since l:e h,ul seen
Lu but ,t seeme<l to Inn, an .-igc. The vcr-- thoii-dn-

Stti,!;e;:^;^;:;:::;,^^-^»-f-'--M-itivein-

me^Mdm Cr'''>,''''i'''™'"" ^i''-' «-^'- to drive out to
meet I, n,, but with a lover's eagerness he h.id started

bUoie his ladylove had fini.shed her morning slum-

necHt;''',,,"'''"'," ''"•"■ '"-' '"■'' ''" •'• ^""staut state of cn-
f eetat, on and excitement. With ])an's stevadv sviu-r

"!;,!i;:;^l ^■''^ ""-■ ">"^ -- i'a--> -ni, mo.iotJnou;.

rcfni

HOUSES OF GLASS.

It was now ncaring eight o'clock, with not a vehicle in
siglit.

At last, a cloud of dust on a distant knoll set his
heart tJjoini^. David was no fop, but he hurriedly rc-
adjur>lcd his neckwear, smoothed his hair, ami brushed
a si^eck of dust i>ff his co.it sleeve. Grave and reserved
in manner, he always tried to hide his emotions, but
his chock icould turn pale in spite of him.

As he ncared the approaching^ vehicle he found to
his annoyance and disj.aist, that his excitement had
been all in vain, for it contained, instead of her, whom
he thouj^ht the most beautiful creature in the world, a
farmer and his spouse ^oing probably to morning" ser-
vices some distance away.

" What's the use of wearing my heart in my mouth,
when the chances are sh.e is asleep yet.

" There is another rig coming, but I'll not be fooled
t'Aice.

"Six miles to Levisville " said a showy mile post,
covered with advertisements. This caused him to give
up all ho]ies of meeting her, when suddenly he spied a
vision which sent his heart bounding into his throat.

There she was at last, with her little brother and
}-ounger sister, driving^ a fine big sorrel in a canopy
top})od surrey, and while she held the reins her com-
j)anions waved their hats, and shouted at his ap-
proach.

David, of course, had no eyes excepting for the
driver. The enchantment of the divine passion was
upon him. Love, with its magic wand transformed her
into something more than common clay.

Yet, even the severest critic would admit that there
was some excuse for his raptures. She had an oval
face, with a peach-like complexion, a mass of fluffy
light brown hair blowing from beneath a dainty straw-
hat, and a pair of bewitching eyes, whose colour it was
im])ossible to determine.

There was a subtle attractiveness about her face,
which was not all beauty, a something which puzzled
and excited curiosit}'. Her features were not regular
enough for typical beauty ; indeed, in some respects
they were contradictory. The austerity of her brow

TWO AM) TWENTY YEARS AFTKR.

rfenier! the Jifnt of scnsuousncss ah<Mit hw heautifullv
curvcii lips, and the faint dimple in her clitrk centra-
dieted the droop at the corner of hw upper cvdid
Her eyes were the ^n-alc^t puz/lc- of all. (iencraljr
they were full of tenderness, but at times one cou'd
detect a ti-cr-like flash lurking in the dark blue which
turned them almost black.

It seemed impossible to form any Idea of her inner
nature from her face when in repose. I'orce and
power were there, but in an indefinable sliape, whicii
seemed full of hidden possibilities.

But when she smiled her countenanced lit um with a
benevolence and ^c^encrosity which silenced criticism
and carried confidence by storm. '

Vet, when the smile faded the ori<;inal i)roblem re-
peated Itself, and one could not help watchin<' and
waitmcr for the lights and shadows of this sldftincr
conundrum. '^

No wonder that David was beside himself, for not
only did she smile upon him, but the colour in her ch-ek
deepened. As she tiolitened the reins to clieck the
speed,_her shapely arms and shoulder.^ threatened de-
struction to her tight sleeves, while her bodfce -ave
the impression that there was no room to spar.-

It was evident that Dame Nature had been unusu-
ally kind, having given hor not only a beautiful face
but a splendid physique. The pure, rich blood mrnl
tling in her neck and cheek gave that complexion
which only health can bestow. One felt imorcssed b>'
iier physical completeness. '

She was the first to speak. - Good mornin-, Vr
Gordon, she said archly. - Are you going far ?" Vou
are quite an early riser." ^ o ^

1 '• "^ ''^^' if/'n ''J'^ ^'^^ ^ ^^"^^ you, Mr. Gordon," ex-
claimed Nelly (a bright girl in her teens), ^^ U 1
i^adn t woke her up, she would have been suor'n-r
yet. ^ ^

"Please shut up, Nelly, you know I don't snoic.
^oull horrify Mr. Gordon."

Fred, a lad of ten with a voice as hoarse as a raven
here broke in with, " Well, she does, 'cause I slept
with her one night and " Marian's gloved hand

TlOi sES OF (]LAF.S.

suddrnly covered lii.^ nmuth, and i\\iy all l-rt-kr into n
heart}' lairdi.

J)avid ill tlir meantime I'.ad calmed liim:^elf suffi-
ciently to speak, and he remarked after lookincj at his
watch that he 7i'<rs a tritle ahead of time.

" Vou are certainly no ki'^'jard.," she reolied lau'jh-
in<j^. " I would have been earlier too, but this is a
stranf^c horse, and wc had to '^lI Watson to hitch
him,"

" Yes, I sec, and a new surrc)- too. Th;it was why
I didn't know )'<'U, till you \\'ere rii^lit upon n\c He
is a fine-lookin<.; animal. Is he spe< (\y ?"

"He ain't nothin' else," responded I'rcd. "I bet
he can beat your Dan all the same."

*' lie is a splendid traveller," said Marian with a
confirmatory nod. " Mother ])aid a bi'( price for him.
Turn him around and we'll have a little s[;i;i," ^he
atlded enthusiasticall}'.

Gordon spranc^ out of his bur:^::^}', and shook h.ai'.ds
with all. lie lonc^cd to kiss one fair sha{)ely k.ai-.ci,
but of course there were too many pairs (;f eyes 1; /(•!:-
ini; on, ami he had to content himself with i';ivin.j it a
squeeze.

" \Vh;it, run races

)umia\

That

won

id b

terrible thin;.'; for a j:^ood cluirchwcmKin, like Miss lial-
ford, let alone a poor heathen like nie," said l)a\'id
with an air of mock hunn'lity

Cowardy. cow.irdy. custard," sli

outecl

I" red. "V.'e'd

HMi: A'eii was stanom

beat you so bad \ou would li
still."

Marian's smlK; of confidence as slie looked at her
new si ed, added to Fred's crowing, rather nettled
D;

,V1(

Doy

ou re.'illv wi

sh it

ic asicetl

c made

lilth

e grmiacc, wnicn Jie seemc

;d t

understand, for he jumped into his vehicle and [.kivc
the word ** Go."

Gordon thoucht at first he would have no trouble at
all, and that he would <;o only f^ist enough to amuse
them, but to his surpri/.e and chagrin, the sorrel shot
ahead of him like a rocket, and before he had time to
realize his position, the surrey was fully twenty feet

TWO AND rv/ENTV YEARS AFTER. 37

p4*h(.ul. Tii!>; \vouI(i never do, s(^ he nrijcd Dnn into it
iv-ck and crop. Away tlicy went, Icavinj^ a j^rcat
cloud of dust Ijchind them.

Marian was c\idi,;nc!\' no novice. Gordon hc^an to
fear that he liad met liis match, both in horso and
driv<;r, for, ur<;c as lie would, th' y were still aluad.

His faithful grc)'h.ad the reputation of beinj; the best
horse in the Cf)unt\'. and to ha\'e him beaten by a
chan;%'lin<.^ like this s. rrel was to disi^rare in'm forever.

••I'll we.'ir the sorrel out. Ib.r's only a spurter at
i)'jst," said Gordon to himself. " lia. lie is weakeniiu_j
already. Come, Dan, old fellow. Shov/ them what
blood will dc. Steady now."

The riJ^s were fairly (kincinj^ alon^; the hi<.^^li\\ a>- wiJi
tlu; Vv'he^ds almost touchini^^ each other. .An inch
closer would have been disastr«")us to one or both.
Every face was pale with excltemerit, but no one
tIiou;^]it of dan;^er, thou,';;h more than once tiie hubs of
the wheels crashed ac;'ainst each other.

The L^rey was now ijainini;- inch by inch. In a mo-
ment they were even, neck and neck, nose and nose.
IMarian's face turned a shade paler .-.s she saw herself
tn-adually losinc; ground, for nov; Gor^lon's back
v/lieels were nearly opposite her front ones and soon
he would pass them. l:5ut not if she could help it.

The road v.p to this point was perfectly smooth, but
here was a stretch Vv-here one-t!iird of its width had
been fresh!)- gravelled, and the r^eagh part was on
(lurdon's siile.

There was still room for botli \n the smooth p<)r-
lion, but with defeat st.iring her in the face, Marian
resolved to crov.'d her opponent into tlie roi:,i;h [)iles
of caravel.

lie shouted for room as tliey approackicd, but she
pretended i^.ot te^ hear. In a moment Gordon's bni>'/v
was bumpmg and bouncing o\'er the knolls and lumps,
and the sorrel again shot a fnil length ahead.

"Keep on, by heavens, and I'll pass you \-et," he
sliou^ed de(iantl\- as lie niade to cross tlic road behind
her. But Marian foreseeing this possibility still maiv-
aged to keep directly in irojit of him, for a few mo-

HOUSES OF GLASS.

iiicnts, and then licld up her liancl in token that the
race wris over and won.

" W hcc," shouted Fre(L " Better trade yrtur cjcy
off for a yoke of oxen. And we had the heaviest load
too."

Nelly stood up and swunf^ her hat with delight, but
Marian did not take any part in the rejoieinij;-, for she
.saw that David was lookin;^ black as a thunder cloud.

" I did not think you would L,^et ani^ry at a little
thing like this," she said, elevating her eyebrows.

'* It was the most disgraceful, bare-faced piece of
jockeying I ever saw. I did not think you could be
guilty of such dishonesty. If you were a man I would
thrash you for a cheat."

The iiot colour flashed over her face, and her c^'es
took on a deeper hue. Y(ra are comj)limentary."

*' I am more," was his hot reply, " I am truthful."

This was too much. She pressed her lij)s tighd\ to
keep the moisture from her e)'LS and turned her face
away.

She knew that she had acted unfairl}-, l)Ut even tliat
could surely not excuse his rudeness.

The liorscs were now v/alking along side of each
other, fairly steaming with perspiration, Marian w;is
not ]:)rep;ired cither to defend her action, or to ciccept
his affront. Nelly and Fred were both afraid to speak
and tlie situation was verv much strained.

" Ah, there is tlie side road," she said to herself.
"I'll turn down and leave him to himself."

As the sorrel brolce into a trot, the grey followed
suit ; but wdiat was Gordon's surprize, when suddenly
the surrey swept round the corner, leaving him to go
on or turn back as he saw fit.

" Good God !" he said to himself, " I have offended
her beyond forgiveness. This is a hint for me to go
home, and by heavens I will go. I only told the truth.
I can't be hypocrite enough to apologize, when I really
meant it."

He stood still for a few mom.ents, Mdiilethe batde of
love and pride was raging in his heart, then ;/iOwIy but
very deliberately turned his vehicle around.

A moment more and he would have started for

'■-^ -**

> of
1 be

ould

•iiS.

•n\0 ANTl TWENTY YEAKS AFIER. 3Q

Ciowcin.^ton-, but lyi„<T on the road just at tlio conn>r
was atiainiy embroidered han.ikerchicf, ^,\,l■h he
recognized as Marian's. For a moment he lu.itatcl
and that moment was probably the turniu,. point in
two hyes. Had he ever started liomewardsrh.e would
never have stopped till he reached his own door, but
this trinm- piece of white silk was the feather which
turned the sea es. He mechanicallv -ot out t.. pick it
lip, and Its delicate perfume brou^dit back a rish of
tenderness. Hearts were trumns ao-ain

Once his mind was made up^he^e was no furtlier
hesitation, so lie turned down the side road, and started
m ])ursuit.

I\liss Halford wa.«, drivin- very slo^^■ly now, and in a
very uncertain frame of mind. The more slie thou-dit
over It, the more nuilty she felt. " I was really in Tlie
wrong. lie would liave been a spiritless man, w!^>
would not have been vexed. But then lie needn't
have been quite so rude." What about her hospitality
though ?_ C early ,t was her duty to go back, .and she

tr htter^of'i" " ^r^''^^ '^ '''''' -"--^ -^-- s'he heard
n r T ""^ .j'^^'f ^^^^^'S -^P behind, at a whirlwind

xicc? In spite of the narrowness of the road and tlic
risk o upsetting his vehicle, Gordon turned out and
passed witiiout slackening Ids speed. In a moment he

soirels bridle rem.

tr;'flf°''T?°'''' ''■'''''' ■'^"'"•"' '•-'' "' ""t quarrel over a
tiiHe, I have come nov.-, not so much to r,|)oloc;i>e for
m>- words, as t!-.e si^irit in which they vere uttered
My rudeness was out of proporuon to y.uir injustice'
Manan, you know I would gladly give niy life for you."
1 ere .s notlung under heaven consistent with honour,
' 1 fi™,".''^ "•" ''° '°' >■""■ ^^' the same time

all '>c hosts of heaven and hell. Here is mv hand
for Nelly and Fred too."

But Fred was not yet ready for peace. " You're a
blamed crank gettin' so mad about us passin' your oi
Mde-wheeler Mally ain't gcin' to .;et'ia vou r bu'. .

^^}\ SO to Mun^y.^ithu. indict you C;..er. jfi
was Her 1 a sit on you.

'■'\ -^

HOUSES OF GLASS.

Tlio unconscious luimour of Fred's attitude and re-
marks, brouc^ht fortli a smile, v.'hich warmed into a
laufh, and came like a flash of sunshine throur^h the
clouds dispersing all the mists of misunderstanding and
ill humour. There is no logic lil.e laughter. It is the
sunshine of the soul, towards which turn the flowers of
charity. I?y its warmth the best elements of our natures
are drawn to the surface, while the dregs of discontent
are driven to deeper depths.

Marian could not hel[) admiring the manliness of
David's attitude as he apologized for his own short-
comings without excusing hers. There V\Ms no pretence
of humility, but a fierce earnestness wliich told her
lie meant e\'erv word he said.

She knew that this man loved her with every atom of
his strong nature, but both his tone and manner told
h.er, that not even for her would he sacrifice a principle.
Never did he appear to more c!d\-antage in her exxvs.

'* David, your rudeness was not ' .I'f so bad as my
meanness, and I can more easily forgive you than my-
self, so we will say no more about it."

" I^'rom what Fred has iust said, I infer that you ori-

ginally intended riding home with m.e. Slunv me that
)-ou forgive me by getting into my buggy." Seizing
her hand he kissed it, (glove and all), almost pulling
her out.

As she sprang to the ground he could not help ad-
miring her figure, in which strength, ampleness and
grace seemed ecpially combined ; a very type of physi-
cal womanhood.

In a few moments the vehicles lost ^ight of each
other, David returning to the broad r 'jJ, while the
others went on to the southwards.

For a time after they were alone ncitu.r of them
spoke. They both felt ashamed of the part they had
pla)ed.

y\t last, to break the paii-iful silence, David asked if
it was safe to leave the two \oungsters alone with the
strantre horse.

Oh,

yes,

)lied Marian, with a smile, "both Fred

and Ntdlie haw driven him before. We all seem to
take after mother in that respect. We take to horses

rc-

:o a
the
and

; the
rs of
;ures
itent

ss of
;bort-
tence
I her

om of
: told
iciple.
yes.
^s my
in my-

ou ori-
le that
Seizini;-

uUing

clp acl-
:sft and
f physi-

of each
lile the

Df them
hey had

asked if
with the

oth Fred

seem to

to horses

T\v,n ..M) TWENTY ';i;Ai:s after.

h'lre ducks to w.Uor. I often tell motlKT th:it her fore-
fathers must either have been c^ypsics or joch-cys.
She thinks more of a <::ood horse than most vonicn do
()i tlieir fancy work. Fred could ride nc-arl\- as soon
as he could walk, and mother lets him have a horse when-
ever he wants one. Beside:^" slic added, reddeninixi^uilt-
ily, " I guess we have tak-en tlic wire ed-e off the^sor-
n 1 already." While she was speakinir tlie perfume of
her presenc(^Js-ept stealing over him till with a sudden
impulse he tln-ew his arm around her neck and kissed
her ])assionatcly on the lips.

Only a short distance away was a low lo:; house bv
the roadside, and Marian was hnrylfu-il To s e old
Mrs. Dorris sitting on tr.e door-stet) hooking straight at
them.

"Oh, David, shame! Mrs. Dorris snw us kissitv^.
Oh, dear, what a story she v.'ill jiave for mother next
wasii-day.

"I couldn't help it, darling, it's too bad, but never
mmd. What do I ca-e for her.^"

" Ves, Mr. Selfish, but 1 care. She kncv.vs me well.
and slie will tcJl it all over. You forget, D.ivid, that
I am near home here. Why, that's the \-erv house we
hvedin when we first came to America."

" Never mind," he said, dropi)ing the curtains of Ii-'s
buggy top. '' Your mother shall know all about it be-
fore I leave Brr>ad\ icw. I am going to ask her fnv her
big daughter, and if T have not disgraced m\-self too
much, I was going to ask a questioirof vourself, but I
am both ashamed and afraid after mv churlishness."

"You have less to be ashamed of than I have,"'shc
said, vith a deprecatory smile as she gave him her
hdni\^\. " I w;;s too anxious to v in. I admire a per-
son who can hold ))rinciple above all else, but T can't
seem to do it myself. I suppose I am too mucli of a
sav;ige."'

He kept her hand in h.is, and pulling off her glove
he slipped a heavy gold ring on her finger. Before shJ
was aware of what he was about he 'fastened a pold
chain with a pendmt lock< t around her neek.

Looking carefully around to .sec that she was nut

HOUSES OF GT,Ao-;.

boincf observed, Marian gave her rcj")^-)' by rcturninf^
liis ];iss.

A^ if knowiiTj^ tl. it liis driver had no attention to
spare upon him, Da 1 kept up his swinging trot without
pretending to notice that the reins were trailing in the
dust.

Mrs. Dorris still sat on her doorstep and watched the
vehicle as far as she could see it.

" So that's jMarian's intended : Well, well ! I seed
him goin' past time and again. High-strung like her-
s^lf. He'll have to be a good one to match ]\Iarian
Ualford. She'll have her own way^ like her motlier
b'.'fore her. Not that I have anything ag'in the girl,
she is always friendly and civil with me. Lem," she
cried to a decrepit looking individual, v/ho came be-
hind herinthe doorway," Marian Halford's just passed
with her young man, and he was actually kissi'.ig her
before my eyes,*

" Hee, hee, hec," chuckled her husband. " "What will
Grazely say till that when he hears tell o't ? She'll
better luk out or her pride will have a fall."

" Shut your mouth, you idiot. She is not the kind of
a girl a man will trille with. Grazely, faugh! He's
old enough to be her father. Jane Halford will never
gain her point there. That's a match, or my name's
not Sara," and, as if to ch^sc the subject, she slammed
the door and went back into her hut, enviouslv won-
dcring wh)' hap])incss is showered upon some, while
misery and squalor is the lot of others.

CHAPTER VI.

LKOADVIEW AND ITS rROrRlETOK.

T'ERTTAPS we had better digress a little, and indul-
gently leave the lovers to themselves, while we renew
some old acquaintances, and note the changes which
have taken place during the past twenty odd years.

About two and a half miles from Levisvllle, to the

rning

:->n to
thout
in the

:d the

I seed
c hcr-
Jarian
aotlicr
e gn-\,
," she
ne be-
passed
ug; her

Kit will
She'll

kind of
! ?Ie's
li never
name's
lammed
ly won-
:, while

\d indul-
ve renew
cs which
years,
^c, to the

BROADVIEW AXD ITS PROPRIETOR 4.

,.e„c,.a, plainness of its appearance, h^h :.^ :t<^^

tiu,uKhtt\atstabiHt;V:j-^i;,^L^;, ,:;-;;:-"'!-;;>•;

winds, was all tliat could bo deiire.l. "'

buiidins itself lack^i; :^^:;',-:::::^:;i,:':^' •'-

cnt nimates were not devoid of a , s tic t a \'""'

cious, well-trimmed lawn sloped .■■^K-<""' ", '';''"

l;;^.a>. ornamented ,. ere r[\C:Vt;:^^:id

t.J'^:e:: s^Si wH^i;i'^^\^-^! -:^, --'ed, dotted

la«-n and the driveuav- was i h .! ,i , ""'f "■"■" "'C
trimmed with mathem^ui^rrp^ec^ion"'" "'"' '"'"»^''

nam::ued'thrft:t''hdn:'tl- '''"" l"''"^' I '■"•'' '->"" -

;;^rftl-t;!,-2[[^i-:';-^l;:;';n;-^

f- Th f::.:x' "t; "i: -^s.r:t\V:^nS!;.atf:n

to Rive acfdi "nal'charn o't e"-:,:r"' r"'= ">•"''-■''

^::'«e™;l;-^i!-.''7"Tr^'^™""'"^'-^^^^^

^ /■ , <i Hiiniatuie torest. whos(> ';f-'if<^.K. 1 t

spread HP- beech.^v; h;A ,. .,, ' r , ^^^^^'^h' ^'Inis and

«i.oin, twt^t: '.i'^r^:;;,"' ""■>' """'- -"' "^"^.

those Ueerwhtl/'ln'ri^'' '°^'''"-, ^PV^^'""c. about
irces, winch luied you into their shades. Could

fluWi

HOUSES OF GLASS.

iV.y ,,av. .poke, they nrsl'.t l--'- ■-:''. "^^"O" - t'"'^^ -'
l,li,',liu-.l vows a.ul sl.acn k.^sc.. ^„,.„,,i^,i „.„rc

To the P"^"^''M'''"''^\ "r Us hr "rforfiKlo.-
t"-^"""»^'^!':',^';Tc"ui ^^■^iuddi.hts.ith

''f /"vr,V n'.V'i-l h^ mar.,1 the ripple of the
v.oodhuul stream, ^^1 ^u^ the o« ,„, ^^_, ^1 .^ .^^

.,tam\ knee deep, and pass tlie c

for spurtin- Uunr roadsters, and oi^i.os.tc us
^vas the famous W'nodlawn race tn^.

Th,' crr.od DCOl) e of LcVlSVmC \.tU \C1> I'luu ^

UnHdhn-, the convenience ,, ;--;--'^; ^^^ ^J^^
,,roxin,ity to the c, y m,,u ;- "^ .^.j ,„,,\,,,,,

i„ ,!,e county and . l. ^"^^^ " '...tv thousa.rd doUars.
.stin>atec to l^^^-' ■■; ^Vett c nin.e,rce<l life ^■ery
Xct this handsone --'^^ ;f ,^f ^,,„., i.-,„.„, ^vhcse
inauspiciously undo the "^'':\,' ,^, •„,,,,,,, ^tiU stood
old log-house with Its hui;e stone >.aunne> , st..i
•t- the further end of the bus.i. ., , ... ~.y.\\,.

\^;f iri1-("cnthe a nmcc intact, t!.c ownci m _u

limits. ,, , 1 ..,^ railed bv

Mrs. llalford, or ane ''"'!;';,;; ?,t\:;;. was a
those v.lio were envious of herwoiioi^ ...,e. ,

•J

BROADVIKW .\:<l ITS 1 KdPKlKTOR. ^^5

very rich woman, but v.-as just as fono ..[ the almi-iuv
dollar as c\'lt. "&*"■>

Ilcrwcallh IkuI made lu:r ambiti„.,s, but it l,a<l never
changed l,er habu.s of econon,>-. Sl.e was jnst a ui
.ng to rule ,nto to„.„ i„ a „,arket wag:.on, «," 1, er
produce, as to lod in a carriage- behind tpair o ra n
c.ng baj-s. She alu-aj-s kept the finest vehicles and be t
horses, but chd not aluays use them. Wh ■ , s ' ,.:'
n her niarKet waggon, she consoled herself with the-
though that eve.-yone knew she had better at on -

J:y^i..mue„oiandid!e;;e:rtt'Lt<!n,r:it'but
that would have been contrary to the ruling .p^irit of

She still carrie<l on the dairying industry, v:!,ich Urst
started her on tl;e road to pn,s,H-itx- -d Jl, ' 1,

togotlu.r with looking after her\enaVt;:L;; he in :
fully occupied, ' ^

Mrs llalforil had few friends and no crnpanio-is

nor du she ever attenipt to enter Levisviile'socieiv

nwardly conscious of her own iiiiteracy, she re fr", if

u>tK"it''= inV"'/' V"";"' 'r'" """'■-' be most i .' o
■lotiecu. Indeed, she had made verv dilirent efforts

o repair her defective grammar, havi'ng succeeded to
'he e.xtent that she could avoid mistakes w h I, r '•
on her gu.ard ; but wlien particukiri,- iiUe "stc V;^-
excited would unconsci u.sly drop into'her old .1 it

Her bearing and manner were so full of 1 .,1.. i-',
J.S-n.ty. that her misused verbs and proi u were he
mmv noticeable, causi,,, m:.„y to woiule at t! s
.narkable contrast between her manner and iL;

th7!!n,T''^rr°^,^,r'''^"'"^"'"^-''' '■■•'^-e ^n-v-n that
the Jingle of her dollars would n,,t onlv have ex-u"
such deficiencies, but would have turned U.enm;;
attractive pcculiaritcs.

l!ut the frivolities of fashion had little attraction for
r She prefeired a chat with her banker or man of
. n ss to a gossip with one of lier own sex, v"
t"-U she u-as so uilnatnra or uinvomanlv - ■ I , :;,.'V
.=i-Mp, Ko indeed, but her old frie',;;]: ^/c;,:;,';:',';.^

46 HOUSES OF GLASS.

wiio lived about Ivalf a mile cityward on the opposite
side of the roa.I, coidd give her the cream, the kind of
nev.'s and gossip which was the most iiiiportaiit, and
lier washerwoman supplied her with the skim miik of
r)rdinary scandal, which although less palatable was
more profuse

]\Ir. Cira/.ely knew whose [)lace was under mortgage,
or whose goods were under chattel ; wItj was living
beyond their means, and who was making monry ;
liow^ much Mrs. So and So spent for a ball costume,
or to what extent some potentate's wife liked her toddy.

Like Mrs. Ilalf<jrd, he had a mania for land. This
kindred feeling, which might ])robably have created
rivalry between two men, only made them closer
friends, and taught them to play into each other's
hands.

Some years ago, ]\Irs. Grazely (formerly Sally Blake)
died in the pangs of child-birth, leaving him the care
and responsibility of raising three small cliildren.

Since that time, Grazely had depended largely on
]\Irs. Ilalford for advice; in fact she had become the
sole arbiter of h.is household difficulties.

Housekeepers he found to be unsatisfactory and
expensive. Some broke too many dishes, used too
much tea, or put too much shortening in the pies,
while others " clouted " the children, orwere uncleaid}'.

One day he came to the conclusion that he must
have a wife, and, as usual, took i\Irs. Ilalford into his
confulence.

" Your daughter is beautiful, healthy and strong. I
would be only too proud, if she would consent to be a
mother to my orphans, yes, indeed."

Now the ambiiious mistress of ])road\-iew Lad often
thought of this herself, and was not ill pleased with

;u!J!7cstion.

Siie pretended, however, to be surprized. Well
now, I don't know. lam sure I have never thoueh-t

of such a thin<'-. Marian have had a hiiih educatio

as )'ou knov'v', anc
piano, her can mi

1 if h

1 1

u'r does re;ui rrencn or pJay a

[k a eon- or cook a meal, with

anv

)od\'. If I do say it myu'lf, as should'nt, there arc not
a finer looking woman in the county.

BROAl.Vri:\V A\], ITS i'Kul'KIKTOk. 47

•' You m.Vht have said in tlic state,- rejoined (ir-i^el-
witli anrxl »f cncouraEjcmcnt " yes ir, t i- st t, ^l , ' '
country eitl-.er fo,- tha? „,„„,,, ' v:;"i:,'',:,t'^' "'■"

fie nidouer never ivas yo<Hl i,,„k-in.. even in I,;-
y.n, h, and ,-ears of ;;raspi„.. avariee had'; otl nr.v 1

t 'h',"'.;";;",";-, a^'"'""='' ?^>'yabo„t fifty ;i ,:^ :

iwii from 1, ii ""f";' "T"-" "'"°"-- ■•'"^' P"""-''.
.ini.irom th^ lo^vs of Ins front teeth, In's nose u-is

^^Smn,,^ to salute l,is chin. What ,„ „ .„. (^^ ;'
the nvah-y of some youui^er suitor, an,] lu f . h h^
; ; y to ,varn h,. fr.end of tl,e dan,er in t L ir

" \V ell, yfui know, Mr. Grazclv the c it n^■,^■ 1, i .
tnc queen. \ ou can t blame the youn-r n\cn for fu^r.^
ing Marian, Avhcn tiie older ones do." " "'^

The \vido\vcr did not fmlf-r. i;i-.^ fi, • , .

laushed it o,T. -M a la l' it •"''-;•''"' ''
You don't often miss a l.ane H t vou'l '' T"

£;j^^nn-p^^:^ip----rs^

'■shenng,,ttahe:."f:;;^^-,, thr;:;.,'" "'""'"'^"'

then

liian, and
Her have

ocan-cr interupted the mother, "ilerhav
J^ad much nandsom.r admirers and refused tL ^ . '•

iy,-d2ri-^r!i^^^^^^^^^'^^--'^'''-i---^^

tl- aty clerk, I). RLMicl^nd Ah- Gri^^^

Kuo ically, as he tapped the floor v.ith his cane

alw^^dl V";^ 'T' ^----^b% but then one ca " t
amav.s tell, no indeed. Perliaps your dau-hter's .fh -^

g HOUSKS OF r,T,AR^.

' ^^ 1 am sure that arc not the case, Mr. Crazely^ she
. v1 n- she stooi^cc to ])ick r,omet;u.;:; *'i^ f-^

M- CrV/rh' na-ettecl in l/is chair a uw nioincnt.
be^l-csPlini ^''11.-
acquainted with tliis youn- man f

- Her were visitin- at (,uwansto.:e UA »;- ' ^^^
V>^ vKr " she went i>n with a wave of her hand.
'"iCwuSwe^ 'l H>k hish..KK;oubcfully. "lie has
be -h-Uy often. Might be th. dark ho,., y.u
kno v," anil lus cane came down wuii a note <,t ua:n-
in- hke a lod-e master;s -ave .

^' Why, you are gettinc^ leMoub ahe..cl\. it -^

soon for tliat. Ha, ha, ha !" ^ ^ intlced '"

<' Well, but one cnn'l be ton car.uo. ^o, nu.ccci
nn-i r-ie cane ^^'ive three taps more. .., , ^ , •.

■'"'' f \-ou tnink it bet, the miller .-ul be s<,n-

' - • ' M- voice to a contic'.ent'.al wlis-

Marian are headstrong and x

she replied, droppiucr hei'Voice to a conhdential whis-
per. '* But vou know
must iijo careiui.
•' Just so, just so

•' use so, uhL Mv. ^ .,, ,, , 1 _ ,i,,f.

"You spr ,cc u., a l>it an,l I «Mll^ee tii.t l..r < o
„.., l,.r head, in, the ..nc.ntin.c, thoo s my 1. ..a

don't

it.

The houses of Grazelyand_nM.ord were t^^^^^^

hands, acres were to marry acres, an

d the westward

hands, acres we e l>. u..^, : ^ .V t' -^ thu-nb of this
oTowl'ii of the city would be und..r t..-. uiu.iiu

ailidiice.

CHAPTER VH.

ADAPTATION.

Pioneer life in America

:rai

e:\'

modified

'ind moulded tue tiUuacLci ui %;>

-,^s^*nta*t-^,'_;7-j^

ADAPTATTON.

-aalillcs. ^i-v. ..pin- our o;ooc! cr b:vA

Virtues and vic.;s arc, in many rc.p ct. in<. .
shrivel from want r,i uv '''-"-^^'"•' 'O exercise, and

tlinft, or a .irunl.-nrd I'rcvi.-, t . ' .^''^'"''■

Amcric,-., tl..c nccc;s.,'v„f .•,-■: '" '"'. "•"'"»' t-

F,.rt„„aU.Iv, hi. solaarvul ■;■-., / ^ ^' '"V'"'' ,

l>i.^ pioiKcr lif '. ^"'' '^""'^ '"'" "' t"'"a .stc.l i„

lie foryavi; Ills clionpino- p.-^ ],.__, . . .^ ,
p:^ny wit!, l,i. sun. I ^f anc; ^^ ^ri'^^,' :":'' '^■""-
anndotes to the pkr.v a.d the sik-;.^ '""' "^*^'=^^ "•^■'•'^

AT .] • , , vcULi.ioi,, a.s o; r \-irvU'^

tumath^,,; i ^d^ Vl/V:";';":"i^ i^ .'"«ible to
niodcratdy good faniKT '" i"'""™ -' I'-l'' i":o a

«-h,ch involvod ceorr '^ ^' •■'"^'""^■'•' '" "">■'•'"■"?

bun,p of order pro ,;j'i;;,;',Vl''''''""''"'' •"="' '"^^
a''J i:i its pl.xc. ' '"''•■I' '-■^'^^ryfii:!:- tidy

^'■<".ider t,'> sh;u da-' 'si;. "'.^ ''■■'■' '■■■"■•^■='' ■■'•''■'" ''""

tqiia in r>liv.il,.nl ,., ^"'-^^•'■■' e-v<:n „,ore i.i.m hh

^-.uq>'shelrcrof;tu% ' ,':^;Y-1>— >"-
' . ■> o,-,m;- t ^--'■■'' •-"■•.., tnc protector

'f ■• :i collie dorr

^2 ^oua a^ possible, Mrs. Ilalford'^- c>r'^. • •

HOUSES OF r.r.Ass.

ill

thl;^

iiicc in (lairviiicr was put In full nccount.
direction she \\:i:. f':irdcularly successful.

The cominij ol the railiDaii revolutioni/.cd their
Avlioie SN'steui of farniiiu;. '1 hc}' hecaine rich iu leaps
and hounds. The price of l.uul w-Mit up to double or
treble its ori^^inal value. Jane Halford, with her cool
clear head, v. as a |.^ot)d speculator. When people
rushed to sell for ready money, she bou^^ht and helil.
When everybody else ran, she stood stiil. \'et she
took some ^reat chances, and once pawned her hus-
band'.-. JJ^old watch and diamond breast-pin to pa\' a
margin o!i some land.

The vilhr_;e of (irazely's mills lived otdy tw(~) months
after the booni. It was swej)t out of existence, leav-
iiv^ the town of I.evisville in its place.

Chimne)'S and church steeples took the place of
toweriu'.y elms. The whii^j^oorwill's song L;a\'e place to
the sinill whistle of the locomotixe.

No longer the cow-bell cl.i!ik'.'d in thic main street, it
h.'id lon-4 hinec been supplanted by the tinkle of the
citreet car.

Instead of the ox-cart slowly
market with its load of lumber

cars went rushinL;" and roarini,^ ^^, ^

xw'ji; off the i;iants of the forc^sts to build the cities of
the new world. No Ion<^er did the L:^audy si^^n at
JMake's swimj in the breeze, or the iji^s wallow b\' the
water trourh.

The jo\ial lantllr)rtl of the Bay Horse liad lon?^ since
gone to his reward, surrounded by the reptiles of his
ov.-n ima^cdnation. Sally left home to become i\Irs.
Grazely, and Jidia t:loped with th,: sLas^e driver for
parts I'.nknown. Mrs. Blake outlived her husband (jnly
two years, and at the tiine of her death, it was a dis-
puted point between the doctors, as to whether she
died of a broken heart brought on by grief, or apop'Iexy
trom over-eatintr.

Langtry, the potentate, was s'uorn of his glory ; his
versatility lose its market. Too proud to accommo-
date himself to Ids changed surroundings, he fought a
gradually-losing battle till finally he settled on one of
Mrs. Hal ford's farms.

dragging its way to

ourly processions of

n the valley, carry-

AnAFTATfOV.

their

leaps

lie or

cool

(.■Dplc

hcUl.
t she

• lius- ,
pay u

lonths
, Icav-

acc of

lace to

rcct, it
of the

^vay to

i')ns of
, carry-
ities of
si'j;n ;'.t
^ bv the

iip- since
s'^of hi.s
ne IMi'S.
iver for
and only
IS a clis-
ther she
ipoplexy

lory ; his
ccommo-
foui;ht a
n one of

Mrs. Dorris. the pn.fcssion.il initiwife, sank to the
level of a ccMiinion wa-hciu oinan.

I'hil Snider lani^nii^hed in .1 poor-house.

All the old laiulin.irks had ;j,o!u-. Must of tlu- pio.
neers had either been crowded out, or succumbed to
the <,Tini reaper. Grazely and the Halfords seemed
:o be the only ones who caui,dit tiu: w.ive of prosperity
( xcepHuiT. I)erhaps. Harry i-;owles. who was now tlu'
proprietor of a circus.

Kven the Halfords had thcu'r little financial c-isis.
Oiie e\-enin<r, about a )'ear after the coniiu^^ of the raili
v.'ay, while attendin_L( a social -atherini^ in' the town
Mr. Halford took a little too nuiJi bra'ndv and soda
and, under its i^renerous inlluence sid)scribed five hun-
(Ired dollars to the new h^nolish Church,

AIth(ui-h stru:-],-,,,,. at that time un.dJr a heavy load
of morto-acres, and holdinc^r to-ether a -reat deal of
property with a sir.all capital, his wife was either too
proud or too honest to repudiate the debt. I1ic pro-
!)rrty was all in \wx .nvn name, but she paid the sub-
scription.

'Iheii there had been a scene between them, which
neiliier of the-ii had ever forcjotten. From that time
forward Mr. Halford had bjcome an abstainer.

He was i)assionately fond of children, and for mile'--
nround ho was kiioNvn amongst the juveniles as - Uncle
WiJham. '

hvcry door was op'jn to him. In every home \\-
was a welcome -uest. 1 le could talk politi'cs to pater-
fumihas. discuss a puddinc^or a pie with a housewih-
or romp with the chihlren.

His i>ockets wtu-c; always full of candies and sma'i
coins By every child in the district, he was reLi-arded
as a k\jjitnnate su.bject for plunder.

He had c-xcellent taste in all matters of a decoratixe
nature, so much so that many a proud housewife con-
sulted him on the shade of a carpet, or the colour (.f
curtains.

His eye for the beautiful was supposed to carrv him

even into the mazes of millinery, and the youncr ladies

were fam to ask Uncle William how he liked th< h
hats.

■aMMMH

- t

!f(ir::!^S O'i CT.A'-S.

lie was al'.vavs v^ry particular ab -it h:.\ o'vn pcrr.onal
appoaranc". Iv/oa ;'t v/ork h.,: ^^■ould a.-' f.oon liavc
t.!'»u"''t <'l' jTjiii.f \viiuout lii:i L Mjt.s, aj wiLlvjul liis col-
i-ir and t ie.

Wirhliitn It \v:'f- ap'-;intof liono'nMW'T t" nj cauHit
f?! i/rs/::^''///i\ and v!;cn he raised !;;■} !'.:'t t> ;i Iidy his
hair alivay^i loolied a^ if it Irid just beja brushed.

Suraaier and '*virilor, S;iturcLiy a'.id Sunday, hie rhaved
just as ri>'.''ular]\' a-; lie washed id-i f. ice, and would h.a'.'e
C'lsidcTed ]H'!iisc!f an abori'da.e if he lia'l neideetv d
Ilis tooih bra:;!!.

The nei^l:;)')t:r;i u-cd to say in jert. that ]:e ;:y)t up
l!\ri)a:.;]i the iV'd^t to caib his Irbr. ?ib;ayef th-.ai
VOW' d iiiaL if b.i.-< 1pmi-:<; v.'.is oil fire lu A\-oubl eletia Ids
teet'i b'.:f'»re ;d\-in;^ I'.o alarrn.

H :t 'd.ies'j Htti-ji iii)ie'^ onl'.' oti\-c 1dm a v.^w.aer id.'ce
in their hearts, ni'ee especially as tli^'y sa;V that such
was lar_L;el\' diuc to lirdii:, tr^iininj^, a:ui instinct.

We ar'[)r,'ci,ite ni'ist of tiiose fiienchi or ac(]uain,*"-
ances who fetrni-.li us v.iLh .sDUietliir.L^ to he.;.:,h at or
find, fault wi'di. It surrifunds tlieni with an r;L.n<isj)hcre
of tdi.i^iiy an.d ^:':>..l liuiuour, which uiiihe^ us n:u;e
friendb' in oiw c::!.icis:ns and. more ."■ nerousin < e.r

eulo^ji. ^,

It seeie.s to disirni ie;d<)us\- an d en\ ','.

poliLu

n\' a mm s

J'
be.^t fri, nd is 1

i.m.s

lia\"e been kni'wn to all

]\^ pecuin.i!

I e ^_ I s . M ;

)ecu:;ar or

rKhciie ais art;
crilici ens.

'I attn'e, i I Oi\l^r to cava ri. iKirbher

Oft.

ntiiU

n t!ie h.,it h IS bee:', tiv.- tar'/et tht

hend luiS escrocd.

; 1 e 1

M.n, lK^^•.an•er

\'''^ <^^

s entire

f:-

si.ch craftin^^:.; l"r tidiness w.is :i cu
character.

.-; L ^) n e (.

:i rin
r 1

^'i■ars

i'i' d of Ids l-eart vai.; ]\

s t;auc:i.

r\Iar!an I'h"ed iind Ni'ile bo'di <.''>t a L''<'''.i .-iiare of
p irer.tal lo\'.', but his ciii^:st il iu_,;iuer was tiie ;ti>[)h.Mjf

lus c\-e. I
r.atnr -, yn far I

•re \\ as a

Pier

^ ■''"' lud JUS owm

' and oren
that he .-d

1 ni ner

dtl

most wor-

shipped her. and e'eery day r.e discovered some ne
trait in h . ciuir.iet r.
He kii A noLidnj." oi 1

1 w noiam '" e,i lus wne s mter.tions reirardincT

her, and if lie laid, he \\ould at once have taken sid<

A rniM) OF NATURE.

nal
avc

lurf

:h Marian. 11^ Qcncrallv allowcil Mi-s. Ilalforu 1;

own wav

in cvcr\'tliincr. Tliouijh he mi'jht ni.ikc su'--

^CrtLi

ons,

ho never thou^^ht of interfi
d liie 1

n 1

icr

But around Ine liberty, iiapi:)ine^ ■, ana Wdtare ui

(laULTnt'M' lie orew

a line wliicli none dare cro

sb, i.'J

even liie niotlier Wao buic nor,

•ed

CHAITI-R \-

Cil

[) (

NA! I RK

• ee

sue

ai;

at or
)here

ni^ii'e
a « ur

Wily
r.r or
i;.her

t tl

1 any

I' I

f I

lis

^iiier
irc o

lOiO (

m iier
t \v(ir-
e new

ardin

I SI

Evrx in ca;

■n-ilio

UMI

1 nil

a nan

ai pr^iinise ul' beauty and [)liysical developnieiU, b

ord

to offset tlii

ier nun

tal

rn'oc

liviti

es were cener:

lly

re'j^arded as beiu'j" ver\' erralie, causin^j; necnile to nr
diet that Jane 1 ialford v.ou'd find her daus^liter luud
to manai:je.

I'roni the very !lrst she was a rebel at scliool. ?.Iore
tlian oiiee she led her schoolmates in ool'II niutinv, and

otien p!a\'e

trie tiu.int.

When \\iii]){)ed by ihe teacher, slie rai\,ly cri. d I'.kc
other girls, but tnok licr punis'nnu, nt in stolid deO-

ancv

Yet \\ hen others, and especially tlie little ones, wer

beinir chastised, she liid lier face to cover tlie tear

:losed her ears 1 shut out

tliO

tUllv

wUen

r little sister i\eiiv was b'.:in>>' nu.nis

hed

ver\' severeiv

[or some trivial offenct

spraiiLT at the teach e

1(1

uiatchini^ tlie rod from his hand, thn
ooen window.

\'v

it out li:

er seno(ii

lif

c wa:

witli (1

raci

arities ot tms kiiui.

el sue iv arneii rapuir,

md
n(-it

UTcCU-

bv in-

come

me:

hiie

U'i >t

dustrious plodding, bait by fits and start:

she was slow to grasp a problem, Init oncv

inkdng of light, it all came to iier like a n.isli, and siu

saw in a moment what others took months Lo C'j'n[)re

hcnd.

Il'

IinUSFS Ol' CLASS.

Nor was her ant ip.it !iy to school altoiu'Jicr due to
luT fn.-(|U(Mit pimislumnts, l)ut iMtluT to its cramped
and narrow at niosplicrc.

She rcvclK'd in tlir woods, \\h<isc s1iad\' nooks were
transformed h)- her \'ontht'ul ima;M'nalion into fair)'-
l.md. M\'(."n in her inlanc)', she was accuslonu'd to tlic
I)hie sk-)'. lV'I)l)les were her pla\'thin|',s, and l)ush(.s
her friends. Under their slu-Uer she huih lunises of
san(k made muvl j)ies or went to slei'p in the hdkde/
of w hispt-rin;_^ le.i\es. As far bade as slie C'udd w -
nicinher, the hhic (hune was the roof and the tyreen sod
the lloor of her dwellin;.;-. The k»\'e of oiit-door \'\ir
was firm 1\' impkinted in !ier nature. ller chihihood
liatl no companions hnl l)ird.s, baian'ard fowls and her
do;. She lo\ed the dear old tr^.'es. 'Idle)' were- her
fi'iends. The laislliii'.i; ot their leaves was mesic to her
tM'.'s. 'J'he\' seemed lo tell their tali's ot io\' and ei'ief;
(d dai'k and Ioiv-In' ni;;h;s with cian-l, ho^,\■iin;4 winds;
of hri.dit and sunn)' d.iys when fealhend soiu;stcrs s:it
upon ihv ir Ixni'jhs and s.m"" thi: .son'.-s of hwe.

I ler iina;.dnal ion was at once her weakness and her
stren;.'-th. ()ften Iw tli ' woods she for^;ot her cares
and sat foi- hours in dreamland.

Sometimes she peopled the dells with fairies, and
sometimes with demons. IK're she felt the keen ex-
liilar.ition of the hunter, and the shrinknm" terr ' ''

Imnted • the savajje joy i)f the tiy;er> and the horror ol

Its victnn.

Ae^ain, the lilied hanks were turned to sculptured
halls, on which tiie flowers anil sliruhs were men and
womcHj wdiose lives slie tilled
love ami hate.

Sometimes thev were •'^lai

witn io\' antl irrie

liat^

irs tlnrstmi.^ f<^r eacli

V. itli

-h

other's blood, ct)ml)at.ints in an imauinarv ar(.n.i where
she ^i;ioated with the \ iclor, and iles[)aired with the van-
quished.

Sometimes she felt the cn.nnlnc^ of the thief, and
sometimes the canch^ur oi the honest, while for some
bulo flower which bloomed alone in dark seclusion she
li id s)'mj).ithy and even tears.

Tile birds ami squirrels became ju-r pets and learned
to know her voice. The cattle lox-'d their young slitp.

;uk1
c X-

anil
with

each
ho re
van-
ill ul
son'io
)U she

■arncd
; shcp'

A cm ID OF NATURE. 55

luTiloss, and i/ivc ohcdirnci' In lnr \\i)f(l and t<nicli.
TluK was smnrt hiii;> in iii-rl.ucdr fi'im wiii; ii lau'.^iit
tlu: (ill III) a.ninials to trnsL \\cv ; ^nMicthui.^ w Incli
stamped luT ;is lluir friciid.

This lia':, liter of earth and s!:y seemed to fe'] the
\'ery pulse ol nature in Inr vein--, and \'. a . i;i t < Muh w i! i»
all its moodis. Sin' iova-d to lit: uj)"n 'nMr hut'/iy hank
iWid, w.iuli me dril"tin;.( clouds or twinldiu;;- stars. Slic
|o\-cd to see the- li;.dit in"n;.^ tlash or Inar ihellnnuhrs
roll, and often ;is a ^.Lornl approaclual, she stole out, to
tile forest, to watch iier ;.'iants b.itilin;,^ wit h the \sinds
ov lie.ir llic storm liowlinir throuidi the woods.

Wdien about fourtetni }'ears of '.\'/v, circnm.'-tances
arose which \\'crc destined to inlhicnce licr wliole future
life, and |)ossil)l)' her cdiai'acter.

Mr. LaiiL^t'.")' had lorsonu: \'ears ])een a tenant of the
oM (lore hundred. linan^Ji lie was al\va)s he hind wiih
his rent, Mrs. llalford <.;enerally fori^avc iiim a p(jrtion
of his indebtedness, out of ^MMtitutle to hinisidl and his
dau;.ditcr Cdiristina, who wasa oreat favourite at Ih'oad-
vicw. The son Charles was now a handsome, ovcr-
L^rowii bo)' of sixteen, but he was of little use on tlu:
farm. Hitweeii the inexpt I'ience (jf the fatlu r and t he
indolence of the son, the alfcUrs of the Lan 'tiA's were
saiilv lUMdected.

Ch.irles cared for nothin;^ but music. Outside of
the old niidod.'vm of their ])almy days, the oi.!\' instru-
ments within his reach were an acc(a-dion and a har-
monica, bal tlie.'ie he pla)'ed with a>.tonishin;( skill and
wonderful effect.

lie aad Marian first became companions and friends
durin;4" their early school days. Always williiiL,^ to do
battle in her cause, he was the cliam{)ion of Jier youth.
He i(ave her fruit, Ijrouj^ht her (lowers, and often slyly
expended his hoarded savinj^s for candies which he
kept in reserve for little' f«fferin;^rs.

riiey walked to and from school toi^ether, and mariv
a time he carried her throu!;h a snow bank, or w.dked
in front of licr to bre.ik the tierce cold wind.

In the summer d lys they wandereil throu;,di the
fields and woods toi^elher, herdin;/ tli'.'ir cattle, or

•AWMMHMnlH

MO! ;| s dr (I .\s>

hntit;;v; for (I'lUtM-s, aiul nflin tlir)' i-it in 1 he r:U'' nv
Hi.;!)!. .in<l lu> pl,i\r.| \viiil'- 'ip- ..Hi ;.

I\l ; .. 1 I ,ill(H 1 1. ,urir-l I >!MC' I I <> *;■ • i ii" 1 lie in 1 1 m. m| !ht.
.111(1 l.'i '\\' ; ill!', I ti.il I ii(\- W'H" ;M M\\ 111'- jM',1 I Ik ii » iuM-
h()*f'., !,ii ilinu i.i>nt iiiii.i!l\' in tli!- \" .p* d t( in|»i .,i i« m.

Oiw .'.'iliiy sumnur i'\'i'n:n'; tli<",' li.;<i <>cc',r^i"n l<t
tTo'-;'; i!u' ■tic. mi wli. i\' tiic iillli' \\.'A~v-- 1. II'' ImiI
oltcn cariicd lur ;ui.)ss i)i'r<>ii-. I)iil 1 Iii:; c\ cnin.; was
.so w.irm t'l.i! ■ 'i ■ del (■! niin-'' 1 h> \\.\tU\

.Slu- tot»lv I M hor : h'M' ; .iii'i ,'1 < u'!, in;,;;, .in*I ni'llin", Inr
.'■kirt^io li. 1 1. nr.-s, wii li 1 !i.' ini" >cinic < >! a ri-iji 1 , ■ he
sl'IMv-i! liili" l.ia.'hiii" IV. and h.ili ! iniiJIy, in! •) i ! ■ w.it cr.

1 !;• i)!l('i cJ t(< a-. ' .( !i'T. 1)111 in », sill" ;, ', w.',/ "/•) alone
III' rrossrd r.i])i(ijy hiinsrll, .\\\<\ wailed [or In r on ilic
oji;> 'sit 1." bank, k:n;;hin;,;' at In f timidilv . In ;;[>ilr oT
lu r t. in! ion; (.Moils to;,. Icct tin- sk.dkiw ; ;iot •; as he
had doiu-, ^!ia .'anl'k-nlx- ^■,;na\!)^'d ia.lo a d'-i-p !ntl(>
\\ iiu h iou'od h( I' -• II nu .i;s n.-.i 1 1\' to la r wail,

'■ Wan ! I'll iu'lp yon," ho s'n nicd as ^.iu: i',a\'c <i lit-
tK' I. . \ ol tr.ir. r)nt soin.a'iin;; in Iht com j>ani< mT'^ ryr
iu.;da her Mnsh. and .ih.in ioniiiL; hoi ''.mI:> oi liii-ir
fa! V- :A\c wopl lo|- sharn.o,

llo (.•a.n;;h! In ■,■ iii hi-; a/nis and i.'.ni'd h r .u r(v-,s.
As Ik' ■> ; In'i(lo>vn noon I lia hank hv' km ll l)v side Ivr
ii.n.d kisso.l aw .'.y \\c\- Iv .u ;.

l"aat ni ;;hl was kindUd in Jndr li-arts a plow which
awaker.cd. t.!a.,>jicr niotix'cs and inaoii -n;. .\ tknii' in
wiio-c lanl. ,;c li'^hl inia'dnat io;i i\;\\.!L'd, a o • ;-;i,,ii
new and >lian;'\-. wliich pave liw.-ni ho[)c:-. and I '.irs,
tears Anf.\ snhi'S whieh to.)lv possi'ssiun ol llu ;r soids.
•.in,>i ia tiicii' youiiioil ip.aor.tiiije [)as.ied unelialleippcd
eiliier a^; ii)\'o (M' Inst .

Mrs. Hall "'rd, intent ^^n lu-r race lor we.iiih, i)li'id lo
all that was i.;v)i:ip' i>n, k:'. tne > two h.eah!i\\ iici>-
!)lo(Hied crc.itnres lo llu: mercies of w.i; .n snn;;hiiio,
coiUinned c inrp.'niivinship and op[)o;'ainit.y, till al last
i)y the mere-; accident she i'.isco\\:red the seri' '•> ex-
tent of their in'imacy. ».'irc,a heavens I slie was frozen
wiiii liorror. W'h)' h id siie iiiu for. st cm thi.-.? \\'..s
disijracc lo turn all her i^old to di^-ss and her acres, to
ash..s ?

Yet in suite of the fact llmt she had left her dauuhtcr

■'1

A run !) OF riM'VpF..

',7

l<, hr th" \M(-ti'u r.f ( irciim .(.im-. ,, Mr,, i I.ilforrp i i- ■!
1') iii:!i:y iuTS'-ll \,'-i'nyr h<r (,uii (,.;..' iMu:r. Ncv-y
h.uiM^ known a mot li<r"s lo.in- t,,i,' l.. i-.-If, sjn;
si-arr 1\- l.ii -w ll;.;! i:) omit t in;.- i h d < . .mo.imo i Jno ,i;.fl
coim ,,M ;, t I. iis..\i\'\n 1 li'' lai(i.lm;.; y .n>y i-\ wom.in-
lio. ).I, ',lir Ii.id l.iiii' I in 1m r (Int )'.

1 .11 ' I.- ili< I ill'- 3(-iii hhil I(,v( rs l.no'.v 1 1i il tlmir s-c r- <
111! Iicrii (li'c ()V II 'I, tiioii'Mi tli-v- lioth \'. Mii'ldcd wl;-.-
tlu.-y wciv.' ;,o sii'M' Illy :.■•])." ,i).(|, ,iM'i why M.ni.in w,-; .
S.r.t so m.MXpcclc.lly I,, |iv ,i! tiif fCt.ny inv .1 few

I'liis l)cf'/',ii *s son was no mali Ii for Ii-r rlanyhf cr, a'
!c:isl,s-) Mrs. i lalioi d I Iioimiil . As soon as'slirwa;
sati 'i-il that h r (hiirnhhi' had cM.ipc.i the still'/ of
mal'-rni')-, .she ihanL'-d ( Tod |or hi. h iii<si( )■, and <.';'av(:
oi'l' i ; to Ih- haihll to scil th-- I.an'Mt)', out.

In soil-.- of tin inlrrc f, i'.n of If i.dihoin', on Ichalf of
Ihc d'lMKjnnil Icnanl,, and t!is p'-.oiiil a[)p'als of
]\lr. Lsn/.try himself, ihc saL- wciiL on, .md liis haii;;.
ti')'s were in )m-!'',s.

A pnrs,> was j:ath<T''<l and j)!v sent rd t o th-: snff r-Ts,
to k: aj) a\\a\' Ihc woll of want, and th-' stiam.n: part (,l
It was, that r.iis. Ifaiford ii'-r-.'if mnniius nU\' sul>-
srrilx'd hi; )• (hdlars t owaisl it , ostfaisiM)' tor ( Jirist ina's
sake, bill la ally to a.->..iaL lliLin in j^cLlin,,; out of tnc
.K'i-j^hh'MirlKMal.

'» <'• li !' justice, money wis no ol)j;a:f in tai. case,
indeed, if nrccsi ir)', sh'- wonhl hava.- j;iv' ii t'H times
that amount to ha\-e driven th ■(:! from tin; district.

Slic succeeded in aceomplishi.i;^ iieu' ohj'-ct.. for nn-
alilc to bcsir np nndca" fhe .social dis'.';ra(s;, tin; j.an"lr^'s
Icll; without ieavii!;r ai)\- tr.icc; di t leir wliereal^ou's,

Mrs. Ilalford was well on h-r ;oiard. .She int< r-
ccplcd several letters to )irr (i.pedili r, besrinj.^ tlic
I^.>-:oi'. postmark, and consi-ned tiiem to the fiam.:.s
unread.

J^ut she must .send lier da u^^diter somewhere (ait of
.'il! rc'.ch, and one ihiy she surprised iier husband b\'
tcllincr })iin that she h id arran.^ed to se d .Marian fuV
a four years' course to tlie Seminaiv at rjontreal.

Her father preferred an American in.stiLution at

HOUSES OF GLASS.

IJostiJti. Philaflclphia or New York, but Mrs. II;;!f'.rr!
coTivinced liiiii tliat Montreal was the best.

TIuis it c imo t') i)ass that Marian received a splendid
training;, not (>\\\y in matters pcrtainini,^ to ^^eneral edu-
cation, but in those f^races which .idorn womanhood.

lier mother, at any other time, would not have
dreamt of incurrin"^ the expense, but now that she had
put her hand to the plow she would iK^t turti back.

Mrs. Ilalford sev!ned to have stumbled on the very
plan of action best suited to the cir'mmstances, for had
IVlarip.n ever dre;imt th;it her mother knew htu* secret,
or IkuI she suspected that she had been separated fr(m'i
Charles on pur{)osc, slie would probably have defied
her mother's attempts at ii ♦erference and i,^one to her
lover.

i\s it was, she thouc^htthat he had forcrot^.en her and
she was too p''oud to make any complaint. Jhit many
a nii^ht she wept arid moaned over her lost love, antl
the entliusiasm of youth was forever <;one.

Iler mind, previously raw and untrained, grew and
exj)anded under the gentle intluence of her teachers,
and visions of a higher and nobler life inspired her with
hope. Her past life, with its want of restraint and
refinement, \vas a continual rebuke to her. She felt
that, like Topsy, she had been left to grow, and she
full)- realized all that her mother had left undone.

One Clara Hawke, of Gowanstone, who happened to
be takincf a musical course at the seminar\-, became
her constant friend and companion. Marian's surplus
emotions f-amd vent in Cl.ira's melodies.

Music became a necessiuv to her. AlthoiHjli her o

pla)

vm<:

r,o- 1

)eio\v jH-r Kleals.

icted

ke a saiet\''

valve in reii-'ving the tension of her
to take the pi ic;' of her girlish love for }

'ears ro

lied

on.

:->>ul, seemnnr

oi'Mg LaU'^trv,

>he felt that she

^I'.e came to lo'il: upon it as an exi>en-

a passio!!, wiiic
h.'id outlived.

ence wliich wouhl guard her from the snares and pit-
falls of life, and would give her a clearer insight into
the character of any man who nn'ght seek her hand.

Wihai she came back to the farm she gladly entered
into the work, and for a time, with her cows, her fowds
and her lambs, she was contented and happy. The

A CHILD OF NATl'RE.

familiar scenes, at first, brouj^ht hack botli painful ;::■(!
pleasant remembrances, but worl', icork, icork was lur
panacea for all evils. In fact, she felt that slie cuukl
not live without it.

Attracted by her beauty and her ];)rospf'cts ns an
heiress, n.iany suitors and admirers came to l^roadvit.v/
but they failed to excite in her even a passin;jj interest.
Finally she met tlie youn^c^ miller of C/owanstone, and
altiiouixh she did not f.iU in lo\-e with him at first siuht,
nor was she sure she v.r.s in love at all, )\ t he rekindled
iier interest in the oj^'positc sex. She puzzled liers^'lf
a good deal over her feelini^s towards h.im. She seemed
to care for him more than for any one else, exceptiiiL^
her own people, but she was not sure that she re^dly
loved him.

Her feelinpjs towards hini were entirely different
fro:n licr infatuation for Charles LanLj;try, bui then in
those days she uas a savage.

She saw that Cjordon lovv-d l":<_-r. She achrdred his
n;enuine worth aiKi sterlin*:'' honesty. But, in spite of
all this, David would probably have shared the same
fa*e as her other suitors, had it !iot been for the impor-
tunities of the widower Grazely, backed up b)- tiresome
innuendos from her mother.

As soon as slie discovered that her mother w.is try-
ing to coerce her, ler defiance was u[) in arms.

" i shall never be bought and sold, and if David (jur-
don asks me, I will be his wife."

If parents would v-nl\- stop to think hov/ impossible
it is to coerce k.ne, ;ind how an)- attempt of tin's
kind is apt to drive j-oung natures in an oi)p(jsite <.\]\\ •
tion, they would change their tactics.

]\Irs. llalford, in endeavouring to force her daught'. r
into an alliance with the widower, was simply throwing
her iiito Gordon's arm"^.

'■ The best laid scheiiiei 'o mice and men Lanu aft
arlee."

„..-:-v.i».-':jr^>mH^jfl»»-<»-M>»*.^^v*— .^

HOUSES OF (il.ASS.

chapti:r IX.

AN u X w I-: I . c o Mi: ( ; u e st.

Tin' swallows v.'cr,: tvvittorin;^ and carociiiti'^ rn;ji"ir!
tiic '\'>\j, barn, auvl ll:j cittlc were Icwnv.-; ut \\\v. fur-
ther ciiJ of 'Jic laiu;, as David and M iriaii uruvc up to
the ;.^itc at i^voadvi.w.

'• Oh, dear," s'.ij s -id, rid;4cttin;( in licr seat, " it is
r^ast niilkiiiLT tiriie. This is tii'' first time in vears I
(•.i\c been kite. I do linpc iM(<'.e.er won't notice it."'

liut just a mo:. lent later a v>:'r.i;iTi came out of tlie
back door wiili soiiie pai's on lier arm, and sittinj^
down beside a dun-eoluuretl cow .slie cemnienced niiik-

This process, b.ov.'cvcr, the animal seemed to resent,
f'. )r \\ ith a pre limir.ar)' switch of its t;d!. it L;ave a kick
aii'-l sent the pail Oyini^ behind it.

Marian lau<j.h d softly, " Pvlother is liav'nfT tro\ible

11 sv

Then she shouted, " Wait, mother I let

inc manage her," and. jumpint^ out of the vehicle

'hih

e !t w:is ^'et \\\ motion, she r,in to wlicrc tiie am
nial was calmly lookin?^ round at the battered pail.

As David a;.^
Marian's mother

•uached he raised his h;..t to salutt
Good inornin<:, Mrs. ]Ialford,"ht

said.

" Go()(l mi rnin-

doubtful toiu

?-.Ir. Gordo!i," came the renlv in
Wb.at couKl her dauc"htcr see in this

W'.is it for such as he that Maria

p.enniless n')bod\'

\\'as late, she wondered.

Ikit she must not forf;ct her hospital iiv'. " Just tie
your horse to tlie post there. William are not up \'et,
and Watson are takin^^ a stroll throu^j^h the fields, but
he will be back soon ;ind put your horse away."

Time had dealt very f^ently with Jane Halford.

Althou'^h nearly fifty years of

ere was not a

streak of i^rey in her coal-black hair, and scarcely a
wrinkle in iier brow. Her cheek and neck still re-

AN UNWKLCOME C'.UF.ST.

'Ay a

re-

tained tiicir .smoothnc''5>. Tiic roses of youth had not
yct faded.

She turned ];er l.iri;e, himinour, eyes upon (~;')rdon,
soendn',^ t(^ \<»>k liini liironj.di. Kv ft iritiL^ tn t'.i'.- inci-
dent of tiic ]i:iil siie said. " 1 are a h'ltle (Uil of practice
j-,ince the .c^irl.s ha\'e <.M-o\vn up. Won t you ^-il d<'\vn,"
siie added, offeiin;^^ lii^:! a stool.

" Xo, tlianl: \'ori," h.e reph'ed. " I am tired sittin^-:; so
lon;^ in the buL'jL^y."

vSiie reseated lursclf wlih a si.di, and r.ivc a crd>;;iia-
tin_':^ L^lance at the i;roup of cattle, while lie stv)o(l Lan-
iii'^ ac;ainst a i)ost, h)okin;.;- atW l.waidi}' alxait liim.

Mrs. llalford did not care so niu.cli about li<r dau;.;ii-
tvM- bein;^" late ."-o i.^r as the niiikin;^'' was concerui d ; but
M irian always ;j,..\-e I'.er cc;ws the jireference over
e\erytln'ni,f else. In four \-ears, nothin^i^ hat! ever
made lier for!/- t iniilci.n"" time, till this bc'O'arl/ liiiil.r
came alonc^.

Had. she b'.cn late for any otlier care'c, her mother
would hri\-e tliou_L,dit r.othin;^^ (^f it, but she knew wtune
Nellv and I'h'ed h,,vl LTone, and readilv CTuessed that
I\Iari m had <rone w itli tliem to meet Cjordon.

'' J shall put a stop to this fellow's trips this very
day. It are time this folly were endedi."

Marian now ai)p^'ired carr^n'n;;" more paiis. She h<id
donned a lii'^r.t blue sun boniv t, iiv.d a lar^e white
apron. A stray curl v,-:is blowini; .".cross h:cr f-^-e-head,
licr dress was tucked vp disijlayinj;" a neatl}' turned
ankl.:, and her lover thoei^lit she looked more enchant-
in'^ tha!i ever.

Daisy reco;.;-!ii;',ed h.er r;t once, and L^^ave a satisfied
moo-o-o-o, a.t t';e same time rea.chdng out her nose to
meet her mistress' Iiands.

After a Utile patting on the neck, ard rubbinc; on
the foreliead. a pro>. ess \\ hich the animal seemed to
enjoy, Maria., set to work, and for a time th.ere w.is no
sound but the tinklin;^:^ of liie ndlk into the pail.

Ca-^ually lookini; in tlie direction f)f Mrs. Hair-rd,
Da\id was thunder-struck .'it the snllvm e::rression oi' iier
face, and tiie ti'j^erish look in hir '-Vy'--. Heavens, there
»vas his ring flashing oti Marian's fin-er, and his cliain
.still around iier neck.

iiorsKS OF f.r.Ass.

Just llu'ii tlv> (l;in;flinT arnso, li.ivintj uMislicd her
first C'W. At a fHincc .s'.ic tuok in tlic situation. She
secni'il staL^i^^Ted for a nionient, ami lier hand luico.i-
sciously sou_L;iit lier uec!:, but slie sooti recovered her
S'>df-j)osscssion, and whi. a slie rai-^d lier eye s to mert
her liiother's, the look that llasiK-d bi;hveen tiieni
showed that cacli uiidLTstood the otlier.

ratieiit resistance and self-reliance were iti the (!au;.;!(-
ter's face • fierce dc teniiinatioii in tlie ni otlier's.

Mach reco;Mii/.ed it as a declaration of war ; a tri.d
of strei\.^^tli and skill lj'.''.ween theni ; the oj)( niiij <,[
lidstililies, whose end neither co;dd foresif.

To hide liis eniharrassnient (jordon Kd his horse
away to the s'.ables, without pretendini^ to notice this
by-iday but he w is inwardly alarmed at the prosj^ect
of war between two women of such force of char.icter.
It was as if two ideal i:^kuliators had salr.ted each
otlier in tlie .irena. before coniinencinLT tiie coiiiiict of
their li\-es.

When he returned Marian was still at worl:, but her
mother had s^one.

To give herself further freedom and coolness, her
bodice was unbuttoned at the neck, and lu r sleeves
rolled up t(> her elbows. Her sun bonnet was jnished
back, and her head w.i-; pressed as^ainst the cow's sicK-,
while she sat pK'iu'jf her busv hands and fj^aziiiif ai'-
stractedly into the pail.

The ricii colourin;j^ of her pink-white neck and cheek
contrasted O'ldiv with the sun-browned tint of her
shapel)' arms, v/liile her half-stoopin;^, lialf-kneelin;^^
position accentuated the L;racei'ul outlines of her
figure.

She did not seem to notice him as he approached.

He was about to sj)eak, wlien he was certain hesav/
a t'.'ar drop from her cheek.

Out of respect for lier eiiiotion he remained silent,
and, seated on a stool near b\', was content to watch
the shapely f(^rm, v^hose delicate outlines and hidden
strength reminded hini of velvet and steeL

When she finished her cow, she rose and smiled at
him, but the telltale moisture was in her eyes. " What
arc yuu looking so serious about ?" she said ^\'itll a

sh
m:

Stl

A/
nit

us
yoi

OUl

l\cr

:nt,
Itch
llcu

at
[hat
h a

AN rXWLLCOME GUEST 63

forced lau:.:li. " / was so annoyed at bcinp; late t'lat I
fori^fot to leave tiicsc off, and mother of ccjiirsc knows
all about it. It's too had. It will make trouble be-
tween us. lUit I su[)pose the course of true love never
did run smootli," she added, smilini; tiinnidi her

tears.

It is a shame for me to brin;^ such trouble upoa

\'OU, (

larlii

1'.''.

liat cm

I d

Oil, never mind," she replied, tlrying her eyes.

It had to ct»me some time. As well now as a^ai
" Shall I j-o and tell her now

If y

like. I don't know, realh , what is best

J" '

Somehow I feel we shall have bad luck to-tlay." she
went on, shakin<^ her head. " M(Hher is awful wlien she
is ati'n'v ; not rou^^h. vou know, but verv cruel. Our
racin<^, you see, has brouc^ht us bad luck."

" Pshaw ! Marian ; luck is only superstition. Be-
sides, lam proud of the privile<j;c of tellin<:^ your mother

that I love y

ou.

ashamed of lovin*^ you.

Good," she rejoined with a smile.

No man need apoloj^ize or feel

ire pre-

i parinjT for your interview by practicin<^ on me."

\ David shook his head.

I " Xo. My compliments may sometimes be clumsy

but they are always sincere. No mortal man could

help 1

ovnv^ you,

darl

mo".

If )-ou come here and stoop down so that they
can't see us from the house, I will give you a kiss for
that. Brincj a pail with you."

He threaded his way through the group of cows, and
sheltered by Bellas friendly form, he took the milk-
maids face between his hands and reached into her
p sunbonnet for the proffered kiss. " By heavens !
Marian, I s//a// win you, nothing but death can defeat

e," be' whispered as he took a few extra. " I'll

LJO

now and see }'our mother

ve me one more.

No, no. Be careful, David, somebody might see
us fn-im the fields. No, I won't. I'll throw one after
you. though, if you like. Go, now, and carrv this pail
out."

•X-

Mrs. Halford sat at the kitchen window nursing licr

-iM

64 HOUSKS OK r.I.ASS.

wrath. Il.'ifl the devoted lover seen the various ex-
pressions which flittrd (»vcr her face, liis confidence
wouKI liavc been shaken.

Ilcr l\{c, in spite of its financial success, had been
I'lnbittercd by disappointments. Ilcr children, she
thouL^iit, dill not lo\c her ;is tlii y should. They
showered their caress'S on their father, but <jave lu r
only lukewarm affection in si)ile of all she had done for
them.

Had she not been a pood mother to tliem ? Had
she not i)lanned, anil schemed, and workid, in order
that the\- mijjjht not be paui)ers ? H.ul slie not edu-
cated her eldest daughter, regardless of expense, and
liow was she requitin;^' lur?

It windd be almost impossible to describe her frel-
in;;s towards Marian. Since her tlaui^iiter's return
froni the seminary, aciuasi-independence h.ul L,M'own u[)
between tlum. V>y tacit consent, Marian h.id rradu-
ally taken chartu' of the household, as well as the
dair\', !!■ r tnotlier would not now have the temerity
to interfere in matters j)crtainin_<:^ to these departments.
Indeed, keen calculation had proved to Mrs. Halford,
that her daui;hter's manairement of the dairy was even
more successful than her own, and her methcxls uf

ousekeepni!^ A\ere moi

re satisfactory and economical.

She admired her daughter's devotion to dutv, and
was surprised that even the seminary had not spoileil
her for th farm. When she first heard that Marian
was learning to read h'rench, and play the piano, she
made up her mind that her usefulness was gone.

Hut when she came home, and went to work of her
own free will, her mother was overcome first with sur-
prise, and then with jealousy.

Mrs. Halford was satisfied that her daughter should
exceed her in education and refinement, but that she
should outshine her in everything else was hard to
bear.

No holiday function ever made Marian neglect the
cows. Her father often teasingly told her that she
preferred a cattle fair to a presidential reception.

Her mother envied the facility with which Marian
could hurry home, and cook a meal or milk cows, in

her

sur-

she
:d to

the
it she

[arian
Ivs, in

AN rNwiii.coMK r.r r.sr. 65

Tier silk or satin, without sccmiiij^ to .'nil her hniuls or
I iiffK: a fcathi r.

JJul ^!^s. llalfor<l liad aiiotlur f;rievance of a still
moTf ^■cl■i<'us natin\-. liir <!aii!.;iitcr was siip[)lantii!i;
l)cr in tin: altcctii'iis of 1 c.r ether chiMron.

l''rc(l aiv.l i\( !lic al\va\'s wciU to Marian now with
their litlk; 1 ri •ui)Ic-;, iii.st.M(l dl to \\rv. It was Maria

thb

aiu

i M

irian that.

II'

r ennnnu's ami ncr vdnus

1 h

were watched with lovin;,^ interest hy all ; and one
word a;;ainst her was a si;4nal for liouscludil niutin)'.

l''rc.d ami Nelly hovered about the'ir sister and sat
on her knee as it sh.e had been their rnotlu r. Indeeil,
they )i("itr h.id shown u tithe of such tinderncss to
their maternal parent.

To make matters worse, William seemed lately to pre-
fer the comjiany of his dau<^hter to that of his wife.

No wom.'.n ever loved a liusband more trul\' than
]\Irs. JIalford, and she suspected that the; nfined
atmosphere of htr daui^diLcr onl)- serw d to show her

dehciencies more plainly ; and h»wer li'. r m the estmia-
tion of her husband.

Mrs. Ilalford had an iron will, which she was at
times accustomed to enforce ; }-et with a silken thread,
lier daughter could disarm Iier. There was a subtle
somLthin<^ about Marian with which her m(»th!r could
not cope, and in no respect did tlu- mother feci that
she was the rel'^nimr spirit of her own household,

nder then, that her feeliivjs towarc

Is 1

ler

daughter were not unmixed with jealousy

"li'et there was <'i stronir resemblance between tl:

(Mil

Marian seemed to be but a revised edition of her
nif)ther.

Mrs. llalford's 1 .rc^e black eyes had _£,nven place to
the deep blue orbs of the dai;c;hter ; but there was the
same luminousness about them.

The jet black hair, square chin, and firm mouth of
the mother were su})planted by the softer outlines of
the daughter, but the difference was only in degree.

Marian's liair was much lighter in colour, her chin
more rounded, and her lijis more full. The greatest
difference was in tlie expression, which, in the daughter

I .'(

HOUSES OF GLASS.

ncctnctl to be a compound of her mother's pride and
gravity, and the cheerful benevolence li her father.

Mrs. liaiford had, without doubt, given her daughter
I wonderful inheritance of beauty, health, and stature.
Siie had indeed given her everything, but that sweet
motherly sympathy and affection, which is surely the
very refinement of wonian's noblest emotions.

The result was that they breathed a (hfferent atmo-
sjilu-re, and were entirely out of touch with each otiier.
Up till to-day, she had not thought that Marian had
any serious intentions toward Gordon. Her daughter's
':actics now took her by surprise.

She did not believe that IVIarian cared more for
the miller than any of her other suitors, and she
thought that the developments of to-day were due to
contrariness.

Mrs. liaiford was convinced that the infatuation for
Charles Langtry still remained and Avas the real
reason why so many good offers had been rejected.
Kow she liad evidently accepted this beggarly
nu'clianic out of pure spite.

Gordon, indeed ! " A pauper and an infidel."

CIIAl'TMR X.

AN INTERVIEW.

Set F reliance was one of the salient points in Gor-
don's character, but it was not without some appre-
liensiv)n that he walked into the kitchen where Mrs.
liaiford sat.

Tile moment he crossed the threshold, she raised her
eyes, and looked at him with a stern air of inquiry.

" Would you please favour me with an interview,
Mrs. IIalf(jrd, on a very important subject ?'

" Certainly," she replied, bowing coldly, "just fol-
low me into the parlour, if you please.'

With a dignified and impressive manner, she led him

AN INTERVIEW.

c-
■s.

^v,

)1.

Itn

into the room, raised a window, opened the shutters,
and placin;^ a chair wlicre the h"r^ht wouhl fall upon
him, slic seated herself in a darker c(HiKr of the
ft 'Om.

He was her legitimate prey, and she would appease
her wrath, by torturing him. With a sigh that was
intended to betoken uneasiness, she said, " Well," and
waited for him to {proceed.

David felt as if he had walked into a lion's den, but
he retained his composure remarkably well.

" Vou have no doubt noticed the attentioii I liave
been paying to your daughter, and have fo'^med some
opinion as to my intentions."

He waited for a reply but it was only

"Well!"

It was a hard matter to speak of the tender passion,
in the pn^sence of this human iceberg, so lie tiecicled
to make a short story of it. " 1 have asked Marian to
be my wife, aiid she has consented. Mow 1 have come
to ask your consent."

" And have you set the day for this grand affair ?"
she asked, with a cruel laugh. '• i\re it not customary
for a gentleman to ask the parents first? Do you con-
sider it proper to gain a }'oung lady's affectioiis before
her parents have time to find out if you are suitable ?"

" 1 admit you are right there, Mrs. Halford, but )ou
have had ample time to guess my intenlions."

" I are not good at guessing," she retorted, \\ ith an
ironical laugh, " but if yen be, then tliere are a good
chance to guess mine."

This brought David to his feet, and sent him nuirch-
ing up and down the room.

" I don't sje anything to laugh at, Mrs, Il.dfnrd. It
is a wry serious matter to me."

"And me also, Mr. Gordon. I were only laughing
at your — well row, J, forget the proper word, bu': it
means cheek."

" Good God ! you can't mean to insult me- in \oiir,
own house. I have often heard of the hospitalit)- of
Broadview, but this is cold blooded discourles}-."

This was a tender point, and she scarcely knew how
to answer, so she started on a new tack.

HOUSES 01' GLASS.

" How dare you mention tlr> name of your Maker,
you who are an unbeliever ! Do you deny that )'uu
are an infidel ?"

" Ws, I do den\- it. An infid d is a man who is uii-
failhf.d either to himself or to otl ers, and you c;in ask
in (jo\\.i.nstone if David Gordon's: word is not as good
as his bond."

" I am not saying a word about }our business char-
acter, but — ," antl slie pointed her fin;jer at him — " you
have <Iodged my question."

" You, yourself, would be called an infidel, if you
lived in Constantinople," retorted David. " It is only
a matter of geo^^raphy."

" Di) you beheve in the Bible .^" she demanded in a
tone ^\ iiich showed that she intended to corii<,r him.

Gordon, who had been pacin^; the lloor now stopped
in froat of her, with his head tlirown back, and Ids
thumbs in his vest. He dearly loved an arL;"ument, and
was getting" warmetl to his work. *' \(^v evident!}' do
not know the nature of your question. If )c)u mean
whether I think it is all literally true, 1 answer no, and
I make bold to say neither do }'ou. Not even our
greatest divines believe that Josliua stopped the sun,
or that Jonah was swallowed b^' a whale."

She felt that she was losing ground, that she was be-
ing put upon the defensi\'e.

*' Those things are lessons for us to take G:ood out
of, and not to speak light of," she said in a forbidding
tone.

'* I don't wish to make light of them, I\Irs. Ilalford.
Even a fable or fair}- tale, which contains a le.-son or
moral for the good of mankind, is worthy of respect.
It is only narrow minded dunces who do not know the
meaning of allegor}', who shout infidel at a man who
is not hypocrite enough to pretend that he believes
im;)Ossibilities."

ilrs. Il.ilford's eyes flashed, and springing to her feet
she struck an attitutie of defiance.

'• How dare you insult me ? How dare you hector
me, in my own house? Now go," and she pointed tf>
the door.

Gordon saw that he had been too severe. Instead

AN INTERVI!:W.

of followincj the ilircction of lu-r finpjor, lie p^raspcd her
cxteiulcd hand in order to restrain her, and by a sud-
den im[)ul^e r;iised it to his hps. /\fier all, she w.is
Marian's mother.

This sudden change of front conii)leLely nonplussed
Mrs. Ilall'ord. She stood for a moment almost stupe-
fied. ILid David been the wiliest of diplomats, he
could not have made a more successful coup.

Mere was a mark of resj)cct she had never before re-
\ ceived, n it even from William ; a token of homas^e to
) which she was a perfect stranger, and then, she w.is a
, woman.

' Before she recovered from her confusion, he led her
back to the sof.i, and sat down beside lur.

" Accept my humblest apologies for my seeming
rudeness, but I can assure you, on my won.! of honor,
that my last remarks were n(jt intended to be personal,
First let me sav, that towards anv form of religion, I
have not the slightest antipatliy. I was brought up an
agnostic by my father, who was as hoiu st a man as
ever breathed the breath of life, lie lived antl died,
worshipping no deity, but Right. Yet, 1 am not so
bigoted as to think that he could not have been mis-
taken.''

Mrs. Ilalford had now recovered licr self-possession,
but her hauteur was gone. " Will you please c x[)lain
what an agnostic are."

" He is simply a person who does not know, and ad-
mits that he does not."

"You claim there is no God," she said with grave
severity.

■' Indeed, I do not," he replied firml)*, " I only say
that i don't know, and that nobody else knows."

"You may not know yourself, but you have no right
t ) say that nobody else knows. You cannot see with
my eyes, hear with my ears, or think with my brains."

David was somewhat staggered at the force of her
reply.

Before h.e had time t" respond she went on with a
wave of her hand. " It irc no use for us to argue :c.
My dauj:^ii:er cannot marry you, at least, not with my
conseni, "

ill*'

70 HOUSES OF GLASS.

" Stop for a moment," said David excitedly, jumpin:^
to his feet. " Your daughter loves me, and "

" I don't believe it," she broke in with an air of de-
cision.

This was a cruel sliot ; a blow beneath the belt that
he was not prepared for, and he sank into a cliair, toy-
iug nervously with his watch-chain.

" We shall leave your daughter to judge of that," he
replied in a subdued voice, as soon as he recovered
himself. "But pray let me go on. I have leased the
Gowanstone mills with a capital of two thousand. I
have good business prospects, a strong arm, a willing
heart, a clear conscience and a good reputation. Yv)ur
daufj-hter would not have to work half so hard as she
does at home, and "

" Stop !" said Mrs. Halford, bridling at this hint.
" What work my daughter does are of her own choos-
ing. Work are needful to a woman like her, and you
can't say her is broken down with it or her growth
stunted.

The idea of there being anything stunted about
Marian, would have made him smile at any other time,
but the situation was all too serious. '• I did not in-
tend to be offensive," he ex[)lained. " What you say
about work being a necessity, is no doubt true. But
leavijii; that rside, J wish to i-niy t!iat, a'5 m\' wif-^, she
wiiulJ be at hbe.'ty to attend divl.... rvicc, as often
as fi^ixi chose. I believe in religious libert)*, an! i
. hf>mld not interfere wIlIi her worship in anv war."

''No, Mr. Gordon. It can never be, and }i)u h;id
better make up your mind to it at once. I shall not
forbid your coming, but you are a gentleman, and ns
liad better sot meet too often. So now, good da)'."

When David reached the open air and bright sun-
light, his brain seemed to be on fire. He v/alked, or
rather stumbled, to a shady spot on the lawn, where
he would be alone.

His spirit was broken, and his emotions stirred to
their very depths, llo wanted to collect his thoughts,
i.nd rearrange his scattered faculties. He had often
smiled inwardly at Mrs. Halford's verbs and pronouns,
but he found that if she lacked in learning, she did not

n
b

Ii
si

AN INTERVIEW.

Is,

In
Is,
)t

in i*ntc1H|:jcncc. How cruel and terrible she seemed,
and yet, (perish the thouc^ht) how like Marian in many
ways. Heavens! What an anjjjcl liis own mother wis.

Would lie c^o home and here a pair of soft hands

were clapped over his eyes from behind.

*' I'll keep them there till you look yourself again,'*
said Marian, who had stolen upon him unawares.

" I can guess the quality of your news, but never
mind, come down to the pear tree, where the vines are,
and you can tell me all about it."

He related the story of the interview, as nearly as
possible, but omitted his gallantry in kissing her
mother's hand. '* What hurt me we>rse than aiuthing
else, Marian, was that she said she did not believe }-ou
loved me, and I am sure she meant it,"

" What ! was she cruel enough to say that ? Well,
that means an extra kiss for you," and [)utting her
arm around his neck, she saluted him on the cheek.

"You asked me this morning to set the dav and I
asked for time. Novv you may have me whenever you
like. Mr. Gordon," she continued in mock heroic
tones, \vhile her eyes shone with a peculiar light, " [
wish to make you an offer of marriage, to formally ask
you to be my husband."

David made the only reply that a lover could under
the circumstances, and taking her in his arms covered
her face with kisses.

" Now, Sir Knight," she exclaimed, freeing herself
from his embrace, " remember that faint heart never
won fair lady. We can afford to wait. In the mean-
time, I shall promise not to elope with Mr, Gra/.ely,
who has the honour of being your rival," at which they
both broke into a hearty laugh.

" But nfbw, darling, how am I ever going to come here
again, when I know I am n(it welcome? In fac> I
must be going now," and he made as if to start for the
barn to get his horse.

" What !" she exclaimed, " let you and Dan go away
hungry, and bring bad luck on the house ? No, sir,"
she continued dramatically, " not for N'enice."

" You shall have dinner here as wy guest." A brij;ht
spot burned in either check, and the blue o' her eyes

IiOUSES OF GLASS.

was very dark. " After dinner I shall convey yon on
your \va\\ No. tli.it is iniprn])cr. You sli.iU drive nio
to Mr. Murray's, wlure I shall meet Nelly and Iwcd.
*A rose hy any otluT name would sniell as sweet.' "
She put hc-r arm throu<^h his and escorted him to the
house, f^aily humming some snatciies from the " Lady
of the Lake."

CHAPTER XL

RETROSPECTION OX WHEELS.

Ox his lonfj drive homewards, David had ample time
torefleci. on the experiences of what had been the most
eventful day of his life.

Half in jest and half in earnest, Marian had main-
tained that their crosses were a punishment for racin;^-
on Sunday. " You know the old adat^e about a Sun-
day well spent brin<:^ing a week of content, antl the
Sunday profaned brinejinjr sorrow. Well, I am super-
stitit)us enour^h to /i i7 If hcWcxc it."

The bitterness of his interview with Mrs. Ilalford
was more than compensated for by the deli,i;htful part
of his drive home, on wiiieh Mari.m had accompanied
him. I le smiled as he thouplit of her insistinir on hav-
ing the buggy curtains lowered before he was allowed
to })ut his arm iiround her waist, and how her eyes
scanned the horizon before she permitted a kiss.

But in spite of everything, his mind would revert to
the i)hrase : " you are an infidel." Was he never to
hear the last of that distasteful word, which liad been
a curse to his life, a destroyer of his happiness from
childhood up. Why had his father not contented
himself with being like other men } Why had he left
him an inheritance which was like a mill-stone round
his neck ?

He c<ndd remember, when a little boy, sitting on his
father's knee and si jiiig ; " Oh, happy day, when Jesus

RETROSrEC^ION ON WHEELS.

7.^

waslicd my sins away ' He could recall the cliiirch
and the Sunday school he used to atteiid, and never
could fori;et the Iiorror with which he hrst heard of th'j
lake of fire antl brinistur.e.

David never knew the reason why his father sud-
denl}' left the church, antl instead of «cndin;^ him to
Sunday-school, took him for strolls in the woods and
fields.

He '•emcmbercd how old Mr. Bayley used to come
on Sunday cvenin<^s and read books abi^iut rcli^i^ion,
fspecially '■' Faine's A<^^e o{ Reason," John Gordon
had Ljradually <;rown ni(jrj pronounced in his views, until
he became ati ac^^rcssive atheist, who would wrani^de
v.ith every customer that came into his shop, where he
plii.'d his trade of shoemakin^^.

Nothini^ but fair dcaliui^ and excellent workmanship
procured for him the custo' trade upon which he
dep'.Mided for his bre;:d and butter.

The clerical influtmce brought to bear against him,
both in his social and business capacit)', finally embit-
tered him to a ])oint at which he regarded all church
goers as eitiier fools or h)'pocritcs. Thus he continued
till he died, lea\'i;ighis widow and twelve-)'ear-old-son
with little or nothing to support them.

On J event of D:ivid's school days, (which was a
sample of tlie persecution he had to undergo) was
stamped indelibly on his memory His schoolmates
held aloof from him, as the infidels son, for both
parents and pastors warned the children against his
companionship.

But at the examinations he gcncrallv had his re-
vcngc, for they could not prevent him from learning
so fast that he distanced all his competitors.

On this particuL.r occasion he had entered the lists
for the proficiency prize of tlie c<^unty A school func-
tion was being held, at which the prizes were to be dis-
tributed, [uid the town fathers and mothers had gath-
ered in honour of the occasion. Fortunately, David's
father was absent, or subsequent events might have
been more startling.

After an opening address by the chairman, and the
usual speech-making by ubiquitous wiseacres who

HOUSES OF GLASS.

never miss such opportunities of ventilating their ignor-
ance, the prize Hst vvas commenced.

The excitement was at fever heat, for "no one as yet
knew the results.

The Rev. Mr. Inglis took up the list, and with ag-
gravating slowness, read . "County proficiency prize,
donated by Mr. Johnson Snell, public school inspector,
is a liandsome writing desk, awarded to David Gor-
don."

A murmur ran round the room at this announce-
ment. The winner w.is '!ie observed of all observers.
" Each [)U[)il will please come forward as his name is
called."

In spite of his revami'.ed coat sleeves, and the patches
on his trowsers, David inarched proudly forward to re-
ceive his prize.

After h.iiulinghim his trophy, the chairman adjusted
his spectacles and glr red at him with a forbidding ex-
pression. Tiien in harsh, rasping tones he asked . " Are
you infidel Gordon's son?" Immediately there was a
husli ni ihe room. All eyes were turned upon the boy
to see how he took this rebuke. The hot blood rushed
over his face, the patched knees trembled, ?.nd a great
sinixinc: noise came in his ears. After several times
swallowing the lump in his throat, .he raised his head
and answered as br-ively as he might : '* No, sir. My
father is John Gordon, gentlem.m, andi citizen of the
[.'nited .States of America.''

A distinct murmur of applause greeted the latter
half of this declaration, causing tlu; reverend gentle-
man to wax wrolh at the prospect of ha\ingtlie tables
turned^ upon him.

In a voice pregnant with holy wrath and self-
righteousness, he shouted, " What ! yonr father a
gentleman, eh, after denying our Saviour? Wliy, he
ii3 worse than the savages that "

Ikit the sentence was never finished, for in a second
the bov^'s form was on the dais, and a vamped coat
sleeve sent a fist crashing through the left eye of the
Lhairman's spectacles. Before rinyone liad time to re-
alize what had happened, he darted through the back
door and was gone*

RETROSPECTION ON WHEELS.

A moment later he was seen runninj.^ tliron<:^h tlio
school-yard, his prize in one hand, and a ciulL^el picked
up iov defensive purposes in the other. Once out on
the street he looked behind him to see if he were be-
in^ pursued, and then walked homfhatlcssand defiant,
feeling in his heart that he had bid good-bye to the
school forever.

Meanwhile the uproar in the audience was indc-
scribiible. Several s\-mpathetic dt-acons rushcil to the
reverend gentleman's assistance ; m.iiden I. ulics looked
horrified, and dignitaries looked grave, but the human
part of the audience bent over the desks and shook
with smothered laughter.

The teacher endeavoured to restrain his pupils, who
in various wavs were exhibiting the delight which
juveniles invariably take in a row or confusion in
.school.

The secretary of the board got up on the desks, and
shouted for order. lie might have succeeded, had
there not been In this, as in nearly ever}' other audi-
ence, somebody who invariably commences t(i laugh
where the rest lea\'e off.

Jake Fetterley's voice was only suitable for outdoor
purposes, and wl:en his guttural /nnc, /iii7i\ Ihrw, re-
sounded from the back benches, a posse of policemen
could not have restcjred order.

" Sarved him right," said Jake, in a sort of horse-
whisper, which was only intended for his next neigh-
bcjur, but which v/as discernible through all the clin.
" This hain't Roosia, but the A'oonited States of
America. The kid war sound on that i)int. Haw,
haw, haw ! The preaclier had no biziness step[)in'
outern his traces. Haw, haw, haw I Old (ilory's the
stuff when fair play is on deck. This is the land of
tlie free. Kplurybus yeunum. "

When order was finalh' restored, the prize list was
proceeded with, but the bulk of the audience dispersed,
for all interest in the affair was now over.

Everybody wanted to get outside to have their laugh
out and talk it all over.

To make matters worse, one of the local papers
next morning had an account of it, written up in true

/♦> HOUSES OF GLASS.

Arkansas style, much lo tlic tlis'^nist of Afr. Tn^li'; and
his coii'^at ;;.'ition, wlio insisted that the boy siiuuid be
cxpclkd from the scl ol.

David was sunimo d before a mac^istrate s court
and fined five dollars witli costs. The father i)aid the
fine, and sent David b.ick to school, but he w i> refused
admissi(,'n.

Then a suit for damaf^es was entered by tlie shoe-
maker, and carried from court to court till he finally
won Ihit his property was all squandered in lav,*
costs, and the worr\' brought on br.iin fever oC which
he died.

Then came the days c f gloom ind p^ricf, followed by
the funeral, when i^reat rowds came to see a man
buried without church rites. David could remember
the looks of horn^r -ind pity bestowed upon liini and
his mother as they stood by the open grave To cap
the climax, sermons came .'rom several pulpits describ-
incf the torture of the damned and the iiorrible death
of the infidel.

Looking back over his past life. David felt that he
owed nothing l Jhristianiiy but h.itred md r^ venge.
Had it not persecuted liis father when living, and
slandered him when dead It had taken from him
many opportunities of preferment and promotion, em-
bittered his wliole boyhood, and now it threatened to
come between him and the woman lie loved ? For in
spite of Marian's explanation in regard to Mr, Grazely,
he still believed that his heterodoxy was the basis of
Mrs, llalford's refusal.

For many years the hatchet of religious prejudice
had been buried.

In his struggle for existence, he had almost forgot-
ten th.it there had ever been any strife. But to-day
Mrs. lialford had opened the old wound by throwing
at him the detestable word, infidel — .i word which for
ten )^ears had been a stranger t(^ his ears.

So ileeply was Gordon absorbed \n thought that he
did not notice he was ncaring h..')me till Dan, coquet-
ting with his bridle, drew his aUention as the lights of
Govvanstonc hove in sight.

f^ Ml

■*£lt<>i1''--'-''^'^>» »***■'

MOTHKK AM) SON.

;;

CIIAPTRR XIT.

MO'IHF.K AM) SON.

*'\Vffl, Davio. I'm l^IciI yc're h.ick. I was kinna
wearyin' t:)n yc,' said David's niotluM*. appcarin?^ at the
side door of tlic c*)tta<^^e as he drove iiUo the }ard

'• It's too bad to keep you waiting, niotlier, but 1 was
thiiikinj^ deeply all the way hoir.e, and Dan sod^c^errd
on me a little." Youn^ folks are vcr)' selfish wlu re
their j)leasures are eoncerni'd, and jumpini^out, D.ivid
commenced to unhitch. " liut I am J-,d.id you stayed
up,' he continui.-d, " for I want to have a loni^ t ilk
with }'ou."

Mrs. (Gordon lifted the lantern so th.'it the lii;ht
would fall upon his face, and looked at him with con-
cern.

"Oh, it is nothinc^ serious, mollier," he l.iu;.;]ied as
he stooped to kiss lier. "Jast run in till I put Dan
away, and tlien I'll tell you all about it."

Mrs. Gordon wa.s one of those comfortable lookinj^
women, whose kindly face and j^enerous fi^^ure, ^n\'e
them a motherly appearance. .She had the kind of
countenance that one iiv.tinctively trusts. All sim-
plicity, candour and common sense. Sixty odd winters
had frosted her hair, and v.-rinkled her brow, but h:id
not destroyed her comeliness. Her face did not denote
any great mental power, but a nice balance between
the rational and the emotional, the kind of woman
from whom }'ou would expect wholesome companion-
ship and sound advice.

Sorrow, the great purifier, had softened her heart.

During her sojourn in life she had many trials.
Two of her dear ones had been carried out at once
with a malignant form of scarlet fever, and one boy of
ten was drov/ned while bathing.

In his latter years Mr. Gordon had been very irrita-
ble, and overbearing. Yet, she loved liini dearly to
fhe last.

IIOUSKS (M' CI ASS.

-8

Tlu- stiM;:;;^K" f<'r (•\ist«MUM-, nulil I).iviM wa*; able tf
t'.nn somvtlnii;^, .m«l tluir utter !<'Ui lincss .il'lti lur
liusl),intr.s (If.jtii. li.ul .i;;» tl luf vi i)' i.ij>i(lly.

Ni»w ^hv- li.iii only lur l).il)\' left, .iiul lu* w.is ,i1I in
alltnlhT. Th.it sDiiutliiii;', umi'-ii.il li.ul oitinitii 'In*
w.is i'li t liti. l)iit lur luriosity (lul iu>t prcx'c iit licf h«>in
rottiu'.' his tiM ii.uh', nor diJ it imum- Iut to omit the
Ci>lil mutton .iiul .jppU" pii* of wliiih lu* w.is so loml.

Slu' .ilw .i\s toiil him th.it sm li thiiu.;s \\cM-"o\\(r
luM\ y fof hi - stnmm.uk .i',.uiii t.u- hiil,"' hut -.Aw iii\.iii'-
al)!\' i',.i\c it to him. ncx'ci t hcK-ss.

Win' ^^'>ou l>.i\iil m.ulc his .iiiptMf.uuc. aiul liainMiu^
Ills o\ii\-oal oil a nail, sat liowti at tlu- outspii.ni l.iMc,
iu w hat hotlu'Ui;ht was the ci)/.icst liltlr Kilcluii in thr
woiKl.

1 1 is loiu'' (li i\e hail mailr him huiu.'i \'. aiul I of a time
he (Ic'Xi^tcil him<i-lf to his lunch, without thinkiu;.; that
his nu>th( r x\as luirniM;:^ with ruriosit)'.

" Your ciHikiuLj^ is ihc \)i<, motlu-r," said David.
" l'*iom j>otridi;c up to piis or puildini;s, nohod)' can
suit nu' like" you, not vwn the best hotels in the city."

* 'l\>ots, laddie, there's f.ir better cooks nor im\ ^'o
hac beei\ .it yer mither's t.d)le a )'cr d.ixs, .m ye'rc
kinn.i n.utial wi custom. Then \-e ki-n luitiL'cr is I'uid
kitchin. Hut yc hinn.i tclt mc ycr news )'et."

" I sup[n\sc \'ou can't inicss. Well, I [proposed to
IM.irian to-d.iy. '

" A\ e. .lye. I j.dtniseil it, for 1 ken )e've bt-en maist
gytc .iboot the kissic this while back."

Without replx-iuL; to his nu>ther's rema:ks l)avid
went on : " She has acceptcil me. auil prondsed to be
niv wife."

*' She couKi na dae onythinL]^ else, l).uie. she"ll ne'er
liac a better chance. I'sc warrant."

•' Now. mother. >ou think the woman is not born
wlu^ is l;(Hh1 enou;_;h for your Davie ; but," lie continued
with a shake of his heatl, " she is far above me in every
way. '

" Dinna talk sic nonsense, boy. She's nane aboon ye.
But I'm gled for yer sake yc hae made it up. I could
see when ye brocht hamc bits o' ribbin .md wither't
roses, that yer heart was set on the lassie. 1 hae seen

Mniill K AND SON. 79

yc sit tin f'T hours ui Iki Idt'-rs, or j^Inwrrin^^ at lu:r
picfir. She's ;i br.iw l.i ss 11 tlic pii fur <hsii.i he, .iiu!
i liif she's as r,iii<l as sh<'''' Itoimic, ,Iir"Ii ilae."

' \'es, nit il her, i ,*nt she )u .1 l>e,iiii it ill, MK h };!< m ji his
(•\-rs iikI the ti'Mire ol a f|tii ( 11. ()li, hut just wall till
^ ■ Ml M( • her

Mrs. (intihui siiiih-d in(!ul;;eut !)• hut slioolc li»r In .kI.
*' |)inna he ■ .le <Ialt, laihiie. Shi-*, a l)ra\v WDmaii, nao
(h»iiht, ami lit ti» he the niilher «>' .traippiii we.iiis, hut
she'll hae Inr faiits lil,.- ilh' 1 fi»l;."

l)a\i(l dill ii"t replv , hut went <>ii (l.vouriii;; the
reinaiir. <if lii. foM n.ultnii ami lini .lim;', his ti'.i.

*'■ .She'll in.i\he Jiae nucr liei;.;h iiolnur, |<.r .1 u'»iis-in'
niati '. wile. ihc las ,i( s n<»<» .1 da)' dinna like tae fvU;
their hauus \.i :vaik."

' ( )h. hut .he is not like liial, niotlicr, ' said I )avid
])nshiii;.'. his ehaii hack fioni the tahle, '' With all her
ladydike .ij'peaiauee, she milks cows, cooks and wa lies
clislu-s. Not only tiiat.hat die is an I'Xjxrt hultcr
maker. !she can ie> two hi;.; pails of milk as if the)'
weie fe.ith'TS, and sIk- is just wed, it is no use. I

c iMt descriht: her. Just wait till you . ce her."

Mis mother sniikd dul)i(»u-,l)' at his raptures.
" W'eel, wed, I'm [.'led slu,' ki'iis soin<thinif ahool'
iiousrki-e[)iM'. \'e nii( ht he ahle to kcej) h^r like a
ledd)', hut there's a J^uid w heen uns an' downs in the
worl", an' yc canna tell \\ hat ma)' hap[)en on)- o' us.
I loo does her fe\'ther like tlu- notion ?"

Now David had never expl.nned to his inotJK r how
mailers really stood .it Uroadview. and he proeeedtd
to show wh)' it was the mother's consent whieh was
most important.

lie p^ave her a vivid account of his intervie-w with
Mrs. Il.dford, omiuini; ai^.iin hisr^wn ait of t^allantry,
which he felt h.id heen thrown away. When lu; told
her of the taunts ahout his religion (or rather the lai k
of it), lier face llushe-d with excitement, hut she never
interrupted him.

*' Now, mother, h<~)W am I ever ^'lini; to go hack,
when I am s'iven to understand that I am not wel-
come.'' J low and when am I f^oin^; to bee Marian
riJjfain ?"

i__/

HOUSES OF GLASS.

" Never ye fear, Davie. If the lassie's fond o ye,
she'll fin' a way some gate„ Maybe the docliter has
a kenncn o' the mother v.\ her, and will no ding owcr
easy. Docs slie look like the auld woman ?"

David scratched his head. Here was a sore point.
*' Well, she docs, and she doesn't. She is trimmer
built and smaller in size than her mother. She has
the same voice, the same walk, and many of the same
ways, l^nt Marian's face is ever so much gentler, and
kinder. It is only when she is anj^ry that she re-
sembles her mother, and then she is the very picture
of her."

" And, so she garrcd ye bide for dinner, and her
feyther sat wi' ye. Whaur was the ))iitlier then ?"

'* I don't know. I never saw Jicr afterwards."

"Aye, aye. Weel, she gied ye her tryst and cam a
bit on the road h.ime. It looks tae me as if the
mither was feart for her. Humph — weel, diima fash
yer heid aboot ito If her heart is in the richt place )'e
hae naething tae fear. But stop a wee. Maybe the
mither wants her for some ither lad."

David laughed. ''^ The lad,\\\ this case, mother, is
over fifty. Marian tells me that her mother has it all
planned to marry her to old Grazely."

" Aye, aye ! Is that the way o't ? An' whatna like
is this Grazely chap ^"

" He isn't -a. chap at ail, mother. He is a widower
with three children. He looks to be about seveni)--
five. He's a regular old screw, and land grabber. He
and Mrs. llalford own most of tlie property at the
west end of the city."

'' Dinna fash. She'll manage her mither some gate,
if I'm no mista'en A lass that'stryin' tae win her lad
wad cheat the deil. 'Deed I was gae gleg mysel,
when yer feyther an' me was sparkin*. I hae min' o'
ya.e day I joakiet ma feyther, and gaed doon the
Clyde wi' Jock. He was gae braw that day wi' his
bottle-green coat an' brass buttons, an' a wheen o' the
lassies were makin' sheep's een at him. Aye, aye.
An' 1 cam' hamc that nicht wi' a face as lang as yer
airm." Here the old lady smiled and wiped the mois-
ture from her eyes.

'■Wiri* .

MOTHER AND SON.

e.
or
is-

** If I had been him, mother, I woulJ ..avc run away
with you," responded lier son, as he reached over to
kiss her cheek.

"'Deed we liadna* muckle to run wiV Ycr feyther
had nacthing but his day's \va<^e, and that wasna' very
birr. ]^ut wc bidiet our time. They say tooni sta's
mak' bitin* liorses, but \vc pot on as wcel as tliem tliat
had mair." Here the ohl lady seemed lost in tiunic^bt
and finally heaved a deep s!;^h. " I\Iaybe I shouldna'
be plannin' and puttin' a dochter aj.riinst her mither.
If ma ain wee Jennie had been spared, 1 wad likiet her
tae hae dune ma biddin'. Ise tell )'e }Met!iing, that
auld aire is nac match for beaut v or voun^' bluid.
When I was yount^, I wad hae paen tliroo finj an'
water for yer feyther. Keep u{) yer heart. Ise war-
rant yc'il sec her by this day fortnicht. II i" \-e no
mill' o' the sang, 'tlio* feyther an' mither an' a' should
gae mad, wdiistle an' Til came tae }-e,nia lad ?' "

Throuirh the wrinkles in her face there shone the
enthusiasm of girlhood. The fr(\st of sixt)- winters
had not chilled the memory of love's young dream.
Jumping up, David caught her in his arms, and swung
her around him gleefully.

"Aye, aye!" exclaimed the old lady, panting for
breath, " ye'll soon forget yer auld mither. Ye'll no
hae room in ycr heart for twa, but I'm no blamin ye,
I was e'en as bad mysel."

After giving vent to the exuberance of his sjjirits,
David sat down and took up the topic on which he
had been thinldng all the way home.

Slie listened attentively (nv some time in silence, and
then placing her hand on his head she replied :

" David lad, I'm no able tae guide )'e in thae things ;
ye maun een rcatl, and think for }-ersel, as )-er fe\-ther
did afore ye, but I wad na fash sac muckle ab(H!t it
as he did. lie may hae been richt, or he may liae been
wrang, but ma ain conscience tells me, if we dae what's
richt, we hae naething tae fear in this worl, or the next.
Ye feyther was worriet tae his death by the prejudice of
liis neebors, but he was gae an dour himsel, an I whiles
thociit he gaed owcr far. ^^le thing, 1 ken, he tried to
be richt, an' that's a great deal." She stopped, and

wmm

HOUSES OF GLASS.

(< T

It's owcr bi'fj^ a

rubbed her iiarul ovc r licr forehead
question for uia auld held, but I hac a notion it 11 a'
come richt onyway 1 hae thoeht that tlum that's fit
tae lecve, is fit lae dec Take nae side, but try an fin'
oot what s true, and dinna be feart wher truth leads )'e,
for it: maun a\-e be richt. Noo, laddie, awa tae }'er bed,
ye ken ye'll hae tae be at the mill in the mornin'. It
wanna dac for ye tae be slack, noo that \e're maestcr
yersel.

David went to bod, l)ut not to sleep. The <iuestion
of whence and whitlu-r had tak'.-n possession of him. It
seemed a hopeless task for him to attack a problem
\vhich centuries of ijreachin:'- and tcachin<j- had still left
in sad uncertainty.

\\'erc religions merely a rcHex of the character of
the people? They surily could not all be true.

I^ut there must be some reason why the most intcl-
li;.^ent and progressive nations on e.irth had accepted
the teachings of Christ. There mu-^t be some reason
why his precepts had stood the lest of eighteen hun-
dred )-ears.

This w.is the one fact he could not reason away, the
one idea that jarred upon his preconceived opinions.

At last his brain became weary and he went lo sleep
thinking of the woman he adored.

ciiArri:i<. xiii.

COWANS roNi:.

Nearly every tow n or city has a social -itmosphere
peculiar to itself ; a character which is developed not
onl\- li\' its citizens, but by its industries, its geographi-
cal position, and its surrountlings.

This peculiant)' is more noticeable in smaller places,
where every individual is under the scrutiny or espion-
age of his neighbour ; where closer social ajid business
rel.itions accentuate 'he salient points of character.

r.OWAN STONE.

The reader M-ill have little interest in th.e physcial
fi-aturcs (»f Ciuwanstonc, but a few ;\()r(Is by way of
outHne will be ncitiu r unnecessary nor out of place.
Its \er\' existence \\as based ovi tile water power ( f the
river, which r>i;i throi;:,!! its centre, almost parallel
with its main hh-.-et. rsliil clams alternateii witii busi-
ness blocks all aUjuf^ one siile of its principal thorough-
fare, which w.'S about, a mile in leni^th. One or two
otlier streets crossed this at riifht ;in;.;les, but tiiey were
very short, and mostk' devoted in private dwellinj^s.

The Gowanstone I'lour Mill v. .is situatetl on the
northwest corner (»f the two ])iincipal streets, directly
opposite the larLjest lintel in the titwn. The mill itself
was a ihin;^ of patches and shreds. It had bei.-n
chan;4ed and rei)aired till scarcely a vesti^^e of the
ori<;inal buildini; remaiticd. Hut it had recently
received a coat of dark red paint, and this, partly
covered \\ith white dust ijave it an ;iir of venerable
respectability.

Immediately to the west was a break in the build-
ings, where a fine green lawn, about fifty yards in
length, adorned the nearest bank of the mill-dam, and
enclosed a red bricl: cottage, belonging to the mill
})roperty, where David (jrordonand his mother residetl.

Several other manuf.ictories were strung along th;:
niain street, taking tlieir power from the river ijehind,
but the great feature of the jdace, the industry which
dwarfed all others, Wcis the F-.xcelsior Iron Works.

This extensive concern had been erectfd snme ten
years previous, anil was the industrial nucleus of the
town.

Not only had tlie iron works changed the physical
features of the p-lace, but its proprietor had Ijrought
a )Out a social re\olution as well.

Mr. J -.mieson had been f(^r years, an-.l still was, the
most notorious man in the ilistrict.

He w.is a iironounced and agc^ressive atheist.

The first Sunday after the anival of Ids famil)' into
tlieir spacious residence on the hill, his children actually
I'lax'ed pull-a-wa\' and went boating.

The good people on their Wdy to church were horri-

?,d

HOUSES OF GLASS.

fi'-'l by sncli flcsecr.ition, and expressed surprise tliat a
thunderbolt did n(;t destroy tiieni on tiie spot.

No sooner liad tiie citizens beconi*: aecustom'.'d to

i/jis hoiror, than he- ori'ani/.ed a brass band

amongst

his cinploj-ees, and made si)ecial arranj^jenniits for them
to l)iay on his terrace on Sunday afternoons.

No wonder that Daviil (iordon's hctero(h)xy was for-
jn)tti'n, in the presence of Jamieson's enormities ; no
wonder that his liijht faded in tlie hirid idare (^f the
iron-founder's misdeeds.

'i'iie cler;^;yman in his pulpit, earnestly fishin?.; f<>r the
scuds of lULU, of; en cauj^ht sij^ht of Jamiesun huK.ii!;;.^ a
.s[)cckled trout or snarin;,( a sucker.

'I"he iron founder was for a time the talk of the
whole countryside but he did not heed it; in fact lie
ratluM* liked it. Every week the local jjajx-rs were
searihcd for sonu,' fresh enormit}'. No one would haw.'
been at all surprised to have met him arm in arm with
Satan himself.

The local cleri^ymen were in a ver}' tr\in[^ position.
If the}' allowed this to <^<i o^i unnoticed they were con-
fessedK' niidectiiii/ their duties, and .'f thev' attacked
the offeiuler, his artisans left them empty pews and
slender purses.

'i'lie nun all liked Jamieson. 2 was p model em-

pl(;)'er who treated his workmen like fellow creatures.
Nine-tenths of the artisans of the place were his em-
jiloyees, and they would not countenance an}-thin^
which seenieil to strike a blow at their bread and
l)uttcr.

'lorn Greer, one of his princi}>al foremen, always
maintained that as Jamieson ^ave ever}-body the jjrivi-
leiu' (^f ^oiuL^ to lieaveu in his own way, lie was, in
all fairness, cnlitKil to a choice of the various routes
to hell. Like the bidk of the workmen, he believed
that his Satanic Majesty could be depended uooa to
attend to his duties as stoker without an}' promptin^:^
or coachinir on th.eir pa.t. I'^irthermore, if Jamieson
was to scorch and roast for all eternit}-, they considered
that he ouj^ht not to be moK sted liere on earth.

(Jtr.ulually the social atmosplicre be^an to change,
because people saw that instea.d of beinj^ strucl: by

GOWANfTONK

li<.;htiiln|^ or swallowed by an cartlujuak',-, llic i;. n
fuiiiuL-r fiourishcd like the proverbial <;recii b.;) tr( e.

Ai;iu)sticism bucanie respectable. It drove tlie finest
tuinout, wore the best clothes, and i^ave the bij^r..,:st din-
ners.

Then a^jain, Janiieson was noted i<,\- iii, ''^cnrrom'ty.
I'l.very tramp or inrlitrent for niin-; .iroiuid e.tuu; to re-
gard h't-; as their j)atron s.iii't.

On '..'.': occasion the Con;.^n-'';;ation:d church was sadly
in arr(arstoits i)astor, and matters were at a (h.-adlock
fmancialh', \\]\rn j.'.inieson c.une lo the rescue with a
cliecjue, ;ind turned clouds to sunshine.

'liiiswas noised about so dili;^nntly, that he- Sf)on be-
came a shinin}^ marl: for delitupicnt and impecunious
churcli connnittees. He invariabl)- boujj^ht tickets for
all t he soirees, and when his dauijhtcrs attended church,
to show off tlu'ir new dresses, the collection plati;s
always kiu*\v the difference.

Jlcnv was it possiL)le then for the i)ulpits to attack
Mr. Jamieson ? Where was the sen:-j in killin^r the
iroose that laid th.o <rnldcn c'-lt?

If the hardem d siinier could not be pcrsu ided {o s<>
curehis title to mansions on hi<.;]i, it was some satisfac-
tion to know that his dollars were foilouiim the straitdit
and narrow path to righteousness. If not th: soul,
why tnen lac shekels,

Alammon was the God of G<^\\anstonc,and Jann'eson
its proi)het. The br( ad and Ijutier interests of this
life triumph"d over the joys of th.' next.

Bigotry had its mouth closed hy i^rci'nhark};, and re-
ligious intolerance was fast becoming a thing of the
past.

One would have expected that Jann'eson would liave
been a great friend of Gordon's, and that their ii- Icio.
dox)' would have give) tliem a common ground. Hut
although people class'.,; them togethtn- in this respect,
their opinions differed as widely as night and da\-.

The iron founder was a conclus'onist. When lie
formed an opini(ni, that settled it with him, but (Jor-
don's mind was of that tvpe which is continually un-
dergoing a process of evolution.

Da\dd's sole companion was Dr. Bcnnet. one of the

IIOUSKS OF (ILASS.

(jKlcst settlers, a niaii twenty years his .senior. For
niiiiiy years the docior was viewed with «:usi)icion, not
because lie was ever known to express any lieretical
oj)ini(triS, but because lie d not i^^o io church. Once,
when asked to ^dve the reas« ,i, lie replied that Monday
was wash-da}', and before Saturday nii^ht lie was always
minus a clean shirt.

A small, active man, with a bald head, clean shaved
face, and piercinf^ i;yes. Abrupt in manner, and inci-
sive in speech, Dr. JUjnnet w.is al\va)-s ready willi a
rej)l\-, anel there wei'e few who cared to bandy words
with him.

lie never lau|.^]ied, .ind seldom smiled, and as for
wcepiuL^, v.n one had ever seen iiim shed a te.ir; in
fact, they did not believe there was such a thin<^ in his
whole anatomy.

Whether he had been disappointed in hn'e, or had
never experienced the thrill of the tender passion, no-
body knew ; but he remained in sin^de blessedness.
1 1 is entire household consisted of himself, his maiden sis-
t> r, and a little dwarf of an hostler, wh(3se name was Den-
nis. The same Dennis was rather a curiosity in his
way. Nobody knew where he came from, or who his
parents were. lie had no companions but his liorses,
and only spoke in monos\il.djles. I'\>r this reason, if
for no other, he suited the doctor's [)uri)ose admirabl)',
bein;^ the less likely to tell tales.

Tile eccentric physician and his man often drove for
weeks to^elher without exchani^injj;' a W(M-d, th()uy;h
they understood each other perfectly.

Indeed, the doctor's position in his vehicle made
conversati(jn very difficult, for he invariably occupietl
three-fourths of the seat, and sat with back to anyone
who rode with him.

One day David accompanied him on o!ie of hisxisits
to a patient, some miles away, and while /'<• was slyly
stru_Lj<;linc( for a share of the seat, the doctor was en-
larL,nn^; on the merits of a ma^^azine article. Suddenly
the wheels struck a stone.

Whether the jolt sui^gested some new train of
thouL;ht to ihe old man's mind, David could not j^uess,
but his discourse canrj to an abrupt termination, and

wi,»^'^_^..

COWANSTONF.

dui"in<,r the rest of the journey he never uttered ;i
word.

On the way b.iek, by some odd coincidence, the
buj^<^y wiieel struck the same stonCt dwd the doctor
commenced liis discourse, exactl)' uliere he had lett
off.

Sometimes lie would stop ami chat with ane gabcur
or a patient, but just as often he would pass h.s moht
intimate friend without noticinir him.

In spite of his sui)poscd want of sentiment, the doc-
tor was a very benevolent man, and never refused his
services even to the poorest. With him the prince
and the pauper received ecpial attention

The workini;- classes loved the doctor, and thouidi
they often made fun of his peculiar ways, the)- kep^ a
warm spot in their hearts for one who so often relieved
their suffcrin<;s without hope of reward.

Jf people paid their bills, well and ^■o(.)d ; if not, he
soon for^jot all a'jout it.

In spite of his lax methods of business, he L^radually
acquired considerable wealth, for he lived fruf^^all}' and
his wants were few. He had a j)eculiar analytical way
of discussin^^ even the most trivial topics, a character-
istic which followed him both in his professional and
social life.

He dearly loved to analy/.c his fcliow creatures, and
was continually or the lookout for fresh specimens.
Every character he met must be labelled, and placed
away on the shelf of his memory.

The question with hirn was, not whether the char.i'.--
ter was <^ood or bad in the ordinary sense, but whether
there were any distinctive features which he had nut
previously observed.

The more difficult and complex the human problem,
the more attraction it h.id f(jr him. A burijlar was
as interesting^ as a bisliop. Indeed^ every s[)ecimen
was welcome in his collection, save the didl and the
ordinary.

The only dissipation in which he iiululgcd was
his evenings, when he invited a variety of specimens,
and enjoyed the result of their social contact.

He was a sort of cliaiacter-chemist, who delighted

HOUSES OF GLASS.

\a inixincT social ingredients, and walcliiiv t1i(^ vaiinM';
rc.iclions wliicli took i)lacc.

1 fc noted with keen interest the attraction and rc-
pukiion whicli liuman bein;4S exerted upon each tjtlier,
just as one mignt play witli loadstone a. id nia;._net.

Some of theni would mix as gently as v.aU:r wilh
the s\rup in his couL;h mixtures, others wc^dd {■>A\n
and fi/./. like the iii!:;redients of a seidlet/ i)o\vder,
while still <jLhers would remain as distinct as oil and
water.

On Gordon, the doctor bestowed a friendship which
ver\' few enjoyed. Knowin<^ liim from his infancy,
and havint^ been familiar with the ph)-sical qualities
and surroLtndint^s of his parents, lie liad inwardl}' pre-
dicted what sort of a man David W(ndd become.

Mis expectations, so far, had been fully reali/.ed, and
consequently the youni,^ milK.-rwas an o!)ject of special
interest to him. In him, he had a living example of
the correctness of his theories.

If the good people of Gowanstone could have taken
a peej) into the doctor's specimen cabinet, they would
probably have endorsed all the labels, excepting those
upon their own backs.

The only ones we ca/! }iot^ do not estimate fairl}', arc
ourselves. In his rows of classified humanit}', the doc-
tor himself was consj)icuous by his absence.

Why was it so, when lie should have been the first?
Why? Because he was human.

CHAFTKR XIV.

"WHEN THE cat's AWAV, THE MICE WILL PLAY."

One day David came running in from the mill with
a letter in his hand, and caught his mother in his arms.

" You were right, mother, as you always are. Here's
a IcUcr from Marian, telling me that her mother has

' i>-i»»;^f _i_^

'• WIIKX TTTr CMS WVAV THE MTf'K WTI.T. ri,AV. 8q

,t?

j;onc a\vay<Mi a t'V(^ weeks' visit. To-day is Saturday,
so you can put ar ..'^tra touch on my c -liars."

II^Mvas all impatijncc dufi!T|:j the d;i\', and all fidp^cts
at ni.idit. lie C( ui 1 not sleep for thinkiuL; of her, and
\o\v^ before r">unrisc he was off.

Maiian, of cours-e, exijectetl him, but it was onl}' six
o'clock in the mornin;^, when she was awakened b\' the
sound of wiieels oi the gravel drivewa\', aiul {)eepin;.^
tliroii'di the shutters, she saw iiini t\an','- his horse to :i
post.

" 'i"hc foolish fellow, to come ro early. Why, l-.c
must liave c^ot u[) in tb.>? middle of the ni^lU."

She hurriedlv threw op a mornin;'' wr.ii)') a", nut on
a ji:nr of slippers, and ran down to o[)en the dour f^r
him.

It is only the beauty of perfect health which c.w
bear inspection rfi dt'sJiahillc, but no toilet was neces-
sary to give Marian a bri<^ht e\-e and a rosy clu-c k.

As she opened the door, the fresh mornin;^^ biccv.e
blew her thin i^fnvn ap^ainst her limbs, betrayinc; the
outlines of her liL^ure, aiid exi)osinj^ the bare ankle of
a stockiufTlt'ss foot.

The impulse to catch her in his arms was almost
irresistible, but she foresaw the possibilit}', antl eluded
his cjrasp. " 15ac!:, }-ou rascal! can't \'ou see I'm half
asleep yet and onl}- li.ilf dressed } My f;!ce is'nt even
washed yet. The idea of comin^^ so earl\-," she added
in a banterimx tone, " and havim: me come down like
a scarecrow."

" Vou d(Hi't seem to scare me," he remarked, tr)-in;;
to ;^et closer.

" It seems not," slic replied, i^cttin;:^ on the opposite
side of the kitchen stove, " but there is one offence a
lady does not readily forgive ; and that is, coming
upon her before she has lier war paint on,"

" Nonsense, Marian, \'ou don't need any cosmetics.
YoH would look lieautiful in sackcloth. War paint
indeed ! rauL;h ! 1 wouldn't give a p'n for beauty
tiiat needs burnishing. Vanity, \ anity ! '

" Ah, :di ! And what about yourself ? Why. one of
your famous countr>'nien, Rob Roy, would never be
caught without his haiu^ss."

9^ iiousr.s OK ci.Ass.

An open stairway led from ihc kitclicn to a hallway
above, and \\ hile she was talkiiiL^, she was slyly pre-
paring- for her escape. lUit her tactics were discovered
by the watchful eyes of her pursuer, and lie cauj^ht her
warm, throbbin;^ fij^ure in liis arms, just as she was
about to mount the stairs.

" h'or shame, David! let me rro. [ shall Ix- ani^ry in
a moment."

"Give me a kiss then. Just one." ami a seuflle
ensued. I lis stru'j<des, h«'Wever, were futile, for her
streni^lh ^\as almost equal to his own, aiul she was
more lithe and supple, h'inally he f;<jt her rosy face
between his hands, and was about to imprint a Iciss
upon it, when, with a sudden movement, she l.inded
h.ini on the floor, and ran ui) the stairway with a
triumphant lau;.;h.

" Serves you rii;ht,"she cried teasinj^ly, leaning over
the banister above. " (jo and <.^et )our sackcloth
now. \'ou will need it."

" I thiiik I have done penance enou;.;h already," he
replied ruefully, as he brushed the dust from his coat.

'* No, you have oid)- just commenced. \'ou've i^ot
to ^o to work a!id li.i^ht that kitchen fire 1 have halt
a notion to malve vou <Tct the breakfast.'

" So I will, if )'ou \\ill ptomise to e.it it. '

''Thanks, but I am not >et weary of life. No, }'ou
just lii;ht the fire, and while you are about it, save
some ashes for a repentant lover.'

" A humiliated or.e, \ ou mean. The idea of beiuL^
dumped on the floor is not pleasant to a llieland-
man. I think \ou mi^ht let me off now."

" \'ou for;.;et, sir, that tiie Cornish were always i^reat
wrestlers. It is a hereditary accomplishment, \e.ur
defeat was excusable though, for you've not had your
porridi^e yet."

*' Come. !^et to v/ork now, continued his tormentor.
" Tkit pe-rhaps )-ou had better put Dan in the ."-tabl.-
first ; that is, unless you are ^oing rii;ht back ;" cind
slu'ing a stray cushion at his head, she lied to her
room.

It was not lonrr before the whole house was astir,
and Marian appeared in her usual milking costume.

his

' ■ -!Ji'-4^- -

WHEN THE CAT S AWAV THE MICE Will. IM.AV

[)U
LVU

at
.11 r

Mcanuliilc 1) ivid's fire was hlaziiv.^ merrily, and she
conipliniented liini on it, rciiiarkiii^ that hi.s laily love

:ly b

e Ml ^ood luiinour

nui>t .sur<

" I li()[)e she is," he replii-d as lie followed lier into
tile yartl, where the fjroup of cattle were aw.^■iIl^J her.

"Am I not forj^iveii )-et, tlear ?" hi; asked in a re-
pentant tone. " Dot\'t be t( > hard on me. I was so
lunii^ry to sec you, and )ou looked like a peach ready
for catin<^. Can't I have a kiss )'et ?"

"What, riidit liere ? Well, only one, and ho (juick
about it," she added as she pi. iced lur stool bthind
one of her cows, and held her face U[lohun. " There,
t'lerc, now, that's sLealinc I must ('et to work aiul

no more nonsense.

How would it be, Mali}', if ^1: Gordon helped y

tonn'llc," cried h^-ed, C(»mini^ fcjrw.irtl in search of some
mischii f. He Wii> in re.ility jealous of David fnr ab-
sorbinir the attention of his sister, ai.d fell that he

d 1

ow'Ci nun a 'jfru(i"'i

" I wish I could help, it looks easy cnouj^h. I feel
certain I could do somethinj;- at it," protested Daviti.

" Very well,' replied Marian, uith roi^uishness in her
eyes. " Run in and tell Nell)- to give you a be)nnet
and an apron.'

In a few moments lie returned fully equipped for
the occasion, with hVetl and Nelly at his heels, shout-
UY^ with laui^hter.

Marian i^ave him her stool, while, kneeliui^ belli"'
him, she te ^k his hands in hers, to give him the first
lesson.

She tried again and again t^^ malcc him rro throusrh
the motions, but he was a veritable dunce.

Indeed, p')i)r JXivid scarcely knew what he was
doing, for with the pressure of her warm bust against

e was c<-)m-

him, and her breath fannin<_r his cheek, li
pletely mesmerized.

When she saw that he was really paying no atten-
tion t<3 his task, she sent a stream athwart his nose, to
the great amusement of the two spectat.),-.

" I'm afraid, instead of a milker, }-nu v. ill make a
milk sop of me," groaned David, wiping the milk fmm

ills

eyes.

I v/as-

Hut he did not finish the

i-t^f -1^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

^4.

1.0

I.I

»i IIIIIM

;'' m

IJ5 |||J4

M
1.6

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

^ m

&$"

^'^

HOUSES OF GLASS.

sentence, for a wliito stream shot into I'ls throat, and
ii his .struc'^le for Irj.itii lie fell oii the stool.

" It's a calf lie is now," roared Fred with the tears
running- do\v:i h.is clieeks, while Nelly held her sides
with laus^ditur.

" Coaic, I'll help y.'va up," said Nelly, winliing' at her
sister, and ia a moment ;i relentless l.icteal shower was
pouring down his n-ck and ears, till he was forced to
take to his heels, amid sliouts of laughter.

'• i'm not much of an astronomer," ejaculated Gor-
don, wipin[r his face in his apron, " but I ought to know
something now of the milky way. You've ruined my
collar and tie," he added ruefully."

" It's a pity about your tie," laughed Nelly. " It's a
tartan too, just as if people wouldn't know you are
Scotch, and the porridge looking out of your face."

" Indeed, I wouldn't quarrel v/ith some going into my
face this very minute," s.iid the sufferer. ** Only if I
g .'t it the way 1 g(3t the iiiilk, I'm afraid it wouldn't
iigree with me. However, it seems I can't help Marian
riny, so I '11 go and help you, Nelly, to make the porridge,
for I'm as hungry as a wolf."

After breakfast Marian broucrht some of licr fither's

neck wear and proceeded to repair Gordon's shattered
toilet. The tic was a cream silk with blue spots, and
as she carefully adjusted it, she exclaimed tlramatically,
" Now, Sir Knight, there are my colors. See that you
do credit to them."

During this pleasant operation, D.ivid experienced
the thrill which her touch always g.ive him. He was
just snatching a kiss, when Air. Halford came into the
room. Gordon v/as so eml)arrassed he did not know
v.diere to lof)k. Marian turned as red as a peon)' but
soon recovered herself.

" Good morning, father. I was just fixing Air. Gor-
don's collar," she said with a look of mock innocence.

'* Yes, I thought I heard the button snap," and they
all had a go'> I hearty laugh.

Air. Halford knew little or nothing about Gordon,
but his daughter's wishes were his. If Marian preferred
iiim, why that settled the matter, us far as he was con-
cerned.

■MUUNiHM>W«M>

don,
;rred
con-

WITEN THE CAT'S AWAY THE MICE WILL PLAV." 93

Gcrdon, on the other hand, liad never had a f ir op-
portunity of improving Mr, Halford's accjiiaintance,
and he determined to make the most of the present
occasion. After breakfast they walked over tlie farm
together, discussing crops, stock, and (^tiier common-
place topics. Fortunatel}-, David's politics suited his
host. Under the influence of a kindred feeling, their
acquaintance ripened considerably.

After a while chcy returned to the lawn in front of
the house, and there they commeiiced an animated
discussion.

It seems that in his youth Mr. Halford had been a
gre.'it cricketer, and for many years after coming to
America, had mourned the loss of his favourite game.
lie tried several times to organize a club in Levisville,
but the popular craze for baseball forced him to aban-
don the idea, and fall in vv'ith the national game.

The love of the sport had grown upon him till it be-
came a hobby ; in fact, Uncle William had been, for the
past five years, honorary president of the Levisville
Stars.

Here again was a common ground for enthusiasm.
Davitl was not only an ardent lover of the game, but
for years was an active member of one of the local
leagues. T!ie discussion had oidy coiUinued a short
time, when Fred scented game in the atmosphere, and
hurried out to take part in the discussion.

The boy fairly revelled in that freemasonry of sport,
which places youth, adolescence, and old age on an
equal footing. Often, he and his father would sit for
hours, discussing the points of a game.

Is there not a wonderful charm in thus bridging the
gulf of time ? Is it not a blessing that through all the
struggle for place and power, be\'ond all the mad race
for gold, wc still have in our hearts a spot fresh and
unsullied by the ravages of time.

The gusto with which Mr. Halford described the last
match w^s good to see. Kelly's jump for a foul;
Rosonbaum's circus catch at second: ruul Walker's
throw from deep centre, were themes that brought
forth the greatest enthusiasm.

Marian caught occasional glimpses of the trio on the

iiu .,-.ii*- —

HOUSES OF GLASS.

i.'iwn, and was dclir]:]itefl witli her father's cnrcliahtv to
David. She saw him slap Gordon on the shoulder
and i;rasp his hand.

Then Fred, who had been lying on hisstomaeli. with
his heels in the air, suddenly jumped to his feet, with
a look of surprise.

Something strange or startling had been discovered.

To satisfy her curiosity, Alarian ran to the front win-
dow, where she ct)uld hear what was being said. Her
father was speaking.

'' Two home runs off Glendcnning in one rame. I3v
the lord Harry, you must be a slugger. \Vh\', Glen
has one of the best records in America. God bless
me, man, why didn't )'ou tell me you were a ball
player ?"

" Well, I have not played at all for the past two
years, besides I never was much of a player excepting
at the bat. It was only my extra batting average that
gave me a place on the team."

"What is the real secret of batting?" cpieried the
old man.

" Simply to keep your eye on the ball. A great
many don't really see it after it gets within six or eight
feet, and they only strike where they expect it to
come."

" It ain't in the way you stand, then," said Fred., who
stood by with both mouth and cars open.

" Well, there's something in that too, and in qu;c's--
ness of motion, but the great secret is in the eye."

" It's a pity it's Sunday," murmured the boy, taking
a ball from h.is pocket, and looking at it caressingly.
Gordon had grown wonderfully in Fred's estimation.
His jealousy was sunk in the nobler sympathies of
sport.

W'itb him, no earthly potentate equalled the man
who could throw curves, or find them.

" It's no use talking, Gordon, you've simply got to
stay over for the game to-morrow," exclaimed ]\Ir.
Halford. "God bless me, man, it's for the Champion-
ship of America."

In spite of all the expostulations, however, Gordon
decided to go home, as he originally intended. He

--■i^ -^

•MttWiliilHMb

" WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY THE MICE WH.L TLAY." 9^;

would not leave his mo'lier in suspense over ni.oht for
all the jrames in the world.

At dinner Mr. Halford related to Marian how he
and rred had tried to persuade David to stay over for
the game. ^

- What ! Of course he will stay," and she gave him
a c;)axiiig look. ^

David ^yas sorely tempted, but he avoided her glance
He explamed that Ins mother would expect him, and
that he had some orders to give his foreman
_ borne strange presentiment told him that this deci-
sion would be of life-long importance. "

Often tlic most trivial circumstances affect our fu-
ture destiny, opening a new era in our lives

From the making of our toilets, to tlie meetin- of

can all look back and mark some spot where a trivial
nothing changed the current of life's events

13ut the trouble of deciding in this case was taken
out ot his hands by an imperious young lady. - Fre(i
you saddle a horse and go to the station operator with
a message. Nelly, get Mr. Gordon some paper and a
pencil to vvrite his telegram. Mr. Gordon^lon't spare

it off T'.t '' '^^' ''''^'".^^ ^^^^"^ ^^P^^^'t- ^Ve-11 hu?ry
It off so that your mother will get some one to stay
with her to-night. Hurry, Fred, get your horVi and
be sure to pay for a special delivery "

sticl^T Jn. ^^^ ^^"^'^"^ ^^'' ^^^^^''^^' "y°" c^n't
suck Marian. She can outgeneral us alL"

And so It was settled.

.*^:1 s^

LJO

HOUSES OF GLASS.

CHAPTER XV.

\ I.UCKV HIT.

In spite of all tliat may be said Uj the contrary, in
spite of all the evil I'lssociations which maybe incident-
ally attached to it, there cannot be any doubt that
true si)orL, genuine sport, has a wholesome effect on
the human mind.

That it supplies opportunities for gambling and dis-
honesty is c[uitc true, that it has often led indirectly
to moral, ph}'sical, and financial suicide, caniiot be dis-
puted ; but surely this is not the fault of sport itself.
As well mi;4ht we condemn tlie medicinal use of liquor,
because drunkenness still exists.

In spite of the disrepute of the turf, there are still
thousands of the best people in the world who con-
tinue to enjoy th.e races. There is something inspiring
in ti.ose exhibitions of the power and speed of the
noblest of the lower animals, and n(^t even the pres-
ence of bookies and ring toughs prevents the attend-
ance of culture and refinement.

Athletic games, however, arc admittea by the most
prudish to be comparatively free from the gambling
clement which f(jllows the turf. A (juoit field or a
curling rink is considered a legitimate pi. ice for a
gentleman ; a spot where the freshness and buoyancy
of youth is renewed ; where mirth and gladness warm
the hearts of grey-haired boys. Even a clerg)-m:in
may appear in a cricket field without loss of caste.
Indeed, if he excels in the game, it ratlier adds to his
popularity.

In America there is no dissenting voice in classing
baseball as the greatest game on earth. In fact, to
speak disparagingly of it is a mild sort of heresy.

7\11 throufih tile forenoon, the j/ood town of Levis-
ville showed signs of suppressed excitement. Every
incoming train deposited its cargo of spectators, and
on every street corner v/erc knots of people discuss^

A LUCKY HIT.

ling
r a
t)!" a
!icy
.rm
i;in

his

;ing
I, to

Ivis-

cry

Unci

USS"

ins^ tlic possibility of the cominc^ contest. Bulletin
boards in front of the newspaper offices announced
that the i^rcat struj^gle for the championship was to
commence at 2 I'.M.

Ih'oadview itself was full of expectancy. Mr. Ilal-
ford and his ruest did nothincT all forenoon but discuss
baseball, while Fred, with bo}-ish ea;^erness, ppcked
some lunch in a paper b.ig and started on horseback
for the seat of war. I\Tarian, who took little interest in
tlie L^amc, insisted on remainin;j^ at liome to kee}) house
aiid have tea ready for their return. Nell\- w:is quite
an enthusiast ever the sport, but preferred to deny
herself the pleasure of v/atchinc;' the g"amc, to leaving
her sister alone.

David and Mr. Ilalford started in rood time, but
before they reached the rrouncis th(^ gratid stand was
packed. Uncle William's prestige, however, as presi-
dent, preserved for him and his guest a seat immedi-
ately behind the netting known as th.e bacl: stoo.

The home team were dressed in white uniforms v/ith
red stars on the breasts of their sweaters, while the
Crescents were in blue. V/hcn the Stars made tlieir
appearance, a tremendous sh.out of applause greeted
tliem. The ''big wig " forgot his dignity, the stately
dame her pose, the blooming belle her beauty, and the
withered spinster her austerity. Boys and girls,
}'oung and old, rich and poor, all shouted themselves
hoarse for their favourites. Even tliieves and pick-
pockets forgot their cunning, and joined in chorus
with policemen and judges. Self, or selfish interest
was forgotten, jealousy and hate were laid aside, and
for a time this motley crowd became a common fra-
tcrnit}'.

There was the usual delay at the outset, broken by
shouts and catcalls from the bleachers. Impecunious
urchins ornamented every telegraph pole or other
point of vantage where they could steal a look at the
game. Clinging to their perches, they could defy all
and sundry, including the fat policeman, whom they
kept in hot water by their repeated invitations to
"hurry up.' " IMay ball there ! what's eating }-ou !"
and similar salutes came from these aerial outposts,

e)8 HOUSES OF CI, ASS.

wViilc the rythmic trainp, tramp, tramp of a thousand
feet, showed th.it expectation was at fever heat.

Finally, the Stars took the field. Denipsey, the
homr piulur stepped into his place and the umpire,
in stentorian voice, shouted, " I'lay Ball !"

Tlie first five innin<.;s on each side were very un-
cventfid. The fjame, so far, was crrorU.ss, and thoui^h
neither team had scored it was plain to all that the
visitors liad the ach-'tntaL^e.

Several of the blue jackets had liit Dempscy freely,
and came within an ace of scorin<^, but the Stars had
been nearly all sl;ui<^!itered in the striker's box. The
home team were tloini^ splendid fieldin^^, but they could
not hit Carcy'stortuous balls. One after another they
were retired with monotonous re<4ularity, till " three
strikes and out," became a continuous song. Only
two of their men, lirooks and Donelly, had ever touched
his curves or reached first base, and the errand stand
was in ai;ony. How they hated the villain Carey. The
Ladies detested "the ugly, bow-legged thing." In
spite of the p<^lice, apple cores and banana peels were
firud at him from the crowd, and a blossoming tele-
graph pole inquired of the redoubtable twirler if his
nether iTarments had to be cut out with a circular saw?
Ihit all this did not " rattle " tlie renowned wizard of
the diamond. lie would stand for a moment smiling
fiendishly at his victim, or winking at the bleachers,
then suddenly, as if by magic, his arm would swing
from his side, and the ball in its spiral spin, would flash
past the batter and land with a smack in the catcher's
mit. In the seventh inning, and in f/K^'r last- the visi-
tors managed to score, but up to their last turn at the
bat, not a single Star had ever crossed the plate.

The strain was something terrible. *' Damn that
villain, Carey! Can nobody hit him?" groaned Uncle
William.

" I think I could hit him," said Gordon. " I haven't
touched a bat in two years, but I have been studying
his delivery, and I understand the signs that he makes
to the catcher."

"That's all right," retorted the old man, peevishly,

-i

that
nclc

A T.TTKV TTHc

"but that won't save the f^amc. We've Just prot to sit
here and .'buffer. \\ li\-, it's awful I"

Justalx'ut thistiniean untoward accident li ippened,
which made matters e\en worse for the Stars, t'arey,
wlio was battini:^, hit sliort, but he ran hke an Indian,
and in order to pr(-vent his beini;- thrcnvn out, lie sent
his head full tilt aj^ainst the first basemaii's stomach,
knockini^ him stMiseless. IN^ir l'ro(<ks had to \>r car-
ried off the field, but the crowd luul tlie salisfaclion (jf
hearinp^ Carey called '• (nit."

All hope was, of course. i:j<'nc. Th.e score stood two
to nothinL,^ in favour of the Crescent.-, ^\:th one of the
home team's best batters disabled. *' The thin;^ is im-
j)ossible. The L^ame is <;"one," said maiu' who w ( re
about to leave the grounds, when something unusual
cau<.,dit their attention.

Uncle William was running towards. IManagcr Tracy
of the Stars, shouting and calling like mad. The gene-
ral impression was tliat the excitement had been too
much for the old man, and that he had taken leave of
his senses. Out of curiosity, however, they would wait
and sec what he was about. The heme team had to
select a new man in Brooks' place, and Tracy was
about to call out the name, when Uncle William
caught him by the arm and dragged him apart. Pant-
ing for breath and pale with excitemeiit, the old man
could scarcely speak. " I've got — man — re gular slugger
• — put him on." The manager smiled sadl)% and shook
his head. *' Greenhorns are no use here, Uncle Wil-
liam !"

"Greenhorn be — hanged. This (cllow— knocked — •
home runs — off Glendenning in one — game. lie's —
been — watching Carey's curves — all — afternoon."

Tracy gave a low whistle, and shut one eye. " By
gad ! we'll risk him. Keep mum, though."

"Come, Tracy, trot out your man, and let us fmisli
the slaughter!" shouted Humphreys of the Crescents.

" Gorclon is the man."

" Easy now, this name is Gregory I' '

"The name is wrongly spelled," replied Tracy,
calmly. " He'll be ready in a minute."

"Looks like a plant, Reggy, my boy!" growled

lUO

iiouRi:^' or CI, AS?;,

llumplirc}':^. "Your men must be as bad u-ith the
pencil as the stick ! Ikit never mind, trot him out. you
can't lilav rinvers on me. I </ues.s I know everv pro-
fessional ball pkiyer in this countr)'."

Meantime tli(U'e was a c^reat commotion on the r^rand
stand. " W^hat's up now?" " Tiiey're takini,^ some-
body off the stand !" " l^y Georc,'e,tiiey're !.^"<»inL!^ to play

doth

Yes, they're

the fellow wi;!i the rrey ci
brin;.nn!T him out !"

Till.' kno\viii;4" ones o-uess(.'d that Uncle Wi'liam had
a card up his sleeve, and winked at the crowd to keep
mum. David saw that resistance \\'ould spoil all, so he
jumped over the railinc^, and shed hih: coat, vc.-;t and
boots. Uncle William was so excited that he did not
wait to roll up Gordon's sleeves, but, with a jackd<nife,
cut; and t(^re them from ihe shoulders, amidst the
lau<;hter of the crowd.

But the audience had little faith in tlic new man ;
for his arms were white as milk. llumi)hreys lookcil
him over, and laughed. " Yes, you can have him and
welcome !"

liefore goinp^ to bat for the last time, the Stars lield
a short cotisultation as to the best method of findin;_j
Carey's curves. David told them what he had learned
by continual watching, and warned them of the nature
of tlie sigiials.

The very first man who went to bat made a scratch
lilt and got safcl}' to " first." The next got his base
on " balls." The spirits of thecrowd began to rise, for
Donclly, the heavy hitter, came next, and if he hit hard,
he miglit probably bring in the other two, and tluis tie
the score. Cries of, "Smash it, Jimmie!" " Ih'ing
them in !" came from the bleachers, but alas, poor
Jimmie ticked a foul, which landed in the catcher's
mit, amid the groans of the spectators, and one man was
out. A number of visitors, who were in sympathy with
tlie Crescents and who were assembled at one corner
of the grand stand, here rose to their feet and gave
" three cheers for Corkscrew Carey, the wizard of the
Diamond." The next batter retired on three strikes.
All hope was lost. '* Gordon to bat," shouted the
scorer, as David stepped forward to meet his fate.

A TAICKY HTT.

101

With his trousers rolled up above his anklrs, his siis-
neiidcr.s ti<^d al)()ut his w ist, ;mi(1 the remains of his
sliirt sleeve;; tlaiit^lin^^ from his shoulders, he formed .an
odd contrast to tiie pla)-ers in uniform. He created
quite a smsation, drawinq' d; !isi\e hoots from the
fl(iq?itrs of the Crescents. To calm Iiis excitement he
took some time in stdectin.;^ a bat. " Take a fence

) board," shouted Carey with a l;n!;.;h. " Jas})er wants a

.' rail!" liut David was too old a p!a>-er to let si-ch

I salutes aii;ioy him ; he pretended n<>t to ncUice tliem.

- Tlie moment his feet w. re in tlie striker's bo.\ the
ball flew past him, and the umpire sinaited " Strilce
om; !" Tracy here protestetl on the lyrounds of illei^al
delivery, but his claim was disallowed. " l^all one 1"
as David dodgetl his head to miss one that v>hizzed
past his car and was calculated to intimidate him.
*' i^all two !" as the dust flew on tiie plat^', and tb.e
crowd shouted, " Good eye, okl man I" " Ball three!"
brought a cheer.

Carey began to feci puzzdcd. He had calculated
that the new man would be an eaf.y victim. All the
other batters stood sidi-wise to him, sto(>ping slii^htly
over the plate, but Gordon stood straight as a statue,
facing his antagonist with his bat on his right shoulder.
In order to gain time, and restore his confidence, the
pitcher now resorted to that dramatic sort of by-play
so often used to intimidate the bp.tter, and dec<)\' the
unwary base runner. Marching up to tlie batsman he
looked him carefully up and down, ostensibly to see if
he was in his legal position. David still stood like a

, statue, with his hair straight up from his forehead, and
only smiled at the inspection. During thehusli which
momentarily passed over the crowd, an urchin a; tride
a crossbar in mid-air cried, " Take a good k^.ok, old man.
That's goose egg Gordon." This salute brought down

, the house, and David's hearty laugh brought back all

; his usual selfconlidence.

Perhaps we'd better get him a balloon," suggested

a re v.

Not necessary," replied David, " the ball will d

me. Tut it over the plate if you dare !'

I02

HOUSES 01' (.LASS.

Those wlio heard Gordon's reply p^avc a cheer, and
the crossbar shouted, " Corky's cake is doui;li !

The j)iteher tlien held a short consultation wiiJi the
first baseman, and to further keep the batter in sus-
pense he tlirew the ball around the bases. Then, as
suddetdy as the rules would permit, he spran^r into his
position and sent the ball whirliuL; towards tlie plate.
The umi)ire was about to call, " Strike two !"' when
suddenl}' the lonc,^ bat Hashed throui^h the air, and
away went the ball towartls the blue sky, landing just
inside the ri^lit field fence. The pent-up enthusi.ism,
broke loose. The air was rent with cheers and \ells,
as Gordon ran liis bases and brought in the two Stars.
But stop, look ! l(^ok ! Gordon has not yet reached
third base, and Willcs, the lon^-thrower of the Cres-
cents, is almost upon the ball. "Go down, Gordon,
^o down, c^o down ! Run, run, fly !" shouted the
crowd, wrinij;in_Gf its hands. "Two to one he don't get
there!" shouted Humphreys. A hundred handfuls of
j^reenbacks were shaken in the air, while men tumbled
over each other to take the bet. The audience rose in
a mass with clenchetl hands and bated breath, women
trembled and fainted, and boys with bullying eyes,
scrambled and fought their way to the shoulders of
the seething mass. Gordon must reach home before
the ball, or the pennant is lost. "Quick, quick!"
shouted Tracy, " hand him a wet sponge, he begins to
iStvmible. Keep back ! Keep back ! Give him air !
Let Bolter run him in. Steady, Jim ! Don't crowd
him or he'll fall ! Good boy, Gordon, make ready for
your slide ! There's a thousand dollars at the plate !"
Heavens ! the ball is coming like a rocket. In a sec-
ond it will reach the pitcher. " Keep back !" shouted
the umpire, running towards the goal, as the great
mob swayed to and fro with excitement. Look, he's
almost there, but the pitcher wheels, and the ball is
flying towards the " blue jacket " at the plate. " Hea-
vens ! he has "fallen, and all is lost!" A moan of an-
gu'-h swept the vast assembly. No, no. he has the
fraction of a second left. W'itli a convulsive move-
ment the fallen man throws himself toward the stone
slab, and when the catcher with the ball in his hands

c
c

a
a

n
L

e
i\
tl

(11

An'KKMATir.

103

• ilijijhts on tho f.-it(,fiil square, the fingers of Gordcm's
ri'flit li.'uul are under his feet.

Never did eleetric button or train of inuipowder ex-
plode such a volley of sound as went u[) frotn ten
thousant.1 throats.

They did not wait for the um{)ire's stentorian shout,
of *' Safe." The crushed fini^ers were eufnij^h. The
mob went mad with joy. Hats, canes, and l)ou(|uets '
filled the air, atid exultant sj)ectatoi-:-, stumbled over
each other to c.;et another look at the victor. I lark !
There ^o the city chimes. The shouts of victor)- have
been heard from afar. Tower after tower clani^ed
forth its sonf^ of <^ladncss. Locomotives screeched,
whistles blew, .md the biij f^un on tlie hill added its
deafeninf^ boom to the c:jreat chorus, for the Levisville
Stars were Champions of America.

CI I APT KR XVL

AFTEkMATlL

, r

ca-

ne
ids

When Gordon recovered from his momentary loss
of consciousness, he was being carried on the shoulders
of the mob, who with songs and shouts were moving
in procession towards the heart of the city.

" Where's the old man? Let's elevate him," and in .,
a few moments, Mr. Halford's form was also in mid-
air.

He w\is still swinging his top hat, and shouting like
mad, wliile tears of joy were running clown his cheeks.
Down through the main streets went the mob, carrying
everything before them in their wild enthusiasm, till
finally they deposited their cai)tives on the balcony of
the city hall, and called on them for a speech.

Gordon thanked the crowd for their appreciation of
his efforts, but explained that probably it was only his
luck, and not his skill, which won the game.

^(P

!04

HOUSF.S OF GT.Af.S.

Tills i^tatcmcnt brout^ht shouts (jf ** No, no I' fr( m
(.:vLr\' viu.irlcr, and f(;r the sal;c of peace l.^: j.avi lo
(jiiahf)' it. ilc then paiti a trilnitc to the ahno.-^t error-
less phi)'ini^ of hoth teams, euh)i;i/,e(l the iini[)ire's f.iir-
iiess, and conchided by telhn;^^ tlieni that, before to-
niorrcnv's sun set, the name of Levisviile wouhl be
heard throu'j:hout the leni'"tli and breadth of America.

Uncle W'ihiam started several times with, " (Gentle-
men antl fellow citizens," but c:)ul(l t.^et no further.

" It's no use, boys," he exclain^ied, wiping; the mois-
ture from his eves; '' I can't talk."

Tills broui^dit three cheers for Uncle \\'llllam, and
cries of, " lie's all ri;_;ht."

Just as the croud was dlspersin;.^, the ma}-or and
some })rominent nn'mbers of the cit)' council swooped
down u])on the luuv illustrious pair.

" We'll have bands, fireworks and torchlic^ht proces-
sions," shouted Ma}'or Harrison, whose tongue with
its lightnin<.T rapidity usually created a fcclinL^ of dizzi-
ness. "A banquet {or the bo\'s, with you two as
honored i^uests. What! no clothes, eh ?" he exclaimed
lookiiiL'- at David's h.aif-dressed condition. "Amler-
son, you bolt for Dunlap's. Dress suit and hat for to-
ri'c^ht, remember. Xo c'nenp John b(^tch, but a Fifth
Avenue outnt. Skip, no\r, and brini,^ the cutter
here.

" Pretty sore fini^crs. eh ? Look, Dennison, tliere's
Dr. Meldrum. Call him up.

'• What I your watch i:[one, too } Well, never mind.
\\y the liviuL;', we"ll f::^et you one as bli;' as an eight-tlay
clock. Rendal, snatch that telephone antl call up
Grant, the jeweller. J^)' ]o\'q., there's Webster ! Very
m<in I w.mt to see. Say, Dave, you've got to put up
the lush to-night and no misLake. See to it, now, or
by the jumping Jehosaphat, we'll massacre you. No
bank barn business, but the real ^McCoy, with all the
fixings, music and all. And say, Dave, look here, no
cold tea, but stut'f that's fit to put down a white man'3
neck. Keep moving! Hello ! Is that you, Grant?
Well, get your skates on. I5c:.t ticker In the shanty
there, and have some engraving done. Yes, of course,

:lic

AI'i'Ek.vlATH.

iU'

Tv^ht away, now. What do you take us for ? A.i ox-
tcain ?

"What to i)ut 0:1 it? Oh, yes. Sa}', Gordon, what
the devil is your (/Ju.r name ? All ri;.;ht I

"Hello, Grant! Put on it, ' City'of Levisville to
D. Gordon. I'lay Ivdl.' Ca[)ital B. of course. Yes.
Wait a minute. Say, Jenkins, vhere have yon been
huling yourselt .^ ]5y the powers of dynamite, if you
don't f^et around and look after the toot-horns, and
fu'e-crackers, wx^'ll build a fire under }(ni. Seoot now !

"Hello, Grant! Hustle there, now, if you want
to die a natural death. Yes, the date, of course, and
a bii^ star. Chain? Why, yes. F.verythin;^ t^oes, and
a seal as hh^ as a walnut. Mxpen^e ? Good heavens !
we're no Sheeiieys. Look here, Scotty, this ain't
Aberdeen. This ain't no ten cent town, and ^vhen
we take snuff everybody's ^(jt to sneeze. See ?"

Marian and Nellie had just finished their milkinc^
that eveninj^^ when Fred came galloping' alont^ like the
wind, swinL,nn<T something over his head.

The ckmging of the city bells had given them the
news of victory, but they little thought that their
father or Gordon had anything to do with it. At first
sight, they did not recognize in Fred's banner David's
coat and vest, but when he got lialf way up the lane
A^arian r>pied a fam.iliar handkerchief hanging from
one of the pockets. Fcjr a moment she felt dizzy, but
tlie look of exultation on the boy's face reassured
her

" In the name of God, what's wrong ?" Tl:e only
answer was another cheer and another swing of the
coat.

In a moment Tvlarian w-is at the liorse's head. Grasj)-
ing the bridle in one hand slie [)ulled the rider off \\-ilh
the other.

" You young rascal, if you don't tell me at once, I'll
twist your ears off. Give me that," and she snatched
the garments from his hand. " What's wrong ? Do
you hear?" she cried, giving him a preliminary shake.

" IJlame it all, there's nuthin' \^- )ng," replied Fred,
sulkily, "the boys won the game.'

Ta6

TiousMs OK (;r,.\ss.

*' Wc kihiw tliat aliwul)'. I suDjKi'-.c yni v-ouhin't
care if cxtix l)n(ly \Nas l^illnl so l»)n;.( as )-(iur s'Mc \\ni\.
Is Mr. (iiM'tloii liurl ?" slu- (liMiiaiulciI as she j','.i/.c(l at
tlic soih'il and trampled clolhiiiL^

"No, it was F)i-()()ks ;';ot Inirt, and Da\-'d look his
place. (iei\ \\diiz, }"ou'd on;.;hter seen Jiim swijie
Carey," lie added witli a l)i;rst ( f cMilhusiasm. "lie
nearly pounded him out of the lot. IJ.ivid's fm^crs is
a little bruised, Dial's .dl."

" lie was riL;IUiii;.^ then," she exclaimed in horrified
tones, \\liile lier two com[)anions burst into a fit of
l.iui^hter.

" S.i\', IMally. you're ^jreeiXM-'n ^n-ass. ^'ou■d oii<_;ht
to i)C ash.mu'd if }'ou d<Mi't know niore'n th.it. lie
w.is lda\'ini; b ill. don't 1 tell you, in Hi()e)ks's place, and
he pl.i}-ed for k i-ps too. Nell knows wh.it I mean.
Don't you, Nell ?" he continued, turniiu^ to his \-oun^er
sister, who inherited her father's love (.)f s[)ort, and
who untlerst(~)(Hl the lani;uaL^e of the diamond,

" Tie that horse uj) and tell me all about it," ex-
ckiimed lAIarian. " l<.einenibcr, no ball slanij, but plain
English."

Fred started to tell the stor}', 1'ut paused to drai^
from his pockets a pair of tattered shirt sleeves and a
w.itch.

" What in the name of conscience have you f^ot
there ?" she asked, catchinij^ the torn linen.

" Well, them's his sleex'cs, of course. \'ou know
])a.l was in such a hurr\' he just cut and tore them
off."

" Surely father and David must have taken leave of
their senses. Such sjoinLTs on I never heard of. It's a
good thin;^ you L;<^t the sleeves, for those are valuable
sleevi: l)uttons. The watch v\as his father's. Novv' go
oii V. ilh }-our story and no more interruptions."

When I'red commencctl his narrative, Marian was
seated on a niilkini^-stool and he stood beside lier, but
before he f^ot half way through he was sitting on her
knee with 'is arms around her.

" So Ca ey couldn't scare him," she repeated as she
gave him a squeeze.

AI'IKKMATII.

107

lus

iUlJ

dracj

"No, sirrcc. He dared Carey to put it over tlie
plate, and then Dad cheered like' sixty."

" I wonder if he lost his necktie," she asked as she
took the buttons from the empty sleeves.

" That one of Dad's, you mean ?"

" \'es, the one with the blue spots."

" No, he didn't, 'cause I niitul of it blowinr^ round
Ids neck when he was ruinnn'." I'"red wondered why
liis sistei crave him such a hui^ just then, but lie did
not ask any (piestions, for he dearly loved her cares.ses
and often asked to sit on her knee.'

"What will lAlr. Cordon do without his clothes?"
asked Nellv.

" Dear me, he 7C'i7/ \)c in a terrilde pliidit," responded
Marian. " J think I shall clean them u"p, and you can
take them back, kred."

''Well, you don't have to, for Bill HInks, what
sweeps out the city hall, told me that Mayor Harrison
was ^<;om' to rii^^ David out all new. He said for me
to take the clothes home. They're ^^oin' to have abi^
blow-out, with fireworks and cverythinj,^ and they all
saul that (iordou and Dad would own the town to-
ni-lit. Woii't you -o in, Mally, and sec the fire-
works?

*' No dear, 1 think Til stay at home, but you can
take Nelly with you."

Vol- a loni^r time after they had ^onc, Marian sat out
on the verandah and watched the rockets shootinrr into
the sky. She was proud of her lover to-nioht, and why
should she not be ? She loved coura-e, and if Fred's
account were true. David had proven liimself as brave-
as a hon. " He did do credit to my colours. He did
no^ part with. them. I believe I love him more than
ever.

In spite of all this, however, slie felt ^doomy and low-
spirited. A dread lest somethin^r should happen her
father destroyed the pleasure which otherwise she
would have felt.

For many years he had not touched licjuor of any
kind, but she was afraid that the excitement and con-
viviality would be too much for him.

About eleven o'clock, her brother and sister re-

io8

HOUSES OF CI. ASS

turned, but s!ie could larn nothing 'rom tliom to re-
lieve her uneasiness. Tliev had no <'j)|u)rtiinity <^f
speakini^ lo Ihcir father or David, who ua-re on a bal-
conv aihlri's^iu" the erowal. 'I'h'/ last they saw of
theni was w hi.ii the ina}-or presented David witli a !.;oKl
watcli. Then there was nothiUj^^ but bands and fire-
wa)rks.

Her anxiety increased more rapidlywlien the family
had i;one to bed, when the house became wrapt in
silence.

She walki'd to and from the i^atc a score of tinK-s.
She cleancal her lover's eoat and vest. She wetit over
to the stable to t-ive Dan an extra feed, knowim^ that
(Gordon would start for home as soon as he could. She
jiolislied her tinware in the kitchen, autl had the table
sj>rea.d, ready to f;ive tluan a hmeh. Twadve o'clock — •
one — two — said the pitiless time-piece (ui the mantle,
while to m.ilse matters worse a thuntler storm was
brewinir in the west. At List, when wearv with wait-
ini^. and worn out with suspense, she heard the welcome
rumble of w heels on the lmmv^.-I.

As she opened tlie sitle door the li;-;"ht fell dirc^ctly
on the vehicle, and i)oor Marian saw at once tii.it her
fears were onl}' too well i^rounded.

With the rei'.is in his bandaLietl haiul, Gordon was
supportini:^ with the other the colla[)sed autl almost
prostrate form of her father.

"Tie the horse ior m^^ dear, and then call Watson.
This is no siyjht for )'ou," said David in a low voice, as
he drove cK)se to the door.

She shook her head sadly, while the tears streamed
from her eyes, but she never spoke. She tied the horse,
while David steadied the unconscious man and lifted
him from the vehicle. She motioned David to take
her father by the feet, while she lifted him by the
slioulders. Then they carried him into the house and
laid him on a lount^e in the parlour, when she ran for
cushions and pillows to make him comfortable for tlie
night.

" Marian," said David solemnly, " not for all the
games or glory in the wond would I willingly have
brought this grief upon you T was ashamed to bring

■H

AFTERMATH.

109

-u,.

him home to 3-0,1 in this pli-ht ; it took all my coma-"--
to d.) It. As soon as ! .yot an inlJin-.^ of his condition
] took ]i;m away to a private room in tli./ h-.pcs that a
sleep wonlci revive iiini. 1 would have ;;i ven t iiat liand "
lie continued, lioldinj^r out his banda-^l-d memher, " to
have spared you this pain, i .r<,t a doctor to see'liim
and waited till I could wait no lonj^cr, hopincr tjiat lu'
would be al)le to come houK; iii liis 'senses. ?)<irlin'%"
lie went on, droppin;^r on his knee before her, and r'ev-
erently kissinj.;- her hand, " Tor-ive me for my thought-
lessness." "

She leaned over an<i la'sscd his forehead. " It was

not your fault, ^^>u knew nothin<,r of his weakness.

V/.ts he like this befon: tlu> winkle assembly?"

^^ " No, dear, he was talkinir .-md lau<^diin'.'- wli'^n I

coaxed him out. Nobody knows anythin<;\-;bf)ut it

I txceptinj^r the care-Laker, wlio helped me to'brinf him

^ out the back way."

'• You don't think there will be anythin- in tlie papers
, about his conditio, 1? If wc can oidyleep it from

I mother. ^She is so fond of reading tiie- papers."

" I don't think there is any dan^^er, jMarian. All the

newspaper men and half the company were in the

same ph-dit. Jones, tlie wit of tlie S(aii<kird, had a

fellow proppini^r hUn up as he icn>k down his notes. It

_ was cliampa:.:ne, and t!i.'\- drank it like water. No

I dear, newspaper men, witii all their Bohemianism are

* (gentlemen, who would consider anythin- of that kind

f^i/ra dig-. A^obh'sst' odlixr.'

Marian sat bathin;,^ h'er father's head witli eau-de-
coIo<rne, occasionally h(jldin<,r a bottle of smellinr
salts to his nostrils.

i ■ ''Won't you call Watson and let us put him to

bed ?"

'• No, David, I shall not allow any one to sec him till
I he IS himself ai(ain. Poor Nelly and Fred would be

I broken hearted if they saw him in this state "

r She kissed the sleepinjr man's face with exquisite

I tenderness. " I must cover up his faults as he would

I miae. Wc all have some weakness, vice, or imperfec-

I tion, and I suppose this is his."

" Yes, I suppose so," responded David with a siVh.

HOUSES OF GLASS.

Dr. Rennet maintains that we all have a " pane out/
that the difference is in its bein<x seen. But now I
must go, dear, for I hear the thunder coming nearer."

" A/usl you go, David !"

"Yes, I have given my word, and that means go
every time ! I wired mother not to worry, if I was
late, but that I would be home before morning. I hate
to break my word. '\ person had nearly as well break
liis neck. If a man's word cannot be depended on, what
does he amount to .^"

When David sat in his rig at the door, ready to start,
and Marian kissed him good bye he tasted the salt
drops on her cheek.

" Don't cry, darling," he said in a low soft whisper,
kissing away her tears, " he will be all right in the
morning. Good night." He had only gone a few
yards down the lane, when she called him again
through the darkness.

Her voice trembled as she spoke. She was thankful
that he could not see her face. " Did he say anything
bad or out of place," she inquired.

*' No, dear, nothing coarse or vulgar. I don't think

there is anything low in him. But " and here the

speaker hesitated, " in reply to a toast he told the
assembly that I was his future son-in-law."

At that instant there was a sharp peal of thunder
followed by a great dash of rain, and Dan, full of im-
patience, sped down the lane into the black night.

A vivid flash of lightning gave them a glimpse of each
other, as David turned into the highway.

She was leaning against the wall in the shelter of the
verandah, with a face like marble, while he stood up
in the pouring rain, throwing her a kiss and waving in
his wounded hand the blue bpotted necktie.

s:i|

dii

«pii

msm

A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE.

Ill

CHAPTER XVII.

lit

iach

A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE.

Ten or eleven days after the events narrated ii"! the
last chapter, Mrs. Malfcrd was seated in the mornin^^
i express, en route for liome.

1 For the space of two weeks she had been free from

^ the cares of business, and she felt revived and streiu^th-

f ened by her holiday.

She had a good appetite, a vigorous digestion, and
slept soundly at night.

These are, after all, the very pillars of happiness and
contentment. It is the man with weak digestion who
lias quahns of conscience, and gloomy forebodings.
_ Periiaps had Mrs. Halford bc'en a confirmed dyspep-
tic, she might have had some presentiment ot the
trouble in store for her.

Or had she possessed the fondness for her daughter
which some mothers have, she v/ould probably liave
dreamt about her.

Many a fond mother's dream has seemed to give a
forecast of fate, has forestalled the news of trouble,
sickness or death among the loved ones.

We arc accustomed to smile at such things, but who
knows how far it is possible for sensitive organizations
to be affected by the events and circumsrances sur-
rounding those near and dear to them? May there
not, after all, be some reasonable explanation of those
things which arc now either considered as

or set down as mere coincidences ?

supernatura

cnnvj-

In these days, when pnimal magnetism is op
such wide fields of investigation, are there not thou"
•sands of possibilities, as yet unheard of ? Why should

dist

ance debar currents of animal magnetism, a

ny more

than It does electricity in its popular form? Does it
not seem possible tliat, when two human creatures h

ave
mos-

a powerful attraction for each other, the at

phere may be used as a medium, just as ordinary elec-

112

HOUSES OF CLASS.

tricity uses the wire ? I:: not the earth itself a hu<:^e
magnet? May not the x^vy c,rou!i(l we Uvad upon
conviy the; eleetricity of human beini^s?

May it not. after all, be a question of tlie stren^rth of
animal currents measured by affection, and modified
b)' sex ?

Truly may we say \vith Ilamlet:

"There are more thini.ys in heaven and earth, Hora-
tio, than are dre.unt of in our philosophy."

Whether she lacked in affection or sensitiveness,
TMrs. Halford had certainly no forcbodinf^s.

She had only received oiie letter durinL,^ her absence,
and at the time it seem "d r.ilhcr unsatisfactor\', but
she had not tliouj^ht of it since. She had also been
out of the reach of a daily newspaper. She knew
nothing of what w.is going on at liume, but she was
satisfied that no news \vas good news. On the previ-
ous night she dreamt that the big barn w;is on fire,
and though she awoke in a great fright, she was not
at all fanciful, and she attributed her dream to errors
in diet.

At present she was quietly contemplating tlie fleet-
ing fields through the car window, comparing them
Avith her own broad acres at home.

Nothing she had ever seen in her travels equalled
the sloping fields of Ih'oadview. She inwardl)' con-
gratulated herself on her good fortune and prosperity.

y\s she drew nearer home her mind became more
and more infused with business calculations. Rent,
interest, and mortgages required her attention ; be-
sides, there were changes and improvemeiits to make.
Thank goodness, she had no household duties to
worry her. Marian could be depended on for that.
Her former responsibilities connected with the dairy
had also been assumed by her daughter, leaving her
mind free to cope with her larger business interests.

She began to feel tired and drowsy. Like many
others she wondered wl^y it w;is that a few hours on
a railway train exhausted lierso much.

Who has not experienced that samu feeling ? How
often do we see the participants in a pleasure excur-

;

A DISACREKABLE SUKI'IUSi;.

I I

siou lookfncr as ^r]oomy as pall hcan-r-;? Do wc imt
often need a holiday most just afu-r takin.r one ?

Is It had ventilation, the nois., the ni.ition, or is it
from the conilictin.ir currents of attraction and repuU
sion which stranc^ers exert upnn eae'.; other.

Thesamc exliaustioii may be n..{ieed aft.T soci d
C]:atherm-s, where the presence of a certain iiMli-i'iu-I
will destroy all our pleasure and -ive us the kind (,f
feelinc,^ we experience when we find flies in our ^oun

Layincr aside all this, however, tliere secns tn ['c
another disacrreeahle feature in travel from whuh there
is no protection, and wiiich we must suffer in i)-itienr'«
viz., the travellincr bore, the a, iduous creature who

infests railway carria-es, and inOicts himself unon a suf-
tering- public.

Anxious to attract attention, tliev invariably talk in
loud, ively t(jnes, in order to convey to all the iir.prcs-
sion that the real importance of life is cen.tred in them
Any one who does not know .V/rw, uv is not co<n:i/ant
of ///.vr affairs, is I'n the most pitiable darkness, and
out of charity they are in duty bound to let people
know who they are.

Mrs. Halford, sittinrr with her eyes half closed did
not notice a dapper little man who strutted into the
car with ^grandiloquent air and slammed the door be-
hind him. while his eye roamed over the seats in search
o( tresh victims.

Mr Reid asmall dry -oods dealer from Levisville
was fairly shinin- with etiquette and peanut polite-

ness. ^

As soon ^as he discovered ?.Irs. Ilalford his face
wreathed with smiles. Touchin- her on the shoulder
to draw her attention, he went off with a b.Mi'T

"Ah, how do you do, Mrs. Ilalford ? Just^'crettin"-
back from your holidays .? I've been down to' New
\ork buying goods. Must keep up with the ti-ies
you know. Fine weather, isn't it? Great season f/u'
lietarmc s. Hope you enjoyed vour trip? You're
Poking wea I'm feeling well, nn-self. Never felt
Detter Uh, by the way, must con-ratu!ate vour future
son-mdaw. Fine fellow, Gordon.^ Boys all wild over
him that night.

1 ! I

ii(»usl:s oi' class.

His voice f.ulod into a cackK- ami even tlu- r*).ir of
llu- Ir.iiti irfl Ikt cmis

Vov a nu>iii<Mil slio lost roiisciou uic;;:'.. W iu'M she
iTCovrt'ftl. lu'f luM(i was leaning; on tlu- ^<ill ol the ojx ii
wiiiJou, and I\lr. Rciil \va:; lioldiiu; a 114) of water to
lur lips.

Slic had faiiiti'd . slu\ who hrh'rvcd t hat such <hiiu;s
wcvc niostl)- prclfiici".

Hut shi.' must not let her fellnw townsman "uess the
cause oj her distress.

Sonvthin;;' \er\' stiMn«;e hat' liappeiied .il home, of
wh.ich slie had lU'Via' been t(>l .,

*■ I alwa\"s i;'i>t weak and <li/./y ridiu;.;' on I'ae train,"
.slie explaineil to Mr Keitl

She wanUtl more inlorniation, but must not let hinj
suspect her iL;in>rance.

" Ves, it were a ureat time, but I never saw anv of
the local jxipers."

*■ Dear me. \'ery luc1.\'. ("t^t an /•'.//<' in m\' over.
coat pocket. Carrieil it e\ ct <inci'. 1 lappy to oblit.;e,"
and siH>n the jiajHM' w.is fm'thcomin;.;.

0\\ the ivoviL PiU;e m double leaded hcadint^^s were
the followin;.'' ;

I
I

"Ll-:VIS\'ILLh: ON TOP.

Tilt: Stars aki: Ciiami'ions.

Ci^i^noN's (Ikkat Duivt; Savi:s 111 !•: (Iamk.

A Si'AiAVAkr uiiiiruK Sriciv is Hai. Kurd's Son-
in-law.

Fi;n and Fireworks Galore."

This was too horrible. The paper fell into her lap
and for a time she could read no more.

By some viIlainou:i plot Marian had outwitted her ;
liad taken advantai^e of her absence to cheat and de-
ceive her

But she would have her revcuije for this black treach-

A DTSAnREFAr.rr-: surpkisi!;.

i)\

each-

(T\'. "Not nnndicf iii;.;ht would lid' (l.iujdilcr spi ml
uuilcr her rn.if imlrss sin- liuinhly wciil nii licr kuccs
;uiil ])i'<)tuisc(l l'> iiiul<i what sill' had di«;i('.

" I'll niak(* h«T suffer. I'll huuiMc Iht j)rl<lr, the;
hiiss\', " a!id >;hf jMound ]\vv Ifclli with \'( x.itioii.

Hut slu: must know all hrforc slu' rcaclu'd liotnc, she
must not seem in \)c taken rmawares. Sli'' t 'H>k' U[)
tlu^ papor a!.';aiii and ri-.ui till she cauu: to where Uncle
William in liis spec eh aanouuccd (iordou ;i-. hi;; future
son-indaw. 'I'heu shetore ii into I ia;.;nu:ul .; .m 1 tossed
jt out o( the window.

" So, so. William f.;ot tipsy. That low l)ef(f.^^r have
put till-' words in his mouth. Will.it ai'e onl)' so much
more her will have to aeiouut for."

She sat h)okini^ about her Iil:e a carded lioness, heat-
iu'.; hci' foot upon the ll(K.)r, as was, lier custom when in
a passion.

She did not doubt for a momcmt that tlie whole af-
fair had l)t?en planned to outwit h<r. indeed, the
./','r//(-' misled her. The statement of the /u-//o read
as if Gordon W'-re a member ol the' Star: and a resi-
dent of Lex'isville. There was no hint that his taking
paiL in tlu; <'ame was accidental. In fac:t, tin; paper
made it a[)[)ear as if Tiesident Ilalfordhad merely
iield liim in reser\''\ like an ace up his slee^ve, to scoop
the bac!-: 'rs of the Crescents.

She had no dou!)t that the dinner and the ciiam-
pacjnc; which lier husband drank were a p Tt of the
treacherous programme pl.unualby Marian and carried
out by (lordon.

In her ra;:;e she for^;-ot many tiun;.;s ; that the dinner
itself was unforeseen ; *hat (lordon knew nothitv.^^ of her
husband's weakness; th.st Mr. Ilalford's enthusiasm
over the irame was extreme ; and that Marian would
suffer any an^^uish or toriuent rather than expose her
father. She mi^dit h i\e known, in fact shi; did know,
that lier daujditer, hn-iny; her fa.tlier as she did, could
not possibly have been a party to such a plot. But
licr pride and aiiL^er swept away all cl."e.

With eyes closed and teeth clenched, she sat nursing
her wrath till the train pulK;d into Levisville depot.

^^-:„4j

iiG

IIOUSKS OK r.r.ASS.

c'liArri:]^ xvitl

\VIIi:.\ C.RFI.Iv Ml'l'/rS CREKK.

Mk. TI \?,i okm was at the station to mc^rt his wife,
aiul was ill a very anxious frame of nuiul. lie cx-
peete I that yhe had seen the Lcvisvillo papers at
least a week l)efore. lie iioped tiiat time had cooled
her an;.ijer. Tiie post-cartl of the previous day, announ-
cing; the time of her r -turn, contained the usual love
to all and showed no sij^n of wrath.

\'et he felt that he h.id reached a crisis in his life,
for Majip.n had toUl him, not only of David's rejec-
tion, hut of her mother's efforts to coerce her into a
marriaL;"e with the v.'idower (irazely.

" l^y heavens, INIarian, it shall not be. There shall
be no coercion. You are f r. c to choose whom }'ou
ma}', and your choice siiall be mine."

" h^ithi'r, de;'.r. don't tpiarrel with mother. Think
of poor Nelly ;md h'red. It will be cnouf^h to know
that I have your s}'m]iathy. Nothing can ever come
between )'ou and me," and she laid her cheek against
his.

" Ycnir mother and I have in:)t alonj"; v/ell toc^ether.
She is a clever wom m. She has been a iiood wife and
a i^nod mother. lUit she must not go too far. I like
peace, l)'it not at the pv\cc of your happiness."

He feared that the incoming train v.'ould bring mat-
ter.; to a climax, and was nut surprised wdien, instead
of the usu.d embrace, his \\ife merely shook hands
with him. Not a word was spoken, but she gave him
a look more eloquent than words.

She didi not care to say an}-thing to him, she was
rcservip.Lf lier wrath for her dau'^hter.

On the way from the station she did not even ask
him how they all were, or how matters were progress-
ing at the farm, but sat with compressed lips and
clenched teeth, till the vehicle pulled up in front of
the house.

''\VTIFN GREEK MEETS r.REEK.'

was

Fred and Nelly \:c\\: :it tlic door l«» nucL lur, Init
M.'irian, who in^* incti\'<!}' felt a storm approachinjif,
was trviiVvT to (iiVcovi r, from bcliiiid one of the w iiuluw
sluitl-rs. tlie state of l>er iii'>ther's miinl.

Mrs. Ilalforil did not lose a moment. She sprnnfj
lij^ditly from the lMi;.,^[^y and, after liurriedly kis^iii<^
l-'red anil Nell)', wall:-, d ra[.i.!l)' into the house, llur-
r)-in:4 thr<ni;.;h the kitclieii and d'nini^rnom into the
parlour, ami throwini^ her cape and honnot on a table,
.she said to Nelly, wlio wa^i follow in<; her, " 'I'ell Mar-
ian I are waitin;'; he-.- to sec her."

The parlour was al\va\-s a blue room ftir .'-•i-rious mat-
ters. Nellv l.iii -.v that a storm was at hand. linU'i'd,
she be^;<^red her sister not to i;et aiv^^ry with her
I motlier.

in a few moments Marian appeared. She stood for
an instant at the door, with pale face- and _L;listeninij
eyes, then came bravely forward and offend her
luunl.

Mrs, llalford was sittinf^ lookinf^ out of the window,
but as soon as she saw her dauiditer she spran;^ to her
feet. Pointing her fiiii^er at her she hissed, " Hack,
you traitor ! Vou miserable, sneaking vixen ! Pack
your traps, and leave tlds house forever."

*' Oh, mother, for the love of God, hear me."

" No, you hussy, them as act lies can tell them."
Then taking two steps forward she hissed something
in ]\cr daughter's ear.

The taunt, whatever it was, brought the tigerdikc
a gleam to Marian's eyes, and she made as if to spring

upon her mother, but checked herself and sank into a
chair, in a torrent of weeping.

*' Yes, weej, ! You ungrateful wretch! I'm wring
your heart, till there be no tears left."

Marian sat sobbing with her elbows on her knees,
and her face buried in her hands. Iler tears had
cooled her ancrer, leavini? onh' her better nature. Put
she felt that she and her mother must part. If her
father knew the words that had been spoken the peace
of Ikoadview would be gone forever.

She would take all blame upon herself and preserve
peace between her parents.

ii8

HOUSES OF GT,ASS.

Risinir to her feet, she went with bowed head towards
the door, and then turning with a gentle expression
on licr face, she said solemnly, " Mother, may God help
me to ft^rgive and forget this day."

Reaching the kitchen, her grief broke out afresii, and
catching her sister in her amis she rocked her to and
fro in tile ;igon\' of the moment.

"Oh, Nell}' darling, I'm going to lea\'c }-ou forever,'*
she cried with tears streaming down her cheeks.

" I'll go too," sobbed Nelly. " I can't li\"e without
you, Mally ; who'll cure ni)' headaches, and kiss me
when I'm pettish ?" and the poor girl clung to her
sister, while her frame shook with sobs. " Can't---! — ■
go—with — you ? Oh— oh — Mally — don't v;o — don't — ■
don't ."

" Oh, but I must, darling. Mother anil I can't get

along.

Where — are — )chi going — r^Ially

:>"

"I don't just know, dear; let me think a few
moments." With li r sister's head on her bosom,
]\larian sat a tew ir.oments, deciding her own fate.
"Ah, 1 know novv'. Run and send h'rcd to me."

Meantime, Ivlrs. Ilalford sits like one in a dream.
Through the half open door she can see into the
kitchen. What a sight greets her ! What a vision
for a mother ! She cannot bear to look. She closes
the door to shut out the sountis of wee'Mur.

" Hark ! IMarian have gone upstairs. Yes, her is
packing up. God, Avhat have I done? I thought her
would go on her knees to nie. Hush! There are
Fretl going up the stairs two steps at a time. Heavens,
how he are weeping."

Now ihey were in the rooni together and oh, the
outburst of grief. T^-ed was fairly shouting through
his sobs and his motlier could hear Idm. " I — won't
— stay— with — her. I'll tell — her — that too."

Mrs. Ilalford put her hands over her ears to shut
out her baby boy's impeachment. " He loves his
sister then even more than iiis mother. So does
Nelly."

But \\here was William ? Would he too take sides
against her .-^ A horrible feelin'j oi guilt and loneliness

WirrX GREEK MEETS GREEK.'

119

cam- fn--r licr. At that moment, she w oukl h.avc j:,qvcn
all her wcakli to have recalled her words.

But her pride she coidd not, would not, sacrifice.
Matters must take their course.

She (karkened the room, locked the door and partK^
opened one of the shutters, to watch the progressive
steps in her daui^hter's departure, each one of which
seemed more terrikle than its predecessor.

\\ hy, tliere is Fivd on a Iiorse gallopinj^ down tlie
lane, and lie turns t<.u-ards the city, while \Marian, all
dressed, is !^^oin;^^ over towards the barn.

She opens the <,n-eat clieckered doors and enters
throui^di a cloud of dust. In a few moments Air. Ilak
ford comes out and is makini,^ towa,rds the house, but
Manan ovcrtai;es him and holds him hy the sleeve.
Now she has her arm around liim and is talkin--- ear-
nestly, -while he is cxpostulatin*;.

^Finally, she triumphs, and^ie enters the stable,
"Heavens! he have gone t(^ hitch up,'* groaned Mrs
Ilalford, at her window. Ikit she seemed helpless to
stay the fatal step.

iAlanan ran over to the meadows to see hor cows to
take a last look at their peaceful faces. At the s<aind
of Jier voice the an.n.als started towards her, some run-
nmg and frolicking, others walking sedately.

She jumped over the fence to meet them, and busied
licrself patting their heads. Bella, her pet, crowded
up and licked her hands. The gentleness o^ the poor
brutes started her grief afresh. She leaned a-ainst the
fence, weeping freely, while the cattle, not luulerstand-
mg her unu,;ual actions, looked on in silent wonder,

riien the fowls greeted her as she crosserl the barn-
yard. The hens, ducks and rrca^c all flocked about
Jicr, and some of her pet chickens Hew up on her
shoulders. ^

What delight she always took in feeding them
hack one of all that flock was like a pers(Hial acquaint--
'^"u'^'t >.^^^' •'^^^^ ""^''^-^ feeding them for the last time.

My God ! murmured her m.>ther, " the animals all
love Iier. It are truly wonderful."

Suddenly Nelly makes her appearance, dressed in her
very best.

120

ITOUSF.S OF r.T,ASS.

What could tin's iiumii ? Was Nelly !:',oiiv.;- too?

No. tlu-rc is Mr. llalford with the small l)ur,.,^)' that
oiil)' carries two. lie is i;oin|^ to t.ii;e Marian, iMit
wlure ?

There is a fresh outburst t)f i^rit-f between the two
sisters as the father straps a lari^e \'alise on behiinl tlu^
vehicle.

Now they ari; started down the lane, Nelly walking
aloii;?,si(U\ C(n (.riuL^ her sister's hand with teais and
kisst'S. h'iually, thi-y start at a rapid pace citywards,
leaxiuL; NilK' sobbing at thei;ati\ C loudsof (kist and
clumps (^f trees hide them occasienajlv from si'dU", but
wlu'U the)' reach tlie top of the little hill Marian
waxes her handki-rcliicf as a last farewell, and herheart-
broi^en sister drops iu a heap on the in'ass,

Mrs. llalford slilletl a <.n'oan, and started pacIni]^ the
room. She lons^^ed to i;'o into the fresh air to relii^ve
this chokinij^ feolin;.';, but she was afraid to meet Nelly.
She crept quietl)' up to her t)wn room, where she would
be (Mit of reach.

When she looked out auain Nelh- had sTom^ from the

<:^.ite, aud all was still. What could
Where was Marian ec^inil ?

it id

mean

}-.

The baker's \vac;-^on came up the lane, and her daui^h-
ter (fm- she had oidy one now) ran out to v^vt the usual
complement of bread. This was a load off her mintl. It
meant that Nelly was s^oini; to r;et supper for the
men.

But where was Parcel all this time? Had her baby
boy tleserted her too? She watched the road wearily
for the llrst siy;n of liis return.

At last he came cmterins:^ up from the city and, as
soon as he reached the yard, he slid off the horse's
back with boydike a_q;ility, and calletl loudly to his sis-
ter. His ca}> was pulled clown over his eyes and his
face was swollen with weepini]^.

As twilight comes on, l^'red <;oes down to the gate;
repeatedly, and is evidently watchiuf^ for some one.
It cannot be for his father, because he is lookini^ in the
opposite direction.

ila, there is a vehicle comin<^ at great speed from
the west. Fred runs out into the road.

"What! 7li.,t lock; lil.-o (".orJon's |)(>,'ist,' said Mis.
I[ali"i)!ii to licr^'lf. " :<<., lliis ;irc d.iilc Coloured. It
looks like the rolliiry L;ait. and trim t:a!s. 11, i yes it
arc (jor Ion.

The horse:, black with dust and perspirat io;i, f^ocs
to turn in at the i;.ite. JM'ed stops him and (iotdon
jumps out.

To-;ether, they i)ull the lonrr cr,-ass at the roadside,
andcommence rubi)in;.^^ iheaiiimal d' \vn, talkiu"- excit-
edly all the while.

A moment later lM-e<l runs to the house and hurries
back- with Xcll\',\\ho is carr\-inj an umbrella and some
\vra{)S.

Then, and not till tluui, did Mrs. Halford understand
it all. Idu-y would be i-oried at once. Marian had
wii-ed (iordon ami was proljabl)' w.ulin;.^ for him at
the' parson a_L';e.

The rumblino- of distant thunder and the siinis of
an approachint^^ storm seemed to be in keepin;^ with
the condition of her feelini^s.

Humbled and outwitted, despised and deserted, she
threw herself down on her bed and groaned with, the
anguLsh of self-accu.sation.

CIIAI'TKR XTX.

THE no NK Y M OON.

One of the most popular delusions of citlier ancient
or modern times is that the honeymoon is the h.appiest
portion of married life. It may be so in some instances,
but as a rule it is surely the most trying period of our
existence.

Presupposing that love and intelligence are prominent
on both sides, it seems impossible for two f)eople with
any great force of character to have their lives so
closely bound together, withcnit temporary and recur
rent explosions of temper or temperament.

1 J.:

i;t.r:-.i:s oi' class.

W'c must hoccm- .'Kuurd to ci'ii oilier, like tin' Iv'
jtniuuMitsof ail or'.i'.t'.t 1.1, helnic li.:rnioiiy is prodiu vd.

()ci'.r;ional!\' tli- |>:'(.v:css of adaptation ma)' i\(|iiir(:
o\\\y .1 l\'w nio;;i!i ., IjuL oIIcikt it lakes )'ears, atid soinc-
tinics a lif. liiiu'.

lL;"iioraiR\' in this, as in c'\'or}' other jihasc of life, is
the i^reaiest enemy of h;'.[)pin ss. In t!ie majority of
niarriaL;es, two )-onni;, thon_L,dit,less creatures .irc thrown
toi^ether, without tlu.'ir havin;', the faint, st idea of their
proj)er si'X'u.d and social relations, or w iiiiout their lia\-
ino- .stopjH'd to think <^( the responsil):Iil ies the\' are
about to incur.

Owini; to the jirudishniv-.s which ri'.,Mrds sexoloi^y
as an unmentional)le suhjift, they are left in ii.niorance
of the laws (>f nature, and those principles o\ self-
ahnes'aliiMi wliich must always be the foundation of
liapjiy homes.

With all our education and relicrious trai;dn"', can
wo not feel, in the eveninij^ of our lives, that \vc are
just bocomitiL:; fit to live ; fit to be husbands aiul wives,
fathers aiul mothers ? Indeed, wo are fortunate if then
we ha\'C weathered the stoi'm of passion, and arrived
safely in a shellereel s]v>t where wo arc at [)e:ice witli
ourselves and the world at la;:;"e.

It is i;cnerally jv/csumed. tl^at if a jiair trrd}- love
each other all dilTiCulties will disappear, and all storms
will be weathered. I'tirLunaii- In' for liumanit\-, this
seems to be true to a lar<'e exteni, but marriaiies of
convenience ar(^ as frequent ;is e\'er.

There is no si_L;u tliat we are about tv) be emanci-
pated from t!:e slavery in wliicli teuvler maidens and
beautiful women are practically bouL,^Iit and sold. Is
not the reception room of to-day simply a refinement
of the ancient slave market, aiul beneath all the i;iitter
;ind *;loss of title or wealth, is it not just as hideous ?

It is true that in manv of these cases there is more
thian the average intellii^ence, but tliis cannot take the
place of that mental and physical affinity which we call
love.

The reader who has become acquainted with our
aouul;' couple will feel confident, that even if the
bride does not have the affection for the bridegroom

TIIK II()M;\M()()\\

123

wlilcli sho ml((lit have, tliat their united honesty of
ptii-pose <'Ui(I hi;.rii sclf-resptet will steer them clear «>f
the siioa'.s which w reck many lives.

l)oth. were i)r()U(! and passionate, i)nt on tlu' one
liand was his ardent \n\c, and on the <;tli<-r that uni-
versal sympathy and bencvol.-nce which undi.r favour-
al)le conditions j^n-ows with contact, and makes the wife
more of a lover at forty tlian in the first Hush of lier
bridal da)s.

She, herself, had j)u cii)ilatt d the marriairc,- and he
had 'dadly accepted the situation, in spite of lur de-
claiation to him before the cerenion}' took place.

" l)a\-id, a sliort time a;.;o, in j.:.t, f asicod )'ou to be
my husband, but now I ask you in earnest. 1 have
toltl you that i]\y love for )-ou lacks in sometln'n^^f, I
know not what; but I love }-ou sufficiently to idacc
my future in )-our h;inds. 1 feel that I shall vjow to
lo\e you more and nuu-e. Ihit do n(jt take this ste[)
without consideration. I know that jw/ love me fondly,
truly, but to the extent tlwit this 'has been broui^d'it
about by extraneous circumstances which should have
no consider;ition in sacred matters of this kind, to that
extent I may wronc^ you and m\'sclf."

"DarliuLj," he replied, " 1 know you do not wear
your heart upon your sleeve, but I also know tliat you
love me enoui^h to marry me for my own sake, and not
for a home. Not another word, dear. \'ou are
.showerin^^r liai)i)iness ui)on me. I shall feel that you
are all my own. It seems too good to be true," and
taking her in his arms, he gazed at her fondly and
whispered in her ear, " Aly own dear wife."

To her dying da\', Marian would never forget the
scene enacted at the parsonage. Tiie stutTy little- study
with its pictures and hangings, the lurid glare of the
red hangingdamp, the ticking cf tiie mantel-clock, her
father's trembling hand, Nelly's pale face and Fred's
sobs were stamped upon her memory with letters of
fire.

Once the thunder rumbled so fiercel^-that the ciergv-
man was forced to suspend the ceremou)' till it li'ad
passed.

Then came the wait at the station for the ten o'clock

.. i-». „W„i,!,;^*Br'#i-.. 1**,— .

liiW(*«w*«Pi ■^-wMiB,-' j«-' . .

124

HOTTSER OF GIASS.

train. A G^rcat wave of f;.;ar s\v.'}>t over her as it canic
thiin^lcriiig in, and the hour had arrived for separating
the ties of a Hfetinie.

How they wept and clunc^ to her as she mounted the
car steps, while poor Fred slioved his " bank " into her
ulster oocket. When the coaches began to move the
boy ran ah^ii;^ the platf(jrm, shouting, that he would
bring i^cila and the guinea hen too. Her last look
from the window showed him standing on the end of
the platform, sobbing as if his heart would break.

David took tickets for Boston, first because they had
no time to form any particular plans, and secondly be-
cause he had important business there.

She had no trousseau and he wore his every day suit
of Halifax tweed. But Boston was the place to sup-
ply this deficiency, and David vowed they would never
go home looking like a runaway couple from Gretna
Green.

Every woman takes a pleasure in adorning herself,
and j\Iarian was no exception to the rule. It is at once
the privilege atid duty of the sex ; as natural as for
the bird to preen its wings.

When dressmakers and milliners had finished their
task, and she blazed forth in all her beauty, he ex-
claimed, *' Good h -avens, Marian, what a beautiful wo-
man you are. It makes me almost afraid of you !"

"If that is the case, I shall go and take them off.
It cfoi's seem almost too grand for me ; besides it is
awfully extravagant."

"Nonsense, dear! When we have a beautiful pic-
ture, a masterpiece, we do not begrudge a suitable
frame. You were certainly intended for a duchess,
and you shall always dress well as long as I can af-
ford i^"

In their ro'ind of pleasure seeking and sight seeing,
she had scarcely time to analyze her feelings.

David was all kindness and attention. I^e added
fondness to love, and love to duty, till she felt at times
that he was tiresome.

But she always had a means of escape from ':>mo-'
tionalism by introducing some topic for discussion,

I
I

THE TTONEYMOON.

125

Tlicn his company bccanTc a wholesome ph'^asurc.
Oftentimes, she luid a " p^ood cr)- " \\ licn she was alone,
ijiit slic never allowed him to sec her in this mood, for
JK' did everythins^ that mortal man could ,lo to enter-
tain and amuse her. She could not seem to strike a
balance in her sentiments. Sometim-.s she was quite
happy, and at other times the most miserable creature
on earth.

But every day his step became more familiar, his
face more handsome, his voice more musical, and liis
caress more welcome. She felt that her affection for
him was growing rapidly.

Their holiday was just becoming enjoyable. Be-
sides being lovers, they were now c(/mrades, and all
barriers of reserve had vanished in the light of mutual
confidence, when a peculiar and unlooked-for incident
destroyed the harmony and peace in her heart, and
brought their stay in Boston to a sudden termination.

On the second Sunday after they became husband
and wife, she induced him to go to church. Already
they had one or two friendly discussions on religious
topics, and Marian, feeling that her husband had some
wrong impressions of the average service, wished to
have him see and hear for himself.

Since his boyhood he had never entered a church
door, and he seemed to have forgf^ttei. that the church
had made some progress in that time.

The day w^as intensely hot, so Marian chose the
nearest Anglican church. To David it was a matter
of indifference. They were all the same to liim.

It was a novel experience, however, and as they
seated themselves, she smiled at his embarrassed ap-
pearance, lie sat bolt upright in his seat, and tlid
not know what to do with his hands. Occasionally a
deep sigh or long drawn breath betokened his uneasi-
ness.

She, herself, felt nervous and distraught, f<ir whaL
reason she could not tell. She was half inclined to
ask David to go somewhere else. Tlie air s 'emed
stifling. It was a beautiful and commodious edifice,
and, though the attendance was not large, yet the ven-
tilation might be at fault.

•-rf

!i«, ■■ - -kWi/,',-.. .>r*-r<^>t,tft^ .*<«,

wmm

126

IIOUSKS OF GT<ASS.

The eloquent Mr. Cosrrrovc w.is away on his holi-
days, and his substitute must be rillu r disappointins^,
she thouLfht, since the con^re^jation was so small. She
was ab(3ut to nuclide David on the ^.IIjow and propose
j^oins^ elsewhere, when suddenly her eyes feK upon the
pulpit. For a moment the church sp.m round like a
top. Her heart stooel still. There, before her c)xs,
with his piid< cheeks and tail curly hair, was Charles
Lancrtrv', her f'irlhood lover. In his hands was the
very prayer book she ci'ave him when they plif:jhted
their troth. F.xceptinp;' his surplice, he Inoked just as
she had seen him in her dre;im the jirevious nic^ht.

vShe dreamt that they were rambliuf^ throuLjh the
woods at l^roadview as of yore. They c.ime to a lit-
tle bank where the daisies grew. lie plucked her one,
but as he u"ave it to her it stained her hands witli
blood. She awoke in a dreadful fright, and the mem-
ory of it had h;uinted her all da}'.

She grasped David's hand and it seemed to fortify
her, but she looked around, and longetl for some ex-
cuse to make her escape. Th.mk God, tiie reverend
gentleman had not seen her. But, somehow, she felt
that he would, nor could she refrain from occasional
glimpses at him.

When he arose to commence the services she looked
up, and their eyes met. Tliey seemed to look into
each other's souls. All the memories of the past were
crowded into a moment. She clung to her husband
as a drowning man would to a straw, her face turm'ng
white as marble. The Rev. Mr. Langtry, with a look
th;it ever afterwards haunted her, staggered back and
sank into his chair.

For a time she scarcely knew what transpired, but
when lur senses came back the churchwardens were
holding a whispered consultation, while the pastor sat
with his face buried in his hands.

Finally one of them came forward, and announced
that the afternoon serv'ices would be postponed, as
the reverend gentleman was prostrated by the heat.

That evening she told David tearfully that she was
tired of sight-seeing and that she wished to go home.

THE HOME COMING.

127

-Very well, dear, just .-.s you say," and he sent the
followincr telegram to his mother ;

CHAPTER XX.

THE HOME COMING.

TnoSF who wish to have tlicir vices vcntiLatcd need
only run for office or get married. Over our graves
the world Will pronounce eulogies and benedictions
and even ascribe to us virtues we never possessed. '
nc vwrtuis ml nisi bonumr is no doubt a very
good axiom, but if it couUI be reversed so as to read
of tne hvmg speak nothing but good," the sum of
lunnan liappmess would surely be increased

Once let it be known that you have chosen your
mite for the voyage of life, and your dear neighbours

r;:;!;n:s;^^^'^ "''''' "^^""^'^-^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ >--

faidy tre^t^'^ ''""''^' "^ Gouanstone had not been
Concurrently wilh Gordon's baseball fame came
tile news ot his engagement, as announced in th( : - v-
isville papers.

His victory of the " diamond " raised him greatly in

Starts made him very unpopular with the ladies
^rml\rc r ?^ "l-'^n-iageable daughters were up in
wTn ^°^^^"-^ shghtmg the home market. They

and the young lao.es themselves would cut him dead,
frc^^ h 7"t^^"n^t was to be his portion all round
trom the fair sex, but behold, he had gone and got
niarned before they had an opportunity of infiict n

128

nOUSKf^ OF CLASS.

upon him the punishment he so riclily deserved. Mrs.
Grundy had not only been defietl, but she had been
cheated out of the time-honoured privilej^e of unearth-
hi^ some scandal about the bride.

(iordon had never had even the dreency to announce
his marriaj^e, but" l<jft people to find it out for them-
selves.

The news of its havinfj been a runaway match, and
\vhispers of a i[uarrel with the mother, were the only
crumbs of c«)mfort to be had out of the affair, and
these were picked over as critically as cakes at a
picnic.

" Elopements are out of date. They are low and
vulc^ar," sail! Mrs. Mills, the l)anker's wife.

" I shan't call on her," protested tiie judi^e's better
half.

*' Nor I," said anotlicr.

*' She is said to be the most beautiful woman in the
State," remarked Mrs. Ainsley, who v^as too old to be
jealous, but not too old to amuse licrself at the
ex[)ense of her companions.

" Who says that ?" demanded Mrs. Baker, the sheriff's
anc^elic spouse.

" Sydney Dillon, no less," was the authoritative
reply.

" Sydney is gcttiuf:^ altoj^cther too impertinent,"
snap])ed I\Irs. Carrt)ll, whose pink checks had for years
been a mark of envy. " I don't sec why he should be
any better judge than any one else. lie only pre-
tends to be."

" Yes, but people all believe that he is, just the same,"
retorted Mrs. Ainsley.

" I don't believe he ever said it," broke in Mrs.
Baker defiantly.

" Thank you, Mrr.. Baker ; let me compliment you on
your politeness. I am trying to be truthful in my
old age, and you are becoming polite. One is never
too old to learn. Sydney, however, told me himself."

Sydney Dillon was the Beau Brummel of Gowanstone.
He was the great local authority on all questions per-
taining to the rules and usages of society. No criti-

I
I

TTTE HOME rOMTXG,

120

the

o bo

the

cisms wore c,^,•nulnc witliout his si^r„aturc ; very few liad
the temerity to chTfer with liim, on questions of taste

He was clerk of the rej^ristry ofrict,', and only a x-on-i^
mail. Nobody knew how lie came- to be reco<Miizc(l
as the pet patrician of the town, but th».re h'e was,
and from his lofty eminence none could dislod-^c him!
] lis verdict w.is, '^

" Gordon is a lucky fellow. The old kidv will come
round all ri-ht. They always do. Besides, she is worth
runninj^ away with herself."

\\'hen the tele.c^ram announcing the bride and
-room's arrival came to Tdrs. (Gordon, Sen., the neus
si)read throu-h the town like wild-lire, for the tele-
^n-apli operator was a youn.c^ kidy.

Next afternoon, wlien 'the Pacific express came
tliundering into Gowanstone. the platform was crowded

with townspeople, who happened to have business at
tlic station.

The predominance of ladies wiio expected parcels off
the tram was truly astonishin- and each one pre-
tended to be surprised when they lieard that the
younj; couple were on the incomitiir train.

Of course, they would have a look at the bride, now
tliat they were here , but it was a matter of no conse-
quence.

When David saw, thrnucdi the car window, the crowd
v/hich had collected on the platform, his check turned
pale with excitement, lie knew enou-h of human
■lature m general, and of Gowanstone in "parlicular, to
expect a great deal of adverse criticism.

But one look at his wife ijrought back his usual con-
fidcncc. - Raise your veil, M u-jan," he whispered,
you nccdn t be afraid to let them look at you. Just
wait till you sec me do the honours."
^ Something \n the subdued murmur and the expres-
sion on tJic faces of the crowd, as tliev all,vhted on the
platform, told Gordon that his vaic had scored a
decided success.

She had wonderful cclf-possession. Her smile as
.she looked about her, was entirely free from em-
barrassment, and her careless, graceful attitude, as she

waited for David t

o "■

ive his orders to the porter.

. 4

■'»r..r-

«««l

!i!i!"

130

IIOUSI'.S Oi- C.T.ASS.

j;;ivc the iniprrssion that .she was accustomed to ad-
miration and honia;jjc.

Spitffid f Jtir'ninity saw at a 'danci- ihc futility of
tr)-in;4 to hchttlc such Ijcauty of f.icc and form. The
criticisms Ijccanic comnu-nts.

With tiic most shivi^h assiduity did David <:uidc hc-r
footsU'ps to the carri.i;;c, and hand lier in. I lad slu;
been a i)rincess and he a pa;,;e, he C(ndd not have been
a more deviated attendant. This was all the more
iK^ticeable when the oidookers knew that (iordon was
usually very reserved and umlemonstrative.

To cap the climax, just before leavini; lie arose in
his seat, and lifting his hat, said : " I thank you all for
this mark of respect to Mrs. (iordon ami myself," and
throwiiiL; a handful of small silver amoni^ the juveniles,
tlu'\' ilrove off in triumph.

'* I tiivln't know )\. 1 were such an actor, David. You
maiu,' tluin all stare. You shall have a dozen kisses
for your iliplomac)'."

" Who wouldn't be brave for a woman lil^e you ? I'd
pfo throuL;!) it all ten times over for that reward," he
replied, lookinjj^ at her with fondness and admiration.

She j)incheil his arm. " lie careful of your manner
now, as we i;o throu;,di the town. Sit up straip^ht, and
not too close. We might as well finish the act," and
she laui;lied l::ail3^

The liackman, no doubt with a desire to show off his
fares, went out of his way to [;o down the main street.

" You bow and nod to your acquaintances in the
usucd wa)'," she whispered, without turniiii; her head,
''and I shall try to look as thouL^h I were atlmirini^ the
street and the buildiiiL^s, without seeing the i)eople."

" Not quite so ■"♦-.iff and formal," she murmured, as
he raised his shiniii'T silk hat to some one on the street.
*' Don't look quite so serious. There, that is splendid."'

Ever\'body in town seemed to be on the street. It
"was almost like a fair. 15nt Marian looked about her
v/ith easy indiiTerence and ap- eared to be rather
amusjd than otherwise.

At last they reached the house, ;ind as they stopped
at the neat, brick cottage, she felt instinctively that
she would like her new home.

iFi»<: noMK coMrNC.

r^i

I cad,
the
o.

l1, as
;rcct.
did."
. It
t her
•atlur

)ppcil
that

The pfrectlncj w.iich David's mother cjavc her was
llio bri^Iiti'st spot ill lu-r li'iinc coining;.

Tlic oKl lad)' \\as almost fri;.;lil<'iu;d as she j^azcd at
tlic bt'autifu! straiij^HT, i)ut whi-ii the- yoiiii;.; witi* smiK'cl
kiiull)', her heart uriil outttj iier at once. At a ^daiice
Ihcy seemed to r<Md each other's souls, and in a mo-
ment they were in each other's arms, kissins^'' and lau;.di.
injjj throuidi their tiars.

JIoldini{ lier at arm's K-ii^tli, the old ladv scanned
her carefully with a serious look. " \'e're .is Ixninie .i
bride, lassie, as ever _i:jrace(l a ^;aid man's hani;\ but I'm
feart ye're ower f^ran' for puir folk like nu: and l)a\ie.
I hae na muckle tae h.insel yer hame-comin', but I'se
^ae ye ma blessin,"

David here cauidit Ids motlur in his arnvs and swnn"
lier <d -efullv around him.

" Toots, the ladtlie'sdaft. De vc kin, lassit-, In- ried
me a s\veen_L,^ like that the nicht )'e L;-ied him )-er tr\'st.
lie's been clean ^\'te aboot ye, an a)e tellin' me lioo
bonnie and Ljuid ye were."

Gordon took hold of his mother's ears and threatened
to j)ull them if she told tales on him, while Mari.m
smiled induh^nmtly and fondly <~>n them bolli.

" lie used ta'- like his auld mither the best, but I'm
feart ma neb is cot of jint the noo. Aye, aye. And
so you came doon the main street. I'se warrant a
wheen o* them wad be ^ae gler^ at fiain' faut \\i' \-cr
dress or yer bonnet."

" Don't you rememberthe song, mother," interposed
Gordon :

' ' It wasna the bonnet,
l>ut. the held that was in it
G.ir'd a' the folk talk
()' Rob Rarison's bonnet.'

"That's the first time I ever heard him speak
Scotch,'' said Marian, addressing tlie old \.u\y. " I
love tlie accent, it sounds so honest. You'll havi? to
teach me, mother," she continueti, taking the old lady's
hand in hers.

The word, mother, brought the tears to IMrs. Gor-
don's eyes.

^•3^

TTOIJSES OF CLASS.

*' Wccl, I'll jist c.r yc Alorran, ,is if ye '.vcrc nia aiii
dochtcr," rcplircl tlu: mother, k-is-iii;^ her. " lliit. come
■,i\\ii' ben the hoosc. I'm keepiii' \-e li^r'-' wlnjii )'e re
l)aith tired and lumi^er't."

" Come awa', conic awa'. Touni sloniachs make
cauld hearts."

Cl[.\rTi:R XXT.

A \' A C A \ T (• II A I K .

It is an old saxin;,:^. that \\e learn nv^st from onr
mistakes. l'\ulure has ahwis'S been more instructive
than success.

The reader will not wonder that I\Irs. l[alfor<i's
quarrel with lier dauiditer KfL lier a sailder and a wiser
woman.

The cnaleal throu;.;h which she hatl passt-d was an
unusualh' painful om.-, and it had taken the sharp eilj^es
olf the Scdicnt jtoints of lier character.

i\ot only had she to face her (n\ ii conscience, hut to
quail before tlie accusin;;' h)oks of her husbaiul and re-
niainini'- children. Since that memorable da\' William
h.'.d never been the same to her. She fretted and
jj^rieved over the p(\ssibility of h)sin|^ ids love, and
mouru'.'d the absence' of his kisses which were as dear
to her as c;ver.

The i;ap at Broadvii'w was .almost indescribable.
The atmosphere of home had vanished. Their dwell-
in;:^ for a time became simpl)- a l(Hl;;in_L,^di(nise.

Fron\ the milk-pans in the kitchen to the cattle in
the fudds, eve!'\'thin(^ about the placid set-med to cry
out " for a tt)uch of the vanished hanii,apal a sound of
the voice that was still."

For some days after Marian had i^one the p^loom
was almost unbearable. Indi-ed, had siie been laid
away in lu'r Kr.ive blie could not have been mourned
for more deeply.

oiiu:

c ro

i our
ctivt:

w iscr

IS an

)ut to
ul I'C-

lliani

1 and

ami

dear

hal

)1C,

uwc

11-

:tl

c in

o cry

duf

doom
laid
)uriic(.l

A VACANT CHATR.

Forthc first tinu' in her life, Mrs. I lalford ouest IoiickI

icrse

If.
Mad

sb.c rrally done her duly <o her daiiidiler i:i

Marian's inliniaev

cr error m .ilii'wni.

ilh \'ounc; L.mL^lry to ^o ton larwasnot renietiicd 1))'

■ed, she was not now e^rtan).

L-i\v\v lift

;\'

their sep.iration. Inch

whether it were not the L;rcatv:r nhstcdce (tf the two.

She was forceil to confess to herself, that in scverin;.;
tile \-outhful ties, her motives were based on self-intt-r-
cst, and not on her daniditer's \\'e]farc. It was pritie
and amijilion which made her stoo[) to questionable
in ihods in kecj)in;; them apart and not an}' real un-
htness on Charley's part.

Deep down in her luai't slu' felt that she was not

onl\' respcMisible inv h /r own error, l)ut she ha

o :m'o-

bai)l\' drix'en her d

le won

Ll'^||ler into a ujraver oin

ralher lia\'e seen ner dauidiler the" witc

of Charles Lani;try th.in in licr ])rescnl [U)S!tion, lor
slu; had a firm im[)ression that Marian's lo\c for him
was not dead.

Mrs. HalftM'd was a woman wlio had rt'li;4ious eontl-

In fact, without knowiih^

iws ol nature.

(lence in the I

it, n;itnre was her (lod,

ller reliL;ion partook lari^ely of tl'.'^ ji!i\'sieal. It
MMS direeteil ])rincipally io bodil)' welt. ire, and no one
was more conscientiously devoul.

N.)ne of her family hail ever suffered from a single
da)-'s illness, and she had very little respect for doctors
Indeed, she retrarded sickness as a sin, for

or tlru'.'s.

those who treated their bodies properl) . h.ul, she
tlioui'lit. no cause to be' ill.

With her

lI'tXH

1 health was reli<.Ti<^n, and stren-'th

as piety. .V mother wlio fed her chiUlr'-n on d.Miilies,
neolected to sec that the}* were proper!}' clad, or al-
lowed her dau<'liter to I. ice too tif.dilb', was the un-

holiest of sinners, even tl
» nieetiiujf three tinu>s a wee

lOll'Ml si

attended [)r.i}'er

Iler iieii:;hbour's wife miL^ht instil into her children
the principles of virtue and moralit}', she mi;dit be
lovinu". <jentle and kind, but if slu: neidectcd dvs'ock'-
insjjs, clean ilannels or the bath-tub, blie wai a heretic
of the worst typo.

134

HOUSE?; OF CLASS'.

FoUo-.vinc^ out this physical line of rcasoninfT, there
was one feature of her daui^^htcr's intimacy witliyoun^
Latigtry whicii kept comin;^ up before her.

Marian's face and form had develo[)ed astonishing*"
beauty at that time, in fact, she had seemed hke a rose
bursting into bloom. She remembered that her dauj^h-
ter had grown more shapely, and that she had become
more sensible and woman-like. It looked as if Ma-
rian's pliysical nature required an early marriage, and
if so, was not the young man her proper mate.

Had she taken grave liberties with nature's laws,
and assumed an utiholy responsibility? Judging by
herself, aiul the {jowerful affinity she had for her hus-
band after their love had been supplemented by phy-
sical union, slie believed that the tie between Charles
Langtry and her daughter was one which nothing but
• leath could destroy. Their union v/as surely based on
tlic laws of nature. '• Whom God hath joined together,
let no man put asunder," was a passage which gave
lier many (juaJriis of conscience.

Marian's absence threw a lot of additional rep nsi-
bilities on her sh<)ulders. Nelly had neither the
strength nor the skill to fill the vacant place in the
dairy, and skilled helj) liad to be employed. She was
forced to take up her housekeeping again. Every day
revealed to her something she had forgotten. It was
like the unravelling of many tanj^led threads, she
neitiier knew where to begin, nor where to leave off.

Then the tlealers connnencetl to complain of her
butter. They said it was falling off in cpiality and los-
ing its delicacy of fiavour. Day after da)-, it w.is the
same story.

Slie discharged her butter maker, and undertook it;
herself. She scrubbed and cleaned everything withi'.
reach. She in(iuired into the feeding of the cows, ami
bade Watson be on the lookout for weeds of any kind,
but all in vain.

The dealers at last refused it, and the day that Wat-
son brought home the rejected butter was a black ddy
for Mrs. llalford.

For nearly a quarter of a century her stamp (a sheaf

A VACANT rilAIR

)f wheat), had never been clia

nee(

urin::

that

time it had been a mark of purity and worth

Other brands niij^ht be as .j;ood, but it had the repu-
tation, and many of the retailers wouklhave no other.

Time liad brou^^dit many chan-es, but Broadview
butter had always been queen of the market. In fact,
it was the corner stone on which tlic estate h.il been
founded, and to-day it was disj:^raced forever.

What could have o-one wrono; ? Mrs. Ilalford had.
made [rood butter for many a year, and why not now .^
She did everything in her power to discover the source
of the trouble, but without success.

l«Ved and Nelly were dumfounded. Watson shook
his head, and Martha P)rig^.^r.s declared it was bewitclied.
They all felt helpless in the presence of the myster}-.

What could Mrs. I lalford do ? There was no cr. orn-
ery within reach, and the milk market in Levisville v.-as
already over supplied.

She must sell off her cov.-s. There was notln'tif^ else
for it. Jkit this meant a oroat sacrilice, for cattleVere
below par in price, lier apj)liances would ^(j for half
nothincr, and her whole .system of farminj:^ would have
to l>e changed. It was wantonly throwing;'mone\' awa\-.
She was certain that by applying to her absent daucrhte'r,
the mystery would be solved, but to do th it sliJ
would have to sacrifice her pride, and that was e\en
dearer to lier than her money.

The night that followed t'he rejection of the butter
found her walking the floor for hours, and when she
sought her pillow she hail arrived at n-) decision.

Retribution was overtaking heraheafjv. One cow-
had died, a valual:»le horse had broken its' leg, and the
butter had been rejected, all in the short space of two
weeks.

In sending her daughter away Mrs. Ilalford seemed
to have struck a blow at her o\\ n j^rosperity.

Just what she would ha\-e done, it is in'i possible to
sa}-, but next morning Nelly took tiie matter in iier
own hands, by asking for a week's trial of the dairy.

" Well, Nelly, it are only fair you should Iiave a
chance. It are really strange how it have baffled nie.
If you can make it succcedjit shall be worth your while.'

t»

^ea*^--

l^A HOUSES OF GLASS.

Slic little dreamt that at that ver\' moment Nellv
"had in hcv jxK'kot a letter of advice frnm Marian, or
that h'red. with a sample of the rejected butter, h.'id
made a ni'dit visit to Gowanstoi c to consult her. The
letter ran as follows :

" DlWR Nr.l.l.V : — Vou can ima^M'nc my snri^rlsc
tt)-ni,i^dit when wc were roused lon;.,^ after midni;.dit by
a hajmncrini:^ at the door, more especially as we just '^ot
h<.)mi^ this ver\' evening.

" When David, who went to the door, toUl me it was
Fred, I L^ot a terrible fri^^ht, for I thouj^dit sometliin^;
very serious hatl ha[)pened. Indeed, for that matter,
it is serious enouj^h, and I can imai^ine how mother
felt when the butter came back.

" r^red and his chum are just eatinc^a lunch, and they
wish to i^-et awav as soon as possible, so I w ill confine
myself to the matter in hand.

" You can be sure of one thin^^, that the trouble is not
due to anythinp^ taintint^ the butter, or to any unclean-
liness, for mother would attend to that.

"The llavour suiJcrcsts to me either that the cream is
bcim; ripened too lons^, or that there is too lar<^e a
proportion of old milk.

" If my taste was in its usual form I think I could tell,
but you know I am two weeks out of jiractice. Presides,
the best time to taste butter is just before dinner, when
you are hungry. I have always found my taste keener
then, and by practisini^- you will, no doubt, have a like
experience.

" Fred tells me that Winkle is dead, Daisy has been
sold for kickiujj^, and Curly has f:^onc dr)'. These were
all extra milkers, so I can see just how the trouble has
arisen,

" He tells me that mother waits till the creamers are
full, just as I did. But don't }'ou see the conditions
are different, for not only are three good milkers cut
of?, but the yield of milk per cow^ is at least a third less
during this dry, hot weather.

" Consecpiently, it takes so much longer to fill the
creamers, and the cream gets too ripe. The more I

MOTI.E\' ANf) Mt)NAi;ClI.

stii(I)' it over the more certain I am that this is the
principal trouble.

" Cluirn every other clay, just as I did. Get father
to buy you two fresh cows, and until then leave out
the niilk t)f t^.vo old ones.

" Then, I see the butter lacks in texture ; it is too
brittle. That means not enouf;-h workini^. Don't
work it too much or it will go off in flavour, but give it,
say, one-third more.

" If, as Fred says (and no d -ubt he is correct), every-
thing else is absolutely as I left it, then go ahead
without fear of failure.

" You are a brave little girl, Nelly. Don't be afraid.
There is no element of c1ki:icc in butter-making, and
if your system is correct you will succeed as sure as
sunrise. Fred is nagging me, so good-bye till Sunday,
Avhen I expect >'ou all. Tell father I will have some
apple dumplings and some kisses for him.

" Your loving sister,

" ^^lAraAN."

" P. S. Fred promises to write me about the butter
to-morrow night. Don't change the brand. Its good
name cannot be worn out \'et.

" Stick to it, 3-ou dear little brick, and }-ou will soon
redeem the good name of the ' Sheaf of Wheat.' "

CIIAl'TFR XXII.

MOTL.FA' AXIJ MONARCH.

** Come up this evening, Gordon, I have a treat in
store for you," said Doctor Bennet one day as became
running into the mill. '' I have picked up a half-crazy
professor of phrenology, whom you will be delighted
with. He has some odd ideas on theology, and I have
invited Jamiesou to make a background for the con-

TflSS

' if' Jr'J^.^^*, ■•«.'*«««»««'■■■»' t^j**"M

1^.8

nOUSE?^ OF CLASS.

vcr.s.ition." lie smiled, aiul rubbed liisleft arm In an-
ticipation of a pl(,\'i^ant cvenini'^.

*' Sta;,^ party, you l-:no\v. Small and carl)-. Just the
four of us. We'll have dinner at eiL;ht."

"I shall onl\- be too ijhid to meet ain-one with on*-
j^inal ideas on any .subject. Is it the old gent with
the sliort trowsers and the white pluj.^ hat who lias been
distributing pani[)hlets around town ?"

"The very man," replied the doctor. "He is a.s
crazy as a loon on some points, and a perfect giant on
others. His principal ])liantasy is that h.e lias the only
proper theory of the earth's formation. He goes
deeply into astronomy and geology with a gusto that
is nally refresln'iig. '

David looked smilingly at his friend's ex[)ressivc
face, and asked how he had picked him up.

"Oh, b\' tiic merest chance. I heard him spouting
in Carrol's drug store the other niglit. I took him up
to the house, and after an hour or two spent in tlis-
cussion I became quite infatuated with him. Do you
know," and here the soe.'ker's voice ch'oijped to a con-
fidenti.il whi^^per, " 1 brlieve I have at last found a
living example of the d>uil cvistciicc theor}-," and his
eyes flnslvjd with a:":imation.

" Lil:e a school boy over a new toy,'' said Gordon
laugl'.ingly. * Well, I'll come and see this prodigy of
yours. Men are \-our books, doctor."

"Yes, and the best ones," he replied as lie turned
on his heel '• id was off in a tudnkling.

A few da\-s previous, one of the nrillers met with an
accident to his foot, and to-da}' Gordon was taking his
place. Ik'sides attending to his own duties, he was
t)bliged to handle sacks and wait on customers. He
was busy at work, wlien a shadow in the door-way at-
tracted his attention and caused him to look up. Be-
h.old, it v.;is the j)rofessor himself, with a bundle of
T);i!nphlets under his arm.

David could scarcely refrain from s'niling at the
stranger's grotescjue appearance. His clothes were
v>'orn threadbare, and his liat was such a one as might
.ulorn a habitue of the race-course. His finger? and
soiled shirt-front fairly glistened with cheap jewelry,

MOTLEY AND MONARCH.

139

and his necktie was of a decidedly vi( lent colour and
pattern. His waistcoat, which was n t ample ciiouoli
for his increasing- corpulency, was ]<. t unbuttoned at
the bottom, his trov.hcrs scarcely reached his ankle
below, and there was a distinct line of separation
between them and his vest at tlie top. This, with an
exaggerated Prince Albert coat fairly glistenins^ with
wear, completed a make-up which the street gamins
christened the " cartoon."

David would h.ave laughed outright, only that some-
thing in the man's face prevented him. There was an
indefinite expression in his large, steadfast e)-es, which
made it impossible for you to tell whether he was look-
ing at you, or away past }-ou in a fit of abstraction.
A more perfectiy sih;p<?d head David had never seen,
but the lips w-ere thick, the mouth too prominent, and th.e
heavy, grey mustaclie made it appear to protrude still
further. He was a man of apparently fifty odd )-ears,
and although his hair was almost white, he still had a
vigourous and robust apj^earancc. He was tall and
well built, excepting that he was inclined to corpulency.

Waiting till Gordon, had finished tying a sack, the
professor raised his hat and bowed, disula\'in<.'' at the
same time a bald, shining crown.

" Let me introduce mj^self," he said. " I'm Profes-
sor Sengcr, a profes.sor of ])hrenology. j have he-re a
twent)'-page pamphlet on that subject ; the most com-
plete ever written. Tells }'ou how to choose a profes-
sion, wife or habitation. Really, sir, you can't afford
to be without it. Only twenty-fivo cents."

" No, thanks," replied David. '* I am too busy for
anything of that kind to-day."

"Well, sir, I'll make you a present of it. I am en-
deavouring to bring my ideas before the public. Why,
sir, our whole educational system is wrong, root and
branch. The present system begins at the wrong end.
Instead of developing tlie young mind, it actually
stunts growth. Bu.t they won't take time to read my
works, though I A'// them down till there is not a waste
word in them. Well, it will be tJicir loss. They can't
say that Senger did not give them a chance. Why,
sir, I spent my last shilling on this pamphlet, entitled,

^fleulS*"

T4O

IIOUST'S OF C.TASS.

* S:'iunM-'s System of I'.ilinMt ion,' and v'\[\\\\ licrr in this
town of int olli;;int pcopli I 1i,i\t oiiIn' sold one top)'."

l).i\id sc.ilcd liiniu'll on .1 .s.ul; and pointed tn the
\vorl< aionnd liini.

"All, woik, ( li. Well, tlio time is coniiii;'; when
tliose who have w 01].. will be lonsidiM cd toi Innate.
Labor will haxt- to v.) a 1h'-;imiu; befofe lunj.;. Ileic's
a pamphU't, called ' I ,a bom- and ( 'ai)ilal,' a ina;Miitieent
treatise in sn.all bnll^. ]\\A the thin;; for this ai;c ol
ihsi)lai'i'd laboni-. ( hily t w fi\t \- live eents."

(lordon w.is i^oinjMo send his \-isitor to the ri;,dit
abont. when it struck him that |'robabI\' the ni.m was
in want, so he took out sonic money and i)aid for the
]>.imphlel.

l he t ransfdtinat ion that came over t in- ]M"ofessoi-'.s
face was ;;ood to see. it was as if winter's ;;looni had
passi'd into sunimei' sunshine.

l)a\id watched him for a moment, and then asked
him his price for i>ne of cmcIi.

The professor fumbled i-xcitedl)- in his j-x^cket for a
jHMicil, ami attei' stMue li;.niiiiu'; exclainu-d. " \\ hy, sir.
ril i;i\'e )'ou t he \\ hole series tor one dollar and t w^-nl y
cents, a L;reat bar^^ain."

l\i\ad hamkHl him one-tweiity-l"i\'e. ami toKl him to
keep the chani;e.

" Xo. sir, th.mk )-ou all the s,im(\ but exactness is
the tu'st piinciple o{ luMiestw ami an\' ileparlure from
that |irinciple is tlaiiinM-ous." .As the stiMn!.;ei- ran out
to i;ct the chan_i;'e. David looked (n'cr his list of i)ur-
ch.ises. " Minei and Matter." " Troblem of Life,"
" Phrenological Ss-nopsis." " What is Life ?" " SeiiLjer's
Ih'jHUhesis of Sound," and half a dozen others on like
.subjects.

When the professor came back, and the chan^ii^c was
properlx* made, he shook (."jordiMi warndy by the hand.
"I dcMi't mind telling )'ou, sir. that I am f<>nd of a
good dinner. an<.l now I ha\'e the wherewitli.al to pro-
cure it, 1 shall also be able to purchase some pa[)er
and pens for my afternoon's work."

The eagerness and joy in his f;ice as he spoke fully
repaid David, apart entirely from the pamphlets.

" What time is it, please?"

MOTI.i;. AND MONAK(-ir i^j

** Ten fniniitcs to twelve."

"All, then, I shall jw..'" Ik- cxclaiinod rnj^nrly. " V;\\c
caniinL li.inn me, I shall dine to-day. " I'lxcnsc tlie-
warped .|iiotaliou, m'i", Co,.,! bye and thank yoii."
With th<' air of a ( 'he >t erfield Ii,: hacked tliron.;h the
dooi', .md then ran towar<ls the hoh 1 wjih the "e.u^er-
iicss of a hiin:'i"\' i)o\'.

"A stran:,;.,'creatnre, truly," thought I)a\id. " lie has
theair of a i;enllenian. and the atliie of a j.:"key."

Tlie pain])hlcts were as .stran<;e as their .inlhor.
Above the ehaos of the writer's iJioujdits were llii.dits
of ^HMiiiis. In the same parajM-aj)!! with childishness
and charlatanism were visions of the infim'te; ^-limpses
"f" 1^'^' ;'*'i'''l- "'• .v.cnu-d to have a tren'iendous
^n-asp of lai;.;e probjcnrs, and n.,ne at all of sni.ill ones
llrs thoii-dits seemed to br a confused proc.sa'on of
prizes and blanks. 'I'he paini)hlets seem.-d 1,, remind
David tliat i:old is often buried mountain, deep or
inin.i;Ied with the slinic of rivers.

"Truly Dryilen was ri.i;ht when lie said:

n 4 ( :

(iK'.n, wits nrr sure to madnrss nnar nllicrl,
And tliiii i)arlili()ns do their Iiuunds di\ir|,'.'

"Surely nature makes nn'stakes as well as mortals
else why such waste of talent, wiiy such ' sweet beiU
jan-led out of tune '?

" \Vliy is li-ht wastcfl, while humanity ^ iffers in
scnu-darkness, and why are diamonds ^TJvcn to demons
to tramj)ic under foot ?

" What irood can a man lik(^ Senfrcr do to his fellow-
nirn ^ None whatever. Life isonlv a breath between
the cradle and the c^rave.

"All is vanity and vexation of .suiriu"

"'^immmmm

MIH

llOUbUS OF ULASi).

citai'Ti:r xxttt.

AN r:vi:NL\G at tiik doctors.

When Mr. Jamioson nnd David arrived at tl'.c doc-
tor's that nij^ht, the professor liad not yet put in an
appearance, and tlic liost was very uneasy. " There's
two things I am afraid of, either that lie won't come at
all, or that it maybe the fool instead of the philosopher
who does come. But we will just ha\'e to take our
chances on it."

About half an hour after the ajipointed time, the
door bell ran;^, and the dcctor with a smile of satisfac-
tion on his f ice, admiltetlhis j^uest. l^ut the professor
was so ch;'.ii;.^etl that David scarcely reco<^inzed him.
A heavy i;rey wi;^ had taken the place of his shinini^
baldness. I lis linen was spotless, his am})le coat of
bro.ulcloth had a rose in his buttonhole, his jewelry
had disappeared, his ikishy necktie had given place to
one of ])iain black, and his countenance had an entirely
different expression.

Who says that the tailor docs not make the man ?
or that the quality of our clothing does not re act on
our characters.? Nearly any man can respect himself
in a full-dress suit. I'.ven .Swelldom has its virtues,

W'liat surprised David still further, was that Sender
did not seem to recognize him, for when the host went
through the form of introducing the professor to his
guests he bowed to David as to a perfect stranger.

The doctor's eyes fairly sparkled with delight when
he saw tlie puzzled look in (jordon's face, and he gave
him a imd which meant, I told you so.

Wt)' sn(Mi dinner was announced, and the professor
humbly apologized t(M' keeping them waiting. When
they took their [)laccs at the table, the host placed
P.lr. Senger where the light would fall on his face, while
lie seated himself directly opposite.

From every day common-places the doctor brought

AN F.VENING AT Till-: DOCTOR'S.

the conversation round to the dcsircil topic, by tcllin'^
the professor that he was in a nest of freetliinkers. ""

"Good "he exclaimed, "it is the only atmosphere
tliat mtelli<,rent people can enjoy."

'' (;iad to hear you are one of us," said Jamieson, " wc
mhdels liere catch it pretty severely sometimes "

The phrenolo;.;ist sli.i^ditly elevate.l his eyebrows, as
he swallowed a mouthful of soup, but vouchsafed no
rei)ly.

" J^erhaps Mr. Sen<,rer is not an atheist, lik-- yourself
norcvenana^jnostic. lie may be a Christian " inter-
posed the host.

'* ^/;;w in the name of conscience, doctor, can a man
be a Christian and a freethinker at the same time"
queried Jamieson. '

The professor looked up for a moment. '■ Acrnustics
and atheists are not always freethinkers ; indeed the
most bigoted man I ever met was an atheist."

*' IIow do ynu make that out?" demanded the iron-
founder, considerably ruffled.

Mr. Senger shook his head. " Bigotry and narrow-
ness are qualities of mind independent entirely of
reho-ious beliefs. The orthodox bi-ot regards the
agnostic as an inferior animal, while he on'thc other
liand regards all church-goers either as fools or hypo-
crites. ^ ^

'-'Are you a Christian, then .^" asked David, spea! in-
for tlic first time. ^ ' ^^

..t"1 \'\ \''/'''/" r^^i''^^ ^^'^' professor with a smile,
but 1 cioubt whether 1 shall ever succeed. Tm afraid
that to be a real good Christian we must start a cr^n-
cration or two ahead. It is hard enough now-a-dax's
to tind a man who loves his neighbour enouoh to he'lo
him along let alone one who would sacrifice everything
for his fellowmen." ^ '" o

This reply cliecked the conversation, and for a time
there was silence. Disgust and disappointment were
so apparent in Jamieson's face that David bent over
hi^. plate to hide a smile.

But thehost would not allow the pr.x-eedings to la-
what he thought of agnosticism.

14^

IIOI'SI'S or CLASS.

W* ith a pliciil smile, the professor repli( d that it was
a loj^ical position as far as tlieolo<:;y was coiueriu'd.
** iiut," lie acldrd, witii a doubtful sliake of iiis lu ad,
'•v<^ry illoLjical as far ;.s relij^ioii is concerned."

This was too nuiv-'h f^r the iron-founder, wlio im-
mcdiat(.'l\' exploded. " What's the use of talkin;; sucii

(I d rot, iMr. .Sender? Just as if theoloLjy and re-

lii:if)n were not one and the same thiuLr."

The doctor rul^bed his ar;n with delisTJu, at sccini^
the debate waxin;^" warm, but the profess()r cul)' col-
oured at the vehemence of the last spi aker, and denied
incliivd to drop the discussion.

" Would )'ou mind ex])laini'ii^ the distinctii^n between
the two," said David who was now very mucli inter-
ested. " I onl}' ask for information."

The professor laid down hi> k'uife ami fork-, and held
up his left hand in front of him, wilii his rm^L,^.rs ex-
tend .d.

" Relii^ion, I take it, is composed of the fundamental
trutlis, [)rinciples, and sentiments of human life," am!
he closed his first fmi^er. " Theoloj^y is a tlieoretical
explanation of the unknown, founded on superstition,
and varied by race, conditions, and climate." Th.-
second fincrcr closed. " Reliijion is founde ' on truths
we know. Theolo<j;y is a <7uess at wh "ve don't
know."

The fingers were all closed now, and his cxplanati(Mi
seemed to be ended, but he went on. " We know that
truth is c^ood, and love is <j;ood ; that faith and hope
are lielpful to ourselves, and tha.t charity is .i i)oon to
ftur less fortunate fellow men. Man knows these
thiiiL^s by experience, hence these tested truths are' the
foundation stones of religion."

" Yes, but how^ do you apply your original statement
as to agnosticism ?" asked David.

" Oh, very easily. To be agnostic towards what is
unl-cnowable or incomprehensible is at once candid ami
honest. In fact, to that extent we are all agnostics;
but to claim ignorance in the face cf facts and truths
is surely downright jjrejudice. No man who in his
childhood ever sat upon his mother's knee, who ever
felt her tears and kisses on his check, or nestled in her

AN KVENINC; AT THE DOCTOR'S.

145

Lti(Ml

that

)!! to

ihcsc
c the

•mcnt

lat IS

I aiul
stic;^ ;

uths

n his

ever

II her

M'.irm unsc'lfi.li bosom, can consistently he a<::jnoslic
towards a rt^Uj^ion basrd on \o\'c and sflf-sacritKc."

'Iliis toucli of cl()(iucnc(j j)roi)t>d tlicin all in a t( n-
(Icr spot, cspcciilly Gonlon, and tin Ir he .rts uncon-
sciously ajipKuidfd while tlu.ir lips were silent,

"How docs that arj^anncnt a[)[);y to I "hri'-t i.mity ?"
queried the doctor, wlio onl)' spoke wIk n the oiuir-
sation la,i;;^ed, and was nuich more intent on watchini;
his <^u'jst than the discussion.

Mr. Seni^er looked at his liost in mild astonishment.
" \Vh\', the life of Christ w.is .in emixuliment uf the
eternal principles of reli;.M'on."

Mr. Jamieson licre broke in. " ^'es, but Christ may
have only been a m\'th. There; was Chri.stna, IhuJdha,
Confucius, and all the rest of them. W h>', the world
has had a host of Saviours."

The professor frijwned and looked stcadil)' iiUo the
iron-founder's face.

" We liave as much evidence of the existence of
Chri,-t, as we have of Julius Caesar, or C"harlema|_^ne\ so
vc may lay that point aside. You sa\' the world has
had other saviours. \\'hat then ? .Siipposinc^ you
^verc poor and in want, a'ldthe Doctor should conie to
you with ten dollars; tlit.n after a whilt; Air. (lordon
should come with fifteen ; and aftera still lon;.u'i- ptriod,
when you were in sufferinj^ and misi-ry, I should conic
with fifty, would the last half hundred be an}- the less
useful? Is the electric li'/ht any the less a boon to
mankind because a tallow candle cheered the homr.*?
of our forefathers, or does it prove that they were im-
beciles for usin^ the best liL,dit they had ? lucause
the relifj;;ion of one acre crwstallized in Brahma, and
another in Buddha, each does not disprove the other.
I^acli, in itself, furnishes us with the most overwhelm-
ing evidence that religion is as eternal as the stars, aiuI
that , through all the acres there were L'"od-lilve sijirits
who shot out of the darkness and i',',!iorance witli mes-
sages of love and truth for manldnd."

By this time the others had finished eating, but the
professor was still as busy as e\'er, plying his knife and
fork, and they out of courtesy pretended to eat as
v/cll.

■ifi\ II

,,ii

146 HOUSE?; OF GLASS.

"What is your opinion of the Trinity? Do you
rcj^ard Clirist as the son of God ?"

" Yes, let us hear how you explain anythinj^ so ridi-
culous as one in three and tiiree in one. Let us hear
how you get around that," demanded Jamieson.

The professor smiled patiently, althoui;h lie was get-
ting tired of being cross-questioned. "■ It is very sirn-
pie. It is only the phraseology that is misleading. I
do not regard Clirist as the son of God in the sense
that )'ou or 1 miglit have a son, but in the sense that
he was a personification of the attributes of God.
Terhaps I mys>.'lf am wrong, but that is how it appears
to me. ^'ou know we are cjetting into theoloiJN'/' he
added with a smile.

" What about the Iloly Ghost ?" protested Jnmieson
in sarcastic tones. " I'erhaps )"ou believe in ghosts
too ?"

Mr. Senger hesitated a moment, scarcely knowing
whetlier to laugh or get angr}', but \\ ith a v;a\'e of liis
hand he went on, as before.

" I don't really like the word, ghost. It conveys a
wrong impression to many. It produces a sort of men-
t:d confusion. If }'ou will kindly allow me to read in
its place, Holy Spirit, or to further simplify matters
by construing the word, hol\-, into such words as higli,
pure, and r.oble, the meaning may be more apparent.
No one who reads the life of Christ can doubt that
his mother was imbued with the highest, noblest ami
most perfect sentiments, from tlie time of his concep-
tion to the time of l;is birth. The doctor here can
readily undeistand that."

" Upon my word," exclaimed David, "you arc har>l
to corner! Your Christianity is the most simple, and
most reasonable I have )'et heard of, but perhaps you
are taking great liberties witli orthodoxy."

" Perhaps so," replied Mi", Senger. " 1 liave no guide
but my own conscience, no authority but the Bible, and
no li^.dit init a deep seated love and reverence for
Christ. Very likely, however, some of our learned
divines might regard me as a heretic, though I feci
assured that if Christ were on earth to-day, Jie would

AN EVENING AT TTTE DOCTOR S,

rt you

o ricli-
iS hear

as gcl-
ry sim^

ng-

J sense
5C that
f God.
,p pears
ry/" he

micson
fhosts

nowitvj;
of liis

ivcys a
of men-
read it\
matters
as hicjh,
parent,
bt tliai:
est ami
conccp-
YiYc can

re hard

)le, and
ips yuii

guide
ble, and

ncc t'T
k'ariii i

1 I fe.l
: would

not, rxceptin;:^ in tlie sense that I am not able to Hvc
up to my own ideals."

" Let us hear \-<)ur opinion of the pcntatciich next."
said the doctor, ''and then we'll change t]i<: subject,"
for he saw that his finest was being* wearied.

The professor shook his head. " I shall not attempt
U) defend or explain the cosmos of the various natituis
iif the earth, not even that of tlie Hebrews."

*' I don't see howx'ou can cl;;ini to be a Christian,
when )'OU don't believe in the Old Testament," roared
Jamieson, bringing liis fi-t down on tlie tal)le with a
bang that set the dishes rattling.

i\Ir. Senger elevated his e\-ebrov.'s and smiled faintly.
" it is not a question of believinc: or disbelieving:^. I
read the Old l^esianicnt, as I migl.t read Buckle's Ilis-
♦or\' of Civilizaiion.

" \Ve> learn the methods, manners, and morals of -'.
truly v.-onderful people ; tlie most enlightened people
at that time on the face of the earth ; indeed, there are
a hundred things wliieh, even in this ni'o'n-es'ive age,
we mi'^ht admire and coi^^-. \\'^\', t" ;■'. ad .lud under-
stand tlie Bible is an cdu.cation in itself. It is like an
inexhaustible spring ; the larger the vessel we take to
it, tiie more we carry awa}-. There are times when
vwy understanding is clearer than at others, ami I often
find the most wonderful depths in apparently simple
passages. You must remember, Mr. Jamieson, tliai
any translated work loses half its beauty ;ind force in
the transi ition. h^:)rtunateiy, I learned to read 1 lebrew
from a Rabbi (■■ lio, by the w; . v/as the most intell'-
gent, broadest, most benevolent and most charitable
ni i\\ 1 ever had tl;c good fortune to meet >, and tlie
i'ihle is always my best companion and frieiid."

The doctor now r^se from the table, and they all
adjourned to tlie li]>r.iry, where t!ie wines and cigars
were hantled about. The professor {X'litdy ch'clined
both, explaining that a man who ate so heart ih' as he
did had no use for stimulants.

His eye fell upon a beautifully illuminated copy of
Omar Khyam\s Rubairyat, which lie j)icked up and
connnenced thumbing over.

The rest smoked on in silctice, each waiting for the

•!&*;?■■

I'liimwHii

ia8

hou?;es of gt.a?s.

other to speak. Finally the dDctor asked Mr. Scnc^rcr
if Ik. u 1 re an admirer of tlie Persian Astronomer Poet.

" \'es, I am an ardent ailnn'rcr of his masterly style,
and yet n')t a follower. He is certainly one of the
Le.-t expcaents of his particular school of thought."

" W'h. . is that ?" asked David, who had not read it.

'" Oh, eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow we
die."

"And is that not good philosophy?" inquired th.c
doctor.

" No, it is very faulty. No philosojihy based on
selfishness can ever begofKl (or humanit}'. True happi-
ness car never come to the man who lives only for him-
self. Indeed, he who lives (^nily for the gratification
of his senses, treads a path that can only lead to satiety
and ennui, misery and suffering. The man of pleasures
is the man of pains.

" i lappiness," continued the professor, " must consi.-t
of something more than relates to ourselves. Our
lives must reach over into those of others and be in-
uuenced bv tliem. We nuist maintain our interest in
the affairs of every day life, and keep a spot in our
hearts, fresh and green, where our s\-mpathies and
emotions never grow cold. Our purest iind most last--
in<j iov is in fdviin^j; it)v to others, in throwing" the sur,-
shine of sympalh)' across their paths. The last tw)
verses of this magnificent poem condemn its philos-
ophy

'" Yon risinjy moon that looks for us aj^ain
How oft hereaficr she will wax atitl wane ;
How oft hereafter risin<^ hiok for us
Through iliis same garden and for one in vain.

And when hke her. O Saki, you shall pass
Among the j;uests star scattered on the grass,
And in your blissful errand reach the spot
Where I made one, Turn down an empty glass.

Soon after reading these lines the professor passed
his hand over his forehead and yawned lieavily.
He closed his eyes, and sat for a few moments as if

AN i:VENING AT THE, DOCTOR'S. I49

fast nslccp. Indeed, they thouc,dit he was asleep, when
suddenly he arose and looked hurriedly about him.

" I think, gentlemen, I shall go home. I have some
writing to do in the morning, a twenty-four page pani-
phlct on the chemistry of light. Splendid thing.
Explodes all other theories. Good night."

As he w;is about to open the door, the doctor grasped
In's hand, ami under the pretense of shaking it, dvcw
him where the light shone full in his face. When tie
door closed behind him, the host came back to liis re-
maining guests in transports of delight.

"Splendid specimen, trul)' wonderful ! His pupils
changed in a few moments. Yes, even the cornea
deepened in colour. An entirely distinct cerebral cur-
rent."

" What do we know about corneas and i)upils, doc-
tor ? That's all Greek to us," exclaimed Gordon.
" Why, it i^. ten o'clock. We must be going too."

" \ our professor is only fit for a lunatic asylum,"
proteste'd jamieson. " The man is crazy."

" There's method in his maelness though," observed
David. " I wouldn't mind having another night with
him.

"You can have him all, for me," growled the iron-
founder. " He's neither fish, flesh, nor good red
herring."

When they were leaving, the doctor whispered in
Gordon's ear that they would have the professor
another evening all to themselves.

But, alas, they were doomed to disappointment, for
the doctor, with a heart-broken lool:, came into the mill
next da)- with the news that the professor had sud-
denly disappeared.

■^■Se*

iifiiiiittliiiia

! r

i=;o

HOUSES Ot GLASS,

CITAPTER XXTV.

A BROKEN PANE.

Many couples claim to have o-one throurrh life with-
out a liarsh word, without a siuL^lc cloud lo mar tiic
sur.shinc of their married life. Others again admit
haviui^r quarrelled in order to enjoy the process of mak-
ing it up, and ttj brini^ Hashes of tenderness from the
dull monotony of ever\ da\' life.

The great majority of liusbands and wives, however,
find that storms, great or small, come in the ordinary
course of events. If each quarrel brings with it a les-
son or a moral, if it succeeds in stam})iiig some new
truth upon our minds, in giving us furllier insight into
each other's characters, or into our own, tlien these
matrimonial disturbances may be said to have some
redeeming features.

Marian was coming liome from a shopping expedi-
tion one afternoon, when just at the corner, opposite
the mill, was a strolling vit iin player. The fellow had
a forlorn look about him tliat appealed to lier sympa-
thy, lie was evidently an Italian, frcmi his swarthy
complexion, and his age nn'glit have been anywhere
between twenty and thirty. His clotlies were worn
and shabby, but neither dirty nor ragged, lie was
very delicate and sickly-looking, but there was some-
thing refined about his general appearance. While she
was approaching, ho was playing the " Miserere " from
"Trovatorc," and, in spite of the crowd of loafers which
surrounded him, she stopped to listen to the beautiful
plaintive tones which s[)oke to her heart.

The instrument seemed to be a living, breathing
thing, which told, with thr(.)bbing heart, its tale of
sorrow.

Surely, she thought, such human emotions, hopes,
tears and smiles, must come from wood which had felt
the throb of life.

When the musician saw the lady listening, he seemed

A BROKEN PANE.

i=;f

I'C

to feci the Inspiration of her presence. His lu ad
dropped to one side, his eyes instinctively closed, and
leaning a^^ainst the brick wall, he poured fiirth hissoul
in sound.

He selects another theme. Slowly he commences.
The deep soft '* purple hum " of his base strin^^ layr.
a background, and with a rising inflcctioii spreads it
out, till a few staccato notes, in the ui:)|)cr register,
draws an outline between earth and sky. Cowanstone
vanishes like magic, and in its place are green
fields and shady woods, while here and there, in
rippling tones, comes a stream. A few fortissimo
notes clear the sky and show the brilliant glare of
noonday sun, while the rapid, sv.-inging bow strikes out
in bold relief tlie trunk and branches of a tree, which
little whispering slurs bedeck with foliage. Husli !
the voice is changed. There's something li\ing C(MiHng
now, which is approached with care and caution. It
U a human form, asleep under the tree. A toil-worn,
rugged face, pinched w ith poverty, niarked with grief
and care, a face which might be taken to represent the
toiling millions of to-day. From calm and placid sleep
the face changes and becomes radiant with joy. The
sleeper dreams. His little hut beyond the hills be-
comes magnified into a mansion beautified witli vines
and llowers. His rags are turned to robes, and the
very air is roseate with jo}-, when suddenly the double
stops cru( ily throw a glare of sunlight on the sleeper's
face, and liis dream of joy is over. Again he is a peas-
ant whose heritage is care and toil.

The loafers ceaseel their jo;;os, and wondered what
it was that made them feel ,' sad. What weird ma.gic
was in that slender wrist and trembling fingers, which
made them ashamed of their coarseness ?

Marian was weeping softly while he played, and as
soon as he had finishecl, she stepped forward and emp-
tied her purse into his hand.

*' Come with me, plea.se. Come to my Ik^usc and
play for me." The fiddler put his instrument in its
bag, and grasped a crutcli behind him. " What ! are
you lame? Poor fellow! Wrll. hero, lean on me.
Let me carry your violin." In a few moments siie was

■ [f >»?fTi,;7'«'* "11 jHf—tWI

T52

HOUSES OF GLASS.

walklnj^ arm in arm up the main street with a tramp
ficUUer.

Po(^r IMarian forr^ot that tlic world was h:)okini^ on,
foiLijot that David's office was just across the street.
She did not notice the fashionaljle Mrs. Mills and the
spiteful Mrs. Baker drivini^ past in tk.eir carriages.
She did not see the jeering looks, or hear the smoth-
ered laughs of her neighbours. Indeec', in her flood of
.sympath\\ lier very imlividuality was swept away, and
she scarcely knew avIio or where she was.

Sh<.' took him home to play for Mrs. Gordon tb.e
old Scotch airs she loved so well. She gavi, him food,
and was about to gi\'e liim wip.e when he refused it,
explaining s.idly, that not oidy had liquor cost him his
position, but had been the cause of the accident
through whicli his leg had been ' "oken. She took
his name and gave him her address, telling him to
write her when in trouble, and, if possible, visit lier
again.

To this little dran.a, however, there was a painful
sequel, for David from his office window had seen his
wife defying all the proprieties, and standing weeping in .1
crowd of loafers. Then to sec her going up the street,
carrying the greasy fiddle-bag, and supporting the low
fellow's arm, was enough to make a saint swear. When
he saw the ])eoplc on the street making fun of her, lie
fairly ground his teeth with rage.

" It is 'lotln'ng but damned gawkishncss, Ain'body
else would know better. By God, I don't know how
she coidd make herself so ridiculous. It will be tlic
talk of the town."

Not knowing the depths of his wife's nature, he could
not ir.-.derstand such barefaced, downright defiance of
Mrs. Grundy. He was in a terrible temper all after-
noon, and he felt that it would not be good for him to
meet his wife. She had touched him in a tender spot.
He could not bear to have his pride humbled. To
make matters v.orsc, one of the bins burst and wasted
a quantity of wheat, wliile b}' the carelessness of one of
his men, a valuable machine was broken. When he
came in to supper, he was in a very explosive frame of

A nROKEN panp:.

153

mind, but he waited till his wife had laid the dishes
away, before he commenced.

" What in the name of common ch^cency, made you
stand at the corn<'r this aftcrnooii, Hl^e a LjiiJ-^)' ainon'-
a crowd of loafers ?"

Marian turned pale, and rej)lied faintl\', that she did
not know she had done anythin^^ wron;;.

" I did not say you did anything wron^. but I do sa\'
it was d— d fooHsh." Mrs. 15aker and Mrs. Mills will
make you the laui,diin_<;-stock of the tfv.vn."

She was so uncoiisciousof wrong-doiujr^ ajid hisrcbuicc
was so unexpected, that she know not what to sa\-.
She sank into a chair with a look of pain and wondjr
in her face. The fact that his wife did not reply made
David still worse, lie paced tlie floor like a caged

lion

" You acted like a tomboy, all t]irou;:,di," he con-
tinued, " chumminc^ with a [^q-easy low tramp." St.il!
no reply, no excuse, or no apoloc;y, and still his temper
was getting hotter. lie would make her speak, lie
would cut her to the quick.

" By heavens, I won't have such work. It you have
no regard for yourself, you've got to have for me. Do
5 you hear? I won't have such loutishness."

She was roused at last. With flaming eyes and burn-
ing cheeks she drew herself up to her full lu^gat, and
stood facing him.
■ " David (jordon, you are a rufi an and a rowdy to

bully me like this. A tyrant i; always a coward.

illave you no heart? Is thero no music in your soul
, to sweep away your vain and sordid self ? Are you but
a mass of flesh and bones whose spirit never rises past
i its common wants ? Look you, sir. I had rather be

the m iddiest piece of clay deep in the waters of some
stagnant pool marked with the trail of slimy reptiles,
than be a living, conscious creature who never felt the
mingling of the soul with all the elements of earth and
sky. I'd rather be the dead limb of a tree whose
neighbouring branches would bud and blossom to
cover up my ugliness."

David was completely overwhelmed both by her
radiant beauty and her unconscious elo>|uence. She

iii

154 HOUSES OF f;LASS.

seemed to liavc risen above the commo!i clay In maj-
esty and power.

A f^limpsc into the wonderful depths of lier nature
awed liim v.-ith its vastness. licfore lie had time to
sp-ak she left the room. lie listened to lur footsteps
as she ascended the stairs, and lie noticed that she did
not go to the apartment they usually occupied, but to
a i)rivate chamber.

She had scarcely gone when old I\Irs. Gordon, who
lived in s parate apartments, came in with a look of
reproach on her face. " Davie, yer door was open,
and I couldna help hearin'ye baith. Man, but ye hae
the clink o' yer feyther's tongue, and many a sair
heart I had wi't.

*' Merrian, puir thing, her licart is owcr big for yac
body. The music, Davie, wis far past coinmon. I
gar'd m}'self believe I saw the heather hills, and wee
bit neucks and braes where often on a simmer's nicht,
i dauner'c wi ma lad. Aye, and the burnie pirling
doon the glen, where wiles us lassies wat oor feet when
comin' frae the schule. Yon woman, Davie, is far
ayont you or me. Ve maun guide her wi' a gentle
h lun.

" Noo, awa' up the stair and make it up wi' her.
Dinna aye be wondering what this ane or that ane wiU
say. I wadna' gae her sic a sair heart for a' the fo'k
in Gowanstone."

To the old lady's surprise David broke down an^l
wept. " I must look small in her eyes, mother. Shi;
will never think the same of me again."

His mother looked at him tenderly. She caressed
his head against her bosom, ;ind almost choked herself
to suppress her own tears. " Oh, laddie," she said,
.sorrowfully, "I'm feart ye sliarp tongue 'ill gae ye
mony a sair heart, as weel as lur. It was the only faut
yer puir feytlier had afore ye."

" She'll never think anything of me again."

" Toots, mon, ye ken little aboot a woman's heart.
I looed yer feyther nine the less for a' his fauts. We
hae mair patience wi' men's fauts than they has wi'
oors. Rin awa\ noo, and tak ma blcssin' wi* ye. If

A BROKFN' PANE.

vill

'J3

she (lacs j^ae ye a bit cut wi* the tongue, keep miml ye
deserve it."

" Marian, I have come to apoh:)£fi7,e,'' saiil David,
entering the ronna where his w ife lay, apparently half
asleep on her bed. " Won't you fori;ive nie ?"

" Leave the room now, I wish to be alone."

"But, Marian, wait till I explain."

" No," she re[)liecl, "you thought I was a tomboy,
and I thouijht you were a gentleman. We were both
mistaken. The ruffians, it seems, were nnt all on the
corner. Those were only the ones who wear no dis-
guise."

David jumped to his feet.

<i ■^

'.larian,

I 1

lavc offeree

you my apolug)' and you refuse even to listen to it.
I will make amends suitable and proportionate^ to the
occasion, but I give )'ou fair warning that not even
for you shall I cringe or crawl. 1 am ashamed of my
temper. I ani sorry for the injustice I have done }'o

I always told }'ou I h.ad an abominable temper whic
prompts me to say things I am afterwards sorry for.
I deeply regret that for a time I forgot what was due
to you as a lad}', as my wife. If this will suffice, here
is my hand. If not I shall be inclined to believe that
.you never have loved me." There was a ring of defi-
ance in his tones as he walked over to the bed and
held out hii3 hand, but s!ic neither movcrl nor looked
towards him. " Very well," he continued, and was
about to leave the room, w!umi his mother entered.

She did not speak a word, but took her s^n by
the hand and led him to his knees at his wif(,''s bed-
side. There was a sacredness in her presence which
overawed them both, and the big tears which ran
down her cheek made them forget their cjuarrel.
Marian's beautiful snowy bosom was partly uncovered,
and the old lady placed her son's head upon his wife's
beating heart.

Gently she took Mr. ian's arm and placed it round
his neck, then without speaking a word she closed the
door behind her, and left them sobbing in each other's
arms,

"tVi^:."

i!^-^2S;L*3!dM>MlB

HOUSES OF GLASS.

Cfi/V1T1':R XXV.

MAIUA.N s Di:i;uT.

TllF estimate which the worM nhiccs upon m de-
pends larj^^ciy unon ourselves. It is not wli ;t we ai",
but what wo aj)pr;;r t > be, that is the basis ot sociely's
valuation. A man with very ordinary talents, wiio is
hii;ii in self-csteeni, i.s ahnost certain to outshine his
competitor who lias more ability and less assurance.
One of the many thini^s we are apt to take on trust is
our fellow-creatures. Gravity is successfully ust;d to
cover ij^morance. Those who look wise and say noth-
im^ i;et credit for knowing a great deal more than
they do. .Self-confidence is even better than cravitv.
J low can we expect our neighbours to have confi-
dence in us, if we do not have it in ourselves?

Marian made up her mind that there should be no
more quarrels with her husband for lack of observing
the j)roprieties, or standing on her dignity. She saw
tliat he was anxious to have her recognized by those
who were considered the aristocrats of the town and
she adopted a new attitude towards them.

When she met these luminaries, she wore an air of
calm, dignified superiority. She did nrjt affect that
retaliating expression which is so often spitefully
overdone in circumstances of this kind. Her face and
fiifure iziivc her wonderful advanta'^es in a warfare of
this nature, and her careless way of looking right past
them without seeming to notice them was terribly ag-
gravating to her adversaries.

Mrs. liakerhad tried to fasten upon her tlie appella-
tion of tile " bariu'ard beauty," but lately she had re-
vised her nickname and Mrs, Gortlon was now " the
Si)hinx," because she took no notice of them. This
went on for some time until they became piqued at
her silence, and considered it a distinction to be no-
ticed by her, the more so as it was one which very few
enjoyed.

a^^-

bUa-

rc-

the

This

:1 at

no-

MARIAN'S DEBUT. T57

ITcr first conquests \vcrc Sydney Dillon and Mrs.
Ainslcy. Ilaviiv^' f^one this far, victnry was in her
o.va hands. Ik-forc \on'^, Mrs. Jlak-r was glad to
get an answering bow from her. Everybody got the
impression tliat Mrs. Gordc^n consiilered (louanstonc
society not good cnougli for lur, and though tlu-y pro-
tested that she was no better than any one else, )'ct
the\' liad a dim im[)ression that she mi'.;lit be, after

all.'

A triilin^^ incident one day made her triumph com-
plete. Mr. Dally, casliier of the First National Hank
of Levisville, drove m'er to see David on business.

ith h

ife. Sh

■11 k

l)ruiguig witli --. .^-_ _.

Gow.uistone, and v.-as supposed to have more than
the usual sup[)ly of blue bi )od in her veins. She
had been a school friend of Marian, and now paid
her a visit to renew her acquaintance. When Mrs.
Dally iLarncd the social position of tlie Gordons she
exclaimed :

" Dear me, what impudence ! W'liy. y.)ur mother
could buy out the whole lot of them. Just wait,
we'll fix theuTi. Mr. Dally, you know, his the stron;;est
political pull in the State. Just watch how quickly they
will come to time. Have you got a little carriage of
your own ? V(3U have. Good! You drive mc around
while I make fl)ing calls on a few of tlu-m. You shall
sit in the buggy, and when they invite me to sta\' I
shall tellthem I am spendingtheday with my old friend,
IMarian. By the way, what a lovely parasol you have.
Just lend it to me and they will think we have one
alike," continued the little woman, laufjhing merrilv.
"They'll come to time, the boobies. I'll wager a pair
of gloves they will all call in a week."

Mrs. Dally proved a true prophet, for the procession
of callers comnienced th.e very next dr.y. One had
been suiTering from a coltl, another had been detained
by company, and still p.riollier h.id bc-en from home.
Each and every one had an excuse to offer for not
having called before, expressed the hope that Mrs.
Gordon would not stand on ceremony, and begged her
to call any time.

David was vain enough to be pleased with this new

— .;j,ii.ij>->.,^-.»uiB-;a<i;H[

HOUSES OF GLASS.

turn of cvcnt<?, not that lie cared a pin for tlio pleasure?
of society, but he wiiiiled sucli reco^i^niti"!! as would
satisfy' his pride. Soon after tliis he brou-dit liome a
card of invitation to a bail at Janiieson's. He and hi-
wife were to be ])ublicly admitted within tlie charmed
circle of the upper ten. Not, indeed, that the iron-
founder was the real crnnc de la cr'nit' himself. II,-
was a mendjer und>r protest, as it were, who h.id [)ut-
chasiMl his way in ; but t]ie«'e he was, nevertheless, au'l
♦here he was likely to remain as long as his purse heKl
out.

Of course it wa^ to be a swell aff.ur. That went
without sayinq^. Everybody was expected to be in full
dress. David was not at all displeaseil at this feature,
for he had the clcLjant outfit with which the mayor of
Lcvisvillj had decorated him on the evenin;.^ of his
baseball victory, and then he would have an opportu-
nity of showini^ off his wife.

" Just wait, M.irian, till they sec your neck and
shoulders — oh, you ma)' pooh, pooh, atul claim that it
is only my imagination, but I tell you that they ari-
just heavenly. You arc afraid to go that way?
Ashamed ? Pshaw ! Wdiy, half of them will look like
anatomical specimens. You'll feel comfortable enough
when \'ou see them, excepting that they will give yen
gruesome visions of the skull and cross-bones order.
They can dress and dress; they can exhaust all the ar-
tistic skill on earth, but none of them can match na-
ture's adornments."

From the tir; : of its announcement till tiie affair
came off, Jamieson's ball was the talk of the town, es-
pecially amongst the fair sex. The little flutter of
excitement which ^receded it was a boon to the dress-
makers.

The iron foundicr's cratherinfjs were alwavs on a
large scale. lie had the biggest rooms, the most bril-
liant chandeliers, the most elaborate decorations \n
town, and his menu was more delicate and expensive
than that of any of the others.

His decorations were always on too gorgeous a scalr,
according to Sydney Dillon's opinion, but Jamieson

MARIANS DERUT.

I 59

and

affair
AH. co-
lter "t

dress-
on a

;t bri'i-
lons in

jcnsivc

|i scaUs
inieson

(Htl not recop^nizo liis ccnsorsliip. To that extent li<

was a social re

bel.

o u

ffsct tills, however, lie rrenerallv secured, b'

hook or crook, sonic social or political lion as a ic;

ill'/ attrav,tion.

These 'jathcrinLTs, though stroncr i:i

numbers, were sujjposed to be somewhat " leaky " ia
quality ; people from the common hertl were invari-
ably present, lie actually, on one occasion, invited
his foremen mechanics: antl at another time tin- wliolc
assembly was poisoned by the presence of a servant

rirl

ic omnivorousness o

f Jamieson's social tastes
was always a sort of buj^aboo, but people became ac-
customed to his democratic notions and suffered in
silence.

That nii,dit, before f:joinfT out, David called his mother
to look at his wife before puttin;^ on her cloak and
wraps. For some moments the old lady did not speak.
Then, shakini; her head doubtfulK-, she said : " Merrian,
lass, I'm feart it's no riclit tae let fok glower at yer
bonnie neck and shoulthers. It canna be richt tae
mak men fori^et their ain wives. Fashion was surely
invented by the dcil."

" Fll put on anotlier waist, then, motluu-, if you nay
so.

" Indeed you won't," David protested. " If you do,
wc will stay at home. If we can't i;o like others, we
shan't go at all."

" Toots, lassie, dinnr heed an auld body like me.
The worl' is ower far aliead o' nia time noo. Deed, I
like tae look at ye mysel'. Awa' }'e go, and mind ye
diniia get yer death o' cauld,"

Ik'fore they reached the house they could hear the
strains of the band crashing through the open windows.
Here again custom hail taught Jamieson's guests to
prepare for an ordeal which they not only suffered
without protest, but often feebly api^lauded for ap-
pearance sake.

He al\va\s procured for the occasion the best or-
chestra which money coidd obtain, but in order to still
further outshine his social rivals, his own brass b.md
must be on hand, to open the proceedings and give to
the affair a certain amount of military eclat. The

"•'"if?''' lismmmtmsmk

ibo

HOUSES OF GLASS.

shinitif^ steel helmets, glistening brass instruments, and
sc.irlet-faecci uniforms of fifty men, had a picturesque
effect U|)on tlie assembly, which was practic.ilb/ out (.f
the reach of his competitors. Ihit in spite of all his
vanities, Jamieson was a h;iil fellow, lie liked to go
about extracting approbation from one and all, but he
gave good value in return, and whenever a fresh con-
sigmnent of popularity was purchased, he always paid
the highest })rice. He was generous to a fault, and
generally took pleasure by giving it to others. Therein
lay ihe great secret of his success as a host • the reason
why Ids evenings were the most successful of au\-.
His soldierly attention to the small.-st details left notic-
ing undone, consecpientU' his pi();,.>ramme of j)roceed-
ings went on with a smoothness which was the envy anil
wondi-T of the town. Tlie doctor aKvays maintained
that Jamieson had missed his calling. He should ha>e
been a field-marshal.

Wlien Marian entered the room, she was greeti d
with a perfect hum of atlmiration. A score- of e\'-
glasses were immediately brought into pla)'.

In a few moments the gentlemen, }-oung and ol !.
were raving about her, while the ladies were {)ale with
envy. It was no use trying to belittle her any longer.
The wisest of her (Mivious rivals tacitly acknowledged
their defeat with good grace. They determined to bu
friendly with her.

Her eyes! Her hair! Her mouth ani her smile,
then such a figure and such a bust i Why, they were
fit iov a goddess !

Judges, senators and congressmen jostled each other
in securing an introduction, while Sydney IJillon w.is
he ird wdds[)ering to a friend that she maile all tlu
other ladies in the room look small or wrinkled.

?darian had ne\'er been at a social gathering of tlii:^
kind in her life. She h.ad no experience to guide her.
At first, she felt a sliijht inward trenddhig as the cool
air came in contact wilh her bare arms, but wlu'u slu'
sav.- scores of others, whose nakedness was far more
extravagant than her own, she recovered her self-
possession.

and
>quc

It of

1 his

lit he
c en-
paid

, and

icrcin

casnn

any.

nollv

'y and
taiiu'd
J have

rct:tcd

lul ol I
Ic Willi

Icch^cd
i to be

^\\\\\<^- ;
V were

other
)n w.i>
all tiu'

of tln:^
u\c her
lie cotil
u'U slu'
,ir niore
■icr srl'-

MARTAX 'S DEBUT.

I()I

At the seminary she had taken lessons in cicpiit-
mcnt, but had quite for^^jottcn them.

"1 shall just be natural; bo myself. 1 shall act
just as I do at home. \\'h\- should dicss make
an)' differ ncc ? Besitles, I cannot be ])ent up v.ith
stiif convenlion:tlties. I could not breathe in an atmo-
sphere of artificiality. If 1 have the iiistincts of a lady,
1 shall not need any veneeri^i^^ and if I have not. the
varnish will only make vuk^arity more vui;_^^lr. I shall
not try to palm off cheap etiquette for rood breediui^,
ivir polished ignorance for intellectual culture. I am
n >t very sure of myself at best, but whetiicr 1 be pd-
trician or plebeian, pretense will not help me."

\\ithoutknov.ini; it Marian stumbled on th.e verv
first principle of L^^ood breedin;^. Iler in. inner oi\
th.is occasion was pronounced b}' Sydney Dillon to |jc
])erfect, thou^di she violated the proprieties by L;ivin;j;-
him two dances.

D.ivid was also a iku'icc, l)ut he had self-confidence
enou'di to carrv him throutjh. Indeed, his mother
always maintained that he had " a kenin ov. re nuickle
V 1 lielan' pride in him."

There were none of the £][ucsts who enjoyed t!ie
proceedinc^s more thorous^hly tlian did Dr. Ivjnnet. lie
sat at the far end (^f the room, smilinj^^ and noddiiu^ to
all, inwardly delighted with the fine variety of speci-
mens.

There was Mr, Ilalton — the druj^pfist, rather amus-
ing, ahva3's happy, perfectly satisfied with him^i'U. If
ho broke one leg, he would pat himself on the back,
because he had been clever enough t(i save the other.

Sheriff Baker — clean slate, whitewash, as the ball
players call it.

Mrs. Baker- fine head for a hnrgl ir. Dying v ith
cnvyand liatingeverybody. Grand si)ecimen. Sh oidd
have been a hangman.

Judge McKiin--a,i! wool, but not quite the )-ard
wide. Mrs. McKim— dca- lirtle kitten with e'.xtra
claws.

Congressman Bat*'* — born anarchist : down with
everything that's up.

Mr. Shcfford — indifferent i^anker. Rasc.il himsolf,

I 52

HOUSES OF GLASS.

iuid thinks everybody else is. BcMeves in nothing but
P.Ir. Shcfford. Too much caution for a criminal, and
too little courage for a detective. Splendid gambler
tor small .stakes.

David (lordon — egotistical, narrow and conscien-
tious, Make good preacher.

Mrs. (iordon — " Ila I that's her, eii. Heard a good
deal about her, but never saw her."

His eyes gleamed and he fitlgetted in his chair. He
took a pinch of snuff and wiped his glasses

*' Great specimen, genus homo, feminine gender.
Under lip a trille heavy, fond of eating, fond of pleas-
ure and of the opposite sex. Fine mother fur bii;
men."

Just then she happened to turn her face towards
him with a smile upon it. " Wheew ! wild pitch!
Tr\' again I Great frontal development, both breadth
an.l depth. Ikit the eyes ; yes, and the whole face.
Humph ! a puzzle."

He rubbed his left arm : helped himself to another
pinch of snuff, and for a time never took his eyes off
her face.

But she was not allowed to sit long, for her card \va.^

^)»

early filled. The doctor himself was so captivated;
tliat he asked her to sit out a dance witli him. He
drew her into conversation, and watched her rn
(dosely as decency would permit, but in the end lie

was as

far f

rom a so

kit

ion as ever.

His usual methods of analvsis had failed.

raivje

combination. Wonderfully magnetic. Could feel

self. Felt as if I wanted to sit

on ner knee ai^

kiss her. Humph ! confound it, she has deflected my
mental compass."

These were the reflections of Dr. Bennct on his way
home that night. " Fll cipher her out >'et," he said a>
he savagely dug his umbrella into the sidewalk, " but I
shal try it at long range after this."

s • ,

il.i

th
Ir

ClI

tlhl

noi

\va\

rURER LIGHT.

163

g but
nibler

CHAPTRR XXVI.

iscicn-

i good

:. lie

render.

plcas-

for bi-

ioward^

pitch '.

brcadlh

lie face,

another
eyes "^i

card wa?

)Uvalc(-i

ni. He

her a^

end he

Straiv;;o
d (ccl It
knee aiKl
ected my

n his way
he said a-
Ik, "but I

ruKKR T.ic.iir.

There wn.?, one tinn;:^ which liad r^^ccntly become a
ch'ud on Marian's happiness and a rebuke to her con-
scirnce.

The Slimmer liad a^iain come and '-^onc. M(^rc tlian
a year liad passed away since the me!n(jrabie sc>--ne in
the parlour at Broadview, }-et her mother had >cnt no
token of forc^iveness.

Nelly, Fred and her father were constant ])'-v.-eekly
visitors and they never came emply-handed, but the
sonu. .unLf she lon^rcd for never came.

None of them ever mentioned Marian's name In her
mother's presence for fear of creatini; further disturb-
ance, and, often as they had been over, Mrs. llall(jrd
liad never asked after her dau<diter's health.

M.o'ian loni'Ted for a reconciliation, but as she had
been ordered from home with maleilietions on iK-rhcati,
she thou^dit it was her mother's dut)' to make the first
advances.

liut the insult which had been hissed into her ear
was the hardest blow of all. \Vhen«.;ver she tliou;_;ht
of it her cheek flushed with sh.inie. The secret which
she thought buried forever was no secret at all. lb r
mother had known it all tliese }'ears. W'h}-, th^n,
had he not kept it to herself.

As she looked back over the past ALirian saw through
tlic whole situ. *"on. vShe uiulerst-M>d wiiv the Lanj-
trys hail been sold out. and why she was sent to Mon-
trcal. She even guessed that Iier mother had inter-
cej^ted her letters.

\^' (11, it was all over now, and perhaps it was all for
the .)est. One thing of whicli she vvas ghul u'as that,
on the memorable day of tlie quarrel, siie had s.iiJ
nothing disrespectful to her mother, consetpiently. ..hti
had no harsh words for which to apologize. The feel-
ing that justice was on h^ side had heretofore sati::.ried

^mmmm

i;HSi*si'i -■<"f)'t-j'*Hs e m»u fm mm

-.,.;..> h.»«««,-.,...,.i,^..:^,

I04

HOUSES OF GLASS.

her, but -witliin tlic past few montlis her itnv.ir'l con-
sciousness told licr that her (hity hiy beyond the line
of jiisti.:t.' into the realms o*" chari': ; and for^.n'ven-.-s.
Wiien her father, brother and sister visited her, w'v a
tluy Were seated round her board she often said t)
hersjlf, " Po )r mother, how lonesome she must b>. !
Her life must be a jo)'less one."

Her natural tendency towards benevolence was
probably increased by the knowledge that she was soijii
to become a niother.

" God knows, perliaps I shall need some day the in-
dulgence and forgiveness of the child unborn.

" Twenty odd years ago mother probably felt as I
do now. I'll go and write this very mdnute. I'll ncx'. r
let the sun go down on my wrath again. Poor moth.r
can hardly write her name, but she will answer some-
how. "

Now that she had made up her mind to do it she
wa; all eagerness and haste.

She ran into the old lady's rooms and almost fright-
ened her with her impetuousness.

'' Losh, Merran, ye gied me a gliff. I thought there
was something wrang. Are ye weel enuch !" she con-
tinued m a confidential tone of voice as she scannul
her crilically. " Yer een are rid wi' gr(.'eLin'."

" Yes, but they are wholesome tears," replied the
young wife. " Tm going to write' home to mother an 1
ask her to come and sec me. Will it be right ?" Tho
old lady wiped tlie moisture from her e)'cs.

"Ah, M .rran lass, the wee thing has open't yer een.
Yes, write to yer mither, puir body. Put awa a' )\ r
pride, and gan-j tae her as yc wad hae yer bairn come
tae yersel some day. \Vc mauna judge ane anith r
ower sair. We canna hand up our heids and say tli.it
aiskj's bl ick and I'm white, when we're a' taured wi' ll.o
vae .-tick. It disna dae for fo'k that bide in gles^
bioosei tae cast stanes, an' I'm thinkin yae bod\''s
feoose Crtinna lauch at anithers in thwt respec'. Aye, aye,
make a clean breast o' 't. There's little use carryin'
aboot a pooch fu' o' stanes, when we daurna ca.^t
them."

■;*

PURER LIC.HT,

165

Following out tlic old lady's advice she wroto as
follows :

" Dear Motttkr : — /Vftcr our \r>n^ cstranc^cmotU. T
scarcely know liow to bci^in this klLcr, l)ut now thai I
am writiii;.^, I wonder that I never did so before. I''or
iiKmths past 1 have been loni^dng to see you and, just
tf)-day, not many minutes ai^o, 1 made up my mind to
ask }'tnir for;^nvcness. Let me conf':ss that, for a time,
I harboured thou^^hts of revmi^e ami retaliation. Your
cruel words stur.L,^ me to tiie (jaick, Imt I kiu-w you tlid
ni,)t mean it when you called me "li;4-ht skirt." You
only said it in a temper. I have often said and done
things in a temper that I was sorry for a ir.onient
afterwards. It was hardi to lia\e }'ou th.ink ill of me;
to liave you thinl: I was unworthy of being }'our
daughter. Yo!i know I uas young, warm bh^oded and
full of imagination : and I had not learnt the lesson of
controlling my passions. You will believe that for a
time I tried to do right, young as I was. Surrounded
by temptation in the fc^rm of music, mooidight, and
lack of restrain!-, I might even th^n have succeeded,
but that I had to resist myself as Vvell as him.

" Well, it is all over now, and I oidy refer to it
so as not to leave a single cloud between us, and
when we mee't a'/ain we mav' look into each other's
eyes. You will be glad to know th.it, so far, my
married life has been a happy one. Whatever faults
my husband may have, he s a good, moral man. .'ind
I am glad to know' tiiat th(.' father of my child is
clean and pure in thought. A strange feeling c;ime
over me to-day. I felt as if I wanted to Liy m\' head
on your breast a'ul have a good cry. I know )-o;!
must have felt like this before I was born. Soniethdng
seemed to tell me that I had never loved )-ou a; I
ought to. David's motln^r, the dear old soul, told me
to tell you everything, so )'ou will not laugh wi^ii I
tell you that I took a great longing for that cu^t.ir 1
you used to make. I tried to m.ike some to-dax, I)'.:t
it hadn't the right flavour. It seems silly to nientio:- it,
but I dreamt last night that I ate a wlnde Ixnvlful,
and I have been thinking about it all da}-. Yuu can

-eiSBjlE-,-

'i-iNkiMiiMi

teifiysi

1 66

IIDUSKS OI' f;i.ASS.

send tlic recipe witli Fred on Sunday. Couldn't you
come over yourself soon ? I know you will conic
when I am sick, won't you, mother ?

" I know you don't like writing, but you can answer
me somehow, so that I will know ycnir heart is still
warm for

" Your repentant dauc^hter,

Marian."

" The letter must be posted immediately. This is
Thursday antl 1 will get a reply 'on Saturday. Oh,
dear, it seems long to wait. I shall register it, so that
no one will get it but herself. I feel better now," and
she gave a great sigh of relief.

Nothing seems more conducive to happiness than a
noble duty, nobly done. In a short time Marian was
at her piano singing the " Crookiet Bawbee " for
IJavid's mother. She was so cheerful thrtt evening
that her husband remarked it as soon as he i ntered
the door.

" I wrote home to mothei n--day asking her for'dve-
ness."

David was completely thunderstruck. He threw his
ji.it on the table and stood looking at her in astonish-
ment. " For God's sake, Marian, have you gone crazy ?
How could you be such a lu'pocrite, when y(Hi know
}'ou had nothing to apologize for. I detest even f/ioc^
humility."

This was too much for poor Marian. She fairly
ran from the room in a torrent of weeping.

David saw that lie had been too severe. He fol-
lowed her and caught her in his arms.

" Forgive me ikjw and kiss me. Oh, but you must.
Now again. There, now sit down here on my knee
and tell me all about it."

He took his handkerchief and wiped her face and
eyes.

" My tongue is too sharp, darling. Mother says it
* clinks like airn.' "

Marian looked up triumphantly. " Well, mother
said I should write, so now ' And 1 am sure she ought
to know bett/r than you. '

PURER MCIIT.

107

"Oh. '^^Hc should, should she? Ha, ha, ha! Well,
ril <^ive up tryin<^ to understand women after this, but

I sui){K)Se yuu co.ixetl lier into suiin;,^ with \'ou •*

Marian was touched at this insinuation, and made an

effort to free Iierself.

" Oh, no, ycu don't get away like that. Here, n<i

.inother kiss. That s n-^dit. Now, darlinl^^ you know
as well as I tlo that you had nothing to apoloj^ize for.
Your mother simply drove you out."

" Yes, but, David, I can sec that I never loved mother
as I oui^lit to."

" What on earth has that <;ot to tlo with it ? She
repudiated all <^uardianshi{) and contrcd over }'ou. and
how, in the name of common sense, can anv one think
you did wronij in actini:^ for yourself? I'll statul up
f(K justice at all times, but no humbleness for me. I
always detested Uriah lleep."

Marian was really vexed now, but Iv avid onl)' held
her the tii^hter. " 1 liope you tlon't compare me with
liini. It's mean of you to insinuate such thin^^s. I
nc\er crincjed or crawled to an\-bouv. Let me cfo or
1 will strike you."

"I really wish you would," he said with a laucjli.
" Here," and he held out his cheek. Smack ! *' Here's
the other now," and she treated it in the same way,
but followed it up with a kiss, and broke down cr)in;^.

" It's mean of you to tease me like this when \<)U
know I am so peevish and childish. 15ecause I act like
a baby you needn't treat me like one."

" Now, dear, if you cry I'll <;et cross. It is the silliest
thin^^ a person can do. It was )'our mothers place to
come to you. She acted the part of a tjrant, and let
me say, ri^ht here, that no t\-rant shall mcd>:e a foot-
stool of my neck, at least, not while I am alive. ' Wha
sac base as be a slave ?' " he (pioted from the soul-stir-
ring song of '" Scots wha hae."

" Don't talk too harshly about mother or you and I
shall quarrel."

" You may be sure, Marian, I shall tell the truth,
even at that risk. A sj).ule is a spade. Your apology
to your mother has not my a[)proval."

She sprang to her feet and walked across the floor

mtm

1 68

IlfKJSKS OF CLASS.

without spcakinq-, but David continued. ** Rir^bt Is
ri^^ht and utohlj is \vron<j. No one can make it otiicr-
wise."

Marian was roused now. " You tplk of ri^ht
and wi'on.L,' as if they were sacks oi wlieat. What
I may think ri^ht, you may think wrong, and
vice versa. Wiio is to be jutlt;e ? How can )-ou
set yourself up as an arbiter ? Are you not liunian
like tile rest of us ?"

He made as if to answer, but she went on. '" The
first thing a man or wo'.nan docs, when they
commit a misdeed, is to justify it in tlieir own con-
science. The robber, tlie burgkar. the libertine, and
the drunkard, all have a thousand excuses and con-
science-salves for their misd .-eds. Even Torquema(K'i
and Robespierre were mora', men in their own estima-
ion.

"A very good argument my dear, but no sopl istry
will do av%ay witli conscience."

*' Yes, but I have tried to show you how elastic and
uncertain conscience is. Wasn't that fat fellow in
Shakespeare's play an example ? T'alstaff, I mean,
who did not know right from wrong."

David hesitated a moment. He felt that he was get-
ting the worst of the argument, and wanted time to
frame his reply. His wife had long since discovereil
liis love of argument, ami latterly, in all their little tiffs
she found that an intelligent discussion was ahvay^>like
oil on troubled waters. Even when she worsted him,
he was a thousand times better pleased than when she
remained silent, for his decpj sen.-.e of justice alwav s
recognized a point when it was made. He honestly
felt that he was being cornered, but at last replied that
there surely must be some fixed basis of right an.l
wrong, or justice could never be meted out.

" Granted. But are there not times when we should
do more than justice ?" she asked.

" No," he r''[)lied. ''Justice Is sufficient. It is the
only ship in w^hich humanity can safely sail."

" What, then, would become of acts of kindness, love
and charity ? Did the mother v/ho bore you measure her
actions towards you by the iron rule of justice ? Were

A TOUCH OF XATI-RK. 169

the tlocd^ of lVal/i7Ci\ to whom you i^avo just rcforrcc!,
iii-nircd by bare justice? Your ideas, !)avid, are too
C(dd. There must be sometliiiii^ above us, on wlu'ch
to lean for sympatliy and t^uidance."

"All very good, if your imagination is vivid enou;;h.
Everyone is entitled to all the comfort that can be got
out of such delusions."

She came and placed her hands on his shoulders.
She coukl scarcely find words to express her meaniu'.y.
She start'jd to speak several times, and stoppe(i.
Finally she said, " David, don't you see that if reason
is all in ali, if knowledge is cver)'thing, people would
only be clever, they wouldn't h^ i^oodY'

" Well, I will be satisfied with bare justice in this
work!, Marian, ami I will takes chances on the next."

Sh.- sliook her head. " I don't know. I would be
afraid of baie justice. I would want a little charity
and mercy thrown in to balance the scales for me. I
know that there is lots of bad in me."

'* Why, Marian, you are getting morbid. You arc not
going to commit highway robbery ? You are not your-
self to-nij^ht. Come, dear, we'll drop the subject.
The tea is getting cold and I like neither cold tea nor
cold love."

CHAPTER XXVII.

A TOUCH OF NATURE.

The world is not peopled with heroes and villains,
as works of fiction would have us suppose. The words
good and bad, moral and immoral, arc only relative
when applied to individuals. In the worst desperadots
have been found the finest traits of character, and the
dazzling splendour of genius is often marred b)' dark
unsightly scars, like spots upon the sun. Every garden
has its reptile and c\\:ry marsh its flower. Into t!n^
lives of our greatest and best a skeleton may come, and

in g r^^ *

MiH

I 70

HOUSES OF GLASS.

in its chamber J^rim and {:^aiint it mocks nncl waits —
a herald of decay. And. then, \vc know that virtues
themselves are larrrcly relr five ; that even tluy may
turn to vice in some surrf)i iintrs, while vice itself has

»ft

oiten raise(

)arner

bet

ween men anc

1 th

eir doom.

Am!)itt()n has preempted lii;^di and noble deeds: it i^

the

propellin;^ power ot pro^^ress, and y

d yet how often
has it led to crime and de^^radation, to the prison <ir
the t^alhnvs. The avarice which prompts the miser to
lioard his si^old often stays the drunkard's downwartl
course, and the ste.ulf.istness and perseverance which
brin<^ prosperity to the jjeasant may, when armed
with power, turn to persecution antl tyranny. l)"es
not tile cunniuLj of the thief become the tact of the
amb.issulor; and tlie d.irini; of the hii;hwa\-man, the
bravery of the soldier?

May ncjt the <;enerous shilling sometimes supplant
the just one, and would not tjenerosity in a million-
aire be extrava^^'lnce in a mechanic ? Ma}' not tlie
fondness of the liusband blend with the sensuality of
the libertine, and is there not only a paper partition
between the selfishn of thrift and theft ?

But there is one virtue which stands alone apart
from its surroundin;_;s and shines like an eternal star.
'Tis U)ve, and love alone, which is a jewel in any set-
ting, incorruptible and unchangeable. It i-^ the sun
round which all other virtues must r volve. It is the
magic light which changes baser metals into gold, and
turns tile poison of the weed to perfume in the flower.
It makes patriots of partisans, philanthopists of philoso-
phers, and p(^ets of pessimists. No matter wiiere our
footsteps lead, or wlu re our h* in life may chance to
fall, if we but keep our faces towards the sun 'twill all
be well.

The love of wealth had turned Mrs. iialford's face
from the sun. She was groping in the shadow}'
paths of selfishness. The tenacity of purpose which
lirouglit prosperity to Gore farm turned to tyranny at
Broadview.

It is true that from her quarrel with her daugliter
she took a lesson never to be forgotten, but as yet she
lacked tlie courage to turn repentance into restitution.

A TOUCH OF NATUKE.

171

The prirlo that defied the storm if adversity refused
to surrender at the call of duty. Slie lon_L,fi'd to lucir
from lur daii;^ht( r, and had slie been able to write Hu-
ently she would h ive broken the ice lon;jj a^^o, but sh-j
was too proud to ask any one else, or even to let them
know the altered condition of her feelings towards h. v
absent cliild. She hail been dreamini^ c;f her lately.
Somehow she expcc<"ed that somethini; was i; iin<^r
to hai)pen. She catif^ht herself thinkinj^ of Marian,
even i 1 her busiest huurs, and on that very afternoon
wlien Mrs. (iordon was inscribinL^ lier messa^'e of low,
the mother at Ikoadview sat looking fondly at lu r
daui^hter's photograph and shetKIin^ tears of n 1(1.
Next morninj^, after breakfast, she walked over to the
field where Fred was plouj,;hin;j;. She was very anxious
to hear how matters were at (iowanstone, but how was
she to mana,L,^e it ? She hatl forbidden the nv ntion of
Marian's name. Therefore, how could ;.he consistently
inquire about her? She leaned on the fence and
watched her baby boy plou<;hins^ his first fieUI.

Latterly, Fred had ^rown and developed with a.;-
tonishin^Lj rapidity. He almost refused to i;o to school
where boys of half his si/e put him to shame. I lo
preferred on thi.s raw November day to speed the
ploui^h. With his head to one side he was watching
the foldin<,r sod that rolled from off his mould-board,
anil occasioncdly <^l.incin^^ towards a pole at the far-
ther end of the field. So intent was he on his work
that he did not notice his mother till she spoke.

" Well, how are it ijoin<^, Fred ?"

"Oh, not so bad," replied the plouc^hm.m, brincjinj;^
.is team to a halt and Iookin<^ back over his work.

Gilpin is too keen, he won't give me time-."

*' i suppose it are because him don't i^t t drivin;.^
enough." (Ha, here was an opening). " Did you not
have him out on Sunday?"

"Yes, I was over to Gowanstone, '

*' I suppose they are all u ell," she said, in a careless
tone, as she stooped to pick up something at her feet.

Fred looked sidewise at her for a monuiit before
answering. He was so astonished at her question that
he scarcely knew whether to answer at all or not. He

173

HOUSES OK GLASS.

:kctl

the fi

picket! up a stone irom tne lurrow and tossed it into
the fence corner. " Mally was not wry well."

"Oil," exclainietl his niollur, with lier face .still
turned away. " It are not serious, J suppose.''"

" I ^'ucss not," rejoined Fred. " I heard the old lady
say that she worked too much at the se\vin<;-machine."

iMrs. IIalford'.s face became a shade paler, but she
tlid not speak, and I'^x-d. thinkint^ the conversation
was ended, wciit on with his furrow. She stood for
some time Icaninj^r against the fence. " I knew it," sir,*
said to herself. " Poor j^irl, her will have to face her
own trouble. If 1 could only meet her ..lone us would
soon Ije friends."

The stru<^i;le between pride and Hiotherly^ iconanfy
sympathy was raj^in^ in her heart.

iJeep down in the lowest strat.i of humanity do we
find the free n.a^^onry of motherhood. Jealousies, petty
spites and neiirhbour's quarrels are all swept away by
llie larj^er sym])athies of sex. What a wonderful lev-
cler the reproductive function is! There is no royal
road or primrose path. The pauper's hut is equal
with the j)alace. iJame Nature smiles at vanity and
pomp and power, and in the infant's wail proclaims the
brotherhood of man.

Slowly Mrs. Ilalford bent her steps towards the
house. She could not bear the yearnincf fcelini^ that
came over her. She almost felt like takinj^^ her llcet-
f'it horse and startinc^ for Govvanstone at once.

As she neared the house Nelly came running out
with a letter in her hand.

*' Here's a rej^istered letter for you, mother. I'm
sure I know the handwriting and it has the Ciowan-
stone postmark on it."

*' Are it not addressed to me ?" she asked in breath-
less excitement as she: greedily snatched the letter and
hurried to her own room.

J'\jr an hour she sdt poring over this message of
love. She could not read writing very easily but
Marian had taken great trouble to make it plain.
She read it again and again, each time grasping a
larger and fuller meaning. When she came out into

A TOUCH OF NATTUE.

/ ,1

the

that

llcct-

ni^ a
into

the. kitchen all the bathin<^ and ruhhinjjj of her eyes
lii'l not removed the traces of ^vcel)iI)|^^

" AnvlhinLj wron^, mullicr .•* ' asked NV11\' with con-
cern.

" No. dear, onl\' I have had a le'ter from Marian."

" And are yon friends a<.;.iin ?" gasped the \-oung
girl with ea<^er f.ice and llashin^j t^yc<,.

*' Yes, I tiiink ns are.

In a moment Nelly was runnin;^ throuL,di the fields
with the .^kul tiilinijs to fjther an<l Fred, whiK- her
mother pre[)ared to go into town to i.\o some .slmp-

About eight o'clock* next mr)riiing I'red drove into
the )Mrd at (iowanstone, and Marian guessed at once
that her motlier had seut him for some special rea-
son. The 1)('V came in growlin*^ that he was " near
(lead " with hung t, and immediatel)- went to the cu[>-
boanl to heli) himself.

'• Did mother send me a letter, I'red ?"

" N(j — she didn't — " h> growled l)etweon the bites,
"but she sent a basket. It's out — in the buggy. Slu;
had- -me up — at four o'clock — this nKjrning — to come
here. Don't see what — the hurry — was about."

Without waiting for Fred's last remarks she ran to
secure her prize.

" I must be alone when I open it," she said to hcr-
.'■■(■If. " Dear me, how my heart beats. I feel almost
like choking." Seated on the ijdi:!;c of her bed. with
the door securely lockeil, she w.uted for a mcmient to
let her agitati(M"i subside and then ventured to lift the
cover of the basket.

First a tiny wool jacket, and a pair of little booties,
trimmed with pink. Laughing through her tears she
went on uni)acking. Next came a ptnvtler box, a f)uff
ball and some perfume. Then a layer of d.iinty lace-
trimmed bibs and dresses, while at the bottom, j)ro-
tected by folds of snow-white flannel, in a beautiful
and costly porcelain bowl was a dainty dish of custanl.

''This is mother's answer."

What, need of ink and paper when ever>' tiny trea-
sure spoke with a thousand tongues ?

Three days later, after a night of anxious watching

..^

: -^ .r-j..riMy j ^-y!.'ttt^'. <a!ii''v I 'in iii itwiTi iii wi ii

'74

IMM'SKS OF GLAs:;.

nnil w. lit ill!',, the lit lie str.iiii^cr ratiic .uid a tclrjfrnin
.uliln ssfii to ( iraiuliua 1 lallOtd aiiiioiiiicccl :

" A l)al)\- 1)>>\' and both doiiu'' well."

Ill iIumIu'-Ic nf tlic cvciiiiu; ]\latiaii*s mother caiiic
into t!ic inoni. pall- aiui t rcinhlimj^. She was afraid
K'st her daiiL;htir slioidd Ix- cxi itcd lil-:i- lirrseU. ami
had lui' arrival annoiiiuc-d an hour or l\so before .sin;
\riiiiirrd into the siel<t ooin.

Ihit the [acc in the \>v<\, thoii;;h somewhat pale, w.is
1 idiaiit with jt>\', " ( )h, nii'tlier, daihni;", y<>ii have
eoiue at last. 1 ne\'er ioxcd you till now."

Mrs. Ilalford dioppid i^w her kiu-es at tlie hedi^idt-
AwA \:'.'>\c\<.A. In r (lau;.;lil rr's hands \vith tears ainl
Id^ses. .*^he tried to speak but eould not. The soli-;
eheeked lu r utlei-anee. Ihit, with her dauiditer's haiiij
upon her head, she told in leais her t.ile of deep n-
pentance.

The sacred li;,;ht of niotherlumd shed its radianeo
on their souls ami all the i;hosts of jealous)- and hatr
were buried beneath a common sympathy.

Time in its !h;.;ht turncil backwards and, in a hum-
ble chambi-r far aw a}', a woman pressed to her bici ',
a bal)c whose imai^e shone in the y(.)uiu;' moihi i'
face.

A tiny hand touclu'd the chords no skill or art could
reach anil mother nature sani; ai^ain iicr ^ranil old
song.

CIIAI'TRR XXVITI.

•♦ UNK ASV T.ll-S 'rut: in A!) THAT WEARS A CROWN.

I r is (piostionable whether a woman's best antl iv-
blcst rpialities iirc brought to liL;ht befcu'c she becomes
a mother. Indeed, wo ofteti find maternitx' chan'jiii'/
the Ln;;i;linL^, frivolcMis maiden into a <p-ave and thoin.dil-
ful woman. It would seem that this completion of licr

o.a

ind no-
i(.'Conu'>

* > * '

n of licr

nNr:Asy jtfs thk iiiad. ktc.

1/5

nbvsical drstiuy piirirn < Inr moral atnvmphcrc and

(11

1 nt'cs luT iiiiiital liori/oii.

KT(? IS surely u>

.tl

lit)

in t his v.il*' of t'.irs to ciin.il tlu" t<-n«Nr look f>f a
luot Ik r to Ikt h.ihc ; tint \\t )ii(l( rfiil. ni\"st crioiis tdi-

(icnifss,

tliat

I o 1" 1 o 1 1 s c 1 11 1 1 a \ o I

>vi- whici: naintcr:-

and sculj

ll.l

ia\c

for

Lies t IK (

1 I

o r( prodiuc.

jK\'ir scrm to 1 ire of lookiiK.; at tlif M.idonna an<l
child. Surely the infant ('lirist rfccivcrl inspir.ilion
from the incx'pressibU,' ttnd'rncss of the mother's ;.jazo.
It was the hcynole of hi', lif-', a vision (;f tlie lofty j)o-
sitioii which mankind may yet attain. I -it not sad to
think that men should hold thems(dves aloof from
LMch other bt-C.iuso tlieir worship is divided l)itueen
mother and son? To revereiu e- tli'- love aiKl truth
whicli sjione in the mothei's fa( c is to worship ( hii-t,
111" personal embodiment of tha' spirit which for ei^jh-
teeii hundred years has suii;.^ tin; jdorious anthem ol
peace on earth, ^ood will to men.

These were the ideasth.it flitted throii'di 1 )!'. lU-n-
net s mind from time to time, as he visited his patient.
N »t that Marian's f;eneral health was affe-ctc d or that
she recjuiree! much meih'cal attendance, but tlie' doctor
\\as eiideavouiin;.^ nn<!er these nt:w circumstances to
solve the mystery of his very important specimen.

Soon the roses wa-re l)ack in her cheeks, the blue t.f
lier e}'es became deeper, and the outlines of li-r fK.nna;
more generous. Slie liad passed from sprin<,( into
summer. She became more.' thou;.ditful, and her natu-
ral pride seemed to soften down to self-respect. Tlu'ii,
anl not till then, did the doctor complete Ids anal)-sis.
Another .specimen labelu'd " A Woman," and empha-
sized by italics, was placed on the shelves of his
memory.

David, too, was chan_!_,red. 1 lis hopes and as[)ir,if ior>s
assumed a more definite shapt'. His motives now in-
^«pired him to wider fields of action.

He wriiited to be rich. Not for the comforts and
hixuries it ndj^lit )-)lace withiii his reach (for lie was a
man of frugal habits"), but for the sake of power .uid
l)restij;c. He thirsted for the approbation of his
neit^hbours, he wanted to be- a man among men.

He rcbolvcd to drop the ordinary frivohtics of life,

■31

l«|||:

i7r;

TTnr?;r=^ or clas^.

and, lookinpf neither to the ri.jit nor to the left, !••}
would make his way to the toj) (if tlie hiducr.

Coinpetitinii every )ear was htcomiu;^ kci-nt r a!i !
profits smaller, l)ut in spite uf tin's lie ad(»[>ted a niMii
virrourons policy.

lie purcliased the mill, cnlar^^^ed the huildinc:^, put ii;
new machinery atid tr(.:l)led its f,n-indinj; cai)acit\-.
I'.vcrvbodv said th.il (iordoii was a risin^r man. I!i,
credit at the bank \\ as excUrnt. IK: acijuir'-'d t!i
reputation of beiuL^ particularly fair in his dcalins.^^^.
CK>se and exact to a fraction, he would render the I.i *:
• jnt to a custoi-ner or take it himself ; yet when aj:-
peal- d to for help in any f^ood cau'-e he was niMic;
lil)eral than many of his nei<^"libour>. 1 lis reputation
for solidity became so thorou-diK' established tliat e\ i n
|ami;-son was slic,ditly jealous of his business ri\Mi.
lUit their li;:jhts shone in different directions.

The iron-founder was fond of the i;lare and qlilter of
society, while latterly (iordon avoided it. David liked
to .see his wife minj^lini^ w ith tlu' best people in the
town, but for himself he cared little for festivities ir
functions of any kind. Oice haviiif; established hi
social status, he lost all interest in that direction.

lie dropped into the liabit of wearincj a {)lain c^roy
tweed suit, summer and winter, Saturday and Sund.iy;
indeed, he oft("n had httlc tiffs with his wife on the
(juestion of dress.

" How is it, David, }-ou are so careless now? Xotli-
in*^ was too <;ood for you when )'ou used to come t -
liroadview."

"Oil, yes, I suppose 1 was d.ift then, but one get-
over that kind of thing as they do the measles."

" Vou were nicer then than you are now. I liked
your daftness better than your wisdoni," washersauc;
reply. *' I just liale that greedy old mill where }im.
bury '.'ourself all the time. If it wasn't for bab\' am
grandma I should die of loneliness. Since b.ilj)' cam
}-ou haven't been the same, David," she contiiuuil,
while the moisture gathcre'd in her eyes, "and wlic;.
mother was here yon hardly over looked near us."

" Come and sit d(Mvn, Marian, till I talk to you," 't^
replied, placing a ch.'ir beside his own.

u0l^

eft, hn

icr an !
a nvii'r

, put ;!'.
inacitv.
n. His
red lb'
IcaliiiL^-.
the la t
•hcii .1; -
as nv !i:
putation
hat cvi n
;ss rival.

fhttcr of
\-\i\ hki-^i
h- in t'>-
vitics IT

^hcd hi

on.

ain p,rry

Sunday;
on Vv.

N util-
es )nic t"

one 'J.,' '

" I likol
uT sauc;
lere )''
)abv ail'
dn' cam

tnlinut.!..,
nd whcr.

us.

you," 't^

"ITNEA^V l.TE^^ TTIE ITFAP, FTP. 177

" T liavo scon the tin'«e wlicn you woulchi'l 1;,.\ ■. me
sit an\- place but on your knee."

" Weil, come, both of you." he said. lanf;[hinj:;.
" There, I'll ^ive }'ou two and Davie t\\.). Now.dea.r,
you know that 1 am doinp^ a very larLjc l)UsineNS on a
comparatively small capital, ami I can only c;et thrcnicdi
bv close fm.inciniT. I am just like a r(.pe-v. alkcr,
if I take my eye off my task for a mom<'n'. I am h-^t."

Hal>y was now clutching and pulling; nt his li.iir, and
Marian seemed to be payin<^ more attention to tl:o
little darlin>.,^'s movements than to liis con\ersation.

" Vou little tyrant, you pull too h.ii'd. Ouehl"
slioutcd papa, while the baby lau|.dn(l and ero\\«.d.

"That's ri_L;ht, baby, pull his hair. Ib's a b,- 1 b"}/'
said the mother, coaxin<^1y cooin<:j to the child, while
licr very soul sh(^ne through her eyes.

Gonlon pretended to close his ey.s while b.djy en-
deavoured to pull his .scalp to piecis, l)ut throuidi his
lialf closed lids he secretly watched his wil'e^'s ixcr as
she chirru])ped to her babi-, until he waslo-.( in admir.!-
tion and forgot to c:o on Avith the con\-ersation. He
iauardly vcjweil that her next photo should be
taken with this expression on Ik r face, an exprL...>ion
which in itself was an anthem of motherhood.

She flushed with pleasure as slic cau;^dit his look and
j'inchin;^ his ear, said, " Well, j;o on, I am listenin;;."

" Well, you must not think, de.ir, that 1 h.ive \<u--
fjotten you or Davie because I am so absorbed in bu.-i-
ness. Just wait a little while until tlv,: pressure is (U'er
and I shall be a model husband. I am tryin<^ to place
vou and Daviebevond the reach of want. lUit I mils';
;.;o now. I have some iiu'oicini; to do yet. Don't v,,;;t
ui) for me. Just lyo to bed as usual. I shall not be
tlirouf^h before midniidit."

Week after week, and month rJtrr month, it was the
same story. Gordon was oidy visible at meal time-^.
In fact, lie was becomint^ a sirinj^cr in his own house.

His mother f^ave him many hints of his woildlincs-
One eveninnr as he was hurryin;;- b,u-k to the mill, a;
usual, after wor! in;j^ hours, she cauL^ht him by the arm
as he was passin-^ through the door.

T7?

HOTTSFS OF r.hA9.<i.

" C.ir yrv no cnmc and sit dooii a v.cc. Conic nwa
till 1 h;ic a cr;ick \vi' )'c.

" Weil, wliat is it, mother? ho asl:(><l a?; nc niirri<.:<!!v
seated iiiniself, ' I liaven't nuicb tin e to spare.

" I am feart, laddie, that )e are drnjipin the ^ub-
staner and rinnin' after the shadow. Siller ill no huv
5'c warm Jicarts, an when } e'ro aidd, like me. }-e'll fm
that oot.'

"Yes, mother, but you have no idcp liow liard it iv
to keep even in the raee. When I iiave accjuireil a .it-
tU; more capital, I shall have more tnne tf) be socialj;c,
but it is r. ncek and neck race at present.

" A)'e. aye * replied the old lad)-. ' but m i\ b(> y- r
c e will in'ow as (ast as yer siller, Kce]^ min o'llir.
When )'er feythei and me were marrie-t, wo had a .
bit hoose wi a bui and ben He used to say '
C(nild rax doon thcluni and i;ft the sneck afl the do ;,
but it was na sac sma a.^' that. W'ocl. I'm tehins.'' v>.
that we were as biythe iind canty wi' a bit in;_nn and i
tatt.ie scone, as ye and Alcrrian arc the day wi a \ .:
fixm^s/

" I know that happiness docs not depend up :'
wealth, but you know 1 have put my hand to the jjIouc;!.,
and I can't turn back. You know the old sa\i'; '.
* Devil take the hindmost.' "

*' I'm thinkin' auld Nick 'ill h. 'iif e e on maiitli.::
the hinmost.' remarked his mother with a shake of I;tr
liead. " Tak care he eii na hae a keck at yersd."

" Why. mother, one would think by \-our tones y* :
liad heard trom auld Clootie himself."

" Toot.s, mon, }-e Icen I tliima mean ony deil in [m:-
ticukir, tor I'm thinkin;^ whiles that there's deiis in v.-
a but fo'k that': ower keen o winnin' the race, ar-
C)[tcn tempteil tae trip their neebors. They'll no .r-
slop to d.ie what . richt. They hinna time."

David's eye {kished. " \ ou cannot mean, motlior.
that )-t:u doubt niy honesty, or that .ni\tliin<^' wou'ii
ever make me forget, my L;'ond name. "

The old lady jj^raspr'l his h and a.nd kissed it, the"
withtlio t"ars irh'steidiv in her ey -s, she said : *' I'l'r.;..
be vext wi me Davie, ^'e t;i!: vac ower short. V
ken I would iaethersec tlie suds happiet ower ye tii.ui

31110 riwTi

luu'rit-i'.ly

the Mib-

11 vo buy

)-(j'll fill

hard it is
lircil a .it-
.' sociabif,

\\\hc y-:
n c' 1,1 •,■
had a ..
to say ;
i the d>). .
tchini^ y
i|Tin ami i
w i a y :

end np' ■'

le plouc;!'.

Id sayisi,:

mail' l!'; "
ake 111 1. r
irscl."
toiic:^ y

Icil in i^.i;-
dcils ill i;-
ra->-, a!-'
11 no aye

n villi"'
,iii(.- wou'.i:

UNEAhV l.Ih> lilL ill Ai), h I C".

i;rj

line a stain on yer c^uid r.anic. I u;.s o:dy ;^ien }e a
\)\l waniin'. Ivx- st-eii a ijaid wheeii iij>s aiul dnciis
iii the v.-di-r, and fc k tiiat i^'e tlieiiiselves ower t.ie
'fathfrin' ;^ear, v,hiles i^ct trijjpiet by biolciii own f.ir
ahe.id. \'e niai;ii ir.in', l)a".'ic. ye li.io a wife and wean.
\'-; in luii keep their iie-irts warm and no' let them fnr-
A '^uid heart is bi-ltrr than a l)raw toe jicr."

" Well, but I ir>t<'nd t<> ba\e b.ith," lie r- jilieil Iau;,;h-
iii;jj and risint;' fr '-i liis cbair. Then in a more serious
tone, he went on : " \\n\ all Iniow th..t I love )-ou, and
would ;;i\'e my life for yi'ii, if necessary."

"Hoots, moul We diniM \\\ir,t )'er life, we w mt
\-our crack, yer iok'e, ant! yw com})any. ('onu: doon
o!f )•( r hi!.;li hor.-^e and \ic. ara.' aman^' us. \'c hae tlu-
brauxst wife in the state, and ma certes. i;if .•^^me mm
were in yer siiodu they w.ul m,d: ;in idol o' hi.r. 'I'hen
the bit wean ; the bonniest, cle\'ere.-t wee doo I cAcr
s.iw', and yet ye mak little o' them."

' le was .djout tt) ^o wlieii slie cau^lit liim by the
h.md and spoke in a whisper. "You and iier h.is had
n le castin" out, liae }-e ,''" .iiid she looked eagerly int<j
his f ic:.

' ( )h, no," he replied, with a reassuriii;.^^ smile. " (^idy
wlien her motlier was liere it seemed as if I wanted to
laep out of her way. Alai'ian maintained that I should
nut be so stiff with lier moth-r .md th.at I ouirht to for-
pive her, but it is time imioul;]' when she asks, and 1
don't suppose she ever will."

" The auld wojnan is f^ae and dour. .Sh.''s as i)roud
as a jieacock', but losli, mon, ye \\cc<.\ na think ony the
le.-..s ()' Merran on that account."

" Neither I (h>, but somer:<>w the old woman was
like an iceber;.; between us, ai'd I was [^lad when she
wen* ,'way. Slu,' and I are liki' fire ami water. She
cant ])Iay fast .ind loose witii mo. Ihit now i must
Uo," lie added. " I shall lr\ to k i better boy," and
is.sing his mother, he went back lv his leili-ers.

d it, tin-
" Dira..-.
,norl. "\-
■cr yc tii.ui

,J*

■"msif

tarn

r8o

IKJUSKS 'JV SI.ASS.

ciiAr'ii:n xxix.

AN ()!.!) AC (.JUAJN'TANCK.

TlII'Mvitilrr w iiid ; were liowliii;^ miind (he honsr.
'I'lii .lirw.is fill'il with wliirliiii^ '.Iriii iii;,', miow, an;
I^J.ii i.m, tliaiiklul for llu- coziiu.'ss ;)l li.r i|uarU.Ts, lii'l
jir.t |)ul hal))' l<) :.Icep when the doorbell i;ave hevcral
.-.liaij) n'li^ ■.

" l)tar nir, who can he out on <i day liki: this/ 1
have iiol jiad tiiiic to dicss "yet, and hahy has pulli d
du\';M my h •!". I ^ii[i])osc it is only lUi cir.uid buy
from the liulehcr's or j^noccr's."

ImiI Mrs. (iordon fairlv cried out with astonishniciil
when she opeiud tile door ami found a tall, clerie.il-
lookiuL^ ;.u-ntlenian before iur, who, with a polite buw
c\c hiimed : '' llow do you (h). Airs, (jordon."

'I he voice sent a wave of hot C(-)lour over her lace
and 1( ft iurdiadly jjale. I'.xen with furs about liis
n< ( !x, she reco;.;ni/.t.(i Charles Lan^try.

I'or a nionii nt she felt <li/,zy. ller knet:s trendjlnl,
"()h, Charles I mean, ]\Ir. Lani^try — where did yo\i
- 1 mean, won't you come in.'^ it is \cry stormy."

I l(.r visitor stepped inside, shook some snow Irom
the fur collar of his ovcrcoaf and renujved his o\ri-

.siu les,

Durin;.; this time a thousand thou^^dits and fear^
chased each other throutdi her mind.

Wliy h.id Ih; come? What could his object Ix?
\''.'.is lu. pursuiu'/ her ?

Not knowinv' wlulher he cam o in the rnise of fri'ti'i
or foi', in j>eaci: or in war, she scarcely knew liow to
receive him. "Conic into the parlour, it is warmer
there. I'raybe se.ited, ami excuse nie (or a iiuirnent."

I\'i( iiin;^ the kitchen, she .sat down with beatiii;;
heart to compose herself. It was S(^ sudden and uncx-
pectid. It was as if the dead i).ist had been rcsur-
rc:ct<Hl, or a thunder bolt hail sluA out oi a blue sky.
Jlis presence .siill alfectcil her as it u ed to, aiii:
'MoUj.,I;L b:ick ", score of fond memories lor which ^iiv.

l.TS, ll I'i

: hcvi i.il

Liiis :' 1

ind b-y

lishmcnt
clcrii .i!-
itc bow

her l;uo
bout lii.i

rcinhli 'I.
(lid >(ju
rmy."

)W lr«>m
lis <>\ii-

A fc.ir.

AX ni.D A ror A I NT A N('K.

T«I

i( i

I'.ow to
wanner
loincnt."
bcatiii;;
lul uiu;.\-
en icsur-
jUic sky.
to, .iiul
vhich ^;ic

now must bin .1). SIkj ran [<> the cradle, ami liftm-.f
little |).ivi(: ill li< r arms, she dcvnun.d liim with kisses.
'JTk: touch of his dear little body bmu/Jit back licT
cinM,r,M: and stren^Mh. " iShaw 1 Why should I bo
so excited ? lie is a cli'i ;4)'inaii and a ^^en! h man. If
\it: i.Miore ; tin.' past, surely I can, sh-- thoiieht. Slu:
• inoolheil lit r li.iir, chiie'/fl jji r dp ,,., jn'mhecl In r
ciiee'i.-. in biin;^ b.n k tlejr u .ii.J ( < )1< mr and, wit h baby
i'l heraniiT went b.ick to her xi-ilnr without a ti.icc
(.f ( nib.iras^aiient in her f.ice-.

" W'l :', do Villi think <d ni)- boy ' I n't he a fine
liftl'..' fellow?" she saitl, boniKin;.; l)a\ie up ,ind dic'.n,
\v!iilc he <!n;,,f his little fr-ts into his c\-i-'\ and fiie,-, lud
iiV wav of protiht fiU' his (li:.tnrbc'd slunibeis.

" lie is really a fine boy. I'm ver)' fond nf ( hihlren.
Will Ik; come to nu.-," and he nachcid out Ins arms to
tai.e him, Init D.ivie ^^av■e vent to a decided stjuall and
Ijiiried his face in his mothi'r's bosom.

" De.ir me," exclaimed Marian, .is soon .is [)eace vsas
rest(jred. '* I h i\-e not asked how )'ou all .ire. I was
so .istonished to Si (,• )'<;U."

" \'iiu ii.ive not iie.ird then that fatlnr i . dead ^"

" .\o, I did not. Well, well! Jle was nut .an odd
man."

" ( )h n-i! It was n*)t old ;eye tint killetl him, but
.'I broken heart. lie tried m.inv w.tvs of eettiii"' on in
the world but could not sine •<•,!. We h.id it very
liard in jiostoji for ;i wiiile," In: continued s.idl}'.
"Christina worked in a re.idy-made clothin;.^ est.iblisli-
hieiit, .Hid I pK.yed pi iiio in a dime museum. .My
fust ;,joo(l bi( k came- wlieii I ;.><)t ;i situation in lie-
orchestr.i of a r< spcct.ible (Jper.i House, and theit: I
remained till f.itiier died."

" And how is Christin.i .'" broke in .Mrs. fiord. -n.

'■ .She is (jtiite well, thanks, ,ind, like myself, i>he .>>L»a
slicks to the m.iternal iiiof."

" And ymir mother, the dear old soul ''"

" Is (juite well and as jolly ;is ever. We are livincf
at the u;)per end of Water street .aral \ou nmst— "

"Wh.it!" exckiimed M.irian. '• )'(>;/ livin^^ here in
^iowunstuuc ?" And her face turned Ub white au

Tf??!

finUPFS nrr -,T,ASS.

iiuirblc. ' Wbrn did ><)u move here ?" slie conlinurd
turnin<^ aside to hide hei distress.

" About a week aj^o. I condurted the services la?t
Suiida)' at Grace Cluirch, but motlier and Chri; tin.i
only arrived last ni^^lit. You doa't ^^o out much, 1
Sec;.

" Not hitelv, since tlie weatlier is so roucdi. I (Hil
hear that Mr. S\veetn;iin had <njiu', Init I h.id not heard
who had taken his place. '

" I suppose )-ou don't c^o to church very often, but
your peo{)le used to belont^' to tlie .Vn^lican ciiurcli."

"And do \-ct,' r'.'plled Marian. 'No doubt you
have lieard that ni\' husband is an ac^nostic, ' slio
adtled with a faint rini^ ol defiance in lu-r tones.

'* Yes, and I am sorr)- that it is so, more particularly
a- I thou;4ht to <;et >'our assistance in choir wori .
lUit I have alwa)'s heard Mr. (iordon spoken ot as an
honourable and uprii^^ht man. who is well wurtJiy of rc-
spect.

** Even his worst enemies could not deny that," sad
Marian j:)roudly, while her cheek Hushed with pieasur.'
at his praise. " P/Ut he does not interfere with my
church-;.M)in(T. Indeed, he often asks why I don't ^o.
1 think we' all h.-ive the rl,;ht to think for ourselves."

" Surely, else the world wtjuld not be fit to live in.
Let me apoloi^ize for a tlKnn^htless question. I wa--
not seekiiiLj ail opportunit\' of talkin?:^ shop, or impos-
in<^ my opinions and self-ri^^hteousness upon you. I
hope my callinfj will never make mc omit the be-
liaviour of a ^< nlleman. Ik^sides you and I are ti^)
okl friends to (juarrel, even on "^o important a (pies-
tion. I am not one of those who tliink that a c'u r;^^y-
man shoidd be a privile;.^:d bore. But," he added in a
difterent tcMie, " you must come and see us now that
v/e are neii^hbours. In fact, Christina chari^ed me not
to leave without your promise to come in a week, if
not sooner. She would have corne herself, only that
she is in a perfect fever to get the house cleaned and
to ^et settled."

*' Of course I will come. Tell her to rxpect me tlie
first mild daj-. It is getting late in the season and
wc ahall surely have spring soon. Why, yes, I used

,.>0P

linurd

:s last
ri; titi.i
uch, 1

I .li.l
hcai'l

lurcli."
)t you
c, ' sl.c

cularlv
' wor'h.
)t as an
y ot rc-

t/" sa .1

)icasuro

if.h niv

)!"lt ^o.

vrs.

livt; in.
I wa^
inipos-
•lui. T
lie be-
arc t<ii»

I (JIUS-

icl(.r;4y-
cd in a
)\v' that
nic not
ivcck, if
Iv tluit
M.1 and

inic tlu-
in and

II used

AN' OI,D ACQUAINTANrS. i S3

to be n pet of Cliristina ^ and mother used to say she
spoiled mc. She saved ne many a whipping;, an.l I
ha\c (jftcn th(juglit since what an uni;ratcfid wretch I
was. 1 often scr.itclied 1 ir face, and do you reniem-
l)er the day ot the scho d picnic, whi-n I tore lier new
niusiip dress in a fit ot t'.mpei and mother sent me to

bed ■

Mi. Lani;;try joined in Marian's hearty lanL,di, and
for a tinic tiiey recalKi' many amusing incidents of
b)';.'one (hiys

lUit this was (hmgcrous p^round. and Mrs. Gordon
deft!)- turneti the conversation by askin^i; i.i!n it he
still Kept uj) his music.

" I ^ave it up as a profession only, althfui^di I loved
it. I loved the intellectual brilliancy of tlu; people
witli whom I came in contact. Indeed, I oidy wish I
could move an audience with so forcibh; and wholesome
an t t'fect as some of the better brilliant li<jjhts of the
sta'j,e. JUit it was my father s dyin^ rerpiest that I
quit the opera house and study for the ministry."

*' Indeed : \\'hy, that li'as too bad."

]\Ir. Lani^try broke into a hearty lau<j;h. " Spoiled
a horn without makini^ a sixxm, eh ? A very doubt-
ful conipliment, Mrs. Gordon," and a_i;ain the\' i^ave
vent to their merriment.

"I did not mean that," she protested. "I only
meant that as a musici.m 1 know }'ou have j^renius,
while as a priNacher of the gospel you ma\- oid\' havi;
taU-nt. In choosing a profession or calliiii; one should
follow the natural bent of one's mind."

" What you say is (pnte true. I am afraid I lack
sadl)' in eloquence, yes, even in lanc^uai^e ; and yet,"
heaiKkd in a more j^erious tone, "if I could ^et m\'
tououe to express my thoui^hts as fully as ni)' touch,
i lui^ht succeed, but lanj^uage seenrs so bare and un-
s)'nipathetic. I am never so devout as \s\w\\ I feel
the iv(<r)- keys. M)- ow n personal pra)ers are mostly
uttered by my piano.

Meanwhile Mastet Davie became V(^r) restless,
ile wanted something to re[)leiush his inner man, and
did not stop to consider that his mother li.ul company,
ii/he tried to coax him in v'ariou.3 ways by little toyw

1 84

HOUSES OF CT.ASS.

but he threw them away as fast as slic gave; them t

him.

*' Slic is more bcautiftil tlian ever," said Mr. L.nv.^try
to liimsclf as lu: watclied litr cot-)inc,^ t<> licr l).-i!)c ami
sto(>j)iiij^ for tlu; toys, " a very t)'jn: of mutlu rliood."'

Liltl'.' Daviir was still iiiipacifK.rj and, as plainly ns
he could, made manifest lils hufijn r. T(>yH and t.ilk
werc all very well in their pl.ice, but tin y u "uld n-.'
satisfy tin? cravin'^ of his vi^ourous di;jestive or'/ur.':.
Marian felt embarrassed, for she did not lil:e to lca\<
her \ihitur ahjnc, ami (ir.induM Ciord(-)n liad I'-unc to

bed f

or a

ievv h

lours uith rhi-umatic pains.

The little tyrant, li<»W('v<'r, would not wait. I

li:

pulled and tuj^^j^^ed liis mother's dress-opening^ till she
was forced to submit.

'1 o cover their embarrassment Mr. l,:iu</^{ry s'-atid
him'M If at the piano, and in a moment tin: roDin was
floodcil w ilh iHf iudy.

I^'irstcame " !<: ])eum Laudamus," with a jn-and( ur
and power that thrilled every nerve; but this was
only a prelutlc to his theme : a tunin;^ f)f ins thoujdits ;
a stimulus to iusj^iration. llis head is thrown back,
In's e)'es are clcjsed ; ant! as the throbbiti^^ instrument
^Mves its first j^reat sliout of tneetinjj;, the li|^ht ef
j:jenius shines in ids face. Like ma<^M"c the listenc r is
swe])t from off the eartli int(^ the re^dons of the clouds
and stars, v\ here in the dee[) ethereal blue the planets

in tiieir orbits ? ;.'iii

(AC,

bel

ow, aiu

i all

arouj

dtl

endless dome of space, the sister worlds wlieel their
way about some da/./Hnj.^ sun, and meteors Hash
throuL.;!) endless a/.ure fathoms to minije with a million
twiiddin,:^ orbs, who, {.diostlike, yjcvi each other thiouyli
etcrn.d sjjace and link tluir exerlastin^, noiseless nio-
ti(jn with the awful stillness of '!:e universe.

Peace, the everlastinj^, iiu-o:u{)rehensible peace of
God, sheds its iialo on the lleeting worlds, and in the
pure white lii;lit of countless suns tliere met t two Ini-
man souls who, from yon ^rain ot sand called earth,
have come with fleshlesii forms to rrrcet each other in
eternity.

IMarian sat soblDinir in lier chair until the music
ceased. She understood his prayer in all its fervency

T» to

and
kI."

ilv -IS
1 'l;.ik

il IKi'

» »

lcav<

. Ho

ill slic

scaled
in VvUS

andc ur

is \v ■ t ^
•u'/.lit^ ;
\\ back,
uniciit
ht . 1'
lu r is
cloiu s
ilatK't'-.
!:dllic
1 tiicir
s Hash
;ndli<)n
.irou;.d)
-s ni<'-

acc of
in th<;
v.o Ini-
1 earth,
Ihcr in

music
trvciicy

"MULTUM IN PAKVO.'

185

and purity, rind tlcrj) in lur lu-art she joined in t!ie
su()plicati(>n of *' Le.id us not into tempt. ili<»n."

I'or a lew moments tiic stillness wa- hroken onl\- by
the infant's sati-fied grunts and ^ur^^des as lie enj'>\ei]
his delayed repast. Conversation was imp"ssible.
'J'lie pi. mo li.id alread\' told il .ill. It had LMveti its
assurance that the past w.is tt» Ix' f.)r<.;olten, its [ded[^e
of nnitu.ii .i-sist.ince ; and as tlxy b ide each oth. a'
Ijoud evening'- it bounded like " Amen."

CH APT FJ< XX'.<.

MII.Tl.'M IN I'ARVO.

TifAT cV(MiIn[4, wlien Gordon came in from the mill,
his \\ife greeted him with a Kiss.

*' V'uu can't ^u«:ss wiio was here to-d.iy. The Rev.
Mr. Lan^L,4ry. no less."

*' liumijh," said David in a cynical tone. " Makin;^
a j)astor.il c.ill was he? IMiickin;,^ ;i brand from the
burnin;.;. Th.it is th< y(/un|.( man who has taken .Mr.
Svv('etnam's place, 1 -,ui)pos<-.'"

" \'es. His people used to live at Le'\'isville, and he
called to reti.'W acqu.iint.'ince."

'• Some lit( iry lij^ht sa>'s, ' IVamble bees are bi^;^est
wl:--!! they , ire first hatched.' 1 supi)f)?e lie is pjoin;^^ to
Convert every bedy off hand, and this c.ill w.is tu break
tiie ice."

"No, David, I .am positive th.it his visit li.ul no such
object. Hispeoi)le used to be ten.mts of motlu r's, .md
he uMs a schoolmate of mine. He called merely to
hi ni-- know they wer*.; in town, .'ii.d to invite me to
call on them. I suppose you W()uld lujt have any
objections."

" ro(>h, no I Why .'.hould I have .in>' oljjeetion .''
Though, no doubt, they will be pitying you for bein'j
Hnked to such a benij^ditcJ heathen as myself."

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Corporation

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.y. 14530

(7^f>) 872-4503

C•^-

/«/

(/j

1 86

HOUSES OF GLASS.

'' David," slie retorted, li.ilf proudly and h:df ani^rily,
"they would not dare to say anything disrespectful of
you, in my presence. Besides Charles Langtry is, by
education and instinct, a gentleman, and as for his
mother and sister, there are not two kinder lkjuIs in th'.-
world."

Well, well, I suppose there are exceptions, but the

c'l'-it of these fellows is what sickens

mc.

sure to

tell

you

th(

icy re

ey were saved and, whili

they incidentally give the credit to Christ, tlicy are
careful to impress upon you the fact that tlieir souls
are bleached white, while yours is black as ink. Tiiey
are purity and you are pollution. While, as a matter
of fact, their inner lives as husbands, fathers, neighbours
or citizens are scarcely up to the average of other
educated men. Pshaw ! I wuuld as soon take a drink
of castor-oil as listen to the sickening, nauseating
palaver of them, with their everlasting sing-song self-
rii^hteousness."

" They are not all like that, David. Take them here
in Gowanstone, and while one may be a little narrow,
or another a little bigoted, and yet another very ignor-
ant, they are all, as far as I can judge, inspired by good
motives."

" Oh, they're not bad fellows here in town, but they
are as jealous of c;ich ot..er a:', they can be, and as
backbiting as they dare be."

" What ! Tiien are not doctors, lawyers or rivals in
any business or profession, just the same ? Look at
our two leading grocers. I have often heard you say
that there wore not two more honourable, upright men
anywhere, and while they have a good word for every
body else, they cannot speak civilly to each other ;
even Dr. liennet hates his rival and says hard things of
him. You can't expect men to be angels, even though
they pretend to be, or because they wear black coats.
Men's instincts are apart from their calling."

*' Very good, Marian, but what I com})lain of is the
pretence. The process of being ordained, they seem
to think', remodels their whole anatomy, just as the
magician by his wand turns baser metal into gold.
The ceremony is supposed to sweep away the lusts of

fils in
)k at
say
men
:vcry
;hcr ;
igsof

foats.

s the

Isccm

the

irold.

ts of

"MUI.TUM IN rARVO." 187

the flesh and take them so far beyond the average
mortal that they arc privileged to look down upon us
poor animals, and hold up their hands in lioly horror
at our im])erfections. However, it seems this new
man is not of that stamp. IMcGuire was telling me
the other day that the new pastor thinks more of a
piano or a good horse than he does of saving souls. I
met him on the street yesterday and I wondered who
the handsome fellow was till I noticed his white
choker. He seems to me more cut out for the army
than the church ; just about the stamp of a fellow for
wearing fancy uniforms and flirting with women. He
reminds mc of tlie preacher who had to give up his
sermon that Sunday in Boston."

Tvlrs. Gordon, in order to hide her confusion, held
little Davie's f;;ce ch)se to her own and pretended not
to notice his last remark.

" So you and he were schoolmates," continued
David. "Well, vou will have rwi idea of what he is
now. The bov is father to the man."

Marian laughed. *' He was a great fighter at school.
Not that he was quarrelsome, but he was always tak-
ing the part of any one who was being imposed on.
He thrashed two boys as big as himself for stealing
apples from my school-bag, and another time he
fought for a whole hour after school with a coarse fel-
low who made insulting remarks to mc. Indeed, he
bears to this day the scar tluit he got in the affray."

" Oh ! Mr. Langtry has been quite a son of Mars in
his time. No wonder }'ou take such an interest in
him. Perhaps he is an old beau of )-ours. When a
fellow is of no use for anything c Ise they make him a
preac;her."

Mrs. Gordon's eyes flashed. vShe did not like his
cynical tones.

" David Gordon, you are not like yourself to-night.
Your language, tone, and manner arc unworthy of
you. H I did not know }'ou v>ere an abstainer, I would
think you h;id been drinking."

He Vv-as about to speak, Imt she waived off his inter-
ruption and went on : " David, I have known you
long cJiuuyh to know that in your natural condition

1 88

HOUSES OF GLASS.

j'ou TT'; ;i gentleman. SomctliinL^ must have hap-
pened. Tell me what it is that has made you so un-
like yourself."

The husband's face fluslied witli shame. He felt
that the grossur elements of his nature had come to
the surface. The reaction was so great that he bur-
ied his face in his hands and gave a great sob.

In a momiCiit she was kneeling at his side. " Dar-
ling, please tell me what is wrong. I have a right tu
know."

" Sampson & Co. have failed and left me to the
tune of three thousand dollars. I'he old rascal has
been preaching, praying and donating to churches,
while he was picking other people's pockets. I am
ruined." Her face turned pale and her hand trem-
bled. " Well, dear," she said, j)lacing her chair beside
his and drawing his head to her bosom, " money is
nothing compared ^\•ith honour."

** Even that will be lost," he groaned. " The banks
will close on me in twenty-four hours, and I shall not
be able to pay a hundred cents on the dollar. I shall
not be able to look honest people in the face."

She sat caressing his head and smoothing his hair,
while she gazed into the fire and tried to conjure u[)
ways and means of coming to his rescue.

" How much would it take to save you ?" she asked
in a subdued voice.

"About twelve hundred, with extra vigilance and
economy, would tide me over. It is all a matter of
confidence. If the banks think my resources arc
exhausted, they will force me to liquidate."

" Mother can help you, and she shall.'*

*' Nc, Marian, I could not accept assistance from that
source. I would rather get assistance from a stranger,
or go down."

*' David, you don't know mother. Though she is an
implacable cneny, she is a warm friend. I am sure
she would give it gladly. Indeed, before I was able to
be out of l)ed, she said that I ought to have had some-
thing when I was married, and not gone from home
like a pauper.

" I told her about Fred shoving his little bank into

: hap-
io un-

:e felt
ime to
le bur-

" Dar-

lijht tu

to the
jcal has
urchcs,
I am
d trcni-
r beside
loncy i.-^

e banks
hall not
I shall

his hair,
jure up

asked

Ince aiul
latter of
Ices are

rom that
ptrani^er,

die is an
lam sure
able to
id somc-
in home

ink into

"MULTUM T.\ rARVO." 1S9

my pocket that night, as I got on the train. The toy
was sitting on the bureau in my bedroom at the
time. She |)icked it up, and looked at it for quite
a while. She asked me if I had opened it, ami I tuld
her no, that I was keeping it as a love-token of
Fred's. She laughed a little, and saiil that she would
wager a good deal that father had a finger in the pie,
a? well. Don't leave it sitting about, she said ; father
would never let you go away empty handed. She
locked it in the bottom bureau drawer, and told me
to put it in the safe over in the mill, but I forgot all
about it till now. I will go this minute and see wlu.t
is in it."

" It would make no difference, Marian. I could not
take your little gift, like a beggar. 1 have not got so
low yet. I will try my life-insurance policies, and see
what I can do with them."

"Shame on you, David Gordon, for your everla^'-Ling
iron pride. If you refuse help from those who love
you, you deserve to fall. Remember what Portia said
to Brutus: * Dwell I but in the suburbs of your good
pleasure ? If it be no more, Portia is Brutus' harlot,
not his wife.'

" David, if your heart is not open to me, as well as
your arms, then I am not your wife. You took me
from liome without a cent in my pocket. You bought
the very clothes I should have had. Even the poor
servant girl expects to buy her own trousseau, and
contribule her little mite towards tlie general good.
Ihit there is little use in discussing it till we see
what the trinket contains."

She ran up the stairs and brought down the little
iron safe.

"Now, David, please open it, and remember that
much or little, it is yours. Here, kiss me for good
luck. Mother may have tampered with it too."

When the rusted screws which held the lit;le iron
door to its place were removed and the contents
poured on the table, they were dumb with astonish-
ment.

Mingled with the boy's silver, soiled and blackened
by long contact with the coins, were a number of crisp

•>SSt3fe*!l*s«Ss^- .'-.. .

190

HOUSES OF CLASS.

one liundrcd-tlollar bank notes, and underneath the
X)ile, neatly folded so as to pass throu_<;li the little slide,
and Learnif^ the scrawlin^^ and almost illcc^ible sii^nature
of Jane Ilalford, was a cheque drawn in favour of Alrj.
David Gordon for one thousand dollars.

CHAPTER XXXI.

A FRIEiNDLV CALL.

"Well, Marian, you did come at last, you stingy*
old thinc^," was the salute Mrs. Gordon received from
a tall, elderly lady who opened the parsonage door and
caught her in her arms.

*'And here is baby, the sweet little pet. You de-
serve a scolding for not coming sooner."

" Well, you know, Christina, I had to wait for a fine
d'ry to bring baby out. This is really the first fine day
we have had for some time."

" Give him to me," said Christina, lifting him out oi
the carriage and devouring him with kisses, while
Davie opened his eyes widely and stared at her pre-
sumption, but did not cry.

*' Mother and I are not settled yet, we had so mucli
cleaning to do. Oh, here she comes," and Mrs. Laii,,-
try came forward, waddling and laughing as usual.

" Well, aunty," said Mrs. Gordon, " have you a piece
of pumpkin pie for me to-day, or a fried cake ?"

'* Indeed, I have both," replied the old lady, embrac-
ing her visitor. *' I made some fried cakes yesterda}',
tliinking you would come, and I put the same old
twist on them," she said, laughing through her tears,
" Brt come away into the kitchen ; it is more home-
like."

She was as fat and shapeless as ever, and shook
when she laughed in the old familiar way. Care and
trouble had sat very lightly on her shoulders. Her
moon-like countenance was the picture of good
humour.

ith tiie
Ic slide,
Tu at Lire
of Mr^.

A FRIENDLY CALL.

igi

u stiiv^-
cd from
ioor aiul

Voii Jc-

for a fine
t fine day

lim out of
•cs, while
her prc-

so mucii
.rs. Lau':,-
isual.
)U a piece

', einbrac-
^esterday,
same old
her tears,
)rc home-

md shook

Care and

lers. Her

of go*^^

'' 1 sec you are just as jolly as ever, Auntie. You
don't si;em to look a bit older."

" Motner won't die as long as she can lau^^h," said
Christina. " Sometimes she is njver serious for a sin-
rrle moment of the day. One night in Wentford, I
took Jier to a ccMicert, where a cotxiic siiu^^er came out
in character, and sane; ' LauL^hing Farmer IdcGce.* I
laughed heartily enough myself, but mother was past
all bounds. I had to bring her away, for the audience
was laughing as much at her as at the singer."

'' Well, I'm just as far ahead as if I had been crying
all the time," remarked the old lady. '* There's no
sense in always growling and complaining. T.augh
and grow fat, you know%" she continued witli a nod, as
slie broke out again and compelled the others to join
her.

" It's a woniler Christina doesn't get fat then when
she's with you."

" She's fretting too much about * the fellows.' ' ex-
claimed the mother with a fresh outburst which cai-
ricd them by storm. The idea of Christina being
love-lorn was too ridiculous for anything.

When the mirth had subsided Christina remarked
that both Charles and herself were born fur single
blessedness.

"Nonsense, Christina,' said Marian, "just wait
until some of the young ladies of Gow\anstone get a
chance at your brother. Why, I heard yesterday
there were two or three angling for him already."

Christina shook her head. '' He will scarcely look
at a young lady. Both in Boston and in Wentford,
there were a lot of nice-looking young ladies and one
widow with both wealth and beauty, who set their
caps for him, but he treated them alike."

" Perhaps he is too much absorbed in his studies
to think of marrying, suggested Mrs. Gordon.

** No, indeed. It isn t that," replied his sister shaking
her head, * because he does not study much, except-
ing music, and he often gets up throu^ii the night for
thai. He plays cricket or ball wlier.ever there is a
club to play with, and he is fond of hunting and fish-
ing, but, ' and here she dropped her voice to a whisper.

■•liV^*y^;S ^:'.t^f -n.; irYt

K'k'imtBt

192

HOUSES OF GLASS.

'• I believe he must hnvj been disappointed in Irtvc."
Tlio serious look on Cl\ristin.rs face as slie said ti)is
was too nuich for the ohl hid}', and for a few moments
the room fairly echoed with hiu^diter. They could not
stop, and the p;cture of Mrs. Langtry vibratin*.; in
her chair, with 'he tears runnin^^ down her cheeks,
continually furnished fresh food for mirth.

" Really, thou^.^h," protested Christina, drying lur
eyes with her ap' ni, "I'm sure he's been in love, fi^r
the music he plays sounds like that. Do 3'()u remem-
ber the day he called at your place, Marian? WV-Jl,
that ni_L,d)t, when he came in after his constitutional
(as he calls it), he played so sad and pitiful that
mother and I both cried like babies."

Marian turned away to hide the tell-tale colour in
her face, and went over to the window to look out,
but she started back with a cry of fear and surprise,
There, before her eyes, in the backyard in his shirt
sleeves, swini^ing on a horizontal bar, was the Rev.
Charles Langtry, whirling and spinning like a tee-
totum.

" My : I got such a fright," exclaimed Marian, beat-
ing a retreat.

*' 'Deed, I used to be frightened myself," said the
old lady, " but we got used to it. He is at it every
da}' for an hour. Sit here and watch him," she con-
tinued, " only we must not let him see us, for he docs
not like anybotly to know about it. He put that high
fence all round the yard so that the neighbours couk!
not see him.'

For a while they watched his evolutions, and at
times, when a fall seemed imminent, Marian gave a
httle cry of fear. His face was rosy with exercise in
the chilly wind, his heavy curls fell loosely over his
forehead and the muscles of his bare arms stood out
like ropes.

The performer stopped for a moment to take his
breath and tighten the broad belt about his waist.

" Watch him nov/, ' whispered Christina. " I know
by the way he is rubbing sand in his hands that he is
going to do his * double-radius,' as he calls it. Yes,
there he goes. Look !"

love.

.id this
)mcnt.s
x\d not
:in<; in
checks,

lur
JVC, for
rcincni-
Wcll,
tutional
ul that

-)lour in
)ok out,
surprise,
his shirt
he Rev.
e a tec-

an, beat-
said the
it every
she con-
he does
hat high
rs coule

and at

gave

:ercise ni

over his

Itood out

take his
raist.

1 know
hat he is

it. Yo6,

A FRTEXDLY CALL. 193

The cjymnast made a nmnini; junii^ at the bar, and
catehiiiL,' it by one liiind he swun^ round with tt-rrible
veh)city. With a sudden jerk tlie bar sUd into liis
half-closed elbows while lie ke[)t on whirlini;- as before.
The armpits, groins, knees, ankles, eacli in turn, be-
came the centre of motion. Suddenly tiie bar >>li[)pod
back into one of his half-flexetl knees, wlien witli
a wild swoop he turned a backward somersault and
landed on his feet.

The performance was now over, for he was pulling
down his shirt sleeves, gathering up his clothing and
wiping the sweat from his brow. A moment later,
when he came into the kitchen in his half-drcsscd con-
dition and saw who was Dresent, his eyes flashed with
anger.

lie bowed politely to Mrs. Gordon. " Allow
me to apologize for the impropriety of mother
and Christina in bringing you into the kitchen. You
were probably an unwilling witness of exercises
which must look ridiculous in one of my position and
calling. They forget that I object to performing be-
fore an audience like a mountebank. You will excuse
me for a moment till I make myself presentable. Chris-
tina, I should be viry angry, only that I know Mrs. Gor-
don is a lady, and is sure to ignore what was not
intended for her to see."

"Gracious! but he is vexed," said Christina, as the
door closed behind him. " I did not think he would
mind it much, on account of your being old acquaint-
ances."

Marian rose to go, but they would not listen to such
a proposition. " What ? ancl we made tlu; fried cakes
on purpose. You surely would not treat your old
aunly like that ? Christina or Charles will escort you
home if it gets dark before you go, or perhaps Mr.
Gordon will come for you."

Marian laughed. " Oh, r3avid knows I won't run
away. Grandma will have his tea ready, and tiien he
will be at the mill till ten or eleven o'clock."

" Well, just make yourself contented. Go into the
parlour there till we get tea ready," pleaded Christina,
" and Charles will play for you."

194

HOUSES OF GLASS.

^' Very well, Christina, Davie and I will amuse our-
nclvcs at the piano. Come, Davie." Puttinj:^ the baby
on her knee Marian seated herself at the instrument
and, from sheer force of habit, played '* Caller llerrin'."

She played with a great deal of taste and skill, for
it was one of Grandma's favourites, and she played it
almost daily.

iVlien she had finished, Mr. Langtry entered the room
in his usual clerical dress, and comj")limented her on
her playing. " I see you have caught the spirit of the
piece," he said. " ' Caller Herrin " is a perfect gem, but
most people do not understand it. A gre t many
have the impression that it is only a rollicking, reck-
less street song, but to me it is the quintessence of
sadness. Through the outside veneering one can
catch the smothered sob of a bursting heart. Stern
necessity demands that grief be gilded with nonchalance,
because the great big, selfish world cares little f<>r our
woes. The fishwife in order to get bread for her little
ones at home must choke her sobs, and sing to sell her
wares. She must mimic mirth to catch the car of her
customers. She must forget that the herring in her
creel cost her a son or a husband ; she must shut from
her cars the sound of the foaming billows in which he
went down : she must banish from her mind the vacant
chair at home, and the rudciy cheery face that's gone
forever. Oh it is sad, very sad. Why I once preached
a sermon on that grand old song. I have had people
1 lugh at me for saying it. but that music will live as
long as civilization. Indeed it is a page from Scottish
history. Besides, its peculiai phrasing has the fresh,
breezy atmosphere of the sea."

" Mr. Gordon's mother would be delighted to hear
you speak like that. You know she is Scotch. It was
she who induced me to get several Scotch songs and
selections. She is very fond of * Robin Adair.' "

" No wonder ! Its purity and depth of feeling is
trul}'' beautiful. The candour, simplicity, and lack of
sophistication about Scottish music is really remark-
able. It has no equal in this respect, and for that rea-
son it is acceptable in every land and every clime,"

" Will you play me * Robin Adair."*"

A FRIEND!. V CALL.

195

our-
baby
,mcnt
Tin .
11. for
y'cd it

room
icr on
of the
;m,but
many
y, reck-
nce of
ic can
Stern
lalancc,
for our
er lilllc
sell her
r of her
r in her
!ut from
;hich he
e vacant
it's gone
)reached
I people
live as
Scottish
e fresh,

to hear

It was

imgs and

" Ycf?, if I can re lember it. I have not seen the
music of it for some time, but if I do take some liberties
with the original score 1 shall try to catch the spirit.'

In a moment the very walls of the room seemed to
be lamenting the absent one, and the figure of a pure
sweet maiden wee})ing for her lover seemed to hover
over the instrument. Oh, Scotland, land of brown
berth and shaggy wood, how close to Nature's heart
thy bafds hax'e kept ; what secrets of the soul they
must have learned to set them thus to sound.

" Won't you sing for me now ?" he asked, "just that
simple little song you used to sing, long ago."

1 le fumbled tlirough a great pile of music and finally
drew it forth. " Here it is : ' Some day I'll wander back
again.' There is not so much in it, but you uscid to
sing it well."

The rich coloui swept over her face, and her lips were
pressed tigh*"!}' together while she glanced towards the
open door, half hoping that Mrs. Langtryor Christina
would come in.

She was going to make an excuse for refusing, but
the accompaniment which came rippling from his fin-
ger tips seemed to overcome her reluctance.

Pushing her chair close to the piano she stood Davie
upon it. Holding him by the hand, and clearing her
throat of its nervous huskiness, she commenced. The
familiar pitch and tone seemed to give her inspiration.
She sang in splendid voice till she turned the last leaf,
and then she broke down. There, after all these
years, nestling in a corner to which it was pinned, lay
the little piece of blue ribbon he had stolen from her
hair on the night they waded the stream.

feeling is
lack of
remark-
that rea-
|lime>"

iq6

IIUUSLS Ui'" uLAoS.

CHAPTl'j; XXXIl.

CKossi;i) w iki'is

• Sit down, Gordon, sit down. I can't diagjnosp
your case in a moment. ILvcry patient thinks that the
name of his disease is spelt out in his face in i^ilded h (-
tersand all we have to do is read at ;> f,dance. W'e cantu.t
jump at conclusions. We have to take the evidence.
and then weii^di it like a judi^e."

David Gordon, who had been impatiently pacin^j llir
floor of the doctor's consulting room with feverisli
anxiety, dropped into a chair, but he could scarcely
sit still. He was pale and ha<^gard looking, his eyes
were sunken, and the lines of his countenance were
expressive of distress.

" First, tell me how your mother is," said the doctor,
wishing to throw him off his guard and to watch the
expression of his eye.

"She seems better this last month," David replied,
fidgetting in his chair. " She can't go about, but she is
quite cheerful."

" Does she rest well at night?" inquired the pliysi-
cian, peeping at him through his eyebrows.

"Oh, very well," responded ])a\id, rising again and
beginning to pace the floor. " She does not complain.
But you say it is dangerous?"

" Yes, rheumatism is always dangerous when it af-
fects the heart as it docs in her case. But vou tell nie
you are not feeling well yourself ?"

" Doctor, if I don't get sleep I shall go crazy.
Many a time lately it has only been the toss of a cop-
per whether I bknv my brains out or not."

" How long has this been going on ?" was the next
cuestlon.

About thi

iths. I have tried cold baths,

mom

light diet and active exercise. I used to get up through
the night and walk a few miles. It used to help me
but it does not now."

CROS^rn WTRFS.

197

The doctor noticed tint liis p.itinit ?;pok(^ witli un-
usual rapidity, and occasionally stanniicii'd over ,1
word. " IIow many hours a week do you sleep ?"

'Oh, I can't say. Not more tiian four or five at
host, but those last three niglits I have never slept a
second."

" Docs your wife know of this?"

" No. That is, she does not know how had I've l)een.
The fact of the matter is, doctor," he added in a con-
fidctUial v/hispcr, " my wife and I don't occupy the
same room lately. I am ashameil to mention it. hut,
really, her presence, lately,seems tou'ritateme beyond
contn^l. Once or twice I woke iicr out of her sleep
and scolded her for nothing. It is the stranijest thin^,
too, but I am now positive of it, that I can sleep if she
is away. Half a dozen times durini^ the past year siie
has gone over to l^^roadview to her mother s, and 1 aU
wa\ s slept well when she was <^one. It's not imaf^ina-
tioii, doctor, for if I were forced to remain in the same
room, 1 would positively go out of my mind."

The doctor saw that his patierit was in a talkative
mood, so he let him ^o on without iiiterrui)ti(Mi, v Idle
he watched the various expressions which passed Mver
his face.

" i\Iy wife thinks I am turnin<:^ atjainst lur, I know
she docs, although she is always patient and gentle
with me. It's not that I don't love her. I can't
explain it. It is not because she goes to church and
sings in the clioir ; or that we e\-er quarrel about re-
ligion or anvtliing else. But her vcrv toucii that once
would electrify me or soothe me, as the case might be,
is positively irritating now. There's one more thing I
am going to tell you, though you may think it of no
consequence. The other day I had a chance to cheat
a man out of a hundred dollars and no one would
have known it. Well, 1 did not do it, but," and here
the sick man held out his finger by way of emjjhasis
or warning, " I tell you I hesitated. Yes, I actually hesi-
tated, and there was only the toss of a copper then,
between roguery and honesty."

The doctor readjusted his spectacles and smiled
blandly, out did not reply. He saw that his p. .1 lent

'■<-f^^m-»m.m^ JSmMmOMmimiimmm

HOUSES OF GLASS.

198

had not. finished talking. " You may smile, doctor,
but I li;ive scon tiu' time when U'U tinu-s tliat amount
would .lot liave tempted me for a sin^de second ; when
the idea even would never have entered my irand.
Then I am getting SLisj)icious and can hardly speak
civilly to anybody. I'm just like a man who has been
drinking. Poor Marian. We're only four years mar-
ried, and she thinl^s I've got tired of her, just as if any
sane man couldn't see that she is a mas^nifutiit
woman. 1^'or (jod's sake, doctor, tell me v/hat ii; :\\\
means," he went on, throwing himself gloomily 1;:':') a
chair. " If you can do anything for me, say so, and if
not, by heavens, I'll jump the 'big divide' before 1
become a damned rascal. A man has no business in
this world if he can't act like a gentleman/'

" Are you in business difficulties ?"

*' Not now. I have been pulling up ever since the
Sampson failure, but it was neck and neck for a lonpj
time. You remember the big spurt in wheat. Well, I
netted fifteen cents a bushel on my whole stock.
Last week only I bought a twenty car lot of flour, and
sold it at a quarter dollar advance."

" Phew !" wdiistled the doctor, *' you arc going it
and no mistake, but remember your nervous system
won't stand it."

" Hang my nervous system. If my lamp lacks oil,
and I can't try a fall with other men, why I'd better
go to breaking stones."

*' You Ttvv't' on thin ice for a long time you say ^"

"Yes, but I am all right now. A miss is as good as
a mile."

" Not always," responded the doctor shaking his
head. " The ball that passes too close, often kills by
windage."

" Well, never mind, you haven't told me yet whal
is the matter with me."

** Neurasthenia."

** What in the name of goodness is that ^ Rcmem
bcr I never studied Greek."

The doctor, taking his patient by the hand, led him
to the window, and pointed to the network of wires on
the poles which lined the street.

CROSSED WIRES.

199

doctor,
unoimt
; when
/ ir.iml.
y speak
.IS been
irs nKir
LS if any
qiificiiit

;it it ail

o, and it
before I
sin ess in

;incc the
3r a lon[^
Well, I
ic stock,
lour, and

goinix it
system

acks oil,
'd better

say '^
good as

kinc: his
kills by

•ct what

Rcmem

, led him
wires on

((

Do you see those wires ? W^eil, just imajj^ine them
all in a tanijjle.and }'ou will have an idea of what your
coiidiition is."

'• Then, in the name of suffering liumanity, 'gwc me
something to untangle them."

" Very good ; but remember medicine won't do it.
The wires will have to be slackened, while thoy are
being restored to order. Keep away from the mill for
a month, and don't even look at the cover of a ledger.
I'm going off for a little holiday myself, why n :t come
along ?"

■'1 heard you were t^oing away in the morning.
That is why I came to-day. I was anxious to see you
before you left town."

" Just go home, pack up your traps, and go shoot-
ing with me for a couple of weeks."

" I don't think I would care for that kind of sport,
Doctor."

" Tush, man, it is ^he bracing, soothing efTccts of the
virgin forest you need. It is as soothing as a mother
to her babe. Away you go now, and leave the ques-
tion of sleep to me."

" I'm not at the bottom of the case yet," said the
doctor to himself, after his patient had gone, " but
when we are away together I shall watch hini."

He was at a h.^ss to know whether David's illness
was entirely due to nervous exhaustion from business
strain, or to deflected magnetism between him and his
wife.

According to his theories there should be magnetic
harmony between them, although the balance of
power, he conceived, was largely on her side.

The repellent effect of Mrs. Gordon upon her hus-
band at the present must be tlue to one of two c.uises.
Either the exhaustion of business worry and strair. Ihul
left his patient magnetically bankrupt, or his wife's
affinity for him had been deflected. Perliaps both.
This theory, however, presupposed the presence of a
third magnetic influence. Surely Mrs. Gordon can
not have a fancy for any one else. No, no ; it's impos-
sible. And yet, confountl it, there is t!ie evidence.
Humph ! there must be. They \/ere surely well mated.

■'^'^'^Tf'*?**!^^*^^^

200

HOUSES OF GLASS.

Pie was larc^c boned and aiunilar, while she was the
opposite. H.s h.iir was jet-black ami coarse, \> iilK-
hers was lis;iit and fine as silk. I^vjn mentally tiu,y
were adapted to each other. He was firm, and she
for<4ivin[^ ; he rational, and she emotional.

The doctor's theory was that physical £/;nilarity re-
pelled, both in love and friend.-^hio. The f/ositive pulrs
ot a battery would never attract each other, ami if
brought inti~) too close contact would have the opposite
tendency. To him every individual was an electricil
machine, attracting and repelling each other on fixed
principles which were as yet unknown.

During their holiday in the woods the doctor (to use
his own expression) put a ground-wire on his jxitieiii
in order to restore the electrical balance and to pro-
cure for him a fresh, supply of magnetic force from
the mother earth.

Indeed, he himself felt the necessity of a restoralfdii
of that kind. He was continually dispensing checMii!-
ness and sympathy to his patients. Consequenib/, he
was often left devoid of mental and physical ener^^
till he secured another loan from the mother earth.

His investigation went on, however, in a leisurely
way, and he came to the conclusion that (Gordon's con-
dition was at least not solely due to nervous exhaus-
tion.

He discovered that his patient's brain was capable
of an enormous amount of work ; that his courage and
self-reliance made him a very Napoleon of finance, who
could live and thrive in an atmosphere of danger.

" No doubt this human machine when devoid of
electrical force has lost its attraction for its mate, ami
now a new affinity has been formed, leaving itisolateci.
Mrs. Gordon is a noble woman, but — well, no matter,
I can't help it. It gives me no chance to cnrc my
patient, excepting for a temporary patch-up,
Humph!"

7X9, tTiP

y tlu:y
nd she

„ THE LAND O* THE LEAL.'

CHAPTER XXXIII.

201

irity rc-

/c pcli-'S
nnd if
jppositc
Icctrical
Dii fixed

r (to \iso
patient
to pro-

-ce from

storation
chcevt'ul-
ciuly, lie
lI cncrL,7

earth.

leisurely
lloti's ccn-
cxhiius-

capablc
..age and
mce, who
|nger.
.ievoid of
hiate. ami
It isohited.
lo matter,

c\\\'c my
I patch-up.

"THE LAM) O' THE LKAL."

Gkandma Gordon for many months had been an
invahd. She was moved into her daughter-in-Liw's
rooms, not only to facilitate attendance, but for in-
creased cheerfulness and companionship. lier occu-
pation was to amuse Davie, and allow IMarian to go on
with her household duties. She sat in her chair from
morning till night, never uttering a complaint : indeed,
she was almost as cheerful as when in perfect health.
Her simple philosophy taught her that there was
little use in repining, that cheerfulness was the best
anaesthetic. She soon discovered that there was a lack
of warmth betw^een David and his wife, and contrary
to the usual rule, she decided that the fault lay with
her son. This was her only grief ; the only thorn in
her rose of contentment ; but she deemed it wisest
not to interfere. They appeared to have grown away
from each other in a few months, but for what reason
she could not possibly understand. She hoped for the
best, however, and confidently expected that when re-
lieved from the pressure of business, David would b',-
himself again.

The old lady found a new friend in whom she rejoiced.
Christina Langtry was now almost a constant visitor.
She brought books, papers and magaziries, and fore-
stalled her every w ish in fruit and other delicacies.

She seemed to know just when the invalid wished
to talk, or when she preferred to be left in silence ;
while the old lady looked forward to her visits as the
Ijrightest hour in her day.

Mr. Langtry himself came two or three times every
week, but never to discuss theology, or refer to the
invalid's heterodoxy. His rendition of Scotch airs was
joy and gladness to the heart of David's mother, and if
he did not come nn the day he was expected she invari-
ably reminded Christina of it.

•mm.-

'--'^^aBiaei

It!

202

IIOUSKR OF riLAr.s.

Gord<

lorrlon was not altOL^cthcr pleased at the way in
which matters liad recenth' shaped tli('inscl\-es.

The Laii''tr\'s se-eined to liavc taken pnssessioii df
his home. Iheir cominijjs and j^oinjjjs seemed to liavc
become of more interest to his wife and his mother than
his own movements. Marian not only went to cluircli
re<^ularly, but was th(.' leading soprano of tlu: choir.
The cleri^yman and his sister seemed to havi; brou^^lit
into his home an atmosplu-rc A\hich was not coni^ciiia!
to him. Many a time he wished them at the other eiul
of the earth. This condition of affairs went on for
weeks before David ever had an op[)ortunity of nuit-
inir his clerical visitor. At last one evening the rcvcr-
end i^entleman remained to tea and Marian was fear-
ful of the consequences.

When her husband came in from the mill with hi>
dusty i:^rey clothes and ids jet-black hair, he formed a
stroni^ contrast to his guest. One could see at a glance
that these two men were cast in entirely tliffcrc!;!
moulds. Had Dr. l^ennet been present he would have
enjoyed the antagonism, which was particularly notice-
able on David's part.

With wonderful tact did Marian steer the conversa-
tion clear of dangerous topics, and the evening passed
pleasantly enough. She was far more afraid of David
than of her guest, for while the atmosphere of conten-
tion was congenial to her husband, it was distasteful
to the clergyman. Mr. Langtry assisted his hostess
in pouring oil on the troubled waters, deftly changiiv;
the subject whenever he saw any danger ahead.

As soon as David learned that Mr. Langtry had n^^
intention or desire to cross swords with him he changed
his attitude, and from that time forward they were |
quite friendly. No matter when or where they nv.:
the clergyman always carried a flag of truce, till Gor-
dan began to feel more kindly towards him, especially
for his kindness to his mother in playing so exquisitely
the airs she loved so well.

He felt somewhat jealous, however, of the warmth
with which his mother always greeted her musical
benefactor, and of the freemasonry which seemed t'i
have grown up between them. They would smile or

* way m

cssion nf
1 to have
tthcrthan
to cluirdi
\\v choir.
I brou^'ht
couL^cnial
other end
lit on fnr
' of nucl-
the rcvci-
was fear-

I with hi?
fornu'd a
at a L^l.mcc
/ different
vouhl have
irly notice-

; conversa-

in:;; passed
Id of David
of Clinton-
distasteful
lis hostess
changiiv^
cad.

|try had no
lie changed
they ^vere
they nut
c, till Gor-
, especially
cxcinisitcly

he warmth

Icr musical

seemed to

d smile or

"THK LAND O' TIIF, I,EAL.'* 203

shed tears over the same passat:jes, and often they
wliiled away an hour in discussint^ tlic tieptlis of nican-
uvj, which lay buried in their favourite melodies.

David even took his mother to task for beins^ so in-
timate with her visitor. " What, are )'ou L^oint^ to
turn Christian, too, mother ? i\re you goinij to de-
sert me and i^o over to the majority?"

" T(Hits, Davie, ma releeL,Mon is ower simple tac
(luarrel ahoot, and ower lon^ srf tae chani^e noo. I
ken weel enuch }'er feyther woodna hae likiet to hae a
black-coat comin' sae often tac his hoose, but \'on man
is nane o' yer seeven by nine thinkers. lie never
speaks aboot relcegion, but I ken by his music just
what he's thinkin o'. Merran tells me that on Sunday
fortnicht he preached a sermon that f;arred them a'
stare, lie tclt them that he k-t:nt agnostics wha' were
niair Christ-like in their \vays than a whecn o' tluMn
that i; led tae tlu} kirk. Yae da}', liim an' mc ^<it
crackin' aboot Jrcmison and hoo he sent turkc\'s and
i^cese tae puir folk at Christmas, and claes tae them
that were nakiet. Aye, anel hoo he treated his work-
men sae fair, considerin' their guid as weel as his ain.
Weel, when we got through he said that if fo'k wti'c
to be judged b\' their fruits Jeemison was a far better
Christian than maist o' them, lletelt me himsel' that
it didna matter what we ca' fo'k sae long as their
hearts arc warm and kind. I'm sure naebudy can fin'
fau't wi' that doctrine."

This v/as a time of sore trial for Marian, who was
in almost daily contact with the lover of her ycjuth.
She never trusted herself alone in his comj)any after
the discovery of the ribl)on, though it took a great
deal of tact to [)revent it without making her efforts
noticeable. It seemed as if fate had thrown them to-
gether for some pur[)osc, and that his music was weav-
'■ig a web aroumi her. ]>ut her boy was a citadel of
strength to her. With him on her knee she could
.lejfy temptation. Day by day she prayed for assist-
ance to school herself to the new order of thinj^s, to
fortify herr-<:lf against the attra- tion wliich the clergy
man seemed to have for her and 5I1C for him.

"**»*'.

204

HOUSES OF GLASS.

Sucidcnly one evening the old lady took a sharp pain
in licr breast.

" Something has gaen wrang in here," she gasped,
placing her hand over her heart. *' I dout the doctor
was richt, IMerran, lass. Ye better rin and tell Davie.
Hush, (Jinna greet. It had tae come some time."

Wlien the doctor came, he took her wrist in his
hand for a moment, then dropped it suddenly, and
.stepped over to the window without speaking a w^id.
It was his way of telling them that all hoi)e vas gone.

" Mow long. Doctor.''" asked David in a whisper.

"Only a few hours. Shall I tell her?"

" Yes, you had better, for I cannot," said David
with a sob.

Ikit " Granny " was quite prepared for the an-
nouncement. " Aye, aye, I jaloosed it," she niur-
mured faintly. '' Awe- ', I hae dreed ma weird. I
wad likiet tae hae been wi' ye a bit ianger, but it
canna be. Dinna greet, bairns," she continued as
David and Marian knelt weeping at her bedsid:.
*' Bear up an' be Strang. Ye hae life a' afore ye an' I
hae gaen out ma time. Just bury me, Davie, aside }er
feyther, withoot ony ceremony. It wad mak nae oddr,
tae me, but if yer feyther was here, he wouldna like
ony preacliin' ower me. Maybe Jeemison wad let his
b and play ' The Land o' the Leal ' at the grave before
the sods are hajipict ower me."

She was silent for some time and nothing but sobs
broke the stillness.

*' Bring me a drink o' cauld, cauld water, Davie."

As soon as he had left the room she took Marian's
li.-.nd in liers.

" Merran, lass, bear wi' ma boy. He's kinna thrawn
at times, but he's guid an' true for a' that. Yer hear'
is big enuch tae aye forgic him, and I'll leave him i .
your charge, lassie."

When her son returned she motioned him to kneel
beside his wife.

Marian understood her. She drew David's face to
hers, and they kissetl each othi-r tenderly. There they
remained in each other's embrace, with their hands
clasped about the wasted fingers of the dying woman.

DR. BENNET S SPECTACLES.

205

irn paiii

gasped,
:: doctor

I Davie.

It
"ic.

t in his

iilv, anJ.

a wt'id.

i ejono.

.ispcr.

d David

the an-
sho mur-
wcird. 1
;r, but it
dnucd as
bcdsid:.
e yc an' 1
aside )\-'{
nac oddr.
ildna like
ad let \m
ve before

but sobs

>avic."
Marian's

ha tlirawn

'er licar^

^c him i >

|-i tu kneel

[s face to

here they

Icir hands

l<T woman.

After a time she .seemed to rally and could talk a
httle better.

" Ye ance asked me, Davie, aboot the next worl', but
tho' I'm decin' ye ken as muekle about it as me. I
wadna like tae think I wad never see ye attain. I
(liiina ken. I can only hope — that's a'. IJrin*; wee
Davie, the puir wee latnb, and let me kiss his sweet
moo. Puir laddie, he'll be lonesome noo. He'll soon
hac nae i^^rannie tae play chuckie stanes wi' him. I
hope hedl mak a braw man some day. He seems ower
guid for this worl'."

After the first <;reat outburst of <^r{ci was over, the
dyini^ woman said in a whisper, " Gani^ in an' play a
bit for me, Merran ; a wee bit, saft and low. Flay
'Caller Merrin',' it minds me o' hamc and the bonnie
blue sea."

When Dr. Bennet came into the room after a two
hours' absence, the scene that met his gaze brought the
moisture to his eyes.

With the piano across the further door of the death
chamber, Marian sat, sobbing, and sounding the last
few chords of an old Scotch song. The setting sun
sent a streak of lii^ht across the bed where David knelt
with his head buried in the pillow beside his mother's
grey and pallid face.

The big dog, Nero, was lying with his nose upon his
paws, looking dolefully towiirds his master, while on
the bed sat little Davie, sucking contentedly at a sugar
stick, and playing with the hand ot his dead " Granny."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

DR. hennet's si kctacles.

The reader has already discovered that the great
study of Dr. Rennet's life was animal magnetism and
the relation of mind to matter. He detested mystery ;
in fact, he insisted that it was only another name fur
superstitious ignorance. His nature led him to seek

206

HOUSES OF CI, ASS.

ail explanation for ivciytliin;^ that came within liis
tiotitr. lie lollouid liis path alone, and insti-ad of
icadinj^ books lu" studied men ;iiid \voin< n. lie h,id
nothiiii; but contempt for spirituahsts, who, witli tluir
seances, and their mystery, were del)anciiin^; a nohK:
science. C'harlatans and niountel)anivS liad madi- tlic
su])jc-ct ahnost disre[)utabK', had driven honest, earnest
thinkers from tiie field. He was willin*; to bi-jicve that
tiiere were i^erms of truth underl)'in;.; sucli tilings as
faitii-curini^ and mind-readini^, but that these so-calk d
occult manifestaiions were dependent upon supernatu-
ral existences, he was at a h)ss to see how any sane
person could believe. Just as natural phenomena, such
as liiditnini;, mete(us or rainbows, were, durini^ aiii'esof
su])erstition and ii^norance, believed to be special maiii-
festatioTiS of divine will and power for the benefit of
tlie poor ignorant ejj^otists who inhabit this orain of
sand, so. in the iiynorance of tlie present, tlie most
simple and natural manifestations of animal maL^netisin
were attributed to causes neither sensible nor scientific.

*' I am convinced," he said to liimself, " that in this
field there are woiuUTful possibilities, and if new truths
be discovered, we should, instead of surrounding; them
with mystery, place them on a scientific basis, and
apply tliem in some way for the benefit of mankind. "

lie had an idea tliat Icn'e, the divine passion, was
simply a current of mac^netism between the sexes,
dcpendiiii:^ upon both physical and mental C(Miditit)ns.

He believetl that these currents were modified by
pliysical peculiarities, such as the size and shape of the
bones and the quality of the tissues. lie thou<^ht that
the outlines of the face, the shape of the head, .ind
the colour and (juality of the eyes and hair, were all
reliable indicators of the magnetic peculiarities of each
individual.

lie conceived the idea, that thoroui^h investiL;ation
would make it possible for us to measure with exact-
ness the magnetic force of each man and woman, iuui
give us certain grounds on which to base a natural

marriage.

He was further convinced, from close observation,
that the quality of brain currents, thoughts, motives

1(1 nf
■ h,ul

thiir

noble

\c llic

ariu-st

re th.il

m!;s as

-calKd

:rnatu-

y sano

a, svich

a!.;-cs()f

il ni.tni-

iicfil of

rain of

ic nitt^t

L:^nctisn\

ncntifK'.
in tliis

,v tnillis

v^r the in

isis, ar>il

mkinil."
on, w.is
sexes,
ulitii>ns.
ifieil by
c o{ the
rrbt that
ad, .:nil
,vcrc all
of each

^tii;ation

h exact-

lan, and

natural

;rvatlon.
motives

DR. nKNNF.T S SPKCTACLKS.

207

and actions were lar;',cly inniH-iiccd \>y snrroMn(h'n(.'.s
and habits of hfc, and that what ai' known as du.d
exist e-nces were merely marked examples ot this un-
derlying; principle.

A careful analysis of his fellow creatures convinced
him that there was a duality in everv" natuic lie
found that under certain conditions and inibicnccs
j)e()|)le's motives and instincts chan_i;ed ; tin- onl) ([uc-s-
tion beini;" the de^n'ce and (juality of the forces nec-
essary to reverse the picture, lie was familiar with,
tJit' i/ri'i/ tit //0)iii' (tN(/ sanit a/'ro(j(i, \.\\v. nvAW who is ,dl
(juerulousness and t}'ianny to his own, ;ind all affability
and kindness to strauj^ers. lie saw the stinndus (^f
stran<;e faces hrine;in<^ ^^eniality and ^^enerosity to the
surface in some natures, and sinkini; il in others. Ho
liad known the statesman for<;et his wife fc^r s(Hne pass-
ing; fancy, and the sneak thief remain the ardent lover
of his faithful spouse. The respectable orderly citizen,
when sober, often became a brawling rowdy when
drunk, and the hard, ^aintlin^;, selfish man of the world
became a f;enial, generous ^^entleman, under the inHu-
ence of wine. The music which inspired sentiment in
some natures incited sensuality in others, and the same
theme that perchance had prompted poesy and son;^
had let loose the wild horses of passion which carried
vestal vir^dns and virtuous wives over the brink of
degradation and ruin. Me found that the perfume of
the flower brought love to some hearts and lust to
others. That the touch of one hand gave attraction
and another repulsion. lie found that tlie nurse whose
presence soothed some irritated others. Me watched
liis patients become tyiannical or benevolent under
different diets. Me saw that feasting induced gener-
osity in some, while fasting had the same effect on
others.

He believed that in every man's nature was some
secret spring which, if touched, would liberate some
vice ; and that our five senses were so many roots
through which external influences brought forth the
nobler or the baser qualities of our minds.

Discussing this subject with the doctor on one of
his quiet evenings v/hen they were alone, Gordon re-

208

ITOUSFS OF CLASS.

marked that rational [)coi)lc rc^ardnl the \vlu>le ficM
f)f (icc'uitisin as fit only lOr harmless lunatics.

" Vou never matle a L;rc.ilcr mistake in your life,
Gf)r(lon."

" You think, then, tliat there is room for lei^itimate
investij^ation ?"

" Room '' Why, man, it is fairly bristling with count-
less possibilities. If students of occultism would dnip
soi)histry and suix-istition ; if they would cease talkiiv^^r
and writinj^ a lot of technical rubbish about ima<.;inary
.s])irits and inlluences ; if they would stop l<M)kin<;- to
the clouds and study their fellow men, we would sonn
have the most astonishing^ results. So far it is only
charlatans who have taken it up for the sake of revenue,
but remember that at the bottom of all this trash there
is an underlying truth, the magnetic influence which
one indivitlual exerts upon another."

*' Supposing, then, that animal magnetism were thor-
oughly understood, of what use would it be?"

" I am astonished that you should ask, since it
touches the very foundation of existence itself. Don't
you see that a knowdeilge of animal magnetism uouli!
giude every man and woman in the selection of
a mate with whom life might be spent with the
greatest possible liapi)iness, the least possible antas.jn.
iiism, and consequently, the most highly developed
progeny ?"

" Is not love a safe enough basis ?" queried David,
with a smile.

" Most assuredly, if wc all understood the difference
between love and lust, and did not occasionally
confound love with admiration. A couple between
whom there is not magnetic harmony cannot pos-
sibly live happily together. They may, by an extra
amount of forbearance, go through life without any
outward sign, but their happiness will be destroyed,
their lives will be shortened, and their chddren wili
lack that sympathetic, enthusiastic animus of life
which marks the fruit of wholesome mairiages."

'' What are your definitions of love and Aist, or rather
where does the difference lie ?"

•' You can't compare them. Lust is only the baser.

ritim.itc
h coiiiit-

VlUl chn|)

,c tiilkiiv;.

lokiu'^ to
uiltA H()»»n
t is oi'ily
i rcvciuic,
rash tluTc
ICC which

were thor-

<, since it
•If. V)on"t

DR. PFNNET'S SrECTACLES.

209

octitMi *^{
with the

c antaiV'-
dcvch)p^;il

led Davl^M

difference
ccasionaliy
c between

annot p"-
an extra
'I thou t any

destroyed,
iddren \vii^

us of lit'^
^es.

•t, or rather

the baser:

tlie pliysical portion of love. Love itself, is, ns T lake
it, the mental, moral, spiritual and physical arfiml)- of
si'X for sex. Love is at first entirely unconscious of
the physical element, but in its {growth, development
and continuance, the physical portion plays an impor-
tant, if not an essential part. If lust is spontaneous
on both sides, it may be an evidence of ma<.Mietic afrm-
ity, and in some cases an excuse for marriai,^;, but I'.
isoftrn artificially created by contact and opportunity."

" If all you say be true, Doctor, then tlie ^rc-at n;a-
jority of marriai^es are matte-rs of blind chance, at
least as far as women .ire concerned."

The doctor smiled. "Chance is a word I don't like,
but if you refer to a woman who marries for a home,
or to the marria^^e of state, there cannot be any tloubt
that it is simply refined prostitution, the only difference
beinf^ in the price."

" Vou forj^et though. Doctor, that woman is placed
at a disadvanta'^e. Accordini^ to the ruK s o{ s<jciety,
she must wait until she is picked up, and if a wooer
conies alon^L; who is fairly well-tu-do, one man is as
good as another."

" Don't make any mistake," said the doctor, wiping
his glasses. " It is only the sexless, characterless
woman who has no individual preference. The right
woman seldom refuses the right man excepting for
powerful reasons of expediency. I tell you, Cio'-don,"
he continued, with an emphatic gleam in his eye, "the
woman who marries for any other cause than love is
accursed of God. She is worse than the man, because
she is endowed with higher duties and higher respon-
sibilities."

Gordon laughed at the doctor's vehemence, and re-
marked that such a theory bore very heavily on roy-
alty.

" I don't care whether she be duchess or dish-washer,
patrician or plebeian, the same thing holds good. Just
as surely as yon moon is now shining tlirough tliat
window, and by the same inevitable law that this
planet turns on its axis, will she suffer the penalty on
this earth, and nothing but death can protect her.
The maiden, who loves not wdsely but too well, and

'"nn f Tirflfii III iniii

2IO

TTOTTr.FR OF r.T.ASS.

stru^ij^lcs bravely, after biiiij.; forsaken by her wbilem
lover, to rear her cliild, is a puic aiul spotless lu-roiii'
compared with tiic titled j^^randd.mie who barters off
her body for a consideration ; and ten times over
would I back her chances of happiness eitlur in this
world or the next aijainst tlie jjolhited offsprin;.; of
royalty. Tush : what does nature care for titles?
Toys for children or tools for tyrants."

" Do you find many ot these perfect marriai^fis ?"
asked Uaviil with a doubtful smile. " You see into
people's lives pretty thorouijhly ami have many o{)pi»r.
tunities of iudrim;."

"■ Not so many as there should be," res[Kinde(l the
physician somewhat sadly, " not so many as tlu-rc
mi^ht be if animal magnetism was thoroui^hly under-
stood. Think of the lame, the halt, and the blind, of
the criminals, maniacs and imbeciles who are the fruit
of ill-mated marriaj.'^es ; and yet the world c^oes mailly,
blindly on. If to-day kin^^s and princes had to eat the
same food, wear the same clothes, and live under the
same circumstances as the poor, the majority of our
rulers would be demons or imbeciles."

Gordon broke into a hearty laugh. " What keeps
them from beiniT so now?"

'^ Wliy, their surroundings, of course, and an occa-
sional wholesome marriaije. Take the finest blood horse
from his palace stall, his pure, fresh air, his good, clean,
well-regulated food, his well-timed rubbing and groom-
ing, turn him out to a straw stack surrounded by filth.
exposed to cold and wet, and he will soon become the
veriest plug in the barnyard. Kings and queens, witli
all their splendid surroundings, should be the noblest
an:'! be:": oi' our race, and zvoiild be, were it not for the
loveless marriages of state."

' \'ou ere very democratic, Doctor, you think that
one man. is as good as another, provided the surround-
ings ::ro equal"

" No, you have mistaken me. You might as well
(to continue the simile) say that one horse is as good
as another. No, no. If we are to have an aristocracy,
let it be one ot heart and brain. Instead of haiii,'-
ing orders and stars on some titled booby, like jewelry

I)R. KKNNKT'S SPKCTACI-KS.

211

hi'ioiir
rtcrs t)l(

• ii\ itiis
|)rin;', of
1- lilies?

•riaj^cs {'
. sec inlu
ly opix)!-.

iuUhI the

as there
ly under-

bliiul, o(
: the fruit
)es m;uily.
to eat the
under the
iiy of our

hat keeps

an occa-
lood h«)rse
)od, clean,
nd ^room-
id by hlth,
;come the
jens, witl'i
[C noblest
Lot for the

Ihink that
surround-

Iht as ^vcll

Js as j;ood

Iristocraey,

of hang-

:c jewelry

on a crypsy, K t mother natun- put hcr.tt.imp ufionhim.
Her stamp of i^eiUility is tlie only j^rcnnini' one."

The iluetor arose, anil i; >in:.,' to a ciipboanl br<)U{.dit
forth wine and ci}.^irs.

"Nevermind wine for iii •," said David, biting off
the end of a ci^Mr. *' A smoke seems to loosen my
ton'Hie and brin<^ my ideas riore (pu'ekly , but one
rrhiss of that wiiu- would make me a pcrft.-ct villain.
Not that I would be intoxicated, in tiu^ ordinary sense,
but I would feel that I was a lower, coarser ty[)e of a
man ; and I mi;4ht say and do tilings I would not think
o': when in my ordinary condition."

"Another case of dual existence," remarked his host
with a peculiar smile. " You are like Pr(jfessor Senger
in that respect. I suppose you remember iiim ^"

•' One does not easily forget a man like him, ' re-
sponded Gordon, " but the duality in his case was
surely not distinct, for when you invited the fakir to
dinner it was the philosopher who came."

" No, indeed, Gordon, it was the philosf)i)hcr to wliom
the invitation was given. I will admit, however, that
the fakir's hunger was appeased when the philosopher
ate his dinner. You remember he did not even recog-
nize you after having met you in the mill a few hours
before ?"

" Quite true, l^ut don't you think there is more than
a j)hysical relation between the two conditions ?"

"Practically speaking, there is little more," replied
the doctor.

" Ihit what brought about the change? It was nei-
ther whiskey nor tobacco, for I remember he neither
smoked nor dran' that night."

Tile host leaned back in his chair a moment, and
watched the smoke that curled u[) from his li[)s.

" Did you notice that he had a large mouth, full lips
and an eater's jaw ? No ? Well, there lies the ex-
planation of it all."

" You don't mean to say that eating does it ?"

"Indeed, I do," replied the doctor with an emphatic
nod.

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Gordon, "you can't

9
■M

rsitm

"^ 1

HOUSKS OK r.l-ASR.

nuMU to say tliat .i man can ^ct intoxicated on roast

" riiat'.s tlu> viM-y thin<^ 1 do mean. \\7/\' fh< /■(■ mr
tjiousajui^oj [U'olUi.ii'ho J ro))i ovcr-caiiny'.iUf ncvi r sol'cr."

1)a\'i(l <.;ot uj) ! roni his chair atul walked the lloor,
lanidiiiu^

"Look luTc. l)oct(M-, if yon tjo on like lids, I shail
think thiM\- arc wiiccls in yonr hcacL"

" Sit iU)\vn, man, sit (h)\vn," said Ids liost, snappisld\',
" N'on (hMi't suoposi' tliai 1 liavc stndird tliis sni)JLTt
for twenty }'ears, only to liave it lauLdied out of
court, \\ hat is alcoiiol," he demanded, " but a distilKd
extract of some food pr(^duct ? Ivvery man who eou-
sumes more food ((.'itlur in (piantity or ([nalit\-) than
iie re(juires simply converts ids boily into a distillery
Kver\' ji/rticle of unassinnl.ited fcjotl Hoatin^ in tiic
circuIaLii)!! is a poison as toxic as alcohok"

" Is that really so?"

" It is a positive fact, ' re[)licd the doctor. *' T have
not L;iven you the proper path(doLn"cal terms, but
rouL^hly speakini^, that is what it amounts t<\"

" Will, ■:('(•//, rer///" exclaimed David, pacing; the
floor, with his thumbs in his vest, " this beats anything
I everhe.ird of. l^ut, hold on. \ou don't mean to say
that what he ate tliat idi^ht could have done it in so
short a time ? iXlthouidi I remember now he devoured
as much as the three of us put toi^ether."

'* No, r don't inean you to iid"er that. But he had
previously been havini; a number of hearty meals in
cpuck succession, for I took the trouble to intjuire at
the hotel, and found that such was the case. Fo<nl will
not intoxicate as fast as li([uor, for in the latter, llir
distillation is done in advance, but the effect comes
just as surely," and the speaker, drummin«^ his fini;crs
on his desk, looked defiantly at his guest.

'' Let us s;o back to the horse," he continued, as he
wiped and readjusted his spectacles, " If you keep
your horse in the stable eating oats, and not giviiiLj
him sufficient or proportionate exercise, he will soon
go wrong in either body or brain. In nine cases out
of ten he will lose his head with intoxication, and will
probably smash everything to pieces at the first oppor-

I)R r.KNNr/I' S SPKCTACLES.

213

)i\ joast
( )■(• arc
ic lloor,
, I shall
ppislily.

SllbjlH t
out <if
distilKd
vho rou-
it\-) than
lislillcry,
tr in the

" \ have
nus, but

.ciiu^ tho
.nytliini^
an to say
it in so
cvourcd

he had
meals in
n([uirc at
'o<.)d Nvill
attcr, llu-
ct conies
is finy;cis

cd, as he
you keep
ot ^ivins,'
will soon
cases out
and will
kst oppor-

tunity. What is known as fu-rincss in that cast; is
merely intoxication. Just kci j> that in )'()ur mind,
and then take notice that in the Iniman family it is the
worker that ^a^ts the straw and the loafer the oats."

" You mean to say that if the i)rofcssor were prop-
crlv f(;d he would always be the pliilosoplu;r ?"

" Ivxactly," replied the host. "In fact, I have
proven it I never told you (because,' I was ashamed
of my nej^lic^ence), that I had tlu; })rofcssor in tow once
since you saw him. About six months aj^o I received
a letter from the lost man, a letter which was a j)er-
tcct marvel of beautiful ])hilos()phy and delijditful
candour. lie was livin<.r, or rather, existinj^, in an ob-
scure street in iioston, and had just recovered from an
attack of ty[)hoid fever, brought on, no doubt, by his
()ver-eatini(. I wired to a friend of mine Dr 'I uck,
^ivin<.^f him carte blanche in f)rovidinL^ for the profes-
sor's creature comforts. I had several beautiful letters
durinf^ his convalescence, but would you believe it, he
was only five weeks on liberal diet when I f^ot a scrawl
referrin_i^ to a conversation we had when we first met,
He wanted money to f^et his rin^ out of jjawn, and to
publish more of his i ifernal pamphlets. Next day,
came a telef^ram from the doctor, saying that his pa-
tient had suddenly disappeared, and that no trace of
him could be found."

" And have you not heard of him since ?" inquired
Gordon.

" Not a trace," replierl the doctor, with a sad shake
of his head. " I employed Pinkerton's people, but as
yet they have not struck his trail."

"It's pretty hard," remarked David, " for a man to
remain in hiding very long in these days of steam and
electricity."

" He is not hiding at all, and that makes the search
all the more difficult. A criminal with a definite pur-
pose is not hard to find, but the fellow who goes about
without any particular motive is very difficult to trace,
at least, so the detectives tell me. His disguise is
jicrfcct, for besides his clothes and wig, there is
the expression of his face. If he is in luck one day
and out of it the next, he will change as often as a cha-

wSy ^BBi a' . grm nt Mim <:« i tmtH m lm^ i miwIi i rtMnm

214

HOUSES OF CLASS.

mclcon. No, Gordon, I have missed the opportunity
ol my Hfe. I shall icgret it as long as 1 live. Well,
good-night," he added, as David rose to go. " iictter
quit smoking. It makes you a better guest but a worse
patient. Come over any evening. It will keep you
from fretting about your mother. Good-night.*'

CHAPTER XXXV.

A DTFFICUTT PROIJLKM.

" I won't take ' no ' for an answer, IMarian. I can't
allow you to bury yourself alive. Come now, go aiul
put on your wraps."

'■ I reallv cannot, Christina. I have no heart to uo
out, since Grandma died. Besides, mother is here
now and I couldn't go out and leave her.*'

" Well, bring her too, of course. Your mother and I
were alwa-, s great friends. Ch M'les was just remark-
'm<j last nii^ht that you never came over now."

Marian flushed a little ami turned her face away.
She wished to change the subject. " Oh, how is yuur
mother, dear ? I heard she was ill."

"She is better now. She was in bed only half 2
day, but she does not seem quite so jolly%" replied
Christina, seating herself on Marian's knee, and i)ut-
ting her arms around her neck. *' Come, now,'' she
continued, tugging gently' at Mrs. Gordon's ear,
" Come. I'll pester y^ou till you do. Go and tell your
mother to get ready, and I'll amuse Davie. Come to
Aunty, dear," she went on, picking up the little fellow
" Aunty's got candy^ for Davie. Oh, you want to
dance? Well, here we go.'

While Christina was racing up and down the room
for the amusement of Davie, she ran full tilt against
Mrs. Halford, who had just entered the door.

•'* Why, how do you do, Aunt Jane," exclaimed

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.

(Mlunily
. Well.,
'' IklUr
, a worse
ccp you

. 1 cati't

V. <io aiul

art to i;n
r is here

her and I

t rcmark-

ace away.
)W is your

ily half a
" rephed
and put-
now," she
on's car,
tell your
Come to
Itle fellow
want to

the room

It a<j;ainst

;xclaimcd

215

Christina, using the old familiar name, and holdiiiL,^ out
her hand.

Mrs. Ilalford's face turned a dull red, but Christina
pretended not to notice it.

" You've not changed a bit, Aunt Jane. You are
only a young woman yet.''

71ie mistress of Ih'oadview always had a warm side
for Christina, but she did not expect so kindly a greet-
ing from an evicted tenant. When she had time to re-
cover from her surprise, her face softened, and in her
kindliest tones she said, " Why, it are Christina," and
she did what she would do for no one else outside of
her own family, kissed her on t .le cheek.

This woman of the world .iv^mired the pure white-
ness of Christina's soul, and loved her for her guileless-
ncss. She often said that if there were only one
Christian in the world, that one was Christina Langtry.
Next to, or perhaps equal to her own children, she
loved the faded spinster, whose face was a type of
simplicity and kindliness.

When Christina freed herself from the embrace,
Mrs. Malford sank into a chair, and sobbed quietly
into her handkerchief, while her companion knelt be-
side her and clasped her hand between her own.

But Mrs. Halford was not one to give away long to
such weakness. Drying her eyes, she said : " It re-
minds me of old times to see you again, Christina. I
thought of the day us went out to Gore farm and you
sat on the boxes. How are your mother ?"

" Nearly as well as usual. I liave just been trying
to coax Marian to come over a while this afternoon.
She has just gone upstairs to dress. But you must
come too and see mother. It will do us good, I

1 f >

know.

" Thank you, Christina, if Marian are willing I shall
go too."

When Mrs. Halford was smoothing her jet black
hair and preparing to go out, she was busy with her
thoughts. When she first heard of the Langtrys
CDming to Govvanstone it gave her a great shock. .She
was superstitious enough to think that their settling
in Gowanstonc, of all the places in America, was some-

2l6

HOUSES OF GLASS.

thinf^ more than blind cliance. At first she suspected
that Charles had followed her daughter, but, on in-
quiry, she found that Mr. Langtry himself could not
possibly have had anything to do in deciding his loca-
tion. For a time she comforted herself with the
thought that David's being an agnostic would socially
separate him and his wife from the young clergyman
and his people. It was only recently she learned that
the two houses were not only on visiting terms, but in
close friendly relations. She suspected that Charles'
frequent visits during the old lady's illness were
prompted partly by his old time passion for Marian,

"If they love each other yet it will be terrible.
Arc this the hand of fate ? Why could him not have
gone some place else ?"

At any rate, she determined to face him and his
mother to find out whether her daughter still loved the
companion of her youth.

The reception at the parsonage was everything that
could be desired. Not a trace of embarrassment was
visible on the good-natured countenance of tlic
hostess. She took Mrs. Halford's hand as familiarly
as of y^ore, and they chatted and laughed as freely as
if there had never been a shadow between them. But
when Charles came into the room the atmosphere sud-
denly changed. All the friendly warmth vanished,
Mrs. Halford could not help admiring this handsonit
man w^ith the complexion of a woman and the figure of
an athlete.

As he removed his broad-brimmed hat she was sur-
prised to see that his hair was as fair and as curly a:^
ever. This, with his cleanly shaved face, gave him tht
appearance of a beautiful big boy.

His maniur was certainly that of a gentleman, aiii
something about the easy gracefulness of his form
reminded her of Marian.

When introduced to Mrs. Ilalford he bowed and
gave her one look that told all. Her knees trembled,
but oidy for a moment, because she had prepared her-
self for this, and she managed to blurt out some com-
monplace about the weather. When he shook hands
with Mrs, Gordon the anxious mother could not sec

■3S

iispectcd
it, on in-
ould wA
his loca-
witli the
d socially
Icrgynian
rned that
ms, but in
: Charles'
icss were
Marian,
e terrible.
I not have

m and his
.1 loved the

'thini; that
sment was
CO of the

familiarly
s freely as
hem. But
sphere sud-

vanished.

handsome
he figure ut

le was sur-
as curly a:^
,ve him the

[leman, an'.
,f his form

I bowed and
:s trembled.
repared her-
some com-
Ihook hands
)uld not see .

A DIFFICULT rkOI5LEM.

his face, but sl^c was certain that her daucditcr's colour
deepened. As he stood face to face with M.irian, Mrs.
Halford could not help thinkin<^ what a splendid
couple they would have made. She realized that only
for her interference they would have been husband and
wife.

She lieaved a deep sigh as she thouL,dit of the f^roat
responsibility she had assumed and wondered how it
would all end.

But she had a stern duty to perform, a task which
she must accomplish. She must watcli the words and
actions of these two attractive creatures, who had once
been all in all to each other. She must find out
whether her daughter was in any danger, and if so, how
it best could be avoided.

In spite of all efforts the conversation lagged and
the situation became somewhat strained, until Chris-
tina suggested that her brother and Mrs. Gordon
should sing a duet from one of the anthems which the
choir had been practising. When Mr. Langtry sat
down to the piano, little Davie climbed up oi liis
knee and Marian stood close by reading off the same
copy as the player. They sang beautifully togetlier.
Their voices seemed to blend like the colours of an
autumn sunset. Even Mrs. Halford was carried away
by the music and she applauded warmly. For at least
half an hour they sang together, and as the beautiful
woman stiod beside the handsome man, their very
forms seemed to till Mrs. Halford th.it they were
drawn together by some powerful influence.

Finally little Davie became restless, r.nd in trying to
climb from Mr. Langtry's knee to his mother's arms
he ;dmost fell. Both stoopctl to catcli him al: once.
Their faces touched and for a moment the fair curls
mingled with the glossy light-brown hair.

One look at Mr. Langtry's eyes told Mrs. Halford
that he still loved her daughter, and as to Marian,
why did the rich, warm colour suffuse her neck and
brow ? Why did she breathe more deeidy ? Why did
she hide her face by smothering her boy with kisses,
and for what reason did she develop suck a sudden
desire to look out the window ?

-mi^z

mWMtimm

fill':

218

HOUSES or GLASS.

Everything told the mother that her daughter \va>
unconsciously standing on the edge of a precipice. It
was some comfort, however, to think that he was a
clergyman and a gentleman, while she was a lady and a
mother. With her child in her arms, Marian soon re-
covered her self-possession, and when she turned from
the window there was not a trace of embarrassment in
her face.

But the tale had been told. Mrs. Halford passed a
sleepless night. It seemed as if her sin against nature
had found her out. Would Marian always be in a
position to defy temptation ? Would she always b^
able to fight the passions of herself and the lo""r of
her youth ? Might not opportunity and temptation
combined come upon her unawares, or catch her in
a moment of weakness ?

A quarrel or estrangement must be brought about
between the two houses, so that they would cease tu
be on visiting terms. The young clergyman and her
daughter must be kept out of each other's company,
Marian would have to quit singing in the choir, and
attend some other church. But how was all this to be
attained ? For hours and hours, she tossed and turned
in her bed, trying to conjure up some plan or plot to
accomplish her object. At last, it suddenly struck
her that she ought to get him out of Gowanstonc
altogether, and, if possible, out of the country. Ma,
she would procure him a more lucrative appointment in
some foreign country and would be doing him a service
in that way. She would send him, bag and baggage,
out of all reach, and then she would feel safe. But
how would she go about it ? She must take time to
think it over. Yes, she would sleep over it. If it were
properly applied she felt certain that the key to the
whole situation was the Almighty Qollar.

ghtcr was
cipice. ll
he was a
iady and a
n soon rc-
irned from
issment in

d passed a
inst nature
ys be in a
always b^.
le lo""r of
temptation
itch her in

ught about
Id cease U
,an and her
s company.
2 choir, and
[lU this to be
1 and turned

I or plot to
enly struck

owanslone

..ntry. Ha,
(jintment i;i
liim a service
d baggage,

II safe. But
lake time to

If it were
key to the

THE DEKP, DARK VALLEV. 2ig

CHAPTRR XXXVI.

THE DEEP, DARK VALl.EY.

Can anybody tell why it is that troubles and misfor-
tunes never seem to come singly ? That they do come in
fTioups most of us know, to our sorrow, but probably
very tew have ever tried to discover why it should
be so. Perhaps if we looked deeply into the matter
we might find traceable causes or connecting links be-
tween them, and, what at first sight appears to be a co-
incidence might be a natural sequence. When all
our energies arc absorbed by one misfortune are we
not naturally apt to neglect the most imp(^rtant affairs
of everyday life ? When cavalry, infantry and artillery
are eagerly pressing forward the rear is often left un-
guarded. Again, may not a whole group of misfor-
tunes have indirectly a common cause ? Society as
well as the individual is very careless of evil so long
as it is not apparent on the surface. " Out of sight
out of mind."

One night little Davie awakened his mother by his
strident breathing and feverish restlessness. wShe lis-
tened for a moment in horror, as if she couid scarcely
believe her ears. Every breath seemed to cost him a
great effort. When she held the light to his face her
heart stood still.

She ran to her husband's ♦•oom, with a great out-
burst of grief. *' Oh, David, hurr}'. Run for the
doctor, quick. Davie is dying. Hurry, oh, hurry,"
she moaned as she hurried back to the little sufferer
again.

She picked him up in her arms and carried him ex-
citedly about the room. The poor little darling could
hardly speak, but when he saw his mother sobbing and
weeping he tried to say : " Davie tick, mama kye,"
and reached out his hand to soothe her. " Davie give
mama candy."

Oh, oh, oh !" she cried with bursting heart, " to

'.If^WBfH'^

220

HOUSES OF CLASS.

w;.: ■ (

think that I slept wliilc he suffered. Oil, D.ivic, Davie,
maiiinia's litth: (larliii'.;! j'ou can't |.Ht )-()iir bre;iih !
Oh, this is awful ! Will the doctor lu.ver come ?"

After what seemed a lon^ time, Uavid returned with
the doctor. The mother's face bl.vnched with fear
as she awaited his verdict. "Is there any dani^er?'
she cried in as^ony. " Oh, Doctor, will he ^et better?

The physician did not reply until he had c.-caniincil
the little sufferer thorou<;iily. M.irian kept her eyc<
fixed on his countenance for the first glimpse of hupe
or despair.

" Inflammatory croup, and very severe at that. The
little fellow is dancjerously ill, Mrs. Gordon."

The mother snatched the child greedily in her arms
and burst into a fresh torrent of weeping, while the
father turned [)ale and staggered into a chair.

** Bear up, Marian, all hope is not gone. Is it. Doc-
tor?"

The physician shook his head. " lie has what you
might call a fighting chance. Tlie cMily way to make
sure of these cases is to catch them when the futt
brassy cough is heard."

The poor mother fairly groaned. " Oh, my stupidity
and carelessness. I heard that cough three nights ayo.
But he did not seem to be ill. Why, he played about
all diiy yesterday. I was busy cleaning out purir
Grandma's rooms and I thought he had just cauj^ht
a little cold. But there,' she continued, as she drid
her eyes, " I am done weeping. Now for your orders
Doctor. If nursing and attention can save him, lie
shall live yet, please God.'

Before Dr. Bennet left the house, Gordon asked him
what he thounht had caused the trouble.

" Exposure or damp surroundings," he rcpl

categorically. ** A damp cellar is particularly bad

David's lips turned white. " Good heavens, our
cellar is so wet, that I had to put a floor in it, to keep I
our feet out of the mud. Come and see it."

With the aid of a lantern they made their way to the
foot of the stairs. In the dim light, the dark walls
glistened with moisture. As he sniffed the foul damp
air. the doctor exclaimed, *' Humph ! Here is the

THF DEFT, DARK VALLEY

221

'■ic, D.'wie,

r brcith!
mc ?"
irncd with
with fear
ckms^er ?"
t better?
cxamincil
)t her eyc<
of hupe

that. The

;\ her arms
while the

lir.
Is it, Doc-

; what you
ly to iiKikc
n\ the firbt

^y stupi

;litv

mights ago.

iayed about

out poor

list caught

she dried

our orders,

ive him, he

asked him

Ihc repliw!
Irly bad."
lavens, our
it, to keep

way to tlK

idark ^vai'■^

foul damp

[ere is the

■M

cause, ric^ht here, and," he continued, pointinj:]^ to tlie
water wiiich shone throui^h the crevices between the
boards of tlie rough floor, " here is where y(jur
niotlier's rheumatism came from as well."

Gordon staggered against the wall, holding up his
hands as if to ward off a blow. " Don't, Doctor, don't,
fur pity's sake. I see it all now. Mother used to tell
mc tliat those who strove oidy for wealth were gene-
rally overtaken by misfortune. ' Them that's owcr
keen o' winnin' the race often forget tae dae what's
richt. They dinna tak time.' When I was increasing
my water power and raising my mill-dam T never
thought of my cellar. This is terrible. I feel like a
murderer."

The doctor, for a few moments, secincd to be lost
in thought. " Really, Gordon, I feel culpaljle myself.
I should have thought about this before. When Mr.
Gowan lived here the cellar was as dry as powder. I
forgot that you raised your pond. I can't conceive,
though, how a man of your intelligence could allow
such a state of things to exist. If you had been
some ordinary lout, without brains, I should have
inquired about the cellar before this. Well, we
have both been guilty of culpable negligence ; you be-
fore the fact, and I accessory to it. Jhunph !"

The doctor's candour sent a flash of light tlirough
David's soul, and for the first time in his life he cauidit
a glimpse of his real, hideous self.

As daylight approached the sufferer's breathing be-
came easier, and when the physician came back the
second time, he pronounced his patient a little bettor.
"But don't build on it too much, for there is generally
an improvement in the morning."

Onhis way home Dr. Bennet communed with himself
on this lesson in life which Marian and her child seemed
to teach. " Talk about martyrs' and heroines. That
woman would allow herself to be torn to pieces for her
child, and take a savage joy in the suffering if it would
relieve him. Well, well, Motherhood is a martyrdom
from beginning to end. First she undergoes suffering
and risks her life in order that her offspring may see
the light. And then she sits for hours and hours, days

tk'«i;*i«w^.,..^...

'■'**!/*»*<* *-**»«.^

mSm

223 HOUSES OF CLASS.

and (lays, weeks and wreks, watchiiij;]^ and vvaltinj:^ for
the <^\n\v of healtli.or tlie asliy '/jcy of death. Muscles
may ache, pulses may fla^^, nerves may throt) with pain,
and tlic brain be numbed by continued strain and ex.
haustion, yes, even reason may totter on its throne,
but round the watcher's pale and hafrrrard face there
flits the twin angels of love ami duty, h^or every hero
who has given up his life for the petty quarrels of
kini^rs, or lay in pools of gore for glory's sake, a thous-
and mothers have died by inches at the bedside of
love, where the greatest, grandest joy which God eouM
give would be the privilege of offering up their
lives for those they loved.

" Let poets sing of glorious scenes, where glistenin;^
banners greet the closing eyes of dying heroes, where
shouts of victory fill their ears and tears of comrades
fall upon their grimy cheeks, but give me the heroin."
of hearth and home, who in the lonely watches of the
night suffers in silence for future generations, who,
drop by drop, and year by year, ekes out the ebbing,'
energies of life u[)on the cross of motherhood."

The doctor had scarcely reached home, when ('lor-
don overtook him. "If there is anything on earth,"
he gasped, "to save that child, I want it done. Don't
spare expense. I would give all I own and a thousand
times more to save him. You are my friend, Doctor,
as well as my physician. I shall leave it all with }'ou,"

Gordon tried to keep himself busy. He ct'iiU
not, dare not stop to think. But in spite of all, his
mother's words kept ringing in his ears. He could
not bear to remain in the room and witness the
suffering he had inflicted upon his child. He patrolled
the little pathway between the mill and the house
like one demented. He went to the sluice-way, low-
ered the dam and shut down the mill. He tele-
graphed to Mrs. Halford and went to the doctor's
every hour, with tidings of t!ie little sufferer. Before
evening several men were wheeling gravel into his
cellar, through an opening in the wall. It was like
locking the stable after the horse was stolen, but it
seemed to give him a certain amount of reiiel. AH

THE DEEP, DARK VATXEY.

223

^\h^^ for

Muscles
,-ith pain,

and cx-

ace there
very hero
^uarri'ls of
;, a thous-
ucdsidc of
God could
up tlu.ir

o-listcniiv^
ocs, whore
f comraiks
he heroine
ches of the
.tions, \vlii\
the ebbin^'

od."

I when ("ior-
on earlh."

ne. l'>oii'^
a thousiinil
nd, l)oct(^r.
with you,"
He CO II Id
J of all, lii^
He could
vitness the
le patrolled
the house
[e-way, lov;-
He tele-
|he doctor's
•er. lit:fore
.■cl into hi=
It was lil^;^
lolen, but it
rclicl. All

(lav lon^ he never sat down for a moment, and liis
spirits liovcred between hope and despair.

Ciiristina came and tpiietly took cliari^e of the liouse-
hold without question or conmient. She knew tiiat
there was httle cure in condolence, she was satisfied
to be useful in her humble way. She could cmik fo(^d,
keep on fires, heat water, and hurry to the nurse with
every little appliance that was wanted. Without hope
nf re-ward or fear of blame, she always fell into line like
a soldier on duty. No commanding officer was needed
to j)oint out her place. She knew it by instinct.

Then came Mrs. Halford, who assumed the duty of
receiving or answerini,^ the scores of inquirers who be-
siei^^ed the door.

iler nature was well fitted for this sort of police
duty. A multitude of people had suddenly develo[)i;d
a 'freat affection for the little sufferer, but this did not
^Mve them admission to the sick-room, and the only
.satisfaction that callers had was a glimi)se at the fur-
niture or a caustic remark about the untidiness of the
house.

It is astonishing how fond people become of us
when we are about to depart this life : how those
who would never assist us when livin^c^ will weep over
our L,nMves. Outside of relatives the one who saturates
the most handkerchiefs is invariably the one who never
before had a good word for the departed.

Society rituals all impress upon us the duty of visit-
in;.^ the sick, but it would be well if they would qualify
that motto by adding the words, "when one can be
of any service."

Mrs. Halford, in her sombre way, rather enjoyed the
opportunities it gave her of quizzing people. Instead
of ijjratifying the curiosity of her visitors, she generally
satisfied her own.

Marian never for a moment left her child. Neitlu;r
food, sleep nor the entreaties of others would induce
her to slacken her vigilance on behalf of her darling.
Neither David nor Mrs. Halford could bear to remain
in the room, but Christina during each iiight sat be-
side the anxious mother to give the comfort of com-

224

HOUSES OF -".LASS.

panionship. Worse, prailually worse, the llllic patient
t^rcw until, on the eveninir of the third d.iy, W'iincrfurcc
Russel, tlie surj^eoti si)ecialist of New YorK% Dr. ])(.\i.
mere of Levisville, and the attending; i)hysician all
apjreed tliat the only hope lay in tracheotomy. Tlic
very mention of it horrified Gordon and Mrs. llalfon!.
•' What, butcher the child ? Cut his throat ? Never'.
Let him die in peace.' Marian alone remained firm.
" David, the child is surely safer with their skill than
our ij^norance. Just listen to the poor little darling,' 3
stru^^les for breath. They all say he will get rellLl,
anyway."

Then came the horror of the operation, the trio of
doctors with their cruel, shining knives, the odor of
chloroform, the white sheets and pillows on the tabic,
and the spon<;es ready to wipe away the blood of the
little lamb. " I must be firm. I must do my duty,"
the mother said to herself, as she leaned against, the
wall for support. But the room spun around her aivl
she remembered nothing more till she found herself on
her knees by her husband's side, asking him to pray,
She clamoured bitterly against being excluded from
the sick-room, but the doctors reminded her that shj
was only flesh and blood. They insisted on her re-
maining out of all hearing.

She caught glimpses of Christina carrying towels ami
hot water, from which she knew that her trusty fricr.i:
had taken her place.

In an incredibly short space of time Dr. l^ennet can:
into the room to tell them that it was all over, a::;
that the little patient was quite conscious and breathir.L
quite easily.

The mother almost flew to the sick-room. Tlu:
heaven, the struggle for breath was over, and tlu; oii ;
trace of the operation was a silver tube peeping throu^i
the bandages on his throat.

When the strange doctors had gone and cverythin:
had resumed its accustomed quiet, Dr. l^ennet teuchci
David on the shoulder. '"' (n t your hat, Gordoii, iiii
come for a little walk till T get the fumes of ciiloroform
out of my head."

A STRANGER IN A STKANGK LAND.

JJ5

^« p.itli'nt
iiH'rf'ircc
Dr. Ddu
^ician all
ny. The
. UaUovd.
iScvcr I
Incd firm,
skill than
; darlinps
get relic!,

he trio "f
ic odor "!
^ the tabic,
Dod of tlv.
my duty,"
against the
nd her and
:1 hcrscU on
im to pr;iy.
ludcd fi'JiV'
cr that she
on b^r rc-

T towels aiv.
[rusty friend

iennct came
11 over, an:
id brcathiiv;

)m. Th.i';'
Lnd tlu; o: ;
ins thi'oi;^'

every thin;

let tonchc^

;",()rdnn. ;i"^

ciilorufunii

They walked foi some time in silence down a side
street in the cool night air. Then taking David's arm
in his, the doctor said : " Well, we have given your
boy ease, Gordon, but we have not saved his life. You
will have to break it gently to your wife, but wait
till she gets over the shock of the operation."

D.ivid trembled and staggered like a dnniken man,
but his companion slipped his arm about his waist and
held him tiijhter. " He'll live fur two or three days in
comparative ease. After all, if people could look at
things as philosophically as you and I can, life itself is
little mure."

CHAPTER XXXVTI.

A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND.

A LIMITED express on one of the great American
transcontinental routes was speeding its way westward,
with its burden of human freight, and the long trail of
dust and smoke in its wake r^ve evidence of its bird-
like vehjcity. The palatial coaches swinging along
behind the gigantic locomotive will never rest from
their tireless flight till they greet the sunny slopes of
the far-oil Pacific. There, the soil of travel and the
dust of a continent will be washed from their glossy
sides, and the smoke of New York rinsed off b}- the
waters of the Golden Gate.

It was a fine morning in June, and, in one of the
berths of the sleeping car Metapedia, a )-oung man
was lying, gazing at the fleeting landscape with its
kaleidoscopic changes. Fences, fields and forests,
hills, hollows and hamlets, were madly chasing each
other in the opposite direction, while an occasional
tall chimney or church ste pie suggested some larger
town along the line of ilitdtt. Sometimes the nionoton-
ous roar would strike a deeper note as they suept
over a bridge or viaduct, while ever and anon a clash-

' ~ ""- "W t;.,. W^ iwf. iH'iVffBV- >

■< -iiAW^ -'-'■'•"•

■ '•»J«*Bi«^*rt<i»!r,»^, .

226

HOUSES OF GLASS

ing sound or flcetincj shadow told of a wayside station
era sister train speeding in an opposite direction. To
the tired eyes and aciiing head of the traveller, evt ry-
thing seemed going but himsclfc The mother earth
appeared to have slipped a cog and taken a dizzy no-
tion to spin round like a top. Of course, he had been
taught that the earth revolved on its axis, but he never
fully realized it till now. Nor had our traveller been
trifling with Hasks or demijohns, but he had passed a
sleepless night, and the motion of the train produced
a sort of nausea which resembled sea-sickness. He
was not in the best of spirits when he boarded the
train at New York, and the weariness of travel only
added to his dejection. Yet he had seen many things
which interested and amused him. lie was a stranj^cr
in a strange land, but, with unusually keen perceptive
faculties, he had taken note of many things which
others might have passed unseen. He had already
fathered the imoression that the Americans were a
strange and wonderful people He saw young and old
of both sexes undertaking long journeys without the
slightest perturbation. On his car alone were sev-
eral examples.

A little Miss of ten was going on a visit to her aunt
at San Francisco, a boy of seven was on his retur:
trip from New York to Omaha, and a beautiful \<»iii;;
lady, without chaperone or companion, was bookcu
for some point far West.

Then how quickly everybody got acquainted wit:.
each other. Several of his fellow-passengers had the
audacity to quiz him as to where he came from, whcr
he was going, and what his business was, just as if the;'
had a right to know. But these Anicricans sceniei! ;.
like that sort of thing. People who never saw c'
heard of each other before, and probably would ncvvr
meet again in this vale of tears, mingled and chattc.
with the familiarity of old acquaintances.

They were onl\' fifteen hours out from New Vor.-:
and already the (tccupants of the Metapedia were ii'^-
uiembers of one family.

The little Miss had become very affectionate withu

A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND.

2''7

Ic station
tion. lo
Icr, every-
thcr earth

dizzy no-
: had been
it he never
vcUcr been
,d passed a
^ produced
kness. He
oardcd the
travel only
Tiany tlnn'^f
LS a straiv^a
[1 perceptive
lings \vliich
had akeady
icans were a
nnig and old

without the
ic were sev-

to her aunt
m his retur;.
Lutiful youn;

was bookcc

uaintcd witr.
crs had tlv-
r from, ^v^■•-•
ust as if they
ns scemee .
ever sav; "'
would n^-'
and ehatu-

ii New Vorr:
Idia were n-

lunate with ^

elderly f^entlcman who revelled in ;•. foc^horn voictN a
broom-straw chin-whisker, and wire-like lip.ir. She was
continually sittiu'^ on his knee and calling him Uncle
Jake. The fellow with show-bills stickini^ from his
pockets fraternized freely with the clerical gentleman,
a card-sharp was arguing politics with a senator, and
the beautiful young lady was like a loving daughter
to the fat woman with the asthma.

The sleeping car itself was a sort of revelation to
him. The idea of a person being packed away on a
shelf, with nothing between him and a whole car full
of strangers, was not an agreeable one. Somebody
might rob him or throttle him as he lay helpless in his
berth. It was like tempting Providence,

Ikit one after another, his fellow passengers disap-
r eared behind their respective curtains, the beautiful
young lady as well as the rest.

h'ortunately, he had secured a lower berth, v.hieh
lie could ventilate by opening his window, aiul tlius
avoid the danger of being asphixiated. Excepting'; for
his repugnance to being undressed, and the novelty of
his position, he was soon fairly comfortable.

But the rushing roar of the train and the ih\thmic
tattling of the wheels underneath him made sleejj im-
p .ssible.

What if something were to break or give way while
he WIS minus his trowsers ? Death would come some-
time, and a person had only to go tlirough it once, but
tile possibility of being tossed through the air in his
nigiit shirt put him in a cold sweat.

After a while he became accustomed to his position
and ventured a peep into the aisle. All was quiet. Not
r. soul in sight, nothing but a narrow passage between
two rows of dark curtains and the lamp burning dimly
at the top.

Truly, these were strange people. With no {n-otec-
tion to themselves or their valuables they were ap[)a-
tently sleeping as ^oundly and contentedly as if <liey
were in their own beds at home.

The whole arrangement seemed prep(.)sterous ; a
tempting opportunity for thieves and villain i of all

228

HOUSES OF GLASS.

IW'^

sorts. Of course, there was the porter, hut he was no
where in sicjht, and, then, he w.-is onl)' a ncc^ro. Lou;.^
and deeply did he ponder over this objeet lesson of
American civilizatit^in.

Another peep through his curtains showed rows of
boots and shoes strung along the aisle. Away at the
other end, lying beside Uncle Jake's huge pedal en-
velopes, were the boots of the little Miss - a swollen
looking pair which probably belonged to the fat
woman were embracing the card-sharp's gaiters ; the
senator's lanky calfskins were laughing at the lumpy
corn-curing foot-armour of tlie judge : and there, not
two feet away, like flowers in a field of weeds, were
the dainty, tan-coloured boots of the young lady.

Something about the whole situation tickled his
sense of humour, and he almost laughed aloud. Tlic
amount of self-reliance indicated by the rows of boots
was both amazing and amusing.

His attention, however, was soon centred on the
dear-little tan-coloured triumphs of St. Crispin's art,
that were modestly blushing at his gaze.

What a charming suggestion the dainty instep and
ankle gave to the faint creases which marked the
gracefully sloped enlargement at the top.

He listened for a while to make sure the owner was
asleep, then gently lifted one of them, and gazed at it
caressingly. He had heard that American girls had
large feet, but here was a flat contradiction of that
idea. Even Cinderella s slipper, he thought, could not
compare with the graceful curves and outlines of this
coy and canditl piece of foot-wear.

Ha ! there was a button hanging loose. Yes, it wi^s
nearly off. Would it be any harm for him to keep it "
"She would only lose it anyway/ he thought.

He slyly pulled it off, and slipped it into his trowsers
pocket, feeling as guilty as a thief, but quieting his con-
science by the promise that he would give it back to
her in the morning. ]3esides it would give him an
excuse for introducing himself to her. Hark, there is
some one coming. In a moment liis little treasure
was deposited beside its mate. Then the black portci
carried them off and he was left disconsolate

A STRANGER IN A SlKANGl': LAND.

229

/as no

son of

DVVS of
at the
lal en-
iwollcn
;he fat
■s : the
lumpy
^re, not
s, wcru

:lcd his
I. The
f boots

Oil che
in's art,

cp and
cd the

ler was

■d at it
iris had
of that
)uld not
of this

:, it was
:eep it ' J

rowscrs
his con-
)ack to
Ihim an
there is
reasLirc
portci

For hours he lay awake, listcninc^ to the son<:^ of the
wheels, wonderinj^ whether they ever f^ot tired. He
dozed over at last, but soon was awakened bv a brii'ht
li.'-i^^t i^larini^ through the window and a perfeet Iribel
of sounds outside.

The train had stopped for the first time during the
night, and a glance through his window at tlie sea of
coloured lights and moving cars showed him that they
were at some large depot.

Inside, th • scjuall of an infant lierc and a cough or a
}'awn there told him that the bulk of his fellow pass-
engers were awake. He took anothc.* peep into the
aisle.

The porter, evidently without any request, was plac-
ing a glass of water underneath Uie young lady's cur-
tain, and our traveller caught a glimpse of the shapely
hand and lace-trimmed sleeve which reached out
for it.

In vain he kept watching to see her curtain move
again, but the empty glass rolled out into the aisle,
and all was still.

Then he lay for a time listening to the clanking of
hammers on the wheels and the shouts and bustle out-
side, wdicn his attention was drawn to a conversation
immediately under his window.

" How did you make out," said a voice, which he
immediately recognized as Uncle Jake's.

" Smashed him all to pieces," replied his compani(Mi
in a confidential tone. " Why, he got so rank they^ had
to take him out of the box."

*' W^all now, dew tell. Any trouble to find him ?''

" Just a little. Half a dozen died pounding the
atmosphere at first, but after that we battered every-
thing to pieces."

'* ilaw, haw, haw," laughed the hoary lieaded old
villain. " They'll hev to bury liim now. But did'nt
they get on to you ?"

*' No 1" exclaimed the other ii' a deprecating tone,
''they couldn't Ciud me with a tletective agency and a
search warrant. Three shots finished more than half
of them. We'll simply massacre the whole outfit
when we get theni out to Denver."

w'ii-.iKV*^i rs? isirii

230

HOUfiFS OF GT,ASS.

** Did you rake in much ?" inquired Jake.

*' Yes, aljout sevcMitccn liundred, but mostlv in fives
and tens, though wc tapped one old felhnv for five
hundred."

The voices were now drowned by the hissing of a
locomotive which stopped immediately opposite his
window, and when it moved away the villains liad
gone.

What desperate work was here ? Was this the pre-
lude to some terrible train-robbing tragedy ? Evi-
dently they were going red-handed from one plot to
another. He liad frequently read of the daring train-
robberies of the West, and, sure enough, here it VvMs in
all its grim realities.

This Uncle Jake must, after all, be a desperado of
the worst type, in spite of his gre\' hair and kindly face.
He had simply been laying his plans by getting into the
confidence of all around him. " So they are going to
spring their plot at Denver. Well, we shall see about
that. We won't reach Denver for twenty-four liours
or more, but I will notify the conductor first thing in
the morning."

The train again began to move. Coloured lights
and sundry noises were left behind, and the familiar
voice of the wheels told him that the " Limited" had
again resumed its tireless llii-lit across the continent.

He was almost asleep again, when, to his horror, he
heard the voices of the two desperadoes immediately
in front of his berth.

His hand involuntarily clutched the vest containing
his valuables, and his heart leaped into his throat.

" He's in here some place," whispered the elderly
villain, *' but I don't know whether he's top or bot-
tom."

An attempt was made to pull his curtain aside, but
he clutched and held it fast.

" Durn liis picter, he's tuk the bottom," said Jake in
a hoarse whisper, and they both gave a smothered
laugh.

" Keep still, for God's sake," grumbled the other.
" You'll bring the conductor and porter after us and

A STRANGER !N A STRANGE LAND.

331

hnig

crly
Ibot-

but

tc in

ruin iny (^;unc. You exchanged berths, you say.
Ifcrc, give nic a \q<^ un and nobody will know I'm
here."

He could hear them laughing, sotto voce, up above,
and in spite of A\ the whispered remonstrances of his
companion, Jake's haw, haw, haw ! would break out
till someone across the aisle would growl at him to
shut up. Occasionally, he could catch snatches of
their conversation. " Go you ten to one, Jake, that
I'll stand him off with a siiillin' and dodge the * con ',
too."

Soon he heard them snoring, these hardened vota-
ries of crime, sleeping as contentedly as a pair of in-
nocent babes. After all, America's freedom had its
drawbacks. Jack was not only as good as his master,
but llie desperado's dollar placed him cheek by jowl
with purity and innocence. Sleep was, of course, now
out of the qnestion. He quietly slipped on liis nether
garments and vest and lay there awaiting develop-
ments. Perhaps the snoring above him was only a
ruse to throw people off their guard.

At any rate he would remain where he was and
guard the chamber of youth and beauty. He would
watch his Cinderella's berth. She must not be molested.

Hour after hour he lav looking through his window till
the sun was well above the horizon. But anxiety, loss of
sleep and the continuous motion gradually made him
deathly sick.

He ceased peeping into the aisle, he lost all interest
in his burglars; in fact, he would not have cared much
if the train had jumped the first embankment. At last
in sheer desperation he crawled out of his little prison
and staggered along to the smoking apartment. All
was still. The rosy sun was peeping through the back
door of the coach, the lamj)S were still burning dimly
in their sockets, and the coloured porter was snoring
on a pile ot cushiuiis.

Iher.
and

*sag^ggj

232

HOUSES OF GLASS.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

A NEEDLE I x\ A H A V S T A C K.

Ttie traveller was soon revived by tht^ kindness of
the porter. That functionary was on the alert in a
moment, taking him in charge with professional adroit-
ness.

He bathed his head and fomented his eyes and fore-
head with towels wrung out of hot water. Then, with
a knowing wink, which, however, was lost upon his
patient, he brought forth a foaming drink of Bromo-
Seltzer " dat he kep' foh de purpose."

When this was followed by a cup of hot coffee and
a sandwich, the young man felt quite restored. After
giving his attendant a silver dollar for his trouble, he
ventured to ask who the young lady was that occupied
the berth opposite his, but he could get no informa-
tion, excepting that she was to get off at Chicago, the
next stopping place.

This v;as bad news, indeed, for he already felt a sort
of protectorship '"or her, if not something more, and
now she would disappear from his sight forever.

However, he must not let anything overshadow the
duty which devolved upon him of notifying the con-
ductor of what he had learned during the night.

*' When shall I see the conductor?" he inquired.

" Not till we leave Chicawgo, sah. Den a new con-
ductah comes on.''

" How can I see him right away r ''

'• By goin' through six coaches and a baggage cah.
If you like, sah, I'll carry de message,' continued tin;
coloured gentleman, no doubt scenting a fresh fee.
" De passengers am all in bed yet, and de aisles an->
full of baggage."

After some hesitation the traveller took the porter

iWI^

A N'FI^DLE FN A IiAVSTACK.

233

:on-

Icah.

the
ifee.

ai"i"»

Irter

into his confidence. He not only told him all, but
J)(^UlLcd out the berths where the villains still slej)t.
With an eagerness worthy of his official position, the
negro rushed from the car without waitini,^ for the end
of the story, and so the matter was off his mind.

Maurice Metcher felt sad and homesick. Four
weeks ago that very morning he had watched the
spires of Liverpool sink into the sea, and bade his na-
tive land good-bye, perhaps forever. With a good
business education, and a dozen ten-pound notes, lie
had come to America to carve out, if not a fortune, at
least a future for himself. Left an orphan in early
years, he could remember nothing of his parents, but
their place had been kindly filled by John Thurston,
his guardian, who was to him a loving father. When
he was leaving home Mr. Thurston had placed a very
important matter in his charge. He was to make a
thorough search for some parties who had left Eng-
land twenty-six years before for some foreign country,
which was more likely to have been Australia than
America. Acting, however, on the supposition that
they had come to America, he had searched ship regis-
ters and immigration records for two weeks. lie had
advertised in a number of leading dailies, had gone
North, South, East and West, on the strength of a
similarity of names, and yet not only had he failed to
get a clue, but bo far had not been able to get a situa-
tion.

His pound notes had been changed for American
dollars, and th<.se. in turn, were disappearing with a
rapidity that was alarming

For the present, at least he had given up the search,
and was on his way to Denver with a letter of intro^
duction to one of its leadincj citizens.

He took a package from his pocket, looked at it
fondly and commenced to read.

After a few fatherly sentences pbout his own wcl»
fare and future, the letter ran as follows '

" But there is another matter; dear ]\Laurice, which I
would like you to take in hand, viz., to locate the luir
to an estate of wliich I am sole executor. First, let

'***-'■•■■ li-ssaiatffia

li'

234

HOUSES OF GLASS.

nic toll you the story and then you will more thor-
ouL^hly understand your chances of success.

"Twenty-six years atjo this month, a youn^ man
named William llalford (a son of the old scjuire's), left
England as we supposed for Australia, at least a young
man answering to his description sailed for Sydney
about the time of his disappearance, in company with
a young woman whose description we could not
obtain.

" llalford was supposed to have taken with him a
young woman named Symonds, the adt)pted daughter
of the old lodge-keeper.

" About seven weeks previous to their departure
this young woman gave birth to a child, and there was
no reasonable doubt that Halford was the father of it.

" 71ie 'squire was ill at the time, and when he heard
the scandal he sent for his son. Just what passed be-
tween them is not known, but the result was that the
son was disinherited, although, for that matter, it was
no great loss, for the 'squire was really bankrupt at the
time.

" Now comes the odd part of it. When the 'squire's
second wife died she left her property to this child of
Jane Symonds. You remember, of course, that Lady
Mary had no children of her own, and that all the
younger Halfords fairly detested their step-mother.
]Uit William, or Will as he was always called, was a
favourite with her, and she took his part in the time of
trouble.

'■ Now, instead of leaving her property to young Hal-
ford, as you might have expected, the will directs
that, failing this child, the property falls first to Jane
Symonds and then to Halford.

"A most extraordinary will, you think, and yet there
were natural reasons for it which none but myself
know. Jane Symonds was really an illegitimate child
of Lady Mary's, and it was through her that the old
lodge-keeper and his wife adopted this Jane when
teii years of age.

'• Lady Mary, it seems, had in her youth loved, not
wisely but too well, a colonel of the hussars, who
abandoned her as soon as he found she had no fortune.

A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK.

235

re thor-

1^ m.'iii
e's), left
a young
Sydney
,ny witli
lid not

ii him a
au<.;"hter

:parture
lerc was
ler of it.
le heard
.ssed be-
that the
r, it was
pt at the

'squire's
child of
at Lady
all the
mother,
d, was a
J time of

jng Hal-
directs
to Jane

'ct there
myself
ite child
the old
le when

ved, not
irs, who
fortune.

She was, as you have no doubt heard, a most extra-
ordinary woman, and in sj)ite of the sciuire, v.lv>, by
the way, was rather afraid of her she visited the young
woman during her illness, bought clothing for the
child, and no doubt furnished the money which took
the young couple abroad. They were not mav'*ied at
the time of their leaving, but no doubt were soon
afterwards, for though Will Ilalford was wild ho was
the soul of honor.

'*The 'squire, of course, knew nothing of tlie parent-
age of Jane S}"monds. and he raved and swore that it
was nothing but contrariness which prompted his wife's
kindness to the young mother.

" He drove Symonds and his wife off the place, l^ut
Lady Mary built them a house on her own land and
assisted them in other ways. This property now con-
stitutes the entire estate. At the time of the old lady s
death it wis worth, perhaps, about two-hundred and
fifty pc unds,but the recent discovery of coal in the vicin-
ity, an< , the location of the railway depot adjacent to
it, has raised its value to easily ten times that amount.

"The interest, heretofore, has been absorbed by the
cost of advertising in Australia, and the search is still
going on there.

" But it occurred to me that possibly we have 1 en
wrong in taking for granted that the young couple
who sailed for Australia at that time were reall)' the
parties we are in search of. At the time of her death
Lady Mary seemed positive that they were in Aus-
tralia, but she herself may have been mistaken.

'* Be this as it may, the enlarged interest and increased
value of the estate warrants me in commencing a search
in America, and I have thought I could not do better
than (for a time, at least), place the matter in your
hands.

" The enclosed two hundred pounds is to be ex-
pended legitimately in advertising and searching for
the heir, or rather heiress, for the child was a girl.

" While you are engaged in this )-ou will have en-
larged opportunities of becoming' acquainted witii the
customs and manners of the American jjeople, and

■*m^.::. .^uHiMimSir

2}6 IIOUSKS OF GI-ASS.

will probnbly sec business opportunities which mif^ht
be suitable for you.

" I may tell you in advance that I do not expect you
will succeed in findini,^ them, but I feel certain you will
enter an honorable and useful career, and I have no
misL^ivin_Ljs as to }'our future.

" Enclosed find a letter of introduction to a Mr.
Tracy (a son of my niost intimate friend), who is, I be-
lieve, an influential man in Denver, and will, no doubt,
be of ^reat assistance in securing you a situation.

" And now L(ood-byc, dear boy, and God bless you.
I am sorry your own little capital is not i^reater, but
remember, in prosperity or adversity that although I
am no longer your guardian, I am still

" Your friend,

" John Thurston."

" N. B. In another packaj:fc arc tintypes of the lost
couple and letters to be delivered to them if found. Ad-
vertise for ' Jane Symonds ' as well as for ' jane Ma!-
ford.' He may h.r. e deserted her. If your funds run
low, keep enough to cable me.

"J. T."

'itoi't

Poor Maurice turned his face to the window to hide
his tears. Then he noticed that the train was slack-
ening its speed. The engine was whistling and calling
for room on the great network of rails which sur-
rounded them in every direction.

A number of the passengers were preparing to take
their leave, and among them was the young lady, look-
ing bright and fresh from her morning ablutions. On
her feet were the dear little boots which he had ca-
ressed but a few hours before. lie had a feeling that
he ought to get off and go with her to the end of her
journey, wherever it might be.

At last, with clanging bell, the train glided slowly
into the great depot and lie followed her out of the
car. For a few moments she stood on the upper step,
looking over the sea of faces. Having at last caught

JAKE FETTKRLY S CONVKRSION.

237

a p^llmpsc of the riL^ht one, she waved her handker-
chief and disa[)i)(:.'ired in llie crowd, while lie went
sadly back inlo the coach with a lump in his th.'oat;
and stealthily kissed an oval button.

Ihere v/as [jrcat shouting, hurryinj^, jostlin^:^, ami
rinj^intr of bells, but just as soon as the hui^c piles of
ba^^tja;^e were loaded and unloaded, and a sumptuous
dinin<^-car was tacked on behind, a fresh iron horse
wi'S puilincT them out of the internn'nable network (tf
tracks, to the main hij::^hway of steel, and the Liniited
after its short <j^reetin_:; to the great metropolis of the
West, again started for the far-off Pacific.

CHAPTKR XXXIX.

JAKE FETTERLY'S CONVERSION.

sur-

Itakc
look-
On

|1 ca-
Ithat
her

)wly
the
[tep,

The most surprising, and yet often the most simple
of all occurrences, are those which are usually classed
as coincidences. Somebody whom we liad forgotten
or had not seen for years happens to take the same
train, boat, or car; to stop at the same hotel; or to
turn the corner of a street at the same time as our-
selves. If we arc not accustomed to travelling much,
we will say to ourselves, ** What an odd coincidence !"
but if our business, occupation or calling necessitates
much going about, we will be apt to pass it by un-
noticed, or [>erhaps make the remark that we nevei- go
to any place without meeting somebody we know. Nor
is it to be wondered at in this age of cheap transporta-
tion, telegraphs, telephones and newspapers. Alan is
a migratory aninicd and is continually becoming more
so, as the facilities and inducements for getting about
are cheapened and multiplied. In America every
man talks to his ii'-xt neigiibour in car, boat, or hotel ;
each finds out abcnit the other ai much as he cares to
know, and people in this way pick up acquaintances
with the most astonishing rapidity.

'*mimr..

-tt'Wi^aMtfM

238 HOUSES OF CLASS.

Had Maurice Mctclicr been as communicative as
the average American it is cjuite possible that before
this he niii^iit have been successful in his search. J5ut
he was distant in his manner. He scarcely ever spoke
unless spoken to, and then only in monosyllables.

A Wilkins Micawber sort of policy is of little use in
America, or indeed anywhere else. One must exert
oneself continually.

Next to the newspapers, the best advertising^ mediums
are our talkative, sociable, company-loving fellow
men.

The loss of Maurice's loadstar at Chicaj^jo, and the
sadness caused thereby, made him fort^et all about his
robbers until the train was well under way, and then
neither of them was in sight. They must have left
the car while he was standing outside, breathing the
fresh morning air. The berths were all closed up, and
the coach had resumed its usual day appearance. The
little girl had also left the car. She was no doubt
with " Uncle Jake." Well, no matter, the conductor
would soon be around, and Maurice would further un-
load himself of all responsibility in regard to 'hem.

]iut the porter came first, and, with a curiouF an
in his eye, said " Breakfast am ready in de ^iumg
cab."

The moment Maurice entered the breakfast apart-
ment he saw that he had made some ridiculous blun-
der. Every eye was turned upon him, winks and nods
went from one to another, while the head waiter,
with a suppressed smile, motioned him into a seat,
cheek by jowl with his train-robbers.

On Jake's knee sat the little girl enjoying her morn-
ing repast, while at his left hand sat the weasel-like
fellow with the ■"oice of villain number two.

The venerable rascal broke out with a loud haw,
haw, haw, as soon as he set eyes on the young English-
man, and in a moment the whole car resounded with
laughter.

Maurice's face turned scarlet. He fairly choked
with anger, but he resolved to take no notice of them.
He went on with his breakfast.

Finally Jake spoke up. " Look here, stranger, I want

.ning

ipart-
3lun-
nods
liter,
scat,

lorn-
d-likc

haw,

glish-

with

want

JAKE FFTTFRT V'5; TONVERSTON.

^39

tcr polopjizc fur mv want of pcrlitcnoss, but the idea
of Jake I'Y'ttcrly hoidin up i traui antl takiui^ up a
colleckshuu is a h'ttlc too much fur me,'" and he broke
out again, worse tlian ever.

" You don't have to use a gun when you want a loan,
Jake," said the scrubby man beside liini.

"Go easy, Carey. Don't tiirow anotlicr ball till he
gets in his box. Here, stranger, gimme yer hand.
Don't get yer back up at the boys fur havin' a little
fun. They ch.Mi't mtan no harm. Durn it all, I wu/.
a tenderfoot once myself."

The offer was so genuine that Maurice could not re-
fuse it, so he reached out his hand and Fetterly shook it
warndy, exclaiming at the same time : " Here's to our
better acquaintance."

A small, sharp-eyed, trim-built, well-dr'jssed man at
the adjoining table was nexfc heard from. " You were
quite right, stranger, to regard those men with suspi-
cion. Fetterly stole the riciiest mine in Color.ido and
Carey is a born * base thief.' You only anticipated their
promotion. Give them time.

" You scored that time, Reggy," said Jake, when
the laughter had subsided, "but we mustn't spile the
joke by rubbin' it in."

For a few moments there wr^s silence, but Uncle
Jake could not long contain himself.

Droi)ping his voice to a conversational tone, he said ;
" I ain't no slouch at readin' faces. I sed to myself,
' thar's a clean, fresh, wholesome young Britisher, all
wool and a yard wide, but away from home for the
first time.' "

Maurice good-naturedly admitted the soft impeach-
ment, and added that he was only a few weeks in
America.

" Well, what do you think of the country ?" said the
man called Reggy, wheeling round in his chair.

" That's right, tell us what you think of us," said an-
other.

" Don't s[)ring it on him all to once, boys, but jest
let him tell his experience, as they say at camp meet-
mg.

" It seems you all know something of my experience

'".'WlWjlC;^?'

240

HOUSES OF GLASS.

already," replied the younc^ Enp^Hshman lookinfif
around liini. This was the siinird for a frt^sh outburst
of iii('rrinu::it in whicli IM.iuriee himself hi-artiiy joined,
for although h.e still h.ul no explanation of last nii^ht's
dialo^aie, he knew that his mistake had been a ridieu-
lous one. But he dul not c;ire to ask. I le preferred to
wait for lii^ht on the subjeet.

Re<.,\i^y proposed that tlio joke be published in the
newspaj)ers. " It is really loo <^ood to kitp," he
added with a twinkle in his (^ye, " It eould be fded
away amon^^ the arehives of the Denver l^all Club."

" I have not the slii^htest objection," said Maurice,
" j)rovided my name is withh.eld.'

" That settles it then. A rose by any other name
will smell as sweet, only we won't spare Jake and
arey.

" You haven't told us what )'ou think of America
yet," remarked a quiet-looking man at another t.ible.

" Yes, yes. I -et us have ycnir opinion," excl.i'.imcd

" I scarcely know how to answer you, but so far, I
have been astonislied by the enterprise, sociability,
and self-reliance of )'our people, liefore I came here,
I fancied that America was lar<:^ely a howling wilder-
ness, but when I saw your great metropolis. New
York, I had to confess to myself that even Londcjn
seemed dull and dingy compared with it."

The enthusiasm on the faces of tlu; listeners was
good to see. From time to time they nodded and
smiled, while Jake broke in with " dew tell."

" I was astonished," continued Maurice, " to see
l.idies and children travelling alone, but I can see they
are just as s.ife as I am."

"Yes, and safer," exclaimetl Jake, kissing th'; little
girl's cheek, while the laughter broke out afresh.

" Order, boys," shouted the old man, " let the
stranger go on with his yarn. He's got the floor."

"I am expected to Iook out for myself," continuetl

Fletcher, *' but I notice that every American citizen,

is ^ pro tent, policeman for the protection of ladies and

liildren in his company. This and the reception you

was
and

sec
Ithcy

little

the

iiieti

[zen,

and

I you

JAKK FETTERLY'S rONVERSION. 24I

are .Lnvin^^ nic would seem to indicate that the average
American is a genial gentleman."

The pent up enthusiasm of his hearers now l/iola.-
loose.

•' Put it there, old man. Y(urrc the stutl. F phiribus
unum," and other enthusiastic exclamations went
round the assembly. To wind up with I'Yttcrly rose
to his feet and shouted, " What's the matter with the
Ikitisher ?" and the answer came in chorus, " He's all
right."

Tile waiter here interfered, sayini^ he was " 'blii;ed
to call the gentlemen to ordali.'

" That's right, boys. We've got to cramp it down,
but it's mighty hard. The eagle will screech when it's
gettin' its feathers rubbed down. Haw. haw, haw."

" Perhaps the stranger has been reading Sam Slick,"
said a man at the opposite side of the car.

" Who's umpiring this game ?" retorted C':ire\', look-
ing severely at the speaker. "You can t call balls on
him, with that curve on."

** No.sirrce," exclaimed Jake, emphatically. " If he
war given us taffy, he done it mighty slick, anyhow."

" I only gave you my impressions, as I received
them," protested Maurice, " neither more nc^r loss."

The waiter now came round to collect the brt.ak-
fast checks, and Maurice's hand naturally suughiL his
pocket.

" Stop right thar, stranger," buoutcd Jake. " You
can't pay fur anything on this here car. This is tlie
first, and mebbic the last time, we'll ever kick shins
under the same mahog'ny. When the lion dines with
the eagle, there hain't no fares collected, no, sirrci .
Waiter, trot out the slickest juice on the ice w.!;j;on,
and we'll drink to the health of tlie Britisher. Hang
it, boys, we're all cousins, and these felU)ws, what can't
drink to the health of Jonnny Bull, hain't no real blood
relations of Uncle Sam. BUjocI's thicker'n water, boys,
and long may the two greatest n.itions on eartli chew
off the same plug."

WHien they adjourned to the smoking apartment,
Regg}' brought in a plentiful supplv of cigars, , iid the
conversation wa? resumed.

24^

HOUSES OF GLASS.

" Wall, stranger," commenced Jake, " I won them
cigars off the boss here, on you bcin' a T^ritisher.'*

" How did )'ou know ?" laughed Fletcher.

" Know. Wl; , by the cut of your jib, of course, and
the fresh colour in your gills. Why, I had a dead sure
thinir."

"Americans don't have complexions," explained
Reggy. " But you'll soon lose yours, too, if you stay
here long."

*' Some thinks it's too much fancy grub," said Jake,
thoughtfully, " others thinks il's the climate, but any-
how, it does seem a fact."

" Is it the water, do }'ou suppose .'''' asked Carey
roguishly.

" Not in this crowd, anyhow. We don't take enuff
to hurt us, but say, stranger, gimme yer name and
we'll have a little intr*)duction all round."

" Maurice Fletcher."

*' Good I W'ell, Mr. Fletcher, these here, are Cork-
screw Carey, Jim Stratton, and Joe Slatter of the
Denver l^all Club. Jake Fetterly, from anywhere is
your humble servant, and last, but not least by a long
chalk, is the worshipful Mayor of Denver City and
captain of the said ball team, Mr. Reignald Tracy."

In a second Fletcher was ')n his feet, pale with ex-
citement. " What, Reginald Tracy of Denver?"

"That's mc, I guess," replied the little man, with a
smile.

" Then, by heavens, you are the very man I'm going
to sec. I have a letter for you."

The whole group were thunderstruck at this unex-
pected turn of affairs. They eagerly watched the
alternating expressions on Tracy's face as he read the
letter.

When he had finished he grasped Maurice's hand.
" Welcome to America. Why, boys, this is a friend
of the family from England."

There was a shake all round and Tracy ordered a
fresh consignment of juice. " Th-.; greatest luck I ever
heerd of," said Jake, '* but I always told you, boys,
that a tenderfoot has the tallest luck. I've seed them
time mid again clean out the uldciit head in the party,"

HMSwat t i ff^' W HHL"

((

JAKK FETTEKI.V'S CONVERSION.

243

cx-

h a

l)nur

hcx-

thc
the

Liul.

lend

id a

oys,
licm

he continued, with a solemn shake of his iron-grey
locks.

" Never mind about the situation for a week or two.
Mr. Fletcher. You had better run around with us for
anotiier week, till the boys finish their tour. You can
be our mascot."

*' Indeed, I am almost tfred of travellins^. I have
been for the past four weeks searchini,^ for the heirs to
a small estate in Ens^land."

"And who is the fortunate creature or creatures ?"

"The people I'm searchini^ for arc called Malford.
They left England twenty-six years ago. William and
Jane Ilalford."

" I knew a Ilalford back East," said Tracy, musingly.
"but I don't just remember where. Oh, yes, now I
remember. He was president of the Levisville Stars."

" I have fouiid quite a number of the same name
but never the right ones. However, I can show you
their pictures. That is his wife."

"Hum! Rather fine-looking woman, but I never
saw Mrs. Halford, so, of course, can't say. This pic-
ture does seem to resemble the old man a little.
There's the mutton-chop whiskers, but this picture is
of a young man and the Halford I know was an elderly
man. I wouldn't say there is any real resemblance.
Think his name was William, th(jugh. Might as well
note it down."

The matter was dropped, and the conveisation had
drifted into other channels when tiu.- comluctor came
round for the tickets.

** Oh, say, Bill," exclaimed Tracy, *' you used to live
at Levisville. Do you remember old man Halford ?'

" W'ell, rather," replied the official, in a decided
tone, " he and his wife were the first foreign passengers
I drove in on my new stage. Wliat about him ?"

*' Well, this man here," explained Tracy, [)ointing to
Maurice, " has been hunting all over the continent for
a man nametl Halford and his wife. Here's a picture ;
see if it's the right man."

Expectation ran high. Every eye was on the con«
ductor's face. Jake savagely bit off a fresh chew.

f *1*i*»MS^M,l,M^ .

■w.iji^h!?!Sit-W^,-.r- ■■

244

HOUSES OF GLASS.

((

It does seem like him," said Innes, " but / couldn t
swcir to liim. Perhaps this ain't a ^ood Hkeness."

" Well, try this," and the other tintype was shpped
into his hand.

The official's face lit up like a flash. He fairly
slK^uted, " Jane Halford, by the eternal."

The little group cheered with excitement ; all but
Jake. His liair stood on end. *' Look here, boys, this
thiu'^ is c^ot serious. There hain't no sech a thing as
chance or luck after this. God Almighty's got a hand
in this game, an' he's called me down."

'i"iic\- were all dumfounded by the double coinci-
denc ..', though none of them were so seriously affected
as Fetterly. He solemnly vowed that something was
going t(^ happen the young man. He was cither go-
ing to heaven at an early date, or to be made presi-
dent of tlie United States.

"Straight goods, boys ; it's a warnin" for all hands.
We've got to quit stackin' the cards, and play sqar all
round. This here is two strikes for Jake Fetterly.
First was when the missus crossed the big divide with
the baby. Yes, you may smile, Jim, but this hain't your
turn at the bat. Mebbie it don't matter much if old
Jake does fan out, but it won't be carelessness if he
does. I hain't agoin' to fool away my last chunce. I
know you didn't mean no harm, Jim, 'cause I was a kid
onct myself. Whin Bill thar first knowed me, I was
a purty spry chap. Well, come to think of it, this is a
mighty small world, after all, eh, Bill," and the old man
heaved a deep sigh.

" You're right thar, Jake. If a man wants to get lost
nowada>-s he's got to get off the earth. That's how
I've got it figgcred up."

TilE bl'lDER AiND THE FLY.

245

CHAPTER XL.

THE SPIDER AND THE FEY.

kid

was

is a

man

lost
low

On the very spot which once was ornamented by
Blake 's hosLclry and Lant^try's store now stands the
stateliest block in Levisville, with its rich fac;ades, and
polished pillars. Yet from a visitor's point of view the
change was not altogether for the better. In contra-
distinction to the chceriness of old, when canary birds
sang in their cages and neighbours chatted merrily over
their glass of ale, the place has now a look of gloomy
solemnity.

Musty papers had taken the place of meat and
drink, and Mammon had supplanted iiacchus. If
one might judge by the faces and forms in their en-
trance and exit from the gloomy portals, neither hap-
piness nor morality had gained by the transformation.
The dark stone front seemed to absorb all the sun-
shine, and the inner offices, even at bright noonday,
were lit with jets of gas. Neither food nor shelter,
comfort nor cheer, kindness nor charity could be found
here, for the entire building was occupied by gentle-
men of the legal fraternity.

The architect, however, had been something of a
humourist, for just above the w sive doorway of the
rotunda, in beautiful bronze effect, was Justice with
her scales, but, either by mistake or" motive, one eye
was partly uncovered.

On the ground floor were the most elaborate and
sumptuously furnished offices, and these were almost
wholly occjpicd by one firm.

The plate-glass doors and windows, as far backwards
as one couHsee, bore in beautiful gilt letters, the inscrip-
tion *' Sladj & Co., Attorneys and Counsellors-at-law."

As far as the public were concerned, the whole firm
consisted of Mr. Slade himself. lie had a perfect
army of understrappers, but all business uf any import-
ance passed through his own hands.

?■•**??*!**■■?**'***"'

246

HOUSES OF GLASS.

mmi

Map^istr.itc s petty-court mid police-court cases
were not considered of sufficient inV()ortance for the
head of the firm, unless the victim Avas a ])articularly
juicy one. His apartments were like the modern
departmental store, where you could purchase any-
thing you wished. The dodj^nn<:^ debtor went to one
door for advice, and the pursuing creditor to an-
other ; the defaulter and trickster went to the right,
and the widow scrambliiu'' for her stolen mite turned
to the left, r'ire-bu'j^s and in'-urancc detectives filled
one aisle, financiers and kite-flyers another, and per-
haps, within a foot of each other, witli only a partition
between them, wa? the wife entering -i divorce plea,
and the husband securing a counter action. Guileless-
ness and guilt, generosity and greed, ^.indour and
cunning, virtue nnd vice, law and licence, jostled
each other in the shadowy passages, but *' all roads led
to London."

Nor was it always litigation that customers were
in search of. If the big wig wanted to buy his way
quietly out of some srrdpc, or the grandame wished to
push an intrigue, Slade was the man to manage it.

Dame Rumour spoke in bated breath of transactions
fearful and unholy. Many a crime and compromise
were supposed to be buried in his vaults.

Yet no one could put their finger on anything that
could commit the legal luminary, or stain his good
name. If he did flourish on the edge of filthy pools of
vice he took crood care never to fall in. There was
one crime of which he was never guilty — that of being
found out.

In the vcioncy-hndtJig' department everything was
managed with clock-work regularity and scrupulous
honesty. No one was in danger of being cheated out
of a cent — it would'nt have paid!

If you had inoncy coming from .Slade & Co., j-ou
could count on it jus^: as surely as sunrise. This
fact, alone, offset many a dark whisper. Vice can
always thrive better in company with virtue.

On this particular morning the number of clients
were fewer than usual. A long sitting of the high

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY,

?47

that

Tood

)!s of

\vas

.)cinL:j

was
ulous
(.1 out

This

licnts
high

court was just over, and, no doubt, this was tlic caini
that usually foHows a storm.

Mrs. Halford had gone from one ofificc to another,
led by an usher who generally distributed untutored
callers to tho various departments. ]kit she insisted
on seeing Mr. Slade, and would not even mention the
nature of her business.

It was no easy matter, however, to reach head-
quarters, for the outer offices, like satellites, were
clustered round the one great centre.

Mrs. Halford had never before been under the nec-
essity of employing a solicitor, for hitlurto her trans-
actions had been simple and straight forward, merely
sale and purchase.

Herneighbour, Mr. Grazely, in return for many kind-
nesses, had done all her conveyancing, and given her all
the legal advice .she had required.

She had. however, a passing acquaintance with the
great lawyer, and had formed a pretty fair estimate of
his character.

After a good deal of waiting she was at last ushered
into his presence, and as she looked around at the
heavy, thick, double-padded doors, she guessed that
here was the spot where clients told their secrets.

Mr. Slade was a small, thin man, s'ightly stooped,
with a large nose and small piercir.g eyes, which
through his spectacles looked like glr.^s beads. His
face was of a peculiar shape. It sloped gradually fiom
his ears to his nose and chin like a w.dge to its thin
end. His lips v.'ere thin, and his mouth was large, but
he h.ad a fine head of dark hair and the pink and white
complexion of a woman.

*' Ah, how do you do, Mrs. Halford .'' Fine weather
we are having," he said, as he wheeled round in his
chair, and smiled blandly on his client.

She hardly knew how to commence, her business
was of so peculiar and delicate a nature.

She expected hini to ask the nature of her bus-
iness, and give her a chance to open the subject grad-
ually, but he only spoke on general topics, just as if
her call was merely a matter of friendship. With his
nose slightly elevated as though he scented mystery,

f •ilHSUfHl

248 HOUSES OF GI,,\SS.

he went on chattinc; as cheerfully as if he were cntcr-
taininrj a dear fri'-nd.

" Your people all well ?" he inquired with an api)rov-
incr nod.

" Well, now I really mic^ht say ' yes,' at the present,
but us buried a cjrandchild last we^'k. He were my
dauLjhter's only child ; a little boy,"

Mr. Slade cared nothinij for all the babies in Chris-
tendom, but he must thaw his client out. "What was
the nature of the trouble ?" he asked with well feigned
interest.

" It were croup. The poor little fellow just choked
to death."

" It must have been very hard for you and the poor
mother," he remarked sympathetically, as he blew his
nose with musical resonance. There must be some-
thing unusual, he thought, or she would " out with it."

He turned away for a few moments, pretending to
arrange some papers on his desk.

This gave her confidence and she commenced.

*' Well, now, Mr. Slade, I would like to get your ad-
vice about an affair which arc not law altogether. I
don't know whether it are quite in your line."

" A very cautious customer this," thought the law-
yer, but he did not reply, he simply elevated his eye-
brows and smiled blandly.

" I have an interest in a young man and I would
like to get him a higher position."

" The young gentleman is fortunate in having such
an ally as yourself, Mrs. Halford," replied the legal
gentleman with great unction. " Might 1 venture to
ask his calling or profession ?"

" He are a clergyman. I want him moved into a
higher position."

" Ah, indeed ! That is rather a delicate matter,"
remarked Mr. Slade with an indulgent smile. " I sup-
pose he is well qualified for filling a higher position,
but lacks influence."

She hesitated a moment and coloured slightly.
*' Well, now, I are not sure that he is, but I should
think that were not always needful."

" Oh, no, not at all I Promotion, like kis.ses, goes by

THE SPIDER ANJ) THE FI Y.

249

)es by

fnvour, Sometimes the greatest iiumskulls draw tlic
l.ir^ijst salaries."

" lie are at present a rector on six InmdrtMi a )'ear,
and if him got an offer of three or four iiundred more
he would likely take it."

Mr. Slade closed his eyes. There was more iii this
than appeared on the surface, but he would get it out
of her yet. " Just where would }'ou like to have hiin
locate.!, Mrs. Halford ?"

" As far away as possible," she blurted out without
thinking. She felt like biting her tongue the moment
afterwarils. The cat was out of the bag now.

The legal gentleman, drumming his fingers on his
desk, pretended not to notice it. '' Anywhere in the
Union wouKl do, I suppose, or would you prefer I'^ng-
land or Australia ?"

The glow on Mrs. Hal ford's face deepened. She
worked her chair closer. " Do ycju think you could
manaije it in Australia ?"

*' Oh, certainly. It is only a question of cost, and,"
he added, after a short pause, "a little time, of course,
I suppose the post of chaplain to some public institu-
tion would be suitable ?"

" That are the very thing, because him are not just
a good speaker."

" It will be much easier if he is handsome, present-
able, and unmarried," remarked her adviser, fishing for
more information as to his client's motives.

" Well, now, Mr. Slade, I don't think you ever saw
a handsomer man. He are a picture to look at, and
single, too."

" Ah, here is the motive at last," thought the wily
lawyer. " She wishes to remove him ou*" of the rcacli
of her marriageable daughter. ,'")me higher game in
her eye." He leaned back in hi., chair with his eyes
closed, evidently studying over his client's case, but in
reality, trying to remember her financial rating. He
touched a button which rang a bell in another room,
and wrote a few words on a slip of paper, which he
gave to the clerk who entered and disappeared like an
automaton.

" Clerks are sometimes very careless, and though

! i

250

HOUSES OF GLASS.

mine nre, perhaps, as punctual as any, yet I liavc to be
continually on the alert for fear that important busi-
ness m.'iy be overlooked. We will go on with our
conversation. But, by the way, would you like a
mouthful of wine ?"

" No, thank you, I are a strict teetotaller."

" You are like myself, you feel that you have no
need for it. Excuse me a moment, there is my bell."
A letter was dropped into a box at his door. He
adjusted his glasses and read what purported to be a
letter, but was in reality a statement of Mrs. Halford's
financial standing.

Without moving a muscle of his face he filed the
document away in his own private desk and turned to
resume the conversation.

"You think, then, Mrs. ITalford, that the young
gentleman would prefer Australia ? Of course, that
would be the most expensive."

" How much would it cost," she asked, turning
pale, " to get him a post at a thousand a year in Aus-
tralia?" She clenched her hands as she awaited his
reply.

** I could not say exactly," answered the lawyer
evasively, *' but somewhere in the thousands."

*' How many ?" she gasped in a hoarse whisper.

" Five, at least."

Mrs. Halford took a drink of water from the pitcher
near by and moved over to the window, where she tried
to look through the frosted panes out into the day-
light. " Him would have to lose his position here
to make all secure," she said in a hard voice, without
turning her face.

" Certainly," replied Mr. Slade, " I have tliought of
that, as well,"

" How long will it take to have it done with ?"

" Three or four months."

*' Will you guarantee the job for that money, Mr.
Slade ?"

" I will guarantee everything but the amount of his
salary. However, if he accepts the situation, I sup-
pose it will be satisfactory to you :' '

" There are my hand, Mr. Slade. You shall have

/c to be

it busi-

'\t\\ our

like a

lavc no
y bell."
)r. He
to be a
alford's

lied the
irned to

I youn^
sc, that

turnincj
in Aus-
lited his

lawyer

per.

pitcher
,hc tried
:ie day-

)n here
Kvithout

luqlit of

I?"

:y, Mr.

of his
I sup-

THE SPIDER AND TIIK FLY.

251

your money this very day, and, when it are all settled,
a little more."

"Of course, you know the sum stp.tcd does not in-
clude our fees," replied Mr. Slade, with a smile. " liut
we shall pudi the matter alon^ with all possible haste.
As for the money," he continued, " we don't need it
very badly, but it is as well to have it. By the way,
you know we lend a ^'ood deal of money. If you should
be in need we would be glad to serve you."

" De.ir me !" exclaimed Mrs. Ilalford. "I are not
in need of money. I have sold all but the homestead
and wish to invest, but the banks only ijive four per
cent."

" Tush ! that's no investment at all. We find no
difficulty in getting six and seven, with good security.
Of course, we only allow five on de^xisit. We must
have our profit, you know."

" You pay five, then. Well, I shall call and see you
again, Mr. Slade."

The lawyer passed his hand over his forehead and
paused as if in doubt. " To tell you the truth, we are
not particular about taking in any money at present.
Wc have considerable now awaiting investment.
But of course, we are here to do business and never
turn away respectable clients. Now," he added, u ith
a kindly smile, '' if you will favour me with the name
of the young gentleman and his present location, I
shall not detain you longer."

" Dear me, I thought I had told you. His name
are Charles Langtry and him lives at Gowanstone."

11 ha

2«;2

HOUSES OF CLASS.

CHAPTER XLI.

I i:

CUl'll) S CATEKS.

Nft.LY ITalford had thrown to bo a very attractive
yoiins.^ 1 uly. Slio had a lar^^e share of wliat is com-
monly called beauty, although to be concise, perhaps
the word pretty would better describe her fair hair,
rosy cb.eeks, and dimpled chin.

Her fi_L,^ure, ^^ hich was rather under tlic medium hci^^ht,
was neither plump nor spare, but lithe and well propor-
tioned.

She liad inherited her father's sunny ways and
cheerful disposition, and, like him, was not given to
fret and worry over those little troubles that rob us of
so much happiness, both in brain and physicpie she
was of smaller calibre than her sister, but there was a
delightful sinij^licity about her which was hard to re-
sist. Like her father, she was a rreneral favourite
wherever she went. She was always welccjme for th'j
sake of the sunshine and cheerfulness that accompanit d
her.

She had been away visiting a lady friend at Chicago,
but a telegram announcing the death of poor little
Davie brought her hi'riedly home, just in time to
attend the funeral.

Marian had been brought over to Broadview to
soothe her grief, and the. ^^ she remained for a fort-
night, restori^ig her exhausted nerves. Sometimes
Nelly would weep with her sister, and sometimes tease
her into a laugh about Mr. Grazely, who still visited
the farm with his old time regularity, and with an eye
for Martha Briggs. As in former days, Marian found
work to be the great panacea for grief, and at Broai'
view she had many opportunities of securing those
twin restorers, labor and sleep.

During her sister's visit, out of respect to her grief,
Nelly had controlled the natural buoyancy of her
spirits to an extent which showed her sympathy ; but

curin's rAPERS.

253

•active
s coni-
crhaps
r hair,

hcifrht,
^ropor-

ys and

vcn to

b us of

uc she

c was a

1 to rc-

vourito

for the

panicil

[hicago,
1)1- httle
ime to

icw to
la fort-
ictimcs
is tease
Ivisitcd
|an eye

found
iBroad-

those

grief,

)f her

but

now that Marian liad returnetl to Gowanstonc, it could
not be much harm to sing and laugii : so she went
al)out witli the ahcindon of a liappy child. She was
very sorry for poor little JJavie and his bereaved par-
ents, she hatl wept bitterly over the grave, l)ut some-
how the warm sunshine and the beautiful summer da)'s
made her feel glad.

" Where are you going, Nelly?" asked her mother,
one afternoon, as she starteil out with a basket on her
arm.

'* Out to pick cherries, mother mine. It was a silly
trick to plant fruit trees so near tiie road. I saw two
trami)s at the tree by the gate this m»u-ning. They
broke off one of the biggest branches."

With a huge straw hat stuck jauntily on the back t)f
her head, she went off siivMiig as usual, and was soon
standing on the broad stone fence, reaching and jum[)-
ing for branches. So absorbed was she bv her (K^cu-
pation that she did not hear a footstei) coming along
the road, nor notice a young man who was walking
leisurely from the direction of the city. His coat was
thrown over his back, and his vest was opened in front,
to compensate for the intense heat of the weather,
while from time to time he paused in a shady spot, and
raised his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow.

When he spied the fair harvester perched on the
fence, he hurriedly donned his coat, buttoned up his
waistcoat, and readjusted his tie.

The big straw hat hid her f;icc from sight, but judg-
ing from her form, she must be pretty. lie wasabout
to speak, when something arrested his attention ami
rivetted him to the spot. Thert\ on the stone fence,
partly hidden by the frills and laces of a wln'te petti-
coat, were the tan-coloured boots of the Metapedia.
In a moment, Maurice Fletcher's heart was in his
mouth. The whole scene was suddenly transformed
into a fairyland, the air was filled with joy. Yes,
there was no mistaking tliem. The dainty little toL-
caps and arched instep were stamped in his memor}-,
and when she jumped for a branch he noticed that the
second button from the t<^p of tlie left boot had been
supplanted by one of different shape and colour. He

»"•■'• •* *a

&^?S*^''r'*=f''*MjiiWt*»-...,.

254 HOUSES OF GLASS.

was to have the privilc<^o of sccincf her af:]^ai'n. TJiis
time he would speak to her, come what m.iy. Ifr:r\\c
li;id lier all to liimself. He leaned a^^'lillst the oppo-
site fence and feasted his eyes. How lon^^ he would
have watched her it is impossible to say, for it was
joy enou;jjh to have her in sit^ht ; but, suddenly, with
a sprinij, she scrambled into the tree, and her ponder-
ous head<(ear, strikini,' a limb, fell over into the road-
way.

As soon as Nellie had ailjusted herself to her new
position she reached out to look for her missinsr sun-
shade, wheti, to her horror, she discovered a younij
<^entlemaii liftitiL,^ it out of the dust and lookini^ u[) to-
wards her.

She coloured like a peony and hurriedly c^athered
her slcirts about her ankles.

*' I bet^ your pardon," said the youn^; man, " but
will you allow me to hand up your hat ?"

" No, sir," she replied snappisldy. " Please 5^0 away
from there. I can manaf,rc myself, thank you."

Midden by the branches, she had the advantae^e of
seeini^ without beint^ seen. She was overcome with
astonishment when she recognized the foreign-looking
young man who had been her fellow-passenger on her
trip West. She knew him by his pink cheeks and by
his clothes, which had an odd, but rather stylish, look
about them.

'' The sun is pretty hot," he pleaded. " If you
won't allow me to hand it up I will leave it on the
fence here, where you can get it. Ihit you had better
let me hand it to you or }'our complexion will soon
suffer."

" You needn't trouble about it, sir. It must take
you all your time to protect your own."

She took a peep through a gap in the leaves to see
how he took hei thrust. Instead of being embarrassed
he was laughing and coming closer. The fellow was
altogether too familiar. She must teach him his place.
" How long have you been standing there ?" she de-
rrianded in a severe tone. " No gentleman would be
guilty of such meanness."

** I only just came to pick up your hat as you swung

rUPID'S TAPERS.

255

This
■r he
ppo-
ouhl
was
with
ndcr-
road-

• new
r sun-

>'(Hin!4
up to-

:hcrcd

" but

1 awa)'

at;o of
c witli
oukini,^
on her
nd by
ili, look

[If you
on the

:)cttcr
ii soon

it take

to see
Irrasscd
)W was
|s place,
ihe de-
)uld be

swunjr

into the tree, not a second sooner, on my wortl of
honour," ho rcpHcd, backinij into tlic middle of the

:>a.d.

In a moment N-lly re<::faine(i h(>r confidence, h'rom
behind her leafy screen she would tease the stranger
out oi pure revciic^c.

" I should think it must be hard to be an aL;ent or
peddler tramping aboul in the hot sun," siie remarked.

She noticed him first colour and then smile.

" I am \'ery glad to say I am neither."

" Perhaps you are buyincj fruit then," suf^i^ested the
cherr)'-tree. This time she saw and heard him lauL'.h.

" I see you are an Aniericaii, too," lie resporided.
Indeed, how did you make that disccn^ery ? Arc

not A

mericans nice peop

le? 1)

on t A'ou like

.Some of them are very nice. 1 tiiink a great deal

S(^me o

f th

em,

su})p(^se it IS safe to say you are not one.

lUit y<»u haven't said what )ou are pa)iny for clier-

ries.

I miglit be willing to give all my eirthly posses-
sions for even one off that tree, but I am afraid my
offer is too low."

" This felhnv is getting gay again," thought Nelly.
"lie can't be so green as 1 thought, lie has nice
eyes and a real complexion. lie is rather nice hnjk-

in<

won

d' r who he is. But he is too bold,

The cherry-tree's silence, Maurice felt, was a p

un-

ishmcnt for his presumptuous gallanti}-, but of course
he could not see h.r face.

He could see the little boots, however, and he had
been taking them as a guide insteail of her countL-
nance. They seem'd to laugh, smile, or frown as the
occasion re(]!iired, but nnw ihvy were crushed unmer-
cifully in the sharp angle between two limbs, and
looked decidedly vex* d.

The {)roionged silence was ,1 hip' to him to take his
leave, 'but he only mov d to .i shaded s[)ot on the
road and waiteil, in hoj)**^ tliat she wonhl s[)e dc.
Kinidl)' he could wait no longer. "Will ) ou accept
an apology for my fooliih words/ Such liberty was

tti^P

256 HOUSES OF GLASS.

very unbccomini]^ and very ungrateful foi your kind-
ness !:\ permitting me to speak to you at a."i."

*' Oh, you are not gone yet," exclaimed the tree,
with well feigned surprise. " I did not reilly notice
what it was you said, so it is of no consequence."
The boots seemed to blush at this fib, but she went
on: "It is a good thing your business is pot very
pressing, but I suj)pose you are not going far?'

Maurice smiled at the implied question, so clu^rac-

tenstic o

f the

e country, wliere everytniiig bore an m-

thi

terroL'^ation mar

I am lookinji for the residence of

William Ilalford. Perhaps you can tell me where he
lives ?"

"Yes, sir. He lives right here. If you look be-
tween the trees you will see the housi.-."

" Can you inform me if he is at home ? I have come

I long way to see him.
The little boots traded places and the toc-cai)s were

turned with an air ot nuiuiry

No ; father went Ii

lL< '

town this afterno()ii, but mother is honn
can he be ?

\V1

Th,

ink you.

Mrs. Halford will do as w>. 11. I have

I j"»ackage here to deliver to lui

he saiil, lioldiui.:

a large envelope covered with red seals.

" Very well, you can take it to nioiher if you like,
or you can put it in my hat there on t!ie fence. It
will be quite safe."

" I b.g your pardon, Miss Halford. bat I liave come
all the way from Cornwall, from Ivi;.;la:i.l, to see your
parents,
fo

lave been travellini: and svm:

.•->

ncr

for t

iiem

r weeks, an

For a time the tr

d I cannot e'> without s. eiiur them.

ee was siill. Not a icaf or a bratich
moved. Neily had heard her parents talk of Cornwall,
and her curiosity was now aroused. " .Vre you a rel-
ative ?" she asked, in a voice of subdued excitement.

Not exactly a relati

V e.

But 1 am a friend of the

family, and have very important tidings."

Nelh' was fairly trembling with excitement now.
None of the children knew au\lhing of their father's
or mother's antecedents. All questions iii that ilirec-
tion had been rebuffed. Now, iiuvvcvcr. something
startling was going to take place.

CUPTI) S CAPERS.

!57

ind-
trec,

ICC."

^vcnt
very

cirac-
n in-
ice of
re he

k be-
come
i were

it lllL'"'

Wlio

I have
w,; up

I like,
:. It

come
your
Irthcni

l3r:uich
rnwall,

a rel-
inent.

)f the

now.

tithcr's

airec-

ithinja^

" If you will look the other way I will jump il<»wii
and take you into the house. I hoi)e you will excuse

me i
tone.

f I 1

lave Ijcen uncivi

slie at

L'(|

in .1 scrKJUS

You have been more civil than I deservctl, but

won t \'ou

let

hel

p y

lown

ic s.iid, cairerK'

cominer towards the fence

" No, you <^o back," she protested, '' till I reach the
gate-post, then you can help me."

After a short scramble, durini^ which she noticed
that he conscientiv)usly kept his eyes in an op[)osite

direction, she laniled on tlie fence.

if \"ou

please," she said, colourin;.T and brushing back lu.r stray

lock

but t.ike til .' basket first.

He sto' \ on a huge stone and rcachcfl up his hands
to catch in :, but cither she jumped too soon or ho had
not sufficient footing, for the impetus of her spring
threw him <)ff his balance and he fell sprawling on his
back, wiiile she, like a kitten, landed on her feet.

For a moment she looked to see if he were hurt, and
then gave vent to peals of laughter like a school-girl at
play.

There is nothing like merriment to break down re-
serve. In a moment they were laughing togi-lher hke
old acquaintances.

'* 1 suppose that is what they call being knocked out
in til- first round," he exclaimed, brushing the dust ort
Ills sleeves.

" h^ed would call it muffing a fly," laughed \elly,
who was now cleaning the dust off his back.

"Who is Fred " he asked with >uilden c 'Jicern,
whcclin.: round to i..ce her.

" You first tell me whether your news is good (.r
bad, and if it will bring any trouble."

' The news is good," he replied. " .md you will .ill
be pleased with it. It will not cause any trouble."

*' Well, what is it about ? Has somebody that was
lost been found ? F- there any -ecret or nij'stery just
discovered, or what r"

" Now, now, you munt n«^ vjuestiou me .iny further.
My news is for _\ ur father ami mother. It would be
a breach of truit to tell it to any one else. But you

258

HOUSES OF CI.ASS.

promised to tell me who Fred is. An admirer, I sup-
pose. Answer truly, now."

" No, he is only my brother, but I love him very
mueh."

'* 1 am very glad to hear it. I was afraid he was
somebfuly else's brother. I don't know how it is over
here, but in En^^land youn;]^ ladies don't ahvaj's love
their own brothers the best."

" Inch ed ! Why, people must have curious ways and
customs over there. 15ut the young gentlemen are
particularly diligent and clever, I hear. They are said
to beat the world at playing cricket or eating pudding
I should liave taken pity on you and offered you some
clierries, but be careful, like a good boy, and spit out
1)ie stones.

" Don't talk about cricket," he said, helping himseli
t( some luscious red jackets. " The whole country,
here, is crazy over baseball. Why, I have heard
nothing else, since the day you left the Metapedia at
Chicago."

'* The Metaped'ia ? Oh yes, that was the name of
our coach, going west. Come to think of it, I remem-
ber seeing a green looking Englishman there," and
they broke into a merry laugh.

*' If I hud p ! ;sed courage, in proportion to my
inclination, I mi;_;ht have spoken to you then, and
saved myself a journey over half the continent. Just
think of me hunting all over America ft)r your people,
and you sitting in the nc-xt seat."

" It is tlie strangest thing I ever heard of," she re-
plied. '* But come nov.-, you may carry the basket, and
I will take you to sec mother. Il is funny to think of
you c^'ming hero." she musi d, as they walked uj) the
lan^ together. "One never knows what is going to
hap>|iicn. '

A LEGACY AM) A LOVER.

259

sup-
very

was
over
love

^ and
1 are
J said

Uling
some
t out

imsell
untry,
heard
dia at

Ime of
mem-
' and

o my
and
Just
)eople,

le re-
t, and
link of
ip the
iiig to

CHAPTKR XLII.

A LEGACY AM) A LOVER.

Mrs. IIalford had, for the past few weckr^, been
leadin^f a very uidiapi)y life. Not that she fretted much
over the loss of her grandehild, but his tleatli removed
from her daui^hter a proteetion wiiich seemed a neces-
sity under the [)resent circumstances. Then she hatl to
expend a larj^e sum of money for nothin;^^ and such a
direct loss was like an open sore. To m:d:c matters
worse, on the day following her visit to .\rr. Sl.ide's
office, she received an unex[)ected blow from another
direction. She was lookinij over one of the L^reat New
York dailies, searchiuLj for some stock (iut)!.ations and
financial news, when her e}'e fell upon an advertis-
ment wiiich made the room spin around her. " If
Jane Symonds, who left l^)scastle, Eni;land, twenty-six
years a^o, will communicate with John Thurston of
Treijootlwell, she will hear soniethimj; to her advan-
tage." She drop[)ed the paper in h.rlap, and s.it for
a lon<T time conjurini^ up a thousand memories ol by-
<;one days.

She knew John Thurston to be a registrar or cl -rk of
the court where wills were proven, and her first im-
})ulse was to communicate with him by cable. But a
few moments' calculation made her hesitate. What
could it be ? Some property left her, but by whom ?
The old 'squire might have repented, but then he was
almost penniless. Anyway that was impossible, for
he always called her a forward hussy. Would it be
Lady Mary? She had some little property, but it did
not amount to much. It couldn't be her foster parents,
the Symonds, for they were poor and must have gone
to their reward long ago. Most likely it was a small
legacy from Lady Mary.

Next she wondered how long the advertisement had
been running. She searched thr^uigh several nutnbers
of an earlier date, ami still the advertisement was there.

<»*wa . „^ .

260

HOUPES OF r.LA?*;.

l^ut behold, further down on the same column was
another wliich was even worse than tlic first. It was
th J same advertisement, but instead of Jane vS)'monds
were the names WilHam and Jane lialford.

The cold sweat stood out on her forehead, and she
almost ;.;asped for breath.

" It must be Lady Mary. It can't be any one else.
God knows I don't even know who I are.

" Are it worth while to have my doin<;s made public
for the sake of a hundred pounds or so ? What \\ ould
Marian say if her knew her was a bastard? What
W(ndd Nelly and Fred think ? No, not for ten times
the money would I be made a talk of. I shall not
trouble writing;."

But, stop, any one mic^ht see the advertisement, even
her own family. She could stop her own paper but
that would not save her. New York dailies were scat-
tered over the continent like leaves of the forest^ and
somebody who knew her would be certain to sec it.
First she must find out the amount of the le<;acy (if
such it were), and then she could judi^e for herself. In
the meantime she must try to stop the advertisement.
Perhaps, after all, there might be cnous^h in the legacy
to recoup her for her loss anent Langtry. She would
consult Mr. Slade,and r.o on her second visit to his office
she gave him ancjtlier case to work upon.

She had just nicely recovered from the shock when,
a few days afterwards, Nelly brought a young man
into the room, whom she introduced as " Mr. Fletcher
from Cornwall."

Mrs. Halford looked at him in a dazed sort of way,
and dropped into a chair. " 1 knew no Metchers in
Cornwall," she said, huskily, as she scanned him from
head to foot.

Maurice smiled. " I am of Irish descent, madam, but
I was reared in Tregoodwell by my guardian, John
Thurston. Did you know him ?"

"Yes, I remember him were connected with making
wills, linn were quite a gentleman in those da}s.''

" And is so still," replietlthe st'-<ngcr warmly, " and
always will be ;" he added with emotion, " t) the last
hour of his life."

A LEOACY AND A I/U'ER.

261

was

: was
loiuls

.1 sh

Isc,

)ublic
A oukl
What
limes
11 not

:, even
ir but
c scat-
it, and
sec it.
acy (if
If. In
jment.
Icoacy
wouki
5 office

wlicn,
man
k^tcher

f way,
hers in
n from

m but

|iaking

■ and
no la-t

"You liavo come from John Tiiurston then, " slie
asked with faiUrin!.^ xoice.

" Ves, matlam, 1 br()UL.'.ht tliis j\icka<.;o fmni him. '
and lie hekl up the envelope with the red seals, " I
was U> deliver it to you or ycjur husband. Now that I
have discharged my duty, I hope I may be allowed to
congratulate you on your good fortune."

"Have you forgotten your manners, mother? You
liave not offered Mr. Fletcher a seat yet." said Nelly,
handing her visitor a chair.

" Mr. Fletcher will excuse me if I forgot myself for
a moment," replied her mother with a deep sigh.

'* Run, Nelly, and send Fred to Lcvisville for father.
I shall not open this letter till him comes."

As soon as Nellv had left the room, she aid in a
low voice, " Mr. Thurston were advertising for us ?"

** It was I who inserted the advertisment one for
yourself, and the other for you both."

Mrs. Ilalford turned a trille paler. "Do you know
all that are in this ?" she asked, looking at the omin^
ous envelope.

" It was necessary that I should know all."

*' Well, I\Ir. Fletcher, I see you are a gentleman,
I am sure you will not repeat anything of this which
yuu shoukl not. Are it understood?"

"Here is my hand, Mrs. Ilalford. I give you my
word of honour, as a gentleman, as a ward of my re-
spected guardian, that I shall not to any one betray
the confidence he reposed in nie."

" Who are the will in favour of, and what are the
amount ?"

*' If your eldest daughter Is alive she is the heiress ;
if not, then yourself. The amount, according to my
latest advices, is about three thousand pounds, though
that is considered a low estimate."

Nelly now came running in, and seeing her mother's
pale face and excited manner, asked if anyone were
dead.

"No, dear, but Marian have come Into a legacy of
fifteen thousand dollars."

"Oh, isn't tiiat splendid! Poor Mally, I am so
glad. Maybe it will cheer her up. I will run and

: i : If

262

HOUSES OF OLASS.

scud a tclcprain," continued Nelly, clappinij licr hands
and fairly brimming over witli excitemeui.

"Wait till )ciiir father comes home, Nell)', and then
us can see uhat are best to do. Mr. Fletcher will
please stay f<»r a few days till us find out how to fniish
up the business,"

That night, when the fust general rejoicing was over,
wlien Kred was away visiting Clara Grazely, and the
old folks were closeted over the ii»;portant envelope,
Maurice and Nelly were left alone.

" So you remember seeing me on the train, Mr.
Flrteher ?"

" 1 can remember nothing else. Why, I knew you
to-day on the fence before I saw yr ur face."

** Oh, oh, what a fib !" exchiimed Nellv. " Telling
fibs is worse than asking cjuestions, which you say
Americans are alw.iys doing."

*' It's not a fib," he reasserted, " it's a positive fact.
1 could have sworn to you."

"Well, I declare you are getting worse and worse.
])oyou know ^\'here liars goto, IVTf. I'lclcher ?" she
added warningly, " Why, 1 hadn't even on the same
dress."

" No, but vou had on the same boots.'

" Oh, that's nothing," she replied, looking a moment
at one of the toe-caps which was peeping from um'er
her dress. " There are hundreds of pairs just like
them."

" Indeed tlure arc not. There is not a })airon earth
just like them. They are the neatest shaped little
boots I ever saw."

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Nelly, as she flushed with
pleasure at his compliment. " You owned up to being
Irisii. It wasn't necessary. Any one could tell you had
kissed the blarney stone. I am afraid, Mr. Fletcher,
that veracit)' is iK^it your strong point."

"Well, now, did you ever see an\'thing like this?"
he said, holding up a brown, oval-shaped button.

She looked at it for a moment in blank astonish-
ment. Then, noticing the smile on liis face she
blushed a rosy red. " Where did you get that, sir?''

^^>^

fact.

A LECIACV AXD A LOMIR.

Vour brrtli was

^ "I found iL on the Mrtapi-dfa.
i-ight opposiu- mine."

"Oh there's another. The button was onlv loose
that ni-lit. but It was rronc in tlie moniinir. I blanu d
the porter for rubbin:^- it off ^vh,n he polished them."
You uicked tlnn- 1 believe you stole it."

Maurice lau-hed good-naturedly. " I did pull ][ nil
but It was only to prevent it fn.ni b<in<v l(,<t "

"\ou an> a terriblcman, Mr. Kletch^T. V'hv- didn't
you -ive It to me in the mornin- ? 1 hunt.d a do/en
stores in C hicac^o and couldn't get ojie like it. Please
give It to liic now."

"I would not part with it for a fortune," he re-
sponded. - It IS my talisman, now."

'•I don't sec ^yhat you want with an od<l button
I he shoes themselves are not worth much now The
soles are nearly worn through."

-What? If they are for sale I will -nVe vou five
guineas. Come ! ^' '

"Now, you un- Irish, and no mistake. They were
not wortn quarter of that when they wc-re new. What
nonsense, to make me wear an odd button "

''Ihat IS how I knew y<.u on the fence to-dav
becond button from the top." ^'

Nelly sprang up with tears in her eyes. " Y(hi are
a mean, contemptible thing, sitting here and makin

man h ,t you were not standing there a second. I
can t believe a word you say," and she left the room
slamming the door behind jier. '

264

IIOUSF.S OF CLASS.

CTiAri'i:u X..III.

A Tl.Ml'KST ()!• THE SOUL.

"Dkar Madam : — Your luishaii'i's hc.iltii is not im-
proving, lie li.is not consulted nic for some tim»:,
in fact, I can see tliat somi" odd fancy h . litely
prompti'd him to avoid me. Tor several iiij^dits I
have noticed a Hiilit in his study window, and I am cur-
tain from his appearance that his ni^^hts are sh-epU'ss.
Yesterday morning at two o'clock, while returning
from a ni^ht call into the country, I met him about
two miles from Gowanstone, on the I-dmwood road.
■vvalkinir rapidly in the opposite direction. I j)reten<h;(l
to be sound asleep as I pa .ed him, in order to spare
his sensitiveness, but I am certain that he knew me.
At seven o'clock the same morning I pretended to re-
quire some horse-feed, an( ent over to the mill. lie
was working as usual, but there was something odd
in his manner.

" We shall have to decide on some further and more
radical plan of treatment, and for that reason 1 vvisli
you would return as soon as convenient.

" Yours, etc.,
" Geo. l^K.WKT.

**N. B. — Make it appear as if you came back of your
own accord, and throw as much affection into your
manner as possible^

G. R"

This was the letter that brought Marian's holidays
at Gowanstone to an abrupt termination, and gave lur
fresh cause for sorrow and distress.

She had regained her usual health, but her usual
cheerfulness had given way to an air of resignation.

The solemn stillness of the woods had acted like a
balm to her wounded soul. In her childhood's haunts
she shared her sorrows with the trees and flowers ; sat

A Tf-.MrFST OF Tirp, sniTf,,

2C)

your
yuur

ays
her

ike a
iLints
sat

fo.' li urs lir.ti-niiipj t<> tlio ri[i[)liM;4 stream, or wandered
over fields and hills to <j,i et in tree and shrul) some
half f<)r;.;'itten frii nd. She rriu^ucd lur fri-'iuiship
with the eattle. Tlie t''»\\ls soon ll'tcl^ed .uuiind her .is
of yore. Da\ id had come to see her once, and it
sceni'vl to rekindle in their hearts the warintii which
had 1 .Itvrly Ljrown col-.l. She w.is jusL be^inninLj to
feel conte-ntetl, when this new troubk: arose. Was
there to oe an^^thcr i;rave fdled before the- ;^n-im reaper
I)assed lur door? Had she not alreatly drank tleeply
enough of sorrow's cuj)?

When her visit to Broadview was first proposed,
Marian hid protested ai^ainst leavinj^ poor David alone

with his sorrow, but he hail in^isteil on her i:joiin

am as nnich alone, Marian, in a crowded room, as in a
dark closet. I seem to have .t (jiiarrel on with myself,
and I prefer that the battle shoidd have no spectators.
No, you Ljo to the farm, and when you come back I
may be able to borrow sonie of your cheerfulness. 1
feel most contented with the roar of the machinery in
my ears ; it seems to suit the quality of my thoughts."

As a matter of fact, he wished to be aim.-. His
nerve storms were comin;^ back on him. He felt that
he w.is too irritable to be a fit companion for any one.
When alone, he could sit up, or go to bed as he chose,
without disturbin;^ any <jne, or being troubled with
irritatiu'^ questions as to his rest.

It woulcl be hard to describe the state of his feelin<:js
as the eaftli fell with hollow thuds on little Davie's
coffin. or (lavs after the funeral he went about in a
sot*" ■ . .^ q>(>r, scarcely knowing what he did. He had
readily granted his wife's reqmst to have the cliild
buried with church rit^^s. Charles Lanijtrv had con-
ducted the services, and like a true gentleman he
endeavoured to rnake the proceerlings as little objec-
tionable as possible to the father. He studiously
avoided anything v.hich would be likely to hurt Gor-
don's feelings. The reverend gentleman's prayer was
honest, sincere and simple, while underneath it all was
a current of symj)athy and good will. Summed u\) in
a few words, it meant help for this life and hope for
the next. Never did Gordon have less animosity

rj6

IIOUSKS n\' CLASS.

•4l

■il T^lf I!

■Owards Clii'isli.mif v. Ihiii '.vht n Mr. T,an*,'lr\' wvs
;»rt':';L-ntii)|^ il in its simple, lu,l|)fiil. Iinm.m fonii.
/\!i(l yet liis tli()!i.;lits wu'c tiiiijril with bilterncs>.
Lookiii;^' b.uk oil liis p.ist life, he was conscien-
tious enou;;h to eoiuleniii himself an^l tlie narrow
selfishness of his motives, whieh liad !>een responsible
foi liis «l(»nl)le bereavement, l^ut his sense ot justice
was j^rievously offended. I \c. deserved his own punish-
ment ; indeed, he felt he \>-.is not suffi rin;f, perhajis, as
much a.-i his moral crinus c.dii d for. but wh)' diould his
mother and iimocent child snlf'. r fe-r his ne^li^^ence ?

He did not stop to ask whetlur death was really a
punishment (~)r an evil.

He presumed that it was so because of the physical
sufferinj^ usually attached to il, apart altoi.;ether from
th : (luestion of \^hat mi-'ht l)e bevond tlu; "walls and
limitations " of this life. To him it appeared as if Nature
wer^ neither cruel nor kind, and that, in the eternal pro-
cession of cause and effect, saint and sinner seemed to
share .m ecpial fate.

" What cares ilisease for any quality of mind or soul ?
It otvy ilecs before the vital force of pliysical life. The
child of sin, born in the lt)west der.s of vice, reared in
an atmosphere of villainy and crime- ; the embyro mur-
derer, whose only earthly s.[o;d is the shallows, mis^ht
probably have resisted tlie fell ilestroyer which
strauf^led my boy,"

Davie had suffered. His mother had suffered. Piotli
had underc^one great physical pain and distress, for
his sins. That was where the iron of injustice entered
his soul. For justice, in whole or in part, in the actual
or in the' abstract, his soul was clamouring. He was
always willing to gird on his .irmour in its bi;half. He
loved to think that for justice he would fight alone
against all the hosts of heaven or hell, against all the
arrows of ostracism, persecution, and contumel}' ;
through all the suffering, pain and anguish which might
be heaped upon him. Down the deep valley of des-
pair, surrounded by the darkness of eternal night, he
would fight alone, and with the last ray of reason in
his soul would, like Leonidas, leave his body in the
pass. Like a shipwrecked sailor in mid-ocean, he

soul ?
. Tlic
c(l in

inur-
nii^ht

'hich

:tual

A Tr.MrpsT or nii. sour,. 267

looked in vnin for land or iur .'i fiicii'lly s;iil. but from
the utter ]on»liiK-ss of liis isolati<Mi, tlu-rc tanic no cry
of aiij^uish or (iesp.in'.

ilis property and all his worldly poods seemed
turned to asiies. His dreams of commercial power
and prestii^e were now a liolidA' mockery.

On the same day upon whicii siie receivrd the (ioe-
tor's letter Marian surprised her husband by w.dkir.*;
into his ofTice and throwinLj her arms arouml his neck.
lie seemed ^lad to sec her but his iv ce[)linii l.n k«. d
enthusiasm. Iilvery outline tjf his form betokimd
weariness and lan;,';uor. His e)'e was lit with the
tloj^^Ljed coura5.(e of dc-sp.iir.

lie sat on Ins hi;.;h stool, in his dusty clothes, jjor-
inj^ over his books. Mv^n liis hands were beL^inniii:.' to
look thin and bony, ami as .she noted the lines of suf-
ferinc^ on his face a great wave of [)ity came o\(.'r lier.
Hut slie nnist not l.t him p.ee it. Sin- lou;.dit back her
tears and choia d d.'wn her sol.s till siie reached tlu;
doctor's consultinj^ room, and then bri)ke int>; a torrent
of weepins^.

'' Oh, Doctor,' slie cried, Ln'asj)ini^ Ids i)aiid and cov-
erini^ it witii her tens, " uhat shall we do with
David ?"

Her tried and trusty friend turned pale and trem-
bled as he felt ui)on ids hand llie warm tears iiiul throb-
bincT brow of the only creature on earth who evei
stirred his emotion.s.

He quietly released his hand, and after clearinc,^ his
throat and blowing his nose he commenced to outlin-.'
his plans. He could not, dare not, tell her v.hat lie
conceived to be at least one of the c.uises of her hus-
band's illness. True or false, he must carr\' his dia;.^.
nosis to the grave. He liad devoted his life and erier-
gies to the cause of science, but not even for it would
he cause this woman a moment's pain. Not even to
save the life of 13avid Gordon, nay, nor his own, woukl
he put the blush of shame upon the cheek <jf this wo-
man, whom, from his s|)ecinu n cabinet, he had moved
to a sacred little ci.riiv r which never saw the light of
day.

•'Your husband, Mrb. Gordon, must go awa}' from

2f)S

IIOUSKS OV <;i,ASS.

husincss alt 0(*t>tl)ci lor .1 f'\\ iiioiitli'-. lit umi.I };o (ar
fii(Mi;;li aw.i)' !•> loiiM't cxcMt liin;' .it home. lie luusf
IM> alone. I Ic niir I have ■ '>iiir spci iai iin'tuc in i;«>iii}',.
Ill" niH(l'. the '.t ituiilir. o| stiaii:;c lai< ■. ami ■iiii 1 niiul
ill;,; ;, lie must l)c so pKu cd I h.it lie will Iia\ c t o 'Xt i 1
himsclt H) oiilci lo Miuir his own want', and < ir.itiiii'
foniloit-.. ill. tbonvjits and Itiain iiiinnl'. must l)c
lilt in'I\- < Iian;>_ri'."

" l>n!. Hoitoi', tin- poor lill<»w would dii- ol n(!.d((t.
\*ou don'l think tlu-n- is an\- dan;;i i d hini, A*) yuw f"
.sh" askrd, in a hall timid, hail lo.ixin;; toiu .

*■ No. hi" is not !'oin<j to dii', Mis. (i.iKJdn. hut wt-
must take the sir. tin oil his miiitl. I K- is st riii;).diii;,;
:i^;.iip.st hims 'If, and, untoit unateU', is a lineal (K'sicnd
ant of t ht>se ' kilt us ' w hi\ in the I hiek ol hat t le, yielded
onU' toiieath. Now we ha\e tlu" piohleiu hilore ns,
ll w c- lan onl\' soke it we shall sin eeitl. ("onie hai k
to luoirou .md w I' .sh.dl eompare nole.s. In tlu' nie.m
time think o\ t 1 it ; deep ovii it."

'I h.it evenini; i)a\itl vanidit Iut \vi'e|niu< and alone.
She was .siltiiii;; h\' the window in the dusk. Tlu-
p;loominess iA the siaiu-cI.iikiK'ss w.isipiiti- in tune with
her ti.ime i^\ mind.

*' Como. Marian. th.U won't i\n. Come and t(dl u\c
your trouhK\s. Come here, and sit on m\- knee as yon
iiseil to. Come antl tell me w hat )-i)u haw i)een think-
\\\v; ahi>ut. I'IkiCs riL;ht. it si-ems like old times to
have vou on m\' knee. Tut N'our aim aroiuul mv neck
anil kiss mc. Now. wh.it is it, ilear ?"

" ViHi wcMi't th.inl: me sillw Daviil, if I tell \'on ?"

*' No, dear, wlu" shoukl I ? Nobi>d)' can he more
foolish th.m I ha\e been."

" I was just tliinkiiii; I wouUl like to have a lillK:
bahy t.> t.d.e I),.vie's plaee." and bnryiiiij her I,iec in
his bosom, she bioki' into .1 lit (^i sobbinj,]^.

1 ler weepiiu; w as enl short h\' <i shaip lini; at the
doordiell, and a t' lei^ram was handed in which read as
folKn-. s :

" /"(> J/rs J). Gordo>r. -Unexpected news from
lin^land. You arc an heiress. Will he over to-mor-

Janf Haj.kord."

row.

WAV'S AM) MKANS.

CirAI'Il.R XIJV.

VV A V S A N 1 » M |.; A N S.

TliK family roimcil iid,! at r;.,uMn;f on-- on tl)-- f.,I
l'>\viii;.; (i,,y (.xlisciiss tlu: situatLMi not ..nl^- iiu|,,,lc<|
llx' wli..!.- family, |)iit Maurice I'j, U li. r a , u.ll. U'iio
was to .M, and who was 1-, slay at li..m.- w.i . llu- j-rvat
(|llcsll()ii ,,f il,,- lintir. \(, two w< 1. of the 'anir
opmi-.n. Dmiii-r tli.: early part of th- «ii .( iis.iou'
Marian sent out f,,r Dr. I'.c iiii,l, fcliri-/ that iiovv was
the time when hi., advitc would hi' of most ser-
vice. .Slie kn w that he woiiM he dehVlited with tlie
opporliinity which j)resent( d itself of "sen.hii- I ),, vi.l
«>ff on the propo.ed trip. y\t first ^dimpse it v. mcd
that, of course, Mari.m must i^o to haijdand, secin;^
that she WiS the most interested' party, an'd shJ hoped
liial the (h)ctor woidd su<r^rest David's jr^iiur a, w<l)
Here, iiowever, tliere seemed to he a li'itch "in the ai-
ranL,rements

Mrs. IlaHord had made up lnr\\\\\\(\ to jro, and pro-
posed tiiat her liushand shouh! accompany her This
would leave l-re.I and \elh\. at Iiome alone, an ar-
ran-remeiit to wliicli they made a vi».'our..iis protest
If ''father and motiier "went, then .Ma'riaii wruihl have-
to remain at liome.

" Wliy not leave Mr. Ilalford at liome ?" su^n^re^ted
Gordon to his moiher-indaw.

"Oh, it are like this, here, David, J couldn't tliink
of ooiiil; without William."

"Hut why iro at all, m(;thcr ?" interposed Ncllv
"You dout have to." ^'

" Yes ; mother ain't .c^ettinr.r the nioriey. I d.,n't see
what slie has to jro for," prowled hVed.

The look whicl) Mrs. Ilalford <^ive in reply to these
remarks, made them all understand that her !i,^ointr was
beyond all discussion, that it was already "a settled
fact

Matterb had reached a crisis when Dr. Ben net ar-

K» l«iPi»«»&""1!sr?», .

270

HOUSES OF (ir-ASS.

rived. Ho first Ustcncil jxitimtly to what c.icli had
to say, and then ventured his opinion.

" It seems already settled that Mr. and Mrs. Hal-
ford are i:^oinL,r," he commenced with a caustic i^dance
at Marian's mother, " ami seeinij that the youni;' peo-
ple here insist on Mrs. Gordon's remaim'ni^, 1 v.'ould
suL''crt-'st that Mr. Gortlon no liimself to look after his

•t-..^

wife's interests. The closincj of an estate is sometimes
more tr(,iubles')me than )'ou might imagine. Mr. Cior-
don's business s'kjII and acumen would probably be
recjuired. It is not necessary f(^r Mrs. Gordon to go
in j)ers(;n., as you nii.;hc suppose, and as her husband
would be aclin;^ fcir her, she would do v.ell to remain
at home to i^uard his interests. With the assistance
of a bookkeeper and the experience of your foreman,
your business, Mr. Gordon, would, I think, be safe in
your wife's hands. Of course, you require some one
with power of attorney to si<j;n che<iues, drafts, and
other documents. I am not fl.itteriny^ Mrs. Cjordon
when I say th;it although she knows nothing of the
business, she lias more than an average sliare of ccmi-
mon sense a.nd judgment, and would sign nothing with-
out fully understanding what she was doing."

" I think your arrangement. Doctor, is a very lame
one, 'because the most interested party remains at
liomc, while all the rest go. Besides, I could not
think of leaving my wife alone. It would be down-
right cruelty, in view of all our recent troubles."

"Stop one momer.t, Mr. Gordon. I have ancjther
matler to consider," rejoined the doctor, "and that is
3'our health. I had made up m}' mind that you must
have a total rest from business for a few moiiths, and
I had decided on your taking a trip to the West. I lere
is an opportunity of killing two birds with the one
stone ; of securing your wife's kgacy, and her hus-
band's liealth."

" David," said Marian, catching a look from the doc-
tor's eye, '* Your health is certainl)' worth more to me
than the money. I think we hi;! better do as the doc-
toi su .[gests."

''Why, Doctor," exclaimed Mrs. lialford, "her

WAV? A XT) MEAN"?

lore
unc
hus-

loc-

|) me
iloc-

hcr

27T
I

coulfln't be left lure at Gowanstonc all alone,
couldii t hearken to that."

" How would it do if I stayed at Broadview, and
drove over two or three times a week .''" asked Marian.

Nelly clai)pc'd her hands <^leifully at this sut;i;\'stion,
while Vvvd slyly stole his arm around his sister's waist,
and voted the arran<^ement as being " out of siLjht.'

For the first time Mr. Fletcher sp^ke, antl ver\- mod-
estly proclaimed his ability to fill the post of book-
keeper. He further stated that lu- wouKl be very i;lad
to secure even a temporary situation, especially as he
had nothin'^ in view as yet.

Just how far his desire to be near Hroadvicw
prompted him, it is impossible to sa)-, l)ut Maurice
cast his eyes toward Nelly while makini,^ the pr(^})osi-
tion, and if looks vvere any indication that )«iuni^- lady
was not displeased.

Mrs. Halford, who felt that her own intert^sts would
be perfectly safe in Marian's hands, applauded the doc-
tor's ultimatum, and when the little sessi(Mt was closed,
everything was harmonious and satisfactory.

On the evening before their departure the doctor
called in to have a final chat with his patient. " By
the way, Gordi^n, now that you are goini.^, there are
two or three things I wish you to remember. Don't
think of business : don't read any American news[)a-
pers. Then, most important of all, you must neither
write nor reccivt' letters from home."

** You surely camiot mean that to ni)ply to me," ex-
claimed Marian, in consternation. " Wli)-, I should die
of loneliness.

" Yes, but I do h^ean it to ap[)ly to you. Surely
you arc not children. '

" Well, but •

" P^xcuse me, Gordon, but am I your [)hyrician or
not ?•

** Certainly you are."

" Tiien I shall e.xpect you to obey orders implicitly."

Husband and wife exchanged glances of pr(>ttst.
■* We might be both dead, ,ind neither of us would
know a thing about it," said Marian.

The doctor smiled at the Hibernianism, but shook

'tj-^

imi'^FS OF GLASS.

his lioad firml)'. He knew that Gordon would insist
on an t:xi)lanation, and he was ready with it. " Don't
you see, Gordon, tliat to think of your wife is to think
of home ; and to tliiiik of home is to tliink of business.
If your ;;//'//</ is to remain at home, where is the use of
goin^^ at all ?"

*' You for<.ret. Doctor, that I am goincr on business,
or I would not be goini^ at all. The K'<jacy is surely
worth going for. \'ou «loctors arc always thinkin

shop if not talki'.ig it. Your forbiddinL,^ me to write to
my wife is very unusual. For how long do you expect
us to keep it up ?"

The doctor scratched his arm for a moment. " I'll
tell you what I'll do, Gordon. You write; to me in seven
weeks (not soonerj, and if I am satisfied with the tone
of your letter, then you may both write twice a day if
you like."

*' Is it a bargain ?" and he extended a hand to each of
them.

" I suppose it will hav^e to be as you say,'* replied
Marian, " but how am I to hear of him at all ?"

" You can hear of liim through yoir father anil
mother, but remember, no subterfuges. You may get
all the news of him you like, but you must not be
sending little messages to liim or anything ^ that
kind. I must keep the wires cut around him. Mow,
Gordon, you can gc' where you like, and see what you
like. When you arc tired of one place, go to •inotlier.
Boating, lawn-tennis, music halls, gymnasiums, walking,
fishing or fighting. I don't believe that an occas-
ional ' bout ' would do you any harm. Now this is all
the medicine I ask you to t ike, and I give you carter
hlancJic as to time and dose. Forget everything.
Forget that such a place as Gowanstone is in existence.
Forget your own name if you liki\ but don t forget
that copy of Cliaucer, and the black Lhurii you
promised me. Good-bye.

WHERE I'ATHS DIVIDE.

chai'ti:r xlv.

\VHERK I'ATIiS DIVIDE.

:ho{

that
Mow,

you
tlicr.
king,
ecus-
is all
arte-
hiiH^.
dice.
. )ri!,et

you

The great dcfec.\ of our present cclucational and
social systems are shown by the frefjuency with which
people " miss their callin;.^." H)' ciiaiice, necessity, or
parental errors, we are pitchforked into certain posi-
tions, while our habits, inclinations, and capabilities
lead us in an opposite direction. The arti/.an, mechanic,
or farmer might often change places with the kiwyer,
doctor, or clergyman, to the mutual ativantagc of him-
self and his fellow men. The first duty in etlucating
our children for this practical age is to discover, as
soon ^ possible, the path in life to which th.y are b^st
adapied, and then perfect them in this direction. The
struggle for existence is becoming keener from year to
year, and to be properly equipped for tlie batlle we
must have the kind of knowledge and wisdom which is
applicable to the affairs of everyday life.

And yet, though Charks Langtry was not atlaj)t'.(l
for public speaking, it could scarcely be saiil that as
a clergyman he was a failure,. His athletic frame, chiv-
alrous nature, and the dreamy indolence of his mind
were not exactly the tjualities required by a preacher
of the gospel ; but he was very popular, not
only with his own congregation but with the public
generally.

There was something attractive and kindly alx^ut
him whic' drew people to him. Mis tompanionshi|t
caused no great mental strain ; he 1 ■>• no air of si:-
periority or self-righteousness, and people were nta
afraid to talk freely in his presence. Tlu-re was no
spirit of espionage in his pastoral visits, lie was not
continually looking for ikius in the ortlicdoxy of his
hearers. He was one of them, lie sharid in their
pastimes and interested himself in the aiTairs of every-
day life. A game of cricket, a good dog, or a fast
horse were legitimate >:ubject^ of discussion amongst

its

274

irOUSKS OF riLASS.

the sterner sex, wliilc with tlic ladies hv could drink
tea and talk kno\vini;ly uf pics and puddin^js. When
he appeared .it the door his parishioi, rs were not
forced to make a mad rush for tlu.-ir Sunoay clothes,
nor their samtimf)nious faces. Nor was it necessary to
cook the " bi;^ potato" when he stayed for dinner.
If the jj^ootl wife happened to be boilins; a pot of sou[),
he could sit by the stove and discuss it with lu-r. Tluy
did not recpiire to leave thjir wnk and sit down to
entertain hiin. !f they happened to be busy he
amused himself witli the children, or sat down at the
or<;an and Idled the place with nu.'lody. Very soon
people learned to love h^ ii, and an\- insinuation as to
his want of ehxpience was, to many of his congreija-
tion. a declaration of war.

In this iv^c of democracy the masses prefer a man
who does not appear to look down upon them. For
this very reason, the people's candidate, the man of
the mud strata, will often ilefeat at the polls the |^en-
tleman of education and refinement.

Not, indeed, that Mr. Langtry lacked in either re-
spect, nor that he was particularly democratic in his
principles, hue his lack of vanity and his natural benev-
oL nee created a feelincj of fellowship in the hearts
of those with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Sweetnam, his predecessor, had been a very
eloquent man. but he was very aristocratic, and the
congregation thought more of Mr. Langtry's kindness
than of Mr. Swcetnam's eloquence.

We admire clever people, but we do not necessarily
love them. We are f.iin to thiid< that those in high posi-
tions are no better or purer than ourselves. Lincoln's
memory is all the dearer to our liearts because we know-
that he was human. Not that Lincoln was ever popular
in the ordinary sense. There is an isolation in greatness
which prevents it. The tall, gigantic pine or oak will
ever wave high and lonely above the scrubby beeches.

Another cause of ]\lr. Langtry's popularity was his
wonderful power as a musician. While I^aying his
pastoral visits, many a housewife stopped at her wash-
tu!) to WMpe away - tear. The elo(|uence of his .soul
seemed tt) flash from his fin;_;er-tips. The tones crept

WHERE PATHS DIVIDE.

275

lllOSS

loin's
:now

lar

-iicss

\V1

UCS.

his

asli-

hi^iil

:rcpt

about the heart till the listener was waftetl away from
earthly cares into a land of bliss. He r.n\l\' played
from copy, excepting; in some new composition ;
he either memorized it or pla>'ed whatever came u[)-
permtjst in his mind. lie needed no coaxin;^, for he
loved to play, and he rarely left a house where there
was an instrument without " feelincr it," as he called it.
Every piano or or<^an was a personal friend. To the
meanest, whceziest of them all, his touch w.is just as
kind as when he sat before the j^^rand or^vm in the
church.

Musical critics from far and near came to hear him,
and although they found fault with his technifpie, they
never ch.dlenged his power of inter[)retation.

People rush to hear r^.nowned professors, crowned
with sha<^i;y Icjcks and i^listeninrj si)ectacles ; to he^r
with hungry hearts the language of the soul; but.al.:-,
too often do they ask for bread and receive a stone. ]\
sumptuous h.dls where slavish fashion sits with l>:!ig
plaudits in her hands ; where heart and brain are fet-
tered fast by Gotham's glitter, let tiresome technicality
triumph; but at the huni!)le hearth of human emotion,
true genius in its simple garb receives its warmest
welcome.

Charles Langtry h.id no Italian prefix to his name ;
he did not rush and dash with fn-n/aid h.uuis from b i-s
to treble ; he used no arts or tricks of touch and j)os-
ture ; but lounging lazily on his seat, with head thrown
back, he searched f(/r luiman souls.

Every key became a living, breathing thing whi^h
gave its voice and told itsst'jry. Sometimes they sang
in chorus a glorious chant of praise, or through the
shadows, deep and dark as death, tlu y sobbed and
sighed their tales of griv_f.

Every (jctave was a f.unily and every ivory, whitr or
black, wa;. an indivitlual.

Sometimes, in grou[)s, they prophesied the coming
of a nobler and a grander day, or, with a moan of a'.i-
guish, told the martyrdom of man.

Had Charles Langtry followed music as a profession,
not e\en his natural in loli nee would have [)ieventi-"d
him from reaching the highest rung in the ladder of f.vme.

276 HOUSES OF GLASS.

But, artist ihoupjh he was, he had little conceit In
his own attainments; in fact, he was his own severest
critic.

IK: cared liltl • for applause so that he satisfied him-
self, and no amount of appreciation p]<'ased h\u\,
if either in conception or execulion he fell short of
his own ideal.

None of his hearers appreciated his musical genius
more tho:ouL;hly than Mrs. Gordon, who, since little
Davie's death, found great solace in her choir duties,
ilis im[)rom{)tus were a constant source of deli^dit
to her. They seemed to ihuw the iciness about her
heart.

Although she had been a constant visitor at the
parsonage, .she continually kept herself aloof from the
young clergyman, and never allowed herself to be
alone with him. lie evidently understood and re-
spected her motives. Latterly he h.id assisted hc-r in
this direction. Christina always convoyed her home
from choir practice. Her big dog Nero was a con-
stant companion and she did not fear to b<i alone.

Once, Charles had accompanied them, and had stolen
an opportunity of getting her arm. This indiscretion
cost her a night's sleep. She vowed that it would
never haj)pcn again.

Now that her husband had gone, she would keep
herself entirely apart. She would not oidy discontinue
choir practice, but would absent herself from church,
and cease her visits to Christina.

One day when her friend was coaxing her, she said,
" Nt), Christina, j-ou and j-our mother will have to do all
the visiting till D.ivitl comes home, aiul then I shall i)ay
you back with interest. Why, think ! I have a mill, a
farm and two houses to manage. Then I have a young
lady to chaperone, and you know lovers are hard to
look after," she added with a laugh. " Indeed, I have
so much to do that I have no time to fret. I am get-
ting heavier every day. I haven't frit so cheerful and
contented since I lost iny iittk darling."

C^TIIAM S GKIEFS.

^17

CIIAPTKK XLVI.

GOTHAM S CKIKKS.

:olcn

-ction

'ould

keep

inuc

lurch,

said,
oall
1 pay
lill, a
ouiig
rd to
have

1 and

" Can I cjo to tlic picnic, Ma'-ian ?" said Nelly, hold-
ing uj) a {)ink envch^pe which she had just received.

" \Vhat picnic, dear ?"

'* Tiic picnic at SncH's Lake, that the swells of Gow-

anstone are going to have. Miiurice told me last night

that he was a[)pointed on our of the committees, and,"

.she added with a blush, " lie wants me to go with

urn.

Marian laid down the book which she v as reading,
and looked thoughtfcilly .it her sister. " I wonder,
Nelly, if I am not taking too much responsibih'ty in
allowing you and Mr. Fletcher to be so much together?
rerha[)S mother might not approve of it."

" Now, Mally dear, don't get cross with me," said
Nelly, settling herself on her sister's lap.

'* I'm not cross, dear, but }-ou know I must not let
this become serious beft)re you have mother's approval.
I ap[)rovc of him mj'self. I think he is a gentleman.
But you have only known him a few weeks, and it will
never do, Nelly, to be Ik ad and cars in love with him
before we know his history. It hasn't become serious
already, has it ?"

Poor Nelly turned rosy red. She hid her face on
her sister's shoulder to cover her blushes. " I am afraid,
Mally. Oh, you know. I don't like to say it. but I
think I — love him already." Further confession was
cut short by sobs.

" You needn't hide your face, Nelly. Look up and
kiss me. 1 could see it myself, liut do you think he
loves you ?"

Nelly fumbled at her apron and picked at the but-
tons on her sister's dress. " I — think — he— docs."

" Did he ever tell }-ou so ?"

The fingers again toyed nervously with the buttons
before the reply came. " He c idn't just say that,

278 HOUSE.S OF (U-ASf^.

but oh, you know, he lias said Uttlc thiu;^s that mciu
the same thin-.'-. Last nicrht," and a'^.iin slic hid iicr
face, " he Idsscd mc."

*' Oil !" exclaimed her sister, in mock surprise, " I
suppose you ^^ut ani^ry and scr.t him away."

" No, I didn't." came the smothered reply.

♦• What did you do, tlun ?"

"You won't be m id, Mally, will you ?"

•* No, dear, I won't."

" Well," and her arms clunj; tighter, " I kissed him
back. I couldn't help it."

Marian tjave her sister a sympathetic s(jucczc, and
with the moisture shining in her eyes, patted her un
the head.

" Did 1 do wron^. Mali}' ?"

" It would bo of little use to say that you did, when
probably I would have done the same myself. Oidy,
dear, )ou must be careful. You must make sure lh.it
he loves you before you give your heart away, holus
bolus."

*' Do you remember the tan boots I had when I
went to Chicai^o that time?"

" Yes, what about them ?"

"Well, I never told )'ou because I thouf^ht Fred
would. The very last day he drove you over to (iow-
anstonc, Fred was in in Maurice's room at the hotel.
W^ell, when Maurice lifted the lid of his trunk to take
something out, there were my boots in a little corner
by themselves. Fred teased me about it till I nearly
cried, but I believe I was glad too."

Mrs. Gordon broke into a hearty laugh. " Well,
dear, he must be badly smitten, though you reall)-
have a perfect foot. Well, well ! I've heard of young
ladies giving their lovers the mitten, but giving them
the * boots ' is generally the father's privilege. But
where did you get the pair you ha\'e on ?"

" They came to the exi)ress office in Lcvisville. The
box was prepaid and addressed to me. There was no
letter or anything in the parcel to show where they
came from."

** Oh, of course, he sent them to replace the others,

GOTHAM S (iRIEFS.

279

Fred

(ioW-

otcl.

take

onicr

:aily

The

las no

they

hers,

and you are b'^th plcasetl witli the exclianf^o. I tliink
lie loves you, Nolly."

"Do you. Mally. you dear old thiui; ; h,)\v lan you
tell ?" and Nelly devoured her sister with kisses.

" Oh, just by the way he lonks at you." F(>r a time
they sat in silence, each enjcjyin^ tlir pure sisterly
sympathy of the other.

" If I havl an invitation to the picnic, Nc Uy and
could L^o with you, it would he all cc^rrect. 1 promised
mother I would chaperone \'ou till she ca.iie home.
You know people are very rcatly to talk abni.t yountj
girls. I don't care for picnics myself, dear, but if '
get an invitation you shall go."

Siudl's Lake was a small botly of water covering
about two hundreil acres. It was situatc.tj on a range
of lulls to the northwards, about eight miles distant
from Gowanstone.

The great stumbling-block in the way of its popular-
ity as a pleasure resort, had, for many years, been its
almost inaccessible position. 1 lerclofortj, tb.e only
me.ins of access was a narrow cau^ewa)-, which crejjt
through ravin :s, clung to precipices, and was con-
sidered only fit for experienced horsemen or pedes-
trians.

During the present summer, however, a syndicate
had j)urcliased the ! ik'- and ex[)ende(l large sums of
money in making a ' ide and propcrl}- graded road,
protected at every tl.mgerous point by a substantial
railing.

Pavilions had been erected, and pleasure boats were
furnished to i)icnic or excursion parties at reasonable
rates. A spur-line of railway from Levisville was
under construction, and the spot was exiJected to be-
come famous.

The honor and prestige of opening this new sum-
mer resort, on the fifteenth of July, fell to the gt;od
people of Gowanstone.

Not the rag-tag and bob-tail, the rank and file, or
the plodding plebeians who ign(d)ly earned their daih*
bread by the sweat of their brow, but the patricians

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HOUSES OF GLASS.

who cither fed on political pap, or whoso means of
support were not outwardly visible.

The ^^reat difficulty of the whole affair fell upon the
^^-houlders of the invitation committee. It was so hard
to be select.

Mrs. A though eligible in herself, had a brother
who had the pernicious habit of carrying his hod more
gracefully than his whiskey.

Mrs. B was very nice, but her sister kept herself and
bacchanalian husband by a boarding-house in the next
town ; and Mrs. C's cousin worked in the sewers. X's
wife's mother had been a washervvoman. Y's paternal
parent was a section foreman. Z kept up appearances,
took his dinner (when he had one) at six o'clock, passed
his days in idyllic idleness and had no visible means of
support, but the trouble was, that owing to several
little financial and legal documents he could not com-
fortably trot in the same class as the sheriff. This
case was particularly touching. It was the piece de
resistance. To give a man, with such eminent qualifi-
cations for the upper class, the cold shoulder, for an
officer whose father once kept a beer saloon on the
Eov/ery was out of the question. The judge, himself,
was not the clean potato, for he had a brother in Sing
Sing and his father was in the asylum. The senator's
reputation for poker-playing was somewhat shady, and
Congressman Bates had anarchistic tendencies.

The committee were at their wit's end. There was
no one to vouch for tJiem. Several of them got
offended at hints as to their own eligibility, and the
whole affair would have been given up i.i disgust had
it not been for the timely arrival of Sidn y Dillon, the
chairman. He reported that if they followed their
original intention, there would not be left a corporal's
guard.

The only ones he had found eligible under their
original enactment were orphans, or those whose par-
entage and connections were unknown.

The only way out of the difficulty was to reduce the
standard of qualifications, and ijiclude those who earned
their living in a genteel sort of way, irrespective of
family history altogether.

; was
got
I the
t had
I, the
their
Dral'-s

GOTHAM S GRIEFS.

:8l

The first name in this diss was Jainicson.

" Of course we must have ///w," said the chairman
^* You simply can't run a picnic witliout him. As a
rule, people don't know what to do when they get
there. They either giggle to keep up their spirits,
stand stupidly looking about them, cr freeze up alto-
gether. If we didn't invite Jamieson he would have a
picnic on the following day tiiat would put ours to
shame. If he is there, he will take charge of every-
thing and push it right along. Furthermore, we shall
have his band ; and last, but not least, there will be a
big bill to pay."

The ominous silence which followed this announce-
ment showed that Sydney's last argument had been
very convincing.

" I move tliat Mr. Jamieson be chairman of the
finance committee," said Senator Cox, clutching spas-
modically at some small coins in his pocket.

"Second the motion," murmured Leslie Harper, liie
bank clerk, who up to this point had been quietly
sucking his cane.

" Hadn't we better put Jamieson on the manage-

ment committee to(j ?"

" Not necessary," replied the chairman, " he will own

the whole affair in two days."

" What about the pink and white Englishman ?"

" Oh, you know, he's only a bookkeeper on a small

" Yes, but he hasn't been at it long," said a young
lady who evidently wished to condone his offence.
" Put him on the working committee."

" I think he works more for love than money," re-
marked Mr. Dillon, with a smile. " I believe he has
money of his own."

" Put him on the finance committee then," said the
banker's wife. ** Carried."

" What about Mr. Langtry and his sister?"

" We'll be only too glad to have him if he will come.
He is a host in himself. They have a piano at the

pavilion."

" Don't bother with his sister. She's a horrid old
fright. She looks as if she had been packed away in a

HOUSKS OF m,ASS.

'Vi

trunk for forty years and onl}' brouglit (nit tlic day
before yesterday."

" You forget that Mr. Langtry is no cad. She must
be invited or he will not come, so that is settled," said
the chairman.

After running over a long list of other names, some
one suggested Mrs. Gordon.

This brought a perfect storm of opposition from the
ladies, who made the most scathing remarks.

" She milks cows." " And hitches horses." " She
docs her own washing." Mrs. Carrol, whose perfumes
were supposed to disinfect the plebeian proclivities of
her connections, made the caustic comment that " Mrs.
Gordon might have the odour of a teamster, and as for
her sister, she is a perfect tomboy,"

" A woman like Mrs. Gordon can do as she pleases,"
was Mr. Dillon's response. " Great beauty has priv-
lieges.

This was followed by the simultaneous exclamation
that he was a wretch. '' Great beauty, indeed ! A
regular sphinx."

" She is an heiress now, don't you know," exclaimed
Mr. Harper, removing his cane for a moment.

" We won't believe it till we see it," said several
others.

The chairman rapped on the table and called the
meeting to order. Sydney's fearless candour was the
strongest pillar of his social throne. People wondered
why he dared to s;iy things v/hich no one else could.
He never shirketl the truth, though he generally
clothed it in its least offensive garb.

Socie^-y followed him because he always led it. It
was faithful to him because he did not court it. He
seemed to know that the strange, fickle goddess spurns
adulation and idolizes indifference.

Without deigning to take further notice of the spite-
ful comments, the chairman spoke in a quiet tone.

** At the last meeting you gave me the privilege of
inviting two ladies. With your permission I shall
send an invitation to Mrs. David Gordon."

And so another pink envelope found its way to
Broadview.

PROrRIETV'S HOLIDAY,

233

CHAPTER XLVTI.

propriety's holiday.

. It

lie

lurns

The place of rendezvous was truly a b-^auti'ful spot.
The deep basin which surrounded the lake was densely
wooded to the water's ed<^e, and the dark careen foliai^e
of the trees formed an ideal outline to this little in-
land sea, which sparkled clear and cool in the summer
sun.

This idyllic sheet of water had no visible inlet. It
was supposed to be fed by subterranean sprin^rs from
the surrounding hills, and its only outlet was" a little
stream which wound its way throui^h wooded glens,
rippled through ravines and plunged over i)recipices,
till, supplemented by a score of its fellows, it became
the " Speed."

Then, from a reckless rambler of hills and dales, a
wanderer in the wilderness, it became a peaceful son
of toil who gave prosaic power to whirling wheels, and,
like a traitor, carried off the slaughtered giants who
sometime gave it shelter from a sweltering sun.

Poor fallen heroes from the f;ir off forest glade, who
through the storms of ages smiled upon the streamlet's
infant prattles, nor recked that e'er its rippling laugh or
kindly kiss would turn to gross ingratitude.

It was along the margin of the forest stream that
the new roadway ran, and as the picnickers with their
procession of vehicles passetl alor.g, tiiey made the
dark green hills echo v/it)i their rejoicing.

The handsome uniforms and glistening brass instru-
ments of the band stood out in bold relief against the
foliage of the narrow piss, and when they came in
sight of the lake the musicians fell into marching or-
der, playing " Sherman's March to the Sea."

This little display had, of course, been arranged by
Jamieson. It served the double purpose of inspiring
the party witii patriotic enthusiasm, and impressing

siiWl

%wm

284

HOUSES OF GLAS^

upon the autliorities of tlie lake the importance of
their visitors.

I^ut it was after their arrival that the f/enius of

aiiiieson shone

forlli

Mt)unting the roof of his band-wayon, he shouted in

stentorian voice his Hst of commands.

fisl

The first part of the proc^ramme is boating and
'n'l'HfJi, till one o'clock. Then the band

nil'

(7c

i lib

d the reveiljj for lunch. Games will c

om-

will suun
lence at three 1'. M., and dinner at seven. Last of all,

t^very vehicle will be ready to start at nine-thirty."

lie detailed his guests (for so he now considered
them) into little parties, according to the size and cap-
acity of the boats, shouting words of caution to one
antl all. He gave his orders with the skill of an ex-
perienced general, and somehow people had a habit of
obeying him without knowing why. Others, perhaps
more dignified, and clothed with more authority,
might shout themselves hoarse and no one would pay
the slightest attention, but let Jamieson give the word
of command and everybody would fall into line.
There was a soldierliness about his methods, a vis/orous-
ness about his arrangements, which made him a nat-
ural leader of men. Some might complain c^f or criti-
cize his arrangements, but no one had the courage to
show open disobedience. From the brewing of the
lemonade to the wrappings of oil paper round the
sandwiches, the minutest detail was arranged with
clockwork precision. He watched with jealous eye for
any lagging of the proceedings, and was always on the
lookout for deserters.

Marian and Christina, accompanied by Nero (who
had persisted in following them from Gowanstone)
went off for a ramble in the woods. They preferred it
to boating. Perhaps no two in the whole assembly
were enjoying themselves more thoroughly than these.

Marian preferred strange trees to strange people.
She fairly revelled in the trackless woods where the
foot of man had never trod.

But Jamieson spied them, and their fate was sealed.
Expostulation was useless. The idea of any one
enjoying solitude was preposterous.

propriety's holiday.

285

fwho
[one)

id it

ibly
liose.

)plc.

the

Lied.
one

He locked Nero in the boat house, threw him some
food, nnd in a few moments two of his bandsmen were
rowing them out un tlie lake, with tile Stars and Stripes
flying from the bow of the boat.

Poor* Christina- looked rather ancient in her new
white muslin, which was cut with angular and painful
precision. She sat facing the big drum-major, who
(by the way) was an old bachelor, aiul at times she was
Very much embarrassed by his admiring glances.

Marian sat in the stern of the boat trailing her hand
in the bright clear water, inwardly enjoying Christina s
discomfort. About her apparel there was an unas-
suming plainness and artistic simplicity, which few
could understand, and none could imitate. Every
curve and line of her garments seemed to harmonize
with and enchance the gracefulness of her figure.
VVhen you looked at her, you never seemed to notice
her garments ; they seemed to be a part ofhcrself.

The grand old forest put her in a dreamy frame of
mind. For a time the frivolities of life were forgotten.
With her hat lying on her lap, her beautiful hair blow-
ing carelessly about her neck and forehead, her lips
half apart, she drank inspiration from the surround-

ings.

The gentlemen ivonld look at her,, they wo:!l(f com-
ment upon her beauty as the boats passed and re-
passed each other. But the ladies had an entirely dif-
ferent impression. " I always knew she was a vulgar
thing. The idea of taking up with those low, Hashy
bandsmen. It's enough to make one sick. She's like
a country rustic who goes crazy over a uniform. She
keeps that skinny Miss Langtry' with her as a foil to
show off her figure."

Fortunately, Marian could not hear these remarks.
She would have been contented to pass the whole day in
dreamy indolence, but unfortunately^, Nero's bowlings at
the boat-house soon comi)elled her to return to his relief.

At the appointed tiine dinner came with its bustle
and babble. It was to be as informal and as rustic as
possible. The very atmosphere was full of reckless
abandonment. And no wonder. When the judge took
off his boots to run a race, his socks were seen to be

286

ITOUSFS OF GLASS.

full of holes : the sheriff orok'e a suspender and tore
his trowsers, and Sydney Dillon actually \v(nt about
;dl afternoon with his necktie all awry.

T!ie senator told tile same story over and over
acrain. The bankei's wife was a trifle hilarious. Mrs,
Carrol went about with her hair hani^ingdown her back;
several ladies \\ho had pretty feet had their dresses
pinned up, and Les,ie Harper went for several hours
without a suck of his cane. They were actually i,^oini^
to eat with tluir knives, and hold chicken bones in their
finf^ers. They were to laugh out loud if they were so
inclined, and everybotly was to go in for\a good time.
They were to have the glorious privilege of being nat-
ural. The IV'cksniffs had failed to put in an appear-
ance, and Mrs. Grundy was supposed to be at Ikjuu;.

.Sydney Dillon playfully escorted Marian to a place
near the head of the table, l^ut her domestic instincts
led her to lend a helping haixl in the preparations.

While busy struggling with a can of salmon she
broke the can-opener, and asked some gentleman to
loan her a knife.

Charles Langtry, who had spent his wdiole day in
fishing, was standing close by. Glad to be of any ser-
vice, he produced his jack k::ife. He almost begged
her to let him open the can himself. But she refused.

" No, indeed, I won't be beaten like that." She
attacked it more savagely than ever, l^ut in a moment
she gave a little cry. The knife had slipped off the
hard smooth tin and sank deeply into her wrist.

Immediately I\Ir. Langtry was at her side, and as he
withdrew the blade, the red blood spurted over his
face.

The ladies screamed. Nelly fainted. Even the
gentlemen turned pale. The intermittent jets of scar-
let proved that some important vessel had been sev-
ered. Dr. Merrick, who was one of the party, pro-
nounced 't to be the interosseous artery.

" I must apply great pressure, for I have nothing
with me to tie the vessel. Your hand will probably
ache considerably. l>ut you can bear it for an hour or
two till you get home."

'TCcl

Liscd.
She
Incnt
the

Ls he
his

the
>car-

scv-
I pro-
bing

ibly

ir or

proprtety's hot, id ay.

287

Soon she was pjoinc^ about with lu r liand in a sliiiL,%
taikiiiL^ aiul lau^liiiii^ as chn-rfully as vwv. Thr acci-
dent liad thrown a temporary ^dooni ovc r tlic festivities.
Rut she wouhl make amends for he; carelessness by
beiiiLj gaj'er than ever.

" Upon my word, Mrs. Gordon, bh)0(l.lctting seems
to ai^ree with you," said the ch>ctor.

" Indeed, I d.m't feel any tlie worse. Don't worry
on my account i)ut f;(^ on and enjoy yourselves." With
a special effort she led the conversation, and did it so
skillfully that slrj soon had the whole assend)ly in
^rood humour, and the accidt-nt w.is apparently for-
i][otten. Kven P'.'elly was surprised a'j her sister's
gaiety, while Nero, with his head to one side, made
glances of itujuiry at his nn"stress.

She was really over-doing herself. But tiie ordeal was
soon over and with her dog at her heels she slipi)ed
away into the woods to quiet her nerves. With Nero
as her companion she had nothing to fear. She fol-
lowed a hunter's trail round the margin of the lake till
she found herself on a little cleared mound which h.id
evidently been a spot for some nomad's camp. She
had gone quite a long distance round the a'ln of the
lake, but she had a splendid view of the pavilion and
boat-houses across tlie water.

The dusk was gathering, but the moon was coming
up, and she loved to watch it shining peacefully on
the placid waters of the lake. Placing her white
woolen wrap on the little knoll, she threw herself
down upon it, ghid to be alone. She watched the
boats moving to and fro on the shining water, and en-
joyed the snatches of song that came floating up
through tlie moonlight.

Soon the colored lights at the wharf were in full
blaze, and the band opened the proceedings in true
patriotic style by playing a medley overture of na-
tional airs including Yankee Doodle and the Star
Spangled Banner. A lady soloist who came next and
a speech which followed were too far away to be
heard distinctly. Then came a cornet solo by the
band master, followed by a t^uartette of male voices,
which sounded very pleasing. After a short period of

"mrn^

288

ITOUSES OF r.T,AS<;.

rt»

silence tlio piano p.ivc its voice to the evening air, and
even the first prehminary chords .'showed the touch of
a master hand. It was Cliarl* s LanjJlrN'. No other
hand could f^ive the instrument the pulse and throh
of life. It v/as evid.ently trying its voice like a bird
preening its wiiK^s for niL;ht. Tlun it let loose a per-
fect flood of melody, wln'ch came flcjating softl)- over
the wati.-r and faintly echoed in the far-off hills. Not
yet, however, did the sweet sounds crj'stallize into
definiteness, but ran throuLjh the different shades of
tone colour like the li;,.dits upon the balcony.

She knew that the player was lookin<; at the lic:^hts,
waiting for his theme to come to him, and until then
would picture in sound anything that his eye chanced
to fall u{)on.

Ha! There is a pause. The decision is made. There
is a new tenderness of touch and tone. Gradually,
through the echoing whispers of the accompaniment,
woven like vines and leaves, the flower is budding into
blossom.

Hark ! Yes, It is the old familiar air : " Some Day
I'll Wander liack Again," but surrounded with a per-
fect halo of beauty. Deep down, and scarcely (h"s-
cernible, is the counter-melody of " Annie Lai'.ric,"
modestly telling its tale of love. Hush, there is a
change in the movement.

The instrument is speaking now. Into the simple
song theme "there comes a flood of rosy light, and in
its glow she sees the wooded hills and sloping fields of
her girlhot^d's home. She sees the rosy sunset and
hears the hum of insect life, broken only by the tinkle
of the cow-bell and the v.'hipoorwill's evensong. Then
what ? ]\Iy God, yes ! Her own voice singing to his
harmonica. She can scarcely believe her ears. She
unbuttons the band about her throat to ease her chok-

in<

feel

mcf-.

I cannot , must not liste

e cries

frantically as she stops her ears to shut out the low sobs
of the bass solo which speaks as plainly as human
tongue. It says that " for bonnie Annie Laurie he
will lay him down and dee."

She listens again. He is in the middle of a pas-
sionate adagio wdiich seems to numb her senses. It

Day

per-

(iis-
uric,
is a

and

;in

klc

hok-

crics

'Sobs

111 man

rie

pa^

rkoi'KII.TV S liOI IDAV

^b^J

brlnt^s a peculiar fcclinj.^ over her. l)Ut still, faintly
tliroiu'-li it all she hears her own voice in the original
theme. The instrument fairly throbs with passion ; it
seems to run the whole ^amut of human emotions, till,
with a reckless freii/.)', conies a presto which rushes
like a rocket to the sky, aiul burstin^i^, falls in ashes to
the earth.

All 7'as still, so still that Marian coukl hear the
beatin;^ of her heart. Her pent up emoti(Mis broke
loose in a fiL of sobbing;. It scemtd as if every fibre

of her natiu''

had 1

jecn toucliei

1 by tl

le music.

em-

eries of by <^nnc daj-s with all their freshness and their
joy, their desires, p-issions and emotions came flood-
Iiil; upon her and she wept as if her heart would break.

Immediately after fi:iishin«j his selection, Charles
was requesteil by Christina to go in search of Mrs.
Gordon, as she herself was timid about going into the
woods.

" Very well, dear," he replied, " though perhaps she
will not thank me."

" No m^itter, Charles. I don't like the idea of her
being in the woods alone. She went in by that path."

Charles followed the trail on and on, till at last he
spied her in a little clearing, half sitting and lialf re-
clining against a huge oak. Her wounded hand hung
lim])Iy by her side, and with her face buried in her
hands she was still sobbinsj.

A great wave of yearning and pity came over hi

He felt a v.'ild longing to take her in his arms. He
threw himself down on his knees at her side.

" Heavens, Mrs. Gordon ! Marian ! You are sick and
in pain, I will slacken the bandages for }'ou."

He took the hand tenderl}'iii Ids. When he removed
the bandages he could not resist the impulse to kiss it.
The hand was cold and numb with pressure. I le kissed
it again and again, while she only wept the more pro-
fusely. Removing all the pads but one he warmed
her fingers between his own. He dare not trust hi

self t

o s

pea

Her face was still buried in thj handkerchief when
the bandages were rc-applied and .his task completed.
But he must say something.

mmmm

^^:

290 HOUSKS (iK (U,ASS.

" Marian," he whispers in low tremulous tones as he
replaces her arm in the slin^^ '' Don't weep or you
will drive mc frantic."

lie stoops to look into her face, his arm slides over
her shoulder, and, somehow, their lips meet in a lonj^
and clin^n'no' kiss.

That fatal kiss breaks down all reserve. With the
fire of passion in her eyes, she throws herself upon his
breast.

Time in his flight turns backwards. Locked in each
other's arms, they are youthful lovers as of yore. All
restraint is gone. The demon of passion takes posses-
sion of them. Honor and virtue are trembling in the
balance.

But, sudilenly, Nero comes bounding through the
trees, and, with a savage growl, he springs at Langtry's
throat.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

THE SKELETON OF THE FEAST.

IHi

Is there any awakening so rude ; is there any disen-
chantment so terrible, as when we are suddenly re-
vealed to ourselves in the light of lust. Can any
tongue tell, or any pen picture the loathsome self-con-
sciousness of having been the tool of passion ?

To Marian the awakening was terrible. " Go, sir,
go, and for the love of God, let us never meet again.
Am I not low enough now .''"

Charles Langtry stood hat in hand with his head
bowed down " Marian, forfjive me, I "

"Don't dare to call me Marian !" she cried with a
stamp of her foot. * Thank God, I have the same
loatlnng for you now that I have for mystdf. Away,
r/vay, and leave me :done to bear the shock of this
stain upon my souk I say I detest you. Go !"

She stood like a lioness at bay, her splendid figure
drawn, to its full height, her nostrils dilated and her

TTTF PKFLFTON OF TIM' FT'\ST.

•or

i nil)- )'cl be

ilic sobhc'l as
am a x'ilc aiul

cyv«! flashing;. Init lie still stood a- if rootcl to the

S i ) n I .

She placi.'d luT hands (»\n-r lur ( yes and with a
shudder, said : " Go, and let me thank (Ind ijiat Nero
has saved me from worse than death
fit to be the wife of an honest man."

"Oil, but tilt- <^fuilt was in my soul,
she wallced frantically to and fro.
loathsome creature."

Sinking on her knee.s beside the oak she clas[)ed her
hands in prayer.

" Oh God, I implore Tlu i> b\- the sacrcdncss y^f my
marriai^e vows, and by the memory of the dear sweet
face that looked up into mine and call/d me mother,
to L^ive mc help and t^uidance. Thou hast saved my
body from sin, but oh. merciful h\ither. teach me how to
cleanse my soul from this foul slain ; how once a_<^^■lin
to be worthy oi the sacred name of wife. Guide me,
oh God, in my duty from this hour, and, should suffer-
ing^ be my lot and my atonement, teach me to wear in
humbleness Thy crown of thorns."

The }'oun<^r clergyman w.dked slowly and sadly alon^]^
the path, but turned for a mf)nient to look at the tear-
stained face turned upwards to the stars. He knew
that he was for<:^ottcn. The atmosphere around her
seemed to chani^e, and as sIk^ poured forth her prayer
the light of a repentant soul shone in her cyc^.

There, in the soft pale moonlii^ht, surrounded by
the weird shadows of the woocls, with her faithful dojT
by her side, she seemed t*^ shed a radiance on the
scene around, and like a living statue plead for all who
felt the yoke of liurna!! passion.

It seemed as if this warm, throbbing passionate
woman had suddenly been transformed into an angel
of liirht, who in the solemn stillness of the W(jods
wept for tlic weakness of mankind, ami held aloft the
torch of charity and mercy.

As Mr. Langtry stole away the tears ran down his
cheeks. " God will forgive me for loving such a noble
creature. Every fibre of my being is drawn towards
her. Nothing but death can break the tie that binds

''^■'**4J«.;,

'^:^>i^^g^^mj^p^smim

292 HOTTSICS OF CLASS.

mc to bet*. As wc^l niiL^ht I try to stop l)r(-athiii;;^, or
by volition st.i)' tin- hc-.itini^^ of my lu'.nt, as tr}' to
coasi; lovini; that woman."

Hv: walki'il Oil, si:arct;ly kiiowiiii;- oi- tioticin;; whitluT
he was ^'oiiiL;- till \\v came to a stocp declivity, ovcrlook-
iiif; tile rocks below, i fe stood for a moment lookini^
down into the dark shadows, J*))' one sprinc^ lie miL;ht
here end all his misery. Tlu; vi^ry possibilities of the
spot had a fascination for hiiu in his present mood.
He threw himself down amon"' llie ferns and wild
flowers.

Soir.ethini;- lii^ht-colonred l}inij^ close by liim on the
bank caught liis eye. He ivUy rc-ached out to pick it
up. It was a buff coloured «dove, her l^Iovi; ; \\v knew^
it by its faint perfume. 1 i'e kissed it !.;ret dil)', and then
lay to\'injT wiih it in his l.,inds.

" Why did tiod alKnv us to form a tie, which I, at
least, can never break. Why did he allow human
hands to separate those whom he created for each
other? Surely, God can not be at variance with Na-
ture. Is it wrou'.; to eat and slee[) and breatlie ? Do
the little birds sin in choosin^^ their mates.'* i)o the
flow/eis commit a sin in turnini^ to the sunlight ? No,
by heaven, it is the law of man that errs."

lie threw^ himself on his back and fairly jn'oaned
with anguish. " What h.ive I to live for? Why sliuuld
I live at all? My life has been one iong disappoint-
ment. Wl;at need I fear in death ? It c:in hold no
suffering like life. Why not end it all here?"

For a time he gazed idily up at tlie stars, which in
countless millions dotted the sk\'. Unconsciously he
commenced humming a strain which the shining orbs
suggested.

Soon the hollow vanities of life melted away like
mist ; his petty sorrows were forgotten and for a time
he became an atom of the mother earth.

Gradually, however, his thoughts reverted to Marian.
He pitied lier for her suffering. It was surely greater
than his. Should he not make life easier by helping her
to forget him ? Was it not his duty to go far away, be-
yond the reach of all temptation ? And yet how could
he throw up liis position when his mother and Christina

THK SKr.I.KToX OK 'I'lIF, FEAST,

-93

were (lopcndcnt ;poii liiiii {ov linir d.iil}' hrcad ? ITc
must. (joiHiucr himself, lie mu;.t burn the selfishness
from his soul ;>!i(l live for others as his sister did.

i'oor C'hristina, w liose sim})licity and eandour were
almost childish, and whom he had been accustomed to
reL(ard as liis inferior, must henceforth be liis ^njod
anj^el. lie must try to follow her footsteps.

At last he rose in a better fiMuie of mind, tllaId^i^<.^
(iod for his preservation, and staited toward the piivil
ion, whose lij:di*.s he could occasionally see throu;.di
the tlense f(;lia;_[e.

He would, h.owever, carefull)' avoid his sister and
Nell)-. lb: could not bear to bt: (juestioned.

The ])roi>Tannne still v.aMitcjn, thou;.di it was now near-
iii!^ a close, and the hour of departuie- would soon be
at hand.

Nelly and her lover were enjoyinf^ the blissful elysium
of love's younc^ dream. This ver)' evenin;^^ he had
l)oure(l forth his tale of love. (,)n a shaded corner u{
the balcony they had exchanj^^ed \-owsand stolen kisses.

They wished that the music and moonlifdit mi'jht uo
on forever, and when the time for leavin^^ arrived they
were fdled with disappointment. Iwer)'thing then was
hurry and bustle. I'.xactly at thirty minutes past nine
the band waj^j^on lead the processi(jn for home.

Nobody wished to be left behind. The vehicles
followed each other in rapid succession.

But where was Marian all this time ? Nelly had not
seen her, but Christina would know. " Christina," she
shouted, " where are you ?"

" liere, dear. Is Marian with you ?"

" No. Is she not with you .>" asked Nelly with an
anxious quaver in her voice.

" I haven't seen her for hours. About an hour n</o
I sent Charles to hunt her up. Oh. here he comes
now. Where is Mrs. Gordon, Charles r'*

" I thoui^dit she was with you. Has she not returned
yet ?" inquired her brother in a tone of surprise.
" She was at a little clearin;:^ away aiound the bay, and
she wished to be alone. 1 understood, however, that

she was coming shortly. Perhaps she has forgotte
the hour."

"—"fM' '-"•^

294

TTOTT^FS OF HLAR!^.

" Poor Mally is so strange, ' said Nelly, " She was
alwa) s so fond of the woods. She thinks the trees
are company. But Nero is with lier."

"May she not hav^e missed her way back?" sug-
IJ^ested Maurice, leading his vehicle forward '.n read-
iness.

'* It is quite possible," replied Mr. Langtry. " We
shall go in search of her at once. Mere, bring that
light : it will be a guide."

" Listen I I believe I heard Nero howling away in
that direction,"' exclaimed Nelly. " Oh dear, I am
sure there is something wrong. Listen I There it goes

again.

A dismal, plaintive howl came floating over the
water and faintly echoed through the hills.

Nelly grasped Christina s arm and broke into a fit
of sobbing. *' Oh, hurry, hurry I Let us go. Nero
wouldn't howl like that for nothing. Oh, oh I It was
so selfish of me not to think of her before. Oh, poor
Mally !"

" Don't cry, Nelly. She may have merely missed her
way in coming out,' said Charles, with an assumed
calmness in his voice though he was inwardly quaking
with fear.

Perhaps she had expiated her uncommitted sin by
f/r>///if what he had only tJiouirht oii. Perhaps she had
thrown herself into tht- Uike in a fit of self-condemna-
tion.

In a moment Maurice came with another lantern
and the search party started out. The path was very
narrow. At various points it was difficult to get through
the thick foliage.

They made their way in single file to a point where
the path divided. There they paused and shouted.
But the echoes which followed were more confusing
than the silence. Nero's answering howl seemed to
come from a dozen different points.

*' Mere," cried Mr. Langtry excitedly, "you ladies
stop here. We are going too slow. Maurice and I
will run ahead. I can go to the very spot where she
was. Don't be 'c raid. We will leave you a light ;'' and

TTIE SKELETON OF THE FEAST. 295

the tu-o men went rushin^r and scramblinir lliroucrl, the
branches. ' ^

Nelly ami Christina seated themselves on the ed-r
of the bank with the light between them, holdin-cach
)diers hands. Under ordinary circumstances they
uould have started at the slightest sound. Every rust-
ling leaf would have started a fresh fear. Ikit tluir
anxiety nnd suspense overcame all else. The men
were gone only a few moments when the>- lieard a
cracking m the underbrush behind them. IJcfore
ley had time to scream Nero came boun<ling upon
tiiL-m and covered them with caresse^^

With joyful bark and coaxing whine the dog trotted
along the path leading further into the woods^ return-
ing again and again with a dumb invitation to follow
him. iv^iA-^w

" Shall we call them, Christina ?" said Nelh-, tremb-
ling with fear. -^

^:17'?';i "^^' ^J^'"" ''^^'''^^ ^^-o^l^l only confuse and
m lead them. hey migiit think we had strayed or
falcMi into the lake. We'll follow Nero. I m not afrai<l
nou. I shad hold on by his tail. You take the lan-
tern. Here God of Heaven ! look at my hands and
dress._ And you too, Nelly, are covered with blood,
hhe IS /Vm/^,,.. ^ ^t J j^^^^.^ scream!

Don faint Nelly, for the love of God! We may

follow me.' ^'" ^"'' ^""' '''''' ''''^' '''y "^'"'^ ^^"'^
Nero in his eagerness drags them breathlessly along.
Branches catch their clothes and scratch theiV faces,
but they never slacken their speed. They stumblJ
over logs, they trip over brushwood. They are pant-
ing with exertion and fear. Look! There's some-
thmg white on the path ahead. Christina stumbles
and .alls. But Nero bounds onwards. He reaches

wirin^'^^'K^n'^' over the object, and gives a piteous
wnine. Nelly rushes forward.

In a moment piercing, agonizing shrieks are echoing
through the hills for there, face downwards in a pool
ot blood, lay the lifeless form of Marian Gordon.

'•««*«(r». "'•'•JWHwiwillwwM'.JBwa*.,*

296

HOUSES OF GLASS.

CHAl^TER XLIX.

VICARIOUS ATONfMENT.

Dr. Bennet was sittinj^ in his office on tlif cvcnirif^
of the fifteenth, quietly enjoyini^ a smoke and care-
lessly scannin;^ the evening; papers. He had been busy
all day and felt quite tired, so much so that he pro-
posed goinc^ to bed as soon as he had finished his
cigar. Suddenly there came a violent ringing at his
telephone. "Ah, I thought so," he growled to him-
self. " I felt certain that somebody was going to call
ine. Something urgent, too, by the ringing."

" Hello !— Yes, it's me— What ?— Who did you say ?
Good God !" and he turned as pale as death. " Wait
a minute "

He ran frantically through the kitchen and out of
the back door. " Dennis, Dennis ! where are you ?"

" 'Ere," said the little man, running forward, " w'at

IS It?

" The two marcs and the light buggy, Dennis. Quick,
now, quick ! Here, Harriet, where are you? Take
my cases out of the locker. All, mind you. And take
them out to Dennis,"

In a moment he was back at the telephone. " Hello !
— At Springhill ? — oh ! — The doctor not home ? —
Fletcher, oh, yes — Still living when ycu left? — Thank-
God for that — Hello! — Is the doctor's wife there? —
Well, tell her to give you some laudanum back with
you — Ah, that's you, Mrs. Leopard — Yes, tincture
cpii — That's right — Say, Fletcher, hello there ! — hurry
back and pour a teaspoonful of that into her — Raise
the foot of the bed — open the windows and let the air
blow over her — Half a teaspoonful ? No. Confound it,
I said teaspoonful — Yes, yes — Sleep? No. — Poison,
did you say ? — Dnmn it ! do what I tell you — Get out
of there, and don't spare the horse! — Yes, head down
and feet up — Stop — Langtry holding it ? That's right.

VTCARTOUS ATONEMENT.

297

Tell hin not to stop the pressure for the fraction of a
second. Get out now, or I'll be there before you."

I.i two minutes a pair of bays were £,T.-ilIoppino- madly
up the street, tli<> doct(^r in his usual position, and the
stumpy little ostler clinging to a fragmentary portion
of the seat.

The citizens sitting chatting on their doorsteps, en-
joying the coolness of the evening, ran into the street
as the flying vehicle passetl.

" Why, that's Dr. Bennet. Was the team runnint^
away ?" *=*

" No, I don't think so."

" I^ wonder what's happened."

** Somebody is dying or very near to it."

" Let us go down and ask Harriet."

*' Pshaw! she wouldn't know,"

** Never mind, we'll hear soon enough in the morn-
ing. I'd hate to be a doctor."

*' Me too," and the little group dispersed.

Eut, on, on, go the dashing bays. Up hills, down
dales and along level stretches. With lips set and
head drawn to one side the doctor sits holding his
reins and urging his flying team. Ever and anoi^the
buggy swmgs to one side or jumps through a ditch
to pass some leisurely conveyance which is too slow to
turn out.

Dennis gradually slides from his sitting posture into
the bottom of the vehicle behind, but the driver takes
no notice. They are nearing the mountain. In the
distance a whole line of vehicles is approaching from
the opposite direction. It is the picnickers from the
Like, singing and shouting in merry chorus with the
band in front.

Suddenly the long line stops, and Jamieson leaping
to the roof of his band-waggon shouts in his loudest
tones: "Vehicles ahoy! Look out for a runaway
team. Close up behind and keep to the right."
_ Yes, there are two dark, leaping forms a^pproaching
in their mad career. Several men jump out and pre-
pare to stop tliem, when suddenly they reccjtniize the
figure in the buggy,

•Mr------

\ t

298 HniTSFS OF GLASS.

" By Jove ! it's the doctor. He s driving like mad.
What's up, Doctor. What's wron^i^? W'h<»'s sick?'*

lint the bays never slackened their speed, and the
ri;^i(l form in the vehicle never moved or spoke.

Flying beasts with dilated nostrils and foam-flecked
sides, a silk hat shining in the bright moonlight, a pair
of legs dangling behind, and a c1(hk1 of dust was all
that the picnickers saw. The outside wheels tore up
pieces of turf from the grassy rim of the roadway,
bumped over rotten sticks as if they were portions of
a ])avement : antl disappeared in tlic deep shadows of
the wayside trees.

The songs and laughter ceased. All were awed into
silence. They knew that some soul was trembling
on the verge of eternity,

Now comes the climb u^, the mountain side, but still
the bays rush on.

"You'll kill them. Doctor," comes from the back of
the vehicle.

** Can't help it, Dennis."

" I'm afraid of Kate, Doctor.'*

"Yes, she's getting winded, but if she falls I'll
mount Bess."

" I'll roll out behind and lighten you."

*' All riidit, come behind, in case of accidents. "

In a few seconds a dark object drops from the ve-
hicle and rolls in the dust, but on, on, go the clatter-
ing hoofs and snorting nostrils.

They have reached the top. A great sigh of re-
lief comes from the driver. Now they are tearing
along the upland, when dov.-n goes one of the animals
on its knees.

In a moment the driver is in front of his team.
Pole, harness and whiffletrees are still sound. Good.
Ha ! There's the stream close b}-. Dov,n the bank
he runs and brings up his shining hat full of water.
First Kate and then Bess greedily empties the strange
vessel. But this causes a few moments' delay, and
delay may be fatal.

" Now, my beauties," and away they go again faster
than ever. Then they turn to the left and meet the
fresh, cool westerly breeze which gives new life to the

VICARIOUS ATONEMENT,

290

I'll

and

panting steeds. " Come. Kate, eomc ! Radial artery
likely. Hi, liiere, Bess. Gross cart'lcssncss somr plaee.
Ha, there's the lal<e lij^lits. If I can only t^ct reaetson.
No, it is somebody with a lantern. Go along there.
Come, Kate."

The lii^ht moves hurriedly to the side of the road,
and somebody shouts at him as he sweeps by, " Hurry,
Doctor, she's still alive."

A sv/ish of the whip was the only reply as the whirl-
ing vehicle spins round a curve and goes tearing
through the canopy of trees towards the pavilion.

" Here he comes ! Here he comes !" rhouted a score
of anxious voices.

Almost before he knew it the doctor was Hfted from
his buggy and pushed into the sick room.

" Oh, Doctor, will she live ?" cried Nelly sinking on
her knees at the bedside where, white as wax, lay her
sister's prostrate form.

Without answering he pushed Nelly aside and laid
his ear over Marian's heart. Charles Lanutrv, with
large beads of perspiration on his brow, sat holding the
wounded wrist. Mauric-:, with fear-stricken face, w,-'S
pacing tiie floor, Nero lay trembling under the bed,
and Christina stood by her brother's side quietly await-
ing orders.

The hours of anguish through which tlu-y had passed
since they found her lifeless form in the woods had
told on every face. When they brougiit her to the
pavilion the crowd had gone. Dr. ^derrick had left
an hour earlier.

At Springhill, a small village about three miles away,
was a resident physician, and Maurice drove there in
search of him. Not findin"; him at home he had tele-
phoned to Gowanstonc from there, a'nd now, after two
hours of agonizing anxiety, a helping hand had come.

But was it not too late? She had never spoken and
only once opened her eyes. Her clothing and even
the ground where she lay were found fairly soaked
with blood. E\'ery drop of the vitalizing lluid must
have left her body.

All but Nelly and Mr. Langtry had given up hope.

30O

HOUSES OF GLASS.

They cnj^jerly watched the physician's face as he h*s-
teiicd for the faint tlirobs of his patit-nt's heart.

l^ut they could learn nothing from the closed eyes
and compressed lips.

Within the shapely bald head a momentous struc^glc
was cjoin<:^ on which showed not on th.e face, lie was
standing at the bar of his own conscience, whicli told
him that a human life was in his hands. Sometimes it
urged caution, and sometimes courage, but in any case,
it told him to be true.

At last he sprang up with an air of decision. Nelly
caught him by the arm. " Oh, Doctor, will she li\'e ?"

"Can't say. She m.ay be dead in an hour or well
in a week. I'll tell you before I go. Now clear the
room! Out, every one of you but Mr. Langtry and
Christina. Did you give her what I told you,
Fletcher?"

" No, we were afraid. They all said it would put
her asleep and she would never wake up. Wc gave
her half."

" Damn such work. Your cowardice may have
cost her life. Clear out ! Christina, bring hot water,
salt, and baking soda. You have hot water ready ?
Good ! It's a God's blessing jj'i^w are here."

As soon as the room Vv-as cleared the old man put
his hand on Langtry's shoulder. "Can you spare, or
rather, are you willing, to spare some blood for this
woman ?"

Langtry's face turned a shade paler but he did not
hesitate. " Certainly, with all my heart."

" I may want a good deal."

The clergyman gave a glance of inexpressible ten-
derness at the white face on the pillows. A curious
light shone in his eyes as he met the doctor's gaze.

" You can have it all, and welcome. Don't spare it,
if it will save her. But you had better put something
here in place of my thumb. I might not be able to
hold it when I get weak. I never fainted in my life
and won't now if I can help it, but I might fall before
you got through. I can lie on a lounge, and then you
would not have to watch me."

Outside in the moonlight the anxious watchers

VICARIOUS ATONEMENT.

301

eyes

walked to and fro in at^^onics of suspense. Only a
short time before the place echoed witli mirth and
music. Not three hours apro Nelly thouL^l^t she was
the happiest beinir on earth, and now— Oh. it was
dreadful. She could not. dared not, think of hxsing
Marian. An hour passed and no word came from the
sick room.

" Maurice, please r;o and look in the window. Listen
and see if you can hear anythini,^ This suspense is
awfuh How shall I ever be able to face them all after
this .? ' and she broke into another fit of sobbin,i,^

For a lonrr time not a soun' came through the open
window. All was still as deatn. At last there came a
noise of footsteps and subdued voices, followed by an
exclamation that threw them weepin<r in each other's
arms, it ^,^3 the doctor's voice. " By God, she'll live.
We ve saved her."

A moment later Christina appeared at the door to
make an announcement. *' The doctor tells me to say
that Mrs. Gordon v/ill recover." In her white ,L,^ar-
ment, she seemed like an an.i^el of light, a herald of
joy. Nobody cheered or shouted. Some smiled and
some wept, but many did both. Thev all greeted each
otlier with warm human sympathy, aiid in their hearts
offered^ up a prayer of thanks.

^ But in the general rejoicing there were two whose
joy was not unmixed with grief. Christina, who saw
her brother lying faint and pale upon the lounge, and
Dennis, who, with dust stained clothes and scratched
cheeks, stood by the stahle door weeping over the
carcass of his beloved Kate,

302

HOUSES OI' (iLASS.

CHAPTER L.

A CROWN OV THORNS.

In two wcclcs from the day of the accident, M-iriin
was taken home to the farm, and thouL,di she couhl not
be said to li.ive fully recovered, tl;e coUnir was already
returning to lier cheeks. Her wonderful vitality and
recuperative powers were a source of delij^ht to her
ph)'sician. No princess of the blood royal ever re-
ceived more careful and efficient nursin^; and attend-
ance. Trained nurses, spacious rooms and delicacies
of every kind were placed at her disposal. Christina
remained and acted as a companion till her friend was
out of all danger, while Fred, Nelly and Maurice were
daily visitors.

They wished to cable to England an account of the
accident, but the doctor forbade them. They might
write, if they wished, but they must caution Mr. and Mrs,
Halford not to mention it to David. They waited
from day to day. till he convinced them that it was
better to sa)' nothing about it, or only mention it
incidentally. Any way she was nearly well and there
could be little use in frightening them, now that it was
all over.

Jamieson at first felt that he had a grievance. The
picnic could not be called an unqualified success when
it had such a semi-tragic ending. He had spared no
pains or expense to make the affair successful, and a
gorgeous success it would have been, only for the
foolhardiness of a woman with a knife. His military
instincts chided him for leaving such a possibility open.
He should either have had the work all done by a com-
petent person, or have taken with him proper tools for
the pur[)()se. However, he made up his mind that such
an accident would never liappen again where he had
charge.

Some blamed Dr. Merrick for passing so lightly

A CROWN OF THORNS.

J^j

icrc
was

hen

id a

the

;iry
:)cn.
om-

for
uch

lad

over so serious a wound, but a j^rcat many claimed that
it was Mrs. (iordon's own fault for not having ^ono
home where it could have been properly attended to.

However that might be, every one was very kind and
considerate. The news of the scene at the pavilion
was not an hour in Gowanst(me next day, when the
iron-founder despatched a whole cargo c^f delicacies,
flowers, fruit and wine.

The gossips of the town had, of course, considerable
material for romancing. But there was a v.igue unsatis-
factoriness about it all, which made it impossible to
fasten a scandal upon any one in particular. The story
had so many versions that nobody knew which to
believe. One thing certain was, that since that very
day Mr. Langtry had looked dreadfully unlike him-
self. His face was pale and haggard, his lips were
almost white, and he carried his head to one side, as if
his neck were stiff. When questioned as to his illness
he gave evasive and unsatisfactory replies.

It was whispered around that the doctor took all the
blood out of Mr. Langtry to supply Mrs. Gortlon,
actually pumped it from his arm into hers, but the
improbability of this story branded it as a canard.

Like many other things, however, the picnic was a
nine daj's' wonder. Now that Mrs. Gordon had re-
turned to Broadview she was soon forgotten.

During her illness she had many opportunities of
reflecting over the chain of events in which both her
life and her honour had almost been lost. She was
deeply conscious of the errors of her girlhood, but she
had gathered the impression that time and education
had purified her. Since then she had never been con-
scious of an impure thouglit, but the terrible scene in
the woods convinced her that the demon of sensuality
still lurked within her. She had not thought it pos-
sible that she could so far have forgotten herself, even
for a moment. She must surely have been mad. Un-
like many others, that day she had not tasted the
champagne, but the music seemed to unhinge her in
some way. It seemed to stir up her emotions till she
lost control of them, and, unfortunately, temptation
had come in a moment of weakness. She shuddered

■r^t'^'if^^-v'-

304

HOUSES OF C.r.ASS.

to think of the n\vful r.byss ov( r whi'cli she had almost
pricipitatt'd hcrsLlf. " Why am 1 so cotistitulcd as to
feci an irri.'sisliblo attractitni for Clharlcs Lanj^try ? Is
there something; \vr(jn^ in my physical make-up, or is
it mental ? Are my passions too strong, or do I lack
control ? Am I really a monster, or an (ordinary hu-
man beinc:?" She wondered if she were like other wo-
men, and whether, under similar circumstances, they
mi<:^ht also stuni!)le. Yet it mattered little, tor even
if others did sin it was no excuse for her guilt. She
did not deceive herself. She felt that she had fallen,
that it was Nero, poor, dear Nero, who had saved her
from herself.

What should she do ? In what direction did her
duty lie ? Would she ever have pe;ice of mind again ?
Mow could she look her husband in the face, with such
a secret in her soul? Must her life henceforth be a
continuous lie ? Sup[)osing that she told him all, how
would he receive it? Would he not be likely to
cast her off and throw disgrace not only on herself but
others ?

Day after day she tortured herself for a solution of
this problem. She did not object to suffering herself
if it could be so arranged, but to bring disgrace on her
l)arents or her innocent sister was an ordeal she could
not face. Oh, dear ! Why had they not left her a little
wliile longer in the woods ? Why had the doctor not
been an hour later, or why had she not thrown herself
into the lake? Was she like the condemned criminal,
saved only to more thoroughly expiate her sin?

Her brain was a battle ground where contending
forces fought for supremacy, but where each encounter
only caused confusion and left victory still trembling in
the balance.

She pitied Charles Langtry. She knew that his
sufferings must almost equal her own. She was sorry
that she had spoken so severely to him, when she knew
that she was as much at fault as he was. She had not
seen him since, nor did she know any of th.e particulars
of her miraculous recovery. When she recovered con-
sciousness that night she remembered only Christina and
the doctor. She could recall a strange vision of Charles

A. CROW?? OF THORNS.

305

her

:oiild

ittlc

not

;rself

linal,

idin^
inter

his
orry
cnew
i not
ulars
con-
and
arles

lyincj iil^on a couch in d-.-athly paleness, btit non- slic
fancifd that it was cnly the result of her disordered
ima^^ination.

*' I have been afr.iid to trust myself alone with him.
lUit the spell is broken now forever. I can only pity
him, poor fellow."

On the sixth day, when she was stronrf onoi-.^rh to sit
up in bed, Mrs. Stearns, whose husband was caretaker
of the lak-e property, brou;4ht in lu.r baby boy. The
little fellow had eyes and hair like her dear wee
Davie's. Marian took a i^reat fancy to him. She sjn-ut
hours in watchiiv^ his prattles. Sometimes she smiled
at the little tricks and (gestures, and often she wept over
somethins^ that reminded her of her lost darlinij. Toy-
in<^ and playinf^ with the innocent babe slie caucjht her
first glimpse of a star ot hope. It shone through all
the fjloom of moral darkness, through all the clouds of
doubt and fear, and pointed out the pathway of eler-
nal right. Come what might she must clear her soul
before the memory of her little one. " I shall follow
no guide but truth, and no path but duty," she said to
herself.

From that time her strength came back with a bound.
She was not long at the farm till she beiinn to take a
share of the work. Her manner had undergone a
subtle change. Even Fred noticed and commented
upon it. There was a deeper earnestness about her face,
a graver tone l,o her speech. Seared into her soul
with letters of fire was the motto, " Trust in God and
do the right." Her daily round of labour helped her
to crush the last germs of selfishness and deceit which
lurked within her heart.

Oh, labour ! Down-trodden, despised labour ! Thou
art the benefactor and preserver of our race. Th(,)u
bringest rest to frenzied brains and chasest morbid
fancies from our siijlit. Thou art a beacon licfht amid
the shifting sands of crime and madness, disease and
death. Truly, truly, may we say, " Labor ojfinia
vincitr'

3o6

HOUSES OF GLASS.

CHAPTER LI.

A DOCUMENTARY niAGNOSIS.

The time of Gordon's probation had barely elapsed
when Dr. Bennet received the following letter from
his patient :

" Dear Doctor : — I take the liberty of writing a
few days ahead of time, but the seven weeks will have
expired before this letter reaches j'ou. You ditl not
tell me the character or quality of the epistle I was to
send, so I am at a loss to know just where to com-
mence.

" In order, however, to give you a fair opportunity of
iudfrincj the condition of mv nervous system, I shall
write whatever is uppermost in my mind, without any
particular aim or effort. When I write again or when
I return I shall give you a recital of my experiences
in " the land of brown heath and shaggy wood," where,
for three weeks I amused myself relic hunting and vis-
iting the various spots of interest connected with the
memory of Scotland's famous dead. But now I am
in London.

"I have just returned from a stroll in Hyde Park,
wliere I found an object-lesson which gave me food
for thought. I have !"\ever seen such a collection of
splendid-looking men and women as were driving and
riding about the park this afternoon. The splendid
physiques, robust health and refined looks of the
women were simply astonishing, while the men were
strong, active, clean and wholesome-looking. Just
fancy meeting a score of women of the same type as my
wife. It is enough to give one confidence in the fu-
ture of our race. Not that any of them were (in my
opinion) v.qun.\ to her for that beauty of the human
form divine which she possesses in an extraordinary
degree. But, if you will allow me to use the phrase,
they seemed to belong to exactly the same class of
human animals.

" Nov/ don't laugh, for I am bound to tell you every-

A I^OCUMENTARY DIAGNOSIS.

307

thing. A.i odd little tiling liappcncd to me one eve-
ning last week. Come to think of it now, it must have
been the fifteenth, for I reached London on the four-
tcenth, and it was the next evening. I had been
spending the afternoon at tlie Zook)gical Gardens and
was hurrying back to my lodgings on St. James Street,
when I was certain I heard my wife call me. I stood
stone still for a moment. My heart almost leapt
into my mouth. The soft silvery ring of her voice was
so distinct that I was perfectly stupefied, and for a
moment I was foolish enough to imagine that it was her.
I walked back half a block Jooking right and left. Of
course, it was a silly notion. The call I heard was
probably the shout of a newsboy or hawker

" Had this happened at night I might have become
alarmed and cabled you to know if anything was wroncr^
but it was still daylight (somewhere betwc-en six and
seven), so I went to a concert hall and laughed it off.
Now, to day, in the park I took a sucUcji, nitnisc long-
wg to Sir kcr, and I felt like taking the first boat
home.

_ " I give you this experience for what it is worth,
cither as a symptom of a deranged nervous system, or as
what some lunatics would call an occult manifestation.
I fancy I sec you smiling at this and charging it up to
neurasthenia or some other outlandish name which
you doctors give to diseases you don't understand.

" But to resume our (M'iginal topic. I was "-oino- to
suggest to you that the linglish nobility have done
one good thing for the race if they have preserved
such splendid specimens of the genus homo. Vcui
can't go down the Whitechapol district and then
stand in the park, saying that one man is as good as
another. Not ax cw your democratic ideas could stan.!
the shock. Perhaps I am oversensitive or 1 may be
prejudiced, but the atmosphere of these ' aristocrats '
had an exhilarating effect on me. If countenances
are any index of character, they must he both refim.-d
and intelligent.

** Some literary fellow (I don t remember who it was),
said that virtue was as rare in the upper classes a.s
beauty was in the lower, but a statement of that kind

^ja^finwMM'witMMiWK

308 HOUSES OK GLASS.

carries wilh it its own contradiction. There may be
excepMons. but as a rule well developed forms, open
countenances, rosy cheeks and flashing eyes are not the
product of dissipation and vice. It seems more lik.ly
that these results are due to centuries of ^ood food, fresh
air, cleanliness, vigourous exercise and suitable sur-
roundincrs.

" I would a thousand times rather place the destiny
of the world in such hands than distribute it in vot-;s
amon[_^st such a mob as I saw at an open-air meetin^^ the
other night where a labour agitator was holding forth.
Supposing we admit democracy to be the goal, we
arc surely rushing too fast. Moderate education and
intelligence should precede the franchise. If I, as an
individual, must be a slave, I prefer an intelligent master.

*' I am convinced that the political atiaospheie here
is purer than ours.

"I have had two opportunities of visiting the House
of Commons, and I feel assured that the majority of
these representatives of the people arc conscientiously
doing what they conceive to be their duty. It is not
alone the intellectual giants of the Gladstone and Bea-
consfield type ,/ho are far beyond the reach of sordid
selfishness, but the rank and file of these men (let their
abilities be what they may) have unimpeachable mo-
tiveSo Too m.any of our fellows are ' out for the stuff ;'
simply, I believe, because as a rule the rabble prefers
a mun of its own stamp.

*' I fancy I can see you growling at my rank toryism,
but this dose will help to offset the many villainous
potions you have given me. Ha, ha, ha !

"I left Mr. and Mrs. Halford at Boscastle, where the
'squire is visiting some of his boyhood acquaintances
and arranging for my wife's legacy, which now amounts
to about four thousand pounds.

'■ By the way, I nmst tell you that my respected
father-in-law is a blue-blood of the best Cornish stock.
This is another of those cases in which extravagance
swallowed up the whole generation, stock, lock and
barrel. This is the kind of thing we Americans laugh at,
but, at the same time, we are willing, with our bags of
dollars, to buy titled paupers for our sons-in-law. In

A DOCUMENTARY DIAGN(^SIS.

309

spite of our boasted democracy the B.irou de Bung-
starter, with a dilapidated castle on the Rhine, the
Duke of Debits, whose ancestral home is shingled with
mortgages, and Count Pedro, whose quarters a-'e car-
peted with playing cards and unpaid bills, receive a
thousand times mure homage in New York than in
London. They cut a larger figure. The Americans
are democratic in theory, and the English in practice.
Take that for dessert.

" Rut now, no more politics. I am both eating and
sleeping well. I cannot say just when my insomnia
left me, but it is gone, and I hope for good.

"I have so much to w'itc about that I scarcely know
when to quit. I remember, though, you always told
me to stop writing or reading at the first sensation of
weariness, so I think I will quit and go to bed.

" Before closing, however, I will admit that my prin-
cipal object in writing is to hear from my wife. Just
at this very moment I would givQ a good deal for one
look at her.

" A promise is a promise, but to tell you the truth,
I am on the point of rebelling, and if I don't hear
from her soon I will write myself. They say a patient
is out of danger wlien he rebels against his medicine,
and by the time you receive this letter I shall be in
open mutiny.

" Tell my wife to send a photo with her letter, and
that 1 will count the days till I hear from her.
"Your disobedient patient,

" D. Gordon."

" N. B. By the way, Doctor, I had a little ex-
perience in Edinburgh which miglit, if not instructi\c,
be amusing. At a music liall there I heard a Scottish
vocalist sing ' Mail to the Chief ' in costume, and it
fairly electrified me. He was a splendid singer, and he
made me fancy I could see the kilted clans marching
down the glen to the sound of the pibroch. I felt down-
right wicked, as if I wanted to kill ' twa at a blow '. For
two pins I would have fought with my next neighbour.

*' Now, was that a neurotic symptom, as you would
call it, or was it an ebullition of Mielan' blood?

tfB

^11'

310

HOUSES OF GLASS.

s ■«;

I love the land of the Stars and Stripes. It is the
land of freedom and progress. It is the only country
that I woidd care to live in, but deep down in my heart
there must be a spot dedicated to ' Scotland yet.'"

The doctor fumbled the letter over and over. Al-
though David's politics were not to his taste, he was
pleased with the philosophical tone of the letter, and
was fully convinced that Gordon was a well man again.

He enclosed it with a note to Mrs. Gordon at
Broadview and sent Maurice Fletcher with it that v-ry
evening.

" Dear Madam :--Enclosed find letter from Mr.
Gordo;i. lie seems quite well again. You may write
him nr.w, but tell him nothing of your accident nor of
business.

" Yours,

" George Bennet."

What a delight the letter was to Marian, and how
kind of the crusty old doctor to send it without waiting
for the mail. She read it over and over again, till the
portion referring to herself vvas learned by heart.
Who shall say it was vanity that prompted her to
kiss it ? A new chaniiber in her heart seemed to open,
and from it rushed forth a flood of benevolence. The
world seemed brighter and better. In the stillness of
the night she said to herself " Now I know what love
is."

Next morning a cablegram flashed under the Atlan-
tic with greetings to a husband from his loving wife.

THE WAGES 01: bIN.

CHAPTER LII.

THE WAGES OF SIM.

3n at
; Very

how

GORDON did not wait fjr the doctor's permission to
write, for a few days after the arrival of his first com-
munication there came a letter to Marian herself,
which was brimming over with tenderness.

" Such a dear, sweet letter. I had no idea, that he
loved me so fondly. He never told me so before.
Wliy does he never talk to me like this ? Pie's afraid
I would think him silly. If he only knew how often I
have hungered for a little tenderness."

Gordon was, indeed, a peculiar man in this respect.
He seemed to consider any display of emotion or
sentiment as infra dig. At concert hall or opera
house, if anything were likely to move him to tears, he
would scowl and look fierce, to hide what he thought
was a weakness. Not even to his wife did he come
out of his shell of reserve. He would just as soon
have gone about naked, as to have had the public see
the tender spots in his heart. He rather prided him-
self on being a rationalist, but in spite of all that his
nature had more than its share of the emotional. In
spite of kisses and caresses his wife felt that there
were chambers in his heart to which she had never
gained admission. Now, however, he had put upon
paper a depth of feeling which he was probably too
proud to express in person, and his wife got a glimpse
of the hidden treasures of his inner nature.

Truly, we are strange mortals ! Let us go to a lecture
or entertainment where our expectations run high, and
very frequently we come away thoroughly dissatisfied ;
while on another occasion, when our anticipations are
not inflated, we will loudly applaud the same talent.
Some one else may tell us of the good qualities of
friend, companion, husband, or wife, and we pay little
attention, but let us of our own accord accidentally

•■tet-f'-f M im-Mt K .

3T?

HOUSES OF Or.ASS,

11'

^■i

> 1

discover some lonj^-liiiUlcn, inisus[)'jctr(l virtue, and
our hearts ^o out to tliem at once. Wlure we dis-
cover one treasure we expect to find another, and in
our imacjination sec virtues wliich possibly do not
exist.

The letter was a source of pleasure to Marian. For
several days she stole occasionally into some quiet
corner to read it over and over a^.iin, or to look at the
photograph which it enclosed. One evening, when she
thought all the others had retired, she was fondly kiss-
ing the letter when Nelly caught her in the act.

" Oh, shame, Mally ! I caught you nicely, you crazy
old spooney. Don't try to mal:e fun of w^ again.
Shame !" and pouncingupon her sister's knee she gave
her a sympathetic hug. " I don't care, I just think
David is a dry old stick,, I never saw him kiss you or
call you a pet name yet."

" Well, dear, David is not a man who wears his
lieart on his sleeve."

" I don't care. When I get married (if I ever do)/'
said Nellie with a blush, " he will have to be attentive
and let people see that he loves me. He'll have to
keep telling mc about it, too."

"Oh, indeed, I suppose you and Maurice have it all
arranged ? David and I will have to come aiid see
you, just to learn how to behave to each other."

They were about to retire for the night when they
heard someone driving rapidly up the lane.

** It must be Maurice again, and me all topsy-turvey,"
said Nelly, running for shelter in headlong haste,
while Marian prepared to go to the door.

What was their surprise when, with a short prelimi-
nary knock. Dr. l^ennet entered the room without wait-
ing for anyone to admit him. atul marching up to ]^,Iarian
with his whip in his hand, said, *' Charles Langtry is
dying, and he, or rather his sister, wishes you to
come at once."

*' What !" exclaimed Marian, springing to her feet
and seizing him by the arm> while her very lips turned
white. " Great heavens. Doctor, it cannt)t be true !"
she added in a hoarse whisper.

** It is only too true," replied the physician, tapping

11 il-; WAdES OF SIN.

313

the floor with his whip. " I don't think he will sec day-
li^dit, .'ind that is why I want yon to ccMiic now."

" Was it an accident ?'' slic nuirniured, droppinf^ into
a chair.

The doctor did not immediately reply but atldresscd
himself to Nelly. "Go and get Mrs. ('Gordon's wrai)s
and your own. Vou shall go with her. \\c must
start rfnht away."

As soon as Nelly had left the room he answered
Mrs. Gordon's question. "A neglected dog bite fol-
lowed by blood poisoning."

Marian gave a low moan. .She would hav.' fallen to
the floor had not the doctor assisted her to the door
and given her a drink of water.

" He made me promise," continued the debtor in a
low tone, " not to tell the cause of the trouble to any-
one, but of course you know already."

Marian's only rej-)ly was a groan 'of anguish, as she
sat with her face buried in her hands.

"Hush! here's your sister! Ik careful of your
questions before her. Hurry now, for it is a long-
rive.

As Mrs. Gordon stepped into the doctor's vehicle
she felt like a criminal going up for trial. The very
leaves of the wayside trees, as they drove alon.o-,
seemed to be whispering " murderess." Her thoughts
came in rapid succession. " Oh, God ! what a monster
I am. I must have been mad. Poor fellow ! he never
told me he was hurt and I was inhuman enough not
to ask him. Nero must be killed, the wicked brute ;
and yet the poor dog was only doing his duty. But
now this man must die. All his manly prime and
beauty will soon be rotting in the grave, \and those
hands whose magic touch could turn ivory keys into
heart strings will be food for worms. Poor Christina
and Mrs. Langtry. He was their joy and their pride.
Yes, and th ir only support too. Oh, it is terrible
to think of it."

Had she been alone that minute, with the means
at hand, she would probably have ended her life. She
would have carried out the sentence of her own con-

314

liObT.LS OF GLASS.

science, vvliich said that for this man'.: life her own
must be given

Tlic doctor had lit a cif^ar and was smoking as com-
placently as if he were driving his steeds for pleasure,
instead of hurrying to a deatlibed There was little
cause for haste as fai as he was concerned, for Charles
Langtry was be)'ond all earthly power, The pa-
tient in his ravings had revealed not only the stury of
his wounds, but ot his boyhood as well,

The doctor was not surprised. Here was the dis-
turbing element which had deflected Mrs. Gordon's
electrical affinity Me took everything as a matter of
course. For thirty years he had been analysing his
fellow-crcaturcSs and in the green-room of life had
seen the sham oi outward show„ Accustomed to see-
ing society in its shirt sleeves he knew men as tliey
were, not as they seemed to be. He conceived that
the man who had once been the lover oisuch a woman
would remain her lover as long as life lasted„ On the
other hand, he was sure that he who first aroused the
great magnetic possibilities o? MrSo Gordon, would
always have a powerful influence over her. It was the
old story of the loadstone and the magnet. It rather
pleased him to know that this very power had been
strong enough to overcome the scruples of those whomi
he knew to be morally and mentally far above the
average^ It was a verification of his theory, a proof
that every human being was an electrical entity. Nor
did it lower Mrs^ Gordon one Avliit in his estimation,
or change his higii opinion of the young clerg}'nian.
He could form an idea of the wonderful force of the
temptation which they had to resist Even in the
purest hearts he had detected spots where lurked the
germs of evil, and in the brightest miiuls had marked
the serpent's trail.

He smoked on in silence, occasionally taking !iis
cigar from his lips to urge his team, but never offer-
ing to open a conversation. His own conscience was
smiting him hip and thigh.

If Mr Langtry's veins had been filled with rich pure
blood, if he had been in his usual condition, the dog
bite (bad as it was), would not aave been tatal. But he

THF WAHFS OF STN.

315

■ -US

was

hrid been "bled white," to ^^ivc life to Mrs. Gordon ;
his iintural power of resistance had been sadly weak-
ened, and nc_i,dect hid done the rest.

In doini( his duty to Mrs. (Gordon, had tiic doctor for-
gotten what was due to Mr. Langtry ? Had he boi
rowed too freely from tlie generous givc^r {' Had he
allowed his peculiar devotion for this woman to swerve
hirn from the strict path of duty? The only bairn to
his conscience was that, at the time, he was not aware
of the clergyman's wound.

At last Marian spoke. " How long has he oeen
ill ?"

" He has not been well for some time, but they only
called me in the night before last. '

" Is he delirious ?"

" He was last night, but he is quite clear now, at
least, as clear as a dying man can be/'

'• Who stayed with him last night ?"

" I did."

" Any one else ?"

" No, I sent Christina and the mother to bed.''

Marian gave a great sight of relief. " Thank God
for that," she said to herself, ami relapsed i'nto silence.

She sat holding Nelly's h;ind in he.'B, She wa.-^
thankful for the darkness which hid her :;:^om prying
eyes. She would have given her li'e to !have hzr coul
as stainless as her sister's. She wondered how Neiiy,
so innocent, should have sucli a monster "or a cister.

When she rnct Christina's gaze and 3aw her iacc pale
with suffering, she sank weeping on he:: Knees va ■ront
of her.

" Don't cry, dear," said the sorrow stricken raster,
putting her hand on Marian's head. ' Take oB your
wraps. It is terrible, but we must try and heaT iit,
When you get warmed go into the room, He
wishes to see you alone. Something about ;.l:c music,
I think."

Mrs. Langtry came from the sick room, weeping as
if her heart would break Oh, Marian, my iboy'my
boy ! Why couldn't '.[ die first f Why shouid 1 have
lived to see this day ? He heard your voice. He
wants you to go in now,"

HOUSES OF f'.I.ASS.

With faltcrinj;]^ step, and bated breath, Marian went
softly into the room and Cluistin.i closed the door
behind hei-. One look at his pallid face: told her his
hour had come. She fell on her knees at the bedside,
and buried her face in the bed clothes.

"Oh God, Charles, I have murdered you."

" Don't," he replied faintly. " You shall not talk
like that."

** It was my fault, Charles. Oh, it is terrible, to
think of you sufferin;.^, and me in health. I wish I
could chan^^e places with you."

" No, Marian, it was m)' fault. I stirred up your
■amotions by the love taU; I pkiyed. I knew it would
unnerve you, but some inward demon lured me on.
God forgive me, but it was the first time I ever put
sensuality and voluptuousness into a theme or accom-
paniment. I never even tried it before."

lie paused for breath. " I think it was — because I
felt — so sorry about your hand."

For a moment a faint smile of triumph flashed over
his face, then he drew a long brea'h and rubbed his
eyes in a dazed sort of way. " May God forgive my
sin. I tempted a pure, virtuous woman — and now I
am— suffering the consequences. I, who should be —
a leader and a teacher of men."

"Then why can't I die, too ? My sin was even
greater than yours. I was unfaithful (in spirit) to my
marriage vows. Some terrible thing will liitnpen me,
and I don't care how soon. I am a monster, I tell
you. I was not human enough to ask if you were
hurt. There is no death or suffering too bad for me."

He put his hand on her shining hair and looked at
her pityingly.

" Marian, I suppose you have your faults like other
mortals, but to me you are the most honest, purest,
most human, noblest woman in the world. I pity
you for the torture you will give yourself."

She still kept her face buried to shut out the sight
of her victim. She could not bear to see the sunken,
ghastly face which, but for her, would beam with, manly
health and bi>auty. After resting a few mumcnts with
his eyes closed he spoke again.

THE WAGES OF STN.

317

went
: tloor
cr his
dside,

pity

"If your mother had not scpar.itcfl »is our liv.s
wouhl have been one^rrand, sweet son- Vnu would
have inspired me to ^n-cat and noble thin<;s."

He feebly reached out and took one oflicr hands in
his. He lay for a few moments fondlinL,' it.

" I would, with you at my side, have ^nvcn— the
world a soncr of love and praise that would have
echoed throuj^di all the a^^es. Quick ! I feel the in-
spiration now— quick, a pencil and— some paper— or it
will pass. *

He tried to raise himself on his elbow, but fell back
on his pillow exhausted.

- No— my music days— are over. And yet— ah.
well— what matter— let it pass."

He was panting from exertion. She rravc him a
few spoonfuls of water to moisten his lips. Tlu-n she
seated herself by the side of the bed and buried her
tace in her hands.

"Show me— the arm that was hurt. It's a -ood

V-V- •"~^^'''';'''"'^~'^"^'^ '^^''^''- It is-a beautiful hand.
1 his is the finger— I put the ring on— the night— 1
carried you-through the stream. ^ Don't you remem.
ber .^— how It got fast— and I had— to cut it off-and
spoiled the ring-your finger—got scratclicd— with the

n!' V?'J'J'^ Vu'^~^"^^~^^'''^■^^"^^ ^^-^''^ ^t stopped.
Didn t I ? and he raised her hand to hi.i ]ip.s.

"Oh, God ! I cannot bear it any longer," she groaned,
as .she rocked herself to and fro. - I must call Chris-
tina and your mother."

" Forgive me," pleaded the dying man. " You know
—my mind— is weal:. Let me have— your hand It
cannot matter now. It makes— me strong You arc
—rich now, I liear. You will see— to Christina— and
mother ?

"Charles, before God I promise that they shall
never want. I shall put them beyond lh,> reach of
want. It IS the only atonement I can make to them
and you for the great wrong I have done."

The invalid's eye flashed as he looked at her " I
say you-have done me-no v/rong. Jt wasn't Nero
—killed me. It was-negkct. The doctor can— tell

3t8 tiousfr of clas"5.

you SO too. Don't cry. It is better — for nie to pro,
I couKln't live-- in peace — without you."

Slie rose to her fet-t and stofxl Ic inin;.; aj^aiust the
l)ecl-post, with her face hidden in her liaudi-ccrchief,
while he caressed her hand.

" Won't you — kiss me — and let me feel — your face
— a'^ainst mine for a minute ? It is no harm — is it ?"
Shi.* stoopctl dmvn and laid her cheek upon his. He
k-issed her repeatedly anil feebly j)ut his arms about
her neck.

'• There, you can — call the rest. My si^^ht is — <^ct-
tinsT dim. God — will forgive — you — ami me."

They sat for an hour watchinij him t^row feebler,
while from time to time the doctor took his watch and

measured the ebhin^; tide of life.

The dying man kissed his mother and sister and
tried to whisper words of comfort in their ears.

They knelt on either side of the bed, bowed down
with thc'r ^[reat sorrow. For nearly an liour not a
word wa.' spoken, and they thought that he had be-
come unconscious, but he opened his eyes and seemed
to be looking for someone. Christina motioned
Marian to come forward, and she stooped to catch the
feeble sounds that came from his lips. His breath
was coming thick and fast. She could scarcely under
stand him.

" Don't— shoot— the— dog— he — "

But the senteiu^* "\\'ris nrvi^r fliiisheil, for with one
wild final throb his heart stood btiii.

GlL"'IN(i A (JKIEF

3^9

CHAPTRR LIII.

GI I- I) I N C. A C. K I K 1'

and

If anytliincf is needed to convince usof onr insfp^nifi-
cance, or j;ive us to understand that tlie world can
^^et alon;^ without us, it is the rapidity willi which wi:
arc for<;otten when we arc gone. Tlierc is always
someone willini^ and ready to take our place 'The
King is dead, long live the King," still echoes along
the line.

In a small community like Gowanstone, however,
the suddenness of Mr. Langtry's death was (piite a
shock. The deceased had persistently refuseil to see
any other physician than Dr. Ik-nnet. Hut people
looked askance at the doctor, and thought there must
be something wrong when so robust a man as Air.
Langtry went off so suddenly.

I It, perhaps, more than any other citizen, was loved
by all with whom he came in contact. He was widely
known throughout the district as a rare musician and
a liberal patron of manly sports. Eminent ilivines,
marksmen, anglers and athletes, all mourned his loss.
Together with the citizens, they attended the funeral
and looked solemn, while the usual number of lachry-
mose females wept over the coffin. The local p.ipers
wrote up lengthy obituaries eulogising his social (jual-
ities and musical abilities, his successor preached a
funeral sermon, and everything went on as before.

Dr. Bennet and Mrs. Gordon were executors to an
estate which consisted only of the small balance of an
unpaid salary, and a huge pile of music in manuscript.
The doctor ruefully wondered what was to be d(nie.
But he did not remain long in suspense, for on the fol-
lowing day his co-executor called at his of^ce to dis-
cuss the situation.

" You know. Doctor, I shall have plenty of money
when David comes home, but here is five hundred

'WteMifl lMl

320 HOUSES OK CLASS.

cUill.irs anyway. CouKl wc not :\irancjL it ;so that wlhcy
would think it came out of the estati.j^"

^- ile has no estate, repHed the doctor, with a sad
smile

"There is liis music '

Her companion sliook his head and snapped his
fingers, but Marian was persistent.

" I think you are wrouj^, Doctor, I believe those
manuscripts are worth thousands of dollars. Charles
Langtry never wrote meaninf^less music,"

" He was certainly more tlian a j)ianist. He was an
artist ; but it does not follow that he was an eminent
C(.)mi)oser,"

" Well, you t^ive them the mone)'," she said, dei)0f it-
inera roll of bills on the table. " Vou know they vvill
want mournincis."

" Really, Mrs. Gordon, I can't see the sense of spend-
ing money so foolishly when it may be needed in
many other waj's."

She turned her beautiful eyes full upon him for a
moment. " Don't you see it will employ their minds
getting it ready. It will give them a temporary mo-
tive and help them to live through their grief ? They
are not philosophers like yourself, Doctor ; they are
only weak women/'

The doctor wiped his spectacles thoughtfully but
did not reply.

" You could employ a man to decorate the grave
and they could go to see it ever)- day. Don't you
think it would help to soften their grief ?" she asked,
with a sob in her throat and the moisture in her eyes.

" I suppose it would," replied her companion, blow-
ing his nose. " You would recjuirc some plans for the
workmen. They would need something to guide
them."

" Well, you see, Christina and I could do that. It
would always be doing something for his memory. It
is all the comfort they have, poor souls." Here the
speaker broke down and moved away to the window
to hide her tears, while the doctor fumbled and fussed
with some papers on his desk.

In a few moments she came back and stood facing

GTLDTNr; A CRTLF.

321

film. " He asked mc not to shoot the dorr hut I uiH
have- to scml him away for awlnlc. Poor Nero, iu- is

cmis latdy!'^ ' '"' '^'^'""^^' ^" '' ^'"'"^ '""

"I suppose they will soon have to move out of the
parsonage, remarked the doctor, who wislied to
cliaiiL^^e tlie s\d)ject.

" Yes, but they have two weeks yet, or more if nec-
essary. I am stayin- with them now alto-ether, just

rrin'Tl',''-T'^'"^^'""-, ..^^"^''^y'^'-P then^ from no-
ticmc; their loss so much

not !;^f^^'/'''">' '' '"'f'^ ^' ^^ ''^"^'"'^^ tohaveasale.
not of tlie furniture, of course, but of his horses ve-
hicle's, and sundries, and, perhaps, the piano?"

" It woidd not matter much about those other thincrs
but I would not tlnnk of sellin^r the piano. It was his
companion. I hey would not care to part with it" "

the music." "^^''-^"t""^^'' there is no hur/y about

a house' 'ft^i'.''")'- !^^; '^'' ^^">' ^ '^•'^^'^' •'^^^^^'^-^ ^J^^^^

a house It IS a cheerful spot an.l has a Hower crarde„
LodVy^^^^^^^^^^ anything more you can let me^'know!

"Gordon was ripht," said the rloctor to himself as
the door closed behind his visitor. " Tnerc is son'e
lK),.c for the race as Ion- as such women exist. There
was neither false modesty nor brazenness in her face
:^^;^j;l^,'P^^''-^'^^-^-S^ nothing, but pure, honest

He lit a cigar and pufTcd away thoughtfully "I
could have oved such a woman.' Humph !' and he
took a pmch of snuff. "Poor Langtry. Well wc 1
Burns was right. vvcii, ucu,

" Whafs done we partly may compute,
but know not what's resisted. '

Marian seemed to forget her own trouble, in her
sympathy for the Langtrys. Her new duties' i ,h-o
vidmg and arranging for her bereaved friends were a
positive comfort to her duriT.g these dark days. What

r'W*!*** ■:*»«>«•

'f'y

HOUSES OF GLASS.

with movi'iif:^. rcscttlinc^, scwini; and dccoratinrr the
*^ravc she w as continually in the company of Christina
and her mother.

Then poor Nelly had /irr troubles. Mr. Tracy of
Denver was ijoin<^ to tour Australia with his ball team
durin<^ the winter, and had offered Maurice the finan-
cial manai^ement of his opera house for six months at
a good salary.

Fletcher's duties as bookkeeper would cease as
soon as Mr. Gordon came home. Having nothing
else in view, Maurice had accepted the offer. He
wished to take Nelly with him as his wife, and the
poor girl was in a quandary.

She was sure that her mother would not consent to
so hasty a marriage. Indeed, she was afraid that her
parents might not consent at all to the union. Hope,
however, was strong within her, and she went on pre-
paring in the expectation of soon having a home of
her own.

As the time for David's return approached Marian
applied herself to the task of studying her duty to her
husband. During his absence liis business interests
had been well guarded by Maurice. He would have
no reason to complain on that account. She had de-
cided to tell him the whole truth, but, as the time
drew nigh, she became more timid. " Oh, it is hard to
do right. He will never forgive me. I love him and I
could not bear to lose him. He is so good and pure.
Ah, me I it is only those who stumble that pity those
who fall." And yet she felt that, though tiie day of the
picnic was the darkest one in her life, she was since
iJicn a better woman. It was as if she had been grop-
ing along in the dark, close to the k^Ols^ki of a precipice,
and a Hash of light had shown her where ahc stood.

THE ROSE AND ITS THORN.

3-^3

CHAPER LIV.

THE ROSE AND ITS THORN.

in^' ^ AUWir: '^"' '"'-"''' "°"'-- '— ™- even.
This was- the tclesrnm which set Mrs. Gorilon's heart

Here Nelly read this," she eried excHedIv •• How

aii;! rV, r' '\'' ^'r, "'f >■"""" ■■'-'■•"Jy tl>i-'.>ftcrn„o„,
meet them?"'" ^'=^'-'^°'-" J"»ction to-.norrow to

deiiSr'' " M ''"'■"; f^''"'^'^^' ■■'-■P'i'^'" her sister, with
dehght. Now I know why somebody Pot such a
mcc travel!,,,^, dress Oh, but you are a cuuni, ^one
A person would thn.k it was your lover cominjj to sec

■' So it is my lover. Why not ? By the way, Nelly
dKlyou ever hear him say h.tely hmv he Id ed my
hair done up, she mquired with a little flush

i es. You remember the time he came to see vou
over home, just after Davie died ? Well you had it

noTiceT i't" V'-vT: '"^'"^' ■''"f ' eould'i.e".hrt'he
ke I it L T " ' fy- i'"y^l"".'i. but I knew he

was turned." """^' y"" ''^"'" y^' ^ack

"Well, come, dear, and let us try it now "
i hey spent nearly the whole afternoon in toilet
exper.ment.s. Nelly acted as maid and critic The
new dress had to be tried on. " Really it is very
plam was Nelly's comment, " but you look just Is if
you had been poured into it. I am be-n-nninc to fin
you out. Mally. It is not the dress tha^ looks' sncc
It .s yourself. In this case, it is a woman with a dress
on, and not a dress with a woman in it "

The gown was really an artistic triumph, and when
the finishing touches were put on her iis er's toitt
Nelly exclaimed, " Well, if David Gordon's heart don't
jump when he sees you, it will be because he I a^ 't

■iw;<w»^i[n,ii,^ ^^

■ft

324 ITOTTSES OF GLASS.

got one. But how did you come to think of going to
Dearborn ?"

" Why, NcHy," said Marian, colouring s ightly, " if I
wish to give my lover a kiss, I don't want all (jowan-
stone staring at me. If we met at the station here, he
would be ashamed to kiss me, so I would have to do it
all myself."

" You spooney old thing, )'ou are worse than me.
You will just be in the same fix, though, in the train,
as you would at the station."

'* No, indeed. The spectators will be all strangers,
and I won't need to care so much. But what are
those tears for, dear ? You must be getting hysterical."

" Your lover is coming home, but mine is going
away. I don't care. Mother will just have to let me
go. I'll just die, if he goes away."

" Never mind, dear," said Mrs. Gordon, synr'pathetic-
ally, taking her in lier arms. " I will help you all I
can. But you don't know how nice it is to get a love
letter every other day. It is nearly as good as seeing
him. It will come all right, Nelly. Now, dry your
eyes, and we will get everything ready for to-morrow."

Next day, at two o'clock in the afternoon, two ladies
were promenading the station p'atform at Dearborn
Junction, waiting impatiently for the express from New
York. A cold, raw November wind was blowing from
the north, but they were clad in fur-trimmed garments
and seemed perfectly indifferent to the weather. If
anything, the sharp wind only served to deepen the
colour in their cheeks and to enhance their beauty.

Every few moments they stopped and gazed along
the level stretch of track where the glistening rails
seemed to fade into the sky. It was thirty minutes
past the time, and the train was not yet in sight. The
manner of the taller lady was 'ull of excitement. She
walked to and fro w^ith a short, nervous step, stopping
every few seconds to look to the eastward, and occa-
sionally heaving a deep sigh.

" Look, Nelly, yonder is a speck of smoke. It is
coming now. Oh, dear ! I am all unstrung. Let us
sit down for a moment. My heart is all of a flutter."

THE ROSE AND ITS THORN.

325

"Don't be a goose, Mally. Look at me. I am not

excited."

"Am I lookincT all right, Ncllv? I low is my Inir?
Push that hairpin in a liltlc tii^h'tcr. There."

''You are simply lovely. Really and truly, Marian,
you are. You look like a duchess. That g'rey fur is
so becoming. My! how we will surprise'^them all,"
continued xNelly, gleefully. " You'll make for David, I
suppose, but I'll rush for father, the dear old soul.
Look, it's almost here! Don't stand so close. It
frightens me," she added, as the locomotive came '-ush-
ing in with slackening speed and hissing jets of steam.

The motion of the train had barely ceased when
they mounted the steps of the first coach.

The stop was only a momentary one. Before they
had crushed their way through the first car the train was
again going at full speed. Coach after coach was gone
through in like manner without discovering the
looked-for faces. They began to fear that the trav-
ellers had missed their train.

" Ah, here is the conductor; we will ask him."
" Have you any other passengers for Gowanstone ?"
asked Marian with beating heart, as she handed him
her tickets.

" Yes. I think there are two or three in the last
sleeper."

" Can we get through ? It seems so crowded."
The official, with a polite bow and an admiriivr

glance, volunteered to escort them himself. ^

In a few moments they caught a glimpse of their

mother's massive figure sitting with her back towards

them.

" There they are !" They swooped down on the
old couple unawares, fairly smothering them with
kisses. "But where is David ?" said Marian, with a
tremor m her voice as she looked excitedly alon^ the
rows of seats. " Quick, where is he ?" ^

Mrs. Ilalford laughed with exasperating coolness.
" Well, now, Marian, it were like this here. We had
a compartment or stateroom to ourselves last night,
but David didn't sleep very well, so, after dinner him'

'* ">''"fW l 0>f

3L?6 HOUSES or glass.

went to lay down and told us not to disturb him till
us were near home."

"Which compartment?" she asked, glancing t'ronri
one end of the coach to the other.

" Mother is only teazing you," said her fathen
** He's right in there."

VVhe*;hcr it was the swaying of the train or her own
cxcitem'mt which made her stagger, Marian could not
tell, but she could scarcely walk straight to the door,
which faced toward tlie rear of the car. She gently
pushed it open, and the first thing which caught her
sight was her husband asleep on the sofa. How
quickly she noticed every feature, and every change in
his countenance or apparel.

There was a faint streak of grey on his temples, but
his face was more plump than it had been for years,
and he seemed ever so much handsomer.

She stole in on tiptoe and stood over him for a mo-
ment as if afraid to tlisturb his slumbers. She closed
the door gently. She had him all to herself, while she
feasted her eyes upon him.

She rolled back her fur collar, pushed her hat fur-
ther back on her head and knelt gently beside him till
a pair of rosy lips were pushed under his mustache,
and a cool pink cheek rested against his.

What a vision met the sleeper's gaze when he awoke
and found himself in Ms wife's arms. " There's a pair
of gloves for me, and another, and another," she said,
kissing him greedily.

" Why, darling, it is you. Are we there already ?"

" No, but I am here. I could not wait any longer,
Bo I came to meet you," was her laugliing reply.

" Here sit on my knee and let me look at you."

*' I am pretty heavy," she said coquettishly, as she
accepted the invitation. " I weigh about a hundred
and sixty-five. Shocking, isn't it ? But you arc a
good deal stouter, too."

He did not speak for a time, but sat gazing fondly
at her while she arranged his tie, the blue-spotted silk
specially donned for the occasion.

" Marian, I do believe you arc the most beautiful
woman in the world."

THE ROSE AND ITS THf~)KN.

327

" Is that so ?" she replied archly. * I was beginninf]^

to feel jealous of the beautiful ladies you met in the

kit '

lie shook his head and smiled. "I was just think-
ing that it was a great privilege to have the love of
such a lovely woman."

^ " I do love you, David." she responded, as she kissetl
him again and again, " and never so much as now. I
have fallen in love with you in earnest this time. Now
I will fix you up. We must not let them see we have
been spooning. Where is your hairbrush } A comb
will do. I see you are shaved differently, but 1 think
you look nicer. The grey hairs become you wonder-
fully, but I don't want too many of them. Vou are
only a boy yet, you know."

David sat very demurely submitting to the combing
process. He was content to admire the pink ears and
cheeks, the shapely neck, the deep blue eyes and silken
hair of the woman on his knee.

How long this billing and cooing would have con-
tinued it was impossible to say, though Gordon wished
it might last forever, but a knock at the door inter-
rupted them.

" Are you two not done spooning yet ?" asked Nelly.
" May I come in ?"

" Yes, come in, Nelly."

David felt abashed, and was about to push his wife
from his knee.

" No, sir," protested Marian ^ clinging tighter. " You
always pretend before people that you don't care
much about me, but now you've got to kiss mc right
before Nelly, and not let on to be such a bluebeard.

" You've got to tell me that you love mc, and right
before her too. I am going to break you off your bad
habits. There now, that's a good boy," she continued
with a triumphant glance at Nell}\ " You can kiss
her too. Come, Nelly, you needn't be so shy. He
is just as nice as your fellow."

" Oh, she has got a fellow then," said David, saluting
her. " Aha ! and who is the lucky man ?"

" You shut up, Marian Gordon, or I'll tell on you,"
retorted the young girl saucily. " Why, David, she

w» * » i iii i! »» m <t . i i ii , .i n .„„ „

-^28

HOUSEft OF GLASS.

jxot up before daylic^ht this mornincj to catch the nine
o'clock train."

'' Oil, that's nothinL^, s/w h.is actuall)- tlircatcncd to
run away with Maurice."

" It wouldn't he any more than ni\' big sister did,"
replied Nelly <^in^^erly, whereat the\- all laucjhed.
" I suppose now, if you are throu<^h luigginLjj and kiss-
inc^, I may brinc^ father and mother in. Then we will
all be together like Brcnvn's cows."

That night the little brick cottage at Gowanstone
was the scene of a ha[)py family reunion, but the thorn
peeped through the rose when David asked : " Where's
Nero ?"

CHAPTER LV.

A TnUNDER150LT FROM A lU.UE SKY.

if:'

When Mrs. Ilalford arrived in Gowanstone she re-
solved to remain there a week or so before returning
to Broadview. She did not feel like taking off her
holiday garments all at once, and going into the work
at home. She would make a short stay at her daugh-
ter's, and thus gradually accommodate herself to every-
day life.

But she had reasons of far greater importance.
Nelly's affairs had to be discussed and settled, and
although she had made up her mind to give her
consent to the match, yet she must hold them in
suspense for a time, in order to give them all a
sense of her importance. Indeed, since the first, Mrs.
Halford had been kind and confidential with the
young Englishman. He held the key to a secret
which she did not wish to have opened. It would
never do to let Marian discover her illegitimacy, or
that she herself, instead of being the child of poor but
honest parents, was the fruit of an illicit love. It was
not, however, through fear of exposure that she finally
gave her consent, for she had a high opinion of the

,xj.-'-e»',*

A 'rm;>:i)Ki;i!(")i,T irom a iJiA'K ^kv.

329

youncf Enc^lishman, ami she saw that Nolly loved him.
SIk' had iiiterferod om(> in love affairs and had only
r.iado matters worse for herself and her dauLjhter.
She wouldn't repeat the experiment.

Maurice had dischar^^ed his duties with credit to
himself and satisfaction to his employer. He was very
loatli to leave for the South. Nelly co.ixed him Lo
give up the situation altoi;-ether, Init his word was
given and he remained firm. However, Mrs. Halford
agreed to his returning in three months to claim his
bride.

The mistress of Broadview was very much pleased
with the homage she received in Gowanstone. Besides
being wealthy lierself, her daughter was now an heiress,
and her husband was a relic of a defunct line of aristo-
crats. The /7/V<'ofthe town stumbletl over each other
in paying their respects to Mrs. Gordon and her mother.
From the drv goods clerk behind his counter to the
banker ir his office, there was a distinct change of
manner t( vards them.

This servility was as distasteful to IMrs. Gord(Mi as it
was pleasing to her mother. Dame Fortune's smiles had
no visible effect either on Marian's face or her apparel.
She was glad to be rich to be able to holi) her hus-
band, or the Langtrys. It would give her an increased
power of doing good to others.

Mrs. Halford, however, had another motive for re-
maining in the neighbourhood a few days longer than she
otherw'ise would have done. She had of course heard,
months ago, of Mr. Langtrys death, and it had been
cpaite a shock to her. Fate this time had played into
lier hands, had removed him far more eff^'Ctively than
Mr. Slade could have done. She would be reasonably
entitled to a portion of her money back.

Since coming home, odd and contradictory rumours
had reached her ears, and to gratify her curiosity, if
for no other reason, she must probe the matter to
the bottom. First was the story of Charles Langtry's
movements at the picnic, and the hint that iier liaugh-
ter s life had been saved by blood taken from his veins.
This was disturbing enough, but matters looked even
worse, when she learned that the wound which caused

330

HOUSES OF CLASS.

Langtry's death, was received on the fateful day at

Siiell's Lake. The deceased had at one time called liis
wouiul a boil, and, another time, said that his neck had
been hurt by the branch of a tree. He had gone to
the picnic well and hearty, and next day was pale and
bloodless. To cap the climax, the clergyman had sent
for Marian when on his death-bed.

Mrs. Halford divined by her daughter's evasive re-
plies to her questions, that there was some reason for
iceeping secret the details of Charles Langtry s illness
and death. As a matter of duty, she paid a visit of
condolence to the bereaved motlu;r aiul sister. From
Christina she pumped all that she could of her brother s
sudden decease.

" Your brother sent for Marian that night, Christina **"

" Yes. It was about his music. You see. it was all
he had."

" Oh ! and what are her going to do about it •'"

" I don't really know, Aunt Jane, but Marian thinks
there is a fortune in it. One of the publishers has
already advanced five hundred on it. Charles seemed
to think that Mrs. Gordon was the only one who under-
stood his compositions."

" Poor fellow. His neck got hurt, did it not, the day
of the picnic ?"

** I don't know what started it, but it turned to blood
poisoning at last."

In spite of all inquiries, Mrs. Halford could learn
nothing satisfactory from Christina.

Before leaving, however, she produced a parcel,
from which she took some presents for the bereaved
ones, and she asked permission to contribute something
towards the erection of a head-stone. She did not
know what her daughter's intentions, as executor,
were, but she inwardly vowed t!iat many a roll of but-
ter or box of poultry would find its way from Broad-
view. She also decided to present them with a cow,
as soon as they were fairly settled in their new premises.

As a last resource Mrs. Halford resolved to apply to
Dr. Ben net for the information she required. Surely
he would know ail about it. She would learn the truth
from him

.^•rw.jf

A THUNDHRROLT FROM A BLL !• PKV.

331

She would not confess it to herself, but sometimes a
suspicion came over her that Mr. Slack- ha>I simv.- in-
direct hand in the matter. The idea was ridiculous in
a way, and yet it seemed odd that Langtry should
have been mysteriously removed at the very time
when the lawyer was layinir his plans.

At any rate, she decided to have done with the lej^al
gentleman and to withdraw her deposits from his bank.

She tried to satisfy herself and ease her conscience
by the knowled^^^e that she was in no way contribu-
tory to the cleri,f)'man's death. She was haunted by
horrible dreams and nightmares, and in every case the
corpse of the dead man and tlie figure of the great
lawyer seemed mysteriously connected.

Her intended donation towards the tombstone
would furnish her with an excuse for \isiting the doc-
tor. She would extract from him enough to satisfy
her own mind.

" That were a sad thing, Doctor, about Mr, Langtry,
were it not ?" she said, in her slow, deliberate way,
after some remarks about her trip and the weather.

" Yes. Mr. Langtry was a fine young man. A gen-
tleman and a musician.''

" It were blood poisoning, were it not ?" she asked,
looking him straight in the eyes.

The doctor nodded, without speaking. He saw at
once what her errand was, and was annised .it the ego-
tism of this woman, who thought to turn him inside out.

" What are the cause of blood poisiHiiiig ?'

*' Absorption of pus into the circulation." he replied,
taking refuge in tei:hiiicalities and looking \vise.

" It seems odd how a boil on his neck would take
him off so sudden," she remarked, trying a fresh tack.

" It does, indeed," was th.e assuring reply.

" I knew a young man over at Levisvillo that had
blood poisoning from a boi!, but they poulticed it and
gave him whiskey. It brought him around, but him
were weak for a lone: time."

The tone of Mrs. Halfortl's voice seemed to insin-
uate that with proper treatment Mr. Langtry would
have recovered. It was an attempt to put him on
the defensive, to force him into details.

332

HOUSES OF GLASS.

^■»

" It was a frond tiling tlic younj^ man gcU better,"
responded tlie pliysician in a symi>allietic tone. *' It
must have been a relief to his parents. It is hard to
see people cut down in their prime."

Somethuijj about the corners of tl.e doctor's mouth
tokl his visitor that she was beinj;" laui^hed at.

Her eyes gleamed and her colour deepenetl, but her
words were as deliberate as ever.

" Well," she said, w ith a sii;h, " I shall not keep you
from some ])oor creature who may be dyint^ i^'ithout
your help. Here am fifty dollars towards a headstone.
You are executor, I hear."

" Yes, alonc^ with your daut;htcr. Everything is
to be divided equally between Christina and her
mother."

" Oh, yes, you made the will yourself. You must
find it very handy to be nblc for it. You have a great
experience in it, no doubt. I were going to sec th.c
tombstone agent, but you have, no doubt, particular
acquaintance with him. I shall leave the design to
your practiced taste — and — ripe experiefieey

With this parting shot she bowed her way out of t^
door, with a glow in her eye, and walked rapidly hon
wards.

She was just passing the office of the GoivaJistonc
Herald when something on a bulletin board caught
her eye.

SLADE OF LEVISVILLE ABSCONDS!

THE SLICK SOLICITOR SLIDES 1

"iwenty-Five Thousand of the City's Money Gone,

Besides Ten Times that Amount

In Private Funds !

NO CLUE TO HIS WHEREABOUTS!

The sight left her eyes and she fell unconscious on
the sidewalk. Retribution had come had last.

better,"
L-. " It
lard to

mouth
but licr

:cp you

without
dstonc.

ling is
id her

\ must
1 great
lee the
titular
iign to

of t^

hon

xnstouc
:aught

js on

Tliii LVlLb 01" I'KUCKAS'll.NATlU.N. 333

CHAPTKR LVI.

THE EVILS Ul' rkUCKASTINATION.

The defalcation of .so prominent a financial pillar as
Daniel Slade was a great shock to the people of Levis-
ville. To hundreds it meant poverty cind ruin. The
widows' and orphans' mite went as wU as private for-
tunes. For a time there was a panic in the local
money market. People lost confidence in each other.
Everybody wanted their own, and a number of other
failures came as a natural consequence. The defaulter
had taken everything he could, and had given himself
a good week's start.

From a capitalist Mrs. Ilalford fell to the level of a
common farmer, with nothing left but the homestead.
Very few gave her any sympathy except her own.
Her husband tried to console ^'er by reminding her
that they were still as well off as they' were in the old
log liouse of Gore Farm. lie recalled the stringent
circumstances through which they had fought their
way before, and pointed out that thev still had a home
left.

Marian also gave her mother the closest, doc pest
.sympathy, and endeavoured in many wa)-s to lighten
the blow. She assured her mother that she had plenty
for all.

But nothing seemed to give any consolation to
the broken-.spirited woman. Mrs. Ilalford was like
Samson when shorn of his locks. She seemed to lose
health, strength and all interest in everything. For
weeks she ate little and slept less, and when she aro.se
from her bed of sickness she seemed to be twenty years
older.

In the meantime, Marian forgot her own troubles
in giving consolation to others. Her resolution to
confess all to her husband had never been put in
force. She was afraid to bring more trouble upon her
mother at present, and was patiently awaiting some

^?H?^t?^'ttiit^>;

&,.'". ■;■ •siiia;.

JJ4

HOUSES OF GLASS.

'.'avourablc time and opportunity. But fate took the
matter in its o vn hands.

David liad been home about four weeks, wlien one
afternoon, he h id occasion to run over to the house ior
rome papers he had forgotten. He entered tlirousj^h
the side door, and went to his private desk, without
niakinf; liis presence known.

His wife and Christina Lani^try were talkinj^ to-
f^ether in the ch'iiinf^r.i-ooin. Through the half open
do(^r he could hear every word that was said. He
paid little attention to their conversation, for his mind
was busy with other matters, and Christina was a con-
stant visitor, unt'd a peculiar tremor in his wife's voice
caught his ear. " Poor fellow, he said you were to
give me this. It is the very one I gave him years and
years ago."

" Yes," replied Christina, with a sob. ■" He always
kej)t it locked away. That evening before )'<)u came,
he told nie it Avas for you. I had seen him kissing it
time and again, but I did not know why he prized it
so. I forgot it till I found it to-day.*

" Hush, dear, we will not speak of it. I shall keep
it for his sake."

David, having finished his errand, went out again
unnoticed. He was annoyed by what he had just
heard. He recalled Langtry's sudden indisposition in
the church at l^oston, and remembered that words
dropped here and there had a strange significance
when looked at in certain lights. Versions of the
picnic accident, and rumours that the clergyman had
sent for Marian to his death-bed, all came to him from
outside sources.

Gordon was not naturally prone to suspicif^n, but
he felt that he had reasonable grounds for it. The
fact that his wife had never taken him into her confi-
dence, or referred to any link in this chain of occur-
rences was not very reassuring. If there was nothing
to hide, then wh\' hide it.

An hniir afterwards, he saw her roing down the
street with Christina, and the V)enevol<.'nce of her
countenance, t(\geth<jr with her (piiet woniardy dignity
and grace, made hun feel ashamed of his suspicions.

r,^Tf*'J^

|n, but
The

confi-
loccur-

)thing

In the
}{ her
^nity
)ns.

THE F.VII.S OF PROCRASTINATION, 335

" Tush ' a ni.'in would be a villain, who could sus-
pect lier for a moment. She is hmu'sty and candour
itself."

liefore cveiiin^ he had forc^otten .dl about it. He
came home to his supper ia as i.^ood sparits as usurd.
Some friends dropped in soon afterwards, and the
evenini:^ was spent very pleasantly at whist and clu-ss.
After escortini^ one of his lady visitors home, he pro-
ceeded to lock up the house as usual. W'liile passini^
Lhrouc^h the dinin^^-room. lie noticed a book in a very
unusual {)osition, behind some tlishcs on the side-
board. He tof")k it up to see what it was.

It was an Anglican prayer-book, with a peculiarly
antiquated style of bindinl.^ He opened it up, to look
through it, when his eye fell upon some verses on the
fly leaf, indited :

"With undving love to Charles from Marian.'

While he was reading the verses there fell to the
floor, first, a piece of pale blue ribl)on, such as his wife
always used to tie her hair, and then, oh horror, a glove
which he recognized as one worn by her just previous
to his departure for luigland.

*' }]y Heavens, I will end this mystery at once," and
crushing the tokens in his hand, he bounded up the
stair, two steps at a tiine.

His wife was scanding before her mirror untloingher
luxurious hair, looking as beautiful ami as innocent as
e\er.

In a moment he was holding the open b(^ok before
her, and in a tone which she had never heard him use
before said, " Is that your writing?"

Now M.irian had not onl)' neglected to hide the
nraver book, but she had forgotten that ever the verses
Ind been written till tliey met her gaze. It seemed
like a ghost from the pa-t. She turned white to the
lips and, trembling with fi-ar, seated herself on the edge
of the bed. When she saw his face hardened withsus-
j)icion she almost lost courage to f.ice the ordeal.

"Can't you speak?" he repeated. "Is that your
writing ? '

" A''es, she f.dtered, " but that was years before I
ever saw you. '

■M -

336 HOUSES OF GLASS.

" What about this, then ? ' he dcmaiulcd, holding
out the ribbon.

" My God, ■ she said to herself, ''where has he found
that? Why did I not look into the prayer-book or
put it away ?"

" Have you lost your tongue ?*' he asked in sarcastic
tones.

" It is a piece of hair ribbon I used to wear."

*' How did ke come by it ? Do you know ?"

"Yes," she answered, with trembling lips, as she
sank on her knees at his feet and burst into tears.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed with the tell-
tale book in his hands, looking at her with a fierceness
which was dreadful to behold.

" Oh, David ! Please let me speak ! As God is my
judge, I intended to tell you all, when you were in a
forgiving mood."

*' Go ahead, then, I will listen patiently — if I carlo"*

With her face buried in lier hands and resting against
his knees, she sobbed out the story of her girlhood.
With her usual conscientious candour, she told the
whole truth, without sparing herself or setting forth
any extenuating circumstances.

He listened to the story without comment, but his
lips were set and his hands clenched as if he were
about to strike some one.

*' So, then," he sneered, " that ribbcn was given and
taken as a badge of lost purity."

He laughed, a hard, bitter, cynical laugh, and at-
tempted to rise, but she held him fast.

He looked down at her beautiful neck and shoul-
ders, half covered with her silky, flowing hair, and
wondered how such a beautiful exterior could cover
anything but virtue. For himself, he could conscien-
tiously say that his life had been pure. He had never
been guilty of an unchaste thought. There had been
only one woman in the world for him and that was
i'.is wife.

But his own innocence only made him more severe
n the frailties of others. Another hard, bitter laugh.

' And did the afTair end tlure ?"

Poor, foolish, frightened Marian. Why did she

THE EVILS OF PROCRASTINATION,

337

severe
laugh.

d she

answer, yes? She wished to tell him all, but surely it
would be better to wait till his bitterness had sub-
sided.

"You lie, you traitress! Look at this!" he cried
fiercely, holding up her glove. '* By God ! iny impulse
is to trample the life out of )mou !" he shouted, as he
threw her on the floor and held his heel above her.
" Oh, I shall go mad !" and holding his hands to his
throbijing temples he paced the room like a caged lion.

Marian rose to her feet and stood confronting him.
All fear was gone now.

" Shame on you for a coward, David Gordon !" she
exclaimed, with deep luminousness in her eyes. " Like
a ruffian you have bullied me and tried to frighten me.
I did not know that Charles Langtry had that glove,
nor do I know now how he came by it, but I do know
that he loved me to the hour of his death. All your
violence shall not prevent me from telling the truth.
You shall not frighten me into being a liar and a
coward again as you did a moment ago. The very
wound that caused his death saved your wife's honour.
Whether you cast me off to-night, scatter my brains
on these walls, or strangle me where I stand, I will tell
the truth as a duty I owe to you, to my dead child and
the God above us. It is a duty I owe to the con-
science which, in a moment of passion, I did stain.

* In the flood tide of emotion I did for a moment
forget my wifely vows. Nay, do not start. Nero
saved me from myself,, although, God forgive mc, I
did return Mr. Langtry's kisses. It would be of little
use to tell you how his music stirred up my emotions
and unchained my passions. You could not under-
stand.

" From that moment I have loathed myself and
despised the woman who w<^uld sin, even in tlu)ught„
I have wept and prayed for wisdom and strength to
conquer my base self and to make this confession.
Charles Langtry, on his deathbed, was pKjased that
my honour had been saved, even at the cost of his life.
He was glad to die, that both he and I miidit be out
ol temptation's way. lie begged me to ki^s him that
night, when his check was growing cold, and not for

■^ r '«( t" n> ( <i H » i '»te,jK,/.

.. m t i , » m-maT.!um * ., ^,

338 HOUSES OF GLASS.

all the pain and torture of a dozen lives, or all the
shame and sorrow }'ou could heap uj)on nic, would I
have refused it Vv as a pure and holy kiss, which
helped '0 cleanse Ins sou., and mine

Oh David, jiic cried ^iinknig on her knees before
him, '. did not seek temptat'on It can.c upon me
like an avalanche, and ah my Health and strength be-
came my weakenss i did not know my pas- ions were
so stronjT and I so weak Help me, oh, help me to
purify myseli in the sight of my little darling that is
dead and rone.

Gordon was i>u\l pacing the floor, torn asunder by
various impuises Sometimes he felt like taking her
in his arms and mingling his tears with hers, and some-
times he was awed by the eloquence of her face and
tongue,

^' D.ivid. she Vvcnt on beseechingly, as she held out
her armj to him ' I was afraid to lose your love.
Since I have seen my own unworthiness I have loved
you more and more I have only just learned to
know what love is There is not, and never can be,
words or tears to atone for an error like mine, and
yet i feel that the great Creator of the Universe has
shown me the path of peace. Do not, in pity's name,
inflict disgrace upon those who love me, or blight the
life of purity and innocence. If you must publish my
misdeeds, or place the brand of shame upon my brow,
take me some place far away and do not bring grey
hairs in sorrow to the grave

* Take me in your arms again, and my soul shall be
an open chamber shming with tlie light of love. Come
and help me to whiten it with purity. Don't turn
away. David. Remember, we are all human. There
are none perfect, nay, not one. You should forgive
me when God has '

She paused to see if he would speak, but he still
paced the floor in silence.

- Whether you trample me under your feet, and
bury me beneath a mouiUain of shame and suffering,
or whether you take me to your heart again, my
tortured conscience has already told me to seek for
peace in the pathway of eternal right, and that, if I

.^('■nM'vgf

OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

339

gam not your forgiveness, I shall earn the blcssincs of
the eternal God." ^

Marian's plea might have Fuccccdccl. but David's
eye tell upon the accursed tokens, now scattered on
the Hoor, and the demon of jealousy conquered.
1 ushingher from him, he rushed from the room She
heard h.m rapidly descending the stairs. Slammin-
tne front door behmd him, he walked hurriedly down
the street "^

CHAPTER LVII.

OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.

" Hello, Gordon ! Where are you off to in such a
hurry ?

The speaker was Dr. Bonnet, with whom David col-
lidcd as he turned a corner of the street, and th- fa-
mi lar voice brought him to his senses just as if he had
suddenly awakened from some terrible dream.

''I just came out to cool my head, Doctor. ' I wasn't
feehng extra well."

^ " Is that so ?" queried his companion with suddep
mterest. " You weren't in bed, were you ?"

'; No,'' replied Gorrlon, -but I thought if I took a

walk before goinr to bed I

rhc doctor stole a jrlance at h

would sleep all the bctt

er.

lamp on the street. " Quit
my office and have
Once inside of li
discovered that thi

as they passed a

a chat. It

e right. Come al

isn't midni<rht vet,

ouij to

'^.

sanctum, the lynx-eyed physician

You've been speculat
No, honour bri'.dit. T 1

ere was somethmo- amiss.

to,, now
IVhy

mg again, Gordon ?"
lavenot. Fact is. I don't

nee(

„ . i^fn, your pupil is contracted to a pin point''
exclaimed the doctor, putting his hand on Gordo '

head and looking into h

going on her

is eycii. " Too much excitement

e," he continued, tappi

the head with his forefinger, "\.,
don now. You are the other fell

pping his patient on
u are not David Gor-

ow, and not an extra

340

HOUSES OF GLASS.

^ood follow at that. Wait, I'll fix you a dose to take
right away."

"The storm has broken, then," said the old man to
himself. " Just like her to tell everything and to take
all the blame upon herself. Tush, she is worth a dozen
of him or any other man that I know of. I must cau-
tion him, though, or he might do something rash,"

" Here, drink this, Gordon, and don't allow yourself
to get excited. Extreme passion., in you, might be
destructive. Keep down the pressure. Your father
before you was a passionate man. Sometimes it was
hard for him to keep himself in hand."

David drank the medicin(i and sat for a time locking
into the fire in sullen siience. The doctor pretended
to take no notice of his mood and went on speakin., of
things in the abstract after their usual style of conver-
sation.

*' I often think, Gordon, we are str mge mortals. We
all look upon passion as an enormity, excepting in the
form in which we happen to possess it ourselves. For
instance, I might call you a fool, or sneer at you for
allowing your temper to control you. You in turn
would despise the insane infatuation of the gambler.
He, in his turn would sneer at the stupid folly of the
drunkard, who would feel thankful, when sober, that he
was not a libertine like his neighbour. The licentious
vian \v\\\ scofT at the idiot who loses his head with tem-
per or liquor, and the pious szvindler, whose vices are
all well varnished, will pat himself on the back because
he is regular in his habits, and will thank God that he is
not as other men are. And so it goes all the way
around ; each of us having sympathy with our fellows
only in proportion as their faults resemble our own»
Of the defaulter who runsaway witha million of money,
t\\Q greedy man will say : * By Jove, he must be a clever
fellow.' Of the individual who knocks his man down
for an insulting word, \\\c passionatt man will say i " He's
the stuff.' To the outraged husband who shoots the
destroyer of his happiness, the jealous will give sym-
pathy, and for the intemperate man who disgraces
himself the wine-bibbers will have a score of excuses.
Of the voluptuary who levants with some beautiful

OIL ON tkourlf:d waters.

341

vvomnn the sensual m^n will say, with a wink : * Well,
you can't blame him ;' and to the clarinf::^ plunges of
the speculator, the gambler will <:^i\'c applause. But
the f^reedy man has the same contemp*- for the others
that they have for him. In fact, we are all saints if
you keep us away from our pecc.idilloes."

The doctor's incisive logic seemed to soothe Gordon
even though it bore heavily on him ,'it times. But he
spoke oidy in monosyllables. "Yes." "That'.; so."
" Quite true," and sat looking into the fire with a pe-
culiar expression on his face, lie rose several times to
go, but the doctor detained iiim.

" Sit down, man, sit down. You couldn't sleep if
you were home, and I don't feel like sleeping myself.
You never told mc yet of your pedestrian trip through
the Highlands."

But, do what he could, the doctor could not get his
patient to take any interest in the conversation.

** I'll try some tobacco on him," said the old man
to himself, "and then I'll appeal to his generosit)'.
Here, Gordon, try a cigar, they're extra quality.
Here's a match. Now, be sociable. You know I have
little company outside of yourself. I felt lonesome
till I met you to-night."

They gradually opened up a discussion of politics,
which the host kept up till ilie hard, suller look had
left Gordon's face, and when his visitor fina ly stepped
out into the night the doctor congratulated himself on
having thrown oil on the troubled waters.

Meanwhile Marian sat on her bed in a condition of
semi-stupor. She could think of nothincr. She could
do nothing but wait and wait, without knowing what she
was waiting foi. She sat aimlessly picking at the
coverlet and tracing its patterns with her fingers.
At last the clock in the hall struck twelve and she
roused herself. She became anxious. Where could
David have gone r What could have happened him?

She raised a window and looked toward the mill,
half expecting to see a light in his office. But all was
dark. For a long time she sat in the chilly night wind,
watching and listening for footsteps. The swish of the
water at the sluiceway made her think of the mill-pond.

"Tcr^--- *<»'

342

HOUSES OF GLASS.

She shivered and phuddercd. " Surely he would not
be so foolish. No, no, I will not think of it.'

She put down the window and sat shivering by the
heater. She was alone in the house, but that did not
{:^ive her any alarm. Indeed, she was thankful th:it
there liad been none to sec or hear the terrible scene
through which she had just passed.

But would he never come ? The suspense was ter-
rible. " O God, surely there cannot be another life
lost through a wretch like nie. If he will only come
home. If he is only spared I can bear all else. O
God, pity him, and help him to bear his burden !"

The clock strikes two, and she commences to pace
the floor frantically.

** I will bear it no longer. I will go and search for
him. I will go to Dr. Bennet. lie will befriend me.

" Hark ! there's the front door, and his dear, familiar
step in the h.dl. Oh, the music of it. Thank God, I
can bear it all, now that my darling is safe," and she
dropped on her knees at the bedside laughing and cry-
ing in the same breath.

After what seemed a long time she heard him mov-
ing about down stairs. The clock struck three. Then
she heard him coming up the stairs, and as he passed
her door he tossed a letter into the room.

"Madam : — I shall not trust myself to further discuss
the painful disclosures of to-night, because I am afraid
I shall lose control of my temper and do or say some-
thing which I would afterwards have cause to reeret.
As it is, the fact that I did in a sense lay violent hands
on you, is an indelible stain on my honour as a gentle-
man. I can neither forgive myself nor her who caused
me to appear like a brawling ruffian in my own eyes.''

Marian wiped away her tears and shook her head.
" Oh, that terrible pride of his. I can pity the shame
he feels, poor fellow. He has seen himself just as I
saw myself on that terrible night in the woods. Poor
dear, he is only human. But I must reatl (^n."

** I feel that I am no longer a gentleman, that the

OTT. ON TRC)!-!;!.!'!! WATERS.

343

^grct.
lands
nitic-
Luscd

lie ad.
lamc
las T
'oor

the

stain on my conscience if. one which I shall carr)- to
my ^rave. " — "So is mine, David, so is mine," she
murmured. — " I have settled on a definite course of
action, and your rejection or approval of the same
shall decide whether we continue to live under the
same roof. I have decided that we sliall never d^ain
live as husband and wife. I siiall occupy my own
apartments and you yours. Of these aijartments you
shall have your choice. There shall be no communi-
cation between us, except in the presence of strangers,
when we shall address each other with courtesy and
civility in order to keep up appearances. I shall en-
gage a housekeeper as soon as possible, and, as it is
better tiiat we should meet as little as possible, you can
arrange the meals at different hours.

" In the matter of household and personal expenses,
you are at liberty to do as you have always done. You
may come and go as you like " — here a sentence was
crossed out but she managed to decipher it--'' but I
shall always expect you to have due consideration for
the name you bear "

She paused to wipe her eyes. She was pleased that
the cruel words had been crossed out. It seemed like
a faint spark of hope. But she eagerly read on.

*' You are at liberty to entertain your friends and re-
latives whenever yon see fit, and I shall always endea-
vor to treat tiiem with courtesy and respect. It will
not be necessary for you to reply to this letter unless
you intend to leave the premises, for I wish, mm', to
cut off all communication. If you should at any time
wish to ta-ke action for divorce, I shall not defend any
suit you may bring against me.

" Davi) Gordon.*

" Divorce . Oh, David, David, why need you have
mentioned that hateful word? I would rather be your
slave, or your servant, than wear a coronet."

She rose to her feet with clasped hands and stream-
ing eyesp and turned her face upward in prayer.

•' Thank heaven, I know the worst now. I shall try

lil i

344

HOUSES OF GLASS.

to bear with patience the penalty of my sin. I shall
carry my cross with resignation, but, please God, I
shall win him back yet."

■ i

CHAPTER LVIII.
adversity's jewel.

A YEAR, a long, dreary year, had passed away since
the estrangement of Gordon and his wife, and yet
apparently they were as far from a reconciliation as
ever. They lived under the same roof, but to Marian
her husband seemed further away than when he was
on the other side of the Alantic.

Yet she had the comfort of seeing him every day.
For this, alone, she was thankful. It was like a ray of
sunshine upon her lonely path. Sometimes she lost all
hope and wished herself in her grave, but this was
only at rare intervals ; for generally she was firm in
the faith that she would win him back again.

She had the satisfaction of knowing that no other
woman was filling her place in his heart, and that she
could depend upon him living a pure life.

Gordon was a man of very regular habits and
this fact gave her several daily opportunities of
stealing a look at him. Protected by the curtains of
her window, she could see him coming to and from his
meals. But soon there came a time when this did not
satisfy her, and she concocted various schemes for en-
larging her opportunities. The mirrored side-board in
the dining-room was so arranged that she could sec
him at his meals without being seen, and, all unknown
to him, she had the pleasure of cooking his favourite
dishes.

Then she always attended to his rooms. She found
it a great comfort to be able to do little acts of kind-
ness for him. She could read the books that he read,
and think the same thoughts. She could add little
adornments and comforts to his chamber , watch for
ravelled threads and missin^r buttons.

I shall
God, 1

ay since
md yet
ation as
I Marian
he was

ery day.
a ray of
le lost all
this was
is firm in

no other
that she

bits and

ities of

Irtains of

from his

5 did not

fs for en-

-board in

rould see

(unknown

Ifavourite

|he found
of kind-
he read,

idd little
;atch for

ADVERSITY S JEWEL. 345

One day she was nearly caucj^ht in the act of tidyip-;
his room when he came back about the midtlle of the
iorenoon for a missing bunch of keys. Too lale to
escape through the door, she darted into the closet,
with her heart pounding like a sledge hannner. What
if he should discover her? Whiit would she do? She
would risk all and take him bodily in her arms. 15ut
in a few moments he was gone again. Her excite-
ment was all in vain.

It taught her a lesson, however. She made up her
mind that if the time ever did come, when he should
discover her in her stealthy acts of kindness, she
would risk all rebuffs, and try to overwhelm him with
tenderness.

She was fortunate in having an excellent house-
keeper at her service. When Gordon employed this
domestic, he gave her to understand that she was to
look upon Mrs. Gordon as her mistress. She was a
middle-aged spinster, with a kindly heart and a still
tongue, and she had the sovereign virtue of attending
faithfully to her duties.

Soon she came under the spell of Marian's magnetic
influence. There arose between the two women a
mutual understanding and affection, which, on Martha
Temple's part, almost amounted to devotion.

For what reason the young couple were separated
Martha did not know, but how any living creature
could help loving her mistress she was at a loss to
understand.

She did not attempt to pry into what did not con-
cern her, but she was convinced that the fault lay
with Mr. Gordon. She soon discovered that her mis-
tress dearly loved her husband, and she gradually
.earned to know just what Mrs. Gordon wished her to
do. She became an astute and faithful ally of her
mistress, rcidily becoming a party to any little plan
which would give her increased opportunities of see-
ing and coming in contact with her husband. But
this must be done without making her motive appar-
ent, for Martha could see that Mrs. Gordon was very
sensitive, and did not wish any one to noticj the es-
trangement between her and her husband. Whenever

346 irousr.s or rii.ASS.

David praised .1 disli of food Martha was sure to tell
her mistress of it, and one d.i\-, when lie said that his
i^tuily was the eoziest little spot in America, Mrs.
Gordon actually opened her piano.

Occasionally, little obstacles arose which taxed
Marian's ingenuity to the utmost. The window of
David's oflice, through which she c<ndd see him at
almost any hour of the day. wnuhl occasionally he-
come so opac[ue with dust that slu; was cheated out
of this pleasure. It took a long time to get Martha
to understand, from hints and inuendos, that the oflice
windows occasionally needed cleaning. The dust,
Marian saiil, not only lookeil untidy, but it shut out a
certain amount of light, and the office was already too
dark for the rood of Mr. Gordon's ex-esij^ht.

Ah, me! what strange creatures women are. Their
love will grow and thrive upoii the most meagre sus-
tenance, and starve from feeding. Difficulties do not
destroy, nor obstacles overcome, ther devotion. In
fact, adversity oidy adds to their adoration. Infinites-
simal crumbs will serve to keei) alive the glow within
their hearts, whil " in luxury's lap it dies frt)ni satiety.

The only breaks in the monotony of her life were
her occasional visits to l^roadview. But she never re-
mained long. Martha was not a particularly good
cook, and David's creature comforts could not be
neglected. After a day's absence she seemed to !)c
on pins and needles till she got home again. She
grew hungry for a look at his face.

Besides, Broadview was lonely without Nelly, who,
with her husband, was now settle! in Denver and who,
judging from her letters, was as happy as the day was
long.

Sometimes Ihere were visitors. Tlie doctor, Mr.
Jamieson, the banker, and occasionally her father and
mother.

On these occasions her manner was a triumpli. No
one could have discerned anything in her demeanour
towards her husband which would lead any one to sus-
pect that there was any estrangement between them.
" God knows it is no trouble for mc to act the loving

adversity's jewel.

347

•c to tell

that his

ca, Mis.

h taxed
lulow of
) him at
iially he-
ated out
: Martha
the office
'he dust,
\ut out a
ready too

i:. Their
:acjre sus-
:s do not
)tion. In
Infinites-
o\v within
I satiety,
life were
never re-
irly good
d not be
Tied to be
ain. She

|elly, who,
and who,
day was

)ctor, Mr.
tather and

hph. No
le mean our
me to sus-
:cn them.
;hc loving

wife to David Gordon, It ir, a role I can play without
prompting," she said to herself.

Hut /ir could not cover hi-, (Mubarrassment so well.
Not only the doctor, but tlicir other accjuaintances,
soon discovered that all was not well between hus-
baiul and wife.

On one occasion her father spoke of it with mois-
ture in his eyes, but she kissed auay his tears.

" You dear, imaginative old daddy, you think I ought
to be fondled and kissed all the time. David is not
unkind. It is only his manner. He is v) taken up
with his books that he is absent-minded. So don't
you be talking like that, or I'll pull your ears," and
she finished by giving him a kiss.

But the estrangement was really no secret. S/w at-
tended church and //f' did not, conse^iuently, that was
supposed to be the cause of tlieir alienation. David
knew this and preferred that the public should look
upon him as a bigot rather than upon his wife with
suspicion.

Once the pastor preached a sermon on the text,
'* Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers," ami
she took him to l.isk severely for misrepresenting
agnostics. She gave the speaker to understand that
a repetition of the offence would mean her withdrawal
from the church. There was no quickc- way of rous-
ing her to arms than by making the slightest hint at
her husband's shortcomings.

She took advantage of every opportunity to soften
him. By intuition she seemed to know just iiow he
wished her to act in the presence of strangers, and she
was generally conscious of his approval. Little acts
of kindness and tenderness were done under the pre-
tence of formality. Many a little march she stole upon
him in this way. Nor was there at these times any
servility in her attitude towards liim ; if anything,
rather the contrary.

The doctor noticed her tactics one cold evening
when Gordon was going out with him.

They had almost reached the gate when she called
him back with a tone of authority. " Mere, Davitl;
you must not go out without a muffler of some kind "

"*"*!***%*•

34«

IIOTTSrS OF CT.ASS.

Sn.iUhin^j a pl.iid, .'•in- folloucd liiin out .md adju'.fcd
it iDUiul his lu-vk .iiul slioiihlris. ilic dm-tni- iiotiicd,
I'vrii 111 llu- d.iik. th.it while she w.i . miilllm;; hiiii up
she" lvr[»t lirr hui" vi r\' ih)Si- to his, ami took a little
Itiujui tiiiu' than v\ as luiessaiy.

" I'ooh," iu' thoiiidit. "tiuii-'s littli," \\cc(\ for mr to
\vo!'v' about her. She'll (.•oiKjuer him yet. Slu- faiik,

\vt>rships that man and he- doesii t desi-rve it.

Cluisliiia was a :;reaL h-Ip to lier (hiriiii( tliese tr}'ip;;
liiiu's. 'l\>^;et!uT they ^^ eiit ahout assi'tinj; the 1)001
and iieed\- in that <|uiel, uiiosteiitat ions way which dot -
jM)od 1))- stealt'.i. llii" lile expanded with her syinjia
thies. ThoU'di s]\r hail no offspiin;', of hiT own to
love, the sii'k .\nd unfortunate weic .dl hiT ehiliht n.

o \'ou kiu)w

Christina, it lias taken mc all ui'

life to le.irn what you .dways knew hy intuitii)n."

"Don't tlatter iwc, M.irian. 1 mvi^r learned very
iiuuh. I was alwa\'s a dunce .it school."

Von have tautdit u\c n»ore, dear, than all niy hooks

and teacher

ou Have snown nie t)y i-xaniple now

.le h

to Inul happiness in its hii^hest form, by putting
away all consiileration for self, and liv'inijfor others. I
i.\o believ<,' tliat i-viM'y crime, every sin, and every vice,
i-A i>ut a modihcatit)n, in one way or anv)lher of that
greatest curse te) mankind, selfishness."

CII.\rTKR LIX.

PII.l NKIKR'S " KKTCII.'

SoMFTTMFS the best ipialities (^f our nature.^; cm he
brouL;ht to lii^ht only by adversity Sufferin<j[ and sor-
row are tiie erreat crucibles which separate the dross
from the Ljold, but like the various ores our nature .
require different times for the completion of the pro-
cess.

The death of Gordon's mother and his child each in
turn sofrened the sharp outlines of his character, bu'
the peculiar trial he had undergone since his estrange
ment from his wife had a greater effect than either.

lUl.h NICiKK'S " KF.Tf'll.

349

.1(1 juste*!

lit >t irrd,
hill) U|)
a WaU-

)i inr to
>1k- fail 1_.

■sc tr)'ii';'.
Ihc p'H.i
Ijich tlot ^
•r syinjM
r own t<i
lildit n.
o .ill uiy
ii)ti."
ncd very

my !)ooks

liplc lH'W

' putting;
others. 1
very vier.
r of thill

OS can bt'
and SOI
tlie (.Iross
r nature
the pro-
Id each ill
acter, bu*
est rang'
either.

At first hr drop|)fd into a deep v< in of < ynlrisni in
which he lost all faith in ins fellow ck atnres. il< km-
soiied that if the woman who had heen his modi 1 of
hnman j)erfe( tion ciould -'i-ceive liiin there was liiirrly
no one in the widi* world whom Ik. conid trnsf. II is
nltim.iluin was, "Nobody really cares for anybody
els(;. Life is nothinjj bnt a sham from the cradle to
the 'jMave,"

The only thill;' whi( !i pr(.'vented him from beromlfijf
a miserable mis.int hro|)e was tin; memor)' of his
mo'lu-r, wh.ose kin lly, h'tm sf f.ice beamc-d al him from
a picture in his room, it shone throu^di his cynicism
hke tlu; sun breakini' throu<di a mist.

The companionship of th<- d(u for w is also of threat
aisistance. Many a ple.isant hour they spent to-
gether.

(loidon was slow to discover that his estimate of
In's f(dlow creatures had been too heroic ; his opinion
of himself too much coloured by prejudice. Jioth
ct(oisin and ej^otism prevented him from discovi-rin^
his own deficiencies.

On the evirniiifj of the quarrel with his wife, how-
ever, he can^^ht a j^dimpse of his baser self. 'J he doc-
tor's incisive loLjic gradually awakened Ins inward con-
sciousness, and he made the astonishing:^ discovery that,
if wei5.died in the balance, there was a possibility of /us
beinj^ found wantin^^. The vision he got of himself
and his fellow creatures throu^^di the lens of the doc-
tor's loj.rjc ^ave him the shock of his lif(^ It chanf^ed
the colour of hismc-ntal horizon. His friend's philoso-
phy convinced him that mankind, instead of consisting
of angel and demons, heroes and villains, was sim[)ly a
mixture of good and bad in every possible variety and
proportion. He had always knoivfi that, but somehow
he had never thorougiily realized it till the lesson was
brought home to him in his own person. Then he
learned with surprise and cliar^rin tliat -ne of those
spotted creatures wa.s D.ivid Gordon.

Many a man will rei)eat a trui^in all his life and
loudly shout "hear, hear!" whenever it is pro-
claimed, without ever having become embued with the
spirit of it. Thousands of roc^u^s lia\'e lived and died

■■- ~" « \ l . , ^ .,

'•«?tT-.-Y.f««^.„,

■If

350

HOUSES Or GLASS.

with the firm conviction that they were honest men,
simply because they did not buri^larize their nc if^h
' our's house or refuse to pay a debt which they could
not legally re[)udiate.

Moral truths are only valuable in proportion as we
apply them to our everyday lives. Let some one siy,
*' To err is human," and we will all shout "Amen,"
but let any one try to show us zvhcrc zvc have crrcd^
and vanity will immediately clap its hands over our
cars and eyes.

Gordon had looked for ])erfection in his wife, and
immediately she confessed her human frailties he had
l)ut her from him as unfit for his companionship. He
confessed to himself that if he had it all to do over
again, he would act in a different manner, liut the die
was cast. He had chosen his own path and must fol-
low it. He really, in his heart, forgave his wife her
czvti sins, but not the one that she had caused //;;// to
commit. It was hard to forgive any one who had low-
ered him in his own estimation.

He could not, in the face of all he had said, offer
the olive-branch to his wife. Besides, he felt that his
actions must have destroyed her affection for him, and
a wife without love would be insufferable. He must
*' dree his weird."

But an event entirely unforeseen was about to mark
the turning-point of his life.

It was a beautiful afternoon in March, when old Sol
was giving his first promise of spring, and David was
sitting at his office window ruminating on the absence
of his wife, who had gone on a visit to her sister at
Denver.

She had been absent only a few days when he made
a discovery which furnished him with material for his
present thoughtful mnod. Both at the table and in his
rooms there was a gr^at falling off in attention. The
cooking was not so much to his taste ; his slippers
were never in their usual corner • the water in his bath
was not tempered, and a dozen little tiling.^? were out
of their usual place.

He was not a man of luxuricms habits, and never
once thought of complaining. He could live content-

t men,
y could

1 as wc
Dnc siy,
Amcii ,"
'C erred,
>vcr our

'ifc, and
he had
lip. He
do over
t the die
nust fol-
wife hir
\ him to
had low-

;aid, offer
that his

im, and
e must

to mark

old Snl

•avid was

absence

sister at

he made
for his
.nd in his
on. The
sHppers
1 his bath
were out

nd never
contcnt-

BILL NIGER'S " KETCH." 351

ediy on the simplest food, so lonc^ as it was clean ; and
al! the otiier trifles were easily overcome by a little ex-
tra precaution 0.1 his own part. But it suddenly
dawned upon him that his wife, for the past eighteen
months, had iieen studying liis every comfort without
hope of reward or recognition. " She must love me
still or she could not, would not, do it."

In spite of all his efforts to concentrate his energies
on his ledger, his mind would wander back to the dis-
covery he had made. A feeling of tenderness seemed
to creep around his heart.

The warmth of the sun herald(^d a change of season ;
it promis(.'d to supplant snow banks by green fields.
Little rivulets from the melting snow were running in
every direction, glistening in the bright sunlight, and
the Speed was su ♦lien to many times its natural size.
At noon Gordon had completely opened his sluiceway
to make room for the great volume of dark, muddy
water which had worn a wide gap in the ice by its mad
rush for the final plunge at the weir. He did nothing
all afternoon but gaze at the rushing water in his mill-
pond and think of his absent wife.

It was now after four o'clock, for the children were
coming from school, and he was about to make an-
other attack on his ledgers, when he noticed two boys
in a very precarious position. The\' were out on the
pond, at the a^^'gKi of the ice, breaking off pieces with a
stick, and watching them glide away with the current.
He rose to warn them of their danger. But before
he reached the c >rner of the mill, one of the lads had
f.dlen through the ice. ind the other was running
towards the sliore shoutii for help. The rotten in
had given way. The poor lad, wx-dged in between
several loose blocks, was keeping his iiead above water
as best he could, and giving vent to the most heart-
rending cries.

Gordon seized several boards from a pile of himber.
and ran to the rescue. C aMliously placing them in
frt)nt of him, he approached step b}- step. He \^'as
almost within reach of the lad. v »T'm thr whole founda-
tion gave wa)'. In a SHJCund i. w, was flounu< ring
in the icy water.

353

HOUSES OF CLASS.

'qff?

The excitement on the bank was now intense. The
town bell was souiidinj^ the alarm.

Gortlon still held to his plank. I'lr-.hinf; it over
upon a si')und portion of ice, he manaijcil to scran ble
to his feet a;^ain, amid cheers from the spectators.

He was comparatively safe now. l^iit unfortuiiatcdy,
his flounderini^ liad only served to loosen the block to
which the boy cluni:^, and it was now [gradually bein^^
sucked out into the current.

" HaniT on, sonny, for dear life. Don't be afraid,
I'll catch you." Waitini^ only to throw off his coat
and cap, David si)rani^ into the si-ethini^ water.

There was a hoarse shout from the shore, and a wail
of despair. " They're lost, they're lost. The weir, the
weir," was the i^eneral cry. ThrouL;h it all, Jamieson's
voice was heard, callin^^ for pikes and ropes.

l^ut Gordon did not desp.u'r of accouiplishin<j^ ln"s
object. He knew the conformation of the dam,
and had confidence in himself. S um he was alon^-
siile the boy. While tlu.y were ilriftin^ down the
rai^iuL; torrent, he was pushini^ his cliarr:^e further
upon the ice block, lie feared that it m;-l>t break,
and all would be lost. His plan was to cross the cur-
rent to the opposite side, and be carried into a little
bay, at the far side of the weir, directly in line with the
other edLje of tlie stream. I lis arms and legs were numb
with cold, but he bent himself to his task, and swam
with all his mi;j;ht. D-own they came with the torrent.
For a few moment -«, the suspense was terrible.
Would the swimmer succeed in crossin;^ the current,
or would they both be sv ept over the weir?

" He's gainin_i^ I He's ^ainin^! Look! Hurrah, they
are saved I" as David with a tinal push sent the ice,
wivh it-. car<^fo, into the little bay. He heard a cheer
a.i the little f' ilow went v.'ithan the reach of safety.

l^ut his find push must have been too much for
him. He suidlenly seemed to lose all power of him-
self. In a moment his head was underneath the
water. He felt, at last, that his hv>ur h id come. The
memon*(;s of a life-time were crowded into a few

.sec

ond.s.

The

t over
ran blc
rs.

ii.itcly,
lock to
' bcin^

afraid,
is coat

[ a wail
cir, tlic
licson's

in<^ Ills
c (lam,
along-
wii the
further
I break,
le cur-
little
ith the
numb
swam
Drrent.
•rrible.
:urrent,

1, they
le ice,
a cheer
etv.

uch for
of him--
ith the
The
a few

mu. NIGER S "KETCH/' 353

"Great God, li<^ has sunk ! No ! there's his head ac,^ain.
I^ut the current li.is <;-ot him. Ib.'s lost! he's lost I"

The stru;,;"'de for bre;ith as he wei't down somewhat
rallied him from his numbtiess. Ihit it was too late.
A terrible roarir.ij \vas in his ear. As lie cau^^ht a
final i^Hmpse of tlie pale faces on tlie brid<^fe overhead,
he was dimly conscious that he would soon be in eter-
nity.

A vision of his wife on her knees before him was his
hist spark of consciousness. Soniethitif^ seemed to
strike him on the head, and all was blank'.

Hark! there is a hoarse shout. SoniethiuL^r lias
cau;4ht him. A dozen stroni^ haiuls are ready l(j [)ull
him up,

" Why, it's Bill Niger that has cau<^ht him. Look
out, liill. Don't send the pike throu;;h him."

" Kee[) (juiet, ther- . It is the (jther end of the pike
I ha\e, with a wire on it."

" By heavens ! the old man's wire is round his arm."

"Order!" .shouted Jamieson. " Easy, i-Jill. D> n't
try to pull him up. You m:<;ht drop him. Catcii my
feet, you fellows," and in a moment the iron-founder
was danf;lin>^ beneath the brids^e, clutching' at the gar-
ments of the drowning man.

There was a moment of suspense as the limp body
was pulled u[).

" Is he dead } Is lie dead ?" was the whispered
question on every lip, and every heart stood stiil.

" jMake way for tlie doctor ! Is lie cK ad, Doctor.'*"

" Dead, no ! Don't )-ou see he is bleeding. He'll
soon be all right." A ringing, rousing cheer went up
from the crowd.

What though the}- laughed and joked as he was [)>•-
ing hurried home to warm blankets ? What thou'di
they chaffed Bill Niger about his wire-pudling, and
threatened to have him fined f(^r fishing oul of season ?
Many aone secretly wiped the moisture from his eyes,
and slipped a pii'ce of silver into the old man's
pocket.

To laugh and joke in the midst of calamit\-, ,ind to
extract humour from even the most tragic situations,
is the privilege of Americans,

354

irOUSES OF GLASS.

l^ut tlu'ir appreciation of the hemic dt-t^d was none
tlic K'ss ''■'•miijic. l^cforf sunset the news was flashed
over the wires to the press of a continent.

CHAPTER LX.

A WEI.COMK VISITOR.

WlIKN Gordon recovered consciousness he was
lyinsj;^ snui^ly in bed, surrounded by a dozen sinihng
faces.

" Is the boy safe ?" was his first question.

"Safe and sound, thanks to }ou."

" Sometiiinf^ liit me on the head ?" lie said, feeding
for the wound on his forehead.

** No, you hit the weir post, and I5ill Niger here
snpred you by the arm."

'* Yes, just like a sucker," growled the old fisher-
man, " and many a one I've snared in my time. I
hain't been fisliing twenty years for notliing."

Gordon almost joined in the hearty laugli that w<Mit
round, but poor old l^ill couldn't see where the joke
was.

"You'll have to reform now, Bill, since you've
tackled bigger game, and become a fisher of men," re-
marked the doctor facetiously.

" It is really wrong to allow this merriment," hecon-
tinueil, " ordy I don't think you'll be much the worse
for your cdUI bath, Gordon."

" I believe if I had not been accustomed to a cold
bath, I U'ver would liave had the courage to jump in."

" No, n-ir you wouldn't have stotxl it. But now
we'll awav and let vou rest for a while. Come, come.
Out every one of you. The fun is all over now.
He'll be at work to-morrow."

Sure eiKHigh, when the boy's parents called next
day to ])our out their thanks, (lordoii was over at the
jiiill as usual, the oidy trace of his great struggle being
a patch on his forehead.

Though David made light of it himself the comma-

is none
flashed

lie was
smiling

, feeling

rcr here

d fishcr-
time. I

int \V(Mit

joke

you ve

en," rc-

hc con-
ic worse

a cold
nip in.'"
ut now
, coine.
jr now.

m1 next
r at the
le being

jominu-

A WFLCOME VISITOR.

355

ntty did not. The next two days were spent in rci-eiv-
\nii the coiitrratul.diotis of cvei\ hods f< <r niiK-s armiiid.

lie fc;lt heartily sick of the wh<<le affair. lie
casually wondered whether old J^all had really done
him a good turn. lie had, at least so far as his own
consciousness wasconcerneil, crossed the big divide, and
since there was no pleasure in life, he thoutdit there
was little in his rescue to cause rejoicing,

" A person has only to die once ; I mitdit as well have
made a job of it. Life is n(it worth living anyway,"
was his sentiment.

"Allow me to congratulate >'ou," said a voice at his
shoulder. Wheeling round, David found himself face
to face with the long-lost Senger.

" Why, how i.\i) you do, Professor? I am really
glad to see you. IIo'.v is the world using you ?"

His visitor's garb itself was almost sufficient reply.
He wore the SaUie venerable coat and his trousers
were patched at the knees. His jewelry had vanished,
his neck-tie was only a pretence, and his stockingless
feet were pee[)ing through his shoes. But his smile
was cheerful and reassuring.

" Though poor in worklly goods I am rich in exper-
ience. I have been chasing that fleeting shadow, hap-
piness, like most of my fellows, ai'd perhaps, have
come as near to it as any of them. There are none so
poor as those who have lost the power of enjoying
life."

'* I don't exactly catch your meaning, I'rofcssor."

"The ])oorest men in the world are, first, those who
are the victims of ennui, those who have been satiated
with the pleasures of life ; and second, those who have
lost faith, confidence and interest in their fellow-crea-
tures. Now, ])oor as I am," he continued, looking at
his dilapidated garment, " I have still confidence in hu-
manity, and can still admire the deed of heroism you
performed but two days gone."

" Stop, Professor, please. I have heard enough of
that. When did you arrive ?"

" Just this morning. I think I shall stay over till
Monday. I am billing the town for a lecture to-morrow
night."

ItM

li : >

356 HOTfSES OK GLASS.

" Oh. On what subject ?"

" On phicnolo<:j\'. V(ui know one must live," he
a(hlc(l, with a gesture n{ apoloi^y. " Besides, I ^ivc
tlu-m good value. There (iri- truths, you know, in
phrenology."

David smiled. " Oh, certainly , and that reminds nic
that I wish to get some more of your pamphlets, liut
do you know, 1 have a fancy to hear you give a lecture
on theology. If you are going to stay over Sunday,
why not ? jamicson will give you Science Hall, lie
tniilt it because the town council once refused to let
.ui agnostic lecture in the towti h;ill. I: is open to
every civil, respect:ible man on any question or topic,
be he Hindoo or Hottentot. I am certai'i you would
have a good audience."

The professor hjoked grave. *' I would prefer giving
a sermon, though I have never tried it. But," he ad-
ded, thoughtful!}', *' I nuist follow m)- own convictions,
and not speak to please an)' individual or set of indi-
viduals. In matters of conscience one nmst be true to
oneself."

" Certaiidy, certainly I f he truth as you see it.
I have been at church only once since I was a boy, and
then the services were postponed. But no matter
whether you are orthodox or heterodox, you shall have
a good hearing."

" I would not care to discuss theology. The subject
is too speculative. Ikit I could preach a sermon on
practical Christianity."

*' Good I" exclaimed David. " Let it be practical,
by all means. That's the spirit of the age. But here
comes the doctor. Let us hear what he says.'

Dr. Bennet's eyes fairly sparkled with delight when
he beheld his h)ng-lost specimen. In his enthusiasm
he almost took Mr. Senjjer in his arms.

After a number of explanations had been given as to
the professor's long silence, the doctor asked :

" Mow long are you going to stay, Prtjfessor ?"

" Only tiir Monday."

The physician gave David a knowing look, as much
as to say, " we will see about that."

=•' \Vc were just discussing, before you came in, the

ve," he
, I o^ive
now, in

linds mc
ts. Ikit
L lecture
Sund.'iv,
ill. lie
il to let
:)[)cn to
)r topic,
A would

}r giving
" he ad-
victious,
of iiidi-
i true to

1 see it.

3oy, and
matter
Ul have

subject
nion on

actical,
tut here

it when
lusiasni

;n as t()

s much

in, the

A WELCOME VISITOR. 357

advisability of the j^rofessor's i^ivinj:; us a sermon on
Sunday," i;xplained David. "Or, shall we call it a lec-
ture ? It's all the same tliini;."

" I bcL^ )()ur pardon, Mr. Gordon," exclaimed the
professor, " th< re is a vast diffen-nce." antl he held up
two fin,:]jers to emphasize his words.

" Indeed," said David, with an amused smile, " let
us hear the difference. But first, take a chair."

Mr. Sender seated himself in a biir arm chair, ami
with his fingers extended before him, commenced his
explanation.

"A lecture is directed to our mental, and a sermon
to our moral natures. The one is an appeal to reason,
and the other to sentiment."

Gordon broke into a heartv lau'/h. " You are very
hard on the preachers. You remind me of Burns'
couplet

" ' To mix faith .md sense
On any pretense
Is hcrelie, damnable error.'"

"Ah, the bard was in a cynical mood when he said
that. Sentiment and reason are as inse[)arabl}' con-
nected as the mentnl and physical in ourselves."

The doctor sat on a pile of empty sacks, fairly
beaming with interest, but taking no part in the dis-
cussion.

"A lecture," continued the professor, " is presum-
ably for the purpose of elucidating truths, while a
sermon is devoted to the application of them to human
life. There is the same difference between a lecture
and a sermon as there is between the tweed or the
broadcloth which hangs in the de.der's wiiuKnv and
a suit of clothes on a customer's back. The lecture
may supply the cloth, but the sermon is the scissors
and sewing machine which make a garment of it."

** You are a hard man to btick, Professor," rejoined
David with a laugh. " Your c-'i)lanation is true, inas-
much as the average sermon does cut and carve truth
most unmercifully." This sally brought forth another
laugh all round, but the professor was quite un-
daunted.

358 HOUSES OF r.I.ASS.

" Your millstones arc terrible mutilators f)f wheat,
.nid )'et you keep them whirlin;^ to pr< 'Kire the foud
for our stomaehs. Very well, i'lvery ci /eh should he
a tailor shop where truth i^ fitted to the peculiar needs
or conditions of the conr.nunity."

" One would infer fr('m your discourse, Professor,
that there is no morality outside of relii^don. Do yuu
mean to say that one cannot be morally perfect with-
out beinir a Christian ?"

" Any one who is morally perfect is unconsciously
a Christian, in the sense that he is a follower of
Christ's precepts."

" There arc very few Christians, then, I take it.
Rut supposin^,^ a Mahommedan were morally perfect,
would he be a Christian ?" asked Gordon with, a smile.

The doctor <;leefully rubbed his left arm but did not
speak. Here was a poser, he thought.

"If you were familiar with the tcachin<]^s of Maho-.
met," replied Mr. Sen<:jer, " you would see that one
could not be morally perfect while he adhered to that
faith. lUit a man may attend ser es in a moscpie or
temple, and if he is morally perfect, even thoui^h he
never heard of Christ, he is still a Christian in the
higJicsi soisc. Supposing I ask three boys to solve a
problem for mc. One docs it by arithmetic, another
by algebra, and still another by mensuration or Euclid,
but what matter so lop.g as they all get the correct
answer and all reach the same conclusion ? If a man
reaches moral perfection by Alohammedanism, Ilin-
dooism, or any other ism, he is practically a Christian.
All he lacks is the label. We use t!ie word Christian
to represent m.oral perfection, because, so far as we
are concerned, Christ w as the only living fxainp/r.
It appears to me you have a wrong impression, Gor-
don. You think that Christ wanted adulation and
flattery. No such thing. His motives were not gov-
erned by selfishness and vanity. He little cared for
praise and lip-service, so long as his teachings, his
truths, were accepted and practiced.

Look here, Professor. Suppose that a

man is

honest, sober, industrious and honor.il'le ; that he does
his duty to his wife and children, and obeys the laws

A WET.rOMF Vr-SITOR.

3^9

A- heat,

," food

u!il bo

needs

fcssor,

lO )'Ull

: with-

:inusly
WCY of

ike it.
)erfcct,
. smile,
did not

Maho,
lat one
to that
([ue or
luidi ]\c
in the
oh'e a
pjiothcr
■luclid,
orrect
a man
1, Hin-
ristian.
liristian
as we
■ample.
1, Gor-
)n and

)t iJOV-

ed for
gs, his

lan is
le does
le laws

of thf^ l:ni '.- Woulil you [)Iace him as first class in
your nit)r.il oatejjjory?"

]\Ir. Sent-er smiletl and shook his licad.

" Well, bv heavens," retorted David, "tliere are very
few wiio fill tile bill. If you were dealing with the
public, you would find it out."

'* Those are only the fountlation stnies of mor.dity,"
replietl tlie professor. " If that ivcrc all, there would
be no kindness, charity, mere)', or love. Morality, with-
out the hi;jjher qualities as tau<.,dit by C'hrist, would be
just as incomplete as mathematics would be with only
arithmetic. \\'hat could we do in soKint^ the great
engineering problems of the world, without the highvr
mathematics? Well, we .ire just as heljiless in solving
the problem of a perfect life, without the higher and
nobler qualities which form the great superstructure
of morality. Remember it is not sufificient to say,
' Well, I never did any one any harm. That is only
negative morality. We must do ji;;oo(l, and leave tin-
world better than we found it. There are errors of
omission, as well as errors of commissiofi."

Gordon felt that he was losing ground.

" Pshaw ! It does not seem to matter much, whether
you steal, cheat or lie. The worst villain unhung, who
believes in Christ (or says he does) is far b. tter in the
eyes of the church than the honest man who does not.
Common morality is good enough for me."

The professor again shook his head.

•' Christ shows us that the man who professes to believe
in him and does ot endeavour to follow his pi'ece[)ts is
a liar, a th. '^. . ., the truth is not in him. A man may
believe the story of the crucifixion ; he may believe th.it
such a being as Christ really did exist, but tliat amounl ;
to nothing. Credulity is not a virtue. Faith without:
works is only a mockery," continued the speaker,
snapping his fingers. " Furthermore, I contend that
ordinary morality (as you call it), is not sufficient for a
man who performs a deed of heroism. No ordinary
ethics prompted you to jump to almost certain death
to save that hny. You have the works without the
faith, the goods without the label, hi, ha, ha !"

Gordon was completely cornered, and he knew it

3^o

TTDrSES OF r,I,ASS.

" Am I never to licar the last of that ? Is it fair to
ih-a<^ that outuL^ainst mc in an arLnnuent of thi;-. kinti ?"

" He was onlv tailorini; trutli a little f<^r \i)u." said
the doctor, " but yo\i can finish your ari^uinent on Sun-
day, Professor."

" Indeed, Doctor, I am afraid I have a hca\-y task
before me. No ordinarv tliscourse will do for two
such keen critics. I must go even now and prepare
myself."

" Wait a moment, Professor, you must come and dine
with me," exclaimed the tloctor.

"Thank )'ou very much, but I shall deny myself the
pleasure, until I can present myself in more suitable
^uise."

" Pooh, man ! I am a bachelor. We shall dine by
ourselves, thout^h I must tell you the fare will be very
plain," and, with aknowini^ wink at Gordon, the doctor
bore away his prize in triumph.

CHAPTI-.R LXI.

SAl'l'IN't; AM) MIXING.

**Ori, my hero ! Oh, my darlin^; ! I told you, Nelly,
that somethins^^ li.id happcnctl wh.en that vision of him
came befijre me at the matinee yesterday. To think
he should be so near death and I thousands of miles
away. I must go, dear. I cannot stay a moment
lomrer.*

" Yes, but Mally, the papers say that he is not seri-
ously hurt. Look I It sa}-s otdy a slii^ht scalp
wound."

" I don't care, I w/^f/ go. Don't keep mc, dear, but
come and help me pack up. Is this the latest time-
table?"

"Yes, I think so."

''Well, I can catch the Limited in forty minutes.
Let us hurry. I can make it."

** Won't you have sonjething to eat, dear?"

fair to
kind ?••
I," said
)i\ Sun-

■y task
or two
)icpuic

nd dine

self the
uitablc

ilinc by

be very

doctor

Nelly,
of him
think
f miles
Inoment

ot sen-
scalp

„>ar, but
t timc-

linutes.

SArPING AND MINING. 361

•* No, Nidly, not a bite. It would choke me. Hurry,
lunry.'"

Wliiie fhcy were i^fettin;^ n.'.'idy a telecjram was
handed in, addressed to " Mrs. Maurice FleLciier, Den-
ver."

** Gonhjn is all rij^ht. He is workinf]^ as usual.

CiEO. liKNNKT."

*' There now, dear, it is no use p^ettin;.^ excited,"
said Nelly, as Marian snatched the telegram and
kissed it. " The i)oor old doctor knew you would be
worryinfj your heart out about him, and even sent the
message to ;//<• so as not to frigiiteii you. Now you
can wait till to-morrow."

" Uon't coax me, Nelly dear. I shall come back
soon. But I shall not rest till I see his cK ar face attain."

Before Maurice was aware of her intentions, Marian
was flying homewards as fast as steam could carry her.

All night long she lay awake in her berth, think'ing
of her wickedness in not havinfr loiifj atro broken
down the barriers of reserve and taken him by sheer
force. What if the wire had missed his arm, and he
had gone to his death, without a word of f(jrgiveness
between them ? It was terrible to think of it.

At first she could not eat. Hut when it occurred to
her that want of food and sleep would make her look
haggard she changed her tactics. On the second day
of her journey she secured a stateroom, and remained
in bed the greater part of the time.

"I shall not go to him, l<);)king pale and faded. I
will lay siege to hisheart with all the power and strategy
at my command. I shall spare no art or wile to bring him
to my arms again. I have remained passive long enough.
1 shall be aggressive nov/. He has taught me a lesson in
courage. He has set me a noble example. I shall be
wise as the serpent, and innocent as the dove. I shall
win. I know and feel the inspiration of Victor}"."

But she must I'-ird on her armour. She must preser^^e
her complexion by taking plenty of sleep. When the

" l"<j pl *l |I IHt ,

362 HOUSFS OF r.LASS.

train stoppod at ('hicai^fi) slic secured a hath which
revived lu r wDHiUrfnlly.

On Salinda\- inoriiiiiL; a^ain, hefore reachiiiL,^ home,
slic took ailvantiii^e of the seclusion of her state-room,
to i;ive herself a vii^ourous sponj^nni;, and when she
I'.ft the train at (icnvanstone, tliere was not a trace of
f.iti^ue in lier face.

\Vhen David, fronii his office win(h)w, saw the omni-
bus from tlie station drive up to his L;ate, his heart beat
»nore c|ui( kly. lie instinctively i^uessed tli.it his wife's
■ iiexpectcd return was due to his little esc.ipade. In
fact, he had hoped th.il she would come. It would be
an evidence tliat she still Ctired for him.

At the house a dilferent scene w.is bein^ enacted.
The moment that Marian was inside her own door she
burst into tears.

" Is he all ri<;iit, Martha ?'

'* Ves, ma'm, llc;'s at the mill, he is."

** Did he eat his dinner all rii^ht ?"

*' Not quite so well as he generally docs, ma'm."

" What underclothes has he on ?"

" I couldn't say, ma'm. Miss Lanc^try hunted up
tlie thiui^s. She j^ave him some extra, she did."

" Christina is an anijjel. But was it all true that I
reail n\ the papers ?"

" Yes, and more, ma'm, because I seed it myself. Ir
was awful, it was. They bringed him in and put him
in your bed, the)- did, because it was handy. And the
doctor sewed up his head."

Marian spran^r up and cauL,dit her by the arm. " Don't
deceive me, Martha. You saitl he was quite well."

" So lie is, ma'm, and only for the stickin' plasters on
his head, you wouh; levcr know the difference."

*' Run, then, please, and tell Christina to come right
away. Tell her I am home and wish to see her very
particularly."

As .^oon IS she was alone she stole into the room,
//tv }-L>o)n, where he had passed one night. Looking
around to make sure that no one would see her, she
kissed the pillows where his head had been. There
was a roll of sticking-plaster on the little table and a
distinct smell of iodoform about the room, while in the

wliicli

home,
-room,
•n she
ace of

omni-
rt bt.-.it
; wife's
Ic. In
luld be

lacted.
jor she

|tecl uj^

that I

;clf. U
,t him
nd the

Don't
1."
:ers on

c riiijht
- very

room,
oolvni^
,T, shv-
There
and a
in the

SArriNC AND ^T[\TNG. 363

pin-cushion was a stranj^^^ly sliapcd, riirvcd needle.
Tiien; was also a watersoaked collar .md tie in the
u.ish-stand drawer. .She i>oiinccd upon tliese, and after
coverinj^ them with kisses, slipped theiii into her
pocket.

"Christina, would you like to sec throup^h the mill
tliis afternoon," said Marian, with a pleadinc^ look at
her friend, after they had finished their sisterly t^rert-
in^^s.

" Yes," replied Christina, tryint^ to look uncon-
scious ; " I have often wondered what it hooked like
inside. Shall w - ^o now ?"

" Yes, yes. Just as soon as I have had a wash and
chanf]^ed my dress. 1 will lend you my i[ossamt:r to
keep the dust off."

" And what will you do ?"

" Oh, I shall wear some old thinj^ that the dust
\von't luirt. Anythinc^ will do."

As Marian ran to her room she bit her toncnie at
tlie ni). If it took all the dresses in her wardrobe, she
would have somethincr suitable for the r<)le she was
about to play. Tush, what was a dress in a warfare
of this kind ?"

She had already studied many hours over this ques-
tion, and when she had finished her toilet there vvas a
distinct air of coyness about her from he-r hat to her
boots. There was a dash of carelessness here and a
trace of cocjuettishness there which could be seen but
not understood. She would approach him with a mi.K-
ture of int^enuousness ar.d simplicity, totally icjnor-
in$^ the past. She had a new role to piay. 'i he stake
she was pla}'in;^ for was dearer than life.

Her heart was beating wildly as she ran up the
steps leading to bis office with Christina at her heels.
She timidly knocked, and in reply to his gruff "Come
in," she opened the door and stood face to face with
tlic man for wdiom she would have died.

G(->rdon bade them the time of day, and offered
them chairs, while he stood leaning against his desk
wailing for tlum to speak. His heart was thumping
like a sledgehammer, liut, thougli his face was pale,
he preserved his outward calmnes.s.

^■.St^i^'i

■"''♦T*i«W<«*~*^

364

IIOIISKS OF CLASS.

Wlicn Mari.'.n s.iw the patch 011 hi?; forclicad she
fch hkc takiiiLj her hero botlily in hur aini^. It tost
licr (]uitc' ail clfort to keep tlic look of tciuLriicss from
her face. " This is the 111. m I called a coward. Hut I
will make amends now."

" Mr. (iotvion," she said, pv-litel}-, addressiii;^ him as
thou<;h he were a perfect stranj^er, "we have come to
cont^ratulate you and express the admiration which
every woman feels for a died of heroism. C^our-
a«Te is the (lualitv of all others which we women ad-
mire. I feel it L'otli a pleasure and a duty to offer
you my hand. '

Poor David! I lis face turned scarlet. .Sj)eech failed
him. liut he held out his hand and she shook it as
respectfully as if she did not lon-^ to kiss it.

" It was a noiile deed, Mr. (lordon," said Christina,
offerini^ her hai^d in turn.

i).ivid (jordon disliked tlattery in its ordinary, ful-
some, palpable form, but below tiie outward crust of
his nature there lay a ilcc.p vein of vanit}'. His wife's
words and her lespectfid, serene tone,- touched a tender
spot. I lis end).irrassed all itude aiul hei^^htened colour
told Marian that her airn had been true and her judij-
ment sound. She smiled inwardly at this loophole in
his armour, and yet she felt that she could l(>»ve him
all the moii; for beinir able io lau;.di .it him a little.

" Ke.dly, it m. ikes me- feel ridiculous to have it men-
tioned," he protested wlu-n he finally recovered him-
self. " It was done on the spur of the mornent. Any
one would have (lone- the same."

" Hut there was only one- who did," replied Marian,
archly, as she j)rei>aiX(l to land anothei broadside.
" Heroes are U'-t so plentiful," and she tuiiu.'d her
face away with tlu: same instinct tiiat once caused her
to shut her eyes when she find off a j^un.

She was very uncertain as to how her last shot
would tell. .She moved over to the windi)w which
overlooked tiie pond. '' What a siinur I am to hit
this poor b;llow on a weak spot," siir said to herself,
with a sol) in hir throat. " I don't ca.e'. /h- is aluro
and I love him. I'm fond of llattery myself. Who

L-nd sho

It tost

ss from

lint 1

liim as
oinc to
uliich
C^o ur-
acil ad-
:o offer

h faikd
ok it as

uistiii.i,

iry, ful-
jiiist of
s wife's
I tctulcr
colour

jud.i-j-
)liolc in
him
lie.

t nu:n-
liini-
Any

M.irian,

uiside.

1 licr

I her

sec

st shot
which
to hit

KTSelf,

\' a hiro
Who

SArriNc; A>fi) mixinc]. 3G5

/.sv/7, if it is skilfnlly !.';ivc-n ? lint it is cowardly, and
I won't do it ai^Min."

" Wonid )'on ladies like to see throu;.;h the mill?"
he asked in a kiiully toiu'.

" We would he delighted. That is. if it i^. not too
much trouhU'."

" No trouble at all. We will \\n ritdit now. Just
follow me." Donnin^f his white cap, he led them out
amonij the whiiiin*', wheels, where the noise; of the ma-
chinery, and the rushing sound of grain, made conver-
sation impossible.

Up and down Iv led them amonj^st bins, hoppers
and elevators, shouting in their ears, from time to time,
a minute i;xi)lanation of the course taken by the wheat
on its way to make the white, sweet smelling flour.
Everything which seemed so intricate to them was so
simple to him, and though he seemed to go about (pn'tc
carelessly among the wheels, he was very careful of the
safety of his visitors. In ; {)ite of this, however, Marian
was continually gettini'; into dangerous positions.

lie '.vas kept busy looking aft«M" her. She had athou-
san'.l (jnestions to ask, and of course, h.ul to put her
lips close to his car in order to be heard. Even Chris-
tina smiled at the childish perversity witii whicli her
friend insisted on looking into every bin and hop[)er
which recpiired his assistance to reach, and though she
could i'.'Mierally romj) like a tomboy, she could not now
dismount from a b<jx without ?dr. (Joidon's assistance.
She was weaving an invisible \v( b about him, like; tho
spider with the II}'. She felt that she was^siiningground,
and her s{)irits rose in proportion. All embarrasmeitt
on luT part was gone. Iler face beametl uith pleasure.

Once, as if by accidi.'ut, her lij)s touched his car, and
st;veral times her hair <.'ia/.ed his che(d<. lint the
climax came when the frillmg oi her dress got caught
in a gearing.

\ careless swish of h(;r skirt threw it among some
cogged wlietils. With a relentless grasj) tin y i om-
menci-d to drag her in.

(lordon imnvdiately cau'dil her in his aims. With
a herculean wrench, he lore her loubc.

3^)6 HOUSES r)F CJ.ASS.

At nrst she scorned a little frij^htcncH, but when her
husb.iiul released Ik r from his arms she was a r(isy
red. It was all over in a trice. J'jiit short as the time
was, her cheek lay for a full second ai^Minst his.

The j^eariiij^s were not speeded very hi'di, and the
dairur was not very rreat, but she was now under an
<)bli<;ation to him. She liad somitliin<^ to apolot^izc for.
She had disj)layed her inferiority.

In thankiiiLj him for his presence of mind, she man-
af^ed to keep the h)velicdil from lier eye. She preserved
with difficulty her ori;.;inal manner. In ai)olo!_ri/inL^f ff;r
the fri<dit she had idven liim, slie befj^u,! him to over-
look her silly recklc;ss!.css, and added, that she never
dreamt of any danijer, on account of his l)iini; at hand.

)hit she had still another op{)ortunity, when they
reached the office. " Christina, will you please run
over to the house for some' ])ins ? I have only two
here. I can't ^^o out on the stre( t this way."

The whetds had taken a larL;;e bit-- f)ut of her ^^(Avn,
leaving it in tatters. With Ium' head b< iit over her
shouhler she made several futile attempts to secure
some loose pieces.

*' iVIr. (jordon, will you please fasten that for me?
Dear me, what a silly thin<^f 1 was not to think of wk-><
I was doini(. I'm sure you won't care to have sui
troublesome visitors very often. I feel that I hav(.'
been a nuisance. A child would have known better."

Davit knelt down arid commenced his task, whikr
she, peeping over her shoulder, ^ave orders. I^'rom
the dainty frills and laces underneath there came a
faint perfume. Toor David scarcely kiu.-w what htr
was dointr. Hut she artfully kept him struL'ffliu'i with

the fraf.,nnent till Christina arrived.

*' It is too bad, Christina. I needn't have troubled
you. Mr. Gordon has done bravely. Now, if ycni will
loan me your gossamer we will ^o."

(iordon was by this time almost mesmerized by her
arts, and all the iruue so that she seemed quite un-
conscious <tf till 111.

As they Wife aoout to j)ass throu<rh the door a
notice posted nearby cauj^ht Marian's eye. She read
aloud :

SArriN'G AXI) MIXIN<i.

3^7

en her

a rosy
c lime

11(1 llu-
(Icr an
izc for.

e man-
I'scrvrd
/.iiii; for
() over-
: never
t hand.
>n tliey
ase run
ily two

r |.M)\vn.
vtr her
) secure

or me?

c: sui
I hav(;
Ibettcr."
wliile
l''rom
:ame a
'hat In;

ll'r witll

-ouhh'd
am will

Ihy her
ite un-

Idoor a
lie read

"A Si:RMf)\ IN S(II"A'( !•: HALL,

Sr.M) V V, Maim II jist.

Professor Scf.t^er will lo"vc ,ui address od Practical
Cnristianity. Come (^nc mul all.

V. Sknckk."

" Would }'ou like to |.n), Christina''" sIk continui'd.
turiiiu}^ ^wldd^•nly to lu-r friend witii a iM.ixiii;.^ luuk on

her f.

ICl"

iCs to-morrow, \'t)u know.'

• 1 think i would. 1 h.ue he.ird th.it the strange
Id man is very clever."
" 1 shall he j^lad to escort )-oii both," said Davitl.
'' It was at my sui^i^estion that the lecture was an-
nounced. Come- for dinner to-morrow, Miss Lantlry,

1(1 we shall all -/o together.

iria

n 1

)()'

acl^nowlet

Ij^menl

Thank

thousand th.inks for )'our kind Invitation, Mr. (jordon.
Also for )(nir kindness, patienee and — "here she

paused with a i;entle smile — '
Cood afternoon."

your presence of miin

Marian c<juld scarcely walk home with decorum.
She felt as if she- could hup, skip, and juni[), likt: a
school-j.n'rl. VV'lu ii tin )' r' ached llu." house she- cau<^lit
Christina in In r arms and swun;.; li'i' round with a ve-
locity that thr(ratened destruction to liie furniture.
She kissed Martha, "cut up" like a youu^.fster, and
ound up at the j)i.ino with " llome, sweet home."
Christina on her way home wondered if the episode

)f ll

le (Ire'ss weie rea

Ily

iiii aecn

lent

or w

hell

ler it was

<lone on a sudden impulst

I lad her friend reached a
point where she ■, ould risk life, limb, e\(rythin<^, to
to brinc^ her husband back to her ? Was tie toss of
her llounces into the wheels the last thro

w (V, ' /le dice,

wbere everj'thinLj is won or

l.>st ?

Ah, (diristina ! I)eepcr thinkers and i^rcater phil-
oso[)hers cou'd onl}', like )-ourself, have jnieised
Who can measure the hitldeu impulses and motives of

the human heart ? Th

e w

iri)

iiid

W )(J

f of

U'Ve arc

life are woven in mystery
IVlr^i. Cordon was a wuinan.

368

HOrSF^ OF r.T.ARS.

ciiArri;k lxii.

A I A\ SKKMON.

On Sunday afternoon, at least half an hour before
the .i|)|)ointe(l time, every seat in Scitiiee Hall was
takiu up. It had been coninionlx' nported that the
professor was goinj-j to preaeh to tiie agnostics, hut
whether /n' or lon, nobody could tell.

It would h.ive been hard, however, to find a more
intelli'^ent, lilx. lal and frii'udly audience than th.it
which had «.'allKrid t'l he.ii what the eccentric old
man had to say. A few of the ultra-orthodox felt
uncas\- and out of place. The hall seemed to them to
have an atmos[)here of unp^oilliness.

The (bop curtain wliich ornamented the front
of the sta;;e, represented a IM.iyday scene, where
lads and lasses d.mced arMinul the I\Iay[)ole, and a
very f.iir steel cngravin?^ of the ikird of v\von deco-
rated the archway at the top. Throu^jh the half-open
staL,^: door, they could catch j^linip^e-s of wigs, swords,
brii^ht costumes, bloodtliirsty bowie-knives, and super-
annuated blunderbusses. Indeed, to some, it was a
terrible place for the word of God to be spoken, and
they occasionally knelt for a prayer of disinfection.
Hut the bulk of the audience haviuL; often been to the
hall to hear dramatic enlertainments, toi^k everything
as a matter of course.

At last the speaker a[)})earetl, liible in hand, wear
ing the .same threadbare ci)at, but his hat was now of
a more reputable shai)e, and his nether garments were
(][uile new. With sj)otless collar and cuffs, and a shirt
fresh from the laundry, he had a decidedly res[)ectablc
apj)( rirance.

\Vl

len the curtain went u[), the i)rofessor w.is discov-

ered in the foreground of a rocky canon, through which
ran a turbulent stream with its rushing rapids and tum-
bling waterfalls. Tlie scenery was good. The tower-
ing cliffs and mountain peaks with which the old man
was surrounded, i',ave him a weird and somewhat pro-
phetic appearance.

>cforc
1 was

it the

s, l)Ut

\ tb.it
ic oUl
)X felt
icm <'>

: frcmt

where

aiul a
n clcctv

kwnrds,
super-
was a
L n, and
(.:t.-ti<Mi.
to the
irythin^

(\, wear
Inow of

Its were
a shirt

lettable

L lis*. t»v-

i\ whicli

1(1 Luni-

tower-

Ul man

at pro-

A LAY SERMON. 3fV)

Another surprise. howcv.T, was in ston.' for tho

audience. Just at this nionunt tile nicnibcrs of

:iiest

imicson s orcnestra came crecpnv.^ up tnrou

h tl

littli' do(^r under the st.ij^c and took their jjiaces with
their music in front of tlieni.

It still wanted a quarter of an hcnirof the ajipointed
time, and the professor, drawinf^ his chair to the fn-ut
of the stac^e, entertained his audience hy sprakins^ in a

quiet, conversatioiia

I styl'.

No doubt it may seem odd to many of you to hear
the rosiK-l of Christ from a scenerv-vlecked stafje. In
fact, it is a surjirise to myself. And )\;t I confess I
feel tlie inspiration of the oraiid old mountains theii.
True, the)' are only pa^ntin^^s, but yet tluy su_L!^;4est the
eternal. They ^n've us a hint of the mai^nificence of
the universv'.

" l'erhai)s I m;iy be mistaken, but it s:ems to me that
it could not be wrunc^ for a preacher of tlu- i^ospcl to
be surrounded by scenery in keepititj with his text.
The impressiveness of Christ's sermon on the mount
was, no doubt, au<4"mented by the surreaindin^s.

" Many advanced churches have orchestras, just as
wc have here to-day, and if the ear helps us to form
lii;^her conceptions and nobler ideas, why not the eye?

*' 1 never thou*;ht of it bef(jre, and pe'-hiips I should
not speak of it now, but Ljiiavea fancy that <;rand scen-
ery would make us more devout and reverential, would
help us to for^^et our narrow little selves.

" It may be thatwc are all slaves to custom. Weall
have prejudices a^;ainst innovations ; but it is ju.-^t
possible that the church may chau'^e its opinion.
There ?s no ins[)iration in bare walls, and if we take
away \hv. prejudice a<2jainst the scenery, I d >n't see
what harm there could be. It has certainly lent j-jroat
force to the educative jiowcr c)f the staple.

" I don't see why tru'di shouKl not be made attrac-
tive ; clad in up-to-date clothin^^ Take the music,
for instance, of our hymns and antluMns. There can-
nt»t be any tloubt that it has done much to neutralize
tlie cruelty of creeds and beautify thouL;ht. Vet there
was a time when a violin, trombone, or even an organ,
was considered too ungodly for a {)lace of worship.

370

HOUSES OF ru.ASS.

'' liut now I sec thj time i.-. up.

*' The orchestra will kiiully opcti with the doxolo^y,"

Immediately that ^^rimd did soiicj of praise, that an-
them of love which will live as loni^ as water runs and
j^rass^rows, was echoini^f throu^^h the hall. Some stood
up and some sat still, but all san;^ from their hearts.

" The white light of the violins " called for purit)' of
thoui^ht ; the clarionet and cornet declared their faith
in the future of mankind ; the flute warbled of the
joys of righteousness; the bass with its deep, soft
hum told of the j)eacc wliich passeth all understandini^ ;
the !^rave oltl trombone spoke of the stern duties of
life ; and all joined in i^reetini^ the great Creator of
the universe. Neither time nor usage can wither the
beauty of that grand old air, whose mellowing tones
of pe;ice and love are universal and eternal.

It is a fitting theme to tunc our lu.'arts for grave and
sacred thought. When the professor commenced
his j)rayer the audience listened with bated breath.

" O God, Thou symbol of love and truth, let us here
express a wish that our understanding may be en-
larged sufficiently to comprehend in spirit and letter
the subject before us to-da)'. Let prejudice, hate and
superstition be expelled from our souls, and let us
come together as fellow-creatures. Let us meet, not
in the arrogance of knowledge, but in the humbleness
of lliat ignorance we must all feel in the presence of
the eternal. Let us sympathize with each other in the

(KU KIK'SS \v

hich

surrounds the question of whence an

f wh(

whitner ; the darktiess which is only penetrated by
the 'jtar of hope. Let us take each other lovingly by
the hand and search earnestl)- for truth. lie wh
truly seeks sliall truly find. Amen !"

Th(

e rmg of smcerity m the speaker s tones

th(

dc(

had

pov.'crful effect on his hearers. There was not a soul
in the hall who did not feel that the professor's heart
was in his words. Next he gave out a h\'n\
a hitch in the proceedings occurred

ere

e gave on

t th(

e wrong n) nm, and the musicians

1 th(

not being prepared for this did not attempt to
play, but the professor started to sing in a loud sono-

utmSitiX'i

A T.AY SERMOX.

3;^

Kit an-
us and
: stood
irts.
rity of
r faith
of tiic
p, soft
iidiiiL^r ;
itics of
itor of
icr tlic
tones

,vc and
acnccd

;itli.

us hero
be en-

h'tter
ite and

et us
et, not
)leness
.Mice of

in the
ice and
|ed by

[\y by
who

had a
a soul
heart
Here

iicians
pt to
sono-

rous voice, not only tlie wron;^^ h\-mn but the wrons^
time and tune, if indeed, it could be :alled a tune at
all. For nearly a whole verse he str.iggled on alone
in a way that put many in a cold s\\ ea' . Some gij^jgled,
and some frowned, but all felt uneasy.

A pang of pity for the poor old man shot through
David's lieart. Would he never quit, or would somt •
hotly never put him ri;dit till he becanii- a laughing
stock ? He felt like getting up in his seat, and a^5king
him to omit the sinjrinir, wlien as if in answer to his
wish, Marian's clear sweet voice went ringing through the
hall, and in a moment the audience joined her.

" How kind ; how brave of her," thought DaviJ.
*' She has saved the whole proceedings from becominij
ridiculous." Reaching under her ca{)e, he gave her
hand a squeeze. The rich colour mounted to her cheek
and brow, but she kept on singing. She sang as she
liad never sung before. She felt that in that clasp
their souls had touched once n!ore.

When the hymn was ended, the professor was so
exhausted by his vocal efforts that he requiied a short
breathing spell, and he asked that the collection be taken
up. In the absence of the regulation plate, he handed
over his hat. There was a touch of humour in the
situation. But those who smiled ditl so good natu redly
and the contributions were fairlv liberal. While this
was going on he spoke a few words on the efficacy of
prayer.

" As far as I can judge, a prayer is not intended so
much to invoke the personal assistance of an Almighty
Being, as to arouse the proper feeling in cur own
hearts. A pra\er i^^ simpl\- a wish, a high and earnest
thought ; and by expressing it aloud, we hope to
arou.-^e the best and noblest elements of each other's
nature. H ue have such thoughts and desires it must
be right to express theiu, in order that others may be
influenced thereby. A prayer like a hymn is a tuning
of our minds to the subjt\-t in hand, a tilling of the
soil on which to sow the seeds of truth. For the same
reason that a conscientious violinist will always be care-
ful to delicately tune his instrument before attempt-
ing some great selection, so I think, will prayer alwn.ys

372

HOUSES OF CLASS.

hold a place with earnest, conscientious seekers for
truth.

The collection havinf^ been conipktcd and the hat
dcpositeil on tlie table, the speaker took a drink of
water, and commenced:

" Ki\D Friends : — First let mc apologize before-
hand for the ramblin;:^ nature of m\' remarks, j)ai 'Ay due
to my inexperience and partly to the irre<jjular way in
which ideas come upon mc Besides, 1 shall probably
never have an opportunity of meetinc^ you again, and
wishin<^ to 5^0 over as much grouiul .is possible I shall
take no particular verse or chapttT. but speak broadly
on the question before u.;. In this intelligent audience,
there are no doubt many classes of thinkers, .-nd,
instead of emph.isizing your differencv-S, I shall tr)- to
show you a common ground where wc can all give
each otlier our sympathies.

" I tln'nk I am safe in saying that he who tries to ac-
centuate your differences, to erect barriers of prejudice
between you, is an evilly disposed person, no matter
what position he occupies, or what the colour of his
coat may be. I would like to show you that we are
not nearly so far apart as wc imagine, that a great many
of our prejudices arc founded on misapprehension.

'' We shall proceed cautious!)-, in order to avoid any
misunderstanding, and if any one wislies to ask a ques-
tion, I shall consider it a privilege to answer it, if I can.

" I am not going to claim, at the outset, that truth
origmated with Christ. We can all readily understand
thai truth must have been co-existent with space and
matter, co-eternn.l with God. Ferliaps I had better
pause and make myself clear on this point, for the word
God may convey a different idea to each and every one
of you. I ask you, however, to let me use the word to-
day as a symbol of truth, wisdom, righteousness, char-
ity and love, in fact, a/l good, and then we shall under-
stand each other.

" You maybe a materialist and hold there is nothing
but the unchanging laws of force and matter. You
may be an agnostic t-nd say th;!t you don't know ; or
jfou may be a deist, in whose mind there is an imprint

A T.AV RKRNfON.

373

of an omnipotent and all-wise Hcing. Now, as tl:is is
not a discourse on theology, we will a^jree to differ on
this point, but we can all join hands on a more impor-
tant, a more practical one, viz., that wc all ha: r dm
rcvcrcnci' ami loic for Cod, wo matter what ideas o.
the eternal ma}' exist in yuur miiuls.

•' No materialist will claim that there is anythin;'.
'wron<,' in lovinj^ }^ood ; no a^.fnostic can sn.ile at you
for worship{)ini; trutJi, and no rationalist will try to rea-
son c'.way \i)ur adoration f(jr charity ami mercy. In
omniputcnce and omniscience there is eni>UL;h for evciy
man to worship, call it by wliat name ye m.iy.

*' Now, if we all understand each other, we shall r( ''urn
to the teachini^s of liiin, whom we, as Christi.m peo-
ple, regard as the represent itive of God. Other age.s
and other nations have had their Saviours, w ho sliot
out of the darkness of ignorance, and, in sheeldiiiL; the
liglit of truth, sacrif'ced themselves for suffering hu-
manity. Ikit though I might wish to say a word (u'
pay a tribute of respect to those great si)irits, it will be
mt)re than sufficient for us to consider the life and
teachings of Clirist.

" Unfortunately, creeds and clericalisms have dis-
torted and mis applied his teachings, ha\-e surrounded
them with an atmosi)here of mystery and supernatu-
ralism, which makes it appear as if they are only applic-
abl -• to a future life and not to this one.

" Just last Sunday I wxMit to hear a sermon in one
of our neighbouring cities. I h.ive not the sl'ghtest
doubt that the pastor was a sincere and consci' utious
man. for he had an honest face, but he actually gave his
hearers to understand that Christ's object was to use
the earth as a stamping-ground where everything (ex-
cepting the church in general and Jtis in particular)
might be allov.ed to go to rack and ruin, and our only
duty was a great scramble to secure, by hook or crook,
a clear title to mansions in tlie sky. Think of it. If
Christ had been on earth, if he could have heard the
words of that man, he would have shed tears of pity.
He would have said, ' Father, forgive him, he knows
not what he does.' In the midst of human ignorance
even the gods stand appalled.

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374

HOUSES OF GLASS.

" The very tccbnicality, intricate phraseology^ and
cant of the pulpit has been, I am sorry to say, the pro-
verbial bushel under which the lis^ht has been hidden.
The complexity of the average sermon surrounds the
whole question with a haze that is almost impenetrable'
to the human intellect.

" But wc must not allow Christianity to suffer in our
estimation, because of the faulty methods of expound-
ing it, now in use. We can well afford to throw away all
sanctimonious phrases, all pretense, all mystery, and
speak in the language of the present time, using the
same every-day English with which we might discuss
any other grave topic.

** We do not need to be afraid of the great truths of
Christianity. All the hammering and pounding will
only make the true metal shine the brighter. Da)light
reveals greater beauty. Christ's teachings, read in the
light of common sense, in the light of reason, not taken
by one single text but read as a whole, are intendecf
for to-day and to-morrow ; for Sunday and Saturday.

" He wished us to be better husbands andwives, better
fathers and mothers, better mechanics, better citizens
and better men. He wished us to have more just laws,
purer government, higher education, healthier homes,
cleaner bodies and purer souls. He knew that in teach-
ing us how to live, he was teaching us how to die ; that
to live properly in this world, was the best preparation
for another. He found the world groaning under the
yoke of superstiti<jn and priestcraft. The rich and the
powerful, the cunning and the unscrupulous, made
slaves of the masses. They used their superstition to
bandage their eyes and their ignorance to forge their
own chains.

" He appealed to the people in every possible way,
and used every means at his command to impress upon
them the lij,ht of truth.

"Away through all the vistas of the future, through
all the tanghxl webs of cause and effect, he saw the
rocks upon which civiHzation was apt to spHt. He
foresaw the struggles of might and right, labour and
capital, hunger and luxury. He taught moral, social,
and political reform to the masses, and to the individ-

;

A LAY SERMON.

375

)g;y. and
the pro-
hidden,
nids the
netrable

:r in our
xpound-
away all
cry, and
liner the
; discuss

ruths of
Ing will
3a)'light
d in the
ot taken
ntended
aturday.
;s, better
citizens
-ist laws,
• homes,
inteach-
ic ; that
pa rat ion
ider the
and the
s, made
tition to
■ge their

ble way,
:ss upon

through
saw the
lit. He
tour and
1, social,
Individ-

ual he gave lessons in honesty, industry, economy,
cleanliness, mercy, charity and love.

Oh. the love, the exquisite, universal love of Christ !
Oh, the sympathy and tenderness of that mighty heart !
Let us stop for a moment and try to grasp the meaning
of it.

"You love your wife and your child. You could
suffer the tortures of death to save them from
pain._ But what about your neighbour of whom you
are jealous or with whom you have had a quarrel ?
Perhaps he goes to a different church, or possibly does
not go at all. Can you say to yourself, " Well, poor
Jones ain't a bad fellow. He has to work hard from
daylight till dark. He has said some hard things
about me, but so have I about him.. He has a hard
time to get along. I see a chance to give him a lift,
poor fellow, and I'll do it. I won't let him know about
it, because it would make him feel embarrassed. I'll
stop abusing him, too, whether he does me or not."
You go out of your way to help him. You contradict
any slanderous stories about him and you feel better.
Somehow, the sun seems to .,hine brighter, the birds
sing more sweetly, and the air is more exhilarating.
Your step is more joyful, your eye is brighter. You
have an impression that there is a man in your clothes.

''But you have only just got nicely started to be a
Christian. When you extend that loving sympathy
to (i// inankind, from the drunkard in the ditch to the
tyrant in purple robes ; from the prisoner in the cell
to the savage in the wilderness; then you have the
spirit of CJirist my o\xx\\iZd.xt no matter whether you
call yourself agnostic, atheist or materialist.

"On the other hand, remember that no matter how
often you go to church, no matter how many psalms
you sing, or how long a grace you may say before
dinner; no matter whether you are an elder or a
deacon, or how ably you can discuss doctrinal points,
unless you have the love of Christ in your heart you
are no Christian. Remember that going to church
will no more make you a Christian than carrying a
violin under your arm will make you a musician,
Christianity is a life ; not a creed.

376 Hous.'-:s of ^lass.

" It is no disgrace to be a freethinker. Christ liimsclf
was a freethinker. He was unbeliever in tile reli;^ions
of his time. He threw aside all creeds md dogmas,
and looked only to the eternal God for inspiration.

" But he was preaching heresy. The priests were in
danger of losing their high positions. Tlie tyrants,
land-grabbers, and usurers would be shorn of their
])ower. They saw nothing but decre;'.sed revenue and
r)ss of prestige in the new conditions of which Christ
preached.

" The doctrine of the brotherhood of man was n<3t
acceptable where class legislation made slaves of some
;t.ul tyrants of others. The rich and the powerful said
I'lat he nmst die, and in order to impress upon the peo-
ple that he was an impostor he must suffer death in
tie company of thieves. Don't I beg of you, get the
i npression that the primary object of Christ's suffer-
ings was to appease divine wrath. Do not for pity's
sake slander the name of the great Creator of the uni-
verse by such a doc'.rine. Do not poison your minds
with such infamy. Remember always that God is Love.

*' Don't let theologians divide you up into classes and
groups by doctrinal fences. Don't let them feed any
prejudice in your mind against your neighbour, because
he happens to have a different conception of the eternal.
Leave quibbling over doctrinal points to professional
religionists. Cling to the love of Clu'ist as your Rock
of Ages. Remember that true religion is broad enough
for every man whose motto is ' love truth and do the
right.'

" Remember that Christ asserted the right of private
judgment. The men wlio to-day ostracize tlie agnos-
tic are the lineal descendants of those who spat upon
His garments as He v/as led to the cross. Reir-^inbLr
that there is no conflict between science and religion*
If science quarrels with creeds, doctrines and dogmas,
.so much the worse for the dogmas. Science is truth
i'self and is a part of religion, bat only a part. Sci-
ence may shcnv inaccuracies of Biblical history, or that
the writers of the gospel had a limited knowledge of
the natural sciences, but that docs not shake the foun-
dation of religion.

TURNING TOWARDS THE SUN.

377

t himself

dogmas,

itioii.

s were in
tyrants,
of their

211 lie and

ch Christ

was n<.)t
s of some
:rful said
1 the peo-

death in
1, get the
t's sufier-
for pity's
f the Lini-
• ur minds
d is Love.
asses and

feed any
r, because
leeternaL
)fessional
our Rock
,d enough
id do the

of private
lie agnos-
■,pat upon
.cn'^rnliLr
I religion*
1 dogmas,
t is truth
lart. Sci-
•y, or that
.viedge of
the foun-

" Some conscientious thinkers may argue that causi^
and effect, force and matter, are the beginning and end
of all ; that sciencj (as we know it) is the only guiding
star of life. What about emotion and sentiment ?
Wlxat prompts our noblest deeds? Is it science which
causes the starving mother to give her last crust to
her cliild ? Was it science that opened the father's
arms to the prodigal son, or pr(*mi)led Christ to give
his life for us ? Howmucli science is there in a moth-
er's holy kiss to licr first-bcrn ? Does science bid us
weep over our dead ? Can you figure on a slate the
love of a husband for his wife, or a patriot fvU- his
country ? Cm )-ou measure (;ff with a tape the deeds
of heroism in every c<iuntry and every clime ? Deeds
which give their inspiration to poesy and song, which
warm with the throb of life the great master-pieces of
canvas and marble. Are we merely machines, living
automatons, aggregations of atoms ?

" No, a thousand times no. Love must be the hand-
maiden of truth. The star of hope must shine over
the open grave, and tlie religion which stands the test
of time or fills the wants of man viust needs be adorned
with flowers of love, and clustered with buds of hope
and charity."

CHAPTER LXIII.

TURNlNd TOWARDS THE SUN.

How much longer the sermon would have continued
no one knew, but suddenly the speaker passed his
hand over his forehead and sank into his cliair. At
first he turned very pale. Then a deep flush came
over his cheek and forehead. Everyone saw that
something was wrong. The doctor, fearing that the
professor would suddenly develop his alter ego, ran
forward and bathvd his head with cold water. He
ordered the windows to be opened, as the room was

3/8 lIOr>l'S OK CLASS.

very closC; ami !ic unDii.toiK d his patiep.i's coat which
was too ti<;lit to alhnv of free brcathini^. Hut in a
moment lie was .X)rr)- lie had done so, for it opened to
full \'iew the wretched j^overt)' of the professor.

He had no waistcoat, and nothing: hut a fragment of
a shirt waslei't, fastened here and there by threads and
strinLTS. His shininir shirt was diiK- a " dickie." One
could see at a glance that there had been great tliffi-
culty in getting anything to fasten it to. h'or "Sus-
penders he had pieces of twine, knotted and tied in
the most inex[)licable manner.

What a tale of poverty and want was there. Nobody
laughed or smiled. They all felt sad. The doctor hur-
riedly re-buttoned the coat, but the tale had been tokl.

IMarian swallowed a lump in her throat, shook the
contents of her purse into her husband's hand, and
motioned him to go forward. A murmur of applause
went round the assembly when Jamieson followed suit
with a ten-dollar bill. Again the hat was passed around,
and many a piece of silver went to swell the original
contribution.

The professor fortunately soon recovered from his
temporary inelisposition. He addressed a few parting
words to his audience.

With tears glistening in his eves he said, " Your
generosity, good people, has overwhelmed me. Your
kind attention to my rambling discourse, has made this
the day of my life. You have loaded me down with
wealth, and lifted a weight off mv mind. In comiuij
here I spent my last half dollar for a railway ticket,
and I was at a loss to know how I was going to pay
for my lodgings. I have been in sore straiis, but thank
God 1 have cheated no man. Let me s.iy as a last
greeting that your kind s\'mpathy with mc and with each
other gives ample evidence that tlie spirit of Christ

has been with us. Good-by and God bless yo

At this, the orchestra brol^e into an unknown
anthem of praise and peace, which held the audience
spell-bound with its deep religious fervour, while
through it all like an undercurrent were the familiar
strains of " America."

Many did not agree with the letter of Mr. Senger's

VMMTt^^yMiii

ut ill ;i
cncd to

[llcilt of
aJs ami
" One
at diffi-
or <us-
licd in

S'obody
tor hur-
ca tokl.
ook tlie
nd. and
pphiusc
vcd suit
around,
original

rom his
parting;

" Your
. Your
lade this
\vn with

coming
y ticket,

to pay-
it thank
is a last
ith each

f Christ
' »

nknown

ludience

r, while

familiar

bcnger s

TrKMN'G lOWARDS Tin' STN.

379

discourse, but all subscribed to the spirit of love and
charity with which it was enibued.

And then the music was soul inspiring. They all
wonderetl where tlie closing anthem had cvtme trom.
Surely some master hand had been at work in iis
instrumental ad.iptation anil arrangew.'ut.

There was one who knew it was the work of a
hand that now lav cold in death, of a heart that was
truly religious. The manuscript had been loaned to
Mr. JamiestMi by .Mrs. CTorile>n.

If one could judge by the comments and criticisms
which came from tlie \-arious groups on their way
home, the professor's earnestness liad reacheil the hearts
of some, and given many others footl for thought.

For the first time in a \-ear and a half Gordon offered
his arm to his wile. She pulled her veil over her face
to hide its joy. Her hand trembled as she placed it
on his arm.

Christina took a sudden noti^Mi t<^ walk beside an old
lady whom she was accustomed to visit, and left the
pair to themselves. Neither of them spoke, /ft-r heart
was too full for utterance, and /w was lost in coiitem-
{)lation of the discourse to which he had just listened.

It seemed to her as if the distance home was all too
short. Hy a slight oressure oi his arm as thev neared
their gate, she led him past, and they went for a long
walk through the town. She was proud of the privi-
lege of walking with her husband, as proud as any
maiden of her first lover, or a bride of her bridegroom.

He was absent-minded and distraught. His brain w.is
in a whirl with new thoughts, new ideas, and he walked
along, scarcely knowing whither he was going. He
left it to his wife to greet or salute the friends and ac-
quaintances they met from time to time.

Not till they reached home did their eyes meet.
She noticed a strange, puzzled look upon his face. Hut
they parted without a word, she going to her roi/ui,
and he climbing the stairs to his. She felt that the
time had not yet arrived to unbosom herself.

It was a relief for Marian to be alone, to have a '' good
cry." She threw herself down on her betl and wept like
a child. But they were tears of joy. The clouds were

380 HOUSES OF GLASS.

lifting ; the sunshine was cominf:^. Tie would soon be
her own ai^ain.

** Hark ! he is walkin;.^ tlic floor above. Poor fellow !
I know his head is acliing. If I ccnild only bathe it
for him. But this crying will never do. He must not
see my eyes red witii weeping. Hark ! he is coming
down the stairs, I'erhap.-. he is coming to me now."

She jumped up with beating heart and hurriedly re
movfd the tear-stains from her face. But his footsteps
passed her door.

" Martha, will you please tell Mrs. Gordon that I
shall bring Professor Senger here to tea to-night," she
heard him say, and in a momelit he went out through
the front door.

She ran to the window and watched him cross the
street. " Perhaps he is going to the doctor's to get
something for his head. No, he is going the other
way. Well, I .-^hall go myself and then dress. Poor
fellow, I must wait till he gets over the shock which
the sermon has given him. The doctor will know what
to give me for his headache."

" Now, I sImU dress for him'' she said when she re-
turned. '' We shall h;ive dinner uistead of tea, I
shall wear t!ie amber satin he got for me in Boston. It
is out of fashion now, but he will not know that, and
there will be nobody here to laugh at me. Tlicn the
locket and chain he gave me on the road that Sunday.
Yes, and the tie I spoiled for him ilie morning he tried
to milk."

" Dear me, I m afraid I'm getting more vain as I grow
older," she continued, as she pobed and turned in front
of the mirror. *'Bjt it c:innot be wroncr to dress for
the man I love v/hcn he is my husband. I cannot
Vv'ait any Ioniser. If he d es not take me in his ar.ms
to-night I shall take l;im in mine. Poor felloa^ I know
the sermon stirred up his very soul. I know the
storm going on in his brain. I can see by his face that
he thinks his whole life has been a mistake. If he only
had a good cry it would do him good. I will take
pity on him and give in first I will sink my pride and
go on my knees to him if necessary."

mmt

?oon be

fellow!
)athc it
list not
coming
low."
udly re
otsteps

that I
It," she
hrough

OSS the

to get

2 other

Poor

which

w what

she re-
tea. I
:on. It
lat, and
len the
Junday.
le tried

1 grow
in front
•ess for

cannot
is arms

I know
ow the
ice that
he only

II take
ide and

RECONCILIATTON. 381

Maiian went on talking to herself as she prepared to
come forth in all the wealth of her womanly beauty.
To-night she wouUl make her final effort.

CHAPTER LXIV,

RECONCILIATION.

David had not gone far, when he met the professor
walking up and down the sidewalk, looking the very
picture of despair.

" Well, Professor, are you not feeling well ?" inquired
David, as he approached.

*' No," replied the old man, feebly. " I ordered din-
ner half an hour ago, but the cook told me, very sauci-
ly, that there would be no dinner till seven o'clock. I
can't even get a biscuit ; the shops, of course, are all
closed. Just think ! Now I am flooded with wealth
and can't get a bite to eat. I was to go to tea with
the doctor, but he w;!S called away."

" I have just come for the special purpose of invit-
ing you to tea Vv'iih me, but that won't be for an hour
yci. You are staying at the Union f Well, come, and
we'll get something right away."

Taking the professor by the arm, Dnvid escorted him
into the hotel and asked for the landlord. " Ah, gootl-
day, Mr. Grady. Would you kindly get Mr. Senger a
little lunch ? He tells me he is just starving."

'' It is his own fault, Mr. Gordon. He does not
come at meal time. The clerk says he has not been
at the table since yesterday morning. He is more
trouble than he is all worth. He has an extra room
full of trunks and rubbish of all kinds. The chamber-
maids complain that he throws all the bed'ling on the
floor, and sleeps between two ticks of his own. He
has spilt ink all over the carpet, and every morning his
room is like a box-stall with confusion." During this
arraignmenc Mr. Senger sat staring at the landlord in
1. dazed sort of way, but never ventured to reply.

JUl.

,^82 HOUSES OF (ILASS.

" Why, sir," continued miiic host with .m injured
air, " the gt.'ntlem.iii in the next room coni[)liiinc(l that
he san^ psahns lialf the niL^fht and sant^ damned badly
at that."

The professor here broke in with an cxphmation.
" I was only practisinij tiie liynins for to-day's service.
My voice was out of training."

This was too mucli for Gordon's gravity. He
laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks. The
amazed looks of b')th the professor and the landlord
only added fuel to the fire. They must have thought
that Gordon had taken leave of his senses, for in spite
of all his efforts he could not contain himself.

Meantime Mr. Senger was expostulating with the
landlord, but David did not catch what they were
saying.

*' Tell the waiter, Mr. Grady, to bring some biscuits,
cheese and some milk," said Gordon, wiping his eyes.
" Mr. Senger, please go into the dining-room. I shall
join you in a moment. I wish to speak to Mr.
Grady."

" I just wanted to say," continued David as soon as
they were alone, " that I will make good any damage
done."

" Oh, that's all right, Mr. Gordon. Dr. Bcnnet has
already guaranteed him, or I would not have kept
him. He told me it would be no harm to starve him
a little for his health's sake. But he has starved him-
self, for he never came to the table."

" I think the poor old fellow had no money, and he
was afraid he would not be able to pay up."

" Well, but the doctor guaranteed him, Mr. Gor-
don."

" Quite true, but the professor did not know it. And
perhaps if he had it would have made no difference,
because he will not be dependent on anybody."

The landlord nodded and scratched his head. " I
promised the doctor to keep him here till he gets a
place ready at his own house. I guess he must be
going to experiment on the old fellow. The doctor is
a cjueer fish. He's got some game on foot, but he can

*^,T^..

iijurid

(1 that

biidly

tiation.
crvicc.

. He
. The

mdlord
houj^ht
ill spite

ith the
y were

biscuits,

lis eyes.

I shall

to Mr.

soon as
damage

net has

rve

re.

kept
him
d him-

and he

Ir. Gor-

And
fference,

ad. '• I
e gets a
Tiust be
ioctor is
t he can

FFroxriiiATinN. 3S3

make a sausage of him for all I care. I'li be glad to
get rid of him."

As soon as David entered the dining-room, the
professor invited iiim to sit in, and graiulihxiuently
ordered the waiter to attend to his frientl's wants.

Just to humour him Gordon pretended to nmnch a
biscuit, while listening U) his companion's How of con-
versation. Mr. Senger was all sunshine now.

" I was just trying to think of the name of that —
Major of Sir Walter Scott's, who wore a wide belt,
and pulled it up a notch for ever/ meal that he
missed. Oh, yes. Dugidd Dalg<.;tty it was. Rather a
j^ood idea, I think. The want of normal pressure on
the gastric walls is one of the causes of that horrible
sensation known as hunger. I have read up the best
autliorities on the question. An occasional sip of
castor-oil is a splendid thing to relieve it. Seems to
act by causing a certain amount of nausea. I dined
very sparingly at the doctor's yestertlay, and I have
felt quite gaunt since then. I took my last sip of oil
before going to the hall."

David sat bolt upright in his chair. " Do you mean
to say you have fasted since then ?"

*' I could not help myself. I had some change from
the sale of my pamphlets, but I required some station-
ery to prepare my sermon, and clean linen to deliver it
in. I have sometimes gone in debt for lodgings, but
never for meals."

"Why didn't you tell me last night ?"

" What ! cry poverty ? Never ! Now that I am
rich I can afford to confess. The rich man likes to tell
of his past poverty, just as the newly fledged penitent
likes to rehearse his past sins," and jingling some coins
in his pocket the professor laughed merrily.

"You don't believe much in sudden conversion,
then .?" inquired David,

The old man elevated his eyebrows. " That de-
pends altogether on the individual. In some cases the
whole truth may come with a bound, but as a rule it
takes years and often a lifetime. The average sud-
den conversion, with its wailings and lamentations, is
entirely emotional, a sort of moral hysteria."

6°^

iirivzTis. '^r I?? ♦^^

*' l^it c^rcs'if truths may dawn upon a pcrcion suddenly
witlioiit the L-niotion.il clement," remarked David.
** Doii'l \ on think so ^"

"Oh, >'es. A question has often baffled me for \ears
and tlien flashed upon me in a moment."

** Now, Professor, If you have finished we will {^o,"
said Gordon, takinc^ a parcel from under his coat.
'* You'll kiiKii,;' do me a favour if you will accej)! this
as a loan. Or if you like you can buy them. It is a
shirt and a pair of suspenders. 'l\d<e them up-stairs
and don't be louj^ in ^ettin<j ready, for the time is
nearly up. Vou can pay me to-morrow."

Gordon of course expected that his wife would pre-
side at the table as was her custom on all such occa-
sions, but he was prepared for no such vision as met his
eyes when Marian came into the room.

He was so completely carried away with admiration
that he had barely presence of mind enough to say,
*' Professor Senger, allowed me to introduce you to
Mrs. Gordon."

" Ah yes," responded the professor with a courtly
bow. " The lady who came to my assistance in the
singing. I am proud of the opportunity of thanking
you for your kindness, and of complimenting you on
your voice."

Never in his life hatl David seen his wife looking so
beautiful. The neatly fitting amber satin gown dis-
played the curves of her figure to the greatest advan-
tage. Her face was full of animation, and her cheek
had the bloom of a peach. He was reminded of an
expression of his mother's, " I gar myself believe, lassie,
that I can see yerc bonnie sliape, richt through y; r
claes." Through a filmy gauzy substance, he could
trace the outlines of her beautiful arms, while the cut
of her corsage showed her creamy neck and a tiny
speck of snowy bosom. Then the chain and locket
and the milk-stained tie brought a score of tender
memories over him, till he almost forgot his guest.
He had only just rallied from the effects of the sermon,
when his brain was again set in a whirl by his wife's
surpassing beauty.

Kt<_i».XL.lUlAI ION.

385

Icnly
Mvid.

vcars

f t

coat.
t this
It is a
-stairs
iinc is

Id prc-
i occa-
net his

I i rat ion
to say,
you to

Icourtly
in the
inking
ou on

ing so
wn dis-

advan-
chcck
of an

, lassie,

could
the cut

a tiny
1 locket

tender
i guest,
sermon,
s wife's

The events of the day liad been too mncli for In'in.
lie seemed to l;c at a loss what to sa)- or do.

M;irian exphiined to her puest tliat lier husband
was subject to heathichcs. " I went over to the doctor's,
David — (it was usually Mr. Gordon)— and gota powder
for you. Better take it before you sit in to dinner,"
she continued, dissolvin<^ it in a wii.e j^lass and giving
it to him to drink. "Come now, Professor, if jou
please, dinner is waitini^."

" That medicine looks like antipyrin, [)henacetin, or
some of those tar preparations," said tiie jirofessor, as
they took their seat at the table. " Very^ood tiling, I
believe, if not taken too frecjuently, but very dei)ress-
ing I have found in my own case."

'* You have some knowledge of medicine tlu-n," said
Mrs. Gordon with surprise.

" Yes, madam. In studying the brain from a
phrenological stand-point, I found it necessary to
acquaint myself with generalities."

Mr. Sengcr was eating with great gusto, notwith-
standing his recent lunch. Gordon b gan to think
that Dr. Bennet's theory was correct. Marian, woman-
like, was particularly pleased to see her guest enjoying
his meal, and assisted him very diligently.

" Can I help you to a little more salmon, I\Ir.
Senger ?"

"Thank you, yes. I am very fond of fish. I'eople
don't eat enough fish."

"We generally have it every Friday, but it came
late this week."

The professor gave an inquiring glance at his hostess
and then at Dav'id. Marian, underst.inding his implied
question, answered with a smile. " Oh no, we are not
Catholics, but the dealers generally supply them for
Friday."

" Well now, Mrs. Gordon, just think of the Protest-
ant who laughs at Catholics for eating fish on P'rida}',
just as if Friday was not as good a day for eating fish
as any other. In a climate like this we could with
advantage abstain from eating meat at least two days
per week, instead of one."

" You believe in Lent, then ?" queried David.

3^6 iTOUSFs OF r.r.ASS.

" M of;! a?;^ii redly I (l>," replied the professor, helj)Inct
himstlf t<i .motlirr pii'ce of salmon. " i v<'iit isoiu- of tlu."
wisest and l)c-.l instil 111 ions t;l It; (^iui''eli iiasi-vcTf'ivcn us.

" Just think of pi-oplc, in even a much warmer climate
than this, eatiiiLj meat all the }vai round. Why, it
would have bi"ou;^dit on diseases of all kinds."

1 It: paused for amomcnt to drink some It-a. " In olden
times )'ou know, Mrs. (lordon, the priests comhiiu-d
within themselves the tiirt e proft-.-ssions of tiicilicinc,
law, A\\(\. (iiviiiiiv. iL was their dut)' to look after the
health of the i)eopK-, anil they found it necessary to
cut off animal f ootl before the heat of summt.-r set in.
It was necessary, not onl\' for thv- ph\'sie.d hut the
moral health of the people. If )-ou wish lo make a
man or a (\.'^^'-^ savacje, feetl him on meat. People have
lauL^hed and sneered at the idea of different articles of
food havini:^ an effect upon t)ur moral natures, but it is
lunv an established fact."

"Yes, but why make Lent a religious ordinance?"
inquired David.

** Why ? ^^)r the best of all reasons. To have it
strictly atlheretl t<\ The Catholic (diurch is a pater-
nal, or rather, I mii;ht say a maternal one, antl the
priests knew perfectly well that if they ttdd the people
it was for the good t^f their health, nobody wt)ultl h.ive
paid much attention to it. for then, as now, people
were very careless about their bodies."

" The masses must surely have been very ignorant
and superstitious," remark- tl Gordon.

*' All the more reason ft)r making it a religious ob-
servance and giving it an air of mystery. Pshaw !
The same thing goes c>\\ to-day. Doctors still play
the same old tricks upon their patients. If they order
a man to go home and take a dose of salts, he wall
conclude thac his case has been slighted, but if he gets
maa-nesium su

Iphat

e and aqua written on a prescrip-

con-

tion, he is quite satisfied so h^ig as the taste
ccaled ; but more especially if the bottle is covered with
blue paper, and the directions caution him not to ex-
pose it to the light."

" I wish Dr. Bennet was liere," said Marian, laughing
heartily.

^:^...

■IpiiifJ
-f Iho
c'li us.
iinatc
hy. it

olden
ihiiicd
tiicinr,
cr the
ary to
set in.
lit the
irtkc a
c have
clcs of
ut it is

an CO :

have it

patcr-

nd the

p.cople

d h.ive

people

n-iiorant

ou.s ob-
Tshaw !
ill play
y order
he will
he gets
:)rescrip-
e is con-
red with
to ex-
laughing

Ki:('ONcii.iA'noN. 387

" He will t(>ll }ou ih.iL I .\\\\ (piitc corrc^ct. If )<)U
yourself, Mrs. (iordon, had a bottle of medicine whieh
you were at liberty to take at any time, you would
soon lose faith in it. l^ut if you were told to t.d-:e a
certain number i>{ drops so many minutes after eating,
and cautioned strictly to keep it in a cool pl.ice, your
faith would be fnin as a rock."

" You beliex'c in humbug, then, Professor," laughed
the host.

"Humbug is not the i)ro[)er term. We must take
people as we find them. Reason is a faculty which
the average man iloes not exercise to an}' serious e.x-
tent. We must appeal to his cri-dulity, or, if you like-,
to his faith. In fact we all have a weakness for be-
lieving things we don't comprehend, something that
appeals to our imagination."

Gordon laughed and shook his head.

" Oh, but it is positively true," repeated the profes-
sor with great emphasis. " I am ([uite sure your
physician would be able to point out many instances
in y(nir own case. Let me tell you a. little story. It
is a perfectly true one. Dr. Aberncthy, the famous
Scotch physician, of whom most people have heard,
once had a very wealthy but refractory patient, whom
we will call Mr. B. His real ailment, it seems, was want
of exercise, lack of activity, and while the doctor in-
variably gave him a big bottle of medicine, he tried to
impress u[)on him the absolute necessity of exercise,
but all to no purpose. Finally, the doctor told his
patient that he could do nothing for him, but that a
certain herb physician away in the Highlands at Glen
Parridge (or some such name) would be able to cure
him. The patient decided to go. But on incjuiry he
found that the only way to reach the outlandish place
was to make a journey on foot. So he packed his
knapsack and set forth. About two months afterwards
the patient met the doctor on the s'reet and threat-
ened to cane hini for S( nding him on a fool's errand,
for there was no such herb-doctor in existence as the
one to whom he had been recommended, and his trip
was all for nothing. Ikit Mr. B was a wc !1 man again."

Before the professor had quite fmished Ins story the

'm^^f.

388 HOUSES OF GLASS,

hostess broke into a hearty laugh. " What about your
trip to tlie old country, David?"

Gordon coloured a little, and then joined in the
merriment, till the peals of laui^hter startled Martha
in the kitchen.

*' Now that you have explained Lent," said David,
"perhaps y.u can tell us if the ceremony of anoint-
ing with oil has a like foundation."

The profef^sor paused a moment to stow away a
piece of cold fowl.

" Certainly. Some clever priest, no doubt, discov-
ered that anointing with oil saved many a life. It was
a remedy which succeeded where all else failed, and
probably came to be looked upon as a last resort.
Only last Friday Dr. Bcnnettold me that he had saved
a child's life by inunctions of oil"

They had now finished dinner, and they adjourned to
the parlor, where David threw himself on a lounge,
leaving his wife to conduct the conversation.

•' I suppose the counting of beads has some reason-
able explanation as well?"

"Quite so. People in those days could not read.
Every bead represents a high and holy thought. It is
simply a silent prayer. Often the poor servant girl
who tell.>i her beads is more devout than her mistress
who mechanically mumbles her prayers. Protestants
accuse Catholics of idolatry because they wear a cross.
But it is only an emblem, and to people who lack
imagination such emblems are useful."

Marian was delighted with the old man's conversa-
tion. Pie seemed to make everything so clear and
simple. " How is it, Mr. Senger, that all other
denominations hate the Catholic Church ? Don't you
think they ought to respect it as being the fitst Chris-
tian Church ?"

"They should indeed, Mrs. Gordon. It always re-
minds me of precocious children, railing at their
mother for her old-fashioned ways. We should re-
member that Catholicism nursed us in our infancy,
guarded our health, clothed the naked and fed the
hungry. It looked after the moral, physical, and
spiritual welfare of the people. It carried us over

it your

in the
Martha

David,
anoint-
away a

discov-
It was

ed, and
resort.

d saved

irned to
lounge,

reason-

ot read,
t. It is
:ant girl
mistress
)testants
a cross,
ho lack

:onversa-
Icar and
11 other
on't you
st Chris-

Iways re-

at their

lould rc-

infancy,

fed the

ical, and

us over

RECONCIIJATION, 389

gerat chasms of chaos. It preserved the fine arts.
Not even the cruelties of the inquisition, nor the fires
of Smithfield, should nnake us forget what is due to
the Mother Church."

" That is how it has appeared to nf.e. The churches
have different vestments, different methods, differently
constructed places of worship, and they vary a good
deal in the formality of their rites; but they are all
supposed to teach the precepts of Christ. Why
should there be any contention or icalousv between
them ?" ^

The old man laughed. " Your question reminds me
of that little poem of Southey's,

" • Now tell us all about the war,

And what they killed each other for.'

"I am afraid, Mrs. Gordon, that my reply will be as
unsatisfactory as old Caspar's was.

" I might as well," he continued, " go out on the
street and knock down the first man I meet, because he
does not wear my kind of a hat ; pick a quarrel with
my neighbour because the roof of his house has a
different pitch; or boycot the man across the way for
not eating his meals at the same time as I do."

"It does seem silly, doesn't it? If people would
only stop to think of it, there would be less strife in the
world."

" And yet eminent divines and learned doctors will
spend the best of their days learning dead languages,
reading history, and stuffing their brains with the lore
of ages, to quibble, whittle, or cheese-pare over some
insignificant doctrinal point. A lifetime is spent fitting
up a craft to weather the storms of a teapot."

Marian noticed that her guest's face was becoming
Hushed. _ He excused himself several times for yawn-
ing. His manner was changing as well. He became
uneasy. He fidgeted in his' chair. Of course she pre-
tended not to notice it. She endeavoured to keep ud
the conversation. But the yawning became more per-
sistent, and he finally rose to take his leave.

" I have a great deal of writing to do to-morrow.

■^ ^ •m m ' mi Di....,^^^ . , ,^

30O

HOUSES OF GLASS.

My p.niiplilet on Light must bo got ready for tlic pub-
lisher. The people shall not say that Senger left them
in darkness."

David escorted hi?; guest to the door and apologized
for his dullness, but the professor paid no attention,
and with a curt " good-night " was gone.

When Gordon returned to the parlor his wife, had
left the room, ostensibly to get a drink of water, but
really to calm her bc.iting heart and renew her courage,
for no7i' was the appointed time.

He tlirew himself down on the lounge wonderir.'^
whether she would come back. He had not long to
wai;. She came in and seated herself beside the table
where he could not see her without turning around.

*' Does 3'our head ache, David ?" she asked, timidly.
Her heart almost stood still, waiting for his reply.

" Yes. But it is a good deal better than it was."

"Will you let me bathe it with cologne?" she
asked, growing bolder.

*' If it will not be too much trouble."

Eagerly she hurried to her room for her cologne
bottle and a towel. Kneeling beside him she spread
the towel for his head to rest upon, and soothingly
laid her hand on his brow.

But she could not bear the yearning look in his eyes.

With a sudd.n impulse she snatched him in her arms,
pressed his head to her panting bosom, and covered
his face with tears and kisses. With a great sob he
threw his arms around her neck and wept like a child.

She bent over him, cooing liku .i mother to her babe,
and kissing away his tears, while he sobbed out, " Oh,
Marian, I am not worthy of you. I cau see it all now.
You arc mine till death.'

!^.

'■yu.

CHKlsr.MAS ( alMES.

391

CHAPTER LXV.

CHRISTMAS CHIMES.

she

It is the 24th of December, but the weather is more
Hkc that of October, for the air is balmy and the sun-
shine is warm. It is like a last remnant of summer,
and all who can avail themselves of the opportunity
are airing themselves or their children.

A stranger would scarcely recognize Gowanstone
after six years, it had become so enlarged and improved.
The streets are now paved, and most of the vacant lots
are covered with fine buildings. Old structures have
disappeared and new ones have taken their places, but
the lawn beside the mill cottage still flourishes fresh and
green like an oasis in th.' desert of brick and mortar.
The cottage itself is no longer a cottage. It is now a
mansion, with bay windows and decorated gables, while,
in stained glass over the door, is the word " Metapedia."

Even the old mill, the most venerable landmark of
the place, has passed away. On the corner is a huge
stone structure with dust-stained windows and tower-
ing chimney, while away at the top in letters of wire
arc the names, Gordon & Fletcher.

]^ut it is not only on the main streets where changes
can be observed, for up on the hill where formerly
there were nothing but pasture fields, there are now a
score of handsome residences; indeed, Hope Hill (as it
is now called), has become the residential part of the
town.

Down the street leading from this quarter, a woman
is trundling a baby carriage with one hand, and lead-
ing a little boy with the other.

The little fellow trotting along at her side is
dressed in full Highland costume, plaid, philabeg, sash
and cairngoram brooch, and Iv. marches along with a
pride in his step and a significance in his manner which
shows he is keenly conscious of his gay habiliments.

People who meet this little group' turn to look after

392

MOUSES OF GLASS.

them, to smile at the fantastic costume of the little fel-
low, and admire the woman he is calling Mamma, a
splendid, handsome, robust woman, with a smile of
contentment on her face.

" Run, Davie," she said to the little boy, '' there's
papa coming," and off went the kilted warrior, running
and shouting.

A man in a suit of grey tweed had just turned the
corner, and was walking rapidly towards them. His
head was bent as if in deep thought and his face was
not visible, but the slight greyness of his hair and
whiskers seemed to blend with the colour of his gar-
ments, and only for his firm, elastic step and erect form,
he might ^ we been mistaken for a man of fifty.

*' Hello, pcipa !" shouted the little warrior. '* Don't
you like me now?" He stood upright with arms
outstretched, in order to display his grandeur to greater
advantage.

The father held up his hands in admiration. " Well,
well. It is you, Davie. This is one of mamma's sur-
prises, I guess. And she has picked the right tartan,
too."

"Mamma says I am a Scoshman ; am I, papa?"

** Oh, I suppose so, but ycu are an American too
you must remember, and may be President some day.
You mustn't forget that, Davie," and he lifted the
little fellow in his arms.

" What do you think of your clansman?" said his
wife, laughing pleasantly as they met.

'• He looks like a thoroughbred Hielandman now,"
he replied. " Here, Davie, kiss mamma." As he
reached the son over to kiss his mother, he deftly
snatched a kiss for himself.

''Oh, David, for shame, and right here on the street.
If any of the Herchemers see us they will be scan-
dalized," she exclaimed, looking rapidly around. But
the love-light in her eye showed that she was not dis-
pleased, and she slyly pressed his hand in token of
appreciation.

" I have the greatest news for you, mamma," said
David with enthusiasm, " and the greatest surprise.
You couldn't imagine what a Christmas-box I got to.

CHRISTMAS CHIMES.

ttle fel-
mma, a
mile of

' there's
running

led the
n. His
ice was
air and
his gar-
ct form,

" Don't

li arms

greater

" Well,

la's sur-

tartan,

)a?"
can too
me day.
ted the

said his

n now/*

As he
e deftly

e street.
be scan-
id. But
not dis-
oken of

la/* said
surprise.
[ got to.

393

thousand

day. You couldn't guess if you tried a
times."

" I thought there was something buoyant and joyful
in your step," replied his wife with a fond look of
ownership, as she brushed some dust off his sleeve. " I
can read your very walk. But you haven't kissed
little Elsie yet,"

He stooped over the carriage and kissed the rosy
infant who was fart asleej). " I'll wheel it for you,"
and he took the handle of the vehicle from his wife,
for the up-grade was getting steeper.

" We can't go to Broadview, to-morrow, dear," he
continued, watching his wife's face.

"What! Not go to Fred's wedding! Surely
David, you are joking. Why, I have promised," she
added in a firmer tone, " and am all ready to catch
the six o'clock train. You promised too, dear," she
continued in a tone of reproach. " You know I love
Fred."

Gordon laughed at the look of concern in his wife's
face.

"We'll have to remain at home to receive callers.
They've elected me Mayor of Gowanstone by acclama-
tion, and according to the time-honoured custom of
the town, we must have a reception to-morrow."

A flush of fond pride and surprise came over her face.
"What! Mayor or Gowanstone! Well, well," and
stepping closely to his side she gave his hand a squeeze.

"Just wait, Your Worship, till I get you home and
see if you don't get a touzling. I actually feel like an
anarchist and shall take pleasure in pulling the ears of
the town's first magistrate. We are all rebels at heart,
as far as authority is concerned. I shall get even with
it now. Just wait, my boy, till I get you home," she
added with a merry laugh and a look of mischievous
tenderness.

"I am sorry to disappoint Fred, but really it can't
be helped," said David, returning the squeeze of her
hand. " But there will be plenty there without us.
Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Maurice, Aunt Nelly and
little Willie, are all going over this evening, I told
them to call for Davie. Was that right?"

394

HOURF.S OF GT.ASS.

The mother looked fondly at the little form march-
]\\<^ away in front of them. "Yes, I'm glad you did.
I promised Davie a ride in the * toot,' and I woiddn't
like the little dear to be disappointed. He'll go any
place with his grandpa. The bride and groom will be
here in a few days anyway. Besides, Nelly can take
over my presents. I don't like to break a promise,
but it can't be helped. I had a letter from Fred to-day,
and he tells me that Grazcly has given the bride the
old Gore hundred, excepting the old log house and six
acres, which he offers as a Christmas' box to father and
mother to use as a camping [)lace for summer. He
says that Clara expects her Uncle Innes, Mr. Fetterly,
and Mr. Tracy over to her wedding, all the way from
Denver."

"Is that so? There will be lots of fun where
Fetterly is. Jake used to live next door to the old
shoe shop when father was living.

*' And so the old folks again own the spot where they
started life. It will be like old times. lUit now, dear,
you must put on your thinking cap. We must not
be behindhand in our entertainment. The whole town
will be here in some form or other. Brass bands,
societies, athletic clubs, and all the prominent citizens
from Congressman Darrow down to the clerk of the
court, or sergeant of police."

Gordon was as full of enthusiasm as a ten year old
boy. He seemed completely carried away by the ex-
uberance of his spirits.

*' It was such a surprise," he went on. " I never
dreamt of such a thing. I was invoicing som.e cars of
flour when in came Browming, Geoffry, Switzer, Mills,
Davis, and Maurice.

" ' How do you do, your Worship ?' said Maurice,
catching my hand.

" I looked at them in astonishment.

"'Damn it, man,' said Browning 'You are Mayor
of the town by acclamation,' and they all laughed and
pulled me around. Of course I had to go over and
make a speech. I don't know whether I spoke well or
ill, but I got plenty of applause. Do you know though,
I was afraid of breaking down.''

CHRISTMAS CHIMF>.

395

"Not a bit of fear of you brcakiii.cj down," said his
wife, with a smile of cotifidciice. "You'll always ^o
through with what you undertake."

"Yes, but I was so taken by surprise. I would
rather have faced a regiment of soldiers than that
audience t()-da3\"

" Grandma Gordon used to sometimes call you ' a
fechtin' Ilielandman.' There is another," she added,
pointing to the kilted clansman strutting along in front.
" He'll fight all day for a straw, and then give away a
whole sheaf."

As soon as they were inside their own door his wife
caught him in her arms and kissed him till little Davie
became jealous. She swung him around, touzled his
hair, and finally led him to the kitchen by the ear, in-
troducing him to Martha as " His Worship, the
Mayor."

"Now, Marian, please quit teasing me, and let us get
down to business. You and Martha will have to look
well to your commissariat department. Maurice told
me to leave it all to you, so now remember. I'll do
an'/thiiig I can, but you will have to take charge of
the arrangements yourself. For to-morrow, at least,
Gowanstone will be under petticoat government."

They had, indeed, a very busy afternoon and even-
ing. Several of the neighbours kindly called to assist in
the preparations. Sidney Dillon, who designed the
decorations, was to be master of ceremonies.

But it was Christmas' eve, and Santa Glaus must not
be forgotten. Not only had they to attend to the
stockings of a number of poor children, but there was a
list of indigents and invalids, whom Marian kept under
her care. It was nearly midnight wheti they sat down
to wait for the Christmas' chimes. She sat on his
knee with her arm around him, gazing thoughtfully
into the blazing hearth.

" This is the proudest day of our lives, Marian.
Don't you feel it so ?"

For a few moments she did not speak, but sat run-
ning her fingers through his hair.

" Do you remember the evening after the professor's
first sermon, when I went to bathe your head and you

i>l

396 HOUSKS OK (JLASS.

took me in yoiit arms ? Kvcry kiss you ^avc me was
a jewel, every t<:ar that c]r()[)j)e(l from your face to mine
seemed to cleanse my soul. That ni^jht, as you slept in
my arms, I lay awake watching you for hours. Not for
all the gold, or pomp, or power that this poor world
contains, would I have surrendered that privilecjeof hav-
ing your head upon my bosom. Your kisses had put a
wreath upon my forehead ; they had crowned me
queen of your heart and home. There, in my own
room, where for many sleepless nights I mourned and
wept for the honours I had lost, where in the loneliness
of my isolation I < xpiated my sin, where visions of
suicide and madness harassed my soul, you did call me
by the dear and sacred name of wife, and there 1 had
you for my own again. What, sir Mayor," she asked,
smiling through her tears, " is your victory, or your
crown compared to mine ?"

A silent embrace was his only reply.
Wi[)ing her eyes, she went on in low, tender tones.
" David, we who arc so rich in love, so rich in worldly
goods, must not forget our poor, suffering, joyless
fellow-creatures. We must not be selfish"

" Why, darling, I don't think you need to chide
yourself on that account. Didn't you, this very night,
send parcels to half the houses in the town ? Perhaps
if we asked the doctor, he might say that your sweet-
meats are ill-directed benevolence, after all."

Marian smiled. " Poor old doctor, he pretends to
ignore little acts of kindness and charity, but I have
often caught him at it on the sly. He pretends to
keep the professor for what he can learn from him, and
that he is helping to write som.e scientific work, but I
feel positive that he loves Mr. Senger for his own
sake. I was thinking that besides the children there
are some old people to remember. Peter McQueen
may be out of tobacco. The poor-warden will not
buy it for him, so I have to keep him supplied m> self."
" Do you actually buy tobacco ?" laughed David.
" What will the grocer think ? He knows I don't
smoke now. You should have told him who it was
lor.

" I never thought of it. Please don't interrupt me.

CHRISTMAS CHIMKS. 397

Mrs. Reeves ncods .1 new pair of spectacles. She can't
road now with tliosc she has. I must find out what
fjrade or number she wears, and take tinm to her to-
morrow. Last week I ^ut Mr. Sutlierl.uul to take n\c
to see tliose poor fellows who are in for robbery

** Really. Marian," interrupted her husband, " I I'kc
to see you jjjivin^ charity, but to ^o to the jail is carry-
ini^ the thing 100 far. What could you say to those
ruffians ?"

" Oh, I just sympathized with them. I told them /
often had wicked, vicious impulses, and that all alun<; it
"Was a flight to keep oneself from doin^ wror.j^."

Gordon broke into a hearty lauijh. " Oh, yes, I sup-
pose you told them that you came within an ace of
being a burglar yourself."

She i)laced her hand over his lips to check interrup-
tion, and went on.

*' The younger one was sulky at first, poor fellow.
He seemed to think I came to look at him, like a wild
beast, but I gave him some flowers, and I took down
the address of his sister. The other has a wife and
two children. He does not want them to know he is
in jail. The poor fellow told me he could not get
work and was driven to steal. His wife lives at Ottcr-
ville. Christina went over to sec her and took her some
sewing, for which she paid in advance."

Gordon half closed his eyes to look at this woman,
this wife of his, who, without fear, would follow her
good intentions even to the mcuth of hell. There was
a reckless daring about her charity which defied Mrs.
Grundy and put ridicule to rout. No wonder that
Sydney Dillon always said that Mrs. Gordon was privi-
leged to do as she pleased. Fancy this beautiful wo-
man sitting in friendly conclave with burglars.

** I imagine I can see Sutherland," said David, with
a smile. " Were you not afraid ?"

" No. One does not think of that. You feel so
sorry for them."

"Well, but they might strangle you, the villains."

** Don't call them names. David. We don't know

39^ HOUSES OF (iLASS.

what their temptations and surioundinj^s may have
been.

*' Now that 1 think of it, don't forj^et to scncJ tlic
bu^j^^y round to-morrow for Christina and her mother.
It will make them feel sure that wc did not invite them
merely out of courtesy."

" Very well. Oh, by the way," he continued, sbp-
pinj:j his knee, " that reminds me of somethin;::; else
1 forj^et to tell you about the music jjublishers. I rrot
a letter from Boston to-day. They offer to take the
rest of the manuscript on the same terms. Tluy sent
a chccjue by mail and the pictures by express, so that
they would be in time for to-morrow."

"What pictures do you mean ?"

*' Well, it was an idea of my own. One is an oil paint-
ing (life size) of Charles, and the other is an illumin-
ated parchment, containing some of the high tributes
which the Boston critics are piiying to his genius.
They were not very expensive, and I thought they
would make a suitable Christmas gift for Christina and
her mother."

Marian turned pale and the moisture came into licr
eyes.

" David," she said, placing her hands on his
shoulders, " the picture is for tlicvi, but the message is
for me ; a message from your soul to mine of com-
plete forgiveness.

" But hark ! There are the Christmas chimes."

Their voices were suddeidy hushed as the clear,
sweet tones rang out on the midnight air. They rose
to their feet, and standing side by side in the holy
temple of home, their memories flew back through the
ages, and their hearts filled with reverence for ONE
wJio loved his fcllow-nien.

THE END.

ay have

end the
mother.
itc them

ed. sla|>-
iil; els(r.
>. I got
t;Llve the
icy sent
, so that

>il paint-
illumin-

tributes
t^enius.

:h't they

tina and

into her

on his
}ssa<^e is
of com-

es.

e clear,
icy rose
he holy
ugh the
3rONE

Dross

leries.

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