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 THE MONEY MOON
 
 1 
 
 *.'.^iK 
 
 'I only play when I feel like it,— to please my- 
 self.— and Aunt Priscilla." (page 190)
 
 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 A ROMANCE 
 
 BY 
 
 JEFFERY FARNOL 
 
 Author of 
 "The Broad Highway," etc. 
 
 FRONTISPIECE 
 BY A. I. KELLER 
 
 NEW YORK 
 DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 
 
 1912
 
 COPTRIGHT, 1911 
 
 Bt dodd, mead and company 
 
 Published. October, 1911
 
 To 
 "JENNIFER" 
 
 The One and Only 
 
 Whose unswerving Faith was an Inspiratio, 
 
 Whose Generosity is a bye-word ; 
 
 this book is dedicated 
 
 as a mark of 
 
 Gratitude and Affection 
 
 JefiFery Farnol Feb. 10, 1910
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter Page 
 
 I Which, being the First, is. Vert Prop- 
 erly, THE Shortest Chapter in the 
 
 Book 1 
 
 II How George Bellew Sought Counsel 
 
 OF His Valet 3 
 
 III Which Concerns Itself with a Hay- 
 cart, AND A Belligerent Waggoner . 10 
 rV How Small Forges in Looking for a 
 Fortune for Another, Found an 
 Uncle for Himself Instead .... 21 
 V How Bellew Came to Arcadia .... 29 
 VI Of the Sad Condition of the Haunting 
 
 Spectre of the Might Have Been . 42 
 VII Which Concerns Itself Among Other 
 
 Matters, with " The Old Ad.\m " . 49 
 VIII Which Tells of Miss Priscilla, of 
 Peaches, and of Sergeant Appleby 
 
 LATE OF THE 19tH HuSSARS 65 
 
 IX In WHICH MAY BE FoUND SoME DESCRIP- 
 TION OF Arcadia, and Gooseberries . 78 
 X How Bellew and Adam Entered into 
 
 a Solemn League and Covenant . . 01
 
 viii CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter Page 
 
 XI Of the " Man with the Tiger Mark " 101 
 XII In which may be Found a Full, 
 True, and Particular Account of 
 THE Sale 118 
 
 XIII How Anthea Came Home 142 
 
 XIV Which, among Other Things, Has to 
 
 Do with Shrimps, Muffins, and Tin 
 
 Whistles 151 
 
 XV In which Adam Explains 175 
 
 XVI In which Adam Proposes a Game . . 183 
 
 XVII How Bellew Began the Game . . . 188 
 XVIII How the Sergeant Went upon His 
 
 Guard 199 
 
 XIX In which Porges Big, and Porges 
 Small Discuss the Subject of Mat- 
 rimony 206 
 
 XX Which Relates a Most Extraordi- 
 nary Conversation 220 
 
 XXI Of Shoes, and Ships, and Sealing 
 Wax, and the Third Finger of the 
 Left Hand 224 
 
 XXII Coming Events Cast Their Shadows 
 
 Before 236 
 
 XXIII How Small Porges, in His Hour of 
 
 Need, was Deserted by His Uncle 242 
 
 XXIV In which Shall be Found Mention of 
 
 A Certain Black Bag 246
 
 CONTENTS ix 
 
 Chapter Page 
 
 XXV The Conspirators 257 
 
 XXVI How THE Money Moon Rose . . . 262 
 XXVII In which is Verified the Adage of 
 
 THE Cup and the Lip 273 
 
 XXVIII Which Tells How Bellew Left 
 
 Dapplemere in THE Dawn . . . 280 
 XXEX Of the Moon's Message to Small 
 
 PORGES, AND HoW He ToLD IT TO 
 
 Bellew — m a Whisper .... 285 
 XXX How Anthea Gave Her Promise . 291 
 XXXI Which, being the Last, is, Vert 
 Properly, the Longest, in the 
 Book 301
 
 I 

 
 THE MONEY MOON
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 Which, being the first, is, very properly, the 
 shortest chapter in the book 
 
 When Sylvia Marclimont went to Europe, 
 George Bellew being, at the same time, desir- 
 ous of testing bis newest acquired yacbt, fol- 
 lowed her, and mutua] friends in New York, 
 Newport, and elsewbere, confidently awaited 
 news of their engagement. Grei:t, therefore, 
 was their surprise when they learnt of her 
 approaching marriage to the Duke of Ryde. 
 
 Bollew, being ./oung and rich, had many 
 friends, very naturally, who, while they sym- 
 pathized with his loss, yet agreed among them- 
 selves, that, despite Bellew 's millions, Sylvia 
 had done vastly well for herself, seeing that 
 a duke is always a duke, — especially in 
 America. 
 
 There were, also, divers ladies in New York, 
 Newport, and elsewhere, and celebrated for 
 their palatial homes, their jewels, and their 
 daugliters, wlio were anxious to know how 
 Bellow would comport himself under his disap- 
 pointment. Some leaned to th(; idea that he
 
 2 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 would immediately blow his brains out ; others 
 opined that he would promptly set off on an- 
 other of his exploring expeditions, and get 
 himself torn to pieces by lions and tigers, or 
 devoured by alligators; while others again 
 feared greatly that, in a fit of pique, he would 
 marry some '' young person " unknown, and 
 therefore, of course, utterly unworthy. 
 
 How far these worthy ladies were right, or 
 wrong in their surmises, they who take the 
 trouble to turn the following pages, shall find 
 out.
 
 CHAPTER n 
 
 How George Belleio sought counsel of his 
 
 Valet 
 
 The first intimation Bellew received of the 
 futility of his hopes was the following letter 
 which he received one morning as he sat at 
 breakfast in his chambers in St. James Street, 
 W. 
 
 My Dear George — I am writing to tell you 
 that I like you so much that I am quite sure I 
 could never marry you, it would be too ridicu- 
 lous. Liking, you see George, is not love, is 
 it? Though, personally, I think all that sort 
 of thing went out of fashion with our great- 
 grandmother's hoops, and crinolines. So 
 George, I have decided to marry the Duke of 
 Ryde. The ceremony will take place in three 
 weeks time at St. George's, Hanover Square, 
 and everyone will be there, of course. If you 
 care to come too, so much the better. I won't 
 Bay that I hope you will forget me, because I 
 don't; but I am sure you will find someone to
 
 4 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 console you because you are sucH a dear, goo3 
 fellow, and so ridiculously ricli. 
 
 So good-bye, and best wishes, 
 
 Ever yours most sincerely, 
 
 Sylvia. 
 
 Now under sucb circumstances, had Bellew 
 sought oblivion and consolation from bottles, 
 or gone headlong to the devil in any of other 
 numerous ways that are more or less inviting, 
 deluded people would have pitied him, and 
 shaken grave heads over him ; for it seems that 
 disappointment (more especially in love) may 
 condone many offences, and cover as many sins 
 as Charity. 
 
 But Bellew, knowing nothing of that latter- 
 day hysteria which wears the disguise, and 
 calls itself " Temperament," and being only a 
 rather ordinary young man, did nothing of the 
 kind. Having lighted his pipe, and read the 
 letter through again, he rang instead for Bax- 
 ter, his valet. 
 
 Baxter was small, and slight, and dapper as 
 to person, clean-shaven, alert of eye, and soft of 
 movement, — in a word, Baxter was the cream 
 of gentlemen 's gentlemen, and the very acme of 
 what a valet should be, from the very precise 
 parting of his glossy hair, to the trim toes of his
 
 THE MONEY MOON 5 
 
 glossy boots. Baxter as lias been said, was his 
 valet, and bad been his father's valet, before 
 him, and as to age, might have been thirty, or 
 forty, or fifty, as he stood there beside the table, 
 with one eye-brow raised a trifle higher than 
 the other, waiting for Bellew to speak. 
 
 *' Baxter." 
 
 '' Sir? " 
 
 " Take a seat." 
 
 * * Thank you sir. ' ' And Baxter sat down, not 
 too near his master, nor too far off, but exactly; 
 at the right, and proper distance. 
 
 ** Baxter, I wish to consult with you." 
 
 ** As between Master and Servant, sir? " 
 
 *' As between man and man, Baxter." 
 
 ** Very good, Mr. George, sir! " 
 
 ** I should like to hear your opinion, Baxter, 
 as to what is the proper, and most accredited 
 course to adopt when one has been — er — ■ 
 crossed in love? " 
 
 *' Why sir," began Baxter, slightly wrinkling 
 his smooth brow, '* so far as I can call to mind, 
 the courses usually adopted by despairing lov- 
 ers, are, in number, four." 
 
 '* Name them, Baxter." 
 
 " First, Mr. George, there is what I may 
 term, the Course Retaliatory, — which is Mar- 
 riage — "
 
 6 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ** Marriage? '* 
 
 ' ' With — another party, sir, — on the prin- 
 ciple that there are as good fish in the sea as 
 ever came out, and — er — pebbles on beaches, 
 sir; you understand me, sir? " 
 
 " Perfectly, go on.'' 
 
 ** Secondly, there is the Army, sir, I have 
 known of a good many enlistments on account 
 of blighted affections, Mr. George, sir ; indeed, 
 the Army is very popular." 
 
 '* Ah? " said Bellew, settling the tobacco in 
 his pipe with the aid of the salt-spoon, ** Pro- 
 ceed, Baxter." 
 
 '' Thirdly, Mr. George, there are those who 
 are content to — to merely disappear." 
 
 ' ' Hum ! ' ' said Bellew. 
 
 *' And lastly sir, though it is usually the 
 first, — there is dissipation, Mr. George, Drink, 
 sir, — the consolation of bottles, and — ' ' 
 
 "Exactly!" nodded Bellew. *' Now Bax- 
 ter," he pursued, beginning to draw diagrams 
 on the table-cloth with the salt-spoon, ** know- 
 ing me as you do, what course should you ad- 
 vise me to adopt? " 
 
 * * You mean, Mr. George, — speaking as be- 
 tween man and man of course, — you mean 
 that you are in the unfortunate position of be- 
 ing — crossed in your affections, sir? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 7 
 
 "Also — heart-broken, Baxter." 
 
 ** Certainly, sir! " 
 
 *' Miss Marchmont marries the Duke of 
 Eyde, — in three weeks, Baxter." 
 
 *' Indeed, sir! " 
 
 " You were, I believe, aware of the fact that 
 Miss Marchmont and I were as good as en- 
 gaged? " 
 
 ** I had — hem! — gathered as much, sir." 
 
 "Then — confound it all, Baxter! — why 
 aren't you surprised! " 
 
 " I am quite — over-come, sir! " said Bax- 
 ter, stooping to recover the salt-spoon which 
 had slipped to the floor. 
 
 " Consequently," pursued Bellew, " I am — 
 er — broken-hearted, as I told you — " 
 
 " Certainly, sir." 
 
 " Crushed, despondent, and utterly hopeless, 
 Baxter, and shall be, henceforth, pursued by 
 the — er — Haunting Spectre of the Might 
 Have Been." 
 
 " Very natural, sir, indeed! " 
 
 " I could have hoped, Baxter, that, having 
 served me so long, — not to mention my father, 
 you would have shown just a — er shade more 
 feeling in the matter." 
 
 ** And if you were to ask me, — as between 
 man and man sir, — why I don't show more
 
 8 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 feeling, then, speaking as tHe old servant of 
 your respected father. Master George, sir, — I 
 should beg most respectfully to say that regard- 
 ing the lady in question, her conduct is not in 
 the least surprising, Miss Marchmont being a 
 beauty, and aware of the fact. Master George. 
 Eeferring to your heart, sir, I am ready to 
 swear that it is not even cracked. And now, 
 sir, — what clothes do you propose to wear this 
 morning? " 
 
 '' And pray, why should you be so confi- 
 dent of regarding the — er — condition of my 
 heart? " 
 
 *' Because, sir, — speaking as your father's 
 old servant, Master George, I make bold to say 
 that I don't believe that you have ever been in 
 love, or even know what love is, Master George, 
 sir. ' ' 
 
 Bellew picked up the salt-spoon, balanced it 
 very carefully upon his finger, and put it down 
 again. 
 
 '' Nevertheless," said he, shaking his head, 
 " I can see for myself but the dreary perspec- 
 tive of a hopeless future, Baxter, blasted by the 
 Haunting Spectre of the Might Have Been ; — 
 I'll trouble you to push the cigarettes a little 
 nearer." 
 
 " And now, sir," said Baxter, as he rose to
 
 THE MONEY MOON 9 
 
 strike, and apply the necessary matcli, '' what 
 suit will you wear to-day? " 
 
 " Something in tweeds." 
 
 '* Tweeds, sir! surely you forget your ap- 
 pointment with the Lady Cecily Prynne, and 
 her party? Lord Mount-clair had me on the 
 telephone, last night — " 
 
 " Also a good, heavy walking-stick, Baxter, 
 and a knap-sack." 
 
 ** A knap-sack, sir? " 
 
 '' I shall set out on a walking tour — in an 
 hour's time." 
 
 *' Certainly, sir, — where to, sir? " 
 
 " I haven't the least idea, Baxter, but I'm 
 going — in an hour. On the whole, of the four 
 courses you describe for one whose life is 
 blighted, whose heart, — I say whose heart, 
 Baxter, is broken, — utterly smashed, and — 
 er — shivered beyond repair, I prefer to disap- 
 pear — in an hour, Baxter." 
 
 *' Shall you drive the touring car, sir, or the 
 new racer? " 
 
 '' I shall walk, Baxter, alone, — in an hour."
 
 CHAPTER in 
 
 Which concerns itself with a hay-cart, and a 
 belligerent Waggoner 
 
 It was upon a certain August morning that 
 George Bellew shook the dust of London from 
 his feet, and, leaving Chance, or Destiny to 
 direct him, followed a hap-hazard course, care- 
 less alike of how, or when, or where; sighing 
 as often, and as heavily as he considered his 
 heart-broken condition required, — which was 
 very often, and very heavily, — yet heeding, for 
 all that, the glory of the sun, and the stir and 
 bustle of the streets about him. 
 
 Thus it was that, being careless of his ulti- 
 mate destination, Fortune condescended to take 
 him under her wing, (if she has one), and 
 guided his steps across the river, into the lovely 
 land of Kent, — that county of gentle hills, 
 and broad, pleasant valleys, of winding streams 
 and shady woods, of rich meadows and smiling 
 pastures, of grassy lanes and fragrant hedge- 
 rows, — that most delightful land which has 
 been called, and very rightly, " The Garden of 
 England.'*
 
 THE MONEY MOON 11 
 
 It was thus, as has been said, upon a 
 fair August morning, that Bellew set out on 
 what he termed '* a walking tour." The 
 resen'ation is necessary because Bellew 's idea 
 of a walking-tour is original, and quaint. 
 He began very well, for Bellew, — in the 
 morning he walked very nearly five miles, 
 and, in the afternoon, before he was dis- 
 covered, he accomplished ten more on a 
 hay-cart that haj^pened to be going in his 
 direction. 
 
 He had swung himself up among the hay, 
 unobserved by the somnolent driver, and had 
 ridden thus an hour or more in that delicious 
 state between waking, and sleeping, ere the 
 waggoner discovered him, whereupon ensued 
 the following colloquy: 
 
 The Waggoner. {Indignantly) Halloa there I 
 wliat might you be a doing of in my hayf 
 
 Bellew. {Drowsily) Enjoying myself im- 
 mensely. 
 
 The Waggoner. {Growling) Well, you get 
 out o' that, and sharp about it. 
 
 Bellew. {Yawning) Not on your life! No 
 sir, — ' not for Cadwallader and all his 
 goats! ' " 
 
 The Waggoner. You jest get down out o* my 
 bay, — now come!
 
 12 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Bellew. (Sleepily) Enough, good fellow, — 
 go to ! — thy voice offends mine ear ! 
 
 The Waggoner. (Threateningly) Ear be 
 blowed ! If ye don 't get down out o ' my hay, — 
 I'll come an' throw ye out. 
 
 Bellew. (Drowsily) 'T would be an act of 
 wanton aggression that likes me not. 
 
 The Waggoner. (Dubiously) Where be ye 
 goin'? 
 
 Bellew. Wherever you like to take me; 
 * < Thy way shall be my way, and — er — thy 
 people — (Yawn) So drive on, my rustic Jehu, 
 and Heaven's blessings prosper thee! " 
 
 Saying which, Bellew closed his eyes again, 
 sighed plaintively, and once more composed 
 himself to slumber. 
 
 But to drive on, the Waggoner, very evi- 
 dently, had no mind ; instead, flinging the reins 
 upon the backs of his horses, he climbed down 
 from his seat, and spitting on his hands, 
 clenched them into fists and shook them up at 
 the yawning Bellew, one after the other. 
 
 ** It be enough," said he, ** to raise the ' Old 
 Adam ' inside o' me to 'ave a tramper o' the 
 roads a-snoring in my hay, — but I ain 't a-going 
 to be called names, into the bargain. ' Rusty * 
 — I may be, but I reckon I'm good enough for 
 the likes o ' you, — so come on down ! ' ' and the 
 Waggoner shook his fists again.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 13 
 
 He was a very square man, was this "Wag- 
 goner, square of head, square of jaw, and 
 square of body, with twinkling blue eyes, 
 and a pleasant, good-natured face; but, just 
 now, the eyes gleamed, and the face was set 
 grimly, and, altogether, he looked a very ugly 
 opponent. 
 
 Therefore Bellew sighed again, stretched 
 himself, and, very reluctantly, climbed down 
 out of the hay. No sooner was he fairly in the 
 road, than the Waggoner went for him with a 
 rush, and a whirl of knotted fists. It was very 
 dusty in that particular spot so that it pres- 
 ently rose in a cloud, in the midst of which, the 
 battle raged, fast and furious. 
 
 And, in a while, the Waggoner, rising out of 
 the ditch, grinned to see Bellew wiping blood 
 from his face. 
 
 ' ' You be no — fool ! ' ' panted the Waggoner, 
 mopping his face with the end of his necker- 
 chief. *' Leastways, — not wi' your fists." 
 
 '* Wliy, you are pretty good yourself, if it 
 comes to that," returned Bellew, mopping in 
 his turn. Thus they stood a while stanching 
 their wounds, and gazing upon each other with 
 a mutual, and growing respect. 
 
 " Woll? " enquired Bellew, when he had re- 
 covered his breath somewhat, ** shall we begin
 
 14 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 again, or do you think we have had enough? 
 To be sure, I begin to feel much better for your 
 efforts, you see, exercise is what I most need, 
 just novY, on account of the — er — Haunting 
 Spectre of the Might Have Been, — to offset 
 its effect, you know; but it is uncomfortably 
 warm work here, in the sun, isn't it? " 
 
 '' Ah! " nodded the Waggoner, '' it be." 
 
 ' ' Then suppose we — er — continue our 
 journey? " said Bellew with his dreamy gaze 
 upon the tempting load of sweet-smelling hay. 
 
 '* Ah! " nodded the Waggoner again, begin- 
 ning to roll down his sleeves, " suppose we do; 
 I aren 't above giving a lift to a chap as can use 
 'is fists, — not even if 'e is a vagrant, and a 
 uncommon dusty one at that; — so, if you're in 
 the same mind about it, up you get, — but no 
 more furrin curses, mind! " With which ad- 
 monition, the Waggoner nodded, grinned, and 
 climbed back to his seat, while Bellew swung 
 himself up into the hay once more. 
 
 ** Friend," said he, as the waggon creaked 
 upon its way, '* Do you smoke? " 
 
 * ' Ah ! ' ' nodded the Waggoner. 
 
 *' Then here are three cigars which you 
 didn't manage to smash just now." 
 
 * ' Cigars ! why it ain 't often as I gets so far 
 as a cigar, unless it be Squire, or Passon, —
 
 THE MONEY MOON 15 
 
 cigars, eli! " Saying wliieli, the T\^aggoner 
 turned and accepted the cigars which he pro- 
 ceeded to stow away in the cavernous interior 
 of his wide-eaved hat, handling them with elab- 
 orate care, rather as if they were explosives 
 of a highly dangerous kind. 
 
 Meanwhile, George Bellew, American Citizen, 
 and millionaire, lay upon the broad of his back, 
 staring up at the cloudless blue above, and de- 
 spite heart break, and a certain Haunting 
 Shadow, felt singularly content, which feeling 
 he was at some pains with himself to account 
 for, 
 
 '* It's the exercise," said he, speaking his 
 thought aloud, as he stretched luxuriously upon 
 his soft, and fragrant couch, ** after all, there 
 is nothing like a little exercise." 
 
 ** That's what they all say! " nodded the 
 Waggoner. '' But I notice as them as says it, 
 ain't over fond o' doing of it, — they mostly 
 prefers to lie on their backs, an' talk about it, 
 — like yourself." 
 
 " Hum ! " said Bellew, '' ha ! * Some are born 
 to exercise, some achieve exercise, and some, 
 like myself, have exercise thrust upon them.' 
 But, anj'^ay, it is a very excollont thing, — • 
 more especially if one is affected with a — er — 
 broken heart.'*
 
 16 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '* A w'ot? " enquired the Waggoner. 
 
 ** Blighted affections, then," sighed Bellew, 
 settling himself more comfortably in the 
 hay. 
 
 ' ' Yon ciren 't 'inting at — love, are ye ? " en- 
 quired the Waggoner cocking a somewhat 
 sheepish eye at him. 
 
 " I was, but, just at pres Ait," and here Bel- 
 lv3W lowered his voice, * * it is a — er — rather 
 painful subject with me, — let us, therefore, 
 talk of something else." 
 
 *' You don't mean to say as your 'eart's 
 broke, do ye? " enquired the Waggoner in a 
 tone of such vast surprise and disbelief, th t 
 Bellew turned, and propped himself on an in- 
 dignant elbow. 
 
 ** And why the deuce not? " he retorted, 
 " my heart is no more impervious than anyone 
 else's, — confound it! " 
 
 *' But," said the Waggoner, ** you ain't got 
 the look of a 'eart-broke cove, no more than 
 Squire Cassilis, — which the same I heard tell- 
 ing Miss Anthea as 'is 'eart were broke, no 
 later thrn yesterday, at two o'clock in the arter- 
 noon, as ever was." 
 
 ** Anthea!" repeated Bellew, blinking 
 drowsily up at the sky again, ** that is a very 
 quaint name, and very pretty. ' '
 
 THE MONEY MOON 17 
 
 "Pretty, — ah, — an' so's M'ss Antliea! — 
 as a pict'er." 
 
 ** Oh, really? " yawned Bellew. 
 
 '* Ah! " nodded the Wagg'^ner, *' there ain't 
 a man, in or out o' the parish, from Squire 
 down, as don't think the very same." 
 
 But h re, the W«tgoner's voice tailed off 
 into a m-jr;ningless drone that became merged 
 with the creaking of the wheels, the plodding 
 hoof-strokes of the h rses, and Bellew fell 
 asleep. 
 
 He was awakened by feeling himself shc^ken 
 lustily, and, sitting up, saw that they had come 
 to where a narrow lane branched off from the 
 high road, and wound away between gr-»at 
 trees. 
 
 ** Yon's your way," nodded the Waggoner, 
 pointing along the high road, " Dapplemere vil- 
 lage lies over yonder, 'bout a mile " 
 
 " Thank you very much," s id Bellew, *' but 
 1 don't want the village." 
 
 '* No? " enquired the Waggoner, scratching 
 his head. 
 
 ** Certainly not," answered Bellew. 
 
 ** Then — whr.t do ye want? " 
 
 *' Oh well, I'll just go on lying here, and see 
 what turns up, — so drive on, like the good 
 fellow you are."
 
 18 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 < I 
 
 Can't be done! " said the Waggoner. 
 
 '' Why not? " 
 
 < ' Why, since yon ax me — because I don 't 
 have to drive no farther. There be the 
 farm-house, — over the up-land yonder, you 
 can't see it because o' the trees, but there 
 it be." 
 
 So, Bellew sighed resignedly, and, perforce, 
 climbed down into the road. 
 
 " What do I owe youf " he enquired. 
 
 *' Owe me? " said the Waggoner, staring. 
 
 '^ For the ride, and the — er — very neces- 
 sary exercise you afforded me." 
 
 * * Lord ! ' ' cried the Waggoner with a sudden, 
 great laugh, '^ you don't owe me nothin' for 
 that, — not nohow, — I owe you one for a 
 knocking of me into that ditch, back yonder, 
 though, to be sure, I did give ye one or two 
 good 'uns, didn't I? " 
 
 '* You certainly did! " answered Bellew smi- 
 ling, and he held out his hand. 
 
 * * Hey ! — what be this ? ' ' cried the Wag- 
 goner, staring down at the bright five-shilling 
 piece in his palm. 
 
 *' Well, I rather think it's five shillings," said 
 Bellew. ** It's big enough, heaven knows. 
 English money is all O.K., I suppose, but it's 
 confoundedly confusing, and rather heavy to
 
 THE MONEY MOON 19 
 
 drag around if you happen to have enough of 
 it—" 
 
 * ' Ah ! ' ' nodded the Waggoner, ' ' but then 
 nobody never has enough of it, — leastways, I 
 never knowed nobody as had. Good-bye, sir! 
 and thankee, and — good luck! " saying which, 
 the Waggoner chirrupped to his horses, slipped 
 the coin into his pocket, nodded, and the wag- 
 gon creaked and rumbled up the lane. 
 
 Bellew strolled along the road, breathing an 
 air fragrant with honey-suckle from the hedges, 
 and full of the song of birds ; pausing, now and 
 then, to listen to the blythe carol of a slc}^-lark, 
 or the rich, sweet notes of a black-bird, and 
 feeling that it was indeed, good to be alive ; so 
 that, what with all this, — the springy turf be- 
 neath his feet, and the blue expanse over-head, 
 he began to whistle for very joy of it, until, re- 
 membering the Haunting Shadow of the Might 
 Have Been, he checked himself, and sighed in- 
 stead. Presently, turning from the road, he 
 climbed a stile, and followed a narrow path that 
 led away across the meadows, and, as he went, 
 there mot him a gentle wind laden with the 
 sweet, warm scent of ripening hops, and fruit. 
 
 On he went, and on, — hoodloss of his direc- 
 tion until the sun grew low, and he grew hun- 
 gry; wherefore, looking about, he presently
 
 20 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 espied a nook sheltered from the sun's level 
 rays by a steep bank where flowers bloomed, 
 and ferns grew. Here he sat down, nnslinging 
 his knapsack, and here it was, also, that he first 
 encountered Small Porges.
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 Bow Small Forges in looking for a fortune for 
 another, found an Uncle for himself instead 
 
 The meeting of George Bellew and Small 
 Porges, (as lie afterward came to be called), 
 was sudden, precipitate, and wholly unex- 
 pected ; and it befell on this wise : 
 
 Bellew had opened his knap-sack, had fished 
 thence cheese, clasp-knife, and a crusty loaf of 
 bread, and, having exerted himself so far, had 
 fallen a thinking or a dreaming, in his charac- 
 teristic attitude, i. e. : — on the flat of his back, 
 when he was aware of a crash in the hedge 
 above, and then, of something that hurtled past 
 him, all arms and legs, that rolled over two or 
 three times, and eventually brought up in a 
 sitting posture; and, lifting a lazy head, Bel- 
 lew observed that it was a boy. He was 
 a very diminutive boy with a round head 
 covered with coppery curls, a boy who 
 stared at Bellew out of a pair of very round, 
 blue eyes, while he tenderly cherished a knee, 
 and an elbow. He had been on the brink of 
 tears for a moment, but meeting Bellew 's quiz-
 
 22 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 zical gaze, lie manfully repressed the weakness, 
 and, lifting the small, and somewhat weather- 
 beaten cap that found a precarious perch at the 
 back of his curly head, he gravely wished Bel- 
 lew " Good afternoon! " 
 
 * ' Well met, my Lord Chesterfield ! ' ' nodded 
 Bellew, returning the salute, '' are you hurt? " 
 
 ' ' Just a bit — on the elbow ; but my name 's 
 George." 
 
 <' Why — so is mine ! " said Bellew. 
 
 ** Though they call me ' Georgy-Porgy. ' " 
 
 ^' Of course they do," nodded Bellew, ** they 
 used to call me the same, once upon a time, — 
 
 Georgy Porgy, pudding and pie 
 Kissed the girls, and made them cry, 
 
 though I never did anything of the kind, — one 
 doesn't do that sort of thing when one is young, 
 — and wise, that comes later, and brings its 
 own care, and — er — heart-break. ' ' Here Bel- 
 lew sighed, and hacked a piece from the loaf 
 with the clasp-knife. '' Are you hungry, 
 Georgy Porgy? " he enquired, glancing up at 
 the boy who had risen, and was removing some 
 of the soil and dust from his small person with 
 his cap. 
 
 '' Yes I am.'»
 
 THE MONEY MOON 23 
 
 ( i 
 
 Then here is bread, and cheese, and bottled 
 stout, — so fall to, good comrade." 
 
 ** Thank you, but I've got a piece of bread 
 an' jam in my bundle, — " 
 
 " Bundle? " 
 
 ** I dropped it as I came through the hedge, 
 I'll get it," and as he spoke, he turned, and, 
 climbing up the bank, presently came back 
 with a very small bundle that dangled from the 
 end of a very long stick, and seating himself 
 beside Bellew, he proceeded to open it. There, 
 sure enough, was the bread and jam in question, 
 seemingly a little the worse for wear and tear, 
 for Bellew observed various articles adhering 
 to it, amongst other things, a battered pen- 
 knife, and a top. These, however, were readily 
 removed, and Georgy Porgy fell to with excel- 
 lent appetite. 
 
 ** And pray," enquired Bellew, after they 
 had munched silently together, some while, 
 *' pray where might you be going? " 
 
 ** I don't know yet," answered Georgy Porgy 
 with a shake of his curls. 
 
 " Good again! " exclaimed Bellew, *' neither 
 do I." 
 
 ** Though I've been thinking of Africa," con- 
 tinued his diminutive companion, turning the 
 remains of the bread and jam over and over 
 thoughtfuJly.
 
 24 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * ' Africa ! ' ' repeated Bellew, staring, 
 '' that's quite a goodisli step from here." 
 
 * ' Yes, ' ' sighed Georgy Porgy, ' ' but, you see, 
 there 's gold there, oh, lots of it ! they dig it out 
 of the ground with shovels, you know. Old 
 Adam told me all 'bout it; an' it's gold I'm 
 looking for, you see, I'm trying to find a for- 
 tune. ' ' 
 
 '' I — er — beg your pardon — ? " said Bel- 
 lew. 
 
 '' Money, you Imow,'^ explainied Georgy 
 Porgy with a patient sigh, '' pounds, an' shil- 
 lings, an' bank-notes — in a sack if I can get 
 them. ' ' 
 
 *' And what does such a very small Georgy 
 Porgy want so much money for? " 
 
 " Well, it's for my Auntie, you know, so she 
 won't have to sell her house, an' go away from 
 Dapplemere. She was telling me, last night, 
 when I was in bed, — she always comes to tuck 
 me up, you know, an' she told me she was 'fraid 
 we'd have to sell Dapplemere an' go to live 
 somewhere else. So I asked why, an' she said 
 * 'cause she hadn't any money,' an' ' Oh 
 Georgy ! ' she said, ' oh Georgy, if we could only 
 find enough money to pay off the — the — * ' * 
 
 *' Mortgage? " suggested Bellew, at a ven- 
 ture.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 25 
 
 *' Yes, — that's it, but how did you know? " 
 
 *' Never mind how, go on with your tale, 
 Georgy Porgy." 
 
 " * If — we could only find enough money, 
 or somebody would leave us a fortune,' she 
 said, — an' she was crying too, 'cause I felt 
 a tear fall on me, you know. So this morn- 
 ing I got up, awful' early, an' made myself a 
 bundle on a stick, — like Dick Whittington had 
 when he left home, an' I started off to find a 
 fortune. ' ' 
 
 '' I see," nodded Bcllew. 
 
 '* But I haven't found anything — yet," said 
 Georgy Porgy, with a long sigh, '' I s'pose 
 money takes a lot of looking for, doesn't it? " 
 
 " Sometimes," Bellew answered. " And do 
 you live alone with your Auntie then, Georgy 
 Porgy? " 
 
 ** Yes; — most boys live with their mothers, 
 but that's where I'm different, I don't need one 
 'cause I've got my Auntie Anthea." 
 
 " Anthea! " repeated Bellew, thoughtfully. 
 Hereupon they fell silent, Bellew watching the 
 smoke curl up from his pipe into the warm, 
 still air, and Georgy Porgy watching him with 
 very thoughtful eyes, and a somewhat troubled 
 brow, as if turning over some weighty matter 
 in liis mind; at last, he spoke:
 
 26 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '' Please," said he, with a sudden diffidence, 
 *' where do you live? " 
 
 '' Live," repeated Bellew, smiling, *' under 
 my hat, — here, there, and everywhere, which 
 means — nowhere in particular. ' ' 
 
 ' ' But I — I mean — where is your home 1 ' ' 
 
 '' My home," said Bellew, exhaling a great 
 cloud of smoke, '' my home lies beyond the 
 * bounding billow.' " 
 
 " That sounds an awful' long way off." 
 
 ^^ It is an awful' long way off." 
 
 * * An ' where do you sleep while — while 
 you're here? " 
 
 *' Anywhere they'll let me. To-night I shall 
 sleep at some inn, I suppose, if I can find one, 
 if not, — under a hedge, or hay-rick. ' ' 
 
 *' Oh! — haven't you got any home of your 
 own, then, — here? " 
 
 *' No." 
 
 *' And — you're not going home just yet, — 
 
 I mean across the * bounding billow? ' " 
 
 ''Not yet." 
 
 ''Then — please — " the small boy's voice 
 was suddenly tremulous and eager, and he laid 
 a little, grimy hand upon Bellew 's sleeve, 
 " please — if it isn't too much trouble — would 
 you mind coming with me — to — to help me to 
 find the fortune? — you see, you are so very 
 big, an' — Oh! — will you please? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 27 
 
 George Bellew sat up suddenly, and smiled; 
 Bellew's smile was, at all times, wouderfully 
 pleasant to see, at least, the boy thought so. 
 
 ** Georgy Porgy," said he, '* you can just 
 bet your small life, I will, — and there's my 
 hand on it, old chap." Bellew's lips were sol- 
 emn now, but all the best of his smile seemed, 
 somehow, to have got into his gray eyes. So 
 the big hand clasped the small one, and as they 
 looked at each other, there sprang up a certain 
 understanding that was to be an enduring bond 
 between them. 
 
 ** I think," said Bellew, as he lay, and puffed 
 at his pipe again, " I think I'll call you Porges, 
 it's shorter, easier, and I think, altogether apt; 
 I'll be Big Porges, and you shall be Small 
 Porges, — what do you say? " 
 
 ** Yes, it's lots better than Georgy Porgy,'* 
 nodded the boy. And so Small Porges he be- 
 came, thenceforth. " But," said he, after a 
 thoughtful pause, '* I think, if you don't mind, 
 I'd rather call you — Uncle Porges. You see, 
 Dick Bennet — the black-smith's boy, has three 
 uncles an' I've only got a single aunt, — so, 
 if you don't mind — " 
 
 ** Uncle Porgos it shall be, now and for ever, 
 Amon ! " murmurod Bollew. 
 
 " An' when d'you s'pose we'd better start? "
 
 28 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 enquired Small Porges, beginning to re-tie his 
 bundle. 
 
 ** Start where, nephew? '* 
 
 '' To find the fortune." 
 
 " Hum! " said Bellew. 
 
 ' ' If we could manage to find some, — even if 
 it was only a very little, it would cheer her up 
 so." 
 
 ''To be sure it would," said Bellew, and, 
 sitting up, he pitched loaf, cheese, and clasp- 
 knife back into the knap-sack, fastened it, slung 
 it upon his shoulders, and rising, took up his 
 stick. 
 
 '' Come on, my Porges," said he, ** and, 
 whatever you do — keep your ' weather eye ' 
 on your uncle." 
 
 " Where do you s'pose we'd better look 
 first? " enquired Small Porges, eagerly. 
 
 " Why, first, I think we'd better find your 
 Auntie Anthea." 
 
 ' ' But, — ' ' began Porges, his face falling. 
 
 " But me no huts, my Porges," smiled Bel- 
 lew, laying his hand upon his new-found 
 nephew's shoulder, " but me no buts, boy, and, 
 as I said before, — just keep your eye on your 
 . uncle. ' *
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 "How Bellew came to Arcadia 
 
 So, they set out together, Big Porges and Small 
 Porges, walking side hy side over sun-kissed 
 field and meadow, slowly and thoughtfully, to 
 be sure, for Bellew disliked hurry ; often paus- 
 ing to listen to the music of running waters, or 
 to stare away across the purple valley, for the 
 sun was getting low. And, ever as they went, 
 they talked to one another whole-heartedly as 
 good friends should. 
 
 And, from the boy's eager lips, Bellew heard 
 much of ** Auntie Anthea," and learned, little 
 by little, something of the brave fight she had 
 made, lonely and unaided, and burdened with 
 ancient debt, to make the farm of Dapplemere 
 pay. Likewise Small Porges spoke learnedly 
 of the condition of the markets, and of the dis- 
 tressing fall in prices in regard to hay, and 
 wheat. 
 
 ** Old Adam, — lie's our man, you know, 
 be says that farming isn't what it was in his 
 young days, 'specially if you happen to be a 
 woman, like my Auntie Anthea, an' he told me
 
 30 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 yesterday that if lie were Auntie he'd give 
 up trying, an' take Mr. Cassilis at his 
 word. ' ' 
 
 '* Cassilis, ah! — And who is Mr. Cassilis? " 
 
 *' He lives at ' Brampton Court ' — a great, 
 big house 'bout a mile from Dapplemere; an' 
 he's always asking my Auntie to marry him, 
 but 'course she won 't you know. ' ' 
 
 '' Wliy not? " 
 
 *' Well, I think it's 'cause he's got such big, 
 white teeth when he smiles, — an' he's always 
 smiling, you know ; but Old Adam says that if 
 he'd been born a woman he'd marry a man all 
 teeth, or no teeth at all, if he had as much 
 money as Mr. Cassilis." 
 
 The sun was low in the "West as, skirting a 
 wood, they came out upon a grassy lane that 
 presently led them into the great, broad high- 
 way. 
 
 Now, as they trudged along together, Small 
 Porges with one hand clasped in Bellew's, and 
 the other supporting the bundle on his shoul- 
 der, there appeared, galloping towards them a 
 man on a fine black horse, at sight of whom, 
 Porges ' clasp tightened, and he drew nearer to 
 Bellew's side. 
 
 When he was nearly abreast of them, 
 the horse-man checked his career so sud-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 31 
 
 deiily that his animal was thrown back on his 
 haunches. 
 
 " Why — Georgy! " he exclaimed. 
 
 ** Good evening, Mr. Cassilis! " said Small 
 Porges, lifting his cap. 
 
 Mr, Cassilis was tall, handsome, well built, 
 and very particular as to dress. Bellew noticed 
 that his teeth were, indeed, very large and 
 white, beneath the small, carefully trained 
 moustache; also his eyes seemed just a trifle 
 too close together, perhaps. 
 
 " Why — what in the world have you been 
 up to, boy? " he enquired, regarding Bellew 
 with no very friendly eye. ** Your Aunt is 
 worrying herself ill on your account, — what 
 have you been doing with yourself all day? " 
 
 Again Bellew felt the small fingers tighten 
 round his, and the small figure shrink a little 
 closer to him, as Small Porges answered, 
 
 " I've been with Uncle Porges, Mr. Cas- 
 silis." 
 
 ** With whom? " demanded Mr. Cassilis, 
 more sharply. 
 
 " With his Uncle Porges, sir," Bellew re- 
 joined, " a trustworthy person, and very much 
 at your service." 
 
 Mr. Cassilis stared, his hand began to stroke 
 and caress his small, black moustache, and he
 
 it 
 
 32 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 viewed Bellew from his dusty boots up to the 
 crown of his dusty hat, and down again, with 
 supercilious eyes. 
 
 ** Uncle? " he repeated incredulously. 
 Porges," nodded Bellew. 
 I wasn't aware," began Mr. Cassilis, 
 * * that — er — George was so very fortu- 
 nate — ' ' 
 
 ''Baptismal name — George," continued 
 Bellew, ' ' lately of New York, Newport, and — 
 er — other places in America, U. S. A., at pres- 
 ent of Nowhere-in-Particular. " 
 
 '* Ah! " said Mr. Cassilis, his eyes seeming 
 to grow a trifle nearer together, " an Amer- 
 ican Uncle 1 Still, I was not aware of even that 
 relationship. ' ' 
 
 ''It is a singularly pleasing thought," 
 smiled Bellew, " to know that we may learn 
 something every day, — that one never knows 
 what the day may bring forth ; to-morrow, for 
 instance, you also may find yourself a nephew 
 — somewhere or other, though, personally, I — 
 er doubt it, yes, I greatly doubt it; still, one 
 never knows, you know, and while there's life, 
 there's hope. A very good afternoon to you, 
 sir. Come, nephew mine, the evening falls 
 apace, and I grow aweary, — let us on — 
 Excelsior! "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 33 
 
 Mr. Cassilis's cheek grew suddenly red, lie 
 twirled his moustache angrily, and seemed 
 about to speak, then he smiled instead, and 
 turning his horse, spurred him savagely, and 
 galloped back down the road in a cloud of dust. 
 
 *' Did you see his teeth. Uncle Porges? " 
 
 '' I did." 
 
 ** He only smiles like that when he's awful' 
 angry," said Small Porges shaking his head 
 as the galloping hoof-strokes died away in the 
 distance, *' An' what do you s'pose he went 
 back for! " 
 
 " Well, Porges, it's in my mind that he has 
 gone back to warn our Auntie Anthea of our 
 coming." 
 
 Small Porges sighed, and his feet dragged 
 in the dust. 
 
 " Tired, my Porges? " 
 
 '' Just a bit, you know, — but it isn't that. 
 I was thinking that the day has almost gone, 
 an' I haven't found a bit of the fortune yet.** 
 
 *' Viliy there's always to-morrow to live for, 
 my Porges." 
 
 *' Yes, 'course — there's always to-morrow; 
 an' then, — I did find you, you know, Uncle 
 Porges." 
 
 " To be sure you did, and an uncle is better 
 than nothing at all, isn't he, — even if he is
 
 34 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 rather dusty and disreputable of exterior. One 
 doesn't find an uncle every day of one's life, 
 my Porges, no sir! " 
 
 ** An' you are so nice an' big, you know! " 
 said Porges, viewing Bellew with a bright, ap- 
 proving eye. 
 
 ** Long, would be a better word, perhaps," 
 suggested Bellew, smiling down at him. 
 
 "An' wide, too!" nodded Small Porges. 
 And, from these 'wo facts he seemed to derive 
 a deal of solid comfort, and satisfaction for he 
 strode on manfully once more. 
 
 Leaving the high-road, he guided Bellew by 
 divers winding paths, through corn-fields, and 
 over stiles, until, at length, they were come to 
 an orchard. Such an orchard as surely may only 
 be found in Kent, — where great apple-trees, 
 gnarled, and knotted, shot out huge branches 
 that seemed to twist, and writhe; where were 
 stately pear trees; where peaches, and apri- 
 cots, ripened against time-worn walls whose 
 red bricks still glowed rosily for all their years ; 
 where the air was sweet with the scent of fruit, 
 and fragrant with thyme, and sage, and mar- 
 joram; and where the black-birds, bold ma- 
 rauders that they are, piped gloriously all day 
 long. In the midst of this orchard they 
 stopped, and Small Porges rested one hand
 
 THE MONEY MOON 35 
 
 against the rugged bole of a great, old apple- 
 tree. 
 
 " This," said he, *' is my very own tree, be- 
 cause he's so very big, an' so very, very old, — 
 Adam says he's the oldest tree in the orchard. 
 I call him * King Arthur ' 'cause he is so big, 
 an' strong, — just like a king should be, you 
 know, — an' all the other trees are his Knights 
 of the Round Table." 
 
 But BcUew was not looking at *' King 
 Arthur " just then; his eyes were turned to 
 where one came towards them through the 
 green, — one surely as tall, and gracious, as 
 proud and beautiful, as Enid, or Guinevere, or 
 any of those lovely ladies, for all her simple 
 gown of blue, and the sunbonnet that shaded 
 the beauty of her face. Yes, as he gazed, Bel- 
 lew was sure and certain tliat she who, all 
 unconscious of their presence, came slowly 
 towards them with the red glow of the sunset 
 about her, was handsomer, lovelier, statelier, 
 and altogether more desirable than all the beau- 
 tiful ladies of King Arthur's court, — or any 
 other court soever. 
 
 But now Small Porges finding him so silent, 
 and seeing where he looked, must needs behold 
 her too, and gave a sudden, glad cry, and ran 
 out from behind the great bulk of ** King
 
 36 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Arthur, ' ' and she, hearing his voice, tdrned and 
 ran to meet him, and sank upon her knees be- 
 fore him, and clasped him against her heart, 
 and rejoiced, and wept, and scolded him, all in 
 a breath. Wherefore Bellew, unobserved, as 
 yet in * ' King Arthur 's ' ' shadow, watching the 
 proud head with its wayward curls, (for the 
 sunbonnet had been tossed back upon her shoul- 
 ders), watching the quick, passionate caress of 
 those slender, brown hands, and listening to the 
 thrilling tenderness of that low, soft voice, felt, 
 all at once, strangely lonely, and friendless, and 
 out of place, very rough and awkward, and 
 very much aware of his dusty person, — felt, 
 indeed, as any other ordinary human might, 
 who had tumbled unexpectedly into Arcadia; 
 therefore he turned, thinking to steal quietly 
 away. 
 
 '' You see, Auntie, I went out to try an' find 
 a fortune for you," Small Porges was explain- 
 ing, *' an' I looked, an' looked, but I didn't find 
 abit— " 
 
 *' My dear, dear, brave Georgy! " said An- 
 thea, and would have kissed him again, but he 
 put her off; 
 
 ** "Wait a minute, please Auntie," he said 
 excitedly, ** 'cause I did find — something, — 
 just as I was growing very tired an' disap-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 37 
 
 pointed, I found Uncle Forges — under a 
 hedge, j^ou know." 
 
 " Uncle Forges! " said Antliea, starting, 
 ** Oh! that must be the man Mr. Cassilis men- 
 tioned — " 
 
 *' So I brought him with me,*' pursued Small 
 Forges, *' an' there he is! " and he pointed 
 triumphantly towards *' King Arthur.'* 
 
 Glancing thither, Anthea beheld a tall, dusty 
 figure moving off among the trees. 
 
 " Oh, — wait, please! " she called, rising to 
 her feet, and, with Small Forges' hand in hers, 
 approached Bellew who had stopped with his 
 dusty back to them. 
 
 *' I — I want to thank you for — taking 
 care of my nephew. If you will come up 
 to the house cook shall give you a good 
 meal, and, if you are in need of work, 
 I — I — " her voice faltered uncertainly, and 
 she stopped. 
 
 *' Thank you! " said Bellew, turning and 
 lifting his hat. 
 
 ** Oh! — I beg your pardon! " said Anthea. 
 
 Now as their eyes met, it seemed to Bellew 
 as though he had lived all his life in expectation 
 of tliis moment, and he knew that all his life he 
 should never forget this moment. But now, 
 even while he looked at her, he saw her cheeks
 
 38 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 flush painfully, and her dark eyes grow 
 troubled. 
 
 '* I beg your pardon! " said she again, ** I — 
 I thought — Mr. Cassilis gave me to under- 
 stand that you were — ' ' 
 
 ** A very dusty, hungry-looking fellow, per- 
 haps," smiled Bellew, '* and he was quite right, 
 you know; the dust you can see for yourself, 
 but the hunger you must take my word for. As 
 for the work, I assure you exercise is precisely 
 what I am looking for. ' ' 
 
 * ' But — ' ' said Anthea, and stopped, and 
 tapped the grass nervously with her foot, and 
 twisted one of her bonnet-strings, and meeting 
 Bellew 's steady gaze, flushed again, *' but you 
 — you are — ' ' 
 
 *' My Uncle Porges," her nephew chimed in, 
 ** an' I brought him home with me 'cause he's 
 going to help me to find a fortune, an' he hasn't 
 got any place to go to 'cause his home's 
 far, far beyond the * bounding billow,' — so 
 you will let him stay, won't you, Auntie 
 Anthea? " 
 
 ** Why — Georgy — " she began, but seeing 
 her distressed look, Bellew came to her rescue. 
 
 '* Pray do, Miss Anthea," said he in his 
 quiet, easy manner. ** My name is Bellew," he 
 went on to explain, ** I am an American, with-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 39 
 
 out family or friends, here, there or anywhere, 
 and with nothing in the world to do but follow 
 the path of the winds. Indeed, I am rather 
 a solitary fellow, at least — I was, until I met 
 my nephew Porges here. Since then, I've been 
 wondering if there would be — er — room for 
 such as I, at Dapplemere? " 
 
 " Oh, there would be plenty of room," said 
 Anthea, hesitating, and wrinkling her wliite 
 brow, for a lodger was something entirely new 
 in her experience. 
 
 "As to my character," pursued Bellew, 
 " though something of a vagabond, I am not a 
 rogue, — at least, I hope not, and I could pay 
 
 — er — four or five pounds a week — " 
 
 " Oh! " exclaimed Anthea, with a little gasp. 
 
 * ' If that would be sufficient — ' ' 
 
 ** It is — a great deal too much! " said An- 
 thea who would have scarcely dared to ask 
 three. 
 
 ** Pardon me! — but I think not," said Bel- 
 lew, shaking his head, '' you see, I am — er — 
 rather extravagant in my eating, — eggs, you 
 know, lots of 'em, and ham, and beef, and — er 
 
 — (a duck quacked loudly from the vicinity of 
 a neighbouring pond), — certainly, — an occa- 
 sional duf'k ! Indeed, five pounds a week would 
 scarcely — ' '
 
 40 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 *' Three would be ample! " said Anthea with 
 a little nod of finality. 
 
 " Very well," said Bellew, ** we'll make it 
 four, and have done with it." 
 
 Anthea Devine, being absolute mistress of 
 Dapplemere, was in the habit of exerting her 
 authority, and having her own way in most 
 things ; therefore, she glanced up, in some sur- 
 prise, at this tall, dusty, rather lazy looking 
 personage ; and she noticed, even as had Small 
 Porges, that he was indeed very big and wide ; 
 she noticed also that, despite the easy courtesy 
 of his manner, and the quizzical light of his 
 gray eyes, his chin was very square, and that, 
 despite his gentle voice, he had the air of one 
 who meant exactly what he said. Nevertheless 
 she was much inclined to take issue with him 
 upon the matter ; plainly observing which, Bel- 
 lew smiled, and shook his head. 
 
 ** Pray be reasonable," he said in his gentle 
 voice, '^ if you send me away to some horrible 
 inn or other, it will cost me — being an Amer- 
 ican, — more than that every week, in tips and 
 things, — so let's shake hands on it, and call 
 it settled," and he held out his hand to her. 
 
 ** Four pounds a week! It would be a veri- 
 table God-send just at present, while she was 
 so hard put to it to make both ends meet. Four
 
 THE MONEY MOON 41 
 
 pounds a week! " So Antliea stood, lost in 
 frowning thought until meeting his frank smile, 
 she laughed. 
 
 ** You are dreadfully persistent! " she said, 
 * * and I know it is too much, — but — we '11 try 
 to make you as comfortable as we can," and she 
 laid her hand in his. 
 
 And thus it was that George Bellew came to 
 Dapplemere in the glory of the after-glow of 
 an August afternoon, breathing the magic air 
 of Arcadia wliicli is, and always has been, of 
 that rare quality warranted to go to the head, 
 sooner, or later. 
 
 And thus it was that Small Porges with his 
 bundle on his shoulder, viewed this tall, dusty 
 Uncle with the eye of possession which is oft- 
 times an eye of rapture. 
 
 And Antheal She was busy calculating to a 
 scrupulous nicety the very vexed question as 
 to exactly how far four pounds per week might 
 be made to go to the best possible advantage 
 of all concerned.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 Of the sad condition of the Haunting Spectre 
 of the Might Have Been 
 
 Dapplemeke Farm House, or ' ' The Manor, ' ' as 
 it was still called by many, had been built when 
 Henry the Eighth was King, as the carved in- 
 scription above the door testified. 
 
 The House of Dapplemere was a place of 
 many gables, and latticed windows, and with 
 tall, slender chimneys shaped, and wrought into 
 things of beauty and delight. It possessed a 
 great, old hall ; there were spacious chambers, 
 and broad stairways ; there were panelled cor- 
 lidors; sudden flights of steps that led up, or 
 down again, for no apparent reason; there 
 were broad, and generous hearths, and deep 
 window-seats; and everywhere, within, and 
 without, there lurked an indefinable, old-world 
 charm that was the heritage of years. 
 
 Storms had buffeted, and tempests had 
 beaten upon it, but all in vain, for, save that 
 the bricks glowed a deeper red where they 
 peeped out beneath the clinging ivy, the old 
 house stood as it had upon that far day when it
 
 TPIE MONEY MOON 43 
 
 was fashioned, — in the Year of Our Lord One 
 Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty-four. 
 
 In England many such houses are j^et to be 
 found, monuments of the ** Bad Old Times " — 
 memorials of the *' Dark Ages " — when lath 
 and stucco existed not, and the *' Jerry- 
 builder " had no being. But where, among 
 them all, miglit be found such another parlour 
 as this at Dapplemere, with its low, raftered 
 ceiling, its great, carved mantel, its panelled 
 walls whence old portraits looked down at one 
 like dream faces, from dim, and nebulous back- 
 grounds. And where miglit be found two such 
 bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked, quick-footed, deft- 
 handed Phyllises as the two buxom maids who 
 flitted here and there, obedient to their mis- 
 tress's word, or gesture. And, lastly, where, in 
 all this wide world, could there ever be found 
 just such another hostess as Miss Anthea, her- 
 self? Something of all this was in Bellew's 
 mind as he sat with Small Forges beside him, 
 watching Miss Anthea dispense tea, — brewed 
 as it should be, in an earthen tea-pot. 
 
 " ^filk and sugar, Mr. Bellew? " 
 
 ** Thank you! " 
 
 " This is blackberry, an' this is raspberry 
 an* red currant — but the blackberry jam's the 
 best, Uncle Forges! "
 
 44 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 a 
 
 Thank you, nephew." 
 
 ** Now aren't you awful' glad I found you — 
 under that hedge, Uncle Forges? " 
 
 ' ' Nephew, — I am ! " 
 
 '' Nephew? " repeated Anthea, glancing at 
 him with raised brows. 
 
 ' ' Oh yes ! ' ' nodded Bellew, ' * we adopted 
 each other — at about four o'clock, this after- 
 
 noon." 
 
 '' Under a hedge, you know! " added Small 
 Porges. 
 
 ' ' Wasn 't it a very sudden, and altogether — 
 unheard of proceeding? " Anthea enquired. 
 
 ' ' Well, it might have been if it had happened 
 anywhere but in Arcadia." 
 
 " What do you mean by Arcadia, Uncle 
 Porges? " 
 
 ** A place I've been looking for — nearly all 
 my life, nephew. I '11 trouble you for the black- 
 berry jam, my Porges." 
 
 ' * Yes, try the blackberry, — Aunt Priscilla 
 made it her very own self." 
 
 ''You know it's perfectly — ridiculous!" 
 said Anthea, frowning and laughing, both at the 
 same time. 
 
 '' What is, Miss Anthea? " 
 
 < < Why that you should be sitting here calling 
 Georgy your nephew, and that I should be pour-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 45 
 
 ing out tea for you, quite as a matter of 
 course." 
 
 " It seems to me the most delightfully nat- 
 ural thing in the world," said Bellew, in his 
 slow, grave manner. 
 
 ''But — I've only known you — half an 
 hour — ! " 
 
 "But then, friendships ripen quickly — in 
 Arcadia." 
 
 " I wonder what Aunt Priscilla will have to 
 say about it ! " 
 
 "Aunt Priscilla? " 
 
 " She is our housekeeper, — the dearest, 
 busiest, gentlest little housekeeper in all the 
 world; but with — very sharp eyes, Mr. Bel- 
 lew. She will either like you very much, — or 
 ^- not at all ! there are no half measures about 
 Aunt Priscilla." 
 
 ** Now I wonder which it will be," said Bel- 
 lew, helping himself to more jam. 
 
 "Oh, she'll like you, a course!" nodded 
 Small Porges, " I know she'll like you 'cause 
 you're so different to Mr. Cassilis, — he's got 
 black hair, an' a mestache, you know, an' your 
 hair's gold, like mine, — an' your mestache — 
 isn't there, is it? An' I know she doesn't like 
 Mr. Cassilis, an' T don't, either, 'cause — " 
 
 " She will be back to-morrow," said Anthea,
 
 46 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 silencing Small Porges with a gentle touch of 
 her hand, *' and we shall be glad, sha'n't we, 
 Georgy? The house is not the same place with- 
 out her. You see, I am off in the fields all day, 
 as a rule ; a farm, — even such a small one as 
 Dapplemere, is a great responsibility, and takes 
 up all one's time — if it is to be made to 
 pay— " 
 
 " An' sometimes it doesn't pay at all, you 
 know! " added Small Porges, ** an' then Auntie 
 Anthea worries, an' I worry too. Farming 
 isn't what it was in Adam's young days, — so 
 that's why I must find a fortune — early to- 
 morrow morning, you know, — so my Auntie 
 won 't have to worry any more — ' ' 
 
 Now when he had got thus far, Anthea leaned 
 over, and, taking him by surprise, kissed Small 
 Porges suddenly. 
 
 *' It was very good, and brave of you, dear," 
 said she in her soft, thrilling voice, * * to go out 
 all alone into this big world to try and find a 
 fortune for me! " and here she would have 
 kissed him again but that he reminded her that 
 they were not alone. 
 
 ** But, Georgy dear, — fortunes are very 
 hard to find, — especially round Dapplemere, 
 I'm afraid! " said she, with a rueful little 
 laugh.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 47 
 
 ** Yes, that's why I was going to Africa, you 
 know." 
 
 * * Africa ! ' ' she repeated, ' * Africa ! ' ' 
 
 *' Oh yes," nodded Bellew, '' when I met him 
 he was on his way there to bring back gold for 
 you — in a sack." 
 
 '' Only Uncle Porges said it was a good-ish 
 ■way off, you know, so I 'cided to stay an' find 
 the fortune nearer home." 
 
 And thus they talked unaffectedly together 
 until, tea being over, Antliea volunteered to 
 show Bellew over her small domain, and they 
 went out, all three, into an evening that 
 breathed of roses, and honeysuckle. 
 
 And, as they went, slow-footed through the 
 deepening twilight, Small Porges directed Bel- 
 lew's attention to certain nooks and corners 
 that might be well calculated to conceal the 
 fortune they were to find ; while Anthea pointed 
 out to him the beauties of shady wood, of roll- 
 ing meadow, and winding stream. 
 
 But there were other beauties that neither of 
 them thought to call to his attention, but which 
 Bellew noted with observing eyes, none the less : 
 — such, for instance, as the way Anthea had of 
 drooping her shadowy lashes at sudden and un- 
 expected moments; the wistful droop of lier 
 warm, red lips, and the sweet, round column of
 
 48 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 her throat. These, and much beside, Bellew 
 noticed for himself as they walked on together 
 through this midsummer evening. . . . And so, 
 betimes, Bellew got him to bed, and, though the 
 hour was ridiculously early, yet he fell into a 
 profound slumber, and dreamed of — nothing 
 at all. But, far away upon the road, forgotten, 
 and out of mind, — with futile writhing and 
 grimaces, the Haunting Shadow of the Might 
 Have Been jibbered in the shadows.
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 JVJiich concerns itself among other matters, 
 with'' the Old Adam " 
 
 Bellew awakened early next morning, which 
 was an unusual thing for Bellew to do under 
 ordinary circumstances since he was one who 
 held with that poet who has written, somewhere 
 or other, something to the following effect: 
 
 ** God bless the man who first discovered 
 sleep. But damn the man with curses loud, and 
 deep, who first invented — early rising.'* 
 
 Nevertheless, Bellew, (as has been said), 
 awoke early next morning, to find the sun pour- 
 ing in at his window, and making a glory all 
 about him. But it was not this that had 
 roused him, he thought as he lay blinking 
 drowsily, — nor the black-bird piping so won- 
 derfully in tlie apple-tree outside, — a very in- 
 quisitive apple-tree that had writhed, and con- 
 torted itself most un-naturally in its efforts 
 to peep in at the window ; — therefore Bellew 
 fell to wondering, sleepily enough, what it 
 could have been. Presently it came again, the 
 sound, — a very peculiar sound the like of
 
 50 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 whicli Bellew had never heard before, wMcli, 
 as he listened, gradually evolved itself into a 
 kind of monotonous chant, intoned by a voice 
 deep, and harsh, yet withal, not unmusical. 
 Now the words of the chant were these: 
 
 " When I am dead, diddle, diddle, as well may hap, 
 Bury me deep, diddle, diddle, under the tap, 
 Under the tap, diddle, diddle, I'll tell you why, 
 That I may drink, diddle, diddle, when I am dry. " 
 
 Hereupon, Bellew rose, and crossing to the 
 open casement leaned out into the golden 
 freshness of the morning. Looking about he 
 presently espied the singer, — one who carried 
 two pails suspended from a yoke upon his 
 shoulders, — a very square man ; that is to say, 
 square of shoulder, square of head, and square 
 of jaw, being, in fact, none other than the 
 Waggoner with whom he had fought, and rid- 
 den on the previous afternoon; seeing which, 
 Bellew hailed him in cheery greeting. The 
 man glanced up, and, breaking off his song in 
 the middle of a note, stood gazing at Bellew, 
 open-mouthed. 
 
 *' What, — be that you, sir? " he enquired, 
 at last, and then, — ^* Lord! an' what be you 
 a doing of up theer? " 
 
 ** Why, sleeping, of course," answered Bel- 
 lew.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 51 
 
 * ' Wot — agaiu ! ' ' exclaimed the Waggoner 
 with a grin, *' you do be for ever a-sleepin' I 
 do believe ! ' ' 
 
 ** Not when you're anywhere about I " 
 laughed Bellew. 
 
 '' Was it me as woke ye then? '* 
 
 ** Your singing did." 
 
 * * My singin ' ! Lord love ye, an ' well it 
 might ! My singin ' would wake the dead, — 
 leastways so Prudence says, an' she's generally 
 right, — leastways, if she ain't, she's a un- 
 common good cook, an' that goes a long way 
 wi' most of us. But I don't sing very often 
 unless I be alone, or easy in my mind an' 
 'appy- 'carted, — which I ain't." 
 
 ** No? " enquired Bellew. 
 
 "Not by no manner o' means, I ain't, — 
 contrari-wise my 'eart be sore an' full o' gloom, 
 — which ain't to be wondered at, nohow." 
 
 " And yet you were singing." 
 
 '* Aye, for sure I were singin', but then who 
 could help singin' on such a mornin' as this be, 
 an' wi' the black-bird a-piping away in the tree 
 here. Oh! I were singin', I don't go for to 
 deny it, but it's sore 'earted I be, an' filled wi* 
 gloom sir, notwithstanding." 
 
 " You mean," said Bellew, becoming sud- 
 denly thouglitful, *' that you are haunted by the
 
 52 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 CarHng Spectre of the — er Might Have 
 Been? " 
 
 "Lord bless you, no sir! This ain't no 
 spectre, nor yet no skellington, — which, arter 
 all, is only old bones an' such, — no this ain't 
 nothin' of that sort, an' no more it ain't 
 a thing as I can stand 'ere a maggin' about wi' 
 a long day's work afore me, axing your pardon, 
 sir." Saying which, the Waggoner nodded 
 suddenly and strode off with his pails clanking 
 cheerily. 
 
 Very soon Bellew was shaved, and dressed, 
 and going down stairs he let himself out into 
 the early sunshine, and strolled away towards 
 the farm-yard where cocks crew, cows lowed, 
 ducks quacked, turkeys and geese gobbled and 
 hissed, and where the Waggoner moved to 
 and fro among them all, like a presiding 
 genius. 
 
 " I think," said Bellew, as he came up, " I 
 think you must be the Adam I have heard of. ' ' 
 
 *' That be my name, sir." 
 
 " Then Adam, fill your pipe," and Bellew ex- 
 tended his pouch, whereupon Adam thanked 
 him, and fishing a small, short, black clay from 
 his pocket, proceeded to fill, and light it. 
 
 " Yes sir," he nodded, inhaling the tobacco 
 iwith much apparent enjoyment, ** Adam I were
 
 THE MONEY MOON 63 
 
 baptized some thirty odd year ago, but I gen- 
 erally calls myself * Old Adam.' " 
 
 *' But you're not old, Adam." 
 
 " Why, it ain't on account o' my age, ye see 
 sir, — it be all because o' the Old Adam as is 
 inside o' me. Lord love ye! I am nat 'rally 
 that full o ' the ' Old Adam ' as never was. An ^ 
 *e's alway a up an' taking of me at the shortest 
 notice. Only t'other day he up an' took me 
 because Job Jagway ( 'e works for Squire Cas- 
 silis, you'll understand sir) because Job Jag- 
 way sez as our wheat, (meanin' Miss Anthea's- 
 wheat, you'll imderstand sir) was mouldy; 
 well, the *' Old Adam ' up an' took me to that 
 extent, sir, that they 'ad to carry Job Jagway 
 home, arterwards. Wliich is all on account o* 
 the Old Adam, — me being the mildest chap 
 you ever see, nat 'rally, — mild? ah! sucking- 
 doves wouldn't be nothin' to me for mildness.'^ 
 
 * ' And what did the Squire have to say about 
 your spoiling his man? " 
 
 ''Wrote to Miss Antliea, o' course, sir, — 
 he's always writing to Miss Anthea about 
 summat or other, — sez as how he was minded 
 to lock me up for 'sault an' battery, but, out 
 o' respect for her, would let me off, wi' a 
 
 warninir. " 
 
 «( 
 
 Miss Anthea was worried, I suppose? "■
 
 54 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '* Worried, sir! * Oh Adam! ' sez she, ' Oh 
 Adam! 'aven't I got enough to bear but you 
 must make it 'arder for me? ' An' I see the 
 tears in her eyes while she said it. Me make 
 it 'arder for her! Jest as if I wouldn't make 
 things lighter for 'er if I could, — which I 
 can't; jest as if, to help Miss Anthea, I 
 wouldn't let 'em take me an' — well, never 
 mind what, — only I would! " 
 
 ** Yes, I'm sure you would," nodded Bellew. 
 **■ And is the Squire over here at Dapplemere 
 very often, Adam? " 
 
 *' "Why, not so much lately, sir. Last time 
 were yesterday, jest afore Master Georgy come 
 'ome. I were at work here in the yard, an' 
 Squire comes riding up to me, smiling quite 
 friendly like, — which were pretty good of him, 
 considering as Job Jagway ain't back to work 
 yet. ' Oh Adam! ' sez he, * so you're 'aving a 
 sale here at Dapplemere, are you? ' Meaning 
 sir, a sale of some bits, an' sticks o' furnitur' as 
 Miss Anthea 's forced to part wi' to meet some 
 bill or other. * Summat o' that sir,' says I, 
 making as light of it as I could. ' Why then, 
 Adam,' sez he, * if Job Jagway should 'appen 
 to come over to buy a few o ' the things, — no 
 more fighting! ' sez he. An' so he nods, an' 
 smiles, an' off he rides. An' sir, as I watched
 
 THE MONEY MOON 53 
 
 liim go, the ' Old Adam ' riz up in me to that 
 extent as it's a mercy I didn't have no pitch- 
 fork 'andy." 
 
 Bellew, sitting on the shaft of a cart with his 
 back against a rick, listened to this narration 
 with an air of dreamy abstraction, but Adam's 
 quick eyes noticed that despite the unruflfled 
 serenity of his brow, his chin seemed rather 
 more prominent than usual. 
 
 ** So that was why you were feeling gloomy, 
 was it, Adam? " 
 
 "Ah! an' enough to make any man feel 
 gloomy, I should think. Miss Anthea's brave 
 enough, but I reckon 'twill come nigh breakin' 
 *er 'eart to see the old stuff sold, the furnitur' 
 an' that, — so she's goin' to drive over to 
 Cranbrook to be out o' the way while it's 
 a-doin'." 
 
 ** And when does the sale take place? " 
 
 " The Saturday arter next, sir, as ever was,'* 
 Adam answered. "But — hush, — mum's the 
 word, sir! " he broke off, and winking violently 
 with a side-ways motion of the head, he took 
 up his pitch-fork. AVlierefore, glancing round, 
 Bellew saw Anthea coming towards them, fresh 
 and sweet as the morning. Her hands were 
 full of flowers, and she carried her sun-bonnet 
 upon her arm. Here and there a rebellious
 
 56 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 «url had escaped from its fastenings as thongli 
 desirous (and very naturally) of kissing the 
 «oft oval of her cheek, or the white curve of 
 her neck. And among them Bellew noticed one 
 in particular, — a roguish curl that glowed in 
 the sun with a coppery light, and peeped at 
 him wantonly above her ear. 
 
 ' ' Good morning ! ' ' said he, rising and, to all 
 appearance, addressing the curl in question, 
 *' * you are early abroad this morning ! ' ' 
 
 ''Early, Mr. Bellew! — why IVe been up 
 hours. I'm generally out at four o'clock on 
 market days ; we work hard, and long, at Dap- 
 plemere," she answered, giving him her hand 
 with her grave, sweet smile. 
 
 "Aye, for sure!" nodded Adam, *' but 
 farmin' ain't what it was in my young days! " 
 
 ' ' But I think we shall do well with the hops, 
 Adam. ' ' 
 
 '* 'Ops, Miss Anthea, — lord love you! — 
 there ain't no 'ops nowhere so good as ourn 
 be! " 
 
 ** They ought to be ready for picking, soon, 
 — do you think sixty people will be enough? " 
 
 "Ah! — they'll be more'n enough, Miss 
 Anthea.'* 
 
 " And, Adam — the five-acre field should be 
 mowed to-day."
 
 THE MONEY MOON 57 
 
 ** I'll set the men at it right arter breakfast, 
 — I'll 'ave it done, trust me, Miss Anthea." 
 
 * ' I do, Adam, — you know that ! ' ' And with 
 a smiling nod she turned away. Now, as Bel- 
 lew walked on beside her, he felt a strange 
 constraint upon him such as he had never ex- 
 perienced towards any woman before, and the 
 which he was at great pains with himself to 
 accoimt for. Indeed so rapt was he, that he 
 started suddenly to find that she was asking 
 him a question : 
 
 '' Do you — like Dapplemere, Mr. Bellew? '* 
 
 '' Like it! " he repeated, '* like it? Yes in- 
 deed! " 
 
 ''I'm so glad! " she answered, her eyes 
 glowing with pleasure. ** It was a much 
 larger property, once, — Look! " and she 
 pointed away across corn-fields and rolling 
 meadow to the distant woods. '* In my grand- 
 father's time it was all his — as far as you can 
 see, and farther, but it has dwindled since then, 
 and to-day, my Dapplemere is very small in- 
 deed. '» 
 
 " You must be very fond of such a beautiful 
 place." 
 
 '* Oh, I love it! " she cried passionately, '* if 
 ever I had to — give it up, — I think I should — 
 die!" She stopped suddenly, and as though
 
 58 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 somewhat abashed by this sudden outburst, 
 adding in a lighter tone : * * If I seem rather 
 tragic it is because this is the only home I have 
 ever known." 
 
 ** Well," said Bellew, appearing rather 
 more dreamy than usual, just then, ** I have 
 journeyed here and there in this world of ours, 
 I have wandered up and down, and to and fro 
 in it, — like a certain celebrated personage who 
 shall be nameless, — yet I never saw, or 
 dreamed, of any such place as this Dapplemere 
 of yours. It is like Arcadia itself, and only I 
 am out of place. I seem, somehow, to be too 
 common-place, and altogether matter-of-fact." 
 
 "I'm sure I'm matter-of-fact enough," she 
 said, with her low, sweet laugh that, Bellew 
 thought, was all too rare. 
 
 " You? " said he, and shook his head. 
 
 ** Well? " she enquired, glancing at him 
 through her wind-tossed curls. 
 
 *' You are like some fair, and stately ladye 
 out of the old romances, ' ' he said gravely. 
 
 *' In a print gown, and with a sun-bonnet! " 
 
 ** Even so! " he nodded. Here, for no ap- 
 parent reason, happening to meet his glance, 
 the colour deepened in her cheek and she was 
 silent; wherefore Bellew went oi:, in his slow, 
 placid tones. ** You surely, are the Princess
 
 THE MONEY MOON 59 
 
 ruling this fair land of Arcadia, and I am the 
 Stranger within your gates. It behoves you, 
 therefore, to be merciful to this Stranger, if 
 only for the sake of — er — our mutual 
 nephew. ' ' 
 
 "Whatever Anthea might have said in answer 
 was cut short by Small Porges himself who 
 came galloping towards them with the sun 
 bright in his curls. 
 
 * * Oh, Uncle Porges ! "he panted as he came 
 up, '* I was 'fraid you'd gone away an' left me, 
 • — I've been hunting, an' hunting for you ever 
 since I got up." 
 
 " No, I haven't gone away yet, my Porges, 
 you see." 
 
 * * An ' you won 't go — ever or ever, will 
 you? " 
 
 '* That," said Bellew, taking the small hand 
 in his, '' that is a question that we had better 
 leave to the — er — future, nephew. ' ' 
 
 " But — why? " 
 
 " "Well, you see, it doesn't rest with me — 
 altogether, my Porges." 
 
 *' Then wlio — " he was beginning, but An- 
 thea 's soft voice interrupted him. 
 
 " Georgy dear, didn't Prudence send you to 
 t'.ll us that breakfast was ready? " 
 
 " Oh yes! I was forgetting, — awfull' silly
 
 60 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 of me wasn 't it ! But yon are going to stay — ^ 
 Oh a long, long time, aren't you. Uncle 
 Porges? " 
 
 '' I sincerely hope so! " answered Bellew. 
 Now as he spoke, his eyes, — by the merest 
 chance in the world, of course, — happened to 
 meet Anthea's, whereupon she turned, and 
 slipped on her sunbonnet which was very nat- 
 ural, for the sun was growing hot already. 
 
 ''I'm awful' glad! " sighed Small Porges, 
 *' an' Auntie's glad too, — aren't you 
 Auntie? " 
 
 * * Why — of course ! ' ' from the depths of 
 the sunbonnet. 
 
 ** 'Cause now, you see, there'll be two of us 
 to take care of you. Uncle Porges is so ni^^e 
 an' big, and — wide, isn't he. Auntie? " 
 
 * * Y-e-s, — Oh Georgy ! — what are you talk- 
 ing about? " 
 
 << Why I mean I'm rather small to take care 
 of you all by myself alone, Auntie, though I do 
 my best of course. But now that I've found 
 myself a big, tall Uncle Porges, ^ — under the 
 hedge, you know, — we can take care of you to- 
 gether, can't we. Auntie Anthea? " 
 
 But Anthea only hurried on without speak- 
 ing, whereupon Small Porges continued all 
 unheeding :
 
 THE MONEY MOON 61 
 
 ** You 'member the other night, Auntie, when 
 you were crying, you said you wished you had 
 some one very big, and strong to take care of 
 you — " 
 
 ** Oh — Georgy! " 
 
 Bellew heartily wished that sunbonnets had 
 never been thought of. 
 
 ** But you did you know. Auntie, an' so that 
 was why I went out an' found my Uncle Porges 
 for you, — so that he — " 
 
 But here. Mistress Anthea, for all her pride 
 and stateliness, catching her gown about her, 
 fairly ran on down the path and never paused 
 until she had reached the cool, dim parlour. 
 Being there, she tossed aside her sunbonnet, 
 and looked at herself in the long, old mirror, 
 and, — though surely no mirror made by man, 
 ever reflected a fairer vision of dark-eyed 
 witchery and loveliness, nevertheless Anthea 
 stamped her foot, and frowned at it. 
 
 ** Oh! " she exclaimed, and then again, '' Oh 
 Georgy! " and covered her burning cheeks. 
 
 Meanwhile Big Porges, and Small Porges, 
 walking along hand in hand shook their h: .-ds 
 solemnly, wondering much upon the capricious- 
 ness of aunts, and the waywardness thereof. 
 
 " I wonder why she runned away, Uncle 
 Porges? "
 
 62 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * * Ah, I wonder ! ' ' 
 
 '' 'Specks she's a bit angry with me, you 
 know, 'cause I told you she was crying." 
 
 ** Hum! " said Belle w. 
 
 ** An Auntie takes an awful lot of looking 
 after ! ' ' sighed Small Porges. 
 
 *' Yes," nodded Bellew, *' I suppose so, — 
 especially if she happens to be young, and — 
 er — " 
 
 ** An' what. Uncle Porges? " 
 
 *' Beautiful, nephew." 
 
 ** Oh! Do you think she's — really beauti- 
 ful? " demanded Small Porges. 
 
 ** I'm afraid I do," Bellew confessed. 
 
 " So does Mr. Cassilis, — I heard him tell 
 her so once — in the orchard." 
 
 ''Hum! " said Bellew. 
 
 ** Ah! but you ought to see her when she 
 comes to tuck me up at night, with her hair all 
 down, an ' hanging all about her — like a shiny 
 cloak, you know." 
 
 *' Hum! "said Bellew. 
 
 ** Please Uncle Porges," said Georgy, turn- 
 ing to look up at him, *' what makes you hum 
 BO much this morning? " 
 
 ** I was thinking, my Porges." 
 
 ** 'Bout my Auntie Anthea? " 
 
 " I do admit the soft impeachment, sir.'*
 
 THE MONEY MOON 63 
 
 *' Well, I'm thiuking too." 
 
 *' TVhatis it, old chap? " 
 
 *' I'm thinking we ought to begin to find that 
 fortune for her after breakfast." 
 
 ** Why, it isn't quite the right season for 
 fortune hunting, yet — at least, not in Ar- 
 cadia," answered Bellew, shaking his head. 
 
 *' Oh! — but why not? " 
 
 ** Well, the moon isn't right, for one thing." 
 
 *' The moon! " echoed Small Porges. 
 
 '* Oh yes, — we must wait for a — er — a 
 Money Moon, you know, — surely you've heard 
 of a Money Moon? " 
 
 ** 'Fraid not," sighed Small Porges regret- 
 fully, " but — I've heard of a Honey-moon — " 
 
 ** Tliey're often much the same! " nodded 
 Bellew." 
 
 '* But when will the Money Moon come, an' 
 — how? " 
 
 ** I can't exactly say, my Porges, but come 
 it will one of these fine nights. And when it 
 does we shall know that the fortune is close 
 by, and waiting to be found. So, don't worry 
 your small head about it, — just keep your eye 
 on your uncle." 
 
 Betimes they came in to breakfast where An- 
 thea awaited them at the head of the table. 
 Then who so demure, so gracious and self-
 
 64 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 possessed, so sweetly sedate as she. But the 
 Cavalier in the picture above the carved man- 
 tel, versed in the ways of the world, and the 
 pretty tricks and wiles of the Beau Sex Femi- 
 nine, smiled down at Bellew with an expression 
 of such roguish waggery as said plain as 
 words ; * ' We know ! ' ' And Bellew, remember- 
 ing a certain pair of slender ankles that had re- 
 vealed themselves in their hurried flight, smiled 
 back at the cavalier, and it was all he could do 
 to refrain from winking outright.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Which tells of Miss Priscilla, of peaches, and 
 of Sergeant Appleby late of the 19th Hussars 
 
 Sm.\ll Porges was at his lessons. He was 
 perched at the great oak table beside the win- 
 dow, pen in hand, and within easy reach of 
 Anthea who sat busied with her daily letters 
 and accounts. Small Porges was laboriously 
 inscribing in a somewhat splashed and be- 
 smeared copy-book the rather surprising facts 
 that: 
 
 A stitch in time, saves nine. 9. 
 
 That: 
 
 The Tagus, a river in Spain. R. 
 
 and that: 
 
 Artaxerxes was a king of the Persians. A. 
 
 and the like surprising, curious, and interest- 
 ing items of news, his pen making not half 
 so many curls, and twists as did his small, red 
 tongue. As he wrote, he frowned terrifically, 
 and sighed oft betwixt whiles; and Bellew 
 watching, where ho stood outside the window, 
 noticed that Anthea frowned also, as she bent
 
 66 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 over her accounts, and sighed wearily more 
 than once. 
 
 It was after a sigh rather more hopeless than 
 usual that, chancing to raise her eyes they en- 
 countered those of the watcher outside, who, 
 seeing himself discovered, smiled, and came to 
 lean in at the open window. 
 
 ** Won't they balance? " he enquired, with 
 a nod toward the heap of bills, and papers be- 
 fore her. 
 
 " Oh yes," she answered with a rueful little 
 smile, * ' but — on the wrong side, if you know 
 what I mean. ' ' 
 
 *' I know," he nodded, watching how her 
 lashes curled against her cheek. 
 
 *' If only we had done better with our first 
 crop of wheat! " she sighed. 
 
 ' ' Job Jagway said it was mouldy, you know, 
 — that's why Adam punched him in the — " 
 
 * * Georgy, — go on with your work, sir ! " 
 
 ' ' Yes, Auntie ! ' ' And immediately Small 
 Porges' pen began to scratch, and his tongue 
 to writhe and twist as before. 
 
 "I'm building all my hopes, this year, on the 
 hops," said Anthea, sinking her head upon her 
 hand, ' ' if they should fail — ' ' 
 
 " Well? " enquired Bellew, with his gaze 
 upon the soft curve of her throat.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 67 
 
 *' I — daren't think of it! " 
 
 " Then don't — let us talk of something 
 else — " 
 
 ** Yes, — of Aunt Priscilla! " nodded An- 
 thea, " she is in the garden." 
 
 ** And pray who is Aunt Priscilla? " 
 
 ** Go and meet her." 
 
 '' But—" 
 
 *' Go and find her — in the orchard! " re- 
 peated Anthea, " Oh do go, and leave us to our 
 work." 
 
 Thus it was that turning obediently into the 
 orchard, and looking about, Bellew presently 
 espied a little, bright-eyed old lady who sat be- 
 neath the shadow of " King Arthur " with a 
 rustic table beside her upon whicli stood a 
 basket of sewing. Now, as he went, he chanced 
 to spy a ball of worsted that had fallen by the 
 way, and stooping, therefore, he picked it up, 
 while she watched him with her quick, bright 
 eves. 
 
 " Good morning, Mr. Bellow! " she said in 
 response to his saluiaiion, *' it was nice of you 
 to trouble to pick up an old woman's ball of 
 worsted." As she spoke, she rose, and dropped 
 him a courtesy, and then, as he looked at her 
 again, he saw that despite her words, and de- 
 spite her white hair, she was much younger, 
 and prettier than he had thought.
 
 68 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 a 
 
 I am Miss Anthea's house-keeper," she 
 went on, ' ' I was away when you arrived, look- 
 ing after one of Miss Anthea 's old ladies, — 
 pray be seated. Miss Anthea, — bless her dear 
 heart! — calls me her aunt, but I'm not really 
 — Oh dear no ! I 'm no relation at all ! But I Ve 
 lived with her long enough to feel as if I was 
 her aunt, and her uncle, and her father, and 
 her mother — all rolled into one, — though I 
 should be rather small to be so many, — 
 shouldn't I?" and she laughed so gaily, and un- 
 affectedly, that Belle w laughed too. 
 
 ** I tell you all this," she went on, keeping 
 pace to her flying needle, *' because I have 
 taken a fancy to you — on the spot ! I always 
 like, or dislike a person — on the spot, — first 
 impressions you know! Y-e-e-s," she con- 
 tinued, glancing up at him side-ways, ** I like 
 you just as much as I dis-like Mr. Cassilis, — 
 heigho! how I do — detest that man! There, 
 now that 's off my mind ! ' ' 
 
 ** And why? " enquired Bellew, smiling. 
 
 * * Dear me, Mr. Bellew ! — how should I 
 know, only I do, — and what's more — he 
 knows it too! And how," she enquired, chan- 
 ging the subject abruptly, * * how is your bed, — 
 comfortable, mm? " 
 
 '* Very! "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 69 
 
 *' You sleep well? '* 
 
 ** Like a top! " 
 
 *' Any complaints, so far? " 
 
 " None whatever," laughed Bellew, shaking 
 his head. 
 
 " That is very well. We have never had a 
 boarder before, and Miss Anthea, — bless her 
 dear soul ! was a little nervous about it. And 
 here's the Sergeant! " 
 
 " I — or — beg your pardon — ? " said Bel- 
 lew. 
 
 ** The Sergeant!" repeated Miss Priscilla, 
 with a prim little nod, ** Sergeant Appleby, late 
 of the Nineteenth Plussars, — a soldier every 
 inch of him, Mr. Bellew, — with one arm — 
 over there by the peaches." Glancing in the 
 direction she indicated, Bellew observed a tall 
 figure, very straight and upright, clad in a 
 tight-fitting blue coat, with extremely tight 
 trousers strapped beneath the insteps, and with 
 a hat balanced upon his close-cropped, grizzled 
 head at a perfectly impossible angle for any 
 save an ex-cavalry-man. Now as he stood 
 examining a peach-troe that flourished against 
 the opposite wall, Bellew saw that his right 
 sleeve was empty, sure enough, and was looped 
 across his broad chest. 
 
 " The very first thing he will say will be that
 
 70 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * it is a very fine day,' " nodded Miss Priscilla, 
 stitching away faster than ever, ' ' and the next, 
 that ' the peaches are doing remarkably well,' 
 — now mark my words, Mr. Belle w." As she 
 spoke, the Sergeant wheeled suddenly right 
 about face, and came striding down towards 
 them, jingling imaginary spurs, and with his 
 stick tucked up under his remaining arm, very 
 much as if it had been a sabre. 
 
 Being come up to them, the Sergeant raised 
 a stiff arm as though about to salute them, mili- 
 tary fashion, but, apparently changing his 
 mind, took off the straw hat instead, and put 
 it on again, more over one ear than ever. 
 
 ** A particular fine day. Miss Priscilla, for 
 the time o' the year," said he. 
 
 ** Indeed I quite agree with you Sergeant," 
 returned little Miss Priscilla with a bright nod, 
 and a sly glance at Bellew, as much as to say, 
 ** I told you so! " '' And the peaches, mam," 
 continued the Sergeant, ' * the peaches — never 
 looked — better, mam." Having said which, 
 he stood looking at nothing in particular, 
 with his one hand resting lightly upon his 
 hip. 
 
 " Yes, to be sure. Sergeant," nodded Miss 
 Priscilla, with another sly look. *' But let me 
 introduce you to Mr. Bellew who is staying at
 
 THE MONEY MOON 71 
 
 Dapplemere." The Sergeant stiffened, once 
 more began a salute, changed his mind, took 
 off his hat instead, and, after looking at it as 
 though not quite sure what to do with it next, 
 clapped it back upon his ear, in imminent dan- 
 ger of falling off, and was done with it. 
 
 "Proud to know you, sir, — your servant, 
 sir! " 
 
 " How do you do! " said Bellew, and held 
 out his hand with his frank smile. The Ser- 
 geant hesitated, then put out his remaining' 
 hand. 
 
 ** My left, sir," said he apologetically,. 
 ** can't be helped — left my right — out in 
 India — a good many years ago. Good place 
 for soldiering, India, sir — plenty of active 
 service — chances of promotion — though sun 
 bad! " 
 
 " Sergeant," said Miss Priscilla, without 
 seeming to glance up from her sewing, '* Ser- 
 geant, — your hat! " Hereupon, the Sergeant 
 gave a sudden, sideways jerk of the head, and,, 
 in the very nick of time, saved the article in 
 question from tumbling off, and very dexter- 
 ously brought it to the top of his close-cropped 
 head, whence it immediately began, slowly, and 
 by scarcely perceptible degrees to slide down to 
 his ear again.
 
 72 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 " Sergeant/' said Miss Priscilla again, " sit 
 down, — do. ' * 
 
 '' Thank you mam," said he, and proceeded 
 to seat himself at the other end of the rustic 
 bench, where he remained, bolt upright, and 
 with his long legs stretched out straight before 
 him, as is, and has been, the manner of cavalry- 
 men since they first wore straps. 
 
 '' And now," said he, staring straight in 
 front of him, " how might Miss Anthea 
 be? " 
 
 " Oh, very well, thank you," nodded Miss 
 Priscilla. 
 
 *' Good! " exclaimed the Sergeant, with his 
 eyes still fixed, ' ' very good ! ' ' Here he passed 
 his hand two or three times across his shaven 
 chin, regarding an apple-tree, nearby, with an 
 expression of the most profound interest: 
 
 *' And how," said he again, *' how might 
 Master Georgy be? " 
 
 '' Master Georgy is as well as ever," an- 
 swered Miss Priscilla, stitching away faster 
 than before, and Bellew thought she kept her 
 rosy cheeks stooped a little lower over her 
 work. Meanwhile the Sergeant continued to 
 regard the tree with the same degree of lively 
 interest, and to rasp his fingers to and fro 
 Across his chin. Suddenly, he coughed behind
 
 THE MONEY MOON 73 
 
 his hand, whereupon Miss Priscilla raised her 
 head, and looked at him. 
 
 " Well? " she enquired, very softly: 
 
 *' And pray, mam," said the Sergeant, re- 
 moving his gaze from the tree with a jerk, 
 " how might — you be feeling, mam? " 
 
 '' Much the same as usual, thank you," she 
 answered, smiling like a girl, for all her white 
 hair, as the Sergeant's eyes met hers. 
 
 ** You look," said he, pausing to cough be- 
 hind his hand again, ''you look — blooming, 
 mam, — if you'll allow the expression, — 
 blooming, — as you ever do, mam." 
 
 "I'm an old woman. Sergeant, as well you 
 know! " sighed Miss Priscilla, shaking her 
 head. 
 
 " Old, mam! " repeated the Sergeant, '' old, 
 mam! — nothing of the sort, mam! — Age has 
 nothing to do with it. — 'Tisn't the years as 
 count. — We aren't any older than we feel, — 
 eh, sir? " 
 
 " Of course not! " answered Bellew. 
 
 " Nor than we look, — eh sir? " 
 
 " Certainly not, Sergeant! " answered Bel- 
 lew. 
 
 "And she, sir, — she don't look — a day 
 older than — " 
 
 "Thirty five! " said Bellew.
 
 74 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * * Exactly, sir, very true ! My own opinion, 
 — thirty five exactly, sir. ' ' 
 
 ** Sergeant," said Miss Priscilla, bending 
 over her work again, ** Sergeant, — your 
 hat! " The Sergeant, hereupon, removed the 
 distracting head-gear altogether, and sat with 
 it upon his knee, staring hard at the tree again. 
 Then, all at once, with a sudden gesture he 
 drew a large, silver watch from his pocket, — 
 rather as if it were some weapon of offence, — 
 looked at it, listened to it, and then nodding 
 his head, rose to his feet. 
 
 ** Must be going," he said, standing very 
 straight, and looking down at little Miss Pris- 
 cilla, ' ' though sorry, as ever, — must be going, 
 mam, — Miss Priscilla mam — good day to 
 you I " And he stretched out his hand to her 
 with a sudden, jerky movement. Miss Priscilla 
 paused in her sewing, and looked up at him 
 with her youthful smile : 
 
 '* Must you go — so soon. Sergeant? Then 
 Good-bye, — until to-morrow, ' ' and she laid her 
 very small hand in his big palm. The Sergeant 
 stared down at it as though he were greatly 
 minded to raise it to his lips, instead of doing 
 which, he dropped it, suddenly, and turned to 
 Bellew : 
 
 ** Sir, I am — proud to have met you. Sir,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 75 
 
 there is a poor crippled soldier as I know, — his 
 cottage is very small, and humble sir, but if you 
 ever feel like — dropping in on him, sir, — by 
 day or night, he will be — honoured, sir, hon- 
 oured ! And that 's me — Sergeant Richard 
 Appleby — late of the Nineteenth Hussars — 
 at your service, sir! " saying which, he put on 
 his hat, stiff-armed, wheeled, and strode away 
 through the orchard, jingling his imaginary 
 spurs louder than ever. 
 
 *' TVell? " enquired Miss Priscilla in her 
 quick, bright way, *' Well Mr. Bellew, what do 
 you think of him ? — first impressions are al- 
 ways best, — at least, I think so, — what do 
 you think of Sergeant Appleby? " 
 
 *' I think he's a splendid fellow," said Bel- 
 lew, looking after the Sergeant's upright figure. 
 
 " A very foolish old fellow, I think, and as 
 stiff as one of the ram-rods of one of his own 
 guns! " said Miss Priscilla, but her clear, blue 
 eyes were very soft, and tender as she 
 spoke. 
 
 ** And as fine a soldier as a man, I'm sure," 
 said Bellew. 
 
 *' "\^y yes, he was a good soldier, once upon 
 a time, I believe, — he won tlie Victoria Cross 
 for doing something or otlier that was very 
 brave, and he wears it with all his other medals,
 
 76 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 pinned on the inside of his coat. Oh yes, he 
 was a fine soldier, once, but he 's a very foolish 
 old soldier, now, — I think, and as stiff as the 
 ram-rod of one of his own guns. But I'm glad 
 you like him, Mr. Bellew, and he will be proud, 
 and happy for you to call and see him at his 
 cottage. And now, I suppose, it is half past 
 eleven, isn't it? " 
 
 ''Yes, just half past!" nodded Bellew, 
 glancing at his watch. 
 
 ' * Exact to time, as usual ! ' ' said Miss Pris- 
 cilla, '' I don't think the Sergeant has missed 
 a minute, or varied a minute in the last five 
 years, — you see, he is such a very methodical 
 man, Mr. Bellew! " 
 
 " Why then, does he come every day, at the 
 same hour? " 
 
 *' Every day! " nodded Miss Priscilla, " it 
 has become a matter of habit with him." 
 
 '< Ah? " said Bellew, smiling. 
 
 *' If you were to ask me why he comes, I 
 should answer that I fancy it is to — look at 
 the peaches. Dear me, Mr. Bellew! what a 
 very foolish old soldier he is, to be sure! " 
 Saying which, pretty, bright-eyed Miss Pris- 
 cilla, laughed again, folded up her work, settled 
 it in the basket with a deft little pat, and, ri- 
 sing, took a small, crutch stick from where it
 
 THE MONEY MOON 77 
 
 had lain concealed, and then, Bellew saw that 
 she was lame. 
 
 *' Oh yes, — I'm a cripple, you see," she 
 nodded, — '* Oh very, very lame! my ankle, 
 you know. That is why I came here, the hig 
 world didn't want a poor, lame, old woman, — 
 that is why Miss Anthea made me her Aunt, 
 God bless her ! No thank you, — I can carry 
 my basket. So you see, — he — has lost an 
 arm, — his right one, and I — am lame in my 
 foot. Perhaps that is why — Heigho! how 
 beautifully the black birds are singing this 
 morning, to be sure! "
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 In which may he found some description of 
 Arcadia, and gooseberries 
 
 Anthea, leaning on lier rake in a shady corner 
 of the five-acre field, turned to watch Bellew 
 who, stripped to his shirt-sleeves, bare of neck, 
 and arm, and pitch-fork in hand, was busy toss- 
 ing up great mounds of sweet-smelling hay to 
 Adam who stood upon a waggon to receive it, 
 with Small Porges perched up beside him. 
 
 A week had elapsed since Bellew had found 
 his way to Dapplemere, a week which had only 
 served to strengthen the bonds of affection be- 
 tween him and his ' ' nephew, ' ' and to win over 
 sharp-eyed, shrewd little Miss Priscilla to the 
 extent of declaring him to be: '' First a gentle- 
 man, Anthea, my dear, and Secondly, — what 
 is much rarer, now-a-days, — a true man ! " A 
 week! and already he was hail-fellow-well-met 
 with everyone about the place, for who was 
 proof against his unaffected gaiety, his simple, 
 easy, good-fellowship? So he laughed, and 
 joked as he swung his pitch-fork, (awkwardly 
 enough, to be sure), and received all hints, and
 
 THE MONEY MOON 79 
 
 directions as to its use, in the kindly spirit they 
 TTere tendered. And Anthea, watching him 
 from her shady corner, sighed once or twice, 
 and catching herself, so doing, stamped her 
 foot at herself, and pulled her sunbonnet closer 
 about her face. 
 
 * ' No, Adam, ' ' he was saying, ' ' depend upon 
 it, there is nothing like exercise, and, of all ex- 
 ercise, — give me a pitch-fork." 
 
 '* Wliy, as to that, Mr. Belloo, sir," Adam 
 retorted, '' I say — so be it, so long as I ain't 
 near the wrong end of it, for the way you do 
 'ave of flourishin' an' a whirlin' that theer 
 fork, is fair as-tonishin', I do declare it be.'* 
 
 ** Why you see, Adam, there are some born 
 with a leaning towards pitch-forks, as there are 
 others born to the pen, and the — er — palette, 
 and things, but for me, Adam, the pitch-fork, 
 every time! " said Bellew, mopping his brow. 
 
 ** If you was to try an' 'andle it more as if 
 it was a pitchfork now, Mr. Belloo, sir — " sug- 
 gested Adam, and, not waiting for Bellew 's 
 laughing rejoinder, he chirrupped to the horses, 
 and the great waggon creaked away with its 
 mountainous load, surmounted by Adam's grin- 
 ning visage, and Small Forges' golden curls, 
 and followed by the rest of the merry-voiced 
 hav-makers.
 
 80 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Now it was, that turning his head, Bellew 
 espied Anthea watching him, whereupon he 
 shouldered his fork, and coming to where she 
 sat upon a throne of hay, he sank down at her 
 feet with a luxurious sigh. She had never seen 
 him without a collar, before, and now she could 
 not but notice how round, and white, and power- 
 ful his neck was, and how the muscles bulged 
 upon arm, and shoulder, and how his hair 
 curled in small, damp rings upon his brow. 
 
 *' It is good," said he, looking up into the 
 witching face, above him, * * yes, it is very good 
 to see you idle — just for once." 
 
 ** And I was thinking it was good to see you 
 work, — just for once." 
 
 ''Work!" he exclaimed, "my dear Miss 
 Anthea, I assure you I have become a positive 
 glutton for work. It has become my earnest 
 desire to plant things, and grow things, and 
 chop things with axes; to mow things with 
 scythes. I dream of pastures, and ploughs, of 
 pails and pitchforks, by night; and, by day, 
 reaping-hooks, hoes, and rakes, are in my 
 thoughts continually, — which all goes to show 
 the effect of this wonderful air of Arcadia. 
 Indeed, I am as full of suppressed energy, these 
 days, as Adam is of the * Old Adam.' And, 
 talking of Adam reminds me that he has sol-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 81 
 
 emnly pledged himself to initiate me into the 
 mysteries of swinging a scythe to-morrow 
 morning at — five o'clock! Yes indeed, my 
 heart bounds responsive to the swish of a scythe 
 in thick grass, and my soul sits enraptured 
 upon a pitch-fork." 
 
 * * How ridiculous you are ! ' ' she laughed. 
 
 ** And how perfectly content! " he added. 
 
 ** Is anyone ever quite content? " she sighed, 
 glancing down at him, wistful-eyed. 
 
 '* Not unless they have found Arcadia," he 
 answered. 
 
 " Have you then? " 
 
 " Yes," he nodded complacently, '* oh yes, 
 I've found it." 
 
 * ' Are you — sure ? ' ' 
 
 ** Quite sure! " 
 
 ** Arcadia! " she repeated, wrinkling her 
 brows, " what is Arcadia and — where? " 
 
 ** Arcadia," answered Bellew, watching the 
 smoke rise up from his pipe, with a dreamy eye, 
 " Arcadia is the — Promised Land, — the Land 
 that everyone tries to find, sometime or other, 
 and may be — anywhere." 
 
 ** And how came you to — find it? " 
 
 " By the most fortunate chance in the 
 workl." 
 
 " Tell me," said Anthea, taking a wisp of
 
 82 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 hay, and "beginning to plait it in dexterous, 
 brown fingers, ' ' tell me how you found it. ' * 
 
 " Why then you must know, in the first 
 place, ' ' he began in his slow, even voice, ' ' that 
 it is a place I have sought for in all my wan- 
 derings, and I have been pretty far afield, — 
 but I sought it so long, and so vainly, that I 
 began to think it was like the El Dorado of 
 the old Adventurers, and had never existed 
 at all." 
 
 * * Yes ? ' ' said Anthea, busy with her plaiting. 
 
 ** But, one day, — Fate, or Chance, or Des- 
 tiny, — or their benevolent spirit, sent a cer- 
 tain square-shouldered Waggoner to show me 
 the way, and, after him, a very small Porges, 
 — bless him ! — to lead me into this wonderful 
 Arcadia. ' * 
 
 *' Oh, I see! " nodded Anthea, very intent 
 upon her plaiting. 
 
 " But there is something more," said Bellew. 
 
 *' Oh? " said Anthea. 
 
 " Shall I tell you? " 
 
 *' If — it is — very interesting." 
 
 " Well then, in this delightful land there is 
 a castle, grim, embattled, and very strong." 
 
 " A castle? " said Anthea, glancing up sud- 
 denly. 
 
 '' The Castle of Heart's Desire."
 
 THE MONEY MOON 83 
 
 n 
 
 Oh! " said slie, and gave all her attention 
 to her plaiting again. 
 
 *' And so," continued Bellew, ** I am waiting, 
 very patiently, until, in her own good time, she 
 who rules within, shall open the gate to me, 
 or — bid me go away. ' ' 
 
 Into Bellew's voice had crept a thrill no one 
 had ever heard there before ; he leaned nearer 
 to her, and his dreamy eyes were keen now, 
 and eager. And she, though she saw nothing 
 of all this, yet, being a woman, knew it was 
 there, of course, and, for that very reason, 
 looked resolutely away. Wlierefore, once 
 again, Bellew heartily wished that sunbonnets 
 had never been invented. 
 
 So there was silence while Anthea stared 
 away across the golden corn-fields, yet saw 
 nothing of them, and Bellew looked upon those 
 slender, capable fingers, that had faltered in 
 their plaiting and stopped. And thus, upon the 
 silence there broke a sudden voice shrill with 
 interest ; 
 
 ** Go on, Uncle Forges, — what about the 
 dragons? Oh, please go on! — there's always 
 dragons in 'chanted castles, you know, to guard 
 the lovely Princess, — aren't you going to have 
 any dragons that hiss, you know, an' spit out 
 smoke, an' flames? Oh I — do please have a
 
 84 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 dragon." And Small Porges appeared from 
 the other side of the hay-mow, flushed, and 
 eager. 
 
 ^* Certainly, my Porges," nodded Bellew, 
 drawing the small figure down beside him, " I 
 was forgetting the dragons, but there they 
 are, with scaly backs, and iron claws, spitting 
 out sparks and flames, just as self-respect- 
 ing dragons should, and roaring away like 
 thunder. ' ' 
 
 '* Ah! " exclaimed Small Porges, nestling 
 closer to Bellew, and reaching out a hand ta 
 Auntie Anthea, '' that's fine! let's have plenty 
 of dragons. ' ' 
 
 * * Do you think a — er — dozen would be 
 enough, my Porges? " 
 
 ' ^ Oh yes ! But s 'pose the beautiful Princess 
 didn't open the door, — what would you do if 
 you were really a wandering knight who was 
 waiting patiently for it to open, — what would 
 you do then? " 
 
 " Shin up a tree, my Porges.'* 
 
 ** Oh but that wouldn't be a bit right — would 
 it, Auntie? " 
 
 ' * Of course not ! ' ' laughed Anthea, * ' it 
 would be most un-knight-like, and very undig- 
 nified." 
 
 'Sides," added Small Porges, " you 
 
 <<
 
 THE MONEY MOON 85 
 
 couldn't climb up a tree iu your armour, you 
 know." 
 
 " Then I'd make an awful' good try at it! " 
 nodded Bellow. 
 
 ** No," said Small Porges, shaking liis bead, 
 ** shall I tell you what you ought to do? Well 
 then, you'd draw your two-edged sword, an' 
 dress your shield, — like Gareth, the Kitchen 
 Knave did, — he was always dressing his 
 shield, an' so was Lancelot, — an' you'd fight 
 all those dragons, an' kill them, an' cut their 
 beads off." 
 
 " And then what would happen? " enquired 
 Bellew. 
 
 ** Wliy then the lovely Princess would open 
 the gate, an' marry you of course, an' live 
 happy ever after, an' all would be revelry an^ 
 joy." 
 
 '' Ah! " sighed Bellew, '' if she'd do that, I 
 think I'd fight all the dragons that ever roared, 
 
 — and kill them too. But supposing she — er 
 
 — wouldn't open the gate." 
 
 '* ^Tiy then," said Small Porges, wrinkling 
 bis brow, " why then — you'd have to storm 
 the castle, of course, an' break open the gate 
 an' run off with the Princess on your charger, 
 
 — if she was very beautiful, you know." 
 
 ** A most excellent idea, my Porges! If I
 
 86 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 should happen to find myself in like circum- 
 stances, I'll surely take your advice." 
 
 Now, as he spoke, Bellew glanced at Anthea, 
 and she at him. And straightway she blushed, 
 and then she laughed, and then she blushed 
 again, and, still blushing, rose to her feet, and 
 turned to find Mr. Cassilis within a yard of 
 them. 
 
 ' ' Ah, Miss Anthea, ' ' said he, lifting his hat, 
 " I sent Georgy to find you, but it seems he 
 forgot to mention that I was waiting." 
 
 "I'm awful' sorry, Mr. Cassilis, — but Uncle 
 Porges was telling us 'bout dragons, you 
 know," Small Porges hastened to explain. 
 
 '* Dragons! " repeated Mr. Cassilis, with his 
 supercilious smile, *' ah, indeed! dragons 
 should be interesting, especially in such a very 
 quiet, shady nook as this, — quite an idyllic 
 place for story-telling, it's a positive shame to 
 disturb you," and his sharp, white teeth 
 gleamed beneath his moustache, as he spoke, 
 and he tapped his riding-boot lightly with 
 his hunting-crop as he fronted Bellew, who 
 had risen, and stood bare-armed, leaning upon 
 his pitch-fork. And, as in their first meet- 
 ing, there was a mute antagonism in their 
 look. 
 
 ** Let me introduce you to each other," said
 
 THE MONEY MOON 87 
 
 Anthoa, conscious of this attitndo, — ''Mr. 
 Cassilis, of Brampton Court, — Mr. Bellew! " 
 
 *' Of nowhere in particular, sir!" added 
 Bellew. 
 
 ** And pray," said Mr. Cassilis perfuncto- 
 rily as they strolled on across the meadow, 
 *' how do you like Dapplemere, Mr. Bellew! " 
 
 ** Immensely, sir, — beyond all expression! " 
 
 " Yes, it is considered rather pretty, I be- 
 lieve. * ' 
 
 ** Lovely, sir! " nodded Bellew, '' though it 
 is not so much the beauty of the place itself, 
 that appeals to me so much as what it — con- 
 tains." 
 
 " Oh, indeed! " said Mr. Cassilis, with u sud- 
 den, sharp glance, '' to what do you refer? " 
 
 " Goose-berries, sir! " 
 
 " I — ah — beg your pardon? " 
 
 " Sir," said Bellew gravely, '* all my life I 
 have fostered a secret passion for goose-berries 
 — raw, or cooked, — in pie, pudding or jam, 
 they are equally alluring. Unhappily the 
 American goose-berry is but a hollow mockery, 
 at best— " 
 
 ** Ha? " said Mr. Cassilis, dubiously. 
 
 ** Now, in goose-berries, as in everything 
 else, sir, there is to be found ilie superlative, 
 the quintessence, — the ideal. Consequently 1
 
 88 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 have roamed East and West, and North and 
 South, in quest of it. ' ' 
 
 " Roally? " said Mr. Cassilis, stifling a yawn, 
 and turning towards Miss Anthea with the very 
 slightest shrug of his shoulders. 
 
 ** And, in Dapplemere, " c nduded Bellew, 
 solemnly, '' I h:.ve, at last, found my ideal — '' 
 
 ' * Goose-berry ! ' ' added Anthea with a laugh 
 in her eyes. 
 
 " Ar^ dia being a 1 nd of ideals! " nodded 
 Bellew. 
 
 ''Id.als,'* said Mr. Cassilis, caressing his 
 moustache, *' ideals and — ah — goose-berries, 
 — though probably excellent things in them- 
 selves, are apt to pall upon one, in time; per- 
 sonally, I find them equally insipid, — ' ' 
 
 *' Of course it is all a matter of taste! '* 
 sigheci Bellew. 
 
 *' But," Mr. Cassilis went on, fairly turning 
 his back upon him, ** the subject I wished to 
 iiscuss with you. Miss Anthea, was the — er — 
 ^approaching sale." 
 
 * ' The sale ! ' ' she repeated, all the brightness 
 djdng out of her face. 
 
 " I wished," said Cassilis, leaning nearer to 
 her, and lowering his voice confidentially, " to 
 try to convince you how — unnecessary it would 
 be — if — " and he paused, significantly.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 89 
 
 Antliea turned quickly aside, as though to 
 hide her mortification from Bellew's keen eyes; 
 ■thereupon he, seeing it all, became, straight- 
 way, more dreamy than ever, and, laying a 
 hand upon Small Forges' shoulder, pointed 
 with his pitch-fork to where at the other end 
 of the *' Five-acre " the hay-makers worked 
 away as merrily as ever: 
 
 '* Come, my Forges," said he, '' let us away 
 and join yon happy throng, and — er — 
 
 • With Daphni.s, and Clo, and Blowsabel 
 "We'll list to tlie -er - cuckoo in the dell.' " 
 
 So, hand in hand, the two Forges set off to- 
 gether. But when they had gone some distance, 
 Bellew looked back, and then he saw that An- 
 thea walked with her head averted, yet Oassilis 
 walked close beside her, and stooped, now and 
 then, until the black moustache came very near 
 the curl — that curl of wanton witchery that 
 )^3eped above her ear. 
 
 '* Uncle Forges — why do yon frown so? " 
 
 " Frown, my Forges, — did I? Well, I was 
 thinking." 
 
 " Well, I'm thinking too, only I don't frown, 
 you know, but I'm tliinking just the same.** 
 
 " And what might you be thinking, 
 nephew! "
 
 90 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 << Wliy I was thinking that although you're 
 so awful fond of goose-berries, an' though 
 there's lots of ripe ones on the bushes I've 
 never seen you eat a single one." 
 
 4
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 How Bellcw and Adam entered into a solemn 
 league and covenant 
 
 " Look at the moon to-niglit, Uncle Porges! " 
 
 *' I see it." 
 
 " It's awfull' big, an' round, isn't it? " 
 
 ** Yes, it's very big, and very round." 
 
 " An' — rather — yellow, isn't it? " 
 
 "Very yellow! " 
 
 ** Just like a great, big golden sovereign, 
 isn't it." 
 
 ** Very much like a sovereign, my Porges." 
 
 *' Well, do you know, I was wondering — if 
 there was any chance that it was a — Money 
 Moon? " 
 
 They were leaning out at the lattice. Small 
 Porges, and Big Porges. Anthea and Miss 
 Priscilla were busied upon household matters 
 wholly feminine, wherefore Small Porges had 
 drawn Bollew to the window, and there they 
 loaned, the small body enfolded by Bellew's 
 long arm, and the two faces turned up to the 
 silvery splendour of the moon. 
 
 But now, Anthea came up behind thom, and,
 
 92 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 not noticing the position of Bellew's arm as she 
 leaned on the other side of Small Forges, it be- 
 fell that her hand touched, and for a moment, 
 rested upon Bellew's hand, hidden as it was in 
 the shadow. And this probably began it. 
 
 The air of Arcadia, as has been said before, 
 is an intoxicating air; but it is more, it is an 
 air charged with a subtle magic whereby the 
 commonest objects, losing their prosaic, matter- 
 of-fact shapes, become transfigured into things 
 of wonder, and delight. Little things that pass 
 as mere ordinary common-places, — things in- 
 significant, and wholly beneath notice in the 
 every day world, become fraught with such in- 
 finite meaning, and may hold such sublime, such 
 undreamed of possibilities — here in Arcadia. 
 Thus, when it is recorded that Anthea's hand 
 accidentally touched, and rested upon Bellew's 
 — the significance of it will become at once ap- 
 parent. 
 
 *' And pray," said Anthea, laying that same 
 hand in the most natural manner in the world, 
 upon the Small Forges' curls, *' Fray what 
 might you two be discussing so very sol- 
 emnly? " 
 
 *' The moon," answered Small Forges. ** I 
 was wondering if it was a Money Moon, an' 
 Uncle Forges hasn't said if it is, yet.' 
 
 )>
 
 THE MONEY MOON 93 
 
 ** Wliy no, old chap," answered Bellew, 
 *' I'm afraid not." 
 
 ** And pray," said Anthea again, "what 
 might a Money Moon be! " 
 
 '* Well," explained Small Porges, *' when the 
 moon's just — just so, then you go out an* — 
 an' find a fortune, you know. But the moon's 
 got to be a Money Moon, and you've got to 
 know, j^ou know, else you'll find nothing, of 
 course." 
 
 * * Ah Georgy dear ! ' ' sighed Anthea, stoop- 
 ing her dark head down to his golden curls, 
 ** don't you know that fortunes are very hard 
 to get, and that they have to be worked for, and 
 that no one ever found one without a great deal 
 of labour, and sorrow? " 
 
 ** 'Course — everyone can't find fortunes, 
 Auntie Anthea, I know that, but we shall, — 
 my Uncle Porges knows all about it, you see, 
 an' I know that we shall. I'm sure as sure we 
 shall find one, some day, 'cause, you see, I put 
 it in my prayers now, — at the end, you know. 
 I say : * An ' please help me an ' my Uncle Porges 
 1o find a fortune when the Money Moon comes, 
 — a big one, world without end — Amen I ' So 
 you see, it's all right, an' we're just waiting till 
 the Money Moon comes, aren't we, Uncle 
 Porges? "
 
 94 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ** Yes, old chap, yes," nodded Bellew, ** until 
 the Money Moon conies." 
 
 And so there fell a silence between them, yet a 
 silence that held a wondrous charm of its own ; 
 a silence that lasted so long that the coppery 
 curls drooped lower, and lower upon Bellew 's 
 arm, until Anthea, sighing, rose, and in a very 
 tender voice bade Small Forges say ' Good- 
 night ! ' The which he did, forthwith, slumber- 
 ous of voice, and sleepy eyed, and so, with his 
 hand in Anthea 's, went drowsily up to bed. 
 
 Wherefore, seeing that Miss Priscilla had 
 bustled away into the kitchen, Bellew sauntered 
 out into the rose-garden to look upon the beauty 
 of the night. The warm air was fragrant with 
 dewy scents, and the moon, already high above 
 the tree-tops, poured down her gentle radiance 
 upon the quaint, old garden with its winding 
 walks, and clipped yew hedges, while upon the 
 quiet, from the dim shadow of the distant 
 woods, stole the soft, sweet song of a nightin- 
 gale. 
 
 Bellew walked a path bordered with flowers, 
 and checkered with silver patches of moon-light, 
 drinking in the thousand beauties about him, 
 staring up at the glory of the moon, the indigo 
 of the sky, and listening to the voice of the 
 lonely singer in the wood. And yet it was of
 
 THE MONEY MOON 95 
 
 none of these he was thinking as he paused 
 under the shadow of " King Arthur," — nor of 
 Small Porges, nor of any one or anything in this 
 world but only of the sudden, light touch of a 
 warm, soft hand upon his. '' Be that you, 
 sir? " Bellew started and now he found that 
 he had been sitting, all this while, with an 
 empty pipe between his teeth, yet content there- 
 with; wherefore he shook his head, and won- 
 dered. 
 
 ** Be that you, Mr. Beloo, sir? " 
 
 " Yes Adam, it is I." 
 
 " Ah! an' how might you be feelin' now — 
 arter your exercise wi' the pitch-fork, sir? " 
 
 * ' Very fit, I thank you, Adam. Sit down, and 
 smoke, and let us converse together." 
 
 ** Why thankee sir," answered Adam, pro- 
 ducing the small, black clay pipe from his waist- 
 coat pocket, and accepting Bellew 's proffered 
 pouch. '* I've been up to the 'ouse a visitin' 
 Prudence, the cook, — an' a rare cook she be, 
 too, Mr. Beloo sir! " 
 
 " And a rare buxom girl into the bargain, 
 Adam! " 
 
 " Oh, ah! — she's well enough, sir; I won't 
 go for to deny as she's a fine, up-standing, well- 
 shaped, tall, an' propor figure of a woman as 
 ever was, sir, — though the Kentish lasses be a
 
 96 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 tidy lot, Mr. Beloo sir. But, Lord! when you 
 come to think of her gift for Yorkshire Puddin ', 
 likewise jam-rollers, and seed-cake, — (which, 
 though mentioned last, ain't by no manner o' 
 means least), — when you come to think of her 
 brew o' ale, an' cider, an' ginger wine, — why 
 then — I'm took, sir, I'm took altogether, an' 
 the * Old Adam ' inside o' me works hisself into 
 such a state that if another chap — 'specially 
 that there Job Jagway gets lookin' her way 
 too often, why it's got to get took out o' him, 
 or took out o' me in good 'ard knocks, Mr. 
 Belloo, sir." 
 
 '' And when are you going to get married, 
 Adam? " 
 
 ** Well sir, we was thinkin' that if Miss 
 Anthea has a good season, this year, we'd get 
 it over an ' done wi ' some time in October, sir, — • 
 but it's all accordin'." 
 
 ** According to what? " 
 
 ' * To the 'ops, sir, — the HOPS — 'ops, sir. 
 They're comin' on fine, — ah! scrumptuous 
 they be! If they don't take the blight, sir, 
 they'll be the finest 'ops this side o' Maidstone. 
 But then, if they do take the blight, — why 
 then my 'opes is blighted likewise sir, — 
 B-L-I-T-E-D, — blighted, Mr. Belloo sir ! ' ' 
 which said, Adam laughed once, nodded his
 
 THE MONEY MOON 97 
 
 head several times, and relapsed into puffing 
 silence. 
 
 " Mr. Cassilis was over to-day, Adam," said 
 Bellew, after a while pursuing a train of 
 thought. 
 
 "Ah sir! — I seen him, — 'e also seen me, 
 *E told me as Job Jagway was up and about 
 again, — likewise Job Jagway will be over 
 'ere to-morrow, along wi' the rest of 'em for 
 the sale, sir." 
 
 " Ah yes, — the sale ! " said Bellew, thought- 
 fullv. 
 
 " To think o' that there Job Jagway a coming 
 over here to buy Miss Anthea's furnitur' do set 
 the Old Adam a workin' inside o' me to that 
 amazin' extent as I can't sit still, Mr. Belloo sir I 
 If that there Job crosses my path to-morrer — 
 well — let 'im — look out, that's all! " saying 
 which, Adam doubled up a huge, knotted fist and 
 shook it at an imaginary Job. 
 
 ** Adam," said Bellew, in the same thought- 
 ful tone, ** I wonder if you would do some 
 thing for mc? " 
 
 " Anything you ax me, sir, so long as yon 
 don't want me to — " 
 
 " T want you to buy some of that furniture 
 for me." 
 
 ** TVhat! " exclaimed Adam, and vented his
 
 98 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 great laugh again, " well, if that ain't a good 
 ^un, sir ! why that's just w'ot I'm a going to do ! 
 Ye see, I ain't w'ot you might call a rich cove, 
 nor yet a millionaire, but I've got a bit put by, 
 an ' I drawed out ten pound, yesterday. Thinks 
 I, — * here 's to save Miss Anthea 's old side- 
 board, or the mirror as she's so fond of, or if 
 not — why then a cheer or so, — they ain't a 
 going to get it all, — not while I 've got a pound 
 or two, ' I sez to myself. ' ^ 
 
 * * Adam, ' ' said Belle w, turning suddenly, 
 ** that sentiment does you credit, that senti- 
 ment makes me proud to have knocked yoU 
 into a ditch, — shake hands, Adam. ' ' And 
 there, beneath the great apple tree, while the 
 moon looked on, they very solemnly shook 
 hands. 
 
 * * And now, Adam, ' ' pursued Belle w, * ' I want 
 you to put back your ten pounds, keep it for 
 Prudence, — because I happen to have rather 
 more than we shall want, — see here ! ' * And, 
 with the words, Bellew took out a leathern wal- 
 let, and from this wallet, money, and bank-notes, 
 — more money, and more bank-notes than 
 Adam had ever beheld in all his thirty odd 
 years, at sight of which his eyes opened, and his 
 square jaw relaxed, to the imminent danger of 
 Ms cherished clay pipe.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 99 
 
 " I waut von to take this," Bellew went on, 
 counting a sum into Adam's nerveless hand, 
 '* and to-morrow, when the sale begins, if any 
 one makes a bid for anything, I want you to bid 
 higher, and, no matter what, you must always 
 buy — always, you understand? " 
 
 '* But sir, — that there old drorin'-room cab'- 
 net wi' the — car\dngs — " 
 
 *♦ Buy it! " 
 
 ** An' the silver candle-sticks, — and the 
 four-post bed-stead, — an' the — " 
 
 *' Buy 'em, Adam, — buy everything! If we 
 haven't enough money there's plenty more 
 where this came from, — only buy ! — You un- 
 derstand? " 
 
 ** Oh yes sir, I understand! 'Ow much 'ave 
 you give me? Wliy, here's — forty-five, — 
 fifty, — sixty, — Lord ! — " 
 
 ** Put it away, Adam, — forget all about it 
 till to-morrow, — and not a word, mind ! " 
 
 "A hundred pound!" gasped Adam, 
 " Lord ! — Oil I won't speak of it, trust me, Mr. 
 Belloo, sir! But to tliink of me a walking about 
 wi' a hundred pound in my pocket, — Lord! I 
 won't say nothin', — but to tliink of Old Adam 
 wi' a hundred pound in his pocket, e'Cod! it 
 do seem that comical! " saying which, Adam 
 buttoned the money into a capacious pocket.
 
 100 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 slapped it, nodded, and rose. ^' Well sir, I'll 
 be going, — there be Miss Anthea in the garden 
 yonder, and if she was to see me now there's 
 no sayin' but I should be took a laughin' id 
 think o' this 'ere hundred pound." 
 
 ** Miss Anthea! — where? " 
 
 ^* Comin' through the rose-gardin. She be 
 off to see old Mother Dibbin. They call Mother 
 Dibbin a witch, an' now as she's down wi' the 
 rheumatics there ain 't nobody to look arter 'er, 
 — 'cept Miss Anthea, — she'd ha' starved afore 
 now if it 'adn't been for Miss Anthea, but Lord 
 love your eyes, an' limbs, Mr. Belloo sir! Miss 
 Anthea don't care if she's a witch, or fifty 
 witches, not she ! So good-night, Mr. Belloo sir, 
 an ' mum 's the word ! ' ' 
 
 Saying which, Adam slapped his pocket 
 again, nodded, winked, and went upon his way. 
 
 I
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 Of the " Man with the Tiger Mark " 
 
 It is a moot question as to whether a curl can 
 be more alluring when it glows beneath the fiery 
 kisses of the sun, or shines demurely in the 
 tender radiance of the moon. As Bellow looked 
 at it now, — that same small curl that nodded 
 and beckoned to him above Anthea's left ear, — 
 he strongly inclined to the latter opinion. 
 
 * * Adam tells me that you are going out, Miss 
 Anthea." 
 
 ** Only as far as Mrs. Dibbin's cottage, — 
 just across the meadow." 
 
 '* Adam also informs me that Mrs. Dibbin is 
 a witch." 
 
 ** People call her so." 
 
 ** Never in all my days have I seen a genuine, 
 old witch, — so I'll come with you, if I may? " 
 
 " Oh, this is a very gentle old witch, and she 
 is neither humpbacked, nor does she ride a 
 broom-stick, — so I'm afraid you'll be disap- 
 pointed, Mr. Bellew." 
 
 ** Then, at least, I can carry your basket, — 
 allow me! " And so, in his quiet, masterful
 
 102 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 fashion hie took the basket from her arm, and 
 walked on beside her, through the orchard. 
 
 '* What a glorious night it is! " exclaimed 
 Anthea suddenly, drawing a deep breath of the 
 fragrant air, — ' ' Oh ! it is good to be alive ! In 
 spite of all the cares, and worries, life is very 
 sweet! " 
 
 After this, they walked on some distance in 
 silence, she gazing wistfully upon the beauties 
 of the familiar world about her while he 
 watched the curl above her ear until she, be- 
 coming aware of it all at once, promptly sent 
 it back into retirement, with a quick, deft little 
 pat of her fingers. 
 
 *' I hope," said Bellew at last, ** I do sin- 
 cerely hope that you ' tucked up ' my nephew 
 safe in bed, — you see — " 
 
 *' Your nephew, indeed! " 
 
 " Our nephew, then; I ask because he tells 
 me that he can't possibly sleep unless you go 
 to * tuck him up, ' — and I can quite believe it. ' ' 
 
 ** Do you Imow, Mr. Bellew, I'm growing 
 quite jealous of you, he can 't move a step with- 
 out you, and he is for ever talking, and lauding 
 your numberless virtues! " 
 
 " But then — I'm only an uncle, after all, and 
 if he talks of me to you, he talks of you to me, all 
 day long."
 
 THE MONEY MOON 103 
 
 ** Oil, does he I " 
 
 ** And, among other things, he toki me that I 
 ought to see you when your hair is down, and all 
 about you." 
 
 " Oh! " exclaimed Anthea. 
 
 " Indeed, our nephew is much luckier than I, 
 because I never had an aunt of my own to come 
 and ' tuck me up ' at night with her hair hang- 
 ing all about her — like a beautiful cloak. So, 
 you see, I have no boyish recollections to go 
 upon, but I think I can imagine — " 
 
 " And what do you think of the Sergeant! " 
 Anthea enquired, changing the subject ab- 
 ruptly. 
 
 ** I like him so much that I am going to take 
 him at his word, and call upon him at the first 
 opportunity." 
 
 ** Did Aunt Priscilla tell you that he come^ 
 marching along regularly every day, at exactly 
 the same hour? " 
 
 " Yes, — to see how the peaches are getting 
 on ! " nodded Bellow. 
 
 " For such a very brave soldier he is a dread- 
 ful coward," said Anthea, smiling, ** it has 
 taken him five years to screw up courage enough 
 to tell her that she's uncommonly young for her 
 age. And yet, I tliink it is just that diffidence 
 that makes him so lovable. And he is so sim-
 
 104 THE MONEY MOON! 
 
 pie, and so gentle — in spite of all his war 
 medals. When I am moody, and cross, the very; 
 sight of him is enough to put me in humour 
 again. ' ' 
 
 * ' Has he never — spoken to Miss Pris- 
 cilla,— ? " 
 
 * ' Never, — though, of course, she knows, and 
 has done from the very first. I asked him once, 
 why he had never told her what it was brought 
 him so regularly, — to look at the peaches, — 
 and he said, in his quick, sharp way: * Miss 
 Anthea, — can't be done, mam, — a poor, bat- 
 tered, old soldier, — only one arm, — no 
 mam.' " 
 
 " I wonder if one could find just such an- 
 other Sergeant outside Arcadia," said Bellew, 
 ^ * I wonder ! ' ' 
 
 Now they were approaching a stile towards 
 which Bellew had directed his eyes, from time 
 to time, as, for that matter, curiously enough, 
 had Anthea ; but to him it seemed that it never 
 would be reached, while to her, it seemed that 
 it would be reached much too soon. Therefore 
 she began to rack her mind trying to remember 
 some gate, or any gap in the hedge that should 
 obviate the necessity of climbing it. But, be- 
 fore she could recall any such gate, or gap, 
 they were at the stile, and Bellew, leaping over,
 
 TliE MONEY MOON 105 
 
 had set down the basket, and stretched out his 
 hand to aid her over. But Anthea, tall, and 
 lithe, active and vigorous with her outdoor life, 
 and used to such things from her infancy, stood 
 a moment hesitating. To be sure, the stile was 
 rather high, yet she could have vaulted it 
 nearly, if not quite, as easily as Bellew himself, 
 had she been alone. But then, she was not 
 alone, moreover, be it remembered, this was in 
 Arcadia of a mid-summer night. Thus, she 
 hesitated, only a moment, it is true, for, seeing 
 the quizzical look in his eyes that always made 
 her vaguely rebellious, — with a quick, light 
 movement, she mounted the stile, and there 
 paused to shake her head in laughing disdain 
 of his out-stretched hand; then — there was 
 the sound of rending cambric, she tripped, and, 
 next moment, he had caught her in his arms. 
 It was for but a very brief instant that she lay, 
 soft and yielding, in his embrace, yet she was 
 conscious of how strong were the arms that 
 held her so easily, ere they set her down. 
 
 "I beg your pardon! — how awkward I 
 am! " she exclaimed, in hot mortification. 
 
 ** No," said Bollew, shaking his head, '* it 
 was a nail, you know, a bent, and rusty nail, — 
 here, under the top bar. Is your dress much 
 torn? "
 
 106 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 *' Oh, that is nothing, thank you I '* 
 
 So they went on again, but now they were 
 silent once more, and very naturally, for An- 
 thea was mightily angry, — with herself, the 
 stile, Bellew, and everything concerned; while 
 he was thinking of the sudden, warm clasp 
 of her arms, of the alluring fragrance of 
 her hair, and of the shy droop of her lashes 
 as she lay in his embrace. Therefore, as he 
 walked on beside her, saying nothing, within 
 his secret soul he poured benedictions upon the 
 head of that bent, and rusty nail. 
 
 And presently, having turned down a grassy 
 lane and crossed a small but very noisy brook 
 that chattered impertinences among the stones 
 and chuckled at them slily from the shadows, 
 they eventually came upon a small, and very 
 lonely little cottage bowered in roses and 
 honeysuckle, — as are all the cottages here- 
 abouts. But now Anthea paused, looking at 
 Bellew with a dubious brow. 
 
 '* I ought to warn you that Mrs. Dibbin is 
 very old, and sometimes a little queer, and 
 sometimes says very — surprising things.'* 
 
 " Excellent! '* nodded Bellew, holding the 
 little gate open for her, " very right and proper 
 conduct in a witch, and I love surprises above 
 all things."
 
 THE MONEY MOON 107 
 
 But Anthea still hesitated, while Bellew 
 stood with his hand upon the gate, waiting for 
 her to enter. Now he had left his hat hehind 
 him, and, as the moon shone down on his hare 
 head, she could not hut notice how bright, and 
 yellow was his hair, despite the thick, black 
 brows below. 
 
 " I think I — would rather you waited out- 
 side, — if you don't mind, Mr. Bellew." 
 
 ** You mean that I am to be denied the joj 
 of conversing with a real, live, old witch, and 
 ha^^ng my fortune told? " he sighed. ** Well, 
 if such is your will — so be it," said he obedi- 
 ently, and handed her the basket. 
 
 " I won't keep you waiting very long, — and 
 
 — thank you! " she smiled, and, hurrying up 
 the narrow path, she tapped at the cottage 
 door. 
 
 " Come in! come in! " cried an old, quaver- 
 ing voice, albeit, very sharp, and piercing. 
 ** That be my own soft dove of a maid, — my 
 proud, beautiful, white lady! Come in! come 
 in! — and bring him wi' you, — him as is so 
 big, and strong, — him as I've expected so long, 
 
 — the till], golden man from over seas. Bid 
 him come in. Miss Anthea, that Goody Dibbin'a 
 old eyes may look at him at last." 
 
 Hereupon, at a sign from Anthea, Bellew
 
 108 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 turned in at the gate, and striding up the path, 
 entered the cottage. 
 
 Despite the season, a fire burned upon the 
 hearth, and crouched over this, in a great 
 elbow-chair, sat a very bent, and aged woman. 
 Her face was furrowed, and seamed with num- 
 berless lines and wrinkles, but her eyes were 
 still bright, and she wore no spectacles; like- 
 wise her white hair was wonderfully thick, and 
 abundant, as could plainly be seen beneath the 
 frill of her cap, for, like the very small room 
 of this very small cottage, she was extremely 
 neat, and tidy. She had a great, curving nose, 
 and a great, curving chin, and what with this 
 and her bright, black eyes, and stooping figure, 
 she was very much like what a witch should 
 be, — albeit a very superior kind of old witch. 
 
 She sat, for a while, staring up at Bellew 
 who stood tall, and bare-headed, smiling down 
 at her; and then, all at once, she nodded her 
 head three several, and distinct times. 
 
 * ' Eight ! ' ' she quavered, * ' right ! right, — 
 it be all right! — the golden man as I've 
 watched this many an' many a day, wi' the 
 curly hair, and the sleepy eye, and the Tiger- 
 mark upon his arm, — right ! right ! ' ' 
 
 " What do you mean by * Tiger-mark? ' '* 
 enquired Bellew.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 109 
 
 ** I mean, young master wi' your golden 
 curls, — I mean as, sitting here day in, and day 
 out, staring down into my fire, I has my dreams, 
 — leastwaj's, I calls 'em my dreams, though 
 there's them as calls it the ' second sight.' But 
 pray sit down, tall sir, on the stool there; and 
 you, my tender maid, my dark lady, come you 
 here — upon my right, and, if you wish, I'll 
 look into the ink, or read your pretty hand, or 
 tell you what I see down there in the fire. But 
 no, — first, show what you have brought for 
 Old Nannie in the blessed basket, — the fine, 
 strong basket as holds so much. Yes, set 
 it down here — where I can open it mj^self, 
 tall sir. Eh, — what's this? — Tea ! God bless 
 you for the tea, my dear! And eggs, and but- 
 ter, — and a cold chicken! — the Lord bless 
 your kind heart, Miss Anthea! Ah, my proud 
 lady, happy the man who shall win ye ! Happy 
 tlie man who shall wed ye, my dark, beautiful 
 maid. And strong must he be, aye, and mas- 
 terful he who shall wake the love-light in tliose 
 dark, great, passionate eyes of yours. And 
 there is no man in all this world can do it but 
 he must be a golden man — wi' the Tiger-mark 
 upon him." 
 
 " Why — oh Nannie — ! " 
 
 ** Aye, — blu.sh if ye will, my dark lady, but
 
 110 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Mother Dibbin knows she's seen it in the fire, 
 dreamed it in her dreams, and read it in the 
 ink. The path lies very dark afore ye, my lady, 
 
 — aye very dark it be, and full o' cares, and 
 troubles, but there 's the sun shining beyond, — 
 bright, and golden. You be proud, and high, 
 and scornful, my lady, — 'tis in your blood, — 
 you'll need a strong hand to guide ye, — and 
 the strong hand shall come. By force you shall 
 be wooed, and by force you shall be wed, — 
 and there be no man strong enough to woo, and 
 wed ye, but him as I've told ye of — him as 
 bears the Tiger-mark." 
 
 *' But Nannie," said Anthea again, gently 
 interrupting her, and patting the old woman's 
 shrivelled hand, ** you're forgetting the basket, 
 
 — you haven't found all we've brought you, 
 yet." 
 
 '' Aye, aye! " nodded old Nannie, ** the fine, 
 strong basket, — let's see what more be in the 
 good, kind basket. Here's bread, and sugar, — 
 and—" 
 
 ** A pound of your favourite tobacco! " said 
 Anthea, with a smiling nod. 
 
 " Oh the good weed! The blessed weed! " 
 cried the old woman, clutching the package with 
 trembling fingers. * * Ah ! who can tell the com- 
 fort it has been to me in the long, long days,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 111 
 
 aud the long, long nights, — the blessed weed ! 
 when I've sat here a looking and a looking into 
 the lire. God bless you, my sweet maid, for 
 your kindly thouglit ! " and, with a sudden ges- 
 ture, she caught Anthea's hand to her lips, and 
 then, just as suddenly turned upon Bellew. 
 
 ** And now, tall sir, can I do ought for ye? 
 Shall I look into the fire for ye, or the ink, or 
 read your hand? " 
 
 " 'UTiy yes," answered Bellew, stretching 
 out his hand to her, '' you shall tell me two 
 things, if you will ; first, shall one ever find liis 
 way into the * Castle of Heart's Desire,' and 
 secondly; — TVlien? " 
 
 ** Oh, but I don't need to look into your hand 
 to tell you that, tall sir, nor yet in the ink, or 
 in the fire, for I've dreamed it all in my dreams. 
 And now, see you, 'tis a strong place, tliis 
 Castle, — wi' thick doors, and great locks, and 
 bars. But I have seen those doors broke' down, 
 — those great locks, and bars buret asunder, — 
 but — there is none can do this but him as bears 
 the Tiger-Mark. So much for the first. And, 
 for the second, — Happiness shall come a ri- 
 ding to you on tlie full moon, — but you must 
 reach up — and take it for yourself, — if you be 
 tall enough." 
 
 " And — even you are not tall enough to do
 
 112 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 tliat, Mr. Bellew ! ' ' laughed Anthea, as she rose 
 to bid Old Nannie " Good-night," while Bel- 
 lew, unnoticed, slipped certain coins upon a 
 corner of the chimney-piece. So, old Nannie 
 blessed them, and theirs, — past, present, and 
 future, thoroughly and completely, with a fine 
 comprehensiveness that only a genuinely ac- 
 complished old witch might hope to attain to, 
 and, following them to the door, paused there 
 with one shrivelled, claw-like hand up-lifted 
 towards the sky: 
 
 * ' At the full ' the moon, tall sir ! " she re- 
 peated, ' ' at the full o ' the moon ! As for you, 
 my dark-eyed lady, I say, by force you shall be 
 wooed, and by force ye shall be wed, aye ! aye ! 
 — but there is no man strong enough except he 
 have the Tiger-Mark upon him. Old Nannie 
 knows, — she 's seen it in the ink, dreamed it in 
 the fire, and read it all in your pretty hand. 
 And now — thank ye for the tea, my pretty, 
 and God bless ye for the good weed, and just 
 so sure as you've been good, and kind to old 
 Nannie, so shall Fortune be good and kind to 
 you. Miss Anthea." 
 
 '' Poor old Nannie! " said Anthea, as they 
 went on down the grassy lane, '' she is so very 
 grateful for so little. And she is such a gentle 
 old creature really, though the country folk do
 
 THE MONEY MOON 113 
 
 call her a witch and are afraid of her because 
 they say she has the ' evil eye,' — which is 
 ridiculous, of course! But nobody ever goes 
 near her, and she is dreadfully lonely, poor old 
 thing! " 
 
 " And so that is why you come to sit with 
 her, and let her talk to you? " enquired Bellew, 
 staring up at the moon. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " And do you believe in her dreams, and 
 visions? " 
 
 "-No, — of course not! " answered Anthea, 
 rather hurriedly, and with a deeper colour in 
 her cheeks, though Bellew was still intent upon 
 the moon. ''You don't either, — do you?" 
 she enquired, seeing he was silent. 
 
 *' Well, I don't quite know," he answered 
 slowly, '' but she is rather a wonderful old lady, 
 I think." 
 
 " Yes, she has wonderful thick hair still," 
 nodded Anthea, ** and she's not a bit deaf, and 
 her eyes are as clear, and sharp as ever they 
 were." 
 
 ** Yes, but I wasn't meaning her eyes, or her 
 hair, or her hearing." 
 
 " Oh, — then pray what were you pleased to 
 mean? " 
 
 " Did you happen to notice what she said
 
 114 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 about a — er — Man with a — Tiger-Mark?*' 
 enquired Bellew, still gazing up at the moon. 
 
 Anthea laughed: 
 
 ^' The Man with the Tiger-Mark, — of 
 course! he has been much in her dreams, 
 lately, and she has talked of him a great 
 deal,— " 
 
 '' Has she? " said Bellew, " ha! " 
 
 ** Yes, — her mind is full of strange twists, 
 and fancies, — you see she is so very old, — 
 and she loves to tell me her dreams, and read 
 the future for me." 
 
 " Though, of course, you don't believe it," 
 said Bellew. 
 
 '* Believe it! " Anthea repeated, and walked 
 some dozen paces, or so, before she answered, 
 — '^ no, of course not." 
 
 *' Then — none of your fortune, — nothing 
 she told you has ever come true? " 
 
 Once more Anthea hesitated, this time so 
 long that Bellew turned from his moon-gazing 
 to look at her. 
 
 " I mean," he went on, *' has none of it ever 
 come true, — about this Man with the Tiger- 
 Mark, for instance? " 
 
 *' No, — oh no!" answered Anthea, rather 
 hastily, and laughed again. *' Old Nannie has 
 seen him in her dreams — everywhere, — in
 
 THE MONEY MOON 115 
 
 India, and Africa, and China ; in hot countries, 
 and cold countries — oh! Nannie has seen him 
 everywhere, but I have seen him — nowhere, 
 and, of course, I never shall." 
 
 " All! " said Bellew, " and she reads him al- 
 ways in your fortune, does she? " 
 
 ** And I listen very patiently," Antliea 
 nodded, *' because it pleases her so much, and 
 it is all so very harmless, after all, isn't it? " 
 
 *' Yes," answered Bellew, *' and very won- 
 derful! " 
 
 "Wonderful? — poor old Nannie's fancies! 
 • — Wliat do you mean by wonderful? " 
 
 " Upon my word, I hardly know," said Bel- 
 lew, shakiufi: his head, '' but ' there are more 
 things in heaven, and earth,' etc., you know, 
 and this is one of them." 
 
 "Really! — now you grow mysterious, Mr. 
 Bellew." 
 
 " Like the night! " he answered, turning to 
 aid her across the impertinent brook that 
 chuckled at them, and laughed after them, as 
 only such a very impertinent brook possibly 
 could. 
 
 So, betimes, they reached the stile, and 
 crossed it, this time without mishap, despite 
 the lurking nail and, all too soon for Bellew, 
 had traversed the orchard, and were come to
 
 116 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 the garden where the roses all hung so still 
 upon their stems that they might have been 
 asleep, and filling the air with the perfume of 
 their dreams. 
 
 And here they paused, perhaps because of the 
 witchery of the moon, perhaps to listen to the 
 voice of the nightingale who sang on more glo- 
 riously than ever. Yet, though they stood so 
 close together, their glances seldom met, and 
 they were very silent. But at last, as though 
 making up her mind, Anthea spoke: 
 
 " What did you mean when you said Old 
 Nannie's dreams were so wonderful? " she 
 asked. 
 
 ** I'll show you! " he answered, and, while 
 he spoke, slipped off his coat, and drawing up 
 his shirt-sleeve, held out a muscular, white arm 
 towards her. He held it out in the full radiance 
 of the moon, and thus, looking down at it, her 
 eyes grew suddenly wide, and her breath caught 
 strangely as surprise gave place to something 
 else ; for there, plain to be seen upon the white 
 flesh, were three long scars that wound up from 
 elbow to shoulder. And so, for a while, they 
 stood thus, she looking at his arm, and he at 
 her. 
 
 " Why — " said she at last, finding voice in 
 a little gasp, — *' why then — *'
 
 THE MONEY MOON 117 
 
 ** I am the Man with the Tigor Mark! " he 
 said, smiling his slow, placid smile. Now, as 
 his eyes looked down into hers, she flushed sud- 
 den, and hot, and her glance wavered, and fell 
 beneath his. 
 
 ** Oh! " she cried, and, with the word, turned 
 about, and fled from him into the house.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 ^n which may he found a full, true, and particu- 
 lar account of the sale 
 
 ■** Uncle Pokges, there's a little man in the hall 
 "with a red, red nose, an' a blue, blue chin, — " 
 
 '* Yes, I've seen him, — also his nose, and 
 chin, my Porges." 
 
 ** But he's sticking little papers with num- 
 bers on them, aU over my Auntie Anthea's 
 chairs, — an' tables. Now what do you s'pose 
 lie's doing that for! " 
 
 *' Who knows? It's probably all on account 
 of his red nose, and blue chin, my Porges. 
 Anyway, don't worry about him, — let us 
 rather, find our Auntie Anthea." 
 
 They found her in the hall. And it was a 
 tiall, here, at Dapplemere, wide, and high, and 
 ^th a minstrel's gallery at one end; a hall 
 that, years and years ago, had often rung with 
 the clash of men-at-arms, and echoed with loud, 
 and jovial laughter, for this was the most an- 
 cient part of the Manor. 
 
 It looked rather bare, and barren, just now, 
 ^or the furniture was all moved out of place, —
 
 THE MONEY MOON 119 
 
 ranged neatly round the walls, and stacked at 
 the farther end, beneath the gallery where the« 
 little man in question, blue of chin, and red of 
 nose, was hovering about it, dabbing little tick- 
 ets on chairs, and tables, — even as Small'. 
 Porges had said. 
 
 And, in the midst of it all, stood Anthea, a-, 
 desolate figure, Bellew thought, who, upon his 
 entrance, bent her head to draw on her driving- 
 gloves, for she was waiting for the dog-cari 
 wliich was to bear her, and Small Porges to- 
 Cranbrook, far away from the hollow tap of thfr 
 auctioneer's hammer. 
 
 ** "We're getting rid of some of the old furni-. 
 ture, you see, Mr. Bellew," she said, laying her 
 hand on an antique cabinet nearby, — "we 
 really have much more than we ever use." 
 
 " Yes," said Bellew. But he noticed that her 
 eyes were very dark and wistful, despite her- 
 light tone, and that she had laid her hand upon, 
 the old cabinet with a touch very like a caress. 
 
 " Why is that man's nose so awfull' red, and^ 
 his chin so blue, Auntie Anthea? " enquire^ 
 Small Porges, in a hissing stage whisper. 
 
 " Tlush Georgy! — I don't know," said Ant-. 
 thea. 
 
 *' An' why is he sticking his little nnmberS; 
 all over our best furniture t "
 
 120 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '* That is to guide the auctioneer." 
 
 *' "Where to, — an' what is an auctioneer? ^^ 
 
 But, at this moment, hearing the wheels of 
 the dog-cart at the door, Anthea turned, and 
 hastened out into the sunshine. 
 
 " A lovely day it do be for drivin V said 
 Adam touching his hat, ''an' Bess be thinMn' 
 the same, I do believe! " and he patted the 
 glossy coat of the mare, who arched her neck, 
 and pawed the gravel with an impatient hoof. 
 Lightly, and nimbly Anthea swung herself up 
 to the high seat, turning to make Small Forges 
 secure beside her, as Bellew handed him up. 
 
 ** You'll — look after things for me, 
 Adam? " said Anthea, glancing back wistfully 
 into the dim recesses of the cool, old hall. 
 
 '* Aye, — I will that. Miss Anthea! " 
 
 ** Mr. Bellew, we can find room for you if 
 you care to come with us? " 
 
 " Thanks," said he, shaking his head, " but 
 I rather think I'll stay here, and — er — help 
 Adam to — to — look after things, if you don't 
 mind. ' ' 
 
 ** Then, — * Good-bye! ' " said Anthea, and, 
 nodding to Adam, he gave the mare her head, 
 and off they went. 
 
 ** Good-bye!" cried Small Forges, ** an' 
 ihank you for the shilling Uncle Forges,**
 
 THE MONEY MOON 12] 
 
 ** The mare is — er — rather fresli tliis 
 morning, isn't slie, Adam? " enquired Belle w, 
 "watching the dog-cart's rapid course. 
 
 ** Fresh sir? " 
 
 ** And that's rather a — er — dangerous sort 
 of thing for a woman to drive, isn't it? '* 
 
 " Meanin' the dog-cart, sir? " 
 
 '* Meaning the dog-cart, Adam." 
 
 ** Wliy, Lord love ye, Mr. Belloo sir! " cried 
 Adam with his great laugh, ** there ain't no- 
 body can 'andle the ribbons better than Miss 
 Anthea, — there ain't a horse as she can't 
 drive, — ah ! or ride, for that matter, — not no- 
 wheres, sir." 
 
 *' Hum! " said Bellew, and, having watched 
 the dog-cart out of sight, he turned and fol- 
 lowed Adam into the stables. 
 
 And here, sitting upon a bale of hay, they 
 emoked many pipes together in earnest con- 
 verse, until such time as the sale should begin. 
 
 As the day advanced, people began arriving 
 in twos and threes, and, among the first, the 
 Auctioneer liimself. A jovial-faced man, was 
 this Auctioneer, with jovial manner, and a 
 jovial smile. Indeed, his joviality seemed, 
 somehow or other, to have got into the very 
 buttons of his coat, for they fairly winked, and 
 twinkled with joviality. Upon catching sight
 
 122 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 of the furniture he became, if possible, more 
 jovial than ever, and beckoning to bis assistant, 
 — that is to say to the small man with the red 
 nose and the blue chin, who, it seemed an- 
 swered to the name of Theodore, — he clapped 
 him jovially upon the back, — (rather as, 
 though he were knocking him down to some un- 
 fortunate bidder), — and immediately fell into- 
 business converse with him, — albeit jovial 
 still. 
 
 But all the while intending purchasers were 
 arriving; they came on horse, and afoot, and 
 in conveyances of every sort and kind, and the 
 tread of their feet, and the buzz of their voices, 
 awoke unwonted echoes in the old place. And 
 still they came, from far and near, until some- 
 hundred odd people were crowded into the halL 
 
 Conspicuous among them was a large man 
 with a fat, red neck which he was continually 
 mopping at, and rubbing with a vivid bandanna 
 handkercliief scarcely less red. Indeed, red 
 seemed to be his pervading colour, for his 
 hair was red, liis hands were red, and his face^ 
 heavy and round, was reddest of all, out of 
 whose flaming circumference two diminutive 
 but very sharp eyes winked and blinked con- 
 tinually. His voice, like himself, was large 
 with a peculiar brassy ring to it that penetrated
 
 THE MONEY MOON 123 
 
 to the farthest corners and recesses of the old 
 hall. He was, beyond all donbt, a man of sub- 
 stance, and of no small importance, for he was 
 greeted deferentially on all hands, and it was 
 to be noticed that people elbowed each other to 
 make way for him, as peoi)le ever will before 
 substance, and property. To some of them he 
 nodded, to some he spoke, and with others he 
 even laughed, albeit he was of a solemn, sober, 
 and serious nature, as becomes a man of prop- 
 erty, and substance. 
 
 Between whiles, however, he bestowed his 
 undi\'ided attention upon the furniture. He sat 
 down suddenly and heavily, in cliairs; he pum- 
 melled them with his plump, red fists, — 
 whereby to test their springs; he opened the 
 doors of cabinets ; he peered into drawers ; he 
 rapped upon tables, and altogether comported 
 himself as a thoroughly knowing man should, 
 who is not to be hocussed by veneer, or taken 
 in by the shine, and splendour of well applied 
 bees-wax, Bellew, watching all this from wliore 
 he sat screened from the throng by a great 
 carved sideboard, and divers chairs, and what- 
 nots, — drew rather harder at his pipe, and, 
 chancing to catch Adam's eye, beckoned him to 
 approach. 
 
 ** "Who is that round, red man, yonder,
 
 124 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Adam? " lie enquired, nodding to where the in- 
 dividual in question was engaged at that mo- 
 ment poking at something or other with a large, 
 sausage-like finger. 
 
 " That! " replied Adam in a tone of pro- 
 found disgust, '^ that be Mr. Grimes, o' Cran- 
 brook, sir. Calls hisself a corn-chandler, — 
 but I calls 'im, — well, never mind what, sir, — 
 only it weren't at corn-chandling as 'e made 
 all 'is money, sir, — and it be him as we all 
 work, and slave for, — here at Dapplemere 
 Farm." 
 
 ** What do you mean, Adam? " 
 
 '* I mean as it be him as holds the mortgage 
 on Dapplemere, sir." 
 
 '* Ah, — and how much? " 
 
 ** Over three thousand pound, Mr. Belloo 
 sir! " sighed Adam, with a hopeless shake of 
 the head, ** an' that be a powerful lot o' money, 
 
 sir." 
 
 Bellew thought of the sums he had lavished 
 upon his yacht, upon his three racing cars, and 
 certain other extravagances. Three thousand 
 pounds, — fifteen thousand dollars! It would 
 make her a free woman, — independent, — 
 happy! Just fifteen thousand dollars, — and 
 he had thrown away more than that upon a 
 poker game, before now!
 
 THE MONEY MOON 125 
 
 ** Lord! " exclaimed Adam, *' the very sight 
 o' that theer Grimes's pig eyes a-starin' at 
 Miss Anthea's furnitur' do make the Old Adam 
 rise up in me to that amazin' extent, Mr. Bel- 
 loo sir — wliy, jest look at 'im a-thmnpin' an* 
 a poundin' at that theer chair! " Saying 
 which, Adam turned, and elbowing his way to 
 where Mr. Grimes was in the act of testing 
 the springs of an easy chair, he promptly, — 
 and as thougli forced by a struggling mob, — 
 fell up against Mr. Grimes, and jostled Mr. 
 Grimes, and trod heavily upon the toes of Mr. 
 Grimes, and all with an expression of the most 
 profound unconsciousness and abstraction, 
 which, upon the indignant Corn-chandler's loud 
 expostulations, immediately changed to a look 
 of innocent surprise. 
 
 ** Can't you look where you're going? — 
 you clumsy fool!" fumed the irate Grimes, 
 redder of neck than ever. 
 
 " Ax your pardon, Mr. Grimes," said Adam 
 solemnly, '' but what wi' people's logs, an* 
 cheer logs, an' the legs o' tables, — not to men- 
 tion sideboards an' cab'nets, — which, though 
 not 'aving no legs, ain't to be by no manner o* 
 means despised therefore, — w'ot wi' this an' 
 that, an' t'other, I am that con-fined, or as you 
 might say, con-fused, I don't know which legs
 
 126 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 is mine, or yourn, or anybody else's. Mr. 
 Grimes sir, — I makes so bold as to ax your 
 pardon all over again, sir." During wliicli 
 speech, Adam contrived, once more, to fall 
 against, to tread npon, and to jostle tbe highly 
 incensed Mr. Grimes back into the crowd again. 
 Thereafter he became a Nemesis to Mr. Grimes, 
 hannting him through the jungle of chairs, and 
 tables, pursuing him into distant corners, and 
 shady places, where, so sure as the sausage- 
 like finger poised itself for an interrogatory 
 poke, or the fat, red fist doubled itself for a 
 spring-testing punch, the innocent-seeming 
 Adam would thereupon fall against him from 
 the rear, sideways, or in front. 
 
 Meanwhile, Bellew sat in his secluded corner, 
 watching the crowd through the blue wreaths 
 of his pipe, but thinking of her who, brave 
 though she was, had nevertheless run away 
 from it all at the last moment. Presently, how- 
 ever, he was aware that the Corn-chandler had 
 seated himself on the other side of the chiffo- 
 nier, puffing, and panting with heat, and indig- 
 nation, — where he was presently joined by an- 
 other individual, — a small, rat-eyed man, who 
 bid Mr. Grimes a deferential ** Good-day! " 
 
 '' That there Adam," puffed the Corn-chan- 
 dler, '' that there Adam ought to be throwed
 
 THE MONEY MOOX 127 
 
 out into the stables where he belongs. I never 
 see a man as was so much growed to feet and 
 elbers, in all mv days! He ought to be took," 
 repeated the Corn-chandler, " and shook, and 
 throwed out into the yard." 
 
 " Yes," nodded the other, *' took, and shook, 
 and throwed out — neck, and crop, sir ! And 
 now, — what might you think o' the furniture, 
 Mr. Grimes? " 
 
 " So so. Parsons," nodded Grimes, ** so 
 so! " 
 
 " Shall you buy? " 
 
 " I am a-going," said the Corn-chandler with 
 much deliberation, ** I am a-going to take them 
 tapestry cheers, sir, likewise the grand-feyther 
 clock in the corner here, likewise the four-post 
 bed-stead wi' the carved 'ead-board, — and — 
 most particular, Parsons, I shall take tliis here 
 side-board. There ain't another piece like this 
 in the county, as I know of, — solid ma-hogany, 
 sir! — and the carvings!" and herewith, he 
 gave two loud double knocks upon the article 
 of furniture in question. '* Oh! I've 'ad my 
 eye on tliis side-board for j^ears, and years, — 
 knowed I'd get it some day, too, — the only 
 wonder is as she ain't had to sell up afore 
 now." 
 
 " Meaning Miss Anthea, sir? "
 
 128 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 *' Ah, — her! I say as it's a wonder to me, 
 — wo't wi' the interest on the mortgage I 'old 
 on the place, and one thing and another, — it 's 
 a wonder to me as she's kept her 'ead above 
 water so long. But — mark me, Parsons, mark 
 me, — she '11 be selling again soon, and next 
 time it '11 be lock, stock, and barrel, Parsons ! ' ' 
 
 ** Well, I don't 'old wi' women farmers, my- 
 self! " nodded Parsons. *' But, — as to that 
 cup-board over there, — Sheraton, I think, — 
 what might you suppose it to be worth, — be- 
 twixt friends, now? " enquired Parsons, the 
 rat eyed. 
 
 *' Can't say till I've seed it, and likewise felt 
 it," answered the Corn-chandler, rising. " Let 
 me lay my 'and upon it, and I '11 tell you — to 
 a shilling," and here, they elbowed their way 
 into the crowd. But Bellew sat there, chin in 
 hand, quite oblivious to the fact that his pipe 
 was out, long since. 
 
 The tall, old grand-father clock ticking in 
 leisurely fashion in the corner behind him, 
 solemn and sedate, as it had done since, (as the 
 neat inscription upon the dial testified), it had 
 first been made in the Year of Grace 1732, by 
 one Jabez Havesham, of London ; — this an- 
 cient time-piece now uttered a sudden wheeze, 
 (which, considering its great age, could
 
 THE MONEY MOON 129 
 
 scarcely be wondered at), and, thereafter, the 
 wheezing having subsided, gave forth a soft, 
 and mellow chime, proclaiming to all and sun- 
 dry, that it was twelve o'clock. Hereupon, the 
 Auctioneer, bustling to and fro with his hat 
 upon the back of liis head, consulted his watch, 
 nodded to the red nosed, blue-chinned Theo- 
 dore, and, perching himself above the crowd, 
 gave three sharp knocks with his hammer. 
 
 ** Gentlemen! " he began, but here he was 
 interrupted by a loud voice upraised in hot 
 anger. 
 
 * * Confound ye for a clumsy rascal ! Will ye 
 keep them elbers o' yourn to out o' my weskit, 
 eh? Will ye keep them big feet o' yourn to 
 yeself? If there ain't room enough for ye, — 
 out ye go, d'ye hear — I'll have ye took, and 
 shook, — and throwed out where ye belong; so 
 jest mind where ye come a trampiu', and a 
 treadin'. " 
 
 " Tread! " repeated Adam, " Lord! where 
 am I to tread? If I steps back'ard I tread on 
 ye, — If I steps sideways I tread on ye, if I 
 steps for-ard I tread on ye. It do seem to me 
 as I can't go nowhere but there you be a-waitin' 
 to be trod on, ^Mr. Grimes, sir." 
 
 Hereupon the Auctioneer rapped louder than 
 ever, upon which, the clamour subsiding, he
 
 130 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 smiled his most jovial smile, and once more 
 began : 
 
 '' Gentlemen! you have all had an opportu- 
 nity to examine the furniture I am about to dis- 
 pose of, and, as fair minded human beings I 
 think you will admit that a finer lot of genuine 
 antique was never offered at one and the same 
 time. Gentlemen, I am not going to burst forth 
 into laudatory rodomontade, (which is a word, 
 gentlemen that I employ only among an en- 
 lightened community such as I now have the 
 honour of addressing), — neither do I propose 
 to waste your time in purposeless verbiage, 
 (which is another of the same kind, gentlemen), 
 — therefore, without further preface, or pre- 
 amble, we will proceed at once to business. The 
 first lot I have to offer you is a screen, — six 
 foot high, — bring out the screen, Theodore! 
 There it is, gentlemen, — open it out, Theo- 
 dore! Observe, Gentlemen it is carved rose- 
 wood, the panels hand painted, and represent- 
 ing shepherds, and shepherdesses, disporting 
 themselves under a tree with banjo and guitar. 
 Now what am I offered for this hand-painted, 
 antique screen, — come? '' 
 
 ' ' Fifteen shillings ! ' ' from someone deep 
 hidden in the crowd. 
 
 * * Start as low as you like, gentlemen ! I am
 
 THE MONEY MOON 131 
 
 offered a miserable fifteen shillings for a genu- 
 ine, hand-painted — " 
 
 ** Sixteen! " this from a long, loose-limbed 
 fellow with a patch over one eye, and another 
 on his cheek. 
 
 ** A pound! " said Adam, promptly. 
 
 * ' A guinea ! ' ' nodded he of the patches. 
 
 * * Twenty-five shillin 's ! " said Adam. 
 
 * * At twenty-five shillings ! ' ' cried the Auc- 
 tioneer, *' any advance? — a genuine, hand- 
 painted, antique screen, — going at twenty- 
 five — at twenty-five, — going — going — 
 gone! To tlio large gentleman in the neck- 
 cloth, Theodore! " 
 
 ** Theer be that Job Jagway, sir," said 
 Adam, leaning across the side-board to impart 
 this information, — '' over yonder, Mr. Belloo 
 sir, — 'im as was bidding for the screen, — the 
 tall chap wi' the patches. Two patches be 
 pretty good, but I do wish as I'd give him a 
 couple more, while I was about it, Mr. Belloo 
 sir." Here, the Auctioneer's voice put an end 
 to Adam's self-reproaches, and he turned back 
 to the business in hand. 
 
 '* The next lot I'm going to dispose of, gen- 
 tlemen, is a fine set of six chairs with carved 
 antique backs, and upholstered in tapestry. 
 Also two arm-chairs to match, — wheel 'em
 
 132 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 out, Theodore! Now what is your price for 
 these eight fine pieces, — look 'em over and bid 
 accordingly. ' ' 
 
 * ' Thirty shillings ! ' ' Again from the depths 
 of the crowd. 
 
 **Ha! ha! — you joke sir!" laughed the 
 Auctioneer, rubbing his hands in his most 
 jovial manner, ' * you joke ! I can 't see you, but 
 you joke of course, and I laugh accordingly, 
 ha! ha! Thirty shillings for eight, fine, an- 
 tique, tapestried, hand-carved chairs, — Oh 
 very good, — excellent, upon my soul ! ' * 
 
 it Tiiree pound! " said the fiery-necked Corn- 
 chandler. 
 
 ** Guineas! " said the rat-eyed Parsons. 
 
 " Four pound! " nodded the Corn-chandler. 
 
 *' Four pound ten! " roared Adam. 
 
 " Five! " nodded Grimes, edging away from 
 Adam's elbow. 
 
 ' ' Six pound ten ! ' ' cried Adam. 
 
 ** Seven! " — from Parsons. 
 
 ^' Eight! " said Grimes. 
 
 ** Ten! " roared Adam, growing desperate. 
 
 " Eleven! " said Grimes, beginning to mop 
 at his neck again. 
 
 Adam hesitated; eleven pounds seemed so 
 very much for those chairs, that he had seen 
 Prudence and the rosy-cheeked maids dust reg-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 133 
 
 Tilarly every morning, and then, — it was not 
 his money, after all. Therefore Adam hesi- 
 tated, and glanced wistfully towards a certain 
 distant corner. 
 
 * ' At eleven, — at eleven pounds ! — this fine 
 suite of hand-carved antique chairs, at eleven 
 pounds ! — at eleven ! — at eleven, going — go- 
 ing!— " 
 
 '* Fifteen! " said a voice from the distant 
 corner; whereupon Adam drew a great sigh 
 of relief, while the Corn-chandler contorted 
 himself in liis efforts to glare at Bellew round 
 the side-board. 
 
 ** Fifteen pounds! " chanted the Auctioneer, 
 ** I have fifteen, — I am given fifteen, — any 
 advance? These eight antique chairs, going at 
 fifteen ! — going ! for the last time, — going ! — 
 gone! Sold to the gentleman in the corner 
 behind the side-board, Theodore." 
 
 " They were certainly fine chairs, Mr. 
 Grimes! " said Parsons shaking his head. 
 
 ^* So so! " said the Corn-chandler, sitting 
 down heavily, '' So so. Parsons! " and he 
 turned to glare at Bellew, who, lying back 
 in an easy chair with his legs upon another, 
 puffed at his pipe, and regarded all things with 
 a placid interest. 
 
 It is not intended to record in these pages
 
 134 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 all tlie bids that were made as the afternoon 
 advanced, for that would be fatiguing to write, 
 and a weariness to read ; suffice it that lots were 
 put up, and regularly knocked down but always 
 to Bellew, or Adam. Which last, encouraged by 
 Bellew's bold advances, gaily roared down, and 
 constantly out-bid all competitors with such un- 
 hesitating pertinacity, that murmurs rose, and 
 swelled into open complaint. In the midst of 
 which, the fiery-visaged Corn-chandler, purple 
 now, between heat, and vexation, loudly de- 
 manded that he lay down some substantial de- 
 posit upon what he had already purchased, 
 failing which, he should, there and then, be 
 took, and shook, and throwed out into the yard. 
 
 ' * Neck, and crop ! ' ' added Mr. Parsons. 
 
 *' That seems to be a fair proposition," 
 smiled the Auctioneer, who had already experi- 
 enced some doubts as to Adam's financial capa- 
 bilities, yet with his joviality all unruffled, — 
 ^' that seems to be a very fair proposal indeed. 
 If the gentleman will put down some substan- 
 tial deposit now — " 
 
 ** Aye, for sure! " nodded Adam, stepping 
 forward; and, unbuttoning a capacious pocket 
 he drew out a handful of bank-notes, '' shall I 
 gi'e ye a hundred pound, — or will fifty be 
 enough? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 135 
 
 " "Wliy," said the Auctioneer, rubbing his 
 hands as he eyed the fistful of bank-notes, " ten 
 pound will be all that is necessary, sir, — just 
 to ensure good faith, you understand." 
 
 Hereupon, Bollew beckoning to Adam, 
 handed him a like amount which was duly de- 
 posited with the Auctioneer. 
 
 So, once more, the bidding began, — once 
 more lots were put up, — and knocked down — 
 now to Adam, and now to Bellew. The bed 
 with the carved head-board had fallen to Adam 
 after a lively contest between him, and Par- 
 sons, and the Com-chandler, which had left 
 the latter in a state of perspiring profanity, 
 from which he was by no means recovered, 
 when the Auctioneer once more rapped for 
 silence. 
 
 ** And now, gentlemen, last, but by no means 
 least, we come to the gem of the sale, — a side- 
 board, gentlemen, — a magnificent, ma-hogany 
 side-board, being a superb example of the carv- 
 er's art! Here is a side-board, gentlemen, 
 which, — if it can be equalled, — cannot be ex- 
 celled — no, gentlemen, not if you were to 
 search all the baronial halls, and lordly man- 
 sions in this land of mansions, and baronials. 
 It is a truly magnificoiit piece, in perfect condi- 
 tion, — and to be sold at your own price. I say
 
 136 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 no more. Gentlemen, — how much for this 
 magnificent, ma-hogany piece? " 
 
 '* Ten pound! " 
 
 " Eleven! " 
 
 ''Fifteen!" 
 
 " Seventeen! " said Adam, who was rapidly 
 drawing near the end of his resources. 
 
 * * Eighteen ! ' ' This from Job Jagway. 
 
 '' Go easy there. Job! " hissed Adam, edging 
 a little nearer to him, ' ' go easy, now, — Nine- 
 teen! " 
 
 '' Come, come Gentlemen! " remonstrated 
 the Auctioneer, *' this isn't a coal-scuttle, nor 
 a broom, nor yet a pair of tongs, — this is a 
 magnificent ma-hogany side-board, — and you 
 offer me — nineteen pound! " 
 
 " Twenty! " said Job. 
 
 '' Twenty-one! " roared Adam, making his 
 last bid, and then, turning, he hissed in Job's 
 unwilling ear, — ''go any higher, an' I'll 
 pound ye to a jelly, Job ! ' ' 
 
 '' Twenty-five! " said Parsons. 
 
 '' Twenty-seven! " 
 
 " Twenty-eight! " 
 
 '' Thirty! " nodded Grimes, scowling at 
 Adam. 
 
 < i Thirty- two ! ' ' cried Parsons. 
 
 *' Thirty-six! "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 137 
 
 *' Thirty-seven! " 
 
 *' Forty! " nodded Grimes. 
 
 ** That drops me," said Parsons, sighing, 
 and shaking his head. 
 
 " Ah! " chuckled the Corn-chandler, '^ well, 
 I've waited years for that side-board, Parsons, 
 and I ain't going to let you take it away from 
 me — nor nobody else, sir! " 
 
 "At forty!" cried the Auctioneer, "at 
 forty ! — this magnifi — " 
 
 " One! " nodded Bellew, beginning to fill his 
 pipe. 
 
 "Forty-one's the bid, — I have forty-one 
 from the gent in the corner — " 
 
 " Forty-five! " growled the Corn-chandler. 
 
 " Six! " said Bellew. 
 
 " Fifty! " snarled Grimes. 
 
 " One! " said Bellew. 
 
 " Gent in the corner gives me fifty-one! *' 
 chanted the Auctioneer — " any advance? — at 
 fifty-ono — " 
 
 "Fifty-five!" said Grimes, beginning to 
 mop at his neck harder than ever. 
 
 " Add ten! " nodded Bellew. 
 
 " TMiat's tliat? " cried Grimes, wheeling 
 about. 
 
 " Gent in the corner offers me sixty-five, — 
 at sixty-five, — this magnificent piece at sixty-
 
 138 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 five! What, are you all done? — at sixty-five, 
 and clieap at the price, — come, gentlemen, take 
 your time, give it another look over, and bid 
 accordingly. ' ' 
 
 The crowd had dwindled rapidly during the 
 last hour, which was scarcely to be wondered 
 at seeing that they were constantly out-bid — 
 either by a hoarse voiced, square-shouldered 
 fellow in a neck-cloth, or a dreamy individual 
 who lolled in a corner, and puffed at a pipe. 
 
 But now, as Grimes, his red cheeks puffed 
 out, his little eyes snapping in a way that many 
 knew meant danger (with a large D) — as the 
 rich Corn-chandler, whose word was law to a 
 good many, turned and confronted this loung- 
 ing, long-legged individual, — such as remained 
 closed round them in a ring, in keen expectation 
 of what was to follow. Observing which, the 
 Corn-chandler feeling it incumbent upon him 
 now or never, to vindicate himself as a man of 
 property, and substance, and not to be put 
 down, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, 
 spread his legs wide apart, and stared at Bel- 
 lew in a way that most people had found highly 
 disconcerting, before now. Bellew, however, 
 seemed wholly unaffected, and went on imper- 
 turbably filling his pipe. 
 
 *' At sixty-five! " cried the Auctioneer, lean-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 139 
 
 ing towards Grimes with his hammGr poised, 
 ' ' at sixty-five — Will you make it another 
 pound, sir? — come, — what do you say? " 
 
 " I say — no sir! " returned the Corn-chand- 
 ler, slowly, and impressively, " I say no, sir, — 
 I say — make it another — twenty pound, 
 sir! " Hereupon heads were shaken, or 
 nodded, and there rose the sudden shuffle of 
 feet as the crowd closed in nearer. 
 
 ** I get eighty-five! any advance on eighty- 
 five? " 
 
 " Eighty-six! " said Bellew, settling the to- 
 bacco in his pipe-bowl with his thumb. 
 
 Once again the Auctioneer leaned over and 
 appealed to the Corn-chandler, who stood in 
 the same attitude, jingling the money in his 
 pocket, " Come sir, don't let a pound or so 
 stand between you and a side-board that can't 
 be matched in the length and breadth of the 
 United Kingdom, — come, what do you say to 
 another ten shillings? " 
 
 ** I say, sir," said Grimes, with his gaze still 
 riveted upon Bellew, ** I say — no sir, — I say 
 make it another — twenty pound sir! " 
 
 Again there rose the shuffle of feet, again 
 heads were nodded, and elbows nudged neigh- 
 bouring ribs, and all eyes were focussed upon 
 Bellew who was in the act of lighting his pipe.
 
 140 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '* One hundred and six pounds! '* cried theJ 
 Auctioneer, ' ' at one six ! — at one six ! — " 
 
 Bellew struck a match, but the wind from the 
 open casement behind him, extinguished it. 
 
 *' I have one hundred and six pounds! is 
 there any advance, yes or no ? — going at one 
 hundred and six! " 
 
 Adam who, up till now, had enjoyed the 
 struggle to the utmost, experienced a sudden 
 qualm of fear. 
 
 Bellew struck another match. 
 
 * ' At one hundred and six pounds ! — at one 
 six, — going at one hundred and six pounds — ! ' ' 
 
 A cold moisture started out on Adam's brow, 
 he clenched his hands, and muttered between 
 his teeth. Supposing the money were all gone, 
 like his own share, supposing they had to lose 
 this famous old side-board, — and to Grimes 
 of all people ! This, and much more, was in 
 Adam's mind wliile the Auctioneer held his 
 hammer poised, and Bellew went on lighting 
 his pipe. 
 
 ' ' Going at one hundred and six ! — going ! — 
 going ! — " 
 
 '' Fifty up ! " said Bellew. His pipe was well 
 alight at last, and he was nodding to the Auc- 
 tioneer through a fragrant cloud. 
 
 ** "What! " cried Grimes, ** 'ow much? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 1-11 
 
 ** Gent in the corner gives me one hundred 
 and fifty six pounds," said the Auctioneer, with 
 a jovial eye upon the Corn-chandler's lowering 
 visage, *' one five six, — all done? — any ad- 
 vance ? Going at one five six, — going ! going ! 
 — gone! " The hammer fell, and with its tap 
 a sudden silence came upon the old hall. Then, 
 all at once, the Corn-chandler turned, caught up 
 his hat, clapped it on, shook a fat fist at Bellew, 
 and crossing to the door, lumbered away, mut- 
 tering maledictions as he went. 
 
 By twos and threes the others followed him 
 until there remained only Adam, Bellew, the 
 Auctioneer, and the red-nosed Theodore. And 
 yet, there was one other, for, chancing to raise 
 his eyes to the minstrel's gallery, Bellew espied 
 Miss Priscilla, who, meeting his smiling glance, 
 leaned down suddenly over the carved rail, and 
 very deliberately, threw him a kiss, and then 
 hurried away with a quick, light tap-tap of her 
 stick.
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 How Antliea came home 
 
 **Lord!" said Adam, pausing with a chair 
 under either arm, * ' Lord, Mr. Belloo sir, — I 
 wonder what Miss Anthea will say? " with 
 which remark he strode off with the two chairs 
 to set them in their accustomed places. 
 
 Seldom indeed had the old hall despite its 
 many years, seen such a running to and fro, 
 heard such a patter of flying feet, such merry 
 voices, such gay, and heart-felt laughter. For 
 here was Miss Priscilla, looking smaller than 
 ever, in a great arm chair whence she directed 
 the disposal and arrangement of all things, 
 with quick little motions of her crutch-stick. 
 And here were the two rosy-cheeked maids, 
 brighter and rosier than ever, and here was 
 comely Prudence hither come from her kitchen 
 to bear a hand, and here, as has been said, was 
 Adam, and here also was Bellew, his pipe laid 
 aside with his coat, pushing, and tugging in his 
 efforts to get the great side-board back into itg 
 customary position; and all, as has also been 
 said, was laughter, and bustle, and an eager
 
 THE MONEY MOON 143 
 
 haste to have all things as they were, — and 
 should be henceforth, — before Anthea's re- 
 turn. 
 
 " Lord! " exclaimed Adam again, balanced 
 now upon a ladder, and pausing to wipe his 
 brow with one liand and with a picture swinging 
 in the other, '* Lord! what ever will Miss An- 
 thea say, Mr. Belloo sir! " 
 
 "Ah!" nodded Bellew thoughtfully, "I 
 wonder! " 
 
 " "Uliat do you suppose she'll say. Miss Pris- 
 cilla, mam? " 
 
 ** I think you'd better be careful of that pic- 
 ture, Adam! " 
 
 '* "Whicli means," said Bellew, smiling down 
 into Miss Priscilla's young, bright eyes, " that 
 you don't know." 
 
 '' Well, Mr. Bellew, she'll be very — glad, of 
 course, — happier I think, than you or I can 
 guess, because I know she loves every stick, 
 and stave of that old furniture, — but — " 
 
 "But!" nodded Bellew, "yes, I under- 
 stand." 
 
 "Mr. Bellew, if Anthea, — God bless her 
 dear heart! — but if she has a fault — it is 
 pride, Mr. Bellew, Pride! Pride! Pride! — 
 with a capital P! " 
 
 " Yes, she is very proud."
 
 144 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '^ She'll be that 'appy- 'earted, " said Adam, 
 pausing near-by with a great armful of miscel- 
 laneous articles, '* an' that full o' j'y as never 
 was ! Mr. Belloo sir ! " Having delivered him- 
 self of which, he departed with his load. 
 
 ^' I rose this morning — very early, Mr. Bel- 
 lew, — Oh ! very early ! ' ' said Miss Priscilla, 
 following Adam's laden figure with watchful 
 eyes, *' couldn't possibly sleep, you see. So I 
 got up, — ridiculously early, — but, bless you, 
 she was before me ! ' ' 
 
 ^^Ah!" 
 
 ' * Oh dear yes ! — had been up — hours ! 
 And what — what do you suppose she was do- 
 ing? " Bellew shook his head. 
 
 '' She was rubbing and polishing that old 
 side-board that you paid such a dreadful price 
 for, — down on her knees before it, — yes she 
 was ! and polishing, and rubbing, and — crying 
 all the while. Oh dear heart! such great, big 
 tears, — and so very quiet ! When she heard 
 my little stick come tapping along she tried to 
 hide them, — I mean her tears, of course, Mr. 
 Bellew, and when I drew her dear, beautiful 
 head down into my arms, she — tried to smile. 
 'I'm so very silly. Aunt Priscilla,' she said, 
 crying more than ever, ' but it is so hard to let 
 the old things be taken away, — you see, — I do
 
 THE MONEY MOON 145 
 
 love them so ! ' I tell you all this, Mr. Bellew, 
 because I like you, — ever since you took the 
 trouble to pick up a ball of worsted for a poor, 
 old lame woman — in an orchard, — first im- 
 pressions, you know. And secondly, I tell you 
 all this to explain to you why I — hum ! — " 
 
 " Threw a kiss — from a minstrel's gallery, 
 to a most unworthy individual. Aunt Pris- 
 cilla? " 
 
 ** Threw you a kiss, Mr. Bellew, — I had to, 
 • — the side-board you know, — on her knees — 
 you understand? " 
 
 ** I understand! " 
 
 ** You see, Mr. Bolloo sir," said Adam, at 
 this juncture, speaking from beneath an inlaid 
 table which he held balanced upon his head, — ■ 
 *' it ain't as if this was jest ordinary furnitur' 
 sir, — ye see she kind-er feels as it be all part 
 o' Dapplomere Manor, as it used to be called, 
 it's all been here so long, that them cheers an' 
 tables has come to be part o' the 'ouse, sir. So 
 when she comos, an' finds as it ain't all been 
 took, — or, as you might say, — wanished 
 away, — why the question as I ax's you is, — 
 w'ot will she say? Oh Lord! " And here» 
 Adam gave vent to his great laugh which 
 necessitated an almost superhuman exertion of 
 strength to keep the table from slipping from
 
 146 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 its precarious percli. Whereupon Miss Pris- 
 cilla screamed, (a very small scream, like her- 
 self) and Prudence scolded, and the two rosy- 
 cheeked maids tittered, and Adam went chuck- 
 ling upon his way. 
 
 And when the hall was, once more, its old, 
 familiar, comfortable self, when the floor had 
 been swept of its litter, and every trace of the 
 sale removed, — then Miss Priscilla sighed, 
 and Bellew put on his coat. 
 
 ' ' When do you expect — she will come 
 home"? " he enquired, glancing at the grand- 
 father clock in the corner. 
 
 *' Well, if she drove straight back from 
 Cranbrook she would be here now, — but I 
 fancy she won 't be so very anxious to get home 
 to-day, — and may come the longest way round ; 
 yes, it's in my mind she will keep away from 
 Dapplemere as long as ever she can." 
 
 *' And I think," said Bellew, '^ Yes, I think 
 I'll take a walk. I'll go and call upon the Ser- 
 geant. ' ' 
 
 * ' The Sergeant ! ' ' said Miss Priscilla, * ' let 
 me see, — it is now a quarter to six, it should 
 take you about fifteen minutes to the village, 
 that will make it exactly six o'clock. You will 
 find the Sergeant just sitting down in the chair 
 on the left hand side of the fire-place, — in the
 
 THE MONEY MOON 147 
 
 corner, — at the 'King's Head,' you know. 
 Not that I have ever seen him there, — good 
 gracious no ! but I — happen to be — ac- 
 quainted with his habits, and he is as regular 
 and precise as his great, big silver watch, and 
 that is the most precise, and regular thing in 
 nil the world. I am glad you are going," she 
 went on, ** because to-day is — well, a day 
 apart, Mr. Bellew. You will find the Sergeant 
 at the ' King's Head,' — until half past seven.'* 
 
 '' Then I will go to the ' King's Head,' " 
 said Bellew. '' And what message do you send 
 him? " 
 
 ** None," said Miss Priscilla, laughing and 
 shaking her head, — " at least, — you can tell 
 him, if you wish, — that — the peaches are 
 riper than ever they were this evening." 
 
 " I won't forget," said Bellew, smiling, and 
 went out into the sunshine. But, crossing the 
 yard, he was met by Adam, who, chuckling still, 
 paused to touch his hat. 
 
 ** To look at that theer 'all, sir, you wouldn't 
 never know as there 'd ever been any sale at 
 all, — not no'ow. Now the only question as 
 worrits me, and as I'm a-axin' of myself con- 
 stant is, — what will Miss Anthea 'ave to say 
 about it? " 
 
 " Yes," said Bellew, " I wonder! " And so
 
 148 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 lie turned, and went away slowly across the 
 fields. 
 
 Miss Priscilla had been right, — Anthea was 
 coming back the longest way round, — also she 
 was anxious to keep away from Dapplemere as 
 long as possible. Therefore, despite Small 
 Porges' exhortations, and Bess's champing 
 impatience, she held the mare in, permitting 
 her only the slowest of paces, which was a most 
 unusual thing for Anthea to do. For the most 
 part, too, she drove in silence seemingly deaf 
 to Small Porges' flow of talk, which was also 
 very unlike in her. But before her eyes were 
 visions of her dismantled home, in her ears 
 was the roar of voices clamouring for her cher- 
 ished possessions, — a sickening roar, broken^ 
 now and then, by the hollow tap of the auc- 
 tioneer's cruel hammer. And, each time the 
 clamouring voices rose, she shivered, and every 
 blow of the cruel hammer seemed to fall upon 
 her quivering heart. Thus, she was unwont- 
 edly deaf and unresponsive to Small Porges. 
 who presently fell into a profound gloom, in 
 consequence; and thus, she held in the eager 
 mare who therefore, shied, and fidgeted, and 
 tossed her head indignantly. 
 
 But, slowly as they went, they came within 
 sight of the house, at last, with its quaint
 
 THE MONEY MOON 149 
 
 gables, and many latticed windows, and the blue 
 smoke curling up from its twisted chimneys, — 
 smiling and placid as though, in all this great 
 world, there were no such thing to be found as 
 — an auctioneer's hammer. 
 
 And presently they swung into the drive, and 
 drew up in the courtyard. And there was 
 Adam, waiting to take tlie mare's head, — 
 Adam, as good-natured, and stolid as though 
 there were no abominations called, for want of 
 a worse name, — sales. 
 
 Very slowly, for her, Antliea climbed down 
 from the high dog-cart, aiding Small Porges to 
 earth, and with his hand clasped tight in hers, 
 and with lips set firm, she turned and entered 
 the hall. But, upon the threshold, she stopped, 
 and stood there utterly still, gazing, and gazing 
 upon the trim orderliness of everything. Then, 
 seeing every well remembered thing in its ap- 
 pointed place, — all became suddenly blurred, 
 and dim, and, snatching her hand from Small 
 Porges' clasp, she uttered a great, choking sob, 
 and covered her face. 
 
 But Small Porges had seen, and stood aghast, 
 and Miss Priscilla had seen, and now hurried 
 forward with a quick tap, tap of her stick. As 
 she came, Antlioa raised her head, and looked 
 for one who should have been there, but was
 
 150 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 not. And, in that moment, instinctively slie 
 knew how things came to be as they were, — 
 and, because of this knowledge, her cheeks 
 flamed with a swift, burning colour, and with 
 a soft cry, she hid her face in Miss Priscilla's 
 gentle bosom. Then, while her face was yet 
 hidden there, she whispered: 
 
 ^ ' Tell me — tell me — all about it. ' ' 
 But, meanwhile, Bellew, striding far away 
 across the meadows, seeming to watch the glory 
 of the sun-set, and to hearken to a blackbird 
 piping from the dim seclusion of the copse a 
 melodious '* Good-bye " to the dying day, yet 
 saw, and heard it not at all, for his mind was 
 still occupied with Adam 's question : — 
 ** What would Miss Anthea say? '*
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 Which, among other things, has to do with 
 shrimps, muffins, and tin whistles 
 
 A TYPICAL Kentish Village is Dapplemere with 
 its rows of scattered cottages bowered in roses 
 and honeysuckle, — white walled cottages with 
 steep-pitched roofs, and small latticed windows 
 that seem to stare at all and sundry like so 
 many winking eyes. 
 
 There is an air redolent of ripening fruit, 
 and hops, for Dapplemere is a place of or- 
 chards, and hop-gardens, and rick-yards, while, 
 here and there, the sharp-pointed, red-tiled roof 
 of some oast-house pierces the green. 
 
 Though Dapplemere village is but a very 
 small place indeed, now-a-days, — 3'et it pos- 
 sesses a churcli, grey and ancient, whose mas- 
 sive Norman tower looks down upon gable and 
 chimney, upon roof of thatch and roof of tile, 
 like some benignant giant keeping watch above 
 them all. Near-by, of course, is the inn, a great, 
 ram])ling, comfortable place, with time-worn 
 settles beside the door, and witli a mighty sign 
 a-swinging before it, upon wliich, plainly to be
 
 152 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 seen (when the snn catches it fairly) is that 
 which purports to be a likeness of His Majesty 
 King William the Fourth, of glorious memory. 
 But alas ! the colours have long since faded, so 
 that now, (upon a dull day), it is a moot ques- 
 tion whether His Majesty's nose was of the 
 Greek, or Roman order, or, indeed, whether he 
 was blessed with any nose at all. Thus, Time 
 and Circumstances have united to make a ghost 
 of the likeness (as they have done of the orig- 
 inal, long since) which, fading yet more, and 
 more, will doubtless eventually vanish alto- 
 gether, — like King William himself, and leave 
 but a vague memory behind. 
 
 Now, before the inn was a small crowd 
 gathered about a trap in which sat two men, 
 one of whom Bellew recognised as the red- 
 necked Corn-chandler Grimes, and the other, 
 the rat-eyed Parsons. 
 
 The Corn-chandler was mopping violently at 
 his face and neck down which ran, and to which 
 clung, a foamy substance suspiciously like the 
 froth of beer, and, as he mopped, his loud 
 brassy voice shook and quavered with passion. 
 
 '' I tell ye — you shall get out o' my cot- 
 tage ! " he was sajdng, ' ' I say you shall quit 
 my cottage at the end o ' the month, — and when 
 I says a thing, I means it, — I say you shall get
 
 THE MONEY MOON 153 
 
 off of my property, — you — and that beggarly 
 cobbler. I say you shall be thro wed out o' my 
 cottage, — lock, stock, and barrel. I say — " 
 
 '* I wouldn't, Mr. Grimes, — leastways, not if 
 I was you," another voice broke in, calm and 
 deliberate. *' No, I wouldn't go for to say an- 
 other word, sir; because, if ye do say another 
 word, I know a man as will drag you down out 
 o' that cart, sir, — I know a man as will break 
 your whip over your very own back, sir, — I 
 know a man as will then take and heave you 
 into the horse-pond, sir, — and that man is me 
 — Sergeant Appleby, late of the Nineteenth 
 Hussars, sir." 
 
 The Corn-chandler having removed most of 
 the froth from his head and face, stared down 
 at the straiglit, alert figure of the big Sergeant, 
 hesitated, glanced at the Sergeant's fist which, 
 though solitary, was large, and powerful, 
 scowled at the Sergeant from his polished boots 
 to the crown of his well-brushed hat (which 
 perched upon liis close-cropped, grey hair at a 
 ridiculous angle totally impossible to any but 
 nn ex-cavalry-man), muttered a furious oath, 
 and snatching his wliip, cut viciously at his 
 liorse, very much as if that animal had been the 
 Sergeant himself, and, as the trap lurched for- 
 ward, he shook his fist, and nodded his head.
 
 154 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * * Out ye go, — at the end o ' the month, — 
 mind that! " he snarled and so, rattled away 
 down the road still mopping at his head and 
 neck until he had fairly mopped himself out of 
 sight. 
 
 * ' "Well, Sergeant, ' ' said Bellew extending his 
 hand, ** how are you! " 
 
 * ' Hearty, sir, — hearty I thank you, though, 
 at this pre-cise moment, just a leetle put out, 
 sir. None the less I know a man as is happy to 
 see you, Mr. Bellew, sir, — and that's me — 
 Sergeant Appleby, at your service, sir. My 
 cottage lies down the road yonder, an easy 
 march — if you will step that far ? — Speaking 
 for my comrade and myself — we shall be 
 proud for you to take tea with us — muffins sir 
 
 — shrimps, Mr. Bellew — also a pikelet or two. 
 
 — Not a great feast — but tolerable good ra- 
 tions, sir — and plenty of 'em — what do you 
 say? " 
 
 * ' I say — done, and thank you very much ! ' ' 
 So, without further parley, the Sergeant 
 saluted divers of the little crowd, and, wheeling 
 sharply, strode along beside Bellew, rather 
 more stiff in the back, and fixed of eye than 
 was his wont, and jingling his imaginary spurs 
 rather more loudly than usual. 
 
 " You will be wondering at the tantrums of
 
 THE MONEY MOON 155 
 
 the man Grimes, sir, — of his ordering me and 
 my comrade Peterday out of his cottage. Sir 
 
 — I'll tell you — in two words. It's all owing 
 to the sale — up at the Farm, sir. You see, 
 Grimes is a great hand at buying things un- 
 commonly cheap, and selling 'em — micom- 
 monly dear. To-day it seems — he was disap- 
 pointed — " 
 
 '' AhT " said Bellew. 
 
 * * At exactly — twenty-three minutes to six, 
 sir," said the Sergeant, consulting his large 
 silver watch, '' I were sitting in my usual cor- 
 ner — beside the chimley, sir, — when in comes 
 Grimes — like a thunder-cloud. — Calls for a 
 pint of ale — in a tankard. Tom draws pint — 
 which Tom is the landlord, sir. ' Buy anything 
 at the sale, Mr. Grimes? ' says Tom, — ' Sale! ' 
 says Grimes, ' sale indeed I ' and falls a cursing 
 
 — folk up at the Farm — shocking — outrag- 
 eous. Ends by threatening to foreclose mort- 
 gage — within the month. Upon which — I 
 raise a protest — upon which he grows abusive, 
 
 — upon which I was forced to pour his ale over 
 him, — after which I ran him out into the road 
 
 — and tliere it is, you see." 
 
 " And — he threatened to foreclose the mort- 
 gage on Dapplemere Farm, did he. Sergeant? " 
 ""Within the month, sirl — upon which I
 
 156 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 warned him — inn parlour no place — lady's 
 private money troubles — gaping crowd — 
 dammit! " 
 
 " And so he is turning you out of his cot- 
 tage? " 
 
 * * Within the week, sir, — but then — beer 
 down the neck — is rather unpleasant! " and 
 here the Sergeant uttered a short laugh, and 
 was immediately grave again. ** It isn't," he 
 went on, '' it isn't as I mind the inconvenience 
 of moving, sir — though I shall be mighty sorry 
 to leave the old place, still, it isn 't that so much 
 as the small corner cup-board, and my book- 
 shelf by the chimley. There never was such a 
 cup-board, — no sir, — there never was a cup- 
 board so well calculated to hold a pair o' jack 
 boots, not to mention spurs, highlows, burnish- 
 ers, shoulder-chains, polishing brushes, and — 
 a boot-jack, as that same small corner cup- 
 board. As for the book-shelf beside the chim- 
 ley, sir — exactly three foot three, — sunk in a 
 recess — height, the third button o' my coat, — 
 capacity, fourteen books. You couldn't get 
 another book on that shelf — no, not if you 
 tried with a sledge-hammer, or a hydraulic en- 
 gine. "Which is highly surprising when you 
 consider that fourteen books is the true, and 
 exact number of books as I possess.'*
 
 THE MONEY MOON 157 
 
 ** Very remarkable! " said Bellew. 
 
 *' Then again, — there's my comrade, — 
 Peter Day (The Sergeant pronounced it as 
 though it were all one word). Sir, my comrade 
 Peterday is a very remarkable man, — most 
 cobblers are. When he's not cobbling, he*s 
 reading, — when not reading, he's cobbling, or 
 mending clocks, and watches, and, betwixt this 
 and that, my comrade has picked up a power 
 of information, — though he lost his leg a do- 
 ing of it — in a gale of wind — off the Cape of 
 Good Hope, for my comrade was a sailor, sir. 
 Consequently he is a handy man, most sailors 
 are and makes his own wooden legs, sir, he is 
 also a musician — the tin whistle, sir, — and 
 here we are ! ' ' 
 
 Saying which, the Sergeant halted, wheeled, 
 opened a very small gate, and ushered Bellew 
 into a very small garden bright with flowers, 
 beyond which was a very small cottage indeed, 
 through the open door of which there issued a 
 most appetizing odour, accompanied by a whis- 
 tle, wonderfully clear, and sweet, that was ren- 
 dering " Tom Bowling " with many shakes, 
 trills, and astonishing runs. 
 
 Peterday was busied at the fire with a long 
 toasting-fork in his hand, but, on their en- 
 trance, breaking off his whistling in the very,
 
 15S THE MONEY MOON 
 
 middle of a note, he sprang nimbly to his feet, 
 (or rather, his foot), and stood revealed as a 
 short, yet strongly built man, with a face that, 
 in one way, resembled an island in that it was 
 completely surrounded by hair, and whisker. 
 But it was, in all respects, a vastly pleasant 
 island to behold, despite the somewhat craggy 
 prominences of chin, and nose, and brow. In 
 other words, it was a pleasing face notwith- 
 standing the fierce, thick eye-brows which were 
 more than offset by the merry blue eyes, and 
 the broad, humourous mouth below. 
 
 " Peterday," said the Sergeant, '' Mr. Bel- 
 lew! " 
 
 " Glad to see you sir," said the mariner, 
 saluting the visitor with a quick bob of the 
 head, and a backward scrape of the wooden leg. 
 ** You couldn't make port at a better time, sir, 
 — and because why! — because the kettle's a 
 biling, sir, the muffins is piping hot, and the 
 shrimps is a-laying hove to, waiting to be took 
 aboard, sir." Saying which, Peterday bobbed 
 his head again, shook liis wooden leg again, and 
 turned away to reach another cup and saucer. 
 
 It was a large room for so small a cottage, 
 and comfortably furnished, with a floor of red 
 tile, and with a grate at one end well raised up 
 from the hearth. Upon the hob a kettle sang
 
 THE MONEY MOON 159 
 
 murmiirously, and on a trivet stood a plate 
 whereon rose a tower of toasted muffins. A 
 round table occnpied the middle of the floor 
 and was spread with a snowy cloth whereon 
 cups and saucers were arranged, while in the 
 midst stood a great bowl of shrimps. 
 
 Now above the mantel-piece, that is to say, 
 to the left of it, and fastened to the wall, was a 
 length of rope cunningly tied into what is called 
 a ** running bowline," above this, on a shelf 
 specially contrived to hold it, was the model of 
 a full-rigged ship that was — to all appearances 
 — making excellent way of it, with every stitch 
 of canvas set and drawing, alow and aloft; 
 above this again, was a sextant, and a telescope. 
 Opposite all these, upon the other side of the 
 mantel, were a pair of stirrups, three pairs of 
 spurs, two cavalry sabres, and a carbine, while 
 between these objects, in the very middle of the 
 chimney, uniting, as it were, the Army, and the 
 Navy, was a portrait of Queen Victoria. 
 
 Bellew also noticed that each side of the 
 room partook of the same characteristics, one 
 being devoted to things nautical, the other to 
 objects military. All tliis Bellew noticed while 
 the soldier was brewing the tea, and the sailor 
 was bestowing the last finishing touches to the 
 muffins.
 
 160 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 " It aren't often as we're honoured wi' com- 
 pany, sir," said Peterday, as they sat down, 
 *' is it, Dick? " 
 
 *' No," answered the Sergeant, handing Bel- 
 lew the shrimps. 
 
 ** We ain't had company to tea," said Peter- 
 day, passing Bellew the muffins, *' no, we ain't 
 had company to tea since the last time Miss 
 Anthea, and Miss Priscilla honoured us, have 
 we, Dick? " 
 
 ** Honoured us," said the Sergeant, nodding 
 his head approvingly, " is the one, and only 
 word for it, Peterday." 
 
 " And the last time was this day twelve 
 months, sir, — because why? — because this 
 day twelve months 'appened to be Miss Pris- 
 cilla 's birthday, — consequently to-day is her 
 birthday, likewise, — wherefore the muffins, 
 and wherefore the shrimps, sir, for they was 
 this day to have once more graced our board, 
 Mr. Bellew." 
 
 " ' Graced our board,' " said the Sergeant, 
 nodding his head again, ** * graced our board,' 
 is the only expression for it, Peterday. But 
 they disappointed us, Mr. Bellew, sir, — on ac- 
 count of the sale." 
 
 " Messmate," said Peterday, with a note of 
 concern in his voice, ^' how's the wind? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 161 
 
 ** Tolerable, comrade, tolerable! " 
 
 " Theu — why forget the tea? '* 
 
 ** Tea! " said the Sergeant with a guilty 
 start, "why — so I am! — Mr. Bellew sir, — 
 your pardon ! " and, forthwith he began to pour 
 out the tea very solemnly, but with less pre- 
 cision of movement than usual, and with ab- 
 stracted gaze. 
 
 *' The Sergeant tells me you are a musician,*' 
 said Bellew, as Peterday handed him another 
 muffin. 
 
 ** A musician, — me! think o ' that now ! To 
 be sure, I do toot on the tin whistle now and 
 then, sir, such things as ' The British Grena- 
 diers,' and the * Girl I left behind me,' for my 
 shipmate, and * The Bay o' Biscay,' and * A 
 Life on the Ocean Wave,' for myself, — but a 
 musician, Lord! Ye see, sir," said Peterday, 
 taking advantage of the Sergeant's abstraction, 
 and whispering confidentially behind his muffin, 
 '* that messmate o' mine has such a high opin- 
 ion o' my gifts as is fair over-powering, and 
 a tin whistle is only a tin whistle, after all." 
 
 ** And it is about the only instrument I could 
 ever get the hang of," said Bellew. 
 
 ** Why — do you moan as you play, sir? " 
 
 *' Hardly that, but I make a good bluff at it." 
 
 ** Why then, — I've got a couple o' very good
 
 162 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 whistles, — if you're so minded we might try 
 a doo-et, sir, arter tea." 
 
 ** With pleasure!" nodded Bellew. But, 
 hereupon, Peterday noticing that the Sergeant 
 ate nothing, leaned over and touched him upon 
 the shoulder. 
 
 " How's the wind, now, Shipmate? " he en- 
 quired. 
 
 *< Why so so, Peterday, fairish! fairish! '* 
 said the Sergeant, stirring his tea round and 
 round, and with his gaze fixed upon the oppo- 
 site wall. 
 
 ** Then messmate, — why not a muffin, or 
 even a occasional shrimp, — where be your ap- 
 petite! " 
 
 * * Peterday, ' ' said the Sergeant, beginning to 
 stir his tea faster than ever, and with his eyes 
 still fixed, '* consequent upon disparaging re- 
 marks having been passed by one Grimes, — 
 our landlord, — concerning them as should not 
 be mentioned in a inn parlour — or anywhere 
 else — by such as said Grimes, — I was com- 
 pelled to pour — a tankard of beer — over said 
 Grimes, our landlord, — this arternoon, Peter- 
 day, at exactly — twelve and a half minutes 
 past six, by my watch, — which done, — I ran 
 our landlord — out into the road, Peterday, say 
 • — half a minute later, which would make it pre-
 
 THE MONEY MOON" 163 
 
 cisely thirteen minutes after the hour. Conse- 
 quent upon which, comrade — we have received 
 our marching orders." 
 
 ** Wliat messmate, is it heave our anchor, you 
 mean? " 
 
 '* I mean, comrade — that on Saturday next, 
 being the twenty-fifth instant, — we march out 
 
 — bag and baggage — horse, foot, and artil- 
 lery, — we evacuate our position — in face of 
 superior force, — for good and all, comrade." 
 
 '* Is that so, shipmate? " 
 ** It's rough on you, Peterday — it's hard on 
 you, I'll admit, but things were said, comrade 
 
 — relative to — business troubles of one as we 
 both respect, Peterday, — things was said as 
 called for — beer down the neck, — and run- 
 ning out into the road, comrade. But it's rough 
 on you, Peterday seeing as you — like the 
 Hussars at Assuan — was never engaged, so to 
 speak. ' ' 
 
 ** Aye, aye, Shipmate, that does ketch me, — 
 all aback, shipmate. Wliy Lord! I'd give a 
 pound, — two pound — ah, ten! — jnst to have 
 been astarn of him wi' a rope's end, — though 
 
 — come to think of it I'd ha' preferred a cap- 
 stan-l)ar. " 
 
 " Peterday," said the Sergeant removing his 
 gaze from the wall with a jerk, ** on the twenty-
 
 164 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 fifth instant we shall be — without a roof to 
 cover us, and — all my doing. Peterday — 
 what have you to say about it? " 
 
 *' Say, messmate, — why that you and me, 
 honouring, and respecting two ladies as de- 
 serves to be honoured, and respected, ain't go- 
 ing to let such a small thing as this here cottage 
 come betwixt us, and our honouring and re- 
 specting of them two ladies. If, therefore, we 
 are due to quit this anchorage, why then it's 
 all hands to the windlass with a heave yo ho, 
 and merrily! say I. Messmate, — my fist! " 
 Hereupon, with a very jerky movement indeed, 
 the Sergeant reached out his remaining arm, 
 and the soldier and the sailor shook hands very 
 solemnly over the muffins (already vastly di- 
 minished in number) with a grip that spoke 
 much. 
 
 * * Peterday, — you have lifted a load off my 
 heart — I thank ye comrade, — and spoke like 
 a true soldier. Peterday — the muffins! " 
 
 So now the Sergeant, himself once more, fell 
 to in turn, and they ate, and drank, and laughed, 
 and talked, until the shrimps were all gone, and 
 the muffins were things of the past. 
 
 And now, declining all Bellew's offers of as- 
 sistance, the soldier and the sailor began wash- 
 ing, and drying, and putting away their crock-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 165 
 
 ery, each iu bis cliaracteristic manner, — the 
 Sergeant very careful and exact, while the 
 sailor juggled cups and saucers with the sure- 
 handed deftness that seems peculiar to nautical 
 fingers. 
 
 '' Yes, Peterday," said the Sergeant, hang- 
 ing each cup upon its appointed nail, and set- 
 ting each saucer solicitously in the space re- 
 served for it on the small dresser, '' since you 
 have took our marching orders as you have 
 took 'em, I am quite reconciled to parting with 
 these here snug quarters, barring only — a 
 book-shelf, and a cup-board." 
 
 " Cupboard! " returned Peterday with a 
 snort of disdain, *' why there never was such a 
 ill-contrived, lubberly cupboard as that, in all 
 the world; you can't get at it unless you lay 
 over to port, — on account o' the clothes-press, 
 and then hard a starboard, — on account o' the 
 dresser, — and then it being in the darkest 
 corner — " 
 
 *' True Peterday, but then I'm used to it, and 
 use is everything as you know, — I can lay my 
 hand u})on anything — in a minute — watch 
 me! " Saying which, the Sergeant squeezed 
 himself between the press and the dresser, 
 opened the cupboard, and took thence several 
 articles which he named, each in order.
 
 166 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 a 
 
 A pair o* jack-boots, — two brushes, — 
 blacking, — and a burnisher." Having set 
 these down, one by one, upon the dresser, he 
 wheeled, and addressed himself to Bellew, as 
 follows : 
 
 ' * Mr. Bellew, sir, — this evening being the 
 anniversary of a certain — event, sir, I will ask 
 you — to excuse me — while I make the neces- 
 sary preparations — to honour this anniver- 
 sary — as is ever my custom." As he ended, 
 he dropped the two brushes, the blacking, and 
 the burnisher inside the legs of the boots, 
 picked them up with a sweep of the arm, and, 
 turning short round, strode out into the little 
 garden. 
 
 ' * A fine fellow is Dick, sir ! " nodded Peter- 
 day, beginning to fill a long clay pipe, ' ' Lord ! 
 
 — what a sailor he'd ha' made, to be sure! — 
 failing which he's as fine a soldier as ever was, 
 or will be, with enough war-medals to fill my 
 Sunday hat, sir. When he lost his arm they 
 gave him the V. C, and his discharge, sir, — be- 
 cause why — because a soldier wi' one arm 
 ain't any more good than a sailor wi' one leg, 
 d'ye see. So they tried to discharge Dick, but 
 
 — Lord love you! — they couldn't, sir, — be- 
 cause why? — because Dick were a soldier bred 
 and born, and is as much a soldier to-day, as
 
 THE MONEY MOON 167 
 
 ever he was, — ah ! and always will be — until 
 he goes marching aloft, — like poor Tom Bowl- 
 ing, — nntil one as is General of all the armies, 
 and Admiral of all the fleets as ever sailed, shall 
 call the last muster-roll, sir. At this present 
 moment, sir," continued the sailor, lighting his 
 pipe with a live coal from the fire, *' my mess- 
 mate is a-sitting to the leeward o' the plum tree 
 outside, a polishing of his jack-boots, — as 
 don't need polishing, and a burnishing of his 
 spurs, — as don't need burnishing. And be- 
 cause why? — because he goes on guard, to- 
 night, according to custom." 
 
 " On guard! " repeated Bellew, ''I'm afraid 
 I don't understand." 
 
 ** Of course you don't, sir," chuckled Peter- 
 day, " well then, to-niglit he marches away — 
 in full regimentals, sir, — to mount guard. 
 And — where, do you suppose? — why, I'll tell 
 you, — under Miss Priscilla's window ! He gets 
 there as the clock is striking eleven, and there 
 he stays, a marching to and fro, until twelve 
 o'clock. "Wliich does him a world o' good, sir, 
 and noways displeases Miss Priscilla, — be- 
 cause why? — because she don't know nothing 
 whatever about it." Hereupon, Peterday rose, 
 and crossing to a battered sea-man's chest in 
 the corner, came back with three or four tin
 
 168 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 whistles which he handed to Bellew, who laid 
 aside his pipe, and, having selected one, ran 
 tentatively up and down the scale while Peter- 
 day listened attentive of ear, and beaming of 
 face. 
 
 ' ' Sir, ' ' said he, * * what do you say to * Annie 
 Laurie ' as a start — shall we give 'em ' Annie 
 Laurie ' ? — very good ! — ready ? — go ! ' ' 
 
 Thus, George Bellew, American citizen, and 
 millionaire, piped away on a tin whistle with 
 all the gusto in the world, — introducing little 
 trills, and flourishes, here and there, that fairly 
 won the one-legged sailor's heart. 
 
 They had already * ' given 'em ' ' three or four 
 selections, each of which had been vociferously 
 encored by Peterday, or Bellew, — and had just 
 finished an impassioned rendering of the 
 ^' Suwanee Eiver," when the Sergeant ap- 
 peared with his boots beneath his arm. 
 
 '' Shipmate! " cried Peterday, flourishing 
 his whistle, *' did ye ever hear a tin whistle 
 better played, or mellerer in tone? " 
 
 * * Meller — is the only word for it, comrade, 
 — and your playing sirs, is — artistic — 
 though doleful. P'raps you wouldn't mind 
 giving us something brighter — a rattling 
 quick-step? P'raps you might remember one 
 as begins:
 
 THE MONEY MOON 169 
 
 * Some talk of Alexander 
 And some, of Hercules; ' 
 
 if it wouldn't be troubling you too much? " 
 
 Forthwitli they burst forth into '' The Brit- 
 ish Grenadiers! " and never did tin whistles 
 render the famous old tune with more fire, and 
 dash. As the stirring notes rang out, the Ser- 
 geant, standing upon the hearth, seemed to 
 grow taller, his broad chest expanded, his eyes 
 glowed, a flush crept up into his cheek, and the 
 whole man thrilled to the music as he had done, 
 many a time and oft, in years gone by. As the 
 last notes died away, he glanced down at the 
 empty sleeve pinned across his breast, shook 
 his head, and thanking them in a very gruff 
 voice indeed, turned on his heel, and busied 
 himself at his little cupboard. Peterday now 
 rose, and set a jug together with three glasses 
 upon the table, also spoons, and a lemon, keep- 
 ing his *' weather-eye " meanwhile, upon the 
 kettle, — which last, condescending to boil 
 obligingly, he rapped three times with his 
 wooden leg. 
 
 " "Right 0, shipmate! " he cried, very much 
 as though he had been hailing the ** main-top,'* 
 whereupon the Sergeant emerged from between 
 the clothes-press and the dresser with a black 
 bottle in his hand, which he passed over to
 
 170 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Peterday who set about brewing what lie called 
 a '^ jorum o' grog," the savour of which filled 
 the place with a right pleasant fragrance. And, 
 when the glasses brimmed, each with a slice of 
 lemon a-top, — the Sergeant solemnly rose. 
 
 *' Mr. Bellew, and comrade," said he, lifting 
 his glass, " I give you — Miss Priscilla! " 
 
 " God bless her! " said Peterday. 
 
 ** Amen! " added Bellew. So the toast was 
 drunk, — the glasses were emptied, re-filled, 
 and emptied again, — this time more slowly, 
 and, the clock striking nine, Bellew rose to take 
 his leave. Seeing which, the Sergeant fetched 
 his hat and stick, and volunteered to accompany 
 him a little way. So when Bellew had shaken 
 the sailor's honest hand, they set out together. 
 
 *' Sergeant," said Bellew, after they had 
 walked some distance, '^ I have a message for 
 you. ' ' 
 
 '* For me, sir? " 
 
 '* From Miss Priscilla." 
 
 " From — indeed, sir! " 
 
 * * She bid me tell you that — the peaches are 
 riper to-night than ever they were." 
 
 The Sergeant seemed to find in this a sub- 
 ject for profound thought, and he strode on 
 beside Bellew very silently, and with his eyes 
 straight before him.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 171 
 
 '* ' That the peaches were riper, — to-night, 
 — than ever they were I ' " said he at last. 
 
 " Yes, Sergeant." 
 
 ** Riper! " said the Sergeant, as though 
 turning this over in his mind. 
 
 " l\iper than ever they were! " nodded Bel- 
 lew. 
 
 *' The — peaches, I think, sir? " 
 
 ** The peaches, yes." Bellew lieard the Ser- 
 geant's finger rasping to and fro across his 
 shaven chin. 
 
 " Mr. Bellew, sir — she is a — very remark- 
 able woman, sir! " 
 
 " Yes, Sergeant! " 
 
 " A — wonderful woman! " 
 
 *' Yes, Sergeant! " 
 
 ** The kind of woman that — improves with 
 age, sir! " 
 
 ** Yes, Sergeant." 
 
 " Talking of — peaches, sir, I've often 
 thought — she is — very like a peach — her- 
 self, sir." 
 
 " Very, Sergeant, but — " 
 
 ♦' Well, sir? " 
 
 ** Peaches do — not improve with age. Ser- 
 geant, — * and the peaches are — riper than 
 ever they were, — to-night! ' " The Sergeant 
 stepped short, and stared at Bellew wide-eyed.
 
 172 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 "Why — sir,'^ said lie very slowly, *' you 
 don't mean to say you — think as she — meant 
 — that—? " 
 
 * ' But I do ! " nodded Bellew. And now, just 
 as suddenly as he had stopped, the Sergeant 
 turned, and went on again. 
 
 " Lord! " he whispered — *' Lord! Lord! " 
 
 The moon was rising, and looking at the Ser- 
 geant, Bellew saw that there was a wonderful 
 light in his face, yet a light that was not of 
 the moon. 
 
 '' Sergeant," said Bellew, laying a hand 
 upon his shoulder, '* why don't you speak to 
 her? " 
 
 " Speak to her, — what me! No, no, Mr. 
 Bellew! " said the Sergeant, hastily. " No, 
 no, — can't be done, sir, — not to be mentioned, 
 or thought of, sir! " The light was all gone 
 out of his face, now, and he walked with his 
 chin on his breast. 
 
 " The surprising thing to me, Sergeant, is 
 that you have never thought of putting your 
 fortune to the test, and — speaking your mind 
 to her, before now." 
 
 ^' Thought of it, sir! " repeated the Ser- 
 geant, bitterly, ' ' thought of it ! — Lord, sir ! 
 I've thought of it — these five years — and 
 more. I've thought of it — day and night.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 173 
 
 I've thought of it so very much that I know — 
 I never can — speak my mind to her. Look at 
 me! " he cried suddenly, wheeling and con- 
 fronting BcUew, but not at all like his bold, 
 erect, soldierly self, — "Yes, look at me, — 
 a poor, battered, old soldier — with his — best 
 arm gone, — left behind him in India, and with 
 nothing in the world but his old uniform, — 
 getting very frayed and worn, — like himself, 
 sir, — a pair o' jack boots, likewise very much 
 worn, though wonderfully patched, here and 
 there, by my good comrade, Peterday, — a 
 handful of medals, and a very modest pension. 
 Look at me, with the best o' my days behind 
 me, and wi' only one arm left — and I'm a deal 
 more awkward and helpless with that one arm 
 than you'd think, sir, — look at me, and then 
 toll me how could such a man dare to speak his 
 mind to — such a woman. What right has — 
 such a man to even think of speaking his mind 
 to — such a woman, when there's part o' that 
 man already in the grave? ^^^ly, no right, sir, 
 
 — none in the world. Poverty, and one arm, 
 are facts as make it impossible for that man to 
 
 — ever speak his mind. And, sir — that man — 
 never will. Sir, — good night to you! — and 
 a pleasant walk! — I turn back here." 
 
 Which the Sergeant did, then and there,
 
 174 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 wheeling sharp right about face; yet, as Bel- 
 lew watched him go, he noticed that the soIt 
 dier's step was heavy, and slow, and it seemed 
 that, for once, the Sergeant had even forgotten 
 to put on his imaginary spurs.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 In which Adam explains 
 
 "Adam! " 
 
 *' Yes, Miss Antliea." 
 
 '* How much money did Mr. Bellew give you 
 to — buy the furniture? " 
 
 Miss Anthea was sitting in her great elbow 
 chair, leaning forward with her chin in her 
 hand, looking at him in the way which always 
 seemed to Adam as though she could see into 
 the verimost recesses of his mind. Therefore 
 Adam twisted liis hat in his hands, and stared 
 at the ceiling, and the floor, and the table be- 
 fore Miss Anthea, and the wall behind Miss 
 Anthea — anywhere but at Miss Anthea. 
 
 * ' You ax me — how much it were, Miss An- 
 thea? " 
 
 " Yes, Adam." 
 
 *' Well, — it were a goodish sum.*' 
 
 *' Was it — fifty pounds? " 
 
 *' Fifty pound! " repeated Adam, in a tone 
 of lofty disdain, *' no. Miss Anthea, it were not 
 fifty pound." 
 
 '* Do you mean it was — more? "
 
 176 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ( i 
 
 'Ah!" nodded Adam, " I mean as it were a 
 sight more. If you was to take the fifty pound 
 you mention, add twenty more, and then an- 
 other twenty to that, and then come ten more 
 to that, — why then — you 'd be a bit nigher the 
 figure — " 
 
 '^ A hundred pounds! " exclaimed Anthea, 
 aghast. 
 
 '' Ah! a hundred pound! " nodded Adam, 
 rolling the words upon his tongue with great 
 gusto, — ' ' one — hundred — pound, were the 
 sum, Miss Anthea." 
 
 " Oh, Adam! " 
 
 ' ' Lord love you, Miss Anthea ! — that 
 weren't nothing, — that were only a flea-bite, 
 as you might say, — he give more — ah! nigh 
 double as much as that for the side-board." 
 
 '' Nonsense, Adam! " 
 
 " It be gospel true, Miss Anthea. That there 
 sideboard were the plum o' the sale, so to 
 speak, an' old Grimes had set 'is 'eart on it, 
 d'ye see. Well, it were bid up to eighty-six 
 pound, an' then Old Grimes 'e goes twenty 
 more, making it a hundred an' six. Then — 
 jest as I thought it were all over, an' jest as 
 that there Old Grimes were beginning to swell 
 hisself up wi' triumph, an' get that red in the 
 face as 'e were a sight to behold, — Mr. Belloo,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 177 
 
 who'd beeu lightiu' Is pipe all this time, up 
 and sez, — ' Fifty up ! ' 'e sez iu his quiet way, 
 makiug it a hundred an' fifty-six pound, Miss 
 Anthea, — which were too much for Grimes, — 
 Lord ! I thought as that there man were going 
 to burst. Miss Anthea! " and Adam gave vent 
 to his great laugh at the mere recollection. 
 But ^Vnthea was grave enough, and the 
 troubled look in her eyes quickly sobered 
 him. 
 
 '* A hundred and fifty-six pounds! " she re- 
 peated in an awed voice, '' but it — it is aw- 
 ful! " 
 
 '' Steepish ! " admitted Adam, ''pretty steep- 
 ish for a old sideboard, I'll allow. Miss Anthea, 
 
 — but you see it were a personal matter be- 
 twLxt Grimes an' ^Ir. Bolloo. I began to think 
 as they never would ha' left off biddin', an' by 
 George! — T don't believe as Mr. Belloo ever 
 would have left off biddin'. Ye see, there's 
 summ'at about Mr. Belloo, — whether it be his 
 voice, or his eye, or his chin, — T don't know, 
 
 — but there be summ'at about him as says, 
 very distinct that if so be 'e should 'appon to 
 set 'is mind on a thing, — why »e's a-going to 
 get it, an' 'e ain't a-going to give in till 'e do 
 get it. Ye see. Miss Anthea, 'e's so very quiet 
 in 'is ways, an' speaks so soft, an* gentle, —
 
 178 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 p'raps that's it. Say, for instance, 'e were to 
 ax you for summ'at, an' you said ' No ' — well, 
 'e wouldn't make no fuss about it, — not 'im, 
 — he'd jest — take it, that's what he'd do. As 
 for that there sideboard he'd a sat there a 
 bidding and a bidding all night I do believe." 
 
 " But, Adam, why did he do it? Why did 
 he buy — all that furniture? " 
 
 * * Well, — to keep it from being took away, 
 p'raps! " 
 
 '' Oh, Adam! — what am I to do? " 
 
 " Do, Miss Anthea? " 
 
 ' ' The mortgage must be paid off — dread- 
 fully soon — you know that, and — I can't — 
 Oh, I can't give the money back — " 
 
 * ' Why — give it back ! — No, a course not. 
 Miss Anthea! " 
 
 '' But I — can't — keep it! " 
 
 " Can't keep it, Miss Anthea mam, — an* 
 why not? " 
 
 '' Because I'm very sure he doesn't want all 
 those things, — the idea is quite — absurd ! 
 And yet, — even if the hops do well, the money 
 they bring will hardly be enough by itself, and 
 so — I was selling my furniture to make it up, 
 and — now — Oh ! what am I to do ? " and 
 she leaned her head wearily upon her hand. 
 
 Now, seeing her distress, Adam all sturdy
 
 THE MONEY MOON 179 
 
 loyalty that lie was, must needs sigh in sym- 
 pathy, and fell, once more, to twisting his hat 
 until he had fairly wrung it out of all semblance 
 to its kind, twisting and screwing it between 
 his strong hands as though he would fain wring 
 out of it some solution to the problem that so 
 perplexed his mistress. Then, all at once, the 
 frown vanished from his brow, his grip loos- 
 ened upon his unfortunate hat, and his eye 
 brightened with a sudden gleam. 
 
 " Miss Anthea," said he, drawing a step 
 nearer, and lowering his voice mysteriously, 
 " supposing as I was to tell you that 'e 
 did want that furnitur', — ah! an* wanted it 
 bad? " 
 
 " Now how can he, Adam? It isn't as 
 though he lived in England," said Anthea, 
 shaking her head, '* his home is thousands of 
 miles away, — he is an American, and be- 
 sides — " 
 
 < < Ah ! — but then — even a American — 
 may get married, Miss Anthea, mam! ** said 
 Adam. 
 
 " ^farricf]! " she repeated, glancing up very 
 quickly, ** Adam — what do you mean? " 
 
 *' Whv vou must know," began Adam, 
 wringing at his hat again, *' ever since the day 
 I found him asleep in your hay. Miss Anthea,
 
 180 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 mam, Mr. Belloo has been very kind, and — 
 friendly like. Mr. Belloo an' me 'ave smoked 
 a good many sociable pipes together, an' 
 when men smoke together, Miss Anthea, they 
 likewise talk together." 
 
 ' ' Yes I — Well ? ' ' said Anthea, rather 
 breathlessly, and taking up a pencil that hap- 
 pened to be lying near to hand. 
 
 " And Mr. Belloo," continued Adam, heav- 
 ily, ' ' Mr. Belloo has done me — the — the 
 honour," here Adam paused to give an extra 
 twist to his hat, — ' ' the — honour. Miss An- 
 thea— " 
 
 *' Yes, Adam." 
 
 * ' Of con-fiding to me 'is 'opes — ' ' said 
 Adam slowly, finding it much harder to frame 
 his well-meaning falsehood than he had sup- 
 posed, ''his — H-0-P-E-S — 'opes, Miss An- 
 thea, of settling down very soon, an' of mar- 
 ryin' a fine young lady as 'e 'as 'ad 'is eye on 
 a goodish time, — 'aving knowed her from 
 childhood's hour, Miss Anthea, and as lives up 
 to Lonnon — ' ' 
 
 " Yes — Adam! " 
 
 ''Consequently — 'e bought all your furni- 
 tur' to set up 'ousekeepin ', don't ye see." 
 
 ' ' Yes, — I see, Adam ! ' ' Her voice was low, 
 soft and gentle as ever, but the pencil was
 
 THE MONEY MOON 181 
 
 tracing meaningless scrawls in her shaking 
 fingers. 
 
 '* So you don't 'ave to be no-wise back-ard 
 about keepin' the money, ^liss ^Vnthea." 
 
 '* Oh no, — no, of course not, I — I under- 
 stand, it was — just a — business transaction.'^ 
 
 *'Ah! — that's it, — a business transac- 
 tion!" nodded Adam, "So you'll put the 
 money a one side to help pay off the mortgage^ 
 eh. Miss Anthea? " 
 
 ** Yes." 
 
 " If the 'ops comes up to what they promise 
 to come up to, — you'll be able to get rid of 
 Old Grimes — for good an' all, Miss Anthea.'* 
 
 *♦ Yes, Adam." 
 
 "An' you be quite easy in your mind, now. 
 Miss Anthea — about keepin' the money? " 
 
 ' ' Quite ! — Thank you, Adam — for — tell- 
 ing me. You can go now." 
 
 ' ' Wliy then — Good-night ! Miss Anthea, 
 mam, — tlie mortgage is as good as paid, — 
 there ain't no such 'ops nowhere near so good 
 as our'n be. An' — you're quite free o' care, 
 an' 'appy 'earted. Miss Anthea? " 
 
 " Quite — Oh quite, Adam! " 
 
 But whon Adam's heavy tread had died 
 awav. — when she was all alone, she behaved 
 rather strangely for one so free of care, and
 
 182 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 happy-hearted. Something bright and glisten- 
 ing splashed upon the paper before her, the 
 pencil slipped from her fingers, and, with a 
 sudden, choking cry, she swayed forward, and 
 hid her face in her hands.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 In which Adam proposes a game 
 
 ** To be, or not to be! " Bellew leaned against 
 the mighty bole of '' King Arthur," and stared 
 up at the moon with knitted brows. *' That 
 is the question! — whether I sliall brave the 
 slings, and arrows and things, and — speak to- 
 night, and have done with it — one way or an- 
 other, or live on, a while, secure in this uncer- 
 tainty? To wait? Whether I shall, at this so 
 early stage, pit all my chances of happiness 
 against the chances of — losing her, and with 
 her — Small Porges, bless him ! and all the 
 quaint, and lovable beings of this wonderful 
 Arcadia of mine. For, if her answer be ' No,* 
 — what recourse have I, — what is there left 
 me but to go wandering forth again, following 
 tlie wind, and with the gates of Arcadia shut 
 upon me for over? * To be, or not to be, — 
 that is the question! ' " 
 
 '* Be that you, :\lr. Belloo, sir? " 
 *' Even so, Adam. Come sit ye a while, good 
 knave, and gaze upon Dian's loveliness, and 
 smoke, and let us converse of dead kings.'*
 
 184 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '< "WTiy, kings ain't much in my line, sir, — 
 living or dead uns, — me never 'aving seen any 
 
 — except a pic'ter, — and that tore, though 
 very life-like. But why I were a lookin' for 
 you was to ax you to back me up, — an' to 
 
 — play the game, Mr. Belloo sir. ' ' 
 
 *' .Why — as to that, my good Adam, — my 
 gentle Daphnis, — my rugged Euphemio, — you 
 may rely upon me to the uttermost. Are you in 
 trouble ? Is it counsel you need, or only money! 
 Fill your pipe, and, while you smoke, confide 
 your cares to me, — put me wise, or, as your 
 French cousins would say, — ^make me * au fait.'" 
 
 " Well," began Adam, when his pipe was 
 well alight, '^ in the first place, Mr. Belloo sir, 
 I begs to remind you, as Miss Anthea sold her 
 furnitur' to raise enough money as with what 
 the 'ops will bring, might go to pay off the 
 mortgage, — for good an' all, sir." 
 
 ''Yes." 
 
 *' Well, to-night, sir. Miss Anthea calls me 
 into the parlour to ax, — or as you might say, 
 
 — en-quire as to the why, an' likewise the 
 wherefore of you a buyin' all that furnitur'." 
 
 " Did she, Adam? " 
 
 *'A}i! — 'why did 'e do it?' says she — 
 * well, to keep it from bein' took away, p'raps,' 
 says I — sharp as any gimblet, sir."
 
 THE MONEY MOON 185 
 
 " Good! " nodded Bellew. 
 
 * * All ! — but it wereu 't no good, sir, ' ' re- 
 turned Adam, " because she sez as 'ow your 
 'ome being in ^\jnerica, you couldn't really need 
 the furnitur', — nor yet want the furnitur', — 
 an' blest if she wasn't talkin' of handing you 
 the money back again." 
 
 ' * Hum ! ' ' said Bellew. 
 
 " Seeing which, sir, an' because she must 
 have that money if she 'opes to keep the roof 
 of Dapplemere over 'er 'ead, I, there an' then, 
 made up, — or as you might say, — con-cocted 
 a story, a anecdote, or a yarn, — upon the spot, 
 Mr. Belloo sir." 
 
 "Most excellent ^rachiavelli! — proceed!'* 
 
 " I told her, sir, as you bought that furni- 
 tur' on account of you being wishful to settle 
 down, — whereat she starts, an' looks at me 
 wi' her eyes big, an' surprised-like. I told 'er, 
 likewise, as you had told me on the quiet, — 
 or as you might say, — con-fi-dential, tliat you 
 bought that furnitur' to set up 'ouse-keeping 
 on account o' you being on the p'iiit o' marry- 
 ing a fine young lady up to Lonnon, — " 
 
 ** Wliat! " Bellew didn't move, nor did he 
 raise his voice, — nevertheless Adam started 
 back, and instinctively threw up his arm. 
 
 *' You — told her — that? "
 
 186 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ^' I did sir." 
 
 * ' But you knew it was a — confounded lie. ' ' 
 
 *' Aye, — I knowed it. But I'd tell a hun- 
 dred, — ah! thousands o' lies, con-founded, or 
 otherwise, — to save Miss Anthea. ' ' 
 
 '* To save her? " 
 
 ' ' From ruination, sir ! From losing Dapple- 
 mere Farm, an' every thing she has in the 
 world. Lord love ye ! — the 'ops can never 
 bring in by theirselves all the three thousand 
 pounds as is owing, — it ain't to be expected, 
 — but if that three thousand pound ain't paid 
 over to that dirty Grrimes by next Saturday 
 week as ever was, that dirty Grimes turns Miss 
 Anthea out o' Dapplemere, wi' Master Georgy, 
 an' poor little Miss Priscilla, — An' what '11 
 become o ' them then, — I don 't know. Lord ! 
 when I think of it the ' Old Adam ' do rise up 
 in me to that extent as I'm minded to take a 
 pitch-fork and go and skewer that there Grimes 
 to his own chimbley corner. Ye see Mr. Belloo 
 sir," he went on, seeing Bellew was silent still, 
 '' Miss Anthea be that proud, an' independent 
 that she'd never ha' took your monej^, sir, if 
 I hadn't told her that there lie, — so that's why 
 I did tell her that here lie." 
 
 " I see," nodded Bellew, *' I see! — yes, — 
 you did quite right. You acted for the best, and
 
 THE MONEY MOON 1S7 
 
 YOU — did quite right, Adam, — yes, quite 
 right." 
 
 ** Thankee sir! " 
 
 ' * And so — this is the game I am to play, 
 is it! " 
 
 " That's it, sir; if she ax's you, — * are you 
 goin' to get married? ' — you'll tell her ' yes, — 
 to a lady as you've knowed from your child- 
 hood's hour, — living in Lon'non,' — that's all, 
 sir." 
 
 *' That's all is it, Adam!" said Bellew 
 slowly, turning to look up at the moon again. 
 ** It doesn't sound very much, does it? "Well, 
 I'll play your game, — Adam, — yes, you may 
 depend upon me." 
 
 ** Thankee, !Mr. Belloo sir, — thankee sir! — 
 though I do 'ope as you'll excuse me for taking 
 such liberties, an' making so free wi' your 
 'eart, and your affections, sir? " 
 
 "Oh certainly, Adam! — the cause excuses 
 — everything. ' ' 
 
 " Then, good-night, sir! " 
 
 " Good-night, Adam! " 
 
 So this good, well-meaning Adam strode 
 away, proud on the whole of his night's work, 
 leaving Bellew to frown up at the moon with 
 teeth clenched tight upon his pipe-stem.
 
 CHAPTER XVn 
 How Bellew began the game 
 
 Now in this life of ours, there be games of 
 many, and divers, sorts, and all are calculated 
 to try the nerve, courage, or skill of the player, 
 as the case may be. Bellew had played many 
 kinds of games in his day, and, among others, 
 had once been famous as a Right Tackle on the 
 Harvard Eleven. Upon him he yet bore cer- 
 tain scars received upon a memorable day when 
 Yale, flushed with success, saw their hitherto 
 invincible line rent and burst asunder, saw a 
 figure torn, bruised, and bleeding, flash out and 
 away down the field to turn defeat into victory, 
 and then to be borne off honourably to hospital, 
 and bed. 
 
 If Bellew thought of this, by any chance, as 
 he sat there, staring up at the moon, it is very 
 sure that, had the choice been given him, he 
 would joyfully have chosen the game of torn 
 flesh, and broken bones, or any other game, no 
 matter how desperate, rather than this par- 
 ticular game that Adam had invented, and 
 thrust upon him.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 189 
 
 Presently Bellew knocked the ashes from his 
 pipe, and rising, walked on slowly toward the 
 honse. As he approached, he heard someone 
 playing the piano, and the music accorded well 
 with his mood, or his mood witli the music, for 
 it was haunting, and very sweet, and with a 
 recurring melody in a minor key, that seemed 
 to voice all the sorrow of Humanity, past, pres- 
 ent, and to come. 
 
 Drawn hy the music, he crossed the Rose 
 Garden, and reaching the terrace, paused there; 
 for the long French windows were open, and, 
 from where he stood, he could see Anthea 
 seated at the piano. She was dressed in a white 
 gown of some soft, clinging material, and 
 among the hea\"y braids of her hair was a sin- 
 gle great, red rose. And, as he watched, he 
 thought she had never looked more beautiful 
 than now, with the soft glow of the candles 
 upon her ; for her face reflected the tender sad- 
 ness of the music, it was in the mournful droop 
 of her scarlet lips, and the sombre depths of 
 her eyes. Close beside her sat little Miss Pris- 
 cilla busy with hor needle as usual, but now she 
 paused, and lifting her head in her quick, bird- 
 like way, looked up at Anthea, long, and fixedly. 
 
 " Anthea my dear,*' said she suddenly, *' I'm 
 fond of music, and I love to hear you play, as
 
 190 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 yon know, — but I never heard you play quite 
 so — dolefully! dear me, no, — that's not the 
 right word, — nor dismal, — but I mean some- 
 thing between the two." 
 
 ** I thought you were fond of Grieg, Aunt 
 Priscilla. ' ' 
 
 *' So I am, but then, even in his gayest mo- 
 ments, poor Mr. Grieg was always breaking 
 his heart over something, or other. And — 
 Gracious ! — there 's Mr. Bellew at the window. 
 Pray come in, Mr. Bellew, and tell us how you 
 liked Peterday, and the muffins'? " 
 
 '' Thank you! " said Bellew, stepping in 
 through the long French window, '' but I 
 should like to hear Miss Anthea play again, 
 first, if she will? " 
 
 But Anthea, who had already risen from the 
 piano, shook her head: 
 
 * * I only play when I feel like it, — to please 
 myself, — and Aunt Priscilla," said she, cross- 
 ing to the broad, low window-seat, and leaning 
 out into the fragrant night. 
 
 << Why then," said Bellew, sinking into the 
 easy-chair that Miss Priscilla indicated with a 
 little stab of her needle, ** why then the muffins 
 were delicious. Aunt Priscilla, and Peterday 
 was just exactly what a one-legged mariner 
 ought to be."
 
 THE MONEY MOON 191 
 
 ** And the shrimps, Mr. Bellewf " enquired 
 Miss Priscilla, busy at her sewing again. 
 
 '* Out-shrimped all other shrimps so ever! " 
 he answered, glancing to where Anthea sat with 
 her chin propped in her hand, gazing up at 
 the waning moon, seemingly quite oblivious of 
 him. 
 
 "And did — He — pour out the teal** en- 
 quired Miss Priscilla, " from the china pot with 
 the blue flowers and the Chinese Mandarin 
 fanning himself, — and very awkward, of 
 course, with his one hand, — I don't mean the 
 Mandarin, Mr. Bellew, — and very full of apol- 
 ogies? " 
 
 "He did." 
 
 " Just as usual; yes he always does, — and 
 every year he gives me three lumps of sugar, — 
 and I only take one, you know. It's a pity," 
 sighed Miss Priscilla, " that it was his right 
 arm, — a great pity! " And here she sighed 
 again, and, catching herself, glanced up quickly 
 at Bellew, and smiled to see how completely ab- 
 sorbed he was in contemplation of the silent 
 figure in the window-seat. " But, after all, 
 better a right arm — than a log," she pursued, 
 — "at least, I think so ! " 
 
 " Certainly! " murmured Bellew. 
 
 " A man with only one leg, you see, would
 
 192 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 be almost as helpless as an — old woman with 
 a crippled foot, — ' ' 
 
 '^ Who grows younger, and brighter, every 
 year! " added Bellew, turning to her with his 
 pleasant smile, ' ' yes, and I tliink, — prettier ! ' ' 
 
 '* Oh, Mr. Bellew! " exclaimed Miss Priscilla 
 shaldng her head at him reprovingly, yet look- 
 ing pleased, none the less, — '* how can you be 
 so ridiculous, — Good gracious me ! ' ' 
 
 '* Why, it was the Sergeant who put it into 
 my head, — " 
 
 '' The Sergeant? " 
 
 ** Yes, — it was after I had given him your 
 message about peaches. Aunt Priscilla and — " 
 
 *' Oh dear heart! " exclaimed Miss Priscilla, 
 at this juncture, " Prudence is out, to-night, 
 and I promised to bake the bread for her, and 
 here I sit chatting, and gossipping while that 
 bread goes rising, and rising all over the 
 kitchen! " And Miss Priscilla laid aside her 
 sewing, and catching up her stick, hurried to 
 the door. 
 
 ** And I was almost forgetting to wish you 
 *many happy returns of the day. Aunt Pris- 
 cilla! ' " said Bellew, rising. 
 
 At this familiar appellation, Anthea turned 
 sharply, in time to see him stoop, and kiss Miss 
 Priscilla 's small, white Land; whereupon An-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 193 
 
 thea must needs curl her lip at liis broad back. 
 Then he opened the door, and Miss Priscilla 
 tapped away, even more quickly than usual. 
 
 Anthea was half-sitting, half-kneeling among 
 the cushions in the corner of the deep window, 
 apparently still lost in contemplation of the 
 moon. So much so, that she did not stir, or 
 even lower her up-ward gaze, when Bellew 
 came, and stood beside her. 
 
 Therefore, taking advantage of the fixity of 
 her regard, he, once more, became absorbed in 
 her loveliness. Surely a most unwise proceed- 
 ing — in Arcadia, by the light of a midsummer 
 moon ! And he mentally contrasted the dark, 
 proud beauty of her face, with that of all the 
 women he had ever known, — to their utter, 
 and complete disparagement. 
 
 " TVoll? " enquired Anthea, at last, perfectly 
 conscious of his look, and finding the silence 
 growing irksome, yet still witli her eyes 
 averted,— '' Well, Mr. Bellow? " 
 
 " On the contrary," he answered, '' the moon 
 is on the wane! " 
 
 " Tlie moon ! " she repeated, " Suppose it is, 
 — what then? " 
 
 '* True ]ia]jpiness can only come riding 
 astride the full moon you know, — you remem- 
 ber old Nannie told us so."
 
 194 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 (< 
 
 And you — believed it? " she enquired 
 scornfully. 
 
 << Whj, of course! " he answered in his quiet 
 way. 
 
 Anthea didn 't speak but, once again, the curl 
 of her lip was eloquent. 
 
 ** And so," he went on, quite unabashed, 
 '' when I behold Happiness riding astride the 
 full moon, I shall just reach up, in the most 
 natural mannei' in the world, and — take it 
 down, that it may abide with me, world without 
 end." 
 
 *' Do you think you will be tall enough? " 
 
 " We shall see, — when the time comes." 
 
 * * I think it 's all very ridiculous ! ' ' said An- 
 thea. 
 
 ' * Why then — suppose you play for me, that 
 same, plaintive piece you were playing as I 
 came in, — something of Grieg's I think it was, 
 — will you. Miss Anthea? " 
 
 She was on the point of refusing, then, as if 
 moved by some capricious whim, she crossed to 
 the piano, and dashed into the riotous music 
 of a Polish Dance. As the wild notes leapt 
 beneath her quick, brown fingers, Bellew, seated 
 near-by, kept his eyes upon the great, red rose 
 in her hair, that nodded slyly at him with her 
 every movement. And surely, in all the world,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 195 
 
 tliere had never bloomed a more tantalizing, 
 more wantonly provoking rose than this! 
 Wherefore Bellew, very wisely, turned his eyes 
 from its glowing temptation. Doubtless ob- 
 serving which, the rose, in evident desperation, 
 nodded, and swayed, until, it had fairly nodded 
 itself from its sweet resting-place, and, falling 
 to the floor, lay within Bellew 's reach. Where- 
 upon, he promptly stooped, and picked it up, 
 and, — even as, with a last, crashing chord, 
 Anthea ceased playing, and turned, in that 
 same moment he dropped it deftly into his coat 
 pocket. 
 
 "Oh! by the way, Mr. Bellow," she said, 
 speaking as if the idea had but just entered 
 her mind, ** what do you intend to do about — 
 all your furniture? " 
 
 ** Do about it? " he repeated, settling the 
 rose carefully in a corner of his pocket where 
 it would not be crushed by his pipe. 
 
 '* I mean — where would you like it — stored 
 until you can send, and have it — taken 
 awayt " 
 
 "Well, — I — or — rather thought of keep- 
 ing it — where it was if you didn't mind." 
 
 "I'm afraid tliat will be — impossible, Mr. 
 Bellew." 
 
 " Why then tlio barn will be an excellent
 
 196 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 place for it, I don't suppose the rats and mice 
 will do it any real harm, and as for the damp, 
 and the dust — ' ' 
 
 " Oh! you know what I mean! " exclaimed 
 Anthea, beginning to tap the floor impatiently 
 with her foot. *' Of course we can't go on us- 
 ing the things now that they are your property, 
 it — wouldn 't be — right. ' ' 
 
 *' Very well," he nodded, his fingers quest- 
 ing anxiously after the rose again, ''I'll get 
 Adam to help me to shift it all into the barn, 
 to-morrow morning." 
 
 *' Will you please be serious, Mr. Bellew! " 
 
 "As an owl ! " he nodded. 
 
 << Why then — of course you will be leaving 
 Dapplemere soon, and I should like to know ex- 
 actly when, so that I can — make the necessary 
 arrangements. ' ' 
 
 '' But you see, I am not leaving Dapplemere 
 soon or even thinking of it. ' ' 
 
 '' Not! " she repeated, glancing up at him 
 in swift surprise. 
 
 '' Not until — you bid me." 
 
 ''You! " 
 
 ' ' But I — I understood that you — intend to 
 — settle down? " 
 
 " Certainly! " nodded Bellew, transferring
 
 THE MONEY MOON 197 
 
 his pipe to another pocket altogether, lest it 
 should damage the rose's tender petals. '* To 
 settle down has lately hecome the — er — am- 
 hition of my life." 
 
 '* Then pray," said Anthea, taking up a sheet 
 of music, and beginning to study it with atten- 
 tive eyes, '* be so good as to tell me — what you 
 mean." 
 
 '* That necessarily brings us back to the 
 moon again," answered Bellew. 
 
 '' The moon? " 
 
 '' The moon! " 
 
 ** But what in the world has the moon to do 
 with your furniture? " she demanded, her foot 
 beginning to tap again. 
 
 ' * Everything ! — I bought that furniture 
 with — er — with one eye on the moon, as it 
 were, — consequently the furniture, the moon, 
 and T, are bound indissolubly together." 
 
 *' You are ]ileased to talk in riddles, to-night, 
 and really, Mr. Bellew, I have no time to waste 
 over them, so, if you will excuse me — " 
 
 *' Thank you for playing to me," he said, as 
 he held the door open for her. 
 
 " I played because I — I felt like it, Mr. 
 Bellow." 
 
 ** Nevertheless, I thank you." 
 
 " AYlien you make up your mind about — tlie 
 furniture, — j)lease let me know."
 
 198 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ** When the moon is at the full, yes.** 
 
 ** Can it be possible that you are still harping 
 on the wild words of poor old Nannie? " she 
 exclaimed, and once more, she curled her lip 
 at him. 
 
 ** Nannie is very old, I'll admit,** he nodded, 
 ** but surely you remember that we proved her 
 right in one particular, — I mean about the 
 Tiger Mark, you know. ' ' 
 
 Now, when he said this, for no apparent rea- 
 son, the eyes that had hitherto been looking 
 into his, proud and scornful, — wavered, and 
 v^^ere hidden under their long, thick lashes ; the 
 colour flamed in her cheeks, and, without an- 
 other word, she was gone.
 
 CHAPTER XVin 
 
 Hoiv the Sergeant ivent upon his guard 
 
 The Arcadians, one and all, generally follow 
 that excellent maxim which runs: 
 
 ♦• Early to bed, and early to rise 
 Makes a man healthy, and wealthy, and wise. " 
 
 Ilealthy they are, beyond a doubt, and, in their 
 quaint, simple fashion, profoundly wise. If 
 they are not extraordinarily wealthy, yet are 
 they generally blessed with contented minds, 
 which, after all, is better than money, and far 
 more to be desired than fine gold. 
 
 Now whether their general health, happiness, 
 and wisdom is to be attributed altogether to 
 their early to bed proclivities, is perhaps a moot 
 question. Howbeit, to-night, long after these 
 weary Arcadians had forgotten their various 
 cares, and troubles in the blessed oblivion of 
 sleep, (for even Arcadia has its troubles) Bel- 
 lew sat beneath the shade of '' King Arthur ** 
 alone with his thoughts. 
 
 Presently, however, he was surprised to hear 
 the house-door open, and close very softly, and
 
 200 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 to behold — not the object of his meditations, 
 but Miss Priscilla coming towards him. 
 
 As she caught sight of him in the shadow of 
 the tree, she stopped and stood leaning upon 
 her stick as though she were rather discon- 
 certed. 
 
 *' Aunt Priscilla! " said he, rising. 
 
 '' Oh! — it's you? " she exclaimed, just as 
 though she hadn't known it all along. ** Dear 
 me! Mr. Bellew, — how lonely you look, and 
 dreadfully thoughtful, — good gracious! " and 
 she glanced up at him with her quick, girlish 
 smile. " I suppose you are wondering what I 
 am doing out here at this unhallowed time of 
 night — it must be nearly eleven o'clock. Oh 
 dear me ! — yes you are ! — Well, sit down, 
 and I'll tell you. Let us sit here, — in the 
 darkest corner, — there. Dear heart ! — how 
 bright the moon is to be sure." So saying. 
 Miss Priscilla ensconced herself at the very 
 end of the rustic bench, where the deepest 
 shadow lay. 
 
 " Well, Mr. Bellew," she began, ** as you 
 know, to-day is my birthday. As to my age, I 
 am — let us say, — just turned twenty-one and, 
 being young, and foolish, Mr. Bellew, I have 
 come out here to watch another very foolish 
 person, — a ridiculous, old Sergeant of Hus-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 201 
 
 sars, who will come marching along, very soon, 
 to mount guard in full regimentals, Mr. Bellew, 
 
 — with his busby on his head, with his braided 
 tunic and dolman, and liis great big boots, and 
 with his spurs jingling, and his sabre bright 
 under the moon." 
 
 '* So then — you know he comes? " 
 *' Why of course I do. And I love to hear 
 the jingle of his spurs, and to watch the glitter 
 of his sabre. So, every year, I come here, and 
 sit among the shadows, where he can't see me, 
 and watch liim go march, march, marching up 
 and down, and to and fro, until the clock strikes 
 twelve, and he goes marching home again. Oh 
 dear me! — it's all very foolish, of course, 
 
 — but I love to hear the jingle of his 
 spurs." 
 
 * * And — have you sat here watching him, 
 every year ? " 
 
 " Every year! " 
 
 ** And he has never guessed you were watch- 
 ing him? " 
 
 " Good gracious me! — of course not." 
 
 ** Don't you think. Aunt Priscilla, that you 
 are — just a little — cruel? " 
 
 " Cruel — why — what do you moan? " 
 
 ** I gave him your message, Aunt Priscilla." 
 
 " Wliat message? "
 
 202 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ** That * to-niglit, the peaches were riper 
 than ever they were. ' ' ' 
 
 '' Oh! " said Miss Priscilla, and waited ex- 
 pectantly for Bellew to continue. But, as he 
 was silent she glanced at him, and seeing him 
 staring at the moon, she looked at it, also. And 
 after she had gazed for perhaps half a minute, 
 as Bellew was still silent, she spoke, though in 
 a very small voice indeed. 
 
 ** And — what did — he say? '* 
 
 ** Who? " enquired Bellew. 
 
 *' Why the — the Sergeant, to be sure." 
 
 * * Well, he gave me to understand that a poor, 
 old soldier with only one arm left him, must be 
 content to stand aside, always and — hold his 
 peace, just because he was a poor, maimed, old 
 soldier. Don't you think that you have been — 
 just a little cruel — all these years. Aunt Pris- 
 cilla? " 
 
 *' Sometimes — one is cruel — only to be — 
 kind ! ' ' she answered. 
 
 ** Aren't the peaches ripe enough, after all, 
 Aunt Priscilla? " 
 
 '' Over-ripe! " she said bitterly, *' Oh — they 
 are over-ripe! " 
 
 '' Is that all. Aunt Priscilla? " 
 
 " No," she answered, '* no, there's — this! '* 
 and she held up her little crutch stick.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 203 
 
 *' Is that all, Aunt PriscillaT " 
 
 " Oh! — isn't — that enough? " Bellew 
 rose. * ' Where are you going — What are you 
 going to dot " she demanded. 
 
 *' Wait! " said he, smiling dovm at her per- 
 plexity, and so he turned, and crossed to a cer- 
 tain corner of the orchard. When he came back 
 he held out a great, glowing peach towards her. 
 
 " You were quite right," lie nodded, ** it was 
 so ripe that it fell at a touch." 
 
 But, as he spoke, she drew him down beside 
 her in the sliadow: 
 
 *' Hush! " she whispered, '* Listen! " 
 
 Now as they sat there, very silent, — faint, 
 and far-away upon the still night air, they 
 beard a sound ; a silvery, rhythmic sound, it 
 was, — like the musical clash of fairy cymbals, 
 which drew rapidly nearer, and nearer; and 
 Bellew felt that Miss Priscilla's hand was 
 trembling upon his arm as she leaned forward, 
 listening with a smile upon her parted lips, and 
 a light in her eyes that was ineffably tender. 
 
 Nearer came the sound, and nearer, until, 
 presently, now in moonliglit, now in shadow, 
 there strode a tall, martial figure in all the 
 glory of braided tunic, and furred dolman, the 
 three chevrons upon his sleeve, and many shi- 
 ning medals upon his breast, — a stalwart, sol-
 
 204 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 dierly figure, despite the one empty sleeve, who 
 moved with the long, swinging stride that only 
 the cavalry-man can possess. Being come be- 
 neath a certain latticed window, the Sergeant 
 halted, and, next moment, his glittering sabre 
 flashed up to the salute ; then, with it upon his 
 shoulder, he wheeled, and began to march up 
 and down, his spurs jingling, his sabre gleam- 
 ing, his dolman swinging, his sabre glittering, 
 each time he wheeled ; while Miss Priscilla lean- 
 ing forward, watched him wide-eyed, and with 
 hands tight clasped. Then, all at once, — with 
 a little fluttering sigh she rose. 
 
 Thus, the Sergeant as he marched to and fro, 
 was suddenly aware of one who stood in the full 
 radiance of the moon, — and with one hand out- 
 stretched towards him. And now, as he paused, 
 disbelieving his very eyes, he saw that in her 
 extended hand she held a great ripe peach. 
 
 ' ' Sergeant ! ' ' she said, speaking almost in a 
 whisper, '' Oh Sergeant — won't you — take 
 it? " 
 
 The heavy sabre thudded down into the grass, 
 and he took a sudden step towards her. But, 
 even now, he hesitated, until, coming nearer 
 yet, he could look down into her eyos. 
 
 Then he spoke, and his voice was very 
 hoarse, and unoven :
 
 THE MONEY MOON 205 
 
 "Miss Priscilla?" he said, '' PriscillaT — 
 Oh, Priscilla! " And, with the word, he had 
 fallen on his knees at her feet, and his strong, 
 solitary arm was folded close about her.
 
 CHAPTEE XIX 
 
 In which Porges Big, and Forges Small discuss 
 the subject of Matrimony 
 
 ** What is it, my Porges? " 
 
 ** Well, — I'm a bit worried, you know.'* 
 
 *' Worried? " 
 
 " Yes, — 'fraid I shall be an old man before 
 my time. Uncle Porges. Adam says it's worry 
 that ages a man, — an' it killed a cat too! " 
 
 *' And why do you worry? " 
 
 ** Oh, it's my Auntie Anthea, a course! — 
 she was crying again last night — ' ' 
 
 * ' Crying ! ' ' Bellew had been lying flat upon 
 his back in the fragrant shadow of the hay-rick, 
 but now he sat up — very suddenly, so sud- 
 denly that Small Porges started. *^ Crying? " 
 he repeated, *' last night! Are you sure? " 
 
 " Oh yes! You see, she forgot to come an* 
 ' tuck me up ' last night, so I creeped down- 
 stairs, — very quietly, you know, to see why. 
 An ' I found her bending over the table, all sob- 
 bing, an' crying. At first she tried to pretend 
 that she wasn 't, but I saw the tears quite plain^ 
 — her cheeks were all wet, you know ; an' when
 
 THE MONEY MOON 207 
 
 I put my arms round her — to comfort her a 
 bit, an ' asked her what was the matter, she only 
 kissed me a lot, an' said ' nothing! notliing, — 
 only a headache! ' " 
 
 ** And why was she crying, do you suppose, 
 my PorgesT " 
 
 ** Oh! — money, a course! " he sighed. 
 
 " Wliat makes you think it was money! " 
 
 " 'Cause she'd been talking to Adam, — I 
 heard him say * Good-night,' as I creeped down 
 the stairs, — " 
 
 " Ah? " said Bellew, staring straight before 
 him. His beloved pipe had slipped from his 
 fingers, and, for a wonder, lay all neglected. 
 " It was after she had talked with Adam, was 
 it, my Porgcs? " 
 
 ** Yes, — that's why I know it was 'bout 
 money; Adam's always talking 'bout mor- 
 gyges, an' bills, an' money. Oh Uncle Forges, 
 how I do — hate money! " 
 
 "It is sometimes a confounded nuisance! " 
 nodded Bellew. 
 
 " But I do wish we had some, — so we could 
 pay all her bills, an' morgyges for her. She'd 
 be BO happy, you know, an' go about singing 
 like she used to, — an' I shouldn't worry my- 
 self into an old man before my time, — all 
 wrinkled, an' gray, you know; an' all would be
 
 208 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 revelry, an' joy. if only she had enough gold, 
 an' bank-notes! " 
 
 ' * And she was — crying, you say ! ' ' de- 
 manded Bellew again, his gaze still far away. 
 
 ''Yes." 
 
 " You are quite sure you saw the — tears, my 
 Forges? " 
 
 '' Oh yes! an' there was one on her nose, 
 too, — a big one, that shone awful ' bright, — 
 twinkled, you know." 
 
 '' And she said it was only a headache, did 
 she? " 
 
 ' ' Yes, but that meant money, — money al- 
 ways makes her head ache, lately. Oh Uncle 
 Forges! — I s'pose people do find fortunes, 
 sometimes, don't they? " 
 
 << Why yes, to be sure they do." 
 
 " Then I wish I knew where they looked for 
 them," said he with a very big sigh indeed, 
 *' I've hunted an' hunted in all the attics, an' 
 the cupboards, an' under hedges, an' in ditches, 
 an' prayed, an' prayed, you know, — every 
 night." 
 
 '' Then, of course, you'll be answered, my 
 Forges. ' ' 
 
 '* Do you really s'pose I shall be answered? 
 You see it's such an awful' long way for one 
 small prayer to have to go, — from here to
 
 THE MONEY MOON 209 
 
 heaven. An' there's clouds that got in the way, 
 an' I'm 'fraid my prayers aren't quite big, or 
 heavy enough, an' get lost, an' blown away in 
 the wind." 
 
 *' No, my Forges," said Bellew, drawing his 
 arm about the small disconsolate figure, *' you 
 may depend upon it that your prayers fly 
 straight up into heaven, and that neither the 
 clouds, nor the wind can come between, or blow 
 tliem away. So just keep on praying, old chap, 
 and when the time is ripe, they'll be answered, 
 never fear." 
 
 "Answered? — Do j'ou mean, — oh Uncle 
 Forges! — do you mean — the Money Moon? " 
 The small hand upon Bellow's arm, quivered, 
 and his voice trembled with eagerness. 
 
 ' ' TMiy yes, to be sure, — the Money Moon, 
 my Forges, — it's bound to come, one of these 
 fine nights." 
 
 ** Ah ! — but when, — oh ! when will the 
 Money Moon ever come? " 
 
 ** "Well, T can't be quite sure, but I rather 
 fancy, from the look of things, my Forges, that 
 it will bo pretty soon." 
 
 " Oh, I do hope so! — for her sake, an' my 
 sake. You see, she may go getting herself 
 married to Mr. Cassilis, if something doesn't 
 happen soon, an' I shouldn't like that, you 
 know."
 
 210 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '^ Neither should I, my Porges. But what 
 makes you think so ? " 
 
 << Why he's always bothering her, an' ask- 
 ing her to, you see. She always says * No ' a 
 course, but — one of these fine days, I'm 'fraid 
 she '11 say ' Yes ' — accidentally, you know. ' ' 
 
 '* Heaven forbid, nephew! " 
 
 *' Does that mean you hope not! " 
 
 *' Indeed yes." 
 
 ' ' Then I say heaven forbid, too, — 'cause I 
 don't think she'd ever be happy in Mr. Cas- 
 silis's great, big house. An' I shouldn't 
 either. ' ' 
 
 Why, of course not! " 
 You never go about asking people to marry 
 you, do you Uncle Porges? " 
 
 *' Well, it could hardly be called a confirmed 
 habit of mine." 
 
 '^ That's one of the things I like about 
 you so, — all the time you've been here you 
 haven't asked my Auntie Anthea once, have 
 you? " 
 
 '' No, my Porges, — not yet." 
 
 * * Oh ! — but you don 't mean that you — ever 
 will! " 
 
 '' Would you be very grieved, and angry, if 
 I did, — some day soon, my Porges? " 
 
 '■ * Well, I — I didn 't think you were that kind 

 
 THE MONEY MOON 211 
 
 of a man! " answered Small Porges, sigliiiig 
 and shaking his head regretfully. 
 
 '* I'm afraid I am, nephew." 
 
 " Do you really mean that you want to — 
 marry my Auntie Anthea? " 
 
 '' I do." 
 
 *' As much as Mr. Cassilis does? '* 
 
 ** A great deal more, I think." 
 
 Small Porges sighed again, and shook his 
 head very gravely indeed: 
 
 '* Uncle Porges," said he, '* I'm — s 'prised 
 at you! " 
 
 " I rather feared you would be, nephew.'* 
 
 ** It's all so awful' silly, you know! — why 
 do you want to marry her? " 
 
 *' Because, like a Prince in a fairy tale, I'm 
 — er — rather anxious to — live happy ever 
 after." 
 
 *' Oh! " said Small Porges, turning this over 
 in his mind, *' I never thought of that." 
 
 ** Marriage is a very important institution, 
 you see, my Porges, — especially in this case, 
 because I can't possibly live happy ever after, 
 unless I marry — first; — now can I? " 
 
 '* No, I s'pose not! " Small Porges admitted, 
 albeit reluctantly, after he had pondered tho 
 matter a while with wrinkled brow, ** but why 
 pick out — my Auntie Anthea? "
 
 212 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * * Just because she happens to be your Auntie 
 Anthea, of course." 
 
 Small Porges sighed again : 
 
 << Why then, if she's got to be married some 
 day, so she can live happy ever after, — well, — 
 I s'pose you'd better take her. Uncle Porges." 
 
 '* Thank you, old chap, — I mean to." 
 
 "I'd rather you took her than Mr. Cassilis, 
 an ' — why there he is ! " 
 
 "Who? " 
 
 " Mr. Cassilis. An' he's stopped, an' he's 
 twisting his mestache. ' ' 
 
 " Mr. Cassilis, who had been crossing the 
 paddock, had indeed stopped, and was twist- 
 ing his black moustache, as if he were 
 hesitating between two courses. Finally, he 
 pushed open the gate, and, approaching Bellew, 
 saluted him with that supercilious air which 
 Miss Priscilla always declared she found so 
 " trying." 
 
 " Ah, Mr. Bellew! what might it be this 
 morning, — the pitchfork — the scythe, or the 
 plough? " he enquired. 
 
 ' ' Neither, sir, — this morning it is — matri- 
 mony. ' ' 
 
 * ' Eh ! — I beg your pardon, — matrimony? ' * 
 
 ** With a large M, sir," nodded Bellew, 
 ** marriage, sir, — wedlock; my nephew and I
 
 010 
 
 THE MONEY MOON 21 
 
 are discussing it in its aspects philosophical, 
 
 sociological, and — " 
 
 '* That is surely ratlier a — peculiar subject 
 
 to discuss with a child, Mr. Bellew — " 
 ** Meaning my nephew, sir! " 
 ** I mean — young George, there." 
 " Precisely, — my nephew, Small Porges." 
 " I refer," said Mr. Cassilis, with slow, 
 
 and crushing emphasis, " to Miss Devine's 
 
 nephew — ' ' 
 
 " And mine, Mr. Cassilis, — mine by — er — 
 
 mutual adoption, and inclination." 
 
 ** And I repeat that your choice of subjects 
 
 is — peculiar, to say the least of it." 
 
 ** But then, mine is rather a peculiar nephew, 
 
 sir. But, surely it was not to discuss nephews, 
 
 — mine or anyone else's, that you are hither 
 
 come, and our ears do wait upon you, — pray 
 
 be seated, sir." 
 
 " Thank you, I prefer to stand." 
 
 " Strange! " murmured Bellew, shaking his 
 
 head, " I never stand if I can sit, or sit if I 
 
 can lie down." 
 
 " I should like you to define, exactly, your 
 
 position — here at Dapplemere, Mr. Bellew." 
 Bellew 's sleepy glance missed nothing of the 
 
 other's challenging attitude, and his ear, noth- 
 ing of ^fr. Cassilis 's authoritative tone, there-
 
 214 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 fore Ms smile was most engaging as he an- 
 swered : 
 
 * ' My position here, sir, is truly the most — 
 er — enviable in the world. Prudence is an 
 admirable cook, — particularly as regard York- 
 shire Pudding; gentle, little Miss Priscilla is 
 the most — er Aunt-like, and perfect of house- 
 keepers; and Miss Anthea is our sovereign 
 lady, before whose radiant beauty. Small 
 Porges and I like true knights, and gallant 
 gentles, do constant homage, and in whose be- 
 half Small Porges and I do stand prepared to 
 wage stern battle, by day, or by night." 
 
 " Indeed! " said Mr. Cassilis, and his smile 
 was even more supercilious than usual. 
 
 " Yes, sir," nodded Bellew, '' I do confess 
 me a most fortunate, and happy, wight who, 
 having wandered hither and yon upon this 
 planet of ours, which is so vast, and so very 
 small, — has, by the most happy chance, found 
 his way hither into Arcady. ' ' 
 
 ' ' And — may I enquire how long you intend 
 to lead this Arcadian existence? " 
 
 " I fear I cannot answer that question until 
 the full o ' the moon, sir, — at present, I grieve 
 to say, — I do not know. ' ' 
 
 Mr. Cassilis struck his riding-boot a sudden 
 smart rap with his whip; his eyes snapped,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 215 
 
 and liis nostrils dilated, as he glanced down 
 into Bellew's imperturbable face. 
 
 ** At least you know, and will perhaps ex- 
 plain, what prompted you to buy all that furni- 
 ture? You were the only buyer at the sale I 
 understand." 
 
 "Who — bought anything, yes," nodded 
 Bellew. 
 
 ** And pray — what was your object, — you 
 — a stranger? " 
 
 " Well," replied Bellew slowh% as he began 
 to fill his pipe, *' I bought it because it was 
 there to buy, you know; I bought it because 
 furniture is apt to be rather useful, now and 
 then, — I acquired the chairs to — er — sit in, 
 the tables to — er — put things on, and — " 
 
 " Don't quibble with me, Mr. Bellew 1 " 
 
 ** I beg your pardon, Mr. Cassilis! " 
 
 " When I ask a question, sir, I am in tho 
 habit of receiving a direct reply, — " 
 
 " And when I am asked a question, Mr. Cas- 
 silis, I am in the habit of answering it precisely 
 as I please, — or not at all." 
 
 " Mr. Bellew, let me impress upon you, once 
 and for all, tliat Miss Devine has friends, — 
 old and tried friends, to whom she can always 
 turn for aid in any financial difTirulty she may 
 have to encounter, — friends who can mare
 
 216 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 than tide over all her dijB&culties without the — 
 interference of strangers; and, as one of her 
 oldest friends, I demand to know by what right 
 you force your wholly unnecessary assistance 
 upon her? " 
 
 '' My very good sir," returned Bellew, sha- 
 king his head in gentle reproof, " really, you 
 seem to forget that you are not addressing one 
 of your grooms, or footmen, — consequently 
 you force me to remind you of the fact ; further- 
 more, — " 
 
 ** That is no answer! " said Mr. Cassilis, his 
 gloved hands tight-clenched upon his hunting- 
 crop, — his whole attitude one of menace. 
 
 '' Furthermore," pursued Bellew placidly, 
 settling the tobacco in his pipe with his thumb, 
 * ' you can continue to — er demand, until all 's 
 blue, and I shall continue to lie here, and 
 smoke, and gaze up at the smiling serenity of 
 heaven. ' ' 
 
 The black brows of Mr. Cassilis met in a sud- 
 den frown, he tossed his whip aside, and took 
 a sudden quick stride towards the recumbent 
 Bellew with so evident an intention, that Small 
 Porges shrank instinctively further within the 
 encircling arm. 
 
 But, at that psychic moment, very fortunately 
 for all concerned, there came the sound of a
 
 THE MONEY MOON 217 
 
 quick, liglit step, and Aiithea stood between 
 them. 
 
 "Mr. Cassilis! — Mr. Bollew! " she ex- 
 claimed, her cheeks flushed, and her bosom 
 heaving with the haste she had made, " pray 
 whatever does this meant " 
 
 Bellew rose to his feet, and seeing Cassilis 
 was silent, sliook his head and smiled : 
 
 " Upon my word, I hardly know. Miss An- 
 tliea. Our friend ]\Ir. Cassilis seems to have 
 got himself all worked up over the — er — sale, 
 I fancy — ' ' 
 
 *' The furniture! " exclaimed Anthea, and 
 stamped her foot with vexation. " Tliat 
 wretched furniture! Of course you explained 
 your object in buj^ng it, Mr. Bellew? " 
 
 ** "Well, no, — we hadn't got as far as that." 
 
 Now when he said this, Anthea 's eyes flashed 
 sudden scorn at him, and she curled her lip at 
 him, and turned her back upon him: 
 
 " Mr. Bellew bought my furniture because he 
 intends to set up house-keeping — he is to be 
 married — soon, I believe." 
 
 '* When the moon is at the full! " nodded 
 Bellow. 
 
 "Married!" exclaimed Mr. Cassilis, his 
 frown vanishing as if by magic. '' Oh, in- 
 deed — "
 
 218 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ' ' I am on my way to the hop-gardens, if you 
 care to walk with me, Mr. Cassilis 1 ' ' and, with 
 the words, Anthea turned, and, as he watched 
 them walk away, together, — Bellew noticed 
 npon the face of Mr. Cassilis an expression 
 very like triumph, and, in his general air, a sug- 
 gestion of proprietorship that jarred upon him 
 most unpleasantly. 
 
 '' Why do you frown so. Uncle Porges? " 
 
 " I — er — was thinking, nephew. ' ' 
 
 *' Well, I'm thinking, too! " nodded Small 
 Porges, his brows knitted portentously. And 
 thus they sat. Big, and Little Porges, frowning 
 in unison at space for quite a while. 
 
 " Are you quite sure you never told my 
 Auntie Anthea that you were going to marry 
 her? " enquired Small Porges, at last. 
 
 *' Quite sure, comrade, — why? " 
 
 " Then how did she know you were going to 
 marry her, an' settle down? " 
 
 '* Marry — her, and settle down? " 
 
 * * Yes, — at the full o ' the moon, you know. ' * 
 
 < ' Why really — I don 't know, my Porges, — 
 unless she guessed it." 
 
 ' ^ I specks she did, — she 's awful ' clever at 
 guessing things! But, do you know — " 
 
 '' Well? " 
 
 "I'm thinking I don't just like the way she
 
 THE MONEY MOON 219 
 
 smiled at Mr. Cassilis, I never saw her look at 
 him like that before, — as if she were awful' 
 glad to see him, von know; so I don't think I'd 
 wait till the full o' the moon, if I were you. I 
 think you'd better marry her — this after- 
 noon." 
 
 " That," said Bellow, clapping him on the 
 shoulder, "is a very admirable idea, — I'll 
 mention it to her on the first available oppor- 
 tunity, my Porges." 
 
 But the opportunity did not come that day, 
 nor the next, nor the next after that, for it 
 seemed that with the approach of the ** Hop- 
 1 ticking " Anthea had no thought, or time, for 
 anvthinc: else. 
 
 ^Vlierefore Bellew smoked many pipes, and, 
 as the days wore on, possessed his soul in pa- 
 tience, which is a most excellent precept to fol- 
 low — in all things but love.
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 Which relates a most extraordinary conver- 
 sation 
 
 In the days which now ensued, while Anthea 
 was busied out of doors and Miss Priscilla was 
 busied indoors, and Small Porges was diligently 
 occupied with his lessons, — at such times, Bel- 
 lew would take his pipe and go to sit and smoke 
 in company with the Cavalier in the great pic- 
 ture above the carved chimney-piece. 
 
 A right jovial companion, at all times, was 
 this Cavalier, an optimist he, from the curling 
 feather in his broad-brimmed beaver hat, to the 
 spurs at his heels. Handsome, gay, and debo- 
 nair was he, with lips up-curving to a smile 
 beneath his moustachio, and a quizzical light in 
 his grey eyes, very like that in Bellew's own. 
 Moreover he wore the knowing, waggish air of 
 one well versed in all the ways of the world, 
 and mankind in general, and, (what is infinitely 
 more), — of the Sex Feminine, in particular. 
 Experienced was he, beyond all doubt, in their 
 pretty tricks, and foibles, since he had ever been 
 a diligent student of Feminine Capriciousness 
 when the " Merry Monarch " ruled the land.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 221 
 
 Ilenco, it became customary for Bellew to sit 
 with him, and smoke, and take counsel of this 
 ** preux chevalier " upon the unfortunate turn 
 of affairs. Whereof ensued many remarkable 
 conversations of which the following, was one: 
 
 Bellew : No sir, — emphatically I do not 
 agree with you. To be sure, you may have had 
 more experience than I, in such affairs, — but 
 then, it was such a very long time ago. 
 
 The Cavalier: (Interrupting, or seeming 
 to)!!! 
 
 Bellew: Again, I beg to differ from you, 
 women are not the same to-day as they ever 
 were. Judging by what I have road of the 
 la<Hos of your day, and King Charles's court at 
 Whitehall, — I should say — not. At least, if 
 they are, they act differently, and consequently 
 must be — er — wooed differently. The meth- 
 ods employed in your day would be wholly 
 inadequate and quite out of place, in this. 
 
 Tite Cavalfer : (Shaking his head and smirk- 
 ing, — or seeming to) ! ! ! 
 
 Bellew: Well, I'm willing to bet you any- 
 tliing you like that if you were to step down 
 out of your frame, cliange your velvets and 
 laces for trousers and coat, leave off your great 
 peruke, and wear a derby hat instead of that 
 picturesque, floppy affair, and try your fortune
 
 222 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 with some Twentieth Century damsel, your 
 high-sounding gallantries, and flattering 
 phrases, would fall singularly flat, and you 
 would be promptly — turned down, sir. 
 
 The Cavaliek: (Tossing his love-locks, — 
 or seeming to) !!! 
 
 Bellew: The '' strong hand," you say? 
 Hum! History tells us that "William the Con- 
 queror wooed his lady with a club, or a battle- 
 axe, or something of the sort, and she conse- 
 quently liked him the better for it; which was 
 all very natural, and proper of course, in her 
 case, seeing that hers was the day of battle- 
 axes, and things. But then, as I said before, 
 sir, — the times are sadly changed, — women 
 may still admire strength of body, and even — 
 occasionally — of mind, but the theory of 
 ** Dog, woman, and wal-nut tree " is quite obso- 
 lete. 
 
 The Cavalier: (Frowning and shaking his 
 head, — or seeming to) ! ! ! 
 
 Bellew : Ha ! — you don 't believe me ? Well, 
 that is because you are obsolete, too ; — yes sir, 
 as obsolete as your hat, or your boots, or your 
 long rapier. Now, for instance, suppose I were 
 to ask your advice in my own easel You know 
 precisely how the matter stands at present, be- 
 tween Miss Anthea and myself. You also know
 
 THE MONEY MOON 223 
 
 Miss Antlioa personally, since yon have seen 
 her much and often, and liave watched her grow 
 from childhood into — er — glorious woman- 
 hood, — I repeat sir glorious womanhood. 
 Thus, you ought to know, and understand her 
 far better than I, — for I do confess she is a 
 constant source of bewilderment to me. Now, 
 since you do know her so well, — what course 
 should you adopt, wore you in my placet 
 
 TnE Cavalier: (Smirking more knowingly 
 than ever, — or seeming to)!!! 
 
 Bellew : Preposterous ! Quite absurd ! — ■ 
 and just what I might have expected. Carry 
 her off, indeed! No no, we are not living in 
 your bad, old, glorious days when a maid's 
 ** No " was generally taken to mean *' Yes " — 
 or when a lover might swing his reluctant mis- 
 tress up to his saddle-bow, and ride off with her, 
 leaving the world far behind. To-day it is all 
 changed, — sadly changed. Your age was a 
 wild age, a \'iolont age, but in some respects, 
 perhaps, a rather glorious age. Your advice 
 is singularly characteristic, and, of course, 
 quite impossible, alas ! — Carry her off, indeed ! 
 
 Hereupon, Bollow sighed, and turning away, 
 lighted his pipe, wliich had gone out, and buried 
 himself in the newspaper.
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 'Of shoes, and ships, and sealing wax, and the 
 third finger of the left hand 
 
 So Bellew took up the paper. The house was 
 very quiet, for Small Porges was deep in the 
 vexatious rules of the Multiplication Table, and 
 something he called *' Jogafrey," Anthea was 
 out, as usual, and Miss Priscilla was busied with 
 her numerous household duties. Thus the 
 brooding silence was unbroken save for the oc- 
 casional murmur of a voice, the jingle of the 
 housekeeping keys, and the quick, light tap, tap, 
 of Miss Priscilla 's stick. 
 
 Therefore, Bellew read the paper, and let it 
 be understood that he regarded the daily news- 
 sheet as the last resource of the utterly bored. 
 
 Now presently, as he glanced over the paper 
 with a negative interest his eye was attracted 
 by a long paragraph beginning: 
 
 At St. George's, Hanover Square, by the 
 
 Right Reverend the Bishop of , Silvia Ce- 
 
 cile Marchmond, to His Grace the Duke of 
 Ryde, K. G., K. C. B.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 225 
 
 Below followed a full, true, and particular 
 account of the ceremony which, it seemed, had 
 been graced by Royalty. George Bellew read 
 it half way through, and — yawned, — posi- 
 tively, and actually, yawned, and thereafter, 
 laughed. 
 
 "And so, I have been in Arcadia — only 
 three weeks! I have known Anthea only 
 twenty-one days ! A ridiculously short time, as 
 time goes, — in any other place but Arcadia, — 
 and yet sufficient to lay for ever, the — or — 
 Haunting Spectre of the Might Have Been. 
 Lord ! what a preposterous ass I was ! Baxter 
 was quite right, — utterly, and completely 
 right ! Now, let us suppose that this para- 
 graph had read: * To-day, at St. George's, 
 Hanover Square, Anthea Devine to — ' No no, 
 — confound it ! " and Bellew crumpled up the 
 paper, and tossed it into a distant corner. *' I 
 wonder what Baxter would think of me now, — 
 good old faithful John. Tlie Haunting Spectre 
 of the Might Have Been, — Wliat a prepos- 
 terous ass ! — what a monumental idiot I 
 was! " 
 
 " Posterous ass, isn't a very pretty word, 
 Uncle Porgos, — or continental idiot!" said 
 a voice behind him, and turning, he be- 
 held Small Porges somewhat stained, and
 
 226 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 bespattered with ink, who shook a reproving 
 head at him. 
 
 " True, nephew," he answered, '' but they 
 are sometimes very apt, and in this instance, 
 particularly so." 
 
 Small Porges drew near, and, seating himself 
 upon the arm of Bellew's chair, looked at his 
 adopted uncle, long, and steadfastly. 
 
 '* Uncle Porges," said he, at last, " you 
 never tell stories, do you? — I mean — lies, you 
 know. ' ' 
 
 ' * Indeed, I hope not, Porges, — why do you 
 ask? " 
 
 " Well, — 'cause my Auntie Anthea's 'fraid 
 you do." 
 
 '' Is she — hum! — Why? " 
 
 * ' When she came to ' tuck me up, ' last night, 
 she sat down on my bed, an' talked to me a 
 long time. An' she sighed a lot, an' said she 
 was 'fraid I didn't care for her any more, — 
 which was awful' silly, you know." 
 
 ** Yes, of course! " nodded Bellew. 
 
 '^ An' then she asked me why I was so fond 
 of you, an' I said 'cause you were my Uncle 
 Porges that I found under a hedge. An' then 
 she got more angrier than ever, an' said she 
 wished I'd left you under the hedge — " 
 
 *' Did she, my Porges? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 227 
 
 " Yes; she said she wished she'd never seen 
 you, an' she'd be awful' glad when you'd gone 
 away. So I tokl her you weren't ever going 
 away, an' that we were waiting for the Money 
 Moon to come, an' bring us the fortune. An' 
 then she shook her head, an' said * Oh! my 
 dear, — you mustn't believe anything he says 
 to you about the moon, or anything else, 'cause! 
 he tells lies,' — an' she said * lies ' twice! " 
 
 * * Ah ! — and — did she stamp her foot, 
 Porges? " 
 
 "Yes, I think she did; an' tlion she said 
 there wasn't such a thing as a Money Moon, 
 an' she told me you were going away very soon, 
 to get married, you know." 
 
 ** And what did you say? " 
 
 " Oh! I told hor tliat T was going too. An' 
 then I thought she was going to cry, an' she 
 said * Oh Georgv! I didn't think vou'd leave 
 me — even for liim.' So then I had to s 'plain 
 how we had arranged that she was going to 
 marrj' you so that we could all live happy ever 
 after, — I mean, tliat it was all settled, you 
 know, an' that you were going to spoak to her 
 on the first — opportunity. An' then she 
 looked at me a long time an' asked me — was 
 I sure you had said so. An' then she got awfnl' 
 angry indeed, an' said ' How dare he ! Oh, how
 
 228 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 dare he! ' So a course, I told her you'd dare 
 anything — even a dragon, — 'cause you are so 
 big, an' brave, you know. So then she went 
 an' stood at the window, an' she was so angry 
 she cried, — an' I nearly cried too. But at last 
 she kissed me * Good night ' an' said you were 
 a man that never meant anything you said, an ' 
 that I must never believe you any more, an' 
 that you were going away to marry a lady in 
 London, an ' that she was very glad, 'cause then 
 we should all be happy again she s 'posed. So 
 she kissed me again, an' tucked me up, an' 
 went away. But it was a long, long time before 
 I could go to sleep, 'cause I kept on thinking, 
 an' thinking s 'posing there really wasn't any 
 Money Moon, after all! s 'posing you were go- 
 ing to marry another lady in London ! — You 
 see, it would all be so — frightfully awful, 
 wouldn't it? " 
 
 a Terribly dreadfully awful, my Porges." 
 
 ' ' But you never do tell lies, — do vou, Uncle 
 Porges? " 
 
 '^No! " 
 
 ''An' — there is a Money Moon, isn't 
 there? " 
 
 '< Why of course there is." 
 
 *' An' you are going to marry my Auntie An- 
 thea in the full o' the moon, aren't you? "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 229 
 
 ** Yes, my Porges." 
 
 *' "Why then — everything's all right again, 
 — so let's go an' sit under the hay-stack, an' 
 talk 'bout ships." 
 
 ** But why of ships! " enquired Bellew, ri- 
 sing. 
 
 '* 'Cause I made up my mind, this morning, 
 that I'd be a sailor when I grow up, — a mari- 
 ner, you know, like Peterday, only I'd prefer to 
 have both my legs." 
 
 ** You'd find it more convenient, perhaps." 
 
 " You know all 'bout oceans, an' waves, and 
 billows, don't you Uncle Porges? " 
 
 " Well, I know a little." 
 
 " An' are you ever sea-sick, — like a * land- 
 lubber? ' " 
 
 '' I used to be, but I got over it." 
 
 ** Was it a very big ship that you came over 
 in? " 
 
 " No, — not so very big, but she's about as 
 fast as anything in her class, and a corking sea- 
 boat." 
 
 " Wliat's her name? " 
 
 " Tlor name? " repeated Bellew, '' well, she 
 was called tlie — er ' Silvia.' " 
 
 '* Tliat's an awful' pretty name for a 
 fillip." 
 
 ** Hum ! — so so, — but I have learned a pret-
 
 230 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 tier, and next time she puts out to sea we'll 
 change her name, eh, my Porges? " 
 
 < < "^e ? ' ' cried Small Porges, looking up with 
 eager eyes, " do you mean you'd take me to 
 sea with you, — an' my Auntie Anthea, of 
 course? " 
 
 " You don't suppose I'd leave either of you 
 behind, if I could help it, do you? We'd all 
 sail away together — wherever you wished." 
 
 '' Do you mean," said Small Porges, in a sud- 
 denly awed voice, * * that it is — your ship, — 
 your very own ? " 
 
 ''Oh yes" 
 
 ' ' But, — do you know. Uncle Porges, you 
 don't look as though you had a ship — for your 
 very own, somehow." 
 
 '* Don't I? " 
 
 '' You see, a ship is such a very big thing 
 for one man to have for his very own self. An ' 
 has it got masts, an' funnels, an' anchors? " 
 
 '' Lots of 'em." 
 
 '* Then, please, when will you take me an' 
 Auntie Anthea sailing all over the oceans? " 
 
 '' Just so soon as she is ready to come." 
 
 ' ' Then I think I 'd like to go to Nova Zembla 
 first, — I found it in my jogafrey to-day, an' 
 it sounds nice an' far off, doesn't it? " 
 
 '' It does. Shipmate! " nodded Bellew.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 231 
 
 " Oh! that's fine! " exclaimed Small Porges 
 rapturously, '' you shall be the captain, an' I'll 
 be the shipmate, an' we'll say Aye Aye, to each 
 other — like the real sailors do in books, — 
 shall weT " 
 
 ** Aye, aye Shipmate! " nodded Bellow again. 
 
 ** Then please. Uncle Por — I mean Captain, 
 
 — what shall we name our ship, — I mean the 
 new name? " 
 
 ""Well, my Porges, — I mean, of course, 
 shipmate, — I rather thought of calling her — 
 Hallo! — why here's the Sergeant." 
 
 Sure enough, there was Sergeant Appleby 
 sitting under the shade of '* King Arthur " — 
 but who rose, and stood at atiention as they 
 came up. 
 
 ** Wliy Sergeant, how are you? " said Bellew, 
 gripping the veteran's hand. ** You are half 
 an hour before your usual time, to-day, — noth- 
 ing wrong, I hope? " 
 
 " Nothing wrong, Mr. Bellew, sir — I thank 
 you. No, nothiug wrong, but this — is a — 
 memorable occasion, sir. May I trouble you to 
 
 — step behind the tree with me — for half a 
 moment, sir? " 
 
 Suiting the action to the word, the Sergeant 
 led Bellow to the other side of the tree, and 
 there, screened from view of the house, he, witli
 
 232 THE MONEY MOON! 
 
 a sudden, jerky movement, produced a very 
 small leather case from his pocket, which he 
 handed to Bellew. 
 
 ' ' Not good enough — for such a woman — I 
 know, but the best I could afford, sir! " said 
 the Sergeant appearing profoundly interested 
 in the leaves overhead, while Bellew opened the 
 very small box. 
 
 ** Why — it's very handsome, Sergeant!" 
 said Bellew, making the jewels sparkle in the 
 sun, — ''anyone might be proud of such a 
 ring. ' ' 
 
 ' ' "Why, it did look pretty tidy — in the shop, 
 sir, — to me, and Peterday. My comrade has a 
 sharp eye, and a sound judgment in most 
 things, sir — and we took — a deal of trouble 
 in selecting it. But now — when it comes to — 
 giving it to Her, — why it looks — uncommon 
 small, and mean, sir." 
 
 " A ruby, and two diamonds, and very fine 
 stones, too, Sergeant! " 
 
 " So I made so bold as to — come here sir," 
 pursued the Sergeant still interested in the foli- 
 age above, " half an hour afore my usual time 
 — to ask you, sir — if you would so far oblige 
 me — as to — hand it to her — when I'm gone, 
 
 sir." 
 
 " Lord, no! " said Bellew, smiling and sha-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 233 
 
 king his head, '* not on your life, Sergeant! 
 Why man it woukl lose half its value in her 
 eyes if any other than you gave it to her. No 
 Sergeant, you must hand it to her yourself, and, 
 wliat's more, you must slip it upon her finger." 
 
 " Good Lord! sir! " exclaimed the Sergeant, 
 *' I could never do that! " 
 
 ' * Oh yes you could ! ' * 
 
 " Not unless you — stood by me — a force in 
 reserve, as it were, sir." 
 
 *' I'll do that willingly. Sergeant." 
 
 " Then — p'raps sir — you might happen to 
 know — which finger f " 
 
 *' The tliird finger of the left hand, I believe, 
 Sergeant." 
 
 " Here's Aunt Priscilla now," said Small 
 Porges, at this juncture. 
 
 "Lord!" exclaimed the Sergeant, ''and 
 sixteen minutes afore her usual time! " 
 
 Yes, — there was Miss Priscilla, her basket 
 of sewing upon her arm, as gentle, as unruffled, 
 as placid as usual. And yet it is probable that 
 she divined something from their very atti- 
 tudes, for there was a light in her eyes, and her 
 cheeks seemed more delicately pink than was 
 their wont. Thus, as she came toward them, 
 under tlie ancient apple-trees, despite her stick, 
 and her white hair, slie looked even younger, 
 and more girlish tlian ever.
 
 234 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 At least, tlie Sergeant seemed to think so, for, 
 as he met her look, his face grew suddenly- 
 radiant, while a slow flush crept up under the 
 tan of his cheek, and the solitary hand he held 
 out to her, trembled a little, for all its size, and 
 strength. 
 
 ''Miss Priscilla, mam — " he said, and 
 stopped. '' Miss Priscilla," he began again, 
 and paused once more. 
 
 < ' Why — Sergeant ! ' ' she exclaimed, though 
 it was a very soft little exclamation indeed, — 
 for her hand still rested in his, and so she could 
 feel the quiver of the strong fingers, ' * why — • 
 Sergeant! " 
 
 '' Miss Priscilla, — " said he, beginning all 
 over again, but with no better success. 
 
 '' Goodness me! " exclaimed Miss Priscilla, 
 *' I do believe he is going to forget to enquire 
 about the peaches ! ' * 
 
 '' Peaches! " repeated the Sergeant, ** Yes, 
 Priscilla." 
 
 '' And — why? " 
 
 *' 'Cause he's brought you a ring," Small 
 Porges broke in, ''a very handsome ring, you 
 know, Aunt Priscilla, — all diamonds an' jew- 
 els, an' he wants you to please let him put it on 
 your finger — if you don't mind." 
 
 " And — here it is! " said the Sergeant, and 
 gave it into her hand.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 235 
 
 Miss Priscilla stood very silent, and very 
 still, lookinii^ down at the glittering gems, then, 
 all at once, her eyes filled, and a slow wave of 
 colour dyed her cheeks : 
 
 '* Oh Sergeant! " she said, very softly, " Oh 
 Sergeant, I am only a poor, old woman — with 
 a lame foot ! ' ' 
 
 ** And I am a poor, old soldier — with only 
 one arm, Priscilla." 
 
 ** You are the strongest, and gentlest, and 
 bravest soldier in all the world, I think! " she 
 answered. 
 
 " And you, Priscilla, are the sweetest, and 
 most beautiful woman in the world, I know! 
 And so — I've loved you all these years, and — 
 never dared to tell you so, because of my — one 
 arm." 
 
 " AMiy then," said Miss Priscilla, smiling up 
 at him through her tears, " if you do — really 
 — tliink that, — why, — it's this finger. Ser- 
 geant! " 
 
 So the Sergeant, very clumsily, perhaps, be- 
 cause he had but the one hand, slipped the ring 
 upon the finger in question. And Porges, Big, 
 and Small, turning to glance back, as they went 
 upon tlioir way saw that he still held that small,, 
 white hand pressed close to his lips.
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 Coming events cast their shadows before 
 
 ** I s'posE tliey'll be marrying each, other, one 
 of these fine days ! ' ' said Small Porges as they; 
 crossed the meadow, side by side. 
 
 ^' Yes, I expect so, Shipmate," nodded Bel- 
 lew, " and may they live long, and die happy, 
 say I. ' ' 
 
 *' Aye, aye. Captain, — an* Amen!" re- 
 turned Small Porges. 
 
 Now as they went, conversing of marriage, 
 and ships, and the wonders, and marvels of 
 foreign lands, — they met with Adam who 
 stared up at the sky and muttered to himself, 
 and frowned, and shook his head. 
 
 '' Good arternoon, Mr. Belloo sir, — an' 
 Master Georgy! " 
 
 " Well, Adam, how are the hops! " 
 
 *' 'Ops sir, — there never was such 'ops, — 
 no, not in all Kent, sir. All I'm wishin' is that 
 they was all safe picked, an' gathered. Wot 
 do you make o ' them clouds, sir, — over there, 
 — jest over the p'int o' the oast-house? " 
 
 Bellew turned, and cast a comprehensive, 
 sailor-like glance in the direction indicated.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 237 
 
 *' Eain, Adam, and wind, — and plenty of 
 it! " said he. 
 
 ** Ah! so I think, sir, — driving storm, and 
 thrashing tempest! " 
 
 " Well, Adam! " 
 
 *' Well, sir, — p'raps youVe never seen w'ot 
 driving rain, an' raging wind, can do among 
 the 'op-bines, sir. All I wish is that they 'ops 
 was all safe picked an' gathered, sir! " And 
 Adam strode off witli Iiis eve still turned 
 heaven-ward, and shaking his head like some 
 great bird of ill-omen. 
 
 So the afternoon wore away to evening, and 
 with evening, came Anthea ; but a very grave- 
 eyed, troubled Anthea, who sat at the tea-table 
 silent, and preoccupied, — in so much, that 
 Small Porges openly wondered, wliile Miss 
 Priscilla watched over her, wistful, and 
 tender. 
 
 Thus, Tea, which was wont to be the merriest 
 meal of the day, was but the pale ghost of what 
 it should have been, despite vSmall Forges' flow 
 of conversation, (wlien not impeded by bread 
 and jam), and Bollew's tactful efforts. Now 
 while he talked Hglit-heartedly, keeping care- 
 fully to generalities, he noticed two things, — 
 one was that Anthea made but a pretence at 
 eating, and the second, that though she uttered
 
 238 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 a word, now and then, yet her eyes persistently 
 avoided his. 
 
 Thus, he, for one, was relieved when tea was 
 over, and, as he rose from the table, he deter- 
 mined, despite the unpropitious look of things, 
 to end the suspense, one way or another, and 
 speak to Anthea just so soon as she should be 
 alone. 
 
 But here again he was balked and disap- 
 pointed, for when Small Porges came to bid him 
 good-night as usual, he learned that '' Auntie 
 Anthea " had already gone to bed. 
 
 *' She says it's a head-ache," said Small 
 Porges, '* but I 'specks it's the hops, really, you 
 know." 
 
 *' The hops, my Porges? " 
 
 * * She 's worrying about them, — she 's 'f raid 
 of a storm, like Adam is. An' when she wor- 
 ries, — I worry. Oh Uncle Porges! — if only 
 my prayers can bring the Money Moon — soon, 
 you know, — very soon ! If they don't bring it 
 in a day or two, — 'f raid I shall wake up, one 
 fine morning, an' find I've worried, an' worried 
 myself into an old man." 
 
 '' Never fear, Shipmate! " said Bellew in his 
 most nautical manner, '* ' all's well that ends 
 well,' — a-low, and aloft all's a-taunto. So 
 just take a turn at the lee braces, and keep
 
 THE MONEY MOON 239 
 
 your weather eye lifting, for you may be sure 
 of this, — if the storm does come, — it will 
 bring the Money Moon with it." 
 
 Then, ha\'ing bidden Small Porges a cheery 
 ** Good-night " — Bellew went out to walk 
 among the roses. And, as he walked, he 
 watched tlie flying wrack of clouds above his 
 head, and listened to the wind that moaned in 
 fitful gusts. Wherefore, having learned in his 
 many travels to read, and interpret such nat- 
 ural signs and omens, he shook his head, and 
 muttered to himself — even as Adam had done 
 before him. 
 
 Presently he wandered back into tlie house, 
 and, filling his pipe, went to hold communion 
 with his friend — the Cavalier. 
 
 And thus it was that having ensconced him- 
 self in the great elbow-chair, and raised his 
 eyes to the picture, he espied a letter tucked 
 into the frame, thereof. Looking closer, he saw 
 tliat it was directed to himself. lie took it 
 down, and, after a momentary hesitation, broke 
 the seal, and read : 
 
 Miss Devine presents hor complimenta to Mr. Rcllcw, 
 and regrets to say that owinp to unforeseen circumstances, 
 she begs that he will provide himself with other quarters 
 at the expiration of the month, being the Twenty-thini 
 inst
 
 240 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Bellew read the lines slowly, twice over, then, 
 folding the note very carefully, put it into his 
 pocket, and stood for a long time staring at 
 nothing in particular. At length he lifted his 
 head, and looked up into the smiling eyes of the 
 Cavalier, above the mantel. 
 
 ** Sir," said he, very gravely, '* it would al- 
 most seem that you were in the right of it, — 
 that yours is the best method, after all ! " Then 
 he knocked the ashes from his pipe, and went, 
 slowly, and heavily, up-stairs to bed. 
 
 It was a long time before he fell asleep, but 
 he did so at last, for Insomnia is a demon who 
 rarely finds his way into Arcadia. But, all at 
 once, he was awake again, — broad awake, and 
 staring into the dark, for a thousand voices 
 seemed to be screaming in his ears, and eager 
 hands were shaking, and plucking at window 
 and lattice. He started up, and then he knew 
 that the storm was upon them, at last, in all its 
 fury, — rain, and a mighty wind, — a howling 
 raging tempest. Yes, a great, and mighty wind 
 was abroad, — it shrieked under the eaves, it 
 boomed and bellowed in the chimneys, and 
 roared away to carry destruction among the 
 distant woods; while the rain beat hissing 
 against the window-panes. 
 
 Surely in all its many years the old house
 
 THE MONEY MOON 241 
 
 of Dapplemere had seldom borne the brunt of 
 such a storm, so wild, — so fierce, and pitiless^ 
 
 And, Ijing there upon his bed, listening to 
 the uproar, and tumult, Bellew must needs 
 think of her who had once said: 
 
 ** We are placing all our hopes, this year, 
 upon the hops! "
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 How Small Forges, in his hour of need, was 
 deserted hy his Uncle 
 
 ** Ruined, sir! — Done for! — Lord love me! 
 they ain 't worth the trouble o ' gatherin ' — 
 w'ot's left on 'em, Mr. Belloo sir." 
 
 '' So bad as that, Adam? " 
 
 ** Bad! — ah, so bad as ever was, sir! " said 
 Adam, blinking suspiciously, and turning sud- 
 denly away. 
 
 '' Has Miss Anthea seen, — does she know? " 
 
 ' ' Ah ! she were out at dawn, and Oh Lord, 
 Mr. Belloo sir! I can't never forget her poor, 
 stricken face, — so pale and sad it were. But 
 she never said nothing, only : ' Oh, Adam ! — 
 my poor hops! ' An' I see her lips all of a 
 quiver while she spoke. An' so she turned 
 away, an' came back to the 'ouse, sir. Poor 
 lass! Oh poor lass! " he exclaimed, his voice 
 growing more husky. '' She's made a brave 
 fight for it, sir, — but it weren't no use, ye see, 
 — it'll be ' Good-bye ' for her to Dapplemere, 
 arter all, that there mortgage can't never be 
 paid now, — nohow. ' '
 
 THE MONEY MOON 243 
 
 ** When is it due? " 
 
 " "Well, according to the bond, or the deed, 
 or whatever they calls it, — it be doo — to- 
 night, at nine o'clock, sir, — though Old Grimes, 
 — as a special favour, an' arter much per- 
 suading, — 'ad agreed to liold over till next 
 Saturday, — on account o' the 'op-picking. But 
 now — seeing as there ain't no 'ops to be 
 picked, — wliy he'll fore-close to-night, an' glad 
 enough to do it, you can lay your oath on that, 
 Mr. Belloo sir." 
 
 " To-night! " said Bellew, '' to-night! " and 
 he stood, for a while with bent head, as though 
 lost in profound thought. ** Adam," said he, 
 suddenly, '' help me to harness the mare, I must 
 drive over to the nearest rail-road depot, — 
 hurry, I must be off, the sooner, the better." 
 
 " TVliat! — be you — goin' sir? " 
 
 " Yes; — hurry, man, — hurry! " 
 
 ** D'ye mean as you're a-goin' to leave her — 
 now, in the middle o' all this trouble? " 
 
 ** Yes, Adam, — I must go to Tjondon — on 
 business, — now hurry, like a good fellow." 
 And so, together they entered the stable, and 
 together tlioy harnessed the mare. A^^li('h 
 done, staying not for breakfast, Bellew 
 mounted the driver's seat, and, with Adam be- 
 side him, drove rapidly away.
 
 244 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 But Small Porges had seen these prepara- 
 tions, and now came running all eagerness, but 
 ere he could reach the yard, Bellew was out of 
 ear-shot. 
 
 So there stood Small Porges, a desolate little 
 figure, watching the rapid course of the dog- 
 cart until it had vanished over the brow of the 
 hill. And then, all at once the tears welled up 
 into his eyes hot, and scalding, and a great sob 
 burst from him, for it seemed to him that his 
 beloved Uncle Porges had failed him at the 
 crucial moment, — had left him solitary just 
 when he needed him most. 
 
 Thus Small Porges gave way to his grief, 
 hidden in the very darkest corner of the stable, 
 whither he had retired lest any should observe 
 his weakness, until having once more gained 
 command of himself, and wiped away his tears 
 with his small, and dingy pocket-handkerchief, 
 he slowly re-crossed the yard, and entering the 
 house went to look for his Auntie Anthea. 
 
 And, after much search, he found her — half - 
 lying, half-kneeling beside his bed. When he 
 spoke to her, though she answered him, she did 
 not look up, and he knew that she was weeping. 
 
 ' ' Don 't. Auntie Anthea, — don 't ! " he 
 pleaded. *' I know Uncle Porges has gone 
 away, an* left us, but you've got me left, you
 
 THE MONEY MOON 245 
 
 know, — au' I shall be a man — very soon, — 
 before my time, I think. So — don't cry, — 
 though I'm awful' sorry he's gone, too — just 
 when we needed him the most, vou know! " 
 
 " Oh Georgy! " she whispered, " my dear, 
 brave little Georgy! We shall only have each 
 other soon, — they're going to take Dapple- 
 mere away from us, — and everything we have 
 in the world, — Oh Georgy! " 
 
 * * Well, never mind ! ' ' said he, kneeling be- 
 side her, and drawing one small arm protect- 
 ingly about her, ** we shall always have each 
 other left, you know, — nobody shall ever take 
 you away from me. An' then — there's the — 
 Money Moon! It's been an awful' long time 
 coming, — but it may come to-night, or to- 
 morrow night. B.e said it would be sure to 
 come if the storm came, an' so I'll find the for- 
 tune for you at last. I know I shall find it some 
 day a course — 'cause I've prayed, an' prayed 
 for it so very hard, an' He said my prayers 
 went straight up to heaven, an' didn't get 
 blown away, or lost in the clouds. So — don't 
 cry, Auntie Anthea let's wait — just a little 
 longer — till the Money Moon comes."
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 In which shall he found mention of a certain 
 
 black bag 
 
 ** Baxter! " 
 
 '' Sir? " 
 
 *' Get me a pen, and ink! " 
 
 *' Yes, sir." 
 
 Now any ordinary mortal might have mani- 
 fested just a little surprise to behold his master 
 walk suddenly in, dusty and dishevelled of per- 
 son, his habitual languor entirely laid aside, 
 and to thus demand pen and ink, forthwith. 
 But then, Baxter, though mortal, was the very 
 cream of a gentleman's gentleman, and the 
 acme of valets, (as has been said), and com- 
 ported himself accordingly. 
 
 ''Baxter!" 
 
 '' Sir? " 
 
 *' Oblige me by getting this cashed." 
 
 *' Yes, sir." 
 
 *' Bring half of it in gold." 
 
 " Sir," said Baxter, glancing down at the 
 slip of paper, " did you say — half, sir? " 
 
 *' Yes, Baxter, — I'd take it all in gold only
 
 THE MONEY MOON 247 
 
 that it would be rather awkward to drag 
 around. So bring half in gold, and the rest ia 
 — five pound notes." 
 
 ** Very good, sir! " 
 
 '* And — Baxter! " 
 
 ♦' Sir? " 
 
 '* Take a cab! " 
 
 ** Certainly sir." And Baxter went out, clos- 
 ing the door behind him. Meanwhile Bellow 
 busied himself in removing all traces of liis 
 journey, and was already bathed, and shaved, 
 and dressed, by the time Baxter returned. 
 
 Now gripped in his right hand Baxter car- 
 ried a black leather bag which jingled as he set 
 it down upon the table. 
 
 *' Got it? " enquired Bellew, 
 
 '* I have, sir." 
 
 " Good! " nodded Bellew. '' Now just run 
 around to the garage, and fetch the new racing 
 car, — the Mercedes." 
 
 " Now, sir? " 
 
 " Now, Baxter! " 
 
 Once more Baxter departed, and, while he 
 was gone, Bellew began to pack, — that is to 
 say, he bundled coats and trousers, shirts and 
 boots into a portmanteau in a way that would 
 have wrung Baxter's heart, could he have seen. 
 Wliich done, Bellew opened the black bag,
 
 248 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 glanced inside, shut it again, and, lighting his 
 pipe, stretched himself out upon an ottoman, 
 and immediately became plunged in thought. 
 
 So lost was he, indeed, that Baxter, upon his 
 return was necessitated to emit three distinct 
 coughs, — (the most perfectly proper, and 
 gentleman-like coughs in the world) ere Bellew 
 was aware of his presence. 
 
 ^' Oh! — that you, Baxter? " said he, sitting 
 np, *' back so soon? " 
 
 '' The car is at the door, sir.'* 
 
 '' The car? — ah yes, to be sure! — Baxter.'' 
 
 ' ' What should you say if I told you — ' ' 
 Bellew paused to strike a match, broke it, tried 
 another, broke that, and finally put his pipe 
 back into his pocket, very conscious the while 
 of Baxter's steady, though perfectly respectful 
 regard. 
 
 '' Baxter," said he again. 
 
 ''Sir? "said Baxter. 
 
 " What should you say if I told you that I 
 was in love — at last, Baxter! — Head over 
 ears — hopelessly — irretrievably? " 
 
 " Say, sir? — why I should say, — indeed, 
 sir? " 
 
 '' What should you say," pursued Bellew, 
 staring thoughtfully down at the rug under his
 
 THE MONEY MOON 249 
 
 feet, " if I told you that I am so very miicli in 
 love that I am positively afraid to — tell her 
 
 80T " 
 
 '* I should say — very remarkable, sir! " 
 
 Bellew took out his pipe again, looked at it 
 very much as if he had never seen such a thing 
 before, and laid it down upon the mantelpiece. 
 
 " Baxter," said he, *' kindly understand that 
 I am speaking to you as — er — man to man, — 
 as my father's old and trusted servant and 
 my early boy-hood's only friend; sit down, 
 John." 
 
 " Thank you. Master George, sir." 
 
 '* I wish to — confess to you, John, that — 
 er — regarding the — er — Haunting Spectre 
 of the Might Have Been, — you were entirely 
 in the right. At that time I knew no more the 
 meaning of the — er — the word, John — " 
 
 ** Meaning the word — Love, Master 
 George? " 
 
 ** Preciselv; I knew no more about it than — 
 that table. But during tliese latter days, I have 
 begun to understand, and — or — the fact of 
 the matter is — I'm — I'm fairly — up against 
 it, John! '» 
 
 Here, Baxter, who had been watching hira 
 with his quick, sharp eyes nodded his head sol- 
 emnly :
 
 250 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 '* Master George," said he, *' speaking as 
 your father's old servant, and your boyhood's 
 friend, — I'm afraid you are." 
 
 Bellew took a turn up and down the room, 
 and then pausing in front of Baxter, (who 
 had risen also, as a matter of course), he 
 suddenly laid his two hands upon his valet's 
 shoulders. 
 
 " Baxter," said he, '' you'll remember that 
 after my mother died, my father was always too 
 busy piling up his millions to give much time 
 or thought to me, and I should have been a very 
 lonely small boy if it hadn 't been for you, John 
 Baxter. I was often ' up against it,' in those 
 days, John, and you were always ready to help, 
 and advise me; — but now, — well, from the 
 look of things, I'm rather afraid that I must 
 stay ' up against it ' — that the game is lost 
 already, John. But which ever way Fate de- 
 cides — win, or lose, — I'm glad — yes, very 
 glad to have learned the true meaning of — the 
 word, John." 
 
 "Master George, sir, — there was a poet 
 once — Tennyson, I think, who said, — * 'Tis 
 better to have loved and lost than never to have 
 loved at all, ' and I know — that he was — right. 
 Many years ago, — before you were born, Mas- 
 ter George, I loved — and lost, and that is how
 
 THE MONEY MOON 251 
 
 I know. But I hope that Fortune will bo kinder 
 to you, indeed I do." 
 
 "Thank you, John, — though I don't see 
 why she should be." And Bellew stood staring 
 down at the rug again, till aroused by Baxter's 
 cough : 
 
 '* Pray sir, what are your orders, the car is 
 waiting downstairs? " 
 
 * * Orders 1 — why — or — pack your grip, 
 Baxter, I shall take you with me, this time, into 
 Arcadia, Baxter." 
 
 " For how long, sir? " 
 
 ** Probably a week." 
 
 *• Very good, sir." 
 
 " It is now half-past three, I must be back in 
 Dapplemere at eight. Take your time — I'll go 
 down to look at the machine. Just lock the 
 place up, and — er — don't forget the black 
 bag." 
 
 Some ten minutes later the great racing car 
 set out on its journey, with Bollew at the wheel, 
 and Baxter beside him with the black bag held 
 firmly upon his knee. 
 
 Their process was, necessarily, slow at first, 
 on account of the crowded thoroughfares. But, 
 every now and then, the long, low car would 
 shoot forward through some gaj) in ilie traffic, 
 grazing the hubs of bus- wheels, dodging ban-
 
 252 THE MONEY, MOON 
 
 soms, shaving sudden corners in an apparently 
 reckless manner. But Baxter, with his hand 
 always upon the black leather bag, sat calm and 
 unruffled, since he knew, by long experience, 
 that Bellew's eye was quick and true, and his 
 hand firm and sure upon the wheel. 
 
 Over Westminster Bridge, and along the Old 
 Kent Road they sped, now fast, now slow, — 
 threading a tortuous, and difficult way amid 
 the myriad vehicles, and so, betimes, they 
 reached Blackheath. 
 
 And now the powerful machine hummed over 
 that ancient road that had aforetime, shaken to 
 the tread of stalwart Roman Legionaries, — 
 up Shooter 's Hill, and down, — and so into the 
 open country. 
 
 And, ever as they went, they talked. And 
 not as master and servant but as ' ' between man 
 and man," — wherefore Baxter the Valet be- 
 came merged and lost in Baxter the Human, — 
 the honest John of the old days, — a gray 
 haired, Mndly-eyed, middle-aged cosmopolitan 
 who listened to, and looked at. Young Alcides 
 beside him as if he had indeed been the Master 
 George, of years ago. 
 
 '' So you see, John, if all things do go well 
 with me, we should probably take a trip to the 
 Mediterranean. ' '
 
 THE MONEY MOON 253 
 
 ** In the — 'Silvia,' of course, Master 
 George? " 
 
 *'Yes; though — er — I've decided to 
 chauge her uame, John." 
 
 "Ah! — very natural — under the circum- 
 stances. Master George," said honest John, 
 his eyes twinkling slyly as he spoke, *' Now, 
 if I might suggest a new name it would be 
 hard to find a more original one than ' The 
 Haunting Spectre of the — " 
 
 ''Bosh, John! — there never was such a 
 thing, you were quite right, as I said before, 
 and — by heaven, — potato sacks! " 
 
 " Eh, — what? — potato sacks. Master 
 George? " 
 
 They had been climbing a long, winding 
 ascent, but now, having reached the top of the 
 hill, they overtook a great, lumbering market 
 cart, or wain, piled high with sacks of potatoes, 
 and driven by an extremely surly-faced man in 
 a smock-frock. 
 
 " Hallo there! " cried Bellow, slowing up, 
 *' how m "ch for one of j^our potato-sacks? " 
 
 " Get out, now! " growled the surly-faced 
 man, in a tone as surly as his look, " can't 
 ye see as they're all occipied? " 
 
 '* Well, — empty one." 
 
 " Get out, now! " repeated the man, scowl- 
 ing blacker than ever.
 
 254 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 i i 
 
 I'll give you a sovereign for one." 
 
 '* Now, don't ye try to come none o' your 
 jokes wi' me, young feller! " growled the car- 
 ter. ' ' Sovereign ! — bah ! — Show us. ' ' 
 
 '' Here it is," said Bellew, holding up the 
 coin in question. '' Catch! " and, with the 
 word, he tossed it up to the carter who caught 
 it, very dexterously, looked at it, bit it, rubbed 
 it on his sleeve, rang it upon the foot-board of 
 his waggon, bit it again and finally pocketed 
 it. 
 
 ''It's a go, sir," he nodded, his scowl van- 
 ishing as by magic; and as he spoke, he 
 turned, seized the nearest sack, and, forthwith 
 sent a cascade of potatoes rolling, and bound- 
 ing all over the road. Which done, he folded 
 up the sack, and handed it down to Bellew who 
 thrust it under the seat, nodded, and, throwing 
 in the clutch, set off down the road. But, long 
 after the car had hummed itself out of sight, 
 and the dust of its going had subsided, the 
 carter sat staring after it — open-mouthed. 
 
 If Baxter wondered at this purchase, he said 
 nothing, only he bent his gaze thoughtfully 
 upon the black leather bag that he held upon 
 his knee. 
 
 On they sped between fragrant hedges, un- 
 der whispering trees, past lonely cottages and
 
 THE MONEY MOOX 255 
 
 farm-houses, past gate, and field, and wood, 
 until the sun grew low. 
 
 At last, Bellew stopped the automobile at a 
 place where a narrow lane, or cart track, 
 branched off from the high road, and wound 
 away between great trees. 
 
 '* I leave you here," said lie as he sprang 
 from the ear, ** this is Dapplemere, — the farm- 
 house lies over the up-land, yonder, though you 
 can't see it because of the trees." 
 
 "Is it far. Master George? " 
 
 " About half a mile." 
 
 " Here is the bag, sir; but — do you think 
 it is — quite safe — ? " 
 
 " Safe, John? " 
 
 " Under the circumstances, Master George, 
 I think it would be advisable to — to take this 
 with you." And he held out a small revolver. 
 Bellow laughed, and shook his head. 
 
 *' Such things aren't necessary — here in 
 Arcadia, John, — besides, I have my stick. So 
 good-bye, for tlio present, you'll stay at the 
 * King's TIcad,' — remember." 
 
 " Good-night, Master George, sir, good- 
 night! and good fortune go with you." 
 
 ** Tliank you!" said Bellew, and reached 
 out his hand, ** I think we'll shake on that, 
 John! "
 
 256 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 So they clasped hands, and Bellew turned, 
 and set off along the grassy lane. And, pres- 
 ently, as he went, he heard the hum of the car 
 grow rapidly fainter and fainter until it was 
 lost in the quiet of the evening.
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 The Conspirators 
 
 The shadows were creeping down, and even- 
 ing was approaching, as Bellew took his way 
 alonff that winding lane that led to the House 
 
 *o 
 
 of Dapplemere. 
 
 Had there been anyone to see, (which there 
 was not), they might have noticed something 
 almost furtive in his manner of approach, for 
 he walked always under the trees where the 
 shadows lay thickest, and paused, once or twice, 
 to look about him warily. Being come within 
 sight of the house, he turned aside, and forcing 
 his way through a gap in the hedge, came by a 
 roundabout course to the farm-yard. Here, 
 after some search, he discovered a spade, the 
 which, (having discarded his stick), he took 
 upon his shoulder, and with the black leather 
 bag tucked under his arm, crossed the paddock 
 with tlie same degree of caution, and so, at last, 
 roacliod tlie orcliard. On he went, always in the 
 shadow until, at lengtli, lie paused beneath tlie 
 miglity, knotted brandies of " King Arthur." 
 Never did conspirator glance aliout him with 
 sharper eyes, or hearken witli keener ears, than
 
 258 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 did George Bellew, — or Conspirator No. One, 
 where he now stood beneath the protecting 
 shadow of '' King Arthur," — or Conspirator 
 No. Two, as, having unfolded the potato sack, 
 he opened the black leather bag. 
 
 The moon was rising broad, and yellow, but 
 it was low as yet, and ^' King Arthur " stood 
 in impenetrable gloom, — as any other thor- 
 ough-going, self-respecting conspirator should ; 
 and now, all at once, from this particular patch 
 of shadow, there came a sudden sound, — a 
 rushing sound, — a chinking, clinking, metallic 
 sound, and, thereafter, a crisp rustling that was 
 not the rustling of ordinary paper. 
 
 And now Conspirator No. One rises, and ties 
 the mouth of the sack with string he had 
 brought with him for the purpose, and setting 
 down the sack, bulky now and heavy, by Con- 
 spirator No. Two, takes up the spade and be- 
 gins to dig. And, in a while, having made an 
 excavation not very deep to be sure, but suffi- 
 cient to his purpose, he deposits the sack within, 
 covers it with soil, treads it down, and re- 
 placing the torn sod, carefully pats it down with 
 the flat of his spade. Which thing accomplished, 
 Conspirator No. One wipes his brow, and step- 
 ping forth of the shadow, consults his watch 
 with anxious eye, and, thereupon, smiles, — •
 
 THE MONEY MOON 259 
 
 surely a singularly pleasing smile for the lips 
 of an arch-conspirator to wear. Thereafter he 
 takes up the black bag, empty now, shoulders 
 the spade, and sets off, keeping once more in the 
 shadows, leaving Conspirator No. Two to guard 
 their guilty secret. 
 
 Now, as Conspirator No. One goes his shady 
 way, he keeps his look directed towards the 
 rising moon, and thus he almost runs into one 
 who also stands amid the shadows and whose 
 gaze is likewise fixed upon the moon. 
 
 ** Ah? — Mr. Bellew! " exclaims a drawling 
 voice, and Squire Cassilis turns to regard him 
 with his usual supercilious smile. Indeed 
 Squire Cassilis seems to be even more self- 
 satisfied, and smiling than ordinary, to-night, — 
 or at least Bellew imagines so. 
 
 " You are still agriculturally inclined, I see,'* 
 said Mr. Cassilis, nodding towards the spade, 
 " though it's rather a queer time to choose for 
 digging, isn't it? " 
 
 ** Not at all, sir — not at all," returned Bel- 
 lew solemnly, " the moon is very nearly at the 
 full, you will perceive." 
 
 " Well, sir, — and what of that? " 
 
 " "Wlien the moon is at the full, or nearly so, 
 I generally dig, sir, — that is to say, circum- 
 stances permitting."
 
 260 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 " Eeally," said Mr. Cassilis beginning to 
 caress his moustache, * ' it seems to me that 
 you have very — ah — pecuhar tastes, Mr. 
 Bellew." 
 
 '' That is because you have probably never 
 experienced the fierce joys of moon-light dig- 
 ging, sir." 
 
 *' No, Mr. Bellew, — digging — as a recrea- 
 tion, has never appealed to me at any time." 
 
 '' Then sir," said Bellew, shaking his head, 
 ** permit me to tell you that you have missed a 
 great deal. Had I the time, I should be de- 
 lighted to explain to you exactly how much, as 
 it is — allow me to wish you a very good eve- 
 ning. ' ' 
 
 Mr. Cassilis smiled, and his teeth seemed to 
 gleam whiter, and sharper than ever in the 
 moon-light : 
 
 ' ' Wouldn 't it be rather more apropos if you 
 said — ' Good-bye ' Mr. Bellew? " he enquired. 
 *' You are leaving Dapplemere, shortly, I un- 
 derstand, — aren't you? " 
 
 '< Why sir," returned Bellew, grave, and 
 imperturbable as ever, — ' * it all depends. 
 
 ** Depends! — upon what, may I ask? " 
 
 ** The moon, sir." 
 
 ** The moon? '*' 
 
 ** Precisely! 
 
 if 
 
 >>
 
 THE MONEY MOON 261 
 
 *' And pray — what can the moon have to do 
 with your departure? " 
 
 ** A great deal more than you'd think — sir. 
 Had I the time, I sliould be delighted to explain 
 to you exactly how much, as it is, — permit me 
 to wish you a very — good evening! " 
 
 Saying wliich, Bollew nodded afTably, and, 
 shouldering his spade, went upon his way. And 
 still he walked in the shadows, and still he 
 gazed upon the moon, but now, his thick brows 
 were gathered in a frown, and he was wonder- 
 ing just why Cassilis should chance to be here, 
 to-night, and what his confident air, and the 
 general assurance of his manner might por- 
 tend; above all, he was wondering how Mr. 
 Cassilis came to be aware of his own impending 
 departure. And so, at last, he came to the rick- 
 yard, — full of increasing doubt and misgiv- 
 ings.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 How the money moon rose 
 
 Evening had deepened into night, — a night 
 of ineffable calm, a night of an all pervading 
 quietude. A horse snorted in the stable near- 
 by, a dog barked in the distance, but these 
 sounds served only to render the silence the 
 more profound, by contrast. It was, indeed, a 
 night wherein pixies, and elves, and goblins, 
 and fairies might weave their magic spells, a 
 night wherein tired humanity dreamed those 
 dreams that seem so hopelessly impossible by 
 day. 
 
 And, over all, the moon rose high, and 
 higher, in solemn majesty, filling the world 
 with her pale loveliness, and brooding over 
 it like the gentle goddess she is. Even the 
 distant dog seemed to feel something of all 
 this, for, after a futile bark or two, he gave 
 it up altogether, and was heard no more. 
 
 And Bellew, gazing up at Luna's pale seren- 
 ity, smiled and nodded, — as much as to say, 
 *' You'll do! " and so stood leaning upon his 
 spade listening to:
 
 THE MONEY MOON 263 
 
 " That deep hush which seems a sigh 
 Breathed by Earth to listeaing sky." 
 
 Now, all at once, uiK)n this quietude there 
 rose a voice up-raised in fervent supplic^ition ; 
 wherefore, treading very softly, Bellew came, 
 and peeping round the hay-rick, beheld Small 
 Porges upon his knees. He was equipped for 
 travel and the perils of the road, for beside 
 him lay a stick, and tied to this stick was a 
 bundle that bulged with his most cherished 
 possessions. His cheeks were wet with great 
 tears that glistened in the moon-beams, but 
 he wept with eyes tight shut, and with his 
 small hands clasped close together, and thus 
 he spoke, — albeit much shaken, and hindered 
 by sobs : 
 
 ** I s'pose you think I bother you an awful 
 lot, dear Lord, — an' so I do, but you haven't 
 sent the Money Moon yet, you see, an' now 
 my Auntie Anthea's got to leave Dapplemere 
 — if I don't find the fortune for her soon, I 
 know I'm crying a lot, an' real men don't 
 cry, — but it's only 'cause I'm awful — lonely 
 an' disappointed, — an' nobody can see me, so 
 it doesn't matter. But, dear Lord, I've looked 
 an' looked everj-where, an' I haven't found a 
 single sovereign yet, — an' I've prayed to you, 
 an' prayed to you for the Money Moon an*
 
 26^ THE MONEY MOON 
 
 — it's never come. So now, dear Lord, I'm 
 going to Africa, an' I want you to please take 
 <3are of my Auntie Anthea till I come back. 
 Sometimes I'm 'fraid my prayers can't quite 
 manage to get up to you 'cause of the clouds, 
 an' wind, but to-night there isn't any, so, if 
 they do reach you, please — Oh ! please let me 
 find the fortune, and, if you don't mind, let — 
 Mm come back to me, dear Lord, — I mean my 
 Uncle Porges, you know. An' now — that's all, 
 dear Lord, so Amen! " 
 
 As the prayer ended Bellew stole back, and 
 coming to the gate of the rick-yard, leaned 
 there waiting. And, presently, as he watched, 
 he saw a small figure emerge from behind the 
 big hay- stack and come striding manfully to- 
 ward him, his bundle upon his shoulder, and 
 with the moon bright in his curls. 
 
 But, all at once. Small Porges saw him and 
 stopped, and the stick and bundle fell to the 
 ground and lay neglected. 
 
 << Why — my Porges! " said Bellew, a trifle 
 huskily, perhaps, ''why, Shipmate!'* and he 
 held out his hands. Then Small Porges uttered 
 a cry, and came running, and next moment Big 
 Porges had him in his arms. 
 
 * ' Oh, Uncle Porges ! — then you — have 
 come back to me! "
 
 THE MONEY MOON 265 
 
 *' Aye, aye, Shipmate." 
 
 ** AVhy, then — my prayers did reach! " 
 
 " AMiy, of course, — prayers always reach, 
 my Forges." 
 
 " Then, oh! — do you s'pose I shall find the 
 fortune, too? " 
 
 "Not a doubt of it, — just look at the 
 moon! " 
 
 '* The — moon? " 
 
 ** AVhy, haven't you noticed how — er — 
 peculiar it is to-night? " 
 
 '* Peculiar? " repeated Small Forges breath- 
 lessly, turning to look at it. 
 
 ** ^Miy, yes, my Forges, — big, you know, 
 and — er — yellow, — like — er — like a very 
 large sovereign." 
 
 " Do you mean — Oh! do you mean — 
 it's — the — " But here Small Forges choked 
 suddenly, and could only look his question. 
 
 "The Money Moon? — Oh yes — there she 
 is at last, my Forges! Take a good look at 
 her, I don't suppose we shall ever see another," 
 
 Small Forges stood very still, and gazed up 
 at the moon's broad, yellow disc, and, as he 
 looked the tears welled up in his eyes again, 
 and a great sob broke from him. 
 
 "I'm so — glad!" he whispered. "So — 
 awful — glad!" Then, suddenly, he daslied
 
 266 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 away his tears and slipped his small, trembling 
 hand into Bellew's. 
 
 ^ * Quick, Uncle Porges ! ' ' said he, ' ' Mr. 
 Grimes is coming to-night, you know — an' we 
 must find the money in time. Where shall we 
 look first? " 
 
 ' ' Well, I guess the orchard will do — to 
 start with." 
 
 ** Then let's go — now." 
 
 '' But we shall need a couple of spades, 
 Shipmate. ' ' 
 
 " Oh! — must we dig? " 
 
 ** Yes, — I fancy that's a — er — digging 
 moon, my Porges, from the look of it. Ah! 
 there's a spade, nice and handy, you take that 
 and I'll — er — I'll manage with this pitch- 
 fork." 
 
 '' But you can't dig with a — " 
 
 * ' Oh ! well — you can do the digging, and 
 I'll just — er — prod, you know. Ready? — 
 then heave ahead, Shipmate. ' ' 
 
 So they set out, hand in hand, spade and 
 pitch-fork on shoulder, and presently were 
 come to the orchard. 
 
 '' It's an awful big place to dig up a fortune 
 in! " said Small Porges, glancing about. 
 " Where do you s'pose we'd better begin? " 
 
 ** Well, Shipmate, between you and me, and
 
 THE MONEY MOON 2G7 
 
 the pitch-fork here, I rather fancy * King 
 Arthur ' knows more than most people would 
 think. ^\jiy way, we'll try him. You dig on 
 that side, and I'll prod on this." 
 
 Saying which, Bellew pointed to a certain 
 spot where the grass looked somewhat uneven, 
 and peculiarly bumpy, and, bidding Snudl For- 
 ges get to work, went round to the other side 
 of the great tree. 
 
 Being there, he took out his pipe, purely 
 from force of habit, and stood with it clenched 
 in his teeth, listening to the scrape of Small 
 Porges' spade. 
 
 Presently he heard a cry, a panting, breath- 
 less cry, but full of a joy unspeakable: 
 
 *' I've got it! — Oh, Uncle Porges — I've 
 found it! " 
 
 Small Porges was down upon his knees, pull- 
 ing and tugging at a sack he had partially un- 
 earthed, and which, with Bellew 's aid, ho- 
 dragged forth into the moonlight. In the 
 twinkling of an eye the string was cut, and 
 plunging in a hand Small Porges brought up 
 a fistful of shining sovereigns, and, among 
 them, a crumi>led banknote. 
 
 " It's all right, Uncle Porges! " he nodded, 
 his voice all of a quaver. '* It's all right, now, 
 — I've found tlie fortune I've prayed for, —
 
 268 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 gold, you know, an' banknotes — in a sack. 
 Every tMng will be all right again now. ' ' And, 
 while he spoke, he rose to his feet, and lifting 
 the sack with an effort, swung it across his 
 shoulder, and set off toward the house. 
 
 * ' Is it heavy. Shipmate ? ' ' 
 
 *' Awful heavy! " he panted, '' but I don't 
 mind that — it's gold, you see! " But, as they 
 crossed the rose-garden, Bellew laid a restrain- 
 ing hand upon his shoulder. 
 
 '< Porges," said he, " where is your Auntie 
 Anthea? " 
 
 " In the drawing-room, waiting for Mr. 
 Grimes." 
 
 '' Then, come this way." And turning, Bel- 
 lew led Small Porges up, and along the 
 terrace. 
 
 ^' Now, my Porges," he admonished him, 
 *' when we come to the drawing-room windows, 
 — they're open, you see, — I want you to hide 
 with me in the shadows, and wait until I give 
 you the word — ' ' 
 
 ^' Aye, aye, Captain! " panted Small Porges. 
 
 ' ' When I say ' heave ahead. Shipmate, ' — 
 why, then, you will take your treasure upon 
 your back and march straight into the room — 
 you understand? " 
 
 Aye, aye, Captain." 
 
 li
 
 THE MONEY MOON 2G9 
 
 *' Wliy, theu — come on, and — mum's the 
 word." 
 
 Very cautiously they approached the long 
 French windows, and paused in the shadow of 
 a great rose-bush, near-by. From where he 
 stood Bellew could see Anthea and Miss Pris- 
 cilla, and between them, sprawling in an easy 
 chair, was Grimes, while Adam, hat in hand, 
 scowled in the background. 
 
 *' All I can say is — as I'm very sorry for ye, 
 Miss Anthea," Grimes was saying. " Ah! 
 that I am, but glad as you've took it so well, — 
 no crying nor nonsense! " Here he turne<l to 
 look at Miss Priscilla, whose everlasting sew- 
 ing had fallen to her feet, and lay there all 
 unnoticed, while her tearful eves were fixed 
 upon Anthea, standing white-faced beside her. 
 
 * ' And when — when shall ye be ready to — 
 leave, to — vacate Dapplemere, Miss Anthea? " 
 Grimes went on. '* Not as I mean to 'urry 
 you, mind, — only I should like you to — name 
 a day." 
 
 Now, as Bellew watched, he saw Anthea 's 
 lips move, but no sound came. Miss Priscilla 
 saw also, and catching the nerveless hand, drew 
 it to her bosom, and wept over it. 
 
 " Come! come! " expostulated Grimes, 
 jingling tlie money in his pockets. ** C#me,
 
 270 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 come, Miss Anthea, mam! — all as I'm axing 
 you is — when ? All as I want yon to do is — ' * 
 
 But here Adam, who had been screwing and 
 wringing at his hat, now stepped forward and, 
 tapping Grimes upon the shoulder, pointed to 
 the door; 
 
 '' Mister Grimes," said he, '' Miss Anthea 's 
 told ye all as you come here to find out, — she 's 
 told ye as she — can't pay, so now, — s'pose 
 you — go. ' ' 
 
 '' But all I want to know is when she'll be 
 ready to move, and I ain't a going till I do, — 
 so you get out o' my way ! " 
 
 *' S'pose you go! " repeated Adam. 
 
 '* Get out o' my way, — d'ye hear? " 
 
 '' Because," Adam went on, " if ye don't go, 
 Mister Grimes, the ' Old Adam ' be arising 
 inside o' me to that degree as I shall be forced 
 to ketch you by the collar o' your jacket, and 
 ■ — heave you out, Mr. Grimes, sir, — so s'pose 
 you go." 
 
 Hereupon Mr. Grimes rose, put on his hat, 
 and muttering to himself, stamped indignantly 
 from the room, and Adam, shutting the door 
 upon him, turned to Miss Anthea, who stood 
 white-lipped and dry-eyed, while gentle little 
 Miss Priscilla fondled her listless hand. 
 
 *' Don't, — don't look that way. Miss An-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 271 
 
 thea," said Adam. "I'd rayther see you cry, 
 than look so. It be 'ard to 'ave to let the old 
 place go, but — " 
 
 '' Heave ahead, Shipmate! " whispered Bel- 
 lew. 
 
 Obedient to his command Small Porges, with 
 Lis burden upon his back, ran forward, and 
 stumbled into the room. 
 
 " It's all right, Auntie Anthea! " he cried, 
 ** I've got the fortune for you, — I've found 
 the money I prayed for, — here it is, oh! — 
 here it is ! " 
 
 The sack fell jingling to the floor, and, next 
 moment, he had poured a heap of shining gold 
 and crunii)led banknotes at Anthea 's feet. 
 
 For a moment no one moved, then, with a 
 strange hoarse cry, Adam had flung himself 
 down upon his knees, and cauglit up a great 
 handful of the gold; then while Miss Priscilla 
 sobbed witli her arms about Small Porges, and 
 Anthea stared down at the treasure, wide-eyed, 
 and witli her hands pressed down upon her 
 heart, Adam gave a sudden, great laugh, and 
 springing up, came running out through the 
 window, never spying Bellew in his haste, and 
 shouting as he ran: 
 
 '* Grimes! " he roared, ** Oh! Grimes, come 
 back an' be paid. Come back — we've had our
 
 272 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 little joke wi' yau, — now come back an' be 
 paid! " 
 
 Then, at last, Anthea's stony calm was 
 broken, her bosom heaved with tempestuous 
 sobs, and, next moment, she had thrown her- 
 self upon her knees, and had clasped her arms 
 about Small Porges and Aunt Priscilla, ming- 
 ling kisses with her tears. As for Bellew, he 
 turned away, and, treading a familiar path, 
 found himself beneath the shadow of *^ King 
 Arthur. ' ' Therefore, he sat down, and lighting 
 his pipe, stared up at the glory of the full-orbed 
 moon. 
 
 '' Happiness," said he, speaking his thought 
 aloud, '' ' Happiness shall come riding astride 
 the full moon ! ' Now — I wonder ! ' '
 
 CHAPTER XXVU 
 
 In which is verified the adage of the cup and 
 
 the lip. 
 
 Now as he sat thus, plunged in thought, he 
 heard the voice of one who approached in- 
 toning a familiar chant, or refrain, — the voice 
 was harsh, albeit not uumusiciil, and the words 
 of the chant were these: 
 
 " When I am dcatl, diddle diddle, as well may hap, 
 [Bury me deej), diddle diddle, under the tap, 
 Under the tap, diddle diddle, I '11 tell you — " 
 
 " Lord! " exclaimed the singer, breaking off 
 suddenly, '' be tliat you, Mr. Belloo, sir? " 
 
 ** Yea, in good sooth, Adam, the very same, 
 — but you sing, Adam? " 
 
 "Ah! — I sing, Mr. Belloo, sir, an' if you 
 ax me why, then T tell you bec4iuse I be 'appy- 
 'earted an' full o' joy, j'y, sir. The mort- 
 age be paid off at last, ^fr. Belloo, sir, — 
 Miss Anthea be out o' debt, — free, sir,— an* 
 all along o' Master Georgy, God bless him! "
 
 274 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 ti 
 
 Oh! " said Bellew, " — er — that's 
 good! " 
 
 " Good! " exclaimed Adam, *' Ah, Mr. Bel- 
 loo sir! it be more than good, — it's saved 
 Miss Antliea's home for her, and — betwixt 
 you an' me, sir, — I think it's saved her too. 
 An' it be all along o' that Master Georgy! 
 Lord sir! many's the time as I've watched 
 that theer blessed b'y a-seeldn', an' a-searchin', 
 a poldn' an' a pryin' round the place a-lookin' 
 for 'is fortun', — but. Lord bless my eyes an' 
 limbs, sir! — I never thought as he'd find 
 nothin'." 
 
 " Why, of course not, Adam." 
 
 '' Ah! — but that's jest where I were mis- 
 took, Mr. Belloo, sir, — because 'e did." 
 
 " Did what, Adam? " 
 
 " Found the fortun' as he were always a- 
 lookin' for, — a sack o' golden soverings, sir, 
 an' bank-notes, Mr. Belloo, sir, — bushels on 
 'em; enough — ah! more 'n enough to pay off 
 that mortgage, and to send that theer old 
 Grimes about his business, — an' away from 
 Dapplemere for good an' all, sir." 
 
 '' So Grimes is really paid off, then, is he, 
 Adam? " 
 
 *' I done it myself, sir, — wi' these here two 
 'ands, — Three thousand pound I counted
 
 THE MONEY MOOX 275 
 
 over to him, an' five hundred more — in banlv- 
 notes, sir, while Miss Authea sat by like one 
 in a dream. Altogether there were five thou- 
 sand pound as that blessed b'y dug up out o' 
 the orchard — done up all in a pertater sack, 
 under this very i-dentical tree as you'm a set- 
 tin' under Mr. Belloo sir. E'cod, I be half 
 minded to take a shovel and have a try at for- 
 tun'-huntin' myself, — only there ain't much 
 chance o' findin' another, hereabouts; besides 
 — tliat b'y prayed for that fortun', ah! long, 
 an' hard he prayed, ^Ir. Belloo sir, an' — 'twixt 
 you an' me, sir, I ain't been much of a pray-er 
 myself since my old mother died. Anyhow, the 
 mortgage be paid off, sir, Miss Authea 's free, 
 an' 'tis jy'ful, an' 'appy-'earted I be this night. 
 Prudence an' me '11 be gettin' married soon 
 now, — an' when I think of her cookin' — Lord, 
 Mr. Belloo sir ! — All as I say is God bless 
 Master Georgj-! Good-night, sir! an' may 
 your dreams be as 'appy as mine, — always 
 supposin' I do dream, — which is seldom. 
 Good-niglit, sir! " 
 
 Long after Adam's cheery whistle had died 
 away, Bellew sat, pipe in mouth, staring up at 
 the moon. At length, however, he rose, and 
 turned liis steps towards the house. 
 
 "Mr. Bellew! "
 
 276 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 He started, and turning, saw Anthea stand- 
 ing amid her roses. For a moment they looked 
 upon each other in silence, as though each 
 dreaded to speak, then suddenly, she turned, 
 and broke a great rose from its stem, and stood 
 twisting it between her fingers. 
 
 " Why did you — do it? " she asked. 
 
 *' Do it? " he repeated. 
 
 ' * I mean the — fortune. Georgy told me — 
 how you — helped him to find it, and I — know 
 how it came there, of course. "Why did you — 
 do it? " 
 
 " You didn't tell him — how it came there? " 
 asked Bellew anxiously. 
 
 '* No," she answered, *' I think it would 
 break his heart — if he knew. ' ' 
 
 ' ' And I think it would have broken his heart 
 if he had never found it," said Bellew, " and 
 I couldn't let that happen, could I? " Anthea 
 did not answer, and he saw that her eyes were 
 very bright in the shadow of her lashes though 
 she kept them lowered to the rose in her fin- 
 gers. 
 
 ** Anthea I " said he, suddenly, and reached 
 out his hand to her. But she started and drew 
 from his touch. 
 
 ** Don't!" she said, speaking almost in a 
 whisper, ** don't touch me. Oh! I know you
 
 THE MONEY MOON 277 
 
 have paid off the mortgage — you have bought 
 back my home for me as you bought back my 
 furniture! Why? — why? I was nothing to 
 you, or you to me, — why have you laid me 
 under this obligation, — you know I can never 
 hope to return your money — oh ! why, — why 
 did you do it? " 
 
 *' Bec^iuse I — love you, ^Vnthea, have loved 
 you from the first. Because everj'thing I pos- 
 sess in this world is yours — even as I am." 
 
 ** You forget! " she broke in proudly, " you 
 forget — " 
 
 ** Everything but my love for you, Anthea, 
 
 — everything but that I want 3'ou for my wife. 
 I'm not much of a fellow, I know, but — oould 
 you learn to — love me enough to — marry me 
 
 — some day, Anthea? " 
 
 "Would you have — dared to say this to 
 me — before to-night? — before your money 
 had bought back the roof over my head? Oh! 
 haven't I been humiliated enough? You — you 
 have taken from mo the only thing I had left 
 
 — my indei)endence, — stolen it from me ! Oh ! 
 hadn't I been shamed enough? " 
 
 Now, as she spoke, she saw tliat his eyes 
 were grown suddenly big and fierce, and, in tliat 
 moment, her hands were caught in his power- 
 ful clasp.
 
 278 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 (< 
 
 Let me go! " she cried. 
 
 '' No," said he, shaking his head, ** not until 
 you tell me if you — love me. Speak, Anthea. ' ' 
 
 " Loose my hands! " She threw up her 
 head proudly, and her eyes gleamed, and her 
 cheeks flamed with sudden anger. " Loose 
 me! " she repeated. But Bellew only shook 
 his head, and his chin seemed rather more 
 prominent than usual, as he answered: 
 
 ' ' Tell me that you love me, or that you hate 
 me — whichever it is, but, until you do — " 
 
 '' You — hurt me! " said she, and then, as 
 his fingers relaxed, — with a sudden passionate 
 cry, she had broken free ; but, even so, he had 
 caught and swept her up in his arms, and held 
 her close against his breast. And now, feeling 
 the hopelessness of further struggle, she lay 
 passive, while her eyes flamed up into his, and 
 his eyes looked down into her's. Her long, 
 thick hair had come loose, and now with a sud- 
 den, quick gesture, she drew it across her face, 
 veiling it from him; wherefore, he stooped his 
 head above those lustrous tresses. 
 
 ' * Anthea ! " he murmured, and the masterful 
 voice was strangely hesitating, and the master- 
 ful arms about her were wonderfully gentle, 
 ** Anthea — do you — love me?" Lower he 
 bent, and lower, until his lips touched her hair,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 279 
 
 until beneath that fragrant veil, his mouth 
 sought, and found, her's; and, in that breath- 
 less moment, he felt them quiver responsive to 
 his c-aress. And then, he had set her down> 
 she "was free, and he was looking at her with 
 a new-found radiance in his eyes. 
 
 "Anthea!" he said, wonderingly, "why 
 then — you do — ? " But, as he spoke, she hid 
 her face in her hands. 
 
 '* Anthea! " he repeated. 
 
 ** OhI " she whispered, "I — hate you! — 
 despise you ! Oh ! you shall be paid back, — 
 every penny, — every fartliing, and — very 
 soon! Next week — I marry Mr. Cassilis!" 
 
 And so, she turned, and fled away, and left 
 him standing there amid the roses.
 
 CHAPTER XXVni 
 
 Which tells how Bellew left Dapplemere in the 
 
 dawn 
 
 Far in the East a grey streak marked the ad- 
 vent of another day, and upon all things was 
 a solemn hush, a great, and awful stillness that 
 was like the stillness of Death. The Earth 
 was a place of gloom, and mist, where spectral 
 shadows writhed, and twisted, and flitted under 
 a frowning heaven, and out of the gloom there 
 came a breath, sharp, and damp, and exceed- 
 ing chill. 
 
 Therefore, as Bellew gazed down from the 
 frowning Heaven to the gloom of Earth, be- 
 low, with its ever-moving, misty shapes, he 
 shivered involuntarily. 
 
 In another hour it would be day, and with 
 the day, the gates of Arcadia would open for 
 his departure, and he must go forth to become 
 once more a wanderer, going up and down, and 
 to and fro in the world until his course was run. 
 
 And yet it was worth having lived for, this 
 one golden month, and in all his wanderings 
 needs must he carry with him the memory of
 
 THE MONEY MOON 2S1 
 
 Her who bad taught him how deep and higli, 
 how wide and inlinitely far-reaching that thing 
 called " Love " may really be. 
 
 And — Forges! — dear, quaint, Small Por- 
 ges! where under heaven could he ever lind 
 again such utter faith, such pure unaffected 
 loyalty and devotion as tlirobbed within that 
 small, warm heart! How could he ever bid 
 " Good-bye " to loving, eager, little Small 
 Forges T 
 
 And then there was Miss Friscilla, and the 
 strong, gentle Sergeant, and Peterday, and 
 sturdy Adam, and Prudence, and the rosy- 
 cheeked maids. How well they all suited this 
 wonderful Arcadia! Yes, indeed he, and he 
 only, had been out of place, and so — he must 
 go — back to the cvery-day, matter-of-fact 
 world, but how could he ever say " Good-bye '* 
 to faithful, loving Small Forges? 
 
 Far in the East the grey streak had bright- 
 ened, and broadened, and was already tinged 
 with a faint jiink that deepened, and deepened, 
 as he watched. Bellew had seen the glory of 
 many a sun-rise in divers wild places of the 
 Earth, and, hitherto, had always felt deep 
 within him, the responsive tlirill, the exhilara- 
 tion of liope new ])orn, and joyful expectation 
 of the great, unknown Future. But now, ho
 
 282 THE MONEY MOOX 
 
 "watched the varying hues of pink, and scarlet, 
 and saffron, and gold, with gloomy brow, and 
 sombre eyes. 
 
 Now presently, the Black-bird who lived in 
 the apple-tree beneath his window, (the tree of 
 the inquisitive turn of mind), this Black-bird 
 fellow, opening a drowsy eye, must needs give 
 vent to a croak, very hoarse and feeble; then, 
 (apparently having yawned prodigiously and 
 stretched himself, wing, and leg), he tried a 
 couple of notes, — in a hesitating, tentative 
 sort of fashion, shook himself, — repeated the 
 two notes, — tried three, found them mellower, 
 and more what the waiting world very justly 
 expected of him; grew more confident; tried 
 four ; tried five, — grew perfectly assured, and 
 so burst forth into the full, golden melody of 
 his morning song. 
 
 Then Bellew, leaning out from his casement, 
 as the first bright beams of the rising sun 
 gilded the top-most leaves of the tree, thus 
 apostrophised the unseen singer: 
 
 *' I suppose you will be piping away down 
 in your tree there, old fellow, long after 
 Arcadia has faded out of my life. Well, it 
 will be only natural, and perfectly right, of 
 course, — She will be here, and may, perhaps, 
 stop to listen to you. Now if, somehow, you
 
 THE MONEY MOON 283 
 
 could manage to compose for me a Song of 
 Memory, some evening when I'm gone, — some 
 evening when She happens to be sitting idle, 
 and watching the moon rise over the upland 
 yonder; if, at such a time, you could just man- 
 age to remind her of — me, why — I'd thank 
 you. And so, — Good-bye, old fellow!" 
 
 Saying which, Bellew turned from the win- 
 dow, and took up a certain bulging, be-strapped 
 portmanteau, while the Black-bird, (having, 
 evidently, hearkened to his request with much 
 grave attention), fell a singing more gloriously 
 than ever. 
 
 Meanwhile, Bellew descended the great, wide 
 stair, soft of foot, and cautious of step, yet 
 pausing once to look towards a certain closed 
 door, and so, presently let himself quietly out 
 into the dawn. The dew sparkled in the grass, 
 it hung in glittering jewels from every leaf, 
 and twig, while, now and then, a shining drop 
 would fall upon him as he passed, like a great 
 tear. 
 
 Now, as he reached the orchard, up rose the 
 sun in all his majesty filling the world with 
 the splendour of his coming, — before whose 
 kindly beams the skulking mists and shadows 
 shrank afTrightcd, and fled utterly away. 
 
 This morning, " King Artliur " wore his
 
 284 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 grandest robes of state, for his mantle of greeix 
 was thick sewn with a myriad flaming gems; 
 very different he looked from that dark, 
 shrouded giant who had so lately been Con- 
 spirator No. Two. Yet, perhaps for this very 
 reason, Bellew paused to lay a hand upon his 
 mighty, rugged bole, and, doing so, turned and 
 looked back at the House of Dapplemere. 
 
 And truly never had the old house seemed 
 so beautiful, so quaint, and peaceful as now. 
 It's every stone and beam had become familiar 
 and, as he looked, seemed to find an individ- 
 uality of its own, the very lattices seemed to 
 look back at him, like so many wistful eyes. 
 
 Therefore George Bellew, American Citizen, 
 millionaire, traveller, explorer, and — LOVER, 
 sighed as he turned away, — sighed as he 
 strode on through the green and golden morn- 
 ing, and resolutely — looked back no more.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 Of the moon's message to Synall Forges, and 
 how he told it to Belleiv — in a whisper 
 
 Bellew walked on at a good pace with his 
 back turned resohitelv towards the House of 
 Dapplemere, and thus, as he swung into that 
 narrow, grassy hme that wound away between 
 trees, he was mucli surprised to hear a distant 
 hail. Facing sharp about he espied a diminu- 
 tive figure whose small legs trotted very fast, 
 and whose small fist waved a weather-beaten 
 cap. 
 
 Bellew's first impulse was to turn, and run. 
 But Bellew rarely acted on impulse; therefore, 
 he set down the bulging ix)rtmanteau, seated 
 himself upon it, and taking out pipe and to- 
 bacco, waited for his pursuer to come 
 up. 
 
 " Oh Uncle Porgos! " panted a voice, ** you 
 did walk so awful fast, an' I called, an' called, 
 but you never heard. An' now, please, — 
 where are you going? " 
 
 " Going," said Bellew, searching through his 
 pockets for a match, ** going, my Porges, why
 
 286 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 — er — for a stroll, to be sure, — just a walk 
 before breakfast, you know." 
 
 '' But then — why have you brought your 
 bag? " 
 
 '' Bag! " repeated Bellew, stooping down to 
 look at it, ' ' why — so — I have ! ' ' 
 
 ''Please — why?" persisted Small Porges, 
 suddenly anxious. '' Why did you — bring 
 it? " 
 
 ' ' Well, I expect it was to — er — to bear 
 me company. But how is it you are out so very 
 early, my Porges? " 
 
 '' Why, I couldn't sleep, last night, you know, 
 'cause I kept on thinking, and thinking 'bout 
 the fortune. So I got up — in the middle of 
 the night, an' dressed myself, an' sat in the 
 big chair by the window, an' looked at the 
 Money Moon. An' I stared at it, an' stared 
 at it till a wonderful thing happened, — an* 
 what do you s'pose? " 
 
 *' I don't know." 
 
 ' ' Well, — all at once, while I stared up at 
 it, the moon changed itself into a great, big 
 face; but I didn't mind a bit, 'cause it was 
 a very nice sort of face, — rather like a gnome 's 
 face, only without the beard, you know. An* 
 while I looked at it, it talked to me, an' it told 
 me a lot of things, — an' that's how I know
 
 THE MONEY MOON 2S7 
 
 that you are — going away, 'cause you are, you 
 know, — aren't youT " 
 
 " A\Tiy, my Porges," said Bellew, fumbling 
 with his pipe, " why Sliipmate, I — since you 
 ask me — 1 am." 
 
 *' Yes, I was 'fraid the moon was right," 
 said Small Porges, and turned away. But 
 Bellew had seen the stricken look in his eyes, 
 therefore he took Small Porges in the circle 
 of his big arm, and holding him thus, explained 
 to him how that in this great world each 
 of us must walk his appointed way, and that 
 there must, and always will be, partings, but 
 that also there must and always shall be, meet- 
 ings: 
 
 ** And so, my Porges, if we have to say 
 * Good-bye ' now, — the sooner we shall meet 
 again, — some day — somewhere. ' ' 
 
 But Small Porges only sighed, and shook his 
 head in hopeless dejection. 
 
 ** Does — she — know you're going, — I 
 mean my Auntie Anthea? " 
 
 ** Oh yes, she knows, Porges." 
 
 " Then I s'pose that's why she was crying 
 80, in the night — " 
 
 " Cr>'ing? " 
 
 "Yes; — she's cried an awful lot lately, 
 hasn't she? Last night, — when I woke up,
 
 288 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 you know, an' couldn't sleep, I went into her 
 room, an' she was crying — with her face 
 hidden in the pillow, an' her hair all about 
 her—" 
 
 '' Crying! " 
 
 "Yes; an' she said she wished she was 
 dead. So then, a course, I tried to comfort her, 
 you know. An' she said 'I'm a dreadful 
 failure, Georgy dear, with the farm, an' every- 
 thing else. I've tried to be a father and mother 
 to you, an' I've failed in that too, — so now, 
 I'm going to give you a real father,' — an' she 
 told me she was going to marry — Mr. Cassilis. 
 But I said ' No ' — 'cause I'd 'ranged for her 
 to marry you an' live happy ever after. But 
 she got awful angry again an' said she'd never 
 marry you if you were the last man in the 
 world — 'cause she 'spised you so — " 
 
 ' ' And that would seem to — settle it ! " 
 nodded Bellew gloomily, " so it's ' Good-bye ' 
 my Forges! We may as well shake hands 
 now, and get it over," and Bellew rose from 
 the portmanteau, and sighing, held out his 
 hand. 
 
 ' ' Oh ! — but wait a minute ! ' ' cried Small 
 Porges eagerly, " I haven't told you what the 
 Moon said to me, last night — " 
 
 *'Ah! — to be sure, we were forgetting
 
 THE MONEY MOON 289 
 
 that! " said Bellew with au absent look, and 
 a trifle wearily. 
 
 ** AMiy then — please sit down again, so I 
 can speak into your ear, 'cause what the ^loon 
 told me to tell you was a secret, you know." 
 
 So, perforce, Bellew re-seated himself u})on 
 his portmanteau, and drawing Small Porges 
 close, bent his head down to the anxious little 
 face; and so, Small Porges told him exactly 
 what the ^loon had said. And the Moon's 
 message, (whatever it was), seemed to be very 
 short, and concise, (as all really important 
 messages should be) ; but these few words had 
 a wondrous, and magical effect upon George 
 Bellew. For a moment he stared wide-eyed 
 at Small Porges like one awaking from a dream, 
 then the gloom vanished from his brow, and 
 he sprang to his feet. And, being upon his 
 feet, he smote his clenched fist down into the 
 palm of his hand with a resounding smack. 
 
 " By lieaven! " he exclaimed, and took a 
 turn to and fro across the width of the lane, 
 and seeing Small Porges watching him, caught 
 him suddenly up in his arms, and hugged him. 
 
 '* And tlie moon will be at the full, to- 
 night! " said ho. Tlioroaftor he sat him down 
 upon his portmanteau again, with Small Porges 
 upon his knee, and they talked confidentially
 
 290 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 together with their heads very close together 
 and in muffled tones. 
 
 When, at last, Bellew rose, his eyes were 
 bright and eager, and his square chin, promi- 
 nent, and grimly resolute. 
 
 *' So — you quite understand, my Porges? " 
 
 " Yes, yes — Oh I understand! " 
 
 *' Where the little bridge spans the brook, 
 — the trees are thicker, there.'* 
 
 '* Aye aye, Captain! " 
 
 ' ' Then — fare thee well. Shipmate ! Good- 
 bye, my Porges, — and remember! '* 
 
 So they clasped hands, very solemnly. Big 
 Porges, and Small Porges, and turned each 
 his appointed way, the one up, the other down, 
 the lane. But lo ! as they went Small Porges ' 
 tears were banished quite; and Bellew strode 
 upon his way, his head held high, his shoulders 
 squared, like one in whom Hope has been new- 
 born.
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 How Anthea gave her promise 
 
 ' * And so — be — has really gone ! ' ' Miss Pris- 
 cilla sighed as she spoke, and looked up from 
 her needle-work to watch Anthea who sat 
 biting her pen, and frowning down at the blank 
 sheet of paper before her. " And so, he is 
 — really — gone T ' ' 
 
 ♦* Who — Mr. Bellew? Oh yesi " 
 
 " lie went — very early! " 
 
 *' Yes." 
 
 '* And — without any breakfast! " 
 
 ** That was — his own fault! " said Anthea. 
 
 " And without even — saying ' Good-bye '! " 
 
 ** Perhaps he was in a hurry," Anthea sug- 
 gested. 
 
 ** Oh dear me, no my dear! I don't believe 
 Mr. Bellew was ever in a hurry in all his 
 life." 
 
 ** No," sai<l Anthea, giving her pen a vicious 
 bite, ** I don't believe he ever was; he is al- 
 ways so — hatefully placid, and deliberate!" 
 and here, she bit her pen again. 
 
 *' Eh, ray dear? " exclaimed Miss Priscilla,
 
 292 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 pausing with her needle in mid-air, *' did you 
 say — hatefully? " 
 '' Yes." 
 *' Anthea! " 
 I — hate him, Aunt Priscilla! *' 
 Eh? — My dear! " 
 That was why I — sent him away." 
 
 a 
 li 
 
 *' You — sent him away? " 
 ** Yes." 
 
 But — Anthea — why 1 ' ' 
 
 ' ' Oh Aunt Priscilla ! — surely you never — 
 believed in the — fortune ? Surely you guessed 
 it was — his money that paid back the mort- 
 gage, — didn't you, Aunt, — didn't you! " 
 
 * * Well, my dear — . But then — he did it 
 so very — tactfully, and — and — I had hoped, 
 my dear that — ' ' 
 
 * ' That I should — marry him, and settle 
 the obligation that way, perhaps? " 
 
 '' Well, yes my dear, I did hope so — " 
 
 ** Oh! — I'm going to marry — " 
 
 '' Then why did you send — " 
 
 * ' I 'm going to marry Mr. Cassilis — when- 
 ever he pleases! " 
 
 *' Anthea! " The word was a cry, and her 
 needle- work slipped from Miss Priscilla 's 
 nerveless fingers. 
 
 *' He asked me to write and tell him if ever 
 I changed my mind 
 
 j>
 
 THE MONEY MOON 20a 
 
 ''Oh — my dear! my dear!" cried Miss 
 Priscilla reachiug out imploring hands, " you 
 never mean it, — you are all distraught to-day 
 — tired, and worn out with worry, and loss of 
 sleep, — wait! " 
 
 ''Wait!" repeated Anthea bitterly, "for 
 what? " 
 
 * ' To — marry — him ! ^Vnthea ! you never 
 mean it ? Think, — think what you are doing." 
 
 ** I thought of it all last night, Aunt Pris- 
 cilla, and all this morning, and — I have made 
 up my mind." 
 
 ** You mean to write — ? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " To tell Mr. Cassilis that you will — marry 
 liimt " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 But now Miss Priscilla rose, and, next mo- 
 ment, was kneeling beside Anthea 's chair. 
 
 " Oh my dear! " she pleaded, ** you that I 
 love like my own flesh and blood, — don't! Oh 
 Anthea! don't do what can never be undone. 
 Don't give your youth and beauty to one who 
 can never — never make you happy, — Oh 
 Anthea — ! " 
 
 " Dear Aunt Priscilla, I would rather marry 
 one I don't love than have to live beliolden all 
 my days to a man that I — liato! " Now, as
 
 294 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 she spoke, thougli her embrace was as ready, 
 and her hands as gentle as ever, yet Miss Pris- 
 cilla saw that her proud face was set, and stern. 
 So, she presently rose, sighing, and taking her 
 little crutch stick, tapped dolefully away, and 
 left Anthea to write her letter. 
 
 And now, hesitating no more, Anthea took 
 up her pen, and wrote, — surely a very short 
 missive for a love-letter. And, when she had 
 folded, and sealed it, she tossed it aside, and 
 laying her arms upon the table, hid her face, 
 with a long, shuddering sigh. 
 
 In a little while, she rose, and taking up 
 the letter, went out to find Adam; but re- 
 membering that he had gone to Cranbrook with 
 Small Porges, she paused irresolute, and then 
 turned her steps toward the orchard. Hearing 
 voices, she stopped again, and glancing about, 
 espied the Sergeant, and Miss Priscilla. She 
 had given both her hands into the Sergeant's 
 one, great, solitary fist, and he was looking 
 down at her, and she was looking up at him, 
 and upon the face of each, was a great and 
 shining joy. 
 
 And, seeing all this, Anthea felt herself very 
 lonely all at once, and, turning aside, saw all 
 things through a blurr of sudden tears. She 
 was possessed, also, of a sudden, fierce loath-
 
 THE MONEY MOON 295 
 
 ing of the future, a horror because of the prom- 
 ise her letter contained. Nevertheless she was 
 firm, and resolute on her course because of 
 the pride that burned within her. 
 
 So thus it was that as the Sergeant pres- 
 ently came striding along on his homeward 
 way, he was suddenly aware of Miss Anthea 
 standing before him; whereupon he halted, and 
 removing his hat, wished her a *' Good-after- 
 noon! " 
 
 ** Sergeant," said she, *' will you do some- 
 thing for me? " 
 
 ** Anything you ask me. Miss Anthea, mam, 
 — ever and always." 
 
 "I want you to take this letter to — Mr. 
 Cassilis, — will you? " 
 
 Tbe Sergeant hesitated unwontedly, turning 
 his hat about and about in his hand, finally he 
 put it on, out of the way. 
 •♦ AVill you, Sergeant? " 
 '* Since you ask me — Miss Anthea mam; - 
 I will." 
 
 '* Give it into his own hand." 
 ** Miss Anthea mam — I will." 
 " Thank you! — here it is, Sergeant." And 
 BO she turned, and was gone, leaving the Ser- 
 geant staring down at the letter in his hand, 
 and shaking his head over it.
 
 296 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Antkea walked on hastily, never looking be- 
 hind, and so, coming back to the house, threw 
 herself down by the open window, and stared 
 out with unseeing eyes at the roses nodding 
 slumberous heads in the gentle breeze. 
 
 So the irrevocable step was taken! She had 
 given her promise to marry Cassilis whenever 
 he would, and must abide by it ! Too late now, 
 ^ny hope of retreat, she had deliberately chosen 
 her course, and must follow it — to the end. 
 
 *' Begging your pardon. Miss Anthea 
 mam — ! " 
 
 She started, and glancing round, espied 
 Adam. 
 
 ' ' Oh ! — you startled me,, Adam, — what is 
 it? " 
 
 " Begging your pardon. Miss Anthea, but is 
 it true as Mr. Belloo be gone away — for 
 good? " 
 
 '^ Yes, Adam.'' 
 
 " Why then all I can say is — as I'm sorry, — 
 ah! mortal sorry I be, an' my 'eart, mam, my 
 'eart likewise gloomy." 
 
 Were you so — fond of him, Adam? " 
 Well, Miss Anthea, — considering as he 
 were — the best, good-naturedest, properest 
 kind o' gentleman as ever was; when I tell 
 you as over an' above all this, he could use 

 
 THE MONEY MOON 297 
 
 his fists better than any man as ever I see, 
 
 — hmi having knocked me into a dry ditch, 
 though, to be sure I likewise drawed his claret, 
 
 — begging your pardon, I'm sure, Miss ^Vn- 
 thea; all of which happened on account o' 
 me finding him a-sleeping in your 'ay, mam ; — 
 when I tell you furthermore, as he treated 
 me ever as a man, an' wern't noways above 
 shaking my 'and, or smoking a pipe wi' me — 
 sociable like; when I tell you as he were the 
 finest gentleman, and properest man as ever 
 I knowed, or heard tell on, — why, I think as 
 the word * fond ' be about the size of it. Miss 
 Anthea mam! " saying which, Adam nodded 
 several times, and bestowed an emphatic back- 
 hande<l knock to the crown of his hat. 
 
 " You used to sit together very often — 
 under the big apple tree, didn't you, Adam? " 
 
 "Ah! — many an' many a night, Miss 
 Anthea." 
 
 "Did he — ever tell you — much of his — 
 life, Adam? " 
 
 " WHiy yes, Miss Anthea, — told me sumraat 
 about his travels, told me as he'd shot lions, 
 an' tigers — away out in India, an' Africa." 
 
 " Did he ever mention — " 
 
 " ^^'ell, Miss Anthea? " said he enquiringly, 
 seeing she liad paused.
 
 298 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * * Did lie ever speak of — the — lady he is 
 going to marry? " 
 
 ** Lady? " repeated Adam, giving a sudden 
 twist to his hat. 
 
 ** Yes, — the lady — who lives in London? " 
 
 ** No, Miss Anthea," answered Adam, screw- 
 ing his hat tighter, and tighter. 
 
 *' Why — what do you mean? *' 
 
 *■ * I mean — as there never was no lady, Miss 
 Anthea, — neither up to Lonnon, nor nowhere 's 
 else, as I ever heard on." 
 
 * * But — oh Adam ! — you — told me — ' ' 
 
 * * Ah ! — for sure I told ye, but it were a lie. 
 Miss Anthea, — leastways, it weren't the truth. 
 Ye see, I were afraid as you'd refuse to take 
 the money for the furnitur' unless I made ye 
 believe as he wanted it uncommon bad. So I 
 up an' told ye as he'd bought it all on account 
 o' him being matrimonially took wi' a young 
 lady up to Lonnon — ' ' 
 
 * ' And then — you went to — him, and 
 warned him — told him of the story you had 
 invented? " 
 
 * ' I did. Miss Anthea ; at first, I thought as 
 he were going to up an' give me one for my- 
 self, but, arterwards he took it very quiet, an' 
 told me as I'd done quite right, an' agreed to 
 play the game. An' that's all about it, an'
 
 THE MONEY MOON 299 
 
 glad I am as it be off my mind at last. An* 
 now, Miss Anthea mam, seeing you're that rich 
 • — wi' Master Georgy's fortmi', — why you can 
 pay back for the furuitur' — if so be you're 
 minded to. An' I hope as you agree wi' me 
 as I done it all for the best. Miss Anthea? " 
 
 Here, Adam unscrewed his hat, and knocked 
 out the wrinkles against his knee, which done, 
 he glanced at Anthea: 
 
 *' ^\Tiy — what is it, Miss Anthea? " 
 
 ** Nothing, Adam, — I haven't slept well, 
 lately — that's all." 
 
 " Ah, well! — you'll be all right again now, 
 ^we all shall, — now the mortgage be paid off, 
 ^shan't we. Miss Anthea? " 
 
 '' Yes, Adam." 
 
 " We 'ad a great day — over to Cranbrook, 
 Master Geovgy an' me, he be in the kitchen 
 now, wi' Prudence — a-eating of bread an' 
 jam. Good-niglit, ]\Iiss Anthea mam, if you 
 should be wanting me again I shall be in the 
 Btables, — Good-night, Miss Anthea!" So, 
 honest, well-meaning Adam touched his fore- 
 head with a square-ended finger, and trudged 
 away. But Anthea sat there, very still, with 
 (drooping head, and vacant eyes. 
 
 And so it was done, the irrevocable step had 
 been taken; she had given her promise! So
 
 300 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 now, having cliosen her course, she must fol- 
 low it — to the end. 
 
 For, in Arcadia, it would seem that a prom- 
 ise is still a sacred thing. 
 
 Now, in a while, lifting her eyes, they en- 
 countered those of the smiling Cavalier above 
 the mantel. Then, as she looked, she stretched 
 out her arms with a sudden yearning gesture: 
 
 ** Oh! " she whispered, " if I were only — 
 just a picture, like you.'*
 
 CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 Which, being the last, is, very properly, the 
 longest in the hook 
 
 In those benighted days when men went abroad 
 cased in steel, and, upon very slight provoca- 
 tion, were wont to smite each other with axes, 
 and clubs, to buffet and skewer each otlier 
 v.-ith spears, lances, swords, and divers other 
 barbarous engines, yet, in that dark, and 
 doughty age, ignorant though they were of all 
 those smug maxims, and excellent moralities 
 with which we are so happily blessed, — even 
 in that unhallowed day, when the solemn tread 
 of the policeman's foot was all unknown, — 
 they had evolved for themselves a code of rules 
 whereby to govern their life, and conduct. 
 Amongst these, it was tacitly agreed upon, and 
 understood, that a spoken promise was a 
 pledge, and held to be a very sacred thing, and 
 he who broke faith, committed all the cardinal 
 sins. Indeed their laws were very few, and 
 simple, easily understood, and well calculated 
 to govern man's conduct to Ids fellow. In this 
 day of ours, ablaze with learning, and culture,
 
 o02 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 — veneered with a fine civilization, our laws 
 are complex beyond all knowing and expres- 
 sion ; man regulates his conduct — to them, — 
 
 — and is as virtuous, and honest as the law 
 compels him to be. 
 
 This is the age of Money, and, therefore, an 
 irreverent age; it is also the age of Eespecta- 
 bility (with a very large E), — and the police- 
 man's bludgeon. 
 
 But in Arcadia — because it is an old-world 
 place where life follows an even, simple course, 
 where money is as scarce as roguery, the old 
 law still holds; a promise once given, is a 
 sacred obligation, and not to be set aside. 
 
 Even the Black-bird, who lived in the inquisi- 
 tive apple tree, understood, and was aware of 
 this, it had been bom in him, and had grown 
 with his feathers. Therefore, — though, to be 
 sure, he had spoken no promise, signed no bond, 
 nor affixed his mark to any agreement, still he 
 had, nevertheless, borne in mind a certain re- 
 quest preferred to him when the day was very 
 young. Thus, with a constancy of purpose 
 worthy of all imitation, he had given all his 
 mind, and thought, to the composition of a 
 song with a new theme. He had applied him- 
 self to it most industriously all day long, and 
 now, as the sun began to set, he had at last
 
 THE MONEY MOON 303 
 
 worked it all out, — every note, eveiy quaver, 
 aud trill; and, perched upon a look-out branch, 
 he kept his bold, bright eye turned toward a 
 certain rustic seat hard by, uttering a melodi- 
 ous note or two, every now and then, from pure 
 impatience. 
 
 And presently, sure enough, he spied her for 
 whom he waited, — the tall, long limbed, sup- 
 ple-waisted creature — whose skin was pink 
 aud gold like the peaches and apricots in the 
 garden, and with soft, little rings of hair that 
 would have made such an excellent lining to 
 a nest. From this strictly utilitarian point of 
 view he had often admired her hair, (had 
 this Black-bird follow), as she passed to and 
 fro among her flowers, or paused to look up 
 at him and listen to his song, or even some- 
 times to speak to him in her sweet, low 
 voice. 
 
 But to-day she seemed to have forgotten him 
 altogether, she did not even glance his way, 
 indeed she walked with bent head, and seemed 
 to keep her eyes always upon the ground. 
 
 Therefore the black-bird hopped a little fur- 
 ther along the branch, and peered over to look 
 down at her witli first one round eye, and tlien 
 the otlier, as she sank upon the seat, near by, 
 and loaned her head wearily against the great
 
 304 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 tree, behind. And thus he saw, upon the pink 
 and gold of her cheek, something that shone, 
 and twinkled like a drop of dew. 
 
 If the Black-bird wondered at this, and was 
 inclined to be curious, he sturdily repressed the 
 weakness, — for here was the audience — 
 seated, and waiting — all expectation for him 
 to begin. 
 
 So, without more ado, he settled himself upon 
 the bough, lifted his head, stretched his throat, 
 and, from his yellow bill, poured forth a flood 
 of golden melody as he burst forth into his 
 " Song of Memory." 
 
 And what a song it was ! — so full of pas- 
 sionate entreaty, of tender pleading, of haunt- 
 ing sweetness, that, as she listened, the bright 
 drop quivering upon her lashes, fell and was 
 succeeded by another, and another. Nor did 
 she attempt to check them, or wipe them away, 
 only she sat and listened with her heavy head 
 pillowed against the great tree, while the Black- 
 bird, glancing down at her every now and then 
 with critical eye to mark the effect of some 
 particularly difficult passage, piped surely as 
 he had never done before, until the listener's 
 proud face sank lower and lower, and was, 
 at last, hidden in her hands. Seeing which, the 
 Black-bird, like the true artist he was, fearing
 
 THE MONEY MOON 305 
 
 an anti-climax, veiy presently ended his song 
 with a long-drawn, plaintive note. 
 
 But Anthea sat there with her proud head 
 bowed low, long after he had retired for the 
 night. And the sun went down, and the shad- 
 ows came creeping stealthily about her, and 
 the moon began to rise, big and yellow, over 
 the up-laud; but Anthea still sat there with 
 her head, once more resting wearily against 
 *' King Arthur," watching the deepening shad- 
 ows until she was roused by Small Porges' 
 hand upon her's and his voice saying: 
 
 " Why, — I do believe you're crying. Auntie 
 Anthea, an' why are you here — all alone, an* 
 by yourself? " 
 
 ** I was listening to the Black-bird, dear, — 
 I never heard him sing quite so — beautifully, 
 before." 
 
 " But black-birds don't make people cry, — 
 an' I know you've been crying — 'cause you 
 sound — all quivery, you know." 
 
 ** Do I, Georg}'? " 
 
 "Yes, — is it 'cause you feel — lonely? " 
 
 " Yes dear." 
 
 ** You've cried an awful lot, lately. Auntie 
 Anthea." 
 
 *' Have I, dear? " 
 
 ** Yes, — an* it — worries me, you know."
 
 306 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 *' I'm afraid I've been a great responsibility 
 to you, Georgy dear," said she with a rueful 
 little laugh. 
 
 '' 'Fraid you have; but I don' mind the 
 'sponsibility, — ^I'll always take care of you, 
 you know! " nodded Small Porges, sitting 
 down, the better to get his arm protectingly 
 about her, while Anthea stooped to kiss the 
 top of his curly head. '' I promised my Uncle 
 Porges I'd always take care of you, an' so I 
 wiU! " 
 
 *' Yes, dear." 
 
 *' Uncle Porges told me — '^ 
 
 '' Never mind, dear, — don' let's talk of — ■ 
 him." 
 
 '* Do you still — hate him, then, Auntie 
 Anthea? " 
 
 "Hush, dear! — it's very wrong to — hate 
 people." 
 
 ' ' Yes, a course it is ! Then — perhaps, if 
 you don't hate him any more — you like him 
 a bit, — jest a — teeny bit, you know?" 
 
 '< Why — there's the clock striking half -past 
 eight, Georgy! " 
 
 * * Yes, I hear it, — but — do you, — the teen- 
 iest bit? Oh! can't you like him jest a bit 
 — for my sake, Auntie Anthea? I'm always 
 trying to please you, — an' I found you the
 
 THE MONEY MOON 307 
 
 fortune, you know, so now I want you to 
 please mo, — an' tell me you like him — for 
 my sake." 
 
 "But — Oil Georgy dear! — you don't un- 
 derstand." 
 
 " — 'cause you see," Small Porges, con- 
 tinued, " after all, I found him for you — under 
 a hedge, you know — " 
 
 "Ah! — why did you, Georgy dear! We 
 were so happy — before — he came — " 
 
 ** But you couldn't have been, you know; 
 you weren't married — even then, so you 
 couldn't have been really happy, you know! " 
 said Small Porges shaking his head. 
 
 *' Why Georg}' — what do you mean? " 
 
 " Well, Uncle Porges told me that nobody 
 can live happy — ever after, unless they're 
 married — first. So that was why I 'ranged 
 for liim to many you, so you could both be 
 happy, an' all revelry an' joy, — like the fairy 
 tale, you know.'* 
 
 '* But, you see, we aren't in a fairy tale, 
 dear, so I'm afraid we must make the best of 
 things as they are ! " and here she sighed again, 
 and rose. " Come, Georg}', it's much later 
 than I thought, and quite time you were in 
 bed, dear." 
 
 " All right. Auntie Anthea, — only — don't
 
 308 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 you think it's jest a bit — cruel to send a boy 
 to bed so very early, an' when the moon's so 
 big, an' everything looks so — frightfully fine? 
 'sides — " 
 
 " Well, what now? " she asked, a little 
 wearily as, obedient to his pleading gesture, 
 she sat down again. 
 
 " Why, you haven't answered my question 
 yet, you know." 
 
 *' What question? " said she, not looking at 
 him. 
 
 ^' 'Bout my — Uncle Porges." 
 
 *' But Georgy — I— " 
 
 *' You do like him — jest a bit — don't you? 
 ■ — please? " Small Porges was standing be- 
 fore her as he waited for her answer, but now, 
 seeing how she hesitated, and avoided his eyes, 
 he put one small hand beneath the dimple in 
 her chin, so that she was forced to look at him. 
 
 " You do, please, — don't you? " he pleaded. 
 
 Anthea hesitated; but, after all, — He was 
 gone, and nobody could hear; and Small 
 Porges was so very small; and who could re- 
 sist the entreaty in his big, wistful eyes? sure- 
 ly not Anthea. Therefore, with a sudden ges- 
 ture of abandonment, she leaned forward in 
 his embrace, and rested her weary head against 
 his manlv, small shoulder:
 
 THE MONEY MOON 309 
 
 ** Yes! " she whispered. 
 
 " Jest as much as you like — Mr. Cassilis? " 
 he whispered back. 
 
 ♦' Yes! " 
 
 ** A — bit more — jest a teeuy bit more? " 
 
 *' Yes! " 
 
 "A — lot more, — lots an' lots, — oceans 
 more? " 
 
 *' Yes! " 
 
 The word was spoken, and, having uttered 
 it, Anthea grew suddenly hot with shame, and 
 mightily angry with herself, and would, 
 straightway, have given the world to have it 
 unsaid; the more so, as she felt Small Porges' 
 clasp tighten joyfully, and, looking up, fancied 
 she read something like triumph in his look. 
 
 She drew away from him, rather hastily, and 
 rose to her feet. 
 
 ** Come! " said she, speaking now in a vastly 
 difTerent tone, ** it must be getting yery 
 late—" 
 
 *' Yes, I s 'pocks it'll soon be nine o'clock, 
 now! " he nodded. 
 
 ** Then you ought to be in bed, fast asleep 
 instead of talking such — nonsense, out here. 
 So — come along — at once, sir! " 
 
 " But, can't I stay up — jest a little while? 
 You see — "
 
 310 THE MONEY. MOON 
 
 '' No! " 
 
 " You see, it's such a — magnif'cent night! 
 It feels as though — things might happen ! ' ' 
 
 '^ Don't be so silly! " 
 . '^ Well, but it does, you know." 
 
 ' ' What do you mean — what things ! ' ' 
 ■ ' ' Well, it feels — gnom-y, to me. I s 'pecks 
 there's lots of elves about — hidden in the 
 shadows, you know, an' peeping at us." 
 
 ''There aren't any elves, — or gnomes," 
 said Anthea petulantly, for she was still fu- 
 riously angry with herself. 
 
 ' * But my Uncle Porges told me — ' ' 
 
 *' Oh! " cried Anthea, stamping her foot sud- 
 denly, '' can't you talk of anyone, or anything 
 but — him? I'm tired to death of him and 
 his very name! " 
 
 '' But I thought you liked him — an awful 
 lot, an'— " 
 
 ''Well, I don't! " 
 
 " But, you said — " 
 
 " Never mind what I said! It's time you 
 were in bed asleep, — so come along — at once, 
 sir!" 
 
 So they went on through the orchard to- 
 gether, very silently, for Small Porges was 
 inclined to be indignant, but much more inclined 
 to be hurt. Thus, they had not gone so very
 
 THE MONEY MOON 311 
 
 far, wlieu he spoke, in a voice that he would 
 have described as — quivery. 
 
 " Dou't you think that you're — just the 
 teeniest bit — cruel to me. Auntie Antheal " 
 he enquired wistfully, " after I prayed an' 
 prayed till I found a fortune for you! — don't 
 you, please? " Surely Anthca was a creature 
 of moods, to-night, for, even while he spoke, 
 she stopped, and turned, and fell on her knees^ 
 and caught him in her arms, kissing him many 
 times: 
 
 "Yes, — yes, dear, I'm hateful to you, — 
 horrid to you ! But I don't mean to be. There ! 
 — forgive me! " 
 
 "Oh! — it's all right again, now. Auntie 
 Anthea, thank you. I only thought you were 
 jest a bit — hard, 'cause it is such a — mag- 
 nif'cent night, isn't it? " 
 
 ** Yes dear; and perhajTs there are gnomes, 
 and pixies about. Anyhow, we can pretend 
 there are, if you like, as we used to — " 
 
 ** Oh will you? that would be fine! Tlien, 
 please, may I go witli you — as far as the 
 brook? AVe'll wander, you know, — I've never 
 wandered witli you in the moonlight, — an' I 
 do love to hear the brook talking to itself, — 
 80 — will you wander — jest this once?" 
 
 " Well," said -tVnthea, hesitating, " it's very 
 late!—"
 
 312 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * ' Nearly nine o 'clock, yes ! But Oh ! — ■ 
 please don't forget that I found a fortune for 
 you — " 
 
 " Very well," she smiled, '^ just this once." 
 
 Now as they went together, hand in hand 
 through the moonlight, Small Porges talked 
 very fast, and very much at random, while his 
 eyes, bright, and eager, glanced expectantly 
 towards every patch of shadow, — doubtless in 
 search of gnomes, and pixies. 
 
 But Anthea saw nothing of this, heard noth- 
 ing of the suppressed excitement in his voice, 
 for she was thinking that by now, Mr. Cassilis 
 had read her letter, — that he might, even then, 
 be on his way to Dapplemere. She even fan- 
 cied, once or twice, that she could hear the 
 gallop of his horse's hoofs. And, when he 
 came, he would want to — kiss her! 
 
 '' Why do you shiver so, Auntie Anthea, are 
 you cold? " 
 
 '' No, dear." 
 
 *' Well, then, why are you so quiet to me, 
 — I've asked you a question — three times." 
 
 ** Have you dear? I — I was thinking; what 
 was the question? " 
 
 " I was asking you if you would be awful 
 frightened s 'posing we did find a pixie — or a 
 gnome, in the shadows; an' would you be so
 
 THE MONEY MOON 313 
 
 very awfully frightened if a gnome — a great, 
 big one, you know, — came jumping out an' 
 — ran off with you, — should you? " 
 
 "No!" said Anthea, with another shiver, 
 ^* No, dear, — I think I should be — rather 
 •glad of it! " 
 
 ** Should you, Auntie? I'm — so awful glad 
 you wouldn't be frightened. A course, I don't 
 s'pose there are gnomes — I mean great, big 
 ones, — really, you know, — but there might 
 be, on a magnif'cent night, like this. If you 
 shiver again Auntie you'll have to take my 
 coat! " 
 
 " I thought I heard a horse galloping — 
 hush! " 
 
 They had reached the stile, by now, the stile 
 ^•ith the crooked, lurking nail, and she leaned 
 there, a while, to listen. "I'm sure I heard 
 something, — away there — on the road ! " 
 
 "I don't!" said Small Porgos, stoutly, — 
 ** 80 take my hand, please, an' let me 'sist you 
 over the stile." 
 
 So they crossed the stile, and, presently, 
 came to the brook that was the most imper- 
 tinent brook in the world. And here, upon 
 the little rustic bridge, they stopped to look 
 down at tlie sparkle of the water, and to listen 
 to its merry voice.
 
 314 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 Yes, indeed to-night it was as impertinent as 
 ever, laughing, and chuckling to itself among 
 the hollows, and whispering scandalously in 
 the shadows. It seemed to Anthea that it was 
 laughing at her, — mocking, and taunting her 
 with — the future. And now, amid the laugh- 
 ter, were sobs, and tearful murmurs, and now, 
 again, it seemed to be the prophetic voice of 
 old Nannie: 
 
 '' ' By force ye shall be wooed and by force 
 ye shall be wed, and there is no man strong 
 enough to do it, but him as bears the Tiger 
 Mark upon him! ' " 
 
 The " Tiger Mark! " Alas! how very far 
 from the truth were poor, old Nannie's dreams, 
 after all, the dreams which Anthea had very 
 nearly believed in — once or twice. How fool- 
 ish it had all been! And yet even now — 
 
 Anthea had been leaning over the gurgling 
 waters while all this passed through her mind 
 but now, — she started at the sound of a heavy 
 foot-fall on the planking of the bridge, behind 
 her, and — in that same instant, she was en- 
 circled by a powerful arm, caught up in a 
 strong embrace, — swung from her feet, and 
 borne away through the shadows of the little 
 copse. 
 
 It was very dark in the wood, but she knew,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 315 
 
 instinctively, whose arms these were that held 
 her so close, and carried her so easily — away 
 through the shadows of the wood, — away from 
 the haunting, hopeless dread of the future 
 from which there had seemed no chance, or 
 hope of escape. 
 
 And, knowing all this, she made no struggle, 
 and uttered no word. And now the trees 
 thinned out, and, from under her lashes she 
 saw the face above her; the thick, black brows 
 drawn together, — the close set of the lips, — 
 the grim prominence of the strong, square chin. 
 
 And now, they were in the road ; and now he 
 had lifted her into an automobile, had sprung 
 in beside her, and — they were off, gliding 
 swift, and ever swifter, under the shadows of 
 the trees. 
 
 And still neither spoke, nor looked at each 
 other ; only she leaned away from him, against 
 t\|e cushions, while he kept his frowning eyes 
 fixed upon the road a-head ; and ever the great 
 car flew onward faster, and faster; yet not 
 80 fast as the beating of her heart, wherein 
 ehame, and anger, and fear, and — another feel- 
 ing strove and fought for mastery. 
 
 But at last, finding him so silent, and impas- 
 sive, she must needs steal a look at him, be- 
 neath her lashes. 
 
 ;
 
 316 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 He wore no hat, and as she looked upon him, 
 — with his yellow hair, his length of limb, and 
 his massive shoulders, he might have been some 
 fierce Viking, and she, his captive, taken by 
 strength of arm — borne away by force. — By 
 force ! 
 
 And, hereupon, as the car hummed over the 
 smooth road, it seemed to find a voice, — a 
 subtle, mocking voice, very like the voice of 
 the brook, — that murmured to her over and 
 over again: 
 
 *' By force ye shall be wooed, and by force 
 ye shall be wed." 
 
 The very trees whispered it as they passed, 
 and her heart throbbed in time to it: 
 
 '^ By force ye shall be wooed, and by force 
 ye shall be wed ! ' ' So, she leaned as far from 
 him as she might, watching him with fright- 
 ened eyes while he frowned ever upon the road 
 in front, and the car rocked, and swayed with 
 their going, as they whirled onward through 
 moonlight and through shadow, faster, and 
 faster, — yet not so fast as the beating of her 
 heart wherein was fear, and shame, and anger, 
 and — another feeling, but greatest of all now, 
 was fear. Could this be the placid, soft-spoken 
 gentleman she had known, — this man, with the 
 implacable eyes, and the brutal jaw, who
 
 THE MONEY MOON 317 
 
 neither spoke to, nor looked at her, but fro-vvned 
 always at the road in front. 
 
 And so, the fear grevr and grew within her, 
 — fear of the man whom she knew, — and knew 
 not at all. She clasped her hands nervously 
 together, watching him with dilating eyes as 
 the car slowed down, — for the road made a 
 sudden turn, hereabouts. 
 
 And still he neither looked at, nor spoke to 
 her; and therefore, because she could bear the 
 silence no longer, she spoke — in a voice that 
 sounded strangely faint, and far-away, and 
 that shook and trembled in spite of her. 
 
 ** TMiere are you — taking me? " 
 
 " To be married! " he answered, never look- 
 ing at her. 
 
 ' ' You — wouldn 't — dare ! ' ' 
 
 " Wait and see! " he nodded. 
 
 "Oh! — but what do — you mean? '* The 
 fear in hor voice was more manifest than 
 ever. 
 
 " I mean that you are mine, — you always 
 were, you always must and shall be. So, I'm 
 going to marry you — in about lialf-an-hour, 
 by special license." 
 
 Still he did not even glance towards her, and 
 she looked away over the country side all 
 lonely and desolate under the moon.
 
 318 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 * ' I want you, you see, ' ' lie went on, ' ' I want 
 you more than I ever wanted anything in this 
 world. I need you, because without you my 
 life will be utterly purposeless, and empty. So 
 I have taken you — because you are mine, I 
 know it, — Ah yes! and, deep down in your 
 woman's heart, you know it too. And so, I 
 am going to marry you, — yes I am, unless — ' ' 
 and here, he brought the car to a standstill, 
 and turning, looked at her for the first ' 
 time. 
 
 And now, before the look in his eyes, her own 
 wavered, and fell, lest he should read within 
 them that which she would fain hide from him, 
 — and which she knew they must reveal, — ' 
 that which was neither shame, nor anger, nor 
 fear, but the other feeling for which she dared 
 find no name. And thus, for a long moment, 
 there was silence. 
 
 At last she spoke, though with her eyes still 
 hidden : 
 
 ** Unless? " she repeated breathlessly. 
 
 *' Anthea, — look at me!" 
 
 But Anthea only drooped her head the lower ; 
 wherefore, he leaned forward, and — even as 
 Small Porges had done, — set his hand beneath 
 the dimple in her chin, and lifted the proud, 
 un- willing face:
 
 THE MONEY MOON 319 
 
 *' Antbea, — look at me!" 
 
 And now, what could Antliea do but obey? 
 
 *' Unless," said he, as her glance, at last, 
 met his, ''unless you can tell me — now, as 
 your eyes look into mine, — that you love 
 Cassilis. Tell me that, and I will take you 
 back, this very instant; and never trouble you 
 again. But, unless you do tell me that, why 
 then — your Pride shall not blast two lives, 
 if I can help it. Now speak ! ' ' 
 
 But Anthea was silent, also, she would have 
 turned aside from his searching look, but that 
 his arms were about her, strong, and compel- 
 ling. So, needs must she suffer him to look 
 down into her very heart, for it seemed to her 
 that, in that moment, he had rent away every 
 stitch, and shred of Pride's enfolding mantle, 
 and that he saw the truth, at last. 
 
 But, if he had, he gave no sign, only he turned 
 and set the c^r humming upon its way, once 
 more. 
 
 On they went tlirough the midsummer night, 
 up hill and down hill, by cross-road and bye- 
 lane, until, as they climbed a long ascent, they 
 behold a tall figure standing upon the top of 
 the hill, in the attitude of one who waits; and 
 who, spying them, immediately raised a very 
 stiff left arm, whereupon this figure was joined
 
 320 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 by another. Now as the car drew nearer, 
 Anthea, with a thrill of pleasure, recognized 
 the Sergeant standing very much as though he 
 were on parade, and with honest-faced Peter- 
 day beside him, who stumped joyfully forward, 
 and, — with a bob of his head, and a scrape 
 of his wooden leg, — held out his hand to 
 her. 
 
 Like one in a dream she took the sailor's 
 hand to step from the car, and like one in a 
 dream, she walked on between the soldier and 
 the sailor, who now reached out to her, each, 
 a hand equally big and equally gentle, to aid 
 her up certain crumbling, and time-worn steps. 
 On they went together until they were come to 
 a place of whispering echoes, where lights 
 burned, few, and dim. 
 
 And here, still as one in a dream, she spoke 
 those words which gave her life, henceforth, 
 into the keeping of him who stood beside her, 
 • — whose strong hand trembled as he set upon 
 her finger, that which is an emblem of eternity. 
 
 Like one in a dream, she took the pen, and 
 signed her name, obediently, where they di- 
 rected. And yet, — could this really be her- 
 self, — ^this silent, submissive creature? 
 
 And now, they were out upon the moon-lit 
 road again, seated in the car, while Peterday,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 321 
 
 his hat iu his haud, was speaking to her. And 
 yet, — was it to her? 
 
 " Mrs. Belloo, mam," he was saj'ing, *' on 
 this here monumeutous occasion — " 
 
 " Monmiientous is the only word for it, 
 Peterday! " nodded the Sergeant. 
 
 " On this here monumentous occasion, Mrs. 
 Belloo," the sailor proceeded, " my shipmate, 
 Dick, and me, mam, — respectfully beg the 
 favour of saluting the bride; — Mrs. Belloo, 
 by your leave — here's health, and happiness, 
 mam! " And, hereupon, the old sailor kissed 
 her, right heartily. Which done, he made way 
 for the Sergeant who, after a moment's hesi- 
 tation, followed suit. 
 
 ** A fair wind, and prosperous!" cried 
 Peterday, flourisliing his hat. 
 
 ''And God — bless you — both!" said the 
 Sergeant as the car shot away. 
 
 So, it was done ! — the irrevocable step was 
 taken! Her life and future had passed for 
 ever into the keeping of him who sat so silent 
 beside her, who neither spoke, nor looked at 
 her, but frowned ever at the road before 
 him. 
 
 On sped the car, faster, and faster, — yet 
 not 80 fast as the beating of her heart wherein 
 there was yet something of fear, and shame,
 
 322 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 — but greatest of all was tliat other omoHoa^ 
 and the name of it was — Joy. 
 
 Now, presently, the car slowed down, and 
 ■^'he spoke to her, though without turning his 
 head. And yet, something in his voice thrilled 
 through her strangely. 
 
 ''Look Anthea, — the moon is at the full, 
 to-night. ' ' 
 
 *' Yes! " she answered. 
 
 " And Happiness shall come riding astride 
 the full moon! " he quoted, " Old Nannie is 
 rather a wonderful old witch, after all, isn't 
 she? " 
 , '' Yes.'^ 
 
 ''And then there is — our nephew, — my 
 dear, little Porges! But for him, Happiness 
 would have been a stranger to me all my days, 
 Anthea. He dreamed that the Money Moon 
 spoke to him, and — but he shall tell you of 
 that, for himself." 
 
 But Anthea noticed that he spoke without 
 once looking at her; indeed it seemed that he 
 avoided glancing towards her, of set design, 
 and purpose ; and his deep voice quivered, now 
 and then, in a way she had never heard before. 
 Therefore, her heart throbbed the faster, and 
 she kept her gaze bent downward, and thus, 
 chancing to see the shimmer of that which was
 
 THE MONEY MOON 323 
 
 upon her finger, she blushed, and hid it in a 
 fold of her gown. 
 
 " Anthea." 
 
 **Yes?" 
 
 " You have no regrets, — have yout " 
 
 ** No," she whispered. 
 
 *' We shall soon be — home, now! " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 * ' And are you — mine — for ever, and al- 
 ways? Anthea, you — aren't — afraid of me 
 any more, are you? " 
 
 '^ No." 
 
 " Nor ever will be? " 
 
 ** Nor — ever will be." 
 
 Now as the car swept round a bend, behold 
 yet two other figures standing beside the way. 
 
 " Yo ho. Captain! " cried a voice, *' Oh — 
 please heave to. Uncle Porges! " 
 
 And, forth to meet them, came Small Porges, 
 running. Yet remembering Miss Priscilla, tap- 
 ping along behind him, he must needs turn 
 back, — to give her his hand like the kindly, 
 small gentleman that he was. 
 
 And now — Miss Priscilla had Anthea in her 
 arms, and thoy were kissing eacli other, and 
 murmuring over each oilier, as loving women 
 will, while Small Porges stared at the car, and 
 all things pertaining thereto, more especially.
 
 324 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 tlie glaring head-lights, with great wondering 
 eyes. 
 
 At length, having seen Anthea, and Miss 
 Priscilla safely stowed, he clambered up beside 
 Bellew, and gave him the word to proceed. 
 What pen could describe his ecstatic delight as, 
 he sat there, with one hand hooked into the 
 pocket of Uncle Porges' coat, and with the 
 cool night wind whistling through his curls. 
 So great was it, indeed, that Bellew was con- 
 strained to turn aside, and make a wide detour, 
 purely for the sake of the radiant joy in Small 
 Porges' eager face. 
 
 When, at last, they came within sight of 
 Dapplemere, and the great machine crept up 
 the rutted, grassy lane. Small Porges sighed, 
 and spoke: 
 
 " Auntie Anthea," said he, *' are you sure 
 that you are married — nice an' — tight, you 
 know? " 
 
 " Yes, dear," she answered, '* why — yes, 
 Greorgy. ' ' 
 
 " But you don't look a bit diff'rent, you 
 know, — either of you. Are you quite — sure ? 
 'cause I shouldn't like you to disappoint me, 
 — after all." 
 
 *' Never fear, my Porges," said Bellew, " I 
 made quite sure of it while I had the chance,
 
 THE MONEY MOON 325 
 
 — look! " As he spoke, he took Anthea's left 
 hand, drawing it out into the moonlight, so 
 that Small Porges could see the shining ring 
 upon her finger. 
 
 " Oh! " said he, nodding his head, " then 
 that makes it all right I s'pose. An' you aren't 
 angry with me 'cause I let a great, big gnome 
 come an' carry you off, are you, Auntie An-' 
 thea? " 
 
 '' No, dear.'* 
 
 "Why then, everything's quite — magnif'- 
 cent, isn't it? An' now we're going to live 
 happy ever after, all of us, an' Uncle Forges 
 is going to take us to sail the oceans in his 
 ship, — he's got a ship that all belongs to his 
 very own self, you know. Auntie Anthoa, — so 
 all will be revelry an' joy — just like the fairy 
 tale, after all." 
 
 And so, at last, they came to the door of the 
 ancient House of Dapplemere. "Whereupon, 
 very suddenly, Adam appeared, bare-armed 
 from the stables, who, looking from Bellew's 
 radiant face to Miss Anthea's shy eyes, threw 
 back bis head, vented his great laugh, and was 
 immediately solemn again. 
 
 ** Miss Anthea," said he, wringing and twifit- 
 ing at his hat, ** or — I think I should say, — 
 Mrs. Bolloo mam, — there ain't no word for
 
 326 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 it! least-ways not as I know on, nohow. No 
 words be strong enough to tell the J-O-Y — 
 j'y, mam, as fills us — one an' all." Here, he 
 waved his hand to where stood the comely Pru- 
 dence with the two rosy-cheeked maids peeping 
 over her buxom shoulders. 
 
 "■ Only," pursued Adam, *' I be glad — ah! 
 mortal glad, I be, — as 'tis you, Mr. Belloo 
 sir. There ain't a man in all the world, — or 
 — as you might say, — uni-verse, as is so 
 proper as you to be the husband to our Miss 
 Anthea — as was, — not nohow, Mr. Belloo sir. 
 I wish you j'y, a j'y as shall grow wi' the years, 
 an' abide wi' you always, — both on ye." 
 
 '' That is a very excellent thought Adam! " 
 said Bellew, ' ' and I think I should like to shake 
 hands on it." Which they did, forthwith. 
 
 "■ An' now, Mrs. Belloo mam," Adam con- 
 cluded, '' wi' your kind permission, I'll step 
 into the kitchen, an' drink a glass o' Prue's 
 ale — to your 'ealth, and 'appiness. If I stay 
 here any longer I won't say but what I shall 
 burst out a-singing in your very face, mam, for 
 I do be that 'appy-'earted, — Lord! " 
 
 With which exclamation, Adam laughed 
 again, and turning about, strode away to the 
 kitchen with Prudence and the rosy-cheeked 
 maids, laughing as he went.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 327 
 
 "Oh my dears! " said little Miss Priscilla, 
 "I've hoped for this, — prayed for it, — be- 
 cause I believe he is — worthy of you, Authea, 
 and because you have both loved each other, 
 from the very beginning; oh dear me; yes you 
 have ! And so, my dears, — your happiness is 
 my happiness and — Oh, goodness me ! here 
 I stand talking sentimental nonsense while our 
 Small Forges is simply dropping asleep as he 
 stands." 
 
 " 'Fraid I am a bit tired," Small Forges ad- 
 mitted, " but it's been a magnif'cent night. 
 An' I think, Uncle Forges, when we sail away 
 in your ship, I think, I'd like to sail round the 
 Horn first 'cause they say it's always blowing, 
 you know, and I should love to hear it blow. 
 An' now — Good-night! " 
 
 " Wait a minute, my Forges, just tell us 
 what it was the Money Moon said to you, last 
 night, will you? " 
 
 " Well," said Small Forges, shaking his 
 head, and smiling, a slow, sly smile, " I don't 
 s'pose we'd better talk about it, Uncle Forges, 
 'cause, you see, it was such a very great secret; 
 an 'sides, — I'm awful sleepy, you know ! " So 
 saying, he nodded slumberously, kissed Anthea 
 eleepily, and, giving Miss Friscilla his hand, 
 went drowsily into the house.
 
 328 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 But, as for Bellew it seemed to him that this 
 was the hour for which he had lived all his 
 life, and, though he spoke nothing of this 
 thought, yet Anthea knew it, instinctively, — 
 as she knew why he had avoided looking at 
 her hitherto, and what had caused the tremour 
 in his voice, despite his iron self-control; and, 
 therefore, now that they were alone, she spoke 
 hurriedly, and at random: 
 
 * * What — did he — Georgy mean by — your 
 ship? " 
 
 " Why, I promised to take him a cruise in 
 the yacht — if you cared to come, Anthea." 
 
 ' ' Yacht ! ' ' she repeated, ' * are you so dread- 
 fully rich? " 
 
 ''I'm afraid we are," he nodded, " but, at 
 least, it has the advantage of being better than 
 if we were — dreadfully poor, hasn't it? " 
 
 Now, in the midst of the garden there was 
 an old sun-dial worn by time, and weather, and 
 it chanced that they came, and leaned there, 
 side by side. And, looking down upon the dial, 
 Bellew saw certain characters graven thereon 
 in the form of a poesy. 
 
 '' What does it say, here, Anthea? "he asked. 
 But Anthea shook her head : 
 
 *' That, you must read for yourself! " she 
 said, not looking at him.
 
 THE MONEY MOON 329 
 
 So, he took her haud iu Ids, and, with her 
 slender finger, spelled out this motto. 
 
 Time, and youthe do flee awaie 
 Love, Oh! Love then, whiles ye may. 
 
 " Anthea! " said he, and again she heard 
 the tremour in his voice, " you have been my 
 wife nearly three quarters of an hour, and 
 all that time I haven't dared to look at you, 
 because if I had, I must have — kissed you, and 
 I meant to wait — until your own good time. 
 But Anthea, you have never yet told me that 
 you — love me — Anthea ? ' ' 
 
 She did not speak, or move, indeed, she was 
 so very still tliat he needs must bend down to 
 see her face. Then, all at once, her lashes were 
 lifted, her eyes looked up into his — deep and 
 dark with passionate tenderness. 
 
 ** Aunt Priscilla — was quite — right," she 
 said, speaking in her low, thrilling voice, " I 
 have loved you — from the — very beginning, 
 I think! " And, with a soft, murmurous sigh, 
 she gave herself into his embrace. 
 
 Now, far away across the meadow, Adam 
 was plodding his homeward way, and, as he 
 trudged, he sang to himself in a harsh, but not 
 unmusical voice, and the words of his song 
 were tliese:
 
 330 THE MONEY MOON 
 
 " When I am dead, diddle diddle, as well may hap 
 You '11 bury me, diddle diddle, under the tap, 
 Under the tap, diddle diddle, I '11 tell you why, 
 That I may drink, diddle diddle, when I am dry." 
 
 THE END
 
 r 
 
 CENTRAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 University of California, San Diego 
 
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 FEB 2 4 1983 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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