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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1914-03-27, Page 2r� tl o ,�x las Or, the Belle of the Season. el CI-IA1'T1in I. ---(Continued), let fever. Stafford worked his fly stead - t 0 'You didn't tell me;. but I'm not a Ail surprised;' responded Howard. truly. wonderful father, and a model t all other parents!•" Would that I pea ceased such a one! You dont rearm her your mother Stafford?" The young fellow's handsome face mftened for an instant; and his voice Vas low and grave as he replied: "13o—and yet sotnetianes 1 fancy that I do; though, seeing that she died when I Was quite a kid, it must be only fancy. 1' wish she'd lived," his Voice became 41111 lower; "T wish I had a brother, or :a sister,:especially a sister— By xleorgel that's a fine stream. DId you tee that fish jump, Howard?" "No. I was 'too ranch occupied in jumping myself. I thought by your ex- clamation that something had happened to the carriage or the horses, and that we were on the verge of a smash-up. Let it jump, if it amuses it." "So it may—if I don't catch it," said Stafford, pulling up the borses near the bank of the stream. "Do you mean to tell me that you are going to fish?" demanded Howard, with a groan. aMy dear Stafford, I know that beingthat abominable thing a sports- mil.n-.you are consequently mad; but you might have the decency to curb your insanity out of consideration for the wretched luau who has the misfor- tune to be your companion, and who plainly sees that this period of sun- shine is a gilded fraud, and that pre- sently it Will rain again like cats and dogs." Stafford laughed. TIe had, got down and dragged out a rod and a fishing - basket.. "Sorry, old chap," lie said, "but no fiehermaa could lose such a chance as this, even to save his best friend from rheumatic fever. I thought we should come across a stream or two, and I put on these togs accordingly.". He "wore a Norfolk suit of that 'wonderful Harris teaeed which, strange to say, keeps out ,the rain, the heat, and the cold: and flies were a stuck in his cap of the same xiaater•ial. But, look here, there's no sued for me to keep you: Pottinger will drive you- to this place, Carysford, et+here we stay the night—I've engaged rooms --and you can have a warm bath acid get into the dress -clothes after which you are hankering. When I've caught a, fish or two I'll come on after "My dear Stafford, I haven't the least I intention of doing so; I'm simply dying for a, bath, a change, and a huge fire; and when you arrive you'll find me sit- tingover the latter humbly thankful that I'm not a sportsman." Stafford nodded, with his eyes on the stream.'. . "I tream. - "I should give the nags seine gruel, Pottinger, and put an extra coat on them: it'll be cold to -night. Ta, ta, Howard! Tell 'em to get a nice dinner; I'll be there in time for 'err to cook the. fish; but don't wait if I should be late—say half past seven." I proniise you I wolf t," retorted Howard, fervently. "And I am one of Beare -armee who never break a promise ---atrle5s it's neonv,+rrilarrt " s lie laiakden'drove on. Stafford 'went kat'..to the. netreeTtf; -Sint an, his , rod. ore a ,TtKe; as carefully as of the fate 're a kingdom depeuriuil . ou la' and be - :emu to lierlie There is this great'''advantage` in the art of ,fly-fishing: that while you are absorbed in it: you can think of nothing else: it is as absorbing as love or 'scar- • r.�xa re eve e Most people would be benefited by the occa- siailal use of Laxalives Gently; thoroughly, and without discomfort, they free the system of the waste 'which poisons the blood and lowers the 'vitality. 250 a box, at your Druggist's. National Drug and Chemical Co of Gcnada. Limited. 17G eee a ':i ty Choose which Grain you like best for your white Snger and buy'St. Laurence Pure Cane Granulated white, in original bags—Pine grain, medium or coarse. Each the choicest sugar. Ash your Grocer. or. LAWRENCE SUGAR REFINERIES, LIMITED is'OP• "t T., ,, -tf.Y's 'ho Dye that colors NN KIND of Cloth P'erfectly,.'t,'ith the SA DYE* Ohrecn of M�flh4;ilaoo, Clea rad Sim ra Asa:. 0411 Crukarikt Cr De :len, Send for Roomer.ht ,roh,rsoa.nkkitordcoa Co. Lfrr,ited,Nroncreal ily and systematically, with a light and long "cast," and presently he landed a glittering trout, which, though only a pound in weight, was rained by Staf- ford at many a pound In gold. The fish began to rise freely, and he was so en- grossed in the sport that he did not no- tice that Howard's • prophecy had Come true, that the mist had swept over the landscape again, and that it was rain- ing, if not exactly eats and dogs, yet hard' enough to make even the opposite bank a blur in his vision. But Stafford was Utterly indifferent to rain and mist while the trout were rising,. _and hie bae;ket was half full be- fore 'he looked around him. It is won- derful when you are fishing, how great a distance you can walk without notic- ing et. He had followed the winding course of the stream until it had led to the road far behind and struck into a valley, the wildness, the remoteness of which was almost awe-inspiring; and he stood still for a moment and looked up at the sky into which the tall, sharp peaks of the hills lost themselves. The stream, broken by huge boulders, rumb- led with a soft roar which was the only sound that broke the stillness. It was the silence, a profound stillness, which makes one feel as if one has wandered into an unknown world newly made and as yet untouched by the foot of man, unsullied by his presence. Stafford could not have quoted a verse of poetry to save his life; it was- n't in his line; he could ride straight, was a first-rate shot, waltzed like an angel, and so far this dictionary did not contain the word fear;" but he knew nothing of poetry or art, and only liked some kinds of music, amongst which, it is feared, "Soldiers of the Queen," and the now mucic -abused chorus from Faust, ranked high in his estimation. He was just simply a healthy young Englishman, clean -limbed and clean - minded, with a tremendous appetite for pleasure, a magnificent frame, and a heart as light and buoyant as a cork; therefore, though an artiat or a poet would have been thrilled to the mar- row by the wild grandeur of the seclud- ed valley and the grimly towering hills, and would have longed to put them on canvas or into verse, Stafford only felt suddenly grave, and as if it were inlay- ing it low down to throw an artificial even of the best make, in such a spot. But in a moment or two the sports- man's instinct woke in him; a fish stir - der in a pool under a boulder, and pull- ing himself together he threw a fly over the rise: As he did so, the brood- ing silence was broken by the deep mu- sical bark of a collie, followed by the sharp„ yap, yap of a fox -terrier. Tire sudden sound almost startled Stafford; at any rate, caused him to miss his flab; he looked up with a little frown of an- noyance, and saw on the break of the opposite bill some of the mountain arlreep which had stared at him . with' haughty curiosity running down to- wards the green bottom of the valley followed -by the two dogs. A moment afterwards a horse and rider were silhouetted on the extreme top of the high hill. The, horse was Magee whereby„ tire aider looked srneli; and for a moment the pair were motion'. lass, -reminding Stafford of a bronze statue. The frill was fearfully steam, even tlhe dogs a'an with a certain amount of caution, and Stafford wondered whe- ther the rider: -lie couldn't see if it toad man or 'boy—would Venture down the 1 airuost precipitous slope 'while he was wondering, the small figure on the horse sent up a cry that rang like the note of a bell and echoed in sweet shrillness down the bill and along the valley. The collie stopped as if shot, and the fox -terrier looked round, pre- pared to go back to the rider. It look- ed for a moment as if the rider were going down tire other side of the hill again; then suddenly, as if he detected ehwrong in below, he thrseancamedownhe hard Aird fear'lesserider as he was,, open his eyes. It seemed to him impossible that the horse could avoid a false step or a slip. and such a false step he knew would send steed and rider hurtling down to something that could be very little short of instant death. He for- a stood with t hisbfl trout ifting ainilessl in the water. watching with sontethin ]tilde breathless interest this, the mo. daring piece of horsemanship he had evbyesidet with the bestesteeplechaser ridden rde of the clay, and had watched a crack Hun- whiehrlast isry about ths e trop ns otch ofltirre horse -riding• business, But the big horse did not falter for moment: down it came at a. hand gn lop, and Stafford's admiration was swal Jawed up in amazement when he,sa that the rider was a young girl, thashe t ounce on tas iding with re reins, andthat,apparent lY, she was as much at ease and uncon- scious of danger as if she were trotting in Rotten Row, romp- ed As ail ead of amazeadmirationt, hil was a Young one --she looked like the 'average school-girl—and had one of tire most ]beautiful faces Stafford had even seen. She was dark but the cheek that was swept by the lona lashes was colorless, with that exquisite and healthy pallor which one sees in the wwasten black utrsoftnand silky',Iaendhthe her dbrow arin od nowt in dammingV sl ands about the soft felt hat which sat In graceful negligence upon the small and stately sand weather, and ea 1shorrtathat it was little better than a skirt, and left her almost as absolute a freedom as that enjoyed by the other • sex, Her hands were covered by well-worn gaunt- lets, and she held a -stout and workman- like crop math a long huntsman's thong. A that it waet s would. vision oftly the'Spirithought of Mountains; Stafford only thought it was the most lovely piece of girlhood he had ever looked at. She did not see him for a moment all her attention being engrossed by the sheep which were now wandering up the valley; then suddenly, as if she felt his presence rather than saw it, her dark eyes flashed round up•• on him �ihaunclhesullwithlr the enness which ought to have sent her from the saddle like a stone from a catapault; but she sat back as firm as a reek and gazed at ]rink 'steadily, with a calmness which fascinated Stafford and kept him staring back at, deer as if he were the veriest i'lotrglhboy. And to put it frankly, it was some- thing like fascination. She bail come upon ham so suddenly, her feat of horse- manship had been so audacious, her beauty Was so striking, that Stafford, perhaps ;for'- the first time in his life, found. himself unable to utter a word - in the presence of one of the opposite set. It; was only, for a uror'rtent or two of course, that he lost his presence of mind; then he pulled himself together and raised. his cat«, She gate him the r'�ei 1"�' I. ">� on+ e The name "ALA A" ' e sealed I ad ack . ages I your strongest best and most fragrant . tea IS THE CHOICEST TEA GROWL , ONTHE ISLAND OF CEYLON ea whole `leaves -...r i, , g zv���l the delightful flavor of the. fresh leaves brought y �'� ;� , to your table by the sealed lead packages. BLACK,' GREEN 0i3 MIXED o5s very slightest of bdws, It was the faintest indication only of n:esponse to his salute; her eyes rested on iris face with .a strange, ungirlish calm, then wandered to the last trout which lay on the bank. Stafford felt that something had to be said, but for the life of binr, for the first time in his experience, he couldn't hit up the tiring' to say. "Gond-after. noon' seemed to him too banal, too commonplace; and he could think ,of nothing else for a moment. Howeer, it carne at last, • "Will you be so good as to tell me - if I am fat' from Carysfoed?" he asked. "Pour miles and 'three-quarters by the road, three miles over the hill,"' phe replied, slowly, as calmly as sire :had looked at him, and in -a voice low and sweet, and with a ring, a tone, in it which in some indefinable tray banner ized with her appearance. -It was quite' unlike the conventional girl's voice; there rang in it the freedom of the lone- ly' valley, the towering hills, the free dopa and unconventionality of tate girl's own figure and face. and wind -tossed hair; and in it was a note of dignity,•Of independence, and of a pride which was too proud for defiance. in its way the voice was as remarkable as the beauty of tire face, the soft ilre of the dark eyed, f had no idea it was so far," said Stafford; "I must have wandered away from the place. I started fishing on the road down below, and haven't nd tired the distance \Gill you tell me the name of this place?" "llerondale," he replied. "Thank you," said Stafford, "It's a, grand valley and a splendid stream." She leant forward with her elbow on the saddle and her chin in the small- gauntleted hand, looked up the valley: absentjy and then -back at him, with. a frank speculation in her eyes which was too frank and calm to be flattering; a.nd. was, indeed, .somewhat embarrassing, "I suppose sire takes me for a, tour ist, or a cheap tripper," thought Staf- ford with art uncomfortable kind of amusement; uncomt'ort:tble because •ate knew that this girl who -was acting as shepherd in an old Weather -stained' habit and a battered •ha.t was a lady, She broke the alienee again. "Have you caught many fish?" sire asked. TIp•to now they had been separated by the stream; Stafford seized. tin' op- portunity waded. across in as fairly ear lob} ahem and .aipa""ming the li t, 1, basket showed here the •contents. Yes, you lra've done fairly -well," She, said; "but the trout run l agger' - higher; up the valley, 13y the way," her brows: carte together slightly, though the very- faintest of smiles for an instant curved the delicately curved lips, "do you know Pcir.;liiin, lion face alive, alight, dancing wit delight and . amusement! The ld, 5'lrter' shone in bar eyes like dazzling starlight and quivered on the firm but delicate lips. But it Was only for a moment; before Stafford had fully tak- en it in and had responded to it with one, of his own short laughs, her face. was grave and calm again, "Thank you," sire said, with a grav- ity matching her face, and very much SS qne is thanked for passing the salt. "It would have been drowned if you had not been there. It is lame and couldn't swim. I saw, from tire top of the' hill, that it was lame, and I was -afraid something Would happen to it." (To be continued.) »I.SC'OC ,T AND l'REI1]TM. A Lease Where the Influence of Character Counted. "What will you take for that i;eam?:r •C-cru..rteney Royce stroked admir- ingly the near horse of a Pair of carefully matched grays. ''Da you want 'to buy I" ''I think 'so. I shall have ,to get a new rig for the hospital work." "Is the contract awarded'!" ask- ed the other man, with interest, "No, but it might as well be. It lies between Hooper and me, and '"happen -to know that my bid is a good deal lower than his. And as for the bond, they're not to be com- pared." {'nurteney spoke proudly. "Oh, the bond's all right," said the .lriver of -the grays, laughing. '"ZV cal, you can have them for a fair lice " r"I Want agood t ,; a t�ealn, Cuiirteney Salida, . Ill; Iee you again when the ttex'sS settled. ' "frlxl't• off,' 'holding his head a igher than usual, It was no Wonder, -perhaps. .A great charit- able ins!titutioli, which had its head- iarters three miles from Stanton, th at you are poaching." -. This 'would have been 'a staggerer coining from a mere keeper, but from this exquisitely beautiful, this calm statue of a girl, it was simply devastat- ing. Stafford stared at her. Doesn't this river belong to Sir Joseph Avory?" he asked. "No," she replied uncompromisingly ryas about to let the contract. to faro - vision the different branches. There were model cottages for old people, a children's hospital, and a general hospital'. The contract was import- ant. C•ourteney felt that he was "Sir Joseph Avary'a river is called the sure to win the business"' for all Lesset water, and runs on the other r. e side or that bill." year. Alexander Hooper, his only Sire raised her hunting -crop and point- real rival, was in a smaller way of g,'ra eful'ash nthatcof exquisite movement, to the hili business, and had not his ach'alit- behind her. .• - ages. "I am very sorry," said Stafford. "T he same day thought this was his river. I met him old Doctor Lorne in, London and got permission from hint. met Mr. Fisher, the banker, who Un you know to whom this water be- was one of the trustees of the in - "To To Mr. Heron, of lierondaie," she stitution, and drove him home to , replied, dinner. y I beg Mr. Heron's pardon." said Staf- g forth,. "Of course I'll put up my rod at '"'Yoit must be about ready to let mat -it once; and I will take tine first opportun- ant the contract," its 01' apologising for my crime; for the doctor said. poaching is a crime, isn't it?" "C'ourteney Royce will get it, I "Yee," " she assented laconically. „ "Can you tell me where he lives— suppose, where his house is?" "I'm not at all sure of that,'' Mr. She raised her whip again and point- ed' to an opening on the left of the vat- Fisher replied. a ley, an opening lined on either side by "His tender's the lowest, isn't 1- a wild growth of magnificent firs, it,l,i - It is up there. You cannot see it w from here," she said, As sire spoke, she "Yes." took her chin from her hand and sat up- ri n right, gathered up her reins, and, with He has his father-in-law's, bond. - another of the faint inclinations of her You couldn't get a better." head, by way of adieu, rode en up the ::Ne valley. o. And Alexander Hooper has Stafford stood with Iris cap in his nothing but his own bond to offer. hand looking after her for a moment, in a brown study; and still watching the But personally I Iike Hooper's offer better'." . The doctor laughed. "How do you make that out?" "By taking everything into con- sideration, You are looking at the rack of the slight figure that sat the big horse with the grace of an Indian maiden, Ire began to take down Itis roc], and, having packed it in his ease and fastened Iris basket, he follewetl her along the broken bank of the stream, Presently, when she had gone somelit- tle distance, ire heard fire dogs whip leircumStances forgetting the barking again, the crack ,ot her whip ,. and rang like a pistolrsihot, and her bell-Iike hien." • voice echoed amongst' the 1r111s,. joined „ with the troubled ba ing of the sheep. Courteney Royce is all right." Stafford stopped and Watched her: "hist :30' you think if there was evidently something wrong; , But don't for' the dogs had become excited, ate the wholesale house offered him a sheep were running wildly; but the girl's voice was as clear and calm as ever, and the big horse cantered over the broken ground, taking a big boul- der now and again with lilting jump, as if he were going by his awn volition and was well up in all the points of the game. After a time the dogs got the sheep Into a ]reap, and the` 1/ofang girl rode round ,them; but sonretlring stili seemed to be wrong, for:.she rrgot own d. and leaving the horse quite :free, tirade leer Way into the flock. ' At that moment. Stafford saw a sheep and a lamb break.from the mob and make for the' stream; the sheep jumped to a boulder with the agility of a goat, the- lamb;,attentpted to follow, but miss- ed the boulder and fell into the stream. The water was wild hero and the Noly deep; arid' as tire lamb was swept down towards Stafford he sant that it wan struggling in an• ineffectual 'way, and that it looked like a ease of drowning, ,:'Cif course he went' for It at onto; and. wading in, made a grab at it; he got. hold of it easily enough, but the lamb, —a good-sized one—struggled], anti inn the effort to retain his bold Stafford's feet slippery and he went head first into a deep pool. lie. wassubmerged for a. second ,only, and when he carte u>' 'he had the satisfaCtioir of feeling that ; lie had still got the lamb; ,rrnd.gripping the struggling thing tightly in tris tuns, he made for the o-trnsite bankc. And look- ing up, saw the girl stanching Waiting 4471 eta a "y. i You cannot afford braitn befogging headaches. fiatle - cheaper 'grade Of goods for' our use itt would suit him about as . well, always provided the cheaper stuff looked] pretty much- like the other ?" • "As well, and ,a little better," the doctor said. "Yet Royce is not a dishonest man." ''You have to discorunt a little for character in lli's ease, that's Mr. Fisher said. "You take him at a discount, and net at •tr premium," "That's true," assented the doc- tor. • "Would you say the same of Alex- ander ander .Hooper ?" `'No." Dr, Hor�ne's answer was emphatic, "If you were willing to take an inferior article, Alexander Hooper wouldn't give it to you," "Character at a premium," said Mr. Fisher, "Don't you think we can afford to pay a little more on the year's contract, and award it to Hooper ?" Cwr-rteiie = Royce did not buy 3 3 U y the grays.' He never could understand why the contract went to Alexander Hooper. "Influence !" he grumb- led, and did not guess that it was the influence of -character, BROAD TiIES HELP ROADWAY Their Action Tends to Make Good Roads, Better. • ""Valid arguments are now being advanced in various parts of the country to prove that motor trucks, with their broad tires, are not i3i- jurious to improved highways, but are actually beneficial and assist in their upkeep,"' 'says C. W. Martin. "Heavy hatv_linig on roads must either be done by broad -tired motor trucks or by wagons with steel tires, much narrower in comparison. The effect of narrow -tired vehicles 'is plainly ruinous. The broad, heavy truck tires, simulating the .action of steam rollers, are found to actual- ly make good roads better, whereas narrow tires cut and destroy them. `'The .agitation -noted some time ago against the use of motor trucks on highways in some districts is wearing itself out. Qn the other hand, the Motor truck is now hailed as'a means of solving the railroad situation by affording , cheaper transportation, especially on short hauls. More .and more motor trucks will enable the farmers to market their produce and at less- expense,. enlarging their profits and lowering the cost to consumers, thus affect- ,i�ng'the coee of living in a •desirable wavy: • "Of course, the ideal condition cannot arrive until this country •leas a thorough system of"' gett'MM. goads. Fortunately, there`teas-begetas•.�,•seat awakening .and a. demand for beteg roads 'among all classes of people in the last few years. No one thing before the public is nearly so im- portant to all the people, as affect- ing their condition of life, as the good roads movement now so gen- erally apparent. "Legislators are interested. Pri- vate organizations are working and a concerted movement is well under way. One result of this will be a mammoth development of the motor truck industry. It is inevitable that the horse will be •sunpianted by the motor truck for a great deal of heavy hauling, and all the public will share in the benefits that mod- ern transportation will bring." Willie Wants to Know. "Pa, how can guns kick when they have no legs ?" "Don't ask absurd questions," "Guns haven't any legs have they, pa?" "Certainly not." "Well, then, what's the use of their having breeches?" What Was Essential. Jack—I don't believe you've the sand to propose, anyway. Tom—You're mistaken, I've the sand, but I haven't the dust. The Primitive Methodists of Eng- land have 1,169 ministers, who care for 211,648 members. NA -DRU -CO Headache Wafers Stop them... in quick time and clear your head. They do not contain either phenacetin, acetanilid, morphine, opium or any other dangerous drug. 25e. a box at your bruggist's. NATIONAL ALC) RV AND G 12 i 8•81m,.... v CC{CrA1cAL Co, OP CANADA, LIMITED. In foal or feel at foot, having Dietemper or Influenza, or any to 'liter* and Pohl Inegiven Bra'e's LIQUID DISTEMPER CURE It elm is the very beat :Remedy to prevent mares slipping foals, b'., and should given to all lriarcr, Colts, Stallions and, all oi.hers, in bran or crate, or on the tongue. Then you will have very -little trouble with elekness of any kind among' year ltr,n;ee, other form of Contalrionan Defease, may with absolute safety ' •5pONI, MEDICAL CO., C"..rnists arid Oacts .:elegises, Ocahene laid., ti., S. A. THOSE LONG LENTEN DAYS 'TELLING OF THE SEASON SELF-DENIAL. (; n� Sonic Quaint Interpretations 4 Lenten. Duties Among Rural , Parishes. In-lna,ny an out -of -the -world vii'. ]age, ,where th'ings,_ under "t'otvr7,� pa•1•sen" liave'Ueen very, very quiejr for half a century or more, three ' comes a new )arson with a neW 2 y broom, which, possibly, he tint a wield too vigorously, says London Answers. • When Lent looms near he—deale ing with his own flock, of course will talk and preach enthusiastioaff- ly about Lent and its duties, an ' it's not unlikely he'll get some !sorb ; of a response, even if it isn't exactly, what lie intended or expected. • One at a Time. I had preached about Lent, self. denial, fasting, giving up things•, and so on. Most particularly I had emphasized the point that Lent tte the time of all times to learn 'to 'sayr "`No !" in the week I met an old villager, and jokingly rallied hila se! to what he was going to give up. i btr"What be I going to give up I V I goin' to give up comm to'church till you'm come more sensible- like !" I overtook a ploughman home- t ward plodding his weary way, and observed that he wasnt smoking, "Given up your pipe for Leent,, George?" I inquired, "No -o -o !"—with surprised indig- nation. "Got no 'haecy, parson?' laxeuse me making so bold, bet I suppose—" And he waited sug- gestively. I did the ;proper and expected thing, and produced my pouch. "You bain ,t knocked it off nei- ther, I see," he -said, as he filled lip` "One pipe? O a clay, George; that s all now, I replied, with truth. "`That's all right, parson. • I slra'n't tell no one," he said, with' a meaning wink. "One at a time --- eh ?" Arising; out of the Lenten virtue of learning to say "No," I had a queer experience. The church in winter was fearfully cold. `"`elle stove was ancient and worn out. • .It fell to my lot to do the begging foxy a new one. I got some donations, and then tackled .a retired] carrier, who was reputed to be weld --off, but "close," Money Plus Knocks. He listened, Then his eyes twink- led, :and his face creased with. t happy smile. "I'm a -denying of myself that lux- ury, parson," he said. "It's a case of 'No,'.being what you call Lent.''' I was not amused at this twist mf my 'sermon, and explained further. "Ah," he .said, "I see ! When you want something, Lent or no Lent; this `No' business what you preach- ed about ain't expected to' work— eh ? That was a, very good ser- mon," he grinned, "and `No's' the word!" That sort of logic alway=s leaves me speechless, and I passed on. An eccentric old lady, well -to -da, and who, I fear, did not like me as I deserved ('t), I also approached for donation.' "No," she said • I hoped she did not really. mean ii:•. "No I" she reiterated. I made a last appeal. "I have learnt to say `NO,' " she said. "Itis one of our many Lenten tasks!" She mimicked me to perfection, and if I had any doubt as to wire ther she liked m4 or not, it went. So did Il I got the money in the end, .•bu plus a few more "knocks," Stoking the Stove. "You cut it nh-oi't in the puplit parson, and we'll keep warn enough," was one of the ungraciou retorts with which I met. A friend of the eccGntrtie old llttl' —influenced, I fear—neatly decli ed to give. "Oh, no thank you] neverr feel the cold.- There are ottic things I feel far mono]" I was wise enough not to inquire I was a new broom, you see 1 I begged £80, and hoped that th, "Lenten Box" I placed in th church for the new heating stem weuld bring in the balance: At the, end of Lent it containe'i four pieces of coal, some bits of coke, a threepenny -bit, 'a 'half -pen ny, .and seven pennies. - - Why coal and coke? . Well, . you ace, being young and inexperienced, l labelled the box, . - "FOR THF NEW STOVE:" Stoves burn coal and coke, an thele are wags even. in is daunt village!