Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-03-20

Ois MI pIiltal utCu suCu luIs
cried one Of the children.
do de frogs hornpipe again, Mitter
Smiff," cried a twin-third series.
Thow Mithter Dolby the pigth in
the thty," said another twin - second
series.
No, no, Mr.. Smith, do make the
pocket handkerchief dance, and the old
man on the WALL" said another.
my dear children, you will worry
Mr.. Smith to death, )" cried the beaming
Mrs. Jennings.
"Oh, never mind-I-I rather like it,"
said Smith.
"Give me another ride on yonr back,
Mr.. Smith," cried another; and as he
stopped to lift chubby tyrant on to bis
shoulder there was yell Of delight and
a charge like hurricane-children hang
ing on to his coat tails his legs, his arms,
garoting him, and he suffered it all with
the greatest composure-indeed, with
sense Of enjoyment shining out of his
face that was most refreshing.
AT last, by installments and pairs, the
family departed for bed, but not until
Smith had been inveigled into carrying
little Johnny up stairs. Then, with his
feathers smoothed, he was called upon to
go down to the snug supper provided for
our especial benefit.
VIII you take Jenny down, Smith p"
said jennings
"Mr. Dolby is going to take me down,
Tom," said the pretty little lady.
And played cavalier without notic-
ing the air of discomfort in Smiths coun-
tenance.
The supper passed off very pleasantly !;
for little Jenny was certainly the liveliest
little girl | had taken down to supper for
years. She was chatty, too, and full of
repartee and mirthful remark while
Smith grew silent and staid.
"Those children have completely tired
you out, Mr.. Smith, " said Mrs. Jennings.
And Smith sighed and said No,
not at ALL"
But he kept very quiet all the same
and when we went out together, about
twelve, there was hardly q word spoken
on the way to our chamber.
] saw Smith again and again during
the next two months, and could not help
remarking that change had come over
! him.
It's your liver, think, old fellow"
said l. Let me write you prescription ,
mo-" said he, "it isn't liver; I'm as
well as can be-"
| shook my head. But as he did not
seem disposed to give me his confidence
did not care to press him and time
slipped on, with the poor fellow growing
more quiet day by day.
/ think told you that Smith was an
artist. He was, but in a ditettunte kind
of way. He was a barrister by rights !;
but he did not get any briefs, nor did he
want any, but spent his time writing
smart little articles Uers de Societe for
well-known magazine. Smiths cham
bers were in the Temple, up at the top of
one Of the ranges of buildings, where he
could enjoy a capital view Of the river
and embankment, and many were the
pleasant evenings we had spent there to-
gethcr.
1t happened during one day of :his
present autumn that, being by Temple
Bar, | encountered couple of ladies
turning up the one-sided remains of Bell
yard, and one Of them asked me if that
was the way into the Temple. hasten
ed to set them right when
" Halo, Dolby" said a checry voice,
"where are you going ?"
50 was just going to see Smith," re-
piled, shaking Jennings heartily by the
hand.
" Here's the wife and Jenny here" he
said, and the next moment was paying
my court to the ladies'.
i say,.' said jennings, "lot's go and
storm Smith"
"Oh, no, Tom" began Jenny.
" Why not p said Jennings, "he'll be
delighted to see us--won't he Dolby ?"
That I'll answer for" | said, and
few minutes afterward we were CLIMBING o
the cold stone stairs and passing dismal
oak doors.
AS neared the top Aoor-for | was
sent on first by way Of pioneer-I became
aware Of the fact that the door was ajar
and | heard Smiths voice but as he
was evidently repeating something to
himself, as if learning it, had no hesita-
ton in listening, especially as we were
such old friends. But | paused ON the
threshold, for this is what met my eve
Smith, in short jacket and slippers
was kneeling on the carpet before an easy
chair in which he had stuck the bolster
from his bed, and on the top OF it was his
smoking cap with its long tassel.
" Amateur theatricals," said to my
self" rehearsal"
But the next moment | was dumb with
astonishment, for Smith went on.
" Dearest Miss Gray, since the first
night when | beheld you at your sisters
house | have madly, passionately loved
you. Here, then, kneeling at your feet,
| make you the offer OF my heart and
hand"
THAT isn't so bad," he muttered.-
" Let's try again"
And so intent was he that he did not
hear the fresh steps on the landing, while
malieiously allowed Jennings to ead
Miss Jenny close up to where | stood,
Mhen | hold her hand and lnt Lnr EAtnn