, 1878-03-08


"Murrays enough, without the other -
81 should like you to be my friend.'
Barton glanced at the large, dark eyes
/ that were fixed upon him, and at the del
iCate and somewhat mournful face, and
/ felt attracted also.
81 think shall like you,' he returned
"but must wait and see how you 90 on.
think you've the right spirit; but you
must take my advice about the knife.
viii youf"
There was struggle in Reginald S
mind. 1t was very hard to give up the
| knife that Alice had saved up herpocket-
money to buy for himl Still, Barton had
been at school for some time, and knew
better than he what ought to be done, so
he answered, 81 will"
But Barton was not prepared for his
manner Of carrying out the decision. TO
his great surprise Reginald marched
straight up to Thompson. 81 shall not"
he said, "speak to DR.. Field about the
knife. It's unfair and unjust of you to
take it, and | sban't be friends with you
as long as you keep it. But Barton says
it would be telling tales if made COM
plaint.'
Some of the younger boys stood quite
aghast at Reginalds boldness, one or two
even murmured, "Well dOnel'
Thompson stared, halfin astonishment
half in anger. YOU'RE too fast, young
sir; you'll have to be put down, | see, I"
said he. But he did not give Reginald his
knife again.
School was indeed new world to Reg
inald. He made friends and found enc.
mics; he worked hard, and played well /;
and, on the whole, was tolerably popular.
Thompson, however, still kept the knife,
using it upon all occasions, which caused
thrill of indignation to go through Reg
maids delicate frame.
"If l can't get it one way, I will an
other" thought he; and he brooded over
the knife until he magnitied every word
that Thompson said into series of in
suits to himself, and Thompson, pleased
with the power he possessed over the boy,
exercised it on all occasions.
So the spring went by, and summer came,
and the days slipped away, and the holi-
days were close at hand.
''If we're strong enough / would fight
him for It'll" said Reginald to Barton,
one day when Thompson had been more
than usually aggravating.
The remark was repeated to Thomp-
son, who was standing by the side of the
river that ran at the foot of the play
ground.
At that moment Reginald drew near.
$50 you would like to fight me if you
were big enough!' said he with sneer
81 should" answered Reginald,
warmly.
''Ah, it's bad state of feeling. If the
knife causes such wicked thoughts, the
best way is to get rid of it. So here it
goes, and there is an end of it'll" And,
drawing the knife from his pocket, he
flung it into the river. 1t fell short Of
where he intended, and Reginald saw his
beloved knife through the clear river,
lying within what he supposed to be an
easy reach. Withouta moments thought
ne jumped in after it, regardless of the
cry that rose-"The waters deeper than
it looksl"
His hand, as if by instinct, grasped the
knife, but as he tried to struggle back
through the swiftly-running water, he
got confused; for, as the boys had called
out to him, it was great deal deeper
than it looked, and just there the ground
shelved suddenly, and Reginald, taking a
false step, lost his footing.
There was q general outcry, which
brought DR.. Field, and visitor who had
just arrived, to the spot.
"Murray's in the river!"
And they pointed to the spot where
the poor boy had sunk.
With such cry as the boys long re-
membered, the visitor had plunged into
the water and had caught the boy, who
had risen for the last time, by the arm.
And the next thing that the boys knew
was that white, dripping form was car
ried through the playground into the
house.
Then whisper went round-"It was
his fatherw
Then whispered question-"Is he
deada"
And Thompson shuddered as he heard it.
But Reginald did not die; he opened
his eyes to find his father clasping his
hand. AT first he could remember moth
ing; then he looked round anxiously.
us the knife safe9 went to pick up my
knifeW
Then he closed his eyes, and remained
for long time silent, and when he spoke
again it was in the wild rawlings of de-
lirium.
The shock had been too much for the
delicate boy. Fever came on, and it was
weeks before he could be moved home,
and then he was ordered to the South,
and Italy was the chosen place in which
Mr.. and Mrs. Murray and their two chill
dren should sojourn until Reginald should
have completely recovered his health.