Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07
The Widows L.Odqer.
CHAPTER vi.
UNCLE MlCHAEL'S VISIT.
Continued from last week.

III 10 MIN; IL Is his by right, IL was In
tended for him; but hope he will not
think want him to do anything for
me or baby"
You are quite independent"
II hope so, sir"
Saving money, ehY''
Eyes sir, a little"
still 1t is precarious, very. Lodgers
do not always pay rent, and taxes must
be paid, servants wages, too. AS for
Uncle Michael, my dear, y he said, dryly,
you need not fear any act of spontan-
eous generosity on his part. His liking
and dislike as regards yourself will not
affect the baby in any way; and now,
my dear, since this little fellow has
broken the ice between us, let him come
up now and then, and you may come
with him. l am glad he likes tamarinds
and ginger, have plenty more"
Master Arthur was q frequent visitor
after that The mulatto caught him at
odd hours in the day, and rode him up
shoulder high, and very often the little
gentleman found his way to the draw
ing-room alone. If he did not find the
door open, he hammered at it with his
fist, and called out for his Mis'er Bake
until he was admitted. lie dragged his
toys up one by one,-his coral and silver
rattle, box of soldiers, half dozen
harlequin-colored balls of various sizes,
some india-rubber figures, weighted SO
as to retain the perpendicular, and
drum. 1t was not an uncommon thing
for him to be found by Mary snugly
asleep on Mr.. Barker's bed when he was
tired, and the old gentleman either
reading or writing; and when she went
to clear away bis toys, she saw them
mostly packed in corner.
And you can let them remain" Mr..
Barker said; "he will want them when
he comes again"
Baby had made change in the old
mans life. He no longer roared at peo-
pie like an old lion; he never replaced
the hideous blue spectacles in the house,
but he never went out without pair;
he gave Mary the key of the piano.
had put it in his pocket with chuckle
when he first took possession of the
rooms,-and he told her now that she
might play occasionally TO please the
baby. Some extraordinary things were
done for baby's sake; and Cinci took
him out one day on mysterious mission.
Mary let him 60 with no misgiving; the
mulatto was more trustworthy than
nine ordinary nurses out Of ten. They
were gone for several hours, and when
they returned parcels began To arrive,
first from Oxford Street and Holborn,
then Regent Street and the Strand, the
Lowther Arcade and st. Paul's Church
yard. When the parcels were opened
in the drawing-rOom, it looked like O
wholesale department of the toy trade.
But" Mary said, at length, chow
ever did you choose such variety OF
thingsT'
Il took little master into every shop,
and let him choose what he liked" was
the reply.
And YOU appear to have given him
everything he chose
THAT what did--just," said the
mulattu.
Master Arthur was in a fair way Of
being spoiled. but Mary dared not hint
as much. He did exactly as he pleased.
he blew peculiarly piercing trumpet
all over the house beat his drums-about
dozen set in a rowland had his train
going in the drawing-room over poor
Mr.. Parker's head. When he ventured
mild remonstrance, through Mary,
Mr. Barker went on the landing and
roarcd at him: asked him to come up
| stairs and say what he meant.
DO you think am going to stop his
innocent play 30 that YOU may study in
peace how to poison people. the wrath
| full old gentleman groTled at him. Let
me hear another word sir, and my man
shall put you on the roof, and keep you
there. Study. indeed; if you want to be
| quiet, there's the coal cellar"
at is such a blow to the dignity of
| our profession" Mr.. Parker said, plain
| lively. to Mary. Not that | mind for
myself, you know" But Mr.. NJ. p. Par
ker never complained again. When he
had an extra study to get through, he
did it in his bedroom, or tied towel
over his ears to keep the sound out.
George Hyde heard of the singular pro-
ceedings, and saying little, wondered
much; and when he called, Mary was
in MI Bankers room. The same thing
had happened before, but George did
not go away as usual this time; he
waited, and sent word that he had
something particular to say.
"Then send him up said Mr.. Bark.
er; you can introduce him, Mrs. Allen
by. | will not have the boy disturbed.
Mr.. Hyde came mp. lie took in the
whole scene with an amused smile, ant
gave very penetrating glance at Mr.
Barker.
Come in he said, come in, Mr.
Il Hyde, you are no stranger to me; have
seen you often enough from the win
dow. ! am an old friend OF Uncle
Michael, and YOU are an old friend oI
Arthur Allenby 's-that is introduction
enough, SO shake hands and make your
self at home
Il And they shook hands heartily.
Il have just left Mrs. Allenby, Mary,
he said, with smile; land the poo
lady is in a dreadful state Of commO
ton. Uncle Michael is coming 10 Eng
land; he may have arrived by this time.
~ think ii very likely" Mr.. Barke
observed. ~ heard from him myself
but what is the reason of this constema
7 tion?'
| st appears that he has been inquir
J ing about Arthur's wife, Mary. The
were not aware that he knew Of tn
marriage. l saw the letter. He wrot
to know who she was? what she was
how they got along with her? and sew
eral other inconvenient questions. Yo
can imagine the situation
Il should enjoy it, said Mr.. Barkel
grimly, land before You go any further
DR.. Hyde, let me- ask you not to tel
them that l, who lodge here, know any
thing about Uncle Michael. Do 20
understand me-
Scarcely, sir; but it shall be as yo
please, nevertheless
That's good lad. have a reaso
for it, a sound one. You will be qni;
satisfied with it when You know. Ca
you tell me when he is cXpected?"
AT Southampton 10 morrow, 10y tn
Boomerang.
Then go to NEE, the Boomerang