The Mineral argus., 1884-05-08

me NttfftilllA2 Mttk IL a AttANG oAiN
for everybody concerned. The Bishop
roundlv slated three rectors and a dean,
and sacked a curate who had presumed
to adopt a sou'-sOu'western position
during the collection: Julian had a bad
week at Sandovn, naturally enough,
for he only backed horses whose names
began with K: Miss Crabbie read a
paper on Historic Feminine Sinners, -
before the Netting Hill Debating Soci-
ETY., and Kitty cried. These events are
now matters of history.
The subject came up again. and this
time the Bishop was volcanic. Marry
her, dare to dream of marrying her, and
You NAV go and play lawn-tennis with
Tom Hughes. in New Rugby. for a
summer. and starve for the rest of your
life. 1 won't send you to the bar; I'll
stop your allowance; I'll cry down your
credit-O, Julian! you-you-Apos-
tate"
1t was the only word the Bishop could
think of at the moment and it fitted re-
markably well.
But the Apostate was very quiet in
deed, this ~time-meekly seemed to ac-
q%uiesce in his fathers views: and then
to the Bishops bewilderment. threw
over all engagements, refused all invita-
tons. and settled down soberly and dis
creetlv to work in Mr.. Meeson Welby's
chambers, with whom he was reading.
Home to dinner punctually every even
ing talked little politics or a sensation
al trial with the old gentleman; but af-
ter his coffee promptly betook himself
to his STOREY" his Taylor" his
Broom" and his first brand-new copy
of the Reports" Julian meant to bea
barrister. and, oddly enough, evidently
meant to learn law before, in
stead of subsequent to, his being
called, which shows what a very original
young man he was.
1t was perplexing. Julian the Apos-
tate had recanted his social hsresay so
thoroughly that the Bishop was sus-
piGous. The man worked, no doubt of
it, and would have nothing to say to the
cloud of white cards that settled all over
the mirror in his study like a flock of
butterflies. He was seemingly happy;
and the whole thing was perfectly
amazing.
I grieve to say that his lordship be-
came an amateur detective; he watched
every letter that arrived; he called on
Meeson Welby, and found that his son
was his most punctual and most indus
trious pupil.
Il assure You, my Lord Bishop" said
that distinguished advocate, che knows
a vast deal of practical law, and has the
making of a very excellent devil in
him." The expression was startling but
very gratifying when properly explained.
Still, there the matter was Julian the
merry had become Julian the mysteri-
GUS, and there was no clue to it all.
One memorable evening the bishop
having finished the sketch of a charge
II mean, of course, such a charge as
would be produced by Bishop Butler,
not Mrs. Butler), sat in his study brood
ing over it all. He was doing his best for
his boy" he kept repeating to himself;
but his spiritual wrestlings were dis
turbed some way, and between him and
the fire there came attimes a glimpse of a
certain wistful little face he had once
seen with Julian in the park, and apho-
tograph of which said little face hung
framed in old gold plush beside Julian's
bed. His lordship's musings were in
terrupted by the sound of his sons
quick step on the stairs, and then his
voice.
"All right, Pollard, Tn just running
out to post a letter I'll be back to dress
in five minutes"
"You can post it here, Master Julian, F."
said the voice of the old retainer, the
Bishops butler; I'm taking his lord
ships letters presently"
"Quite sure it will go all riget, Pol
lard? Very well, then" There was a
metallic FLAP" as the letter was dropped
into the oak pillar-box that stood in the
hall. and then Julian ran back to his
study.
A letter. To whom? Why wish to
post it himself? And then 1 fear some
little demon had the audacity to whis-
per in the Bishops ear, for that good
man was disquieted, and rose from his
chair. The room seemed hot, so. he
opened the door. The hall looked
cool, so he walked into it. There was
no one there. Like Eugene Aram, he
took three hasty strides, and then
stopped opposite the oak letter-box, of
which he and Pollard had duplicate
KEYS.
after all, there can be know harm
in Just seeing to whom he IS writing; it
might be some vile money-lender; and
besides" added the Bishop to himself,
Il may possibly have misdirected some
of NV own letters" Still he paused,
and the little demon kept whispering
Take it out take it ont" Finally,
with a quick heating heart, the Bishop
opened the box. Wa that a noise? No,
only the parrot. Hate parrots" he
Thought, as he peeped in. Yes, there
II WIS rioht ON the ton of the pile. adj