The Mineral argus., 1884-09-18

for his pals. he must Just recOmmence
his weary fight with fortune IN some
other arena.
Why, Bernard, Ihis Is an agreeable
surprise indeed, 1 vas wondering not
above a dav or two ago what had be
come of nv ancient ally. So many
pranks as we've been guilty Of together
Ha, ha,"
The speaker was Frank Allerton, Ber-
nard's dearest college chum. and a young
Northern squire, whose sister Amy
but this was a romantic dream which
had faded into an absurdity in the thick
gloom Of environing disaster. Why're
call it?
The new conner had joined the train
at Cotchly Junction, and, like Bernard,
was bound for the metropolis. As the
friends were alone In the compartment,
Bernard's story was soon told.
And are you hunting the rascal
DOWN."
Il have attempted it. and he has
beaten me.
"What sort of fellow is he-in per-
sonal appearance, 1 mean 2"
For the fourth or fifth time Bernard
ran glibly over the salient characteristics
of that figure which fate, rather than
any conscious mental effort, had photo
graphed so minutely upon his memory.
at is he exactly" cried Frank Aller-
ton, with an almost ludicrous combina-
tion of amazement, disgust and wrath
mirrowed upon his countenance. "Why,
the fellow has been living at Beckham,
within a stones throw Of our own manor
house, for eight or nine months. Mr..
Joynson-"
ayes, that is the name he is using"
as reputed in the village to be worth
half a million of money, more or less.
He is tine resource of all the amateur
mendicants in the district, figuring as
a well-to-do bachelor, he has even dared
to make certain proposals for my sisters
hand. Amy refused his hand sorely on
the ground of disparity of years.
Not sorely on that ground, Bernard
took leave to hope, in despite of his
friends dogmatism. But he had no
word TO answer at the moment. And
there was excuse for his tempory be-
wilderment in the presence of so strange
and unlocked for a revelation. In the
hour of his darkest despair the fair
promise of contingent victory had come.
"What a restless aud daring hypOcrite
the man must bew Frank continued.
'I'1l admit l never liked him from the
first, but 1 had no idea of such a sword
of Damocles being suspended over his
head. Amy has had lucky escape,
and she will think So"
At last Bernard regained his power
of utterance.
''Pn go to London now," he said,
''apply for a warrant, and acquaint my
father with the facts; and then, in COM
pany with police officer, seek out Mr..
Joynson at home"
This programme was fulfilled, and
success crowned the enterprise. A few
weeks later commercial circles were
discussing everywhere a new cause ce-
Ieore, and the strange change of events
as unfolded in the speech of counsel for
the prosecution-by which not only had
a notorious swindler been immeshed in
the net of the law, but stolen bonds had
found their way back into the Golfers of
the rightful owners.
But not the least happy result to
Bernard Hooker was that he learned
from Amy Allerton's own sweet lips
that at least one reason beyond that of
age had existed for her refu sal of Arch
er Glennings suit. She had already
bestowed her heart upon her brothers
friend.
Her hand soon followed. And now
Bernard Hooker-a rising and popular
arrister-sometimes tells his wife with
a smile that ON a certain memorable
May day he chased a fortune in two
senses.