The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-01

stant you know anything about it. Heaven forbid, with such a nice look as you've got"
 ~Sir.'
 '' l beg pardon Don't mind me; I'm bothered he ran on with extraordinary volubili,y and this umbrella was my old fathers last present-just three days before he died-when he was given up, and one would have thought he had something more serious 10 consider than buying me an umbrella for my birthday. He died on my birthday, too, which is another odd part of the story" he ran on but there; good day, madam, am oetherlng you. wish your cold better good day"
 And away marched Mir. Geoffry Bird out of my room, and down the long passage to the street door, swing ing his arms wildly to and fro. He jumped the whole flight of steps into the street, and was gone, as thought, for good"
 The next day was very i'll indeed-,oo ill to rise. had caught cold at the open window and in the damp night air, and 1t had become absolutely necessary to send for the doctor. and to make what always considered was too much of fuss over me. Lily Brian told me a week afterward, when l was able to sit up for the first time in my room, that had been m a critical state, and there had been one night when everybody was anxious and excited, and even Captain Choppers walked continuously up and down the stairs for two hours and a half, and said " Poor girl, poor girl,' and had secre, conference with NIT. Goode as to the ad- visibility of having a physician in the morning, at their mutual expense, and " say nothing about 1t, sir. to any one" But l was better that next morning changed for the better with the summer weather which came in, bright, and fine, and hot, and suggested holidays out of town and by the great green sea tor the lucky folk who could afford to spend their money.
 Lily Brian and her mother and father. and two gawky brothers, whom did not like very much, and thirteen small mem- bers of the family, were all going out of town, and Why no, come with us z Lily had said kindly.
 My answer was very old one, and very natural, and very truthful. too.
 :. Because l cannot afford it, Lily
 Oh, bother the money said Lily.
 That's what often say myself"
 It shall cost you next 10 nothing hardly anything" Lily suggested. Papa says you will only have to pay for room somewhere. and you can board with us, and oh, dear, ii will be awfully Jolly.'
 " It's very kind of your papa, and-and I'll think of 1t. Lily, at any rate"
 And make up your mind and say yes cried Lily: . won't you Jane :'
 "I don't know
 /" That fright of a captains going somewhere, know" Lily said. and MT. Goode has got free pass down the line. you tell me, and he's sure 10 go into the country with so little to pay for il it's jus, like him. And do think of it. lane, there's lover'
 l did think of it. Thought of Mir. Brian's large family, eighteen of them altogether. and whether l, was possible could intrude gracefully spon them. NIT. Brian had retired from eocoanut fibre and street-door mat business in the Tot tenham Court road. and was pretty well of. with only the s'igh, necessity for let ting his drawins-room floor. He was evidently not rich man. and there were a few struggles to keep up an appear anoe," although he went out ot town with his family for month every summer, by express desire oi Mrs. Brian, who required change every August. and regularly sailed forth, en famille. from her large establishment in prossier street to a house down back slum in High street. Mar gate. where the rooms were small, and the children were heaped together sardine fashion, and now and then came back with something catching as wind-up to the seasons enjoyment.
 And this particular August was asked to join them. There was the sea. and :" You must take little change said the doctor. and Lily Brian was very pressing. and Captain Choppers had talked of go- ing away for a week or two. and the boys Goode were coming home for the holi- days. and I, Jane Neild, was able to pay and would insist upon paying-my fair share of board with the Brians, having my little room out of the house, too, for that peace and quietness which is hot always found in large families. Yes, I would go down to Margate when was strong-when l was we'll enough to bear the fatigue of the journey. This was promise on the day the Brians, with much formality Of departure, left town for the season, and 1 made up my mind to get well and strong as soon as possible. and join them. WheE was down stairs again for the first time in my little back room there was great surprise awaiting me. Nailed against the wall, under my fathers cabinet-sized photograph, was a brand-new ornament-a little carving in oak of dead bird hanging by its claws head downward, and with every feather wonderfully delineated. stared at it with intense astonishment, and Bridget stood in the background with grin on her face from ear to ear.
 Where did this come from: Good gracious. how beautiful, how--well. never did.'