The Osceola times., 1885-01-10

ready; and I'm afraid they wouldn't
have advanced much on the manuscript
of your comedy"
'Ah, Dick, shall never know how
to repay you. But you ought not TO
have pawned the ring"
But | say that | ought. II nv
mother were alive. she would be the
first to applaud me for doing so-under
the circumstances"
Frank could only shake his head. He
had no strength to argue the point.
''Besides,' went on Dick, there s
poor Tom Ellis only just ont of the hos
pital, and that pretty little wife of his
without shilling TO bless herself with.
The poor thing quite broke down when
began to talk to her, and then she
confessed that neither she nor Tom had
tasted food since yesterday
''Dck, perhaps you did right after
all to pawn the ring. But what a use
less log am ~
'Tra-la-la-lalan' sang Dick. "An-
other week or two will set YOU on your
pins as right as trivet, old boy Con.
found this kettle! 1t doesn't even sing
yet. Won't you try one of these Var.
mouth fellows?'
"No, thank you. Nothing but cup
of tea"
"With thin slice of toast nicely but.
tered. Many's the slice Of toast used
to make for the patcr in the old days at
home"
Frank lay back languidly on his
cushions while Dick went on with his
preparations for tea, whistling under
his breath as he did so.
Supposing it bright warm day to.
morrow" said Dick presently, chow
jolly ii would be to take holiday"
:" should like 1t above all things"
answered Frank. 81 feel as il ! had
lived among bricks and mortar fol
years
1--WE might take the train as far as
Richmond hire a boat at the bridge,
and paddle upstream for five or siN
miles, then land. and dine at some old.
fashioned riverside inn
" That would be capital y
"Aftcr dinner, we would lounge in
the shade of some big old chestnut
they are all in bloom Just now. And
then, while did n bit of sketching, you
should think out the plot of your next
story and in the cool of evening. WI
would take boat again and drop quietly
down the stream. and finish up the day
with few natives and some bottled
stout"
"Quite an idyllic sketch. Dick, espe.
cially the oysters and stout. But
"But me no buts. I've got the ready
here. my boy-hcre, answered Richard
the impulsive as he tapped his waist
coat pocket with a joyous air.
but think Of our debts. Four weeks
rent owing.
"Togc,ucr with one or two Other
trifcs not worth mentioning. Frank
the more deeply am in debt, the more
| enjoy holiday. Seems as If my
creditors we're standing treat, you
know. So kind on their part!'
"Supposc we defer our holiday, ant
pay a iortnight's rent with the money!
Not bit of it. Old Dabchick is il
no want of money. He's rich. my boy
rich, and can afford to wait. | only wish
dear old Leyland were here to go witt
us
"And so do !, with all my heart" re-
spondcd the invalid.
"But he's in Trcgathlin Bay by this
time went on ID ck. trying TO paint
those wonderful cliffs, that seem to hav,
put on different shade every time you
lock at them
At this moment, a slat,crnly maid-of
all work, after a preliminary tap at the
door, intrudcd her head into the room
and announced; "a gentleman to Sc,
Mr.. Frob' shcr.n
"Show him up, whoever he may be, v
answered Frank languidly.
"Andj just as this bloater was done to
q turn sighed Dick.
'"The banquet must be postponed v
The slatternly servant opened the
door, and ushercd in little dappel
elderly gentleman with keen but
good-natured face, whose sharp grey
occupants at n glance.
'Beg pardon. Trust I'm not intrud
ing" he said. "But are these the cham
bers of Mr. Frank Frobisher?"
"rhis is my room, sir and am Franz
Frobisher."
" Not i'll, | hope. Good gracious
that will never do exclaimed tn,
stranger. But must explain that
have called To see you on privat,
matter Of great Importance"
have no secrets from my friend
sir. Whatever you have to say may b.
said openly before him"
Z" In that case. sir, allow me to intro
duce myself. My name is Gimp--Johr
Gimp, attorney-at-law, and an old ac
quantance of your lamentcd father
that is, if you really are Mr.. Frobishel
the younger"
" really and truly am Frank Fro
bisher the Younger; and still retain {
very clear recollection of you. Mr.
Gimp. although have not seen yol
since was eight years old.
"Flattcred, I'm sure. Good memory
great acquisition, said the lawyer.
Before you 20 any further, Mr.
Gimp, ! must introduce you to IN,
frend--thc only friend | have in th,
world Mr.. Richard Drummond. Dick
Mr.. Gimp, an old friend of thu
family"
Charmed, I'm sure to make Mr.
Drummond's acquaintance, said thu
little man. And now, Mr.. Frob
isher." resumed the lawyer, putting
on his business air, and looking at the
young man keenly, If your memor,
carries you back so far, may | ask
when and where you recollcct having
seen me before?'
"At Chenies, my fathers ole
house"
True-very true. | was offer
there. Do you recollect any peculiar.
ity in connection with the drawing