The Penn's Grove record., 1885-02-07

I'm not IN the habit Of cutting my
words Short | said stlfiy. There's
nothing for you to laugh at, James
Brown; Natures made you quite ugly
enough, without pulling faces at your
bet. rs Just you send that message
of at oncel / don't begrudge the
money
$50 | paid my half-crown, and, if |
| did ring the money on the counter as if
1 was proud of 1t, where was the harm?
| was proud of it for [ had earned it,
and l hoped it would bring my dear
young lady's pa, which was the only
thing she wanted to make her happy.
81 had said come at once, because,
YOU see, Rachel, | wanted him in time
for Christmas Day and, if he was a bit
frightened, he would be all the more
likely to hurry himself. 1 thought
that, if | once got him to the house, it
must be all right. Surely he could not
bear malice with that infants fingers
curled round his they we're wonder
full fingers, were that baby's they were
so long that they touched your hart,
and so tender and elinging that they
made you feel ashamed Of doing wrong.
81 thought of all this as | hurried to
the ADMINISTRATION to inquire when the
trains came in from Exeter. There
would be one IN an hour but of course
that was of no use to me and the next
reached Seaton at five O'Clock, which
would give the old gentleman plenty of
time to get my message before the train
left Exeter.
As l went home, my heart beat
rather violently, and l had to remind
myself that l had battled along all alone
since your uncle's death, and that |
could surely face one old gentleman,
ever If he had a grindstone where his
heart should have been. So | plucked
up courage, and went home and did my
work but [ must own that | began to
feel uneasy when the clock struck four.
All the work was done then, and Betsey
Jane was as clean as If she did not
know what dirty work was, and had
never heard of black leak. [ told her,
if a gentleman called, to show him into
the dining-room, and then to come
quietly upstairs and tell me that l was
wanted. l told her, too, to keep the
kettle boiling for, with a young baby
and an angry old gentleman, you never
know but what you may want not water
~sudden-like. Betsey Jane promised to
attend to what | said, and 1 shook my
head at her as l left the kitchen-not
that | was vexed with her, but it was a
way | had got into, for the girl was
often provoking, especially on busy
days and l wonder that | bore with
her as | did.
"When L went up to Mrs. Bayley's
room, it vas a pretty scene. The fire
was burning brightly, and it threw a
soft warm glow on the young mother,
as she sat in my best chair, with baby
on her lap. Her husband was irving to
ruin his eyes with a book he was read
ing by the freight. / never saw such
a mar for books he could not rest IL
less he had one in his hand. Pm as fond
of books as anybody, and think a nice
shining row on a shelf is a pretty orna-
ment but 1 don't hold with handling
them too much, for they always make
my head may. l think a look IN at the
shops - especially the bonnet-shops-
rests you as well again.
"'How are you getting on, ma'am ?
1 asked.
every nicely, thank you. L am very
comfortable, Mrs. Robinson Mrs. Bay
ley replied, in her pleasant gentle voice.
"'And the little darling p
"'Do you mean me, Mrs. Robinson2'
said MI. Bayley, getting up, with a
smile on his handsome face.
mo, sir; you know 1 don't; and /
wonder at you having such nonsense ia
a sick-room. You might know betterI'
"'I can't help it, he said, laughing.
Look at them both don't they look
famous to-day 1 feel in such spirits
about themI You and | are capital
nurses, Mrs. Robinson
"'Well, they certainly do us credit
to-day / have come to stay for an
hour or so and | wish you would go
for a walk, sir. You have not been out.
"'Yes, do, Vincent, urged Mrs. Bay
ley !; "a brisk walk VIII do you ever so
much good ; and you know | shall be
all right with Mrs. Robinson
Eyes, indeed, there is no doubt
about that ! You have been kinder to
her than her own relatives have been,
and heaven will bless you for yourgood-
ness to usl' said Mr.. Bayley, turning
to me.
81 should have felt wonderfully lifted
up by his words if it had not been for
that ive-o'clock train, for l had never
before seen Mr.. Bayleys S deeply moved.
SAT that moment the darling infant
woke up, and, man-like already, he
could not wait an instant for what he
wanted and in attending to him | for
got all about outside wrongs.
"'You are putting on his best robe,
Mrs, Robinsonl' said his mother, whose
bright eyes were watching every move
ment.
"sWell, If he's not to be dressed IN
his best, ma'am, on Christmas Eve, it's
a pity
"She SMILED, and said it was all right;
but she thought 1 would have saved the
roOe until the next day.
"tThere,' said l, when l had dressed
him in his best-'he does look bonny /;
anybody who sees him must think so =
YES she replied, in a rather sor-
rowful voice; and l knew she was
thinking of her father.
''Just then Betsey Jane tapped at the
door, and l knew he had come. Baby
was as wide awake as possible, and
staring at the IRE so t%h0ughtfully, as if
he knew a great deal, if he only chose
to mention it.
"'Come in, Betsey Jane. I ana want
ed, l suppose9'
"'Yes, ma'am-in the dining-room.'
"'Then come and take baby, and
stay till l come back will answer the
bell if any one rings, so you need not
leave the ROOM
Then 1 went downstairs, opened
the dining-room door, and marched in,
trying TO recollect that the house and
furniture were all mine, for it would
never have done to let him know that
my heart was beating as if / had a
pigeon in my breast. | bowed and said.
"'Mr. Gender, / suppose 2
"And theu | had a good look at him.
He was a little, scout, plain, ordinary
looking man, dressed II a long ulster
! which made him look like a figure out
of a penny Noah's ark. The palpita-
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