Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-01-22

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Perhaps she did not like being
caught doing the Good Samaritan"
observed Ray. IL say, Tommy, does
Miss Wilmot often come to see you?"
"Yes" said the child. Don't she
make nice cakesp Me loves Miss Will
mot"
"Sagacious child" cried Horace, de-
posting him on the carpet. II say,
George" looking at his friend keenly;
"Miss WImot is a remarkably pretty
girl to act the Good Samaritan to the
children of lonely widower. l hope
her kindness does. not get talked
about.
Talked aboutr' repeated George,
blankly; "what on earth forp"
Horace bent forward and clapped his
friend atfectionately on the back.
"Just the same simple, unworldly
old chap as in the bygone days when
you were my flag at school," he ex-
claimed.
Your fag!' cried George. you
mean when you took me under your
protection, old fellow, because though
older than you, was poor, weak
pOOpJ, WltuVuJ uliius cuouSu W hOOP
up with the rest of you. Don't con-
tradict me" he added, quickly, "be-
cause it is true, every word of it. Now
tell me what you mean about Miss
Wilmot?"
II mean nothing, old friend" said
Horace. "You know l have an aim
less way of saying the first thing that
comes into my head. Will you come
and dine with me at the club to-
nightp"
mot tonight" said George. You
see it is Roses birthday, and | prom
ised the child to stay at home"
''All right; another time, then" said
Horace, shaking hands with his friend.
Here, children" and he scattered a
handful of silver OH the carpet, making
precipitate retreat, to get away from
the Babel that ensued.
He laughed heartily as he went down
the steps, and then his face grew sud-
denly grave and thoughtful.
IF / ever hear any man say word
against her, I'll knock him down"
he muttered, while an angry flush suf-
fused his face.
Horace did not know how soon he
would be put to.the proof. That very
evening he heard one of the club loung-
ers talking of the woman he admired
in way that made the blood Jingle in
his veins.
He had always hated Richard Dobell,
and could scarcely keep his hands off
him as he listened to what he was say
ing to his companion, rapid" young
masher, with an eye-glass and pain
fully stiff collar.
Fact, pom honor" said Dobell,
glancing at Horace, who had just en-
tered the smoking-room and taken up
his position where they were stand
ing
"But she is so particular" returned
the masher; regularly snubs a fell
lown
at is all on account of this widower,
depend upon it" said Dobell, with q
sneering laugh. "She thinks of no.
body else. 'Mabers widower,' we call
him. Ha! ha!'
"But people say he is welded to the
memory of his first WIFE" said the
masher, who had n soft head, but not a
bad heart.
1T is the girl who is enamored. l
won't answer for the widower,'? OBJ
served Dobell, rs he lit another cigar.
How Horace longed to choke the fell
low! But he restrained himself, and it
was not until Dobell was leaving the
club that he accosted him.
"a word with YOU" he said sternly.
"Well, what is itP" asked Mr.. Do
bell in surprise, as he glanced at Hor-
aces compressed lips and flashing eyes,
at is this" said Horace, sternly.
'You were speaking with most unwar-
rantable impertinence of one of my ac-
quaintances tonight, and if there is a
repetition of the offense, / will thrash
you like dog"
People will talk" observed Dobell
with an uneasy laugh.
'They had better not in my hear
ing" said Horace sternly. Good
night to YOU"
And he strolled away confident that
Dobell at least would not offend him.
He had not gone far when he heard
footsteps behind him, and bland voice
said:
"Allow me to thank you in the name
of my stepdaughter.
"A woman's name should be sac
red" he said lightly. "A fact that our
friend Dobell does not seem to under
stand: I was merely suggesting to
him that silence was golden"
You shan't escape from my graft
tude so easily" cried John Chesterton,
linking his arm Familiarity in Horace's.
"Come and dine with me in day or
two; / will take no excuse"
The mans fulsome gratitude would
have been displeasing to Horace had
he not possessed beautiful stepdaugh-
ter.
He accepted Mr.. Chesterton's invita-
ton, and in a few days presented him.
self at the house with his heart beating
quickly.
Horace had not thought much of
Mabel until she had entered his friend =
room with three motheAess children
clinging to her skirts. Mere beauty
of form and feature would never have
won his heart.
John Chesterton received him with
effusion, but Mabel was as cold as an
icicle.
Her heart was swelling with indigna'
ton, for she knew why he had beer
to dine with them, and it gave
her the feeling of being on view.
81 am glad it is over" she said
when Horace had taken his leave.
She was standing by the fire will
her dainty slippered feet on the fender
stool, and disconnected look in he
face.
you are glad what is overP" criet
Mr.. Chesterton.
.FThn in fiintion Of Mr. Rav,s society.