The Lamar register., 1892-05-14

V~ Not but that Philip
HRllworth loved her. She loved him
too; but her affection was put to a
severe test when, after seven years o.
welded life, she found herself and ner
child IN a cottage, which they once
called home, now reduced almost to
four bare walls. hard landlord press.
ing Tor rent, an empty larder. three
whole days without food, and no
hope OF immediate cmplo yment sor
her husband. But he was a good-for-
nothing fellow. He would not always
work when he got the chance, and
drank the best part OF his earnings.
Like Mr.. Micawbrr. he was always
waiting for something 20 turn up, and
when something did turn up, Il was
his undoins. as you shall presently
hear
It was lonely place where they
lived. on the outskirts OF a thick
wood, and within few hundred yards
of tine house a torrent that came from
the hills foamod madly along.
One day. while Longing about in
his usual vagaboud style, be saw n
stranger. who had tried to ford the
river, carried away by the current.
| Hailworth Jumped in, for he had plen-
| - OF pluck, although he was generally
too lazy to exercise it; and, after "A
fearful struggle, he brought his man to
land. The latter. as soon as he was
able 20 speak. informed his preserver
that I've was rich and noble. and that
he would rewnrd him handsomely for
his courage. He went away. and was
heard Of no more. But that wasquite
enoash for Philip.
For weeks after this he lived on
| golden dreams. and poor Maggie aud
little Jennie. their daughter. had to do
the same, But golden dreams are not
very substantial things to live on;
hence she misery OF their home IA
mock sry OF the nAmel which | have
endeavored 10 portray.
Meantime. James Ashwood. the
camekeeper. the man whom Maggie
had rejected. lived in resp@ctability
and single -blesscdness They met but
seldom, and she tried very hard TO
conceal het misery and poverty from
him; but he saw through all her little
nrtifires-tha stimulated bright look
aud happy smile. They wrung his
very heart-strinss. He was powcrless
to did her. and be loved her with n
great and silent affection, which he
would not have confessed to any
mnu-hardiy even to himself. He
would not have allowed a breath to
sully her fair name, for there was no
one in the world he hopored more
than the wife of Philip Hallworth.
III.
1t was bleak night in October. The
rain and hail pattered against the
broken windows. The great branch
rs of the trees without could be heard
tossing in the storm. The very cot
tage rocked, and the wind moaned
ominou-ly in the chimneys. A pleas
ant sound that, in "A cozy home where
you sit by your tireside; but not so in
such hovel as Philip Hallworth's.
That was a mere shelter against the
elements, and poor one at best
nothing more. There was no fire in
,he'grate. and n candle guttering down
in battered candlestick only made
the occupants OF the room look even
more hhggard than they really were.
Suddenly there was sharp knock
ing at the door. Philip opened it.
and little old gentleman in n wide
Inverness, with his umbrella turned
inside out, was almost blown into his
arms.
"ian nave u lew Itsl anu
shelter here2' he asked.
Certainly" Hallworth answered,
''such as we have you're welcome to,
but it's not much to boast Of.
II shall not trouble you long.
am on my yaway to Sir Charles Hazel
toms: lost my road in the wood, and
thought | would seek for shelter here
That was not n very hospitable
cottage to come TO, rather from the
necessities than from the inclinations
OF its inmates. The old gentleman
was wet through and there were but
scant opportunities there OF drying
clothes. however, Maggie took him
to their bedroom. He had some other
apparel in his bag, he said. He would
put the things on, and with their per-
mission wait till the storm was over.
There were tworooms upstairs. The
place was in n very dilapidated con-
dition, and there were chinks in the
thin partition quite wide enough to
see through. There-were two hungry,
wolfish eyes there, peering in-the eyes
OF Philip Hallworth-and they saw
strange sight. The old man, while
changing his clothes, was taking out a
number OF little linen bags. He open
ed one and examined the contents.
1t was full OF gold colns-soVereiens:
Gold in that house-the abode OF
misery and starvation. Philip turn
ed away and went heavily down the
stairs. The sight had made him sick.
He went to the window below and
looked out The wind continued, but
the rain had ceased, and the moon
was riding in blue sky, shedding her
fairy light upon the earth A mo-
ment later the old gentleman came
down too.
"Well," he said, 81 see the weather
has cleared must be going now.
Could you come with me little way,
and put me in the right path for Sir
Charles house?"
Hallworth was silent Tor space,
and then answered in n hollow voice
"Ycs sir, I'll come with you.
The stranger was outside that
f;r,s He seemed clad to escape rom