Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-04-14

TOOK MS Gtu lnOfulnaue amount OF SUI
gar. Thence it was but a step to the
burning question of the day.; and in
tones little shaken, she commented
on the interval since she had last
made tea for the prodigal, and con-
graduated him on his return. And
then addressing Mr.. Nicholson, she
congratulated him also in manner
that defed his ill-humor; and from
that launched into the tale Of Johns
misadventures, not without some suit
able expressions.
Gradually Alexander joined; be-
tween them, whether he would or no,
they forced a word or two from John;
and these fell so TREMENDOUSLY, and
spoke so eloquently of mind OPP
pressed with dread, that Mr.. Nichol-
son relented. At length even he con-
tributed q question; and before the
meal was at an end all four were talk
ing even freely.
Prayers followed. with the servants
gaping at this newcomer whom no
one had admitted; and after prayers
there came that moment on the
clock which was the sigma for Mr..
Nicholson's departure.
"John," said he, "of course you
will stay here. BE very careful not
to excite Maria, if Miss Mackenzie
thinks it desirable that you should see
her. Alexander, l wish to speak to
you alone" And then, when they
were both in the back room: "You
need not come to the office to-day"
said he; 'you can stay and amuse
your brother, and | think it would be
respectful to call on Uncle Greig.
And by the bye" (this spoken with
certain dare we sayP-bashfulness).
81 agree to concede the principle of
an allowance; and / will consult with
Doctor Durie, who is quite man of
the world and has sons of his own, as
to the amount. And, my fine fellow,
you may consider yourself in luck!"
he added, with smile.
THANK you" said Alexander.
Before noon a detective had re-
stored TO John his money, and brought
news, sad enough in truth, but per-
haps the least sad possible. Alan had
been found in his own house in Re-
gents Terrace, under care of the terri
fed butler. He was quite mad, and
instead of going to prison, had gone
to Morningside asylum. The muir
dered man,it appeared, was an evicted
tenant who had for nearly a year pur-
sued his late landlord with threats
and insults; and beyond this, the
cause and the details of the tragedy
were lost.
When Mr.. Nicholson returned from
dinner they were able to put a dis
patch into his hands: John Y. Nichol-
son, Randolph Crescent, Edinburg.
Kirkman has disappeared; police
looking for him. All understood.
Keep mind quite easy. Austin"
Having had this explained TO him, the
old gentleman took down the cellar
key and departed for two bottles OF
1920 port. Uncle Greig dined there
that day, and Cousin Robina, and, by
an odd chance, Mr.. Macewen; and the
presence of these strangers relieved
what might have been otherwise a
ICldllOus IsIG bllty pdl ISu
the family was welded once more into
fair semblance of unity.
In the end Of April John led Flora
or, as more descriptive, Flora led
John-to the altar, if altar that may
Ire called which was indeed the draw
ing-room mantel-piece in Mr.. Nichol-
sons house, with the Rev. Dr. Durie
posted on the hearth-rug in the guise
OF Hymen's priest.
The last l saw of them, on a recent
visit TO the North, was at a dinner
party in the house of my old friend,
Gcllatly Macbride; and after we had,
in classic phrase, "rejoined the Ia
dies" l had an opportunity to over
hear Flora conversing with another
married woman on the much can
vassed matter of husbands tobacco.
"Oh. yes!" said she; II only allow
Mr.. Nicholson four cigars a day.
Three he smokes at fixed times-after
meal, you know, my dear; and the
fourth he can take when he likes
with any friend"
"Bravom thought TO myself
this is the wife for my friend Johnr
THE END.