The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-09-22
LUMBERToN NORTH 1897

VAS more convenient to some oi
the villagers than the morning.
and the church looked quite full
when Mr.. Lewis entered the desk.
There were several people staying
ut the Hall, and the squire's pew
was filled up with strangers, so
that altogether the audiance was
rather formidable one. Harry
Benson was not much addicted to
nervousness, however; he was a
conceited little fellow, much shar-
per in wits than George, but de-
cidedly more disagreeable.
He looked round him compla-
Gently as the choir stood up, while
Miss Hilton played the opening
bars of the anthem. There was
perfect stiffness in the church.
the music died away into soft
accompaniment in readiness for
the solo; but just as Harry was
about to begin, piercing shrek
rang out on the startled ears of
the congregation. Miss Hilton
looked round i'll dismay, and saw
Harry holding his arm, while he
glared round into the back seat
with red and angry face. It was
no time for explenation or remon-
strances, and hastily saying, $50
on to the chorus at oncc,'' she
played on, hoping to hide the
mishap as far as possible.
No sooner was the service over,
however, than a flood of eager
words was poured out to her. The
whole thing was JOS doing; there
could be no mistake about it; all
the other boys had seen him do
it; he had stuck pin into Har-
ry'a arm just as he was going to
sing!
10 said nothing in defense; he
probably did not think it worth
while, for his black eyes were still
dancing with merrlment. He
made no objection when Miss Hill
ton told him to come with her to
the vicarage, and listened to her
reproaches with great calmness.
Il can never trust you again
Jo, now that you have broken
your PROMISE" she said sadly.
10 looked up quickly.
81 only promised for one Sun
day." he said in tone of indig.
nation; land I've been good
three"
Kate made no answer: it was
useless to argue with him, so she
took him into the Wears study
hoping that he would be able .tC
deal with him more effectuall1
than she could.
"How came you to do such 6
naughty thing?" asked Mr. Lew
is, after he had talked to him Sc
riously for some time.
10 burst out into an irresistibl,
fit of laughter.
'Bless you, sir, you'd done i
yourself if you'd bin mel" he ex
claimed. eff you'd sin i'm whel
e stood up there, and filled on
is clothes and thought e LOOKED
so beautiful, you couldn't 'av
'elped doin' tiff you'd 'ad
pin"
Kate could scarcely restrain he
smiles during his speech; the ide
of the dignified Vicar engaged i
such a piece of mischief was to
funny. But Mr.. Lewis took
: gravely.
81 am afraid you are a yer
naughty little boy he sale
! "You must stay here for an hou1
while I talk the matter over wit
Miss Hilton.''
i don know what We are
do with that child" he said, {
soon as they were outside tt
= door. 81 think he is quite -inco
= rigible." /"
''He has a very soft heart,
: said Kate, ''and ! think that he sa
that we were both really grieve6
l hope you will find him penitel
! when you go back
:, = The Vicar did not share h
hopes, but he thought that Il
- Gtrangeness and solitude of i
situation might make some IL
=, preston upon him, and it W
with an air Of expectancy that
opened the door at tie end of t
hour. It was shut again, ho
ever, as quickly as it had be
/, opene1, and Mrs Lewis and Kar
who were listening from the dra
ing room, heard sound of nj
giad wrath and amusement.
10 had not been dull during
- imprisonment; he had reused t
cat from her slumbers by attiri
her IN lis cap and scarf, and ha
"a =