The record-union., 1897-08-02

derisive.
art thou gofn' to pay it? Ell, weel,
fool an his money is soon parted, an
the brass'll do as well i my pocket as
i the beerhouse. Theirs two week ow-
ing. An she's a nice sort o. lady. 1
know about a her, an so do other folk.
She run off fro her husband WI another
chap
''Wheer's the chap" asked the Man
from Stalybridge, slowly counting his
money.
He's run off, too" replied the wo-
man with laugh, adding, They mostly
do"
The man finished counting. "Theer's
thy brass" he said, dropping a pile of
small coins in the woman's outstretched
hand. Now dunnot let me hear thee
carrying on i that gait again."
L reckon thou'd carry on if thou
coudna get paid"
"Dunnot let me hear thee" he re
peated with a certain massive insist
repress the womans volubility, as the
quiet, heavy snow of the drift bushes
the chattering life of the village. She
became silent, and the Man from Staly-
bridge passed on.
The next afternoon he was stopped
as he went past the house.
She wants to see thee said the wo
man on the doorstep. L reckon she
wants TO thank thee for paying the rent.
Fur why did thou tell her owt about
it?" he inquired, as he followed the wo-
man up stairs.
She knocked at the door, a voice re-
piled, Come i'm; the woman went
away, and the man, entering, saw
again the beauty that had so dazzled
him. The room was poor and bare.
Perhaps its poverty and baroness made
the beauty of its inmate more remark
able; or perhaps here was beauty that
was independent of any accessories,
poor or splendid. She was sitting in
an old arm chair covered with red Tur-
key twill, and wore the same rough
blue serge gown he had seen before.
You are the man who has paid my
rent?" she said, looking at him. Il
wished to thank you. 1 did not know
l had friend in the world
1T Wur noWt," responded the Man
from Stalybridge. He seemed to fill
the ceiling, and his shoulders left little
space between the fireplace and the
door
1T was a great deal to me-" she
went on, 'for l am quite alone, penni-
less, and dying. The doctor says I
shall not live, and I am glad, for 1 am
tired of life-tired of everything! And
1 am only twenty"
Tis young" he said, and thought
fully rubbed his nose.
Only twenty" she repeated, land
dying here. Were it not for you, 1
should not have even this shelter
There came a mellow sound of peal
ing bells across the rattle and noise of
of the trains
Theirs the bells,' said the Man
from Stalybridge, efficiently, with a
vague idea of religious consolation.
The bells? Oh, yes, they are sweet.
suppose 1 shall be buried in that
Is there grass there?"
ooh, ay, grass enow, an green. The
church stands high, an theer's sun an
rain"
She turned her head restlessly. but,
of course, they will put me in a pau
per's grave"
Nay" said the Man from Staly-
bridge. I'm see TO that. Dunnot fret
myself. I'll see to it myself"
Your" She looked at half incredu-
lousy. L really believe you will!
why should you? 1t is not fair
that your earnings should go for
a stranger"
1T wilma break me; an if it did it
longing to me-"
I am afraid that funerals cost a
great deal"
Not SO much" he responded earn
estly. Il buried my feyther awhile
back, an it wurna the burying as took
most O. the brass, but the meat and
drink fur the folks as COON to it,
NO folks will come to NINE" she
said with a hard little laugh Then
she smiled and held out her hand
Thank you. 1 believe you will do it,
and 1 am grateful. There is no one
else who would"
She spoke truly. She was grateful
not only for what he promised, but for
the assurance the promise gave her
that her empire had not wholly de-
parted Here still, despite disgrace and
poverty, could be found a man willing
to spend all that he had rather than
that she should be disturbed by the
thought of what grave she would lie in.
There was a touch of coquetry in smile
and gesture as she held out her hand.
The Man from Stalybridge took it care
fully, as though he did not quite know
what to do with it. For a moment he
looked down on the thin transparent
fingers lying in his huge palm, then
gently put them back on the arm of
her chair.
Make thy mind easy" he repeated
''I'll see to it. Is theer owt else l can
do?"
Nothing, thank you"
''Then good day to thee"
Good day, and thank you
He softly closed the door and went
down stairs, meeting the woman of the
house below.
She's going fast" she remarked
See to yon fire." he said authorita-
lively; "thou's letting it down, an 1
towd thee to keep it up. Here's the
brass fur the coal. an owt else
"a rect" she said half sulkily. She'll
not need it long. Eth. it's a pity thou
hasna missis to keep thy brass fur
thee
He crossed the threshold then turned
back. Thou can fetch me out o. the
Dusthole if she wants me fur owt"
"A rect responded the woman
The next few days passed as usual
Then came morning when, as the