The record-union., 1899-03-05

nc Sttpl at once, luilGu ny Tie StuSt
that filial piety and sound scholarship
were now to be rewarded. Naturally his
slumber was light and not dreamless.
Little photographs f1Oated before
his eyes, made up of steeples, lawns,
lighthouses, gowns, ladies, swarrnss OF
pupils and solemn school assemblies
himself in a head masters robe, presid-
ing; the lovely That's by his side Tin the
person of Georgiana), and all attended
With great deal of bell ringing. He
was just administering a magisterial
punishment to large boy Git was the
male cousin) when he awoke.
The room was full of light, and he
could see the sun shining on the houses
opposite. Being anxious to discover
whether the charm Of the place had
vanished overnight, he rose and went
to the window, but found it even more
delightful in the freshness of the morn
ing. 1t must be early he thought;
mot more than 4 or 81; and, wishing
to save himself for his double ordeal,
he returned to bed. He had only just
done SO, however when he noticed that
his alarm clock had stopped; or rather,
1t had never started, as he had forgot
ten for the first time in five years. to
give it the necessary jog after winding.
1t stood stolidly at II, and he had no
means whatever of telling the time; the
school clock was not visible from his
window, and his watch, a family heir
loom, invariably suspended operations
when he slept. But rejecting that IT
really could not be late, and he should
presently hear some clock or other
there was enough Of them about-he
prepared for a few moments more rest,
when the Don's booming voice broke
upon the silence One! Two! Three.
Four.-the strokes were very deliberate,
and he had no difficulty in counting
Five! Sixi-he raised his head from the
pillow uneasily-Seveni-he jumped up
with an exclamation of surprise at the
coincidence when still another stroke
rang out and went vibrating through
the close Eight o'clock! He was done
for now. Thirty-five minutes to dress,
find a strange railway station, and put
in motion the most delicate and impor-
tant machinery of human life! The at
tempt, however, was worth making;
and although he never knew how it was
done, he was dressed and standing ON
the pavement at twelve minutes past
the hour. He had on his old college cap
and carried the gown under his arm; he
had brought them both for effect.
The first thing was to find the sta
tion-there were two in the town, he
knew. Some men with dust-cart were
the only persons visible, and ne caiied
out sharply to the nearest:
Hi. there, Which is the way to the
$50 train?"
hi On
dirty. turned on his shovel and stood
staring.
.sWotever do yer want er the light
thutty-foive train" he asked IN a husky
voice, .at this tonne err"
The B. A. redeemed deeply.
What 1 want it for is really no con-
Germ of yours he said, snappishly. BE
quick where is it? The station l
mean"
.O-a." said the dustman slowly. eying
him with suspicion. IF yer meant the
Lon Nor'west'n Station, wy didn't yer
say so? But wotever do yer want IL
for now?"
"Zounds," the B. A. almost shouted
(his expressions were all classical ana
time-honoreD; never MIND that!
Where is it? Here's a shilling for you
if that's what you're after
The dustman looked furtively up ana
down the street and at the houses
they were the quaint red-brlck man
sions referred to-and then extendea MS
hand. putting the coin instantly Iito
his pocket.
cover the bridge, 'arf a MOLE. Keep
on as ware; fust tu'n left, then rolgnt,
he said in a rough whisper, ana auoeu.
EYER don't look like one of EN-; but IL
ver've bin crib-crackin', and Ol gets
inter any trouble er this, domino II VI
don't t. +
The B. A. happily missed the last
scandalous remark-he had boiteo OH
down the street. 1t led out into the Nat
country beyond the town, and pe1ore
him were fields, market gardens ana a
low bridge. He made for the prloSe'
thinking it best to follow his directions
literally. though he passed one or Two
turnings on the way. once peyond tue
houses. as there was no one ABOUT, ne
started to run-he had lost full MIN
ute undoing his front door they seemed
very late people,, and two more with
the dustman. As he crossed the bridge
the quarter struck behind him; there
vera twenty minutes left He was now
in straight country road between
hedges. and. running swiftly, his gown,
which he had slipped on, streaming
back from his shoulders and Hutterlns
in the wind Under other clrcum-
stances it would have been an exhlla-
rating race. the air was so fresh, the
slSy so pure. the hedges so fragrant
indeed. he felt it so even as it was. But
no turning appeared, and he had lost
another five minutes, he vaulted a gate
and scrambled up a high mound to find
his bearings, if possible. Yes, there was
the station, or what looked IKE IT,
across some low fields to the right. He
was about to jump down on the other
side when he heard the footballs of a
heavy man running, and. looking back
saw over the hedge a Constable's he'll
met bobbing along the road he mad
Travelled. Presently the. Constable him.
self, red-faced and painting, shot into
view and essayed to leap the gate; but,
being heavy and exhausted, ne man
aged to tumble over on his head. The
B. AS case was urgent, but, being es-
sentialiy humane he FASTENED to render
assistance, only to be roughly grasped
by the alf-prostrate man.
Now, then, are you comm quiet, or
will I ave to use force?" the officer
sputtered. clinging to his arm and try
ing to rise. His eyes were full of water
and dust. and his nose was bleeding.
The young man reflected. He could
easily have shaken him off, but to be
L., Tod