The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-24
333s333333:9333 81
{ George Caulfield's Journey i
e. By Miss H. e. s'.''" ~
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CHAPTER Iv.-(CoSr1SuEp.,


miles from Grandchester. 1t did not
lie in the direction affected by Grand
chester merchants or Grandchester
tradespeople. Here were no Gothic
mansions, no fair Italian villas, spring.
ing like mushrooms from the soil
one year a confusion of lime and NOR
tar tubs, stacked flooring boards, and
rough hewn stone. and the next an
smiling among geranium beds and RID
bon bordering, velvet lawns and new
IMPLANTED strawberries. None OF the
commercial wealth of Grandchester
had found its way to Parminter. Inc
village was still village-a mere clus-
ter of laborers' cottages, two or three
old homesteads, and half dozen small
dwellings of shabby genteel type.
Among these last was Rose Cottage,
. small square house, with plaster
walls, bright with greenery and scar
let berries, even in this winter season.
A bow window below, rustic lattice
above. Just such house as man
with considerable taste and inconsld-
cradle income would choose for HIM
self The small garden in front OF the
bow window was in admirable order,
yet the place had a deserted look
somehow, Mr.. Leworthy thought, as
he rang the bell.
He rang once, twice, three times,
with no more effect than if Rose Cot
tage had been toy house inhabited
by Dutch dolls. This was aggravat-
ing. There was a meadow on one SIDE
Of the cottage, where half a dozen
sheep were browsing contentedly. Inc
vicar climbed the hurdle which divided
this pasture from Lawson Lane, and
went around to the back OF the cot
tage Here there was a small garden.
neatfully and tastely laid out, but there
was no more appearance Of human HE
at the back of the house than in the
front
81 suppose my gentleman comes
home at night and lets himself in with
a latch key" the vicar said to himself
He was climbing the hurdle on his
return to the lane, when a small girl,
In very short skirt-a girl of timid
aspect, carrying a beer jug-dropped
him courtesy, and said:
please, sir, was it you a-ringing CT
that bell just now?"
WAS it me?" calculated the vicar,
impatiently. Eyes, it was"
And, then, smiling on the small girl
for he had a heart large enough for
ever so many parishes of children, he
said:
81 am not vexed with you, my dear;
lam angry with Fate. Tell me all you
know about that cottage, and I'll give
you half a crown"
The girl gasped. She had never pos
sessed a half crown. but she had an
idea it meant abundance. Her father
counted his wages by half crowns, and
there were not many in weeks wage.
please, sir, Mr.. Foy lived there with
his sister, but they've left"
ooh, they've left, have they? When
did they leave?"
Last Monday, sir, and the lady was
very i'll, sir, and he took her away in
a cab"
And Mr.. Foy has not been back
since?"
mo, sir. He left for good, and lie
gave the key of the cottage to N:
mother, and the agent is to put up d
board next week, and the house is 10
be let. 1t was took furnished, and IL
to be let furnished again"
Did they live quite alone? Had
they no servant?"
mo, sir, no regular servant. Mother
used to do the cleaning twice week
Mothers very sorry they be gone. They
vas good to mother"
How long had they lived there?"
Nigh upon year.
"And the lady was Mr.. Foy's sister,"
Eyes, sir"
"And now take me to your mother"
The girl looked wistfully at The jug.
eff you please, I was to fetch faith
er's beer, SIR
81 see. And if you don't, father will
be angry"
Eyes, SIR
Then you shall go; but first tell
me where your mother lives"
The child pointed down Lawson
Lane. cts the last cottage, Sir"
''All right"
Just where the lane struggled off into
plowed fields and open country there
was a row of laborers' cottages, and in
the last of these Mr.. Leworthy found
q plaintive woman with a child in her
arms who owned to being the mother
Of the small girl with the jug.
The vicar wasted no time in prelim-
inaries. He seated himself on an al.
most bottomless chair, and with his
stout umbrella planted between his
knees, Intercepted the matron thus:
"You used to work for Mr.. Foy anG
his sister. What do you know about
them?"
"Only that they paid me honorabl.
for what work did, sir. I'm bounc
to up and say that, whoever ask
me-"
"Good. Did they live happily to
gether as-brother and sister,"
Here the matron began to hesitate
She shifted her baby from one arm t,
the other She gave a deDrecatin,