The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-18
tutionseyen the paper lay furled by

4 NNASAOsANo SN~Ah eAA~ PN~ESs f~S~s - ~
! his side.
But presently Flora came to the res
cue. She slid into the silence with 9
technicality, asking II John still tool
/ his old inordinate amount OF sugar
4 Thence 1t was but a step to the burn
4 Ing question Of the day; and IN tones
/ a little shaken, she commented on the
i interval since she had last made tea
for the prodigal, and congratulate
/ him on his return. And then address
ing Mr.. Nicholson, she congsas lated 'i1s
| him also In 4 manner that eeiled MS
| !-humor. and from that launched inFo
| tine tale Of Johns misadyentures, not
without some suitable suppressiso'fis. s'
| Gradually Alexander joined; between
lthem. whether he would or not. they
forced word or two from john; and
| these fell tremuiously and spoke so
eloquently Of mind oppressed with
dread, that Mr.. Nicholson relented. AT
length even he contributed question;
and before the meal was at an end all
four were talking 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 signal for Mr.. Nicholson's de-
parture.
John, Z said he, of course you Will
stay here. Be very careful not TO excite
Maria, il Miss Mackenzie thinks II de-
sirable that you should see her. Alex
ander, wish to speak with YOU alone.
And then, when they were both in the
back room: You need not come to the
Office today said he; you can stay
and amuse your brother, and I think
it would be respectful to call on Uncle
Greig. And by the bye (fllis spoken
with certain dare we say ?--b bash
fulness) II agree to concede the prin-
ciple OF an allowance: and I will con-
suit with Doctor Durie. who is quite a
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, smiling.
Thank you" said Alexander
Before noon detective had restored
to John his money, and brought
news, sad enough In truth, but
perhaps the least sad possible. Alan
had been found In his own house in Re
gents Terrace, under care of the ter
rifed butler. He was quite mad, and
instead Of going to prison had gone
to Morningside Asylum. The murder
ed .man, it appeared. was an eYicted
tenant who had for nearly a year pl1r-
sued his late landlord with threats and
insults; and beyond this, the cause and
details Of The tragedy were lost.
When Mr.. Nicholson returned from
dinner they were able to put a dispatch
into his hands: John ". Nicholson
Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh. Kirk
man has disappe reared: 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 the 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 somewhat strained
relation. Ere they departed, the fam
ily was welded once more into fail
semblance Of unity.
In the end Of April John led Flora
to the altar, If altar that may be
called which was indeed the drawing
room mantel-piece in Mr.. Nicholson'a 4
house, with the Reverend DR.. Durie
posted on the hearth-rug in the guise
OF Hymen's priest. 3 81 q
The last saw of them, on a recent
visit to the north, was at q dinner party
in the house Of my old friend Gellatly
Macbride; and after we had, in classic
phrase, "rejoined the ladies" / had an
opportunity to oyerhear Flora con-
versing with another married woman
on the much canvassed matter OF a
husbands tobacco. "Oh. yes!' said she;
II only allow Mr.. Nicholson four cigars
a day. Three he smokes at fixed
times after a meal, you know, my
dear; and the fourth he can take when
he likes with any friend.
Bravo" thought to myself; this
is the wife for my friend john
THE END.