The St. Johns herald., 1901-08-24
10HE canon had had a worrying HI morning. It began with the ba


 fmpervious to the chill of bacon whicl has outgrown its hot youth. Then there were other things. The canon had z conscience and that conscience wal pricking him for having stayed so late at dinner party the night before that he had no time before going to bed tC revise the notes for his speech at the meeting of the Peace Association, anC a dinner party in a cathedral city a which one stays later than one had in tended leaves its mark upon the morn ing's temper, even though one be { canon. However, Canon Beckford re fiected that between Bristol and Lon don he would have two clear hours II which to revise his notes. So having we will say, prayed for the bacon'l happiness in another world, he ate f and turned to his letters.
 It was just his luck. On the very morning when he wished to preserve 6 calm and eQuable mind, he must be bothered with that boy Reggie and his preposterous proposal. You must ad init that the canon had reason for his annoyance. The eldest son of duke can afford to marry a chorus girl, or indeed, commit any social enormity he pleases short of marrying two. But the eldest son of a canon has no right to kick over the traces. Now Reggie who was articled to Q solicitor, had stated his intention of marrying 8 young woman whose name-as it ap- peared on the play bills-was Cissie Morrison. The canon winced as il occurred to him. He winced again as he reflected upon the career of her par. ent, who had driven a cab in Bristol until drink had landed him in the prison infrmary. The canon was old-fash- toned and objected to the mixture of the classes. He was old-fashioned enough to write to Reggie and threaten to cut him off with a shilling if he persisted in his ridiculous course of ac- ton. And here was Reggie's ultima tum, definite declaration of independ- ence. The canon forgot the bacon, for got his forthcoming speed and stamped up and down the diningroom In un- canonical rage, until faithful wife re- minded him that a hanson awaited him at the door. He threw his notes into bag, and plunged into the ham, som.
 Good graciousr he murmured as he caught sight Of the driver. "To think that I and such a man might be CO., equal grandfathersw
 That was why the canon was nearly late for the train. He was known in Bristol society as the Smooth bore," being canon much given to suave com monplaces. But 1t was a very different kind of canon who raced, heralded by porters, up the platform by which the London express was straining at the leash, a hurried, Hurried, warm canon.
 'Now, then, 'urry up, pleasep' cried the guard, with his whistle at his lips.
 Not smoking" panted the canon as he ran behind the porter. who carried his bag.
 You don't mind the lady, sir?' whis- pered the porter, opening carriage door.
 "Not at all, not at all," gasped the canon, fumbling for sixpence.
 The train moved, and Canon Beck ford, aided by the porter, plunged into the compartment, and into the lap of the lady who occupied 1t. She gave a little scream. The canon picked him. self up and settled his collar.
 Really, I must apologize for my un- ceremonious entry" he said. Tt was due rather to the-the precipitancy of the train than to any desire on my part to take so unwarrantable O liberty as -as-er-sitting where I-sat."
 It was lame ending, but the canon being no more than human, had noted that his companion was young, we'll fa- vored and lowered with a merry eye, and the discovery had, so to speak, thrown him off his peroration.
 "Oh, don't mention it," said the lady.
 ''I trust I didn't hurt your"
 ''Not in the least"
 "Ah, more frightened than hurt?" suggested the canon, dropping into his jocular manner.
 "No, not even frightened" said the young lady calmly, smoothing out the newspaper which the canon had crum- pied.
 By this time the train was dipping in and out of the tunnels on the way to Bath.
 Are we to be companions as far as Paddington?" asked the canon pleas antly.
 The lady laid her paper down on her knees, indicating her willingness to talk.
 "Well, 1t depends on you," she re- piled, with an engaging frankness. ''Tm going up to town for the new piece. I don't suppose you've heard of 1.-the new piece?"
 "Ah, quite a coincidence" said the canon, his thoughts turning to the notes of his speech to the recently estab- lished Peace Association. "So am I.'
 What, you don't mean to say you are interested in itT"
 "I am very deeply interested" said the canon.
 "You mean you are one of the pro- moters?"
 'I have done my best to further its interests"
 Well, that is funny! You've got a stall?"
 q have occupied a stall for many years"
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