The Holly chieftain., 1901-05-24
HoHots, ASh...
j. - Hall -
M MARGARET nLovNr.

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CHAPTER VIZ
When the good ship eRort Philip
came sailing home from Australia to
England many an anxious parent or
lover or friend awaited her arrival up
On the harbor pier. eager to welcome
those who had been so long absent, aud
Who were now returning to leave their
native land no more. s% -
Most of these wanderers had left
their home and friends in search of
gold. Some had been successful. and
were returning in the first flush Of VIC
torious pride. some had failed and were
coming back like the prodigal son of
old. willing to eat even the crumbs
| that might fall from the paternal Ia
6ie. 10 that the diet of the empty husks
in far land should be theirs NO more.
Some were strong and happy. some
were Ill and sad; but for all alike a
welcome was waiting the moment they
touched the land.
For all. did I.say? .y-.;.. .---..-..
There was one on board for whose
arrival no friend was watching, one
who came .unnoticed and unknown to
the land OF his birth, one for whom NO
home more genial than an inn would
open wide its doors. Among the eag-
er and excited throng who talked to
themselves and each other Of the
friends they hoped to see, he stood a
silent listener, with no story of the
kind to offer in return. When they
landed at last, his late companions
were lost to his view among groups of
relations and acquaintances, but not
hand was outstretched, not a voice was
raised to welcome him. He stood a
few moments watching the interchange
of greetings, the prayers, the tears of
grateful joy, then turned away with
quiyering lips and moistened eyes.
Shall never be missed. never be
mourned over like that" was his
thought as he passed from the pier to
the busy streets, and made the best Of
his way to hotel. to which he had
been recommended by the captain Of
his ship. Three and twenty years old,
and the world before me! That sounds
tkell, but when know that the world
contains no love. no home, no happi-
ness. that may honestly claim-Ah,
we'll, never mind! I'm not going to
be baby, and cry for the moon: 30.
adieu to sentiment OF every kind, while
drop anchor In this bustling town.
Here is the Eagle right before me,
>end for the sum Of one guinea can
purchase smiles without number from
the worthy host"
So saying. he entered the Eagle"
and ordered his dinner. But sad
thoughts still seemed to haunt him.
and when the repast had been cleared
away he sat brooding over the fire, BIT
ias rather than smoking his cigar. and
pulling the ends of his moustaclse with
= frown. At last some memory Of
the past touched him too keenly. He
broke into bitter laugh.
'-The fool was when was young"
he thought to himself. "How well I
remember the Wild dreams, that kept
me company when l began the race!
What wonderful things I was to ac-
complish then! How soon was to
build my fortune! How I was going
about doing good. comforting the sad.
relieving the poor, raising up the op-
pressed. Howsoon accomplished all
those schemes! How much better the
world must be to-day because l have
lived In IT." s
. His face grew still more sad as he
/Aused. .-s---4'--''-' 7,t' ----sH-
Il laugh at these things now. and yet
It makes me unhappy. That would
have been a beautiful life II could
but have lived It. Iwould rather have
the heart Of those days that could plan
i tn scheme than this 1 must now own
= can only ridtcule tt:' But the
ydeng romance has gone. It haunts me
no longer. Ny nature Is as barren and
worldly as-es even she could DESIRE"
There It was you see. That irreprea-
sible she" who IL sure to be at the
bottom Of every perplexity and trou-
bis man can know. .tt,stt
He tugged at his mopstache, fierce
y. and hupg his cigar in the crate.
II can see the place now a. II In
. drsami he groaned. Those hills
and distant mountains; that calm sky.