The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-09-15
CHAPTER II.


Dick Terriers father, the rector Of East
Barcham. lived in a struggling village in
Norfolk, within a mile of the coast.
1t was a good living. and the rectory was
a lovely home, standing rather high, and
looking down on the winding street of the
village and clusters Of cottages scattered
around. The country was looking its best.
The hills were crowded with golden gorse
that scented the air for miles with its Pc
culiar perfume: the trees were thick with
leaves, and the hedges flowing with may
blossom.
Through one of the narrow lanes q GIRL
was riding her bicycle with rather reckless
speed.
The fresh breeze had blown her dark
hair roughly about her ears and deepened
the pink IN her cheeks. She was a hand
some girl. with a fearless look about the
eyes that reminded one of her brother,
Dick Ferrier.
She was like him. in more ways than one,
being rather reckless. defiant and willful.
but stronger In her character and less easily
led by others.
Going at full speed. she nearly ran Into
a lady coming from the opposite direction.
and. pulling up suddenly. almost whirled
herself into the hedge.
"Oh, Beatrice! As reckless and foolhardy
as ever!' exclaimed the old lady in alarm,
as the girl Jumped lightly off her machine,
laughing at the fear depicted in the other
woman's face.
well, you see. I didn't expect to meet
you, dear Miss Boustead,'' replied the girl.
II am on my way to see old Jacobs. He
can't last long. the doctor says; and he
likes to be read to-it helps to pass the long.
tedious hours. / wish you'd go in some
times and see him. said Miss Boustead.
"Oh. I'm no good! I never know what to
say to sick people. I ought never to have
been a p.rson's daughter. TIL send him
something. though. What can h take?
Il wish you'd take life a little more seri-
ously. What a harum-scarum girl you arei
Now, where are you of to this morning.
asked Miss Boustead. who was a maiden
lady Of middle age. and the guardian angel
Of the village.
ITO nowhere in particular: only for a
spin." was the reply.
MY dear"-and Miss Boustead's voice
was lowered-"have you heard anything OF
your bother?'
A shadow crossed the girls bright face. |
and her lip trembled.
<Ncs III ~ uetcI dIlS~0IeQ INA
cruel letter of fathers. and mine came
back from his college. with Gone away
scrawled across 1t"
Does your father never speak of him? |
Never! And there is a wall between us |
in consequence He never understood Dick
treated him harshly and u~njustly as a
boy. He never seemed to remember his |
own boyhood-if he ever had one-or the |
0rpQkpaa9 nf vCrth H., %~tYt-- N. ----,s l
woman. aren't /? But, oh, In a miserable |
grit"
She burst into tears. and Miss Boustead's
faded blue eyes grew misty as she put her |
arm round the girls heaving shoulders.
If 1 only knew where he vast Beatrice
sobbed. 1T is the uncertainty-the dread |
ful suspense-that is so hard to bear! Some
times I think perhaps he is dead!"
NO. no; don't think that! III news travels |
apace. you know, and we should certainly
have heard. He is somewhere In the great
city Of London. fighting his way-upward.
I hope said Miss Boustead.
drifting down. / lie awake at night
thinking about him.. and wondering where
he Is. He must live. But how is he living?
1t fs nearly two months since he left Ok
ord-two months of silence. Sometimes 1
think l Will go to London and search the
streets for him myself; but a girl is SO help
less, and j know SO little. buried alive in
this country village. 1 feel lost and STUPID
and ignorant in a big town; and London |
me. with Its crowds and cease
less din. And yet. when I think that we
are living in comfort-luxury-and Dick may
be IN Misunderstanding. p~erhaps,' said Beat
rice, with a heartbreaking sob. Then, WHIP
Ing her eyes, and tucking a lock. OF hair
her ear, she remounted her bicycle
and spun along through the leafy lanes,
and did not slacken speed until she stopped
the white gate OF an o~ld-fashioned gar
den that lay stretched before q farmhouse.
A girl about the same age as herself was
IN the garden. and ran forward to meet
her.
"oh. Beatrice. how nice OF you to GOMEZ
am glad! You'll stay to lunch, won't you?
MI. jefferson is here" she said, kissing her
friend.
Mr.. Jefferson? oh. what a nuisance!
I can't stay replied Beatrice, look
ng intensely annoyed.
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