Holbrook argus., 1901-09-07
canon had had a worrying

con, ana not even canon Ii
impervious to the chill of bacon which
has Outgrown its hot youth. Then there
were other things. The canon had
conscience and that conscience was
pricking him for having stayed so late
at a dinner party the night before that
he had no time before going to bed to
revise the notes for his speech at the
meeting of the Peace Association, and
a dinner party in a cathedral city at
which one stays later than one had in
tended leaves it's mark upon the morn
ing's temper, even though one be a
canon. However, Canon Beckford re-
Elected that between Bristol and Lon
don he would have two clear hours in
which to revise his notes. So having,
we will say, prayed for the bacOn's
happiness in another world, he ate it
and turned to his letters.
1t was just his luck. On the very
morning when he wished to preserve a
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 a 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 a
young woman whose name-as it ap-
peared on the play bills-was Cissie
Morrison. The canon WINGED as 1t
occurred to him. He WINGED again as
be reflected upon the career of her par
ent, who had driven q cab in Bristol
until drink had landed him in the prison
infirmary. 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 q shilling If he
persisted in his ridiculous course of &C
ton. And here was Reggie's ultima
tum, a definite declaration Of independ-
ence. The canon forgot the bacon, for
got his forthcoming speed and stamped
up and down the dining-room in TN
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 han
som.
Good graciousr' he murmured as he
caught sight of the driver. ITO think
that l and such a man might be CO.
equal grandfathersv'
That was why the canon was nearly
late for the train. He was known in
/ Pric ha -
being a canon much given to suaYe COM
monplaces. But it was a very different
kind of a canon who raced, heralded
by porters, up the platform by which
the London express was straining at
the leash, a hurried, furried, warm
canon.
Now, then, 'urry up, pleaser' cried
the guard, with his whistle at his
lips.
Not smoking" painted the canon as
he ran behind the porter, who carried
his bag.
You don't mind the lady, sir?" whis-
pered the porter, opening a carriage
door.
mot 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 it. She gave a
little scream. The canon picked him
self up and settled his collar.
Really, must apologize for my IN
ceremonious entry" he said. 1T was
due rather to the-the precipitancy of
the train than to any desire on my part
to take so unwarrantable q liberty as
-as-er-sitting where I-sat"
1t was lame ending, but the canon
being no more than human, had noted
that his companion was young, well IA
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.
81 trust didn't hurt your"
Not In the least"
"Ah, more frightened than hurt?"
suggested the canon, dropping into his
jocular manner.
mo, 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, it depends on you," she re-
piled, with an engaging frankness. I'm
going up to town for the new piece. 1
don't suppose you've heard Of 1.-THE
new piece?"
"Ah. quite n coincidence" said the
canon, his thoughts turning to the notes
oe his speech to the recently estab-
lished Peace Association. 80 am l."
what, you don't mean to say you
are interested in it,"
81 am very deeply Interested" said
the canon.
You mean you are one of the pro
mOtersT"