The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-08-02

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 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 |
dinner party in a cathedral city at |
which one stays later than one had in
tended leaves its 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 1t
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 adj
NIT 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 a solicitor, had
stated his intention of marrying a
young woman whose name-as it APP
peared on the play bills-was Cissie
Morrison. The canon WINGED as 1t
occurred to him. He WINGED again as
he reflected upon the career of her par
ent. who had driven a cab in Bristol
hntil 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, 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 I'M
canonical rage, until a faithful wife re-
minded him that a hanson awaited
him at the door. He threw his notes
into a bag, and plunged into the han
som.
Good graciousr' he murmured as he
caught sight of the driver. ITO think
tSat l and such a man might be CO.
equal grandfathersr
That was why the canon was nearly
L. 10 known in
Bristol society as the Smooth bore"
being a canon much given to suave com
monplaces. But it was 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, lurried, warm
canon.
Now, then, 'urry up, pleasev' 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.
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 it. She gave s
little scream. The canon picked him
self up and settled his collar.
Really, l must apologize for my I'm
ceremonious entry" he said. 1T wal
due rather to the-the precipitancy O
the train than to any desire on my par
to take so unwarrantable a liberty a
-as-er-sitting where I-sat."
1t was lame ending, but the canol
being no more than human, had note'
that his companion was young, well ia
vored and lowered with merry eye
and the discovery had so to speak
thrown him Off his peroration.
"Oh. don't mention it," said the lady
Il trust l didn't hurt you?"
Not in the least"
"Ah. more frightened than hurt
suggested the canon. dropping into hi
jocular manner
mo. not even frightened said tn
young lady calmly, smoothing out tn
newspaper which the canon had crun
pied
BY this time the train was dipping
and out of the tunnels on the way
Bath.
Are we to be companions as far q
Paddington?" asked the canon plea
antly.
The lady laid her paper down on he
knees, indicating her Willingness
talk.
Wen, it depends on you" she r
piled, with an engaging frankness. II
going up to town for the new piece.
don't suppose you've heard of it'll
new piece?"