The times., 1901-03-31


why what do you mean. Bodalong?"
wei, IL wasn't like Mr.. Charles never
to write TO you, now was 1t, Missy
NO. BobalonS. it wasn't, and can
understand why he didn't.
well maybe he did and maybe the
'Id sooner think that than that he'd
never written.
'of course. missy. ID Just think IT, II /
was you. Can't DO no harm. anyway.
A few days later he came 10 her With
a reslest.
You're not greatly needing me a pres
ont Miss MaFy2' She was not. Tor in the
stress of her bereavenents-the sudden
desxh of Geof and the uncertainty re-
specting CharleS-she had no heart for
visiting beyond her pensioners. whom her
personal griefs allowed to suffer no lack.
II want 10 go to London, Continued
Bob
.'To london, Bobalong? To look for
Cha rles2'
YES. missy. It's in my mind that 1
might find him tEere~
She felt very doubtful, knowing what a
not show IL. Any chance contained a
lanes scath. he's a good lad. and
he'll keep things right in the stables and
see to you as careful as | would my
self"
Nobody could do that. Bobalong; but
Jim is "A good boy, and he can do all /
And I'll come back every now and then
to see things are going all right can
sit stiIl thinking of Mr.. Charles, missy,
and that's a fact
SO Bob went TO London ana made the
acquaintance of many bus and cab
horses. and incidentally of their drivers
and the drivers keepers-the gentlemen
in blue. And as the months passed and
there was fruit for all his labors he
began to grow doubtful. bat would not
show II and Mary began to grow doubt
ful, too, but would not for the world
have let Bob imagine it. And so these
two. with scarce Il hope between them.
still wore the Sembidnce of IT, each for
the benefit Of the other. and at times sue
ceeded in deceiying one another and al
most in deCeiVinS themselves. into the
belief that there was still room FOR hope.
1t would have been much to be de
Plored ii 50 faithful an eBdeayor and 50
steadfast a hone had had To go unre-
Warded.
Charles had been put on a suburban
crOss-cOHntry route 10 begin with and
was steadily, and with an extremely
cheerful heart. driving his bus between
Acton and Hanwell while little Bob
Long was yainiy lying in wait for him
at Piccadtlly Circus, and I.udSate Hill.
and the Eank, and so, in the nature of
things, they did not meet
Charles had taken lodgings out at Han
well. and little Charles found no lack of
fresh air and outdoor amusementS, of q
very juvenile character. of course right
along into the winter. The old woman in
whose house they lived had taken to him
mlSHlHS anu Adlcucu over MN with
grandm6therly care. And Charles Closer
est. with the great house lying all asleep
for want of its master, and many warm
hearts aching TO get word OF him. found
himself more than conteut-having no
disturbing knowledge of these thiugs-in
the fact that he was earning his living
and paying his way, and that his boy was
growing up strong ana sturdy. and daily
increasing in favor with man and the
Foddesses who ride on the tops Of buses
just three days before Christmas one Of
the drivers on the main route from Ham
mcrsmth 10 Liverpool Street fell SICK OF
rheumatiCS and his bus was given ten
tatiVely to SanuOX TO see how he would
manage the obstacle race TO the city
He got along first rate the first two
days. IT was on the third day. the after
noon OF Christmas Eve. that he ran into
a van at the corner of Old Bailey and
took the hind wheel off as clean as Il
whistle; but Charles always maintain,
that the fault was in no wise his. and di-
Eides the honors between Bob Long and
the van driver, with bias in favor Of
Bob Long.
For that day Charles rad taken his hoy
along with him special Christmas
treat, and little Charlie well wrapped up
in the front garden seat at his fathers
right hand, surveyed the busting crowds
aud tTs sparkling shops with ewes
stretched 10 the fullest. and came 10 the
conclusion that London was very great
and wonderful place. and that the boy
who could see it all i'm his commanding
fashion from the top OF his fathers bus
was a fortunate boy indeed.
IT WAS fine, clear day with a feeble
attempt al q smile froIn the suu and a
suspicion Of frost in he air and little
Charles nose and checks were red with
it, and those wide eyes of his tWinhled
like stars on q frosty night. 1t had been
an adventurous time A new and Of
feusiNeiy officiouS checker had Just held
up the passengers nnd demanded their
ticl5ts on their lives. and finding Charlie
without one had insisted on his paying
his rare, which his father iausllingiN did
Tor him. and Charlie informed the check
er that he was a plug" which was eX-
tremely rude of him, since the young man