The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21

| very happily. until the autumn glided Into
winter and the December days grew dark
Mn. Aliens face grew thin and worn: but
her smile was always 40 sweet that Geonrey
! did not See the sadness In her eyes. Winnie,
too. gyew spiritless and languid; the round
eyes had dark shadows round them. she cried
| and fretted necessarily. Poor Godfrey
could not understand why his little play
mate should DO NO cross.
is she ill?" he asked one day, when he
found her crying in her mothers arms. and
noted the tears upon the mothers face.
| I'm afraid she In, Geof.
Cant the doctor give her something TO
| make her better2"
Il don't think so. haven't had the doc
tor"
Hes a very nice man. said Godfrey.
| with a serious face. He made me better
when had scarlet fever. Maynt | 60 round
to his house and tell him to come and see
Winnie?'
mo, Godfrey. no. He would do her no
| good. He would only advise impossible
things; it is no use. ] brought her Into the
| country, away from that cruel London, TO
save her little life: but II Is useless TO do that
can't do other things for her. You don't
| understand"
-Idont understand but could unclers, and
II you would 'splain il to me. said Godfrey,
decidedly.
Il can't explain; you wouldn't know
besides, ] could not tell you, my dear
| little boy. You-you will never know what
it l. to be poor. thank Godl'
The words broke from her like cry
| go. Godfrey. ! cannot explain to you.
| Go away-you can come another time.
Some day you will understand"
IL was with pale face and a swelling
| heart that Geoffpy made his way out OF
Mrs a. Aliens room down the stairs, and
( made Winne's acquaintance.
He sat down on fallen tree and looked
straight before him, seeing nothing be-
cause Of the tears In his eyes. He was
startled, therefore, when a voice beside
him suddenly made itself heard
| Hope there's nothing wrong. sir
1t was Jameson. the keeper. who spoke.
Godfrey started and colored a little,
but looked up frankly.
Il was thinking about Winnie and her
mother, Jameson. Winnie does look so
| ill.,"
.Ay," said Jameson. enigmatically.
| What is the matter with her. do you
| think, Jamieson?"
I've only my opinion. sir, and that's
Just, worth nothing at all. But what !
think Is that It's starvation. neither more
what! Jamieson'' Geofrrey's face was
that they haven't enough to eai''
'Well. sir. I've thought for some time
that that's what ii looks like said the
keeper, with q sort Of half-suen unwilling
ness. shes as proud as proud she won't
take penny she hasn't earned nor meal
from my mssis without paying for t.; and
We know "a well as anyone can know what
comes into the house for her and what she
lives upon. She starves herself to get milk
for the child; but it's more than milk the
little lady wants"
But he was sorry that he had spoken so
plainly. for Geotfrey burst, without warning,
into passion OF sobs and tears, md fed
through the wood so swiftly that Jameson
hn not
by any qualifying words.
The Squire sat alone in his study. He
sat in his armchair at the writing table,
in strangely rigid attitude. one clenched
hand resting on the able. the other graspng
the arm OF his chair. his eyes fixed upon a
letter outstret ched before him
The color had faded from his usually
norid countenance. and hts mouth was
grimy set beneath tho white musta che
lie did not present the appearance OF a
man with whom it would be particularly
easy o deal
The letter before him was from firm Of
lawyers in London. They were not his
ordinary men of business, but solicitors
whom he had employed for one speca
piece OF work--work Of which he was per-
haps little bit ashamed. For he knew
that he had, once At least, done a cruel
thing.
The letter ran as follows;
SIN We beg to notify you that in ac-
c Cfa6nnd with Your ,nstrnstions; We hay:
OF the income previously allowed her, on
account account Of the fact that Mr, Geohrsy
ment made with you, by leaving London
for the country without your permission.
YOUR refusal TO he NTH
but have received no reply from her
We have discovered. however that Mrs
(sRnNray II ha. tata har a.
in your .neigho hood. and is now resident
At the cottage OF man in your employ named
Mrs Alien. and Is engaged in tai,io ns'"e Oh
Then followed the signature Of the firm
II was this letter which had brought the
terrible frown TO Mr.. Tempest's forehead,
and the harsh expression TO his lips
She shall suffer for 1t at any rate said
the Squire, raising his head at last. Not
another penny from me shall che have:
and out she will go from Jamieson's or /
shall know the reason why
He half rose but seated himself main
as he heard knock at the door.
Come in he said, in a deep. rather
stern voice. For he knew that IL was
Geonreys knock, and he was not sure
whether Geofrey had not been deceiying
he bring himself to be anything but severe.
We'll. sir, what do you want?" said the
Squire, az his grandson stood before him
Grandfather, will you-will you, please,
give Hle some money! y great deal OF
money. please, grandfather, because jamie
son says they're just starving and you
would not like them TO starve. would YOU?
Please let me take them some money, 40
that she may get nice things for little Win
ME, and have happy Christmas after all"
Who are you talking about?" said Mr.
TEMPEST, looking hard at the boy.
Mrs. Allen-the lady at the Lodge, who
teaches me music" said Godfrey, eagerly,
You don't know how an yious and sad
she looks: and Winnie r. r whittier and,
thinner every day Oh do help them
grandfather, or they'll die-Jamieson says
they will die"
Did Jameson tell you to come to me?-
ON, no: l don't suppose Jameson ever
thought OF such thing. II was only that
! asked him what was the matter With Mrs,
Allen"
oh, she has been playing the pathetic
dodge, has she?" said Mr.. Tempest, more
TO himself than to the boy. .CryinR-ex-
citing his .pity--setting him on to intercede
FOR her-l understand. Look here, Geof-
frey he resumed in a louder key, Il shall
not encourage you in any such nonsense,
IL Is no business OF yours whether this
person Is In difficulties or not. II she il,
1t is probably her own fault.
But won't you help her, grandfather?-
No, sir; | will not. You are to have
not hing mora IN do with har