Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-11-28
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
Church bells were ringing on n March
morning. They rang under n sky half
covered with u latter of ragged cloud
through the vivid rents whereof broad
sunshine poured. The wind. which bur.
fetcd the music of the bells. chased the
taitcred clouds so swiftly that the sun.
light flowed over the heath. the cluster Of
cottages. and the church, like n series of
charging waves.
4 quarter of mile AWAY from the
center OF the music which tulnbled In
such cxubcrant and wind.swcpt mirth.
stood II sign post holding four gaunt
arms. Against II leaned Ned Blame.
wearing an mir Of deep clngrin. and kick.
ing with occasional sudden emphasis Mt
any projecting Bit of turf which lay
within reach.
While he loungcd thus detected he was
unaware Of the approach Of a portly
broadcloth parsonage. who picked his
way with u cat'like nicely and delibera-
ton among the shining puddlcs on the
western road. This person had for a
long time held In view the figure of the
melancholy lounger at the Align post
Finding himself still unnoticcd, when he
had grown quite near he coughcd behind
one of his glossy gloves with an air of
accident, and having thus attracted the
loungcr's notice. he babe him good morn.
ing. There nre people who In speaking
convey the impression that their vocal
organs are oiled. Mr.. Horatio Lowther
was one of these. His salute was n
benedictiOn. Ned drew himself up with
a start and blushcd like fire. lie pushed
buck the soft felt hat and nodded In
answer to the salutntion.
ut In lovely morning" said Mr..
lowther. pausing. 1T gives one sense
Of" He did not say what 1t gave
one a sense of. but hc waved his shining
black gloves hither and thithcr. and smil.
cd with the look of man who has
achieved n conversational felicity.
Ncd's face wore an expression of dis
gustcd wenrness which he tried In vain
to replace by one Of interest us he sur.
veyed the landscape. In answer to the
invitation conveyed by the waving black
gloves.
THE weather's right enough" he an.
swered.
'"Thc bells" said Mr.. Lowther. "The
bells. Those morning bells! How many
II tale their music tells! pcrrisumc"
he had knack which suited his voice
and face to perfection, of lcngthening
certain words In this way--"I perris,ime
they nre ringing for young nackett."
Ned looked at him with sudden keen.
ness. Mr.. Lowther. with his head slight.
~ thrown back ana n little on one side.
was smiling softly and benevOlently ut
nature and the bells, and appeared to he
unaware Of the others gaze. Observing
this, the young man answered In an un-
interested tone:
"Yes. they are ringing for viii Hack
ett."
Has It occurred to yOu?" asked Mr..
Lowther, preserving his attitude and his
smile-''do you think"
HAS what occurred to me?" asked
the other, looking up at him.
THAT lIackett might have dope-I
wouldn't indicate breath to dsparage
the young lady" lie was still smiling
softly at the landscape and the bells, and
could not he supposed to know that
Blame was looking ut him with eyes of
wrath and wonder. but might he not
nOw--might he not have done a little
betterT
Perhaps he might. don't know
where, though. 1t seems TO me he has
done a lot better than he deserves"
1T may he So" responded Mr.. Low
ther. ut may be so. But in u worldly
sense"
1T Is his own affair."" said Blame, as
IL the talk wearied him.
"Assuredy." Mr. Lowthcr answered.
"Oh. yes. Assuredly. Quite his own
affair."" He paused there and smiled on
his companion. II do not say that we
should set too lofty n vnlleyou on our
worldly goods. but 1t behooyes us to be
careful even of our own temporary wei.
fare. DO you happen to know IL our
young friend receives anything with the
bridef"
NO." said Ned, loudly and with angry
emphasis.
My dear young friend" cried Mr.
I.owther, somewhat taken aback by this
unlooked-for yehcmencc. and rccoiling
pace or two.
IL am not your dear young friend"
said Ned with u smile. which had MS
much anger rs amusement in il. II
have nothing in the world to talk to you
about. aud | would great deal rather
be alone"
"That," replied Mr.. l.owther, very
swcetly. "is an invitation not to linger.
will accept 1t In that sense, Mr. Blame,
and will wish you good morning."
: The windy music of the bells and the
swiftly alternating bands OF shade and
shine were still careering over the heath
as Mr.. Lowther turned his brOadcloth
back upon the finger post, and left the
young man staring sadly after him
"What do you want to know about
viii Hackett's affairs for? Is he in
your clutches. you fat old spider? Heav.
en- help him II he Is! The bit he has left
won't he long In going after what he
used to have IL no has got into your
Web"
Until the actual coming of the wed.
ding day he had never been able to con-
viucs himself that his sweetheart would