News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-04-26

| He had uttered the last words aloud
and was considerably startled to hear
voice behind hiIn exclaim:
"Who says SO, my little manY
Thinking he knew The voice, he turn
ed quickly round. The person who ac-
costed him was no other than Mr.. Bed
ington, the solitary Traveller who had
taken Jacks part when pursued by
Mr.. Mole and Collinson on the memo
rable occasion Of his running away.
How do you do, sir" asked Jack,
holding out his hand.
every well, thank you. And how
| are your said Mr. Bedington.
| 81 can't say much for myself. Ny
| legs hurt me. had some heavy chains
| put on them, and the other boys not
| liking it, got up a barring out"
Indeed And that is why you are
on your travels again, l suppose"
''AIr. Crawcour turned me out-ex-
PEELED me, in fact"
You are quite pale" said Mr.. Bed
| ingt0n. at is fortunate that / have
met yen. Where do you intend to goY'
ITO London, I think, sir, and seek
my friends at Fighgate."
THAT will be the very best thing you
can do Is the disturbance over at
your SCHOOL,"
mot yet. The barring out is over,
but heavy press fell upon Lord Nor
denfield, who, they say, us dying"
Mr.. Bedington started.
How strangely things come about
In ino
his mother know it,?
81 saw her carriage pass just now, 60
ing at full speed" replied Jack.
"Stay here, and l will procure a fly
or some other conveyance, which will
take us to the station, and | will put
off what engagements l have and &C.
company you to town. l don't know
how it is, but l take a strange interest
in you"
"And I, sir feel as if could love you
as a father" answered Jack.
you told me, think, that you nev-
! er knew your parents"
81 have no recollection of them"
"Well, you have lost a father, and
years ago lost d son. But time presses.
So saying, Mr.. Bcdington hurried
away, leaving Jack to his own refec-
lions.
Mr.. Bedington was not long in pro-
curing fly which, picking up Jack,
drove them to the station at Lille
Bridge, where they caught a London
train, proceeding afterward to High
gate.
Mr.. and Mrs. Scratchley were just
about sitting down to an early dinner.
They were surprised to see Jack, who
was the last person in their thoughts.
Emily came running downstairs, hav-
ing seen Jack get out of the fly from
window. She met him IN the hall.
Dear, dear, Jackw she cried, throw
ing her arms round his neck.
BLESS you, my little sweetheart! So
you have not forgotten me?" he ex-
claimed, kissing her.
Forgotten you! oh, Jack, how can
your"
Come inside, Jack. You are just in
time for dinner" exclaimed Mr..
Scratchley, with rather more than his
usual kindness.
Addressing Mr. Bedington, Mr..
Scratchley said, "Whom have L the
honor of speaking to, sirY
'My name is Bedington," was the re-
ply.
And you are
"a friend of this neglected boy"
81 have got to learn by what right
you constitute yourself his protector"
Mr.. Scratchley rejoined.
"Come where l can speak to you for
a short time and do not handy useless
words in the passing" replied Mr. Bed
ington.
There was something in his visitors
manner which awed Mr.. Scratchley,
and he led the way into his drawing
room.
"Now, sir, am your humble serv-
ant" he said.
Briefly, but clearly, Mr.. Bedington
related all that had occurred at Po-
mona House as far as he himself knew.
"The boy can give you the details"
he concluded, "and you can now judge
whether or not my conduct is consist
ent with humanity or if l am simply
meddlesome and otticious."
81 beg to thank you for your behav-
Tor in this distressing matter" said
Mr.. Scratchley, but at the same time
1 feel bound to tell you that Jack has
always been a mischievous, ungovern-
able boy" 49,
Consider his loss in not knowing his
parents
"Oh, he has told you that, has hep"
Mr.. Scratchley exclaimed in a tone of
annoyance.
HE has"
"Now you are here may venture to
extend my poor hospitality to you?
We were about to dine"
81 shall be most glad" Mr.. Bedlng.
ton replied, with a bow.
"Afterward we can resume this con-
versation."
"As you please"
They adjourned to the dining room,
where substantial dinner in the shape
of a Goldfish and leg of mutton await
ed them. During the progress Of the
meal Jack related what had happened
to him at Mr.. Crawcour's amid many
of