Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1905-04-15
CHAPTER XIV,

made with the help of the British army
For some cause or other. best known to
himself, he had dropped his indefatiga.
bility and taken to very grave shakes OF
his head instead of nimble footings. lie
feigned to be very busy still with this
leading case of the ncighborhoOd: but
though his superiors might believe II.
his underlings were not to be misled.
All of these knew whether Mr.. John was
launching thundcrbolts or throwing dust,
and were well aware that he had quite
taken up with the latter process In the
Beckley case.
But still. whatever his feelings were.
or his desires In the matter. the rcsolute
face and active step of this intelligent
officer were often to he seen and heard
at Becklcy: and to several persons In
the village they were becoming welcome.
He had several good reasons of his own
for haunting the village as he did: one
Of them being that he thus obcyed the
general orders he had received. Also
he really liked the Squire. his victunls.
and his domestics. Among these latter
he had quite outlived any little prcju-
dice created by his early manner: and
even Mary lIookhnm was now inclined to
use him as an irritant. or stimulant,
for the lukewnrm Grips.
How Is the fine old gentleman now?
Mary. my love. how IL heI" Mr.. Smith
asked. as he pulled off his cloak In the
lobby. just after church time. IL hope
you find him getting better. Everything
now Is looking up again."
mo. Mr.. Smith: he IL very sadly.
thanking you, sir, for inQuiring of him.
He do seem a little better one day. and
then there come something all over him
again, the same as might be this here
cloak. sir. thrown on the head Of that
there stick. But come In and see him.
Mr.. Smith. II you please. I thought II
was the parson when you rang. But
master will be glad to see you every bit
the same ms II you was. no doubt"
John Smith. who was never to be put
down by any small comparisons, follow.
Cd quick Mary with a steadfast march
over the quiet mating. In the long. old.
Fashioned dining room sat the Squire at
the head OF his table. For many years
It had been his wont to have an early
dinner on Sunday. with knife and fork
always ready for the clergyman. who was
Q bachelor Of middle age. The clergyman
came, or did not come. according to his
own convenience. without ceremony or
apology.
II beg you to excuse" said the SQUIRE
rising. as Smith was shown into the
room, my absence from church this
morning, Mr.. Warbelow. I had quite
made up my mind to go, and everything
was quite ready. when I did not feel
quite 30 well as usual, and was ordered
to stay at home"
Squire Oglander made his fine old. sb.
Toned bow when he had spoken, md held
out his hand for the parson to take It,
as the parson always did. e it'll eyes that
gave look Of grief and IT, IN fell, and
Kind lips that murmured that all things
were ordered for the best. But instend
OF the parsons gentle clasp. the Squire,
whose sight was beginning to fail alto.
gether with his other faculties, was sn.
iutcd with a strong. rough grasp. and q
gaze from entirely unclerical eyes.
How II your worship? Well nicely,
! hope Charming you look. sir. as ever
! see."
"Sir. I thank you. I am in good
health. But ! have not the honor of
remembering your name."
Smith. your wOrship--John Smith, nj
your service; rs he was the day before
yesterday. Out Of sight out Of mind,
:; the ), old L.. Spying q! is. suppose you find
With this home thrust, delivered quite
unwittinely, Mr.. Smith sat down; his
opinion was that Her Majesty's service
levelled all distinctions. Mr.. Oglander
gave him one glance. like the keen look
OF his better days, and then turned away
and Raxed round the room for something
out OF sight. but never likely to be Out
OF mind. The old man was weak, and
knew his weakness. In the presence OF
q gentleman he might have broken down
and wept, and been much better for Il
but before a man Of this sort, not a siRu
would he let out Of the sorrow that wa,
killing him. He begged Mr.. Smith to
take chair; then, weak az he was, he
tOttered to the bell pull. rather than ash
bis guest to ring. John Smith Jumped
up to help. but felt uncertain what good
manners were.
''Mary," said the Squire, when Mary
came, bring In the dinner, II you please
This gentleman will line with me. In.
stead Of Mr.. WarbelOw."
"Well. now, II ever did, Miss Hook
ham exclaimed to herself In the passa &c
"Why, q must be sort of a gentle
man! Master wouldn't dine along OF
Master Cripps; but to my mind FAX bs
the gentleman af0re he!"
The Squire's ObliQue little sarcasm-
u sarcasm ut all It were--failed TO hit
AIR. Smith; give me the carving knife
ed plate and spoon, and fell to at tn.
soup, which was excellent. The sour
VAS followed by fine sirloin; whercupor
Mr.. Oglander. through some assocat ior
of ideas. could not suppress little sigh
"Never sigh at your meat. SIR" cried
Mr.. Smbith; "give me the carving knife
cir, II you are unequal to the situation
To sigh at such sirlOin-Oh, fie, or. fe.'
II was thinking Of some one who al
ways used to like the brown" the old
man said, In the simplest manner, as Il
an apology were needed.
"Well, sir, like the brown very
much. l will put it by for myself, sir
and help you to an inner slice. Here
Mary, a plate for your master! Quick
Everything will be cold, my goodness
And who sliced this horseradish, pray
for slicing II Is, not scra pingf"'
Mary was obliged to bite her tongu,
to keep 1t In any way mannersOme; wheI
the door was thrown open, ana In cam,
her mother, with her face quite white
and both hands stretched on high.
"Oh my! oh my! A sin l call 1T
wicked, cruel. sinful SIM" Widow Hook
ham excleimed as soon as she cOult
speak. IAN over the voltage! all owe
the parish In two days time ut the lates
Il will be! Oh, how cOuld your wOrshi,