The L'Anse sentinel., 1907-04-06

ocpu ASoWiooJ
turning the conversation from poor
Mrs. Carp's .delinquencies. "as how
you aint got married. 1t must have
been yer own fault, I'm thinkin'."
WELL" said Sal. slowly. there was
a chap once. an likely sort O. chap
he was, too. Bill Cartwright's his
name; but that's fifteen years ago and
more"
The Morning Leader at this juno
ture discreetly lowered. and two
straightlooking green gray eyes ap-
peared above 1t and fixed themselves
on the face OF the unconscious Sal.
you see," she continued. father
he took Ill an lost the use of his
hands. promised mother when she
was a-dying I'd look after him. He
didn't mind my working for him-that
seemed natrel like; but l know he
was that proud that II he had to eat
bread that man o mine had got for
him. 1t would choke him. So when
Bill comes along one day an puts the
question straight. just swallers down
a big lie-God forgive me!-an' sez
as l didn't care about him. Then he
goes of to foreign parts-Californy or
somewhere-an' l amt never heard
from him since"
Haven't you really now?" observed
Mrs. Bower sympathetically. well,
my sister-in-law's nephew's just back
from Australia. Shouldn't wonder at
all II they mightn't have fallen In
with one another. Strange things do
happen at times over the seas-migh-
ty strange! He's comm to drink q
cup O. tea along with us some Sunday.
You just drop in too an have a chat
with him. I'll be real glad to see
you"
Thank you kindly, Mrs. Bower,
don't know but what will" answered
Sal.
| "Bless you. SAL" said Mrs. Carp,
what for do you want to trouble your
head about fellow who has been
a-galavantin' about all these years?
never have much Of an opinion OF
man who can't content himself with
the country wot has born him. There's
plenty Of men In London"
so there may be. Mrs. Carp, for all
care!" retorted Sal sharply.
Just then the omnibus pulled up
with a Jerk at the end Of Parliament
street and the conversation ceased.
The conductor looked invitingly to-
wards two lady typists In whom he
considered he had vested interest;
but 1t was dry under foot and the fru-
gal maidens preferred to walk, so the
bell had sharp pull and the omnibus
moved on.
IL often think" remarked Mrs.
Bower, what a mercy 'tis that those
who buy our flowers are still asleep
In peaceful at this hour, an don't
take 1t into their heads to do their
goin' out before twelve or thereabouts.
else how should we ever get our
house-work done an tend to the chill
dren?"
Most Of yours are off to school by
this time. aren't" they?" asked Mrs.
Carp.
"Yes, all on 'em but Willie an Meg;
they amt old enough. My Ben he's
a-gettin' on fine. You should hear
him say his poetry-pages an pages
OF 1t, he knows-'bout larks an corn
fields an such like. It's as good as a
day in the country just to listen to
him"
"Well," announced Sal, II get out
here for Rochester Row. See you Sun
day, Mrs. Bower"
1874 stopped the bus with alacrity
and passed down the basket, but they
had no sooner started on again than
the bearded stranger discovered that
had been the precise point where he
+ had wanted to alight, and sprang out
} accordingly.
! Sal meanwhile had walked on with
| her burden at that quick nervous pace
! characteristic Of women who are do.
Ing something be.;ond their strength.
! 80 It was a minute or two ere her
fellow-passenger caught up to her.
, "TIi. missis! l want some Of them
geraniums Of yours. AS big bunch
/ as you've got"
Sal stopped, and lifting up the tray
Of her basket, produced her flowers
, "Ah, they're real beauties, they are.
don't want any change" and he
!, dropped a sovereign into her hand.
She stared at the coin, then at him
"Bill!" she gaspe6. IT'S you! Tha,
, was never you in the 'busT" and hel
, weather-worn face took the hue o.
, her flowers.
But It was. though, my girl-thani
my lucky stars! Now Just You hsnc
, over that there basket, for I'm goin' te
: take that along, an I'm wishin' te
! take charge O. you as we'll II vos
/ haven't any objection"
| And she hadn't