The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-06-13
BY Tom Gallon.

were uOI W NC LOOh odICdoIlSs L hOh
ors him for his feelings, an fairly
dotes on 'er bushes"
Mrs. Quist administered another
kick TO the captain, but seemed we'll
pleased.
You an me, ole gal, 'ad not the fig.
ger 'eads for beauty wen we stood up
afore the parson; we might ave been
useful in our stations-but there's no
denyin' as we was 'omely; pleasant to
look upon, IL yer like-6ut 'omely."
We'll, yer needn't rub it in" retort.
ed Mrs. Quist.
Ear be 1t from me 81 to do, oft
gal. But wot | would say is this ere:
that it's delightful for to look on them
young 'uns as was married this morn
in. Adam an Eve in the gsrding Of
Eden, a-goin' 'alves with the apple.
weren't a prettier picture than AIRY
an Clara-take my word for 1t"
well, Peter, | will say this for yer,
that it was a good days work for you
wen you done the 'ansome by them
young people. We 'aven't any chicks
of our own-an' that boy as got SIGH a
way with osses that e was fairly born
to look arter a circus. An the gal
we'll, I took a fancy to that child wen
fust she come to lodge with me at
Chelmsford"
Mrs. Quist, with another friendly
kick, returned into the caravan, and
the captain continued to smoke his
| pipe. Indeed, so e~ngrossed was he
9Th tbA nina anI uyffh hts nuyn p1nno-
ant reflections that he did not observe
very closely a figure coming along the
road towards him; or, If he looked at
1t at all, saw in it a chance traveller,
and no concern of his.
But presently, as the figure drew
nearer. a remarkable change came
over the captain. Gradually the hand
which held the pipe came away from
his mouth, bringing the pipe with it
but leaving the mouth open. The
placidity of the captains face changed
and melted away, and In its place
came an expression OF blank amaze
ment. Then. as the figure came g
err still amazement ued, and with a
shout the Captain leapt to the ground
and ran forward.
"Phil Chatter, Phil Chatter come
back to see his old pail" he exclaimed.
shaking the newcomers hand again
and again.
IL was the Philip OF six months be-
fore, save only for a certain WEAKNESS
about the eyes and some lines In the
face which had lot been there previ-
~.,.I.. Ii 1tNDnaI tbo narfa;n Nth n
gesture of his hand, when that gentle
man, in his excitement, would have
summoned Mrs. Quist TO share his Joy,
and they sat down together on the
bank beside the patch Of grass OF
which the aravan stood.
81 wanted to have a chat with you,
old friend. before going away again"
said Philip, after a pause. so, COM
ing to Bamberton to-day--for the last
time-on business, | thought, as l
heard that the circus was here, that
I'd walk over. And how are you pros
pering?"
Never better" replied the captain,
robbing his hands. Whether it is,
Phil, that the experience | gained. so
I'D SUcdks III d llLc Ou Tic IOsLlu main
is valuable-or wot it is. | don't know;
but certain it Is that they comes to
my circus w'erever | 'appens to stop,
an they claps their lands to a quite
remarkable extent, an they laughs at
the clown lover is Oldest jokes, min
yer-things as my poor ole mother
used to 'ush me ter sleep With in
SIGH Il way that the chap Is a-begin-
min to give isself airs.
you remember the melancholy
| Iookin' man wot 'auled you out of the
fly that night, on this ere very road.
don't yer? Well, I do assure you, Phil.
that that chap is a1geetin' fat on APP
plause alone: is things as bin let out
twice in two months.
I'm delighted to hear IL, said Philip,
laughing. And how Is Mrs. Quist?"
"Fine-an' 'earty." responded the
captain. More than all, she's a.begin-
asa' to take . ;nsores. III 'ossas, an
talks sometimes as II she'd lived over
a stable all 'er days. But-now you'll
be surprised to ear this, Phil; | know
you will-she won't ear OF no fat
ldulcS. RUS OF lOOS Ou cAls oO W
speak, I do assure you"
Really" said Philip. hiding a
smile. you surprise me. But now
want to talk, for a moment about my
self; for I may not have q chance of
speaking to you again-at any time"
The captain looked at him In dis
may. "Why-wot do yer mean. Phil,
my lad?" he said.
"Well-to tell you the truth at once
I'm going abroad" replied Philip.
81 made a mistake. from one point of
view, In ever coming back at all; I've
brought endless misery Oh any number
of innocent heads, and have done no
good-for I'm poorer than when
came. My unfortunate brother had
practically got rid OF everything that
could be disposed of. and owed money
all the way round. When, after my
release, I came to look into affairs.
founder, rather, I was advised-that
need not pay a single penny OF his
debts; that, u they had been con.
tracted by him while the property was
not his. but mine, as the elder brother,