The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01

dog-lke devotion-that was alI-all it ever could be.
 Frank Cheeryble, the nephew of the brothers, came out to see the family at Bow and 1t was not difficult to perceive what an impression Kate made on him. There was content and comfort in tine little cottage now. The poor Niclxlebys were happy. The rich Nickleby was lone ly and unhappy and planning revenge on
 his kind
 And now Nicholas awoke to the fact
 that he had a heart. It fluttered and
 could not keep its regular beats in the presence of certain young woman Madeline Bray. who lived with her self
 ish, invalid father, a debtor in the "Rule
 of the Kings Bench Prison
 The Cneeryble- brothers were assisting
 the gentle Madeline by buying from her
 the little sketches that she made pretend ing in their delicate way that they were bought for a firm of print sellers of
 which Nicholas was the agent. Nicholas
 went on this business often to the home Of Madeline: and when he saw the pa
 tient, high-bred girl he somehow alw lys forgot that the scene was the confines oS
 a debtors limits" It seemed to him as | if the scene were Italy. the hour sunset
 and the place q stately terrace
 But the machinations of Ralph Nicltle- by were about to produce results. One day Smlke was returning from escortpg little Miss LaCreevy from Bow to her home, when suddenly he was brought up with jerk so sudden that he had to cling to a lamp post to keep himself from falling. At the same time he felt
 his leg grasped and heard a boys voice
 shout: "Hooray! here he Is, father" Squeers had his umbrella handle fas-
 tened in his coat collar and young Wack-
 ford had him by the leg. Poor Smi!1e,
 Such mental faculties as he had deserted
 him entirely when he found Himself in
 the grasp of his old tyrant.
 q never thrashed a boy in cab be.
 fore,' said Squeers a little later when
 he recovered his breath. There's incon-
 yeniency in 1t. but the novelty gives 1t
 sort of relish, too.
 However. Smike was not long a pris-
 oner to Squeers. That very night,
 through honest John Browdie. who was
 on q visit to London with Squeers and
 whose kind heart revolted at the idea of
 Srnike being taken back to Dotheboys.
 he was liberated from the room where
 the schoolmaster had locked him and
 found his way back to Bow cottage.
 There he was presently followed by
 Ralph Nickleby. MT Squeers and MT.
 Spawley. the man 'in the pious way" whom Nicholas had first seen when he went to take coach for Yorkshire with
 Squeers. Snawley was now ready with
 an affidavit that Smike was his own the child of my first wife whom
 wicked people stole from me and placed In Dotheboys; and l only just found 1t
 ont through this here confession" They had all the documents. properly forged, at the instigation of Ralph. aid ed by Squeers, but they had not calcu- lated on the spirit of Nicholas. Nicho- olas threw Squeerss hat out of the door
 kicked Saueers after it. drove out the others and resolved 10 keep Smike at all costs. He told the Cheeryble broth CTS about 1t the next day and they en- couraged him in his defiance. If these people really had the law on their side let them appeal to it. Nicholas had shrewd idea that they would not dare. A few days after Newman Noggs same to see Nicholas Are you going to let this unnatural marriage take place?" asked Noggs.
 What marrlage?" asked Nicholas in astonishment.
 Madeline Bray, Old Arthur Gride. ] Money lender. Your uncle has arranged it. Gets f10.00. Old Bray selfish. Sells l his daughter"
 "Be careful what you say!' cried Nicholas. Be careful
 Married tomorrow" said Newman The young man ragged. Newman forced | him down upon seat "There, there; be yourself" said he No use rushing to
 Nickebv. He'll be in bed"