The Haslingden Gazette. — 1908-01-25 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

CHAPTER XXVI I. 0100100 ON THE JOO. "Mown Cfemr, down, good dog," said Lawson, patting Simeon's bloodhound on the head. The huge dog gambolled round and round, his long tail wagging fast and furiously, his jaws apart. He was over-joyed at meeting his master's friend on the road between the two houses. The hound's deep bay broke the thread of LaWooll'o disjointed thoirdsts. He felt that he must tnlk to someone, and he gladly made a confidant of the faithful and intelligent dog. Lawson could not immediately grasp the significance of 31 ir:am's disclosure. Would he ever accomplish task which he had set himself? There was a vast conspiracy afoot. He, meaning of which was beyond his understanding. It was, at present, unfathomable. Ho compared himself to a vessel in the mid of contrary winds, buffeted here and titer •, till his hark was flually shipwrecked on the jagged rocks of Hopeless Despair. When wield dawn the day of Victory! Alas, the dny and the hour were apparently still in the . .  -111:i'• distant future. •"fhe son cf a slave of the harem. God of Heaven, it is readdcuing." He still retained In his hand the miniature he had shown to Miriam Trafford. Unclasping his fingers, he gazed in the sunlight at the perfect features, aeoietell by an artist of rare skill and deliea: v of touch. " And I flattered myself this anialic face sins that of niy oilier," he murmured. There was something sadder than tears in the deep pa:iios of his melancholy voice and the hound whined in sympathy with him. Does the blood o.f is polygamist and a odolesque flow in my veins," he exclaimed, striking his brow with his clenched fist, not believe they ore the author's of niv existence, and as I live by bread, I'll piove the truth or falsehood of that WOMAII'S venomous words." The poignancy of his isief was terrible, for it seemed to hild that life had become a shame and a torture. Should he bring his disgrace to an end and die? The blessing of an honoured life was denied tuna, then why live, loathing himself ? Yes, he would die—antl yet what of Aisle. Could he leave her all alone to suffer hideously, while he rushed into the Unknown, seeking everlasting peace in a suicide's grave? No, he would not be guilty of self-murder. He marvelled in his despair why. Miriam had not sent for the police, and given Into into ens. tody for theft. There he saw salvation, for he realised she was deceiving him. He looked down with a start, and noticed for the first time that old Ciesar was licking his hands. The touch of the dog's tongue brought other and better thoughts to his mind. As he stroked the animal's head, the expression of his face grew more resigned. The die was east. He would, could conquer his ill-starred destiny, and live. Lawson flung himself down on the grass bj the aide of the river, and moodily watched the current flowing toward the weir. The fatigue of travelling, and the combined excitement of the morning, produced an overwhelming desire for rest and he dropped into semi-unconsciousness from which he wan rudely awakened by the growling of the hound, still lying at his feet. Michael lifted his head crossly, for he had been enjoying visions of happiness during his drowsy race a freedom from care, his troubles were fadieg  into Niggins landed, moored his punt, and Curses shifted his recumbent position, his hair bristling, his teeth bared. "Quiet, boy, quiet," said Lawson, sitting up and wide awake in an instant. 'rtis dog crouched obediently, thumping his heavy tail in answer to Lawson" words, but he growled as Niggins took a step towerd thmn. "'Ansome dawg dna," bawled Niggius from a safe distance. '' Bret 'ins along o' yew? 'Ere, 'old 'ins,. guv'nor, or 'rip me "Il tare a cove's siren it 'e guts es pegs in it," he shouted, dodging behind a tree. Lawson pacified the dog and lighted his pipe, suggesting that Mr. Niggins should change his locality. '"Ow's gay Paree," whispered Niggins, mr.king a speaking trumiset of his hands. Lawson's pipe fell from his mouth and rolled into the river. Caesar snarled and was on the point of springing, but Lawson gripped him firmly by the collar and prevented a catastrophe. "Yer dawg don't like my mug, do 'e? Anything wrong oboist my phis, guv'nor?" "Nothing more than usual,, " replied Lawsow pleasantly. "Lie down, and don't move Cusses." "Seine 'or, 'e would proper, no cod," exclaimed Niggins uneasily. •• I pities the pore ct.ve svot tumbles over a garden wall into the jaws o' that man-trap. 'E'd make it rumen for the tailor. Why the pore cove 'ad be raked as 'e wor born." "Quiet. Cusses," said Lawson to the dog. "'E a sniffs' at me, guv'nor, 'e's • sniffiau' at this 'ere smoked sawaage. 'Ere my booty," and Niggins threw the tasty compound into the hound's capacious jaws. "Why 'es bolted the grub like a bloke gulps a pill, blow me. Want annuver? Well, per won't git it. I say, guv'nor, may a core come a-long-side of per, and whisper a lose party things into ver year? Yer got the letter wot missy wrote'!" There was a ghost of a smile on LaWNoll'i face and Niggins ailurewdly remarked. '•Wery watery that there smole, anythink got in the wrong box an' can't be found? 'Ow'a the Honerable Bobbish? Oh, the Kidder, is 0 reglar doer. Ven I think o' the necklice. I fair dabbles hup—l split my sides a-laughin'. Upon my savoy, I did. Yer should a seen the foreign Johny. when 'e came a bounein' op Camden Town way; my bloonsin' eyes it were a treat. Punch and Judy, an' dog Tooy chucked in, ain't no-where. Ile bangs the case at my 'ead an' swears, an' stamps. an' well, never mind." Niggius omitted the episode of the knife and his own wavering conduct. "K's shaved his beard an' moustache hoff, an' if it 'aden't been for bolts, blessed if wouldn't a sucked mo in." Niggins spoke in an injured tone, and gave vent to his spleen. by throwing a stone at a swan devouring his ground bait in the punt. "Shaved clean!" said Lawson, a queer catch in his throat. "Where is the gentleman?" '"E ',lnked it across the streak to gay rareo—"  k V