Year: 1859

nor the next, for the next day Mr. Barnard
was taken to see Philip, and declared, that TO
best of his belief, he was the man who had
robbed him. The cloud that hung over us all
was growing darker; public feeling was against
him. Almost every one was on his side at first
bat now they wondered how he could be such
q hypocrite. They insulted him prison by pro-
Tossing to believe that there was a gang of
robbers in the neigh borhoOd, and urged him to
turn ''state's evidence believe he bore it
all bravely, and like a Christian but did not
| had been taught to hide my feelings, but
fretted in secret. Father thought it was best
should continue to attend the singing school,
and | did, though it cost me more sorrow than
he knew of to sing all the evening. within q
stones throw of the jsil, where he, who was my
''all in all' on earth, lay in trouble and dark
ness.


There's no knowing what might have hap
pened, little girl, but you are not his wife nor
sweetheart" father said, "and there's no use
in making people talk


How heartily wished that were either, or
anything to him-had any claim on him that
could name so that might go to him, to CON-
fort him, or mourn over him in the face of the
world l might send him messages by father,
but what could say to him. / believed him
innocent, but he knew that. So 1 crushed
down my heart, and went to the singing -shool
just as L had done before.


Every night heard the teacher and pupils
talking over the robbery, but they were either
very merciful to me or afraid, for they never
mentioned Philips name in my hearing. One
night father had some business in the village
so he went early, and left me to wait at the
hotel until the church was opened When l
entered the little sitting room Of the hotel Mr..
Barnard was lying on the sofa talking with
friend who sat near him. He had just taken
off his crayat and was showing his throat to
his friend. looked, too, and saw three green
ish brown spots, two near together, and one
just above them.


''0dd," said his friend, carelessly "ItIo,ks
as if the hand that made these marks had lost
the middle finger;


Then they went on talking on different SUBJ
jeets, until a sleigh drove up to the door. II
was Mr.. Darlington Bates. Mr.. BarHard's
friend went out, and through the open door |
saw the fine sleigh, with the light from the
hall lanterns shining down on the bear skin
robes and gilded harness. Mr.. Bates had
friend with him, Mr.. Congreve, who, he had
promised, would visit the school and sing for
the scholars. | watched the two tall figures,
Inuffied in furs, laughing and talking merrily
with the landlord, and thought of dear Philip
in prison. Mr.. Barnard rose to shut the door.
and then settled himself on the sofa for a nap
turned to book Of bound magazines that Law
on the table, but could not interest myself in
them, for my eyes were continually turning to
the little pale man on the sofa whose words
had worked so much misery for me.


heard, as in dream, the door of the next
room open and shut, q clinking of glasses on
the table, and confused murmur of voices
There was large hole in the wall where the
stoye-pipe one had passed through, and was
now merely papered over, so conversation in
one room was heard plainly in the next Who
ever were In the next room, were talking very
low and guardedly-but after the glasses had
cllnked a few times, the voices rose Ii was
Mr.. Bates and his friend. knew his voice,
though II was very unlike the one he used in
the church, and such words,-mingled with
the most hOrrid Oaths and blasphemy knew
II was wrong for me to listen, but could not
help it. i read, and looked at the engrayings
TO make sure was not Dire aiming I walked
about the eoor, and rustled the papers on the
table. to let them know the parl0r was not
empty; but they did not hear me Mr.. Bar
nard was sound asleep and breathing softly.
If it had been any one else would have
wakened him, for an inexpressble loneliness
and fear came over me. held my hand over
my ears, but could not shut out their horrible
talk.


BAH" 1 heard Mr. Bates say, with laugh,
Il went to see the old fool, and advised him to
put a meat pOultice on his neck-the old whim-
perer!" -...- ..r


by Jove." cried Mr Congreve, sdmiringIy,
you re bold one, Carr, and could always
come the respectable dodge better than l.
Blast your eyes, you'll get nsbbed yeti


Nab your grandmother said Mr.. Bates.
angrily. ''It takes a rogue-you understand
and these people are all fools, so they pitched
upon the biggest fool among them