Year: 1876

thy Oliver was such wastrel, I'd have
chopped my hand off afore I'd ha' given
thee to him. I'm afraid thou'lt rue it afore
long. Such riot and extravaganza as l
saw last night cannot last. And when his
own brass is melted he'll want thy thou
sand pounds"


Neve. shall forget his look of conster-
nation as told him had given the money
over to Oliver before we left home on our
wedding day.


Then, ten to one, it's thy money he's
squandering he cried, in as much OF
temper as l ever saw him buthe softened
at nv tears, and added: ''It's my fault,
Mary: L ought to have tied it down on
thee. Never mind, there's home for thee
and thy little Launcelot whilst I've q roof
to cover me"


The end did not come quite SO soon as
father predicted, but it came quite soon
enough. Bills came pouring in as soon as
the rupture between Oliver and Captain
thornton got wind, and had to soften
my husbands "Hang it, let them wait"
as best / could. to importunate duns-l
who had never known what debtor and
creditor meant beyond "bill OF parcels
at school. Then credit was stopped, and
Oliver swore over every sovereign he gave
to me. Sometimes, after brief absence.
he came back with rolls of notes, but he
would disappear too. And as his embar-
rassments increased he drank still more
heavily, and his temper grew so irritable,
no one knew how to deal with him.


In our little Launcelot whose winning
ways beguiled many a dreary hour. and
in books in our cosy library, tried to
smother the sense of impending mlsior-
tune. -,


One servant had already gone. The
old housekeeper myself dismissed, know
ing my inability to pay her. And now
felt the value of Leahs sharp training.
for l had to do the work OF the house.
cook, and nurse my baby into the bar
gain; and woe betide me if broil. or roast
or Iagout were not to my husbands llk-
ing. =, ~


tie rode off one morning with valise
strapped before him, kissing Launcelot
and me before he went, and did not see
him again for years. Before the day was
out, sheriff's officers were in the house.
and but for kind Mrs. Matthews, who in
terceded for me, neither baby nor myself
would have had so much as change OF
raiment LETT.


She took me home with her, q poor
dazed, stunned creature, who had not
reached her twenty second birthday.
Consoling Launcelot (who wept because
his mother wept, as children will with
lump-sugar and jam, she hushed him to
rest. and then despatched hurried mis-
sive to my father.


A couple of days elapsed. during which
nv heart sank to its lowest ebb. linen
l. II had hoon htfnSnlf At
an auction, and could not leave.


He did not upbraid me; he said ne had
.foreseen what was coming;" and know
not whether he or l thanked Mrs. Mat
thews most heartily for her kindness.


Back to my childhood's home l went
with very heavy heart; and not all my
dear fathers heartiness could prevent me
feeling myself and child intruders. .


Soon after he sent me down to M0stord.
to my brother-in-law, TO learn confection-
cry; then stocked a shop and furnished a
house for me in one OF the old rows OF
Chester, to the great indignation OF the
others.


..irs best you try to get living for
Launce and yourself, my girl" said my
good father; and though I'd rather have
YOU near me, it's wisest to remove you
beyond the reach of envious eyes, and
where that wastrel husband OF yours will
not think of looking for you"


At first was very awkward in my new
position. City and people were alike
strange; but that. perhaps, helped to set
me at ease behind my counter.


Bright, hazel-eyed, five-year-old Launce-
lot was the star of my night. lie was
more like his grandfather Beach than his
own father, OF whom he had no remem-
brance; black paper profile found at my
fathers being my only likeness Of absent
Oliver.


Often and often, as stood before my
counter, wondered if ever chance would
bring him in there amongst the stream OF
customers; and yet l think l general
ly looked upou him as dead; no word or
sign having reached me of his existence.


1t was May-sunny, scented May-and
Chester race-week. Matty and l were
busy as bees from morning until night.
Launce went to school. The second race
day, party OF ladies and gentlemen came
into the shop talking and laughing as they
came. One of them was Oliver Mar
bury!


screamed, and tainted When / came
to myself, he was gone. After nightfall
he came again, and abused me for making
a scene, and compromising him with his
friends" But finding me in comfortable
he took up his abode with
me, protessed to have exhausted his
means in trying to discover us, and was
lavish OF caresses both to Launcelot and
myself.


l had never ceased to love him, and
hailed the prodiga's return. Yet. as OF
old, he came and went, and ere long be-
gan to drain my resources. He took from
my pocket and from my til., the money
with which should have preserved my
credit, and gambled it away. The climax
came when my little Mary was about four
months old.


My stock got low; / had no money to
give him. Halt drunk, he brought
broker on to the premises, sold to him
stock, fixtures. and furniture, regardless
of my tears and entreaties; and whilst
the goods were being hurried away, put
the proceeds in his pocket, and carpet
bag in hand, turned on his heel. coarsely
telling me old David Beach would make
! home for me and the squallers. The
children were both crying. At this


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