Rap! Rap! Rap! “Come in.”

Rap! Rap! Rap! “COME IN.”

Rap! Rap! Rap! Rap! Bang! “COME IN.”

The last attack on the office door made it shake on its hinges. The last imperative “Come in” was shouted so loudly that things fairly trembled; then silence.

“What does it mean? Who can it be? Some of the boys I’ll be bound.” As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Chris Cainsford sprang to the door; yanked it open, and found, no one! Quickly glancing down the passage leading to the stair, he got a glimpse of a man’s back covered by a...

While still holding the elder man’s hand, Cainsford gently forced him to a seat, at the same time speaking distinctly into the trumpet:

“The school; tell me about it. When did you meet my father last? How did you happen to call to-day?”

As the old gentleman fixed himself comfortably in the arm-chair he said, the merry twinkle again appearing in his eye: “I’m a better talker than hearer. If you have time to listen, I have time to talk, and I tell you I like the subject—could not have a better than Jeremiah Cainsford. If you get tired...

“Well I’ll be, Cain, but your a lucky dog! “said the taller and broader of the two young men who had just entered the office.

“Who’s the old geezer with the hearin’ horn? He thinks he’s struck an honest lawyer does he? Haw! Haw! He must be blind as well as deaf. Did he leave you a thousand? I heard him mention that little amount as we came in, and he wouldn’t take even an acknowledgment. By gad, he must come from away back, or he’d know better than trust a struggling lawyer. Haw! Haw! Hoo-pee! ain’t that so, Cain.”...

After closing the door of Cainsford’s office, Greggson turned, and clinching both big fists, shook them furiously, as he hissed, “You d— skunk, you selfopinionated blow-hard, I’ll be even with you yet, and d— you, don’t you forget it.”

Greggson’s face at this moment was horrible to look upon,—so convulsed was it with hate, so cruelty vindictive.

As they went down the stair he said with a snarl, “Look-a-here, Teary, if I don’t take the cackle out of that rooster inside three months, you may call Anee Greggson a d chump. I know him through and through. I’ll teach...

When Cainsford returned he was accompanied by a lad of about twelve or fourteenyears of age. “Look here, Tomkins,” he remarked, “I do not want to be obliged to lock this office during business hours. If you cannot be here when wanted I'll certainly get someone who can.”

The boy hung his head, as he murmured, “I did not think I was so long away.”

Cainsford cut him short with the question, “Do you know the man who is building on the corner of Market and James streets?”

“Yes, sir,” was the answer.

“What is his name?”

“Webster, Sir.”

“That...

Cainsford was not surprised when he received Webster’s answer, for that gentleman had told him the day he applied for the loan that he required the money at once. He noticed, however, that his office boy Tomkins seemed somewhat disconcerted when questioned concerning his interview with Webster. He put it down to the fact that he had scolded him the day before, and thought nothing more about it.

Shortly before this Cainsford’s services had been secured for the defence in a burglary case. There was strong circumstantial evidence against the accused. After hearing the latter’s story, Cainsford believed in his...

For some time after Mrs. Murphy left him, Cainsford stood leaning against the dingy wall. The Irish woman had come upon him so unexpectedly, had been so earnest in her protestations of gratitude, so sincere in her assertions that she would pray for him, that he had been completely taken aback, and did not recover from his surprise until she had dropped his hand and disappeared. He blamed himself for his apparent apathy, and murmured aloud:

“Why the mischief did I not tell the poor woman that I had only done what was decent and right, and that the fact...

Ever since the morning Customs Officer Greggson had intercepted the message intended for Mr. Webster, Toney Tomkins had been a very unhappy boy. Oh, how often he wished Greggson had not seen him that morning. How he wished that he had refused the silver dollar. He had never been really happy since that morning. Even when he used the skates he bought with the money, he did not have much fun. and now the ice was gone and he could not use them.

We must say in Toney Tomkins favor that it was more fear of Greggson than desire for...

The two days following Mr. Pratt’s call were busy days for Cainsford. He visited the Registry office, consulted Bradstreet, made some inquiries, and decided that Greggson had certainly told the truth when he stated that Pratt could furnish gilt-edge security. He also decided that it was kind and thoughtful of Greggson to send Mr. Pratt to him for the loan.

“I guess,” said he to himself, “old Gregg is better than he looks. I must not bear him illwill.

Cainsford followed George Littlejohn’s instructions implicitly, making out the papers in Nora Dean's favor. As he wrote her name he remembered...

The party left the restaurant forthwith, arm in arm, Greggson and Stancy leading the way. They were in great spirits. They whispered and laughed as they walked along. Greggson appeared to be giving his companion particular instructions. When they neared the Royal Exchange he raised his voice a little, and said emphatically, “you do as I say, Teary, and you’ll wear diamonds. Leave the pack with the red string in the bar with Bill. When we need ‘em they’ll come up by the dumb waiter, as innocent as lambs; cute as crazy Chris is, he can’t tumble, no, by — not...

From the time Greggson placed the four aces on the table, till Cainsford’s fury burst forth, he and Stancy sat as if frozen, and while unable to move, were compelled by some irresistible power to watch the battle of emotions as mirrored in Cainsford’s twitching face and fiery eyes. When the final frenzy came upon him, Greggson, as we said, sprang behind big Ned, quaking with fear.

What about Stancy, what did he do? He was fearfully frightened, but oh, so busy—quickly—quietly—stealthily busy. What doing? Oh, just shoving the big piles of money into his clothes. He...

It was on a beautiful afternoon of early summer, in the month of June in the year 18—, when the sun had got about three-quarters of the way down his western ladder, that a horse, waggon and man appeared at the summit of a long hill on the York Road.

As the driver allows his beast to stop, they are strongly outlined against the bright western sky, making a singular, but not unpleasing picture. A stranger would be at a loss to guess what the long, black, coffin-like box, mounted on four wheels, was for. It is well and...

When they arrived at Merryvale it was quite dark, and Cainsford had been persuaded to accompany Jock the balance of the way to Darkton after they got supper.

As they drove up to Jordon’s hotel, Jock advised his passenger to go in and give his order, while he (Jock) put up the mare. This Cainsford did and Jock drove Bess across the street to the hotel shed, selecting the darkest corner. It seemed odd, for already the lightest part was in deep shadow. After tying her, Jock removed the bit from the mare’s mouth, then stood very still listening intently....

It was late when Jock and his passenger started They had ten miles to drive, but the road was good and Bess jogged along willingly, well fed for once. Jock’s tongue wagged from the start. He had taken a great liking to Cainsford. No wonder, for hadn’t he saved him from big Larry, and got him out of a disgraceful mess. Jock appreciated the kindness, and awkwardly thanked his benefactor, vowing, again and again, to be his true friend for evermore, and also promised to help him out if he ever got in a scrape. Jock meant what he said,...

After thirty-five years of earnest, conscientious service, Rev. Jeremiah Cainsford decided to superannuate from the ministry. He determined to cease cative work before there was a chance of his being called an old fogie, and after giving the matter much earnest thought he concluded that Darkton was the most suitable place in which to take up his abode. We will mention some of the most important reasons which led to this decision.

“The town was close to Lake Ontario. There were a number of old and tried friends residing at Darkton, who urged him to come. There were good schools....

Lake View Cottage, the name given the new home by Florence Cainsford, an only daughter, possessed two acres of land, roomy out-buildings, a thrifty orchard, lots of small fruit, a good garden, etc.

As we have said, the family came to Darkton in the early part of June, and as Chris would not start school till after summer holidays, he had considerable time for work around the place, and there was plenty to keep him busy. He was not averse to hard work, and believed that if a thing was worth doing, it was worth doing well, and always set...

Chris Cainsford had had earnest longings for a chance to go out in one of the fishing boats. Imagine what his feelings were when he saw them racing at close range. He begged Jock to introduce him to the Deacons, father and son, entreating him at the same time to bespeak his chance to go out at an early date.

When the fish were removed from the Widewave to the weigh house, and the crowd had dispersed, Jock went about doing as requested with a great show of importance. He first introduced Chris to old Mr. Deacon.

“This young feller,”...

It did not take Chris and Dummy long to arrange for their first trip to haul gill nets, but as this interesting and sometimes dangerous occupation has little to do with the leading events of our simple narrative, we will merely state briefly that Chris was on hand bright and early on the day in question, and his experiences were even more enjoyable than he anticipated. On the way home he was allowed to steer the Widewave, bringing a climax to his pleasure. He took to sailing as a duck takes to water, and this was only the first of...

When school opened, Chris was on hand the first day. He had to run the gauntlet, as every spirited lad has, when he first becomes a member of a large school and had frequent misunderstandings with his companions, which brought the fierce light to his eyes, and established the name of “Crazy Chris,” but he was generally liked, however, and made many friends. The two most familiar were Frank Allgood and Corkie Blizard. The three lads became great chums. Dummy Deacon, of course, did not attend school, but he and Chris were together very frequently.

During the winter there was...

Chris had removed the ducks, and with a thrill of pride was admiring them when Mrs. Ryan, a widow, from whom he rented space in the boathouse, rushed to him ringing her hands, as she shouted hysterically: “Oh, Cainsford, Cainsford, that there cockle shell will leave you in a watery grave yet, so it will, but for mercy’s sake look away down the bay! Do you see that brown thing about the middle beyond the lower dock?”

“Yes,” was the reply, “I see something, but what is it, Mrs. Ryan?”

“Oh, my God, it’s my nephew, Anee Greggson, what brought...

After their Matriculation, Chris Cainsford and Frank Allgood left Darkton and started college life. During the four busy years that have passed, our two friends have been more or less intimately associated, and now we find them occupying the same boarding house. Frank still attending college, Chris articled as clerk to a prominent law firm.

Although they do not move in exactly the same set, their friendship is stronger than ever. They’ are very unlike in general appearance and just as dissimilar in general character. Strange that they love and respect each other as they do. Frank admires the handsome,...

With a fierce, prolonged hiss of air brakes, and a warning clang of her bell, “Old Firefly” stopped and stood quietly throbbing in front of the low-roofed station at Latchford. Her long, shining steel body gave forth a trembling shimmer of heat, while the angry rush of escaping steam told how impatient the great one-eyed monster was to rush on.

The driver of this hot, ponderous-wheeled horse signed his name Wm. Bonter, but was better known as “Lightning Bilty,” because of his well-deserved record for making fast time. He claimed that “No. 619” was the speediest engine on the Grand...

As the inanimate form of poor Cainsford was being borne to a private ward at the lower end of the hospital, a golden-haired nurse, in snow-white uniform, stepped into the hall. Her face paled a little as her large eyes rested on the helpless body as it passed, carried so tenderly. She noticed with a sort of wonder that the face of each bearer gave unmistakeable signs of intense grief. Strange, thought she, that three men so very unlike in personal appearance, should be associated thus, and each evidently suffering a sorrow too deep for words. They certainly must love...

Shortly before eight o’clock, Thursday morning, May 29th, 18—, Mr. L. R. Pratt could be seen making his way down the main street of L—. Still puffing and perspiring, he rounded too in front of the lower entrance to lawyer Cainsford’s office, which he found locked. Then an ominous frown appeared on his round red face.

As he looked about him he noticed a group of men and boys talking mysteriously, and pointing up at Cainsford’s windows.

“Anybody know where the young lawyer feller is?” shouted Mr. Pratt, in his shrill voice.

The crowd turned on him a...

After Jock Quiggley’s collision, he buttoned his coat clear to the chin, and waddled up the street looking at store windows as he went. Gent’s Furnishings, he spelled on one.

“Guess this is about the suitablest place for me,” and he entered the store.

“Do ye sell shirts here?” he enquired of a clerk who was opening up for the day’s business.

“Yes, sir,” was the reply. “What kind and size, sir.”

“Oh, a done-up one, ave course, with a big sized neck.”

The clerk smiled as he opened box after box.

Finally Jock made his selection, then asked with...

Ned Barlow’s arrest came about in this way. A chambermaid, while doing up her morning’s work at the Royal Exchange Hotel, heard a peculiar noise in the large room on the upper flat, the door of which stood slightly ajar. She pushed it open, and caught sight of Greggson’s sprawling form and bloody face, then throwing up her hands she uttered a piercing shriek, and fied from the room, down stairs to the clerk, telling in frightened tones, that a man had been murdered in room No. 9.

Her shrill scream partly roused big Ned, who was sleeping off his...

Towards evening of the fourth day after his terrible injury, Cainsford’s attentive nurse having lifted his limp hand gently, was feeling the wrist for his pulse when there was a quiver of the eye-lids. A faint sigh escaped from parted lips; another tremble of the lids, then the large lusterless eyes gazed up at the nurse, with vague inquiry.

This was the first sign of returning consciousness, and only lasted a few moments, till again he sank into his former stupor, but the nurse gladly informed Dr. Allgood of the occurrence.

From this time the flashes of returning consciousness became...

From the day of George Littlejohn’s visit, Cainsford improved rapidly, and was soon able to take long walks. Dr. Allgood had established himself permanently at L—, already he was a general favorite, and had secured quite a practice. He looked after Cainsford with assiduous care, and at last consented to allow him to return to business.

As Cainsford was about to leave the hospital, the doctor called Nurse Dean and requested her to bid their troublesome patient good-bye. Then laughing his quiet laugh, hurried away with great strides, leaving nurse and patient alone and facing each other. As their...

Time rolls on, and we will now ask the reader to accompany Dr. Frank Allgood, as he hurries down the main street of L—. It is the evening of the fourth anniversary of Chris and Nora’s wedding. Little change is noticeable in the good doctor’s appearance. He is a trifle less gaunt, perhaps, but his strides are just as long, and his feet just as large as they were four years ago, when he wishes God’s speed to the handsome couple as they sailed away. He has just returned from a two weeks’ visit to his boyhood home, and...

You may be sure Dr. Allgood did not come emptyhanded on that anniversary evening, but brought presents for all. Among the many was a large, clear, glass allie. In its centre, with extended wings, was poised the form of a white dove. This allie seemed to please Helen most of all, and it was a mystery to her how the dove got inside the glass. After asking many questions, she started to roll it across the carpeted floor; and while her parents and Dodo, as she called her tall friend, are talking of old times, she and Pilot are doing...

About six months after the occurrences recorded in last chapter, lawyer Cainsford won a very important suit in which certain American capitalists were deeply interested. For weeks previous to the hearing of the case Cainsford had been so absorbed it that he worked almost day and night. Of course, the mental strain was very great. When at length the law suit was brought to a termination, and won a decision in favor of his American clients, the young lawyer was much gratified.

During the four and a half years of married life his business had developed and prospered exceedingly. However,...

Cainsford quickly discovered that his tenacious enemy, “Passion for play,” had only been slumbering. No sooner had his strong armour of total abstinence been removed than it came upon him. The tempting sparkling wine had disarmed him, leaving him helpless before the fierce onslaught of the treacherous monster, which was now wide awake. It surged through and filled him with an irresistible craving which carried all before it. He could not rally his forces to offei even a weak resistance before he was down. It seemed as though, during the five years of his enemy’s comparative subjugation, it had been...

The next morning Cainsford’s New York friends did not meet him in the bar as usual. He was, therefore, obliged to drink alone, and needed it badly. He had carelessly been breaking physical as well as moral law. The fierce excitement of play and heavy drinking had already left their stamp upon his handsome face and manly form. Even after repeated glasses of his favorite brandy and soda, he still felt weak and shaky, and was not entirely free from the benumbing effects caused by the occurrences of the previous night, nor did he yet fully realize his position.

After...

For some time after Nora had gone her husband sat still, listening. When he thought sufficient time had elapsed for her to be undressed and in bed, he looked around stealthily, drew the four-ounce bottle from his pocket, gave it a shake and whispered: “I feel that horrible depression and those wretched cramps stealing over me again and must have another bracer.”

Then uncorking the bottle, he placed it to his trembling lips and took a small swallow. Having carefully returned it to the inside breast pocket of his coat he tried to read, but his eyes burned so that...

Yes, beautiful, bright, loving little Helen was dead. The gentle sweet-voiced singer had gone to join an angel choir.

We will not attempt to depict Nora Cainsford’s heart-breaking sorrow; Dr. Allgood’s lonely sadness; nor Maggie Murphy’s demonstrative grief; but ask the reader to accompany a tall, bare-headed, wild-eyed man as he rushes through the windy darkness, closely followed by a large, long-haired dog. If it were not so terribly dark, one could see that the dog limps as he lopes along close to the flying footsteps of his master’s unbooted feet.

Chris Cainsford had fled from the room where lay...

On gently rising ground close to the majestic St. Lawrence, and overlooking its blue waters, can be found a quiet grave-yard which is both hallowed and historic. It lies quite close to the highway, and not far from the busy town of P—.

One summer afternoon a funeral procession could be seen slowly driving through the rustic entrance gate to this peaceful spot, and here close to the graves of her grandparents, (Nora’s mother and father), little Helen Cainsford was buried, a more appropriate place for the long silent sleep could not be found.

A lovely spot indeed, over...

“Well, Jake, what do you make her out to be?” shouted Captain Sherman to his first mate, big Jake Simmons, who was clamoring down the rigging of theTranchemontagne,a large schooner, as she was humming along merrily under a great cloud of canvas, headed across Lake Ontario for Oswego.

“It’s purty hard to tell exactly,” was Jake’s answer, “but she’s a small yacht, carryin’ about a seventy-five yard main sail, and no jib, for it’s blowed to bits. I think she’s in a purty bad shape; acts as though she might be half full of water, and her peak’s...

After arranging for the unloading of his vessel and attending to various other duties, Captain Sherman visited his rescued passenger. The first thing he noticed upon entering the cabin was a pair of glowing orbs shining in the gloom close to the bedside. He spoke kindly to the silent watcher, then listening to the heavy breathing of the man, whispered to himself: “The poor chap must have been greatly exhausted, but if that sleep continues during the night, it will do him great good.” Then with another kindly word for the dog, the good Captain went to the fore part...

Were the prayers of a forsaken wife and her husband’s faithful friend ever answered? If we could have seen what Mrs. Frederick Allen saw on a bright summer’s evening, nearly three years after the fervent supplications were offered, we would have said, “No, and they never can be now, for the subject of those prayers is sunken too low, has become too degraded, ever to be reclaimed.”

What did Mrs. Allen see? Oh, only a big, bloated, besotted, ragged, red-faced, tangle-haired tramp, sitting on a log by the roadside, binding up the paw of a large, long, silky-eared, white-breasted Setter...

During the dog’s performance, Mrs. Allen and her brother had been interested spectators, and were about to step from their elevated position when the tramp made the following announcement:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, while Pilot is securing the needful, I will endeavor to entertain you for a few moments by playing this dusty fiddle, which was given me by a dear friend. You need not laugh, he was a much better man than I, and taught me what little I know about violin music. The kind gentleman set great store by this instrument, and used it for many years. I am...

“Haw! haw! haw! Hello, Patsey! Where did you get the jag? Where did you find the man? Who owns the dog? By jove, but he’s a beauty. You certainly must be smuggling Patsey Farrol.”

“Troth, your mishtaken, intoirly, Mr. Fitz. Onless ye do be callin’ it smugglin’ to be carryin’ a dhrop too much yankee whuskey, which same hes tangled up both me and me frind a wee bit, jist whatye’d notice.”

The hearty laugh came from a fine-looking, grey haired customs officer in uniform. The abrupt questions were addressed to a thick-set, red-faced jolly-looking man, wearing a check tweed...

The morning Lawyer Cainsford left the cabin of the schoonerTranchemontagne,three years previous to the day Patsy Farrol heard a tramp fiddler play, and saw his dog perform, he decided to adopt the name of Tomkins.

During the long conversation which had taken place between Captain Sherman and himself, after their mutual recognition, he informed the latter, among other things, that he had not the slightest idea of how he came to be five miles south of the Gap in a sinking sail boat on the morning of his rescue. All he could remember was the fact that he...

Never more blue was the water, never more pure was the sky, never more gay were the wavelets and careless in innocent glee, than the next morning when God’s sunshine peeped over the distant purple hills and sent its glancing light across the majestic St. Lawrence, leaving in its path myriads of dancing sparkling ripples, like diamonds indued with life. As it reached the Canadian shore it touched the trees with its magic wand and they burst into brilliant golden green, which wakened their feathery lodgers to gladness and song. The flowers too seemed to rouse and nod a sweet...

“See here, Mrs. Cainsford, I do think you stay in too closely. Why, you have scarcely been out of the house since you came, and now that Bessie is so much better you might just as well take a walk every day. Please, go now, the early morning air will do you all sorts of good. It is so delightfully fresh and balmy. It would be a shame to miss it.”

These words of advice were addressed to a goldenhaired nurse in uniform by Custom Officer Fitz. As she listened, the lady smiled somewhat sadly, and although a glance at...

About the same time Tomkins was wakened by the golden sunbeam, Patsey Farrol was roused by the soft whinney of his brown horse which stood waiting patiently at the stable door out at the farm, Patsey yawned, stretched himself, and while looking about with blinking, bleary eyes, muttered: “Bedad, Prince, but ye’er a koind, diver lad, so yiz are, to have brung ye’er ould toired masther safe home be ye’er lone and niver disthurbed me paceful slape, at all, at all. Arrah, but it’s the proud man Oi am to be the owner ave sich a sinseible craythur as yersilf...

Before entering the room Pilot had looked through the hall window and noticed a dapple grey horse and phaeton carriage approaching, driven by a sturdylooking old gentleman. We do not know what the dog's thoughts were, but he immediately pushed through the door, which stood slightly ajar, and in doing so left it invitingly open, then took up his station at his master’s side. Pilot’s expression, like that of his mistress, seemed to have undergone some mysterious change. There was a joyous light in the rich depths of his honest luminous eyes, and as his master stroked and patted his...

Exactly four years and six months from the memorable day upon which Chris Cainsford gave his promise and sealed his vow, Lightning Billy Bonter, who was now one of the trusted drivers on the great C. P. Railway, having brought his passenger train, called the Cannon Ball, safely through his portion of the run from the East, to a Western city near the coast, and having thirty minutes to wait, left his engine in charge of the fireman and sauntered down the platform. He seemed a little surprised when he noticed a very tall man wearing a silk hat, a...