THE HECTOR AND THE. SOULS

Bush Advocate, Volume XVIII, Issue 489, 15 August 1906, Page 2

THE HECTOR AND THE. SOULS

Tly Charles Eilwnrdo.-i. JMr Shirley ITawkes wan (51 and a bachelor ; ami he had been Rector of Glin for 27 years. lie had a large Roman noso.. a mirthful mouth, eyes that his parishioners of irregular habits did not like to hold intercourse with, aud a rather full red face. Until five years ago he waa fond of hunting, but he had come to the conclusion that souls were more his concern than foxes. Ho collected old English coins, gold and silver. They were his one emphatic earthly weakness. But the soule of his parishioners were, if it may be eaid, his passion. This March evening, as he walked home from Red Lane corner, he was thinking of three souls. One or two others also as contingent entities, yet only in so far ac they touched the prominent three. He had been to ccc Dick Gable, Lord Broby's head gamekeeper, and Polly Gable had accompanied him part of the way back to the rcctorj'. She had asked if she might say something to him. He almost guessed what was coming from her rosy lips. lie had watched the growing- interest in her of young Tom Farmer, oi' the- Claypits, and was delighted to think that he also discovered traces in Polly herself of a reciprocal interest. But he knew well how conscientious a maiden Polly was. She had two years ago fervently given her heart to Colin Evans, the- disappointing son of Mr 6 Evans, the widow at Holly Cottage, on the other side of Gliu. There was nothing to wonder at in that. Colin was the kind of handsome, curly-headed daredevil to win the heart of a simple girl like Polly. He and Jude Gable, Polly's only brother, were associates in alt manner of mischief in those days, and Jiide was naturally very much Colin's friend with his sister. It looked like ripening hito a marriage, and so it might have done if Colin's motlied had died and left hes, son the little fortune she possessed. At least, the Rector somewhat generously thought so. He believed juat such a steadying shock was required to save Colin Evans, but instead of that Colin had suddenly disappeared from Glin (leaving an unpaid score at the Broby Arms, and much else of the kind), and even hie mother and Polly had had no communication from him since. This was a mystery the Rector had tried hard to fathom. He had his visions about it, but these he kept to himself. And these particular visions of his were rather fostered than checked by the vanishing of Judc Gable himself, six months after Colin. Broby Hall was entered burglariously about that time, and a few hundred pounds' worth of jewels carried off. I?o qne seemed to connect the crime with Jude Gable. Nevertheless, old Dick, the gamekeeper, had broken down sadly in health afterwards, and, well, the Rector fancied he saw death in his brown and haggard face this very March day of his viisit to the poor fellow. Polly Gable's confession to the Rector in the leafless lanes was so sweetly naive that the Rector could not help smiling. It was in the main an exposure of heart, not conscience. Sbo didn't know what to do, and would Mr Hawkes be pleased to advise her? Tom farmer had proposed to her twice in the last fortnight; the first time coming home from church, and again at her father's garden gate. He had said he would never love any other lass so long as he aud she lived, and he had called Colin Evans "that scoundrel." '"Don't say you still think of that scoundrel, Polly," he had conjured her; and Polly now wanted the Rector to tell her what she ought to do. "Why, marry Tom Farmer, to be sure, my dear, and praise God for a good husband," the Rector had replied promptly, when Polly and her blushes made this appeal. "But, sir," protested Polly, "supposing Colin comes homer" Continued on page 3.

The scow May has been hauled off the beach at Tokoruaru, and is being towed to Gisborne. The Maori population of Taranaki is 3090. of whom 9(37 are under 15 years of age. In 1896 the figures were 3i|l7 and SG2 respectively. Mr A. Maclcay, J.P., to-day had the honour of presiding at the first sitting of the Court held in the new buiiding, when he convicted and discharged a person accused of drunkenness. Those at Weber who are desirous of obtaining a resident doctor, are meeting in the schoolnouse next Saturday. August 18th, at 7.30, when it is confidently believed that a list of substantial guarantors will be filled up, and the iirst step taken towards the desired end. In our Saturday's issue the wrong date was appended, which vre now correct.

A London cable announces the death of Mrs Craigie, better known as "John Oliver Hobbes," the well-known novelist, who was found dead in bed. A Sydney cable states that the quotations for the best butter is Is Id per lb— the highest price obtained for three years. A Reuter telegram states it is reported at Constantinople that the Porte has instructed the Governor of Tripoli to stop the expedition despatched in the Janet. J Mr McGowan returned to Wellington this morning by the express train, and ! was fare welled at the station by Mr ; Hall, MH.E,, his Worship the Mayor,' and several leading citizens. .■:■■•• Owing to fhe inclement weather there was only a poor attendance at the annual "meeting of the Norse wood tennis Club called for last evening, and it was decided to adjourn to Monday nextj the 20th inst. Good progress is being made with the formation of the roads and the erection of the gates at the entrance to the Hospital, and given fine weather they should be completed in the course of a week or so. At the banquet last evening Mr W. Rose pointed out that the Court work had now greatly increased in the district, and he brought under the notice of the Hod. McGowan the fact that a proportionate increase in the salary of the clerk had not been made. That officer, Mr Rose said, was thoroughly efficient, and his services were deserving of full recognition. Mr Rose also referred to the necessity for an increase in the number of Justices.