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Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1372, 13 August 1895, Page 7

[corYßionT.] MICHT VERSUS RIGHT. [TWO IjrsriLMENTS APPEAR IX THIS DAY'S ISSUE.] BY JULIA HACK, Author of " Th' Boggart o' th' Mill," "GlenGordon," 4'c CHAPTER IX,—(Continued.) ' Bertie was dawdling about the garden, with his hands in his pockets. At sight of Sam Dodd he quickened his steps. " Hullo, Sam!" he ci'ied, " your bird's flown." "So 1 find," said Sam. " Betty tells me she has gone out with Mary. Why didn't you go?" "I ? Oh, well, I didn't care to go," replied Bertie, colouring. "No doubt you have plenty to think about." responded Sam. "Have you decided upon your school ? " Bertie's face lighted up. He linked his arm in Sam's confidentially. "Well, I wanted to go to Rugby or 'Harrow, but Mollie thinks Winchester, because father was there. What do you think, Sam?" '< " I think Winchester will do first-rate," replied Sam, with a sly smile. " Let's hope they'll turn you out just such another genius as your father. Of course, you mean to go in for a scholarship ? " ' " Could I, do you think ? " asked his face beaming with delight. "Mollie says I shall find myself behind other boys of my age. It is such a disadvantage beginning school so late." " Oh, nonsense !" answered Sam ;" that applies only to boys of ordinary capacity.. A talented young fellow like yon will soon get ahead of the others." Bertie was far too much intoxicated with visions of future triumph to observe the mockery which gleamed in Sam's eyes and curled his thin, well-cut lips. The dose of flattery was strong enough for the present occasion, Sam thought, so he dropped his thinly-veiled air of sarcasm, and became grave. "Tell me, Bertie," he said, earnestly. " did your father speak to Elsie, after I left him this morning ? " " Ye*. He went to her in the diningroom," replied the boy, "but I don't know .what he said." ; " What she said is more to the point," said Sam, impatiently. " Come, Bertie, I 'know you are my friend! Tell me what you know." >: " Indeed, yon may rely upon me," replied f 'Bertie, impulsively; " I'll do anything for ■you, Sam; you know how anxious I am for Elsie to marry you, and so is Mollie." • j! This w.is good news. "Has Elsie said nothing to Mai'y, then ? " asked Sam, anxiously. •'Not a word. Isn't it odd of her? And she said hardly anything to father; he told Mary so." "What did he tell Mary?" persisted Sam. " I want to know exactly. Come, Bertie!" But Bertie did not seem very willing to tell. He coloured and looked uncomfortable. "Go on," said Sam, trying to smile. "Never mind if it is uncomplimentary; one must expect a few kicks." " Oh, it's nothing very bad," replied Bertie, laughing. " Father said that Elsie seemed very confused and agitated, and he thought she had been worrying herself about something he said the other day. I believe he had called you a dandy, and so she thought he did not like you. Of course, he set that right directly." ". Was that all?" asked Sam, eagerly. ' "AH, except thaffshe said she had not yet made up her mind. But father thinks she means to say Yes, and so does Mollie. She says " Bertie stopped in sudden confusion. \ " Speak up, lad," said Sam, laughing. & Remember what I said aboutthe kicks." 1 " Well, it really is horrid," replied Bertie, blushing. "Girls are so silly, they must always be making fun of some one. Mollie says Elsie and she used to laugh atyouand make jokes—(very rude of them, I call it) —and now she thinks Elsie does not like to tell her she has changed her mind about you—do you see ? " ' "I see," replied Sam, thoughtfully. " Thank you, Bertie, you are a true friend, I cannot say how you have helped me." ' Bertie was amazed. He did not know how completely he had put the key of the situation into Sam's hand, nor how hia revelations would enable that clever schemer to carry out his plot. Elsie was hesitating, and with the whole family on his side, Sam had not much doubt of the result. ' It was quite true. Elsie was hesitating —trying to find out what was her duty. It was wrong to marry a man she did not love, yet was it not a worse wrong to sacrifice Bertie's prospects for the sake of her own happiness ? Moreover, if she did so, what chance of happiness would she have ? She would be miserable whether she married or did not marry, so she might as well secure the well-being of .those she loved. That would be something saved out of the wreck of her life. 1 This was the conclusion Elsie arrived at one evening, after.a long hour of thought and prayer. She went down into the drawing-room, feeling happier and more peace with herself. The unrest of inde'siaion was over. Her mind wap made up. ' ! Mary looked up as she entered the room. She was busy, as usual, over a , of mending. " Oh, Elsie," she said, ,"I am glad you have come down. Do look at these shirts of father's; is it possible tc mend them again ? " " They are very bad, certainly," replied Elsie, thoughtfully. Ah! how sweet if twould be to supply the wants of that deai .father. '"} " They have had fresh collars and wristibanfts, already," continued Mary, "and [now look at the sleeves. Really, fathei should no.t lean upon his elbows." "We cannot afford to indulge ouj ;elbows,"said Elsie, with a smile she vainl v fried to mate cheerful. "Never mind I'ioliie, we'll patch them up again." * "Why do you bother?" asked Bertie 'lazily. " What a fuss about a few holes ' Bo you suppose the pater will see them t Aa long as there is one hole big enougr - £ov }jis head and two other holes for his arms, he'll be content. What does it auatteri*" ' Bertie was in his favourite attitude—--lounging on the sofa. Elsie looked at liim gravely. Worn-out sh i rts and th readbare garments were trifles compared to poor Bertie's needs. His incipience, hif selfishness, his aimle-s, wasted Ycn.th—were they not all the outcome of poverty ? | Yes, it was well worth the sacrifice. 1 Chapter X. ' Was ewr woman in tlii« humour woo'dP IVaa over woman in this humour won ? ... —Shakebfearb. TJCH to Bertie's surprise, Sam i allowed some days to elapse before ' acain calling at the Vicarage. It was enough for him to know that Elsie was hesitating, and that the combined influence of the little family was exerted in his favour. ' _ r Sam was playing a 'bold game, and its rauccess surprised,himself j but, alter all, FMe was not yet won. Her. fathers