CHAPTER XIV.

Otago Witness, Issue 1967, 5 November 1891, Page 37

CHAPTER XIV.

Donald Makes Good Suggestions. In the breakfast room next morning the waiting maid says upon Donald's appearance there : " Please, sir, the young ladies say will you please excuse them. They are not rising early this morning." " Very good, bring in the coffee." And he sits down in contentment to his breakfast and newspaper. Don't blame him. Haven't 3 ou, my dear Brown, occasionally felt a sense of relief when the " missus " has excused herself from the breakfast table ? Domestic intercourse, when prolonged far into the night, may with advantage be relaxed in the morning. Evidently the absence of his Bisters by no means depressed Forester. He was a good man of business, some say, and that Friday he seems to hare had more than he could get through, for in the- afternoon he wrote a most affectionate little note to Francie, telling her it would be impossible for him to spend the evening with her as he had intended, and she was so much disappointed when she read it.. But that evening, instead of working in his office, he paced the

Balcony of his club alone with his thoughts and cigar. And constantly an importunate thought kept harping on one string— "Donald, that little thorn had better be picked out before it gets further in. Pick it out 1 Pick it out." Bat Donald only shook his head. „,.., Now, the following evening Donald betook himself to No. 9 Cairn street with such a lovely bouquet. It must have cost ever such a wicked price. It half spoilt the nosegay for Frances, for the poor were sometimes in her thoughts. The poor it was so impossible to help with nothing but kind wishes and compassionate feelings only. She greatly admired his bouquet, but told Donald she thought she loved wild flowers beet of all. During the evening Donald imparted the pleasing information that he had already come to terms with a picture-dealer, and if she would - undertake two water-colours of popular subjects from which prints might be struck, she should have 20gs apiece for them. Frances could hardly believe her ears. £20 in a lump sum for any work of hers I It was magnificent. " I've struck upon a regular old trump— ' fiklnd of old 'Cheeryble Bros.' rolled into one." " Have you really 7 What's his name 7 " " His name 7 A. Smith— Smith and Sons, 29 Bric-a-brac street, E.G." " I don't believe there is such a street in all London." "Bless the child 1 she thinks she knows the hundredth part of our streets." "I know a great manj." ' Then Donald looks through her portfolios, selecting the worst he can find (he knows the state of the' market so well) ; he rolls them up, carefully tying them. He will find out what old " Green-away " will give for these to-morrow. "Green - away I I thought you said « Smith ' just now." "Ah, yes I but I have another firm in my mind; it won't do to put all our eggs into one basket," - Frances couldn't see why she might not negotiate personally with such amiable tradespeople, being vain enough, little woman, perhaps to fancy that personal dealing might be even more advantageous. Donald quenches the idea at once. Messrs Smith and Sons and old Green-away in common with many delightful people had their peculiarities. They bad no confidence in the artistic pretensions of the weaker sex. He doubted whether they would purchase work from fair fingers. " You know " he said " I've no objection to them thinking they are my work. They know I used to dabble with paint and brushes ; besides, you must keep your promise, little woman, and let me manage, or I shan't be pleased." So she did as bidden. The consequence was that in a few days came by post an acknowledgment of pictures received to the value of £15, and that for the most awful little daubs in the world, Frances says. She was elated, and thought Donald a wonderful agent. No marvel that his own business was so successful 1 Now, this first £15 must be thoroughly enjoyed. Julia must have £5 to do what she liked with it, and little Nipps must have one, and the rest would quite pay up their lodging account and leave a margin for herself.' What a blessed old £15 it was, to be sure! Steady occupation, most punctual payments, no debts, no music lessons. Wasn't it a comfort. Julia' of course felt it a personal anxiety, a worry, as she said, that Frances without advice from anyone should act in such an ecoentric manner, and alasl it was so like Frances. She found a little solace in talking it over with the Misses Forester, who sympathised with her in so many ways, yet, strange to say, entirely approved of Frances' conduct in this respect, and greatly admired her pride and perseverance. Many young girls in her circumstances would have been in haste to marry. And they felt almost reconciled to hen now that the mar--riage was put off indefinitely. Why, in the meantime something might occur — who knows 7 Miss Dale, too, succeeded in holding the much-desired consultation with Donald in his office, accompanied by her legal adviser (an old friend of ponald's to whom he had confided his plans beforehand); and at his recommendation she gave up to Donald all her late father's papers, an act she did not fail to be sufficiently anxious about, for ••After all was it wise to give up without any acknowledgment such valuable papeis?" she repeated perpetually. Frances, who knew the papers were worth nothing, merely gaid " Fudge ; " but she had no " feelings."