CHAPTER IV.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VIII, Issue 1, 1 April 1903, Page 36

CHAPTER IV.

Timothy opened the gate of the enchanted garden and walked boldly in. The Dragon was standing at the end of the path. Timothy looked about sharply for Miss Cray ley. Supposing this was a plot icatch him ! Supposing she pounced out from behind one of the many shrubs with a rope in her hand, and the Dragon held him while she bound him ! He held himself in readiness for flight. But nothing, half to his disappointment, happened. The Dragon, whistling softly, and with his head a little on one side, was contemplating the flowers in his hand. It was a real good bunch, Timothy decided at once. Nothing mean about it. All the best flowers and some pretty feathery grasses. The Dragon scrutinized his face with. Iquite unneces-

sary severity, Timothy thought. lie wore his most innocent expression, and the Dragon's countenance relaxed.

" Here are the flowers you were promised/ he said. " Lor !" said Timothy, as he took them with both grubby hands. " They is nice. Won't she like 'em ! Good-bye !" lie said, and his tone was almost respectful.

Purposely late for school, Timothy created a sensation by entering the class-room with that glorious bouquet. Twenty pairs of eyes gazed at him in mingled horror and admiration. Timothy had surpassed himself. Never, even in the pre-Dragon days had any member of that class robbed the enchanted garden so successfully. Conscious of the glory of his position Timothy advanced confidently on his bare feet.

Miss Wildon, with her back to him, was bending over a refractory sum on a boy's slate. But something in the air — an electric thrill of something unusual in the hush of the class — made her turn round. A shaft of sunlight gleamin^ through the open window lit up Timothy's figure and fell on the deep glowing heart of a red rose among the flowers in his hand.

" Timothy Haggart \" said Miss Wildon, sternly, and then her voice fell helplessly. " Oh, Timothy, what have you done V

Her eyes filled with unmistakable tears. Timothy was torn by conflicting emotions. If he revealed the fact that the flowers were a gift, he ceased to be a hero to his companions ; but if he did not Miss Wildon would grieve in thinking lie had stolen them. A nice quandary for a mere ragamuffin to find himself in.

" Come with me a moment, Timothy/ she said, and led him out of the room into the porch. She closed the door on the eager eyes of the class.

'"Timothy," she said, "tell me, at once, where you got those flowetrs. I a^k because Miss Cray-

ley has spoken to me of you." Her kind grey eyes met his brown ones searchingly. "Do you think, Timothy, that lovely as these flowers are, I would care to have them if you have not come by them honourably ?" Timothy found the situation so bad that he spoke the truth and shamed— his teacher. " Ga'rn \" he said, resentfully, " I never done nothing. The fellow what stays at Miss Cray ley's give 'em to me." Miss Wildon 's eyes widened and darkened as they had a trick of doing when she was interested. ." Mr Crayley gave them to you V she said incredulously. " What for ?" " For you," said Timothy, with simplicity. Miss Wildon's face flushed, and she breathed quickly. There was a short pause. The scent of the flowers filled the porch and floated out into the sunshine. A wandering bee flew in, and Miss Wildon flapped at it delicately with her handkerchief. Then she said, gravely : ' " You must tell me what you mean, Timothy ?" Timothy summoned up all his faculties to meet this demand upon them. " I were fishm' yesterday," he said slowly, " and I met Mr Crayley, and he sez, sez he, ' If I catch you playing tally again T'll inform yer parents !' sez he." " Good gracious !" exclaimed Miss Wildon, with irresistible curiosity, " how very " and then she cliecked herself. " And then," continued Timothy, " T tells him 'ow you wouldn't say much to me, though you'd be sorry enough, and I sez, 'if I 'ad some

flowers for her, she'd like it bully,' and he sez, sez lie, ' Come round tomorrer and I'll give you a buncn,' and he did, 'and here they are." Timothy considered he had done well — spoken the truth— mainly, and concealed the part that that goodnatured Dragon had played in his absence of yesterday. He looked up, and then turned crimson wilh astonishment through, all his tan. Miss Wildon bent and kissed him. Timothy felt stunned for a moment, and then with the instinct of his sex to conceal emotion, he repeated in a constrained tone, " Here they are." Miss Wildon took them this time. " Poor old man !" she said gaily, rumpling his curls as she spoke, " Poor little Timothy ! I am so sorry I doubted you. You must forgive me this time. And now come with me, and I will put you right with the class." But Timothy caught hold of her skirt as she was moving. " Don't you say nothing !" he implored. " 1 don't want any more fuss. If they sees you with the flowers it will be all right for me." He looked so anxious that Miss Wildon, though puzzled, promised to let the matter drop. Resisting an inclination to walk in on his head and hands, Timothy followed her into the room and took his seat. Miss Wildon placed the flowers in water, and put them on the mantelpiece. Once as she passed them f:he buried her little nose in them delightedly. Timothy was regarded with awe and respect and some envy. His prestige as a rogue had not suffered, and he maintained a reserved silence annoying to his companions.

(to be continued )