Classic Audiobook Collection - The Money Moon by John Jeffery Farnol ~ Full Audiobook [romance]

Episode Date: October 26, 2023

The Money Moon by John Jeffery Farnol audiobook. Genre: romance When American millionaire George Bellew is left reeling by the news that his beloved Sylvia Marchmont will marry the Duke of Ryde, he does the only thing that makes sense to a man with too much money and no clear purpose: he walks out of London and into the Kentish countryside. With his dryly competent valet Baxter at his heels, Bellew drifts from heartbreak into a world of hedgerows, hop fields, and village characters who measure a man by his conduct rather than his fortune. A chance meeting with an earnest runaway boy, Georgy Porgy (Small Porges), draws Bellew into the boy's impossible quest to find wealth enough to save his proud Aunt Anthea and her threatened home. To keep hope alive, Bellew spins a half-mocking, half-enchanted legend of the Money Moon - a night when the moon turns the color of a golden sovereign, and fortunes might be found by those bold enough to seek them. As the search deepens, Bellew must confront what money can buy, what it cannot, and whether an invented fairy tale can lead to something real. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:01:56) Chapter 02 (00:09:18) Chapter 03 (00:20:28) Chapter 04 (00:28:55) Chapter 05 (00:42:55) Chapter 06 (00:49:52) Chapter 07 (01:06:41) Chapter 08 (01:20:44) Chapter 09 (01:34:25) Chapter 10 (01:45:15) Chapter 11 (02:04:10) Chapter 12 (02:31:10) Chapter 13 (02:41:16) Chapter 14 (03:08:04) Chapter 15 (03:16:13) Chapter 16 (03:22:17) Chapter 17 (03:34:51) Chapter 18 (03:42:30) Chapter 19 (03:57:34) Chapter 20 (04:02:27) Chapter 21 (04:15:38) Chapter 22 (04:21:37) Chapter 23 (04:26:08) Chapter 24 (04:37:21) Chapter 25 (04:42:56) Chapter 26 (04:54:49) Chapter 27 (05:02:32) Chapter 28 (05:08:25) Chapter 29 (05:14:38) Chapter 30 (05:24:58) Chapter 31 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall, Chapter 1, which, being the first, is very properly the shortest chapter in the book. When Sylvia Marchmont went to Europe, George Bellew, being at the same time desirous of testing his newest acquired yacht, followed her, and mutual friends in New York, Newport, and elsewhere, confidently awaited news of their engagement. Great, therefore, was their surprise when they learnt of her approaching marriage to the Duke. of Ride. Bellew, being young and rich, have many friends very naturally, who, while they sympathised with this loss, yet agreed among themselves that, despite Bellew's millions, Sylvia had done vastly well for herself, seeing that the Duke is always a Duke, especially in America. There were also divers ladies in New York, Newport and elsewhere, and celebrated for their

palatial homes, their jewels, and their daughters, who were anxious to know how Bellew would comport himself under his new disappointment. Some leaned to the idea that he would immediately blow his brains out. Others opined that he would promptly set off on another of his exploring expeditions and get himself torn to pieces by lions and tigers or devoured by alligators. While others again feared greatly that, in a fit of peak, he would marry some young person unknown, and therefore, of course, utterly unworthy. How far these worthy ladies were right or wrong in their surmises, they who take the trouble to turn the following pages shall find out. End of Chapter 1

Chapter 2 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 2 How George Bellew sought counsel of his valet. The first intimation Bellew received of the futility of his hopes was the following letter, which he received one morning as he sat at breakfast in his chambers in St. James Street, West. My dear George, I'm writing to tell you that I like you so much that I'm quite sure I could

never marry you. It would be too ridiculous. Liking, you see, George, is not love, is it? Though personally, I think all that sort of thing went out of fashion with our great-grandmother's hoops and crinolines. So, George, I have decided to marry the Duke of Ride. The ceremony will take place in three weeks' time at St. George's Hanover Square, and everyone will be there, of course. "'If you care to come to, so much the better.

"'I won't say that I hope you will forget me, because I don't, "'but I'm sure you'll find someone to console you, "'because you're such a dear, good fellow, and so ridiculously rich. "'So good-bye, and best wishes, ever yours most sincerely, Sylvia.' "'Now, under such circumstances, have barely sought oblivion and consolation from bottles, "'or gone headlong to the devil in any of other numerous ways that are more or less inviting, deluded people would have pitied him and shaken grave heads over him, for it seems that disappointment, more especially in love, may condone many offences and cover as many sins as charity.

But Bellew, knowing nothing of that latter-day hysteria which wears the disguise and calls itself temperament, and being only a rather ordinary young man, did nothing of the kind. Having lighted his pipe and read the letter through again, he rang instead for Baxter, his valet. baxter was small and slight and dapper as to person clean-shaven alert of eye and soft of movement in a word baxter was the cream of gentleman's gentleman and the very acme of what a valet should be from the very precise parting of his glossy hair to the trimmed toes of his glossy boots baxter as has been said was his valet and had been his father's valet before him and as to age might have been thirty or forty or fifty as he stood there beside the table with one eyebrow raised a trifle higher than the other waiting for billiott to speak baxter sir take a seat thank you sir and baxter sat down not too near his master nor too far off but exactly at the right and proper distance baxter i wish to consult with you "'As between master and servant, sir?' "'As between man and man, Baxter.'

"'Very good, Mr. George, sir.' "'I should like to hear your opinion, Baxter, "'as to what is the proper and most accredited course to adopt "'when one has been crossed in love?' "'Why, sir,' began Baxter, slightly wrinkling his smooth brow. "'So far as I can call to mind, "'the course is usually adapted by despairing lovers, "'are in number four.'

"'Name them, Baxter. "'First, Mr. George.' there is what I may term the coarse retaliatory, which is marriage. Marriage? With another party, sir. On the principle that there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out, and pebbles on the beach, sir. You understand me, sir?

Perfectly, come on. Secondly, there is the army, sir. I've known of a good many enlistments on account of blighted affections, Mr. George, sir. Indeed, the army is very popular. Ah, said Benno, settling the tobacco in his honour. pipe with the aid of the salt-spoon. Proceed, Baxter. Thirdly, Mr. George, there are those who are content to merely disappear.

Oh, said Belyu. And lastly, sir, it is usually the first. There is dissipation, Mr. George. Drink, sir, for consolation of bottles, and— Exactly, not in Belyu. Now Baxter, he pursued, beginning to draw diagrams on the table-cloth with the salt-spoon. Name me as you do. What course should you advise me to adopt?

"'You mean, Mr. George, speaking as between man and man, of course, "'you mean that you are in the unfortunate position of being crossed in your affection, sir?' "'Also heart-broken, Baxter.' "'Certainly, sir. "'Miss March from Married the Duke of Hyde in three weeks, Baxter.' "'Indeed, sir. "'You were, I believe, aware of the fact that Miss Marchman and I were as good as engaged. "'I had gathered as much, sir.'

"'Then confound it all, Baxter, why aren't you supposed?' "'I am quite overcome, sir,' said Baxter, stooping to recover the salt-spoon which had slipped to the floor. "'Consequently,' pursued Bellew, "'I am broken-hearted, as I told you.' "'Certainly, sir. Crushed, despondent, and utterly hopeless, Baxter, and shall be henceforth pursued by the, "'a haunting spectre of the might have been.' "'Very natural, sir, indeed. "'I could have hoped, Baxter, that, having served me so long, not to mention my father, You should have shown just a shade more feeling in the matter?

And if you were to ask me, ask between man and man, sir, why I don't share more feeling, then, speaking as the old servant of your respected father, Master George, sir, I should beg most respectfully to say that, regarding the lady in question, her conduct is not in the least surprising, Miss Marchmont being a beauty, and aware of the fact, Mr. George. Referring to your heart, sir, I am ready to swear that it is not even cracked. "'Now, sir, what clothes do you propose to wear this morning?' "'And pray, why should you be so confident of regarding the condition of my heart?'

"'Because, sir, speaking as your father's old servant, Master George, "'I make bold to say that I don't believe that you have ever been in love, "'or even know what love is, Master George, sir.' "'Belieu picked up the salt-spoon, balanced it very carefully upon his finger, and put it down again. "'Nevertheless, said he, shaking his head, "'I can see for myself but the dreary perspective of a hopeless future Baxter, "'blasted by the haunting spectre of might have been. "'I'll trouble you to push the cigarettes a little nearer.'

"'And now, sir,' said Baxter, as he rose to strike and apply the necessary match, "'what suit would you wear today?' "'Ah, something in tweeds?' "'Tweeds, sir. "'Surely you forget your appointment with the Lady Sessaly Prynne and her party. "'Lord Mountclair had me on the telephone last night. "'also a good heavy walking-stook, Baxter, and a knapsack.' "'A knapsack, sir.

"'I shall set out on a walking-tour in an hour's time.' "'Certainly, sir. Where to, sir?' "'Hapn't the least idea, Baxter, but I'm going, in an hour. "'On the whole of the four courses you describe for one whose life is blighted, "'whose heart, I say whose heart, Baxter, is broken, utterly smashed, "'and shivered beyond repair. "'I prefer to disappear. "'In an hour, Baxter.'

"'Shall you drive the touring-car, sir, or the new racer? "'I shall walk, Baxter, alone, in an hour.' "'End of Chapter 2.' "'Chapter 3 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnan. "'This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. "'Recording by Simon Evers. "'Chapter 3, which concerned itself with a hay-cart and a belligerent waggoner. "'It was upon a certain August morning that George Bellew shook the dust of London from his feet,

and, leaving chance, or destiny, to direct him, followed a haphazard course, careless alike of how, or when or where, sighing as often and as heavily as he considered his heartbroken condition required, which was very often and very heavily, yet heeding for all that the glory of the sun, and the stir and bustle of the streets about him. Thus it was that, being careless of his ultimate destination, fortune condescended to take him under her wing, if she has one, and guided his steps across the river into the lovely land of Kent, that county of gentle hills and broad, pleasant valleys, of winding streams and shady woods, of rich meadows and smiling pastures, of grassy lanes and fragrant hedgerows,

that most delightful land which has been called, and very rightly, the Garden of England. It was thus, as has been said, upon a fair August morning, the bellew set out on what he termed, a walking tour. The reservation is necessary because Belue's idea of a walking tour is original and quaint. He began very well for Belue. In the morning he walked very nearly five miles, and in the afternoon, before he was discovered, he accomplished ten more on a hay cart that happened to be going in his direction. He swung himself up among the hay, unobserved by the somnant driver, and had ridden thus an hour or more in that delicious state between waking and sleeping, ere the Wagoner discovered him,

whereupon ensued the following colloquy. The Wagoner, indignantly. "'Allow there, what might you be thinking of in my hay?' Bellew, drowsily, drowsily. Joy, myself immensely.' The Wagoner, growling. "'Would you get out of that, I'm sharp about it?' Belue, yawning.

"'Not on your knife. No, sir, not for Cadwaddon on all his goats.' The Wagoner, "'You just get down out of my hay. Now come.' "'Belieu, sleepily. "'Enough, good fellow, go to. "'Thy voice offends mine ear,

"'the Wagoner, threateningly. "'Yea be blowed, if you don't get down out of my hay, "'or come and throw ye out.' "'Belieu, dries me. "'To be an act of wanton aggression that likes me not.' "'The Wagoner dubiously, "'Where you be going?' "'Belieu, where have you like to take me?

"'Thy way shall be my way, and, uh, thy people. "'So drive on my rustic jehu, "'and heaven's blessings prosper thee?' "'Saying which,' Bellew closed his eyes again, "'sied plaintively, and once more composed himself to slumber. "'But to drive on, the Wagoner very evidently had no mind. "'Instead, flinging the reins upon the backs of his horses, "'he climbed down from his seat, and, spitting on his hands,

"'clenched them into fists, and shook them up at the yearning Bellew, "'one after the other. "'It be enough,' said he, to raise the old Adam inside of me, "'to have a tramper on the road to snoring my eh, "'But ain't I going to be called names,' he did the bargain. "'Rusty I may be, but I reckon I'm good enough for the likes of you, "'so come on down!' And the waggoner shook his fists again.

"'He was a very square man, was this wagner? "'Square of head, square of jaw, and square of body, "'with twinkling blue eyes and a pleasant good-natured face. "'But just now the eyes gleamed, and the face was set grimly, "'and altogether he looked a very ugly opponent. "'Therefore Bellew's sighed again, stretched himself and very reluctantly climbed down out of the hay. No sooner was he fairly in the road,

than the waggoner went for him with a rush and a whirl of knotted fists. It was very dusty in that particular spot, so that it present arose in a cloud, in the midst of which the battle raged, fast and furious. And in a while the wagner, rising out of the ditch, grinned to see billew wiping blood from his face. "'You be no fool,' panted the wagner, mopping his face with the ends of his neckerchief.

"'Leaseway's not with your fists.' "'Why, you're pretty good yourself if it comes to that,' returned Bellew, mopping in his turn. Thus they stood a while, stanching their wounds, and gazing upon each other with a mutual and growing respect. "'Well,' inquired Bellew, when he recovered his breath somewhat, "'shall we begin again, or do you think we've had enough? "'To be sure, I begin to feel much better for your efforts, you see.

"'Exercise is what I most need just now, on account of the haunting spectre of the might have been, to offset its effect, you know. But it is uncomfortably warm work here in the sun, isn't it? Ah, nodded the waggoner, e'bby! And suppose we continue our journey? said Belue, with his dreamy gaze upon the tempting load of sweet-smelling hay. Ah, nodded the waggoner again, beginning to roll down his sleeves.

Suppose we do. Out above giving a lift to a chap as can use his fists. Not if he is a vagrant. and a common dusty one at that. So, if you run in the same, mind about it, up you get. But no more following curses mind. With which admonition, the Wagoner nodded, grinned, and climbed back to his seat, while Bellew swung himself up into the hay once more.

Friend, said he, as the wagon creaked upon its way, Do you smoke? Maha, nodded the Wagoner. Then here are three cigars which you didn't manage to smash just now. Cigars? Why, it ain't often as I get so far as a cigar, unless it be squire or parson. Cigars, eh? Saying which the wagon had turned and accepted the cigars,

which he proceeded to stir away in the cavernous interior of his wide-eaved hat, handling them with elaborate care, rather as if there were explosives of a highly dangerous kind. Meanwhile, George Bellew, American citizen, a millionaire, lay upon the broad of his back, staring up at the cloudless blue above, and despite heartbreak and a certain haunting shadow, felt singularly content, which feeling he was at some pains with himself to account for. "'It's the exercise,' said he, speaking his thought aloud, as he stretched luxuriously upon his soft and fragrant couch. After all, there is nothing like a little exercise.'

"'That's what they all say,' nodded the wagner. "'But a notice as them as says it, ain't over front of doing it. They most prefer to lie on their backs and talk about it, like yourself.' "'Ah,' said Belieu, "'ha! Some are bound to exercise, some achieve exercise, and some like myself, have exercise thrust upon them. But anyway, it is a very excellent thing, more especially of one is affected with a broken heart. "'A what?' inquired the Wagoner. Blighted affections, then, sighed Bellew, settling himself more comfortably in the hay.

"'You're only at your love, are ye?' inquired the Wagoner, cocking a somewhat sheepish eye at him. "'I was, but just at present.' And here Bellew load his voice. "'It is a rather painful subject with me. "'Let us therefore talk of something else.' "'You don't mean to say as your heart's broke, do ye?' inquired the Wagoner, and a tone of such vast surprise and disbelief, the bellew turned and propped himself on an indignant elbow. "'And why the deuce not?' he retorted. "'My heart is no more impervious than anyone else's, confound it.'

"'But,' said the Wagoner, "'you ain't got the look of an heart-break cove, no more than Squar Cassilis. "'Which the same I heard telling Miss Antheor as his heart were broke, "'no later than yesterday. "'Two o'clock in the afternoon, as ever was.' "'Anthea,' repeated Bellew, "'blinking drowsily up at the sky again, "'that is a very great name, and very pretty.'

"'Pretty, ah, and so is Miss Antheir, as a pitcher.' "'Oh, really?' he yawned Bellew. "'Ah, not in the Wagoner. "'There ain't a man in or out of the parish, "'from square down as don't think the very same.' "'But here, the Wagoner's voice tailed off into a meaningless drone "'that became merged with the creaking of the wheels, the plodding hoofstrokes of the horses, and Bellew fell asleep.

He was awakened by feeling himself shaken, lustily, and sitting up saw that they had come to where a narrow lane branched off from the high road, and wound away between great trees. "'Yonzie away,' thought of the Wagoner, pointing along the high road. "'Daplemy a village lies over yonder, but a mile.' "'Thank you very much,' said Belue. "'But I don't want the village.' "'No,' inquired the Wagoner, scratching his head.

"'Certainly not,' answered Belue. "'Then what do ye want?' "'Oh, well, I'll just go on lying here, see what turns up. "'So drive on, like the good fellow you are.' "'Can't be done,' said the Wagoner. "'Why not?' "'Why, since he asked me, because I don't have to drive no farther. "'There be the farmhouse, over the upland yonder.

"'You can't see because of the trees, but there it be.' "'Seabed you sighed resignedly, and perforce climbed down into the road. "'What do I hear you?' he inquired. "'Haw me,' said the Wagoner, staring, "'for the ride and the very necessary exercise you afforded me.' "'Lord!' cried the Wagoner with a sudden great laugh. "'You don't owe me nothing for that, not know-how. "'Are you, one for a knocky of me into that ditch, back yonder?

"'Thored to be sure I did give you one or two good-ins, didn't I?' "'You certainly did,' answered Belyu, smiling, and he held out his hand. "'Hey, what be this?' cried the Wagoner, staring down at the bright five-shilling piece in his palm. "'Well, I'd rather think it's five shillings,' said Belyu. Big enough, heaven knows. English money is all okay, I suppose, but it's confoundedly confusing, and rather heavy to drag around if you happen to have enough of it. Ah, nodded the Wagoner, but then nobody ever has enough of it.

These ways I never knowed anybody had. Goodbye, sir, and thank ye, and good luck. Saying which, the Wagoner chirrup to his horses, slipped the coin into his pocket, nodded, and the wagon creaked and rumbled up the lane. Ben U strolled along the road, breathing an air fragrant with high, honey-suckled from the hedges, and full of the song of birds, pausing now and then to listen to the blithe carol of a skylark, or the rich, sweet notes of a black bird, and feeling that it was indeed good to be alive, so that, what with all this, the springy turf beneath his feet

and the blue expanse overhead, he began to whistle for very joy of it, until, remembering the haunting shadow of the might have been, he checked himself and sighed instead. Presently, turning from the road, he climbed to style and followed a narrow path that led away across the meadows, and as he went there met him a gentle wind laden with a sweet, warm scent of ripening hops and fruit. On he went, and on. He deserved his direction, until the sun grew low, and he grew hungry. Wherefore, looking about, he presently aspired a nook sheltered from the sun's level rays by a steep bank where flowers bloomed and ferns grew. Here he sat down unslinging his knapsack And here it was also that he first encountered small porges End of chapter 3

Chapter 4 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall This Librivox recording is in the public domain Recording by Simon Evers Chapter 4 How Small Porges in Looking for a Fortune for another found an uncle for himself instead The meeting of George Bellew and small porges, as he afterwards came to be called, was sudden, precipitate and wholly unexpected, and he befell on this wise.

Bellew had opened his knapsack, had fished thence, cheese, clasp-knife, and a crusty loaf of bread, and having exerted himself so far, have fallen a thinking or a dreaming in his characteristic attitude, i.e. on the flat of his back, when he was aware of a crash in the hedge above, and then of something that hurtled past him all arms and legs, that rolled over two or three times, and eventually brought up in a sitting posture. And, lifting a lazy head, Bennie observed that it was a boy. He was a very diminutive boy, with a round head covered with coppery curls, a boy who stared at Belu out of a pair of very round blue eyes, while he tenderly cherished a knee and an elbow. He'd been on the brink of tears for a moment, but meeting Bellew's quizzical gaze, he manfully

repressed the weakness, and at lifting his head. the small and somewhat weather-beaten cap that found a precarious perch at the back of his curly head. He gravely wished, Bellew, good afternoon. Well met, my Lord Chesterfield, nodded Belue, returning the salute. Are you hurt? Just a bit on the elbow, but my name's George.

Why, so is mine, said Bellew. So they call me Georgie Porgy. Of course they do, nodded Bellew. They used to call me the same once upon a time. Georgie Porgy, pudding and pie, kissed the girls, and made them cry. "'Though never did anything of the kind. "'One doesn't do that sort of thing when one is young.

"'And wise, that comes later, and brings its own care and a heartbreak.' "'Here Bellew sighed, and hacked a piece from the loaf with a clasp-knife. "'Are you hungry, Georgie, Borgie?' he inquired, "'clancing up at the boy, who had risen, "'and was removing some of the soil and dust from his small person with his cap. "'Yes, I am. "'And here is bread and cheese and bottled stout. "'So fall too, good comrade.'

"'Thank you, but I've got a piece of bread. and jam in my bundle? Bundle? I dropped it as I came through the hedge. I'll get it. And as he spoke he turned, and climbing up the bank presently came back with a very small bundle

that dangled from the end of a very long stick, and seating himself beside Bellew, he proceeded to open it. There, sure enough, was the bread and jam in question, seemingly a little the worse for wear and tear, but Bellew observed various articles adhering to it, amongst other things, a battered penknife and a top.

These, however, were readily removed, and Georgie Porgie fell too with excellent appetite. And pray, inquired Bellew, after they had munched silently together, some while. Pray, where might you be going? I don't know yet, answered George Porgie with a shake of his curls. Good again, exclaimed Bellew, neither do I. I've been thinking of Africa, continued his diminutive companion, turning the remain of the Breton jam over and over thoughtfully. "'Africa,' repeated Bellew, staring. "'That's quite a goodish step from here.'

"'Yes,' sighed Georgie Porgie. "'But you see, there's gold there. "'Oh, lots of it. "'They dig it out of the ground with shovels, you know. "'Old Adam, tell me all about it. "'And it's gold I'm looking for, you see. "'I'm trying to find a fortune.' "'I beg your pardon,' said Bellew.

"'Money, you know,' exclaimed Georgie Pauci with a patient sigh, "'pounds and shillings and bank-notes. "'In a sack, if I can get them.' "'And what does some?' such a very small Georgie Porge you want so much money for. Well, it's for my auntie, you know, so she won't have to sell her house and go away from Dapplemere. She was telling me, last night, when I was in bed.

She always comes to tuck me up, you know, and she told me she was afraid she'd have to sell Dapplemyr and go to live somewhere else. So I asked why, and she said, because she hadn't got any money. And, oh, Georgie, she said, oh, Georgie, if we could only find enough money to pay off the the mortgage, suggested Bellew, at a venture. Yes, that's it. How did you know? Never mind how. Go on with your tail, Georgie Paujee.

If you could only find enough money, or somebody would leave us a fortune, she said, and she was crying, too, because I felt a tear fall on me, you know. So this morning I got up awful early and made myself a bundle on a stick, like Dick Whittington had when he left home, and I started off to find a fortune. I see, nodded Bellew. But I haven't found anything yet, said Georgie Pauci with a long sigh. I suppose money takes a lot of looking for, doesn't it? "'Sometimes,' Biddyu answered.

"'And do you live alone with your auntie, then, Georgie Porgie?' "'Yes, most boys live with their mothers, but that's where I'm different. I don't need one, because I've got my auntie Anthea.' "'Anthea,' repeated Belyu thoughtfully. "'Hereupon they fell silent, "'Belieu watching the smoke cut up from his pipe into the warm still air, "'and Georgie Porgie watching him with very thoughtful eyes "'and a somewhat troubled brow, as if turning over some weighty matter in his mind.

"'At last he spoke. "'Please,' said he, with a sudden diffidence, "'where do you live?' "'Live,' repeated Bellew, smiling, "'under my hat, here, there, and everywhere, "'which means nowhere in particular. "'But, I mean, where is your home?' "'My home,' said Bellew, exhaling a great cloud of smoke,

"'my home lies beyond the bounding billow.' "'That sounds an awful long way off.' "'It is an awful long way off.' "'And where do you sleep while you're here?' "'Anywhere they let me. "'Tonight I shall sleep at some inn, I suppose, if I can find one. "'If not, under a hedge or hayrick?' "'Oh, haven't you got any home of your own, then? Here?'

"'No.' "'And you're not going home just yet? "'I mean, across the bounding billow?' "'Not yet.' "'Then, please.' "'The small-voice voice was suddenly tremulous and eager, "'and you laid a little grimy hand upon belieu's sleeve. "'Please, if it isn't too much trouble,

"'would you mind coming with me?' "'to help me to find the fortune? "'You see, you are so very big and—' "'Oh, will you please?' "'George Bellew set up suddenly and smiled. "'Belieu's smile was at all times "'w wonderfully pleasant to see, "'at least the boy thought so.

"'George, Porte,' said he, "'you can just bet your small life, I will. "'And there's my hand on it, old chap.' "'Belieu's lips were solemn now, "'but all the best of his smile "'seemed somehow to have got into his grey eyes. "'So the big hand clasps the small one. and as they looked at each other there sprang up a certain understanding that was to be an enduring bond between them i think said bellew as he lay and puffed at his pipe again i think i'll call you porges it's shorter easier and i think altogether apt

i'll be big porges and you shall be small porges what do you say yes it's not better than georgie porgy nodded the boy and so small porges he became thenceforth but said he after a thoughtful pause I mean, if you don't mind, I'd rather call you Uncle Porges. You see, Dick Bennett, the Blacksmith's boy, has three uncles, and I've only got a single aunt. So if you don't mind—' Uncle Porges, it shall be now and forever, amen, moment, Belue. And won't you suppose we'd better start? inquired small Porges, beginning to retire his bundle. Start where, nephew? To find the fortune? Oh, said Billu.

If we could manage to find some, even if it was only very little, it would cheer or We're up so. To be sure it would, said Bellew, and sitting up he pitched loaf, cheese and clasp-knife back into the knapsack, fastened it, slung it upon his shoulders, and rising took up his stick. Come on, my Porges, said he, and whatever you do, keep your weather-eye on your uncle. Where do you suppose we'd better look first? inquired small Porges eagerly. Why, first I think we'd better find your anteanthia. But, began Porges, his face falling.

"'Bop me no butts, my porges,' smiled Bellew, laying his hand upon his newfound nephew's shoulder. "'Pop me no butts, boy, and as I said before, just keep your eye on your uncle.' End of Chapter 4. Chapter 5 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 5, How Bellew came to Arcadia. So they set out together.

big porges and small porges, walking side by side over sun-kissed field and meadow, slowly and thoughtfully to be sure, for Bellew disliked hurry, often pausing to listen to the music of running waters, or to stare away across the purple valley, for the sun was getting low. And, ever as they went, they talked to one another wholeheartedly as good friends should. And from the boy's eager lips Belue heard much of Auntie Anthea, and learned, little by little, something of the brave fight which he had made, lonely and unaided, and burdened with ancient debt, to make the farm of Dapplemere pay. Likewise, small porges spoke learnedly of the condition of the markets,

and of the distressing fall in prices in regards to hay and wheat. Old Adam, he's our man, you know, he says that farming isn't what it was in his young days, especially if you happen to be a woman like my auntie Anthea, and he told me yesterday that if you were auntie he'd give up trying, "'and take Mr. Casillis at his word.' "'Cacillis are, and who is Mr. Cacillis? "'He lives at Brampton Court, "'great big house about a mile from Duffamere,

"'and he's always asking my auntie to marry him. "'Of course she won't, you know.' "'Why not? "'Well, I think it's because he's got such big white teeth when he smiles, "'and he's always smiling, you know. "'But old Adam says that if he'd been born a woman "'he'd marry a man all teeth, or no teeth at all, "'if he had as much money as Mr. Cacillis.'

"'The sum was low in the west, as, skirting a wood, they came out upon a grassy lane that presently led them into the great broad highway. Now, as they trudged along together, small porches with one hand clasped in bellews, and the other supporting the bundle on his shoulder, that appeared, galloping towards them, a man on a fine black horse, at side of whom porty's clasp tightened, and he drew nearer to Belleu's side. When he was nearly abreast of them, the horseman checked his career so suddenly that his ankle was thrown back on his haunches.

"'Why, Georgie!' he exclaimed. "'Good evening, Mr. Casillas,' said small porges, lifting his cap. "'Mr. Casillas was tall, handsome, well-built, and very particular as to dress. "'Berdyu noticed that his teeth were indeed very large and white, beneath the small, carefully trained moustache. "'Also his eyes seemed just a trifle too close together, perhaps.' "'Why, what in the world have you been up to, boy?' he inquired, "'regarding Belly with no very friendly eye. "'Your aunt is worrying herself ill on your account.'

"'What have you been doing with yourself all day?' Again Belly felt the small fingers tightened round his, and the small figures shrink a little closer to him. As small Portes answered, "'I'd been with Uncle Porteous, Mr. Cassidius.' "'With whom?' demanded Mr. Cicillis, more sharply. "'With his uncle, Porgias, sir,' Bally Rook joined. "'A trustworthy person, and very much at your service.'

Mr. Cacillis stared. His hand began to stroke and caress his small black moustache, and he viewed Bellew from his dusty boots up to the crown of his dusty hat and down again with supercilious eyes. "'Uncle?' he repeated incredulously. "'Porges,' nodded Bellew. "'I wasn't aware,' began Mr. Cassilis, that George was so very fortunate.' "'A baptismal name George,' continued Bellew, lately of New York, Newport, and other places in America, USA, at present of nowhere in particular.' "'Nah,' said Mr. Cacillis, his eyes seeming to grow a trifle in his eyes seeming to grow a trifle

mirror together. An American uncle! Still, I was not aware of even that relationship. It is a singularly pleasing thought, smiled Bellew, to know that we may learn something every day, for one never knows what the day may bring forth. Tomorrow, for instance, you also may find yourself a nephew, somewhere or other, though personally I doubt it. Yes, I greatly doubt it. Still, one never knows, you know, while there's life, there's hope. A very good afternoon to you, sir. Come, nephew mine, this evening falls a pace, and I grow weary. Let us on. Excellio! Mr. Casillas's cheek grew suddenly red.

He twirled his moustache angrily, and seemed about to speak. Then he smiled instead, and, turning his horse, spurred him savagely, and garroped back down the road in a cloud of dust. Did you see his teeth, Uncle Porgies? I did. He only smiles like that when he's awfully angry, said small porges, shaking his head as the galloping hoofstrokes died away in the distance. And what do you suppose he went back for? "'Well, Porges, it's in my mind that he's gone back to warn our auntie and fear of our coming.'

Small Porges sighed, and his feet dragged in the dust. "'Tard, my Porges?' "'Just a bit, you know, but it isn't that. I'm thinking that the day had almost gone, and I haven't found a bit of the fortune yet. "'Why, there's always to-morrow to live for, my, Porgias?' "'Yes, of course, there's always to-morrow, and I did find you, you know, Uncle Porgias.' "'To be sure you did, and an uncle is better than nothing at all, isn't he? even if he is rather dusty and disreputable of exterior.

One doesn't find an uncle every day of one's life, my Porges, no, sir. And you are so nice and big, you know, said Porges, viewing Belue with a bright, proving eye. Long would be a better word, perhaps, suggested Bellew, smiling down at him. And wide, too, nodded small, Porges. And from these two facts he seemed to derive a deal of solid comfort and satisfaction, for he strode on manfully once more. Leaving the high road

He guided belieu by divers winding paths through cornfields and overstiles Until at length they were come to an orchard Such an orcharders surely may only be found in Kent Where great apple trees gnarled and knotted Shot out huge branches that seemed to twist and rive Where were stately pear trees Where peaches and apricops ripened

Against time-worn walls Whose red bricks still glowed rosily for all their years Where the air was sweet with the scent of fruit and fragrant with thyme and sage and marjoram, and where the black birds, bold marauders that they are, piped gloriously all day long. In the midst of this orchard they stopped, and small porges rested one hand against the rugged bowl of a great old apple-tree.

This, said he, is my very own tree, because he's so very big and so very, very old. Adam says he's the oldest tree in the orchard. I call him King Arthur, because he's so big and strong, just like a king should be, you know, and all the other trees are his knights of the round table. But Belly was not looking at King Arthur just then. His eyes were turned to where one came towards them through the green,

one surely as tall and gracious, as proud and beautiful, as Enid or Guenevere or any of those lovely ladies, for all her simple ground of blue and the sun-bonnet that shaded the beauty of her face. Yes, as he gazed, Betty was sure and certain that she who, all unconscious of their presence, came slidly towards them, with the red glow of the sunset about her, was handsomer, lovelier, statelyer, and altogether more desirable than all the beautiful ladies of King Arthur's court, or any other court, soever. But now, small porges finding himself silent, and seeing where he looked, must need to behold her too,

and gave a sudden glad cry, and ran out from behind the great bulk of King Arthur, and she, hearing his voice, turned and ran to meet him, and sank upon her knees before him and clasped him against her heart, and rejoiced and wept and scolded him, all in a breath. Wherefore, Belieu, unobserved as yet in King Arthur's shadow, watching the proud head with its wabbered curls, for the sun-bonnet had been tossed back upon her shoulders, watching the quick, passionate caress of those slender brown hands, and listening to the thrilling tenderness of that low, soft voice, felt all at once strangely lonely and friendless and out of place, very rough and awkward, and very much aware of his dusty person, felt indeed as any other ordinary human might

who had tumbled unexpectedly into Arcadia. Therefore he turned, thinking to steal quietly away. "'You see, Auntie, I went out to try and find a fortune for you,' small porges was explaining, and I looked and looked but I didn't find a bit. "'My dear, dear brave Georgie,' said Anthea, and would have kissed him again when he put her off. "'Wait a minute, please, auntie,' he said excitedly, "'cause I didn't find something. "'Just as I was going very tired and disappointed, I found Uncle Porges, under a hedge, you know.' "'Uncle Porges,' said Anthea, starting. "'Oh, that must be the man Mr. Casillas mentioned.'

"'So I brought him with me,' pursued small Porges. "'And there he is,' and he pointed triumphantly towards King Arthur. glancing thither, Anthea beheld a tall, dusty figure moving off among the trees. "'Oh, wait, please!' she called, rising to her feet, and with small porches hand in hers, approached Bellew, who had stopped with his dusty back to them. "'I want to thank you for taking care of my nephew. If you will come up to the house, cook she'll give you a good meal, and if you are in need of work, I—' her voice faltered uncertainly, and she stopped.

"'Thank you,' said Bellew, turning and lifting his hands. had. "'Oh, I beg your pardon,' said Anthea. "'Now, as that eyes met, it seemed to bel you that he lived all his life in expectation of this moment, and he knew that all his life he should never forget this moment. But now, even when he looked at her, he saw her cheeks flush, painfully, and her dark eyes grow troubled. "'I beg your pardon,' said she again. "'I thought Mr. Cassellis gave me to understand that you were—a very dusty, hungry-looking fellow, perhaps,

smiled Bellew, and he was quite right, you know. The dust you can see for yourself, but the hungry must take my word for. As for the work, I assure you, exercise is precisely what I am looking for. But, said Anthea, and stopped, and tapped the grass nervously with her foot, and twisted one of her bonnet strings, and meeting Bellew's steady gaze, flushed again. But you, you are—' "'I uncle Porges,' her nephew chimed in, and I brought him home with me, because he's going to help me to find a fortune, and he hasn't got any place to go to, "'cause his homes far, far beyond the bounding billow. "'So you will let him stay, went you, Auntianthea?'

"'Why, Georgie,' she began. "'But seeing her distressed look, Belue came to her rescue. "'Pray do, Miss Anthea,' said he, in his quiet, easy manner. "'My name is Belue,' he went on to explain. "'I'm an American, without family or friends, here, there, or anywhere, "'and with nothing in the world to do but follow the path of the winds. "'Indeed, I am rather a solitary fellow, at least I was, until I met my nephew Portiers here.

Since then I've been wondering if there would be room such as I at a dafflemere? Oh, there would be plenty of room, said Anthea, hesitating, and wrinkling her white brow, for a lodger was something entirely new in her experience.

As to my character, I pursued Bellew, though something of a vagabond, I am not a rogue, least I hope not, and I could pay a four or five pounds a week. Oh, exclaimed Anthea with a little gasp.

If that would be, sufficient. "'It is a great deal too much,' said Anthea, who would have scarcely dared to ask three. "'Pardon me, but I think not,' said Bellew, shaking his head. "'You see, I am rather extravagant to my eating. "'Eggs, you know, lots of them, and ham and beef, and a—' "'A duck quacked loudly from the vicinity of a neighbouring pond. Certainly an occasional duck. "'Indeed five pounds a week, but scarcely—' "'Three would be ample,' said Anthea, with a little nod of finality. "'Very well,' said Billew.

"'We'll make it for and have done with it.' Anthea divine, being absolute mistress of Dapplemere, was in the habit of exerting her authority, and having her own way in most things. Therefore she glanced up in some surprise at this tall, dusty, rather lazy-looking personage, and she noticed, even as had small porges, that he was indeed very big and wide. She noticed also that, despite the easy courtesy of his manner

and the quizzical light of his grey eyes, his chin was very square, and that despite his gentle voice, he had the air of one who meant exactly what he said. Nevertheless, he was much inclined to take issue with him upon the matter, plainly observing which Belue smiled and shook his head. "'Pray be reasonable,' he said in his gentle voice, "'if you send me away to some horrible inn or other, it will cost me, being an American, more than that every week in tips and things. So let's shake hands on it and call it settled.' out his hand to her. Four pounds a week. It would be a venerable godsend just at present,

while she was so hard put to it to make both ends meet. Four pounds a week? So Anthea stood, lost in frowning thought. Until meeting his frank smile, she laughed. You are dreadfully persistent, she said, and I know it is too much, but we'll try to make you as comfortable as we can. And she laid her hand in his. And thus it was that George Bellew came to Dapplemere,

in the glory of the afterglow of an August afternoon, breathing the magic air of Arcadia, which is, and always has been, of that rare quality warranted to go to the head, sooner or later. And thus it was that small porges with his bundle on his shoulder viewed this tall, dusty uncle, with the eye of possession, which is oft-times an eye of rapture.

An Anthea? He was busy calculating to a scrupulous nicety, the very vexed question, as to exactly how far are four pounds by we? might be made to go to the best possible advantage of all concerned. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnell. This Libre Box recording is in the public domain.

Recording by Simon others. Chapter 6 of the sad condition of the haunting spectre of the might have been. Daplemya Farmhouse, or The Manor, as it was still called by many, had been built when Henry VIII was king, as the carved in store. description above the door testified. The House of Duffamer was a place of many gables and lattice windows, and with tall, slender chimneys shaped and wrought into things of beauty and to delight. It possessed a great old hall.

There were spacious chambers and broad stairways. There were paneled corridors, sudden fights of steps that led up or down again for no apparent reason. There were broad and generous hearths and deep window-seats, and everywhere, within and without, there lurked an indefinable old-world charm that was the heritage of years. Storms have buffeted and tempests have beat upon it, but all in vain, for save that the bricks glowed a deeper red where they peeped out beneath the clinging ivy, the old house stood as it had upon that far day when it was fashioned,

in the year of our Lord, 1,524. In England many such houses are yet to be found, monuments of the bad old times, memorials of the dark, ages, where lathe and stucco existed not, and the gerry-builder had no being. But where among them all might be found such another parlor as this at Dapplemere, with its low-rafted ceiling, its great carved mantle, its paneled walls, whence old portraits looked down at one like dream faces from dim and nebulous backgrounds? And where might be found to such bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked, quick-footed, deaf-handed finishes,

as the two bucks amade who flitted here and there, obedient to the mistress, his word or gesture. And lastly, where in all this wide world could there ever be found just such another hostess as Miss Anthea herself? Something of all this was in Belleu's mind as he sat with small porges beside him, watching Miss Anthea dispensed tea, brewed as it should be, in an earthen teapot. Milk and sugar, Mr. Bellew? Thank you. This is Blackberry, and this is raspberry and red currant, but the Blackberry jamms the best, Uncle Porges? Thank you, nephew. "'Now, aren't you awful glad I've found you, under that hedge, Uncle Porgias?' "'Nephew, I am.'

"'Nephew,' repeated Anthea, glancing it in with raised brows. "'Oh, yes, not in Belleu. We adopted each other, at about four o'clock this afternoon. "'Under a hedge, you know,' added small porges. "'Wasn't it a very sudden and altogether unheard-of proceeding?' Anthea inquired. "'Well, it might have been, if it had happened anywhere but in Arcadia.' "'What do you mean by it? "'A, okay, dear Uncle, Porgies.' "'A place I've been looking for,

nearly all my life, nephew. "'I'll trouble you for the Blackbridge, "'am, my Borgies.' "'Yes, try the Blackberry. "'Al Priscilla made it her very own self.' "'You know, it's perfectly ridiculous,' "'said Anthea, frowning and laughing, "'both at the same time.

"'What is, Miss Anthea? "'Why, that you should be sitting here "'cording Georgie, your nephew, "'and that I should be pouring out tea for you, "'quite as a matter, of course.' "'It seems to me the man.' most delightfully natural thing in the world, said Belleu, in his slow, grave manner. But I've only known you half an hour. But then friendships ripen quickly in Arcadia.

I wonder what Aunt Priscilla will have to say about it. Aunt Priscilla? She is our housekeeper, the dearest, busiest, gentlest little housekeeper in all the world, but with very sharp eyes, Mr. Bellew, she will either like you very much or not at all. "'There are no half-measures about Aunt Priscilla.' "'Now I wonder which it will be,' said Bellew, "'helping himself to more jam. "'Oh, she'll like you, of course,' nodded small porges. "'I know she'll like you, because you're so different to Mr. Casillas.

"'He's got black hair and a moustache, you know, "'and your hair's gold like mine, and your moustache. "'Isn't there, is it? "'And I know she doesn't like Mr. Cacillis, "'and I don't either, because—' "'She'll be back to-morrow, Cedanthia, "'silencing small porges with a gentle touch of her hand. "'And we shall be glad, shall be, Georgie.

"'The house is not the same place without her. "'You see, I'm off in the fields all day as a rule. "'A farm, even such a small one, as Dappermere is a great responsibility, "'it takes up all one's time, if it is to be made to pay. "'And sometimes it doesn't pay at all, you know,' added small porties, "'and then auntie Anthea worries, and I worry too. "'Farmy isn't what it was in Adam's young days. "'So that's why I must find a fortune.

"'Early tomorrow morning, you know, "'so my auntie won't have to worry any more.' "'Now when you got thus far, Anthe leaned over, and, taking him by surprise, kissed small porges suddenly. "'It was very good and brave of you, dear,' said she, in her soft, thrilling voice, "'to go out all alone into this big world to try and find a fortune for me.' "'And here she would have kissed him again, but that he reminded her that they were not alone. "'But Georgie, dear, fortunes are very hard to find, especially round Dapamere, I'm afraid,'

said she with a rueful little laugh. "'Yes, that's why I was going to Africa, you know.' "'Africa?' she repeated. "'Africa.' "'Oh, yes,' nodded Bellew. "'When I met him he was on his way there "'to bring gold for you, in a sack. "'And Younger Portier said it was a goodish way off, you know,

"'so I decided to stay and find the fortune near her home.' "'And thus they talked unaffectedly together, "'until all tea being over, "'Anthea volunteered to shove Bellew over her small domain, "'and they went out, all three, "'into an evening that breathed of roses and honeysuckle. And as they went, slow-footed through the deepening twilight, small porches directed Bellew's attention to certain nooks and corners that might be well calculated to conceal the fortune they were to find, while Anthea pointed out to him the beauties of shady wood, of rolling meadow and winding stream. But there were other beauties that neither of them thought to call to his attention, but which

Bellew noted with observing eyes, nonetheless, such, for instance, as the way Anthea had of drooping her shadowy lashes at sudden and unexpected moments, the wistful droop of her warm, red lips, and the sweet round column of her throat. These, and much beside, Berlio noticed for himself, as they walked on together through this midsummer evening. And so betimes Belue got him to bed, and then the hour was ridiculously early, yet he fell into a profound slumber and dreamed of nothing at all. But far away upon the road, forgotten and out of mind, with futile writhing and grimaces, the haunting shadow of the might have been, gibbered in the shadows.

End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of The Money Tree by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. recording by Simon Evers Chapter 7 Which concerns itself among other matters with The Old Adam Bellew awakened early next morning

Which was an unusual thing for Bellew to do Under Audrey's circumstances Since he was one who held with that poet Who has written somewhere or other Something to the following effect God bless the man who first discovered sleep But damn the man with curses loud and deep Who first invented early rising

Nevertheless, Bellew, as has been said, awoke early next morning to find the sun pouring in at his window and making a glory all about him. But it was not this that had aroused him, he thought, as he lay blinking drowsily, nor the blackbird piping so wonderfully in the apple-tree outside, a very inquisitive apple-tree that had writhed and contorted itself most unnaturally in its efforts to peep in at the window. Therefore Bellew felt a-wondering, sleepily enough, what it could have been. Presently it came again the sound. A very peculiar sound, the like of which Bellew had never heard before, which, as he listened, gradually evolved itself into a kind of monotonous chant, intoned by a voice deep and harsh, yet withal not our musical.

Now the words of the chants were these. "'When I am dead, Diddle-Dittle, as well may hap, bury me deep, Diddle-Diddle, under the tap. Under the tap, Dittle, I'll tell you why. That I may drink, Dittle-Dittle, when I am drunk. Hereupon Bellew rose, and crossing to the open casement leaned out into the golden freshness of the morning. Looking about he presently espied the singer, one who carried two pails suspended from a yoke upon his shoulders, a very square man, that is to say, square of shoulder,

square of head and square of jaw, being in fact none other than the waggoner with whom he had fought, and written on the previous afternoon, seeing which Bellew hailed him in cheery greeting. The man glanced up, and, breaking off his song in the middle of a note, stood gazing at Bellew, open mouths. "'What, be that you, sir?' he inquired at last, and then, "'Lord, and what be you a doing of up there?' "'Why, sleeping, of course,' answered Bellew. "'What, again?' exclaimed the Wagoner with a grin. "'You do be forever sleeping when I do believe.'

"'Not when you're anywhere about,' laughed Bellew. "'Was it music, Wookie, then?' "'Your singing did. my singing Lord Lovey and when it might My singing will wait the dead Leasways so prudence says And she's generally right These ways if she ain't

She's an uncommon good cook And that goes a long way with most of us But I don't sing very often Unless I be alone Or easy in my mind And happy-hearted Which I ain't No

Inquired Belue Not by no manner of means I ain't Contrary wise my art be sore and followed loom Which ain't to be wondered out now And yet you were singing? I, for sure I was singing, but then who could help singing on such a morning as this be, and with a blackburn of piping away in the tree here? Oh, I were singing, I don't go for to deny it, but it's sore-hearted I be, filled with gloom, sir, notwithstanding.

You mean, said Bellew, becoming suddenly thoughtful, that you are haunted by the carking spectre of the might have been? Lord bless you no, sir, this ain't no spectre, nor yet no Skellington. Without all, his only old bones and such. No, this ain't nothing of that, sort, and no more at any thing as I can stand here or a maggot about, well, long-day's worker for me, axing your pardon, sir.' Saying which, the waggoner nodded suddenly, and strode off with his pales clanking cheerily. Very soon belly was shaved and dressed, and going downstairs he let himself out into

the early sunshine, and strolled away towards the farmyard, where cocks grew, cows load, ducks quacked, turkeys and geese gobbled and hissed, and where the wagon and I moved to and fray among them all, like a presiding genius. "'I think,' said Belue, as he came up, "'I think you must be the Adam I have heard of.' "'That be my name, sir.' "'Then Adam, fill your pipe,' said Belue, extending his pouch, whereupon Adam thanked him, and, fishing a small, short black clay from his pocket,

proceeded to fill and lighted. "'Yes, sir,' he nodded, in hating the tobacco with much apparent enjoyment. "'Adam, I were baptized some thirty or a year ago, but I generally cause myself old Adam. But you're not an old Adam. Why, then, and I kind of my age, oh, you see, sir. It's all because of the old Adam as he's inside of me. No, thou ye.

I am naturally that full of the old Adam as never was, and he's always an up and taken of me at the shortest notice. On each other day, he up and took me because Job Jagway, he works for Squar Cossilis, you understand, sir. Because Job Jaguar's wheat, meaning Miss Anthea's wheat, you understand, sir, was mouldy. Well, the old Adam up and took me to that extent, sir, that they had to carry Job Jagway home afterwards. It was all on account of the old Adam. Me being the mildest chap you ever seen, actually. Mild? Ah, sucking dubs wouldn't be nothing to me for mildness.

And what did the squire have to say about your spoiling his man? Or wrote to Miss Antheor, of course, sir. He's always writing to Miss Anthea about some or other. Says as how he wasn't minded to lock me up for assault and battery, but under respect for her, would let me off with a warning. Miss Anthea was worried, I suppose. Worried, sir. Oh, Adam, says she. Oh, Adam, haven't I got enough to bear,

but you must make it harder for me. And I see the tears in her eyes while she said it. Me make it harder for her? Just as if I wouldn't make things lighter for her ever I could, which I can't. Just as if, to help Miss Anthea, I wouldn't let them take me, and—well, never mind what. Only I would.

Yes, I'm sure you would, well, did Belle you. "'And is the squire over here at Dapper Mare very often, Adam?' "'Why, not so much lately, sir. "'Last time or yesterday, just before Master Georgie came home. "'I were at work here in the yard, and Squire comes riding up to me, "'smining quite friendly like, which were pretty good of him, "'consuring his Job Jagway ain't back to work yet.'

"'Oh, Adam,' says he. "'So you're having a sale here at Dupamere, are you?' "'Meaning, sir, a sale of some bits and sticks of furniture "'Miss Anthea's forced apart with to meet some bill or other. "'Someone of that, sir,' says I, making as light of it as I could. "'Why, then, Adam,' says he, "'if Job Jagway should happen to come over to buy a few of the things, "'no more fighting,' says he.

"'So he nods and smiles and off he rise. "'And, sir, as I watched him go, "'the old Adam rise up at me to that extent, "'and it's a mercy I didn't have no pitch-for candy.' "'Belieu sitting on the shaft of a cart with his back against a rig, "'listened to this narration with an air of dreamy abstraction. but Adam's quick eyes noticed that despite the unruffled serenity of his brow, his gym seemed rather more prominent than usual. So that was why you were feeling gloomy, was it, Adam?

Ah, enough to make any man feel gloomy, I should think. Miss Anthe is brave enough, but a regent will come nigh breaking her hour to see old stuff sold, furniture and that, so he's got to drive over to Cranbrook to be out of the way while it's a-doing. And when does the sale take place? "'Certainly Ardenette, sir, as ever was,' Adam answered. "'But hush, mum's the word, sir,' he broke off, and, winking violently with the sideways motion of the head, he took up his pitchfork, wherefore, glancing round, Belue saw Anthea coming towards them, fresh and sweet as the morning.

Her hands were full of flowers, and she carried her sun-bonnet upon her arm. Here and there were rebellious curl had escaped from its fastenings, as though desirous, and very naturally, of kissing the soft oval of her cheek, or the white curve of her neck. and among them Belleu noticed one in particular, a regish curl that glowed in the sun with a coppery light and peeped it in wantonly above her ear. "'Good morning,' said he, rising, and to all appearance addressing the curl in question. "'You were early abroad this morning?' "'Eurly, Mr. Bellew, I have been up for hours. "'I'm generally out at four o'clock on market days.

"'We work hard and long at Dapamere,' she answered, giving him her hand with her grave sweet smile. "'I for sure.' "'Notted Adam. "'But farming ain't what it was in my young days.' "'But I think we shall do well with the hops, Adam.' "'Ops, Miss Antheir. "'Lord love you. "'Fraint Oops, nowhere so good as I'll be.'

"'They ought to be ready for picking soon. "'Do you think sixty people will be enough?' "'Ah, they'll be more than enough, Miss Antheir.' "'And, Adam, the five-acre field should be mowed today.' "'I'll set the man at it right out of breakfast. "'I'll have it done. "'Trust me, Miss Antheir.' "'I'll have it done.

"'I do, Adam. You know that.' With a smiling nod, she turned away. Now, as Bellew walked on beside her, he felt a strange constraint upon him, such as he had never experienced to towards any woman before, and which he was at great pains with himself to account for. Indeed, so rapt was he, that he started suddenly to find that she was asking him a question. "'Do you like Dapomere, Mr. Bellew?' "'Like it,' he repeated. "'Like it, yes, indeed.'

"'I'm so glad,' she answered. her eyes glowing with pleasure, was a much larger property once. Look! And she pointed away across cornfields and rolling meadow to the distant woods. In my grandfather's time it was all his, as far as you can see in father, but it has dwindled since then,

and today my dapplemere is very small indeed. You must be very fond of such a beautiful place. Oh, I love it, she cried passionately. If ever I had to give it up, I think I should die. she stopped suddenly and as though somewhat abashed by this sudden outburst added in a lighter tone it might seem rather tragic it is because this is the only home i've ever known well said benew appearing rather more dreamy than usual just then "'I have journeyed here and there in this world of ours. "'I have wandered up and down, and to and fro in it, "'like a certain celebrated personage who shall be nameless.

"'Yet I never saw or dreamed of any such place as this dullamer of yours. "'It is like Arcadia itself, and only I am out of place. "'I seem somehow to be too commonplace, an altogether matter-of-fact.' "'I'm sure I'm matter-of-fact enough,' she said, "'with her low, sweet laugh that Belue thought was all too rare. "'You?' said he, and shook his head. "'Well?' she inquired, glancing at him through her wind-tossed curls. "'You are like some fair and stately lady out of the old romances,' he said gravely.

"'In a print gown and with a sunbonnet?' "'Even so,' he nodded. Here, for no apparent reason, happening to meet his glance, the colour deepened in her cheek and she was silent. Wherefore belly went on in his slow, placid tones, "'You, surely, are the princess ruling this fair land of Arcadia, "'and I am the stranger within your gates. "'It behoves you, therefore, to be merciful to this stranger,

"'if only for the sake of our mutual nephew.' "'Whatever Anthea might have said in answer, "'was cut short by small porches himself, "'who came galloping towards them with the sun bright in his curls. "'Oh, Uncle Porges!' he panted as he came up. "'I was afraid you'd gone away and left me. "'I've been hunting and hunting for you ever since I got up.' "'No, I haven't gone away yet, my porges, you see.'

"'I won't go, ever or ever, will you?' "'That,' said Billy, who, taking the small hand in his, "'that is a question that we had better leave to the—a future, nephew.' "'But why?' "'Well, you see, it doesn't rest with me altogether, my porges.' "'Then who?' he was beginning, but Anthea's soft voice interrupted him. "'Georgia, didn't Prudence said you to tell us that breakfast was ready?'

"'Oh, yes, I was forgetting. "'Awful silly of me, wasn't it? "'But you are going to stay. "'Oh, a long, long time, aren't you, Uncle Porges?' "'I sincerely hope so,' answered Bellew. "'Now, as he spoke, "'his eyes, by the merest chance in the world, of course, "'haped to meet Antheas,

"'whereupon she turned and slipped on her sun bonnet, "'which was very natural, for the sun was growing hot already. "'I'm awfully glad,' sighed small porges. "'And aren't you, Auntie?' "'Why, of course, from the day. depths of the sunbonnet. Because now, you see, there'll be two of us to take care of you. Uncle Porteous is so nice and big and wide, isn't he, Auntie? Yes. Oh, Georgie, what are you talking about? Why? I mean, I'm rather small to take care of you all by myself alone, Auntie,

though I do my best, of course. But now than that, I have found myself a big, tall Uncle Porteis under the head, you know. We can take care of you together, can't be, Auntie Anthea. But Anthea only hurried on without speaking. We're a point. We're a bit of a little. We're upon small porters continued all unheeding. "'Yes, remember the other night, Auntie, when you were crying, "'you said you wish you had someone very big and strong to take care of you.' "'Oh, Georgie!' "'Binu heartily wished that some one it had never been thought of.

"'But you did, you know, Auntie, "'and so that was why I went out and found my uncle Portes for you, "'so that he—' "'But here, Mrs. Anthea, for all her pride and stateliness, "'catching her gown about her, "'fairly ran on down the path, "'and never paused until she had, reached the cool, dim parlour.

Being there, she tossed aside her some bonnet, and looked at herself in the long, old mirror. And though surely no mirror made by man, ever reflected a fairer vision of dark-eyed witchery and loveliness, nevertheless Anthea stamped her foot and frowned it. Oh! she exclaimed, and then again, oh, Georgie! And covered her burning cheeks. Meanwhile, big porches and small porges, walking along hand in hand, shook their head solemnly, wondering much upon the capriciousness of aunts and the waywardness thereof. "'I wonder why she run away, Uncle Porges?'

"'Ah, I wonder. "'Espect she's a bit angry with me, you know, because I'm told you she was crying.' "'H' said Bellew. "'An auntie takes an awful lot of looking after,' sighed small Porges. "'Yes,' Molle, "'I suppose so, especially if she happens to be young and—' "'And what, Uncle Porges?' "'Beautiful, nephew.' "'Oh, do you think she's really beautiful?' demanded small Porges.

"'I'm afraid I do,' Bellew confessed. "'So does Mr. Casillas. I heard him tell her so once, in the orchard.' "'Ah, said Bellew. "'Ah, but you ought to see her when she comes to tap me up at night, with her hair all down and hanging all about her, like a shiny cloak, you know.' "'Ah, said Belue. "'Please, Uncle Porges,' said Georgie, turned to look up at him. "'What makes you hum so much this morning?'

i was thinking my porges but my auntianthea i do admit to the soft impeachment sir what i'm thinking too what is it old chap i'm thinking we ought to begin to find that fortune of her after breakfast why it isn't quite the right season for fortune-hunting yet at least not in arcadia answered benew shaking his head oh but why not well the moon isn't right for one thing the moon echoed small porges "'Oh, yes, we must wait for a—a money-moon, you know. "'Surely you've heard of a money-moon.' "'Fraid not,' sighed small porges regretfully. "'But I've heard of a honeymoon.' "'They're of much the same, not in Belle-you. "'But when will the money-moon come, and how?'

"'I can't exactly say, my porges, but come it will, one of these fine nights. "'And when it does, we shall know that the fortune is close by and waiting to be found. "'So don't worry your small head about it. "'Just keep your eye on your uncle.' betimes they came into breakfast where anthea awaited them at the head of the table then whoso demure so gracious and self-possessed so sweetly sedate as she but the cavalier in the picture above the carved mantle versed in the ways of the world and the pretty tricks and wiles of the bosex feminine smiled down at bellew with an expression of such raidish waggery as said plain as words we know and bellew remembering a certain pair of slender ankles that's a little bit of a certain pair of slender ankles that's a little bit of a man of her own had revealed themselves in their hurried flight, smiled back of the cavalier, and it was all he could do to refrain from winking outright. End of Chapter 7.

Chapter 8 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 8, which tells of Miss Priscilla, of Peaches, and of Sergeant Appleby later the 19th hussars. Small Porges was at his lessons. He was perched at the great oak table beside the window, pen in hand, and within easy reach of Anthea, who sat busy with her daily letters and accounts.

Small Porges was laboriously inscribing in a somewhat splashed and besmeared copybook for the rather surprising facts that a stitch in time saves nine, nine, that the Tagus, a river in Spain, R, and that Artix Xerxes was the king of the Persians, A And the like surprising, curious and interesting items of news His pen making not half so many curls and twists As it is small red tongue

As he wrote he frowned terrifically And sighed off to betwixt wiles And belieu watching where he stood outside the window noticed that Anthea frowned also As she bent over her accounts And sighed wearily more than once It was after a sigh rather more hopeless than usual that, chancing to raise her eyes, they encountered those of the watcher outside,

who, seeing himself discovered, smiled, and came to lean in at the open window. "'Won't they balance?' he inquired, with a nod towards the heap of bills and papers before her. "'Oh, yes,' she answered with a rueful little smile, "'but on the wrong side, if you know what I mean?' "'I know,' he nodded, watching how her lashes curled against her cheek. "'If only me had done better with our first crop of wheat,' she sighed. side. Job Jagway said it was mouldy, you know.

That's why Adam punched him in the—' "'Georgie? Go on with your work, sir.' "'Yes, auntie,' and immediately small porges pen began to scratch, and his tongue to writhe and twist as before. "'I'm building all my hopes this year on the hops,' said Anthea, sinking her head upon her hand. "'If they should fail—' "'Well,' inquired Bellew, with his gaze upon the soft curve of her throat, I don't think

of it. Then don't. "'Then don't. Let us talk of something else.' "'Yes, of Aunt Priscilla,' "'lotted Anthea. She's in the garden.' "'And pray who is Aunt Priscilla? "'Go and meet her.' "'But go and find her, in the orchard,' repeated Anthea.

"'Oh, do go, and leave us to our work.' "'Thus it was that turning obediently into the orchard and looking about, "'Belieu presently aspired a little bright-eyed old lady "'who sat beneath the shadow of King Arthur "'with a rustic table beside her, upon which stood a basket of sewing now as he went he chanced to spy a ball of worsted that had fallen by the way and stooping therefore he picked it up while she watched him with her quick bright eyes good morning mr bellew she said in response to his sanitation it was nice of you'd of trouble to pick up an old woman's ball of worsted as she spoke she rose and dropped him a curtsey and then as he looked at her again he saw that despite her words and despite her white hair she was much younger and pretty than he had thought.

"'I am Miss Anthea's housekeeper,' she went on. "'I was away when you arrived, "'looking after one of Miss Anthea's old ladies. "'Pray-be seated. "'Miss Anthea, bless her, dear heart, "'calls me her aunt, but I'm not really. "'Oh, dear, no, I'm their relation at all. "'But I've lived with her long enough to feel as if I was her aunt,

"'and her uncle, and her father, and her mother, "'all rolled into one. "'I should be rather small to be so many, shouldn't I?' "'And she laughed so gaily and unaffectedly. The Belleu laughed, too. "'I tell you all this,' she went on, keeping pace to her flying needle, "'because I've taken offancy to you on the spot. "'I was like or dislike a person on the spot, first impressions, you know.'

"'Yes,' she continued, glancing up at him sideways. "'I like you just as much as I dislike Mr. Casillas. "'Hey-ho, how I do detest that man. "'There, now that's off my mind.' "'And why?' inquired Bellew smiling. "'Dear me, Mr. Bellew, I—how should I know, and I do? What's more, he knows it, too.' "'And how?' she inquired, changing the subject abruptly. How is your bed? Comfortable, hmm?' "'Very. You sleep well?'

"'Like a top. Any complaints so far?' "'Num whatsoever,' laughed Bellew, shaking his head. "'That is very well. We have never had a border before. A misanthea, bless her, dear soul, was a little nervous about it. And here's the sergeant. "'I beg your pardon,' said Bellew. "'The sergeant,' repeated Miss Priscilla with a prim little nod. "'Sargent Appleby, late of the nineteenth façar's, "'a soldier every inch of him, Mr. Bellew, with one arm,

"'over there by the peaches?' "'Lancing in the direction he indicated, "'Belieu observed a tall figure, very straight and upright, "'clad in a tight-fitting blue coat, "'with extremely tight trousers strapped beneath the insteps, "'and with a hat balanced upon his close-cropped, "'grisled head, had a perfectly important, possible angle for any, save an ex-cavalry man.

Now, as he stood examining a peach-tree that flourished against the opposite wall, Bellew saw that his right sleeve was empty, sure enough, and was looped across his broad chest. The very first thing he will say will be that, it is a very fine day, nodded Miss Priscilla, stitching away faster than never, and the next, that the peaches are doing remarkably well. I mark my words, Mr. Bellew. As she spoke, the sergeant wheeled suddenly right about face, and came striding down towards them, jingling imaginary spurs, and with his stick tucked up under his remaining arm, very much as if it had been a sabre.

Being come up to them, the sergeant raised a stiff arm as they were about to salute them, military fashion, but apparently changing his mind, took off the straw hat instead, and put it on again, more ever one ear than ever. "'A particularly fine day, Miss Priscilla, for the time of the year,' said he. "'Indeed, I quite agree with the sergeant. returned little Miss Priscilla with a bright nod, and a sly lance at Bellew as much as to say, "'I told you so.' "'And the Peaches, ma'am,' continued the sergeant.

"'The peaches never looked better, ma'am.' Having said which, he stood looking at nothing in particular, with his one hand resting lightly upon his hip. "'Yes, to be sure, Sergeant,' nodded Miss Priscilla with another sly look. "'But let me introduce you to Mr. Bellew, who is staying at Dappermere.' The sergeant stiffened, once more began a salute. changed his mind, took off his hat instead, and after looking at it as though not quite sure what to do with it next, clapped it back upon his ear in imminent danger of falling off, and was done with it.

"'Proud to know you, sir, your servant, sir.' "'How do you do?' said Belieu, and held out his hand with his frank smile. The sergeant hesitated, then put out his remaining hand. "'My left, sir,' said he apologetically. "'Can't be helped, left my right, out in India. good many years ago. Good place for soldiering, India, sir. Plenty of active service.

Chances of promotion. Though some bad. Sergeant, said Miss Priscilla, without seeming to glance up from her saying, Sergeant, your hat! Hereupon the sergeant gave a sudden sideways jerk of the head, and in the very neck of time

saves the article in question from tumbling off, and very dexterously brought it to the top of his close-cropped head, whence it immediately began, slowly, and by scarcely a perceptive, "'to acceptable degrees to slide down to his ear again.' "'Sargent,' said Miss Priscilla again. "'Sit down, do.' "'Thank you, ma'am,' said he,

"'and proceeded to seat himself at the other end of the rustic bench, "'where he remained bolt upright, "'and with his long legs stretched out straight before him, "'as is and has been the manner of cavalrymen "'since their first walled straps.' "'And now,' said he, staring straight in front of him, "'how might Miss Anthea be?' "'Oh, very well, thank you.'

not in miss priscilla good exclaimed the sergeant with his eyes still fixed very good here he passed his hand two or three times across his shaven chin regarding an apple-tree near by with an expression of the most profound interest and how said he again might master georgie be master george is as well as ever answered miss priscilla stitching away faster than before and ben who thought she kept her rosy cheeks stooped a little lower over her work meanwhile the sergeant continued to regard the tree with the same degree of lively interest and to rasp his fingers to and fro across his chin suddenly he coughed behind hand whereupon miss priscilla raised her head and looked at him well she inquired very softly and pray ma'am said the sergeant removing his gaze from the tree with a jerk how might you be feeling ma'am much the same as usual thank you she answered smiling like a girl for all her white hair, as the sergeant's eyes met hers. "'You look,' said he, pausing to cough behind his hand again. "'You look, blooming, ma'am, if you'll allow the expression. "'Blooming, as you ever do, ma'am.'

"'I'm an old woman, sergeant, as well you know,' sighed Miss Priscilla, shaking her head. "'Old, ma'am?' repeated the sergeant. "'Old ma'am? Nothing of the sort, ma'am. "'A. It has nothing to do with it. "'It isn't the years as count. "'We aren't any older than we feel, eh, sir?' "'Of course not.' "'Answer,' "'nor than me look, yes, sir?'

"'Certainly not, Sergeant,' answered Bellew. "'And she, sir, she don't look a day older than—' "'Thirty-five,' said Bellew. "'Exactly, sir, very true, my own opinion. "'Thirty-five, exactly, sir.' "'Sargent,' said Miss Priscilla, bending over her work again, "'sardin, your hat.' "'Sargent, hereupon, removed the distracting head-gear altogether,

"'and sat with it upon his knee, staring hard at the tree again. Then, all at once, with a sudden gesture, he drew a large silver watch from his pocket, rather as if it were some weapon of the fence, looked at it, listened to it, and then, nodding his head, rose to his feet. "'Must be going,' he said, tiny very straight, and looking down at little Miss Priscilla, "'No, sorry as ever, must be going, ma'am. Miss Priscilla, ma'am, good day to you.' And he stretched out his hand to her with a sudden jerky movement. Miss Priscilla paused in her saying, and looked up at him with her youthful smile.

Must you go, so soon, Sergeant? Then good-bye, until to-morrow. And she laid her very small hand in his big palm. The sergeant stared down at her to say he were greatly minded to raise it to his lips, instead of doing which he dropped it suddenly, and turned to value. "'Sir, I am proud to have met you. Sir, there is a poor-coupled soldier, as I know. "'My cottage is very small and humble, sir.

"'But do you ever feel like dropping in on him, sir? "'By day or night, he will be honoured, sir, honoured. "'That's me. Sergeant Richard Appelby, later than nintheenth sir's hours, "'at your service, sir.' "'Saying which, he put on his hat, stiff-armed, wheeled, "'and strode away through the orchard, "'jingling his imaginary spurs louder than ever. "'Well?' inquired Miss Priscilla, in a quick bright way.

"'Well, Mr. Bellew, what do you think of him? "'First impressions are always best. "'At least I think so. "'What do you think of Sergeant Appaby?' "'I think he's a splendid fellow,' said Benew, "'looking after the sergeant's upright figure. "'A very foolish old fellow, I think, "'as stiff as one of the ramborts

"'and one of his own guns,' said Miss Priscilla. "'But her clear blue eyes were very soft and tender as she spoke. "'And as fine a soldier as a man, I'm sure,' said Belue. "'Why, yes, he was a good soldier, once upon a time, I believe. He won the Victoria Cross, for doing something rather that was very brave, and he wears it with all his other medals pinned on the inside of his coat. Oh, yes, he was a fine soldier once, but he's a very foolish old soldier now, I think,

and as stiff as the round rod of one of his own guns. But I'm glad you like him, Mr. Bellew, and he will be proud and happy for you to call and see him at his cottage. And now I suppose it's half-past eleven, isn't it? "'Yes, just half past,' nodded Bellew, glancing at his watch. "'Exact to time, as usual,' said Miss Priscilla. "'I don't think the sergeant has missed a minute, or very minute in the last five years. "'You see, he is such a very methodical man, Mr. Bellew?' "'Why, then, does he come every day at the same hour?'

"'Every day,' not in Miss Priscilla. "'It has become a matter of habit with him.' "'Ah,' said Benelie, smiling. "'If you were to ask me why he comes, I should not. answer that I fancy it is to look at the peaches. Damn it, Mr. Bellew, what a very foolish soldier he is, to be sure. Saying which, pretty, bright eye of Miss Priscilla, laughed again, folded up her work, settled it in the basket with a deft little pat,

and, rising, took a small crutch stick from where it had lain concealed, and then, Betty saw that she was lame. "'Oh, yes, I'm a cripple, you see,' she nodded. "'Oh, very, very lame, my ankle, you know. "'That is why I came here. A big world didn't want a poor, lame, old woman. "'That is why, my thancy, and may be her aunt. God bless her. "'No, thank you. I can carry my basket. "'So you see, he has lost an arm, his right one, and I lay me my foot.

"'Perhaps that is why, hey-ho, how beautifully the black birds are singing this morning, to be sure.' "'End of Chapter 8. "'Chapter 9 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. this Liblovox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 9, in which may be found some description of Arcadia and Gusbury's. Anthea, leading on her rake in a shady corner of the five-acre field,

turned to watch Belue, who, stripped to his shirt-sleeves, bare of neck and arm and pitchfork in hand, was busy tossing up great mounds of sweet-smelling hay to Adam, who stood upon a wagon to receive it, with small porges perched up beside him. A week had elapsed since Bellew had found his way to Daplemyre, a week which had only served to strengthen the bonds of affection between him and his nephew, and to win over sharp-eyed, shrewd little Miss Priscilla,

to the extent of declaring him to be, first, a gentleman, anthea, my dear, and secondly, what is much rarer nowadays, a true man. A week, and already he was hale fellow well met with everyone about the place, for who was proof against his unaffected gaiety his simple easy good-fellowship so he laughed and joked as he swung his pitchfork awkwardly enough to be sure and received all hints and directions as to its use in the kindly spirit they were tendered an anthea watching him from her shady corner sighed once or twice and catching herself so doing stamped her foot at herself and pulled her some bonnet closer about her face no adam he was saying depend upon it there is nothing like exercise and of all exercise give me a pitchfork why as to that mr bellew sir adam retorted i say so be it so long as i ain't near the wrong end of it for the way you do have a flourishing and a whirl in that there fork is as fair astonishing i do dey that there fork is a fair astonishing i do do do declare it be. Why, you see, Adam, there are some born with a leaning towards pitchforks,

and there are others born to the pen, and the, uh, palate and things, but for me, Adam, the pitfork every time, said Bellew, mopping his brow. If you were to try and handle it more as if it were a pitchfork now, Mr Bellew, sir, suggested Adam, and not waiting for Bellew's laughing rejoinder, he chirped to the horses, and the great wagon creaked away with its mountainous load, surmounted by Adam's grinning visage and small porges golden curls, and followed by the rest of the merry-voiced haymakers. Now it was that, turning his head, Bellew espied Anthea watching him, whereupon he shoulders his fork, and coming to where she sat upon a throne of hay, he sank down at her feet with a

luxurious sigh. She had never seen him without a collar before, and now she could not but notice how round and white and powerful his neck was, and how the muscles bulged upon arm and shoulder, and how his hair curled in small damp rings upon his brow. "'It is good,' said he, looking up into her witching face above him. "'Yes, it is very good to see you idle, just for once.' "'And I was thinking it was good to see you work just for once.' "'Work,' he exclaimed, "'my dear Miss Anthea, I assure you I have become a positive glutton for work.

"'It has become my earnest desire to plant things and grow things and chop things with axes, "'to mow things with scythees. I dream of pastures and ploughs of pails and pitchforks by night, and by day, reaping hooks, hoes and rakes are in my thoughts continually, which all goes to show the effect of this wonderful air of Arcadia. Indeed, I am as full of suppressed energy these days as Adam is of the old Adam. And talking of Adam reminds me that he has solemnly pledged himself to initiate me into the mysteries of swinging assythe tomorrow morning at five o'clock.

Yes, indeed, my heart bounds responsive to the swish of a scythe in thick grass, and my soul sits in raptured upon a pitchfork. "'How ridiculous you are!' she laughed. "'And how perfectly content,' he added. "'Is anyone ever quite content?' she sighed, glancing down at him, wistful-eyed. "'Not unless they've found Arcadia,' he answered. "'Have you, then?' "'Yes,' he nodded complacently.

"'Oh, yes, I found it.' "'Are you sure?' "'Quite sure.' "'Arcadia?' she usually. repeated wrinkling her brows. "'What is Arcadia? And where?' "'Arcadia,' answered Bellew, watching the smoke rise up from his pipe with a dreamy eye. "'Arcadia's the promised land, the land that everyone tries to find sometime or other, and maybe anywhere.' "'And how came you to find it?'

"'By the most fortunate chance in the world.' "'Tell me,' said Anthea, taking a wisp of hay and beginning to plait it in dexterous brown fingers, "'Tell me how you found it.' "'Why, then, you must know in the first place,' he began in his slow, even voice, "'that it is a place I have sought for in all my wanderings, "'and I have been pretty far afield, "'but I sought it so long and so vainly "'that I began to think it was like the Eldorado of the old adventurers

"'and had never existed at all.' "'Yes,' said Anthea, busy with her plating. "'But one day, fate, or chance, or destiny, or their benevolent spirit, sent a certain square-shouldered wagner to show me the way, and after him a very small portages, bless him, to lead me into this wonderful Arcadia. Oh, I see, Maudid Anthea, very intent upon her plaiting. But there is something more, said Belieu. Oh, said Anthea, shall I tell you, if it is very interesting.

Well, then in this delightful land there is a castle. grim, embattled, and very strong. A castle, said Anthea, glancing up suddenly. The castle of heart's desire. Oh, said she, and gave all her attention to her plaiting again. And so, continued Belleu, I am waiting very patiently, until, in her own good time, she who rules within shall open the gate to me,

or bid me go away. Into Bedu's voice had crept a thrill no one had ever heard there before. He leaned nearer to her, and his dreamy eyes were keen now and eager, and she, though she saw nothing of all this, yet being a woman, knew it was there, of course, and for that very reason looked resolutely away, where for once again Bellew heartily wished that some bonnet's had never been invented. So there was silence, while Anthea stared away across the golden cornfields, yet saw nothing of them, and Belly looked upon those slender, capable fingers that had faltered in their plaiting.

and stopped. And thus, upon the silence there broke a sudden voice shrill with interest. Go on, Uncle Porteous, what about the dragons? Oh, please go on. There's always dragons enchanted castles, you know, to garb the lovely princess. Aren't you going to have any dragons that hiss, you know, and spit out smoke and flames? Oh, do please have a dragon? And small porges appear from the other side of the haemoe, flushed and eager.

Certainly my porges, nodded bellew, drawing the small figure down beside him, I was forgetting the dragons, but there they are, with scalybacks and iron claws, spitting out sparks and flames, just as self-respecting dragons should, and roaring away like thunder. "'Ah!' exclaimed small porges, nestling closer to belieu, and reaching out a hand to Auntianthea. "'That's fine. Let's have plenty of dragons.' "'Do you think a dozen would be enough, my porges?' "'Oh, yes, but suppose the beautiful princess didn't open the door.

"'What would you do if you were really a wandering knight "'who was waiting patiently for it to open? "'What would you do then?' "'Shed up a tree, my porges.' "'Oh, well, that wouldn't be a bit right, would it, aren't he?' "'Of course not,' laughed Anthea. "'It would be most un-nightlike, and very undignified.' "'Sides,' added small porches,

"'you couldn't climb up a tree in your armour, you know.' "'Though I make an awful good try at it,' nodded Bellew. "'No,' said Small Porges, shaking his head. "'Shall I tell you.' what you ought to do. Well, then, you'd draw your two-edged sword and dress your shield, like Gareth the kitchen knave did. He was always dressing his shield, and so was Lancelot, and you'd fight all those dragons, and kill them, and cut their heads off. And then what would happen? inquired Bellew.

Why, then the lovely princess would open the gate, and marry you, of course, and if happily ever after, and all would be relatively and joy. Ah, sighed Bellew, if you'd do that, I think I'd fight all the dragons that ever roared, and kill them too, but supposing she wouldn't open the gate. "'Why then?' said small porches wringling his brow. "'Why then you'd have to storm the castle, of course, "'and break open the gate and run off with the princess on your charger. "'If she was very beautiful, you know.'

"'A most excellent idea, my porges. "'If I should happen to find myself in like circumstances, "'I'll surely take your advice.' "'Now as he spoke, Belude Lance at Anthea, and she at him. And straightway she blushed, and then she laughed, and then she blushed again, and still blushing, rose to her feet, and turned to find Mr. Casillas within a yard of them. "'Ah, Miss Anthea,' said he, lifting his hat,

"'I sent Georgie to find you, but it seems he forgot to mention that I was waiting. "'I'm awful sorry, Mr. Casillis, but Uncle Portes was telling us about dragons, you know.' "'S Small Portges hastened to explain.' "'Dragans,' repeated Mr. Cacillis, with his supercilious smile. "'Ah, indeed. "'Dragons should be interesting, especially in such a very quiet, shady nook as this. "'Quite an idyllic place for storytelling. "'It's positive shame to disturb you.'

"'And his sharp white teeth leamed beneath his moustache as he spoke, "'and he tapped his riding-boot lightly with his hunting-crop as he fronted Bellew, "'who had risen and stood bare-armed, leaning upon his pitch-fork. "'And as in their first meeting there was a mute antagonism in their look. "'Let me introduce you to each other,' said Anthea, conscious of this attitude. Mr. Casillas of Brampton Court, Mr. Bellew. "'Of nowhere in particular, sir,' added Bellew. "'And pray,' said Mr. Cassilis, perfunctrally, as they strolled on across the meadow.

"'How do you like, Daplemaire, Mr. Bellew?' "'Imensity, sir, beyond all expression.' "'Yes, it is considered rather pretty, I believe.' "'Lovely, sir,' nodded Bellew, "'that is not so much the beauty of the place itself that appeals to me so much as what it contains. "'And indeed,' to Mr. Cassillis, with a sudden sharp glance, "'to what do you refer?' "'Gusbury, sir.

"'I—' "'Meg a pardon?' "'Sir,' said Betty gravely, "'all my life I have fostered a great secret passion for gooseberries, "'roar or cooked, in pie, pudding, or jam, "'they are equally alluring. "'Unhappily the American gooseberries, "'but a hollow mockery at best.'

"'Ah,' said Mr. Casillis, dubiously. "'Now, in Guspris, as in everything else, sir, there is to be found the superative, the quintessence, the ideal. Consequently, I have roamed east and west and north and south in quest of it. Really? said Mr. Casillas, stifling a yawn, and turning towards Miss Anthea, with the very slightest shrug of his shoulders. And in Dapomere, concluded Bello so solemnly, I have at last found my ideal. Guspri, added Anthea with a laugh in her eyes.

Arcadia being a land of ideals, nodded Bellew. "'Ideals,' said Mr. Casillas, caressing his moustache. "'Ideals and gooseberries, though probably excellent things in themselves, "'are apt to pour upon one in time. "'Personally, I find them equally insipid.' "'Of course it is all a matter of taste,' sighed. "'But Mr. Casillis went on, fairly turning his back upon him. "'The subject I wished to discuss with you, Miss Anthea, was the approaching sail.'

"'The sail,' she repeated, "'all the brightness dying out of her face.' "'I wished,' said Casillas, leading nearer to her, "'and lowering his voice confidentially, "'to try to convince you how unnecessary it would be if—' "'And he paused significantly. "'Anthea turned quickly aside as though to hide her mortification "'from Belleu's keen eyes,

"'whereupon he, seeing it all, became straightway more dreamy than ever, "'and laying a hand upon small porches' shoulder, "'pointed with his pitchfork to where at the other end of the five-acre "'the haymakers worked away as merely, "'Merely as ever.' "'Come, my porges,' said he. "'Let us away and join yon happy throng, "'and, uh, with daffness and Clow and Blosable,

"'we'll listen to the cuckoo in the dell.' "'So, hand in hand, the two porges set off together. "'But when they got some distance, "'Bed you looked back, "'and then he saw that Anthea walked with her head averted. "'Iras Call, Eccasillis walked close beside her, "'and stooped now and then, "'until the black moustache came very near the curl,

that curl of want of witchery that peeped above her ear. "'Uncle Porteous, why do you frown so?' "'Fraunt my, Porgas? Did I—well, I was thinking. Well, I'm thinking, too. Only I don't frown, you know, but I'm thinking just the same.' "'And what might you be thinking, nephew? Why, I was thinking that although you're so awfully fond of gooseberries, and though there's lots of ripe ones on the bushes, I've never seen you eat a single one.' End of Chapter 9

Chapter 10 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain Recording by Simon Evers Chapter 10 Howbelieu and Adam entered into a solemn league and covenant Look at the moon tonight, Uncle Porgies I see it It's awful, big and round, isn't it?

Yes, it's very big and very round "'A rather yellow, isn't it?' "'Very yellow. "'Just like a great big golden sovereign, isn't it?' "'Very much like a sovereign, my porges.' "'What do you know? I was wondering if there's any chance it was a money-moon.' They were leaning out at the lattice, small porges and big porges. Anthea and Miss Priscilla were busied upon household matters, wholly feminine,

wherefore small porges had drawn Bellew to the window, and there they leaned, the small body enfolded by Bellew's lock, arm, and the two faces turned up to the silvery splendour of the moon. But now, Anthea came up behind them, and not noticing the position of Belue's arm, and she leaned on the other side of small porges, it befell that her hand touched, and for a moment rested upon Belue's hand, hidden as it was in the shadow. And this probably began it. The air of Arcadia, as has been said before, is an intoxicating air, but it is more

it is an air charged with a subtle magic whereby the commonest objects losing their prosaic matter-of-fact shapes become transfigured into things of wonder and delight. Little things that passers mere ordinary commonplaces, things insignificant and wholly beneath notice in the everyday world, become fraught with such infinite meaning and may hold such sublime,

such undreamed-of possibilities here in Arcadia. Thus, when it is recorded that Anthea's hand accidentally touched and rested upon bellews, the significance of it will become at once apparent. "'And pray,' said Anthea, laying that same hand of the most natural manner in the world upon the small portes curls, pray what might you two be discussing so very solemnly? "'The moon,' answered small porches. "'I was wondering if it was a money moon, and Uncle Portis hadn't said if it is yet.' "'Why, no old chap, answer Bellew, I'm afraid not.'

"'And pray,' said Anthea again, "'what might a money-moon be?' "'Well,' explained from all porges, "'when the moon's just so, "'then you go out and find a fortune, you know. "'But the moon's got to be a money-moon, "'and you've got to know, you know, "'else you'll find nothing, of course.'

"'Ah, Georgie dear,' "'scydianthea, stooping her dark head down to his golden curls. "'Don't you know that fortunes are very hard to get, "'that they have to be worked for, "'and that no one ever found one without a great deal of labour and sorrow?' "'Of course everyone can't find fortunes, aren't he, and the Anthea? I know that. "'But we shall. My Uncle Porties knows all about it, you see, and I know that we shall. "'I'm sure and sure we shall find one someday, because, you see, I put it in my prayers now.

"'At the end, you know, I say, and please help me at Uncle Portes to find a fortune when the money-moon comes, "'a big one, world without end, amen. "'So, you see, it's all right, and we're just waiting till the money-moon comes, aren't we, Uncle Portiers?' "'Yes, old chap, yes, Mory Bellew, until the money-moon comes.' and so there fell a silence between them, yet a silence that held a wondrous charm of its own, a silence that lasted so long that the coppery curls drooped lower and lower upon Belleu's arm, till Anthea, sighing, rose, and in a very tender voice, bade small porties say good-night, the which he did, forthwith, slumber as a voice and sleepy-eyed,

and so with his hand in Antheas went drowsily up to bed. Therefore, seeing that Miss Priscilla had bustled away into the kitchen, Belly's sauntered out into the Rose Garden to look upon the beauty of the night. The warm air was fragrant with dewy scents, and the moon, already high above the treetops, poured down her gentle radiance upon the quaint old garden with its winding walks and clipped e-hages, while upon the quiet, from the dim shadow of the distant woods,

stole the soft sweet song of a nightingale. Belly walked a path bordered with flowers and checkered with silver patches of moonlight drinking in the thousand beauties about him staring up at the glory of the moon, the indigo of the sky and listening to the voice of the lonely singer in the wood and yet it was of none of these he was thinking as he paused under the shadow of King Arthur

nor of small porges nor of anyone or anything in this world but only the sudden light touch of a warm soft hand upon his "'Be that you, sir?' "'Bed you started, and now he found that he'd been sitting all this while "'with an empty pipe between his teeth he had content therewith, "'wherefore he shook his head and wondered. "'Be that you, Mr. Bellew, sir?' "'Yes, Adam, it is I.

"'And how might you be feeling now, earlier exercise with a pitch-forc, sir?' "'Very fit, I thank you, Adam. "'Sit down, and smoke, and let us converse together.' "'Why, thank you, sir,' answered Adam. producing the small black clay pipe from his waistcoat pocket, and accepting Bellew's proffered pouch. "'I've been up to the house of visiting Prudence, the cook.' "'A rare cook she be, too, Mr. Bellew, sir.'

"'And a rare buxom girl into the bargain, Adam?' "'Oh, ha, she's well enough, sir. "'I won't go for to denying as she's a fine, upstanding, well-shaped, "'tall and proper figure of a woman, as ever was, sir.' "'Well, the Kentish lasses be a tidy lot, Mr. Bellew, sir.' "'But, when you come to think of her gift for Yorkshire Puddin, and likewise jam rollers and sea-cake, which though mentioned last ain't by no manner or means least,

when you come to think of her brew-o-ail and cider and ginger wine, why then I'm took, sir, I'm took altogether, and the old Adam inside of me works himself into such a state that if another chap, especially that their job, Jagway, gets looking away too often, why it's got to get took out of him, or took out of me in good hour knocks, Mr. Bellew, sir. And when are you going to get married, Adam?

"'Well, sir, we was thinking that if Miss Anthea has a good season this year, "'we're getting it over and done with sometime in October, sir. "'But it's all according. "'According to what?' "'To the Ops, sir. "'The H-O-P-Sor. "'They're coming on fine. "'Ah, scrumptus there be.

"'If they don't take the blight, sir, "'there'll be the finest ops this side of mainstone. "'But only they do take the blight, "'well, then my hopes is blighted likewise, sir. "'B-L-I-T-E-D. "'B-L-L-I-T-E-D. "'Belieu, sir,' which said. Adam laughed once, nodded his head several times, and relapsed into puffing silence.

"'Mr. Cassidiss was over to-day, Adam,' said Bellew, after a while, pursuing a train of thought. "'Rars, sir, I seen him. He also seen me. He told me his Job Chagway was up and about again. Likewise, Job Chagway will be over here tomorrow, along with the rest of them for the sale, sir.' "'Ah, yes, the sale,' said Bellew, thoughtfully. "'To think of that there Job, Jagway, are coming over here to buy Miss Anthea's furniture, "'to set the old Adam of working inside of me to that amazing extent as I can't sit still, Mr. Bellew, sir. "'If that there Job crosses my path to-morrow, well, let him, sir. Look out, that's all.' "'Saying which Adam doubled up a huge knotted fist and shook it at an imaginary Job.'

"'Adam,' said Bedou in the same thoughtful tone, "'I wonder if you would do something for me.' "'Anything you ask me, sir, so long as you don't. don't want me to—I want you to buy some of that furniture for me." "'But,' stained Adam, and ventured his great laugh again. "'What, if that ain't a good answer? Why, that's just what I wasn't going to do. See, I ain't what you might call a rich cove, thought you're a millionaire,

but I've got a bit put by, and I drawed out ten pound yesterday. Think, sir, he has to save Miss Anthea's old sideboard, or the mirrors she's so fond of, or if not, why, then a cheer or so. They ain't a going to get it all. "'Not what I've got a pound or two, I says to myself.' "'Adam,' said Bellew, turning suddenly, "'that sentiment does you credit. "'That sentiment makes me proud to have knocked you into a ditch.

"'Shake hands, Adam.' "'And there, beneath the great apple-tree, "'while the moon looked on, "'they very solemnly shook hands. "'And now, Adam,' pursued Bellew, "'I want you to put back your ten pounds, "'keep it for prudence, "'because I happen to have rather more than we shall want.

"'See here.' And with the words, Billy took out her leathern wallet, and from this wallet money and banknotes. More money and more banknotes than Adam had ever beheld in all his thirty-odd years, a sight of which his eyes opened and is squared or relaxed to the imminent danger of his cherished clay pipe. "'I want you to take this,' Billy went on, counting a sum into Adam's nerveless hand, and tomorrow when the sale begins, if anyone makes a bid for anything, I want you to bid higher, and no matter what you must always buy. "'Always, you understand?'

"'But, sir, there's that old drawing-room cabinet with the carvings. "'Buy it.' "'And then the silver candlesticks, and then the full-post to bedstead, and the—' "'Buy, madam, buy everything. "'If we haven't enough money, there's plenty more where this came from. "'Only buy. You understand?' "'Oh, yes, sir, I understand. "'How much have you given me?'

"'Why, yes, forty-five, fifty, sixty, a lot. "'Put it away, Adam. "'For get all about it to a-morrow. "'And not a word, mind.' "'A hundred pound!' "'Cast to Adam. "'Lord, oh, I won't speak of him. "'Trust me, Mr. Belus, sir.

"'But to think of me a-walking about "'with a hundred pound in my pocket—' "'Lord, I won't say nothing. "'But to think of old Adam "'with a hundred pound in his pocket he got. "'It do seem that comical.' "'Saying which, Adam buttoned the money "'into a capacious pocket,

"'snapped it, nodded, and rose. "'Well, sir, I'll be going. "'There'll be Miss Antheon the garden yonder, "'and if she was to see me now, There's no saying, but I should be took her laughing to think of this here hundred pound. Miss Anthea, where? Coming through the Rose Garden? She'll be off to see old Mother Dibbin.

They call Mother Dibbin a witch, and now she's down with her rheumatic strain. Nobody to look after her. Except Miss Anthea. She's a starved afore now, and been for North Miss Anthea. But Lord, love your eyes and limbs, Mr. Belieu, sir. Miss Anthea don't care if she's a witch, or fifty witch is not she. So good night, Mr. Bellew, sir. Mum's the word.

Saying which, Adam slapped his pocket again, nodded, winked, and went upon his way. End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 11 of The Man with the Tiger Mark It is a moot question as to whether a curl can be more alluring when it glows beneath the fiery kisses of the sun or shines demurely in the tender radiance of the moon.

As Beru looked at it now, that same small carl that nodded and beckoned to him above Anthea's left ear, he strongly inclined to the latter opinion. Adam tells me that she were going out, Miss Anthea. Only as far as Mrs. Dibbin's cottage just across the meadow. Adam also informs me that Mrs. Dibbin is a witch. People call her so. Never in all my days have I seen a genuine old witch,

"'So I'll come with you, if I may.' "'Oh, this is a very gentle old witch, "'and she's neither hump-backed nor does she ride a broomstick, "'so I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Mr. Bellew.' "'Then at least I can carry your basket. Allow me.' "'And so in his quiet, masterful fashion, "'he took the basket from her arm "'and walked on beside her through the orchard.

"'What a glorious night it is!' exclaimed Anthea suddenly, "'drawing a deep breath of the fragrant air. "'Oh, it is good to be allowed, In spite of all the cares and worries, life is very sweet. After this they walked on some distance in silence, she gazing wistfully upon the beauties of the familiar world about her, while he watched the curl above her ear, until she, becoming aware of it all at once, promptly sent it back into retirement with a quick, deft little pat of her fingers. "'I hope,' said Bellew at last, "'I do sincerely hope that you tucked up my nephew's safe in bed. "'You see, your nephew, indeed. "'Our nephew, then.

"'I ask, because he tells me that he can't possibly sleep "'unless you go to tuck him up, "'and I can quite believe it. "'Do you know, Mr. Bennu, I'm going quite jealous of you. "'He can't move a step without you, "'and he is for ever talking and lauding your numberless virtues. "'But then I'm only an uncle, after all, "'and if he talks of me to you, he talks of you to me all day long.

"'Oh, does he? Oh, does he? and among other things he told me that I ought to see you when your hair is down and all about you. Oh, exclaimed Anthea. Indeed, our nephew is much luckier than I, because I never had an aunt of my own to come and tuck me up at night, with her hair hanging all about her, like a beautiful cloak. So you see, I have no boyish recollections to go upon, but I think I can imagine. And what do you think of the sergeant? Anthea inquired, changing the subject abruptly.

I like him so much that I'm going to. to take him at his word and call upon him at the first opportunity. Did Aunt Priscilla tell you that he comes marching along regularly every day at exactly the same hour? Yes, to see how the peaches are getting on, nor in belieu. For such a very brave soldier he is a dreadful coward, said Anthea, smiling. It has taken him five years to screw up courage enough to tell her that she's uncommonly young for her age. Yet I think it is just that diffidence that makes him so lovable. And he is so simple and so gentle.

in spite of all his war medals. When I am moody and cross, the very sight of him is enough to put me in humour again. Has he never spoken to Miss Priscilla? Never! Of course she knows, and has done from the very first. I asked him once why he had never told her what it was brought him so regularly, to look at the peaches,

and he said in his quick, sharp way, "'Miss Anthea, can't be done, ma'am. Poor battered old soldier, only one arm, no, ma'am.' I wonder if one can find you. just such another sergeant outside Arcadia, said Bellew, I wonder. Now they were approaching a style towards which Bellew had directed his eyes, from time to time, as for that matter, curiously enough, had Anthea. But to him it seemed that it never would be reached, or to her it seemed that it would be reached much too soon.

Therefore she began to rack her mind trying to remember some gate or any gap in the hedge that should obviate the necessity of climbing it. But before she could recall any such gate or gap, they were at the style, and Belleu leaping over had set down the basket and stretched out his hands to aid her over. But Anthea, tall and lithe, active and vigorous with her outdoor life, and used to such things from her infancy, stood a moment hesitating. To be sure the style was rather high, yet she could have vaulted it nearly, if not quite, as easily as Belleu himself, had she been alone. But then she was not alone. Moreover, be it remembered this was in Arcadia of a midsummer night,

Thus she hesitated, only a moment, it is true, for seeing the quizzical look in his eyes that always made her vaguely rebellious, with a quick light movement she mounted the style, and there paused to shake her head in laughing disdain of his outstretched hand. Then there was the sound of rending Canberick, she tripped, and next moment he caught her in his arms. It was for but a very brief instant that she lay, soft and yielding in his embrace, and she was conscious of how strong were the arms that held her so easily, air the moment, and she was they set her down.

"'I beg your pardon, how awkward I am!' she exclaimed in hot mortification. "'No,' said Bennie, shaking his head. "'It was a nail, you know, a bent and rusty nail. "'Here, under the top bar. Is your dress smudged torn?' "'Oh, that is nothing, thank you.' So they went on again. But now they were silent once more, and very naturally, for Anthea was mightily angry, with herself, the style, belieu, and everything concerned.

while he was thinking of the sudden warm clasp of her arms, of the alluring fragrance of her hair, and of the shy droop of her lashes as she lay in his embrace. Therefore, as he walked on beside her, saying nothing, within his secret soul he poured benedictions upon the head of that bent and rusty nail. And presently, having turned down a grassy lane and crossed a small but very noisy brook that chattered impertinences among the stones

and chuckled at them slyly from the shadows, They eventually came upon a small and very lonely little cottage, bowed in roses and honeysuckle, as are all the cottages hereabouts. But now Anthea paused, looking at Bellew with a dubious brow. I ought to warn you that Mrs. Dibbin is very old, and sometimes a little queer,

and sometimes says very surprising things. Excellent, nodded Bellew, holding the little gate open for her. Very right and proper conduct for a witch, and I love surprises above all things. But Anthea still hesitated while Bellew stood with his hand upon the gate, waiting for her to enter. Now he had left his hat behind him, and as the moon shone down on his bare head, she could not but notice how bright and yellow was his hair, despite the thick black brows below. I think—I would rather you waited outside, if you don't mind, Mr. Bellew.

You mean that I am to be denied the joy of conversing with a real live old witch, and having my fortune told?' he sighed. "'Well, if such is your will, so be it,' said he obediently, and handed her the basket. "'I won't keep you waiting very long, and thank you,' she smiled, and hurrying up the narrow path she tapped at the cottage door. "'Come in, come in!' cried an old, quavering voice, albeit very sharp and piercing. "'That's me my own soft dove of her maid, my proud, beautiful white lady. Come in, come in, and bring him with you. Him is so big and strong.

him as I've expected so long, the tall golden man from overseas. Beid him come in, Miss Anthea, that Goody Dibbin's old eyes may look at him at last. Hereupon, at a sigh from Anthea, Belieu turned in at the gate, and striding up the path, entered the cottage. Despite the season, a fire burned upon the hear, and crunched over this in a great elbow-chair, sat a very bent and aged woman. Her face was furrowed and seamed with numberless lines and wrinkles, but her eyes were still very bright, and she wore no spectacles. Likewise her white hair was wonderfully thick and abundant, as could plainly be seen and beneath the thrill of her cap,

for like the very small room of this very small cottage, she was extremely neat and tidy. She had a great curving nose and a great curving chin, and what with this and her bright black eyes and stooping figure, she was very much like what a witch should be, albeit a very superior kind of old witch. She sat for a while, staring up at Belleau, who stood tall and bareheaded, smiling down at her. And then all at once she nodded her head three, several and distinct times.

"'Right,' she quavered. "'Right, right, right, it'd be all right. The golden man as I've watched this many and many a day with the curly hair and the sleepy eye and the tiger mark upon his arm. Right, right. What do you mean by Tiger Mark? inquire Bellew. "'I mean, young master, with your golden curls,

I mean as sitting here day in and day out, staring down into my far, I has my dreams. At least ways I call it my dreams, as of them as cause it the second sight. But prays sit down, tall sir, on the stool there, and you, my tender maid, my dark lady, come you here, upon my right,

and if we wish, I'll look into the ink, or read your pretty hand, or tell you what I see down there in the far. But no, first show me what you've brought, for old nanny and the blessed basket. The fine strong basket has holds so much. Yeah, set it down here, where I can open it myself, tall, sir. Huh? What's this? Tea. God bless you for the tea, my dear, and eggs and butter, and a cold chicken. The Lord bless your kind heart, Miss Anthea. Ah, my proud lady, happy the man who shall win ye,

happy the man who shall wed ye, my dark, beautiful maid! And strong must he be I, a masterful he, who shall wake the love-light in those dark grey, passionate eyes of yours? And there's no man in all this world can do it, but he must be a golden man, with a tiger mark upon him. Why, oh, Nanny! I blush if ye will, my dark lady, but Mother Dibby knows she's seen it in the fire, dreamed it in her dreams, and read it in the ink. The path lies very darker for ye, my lady. Aye, very dark it be, and full of cares and troubles, but there's the sun shining beyond. bright and golden. You be proud and high and scornful, my lady, tis in your blood.

You need a strong hand to guide ye, and the strong hand shall come. By force you shall be wooed, and by force you shall be wed. And there be no man strong enough to woo and wed ye, but him as I've told ye of, him as bears the tiger mark. But Nanny, said Anthea again, gently interrupting her, and patting the old woman's shriveled hand, "'You're forgetting the basket. You haven't found all we've brought you yet.' "'Aye, aye,' nodded old nanny.

"'The fine, strong basket. Let's see what's more in the good, kind basket. Here's bread and sugar, and—' "'A pound of your favourite tobacco!' said Anthea, with a smiling nod. "'Oh, the good weed! The blessed weed!' cried the old woman, clutching the package with trembling fingers. "'Ah, who can tell the comfort it has been to me in the long, long days, and the long long nights, the blessed weed, when I'm sat here and looking and are looking into the far. God bless you, my sweet maid, for your kindly thought!

With a sudden gesture she caught Anthea's hand to her lips, and then, just as suddenly, turned upon Belleu. "'And now, tall sir, can I do all for ye? Should I look into the far for ye, or the ink, or read your hand?' "'Why, yes,' answered Bellew, stretching out his hand to her. "'You should tell me two things, if you will. first shall one ever find his way into the castle of heart's desire, and secondly, when? Oh, but I don't need to look into your hands to tell you that tall, sir, nor yet in the ink,

or in the far, for I've dreamed it in all my dreams. And now I see you, it is a strong place this castle, with thick doors and great locks and bars, but I've seen those doors broke down, those great locks and bars burst asunder, but there is none can do this, but him as bears the tiger mark. So much for the first, and for the second, happiness shall come in writing to you on the full moon, but you must reach up and take it for yourself, if you be tall enough. And even you are not tall enough to do that, Mr. Bellew, laughed Anthea, as she rose to bid old gannie good-night, while Bellew, unnoticed, slipped certain coins upon a corner of the chimney-piece.

So old Nanny blessed them, and theirs, past, present and future, thoroughly and completely, with a fine comprehensiveness that only had genuinely accomplished old witch might hope to attain to, and following them to the door, pause there with one shrivelled, claw-like hand, uplifted towards the sky. "'At the foot of the moon, Tawser,' she repeated, "'at the full of the moon. "'As for you, my dark lady, I say by force you shall be wooed, and by force ye shall be wed.' "'Aye, aye, but there is no man strong enough except he hath the tiger mark upon him. "'Old Nanny knows. She's seen it in the ink, dreamed it in the fire, and read it all in your pretty hand.

"'And now, thank you for the tea, my pretty, and God bless ye for the good mead, "'and just so sure as you've been good and kind to old Nanny, so shall fortune be good and kind to you, Miss Anthea.' "'Poor old Nanny,' said Anthea, as they went on down the grassy lane, "'she's so very grateful for so little, and she's such a gentle old, teacher, really, though the country folk do call her a witch and are afraid of her because they say she has the evil eye, which is ridiculous, of course. But nobody ever goes near her, and she's drenfully lonely, poor old thing." "'And so that is why you come to sit with her and let her talk to you?'

inquired Bellew, staring up at the moon. "'Yes.' "'And do you believe in her dreams and visions?' "'No, of course not,' answered Anthea, rather hurriedly, and with a deeper colour in her cheeks, her belly was still intent up on the moon. "'You don't either, do you?' she inquired, seeing he was silent. "'Well, I don't quite know,' he answered slowly.

"'But she is rather a wonderful old lady, I think.' "'Yes, she has wonderful thick hair still,' "'Monded Anthea, and she's not a bit deaf, "'and her eyes is as clear and sharp as ever they were.' "'Yes, but I wasn't meaning her eyes, or her hair, or her hearing.' "'Oh, then, pray, what were you pleased to mean?' "'Did you happen to notice what she said about a man with a tiger mark?' inquired Bellew, still gazing up at the moon.

Anthea laughed. "'The man with the tiger mark, of course. He'd been much in her dreams lately, and she'd talked of him a great deal.' "'Ah, she,' said Melil. "'Ah.' "'Yes, her mind is full of strange twists and fancies. You see, she's so very old, and she loves to tell me her dreams and read the future for me.' "'Though, of course, you don't.

"'Believe it,' said Belue. "'Believe it,' Anthea repeated, and walked some dozen paces or so, before she answered, "'No, of course not.' "'Then none of your fortune, nothing she told you has ever come true?' Once more Anthea hesitated, this time so long that Belu turned from his moon-gazing to look at her. "'I mean he went on. Has none of it ever come true? About this man with the Tiger Mark, for instance?' "'No, oh no,' answered Anthea, rather hastily, and laughed again. "'Oh, Nanny has seen him in her dreams everywhere, in India and China and Africa, in hot countries and cold countries. Oh, Nanny has seen him everywhere.

But I have seen him nowhere, and of course I never shall.' "'Ah,' said Belieu, and she reads him always in your fortune, does she?' "'And I listen very patiently,' Anthea nodded, because it pleases her so much, and it is also very harmless after all, isn't it? Yes, answered Bellew, and very wonderful. Wonderful? Poor old Nan's fantasies? What do you mean by wonderful? Upon my word I hardly know, said Bellew, shaking his head. But there are more things in heaven and earth, etc. You know, and this is one of them.

Really? Now you grow mysterious, Mr. Bellew. Like the night, he answered, turning to Aida across the impertinent brook that chuckled at them and laughed after them, as only such a very impertinent brook possibly could. So, by times, they reached the stile and crossed it, this time without mishap, despite the lurking nail, and all too soon for Belleu had traversed the orchard, and were come to the garden, where the roses all hung so still upon their stems that they might have been asleep, and filling the air with the perfume of their dreams. And here they paused, perhaps because of the witchery of the moon, perhaps to listen to the voice of the nightingale, who sang on more gloriously than ever.

Yet, though they stood so close together, their lances seldom met, and they were very silent. But at last, as though making up her mind, Anthea spoke. What did you mean when you said old Nanny's dreams were so wonderful, she asked? I'll show you, he answered. And when he spoke, slipped off his coat, and drawing up his shirt-sleeve, held out a muscular white arm to wall her. He held it out in the full radiance of the moon, and thus, looking down at it, her eyes grew suddenly wide, and her breath caught strangely as surprise gave place to something else. For there, plain to be seen upon the white flesh, were three long scars that wound up from

elbow to shoulder. And so for a while they stood thus, she looking at his arm, and he at her. "'Why?' said she at last, finding voice to a little gasp. "'Why, then?' "'I am the man with the tiger mark,' he said, smiling his slow, placid smile. Now, as his eyes looked down into hers, she flushed, sudden and hot, and at lance wavered and fell beneath his. "'Oh!' she cried, and with the word turned about, and fled from him into the house. End of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnell.

This Librevox recording is in the public domain. recording by simon evers chapter twelve in which may be found a fool true and particular account of the sale uncle porges there's a little man in the hall with a red red nose and a blue-blue chin yes i've seen him also his nose and chin my porges but he's ticking little papers with numbers on them all over my auntie's chairs and tables and what suppose he's doing that for who knows it's probably all on account of his red nose and blue chin my porges Anyway, don't worry about him. Let us rather find our Aunt Tientia.' They found her in the hall, and it was a hall, here at Daplemere wide and high, and with a minstrel's gallery at one end, a hall that years and years ago had often rung with the clash of men-at-arms, and echoed with loud and jovial laughter, for this was the most ancient part of the manor.

It looked rather bare and barren just now, for the furniture was all moved out of place, ranged neatly round the walls, and stacked at the farther end, beneath the gallery where the little man in question, blue of chin and red of nose, was hovering about it, damning little tickets on chairs and tables, even as small porges had said. And in the midst of it all stood Anthea, a desolate figure, Belue thought, who upon his entrance bent her head to draw on her driving gloves, for she was waiting for the dog-cart, which was to bear her, and small-porges, to Cranbrook, far away from the hollow tap of the auctioneer's hammer. "'We are getting rid of some of the old furniture, you see, Mr. Bellew,' she said,

laying her hand on an antique cabinet nearby. We really have much more than me ever use.' "'Yes,' said Ben-Ew. But he noticed that her eyes were very dark and wistful, despite her light tone, and that she'd laid her hand upon the old cabinet with a touch, very like a caress. "'Why is that man's nose so awful red, and his chin so blue?' "'Auntie Anthea,' inquired small porges in a hissing stage-wisper. "'Hush, Georgie, I don't know,' said Anthea.

"'And why is he sticking his little numbers all over our best furniture?' "'That is to guide the auctioneer.' "'Where, too? What is an auctioneer?' But at this moment, hearing the wheels of the dog-cart at the door, Anthea turned and hastened out into the sunshine. "'Lovely day, B, for driving,' said Adam, touching his hat. "'And best be thinking the same, I do believe.' and he patted the glossy coat of the mare who arched her neck and poured the gravel with an impatient hoof lightly and nimbly anthea swung herself up to the high seat turning to make small porges secure beside her as bellew handed him up

you'll look after things for me adam said anthea glancing back wistfully into the dim recesses of the cool old hall ay i will that miss anthea mr bellie we can find room for you if you care to come with us "'Thanks,' said he, shaking his head. "'But I'd rather think I'll stay here and help Adam to look after things, if you don't mind.' "'Then good-bye,' said Anthea, and nodding to Adam, he gave the mare her head, and off they went. "'Good-bye,' cried small, Porgias, "'and thank you for the shitting, Uncle Porgies.' "'The mare is rather fresh this morning, isn't she, Adam?' inquired Bally, watching the dog-cart's rapid course. "'Freshther?' "'That's rather a day.'

dangerous sort of thing for a woman to drive, isn't it?' "'Meaning the dog-cart, sir.' "'Meaning the dog-cart, Adam.' "'Why, Lord love ye, Mr. Bellow, sir,' cried Adam with his great laugh. "'There ain't nobody can handle the room's better than Miss Antheir. "'There ain't a horse she can't drive. "'Ah, all right, for that matter. Not nowhere, sir.' "'Oh,' said Bellew, having watched the dog-cart out of sight,

"'he turned and followed Adam into the stables. "'And here, sitting upon a bale of hay, "'they smoked many pipes together in earth. earnest converse, until such time as the sale should begin. As the day advanced, people began arriving in twos and threes, and among the first the auctioneer himself. A jovial-faced man was this auctioneer, with jovial manner, and a jovial smile. Indeed, his dea viability seemed, somehow or other, to have got into the very buttons of his coat, for they fairly winked and twinkled with joviality.

Upon catching sight of the furniture, he became, if possible, more jovial than ever, and, beckoning to his assistant, that is to say, to the small man with the red nose and the blue chin, who it seemed answered to the name of Theodore, he clapped him jaively upon the back, rather as though he were knocking him down to some unfortunate bidder, and immediately fell into business converse with him, albeit jovial still. But all the while intending purchasers were arriving. They came on horse and afoot, and in conveyances of every sort and kind, and the tread of their feet and the buzz of their voices awoke unwonted echoes in the old place.

And still they came, from far and near, until some hundred odd people were crowded into the hall. Conspicuous among them was a large man with a fat red neck which he was continually mopping at, and rubbing with a vivid bandana handkerchief scarcely less red. Indeed, red seemed to be his pervading colour, for his hair was red, his hands were red, and his face, heavy and round was reddest of all, out of whose flaming circumference. two diminutive but very sharp eyes winked and blinked continually. His voice, like himself, was large with a peculiar brassy ring to it that penetrated to the farthest corners and recesses of the old hall. He was, beyond all doubt, a man of substance and of no small importance,

for he was greeted deferentially on all hands, and it was to be noticed that people elbowed each other to make way for him, as people ever will before substance and property. To some of them he nodded, to some he spoke, and with others he even laughed, albeit he was of a solemn, sober, and serious nature, as becomes a man of property and substance. Between whires, however, he bestowed his undivided attention upon the furniture. He sat down suddenly and heavily in chairs. He pummeled them with his plump red fists, whereby to test their springs. He opened the doors of cabinets, he peered into drawers, he wrapped upon tables, and altogether comported himself as a thoroughly knowing man should, who is not to be hoaxed by veneer, or taken in by the

shine and splendour of well-applied beeswax. Bellew, watching all this from where he sat, screened from the throng by great carved sideboard and divers' chairs and what-nots, drew rather harder at his pipe, and, chancing to catch Adam's eye, beckoned him to approach. "'Who is that round, red man yonder, Adam?' he inquired, nodding to where the individual in question was engaged at that moment, poking at something or other. with a large sausage-like finger. "'That,' replied Adam, in a tone of profound disgust, "'that by Mr. Grimes, a Cranbrook, sir,

"'coursethers, but I cause him, or whatever mine what, sir, "'and it weren't a corn-sharling as he'd made all his money, sir, "'and it be him as we all work and slave for, here at Dupamere Farm.' "'What do you mean, Adam?' "'I mean, as it be him as holds some mortgage on Dupamere, sir.' "'Ah, and how much?' "'Over three thousand pound, Mr. Bellew, sir.' sighed Adam, with a hopeless shake of the head.

"'And that'd be a powerful lot of money, sir.' Belue thought of the sums he had lavished upon his yacht, upon his three racing cars, and certain other extravagances. Three thousand pounds, fifteen thousand dollars, who would make a free woman, independent, happy. Just fifteen thousand dollars. And he'd thrown away more than that upon a poker game before now. "'Lord!' exclaimed Adam.

"'The very sight of all that there grinds of pig-eyes, the pig-eyes staring at Miss Anthe's furniture. Do make the old Adam rise up in me to that amazing extent, Mr. Bellew, sir. Why, just look at him a thumpkin and a-pounding at that, their chair!' Saying which, Adam turned, and elbowing his way to where Mr. Grimes was in the act of testing the springs of an easy-chair, he promptly, and as though forced by a struggling mob, fell up against Mr. Grimes, and jostled Mr. Grimes, and trod heavily upon the toes of Mr. Grimes, and all were an expression of the most profound unconsciousness and about

abstraction, which, upon the indignant Cornshandler's loud expostulations, immediately changed to a look of innocent surprise. "'Court you look where you're going, you chumsy fool!' Fumed the irate Grimes, ridder of neck than ever. "'Axia, pardon, Mr. Grimes,' said Adam solemnly, but what with people's legs and cheer legs and their legs of tables, not I mention as cybords and cabinets, which, though not having no legs ain't to be by no matter or means despise, therefore, what with this and that and t'other, and I'm that confined, or, as you might say, confused.

I don't know which leg is mine, or yoren or anybody else's. Mr. Grimes, sir, I make so bold as to ask your pardon all over again, sir.' During which speech Adam contrived once more to fall against, to tread upon, and to jostle the highly incensed Mr. Grimes back into the crowd again. Thereafter he became a nemesis to Mr. Grimes, haunting him through the jungle of chairs and tables, pursuing him into distant courts, corners and shady places, where, so sure as the sochage-like finger poised itself for an interlegatory poke, or the fat red fist doubled itself for a spring-testing punch,

the innocent-seeming Adam would thereupon fall against him from the rear, sideways or in front. Meanwhile, Bellew sat in his secluded corner, watching the crowd through the blue wreaths of his pipe, but thinking of her, who, brave though she was, had nevertheless run away from it all at the last moment. Presently, however, he was aware that the Cornchandler had seated himself on the other side of the chiffonier, puffing and panting with heat and indignation, where he was presently joined by another individual, a small rat-eyed man who had been Mr. Grimes a deferential. Good-day.

That there, Adam, puffed the Cornchandler, that there Adam want to be thrown out into the stables where he belongs. I never see a man as was so much grove to feet and elbows in all my days. "'You ought to be took,' repeated the Corn Shandler, "'and shook and thrown out into the yard.' "'Yes,' said the other. "'Took and shook and throwed out, net and crops, sir. "'Now, what might you think of the furniture, Mr. Grimes?' "'So-so, Parsons,' nodded Grimes.

"'So-so. "'Should you buy?' "'I'm going,' said the Chorn Shandler, with much deliberation. "'I'm going to take them tapestry cheers, sir, "'r otherwise the ground for the clock in the corner here. "' Likewise the four-post bedstead with the carved-e and most particular persons have to take this year's sideboard. Rent another piece like this in the county, as I know of.

Solid mahogany, sir, and the carvings. And herewith he gave two loud double-knocks upon the article of furniture in question. I've had my eye on this sideboard for years and years. No, I get it some day, too. The only wonder is she ain't had to sell it afore now. Middy Miss Anthea, sir? Ah, her. I say it's a wonder to me.

Wouldn't with the interest on the mortgage I hold on the place? and one thing another, as one to me as she's kept her head above water so long. But mark me, Parsons, mark me, she'll be selling again soon, and next time it'll be lock, stock and barrel, Parsons. Well, I don't know women farmers myself, nodded Parsons, but as of that cupboard over there, Sheraton, I think, what might you suppose it to be worth? A bit between friends now, inquired Parsons, the rat-eyed.

Can't say till I seed it, and likewise felt it, answered the Cornshire. under rising, "'Let me land upon it, and I'll tell you, to a shitting!' And here they elbered their way into the crowd. But Bellew sat there, chin in hand, quite oblivious to the fact that his pipe was out long since. The tall old grandfather clock ticking in leisurely fashion in the corner behind him, solemn and sedate,

as it had done since, as the neat inscription upon the dial testified, it had first been made in the year of Grace 1732, were one J-Bays-Havisham of London. This ancient timepiece now out at a sudden wheeze, which, considering its great age, could scarcely be wondered at, and thereafter, the wheezing having subsided, gave forth a soft and mellow chime, proclaiming to all and sundry that it was twelve o'clock. Hereupon the auctioneer, bustling to and fro with his hapt upon the back of his head, consulted his watch, nodded to the red-nosed, blue-chin-theodore, and, perching himself above the crowd, gave three sharp knocks with this hammer. "'Gentlemen,' he began, "'but here he was interrupted by a loud voice raised in hot anger. "'Confound ye for a clumsy rascal.

"'Will you keep the obers of yawn out of my whiskete, eh? "'Will ye keep them big feet a yawn to yourself? "'If there ain't room enough for ye, how'd ye go, do you hear? "'I'll have you took and shook and throw it out where you belong. "'So just mind where you're a trumping and a treading.' "'Tread, repeated Adam. "'O, where am I to tread? "'If I steps back to, I tread on ye.

"'If I step sideways, I tread on ye. "'You must step forward, I tread on you. "'I do seem to me as I can't get nowhere, "'but there are you being waiting to be trod on, Mr. Grimes, sir.' "'Hereupon, the auctioneer rapped louder than ever, "'upon which the clamour subsiding, "'he smiled his most jovial smile, "'and once more began,

"'Gentlemen, you have all had an opportunity "'to examine the furniture I'm about to dispose of, "'and as fair-minded human beings, "'I think you would admit that a fine lot of genuine antique "'was never offered one at the same time. "'Gentlemen, I'm not going to burst forth into laudatory rhodomontade, "'which is a word, gentlemen, that I employ only among an enlightened community "'such as I now have the honour of addressing.

"'Nither do I propose to waste your time in purposeless verbiage, "'which is another of the same kind, gentlemen. "'Therefore, without further preface or preamble, we will proceed at once to business. "'The first dot I have to offer you is a screen, six foot high, "'bring up the screen, Theodore. "'There it is, gentlemen. "'Ope it out, Theodore. gentlemen, it is carved rosewood, the panels hand-painted, and representing shepherds and shepherdesses,

disporting themselves under a tree with banjo and guitar. Now, what I'm offered is his hand-painted antique screen? Come? Fifteen shillings, from someone deep hidden in the crowd. A start as low as you like, gentlemen, I'm offered a miserable fifteen shillings for a genuine hand-painted, 16. This from a long, loose-limbed fellow with a patch over one eye and another on his cheek. "'A pound,' said Adam promptly. "'A guinea,' "'on did heave the patches. "'Twenty-five shillings,' said Adam.

"'Ah, twenty-five shillings,' cried the Orcheneer. "'In advance, a genuine hand-painted antique screen, "'going at twenty-five, at twenty-five going—going, gone. "'To the large gentleman in the neckcloth, Theodore.' "'There be that job, jagway, sir,' said Adam, "'leaning across the sideboard to impart this information. "'Over yonder, Mr. Bellew, sir. "'Himmers was bidding for the screen.

the tall chap with the patches. Two patches'd be pretty good, but I do wish I'd have given him a couple more while I was about it, Mr. Bellew, sir. Here, the auctioneer's voice put an end to Adam's self-reproaches, and he turned back to the business in hand. The next note I'm going to dispose of gentlemen is a fine set of six chairs

with carved antique backs and upholstered in tapestry. Also, two armchairs to match with them out, Theodore. Now, what is your price for these eight fine pieces? Look them over and bit accordingly. "'Thirty shillings!' again from the depths of the crowd. "'Ha, ha, ha, you joke, sir,' laughed the auctioneer, "'rubing his hands in his most dear of the manner. "'You joke! I can't see you, but you joke, of course, and I laugh accordingly.

"'Ha, ha, ha! "'Thirty shillings for eight fine antique tapestried hand-carved shares! "'Oh, very good! Excellent upon my soul!' "'Three pound,' said the fire-in-necked corn-chandler. "'Ginnies,' said the rat-eye Parsons. "'Four pound!' nodded the country. corn-chandler. "'Four pound ten,' roared Adam. "'Five!' nodded Grimes, edging away from Adam's elbow.

"'Six pound ten!' cried Adam. "'Seven,' from Parsons. "'Eight,' said Grimes. "'Ten!' roared Adam, growing desperate. "'Eleven,' said Grimes, beginning to mop at his neck again. "'Adam hesitated. "'Eleven pounds seems so very much for those chairs "'that he had seen prudence and the rosy-cheeked maids

"'dusts regularly every morning, "'and then, there's not a little, his money, after all. Therefore, Adam hesitated and glanced wistfully towards a certain distant corner. At eleven, at eleven pounds, this fine suite of hand-carved antique chairs, eleven pounds, at eleven, at eleven, going, going, fifteen, said a voice from the distant corner. Whereupon Adam drew a great sigh of relief, while the Cornsharnda contorted himself in his efforts to glare at belly around the sideboard.

Fifteen pounds, chanted the auctioneer, I have fifteen, "'Fitin, I'm given fifteen, any advance. "'These eight antique chairs going at fifteen, going, for the last time, going—' "'Gone! "'Sold to the gentleman of the corner behind the sideboard, Theodore.' "'They were certainly fine chairs, Mr. Grimes,' said Parsons, shaking his head. "'So-so,' said the Cornshadler, sitting down heavily. "'So-so, Parsons!'

"'And he turned to glare at Belleu, "'who lying back in an easy-chair with his legs upon another, "'a puffed at his pipe, and regarded all things with a placid interest. It is not intended to recording these pages all the bids that were made as the afternoon advanced, for that would be fatiguing to write and a weariness to weed. Suffice it to say that lots were put up and regularly knocked down, but always to Belleu or Adam, which last, encouraged by Bellew's bold advances, gaily roared down and constantly outbid

all competitors with such unhesitating pertinacity that murmurs rose and swelled than to open complaint. In the midst of which the fiery-visaged corn-chandler, purple now, between heat and vexation, loudly demanded that he lay down some substantial deposit upon what he had already purchased, failing which he should there and then be took and shook and thrown out into the yard. "'Neck and crop,' added Mr. Parsons. "'That seems to be a fair proposition,' smiled the auctioneer, who had already experienced some doubts as to Adam's financial capabilities, yet with his all unruffled.

That seemed to be a very fair proposal indeed. If the gentleman will put down some substantial deposit now?' "'I, for sure,' nodded Adam, stepping forward. And unbuttoning a capacious pocket. He drew out a handful of bank-notes. "'Shall I give you a hundred pound, or will fifty be enough?' "'Why?' said the auctioneer, rubbing his hands as he eyed the fistful of bank-notes. "'Ten pound will be all that is necessary, sir.

Just to ensure good faith, you understand?' Hereupon, Bellew, beckoning to Adam, hand him a like amount which was due to depositive with the auctioneer. So, once more, the bidding began. Once more lots were put up and knocked down, now to Adam, and now to Bellew. The bed, with the carved headboard, had fallen to Adam after a lively contest between him and Parsons and the Corn Shandler, which had left the latter in a state of perspiring profanity, from which he was by no means recovered when the auctioneer once more

wrapped for silence. And now, gentlemen, last, but by no means least, we come to the gem of the sale. A sideboard gentleman, a magnificent mahogany sideboard, being a superb example of the carvers art. Here is a sideboard gentleman which, if it can be equalled, cannot be excelled. No, gentlemen, not if you were to search all the baronial halls and lordy mansions and this land of mansions and baronials. It is a truly magnificent piece in perfect condition, and to be sold at your own price. "'I say no more. "'Gentlemen, how much for this magnificent mahogany piece?'

"'Ten pound.' "'11.' "'15.' "'Seventeen,' said Adam, "'who was rapidly drawing near the end of his resources. "'Eighteen,' this from Job Jagway. "'Go easy there, Job,' he asked Adam, edging a little nearer to him. "'Go easy now.'

"'19.' "'Come, come, gentlemen,' remissuated the auctioneer. "'This isn't a coarse-cuttle, nor a broom, nor yet a pair of "'This is a magnificent mahogany's sideboard, and you offer me nineteen pound?' "'Twenty,' said Job. "'Twenty-one,' roared Adam, making his last bid. "'And then, turning, he hissed in Job's unwilling ear. "'Go any higher, and I'll pound ye to a jelly job.'

"'Twenty-five,' said Parsons. "' Twenty-seven. Twenty-eight. "' Thirty, naughty Grimes, scarring at Adam. "'Thirty-two,' cried Parsons. "' Thirty-six. "' Thirty-seven. "'Forty!' nodded Grimes. "'That drops me,' said Parsons, sighing and shaking his head.

"'Ah!' chuckled the Corn Shandler. "'Well, I've eighty years for that cyborg, Parsons, "'and I ain't going to let you take it away from me, nor nobody else, sir.' "'At forty!' cried the auctioneer. "'At forty, this magnificent—' "'One,' nodded Bellew, beginning to fill his pipe. "'Forty-one's the bid. I have forty-one from the gent of the corner.' "' Forty-five!' growled the Corn-chandler.

"'Six,' said Bellew. "'Fifty!' snarled Grimes. "'One,' said Bellew. "'Gent at the corner gives me fifty-one, chanted the auctioneer. "'Any fans, at fifty-one?' "'55,' said Grimes, beginning to mop at his neck harder than ever. "'At ten,' nodded Bellew. "'What's that?' cried Grimes, weeding about.

"'Genton to the corner of us me sixty-five. At sixty-five, this magnificent piece at sixty-five. "'What, are you all done? at sixty-five and cheap at the price, come, gentlemen, take your time, give it another look over, and bit accordingly. The crowd had dwindled rapidly during the last hour, which was scarcely to be wondered at seeing that they were constantly outbid,

either by a horse-voiced, square-shouldered fellow in a neckcloth, or a dreamy individual who lolled in a corner and puffs at a pipe. But now, as Grimes, his red cheeks puffed out, his little eyes snapping in a way that many knew meant danger, with a large D, as the rich corn-chandler, whose word was law to a good many, turned and confronted this lounging, long-legged individual, such as remained, closed round them in a ring, in keen expectation of what was to follow. Observing which, the corn-shadler, feeling it incumbent upon him now or never, to vindicate himself as a man of property and substance, and not to be put down,

thrust his hands deep into his pockets, spread his legs wide apart, and stared at Bellew in a way that most people have found highly disconcerting before now. Penning, however, seemed wholly unaffected, and went on imperturbably filling his pipe. "'At sixty-five!' cried the auctioneer, leaning towards Grimes with his hammer-poised. "'At sixty-five, will you make it another pound, sir? Come, what you say?' "'I say, no, sir,' returned the corn-chandler slowly and impressively. "'I say, no, sir. I say, make it another twenty-pound, sir.' Hereupon heads were shaken or nodded, and there rose a sudden shuffle of feet as the crowd closed in nearer.

"'I get eighty-five. Any advance on eighty-five?' "'Aighty-six,' said Bellew, settling the tobacco in his pipe-bowl with his thumb. Once again the auctioneer leaned over and appealed to the corn-shandler, who stood in the same attitude, jingling the money in his pocket. "'Come, sir, don't let a pound or so stand between you and a cyborg that can't be matched in the length of breadth of the United Kingdom? Come, what do you say to another ten shillings?' "'I say, sir,' said Grimes, with his gaze still riveted upon Bello. I say, no, sir. I say, make it another twenty pounds, sir!'

Again there rose the shuffle of feet, again heads were nodded, and elbows nudged, neighbouring ribs, and all eyes were focused upon Béliu, who was in the act of lighting his pipe. "'One hundred and six pounds,' cried the auctioneer. "'At one-six, at one-six?' "'Beddieu struck a match, "'but the wind from the open casement behind him extinguished it. "'I have one hundred and six pounds. "'Is there any advance? Yes or no.

"'Going at one hundred and six.' "'Adam, who up till now had enjoyed the struggle to the utmost, "'experienced a sudden qualm of fear. "'Berudu struck another match. "'At one hundred and six, at one-six, "'going at one hundred and six pounds?' A cold moisture started out on Adam's brow. He clenched his hands and muttered between his teeth.

Supposing the money were all gone, like his own share, supposing they had to lose this famous old sideboard and to grimes of all people. This and much more was in Adam's mind, while the auctioneer held his hammer poised, and Bellew went on, lighting his pipe. Going at one hundred and six, going, going. Fifty up, said Bellew. his pipe was well alight at last, and he was nodding to the auctioneer through a fragrant cloud. "'What?' cried Grimes.

"'How much?' "'Jenton to the corner gives me one hundred and fifty-six pounds,' said the auctioneer, with a jovial eye upon the corn-chandler's lowering visage. "'One-five-six. All done? Any advance? Going at one-five-six? Going, going, gone!' The hammer fell, and with its tap a sudden silence came upon the old hall. all. Then all at once the Cornshounder turned, caught up his hat, clapped it on, shook a fat fist at Bellew, and crossing to the door, lumbered away, muttering maledictions as he went.

By twos and threes the others followed him, until there remained only Adam, Bellew, the auctioneer, and the red-nosed Theodore. And yet there was one other, for chancing to raise his eyes to the Minstrel's gallery, Beny was spied Miss Priscilla. who, meeting his smiling glance, leaned down suddenly over the carved rail, and very deliberately threw him a kiss, and then hurried away with a quick, light, tap of her stick. End of Chapter 12. Chapter 13 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnell.

This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 13, How Anthea Came Home "'Lord,' said Adam, pausing with a chair under either arm, "'law, Mr. Bellew, sir, I wonder what Miss Anthea will say,' with which remark he strode off with the two chairs to set them in their accustomed places. Seldom indeed had the old hall, despite its many years, seen such a running to and fro, heard such a patter of flying feet, such merry voices, such gay and heartfelt laughter.

For here was Miss Priscilla, looking small than ever, in a great arm-chair where, whence she directed the disposal and arrangement of all things, with quick little motions of her crutch stick. And here were the two rosy-cheeked maids, brighter and rosier than ever, and here was comely prudent so that come from her kitchen to bear a hand, and here, as perhaps been said, was Adam, and here also was Bellew, his pipe laid aside with his coat, pushing and tugging in his efforts to get the great sideboard back into its customary position. and all, as has also been said, was laughter and bustle, and an eager haste to have all things as they were, and should be henceforth, before Anthea's return. "'Lord!' exclaimed Adam again, balancing now upon a ladder, and pausing to wipe his brow with one hand and with a pitcher swinging in the other.

"'Lord whatever will Miss Anthea's say, Mr. Bellew, sir!' "'Ah!' nodded Betty thoughtfully. "'I wonder.' "'What is supposed she'll say, Miss Prisoner, ma'am?' "'I think you'd better be careful of that, picture, Adam.' "'Which means,' said Bellew, smiling down into Miss Priscilla's young, bright eyes, "'that you don't know.' "'Well, Mr. Bellew, she'd be clearly, very glad, of course. "'Happier, I think, than you or I can guess,

"'because I know she loves every stick and stave of that old furniture. "'But—' "'But, nodded Bellew, yes, I understand. "'Mr. Bellew, Evanthea, God bless her dear heart. "'But if she has a fault, it is pride, Mr. Bellew. "'Pride, pride, pride with a capital P.' "'Yes, she is very proud.' "'She with that, Abby Arted,' said Adam,

"'posing nearby with a great armful of miscellaneous articles, "'and that full of joy as never was, Mr. Bellew, sir.' "'Having delivered himself at which he departed with his load. "'I rose this morning very early, Mr. Bellew. "'Oh, very early,' said Miss Priscilla, "'watching Adam's latent figure with watchful eyes. "'Couldn't possibly sleep, you see. "'So I got up ridiculous.

"'But bless you, she was up before me.' "'Ah, oh, dear, he hasn't been up ours. "'And what do you suppose she was doing?' "'Bernutnikia said. "'She was rubbing and polishing that old sideboard "'that you paid such a dreadful pricefall, "'down on her knees before it. "'Yes, she was, and polishing and rubbing and crying all the while.

"'Oh, dear heart, such great big tears, and so very quiet. "'When you heard my little stick come tapping along, "'she'd tried to hide them, "'I mean her tears, of course, Mr. Bellew. "'When I drew her dear, beautiful head down into my arms, "'she tried to smile. "'I'm so very silly, Aunt Priscilla,' she said, "'crying more than ever.

"'But so hard so that the old things be taken away, "'you see, I do love them so. "'I tell you all this, Mr. Bellew, because I like you. "'Ever so you think you took the trouble "'to pick up a ball of worst-in for a poor old lame woman "'in an orchard. "'First impressions, you know. "'And secondly, I tell you all this to explain to you

why I... "'Through a kiss from a minstrel's gallery "'to a most unworthy individual, Aunt Priscilla?' "'Through you a kiss, Mr. Bellew. I had to. "'The sideboard, you know. On her knees, you understand?' "'I understand.' "'You see, Mr. Ballew, sir,' said Adam, at this juncture, "'speaking from beneath an inlaid table which he held balanced upon his head,

"'it ain't as if this was just ordinary furniture, sir. "'You see, she kind of feels as it all be part of dapple me a manner, as it used to be called. It's all been here so long that them chairs and tables has come to be part of the house, sir. So when she comes and finds this it ain't all been took,

or as you might say, vanished away, while the question as I asked you, sir, is, what will she say? Oh, Lord. And here Adam gave vent to his great laugh, which necessitated an almost superhuman exertion of strength to keep the table from slipping

from its precarious perch. Whereupon Miss Priscilla screamed, a very small scream, herself, and Prudence scolded, and the two rosy-cheeked maids tittered, and Adam went chuckling upon his way. And when the hall was once more its old, familiar, comfortable self, when the floor had been swept of its litter, and every trace of the sail removed, then Miss Priscilla sighed, and Bellew put on his coat. "'When do you expect she will come home?' he inquired, glancing at the grandfather-clock

in the corner. "'Well, if she drove straight back from Cranbrook, she would be here now.' but I fancy she won't be so very anxious to get home today and may come the longest way round. Yes, it's in my mind she will keep away from Dapper Mere as long as ever she can. And I think, said Belyu, yes, I think I'll take a walk. I'll go and call upon the sergeant. The sergeant, said Mr. Priscilla, let me see now. It is now a quarter to six.

It should take you about fifteen minutes to the village. That will make it exactly six o'clock. You'll find the sergeant just sitting down in the chair on the left. left-hand side of the far place in the corner of the king's head, you know. Not that I have ever seen him there, good gracious not, but I happen to be acquainted with his habits, and he is as regular and precise as his great big silver watch, and that is the most precise and regular thing in all the world.

I'm glad you were going, she went on, because today is, well, a day apart, Mr. Bellew. You'll find the sergeant of the king's head until half-past seven. Then I will go to the king's head, said Bellew, "'And what message do you send him?' "'And down,' said Miss Priscilla, "'loughing and shaking her head. "'At least you can tell him if you wish that the peaches are riper than ever they were this evening.'

"'I won't forget,' said Bellew, smiling, "'and went out into the sun-sshine. "'But crossing the yard he was met by Adam, "'who, chuckling still, paused to touch his hat. "'So look at that there all, sir. "'You will never know as there never been any sale at all, not now.' Now the only question is worries me, and as I'm an asking of myself constant, is, what will Miss Anthea have to say about it?

Yes, said Belieu, I wonder. And so he turned and went away slowly across the fields. Miss Priscilla had been right. Anthea was coming back the longest way around. Also she was anxious to keep away from Duffamere as long as possible. Therefore, despite Small Port's exhortations and Bessie's champing impatience, she held the mare in, for permitting her only the slowest of paces, which it was a most unusual thing for Anthea to do. For the most part, too, she drove in silence, seemingly deaf to small porges' flow of talk, which was also very unlike her in her.

But before her eyes were visions of her dismantled home. In her ears was the roar of voices clamouring for her cherished possessions. A sickening roar, broken now and then by the hollow tap of the auctioneer's cruel hammer. And each time the clamouring voices rose, she shivered, and every blow of the cruel hammer seemed to fall upon her quivering heart. Thus she was unwaintedly deaf and unresponsive to small poldges, who presently fell into a profound gloom in consequence, and thus she held in the eager mare, who therefore shied and fidgeted and tossed her head indignantly. But slowly as they went they came within sight of the house at last, with its quaint gables and many lattice windows, and the blue-suelly. smoke curling up from his twisted chimneys, smiling and placid, as though in all this great world there were no such thing to be found as an auctioneer's hammer. And presently they swung

into the drive and drew up in the courtyard. And there was Adam waiting to take the mayor's head. Adam was good-natured and stolid as though there were no abominations called, for what of a worse name, sails. Very slowly for her, Anthea climbed down from the high dog-cart, aiding small porges to earth, and with his hand clasped tight in hers, and with lips set firm, she turned and entered the hall. But upon the threshold she stopped, and stood there utterly still, gazing and gazing upon the trim orderliness of everything. Then, seeing every well-remembered thing in its appointed place, all became suddenly blurred

and dim, and snatching her hand from small porges clasp, she uttered a great choking sob, and covered her face. But small porges had seen, and stood aghast, and Miss Priscilla had seen, and now hurried forward with a quick tap-tap of her stick. As she came Anthea raised her head and looked for one who should have been there but was not. And in that moment, instinctively, she knew how things came to be as they were, and because of this knowledge her cheeks flamed with a swift, burning colour, and with a soft cry she hit her face in Miss Priscilla's gentle bosom. Then, while her face was yet hidden there, she whispered,

"'Tell me, tell me all about it.' But meanwhile, Bellew, striding far away across the meadows, seeming to watch the glory of the sunset, and to hearken to a black bird piping from the dins' conclusion of a copse, a melodious goodbye to the dying day, yet saw and heard it not at all, for his mind was still occupied with Adam's question. "'What would, Miss Anthea say?'

End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall. This Libby of Oxford recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 14, which, among other things, has to do with shrimps, muffins and tin whistles. A typical at Kentish village is Dappermere, with its rows of scattered cottages bowed in roses and honeysuckle, white-walled cottages with steep pitch roofs, and small latticed windows that seems to stare at all and sundry like so many winking eyes.

There is an air redolent of ripening fruit and hops, for Dapamere is a place of orchards and hop gardens and rickyards, while here and there the sharp-pointed red-tiled roof of some oesthouse pierces the green. Though Daplemyr village is but a very small place indeed nowadays, yet it possesses a church, grey and ancient, whose massive Norman towers look down upon gable and chimney upon roof and thatch and roof of tile, like some bign-lingled jarred keeping watch above them all. Nearby, of course, is the inn, a great rambling, comfortable place, with time-worn settles beside the door, and with a mighty sign a swinging before it, upon which, plainly to be seen, when the sun catches it fairly, is that which purports to be a likeness of His Majesty King William

the fourth of glorious memory. But alas, the colours have long since faded, so that now, Upon a dull day, it is a moot question whether His Majesty's nose was of the Greek or Roman order, or indeed whether he was blessed with any nose at all. Thus time and circumstances have united to make a ghost of the likeness, as they have done of the original long since, which, fading yet more and more, or doubtless eventually vanish altogether, like King William himself, and leave but a vague memory behind. Now, before the inn, was a small crowd gathered about a trap in which sat two men, one of whom barely recognised as the red-necked corn-chandler Grimes, and the other the rat-eyed Parsons.

The corn-chandler was mopping violently at his face and neck down which ran, and to which clung, a foamy substance suspiciously like the froth of beer, and as he mopped his loud, brassy voice shook and quivered with passion. "'I tell ye ye ye shall get out of my cottage,' he was saying. "'I say you shall clip my cottage to the end of the month. "'When I says a thing, I mean it. "'I say you should get off of my property. "'You and that beggarly cobbler.

"'I say you should be thrown out of my cottage, "'lock, stock a barrel. "'I say—' "'I wouldn't, Mr. Grimes. "'Lease, not if I was you.' "'Another voice broke in, calm and deliberate. "'No, I wouldn't go for to say another word, sir. "'Because if you do say another word,

"'I know a man as will drag you down out of that cart, sir. "'I know a man as will break you down out of that cart, sir. whip over your very own back, sir. I know a maness will then take and heave you into the horse-bond, sir. And that man is me, Sergeant Appleby, late of the nineteenth façade, sir.' The Cornchartner, having removed most of the froth from his head and face, stare down at the straight, alert figure of the big sergeant, hesitated, danced at the sergeant's fist, which, though solitary, was large and powerful, scowled of the sergeant from his polished boots to the crown of his well-brushed hat,

which perched upon his close-cropped grey hair at a ridiculous angle, totally impossible to any but an ex-cavery man, muttered a furious oath, and snatching his whip, cut viciously at his horse, very much as if that horse had been the sergeant himself. And as the trap lurched forward, he shook his fist and nodded his head. "'Oachy-go, at the end of the month! Mind that!' he snarled.

And so rattled away down the road, still mopping at his head and neck, until he fairly mopped himself out of sight. "'Well, Sergeant,' said Bellew, extending his hand, "'how are you?' "'Harty, sir. "'Harty, I thank you, though, at this precise moment. "'Just a little put out, sir.

"'N Nonetheless, I know a man as is happy to see you, Mr. Bellew, sir, "'and that's me, Sergeant Appalbitt, to your service, sir. "'My cottage lies down the road yonder, an easy march, "'if you will step that far. "'Speaking for my comrade and myself, "'we should be proud for you to take tea with us, "'Muffins, sir, shimps, Mr. Bellew. "'Also a piked it or two.

"'Not a great feast, but tolerable good ration, sir, and plenty of them. "'What do you say?' "'I say, done, and thank you very much.' "'Say without further parley, "'the sergeant saluted divers of the little crowd, "'and, wheeling sharply, strode along beside Bellew, "'rather more stiff in the back and fixed of eye than was his wont, "'and jingling his imaginary spurs rather more loudly than usual.

"'You will be wondering of the tantamination, "'of the man Grimes, sir, of his ordering me and my comrade P to-day out of his cottage. "'Sir, I'll tell you in two words. "'It's all oint to the sale up at the farm, sir. "'You see, Grimes is the great hand of buying things uncommonly cheap, and selling them uncommonly dear. "'Today it seems he was disappointed.' "'Ah,' said Belieu. "'At exactly twenty-three minutes to six, sir,' said the sergeant, consulting his large silver watch,

"'I was sitting in my usual corner, beside the chimney, sir, when in comes Grimes, like a thunder-cloud, calls for a pint of ale in a tankard. Tom draws pint, which Tom is the landlord, sir. Buy anything at the sale, Mr. Grimes, says Tom. Sale, says Grimes, sale indeed, and falls a cursing. Fec up at the farm, shocking, outrageous. Ends by threatening to foreclose mortgage within the month, upon which I raise a protest, upon which he grows abusive,

upon which I was forced to pour his ale over him, after which I ran him out into the road and there it is, you see. And he threatened to foreclose the mortgage on Dapplemaire Farm, did he, Sergeant. Within the month, sir, upon which I warned him, in parlour no place, ladies' private money troubles, gaping crowd, damn it. And so he is turning you out of his cottage? Within the week, sir, but then, beer down the neck, is rather unpleasant.

And here the sergeant uttered a short laugh, and was immediately grave again. "'It isn't,' he went on. "'It isn't as I mind the inconvenience of moving, sir.' "'I should be mighty sorry to leave the old place. "'So it isn't that so much as the small corner cupboard of my bookshelf by the chimney. "'There never was such a cupboard. "'No, sir. "'There never was a cupboard so well calculated to hold a pair of jack-boots,

"'not to mention spurs, high nose, burnishes, shoulder-chains, polishing brushes, "'and a boot-jack. "'As that same small corner cupboard, "'as of the bookshelf beside the chimney, sir, "'sactly three-foot-three, sunk in a recess, height, the third button in my coat, capacity of fourteen books. You couldn't get another book on that shelf. No, not if you try by the sledgehammer, or a hydraulic engine, which is highly surprising when you consider that fourteen books is the true and exact number of books as I possess.

Very remarkable, so belieu. Then again, there's my comrade, Peter Day. The sergeant pronounced it as though all one word. Sir, my comrade Peter Day is a very remarkable man. Most cobblers are. "'When he's not cobbling, he's reading. "'When not reading, he's cobbling, or mending clocks and watches. "'And betwixt less than that, my comit has picked up a power of information, "'though he lost his leg as a doing of it, in a gale of wind, off the Cape of Good Hope. "'For my comrade was a sailor, sir. "'Consequently he is a handyman. Most sailors are, and makes his own wooden legs, sir.

"'He's also a musician, a tin whistle, sir. "'Oh, here we are.' "' Saying which the sergeant halted, wheeled, wheeled, opened a very small gate, and ushered belieu into a very small garden bright with flowers, beyond which was a very small cottage indeed, through the open door of which that issued a most appetising odour, accompanied by a whistle, wonderfully clear and sweet, that was rendering Tom Bowling, with many shakes, trills and astonishing runs. Peter Day was busy at the fire, with a long toasting fork in his hand, but on their entrance, breaking off his whistling in the

very middle of a note, he sprang nimbly to his feet, or rather his foot, and stood revealed as a short yet strongly built man, with a face that in one way resembled an island in that it was completely surrounded by hair and whisker. But it was in all respects a vastly pleasant island to behold, despite the somewhat craggy prominences of chin and nose and brow. In other words, it was a pleasing face, notwithstanding the fierce, thick eyebrows, which were more than offset by the merry blue eyes and the broad, humorous mouth below. Peter Day, said the sergeant, Mr. Bellew. Glad to see you, sir, said the mariner,

saluting the visitor with a quick bob of the head and a backward scrape of the wooden leg. You couldn't make port at a better time, sir. And because why? Because the kennels are boiling, sir, muffins is piping hot, and as chimpsies are laying over to, waiting to be took aboard, sir. Saying which, Peter Day bobbed his head again, shook his wooden leg again, and turned away to reach another cup and saucer. It was a large room for so small a cottage, and comfortably furnished, with a floor of red tile,

and where the grate at one end well raised up from the hearth. Upon the hob a kettle sang murmurously, and on a trivet stood a plate whereon rose a tower of toasted muffins. A round table occupied the middle of the floor, and was spread with a snowy cloth, whereon cups and saucers were arranged, while in the midst stood a great bowl of shrimps. now above the mantelpiece that is to say to the left of it and fastened to the wall was the length of rope cunningly tied into what is called a running bolein above this on a shelf specially contrived to hold it was the model of a full rigged ship that was to all appearances making excellent way of it

With every stitch of canvas set and drawing, a low and aloft, above this again was a sextant and a telescope. Opposite all these, upon the other side of the mantle, were a pair of stirrups, three pairs of spurs, two cavalry sabres, and a carbine, while between these objects, in the very middle of the chimney, uniting, as it were, the army and the navy, was a portrait of Queen Victoria. Belier also noticed that each side of the room partook the same characteristics, one being devoted to things nautical, the other to objects military.

All this Bellew noticed while the soldier was brewing the tea, and the sailor was bestowing the last finishing touches to the muffins. "'It ain't often as we've wanted with company, sir,' said Peter Day, as I sat down. "'Is it, Dick?' "'No,' answered the sergeant, handing belly of the shrimps. "'We ain't had company to tea,' said Peter Day, passing belly the muffins. "'No, we ain't had company to tea since Sir, sir. "'And last time Miss Anthea and Miss Priscilla on to us, have we dick?'

"'Honidus,' said the sergeant, nodding his head approvingly, "'is the one and only word for it, Peter Day.' "'And the last time was this day twelve months, sir. "'Because why? Because this day, twelve months, "'am to be Miss Priscilla's birthday. "'Consecantly, today is her birthday likewise. "'Wherefore the muffins, and wherefore the shrimps, sir, "'for they was this date of once more Grey Star-Bore, Mr. Bellew.'

"'Gray-star-Bor.' said the sergeant, nodding he said again. Grace Starboard is the only expression for it, Peter Day. But they disappointed us, Mr. Bellew, sir, on account of the sale. Mesh mate, said Peter Day, with a note of concern in his voice. How's the wind? Tolerable, comrade, tolerable? Then no, why forget the tea?

Tea, said the sergeant, with a guilty start. Why, so am I. Mr. Melius, sir, your pardon. And forthwith, he began to pour out the tea very solemnly. but with less precision of movement than usual, and with abstracted gaze. The sergeant tells me you are a musician, said Belue, as Peter Day hands him another muffin. A musician, me, sick as that now, to be sure I do toot on the tin-wushel-round then, sir, such things as the British Grenadier's, and the girl I left behind me from my shipmate,

and the bay or be ski, and a life on the ocean wave for myself. But a musician, Lord, is he, sir? said Peter Day, taking advantage of the son. art and subtraction, and whispering confidentially behind his muffin. That mess-mate of mine is such a higher pin over my guess, and it is fair overpowering, and a Tim Whistler is only a Tim Whistle, after all. And it is about the only instrument I could ever get the hang of, said Belieu. Why, do you mean as you play, sir? Hardly that, but I make a good bluff of it.

Why, then I've got a couple of very good whistles, sir. If he so mighty me, might try and do it, sir, Art of tea. "'With pleasure,' I did Belleu. But hereupon Peter Day noticing that the sergeant ate nothing, leaned over and touched him upon the shoulder. "'How's the wind, now, shipmate?' he inquired. "'Why, so, so, Peter Day, ferish,' said the sergeant, stoning his tea round and round, and with his gaze fixed upon the opposite wall. "'Then, mesh-mate, why, not a muffin or even an occasional shrimp!

Where be your appetite?' "'Peter Day,' said the sergeant, "'begining to stir his tea faster than ever, "'and with his eyes still fix, "'consequent upon disparaging remarks, "'having been passed by one Grimes, our landlord, "'concerning them as should not be mentioned in an inn parlour, "'or anywhere else, by such as said Grimes,

"'I was compelled to pour a tankard of beer over,' "'said Grimes, our landlord, "'this afternoon, Peter Day, "'at exactly twelve and a half minutes past six by my watch, "'which done, I ran our landlord, out into the road, Peter Day, say, half a minute later, which would make it precisely thirty minutes after the hour, consequent, upon which, comrade, we have received our marching orders.

What, missmate, is it to heave our anchor, you mean? I mean, Cromby, that on Saturday next, being the 25th instant, we march out, bag and baggage, horse, foot, and artillery, we evacuate our position in face of superior force, for good at all, comrade. Is that so, shipmate? "'It's rough on you, Peter Day. It's hard on you, I'll admit, "'but things were said, comrade, relative to business troubles, "'of one as we both respect Peter Day,

"'things was said as called for, "'beer down the neck and running out into the road, comrade. "'It's rough on you, Peter Day, seeing as you, "'like the hussars at Aswan, was never engaged, so to speak. "'Aye, high, shipmate, don't just catch me. "'All the back shipmate. "'Why, Lord, I'd give a pound, two pint. "'I, ten, just to be in a sturd of him with a rope's end.

"'The counterfeited it, I'd have preferred a caption bar.' "'Peter Day,' said the sergeant, removing his gaze from the wall with a jerk, "'on the twenty-fifth instance we shall be without a roof to cover us, and all my doing, Peter Day. "'What have you to say about it?' "'Say, Miss Prate. Why, that's you, me, honouring and respecting two ladies, "'as deserves to be honoured and respected. "'A ain't going to let such a small thing as this year cottage come with tricksters, "'and are honouring and respecting of them two ladies?

if therefore we are due to quit this anchorage, while then it's all hands to the windlass, with a heaved your hole and merrily, say I, must mate, my fist.' Hereupon with a very jerky movement indeed, the sergeant reached out his remaining arm, and the soldier and the sailor shook hands very solemnly over the muffins, already vastly diminished in number, with a grip that spoke much. Peter Day, you've lifted a load off my heart. I thank you, Comrade, and spoke like a true soldier. "'Peter-day the muffins!'

"'So now the sergeant, himself once more, fell too in turn, "'and they ate and drank and laughed and talked, "'until the shrimps were all gone, and the muffins were things of the past.' "'And now, declining all bellies off of resistance, "'the soldier and the sailor began washing and drying "'and putting away their crockery, each in his characteristic manner, "'the sergeant very careful and exact, "'while the sailor juggled cups and saucers with a sure-handed deafness,

that seems peculiar to nautical fingers. "'Yes, Peter Day,' said the sergeant, hanging each cup upon its appointed nail, and setting each saucer solicitously in the space reserved for it on the small-dresser. "'Since you've took our marching orders, as you have took them, "'I'm quite reconciled to partying with these here snug quarters, "'barring only a book-shelf and a cupboard.'

"'Cubbered?' returned Peter Day, with a snort of disdain. "'Well, they never was such an ill-contrived, lovely cupboard at it at in all the world. "'You can't get it unless you lay ever to port on a cut of the clothes-press, "'and then harned a starboard on a cut of the dresser, "'and then it be in the darkish corner.' "'True Peter Day, but then I'm used to it, and uses everything as you know. "'I can lay my hand upon anything in a minute. Watch me.' "'Saying which the sergeant squeezed himself between the press and the dresser,

"'opened the cupboard, and took thence several articles which he named, each in order. "'A pair of jack-boots, two brushes, blacking, and a burnish. "'Having set these down one by one upon the dresser, "'he wheeled and addressed himself to Bellew as follows. "'Mr. Bellew, sir, this evening being the anniversary of a certain event, sir, "'I will ask you to excuse me, "'while I make the necessary preparations to honour this anniversary, "'as is ever my custom.'

"'As he ended, he dropped the two brushes, "'the blacking, and the burnisher, "'inside the legs of the boots, "'pick them up with the sweep of the arm, "'and turning short ground, straight out, into the little garden. "'Five fellow is Dick, sir,' nodded Peter Day, beginning to fill a long clay pipe. Lord, what a sailor he'd have made, to be sure.

For any of which he's as finest soldier as ever was, or will be enough war medals to fill my Sunday at, sir. When he lost his arm, they gave me the VC and his discharge, sir, because why? Because a soldier with one arm ain't any more good than a sailor with one leg, do you see? So they tried to discharge, Dick, but Lord love you, they couldn't, sir. "'Because why? Because Dick were a soldier bred and born, "'and as much a soldier today as every he was. "'Ah, never always will be, till he goes marching aloft, like poor Tom Bowling,

"'until one as his general of all the armies, "'and amber of all the fleets that ever sailed, should call the last must-a-mold, sir.' "'At this present moment, sir,' continued the sailor, "'lighting his pipe with a live coal from the fire. "'My mesh-mate is, sir, sitting to the lebed of the plump tree outside, "'a-pottishing of his jack-poots, as don't need, and the burnishing of his spurs, totally burnishing. Because why?

Because he goes on guard tonight, according to custom. "'On guard,' repeated ben you, "'I'm afraid I don't understand.' "'Of course you don't sure,' chuckle-peater-day. Well, then, tonight, he marches away, in full regimental, sir, to Mount Guard. And where do you suppose? Well, I'll tell you. Under Miss Priscilla's window.

He gets there, as the clock is striking eleven, and there he stays, and must be. marching to and fro until twelve o'clock. Which does him a world of good, sir. And no ways displeases Miss Priscilla. Because why? Because you don't know nothing whatever about it. Here upon Peter Day rose,

and crossing to a battered seaman's chest in the corner, came back with three or four tin whistles, which he handed to Belue, who laid aside his pipe, and having selected one, ran tentatively up and down the scale. On Peter Day listened to tentatively, and beaming a face.

Sure, said he. What'd you say to Annie Laurie as a start? Should we give them Annie Laurie? Very good. Ready? Go. Thus, George Bellew, American citizen and Middinaire, piped away on a tin whistle with all the gusto in the world, introducing little trills and flourishes here and there that fairly won the one-legged Solar's heart.

They had already given them three or four selections, each of which had been vociferously encored by Peter Day or Bellew, and had just finished an impassioned rendering of the Swanee River when the sergeant appeared with his boots beneath his arm. "'She made,' cried Peter Day, flourishing his whistle. "'Did you ever hear a Tim Whistle better played, or Millerer in tone?' "'Mellar is the only word for it, comrade, and your playing, sirs, is artistic, though doful. Perhaps you wouldn't mind giving us something brighter, a rattling quick step.

Perhaps you write above a one as begins some talk of Alexander and some of Hercules.' if it wouldn't be troubling you too much. Forthwith, they burst forth into the British Grenadiers, and never did Tim Whistles render the famous old tune with more fire and a dash. As the stirring notes rang out, the sergeant, standing upon the hearth seemed to grow taller, his broad chest expanded, his eyes glowed, a flush crept up into his cheek, and the whole man thrilled to the music,

as he had done many a time and oft in years gone by. As the last notes died away, he glanced down at the empty sleeve pinned across his breast, shook his head, and thanking them in a very gruff voice indeed, turned on his heel and busied himself at his little cupboard. Peter Day now rose and set a jug together with three glasses upon the table, also spoons and a lemon, keeping his weather-eye meanwhile upon the kettle, which last, condescending to boil obligingly, he wrapped three times with his wooden leg. "'Right old shipmate!' he cried, "'very much as early been hailing the maint-up, "'whereupon the sergeant emerged from between the clothes-press and the dresser, "'with a black bottle in his hand, "'which he passed over to Peter Day,

"'who set about brewing what he called a Jorah McGrog, "'the savour of which filled the place with the right pleasant fragrance. "'And when the glasses brimmed, each with a slice of lemon atop, "'the sergeant solemnly rose. "'Mr. Bellew, and Comrade,' said he, lifting his glass, "'I give you Miss Priscilla!' "'God pressure,' said Peter Day. "'Amen,' added Bellew.

"'So the toast was drunk, "'the glasses were empty, refilled, and emptied again, "'this time more slowly, "'and the clock, striking nine, "'Belly rose to take his leave. "'Seeing which the sergeant fetched his hat and stick "'and volunteered to accompany him a little way. "'So when Bellew had shaken the sailors on his tan,

"'they set out together.' "'Sargent,' said Bellew, "'after they had walked some distance, "'I have a message for you.' "'For me, sir?' "'From Miss Priscilla.' "'From, indeed, sir. "'She made me tell you that the peaches are riper to-night than ever they were.'

The sergeant seemed to find in this a subject for a profound thought, and he strode on beside Belleau very silently, with his eyes straight before him. "'That the peaches were riper to-night than ever they were?' said he at last. "'Yes, Sergeant.' "'riper?' said the sergeant, as though turning this over in his mind. "'Riper than ever they were,' nodded Bellew. "'The peaches, I think, sir.' "'The peaches, yes.'

"'Benu heard the sergeant's finger rasping to and fro across his shaven chin. "'Mr. Berlio, sir, she is a very remarkable woman, sir.' "'Yes, Sergeant. "'A wonderful woman?' "'Yes, Sergeant.' "'The kind of woman that improves with age, sir.' "'Yes, Sergeant. "'Talking of peaches, sir, I've often thought she is very like a peach herself, sir.'

"'Very, Sergeant, but—well, sir, peaches do not improve with age, Sergeant, "'and the peaches are riper than ever they were to-night.' "'The sergeant stopped short and stared at belly wide-eyed. "'Why, sir,' said he very slowly, "'you don't mean to say you think as she meant that—' "'But I do,' nodded Bellew. "'And now, just as suddenly as he had stopped, the sergeant turned and went on again. "'Lord,' he whispered.

"'Lord, Lord, Lord!' The moon was rising, and looking at the sergeant, Belew saw that there was a wonderful light in his face, yet a light that was not of the moon. "'Sargent,' said Bellew, laying a hand upon his shoulder, "'why don't you speak to her?' "'Speak to her? "'What me? "'No, Mr. Bellew,' said the sergeant hastily,

"'No, no, can't be done, sir. Not to be mentioned or thought of, sir.' The light was all gone out of his face now, and he walked with his chin on his breast. The surprising thing to me, Sergeant, is that you have never thought of putting your fortune to the test, and speaking your mind to her, before now. "'I thought of it, sir,' repeated the Sergeant bitterly. "'Thought of it, Lord, sir, I thought of it these five years and more. I thought of it day and night. I thought of it so very much that I know—' "'I never can, speak my mind to her. "'Look at me!' he cried suddenly,

"'wheeling and confronting belieu, "'but not at all like his bold, erect soldierly self. "'Yes, look at me, a poor, battered old soldier with his best arm gone, "'left behind him in India and with nothing in the world but his old uniform, "'getting very afraid and worn. "'Like himself, sir. "'Pair of jet boots, likewise very much worn, "'though wonderfully patched here and there by my good comrade Peter Day,

"'a handful of medals and a very modest pension. "'Look at me, with the... Best of my days behind me, with only one arm left, and I'm a deal more awkward and helpless with that one arm than you'd think, sir. Look at me, and then tell me how could such a man dare to speak his mind to such a woman? What right is such a man to even think of speaking his mind to such a woman, when there's part of that man already in the grave? I know right, sir, none in the world. Poverty, and one arm of facts as make it impossible for that man to ever speak his mind. And, sir, that man never will, sir.

"'Good-night to you, and a pleasant walk. "'I turn back here.' "'Which the sergeant did, then and there, "'wheeling sharp right about face. "'Yet as Betty watched him go, "'he noticed that the soldier's step was heavy and slow, "'and it seemed that for once the sergeant had even forgotten "'to put on his imaginary spurs.

"'Eend of Chapter 14. "'Chapter 15 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall, This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Overs. Chapter 15, in which Adam explains. "'Adam?' "'Yes, Miss Antheir.' "'How much money did Mr. Bellew give you to buy the furniture?'

Miss Anthea was sitting in her great elbow chair, leaning forward with her chin in her hand, looking at him in the way which always seemed to Adam as though she could see into the very most recesses of his mind. Therefore, Adam twisted his hat in his hands, and stared at the ceiling and the floor and the table, before Miss Anthea and the wall behind Miss Anthea, anywhere but at Miss Anthea. You asked me how much it were, Miss Anthea? Yes, Adam. Well, it were a goodish sum. Was it fifty pounds? Fifty pound, repeated Adam, in a tone of lofty disdain. No, Miss Anthea, it were not fifty pound. Do you mean it was more?

Ah, nodded Adam. I mean, as it were a sight more. If he was to take the fifty pound you mentioned, add twenty more and then another twenty to that, and then come ten more to that. Why then, you'd be a bit nigh of them, figures. A hundred pounds! exclaimed Anthea, aghast.

Ah, a hundred pound, nodded Adam, rolling the words upon his tongue with great gusto. One hundred pound, were the son, Miss Antheir. "'Oh, Adam! "'Lord love you, Miss Anthea, that were nothing. "'That were only a flea-bite, as you might say. "'He'd give more, or nigh double as much as that for the sideboard. "'Nonsense, Adam.

"'Be a gospel true, Miss Anthea, "'that there's a sibord with a plumb of the sale, so to speak, "'and old Grimes had set his heart on it, do you see? "'Well, it would bid up to 86 pound, "'and then old Grimes he goes twenty more, "'making it a hundred and six. "'Then, just as I thought it were all over, and just as that there old Grimes were beginning to swell himself up with triumph,

and get that red in the face as he were a sight to be old, Mr. Bellew, who'd be light in his pipe all this time, up and says, fifty up. He says, in his quiet way, may get a hundred and fifty-six pound, Miss Antheir, which were too much for Grimes. Lord, I thought as that that man were going to burst, Miss Antheir! And Adam gave vets to his great laugh at the mere recollection. But Anthea was grave enough, and the troubled lest,

look in her eyes quickly sobered him. "'A hundred and fifty-six pounds,' she repeat it in an old voice, "'but it is awful.' "'Steepish,' admitted Adam. "'Pretty steepish for an old sideboard. "'I'll allow him, Miss Antheir. "'But you see, it were a personal matter between Scrims and Mr. Bellew. "'I began to think as they never would have left off bidding.

"'By George, I don't believe if Mr. Bellow ever would have left off bidding. "'You see, there's something about, Mr. Bellew, whether it be his voice or his eye or his chin, I don't know, but there be summit about him as says very distinct to be as should happen to set his mind on a thing while he's going to get it, and he ain't going to give him till he does get it. You see, Miss Anthea, he's so very quiet in his ways, and speaks so soft and gentle, perhaps that's it.

Say, for instance, he would have asked you for summits, and you said, no. Well, he wouldn't make no fuss about it, not him. He'd just take it, that's what he. "'What he'd he do. As for that, their sideboard, either sat there a bidding and a bidding all night, I do believe.' "'But, Adam, why did he do it? Why did he buy all the furniture?' "'Well, to keep it from being took away, perhaps.' "'Oh, Adam, what am I to do?' "'Do, Miss Anthea?'

"'The mortgage must be paid off, dreadfully soon. You know that. And I can't, I can't give the money back.' "'Why, give it back? No, of course not, Miss Anne. But I can't keep it. Can't keep it, Miss Anthea, ma'am, and why not? Because I'm very sure he doesn't want all those things. The idea is quite absurd, and yet even if the hops do well, the money they bring will hardly be enough by itself, and so I was setting my furniture to make it up, and now what am I

to do? And she leaned her head wearily upon her hand. Now, seeing her distress, Adam all sturdy loyalty that he was. was, must need sigh and sympathy, and fell once more to twisting his hat, until he had fairly wrung it out of all semblance to its kind, twisting and screwing it between his strong hands, as though he would fain wring out of it some solution to the problem that so perplexed his mistress. Then all at once the frown vanished from his brow, his grip loosened upon his unfortunate

hat, and his eye brightened with a sudden gleam. "'Miss Antheir,' said he, drawing a step nearer, and lowering his voice, seriously. Supposing as I was to tell you that he did want that furniture. Aram, what is it bad? Now, how can he, Adam? It isn't as though he lived in England, said Anthea, shaking her head. His home is thousands of miles away. He's an American, and besides—'ar but then, even an American may get married, Miss Anthea, ma'am, said Adam. Married, she repeated, glancing up very quickly. Adam, what do you mean? "'Why, you must know,' began Adam, ringing at his hat again.

"'Ever since the day I find him asleep in your hay, Miss Anthea, ma'am. Mr. Bellow has been very kind and friendly-like. Mr. Bellow and me have smoked a good many sociable pipes together, and when men smoke together, Miss Anthea, they like where he's talked together.' "'Yes, well,' said Anthea, rather breathlessly, and taking up a pencil that happened to be lying near to hand. "'Mr. Bellew,' continued Adam heavily, "'Mr. Bellew has done me the—the honour.'

"'Here Adam paused to give an extra twist to his hat. "'The honour, Miss Antheir.' "'Yes, Adam?' "'I've confided to me is Ops,' said Adam slowly. "'Fundier much harder to frame his well-meaning forcehood than he had supposed. "'His H-O-P-E-S. Ops, Miss Antheir, of settling down very soon, "'and of marrying a fine young lady as he has had his eye on a goodish time. "'having no doubt from childhoods are, Miss Anthea, and as lives up in London.'

"'Yes, Adam.' "'Consequently, he bought all your furniture to set up housekeeping, don't you see?' "'Yes, I see, Adam.' Her voice was low, soft, and gentle as ever, but the pencil was tracing meaningless scrawls in her shaking fingers. "'So you don't have to be no wise back about keeping the money, Miss Anthea?' "'Oh, no, no, of course not. I understand it was—' "'Just a business transaction.'

"'Ah, that's it, a business transaction,' nodded Adam. "'So you put the money at one side to help pay off the mortgage, "'A, Miss Antheir?' "'Yes. "'If the ops come up to what they promised to come up to, "'you'll be able to get rid of old Grimes, for good and all, Miss Antheir.' "'Yes, Adam. "'And you'd be quite easy in your mind now, Miss Antheir, about keeping the money.'

"'Quite. Thank you, Adam, for telling me you can go now.' all by them good-night miss anthea ma'am the mortgage is as good as paid they ain't no such hops nowhere near so good as r m b and you're quite free of care and happy-hearted miss anthea quite oh quite adam but when adam's heavy tread had died away when she was all alone she behaved rather strangely for one so free of care and happy-hearted something bright and listening splashed upon the paper before her the pencil slipped from her fingers and with a sudden, choking cry, she swayed forward and hit her face in her hands. End of Chapter 15. Chapter 16 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers.

Chapter 16, in which Adam proposes a game. To be or not to be, Bellu leaned against the mighty bowl of King Arthur, and stared up at the moon with knitted brows. That is a question, whether I shall brave the slings and arrows and things, and speak to-night and have done with it, one way or another, or live honour, a while secure in this uncertainty. To wait?

Whether I shout at this so early stage, pit all my chances of happiness against the chances of losing her, and with her small porges, bless him, and all the quaint and lovable beings of this wonderful Arcadia of mine, "'Fover answer be, no. What recourse have I? What has there left me, but to go wandering forth again, following the wind, and with the gates of Arcadia shut upon me forever? To be, or not to be, that is the question.' "'Be that you, Mr. Ballew, sir?'

"'Even so, Adam. Come sit to you while, good knave, and gaze upon Dian's loveliness, and smoke, and let us converse of dead kings.' "'Why, kings ain't much in my line, sir, living or deaden's. me never having seen any except a picture and that tour though very life-like but why i were a-looking for you was to ask you to back me up and to play the game mr bellew sir why as to that my good adam my gentle daftness my rugged euphemeo you may rely upon me to the uttermost are you in trouble is it a counsell you need or only money fill your pipe and while you smoke confide your cares to me put me wise or as your friends cousins would say "'Make me, O'Fay.' "'Well,' began Adam, when his pipe was well alight, "'in the first place, Mr. Bellew, sir, "'I beg to remind you, as Miss Anthea sold her furniture,

"'to raise enough money, as with what the ops will bring, "'might go to pay off the mortgage, for good and all, sir.' "'Yes.' "'Well, to-night, sir, Miss Anthea calls me into the parlour "'to ask, as you might say, hen-quire, "'as to the why, and likewise the wherefore "'of you are buying all that furniture.' "'Did she, Adam?'

"'Harr, why did he do it?' says she. "'Well, to keep it from being took away, perhaps,' says I. "'Shab as any gimblit, sir.' "'Good,' wanted to bel you. "'Ah, but it weren't no good, sir,' returned Adam, "'because she says as how your own being in America, "'you couldn't really need the furniture, "'nor yet want the furniture,

"'and blessed if she wasn't talking of handing you the money back again.' "'Ah,' said Bellew, "'seeing which son.' sir, and because she must have that money if she hopes to keep the roof of Dapolmere over her head, I, there and then, made up, or you might say, concocted a story of an anecdote or a yarn, upon the spot, Mr. Bellew, sir. Most extant, Machiavelli, proceed. I told her, sir, as you bought that furniture on account of you being wishful to settle down,

whereat she starts and looks at me with her eyes big and surprised like. I told her likewise, as you had told me on the course. quiet, or, as you might say, confidential, that you bought that furniture to set up housekeeping on account of you being on the point of marrying a fine young lady up in London.' "'What?' Bellew didn't move, nor did he raise his voice. Nevertheless, Adam started back and instinctively threw up his arm. You told her that?' "'I did, sir.'

"'But you knew it was a confounded lie.' "'I knowed it, but I'd tell her hundred. I'd thou'est. "'Cosen's allies, co-founded, or otherwise to save Miss Antheir?' "'To save her?' "'From ruination, sir, from losing Dapermere farm and everything she has in the world. "'Lord love ye, the ops could never bring him by themselves all the three thousand pounds as is owing. "'It ain't to be expected. "'But if that three thousand pounds ain't paid over to that dirty grimes by next Saturday week as ever was,

"'that dirty grimes turns Miss Anthea out at Daplemyr, "'with Master Georgie, poor little Miss Priscilla. "'And what'll become of them, then?' "'I don't know. "'Lord, when I think of it, "'the old Adam do rise up in me to that extent "'as I'm minded to take a pitchfork "'and go and skewer that there, Grimes,

"'to his own jibbly corner.' "'You see, Mr. Bellew, sir,' he went on, "'seeing Bellew was silent still. "'Miss Anthea be that proud and independent "'that she'd never have took your money. "'Sir, if I hadn't told her that there lie, "'so that's why I did tell her that there lie.' "'I see,' Bollybele.

"'I see. Yes, you did quite right. "'You acted for the best, and you did quite right, Adam. "'Yes, quite right.' "'Thank you, sir.' "'And so this is the game I am to play, is it?' "'That's it, sir, if she asks you, "'are you going to get married? "'You turn up? Yes.

"'To the ladies you've known from your childhoods are, living in London.' "'That's all, sir.' "'That's all, is it, Adam?' "'said Abelieu slowly, turning to look up at the moon again. "'Doesn't sound very much, does it? "'Well, I'll play your game, Adam. "'Yes, you may depend upon me.' "'Thank you, Mr. Bellew, sir.

"'Thank you, sir. "'I do hope as you'll excuse me for taking such liberties "'and making so free with your art and your affection, sir.' "'Oh, certainly, Adam, the cause excuses everything.' "'Then, er, good-night, sir.' "'Good-night, Adam.' So this good, well-meaning Adam, strode away, proud on the whole of his night's work, leaving Bellew to frown up at the moon with teeth clenched tight upon his pipe-stem.

End of Chapter 16. Chapter 17 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Libri-Vox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 17 How Bellew began the game. Now in this life of ours there may be games of many and divers sorts, and all are calculated to try the nerve, courage or skill of the player, as the case may be. Bellew had played many kinds of games in his day, and among others had at once been famous as an eight tackle on the Harvard Eleven. Upon him he yet bore certain scars received upon a memorable day when Yale, flushed with success, saw their hitherto invincible line rent and burst asunder, saw a figure.

a torn, bruised and bleeding, flash out and away down the field to turn defeat into victory, and then to be borne off honourably to hospital, and to bed. If Berlio thought of this by any chance as he sat there staring up at the moon, it is very sure that, had the choice been given him, he would joyfully have chosen the game of torn flesh and broken bones, or any other game, no matter how desperate, rather than this particular game that Adam had invented and thrust upon him. Presently Bellew knocked the ashes from his pipe, and, rising, walked on slowly towards the house.

As he approached he heard someone playing the piano, and the music accorded well with his mood, or his mood with the music, for it was haunting and very sweet, and with a recurring melody in a minor key, that seemed to voice all the sorrow of humanity, past, present and to come. Drawn by the music he crossed the Rose Garden, and reaching the terrace, paused there, for the long French windows were open, and from where he stood he could see Anthea seated at the piano. She was dressed in a white gown of some soft, clinging material, and among the heavy braids of her hair was a single great red rose. And as he watched, he thought she had never looked more beautiful than now, with the soft glow of the candles upon her,

for her face reflected the tender sadness of the music. It was in the mournful droop of her scarlet lip, and the sombre depths of her eyes. Close beside her sat little Miss Priscilla, busy with her needle as usual. But now she paused, and lifting her head in her quick, bird-like way, looked up at Anthea, long and fixedly. "'Anthea, my dear,' said she suddenly,

"'I have fond of music, and I love to hear you play, as you know. But I never heard you play quite so dolefully. Dear, Mino, that's not the right word, nor dismal, but I mean something between the two. I thought you were fond of Grieg, Aunt Priscilla. So I am, but then, even in his gayest moments, poor Mr. Grieg was always breaking his heart over something or other. And, gracious, there's Mr. Bellew at the window. Pray come in, Mr. Bellew, tell us how you liked Peter Day and the muffins.

Thank you, said Bellew, stepping in through the long French window. But I should like to hear Miss Anthea play again, first, if she will. But Anthea, who had already risen from the piano, shook her head. "'Only play when I feel like it to please myself, and Aunt Priscilla,' said she, crossing to the broad, low window-seat and leaning out into the fragrant night. "'Why then?' said Benu, sinking into the easy chair that Miss Priscilla indicated with a little stab of her needle. "'Why, then, the muffins were delicious, Aunt Priscilla, and Peter Day was just exactly what a one-legged mariner ought to be.' "'And the shrimps, Mr. Bellew?' inquired Miss Priscilla, busy at her sewing again.

"'How'd shrimp to all other shrimps so ever?' he answered, glancing to where Anthea sat with her chin propped in her hand, gazing up at the waning moon, seemingly quite oblivious of him. "'And did he pour out the tea?' inquired Miss Priscilla, "'from the china pot with the blue flowers and the Chinese mandarin fanning himself. "'Very awkward, of course, with his one hand. "'I don't mean the Mandarin, Mr. Bellew. "'I'm very full of apologies.'

"'He did.' "'Just as usual. "'Yes, he always does, and every year he gives me three lumps of sugar, "'and I only take one, you know. "'It's a pity,' sighed Miss Priscilla, "'that it was his right arm, a great pity.' "'And here she sighed again, "'and catching herself, glanced up quickly at Bellew,

"'and smiled to see how completely absorbed he was "'in contemplation of the silent figure in the window-seat. "'But, after all, better a right arm than a leg,' she pursued. "'At least I think so.' "'Certainly,' murmured Bellew. "'A man with only one leg you see would be almost as helped as a old woman with a crippled foot.' "'Who grows younger and brighter every year,' added Bellew, turning to her with his pleasant smile.

"'Yes, and I think prettyer.' "'Oh, Mr. Bellew!' exclaimed Miss Priscilla, shaking her head at him reprovingly, yet looking pleased, nonetheless. How can you be so ridiculous? Good gracious me! Why, it was the sergeant who put it into my head. Yes, it was after I had given him your message about peaches, Aunt Priscilla, and—

"'Oh, dear heart!' exclaimed Miss Priscilla at this junction. "'Prudence is out tonight, and I promise to bake the bread for her own. Here I sit chatting and gossiping, while that bread goes rising and rising all over the kitchen.' Miss Priscilla laid aside her saying, and catching up her stick hurried to the door. "'And I was almost forgetting to wish you many happy returns of the day, Aunt Priscilla,' said Belleu, rising. At this familiar appellation, Anthea turned sharply, in time to see him stoop and kiss Miss Priscilla's small white hand, whereupon Anthea must needs curl her lip at his broad back.

Then he opened the door, and Miss Priscilla tapped away, even more quickly than usual. Anthea was half-sitting, half-needing among the cushions in the core of the deep window, apparently still lost in contemplation of the moon, so much so that she did not stir or even lower her upward gaze when Belue came and stood beside her. Therefore, taking advantage of the fixedity of her regard, he once more became absorbed in her loveliness, surely a most unwise proceeding in Arcadia by the light of a midsummer moon,

and immensely contrasted the dark, proud beauty of her face with that of all the women he'd ever known, to their utter and complete disparagement. Well, inquired Anthea, at last, perfectly conscious of his look, and finding the silence growing irksome, yet still with her eyes averted, well, Mr. Bellew?

On the contrary, he answered, The moon is on the wayne. The moon, she repeated, "'Suppose it is. What then?' "'True happiness can only come riding astride the full moon, you know. "'You remember old nanny told her so?' "'And you believed it?' she inquired scornfully. "'Why, of course,' he answered in his quiet way.

"'Anthea didn't speak, but once again the curl of her lip was eloquent. "'And so,' he went on, quite unabashed, "'when I behold happiness riding astride the full moon, "'I should just reach up in the most natural manner in the world and take it down, that it may abide with me, world without end.' "'Do you think you will be tall enough?' "'We'll see when the time comes.' "'I think it's all very ridiculous,' said Anthea.

"'Why, then, suppose you play for me that same plaintive piece you were playing as I came in, something of Griegs, I think it was. "'Will you, Miss Anthea?' She was on the point of refusing, then, as if moved by some capricious whim, she crossed to the piano and dashed into the riotous music of a Polish dance. As the wild notes leapt beneath her quick brown fingers, Belieu, seated nearby, kept his eyes upon the great red rose in her hair that nodded sly at him with her every movement. And surely, in all the world, there had never bloomed a more tantalizing, more wantonly provoking, rose than this, wherefore Bellew very wisely turned his eyes from its glowing temptation. Doubtless observing which the rose, in evident desperation, nodded and swayed,

and it had fairly nodded itself from its sweet westing place, and, falling to the floor, lay within Bellew's reach. Whereupon he promptly stooped and picked it up, and, even as with a last crashing chord, Anthea ceased playing and turned, in that same moment he dropped it deftly into his coat pocket. "'Oh, by the way, Mr. Bellew,' she said, speaking as if the idea had but just entered her mind, "'what do you intend to do about all your furniture?' "'Do about it?' he repeated, settling the rose carefully in a corner of his pocket, where it would not be crushed by his pipe.

"'I mean, where we'd like it, stored, until you can send, and have it taken away?' "'Well, I, er, rather than—' thought of keeping it where it was, if you didn't mind. "'I'm afraid that would be impossible, Mr. Bellew.' "'Why, then the balm will be an excellent place for it. "'I don't suppose that rats and mice will do it any real harm, "'and as for the damp and the dust.' "'Oh, you know what I mean?' exclaimed Anthea,

"'begining to tap the floor impatiently with her foot. "'Of course we can't go on using the things, "'now that they are your property. It wouldn't be right.' "'Very well,' he nodded. "'His fingers questing anxiously, after the rose again. I'll get Adam to help me to shift it all into the barn, tomorrow morning. "'Would you please be serious, Mr. Bellew?' "'As an owl,' he nodded.

"'Why, then, of course you will be leaving Dapper Mere soon, and I should like to know exactly when, so that I can make the necessary arrangements.' "'But, you see, I am not leaving Dapolmere soon, or even thinking of it.' "'Not,' she repeated, glancing up at him in swift surprise. "'Not until you bid me.' "'I?' "'You. "'But I understood that you intend to settle down.'

"'Certainly,' nodded Bellew, "'transferring his pipe to another pocket altogether, "'lest it should damage the rose's tender petals. "'To settle down has lately become the ambition of my life.' "'Then pray,' said Anthea, "'taking up a sheet of music, "'and beginning to study it with attentive eyes, "'be so good as to tell me what you mean.'

"'That necessarily brings us back to the moon again,' answered Belue. "'The moon? The moon.' "'But what in the world has the moon to do with your furniture?' she demanded. Her foot beginning to tap again. "'Everything. I bought that furniture with one eye on the moon, as it were. Consequently, the furniture, the moon, and I are bound indissolubly together. "'You are pleased to talk in riddles to-night, and really, Mr. Bellows. I have no time to waste over them, so if you will excuse me."

"'Thank you for playing to me,' he said, as he held the door open for her. "'I play because I—I felt like it, Mr. Bellew.' "'Nevertheless, I thank you. When you make up your mind about the furniture, please let me know.' "'When the moon is at the fool, yes.' "'Can it be possible that you are still harping on the wild words of poor old nanny?' she exclaimed, and once more she curled her lip at him. "'Nanny is very old, I'll admit,' he nodded,

"'but surely you remember that we proved her right in one particular. "'I mean about the tiger mark, you know.' "'Now many said this, for no apparent reason, "'the eyes that had hitherto been looking into his, proud and scornful, "'waivered, and were hidden under their long, thick lashes. "'The colour flamed in her cheeks, and without another word, she was gone. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel

This Librevox recording is in the public domain Recording by Simon Evers Chapter 18 How the Sargent Went Upon His Guard The Arcadians, one and all, generally follow that excellent maxim which runs, early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise.

healthy they are beyond a doubt and in their quaint to simple fashion profoundly wise if they are not extraordinarily wealthy yet they are generally blessed with contented minds which after all is better than money and far more to be desired than fine gold now whether their general health happiness and wisdom is to be attributed altogether to their early-to-bed privities is perhaps a moot question howbeit to-night long after these wary arcadians have forgotten gotten their various cares and troubles in the blessed oblivion of sleep, for even Arcadia has its troubles, Belieu sat beneath the shade of King Arthur, alone with his thoughts. Presently, however, he was surprised to hear the house-door open and close very softly, and to behold, not the object of his meditations, but Miss Priscilla coming towards him. As she caught sight of him in the shadow of the tree, she stopped and stood leaning upon her as though she were rather disconcerted.

"'Aunt Priscilla,' said he, rising. "'Oh, it's you!' she exclaimed, just as though she hadn't known it all along. "'Dear me! Mr. Bellew, how lonely you look and dreadfully thoughtful! Good gracious!' And she glanced up at him with her quick, girlish smile. "'I suppose you wonder what I'm doing out here at this unhallowed time of night. Must be nearly eleven o'clock!

Oh, dear me! Yes you are. Well, sit down, and I'll tell you. "'Let us sit here in the darkest corner. There. Dear heart, how bright the moon is to be sure.' So saying Miss Priscilla ensconced herself at the very end of the rustic bench where the deepest shadow lay. "'Well, Mr. Bellew,' she began, as you know, today is my birthday. As to my age, I am, let us say, just turned twenty-one. And being young and foolish, Mr. Bellew, I've come out here to watch another very foolish person, a ridiculous old sergeant of hussars who will come marching along very soon to mount guard in full regimentals mr bellew with his busby on his head with his braided tunic and dolman and his great big boots and with his spurs jingling and his sabre bright under the moon so then you know he comes why of course i do and i love to hear the jingle of his spurs and to watch the glitter of his sabre so every year i come here and sit among the shadows where he can't see me

and watch him go march march marching up and down and to and fro until the clock strikes twelve and he goes marching home again oh dear me it's all very foolish of course but i love to hear the jingle of his spurs and have you sat here watching him every year every year and he has never guessed you were watching him of good gracious me of course not don't you think arposed of that you are just a little cruel "'Cruel?' "'Cruel? Why? What do you mean?' "'I gave him your message, Aunt Priscilla. "'What message?' "'That, to-night, the peaches were riper than ever they were.' "'Oh,' said Miss Priscilla,

and waited expectantly for Bellew to continue. But as he was silent, she glanced at him, and seeing him staring at the moon, she looked at it also. And after she gazed for perhaps half a minute, as Belly was still silent, and she spoke, then a very small voice indeed. And what did he say? Who? inquired Bellew. Why, the sergeant, to be sure.

Well, he gave me to understand that a poor old soldier with only one arm left him must be content to stand aside always and hold his peace, just because he was a poor, maimed old soldier. Don't you think that you have been just a little cruel all these years, Aunt Priscilla? "'Sometimes one is cruel, only to be kind,' she answered. "'Aren't the peaches ripe enough, after all, Aunt Priscilla?' "'Overripe,' she said bitterly. "'Oh, they are overripe?'

"'Is that all, Aunt Priscilla?' "'No,' she answered. "'No, she answered. No, there's this.' And she held up a little crutch stick. "'Is that all, Aunt Priscilla?' "'Oh, isn't that enough?' "'Benly Rose.' "'Where you rose.

"'Where you going? What are you going to do?' she demanded. "'Wait,' said he, smiling down at her perplexity, and so he turned and crossed to a certain corner of the orchard. When he came back he held out a great glowing peach towards her. "'You were quite right,' he nodded. It was so ripe that it fell at a touch. But as he spoke she drew him down beside her in the shadow. Hush!' she whispered. "'Listen!' Now, as they sat there, very silent, faint and far away.

upon the still night air, they heard a sound, a silvery, rhythmic sound it was, like the musical clash of faery symbols, which drew rapidly nearer and nearer, and Pelly felt that Miss Priscilla's hand was trembling upon his arm as she leaned forward, listening with a smile upon her parted lips and a light in her eyes that was ineffably tender. Nearer came the sound, and nearer, until presently, now in moonlight, now in shadow, there strode a tall, marshaled, a large, marshaled, figure, in all the glory of braided tunic and furred Dolman, the three chevrons upon his sleeve, and many shining medals upon his breast, a stalwart, soldierly figure, despite the one empty sleeve, who moved with the long, swinging stride that only the cavalryman can possess.

Being come beneath a certain lattice window, the sergeant halted, and next moment his glittering sabre flashed up to the salute, then, with it upon his shoulder, he wheeled, and began to march up and down, his spurs jingling, his sabre gleaming, his dolmen swinging, his sabre glittering each time he wheeled, while Miss Priscilla, leaning forward, watched him wide-eyed and with hands tight clasped. Then, all at once, with a little fluttering sigh, she rose. Thus the sergeant, as he marched to and fro, were suddenly aware of one who stood in the full radiance of the moon, and with one hand outstretched towards him. And now, as he paused, Disbelieving his very eyes, he saw that in her extended hand she held a great, ripe peach.

"'Sargent?' she said, speaking almost in a whisper. "'Oh, Sergeant, won't you take it?' The heavy sabre thudded down into the grass, and he took a sudden step towards her. But even now he hesitated, until, coming nearer yet, he could look down into her eyes. Then he spoke, and his voice was very hoarse and uneven. "'Miss Priscilla! He said, Priscilla! Oh, Priscilla! And with the word he had fallen on his knees at her feet, and his strong, solitary arm was folded close about her. End of Chapter 18.

Chapter 19 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall. This Libre of Oxford recording is in the public domain. recording by Simon Evers Chapter 19 In which Porges Big and Porges Small discuss the subject of matrimony What is it, my Porges? Well, I'm a bit worried, you know. Worried?

Yes, afraid I'll be an old man before my time, Uncle Porges. Adam says it's worry that ages a man, and it killed a cat, too. And why do you worry? Oh, it's my Auntie Anthea, of course. She was crying again last night. "'Crying?' "'Belieu had been lying flat upon his back "'in the fragrant shadow of the hay-rick,

"'but now he sat up, very suddenly, "'so suddenly that spore-pulges started. "'Crying,' he repeated. "'Last night? Are you sure?' "'Oh, yes. You see, she forgot to come and tuck me up last night, "'so I creep downstairs, very quiet, you know, to see why, "'and I found her bending over the table, all sobbing and crying. "'First she tried to pretend that she wasn't,

"'but I saw the tears quite plain. "'Her cheeks were all wet, you know. "'and when I put my arms round her to comfort her a bit and asked her what was the matter, "'she only kissed me a lot and said nothing, nothing, only a headache.' "'And why was she crying, do you suppose, my porges?' "'Oh, money, of course,' he sighed. "'What makes you think it was money?' "'Cause she's been talking to Adam.

"'I heard him say good-night as I creep down the stairs.' "'Ah,' said Bellew, staring straight before him, "'his beloved pipe had slipped from his fingers, and for a wonder lay all elected. It was after she had talked with Adam, was it, my Portiers? Yes, that's why I knew it was about money. Adam's always talking about mortgages and bills and money. Oh, Uncle Porteous, I do hate money.

It is sometimes a confounded nuisance, not in value. But I do wish we had some, so we could pay all her bills and mortgages for her. She'd be so happy, you know, and go about singing like she used to, and I shouldn't worry myself into an old man before my... time, all wrinkled and grey, you know. And all would be revelry and joy, if only she had enough gold and bank-notes. And she was crying, you say, demanded Betty again, his gaze till far away. Yes. You are quite sure you saw the tears, my poor years? Oh yes, and there was one on her nose, too, a big one that shone awful bright, twinkled, you know. And she said it was only a headache,

did she? Yes, but that meant money. Money always mixed. her headache lately. Oh, Uncle Porteous, I suppose people do find fortunes sometimes, don't they? Why, yes, to be sure they do. Then I wish I knew where they looked for them, said he, with a very big sigh indeed. I've hunted and hunted in all the attics

and the cupboards and under hedges and in ditches and prayed and prayed, you know, every night. Then, of course, you'll be answered, my porges. Do you really suppose I shall be answered? You see, it's such an awful long way for one small prayer to have to go from here to heaven? And the clouds get in the way, and I'm afraid my prayers aren't quite big or heavy enough and get lost and blown away in the wind.'

"'No, my poor jes,' said Belue, drawing his arm about the small, discontolate figure. You may depend upon it that your prayers fly straight up into heaven, and that neither the clouds nor the wind can come between or blow them away. So just keep on praying, old chap, and when the time is ripe, they'll be answered, never fear. "'Ansured, do you mean him Uncle Porteous? Do you mean the money-moon?' A small hand upon Bédy's arm, quivered, and his voice trembled with eagerness. "'Why, yes, to be sure, the money-moon, my Porteous, it's bound to come, one of these fine nights.' "'Ah, but when? When will the money-moon ever come?'

"'Well, I can't be quite sure, but I rather fancy from the look of things, my Porgas, that it will be pretty soon.' "'I do hope so. For her so. For her son.' sake and my sake. You see, she may go getting herself married to Mr. Cassinis, if something doesn't happen soon. I shouldn't like that, you know. Neither should I, my poor years. But what makes you think so? Why, he's always bothering her and asking her to, you see? She always says, no, of course, but one of these fine days I'm afraid she'll say, yes, accidentally, you know. Heaven forbid, Matthew. Does that mean you hope not? Indeed, yes. Then I say, heaven forbid

too, because I don't think she'd ever be happy in Mr. Cossit's great big house, and I shouldn't either. Why, of course not. You never go about asking people to marry you, do you, Uncle Porges? Well, it could hardly be called a confirmed habit of mine. That's one of the things I like about you, so. All the time you've been here you haven't asked my Auntie Anthea once, have you? No, my Uncle Porges, not yet.

Oh, but you don't mean that you ever will. "'Would you be very grieved and angry if I did, some day soon, my Porges?' "'Well, I didn't think you were that kind of a man,' answered Small Porges, sighing and shaking his head regretfully. "'I'm afraid I am, nephew.' "'Do you really mean that you want to marry my Aunt Anthea?' "'I do.' "'As much as Mr. Casillas does.'

"'A great deal more, I think.' Small Porges sighed again and shook his head very gravely indeed. "'Uncle Porges,' said he, "'I'm surprised at you.' "'I rather feared you would be nephew. "'It's also awful silly, you know. "'Why do you want to marry her?' "'Because, like a prince in a fairy tale,

"'I'm rather anxious to live happy ever after.' "'Oh,' said Small Porges, "'turning this over in his mind. "'I never thought of that.' "'M Marriage is a very important institution, "'you see, my Porges, "'especially in this case, "'because I can't possibly live happy ever after, unless I marry first. Now can I?'

"'No, I suppose not,' Small Porges admitted, albeit reluctantly, after he pondered the matter a while with wrinkled brow. "'But why pick out my Aunt Anthea?' "'Just because she happens to be your Auntianthia, of course.' Small Porges sighed again. "'Why, then, if she's got to be married some day, so she can live happy ever after? "'Well, I suppose you better take her, Uncle Porges.' "'Thank you, old chap. I mean to.'

"'I'd rather you took her than Mr. Casillis, and—' "'Why, there he is.' "'Who?' "'Mr. Casillis, and he stopped, and he's twisting his moustache.' "'Mr. Casillis, who'd been crossing the paddock, had indeed stopped "'and was twisting his black moustache, as if he were hesitating between two courses. Finally, he pushed open the gate, and approaching Bellew saluted him with that supercilious air, which Miss Priscilla always declared she found so trying.

Ah, Mr. Bellew, what might it be this morning? The pitchfork, the scythe, or the plough, he inquired. Neither, sir, this morning it is matrimony. I beg a pardon? Matrimony? With a large M, sir, nodded Bellew. Married, sir, wedlock. My nephew and I are discussing it in its aspects,

philosophical, sociological, and this is surely rather a peculiar subject to discuss with a child, Mr. Bellew? Meaning my nephew, sir. I mean young George, there. Precisely, my nephew, small portages. I defer, said Mr. Cassilis, with slow and crushing emphasis, to Miss Devines' nephew. And my, Miss Cassid is, mine by a mutual adoption and inclination.

And I repeat that your choice of subject is, peculiar, to say the least of it. But then mine is rather a peculiar nephew, sir. But surely it was not to discuss nephews, mine or anyone else's, that you are here come, and aeos do wait upon you. Pray be seated, sir. Thank you, I prefer to stand. Strange, murmured Bellew, shaking his head.

I never stand if I can sit, or sit if I can lie down. I should like you to define exactly your position here at Dupolmere, Mr. Bellew. Benu's sleepy lance missed nothing of the other's challenging attitude, and his ear nothing of Mr. Cassilett's authoritative tone. Therefore his smile was most engaging, as he answered. My position here, sir, is truly the most enviable in the world. Prudent is an admirable cook, particularly as regards Yorkshire pudding. Gentle-mintel Miss Priscilla is the most art-like and perfect of housekeepers, and Miss Anthea is our sovereign lady, before whose radiant beauty, small porges and I, like true knights and gallant gentles, do constant homage,

and in whose behalf small porges and I stand prepared to wage stern battle, by day or by night. Indeed, said Mr. Cacillis, and his smile was even more supercilious than usual. Yes, sir, on de Bellew, I do confess me a most fortunate and happy, white, who, having wandered hither and yon upon this pant of ours, which is so vast and so very small, as by the most happy chance found his way hither into Arkady. And may I inquire how long you intend to lead this Arcadian existence? I feel I cannot answer that question until the full of the moon, sir. At present, I grieve to say, I do not know.

Mr. Kassiz struck his riding-boot a sudden smart rap with his whip. His eyes snapped and his nostrils dilated, as he glanced down into Belleu's imperturbable face. "'At least you know one will perhaps explain what prompted you to buy all that furniture. "'You were the only buyer of the sale, I understand.' "'Who bought anything, yes,' nodded Bellew. "'And pray, what was your object, you, a stranger?' "'Well,' replied Bellew slowly as he began to fill his pipe,

"'I bought it because it was there to buy, you know. "'I bought it because furniture is apt to be rather useful now and then. "'I'll cart the chairs to sit on, and the tables to, um, put things on, and don't quibble with me, Mr. Bellew. I beg your pardon, Mr. Casillis. When I ask a question, sir, I'm in the habit of receiving a direct reply. When I'm asked a question, Mr. Cacillis, I am in the habit of answering it precisely as I please, or not at all. Mr. Bellew, let me impress upon you once and for all that Miss Devine has friends, old and tried friends,

to whom she can always turn for aid in any financial difficulty she may have to encounter, friends who can more than tied over all her difficulties without the interference of strangers. And as one of her oldest friends, I demand to know by what right you force your wholly unnecessary assistance upon her. "'My very good sir,' replied Bellew, shaking his head in gentle reproof, "'really, you seem to forget that you are not addressing one of your grooms or footmen. Consequently, you forced me to remind you of the fact. Furthermore, that is no answer,' said Mr. Casillas, his gloved hands, tight clenched upon his hunting-crop his whole attitude one of menace furthermore pursued benew placidly settling the tobacco in his pipe with his thumb you can continue to a demand until all's blue and i should continue to lie here and smoke

and gaze up at the smiling serenity of heaven. The black brows of Mr. Casillis met in a sudden frown. He tossed his whip aside and took a sudden quick stride towards the recumbent bellew with so evident an intention, the small porges shrank instinctively further within the encircling arm. But at that psychic moment, very fortunately for all concerned, there came the sound of a quick light step, and Anthea stood between them. Mr. Cacillis, Mr. Bellew! She exclaimed, her cheeks flushed, and her bosom heaving with the haste she had made.

Pray, whatever does this mean? Buryletyl raised to his feet, and seeing Casillas was silent, shook his head, and smiled. Upon my word, I hardly know, Miss Anthea. Our friend Mr. Casillas seemed to have got himself all worked up over the sail, I fancy. The furniture! exclaimed Anthea, and stamped her foot with vexation. That wretched furniture! Of course you explained your object in buying it, Mr. Bellew! "'Well, no, we hadn't got as far as that.'

Now when he said this, Anthea's eyes flashed sudden scorn at him, and she curled her lip at him, and turned her back upon him. "'Mr. Bellew bought my furniture, because he intended to set up housekeeping. He is to be married, soon, I believe.' "'When the moon is at the full,' nodded Bellew. "'Mirred?' exclaimed Mr. Cossilis, his frown vanishing as if by magic. "'Oh, indeed!' "'I am on my way. to the hop-gardens, if you care to walk with me, Mr. Casillas?'

And with the words, Anthea turned, and as he watched them walk away together, Bellew noticed upon the face of Mr. Casillis an expression very like triumph, and in his general air a suggestion of proprietorship that jarred upon him most unpleasantly. "'Why do you frown, so, Uncle Porges?' "'I was thinking, nephew.' "'Well, I'm thinking, too,' not his small Porges, his brows knitted portentously. and thus they sat, big and little porges, frowning in unison at space for quite a while. "'Are you quite sure you never told my Auntie Anther that you were going to marry her?' inquired small porges at last.

"'Quite, Comrade. Why?' "'Then how did she know you were going to marry her and settle down?' "'Marry her and settle down?' "'Yes, at the full of the moon, you know.' "'Why, really, I don't know, my porges, unless she guessed it. I expect she did. She's awful clever at guessing things. But, you know—' Well, I'm thinking I just don't like the way she smiled at Mr. Casillas. I never saw her look at him like that before, as if she were awful glad to see him, you know.

So I don't think I'd wait until the full of the moon if I were you. I think you'd better marry her this afternoon.' "'That,' said Benio, clapping him on the shoulder, is a very admirable idea. I'll mention it to her on the first available opportunity, my apologies. But the opportunity did not come that day, nor the next, nor the next after that, for it seemed that with the approach of the hop-picking, and they had no thought or time for anything else. Wherefore Bellew smoked many pipes, and as the days wore on, possessed his soul impatience, which is a most excellent precept to follow, in all things but love.

End of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel This Libre Box recording is in the public domain Recording by Simon Evers Chapter 20 Which relates a most extraordinary conversation In the days which now ensued While Anthea was busied out of doors

And Miss Priscilla was busied indoors And small porges was diligently occupied with his lessons At such times Bolly would take his pipe And go to sit and smoke in company with the cavalier in the great pitcher above the carved chimney-piece. A right jovial companion at all times was this cavalier, an optimist he, from the curling feather in his broad-brimmed beaver hat

to the spurs at his heels. Handsome, gay, and debonair was he, with lips up curving to a smile beneath his moustachio, and a quizzical light in his grey eyes, fitted like that in belieu's own. Moreover, he wore the knowing, waggish air of one well-versed in all the ways of the world, and mankind in general, and, what is infinitely more, of the sex feminine, in particular experience was he, beyond all doubt, in their pretty

tricks and foibles, since he had ever been a diligent student of feminine capriciousness when the merry monarch ruled the land. Hence it became customary for Bellew to sit with him and smoke and take counsel of this pro-chevalier upon the unfortunate turn of affairs. Whereof ensued many remarkable conversations of which the following was one. Belieu. No, sir, emphatically I do not agree with you. To be sure you may have had more experience than I in such affairs, but then it was such a very long time ago.

The cavalier interrupting or seeming to. Ha! Belieu, again I begged to differ from you. Women are not the same today as they ever were. Judging by what I have read of the ladies of your day and King Charles' court at Whitehall, I should say not. At least, if they are, they act differently, and consequently must be wooed differently. The methods employed in your day would be wholly inadequate and quite out of place in this.

The cavalier, shaking his head and smirking or seeming to. Ha! Belieu, well, I'm willing to bet you anything you like, that if you were to step down out of your frame, change your velvets and laces for trousers and coat, leave off your great perrook, and wear a derby hat instead of that picturesque floppy affair, and try your fortune with some twentieth-century damsel, your high-sounding gallantries and flattering phrases

would fall singularly flat, and you would be promptly turned down, sir. The cavalier tossing his love-locks, or seeming to. Ha! Belieu, the strong hand, you say? Ha! History tells us that William the Conqueror wooed his lady with a club, or a battle-axe or something of the sort, and she consequently liked him the better for it,

which was all very natural and proper, of course, in her. case, seeing that hers was the day of battle-axes and things. But then, as I said before, sir, the times are sadly changed. Women may still admire strength of body, and even occasionally of mind, but the theory of dog, woman, and walnut tree is quite obsolete. The cavalier, frowning and shaking his head, or seeming to. Ah, you don't believe me. Well, that is because you are obsolete, too. Yes, sir, as obsolete as your hat or your boots, or your long. long rapier. Now, for instance, suppose I were to ask your advice in my own case. You know precisely how the matter stands at present, between Miss Anthea and myself. You also know Miss Anthea personally,

since you have seen her much, and often, and have watched her grow from childhood into a glorious womanhood. I repeat, sir, glorious womanhood. Thus, you ought to know and understand her far better than I, for I do confess she is a constant source of bewilderment to me. Now, since you do know her so well, what course would you adopt it? Were you in my place?' The cavalier, smirking more knowingly than ever, or seeming to— "'Ah!' "'Belieu.

Preposterous, quite absurd, and just what I might have expected. Carry her off, indeed. No, no, we are not living in your bad, old, glorious days, when a maid's no was generally taken to mean yes, or when a lover might swing his reluctant mistress up to his saddle-bow, and ride off with her, leaving the world. far behind. Today is it all changed, sadly changed. Your age was a wild age, a violent age, but in some respects perhaps a rather glorious age. Your advice is singularly characteristic, and of course quite impossible, alas, carry her off indeed. Hereupon, Bedou sighed, and turned

away, lighted his pipe which had gone out, and buried himself in the newspaper. End of Chapter 20. of the Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 21 of shoes and chips and ceiling wax, and the third finger of the left hand. So, Belly took up the paper.

The house was very quiet, for small porges was deep in the vexatious rules of the multiplication table, and something he called geography. Anthea was out, as usual, and Miss Priscilla was busied with her new, numerous household duties. Thus the brooding silence was unbroken, save for the occasional murmur of a voice, the jingle of the housekeeping keys, and the quick, light, tap-tap of Miss Priscilla's stick. Therefore, Belly read the paper, and let it be understood that he regarded the daily news-sheet

as the last resource of the utterly bored. Now, presently, as he glanced over the paper with a negative interest, his eyes attracted by a long paragraph beginning. At some of his own paragraph beginning, St George's Hanover Square, by the right reverend Bishop, Sylvia Cecil Marchmont, to his grace, the Duke of Ride, KG, KCB. Bellew followed a full, true and particular account of the ceremony, which it seemed had been graced by royalty. George Bellew read it halfway through, and yawned, positively, and actually yawned, and thereafter laughed. And so I have been in Arcadia, only three weeks, I've known Anthea only twenty-one days.

A ridiculously short time, as time goes, in any other place but Arcadia, and yet sufficient to lay forever the haunting spectre of the might have been. Lord, what a preposterous ass I was. Baxter was quite right, utterly and completely right. Now let's suppose that this paragraph had read, Today at St. George's Hanover Square, Anthea Devine to— No, no, confound it!

and Melu crumpled up the paper and tossed it into a distant corner. I wonder what Baxter would think of me now. Good old faithful John. The haunting spectre of the might have been. What a preposterous ass! What a monumental idiot I was! Posterous ass! Isn't a very pretty word, Uncle Porgies! Or, continental idiot! said a voice behind him,

and turning, he beheld small porges, somewhat stained and bespattered with ink, who shook a reproving head at him. "'True, he answered, but they are sometimes very apt, and in this instance, particularly so.' Small Porges due near, and seating himself upon the arm of Bellew's chair, looked at his adopted uncle, long and steadfastly. "'Uncle Porges,' said he at last, "'you never tell stories, do you? I mean, lies, you know.' "'Indeed, I hope not, Porges. Why do you ask? Well, because my Auntie Anthea's afraid you do.' She, why? When she came to tuck me up last night, she sat down on my bed and talked to me a long time,

and she sighed a lot and said she was afraid I didn't care for her anymore. She was awful silly, you know. Oh, yes, of course, nodded Belle you. And then she asked me why I was so fond of you, and I said, because you were my uncle, Porges, that I found under a hedge. And then she got more angrier than ever, and said she wished I'd left you under the hedge. Did she, my poor jes? Yes, she said she wished she'd never seen you,

and she'd be awful glad when you've gone away. So I told her you weren't ever going away, and that we were waiting for the money moon to come, and bring us to the fortune. And then she shook her head and said, Oh, my dear, you mustn't believe anything he says to you about the moon or anything else, because he tells lies. And she said, lies twice.

Ah, and did she stamp her foot, porges? Yes, I think she did. And then she said there wasn't such a thing as a money moon, and she told me you were going away very soon, to get married, you know. "'And what did you say?' "'Oh, I told her that I was going to.' "'And then I thought she was going to cry, and she said,

"'Oh, Georgie, I didn't think you'd leave me, even for him.' "'So then I had to explain how we'd arranged "'that she was going to marry you "'so that we could all live happily ever after. "'I mean, that it was all settled, you know, "'and that you were going to speak to her on the first opportunity. "'And then she looked at me a long time and asked me, "'was I sure you had said so?

"'And then she got awful angry indeed and said, "'How dare he! Oh, how dare he! Oh, how dare he? So, of course, I told you you dare anything, even a dragon, because you were so big and brave, you know. So then she went and stood by the window, and she was so angry as she cried, and I nearly cried too. But at last she kissed me good night,

and said you were a man that never meant anything you said, and that I must never believe you anymore, and that you were going away to marry a lady in London, and that she was very glad, because then we should all be happy again, she supposed. So she kissed me again and tucked me up and went away. But it was a long, long time before I could go to sleep, because I kept on thinking and thinking,

suppose there really wasn't any money moon, after all, supposing you were going to marry another lady in London. You see, it will be so frightfully awful, wouldn't it? Terribly dreadfully awful, my porges. But you never do tell lies, do you, Uncle Porges? No. And there is a money moon, isn't there? Why, of course there is.

And you are going to marry my Auntianthea in the full of the moon, aren't you? you. Yes, my porges. Why, then everything's all right again. So let's go and sit under the haystack and talk about ships. But why have ships? inquired belly rising. Because I made up my mind this morning that I'd be a sailor when I grew up, a mare you know, like Peter Day, and I prefer to have both my legs. You'd find it more convenient, perhaps. You know all about oceans and waves and Billows, don't you, Uncle Portes? Well, I know a little. And are you of a seasick, like a landlubber?

I used to be, but I got over it. Was it a very big ship that you came over in? No, not so very big, but she's about as fast as anything in her class, and a corking sea-boat. What's her name? Her name, repeated Belue, or she was called the Sylvia. That's an awful pretty name for a ship. Oh, so-so. I have learned a prettier, and next time she puts out to sea we'll change her name,

Amar Portges?' "'We?' cried Small Porges, looking up with eager eyes. "'Do you mean you take me to sea with you, and my Antianthea, of course?' "'You don't suppose I'd leave either of you behind, if I could help it, do you? We'll all sail away together, wherever you wished.' "'Do you mean?' said Small Porges, in a suddenly awed voice, "'that it is your ship, your very own?' "'Oh, yes. But do you know, Uncle Porties, you don't look as though you had a ship for your very own, somehow?

Don't I? You see, a ship is such a very big thing for one man to have for his own, very own self. And has he got masks and funnels and anchors? Lots of them. Then, please, when will you take me in Auntie Anthea-Seli all over the oceans?' Just as soon as she's ready to come. "'Then I think I'd like to go to Nova Zembia first. "'I find it in my jogger-free of today, and it sounds nice and far off, doesn't it?' "'It does, shipmate,' nodded Bellew. "'Oh, that's fine!' exclaimed Paul Porges rapturously.

"'You should be the captain, and I'll be the shipmate, and would say aye-eye to each other, "'like the real sailors doing books, shall we?' "'My, aye, shipmate,' nodded Bellew again. "'Then, please, Uncle Paul, I mean, I mean Captain, what should we name our ship? "'I mean the new name?' "'Well, my port is—I mean, of course, shipmate. "'I'd rather thought of calling her—' "'Hello, why, here's the sergeant.'

"'Sure enough, there was Sergeant Appelby, sitting under the shade of King Arthur, "'but who rose and stood at attention as they came up. "'Why, Sergeant, how are you?' said Bellew, gripping the veteran's hand. "'You're half an hour before your usual time to-day. "'Nothing wrong, I hope.' "'Nothing wrong, Mr. Bellew, sir. I thank you. "'No, nothing wrong, but this is a memorable "'May I trouble you to step behind the tree with me for half a moment, sir?'

"'Sitting the action to the word, the sergeant led Bellew to the other side of the tree, and there screamed from view of the house. He, with a sudden jerky movement, produced a very small leather case from his pocket, which he handed to Bellew. "'Not good enough for such a woman, I know, but the best I could afford, sir,' said the Chargent, appearing profoundly interested and the leaves overhead, while Bellew opened the very small box. "'Why, it's very handsome, Sergeant,' said Bellew, making the jewels sparkled in the sun. Anyone might be proud of such a ring. "'Why, it did look pretty tidy, in the shop, sir, to me and Peter Day.

My comrade has a sharp eye and a sound judgment in most things, sir, and we took a deal of trouble in selecting it. But now, when it comes to giving it to her, why, it looks uncommon, small and mean, sir.' "'A ruby and two jarmans and very fine stones, too, Sergeant.' "'So I make so bold as to come here, sir,' pursued the sergeant, still interested in the foliage above, "'half an hour for my usual time, to ask you, sir, if you would so far oblige me as to hand it to her when I'm gone, sir.' "'Lord, no,' said Bellew, smiling and shaking his head. "'Not on your life, Sergeant.

"'Why, man, it would lose half its value in her eyes, if any other than you gave it to her?' "'No, Sergeant, you must hand it to her yourself, "'and what's more, you must slip it upon her finger.' "'Good Lord, sir,' exclaimed the sergeant. "'I could never do that.' "'Oh, yes, you could. "'Not unless you stood by me, a force in reserve, as it were, sir.' "'I'll do that, willingly, Sergeant.'

"'Then, perhaps, sir, you might happen to know which finger?' "'The third finger of the left hand, I believe, Sergeant.' "'Here's Aunt Priscilla now,' said. small porges at this juncture. "'Lord!' exclaimed the sergeant, "'and sixty minutes are for her usual time!' "'Yes, there was Miss Priscilla, her basket of sewing upon her arm, as gentle, as unruffled, as placid as usual. And yet it is probable that she divined something from their very attitudes, for there was a light in her eyes, and her cheeks

seemed more delicately pink than was there wont. Thus, as she came towards them, under the ancient apple-trees, despite her stick and her white hair, she looked even younger and more girlish than ever. At least the sergeant seemed to think so, for as he met her look, his face grew suddenly radiant, on a slow flush crept up under the tan of his cheek, and the solitary hand he held out to her tremble a little for all its size and strength. "'Miss Priscilla, ma'am,' he said and stopped.

"'Miss Priscilla,' he began again, and paused once more. "'My sergeant,' she exclaimed, though it was a very soft little exclamation indeed, for her hand still rested in his, and so she could feel the quiver of the strong fingers. "'Why, Sergeant?' "'Miss Priscilla,' said he, beginning all over again, but with no better success. "'Goodness me!' exclaimed Miss Priscilla. "'I do believe he's going to forget to inquire about the Peaches.'

"'Peaches,' repeated the sergeant. "'Yes, Priscilla.' "'And why?' "'Cause he's brought you a ring,' small porges broke in, "'A very handsome ring, you know, Aunt Priscilla, all diamonds and jewels, "'and he wants you to please let him put it on your finger, if you don't mind.' "'And here it is,' said the sergeant, and gave it into her hand. "'Miss Priscilla stood very silent and very still, looking down at the glittering gems.

"'Then all at once her eyes filled, and a slow wave of colour dyed her cheeks. "'Oh, Sergeant,' she said very softly. "'Oh, Sergeant, I'm only a poor old. woman with a lame foot? And I am a poor old soldier with only one arm, Priscilla. You are the strongest and gentlest and bravest soldier in all the world, I think, she answered. And you, Priscilla, are the sweetest and most beautiful woman in the world I know. And so I've loved you all these years, and never dared to tell you so because of my one arm. Why then? said Miss Priscilla, smiling up at him through her tears.

if you do really think that, why, it's this finger, Sergeant?' So the sergeant, very clumsily, perhaps, because he had but the one hand, slipped the ring upon the finger in question, and porges, big and small, turning to glance back as they went upon their way, saw that he still held that small white hand, pressed close to his lips. End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall This Librevox recording is in the public domain

Chapter 22 Coming events cast to their shadows before Suppose they'll be marrying each other one of these fine days Says more porges as they cross the meadow side by side Yes, I expect so shipmate, nodded Bellew And may they live long and die happy, say I Aye, aye, Captain, and Amen returned small porges.

Now as they went, conversing of marriage and ships, and the wonders and marvels of foreign lands, they met with Adam, who stared up at the sky, and muttered to himself, and frowned and shook his head. Good afternoon, Mr. Bellew, sir, and Master Georgie. Well, Adam, how are the hops? Ops, sir, I never was such hops. No, not in all Kent, sir.

All I'm wishing is that they were all safe, picked and gathered. What do you make of them clouds, sir, over there, just over the point of the Oast House? Lely turned and cast a comprehensive sailor-like glance in the direction indicated. "'Rain, Adam, and wind, and plenty of it,' said he. "'Ah, so I think, sir, driving storm and thrashing tempest.' "'Well, Adam?' "'Well, sir, perhaps you've never seen what driving rain and raging wind could do among the op-bine, sir.

"'All I wishers they ops was all safe-picked and gathered, sir.' And Adam strode off with his eyes till turned heavenward, and shaking his head like some great bird of ill omen. So the afternoon wore away to evening, and with evening came Anthea, but a very grave-eyed troubled Anthea, who sat at the tea-table silent and preoccupied, in so much that small porges openly wondered, while Miss Priscilla watched over her, wistful and tender. Thus tea, which was wonted to be the merriest meal of the day, was but the pale ghost of what it should have been,

despite small porges' flow of conversation, when not impeded by bread and jam, and belieu's tactful efforts. Now, while he talked light-heartedly, keeping carefully to generalities, he noticed two things. One was that Anthea made but a pretense at eating, and the second, for though she uttered a word now and then, yet her eyes persistently avoided his. Thus he, for one, was relieved when tea was over, and as he rose from the table, he determined, despite the unpropitious look of things, to end the suspense one way or another, and speak to Anthea just so soon as she should be alone. But here again he was balked and disappointed. For when Small Porges came to bid him good-night as usual, he learned that Aunt Anthea had already gone to bed.

"'She says it's a headache,' said Small Porges, "'but I suspect it's the hops, really, you know.' "'The hops, my Porges?' "'She's worried about them. She's afraid of a storm like Adam is. And when she worries, I worry. "'I worry.' "'I'm called Porties,

"'and many my prayers can bring the money moon soon, you know, very soon. "'If they don't bring it in a day or two, "'fraid I shall wake up one fine morning and find I've worried and worried myself into an old man. Never fear shipmate, said Belieu in his most nautical manner. All's well that ends well. A low and aloft, all's a tonto. So just takes a turn at the lee braces and keep your weather-eye lifting,

for you may be sure of this. If the storm does come, it will bring the money-moon with it. Then, having bid Spore Port is a cheery good-night, Belly went out to walk among the roses. And as he walked, he watched the flying rack of clouds above his, his head and listened to the wind that moaned in fitful gusts. Wherefore, having learned in his many travels to read and interpret such natural signs and omens, he shook his head and muttered to himself, even as Adam had done before him.

Presently he wandered back into the house, and filling his pipe, went to whole communion with his friend the cavalier. And thus it was that having ensconced himself in the great elbow-chair and raised his eyes to the picture, he spied a letter tucked into the frame thereof. Looking closer, he saw that it was directed to himself. He took it down, and after a momentary hesitation, broke the seal and read. Miss Devine presents her compliments to Mr. Bellew, and regrets to say that, owing to unforeseen circumstances, she begs that he will provide himself with other quarters at the expiration of the month, being the 23rd Inst.

Bellow read the line slowly, twice over, then folding the note very carefully, put it into his pocket, and stood for a long time staring at nothing in particular. At length he lifted his head and looked up into the smiling eyes of the cavalier above the mantle. Sir, said he very gravely, it would almost seem that you were in the right of it, that yours is the best method after all. Then he knocked the ashes from his pipe, and went slowly and heavily upstairs to bed. It was a long time before he fell asleep, but he did so at last, for insomnia is a demon who rarely finds his way into Arcadia.

But all at once he was awake again, broad awake, and staring into the dark. For a thousand voices seemed to be screaming in his ears, and eager hands were shaking and plucking at window and lattice. He started up, and then he knew that the storm was upon them, at last, in all its fury, rain and a mighty wind, a howling raging tempest. Yes, a great and mighty wind was abroad, it shrieked under the eaves, It boomed and bellowed in the chimneys And roared away to carry destruction

Among the distant woods While the rain beat hissing against the window panes Surely in all its many years The old house of Dapamere had seldom borne the brunt of such a storm So wild, so fierce and pitiless And, lying there upon his bed Listen to the uproar and tumult Belliam must needs think of her who once said

We are placing all our hopes this year upon the hops End of Chapter 22 Chapter 23 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel This Librevox recording is in the public domain Recording by Simon Evers Chapter 23 How small porges in his hour of need Was deserted by his uncle

Ruins are done for Lord Lumme there ain't worth the trouble of gathering What's left of them, Mr Bellew, sir? So bad as that, Adam "'Bad! "'So bad as ever was, sir,' said Adam, "'blinking suspiciously and turning suddenly away. "'Has Miss Anthea seen, does she know?'

"'Ah, she was out at dawn, and, oh Lord, Mr. Bono, sir, "'I can't never forget her poor stricken face, "'so pale and sad it were. "'But she never said nothing, only, old Adam, my poor hops, "'and I see her lips all of her quiver while she spoke. "'So she turned away and came back to the house, sir. "'Poor lass. "'Oh, poor lass!' he exclaimed his voice growing more husky.

"'She's made a brave fight for it, sir. "'But it weren't no use, you see. "'It'll be good-bye for her to duffer me her, out of all, "'that their mortgage cannot never be played now, no-how.' "'When is it due?' "'Well, according to the bond, or the deed or whatever they call it, "'it'd be due to-night at nine o'clock, sir. "'The old Grimes, as a special favour and aren't a much persuading,

"'had agreed to hold her till next Saturday, "'on a card of the op-picking. "'Now, seeing there ain't no ops to be picked, "'while he'll fall close tonight, and glad enough to do it, "'you can lay your oath on that, Mr. Bellew, sir.' "'Tonight,' said Bellew, "'tonight.' "'And he stood for a while, with bent head as though lost in profound thought. "'Adam,' said he suddenly,

"'help me to harness the mare. "'I must drive over to the nearest railroad depot. "'Hurry, I must be off. "'The sooner the better.' "'Well, be you going, sir?' "'Yes. "'Hurry, man, hurry.' "'Do you mean, is you're going to leave her?

"'Now, in the middle of all this trouble?' "'Yes, Adam, I must go to London, on business. Now hurry like a good fellow.' And so together they entered the stable, and together they harnessed the mare. Which done, staying not for breakfast, Bellew mounted the driver's seat, and with Adam beside him, drove rapidly away. But small porges had seen these preparations, and now came running all eagerness,

but ere he could reach the yard, Bellew was out of earshot. So there stood small porges, a desolate little figure, watching the rapid course of the dog-cart until it had vanished over the brow of the hill. And then, all at once, the tears welled up into his eyes, hot and scalding, and a great sob burst from him, for it seemed to him that his beloved Uncle Porges had failed him at the crucial moment, had left him solitary, just when he needed him most. Thus small Porges gave way to his grief, hidden in the very darkest corner of the stable, whether he had retired, lest any should observe his weakness,

until having once more gained command of himself and wiped away his tears with his small and dingy pocket-handkerchief he slowly recrossed the yard and entering the house went to look for his auntie anthea and after much research he found her half lying half kneeling beside his bed when he spoke to her though she answered him she did not look up and he knew that she was weeping don't auntie anthea

don't he pleaded "'I know Uncle Porteous has gone away and left us, but you've got me left, you know, "'and I should be a man very soon, before my time, I think. "'So don't cry, though I am awful sorry he's gone, too, just when we needed him the most, you know.' "'Oh, Georgie,' she whispered, "'my dear brave little Georgie, we shall only have each other soon. "'They're going to take Daplemaire away from us and everything we have in the world, oh, Georgie.' "'Well, never mind,' said he, kneeling beside her, and drawing one small arm protectingly about her,

"'we shall always have each other left, you know. "'Nobit'll ever take you away from me. "'And there's the money moon. "'It's been an awful long time coming, "'but it may come to-night, or tomorrow night. "'He said it would be sure to come if the storm came, "'and so I'll find the fortune for you at last. "'I know I shall find it some day, of course.

"'Cause I've prayed and pray for it so very hard, "'and he said my prayers went straight up to heaven, "'and didn't get blown away or lost in the clouds.' "'So don't cry, Auntia, let's wait, just a little longer, till the money-moon comes.' "'End of Chapter 23.' "'Chapter 24 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnell. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 24, in which shall be found mention of a certain black bag. "'Baxter?'

"'Sir?' "'Keep me a pen and ink.' "'Yes, sir.' now any ordinary mortal might have manifested just a little surprise to behold his master walk suddenly in dusty and dishevelled of person his habitual languor laid aside and to thus demand pen and ink forthwith but then baxter though mortal was the very cream of a gentleman's gentleman and the acme of valets as has been said and comported himself accordingly baxter sir oblige me by getting this cashed yes sir bring half of it in gold "'Sir?' said Baxter, glancing down at the slip of paper. "'Did you say half, sir?' "'Yes, Baxter. I take it all in gold, only that it would be rather awkward to drag around,

so bring half in gold and the rest in five-pound notes.' "'Very good, sir.' "'And Baxter?' "'Sir. Take a cab.' "'Certainly, sir.' And Baxter went out, closing the door behind him. Meanwhile, Belyu busied himself in removing all traces of his journey, and was already bathed and shaved and dressed by the time Baxter.

returned. Now, gripped in his right hand, Baxter carried a black leather bag, which jingled as he set it down upon the table. Got it? inquired Belyu. I have, sir. Good, nodded Belyu. Now, now, Baleu. Now, Baxter. Now, Baxter. Once more Baxter departed, and while he was gone, Bely began to pack. That is to say, he bundled coats and trousers, shirts and boots into a portmanteau in a way that would have wrung Baxter's heart, could he have seen, which down, Bellew opened the black bag, glanced inside, shut it again, and lighting his pipe, stretched himself out upon an ottoman, and immediately became plunged in thought. So lost was he indeed that Baxter, upon his return, was necessitated to omit three distinct

coughs, the most perfectly proper and gentleman-like coughs in the world. Air Belly was aware of his presence. "'Oh, that's you, Baxter,' said he sitting up. back so soon? The car is at the door, sir. A car? Oh, yes, to be sure. A Baxter, sir. What should you say if I told you Bally paused to strike a match, broke it, tried another, broke that, and finally put his pipe back into his pocket, very conscious the while of Baxter's steady, though perfectly respectful regard.

Baxter, said he again, what should you say if I told you that I was in love? At last, Baxter, head over here's, hopelessly, irretrievably. "'Say, sir, I should say, indeed, sir.' "'What should you say?' pursued Bellew, staring thoughtfully down at the rug under his feet, "'if I told you that I am so very much in love, that I'm positively afraid to tell her so. I should say, very remarkable, sir.'

Bellew took out his pipe again, looked at it very much as he had never seen such a thing before, and laid it down upon the mantelpiece. Baxter, said he, "'Carnly understand that I am speaking to you as a man to man, as my father's old and trusted servant and my early boyhood's only friend. Sit down, John.'

"'Thank you, Master George, sir.' "'I wish to confess to you, John, that, regarding the haunting spectre of the might have been, you were entirely in the right. At that time I knew no more the meaning of the word, "'Meaning the word love, Master George?' "'Precisely, I knew no more about it than that table. "'But during these latter days I've begun to understand,

"'and the fact of the matter is, I'm fairly up against it, John.' "'Here, Baxter, who had been watching him with his quick, sharp eyes, "'nodded his head solemnly. "'Master George,' said he, "'speaking is your father's old servant and your boyhood's friend. "'I'm afraid you are.' Belly took a turn up and down the room, and then, pausing in front of Baxter, who had risen also as a matter of course, he suddenly laid his two hands upon his valley's shoulders.

Baxter, said he, you remember that after my mother died, my father was always too busy piling up his millions to give much time or thoughts to me, and I should have been a very lonely small boy if it hadn't been for you, John Baxter. I was often up against it in those days, John, and you were always ready to help and advise me. But now, well, from the look of things, I'm rather afraid that I must stay up against it, that the game is lost already, John. But whichever way fate decides win or lose,

I'm glad. Yes, very glad to have learned the true meaning of the word, John. Uh, Master George, sir, there was a poet once, Tennyson, I think, who said, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.' "'and I know that he was right. "'Many years ago before you were born, Master George. "'I loved and lost, and that is how I know.

"'But I hope that fortune will be kinder to you. "'Indeed I do. "'Thank you, John. I don't see why she should be.' "'Ambed stood staring down at the rug again, "'tel aroused by Baxter's cough. "'Praise, sir, what are your orders, the car is waiting downstairs. "'orders. "'Why, pack your grip, Baxter.

"'I shall take you with me this time, into Arcadia, Baxter.' "'For how long, sir?' "'Probably a week.' "'Very good, sir. "'It is now half-past three. "'I must be back in Duffamere at eight. "'Take your time. "'I'll go down to look at the machine.

"'Just lock the place up, and, uh, "'don't forget the black bag.' "'Some ten minutes later, the great racing car "'set out on its journey with belly at the wheel, "'and Baxter beside him with his black bag held firmly upon his knee. Their process was necessarily slow at first, on account of the crowded thoroughfares. But every now and then the long, low car would shoot forward through some gap in the traffic, grazing the hubs of bus wheels, dodging handsoms, shaving sudden corners in an apparently reckless manner.

But Baxter, with his hand always upon the black leather bag, sat calm and unruffled, since he knew by long experience the belly's eye was quick and true, and his hand firm and sure upon the wheel. Over Westminster Bridge and along the old Kent Road they sped, now fast, now slow, threading a tortuous and difficult way amid the Midiard vehicles, and so, betimes, they reached to Blackheath. And now the powerful machine hummed over that ancient road that had a foretime shaken to the tread of stalwart Roman legionaries, up Shooters Hill and down, and so into the open country.

And ever as they went they talked, and not as master and servant, but as between man and man. Wherefore, Baxter the Valley became merged and lost in Baxter the Human, the honest John of the old days, a grey-haired, kindly-eyed, middle-aged cosmopolitan, who listened to and looked at young Alcadis beside him, as he had indeed been the Master George of years ago. So you see, John, if all things do go well with me, we should probably take a trip to the Mediterranean. In the Sylvia, of course, Master George. "'Yes, though. I've decided to change her name, John.' "'Ah, very natural under the circumstances, Master George,' said Honest John,

his eyes twinkling sly as he spoke. "'Now, if I might suggest a new name, it would be hard to find a more original one than the haunting specter of the boss John. There never was such a thing. You were quite right, as I said before. "'And by heaven, potato sacks.' "'Potato sacks, Master George?' They'd been climbing a long, winding ascent, but now, having reached the top of the hill, they ever took a great lumbering market cart, or wane, piled high with sacks of potatoes,

and driven by an extremely surly-faced man in a smock-frock. "'Hello there!' cried Bedou, slowing up. "'How much for one of your potato-sacks?' "'Get out now!' growled the shirdy-faced man, in a tone as surly as he looked. "'Aren't you see as they're all occupied?' "'Well, empty one.' "'Get out now,' repeated the man. "'scarling blacker than ever.

"'I'll give you a sovereign for one.' "'Ah, don't try to come none of your jokes with me, young fella,' growled the Carter. "'Sovron? "'Bah! Shell us!' "'Here it is,' said Ballew, holding up the coin in question. "'Catch!' "'And with the word he tossed it up to the Carter, who caught it very dexterously, "'looked at it, bit it, rubbed it on his sleeve,

"'ranged it upon the footboard of his wagon, "'bitted it again, and finally pocketed it. "'It's a go, sir,' he nodded, his skull vanishing as by magic, and as he spoke he turned, seized the nearest sack, and forthwith sent a cascade of potatoes rolling and bounding all over the road. Which done, he folded up the sack and handed it down to Bellew, who thrust it under the seat, nodded, and throwing in the clutch, set off down the road. But long after the car had humped itself out of sight, and the dust of its going had subsided,

the carter sat staring after it, open-mouthed. If Baxter wondered at this purchase, he said nothing, only he meant his gaze thoughtfully upon the black leather bag that he held upon his knee. On they sped between fragrant hedges, under whispering trees, past lonely cottages and farmhouses, past gate and field and wood, until the sun grew low. At last, Medew stopped the automobile at a place where a narrow lane or cart-track branched off from the high road and wound away between great trees. "'I leave you here,' said he, as he sprang from the car. "'This is Duffamere. The farmhouse lies over the upland, yonder, "'though you can't see it because of the trees.' "'Is it far, Master George? About half a mile.

"'Here is the bag, sir, but do you think it is quite safe?' "'Safe?' "'Safe, John. Under the circumstances, Master George, "'I think it would be advisable to take this with you.' "'And he held out a small revolver.' "'Benelieu laughed and shook his head. "'Such things aren't necessary here in Arcadia, John. "'Besides, I have my stick.

"'So good-bye for the present. "'You'll stay at the king's head, remember?' "'Good-night, Master George, sir. "'Good-night, and good fortune go with you.' "'Thank you,' said Bellew, and reached out his hand. "'I think we'll shake on that, John.' "'So they clasped hands, and Bellew turned and set off along the grassy lane. "'Presently, as he went, he heard the hum of the car grow rapidly fainter and fainter,

until it was lost in the quiet of the evening. End of Chapter 24. Chapter 25 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 25, The Conspirators. The shadows were creeping down, and evening was approaching, as Bellew took his way along that winding lane that led to the House of Dappamere.

Had there been anyone to see, which the... there was not, they might have noticed something almost furtive in his manner of approach, for he walked always under the trees where the shadows lay thickest, and paused once or twice to look about him warily. Being come within sight of the house, he turned aside, and, forcing his way through a gap in the hedge, came by a roundabout course to the farmyard. Here, after some search, he discovered a spade, the witch, having discarded his stick, he took upon his shoulder, and with a black leather bag tucked under his arm, crossed the paddock with the paddock with the same degree of caution, and so at last reached the orchard.

On he went, always in the shadow, until at length he paused beneath the mighty, knotted branches of King Arthur. Never did conspirator at lance about him with sharper eyes, or harkham with keener ears than did George Bellew, or, conspirator number one, where he now stood beneath the protecting shadow of King Arthur, or conspirator number two, as, having unfolded the potato sack, he opened the black leather bag. The moon was rising broad and yellow, but it was low as yet, and King Arthur stood in impenetrable gloom, as any other thorough-going, self-respecting conspirator should, and now all at once from this particular patch of shadow there came a sudden sound, a rushing

sound, a chinking, clinking metallic sound, and thereafter a crisp rustling that was not the rustling of ordinary paper. And now conspirator number one rises, and ties the mouth of the sack, and with string he had brought with him for the purpose, and setting down the sack, bulky now and heavy, by Conspirator No. 2, takes up the spade and begins to dig. And in a while having made an excavation, not very deep to be sure, but sufficient to his purpose, he deposits the sack within, covers it with soil, treads it down, and replacing the torn sod, carefully pats it down with the flat of his spade. Which thing accomplished, Conspirator No. 1 wipes his brow, and, stepping forth of the shadow, consults his watch with anxious eye, and thereupon smiles, surely a singularly pleasing

smile for the lips of an arch-conspirator to wear. Thereafter he takes up the black bag, empty now, shoulders the spade and sets off, keeping once more in the shadows, leaving conspirator number two to guard their guilty secret. Now, as conspirator number one goes his shady way, he keeps his look directed towards the rising moon, and thus he almost runs into one who also stands amid the shadows, and whose gaze is likewise fixed upon the moon. "'Ah, Mr. Bellew!' exclaims a drawling voice, and Squares Casillas turns to regard him with his usual supercilious smile. Indeed, Squart Casillas seems to be even more self-satisfied and smiling than ordinary to-night, or at least Bellew imagine so. You are still agriculturally

inclined, I see,' to Mr. Casillas, nodding towards the spade, though it's rather a queer time to choose for digging, isn't it? Not at all, sir, not at all, returned Beru solemnly. The moon is very nearly at the fool, you will perceive. Well, sir, and what of that? When the moon is at the fool, or nearly so, I generally dig, sir, that is to say, circumstances is permitting. Really, said Mr. Casillas, beginning to caress his moustache.

It seems to me that you have very peculiar tastes, Mr. Bellew. That is because you have probably never experienced the fierce joys of moonlight-digging, sir. No, Mr. Bellew, digging as a recreation has never appealed to me at any time. Then, sir, said Bellew, shaking his head, permit me to tell you that you have missed a great deal. Had I the time I should be delighted to explain to you exactly how much, as it is, allow me to wish you a very good evening. Mr. Cassili smiled, and his teeth seemed to gleam whiter and sharper than ever in the moonlight.

Wouldn't it be rather more apropos if you said, "'Good-bye, Mr. Bellew,' he inquired. "'You are leaving D'Apomere shortly, I understand, aren't you?' "'Why, sir,' returned Bellew, grave and imperturbable as ever. "'It all depends.' "'It depends. Upon what, may I ask?' "'The moon, sir.' "'The moon?'

"'Precisely.' "'And what can the moon have to do with your departure?' "'A great deal more than you'd think, sir. "'Had I the time I should be delighted to explain to you, exactly how much, as it is, permit me to wish you a very good evening.' Saying which, Benu nodded affably, and shouldering his spade went upon his way, and still he walked in the shadows, and still he gazed upon the moon. But now his thick brows were gathered in a frown, and he was wondering just why Casillis had chanced to be here to-night, and what

his comforted air and the general assurance of his manner might portend. Above all, he is wondering how Mr Casillas came to be aware of his own impending departure. And so at last he came to the rickyard, full of increasing doubt and misgivings. End of Chapter 25. Chapter 26 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers.

Chapter 26 How the Money Moon Rose. evening had deepened into night, a night of ineffable calm, a night of an all-pervading quietude. A horse snorted in the stable nearby, a dog barked in the distance, but these sounds served only to render the silence the more profound by contrast.

It was indeed a night where in pixies and elves and goblins and fairies might weave their magic spells, a night where in tired humanity dreamed those dreams that seemed so hopelessly impossible by day. And overall the moon rose high and higher in solemn majesty, filling the world with her pale loveliness, and brooding over it like the gentle goddess she is. Even the distant dog seemed to feel something of all this,

for after a futile bark or two he gave it up altogether and was heard no more. And Bellew, gazing up at Luna's pale serenity, smiled and nodded, as much as to say, You'll do, and so stood leaning upon his spade, listening to, That deep hush which seems a sigh,

breathed by earth to listening sky. Now at once upon this quietude there rose a voice, upraised in fervent supplication. Wherefore, treading very softly, Belue came, and peeping round the hay-rick, beheld small porges upon his knees. He was equipped for travel and the perils of the road, for beside him lay a stick,

and tired to this stick was a bundle that bowled with his most cherished possessions. His cheeks were wet with great tears that glistened in the moonbeams, but he wept with eyes tight shut and with his small hands clasped close together. And thus he spoke, albeit much shaken and hindered by sobs. I suppose you think I bother you an awful lot, dear Lord, and so I do, but you haven't sent the money-moon yet, you see, and now my auntie has got to leave, Tupamere, if I don't find the fortune for her soon. I know I'm crying a lot

And real men don't cry But it's only because I'm awful Lonely and disappointed And nobody can see me So it doesn't matter But dear Lord I've looked and looked everywhere And I haven't found a single sovereign yet

And I've prayed to you And pray to you for the money moon And it's never come So now dear Lord I'm going to Africa And I want you to please take care Of my Antianthea till I come back Sometimes I'm afraid

My prayers can't quite manage to get up to you Because of the clouds and wind but tonight there isn't any, so if they do reach you, please, oh please let me find the fortune. And if you don't mind, let him come back to me, dear Lord. I mean my uncle Porges, you know. That's all, dear Lord, so amen. As the prayer ended, Bellew stole back, and coming to the gate of the rickyard, leaned there waiting. Presently, as he watched, he saw a small figure emerge from behind the big haystack,

and come striding manfully towards him, his bundle upon his shoulder, and with the moon bright in his curls. But all at once, small porches saw him and stopped, and the stick and bundle fell to the ground and lay neglected. "'Why, my porges!' said Belue, a trifle huskily, perhaps. "'Why, shipmate!' And he held out his hands. Then small porges uttered a cry, and came running,

and next moment big porges had him in his arms. "'Oh, Uncle Porges, then you have come back to me.' "'Hi, shipmate!' "'Why, then my prayers did reach.' "'Why, of course.' "'Of course, prayers always reached, my porges. "'Then, oh, do you suppose I shall find the fortune, too?' "'Not a doubt of it.

"'Just look at the moon.' "'The moon.' "'Why, haven't you noticed how peculiar it is tonight?' "'Peculea?' repeated small porges breathlessly, turning to look at it. "'Why, yes, my board is, big, you know, and, you know, like a very large sovereign.' "'Do you mean—' "'Oh, do you mean it's the—' "'But here small porges choked suddenly,

and could only look his question. The money moon? Oh yes. There she is at last, my porges. Take a good look at her. I don't suppose we shall ever see another. Small porges stood very still and gazed up at the moon's broad yellow disc. And as he looked, the tears welled up in his eyes again,

and a great sob broke from him. I'm so glad, he whispered, so awful glad. Then suddenly he dashed away his tears and slipped his small, trembling hand. into bellews. "'Quick, Uncle Porteous,' said he. "'Mr. Grimes is coming to-night, you know, and we must find the money in time. Where should we look first?' "'Well, I guess the Orta will do, to start with.'

"'Then let's go, now.' "'But we shall need a couple of spades, shipmate.' "'Oh, must we dig?' "'Yes, I fancy that a-dig-moon, my porges from the look of it. "'Ah, there's a spade, nice and handy. You take that, and I'll manage with this pitchfork.' "'But you can't. dig with a—well, you can do the digging, and I'll just prod, you know. Ready, then heave ahead, shipmate.'

So they set out hand in hand, spade and pitchfork on shoulder, and presently will come to the orchard. "'It's an awful big place to dig up a fortune in,' said Smallport is glancing about. Where it is supposedly better begin. Well, shipmate, between you and me and the pitchfork here, I rather fancy King Arthur knows more than most people would think. Anyway, we'll try him. You dig on that side, and I'll prod on this. Saying which, Bellew pointed to a certain spot

where the grass looked somewhat uneven and peculiarly bumpy, and bidding small porges get to work, went round to the other side of the great tree. Being there, he took out his pipe purely from force of habit, and stood with it clenched in his teeth, listening to the scrape of small porges his spade. Presently he heard a cry,

a panting, breathless cry, but full of a joy unspeakable. I've got it. Uncle Porges, I've found it. Small Porges was down upon his knees, pulling and tugging at a sack he had partially unearthed, and which, with Belu's aid, he dragged forth into the moonlight. In the twinkling of an eye the string was cut, and plunging in a hand, small porges brought up a fistful of shining sovereigns, and among them a crumpled banknote. "'It's all right, Rauker Porges!' he nods.

nodded his voice all over Quaver. "'It's all right now. I've found the fortune I've prayed for. "'Gold, you know, and bank-notes, in a sack. "'Everything will be all right again now.' While he spoke, he rose to his feet, and lifting the sack with an effort, swung it across his shoulder, and set off towards the house. "'Is it heavy, shipmate?' "'A awful heavy,' he panted. "'But I don't mind that. It's gold, you see.'

But as they crossed the Rose Garden, made you later restructure. training hand upon his shoulder. "'Porges,' said he, "'where is your anteanthia?' "'In the drawing-room, waiting for Mr. Grimes. "'Then, come this way.' "'And turning, Bedou led small porges up and along the terrace. "'Now my porges,' he admonished him, "'when we come to the drawing-room windows,

"'they're open, you see. "'I want you to hide with me in the shadows, "'and wait until I give you the word.' "'Aye, Captain,' panted small porges. "'When I say, heave ahead, shipmate, "'By then, you will take your treasure upon your back "'and march straight into the room. "'You understand?'

"'Hi-hi, Captain.' "'Why, then, come on, and mum's the word.' "'Very cautiously they approached the long French windows "'and paused in the shadow of a great rose-bush nearby. "'From where he stood, "'Bel you could see Anthea and Miss Priscilla, "'and between them sprawling in an easy chair, was Grimes, "'while Adam, hat in hand, scald in the background.

"'All I can say is, I'm very stalled, "'Sorry for ye, Miss Anthea,' Crimes was saying. "'I, that I am, but lads you took it so well. No crying nor nonsense.' Here he turned to look at Miss Priscilla, whose everlasting sewing had fallen to her feet, and lay there all unnoticed, while her tearful eyes were fixed upon Anthea, standing white-faced beside her. "'And when show ye be ready to leave, to vacate up on here, Miss Anthea?' "'Crimes went on. "'Does that mean to hurry, you mind?'

"'I should like you to name a day.' "'Now, as Bedu watched, he saw Anthea's lips move, but no sound came. Miss Priscilla saw her also, and catching the nerveless hand, drew it to her bosom, and wept over it. "'Come, come,' expostulated Grimes, jingling the money in his pockets. "'Come, come, Miss Anthea, ma'am, all as I am ask you is, when? "'All as I want you to do is—' "'But here, Adam, who had been screwing and ringing at his hat, "'now step forward, and tapping his...

Grimes upon the shoulder, pointed to the door. "'Mr. Grimes, said he. "'Miss Ancius told you as all as you can come here to find out. "'She's told you as she can't pay. "'So now, suppose you go.' "'All I want to know is when she'll be ready to move, "'and I ain't a-going till I do, so you get out of my way.' "'Suppose you go,' repeated Adam.

"'Get out of my way. Do you hear?' "'Because,' Adam went on, "'if you don't go, Mr. Grimes, "'the old Adam be arising inside of me to that degree as I should be forced to catch you by the collar of your jacket and heave you out, Mr. Grimes, sir. So suppose you go.' Hereupon Mr. Grimes rose, put on his hat, and muttering to himself, stemmed indignantly from the room, and Adam, shutting the door upon him, turned to Miss Anthea,

who stood white-lipped and dry-eyed, while gentle little Miss Priscilla fondled her listless hand. "'Don't look that way, Miss Anthea,' said Adam. "'I'd rather see you cry the look at you. so. It'd be hard to have to let the old place go, but... Eve away, shipmate, whispered Bellew. Obedient to his command, small porches with his burden upon his back, ran forward and stumbled into the room. "'It's all right, Aunt Yanthea,' he cried.

"'I've got the fortune of you. I've found the money I prayed for. Here it is! Here it is!' The sack fell jingling to the floor. The next moment he poured a heap of shining gold and crumpled backnotes at Anthea's feet. For a moment no one moved. Then with a strange horse cry Adam had flung himself down upon his knees and caught up a great handful of the gold.

Then while Miss Priscilla sobbed with her arms about small porges and Anthea stared down at the treasure wide-eyed and with her hands pressed down upon her heart, Adam gave a sudden great laugh and springing up came running out through the window never spine billy in his haste and shouting as he ran. Grimes! he roared. Oh, Grimes! Come back and be paid!

"'Come back. We've had a little joke with you. Now come back and be paid.' Then at last Anthea's stony calm was broken, her bosom heaved with tempestuous sobs, and next moment she had thrown herself upon her knees and had clasped her arms about small porges and our priscilla, mingling kisses with her tears. As for Bellew, he turned away, and treading a familiar path found himself beneath the shadow of King Arthur. Therefore he sat down and, lighting his pipe, stared up at the glory of the full-orbed moon. Happiness, said he, speaking his thought aloud, Happiness shall come riding astride the full moon.

Now, I wonder. End of Chapter 26. Chapter 27 of the Money Moon by John Geoffred Farnel. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 27 In which it is verified the adage of the cup and the lip Now as he sat thus plunged in thought

He heard the voice of one who approached In toning a familiar chant or refrain The voice was harsh, albeit not our musical And the words of the champ were these When I am dead diddle-diddle as well may he hap Bury me deep diddle-diddle under the tap Under the tap diddle-diddle I'll tell you "'Lord!' exclaimed the singer,

"'breaking off suddenly. "'Be that you, Mr. Bellew, sir?' "'Yes, in goodsooth, Adam, the very same.' "'But you sing, Adam?' "'I sing, Mr. Bellew, sir, "'and if you ask me why, then I'll tell you, "'because I be happy-hearted of J-O-Y joy, sir.' "'The mortgage be paid off at last, Mr. Bellew, sir.

"'Miss Anthea be out of debt, free, sir, "'and all the long old master Georgie, God bless him.' "'Oh,' said Bellew, "'that's good.' "'Good!' exclaimed Adam. "'Ah, Mr. Bellew, sir, it'd be more than good. "'It saved Miss Anthea's home for us, sir. "'And between you and me, I think it saved her, too.

"'And it'd be all along, though, that master, Georgie. "'Lord, sir, many as the time as I've watched that there, "'Blessy boy, a seeking and a-searching, a-pulking, "'and a prying round the place and looking for his fortune. "'But, Lord, bless my eyes and limbs, sir, "'I never thought to see he find nothing.' "'Why, of course not, Adam. "'But that's just where I mistook, Mr. Bedou, sir,

"'because he did.' "'Did what, Adam?' "'Found the fortune, as we were always looking for. "'Sack a golden sovereign, sir, and bank-notes, Mr. Bellew, sir. "'Bushers on them, enough, "'and more than enough to pay off that mortgage "'and to send that their old Grimes about his business. "'And away from Daple me, for good and all, sir!'

"'So Grimes is really paid off, then, is he, Adam?' "'I done it myself, sir, with these air two hands. "'Three thousand pound I counted over to him, "'and five hundred more in bank-notes, sir. or Miss Anthea sat by like one in a dream. Altogether there were five thousand pounds of that blessed boy dug up out of the orchard. Done all up in a potato sack, under this very identical trees you were sitting under, Mr. Bellew, sir. He could, I'd be half-minded to take a shovel and have a try at Fortney until myself,

only there ain't much chance of finding another hereabouts. Besides, I prayed for that fortune, long and hard he prayed, Mr. Bellew, sir, and tricks you and me, sir. I'd be much of a prayer myself since my old mother died. anyhow the mortgage be paid off sir miss antheus free and tis joyful and happy-hearted i be this night prudent to me be getting married soon now and when i think of her cooking oh mr bellew sir all as i say is god bless master georgie good-night sir and may your dreams be as happy as mine always supposing i do dream which is seldom good-night sir long after adam's cheery whistle had died away bedou sat pipe and mouth staring up the moon. At length, however, he rose and turned his steps towards the house. "'Mr. Bellew!' he started, and turning, saw Anthea standing amid her roses.

For a moment they looked upon each other in silence, as though each dreaded to speak. Then suddenly she turned, and broke a great rose from its stem, and stood twisting it between her fingers. "'Why did you do it?' she asked. "'Do it,' he repeated. "'I mean the fortune. "'Georgie told me how you helped him to find it, "'and I know how it came there, of course, "'but why did you do it?' "'You didn't tell him how it came there?' asked Bellew anxiously.

"'No,' she answered. "'I think it would break his heart if he knew.' "'And I think it would have broken his heart if he had never found it,' said Belue. "'And I couldn't let that happen, could I?' "'Anthe did not answer, "'and he saw that her eyes were very bright in the shadow of her lashes, "'though she kept them lowered to the rose in her fingers.' "'Anthea,' said he suddenly, and reached out his hand to her.

"'But she started and drew from his touch. "'Don't,' she said, speaking almost in a whisper. "'Don't touch me. "'Oh, I know you have paid off the mortgage. "'You have brought back my home for me as you brought back my furniture. "'Why? Why? I was nothing to you or you to me. "'Why have you laid me under this obligation? "'You know I can never hope to return your money.

"'Why? Why? Why did you do it?' "'Because I love you, Anthea, have loved you from the first, "'because everything I possess in this world is yours, even as I am.' "'You forget,' she broke him proudly, "'you forget. "'Everything but my love for you, Anthea, everything but that I want you for my wife. "'I'm not much of a fellow, I know, but could you learn to love me enough to marry me someday, Anthea?' "'Would you have dared to say this to be? me before to-night, before your money

had brought back the roof over my head? Oh, haven't I been humiliated enough? You've taken from me the only thing I had left, my independence, stolen it from me. Hadn't I been shamed enough? Now, as she spoke, she saw that his eyes were grown suddenly big and fierce, and in that moment her hands were caught in his powerful clasp.

Let me go, she cried. No, said he, shaking his head, not until you tell me if you love me. Speak, Anthea. Loose my hands! She threw up her head proudly, and her eyes gleamed and her cheeks flamed with sudden anger. Loose me! she repeated.

Pabellaueni shook his head, and his chin seemed rather more prominent than usual, as he answered. Tell me that you love me, or that you hate me. Whichever it is, but until you do, you hurt me, said she. And then as his fingers relaxed, With a sudden passionate cry she had broken free, but even so he caught and swept her up in his arms and held her close against his breast. And now feeling the hopelessness of further struggle.

She lay passive, while her eyes flamed up into his and his eyes looked down into hers. Her long thick hair had come loose, and now with a sudden quick gesture she drew it across her face, veiling it from him, wherefore he stooped his head above those lustrous tresses. "'Anthea,' he murmured, "'and the masterful voice was strangely hesitating, "'and the masterful arms about her were wonderfully gentle. "'Anthea, do you love me?' "'Lower,' he bent and lower,

"'until his lips touched her hair, "'until beneath that fragrant veil his mouth sought and found hers, "'and in that breathless moment he felt them quiver responsive to his caress, "'and then he'd set her down, she was free, and he was looking at her with a new-found radiance in his eyes. Anthea, he said wonderingly, Why, then, you do? But as he spoke, she hid her face in her hands.

Anthea, he repeated. Oh, she whispered, I hate you, despise you. Oh, you should be paid back every penny, every father very soon. Next week, I marry Mr. Casillas. And so she turned and fled away and left him standing there amid the roses. End of Chapter 27. Chapter 28 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain.

Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 28, which tells how Bellew left Dappermere in the dawn. Far in the east, a grey streak marked the advent of another day, and upon all things was a solemn hush, a great and awful stillness that was like the stillness of death. The earth was a place of gloom and mist, where spectral shadows writhed and twisted and flitted under a frowning heaven, and out of the gloom there came a breath, sharp and damp and exceeding chill.

Therefore, as Belleu gazed down from the frowning heaven to the gloom of earth below, with its ever-moving misty shapes, he shivered involuntarily. In another hour it would be day, and with the day the gates of Arcady would open for his departure, and he must go forth to become once more a wanderer, going up and down and to and fro in the world until his course was run. Yet it was worth having lived for, this one golden month, and in all his wanderings needs must he carry with him the memory of her who had taught him how deep and high, how wide and infinitely far-reaching

that thing called love may really be. And porges, dear, quaint small porges! Where under heaven could he ever find again such utter faith, such pure, unaffected loyalty and devotion As throbbed within that small, warm heart? How could he have a big goodbye to loving, eager, still small porges? And then there was Miss Priscilla, And the strong gentle sergeant,

And Peter Day, and Sturdy Adam, and Prudence, and the Rosie Cheat maids. How well they all suited this wonderful Arcadia! yes indeed he and he only had been out of place and so he must go back to the everyday matter-of-fact world but how could he ever say good-bye to faithful loving small porges far in the east the grey streak had brightened and broadened and was already tinged with a faint pink that deepened and deepened as he watched belie had seen the glory of many a sunrises in divers wild places of the earth and hitherto had always felt deep within him the responsive thrill, the exhilaration of hope new-born, and joyful expectation of the great unknown future. But now he watched the varying hues of pink and scarlet and saffron and gold, with gloomy brow and sombre eyes. Now, presently, the blackbird who lived in the apple-tree beneath his window, the tree of the inquisitive turn of mind, this black-bird fellow, opening a drowsy eye, must needs give vent to a croak, very hoarse and fee.

evil. Then, apparently having yawned prodigiously and stretched himself, wing and leg, he tried a couple of notes, in a hesitating, tentative sort of fashion, shook himself, repeated the two notes, tried three, found them mellower, and more what the waiting world very justly expected of him, grew more confident, tried four, tried five, grew perfectly assured, and so burst forth into the full golden melody of his morning song. Then Belue, leaning out from his casement, as the first bright beams of the rising sun gilded the topmost leaves of the tree, thus apostrophised the unseen singer. I suppose you will be piping away down in your tree there, old fellow, long after Arcadia has faded out of my life. Well, it will be only natural and perfectly right, of course. She will be here, and may perhaps stop to listen to you. Now, if somehow you can manage to compose for me a song of memory, some evening when I

I'm gone, some evening when she happens to be sitting idle and watching the moon rise over the upland yonder. If at such a time you could just manage to remind her of me, why, I thank you. And so, goodbye, old fellow. Saying which Bellew turned from the window and took up a certain bulging, bestrapped portmanteau, while the blackbird, having evidently harkened to his request with much grave attention, fellow singing more gloriously than ever. Meanwhile, Bellew descended the great wide stair, softer foot and cautious of step, he paused once to look towards a certain closed door, and so presently let himself out into the dawn. The dew sparkled in the grass. It hung in glittering jewels from every leaf and twig, while now and then a shining drop would fall upon

him as he passed, like a great tear. Now, as he reached the orchard, uprose the sun in all his majesty filling the world with the splendour of his coming, before whose kindly beams the skulking mists and shadows shrank affrighted, and fled utterly away. This morning King Arthur wore his grandest robes of state, for his mantle of green was thick sewn with a myriad flaming gems. Very differently looked from that dark, shrouded giant who had so lately been conspirator number two. Yet, perhaps for this very reason, then he paused to lay a hand upon his mighty rugged hole, and doing so turned and looked back at the house of Dappamere. and truly never had the old house seem so beautiful so quaint and peaceful as now its every stone and beam had become familiar and as he looked seemed to find an individuality of its own the very lattices seemed to look back at him like so many wistful eyes

therefore george bellew american citizen millionaire traveller explorer and lover sighed as he turned away sighed as he strode on through the green and golden morning and resolutely looked back no more. End of Chapter 28. Chapter 29 of the Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Overs. Chapter 29 of the moon's message to small porges and how he told it to Bellew in a whisper.

Bellew walked on at a good pace with his back turned resolutely towards the House of Daupamere, and thus as he swung it. into that narrow grassy lane that wound away between trees, he was much surprised to hear a distant hail. Facing sharp about, he aspired a diminutive figure whose small legs trotted very fast, and whose small fist waved a weather-beaten cap. Bellew's first impulse was to turn and run, but Belly rarely acted on impulse. Therefore he set down the bulging portmanteau, seated himself upon it, and taking out pipe and tobacco, waited for his pursuer to come up. "'I, Uncle Porges,' panted a voice.

"'You did walk so awful fast, and I called and called, but you never heard. "'And now, please, where are you going?' "'Going,' said Bellew, searching through his pockets for a match. "'Going, my porges, why, for a stroll, to be sure. "'Just a walk before breakfast, you know.' "'But then, why have you brought your bag?' "'Bag,' repeated Bellew, stooping down to look at it. "'Why, so I have.'

"'Please, why?' persisted small porges, suddenly anxious. Why did you bring it? Well, I expect it was to bear me company. But how is it you were out so very early in my porges? Why, I couldn't sleep last night, you know, because I kept on thinking and thinking about the fortune. So I got up in the middle of the night and dressed myself and sat in the big chair by the window and looked at the money moon.

And I stared at it and stared at it till a wonderful thing happened. And what do you suppose? I don't know. Well, all at once, while I stared up at it, the moon changed itself into a great big face. but I didn't mind a bit, because it was a very nice sort of face, rather like a gnome's face, only without the beard, you know. And when I looked at it, it talked to me, and it told me a lot of things, and that's how I know that you are going away, because you are, you know, aren't you? Why, my porges, said Bellew, fumbling with his pipe. Why, shipmates, since you asked me, I am.

Yes, I was afraid the moon was right, said small porges, and turned away. but Bellew had seen the stricken look in his eyes, therefore he took small porges in the circle of his big arm, and holding him thus, explained to him how that in this great world each of us must walk his appointed way, and that there must and always will be partings, but that also there must and always shall be meetings. And so, my porges, if we have to say goodbye now,

the sooner we shall meet again, some day, somewhere. But small porges only sighed and shook his head in hopeless dejection. "'Does she know you're going? "'I mean my auntie Anfair?' "'Oh, yes. She knows, Porgias.' "'Then I suppose that's why she was crying so in the night.' "'Crying?' "'Yes, she's cried an awful lot lately, hasn't she?

"'Last night, when I woke up, you know, and couldn't sleep, "'I went into her room, and she was crying, "'with her face hidden in the pillow, and her hair all about her.' "'Crying.' "'Yes, and she said she wished she was dead. "'So then, of course, I tried to comfort her, you know, and she said, I have a dreadful failure, Georgie Deer, with the farm and everything else. I've tried to be a father and mother to you, and I failed him that too.

So now I'm going to give you a real father. And she told me she was going to marry Mr. Casillis. But I said, no, because I'd arranged for her to marry you and live happy ever after. But she got awful angry again and said she'd never marry you if you were the last man in the world, because she despised you so. And that would seem to settle it, nodded bellew gloomily. "'So it's goodbye, my porges. "'We may as well shake hands now and get it over.'

"'And then he rose from the portmanteau, "'and sighing held out his hand. "'Oh, but wait a minute!' cried small porges eagerly. "'I haven't told you what the moon said to me last night.' "'Ah, to be sure, we were forgetting that,' said Bellier, "'with an absent look, and a trifle wearily. "'Why, then, please sit down again so I can speak into your ear, "'cause what the moon told me to tell you was a secret, you know.'

"'So perforce,' Bellew reseated himself upon his portmanteau, and drawing small porges close, bent his head down to the anxious little face. And so small porges told him exactly what the moon had said. And the moon's message, whatever it was, seemed to be very short and concise, as all really important messages should be. But these few words had a wondrous and magical effect upon George Bellew.

For a moment he stared wide-eyed at small porges like one awaking from a dream. Then the gloom vanished from his breath. brow and he sprang to his feet, and being upon his feet he smote his clenched fists down into the palm of his hand with a resounding smack. "'By heaven!' he exclaimed, and took a turn to and fro across the width of the lane, and seeing small porches watching him, caught him suddenly up in his arms and hugged him. "'And the moon will be at the fool to-night,' said he. Thereafter he sat down upon his support-manteau again, with small porches upon his knee, and they talked confidentially together

with their heads very close together and in muffled tones. When at last belly rose his eyes were bright and eager and his square chin, prominent and grimly resolute. So you quite understand, my porges. Yes, yes, oh, I understand.

Where the little bridge spans the brook, the trees are the thicker there. Aye, aye, Captain. Then fare thee well ship, mate. Goodbye, my porges, and remember. So they clasped hands very solemnly, big porges and small porges, and turned each his appointed way, the one up, the other down, the lane.

But lo, as they went, small porges' tears were banished quite, and Bellew strode upon his way, his head held high, his shoulders squared, like one in whom hope has been newborn. End of Chapter 29 Chapter 30 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel. recording is in the public domain. Recording by Simon Evers. Chapter 30. How Anthea gave her promise.

"'And so he is really gone?' Miss Priscilla sighed as she spoke, and looked up from her needlework to watch Anthea, who sat biting her pen and frowning down at the blank sheet of paper before her. "'And so he is really gone?' "'Who, Mr. Bellew? Oh, yes.' "'He went very early.' "'Yes.' "'And without a little.

any breakfast. That was his own fault, said Anthea. Without even saying goodbye. Perhaps he was in a hurry, Anthea suggested. Oh, dear me, no, my dear. I don't believe Mr. Belly was ever in a hurry in all his life. No, said Anthea, giving her pen a vicious bite. I don't believe he ever was. He's always so hatefully placid and deliberate. And here she bit her pen again. "'H, my dear?' exclaimed Miss Priscilla, pausing with her needle in mid-air. "'Did you say hatefully?'

"'Yes.' "'Anthea? "'I hate him, Aunt Priscilla.' "'Ah, my dear?' "'That was why I sent him away.' "'You sent him away?' "'Yes.' "'But, Anthea, why?'

"'Oh, Aunt Priscilla, surely you never believed in the fortune? "'Surely you guessed it was his money that paid back the mortgage? "'Didn't you aunt?' "'Didn't you?' "'Well, my dear, but then he did it so very tactfully, "'and I'd hope, my dear, that—' "'that I should marry him and settle the obligation that way, perhaps.' "'Well, yes, my dear, I did hope so.

"'Oh, I'm going to marry—' "'Then why did you send? "'I'm going to marry Mr. Casillas, whenever he pleases.' "'And here?' "'The word was a cry, and her needlework slipped from Miss Priscilla's nerveless fingers. He asked me to write and tell him if I ever I'd change my mind. Oh, my dear, my dear, cried Miss Priscilla, reaching out imploring hands. You never mean it? You were distraught today, tired, and worn out with worry and loss of sleep.

Wait! Wait, repeated Anthea bitterly. For what? To marry him. Oh, Anthea, you never meant it. Think what you were doing. I thought it all last night, Aunt Priscilla, and all this morning, and I have made up my mind. "'You mean to write?' "'Yes.' "'To tell Mr. Casillas that you will marry him?' "'Yes.'

"'But now Miss Priscilla rose, "'a next moment was kneeling beside Anthea's chair. "'Oh, my dear!' she pleaded. "'You that I love like my own flesh and blood. "'Don't! "'Oh, Anthea, don't do what can never be undone. "'Don't give your youth and beauty to one who can never, "'never, never make you happy.

"'Oh, Anthea!' "'Dear "'Dear, dear, dear, "'you don't know what you, "'you're "'deer.' on Priscilla, I would rather marry one I don't love than have to live beholden all my days to a man that I hate. Now as she spoke, though her embrace was as ready, in her hands as gentle as ever, yet Miss Priscilla saw that her proud face was set and stern. So she presently rose, sighing, and taking her little crutch stick, tapped dolefully away, and left Anthea to write her letter. And now, hesitating no more, Antheid took up her pen and wrote. surely a very short missive for a love letter, and when she'd folded and sealed it, she tossed it aside,

and laying her arms upon the table, hit her face with a long, shuddering sigh. In a little while she rose, and taking up the letter, went out to find Adam. But remembering that he'd gone to Cranbrook with small porges, she paused irresolute, and then turned her steps towards the orchard. Hearing voices she stopped again, and glancing about, espied the sergeant and misspire.

Priscilla. She had given both her hands into the sergeant's one great solitary fist, and he was looking down at her, and she was looking up at him, and upon the face of each was a great and shining joy. And seeing all this, Anthea felt herself very lonely all at once, and turning aside saw all things through a blur of sudden tears. She was possessed also of a sudden fierce loathing of the future, a horror because of the promise her letter contained. nevertheless she was firm and resolute on her course because of the pride that burned within her so thus it was that as the sergeant presently came striding along on his homeward way he was suddenly aware of miss anthea standing before him whereupon he halted and removing his hat which sir a good afternoon "'Sargent,' said she, "'will you do something for me?'

"'Anything you ask me, Miss Anthea, ma'am, ever and always.' "'I want you to take this letter to Mr. Gacillis, will you?' The sergeant hesitated unwontedly, turning his hat about and about in his hand. Finally he put it on, out of the way. "'Will you, Sergeant?' "'Since you ask me, Miss Anthea, ma'am, I will.' "'Give it into his own hand.' "'Miss Antheaam, I will.'

"'Thank you. Here it is, Sergeant.' And so she turned, and was gone, leaving the sergeant staring down at the letter in his hand, and shaking his head over it. Anthea walked on hastily, never looking behind, and so coming back to the house, threw herself down by the open window, and stared out with unseeing eyes at the roses, nodding slumberous heads in the gentle breeze. So the irrevocable step was taken. She had given her promise to marry Cacillis whenever he would,

and must abide by it. Too late now, any hope of retreat, she had deliberately chosen her course and must follow it to the end. "'Beging your pardon, Miss Anthea, ma'am,' she started, and, launching round, spied Adam. "'Oh, you startled me, Adam. What is it?' "'Begging your problem, Miss Anthea,

"'but is it true as Mr. Bellew be gone away, for good?' "'Yes, Adam.' "'Well, then all I can say is as I'm sorry. "'A mortal sorry I'd be, and my art, ma'am. aren't likewise gloomy. Were you so fond of him, Antom? Well, Miss Antheir, considering as he were the best, good-natured, properest kind of gentleman as ever was, when I tell he was over and above all this, he could use his fists better

than any man as ever I see, him having knocked me down into a dry ditch, though to be sure I likewise drawled his claret, begging your pardon, I'm sure, Miss Antheir, all of what happened on account of me finding him as sleeping in your aim, ma'am? When I tell you furthermore, as he treated me ever as a man, I'd be able to be ever as a man, man, and weren't no ways above shaking me out or smoking a pipe with me, sociable like, when I tell you, is he were the finest gentleman, a properest man, as ever I knowed, or heard tell on, why I think is the word fond to be about the size of it, Miss Anthea, ma'am?' Saying which Adam nodded several times, and bestowed an emphatic, backhanded knock to the crown

of his hat. You used to sit together very often, under the big apple tree, didn't you, Adam? Ah, many, many a night, Miss Antheir. "'Did he ever tell you much of his life, Adam?' "'Why, yes, Miss Antheir, told me someone about his troubles, "'told me is he shot lions and tigers, "'we out in India or in Africa.' "'Did he ever mention?'

"'Well, Miss Antheir,' said he inquiringly, seeing she had paused, "'did he ever speak of the lady he's going to marry?' "'Lady?' repeated Adam, giving a sudden twist to his hat. "'Yes, the lady who lives in London.' "'No, Miss Antheir,' answered Adam, screaming his hat tighter and tighter. Why, what do you mean? I mean, as there never was an old lady, Miss Anthea.

Neither up in London nor nowhere else, as I ever heard on. But, oh Adam, you told me. Ah, for sure I told you, but it were a lie, Miss Anthea. At least wise it weren't the truth. You see, I were afraid as you'd refuse to take the money for the furniture, unless I make you believe as he wanted an uncommon bad. So I haven't told you as he bought it all on a kind of him being matrimon. only took with a lady up in London.

And then he went to him and warned him, told him of the story you had invented? I did, Miss Anthea. First I thought as he were going to up and give me one for myself. But afterwards he took it very quiet and told me as I'd done quite right and agreed to play the game. That's all about it.

And glad I am as to be off my mind at last. No, Miss Anthea, ma'am, seeing you're that rich with Master George's fortune, "'Why, you can pay back for the furniture, if so be your mind did too. "'I hope as you agree with me as a done it all for the best, Miss Antheir.' "'Here Adam unscrewed his hat and knocked out the wrinkles against his knee. "'Which done, he glanced at Anthea.' "'Why, what is it, Miss Anthea?'

"'Nothing, Adam. I haven't slept well lately. That's all.' "'Ah, well, you'll be all right again now. "'We all shall, now the mortgage be paid off, shall, shall me, Miss Antheir?' "'Yes, Adam.' "'We had a great day, over to Cranbrook, Master George and me. "'He'd be in the kitchen now with prudence, so eating of bread and jam. "'Good-night, Miss Anthea, ma'am. "'If you be one to me again, I shall be in the stables.

"'Good-night, Miss Anthea.' "'So honest, well-meaning Adam touched his forehead with a square-ended finger "'and trudged away. "'But Anthea sat there, very still with drooping head and vacant eyes. "'And so it was done. "'The irrevocable step had been taken. She had given her promise. So now, having chosen, of course, she must follow it to the end.

For in Arcadia, it would seem that a promise is still a sacred thing. Now in a while, lifting her eyes, they encountered those of the smiling cavalier above the mantle. Then as she looked, she stretched out her arms with a sudden yearning gesture. Oh, she whispered, if I were only just a picture like you? End of Chapter 30 Chapter 31 of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnall This Librevox recording is in the public domain Recording by Simon Overs

Chapter 31 Which, being the last, is very properly the longest in the book In those benighted days where men went abroad, cased in steel And upon very slight provocation We're wont to smite each other with axes and clubs to buffet and skewer each other with spears, lances, swords, and divers' other barbarous engines. Yet in that dark and doughty age, ignorant though they were of all those smug maxims and excellent oralities with which we are so happily blessed, even in that unhallowed day when the solemn tread

of the policeman's foot was all unknown, they had involved from themselves a code of rules whereby to govern their life and conduct. Amongst these it was tacitly agreed upon, and understood, that a spoken promise was a pledge and held to be a very sacred thing, and he who broke faith committed all the cardinal sins. Indeed, their laws were very few and simple, easily understood, and well calculated to govern man's conduct to his fellow. In this day of ours a blaze with learning and culture, veneered with a fine civilisation, our laws are complex beyond all knowing and expression. Man regurgates his conduct to them, and is a zonieryred with virtuous and honest as the law compels him to be. This is the age of money, and therefore

an irreverent age, it is also the age of respectability, with a very large R, and the policeman's bludgeon. But in Arcadia, because it is an old world place where life follows an even simple course, where money is as scarce as Regri, the old law still holds. A promise once given is a sacred obligation and not to be able to be. set aside. Even the blackbird, who lived in the inquisitive apple-tree, understood, and was aware of this, it had been born in him, and had grown with his feathers. Therefore, though to be sure he had spoken no promise, signed no bond, nor affixed his mark to any agreement, still he had, nevertheless borne in mind a certain request preferred to him when the day was very young.

Thus, with a constancy of purpose worthy of all imitation, he had given all his mind, and thought to the composition of a song with a new theme. He had applied himself to it most industriously all day long, and now, as the sun began to set, he had at last corked it all out, every note, every quaver and trill, and perched upon a lookout branch he kept his bold, bright eye turned towards a certain rustic seat hard by, uttering a melodious note or two every now and then from pure impatience.

And presently, sure enough, he spied her for whom he waited, the tall, long-limbed, supple-wasted creature, whose skin was pink and gold like the peaches and apricots in the garden, and with soft little rings of hair that would have made such an excellent lining to a nest. From this strictly utilitarian point of view, he had often admired her hair, at this blackbird fellow, as she passed to and fro among her flowers,

or ports to look up at him and listen to his song, or even sometimes to speak to him in her sweet low voice, But today she seemed to have forgotten him altogether. She did not even glance his way. Indeed, she walked with bent head, and seemed to keep her eyes always upon the ground. Therefore the blackbird hopped a little further along the branch, and peered over to look down at her with first one round eye and then the other, as she sank upon the seat nearby, and leaned her head wearily against the great tree behind. And thus he saw, upon the pink and gold of her cheek, something that shone and twinkled like a drop of dew. If the blackbird wondered at this and was inclined to be curious, he sturdily repressed the weakness, for here was the audience, seated and waiting, all expectation for him to begin.

So, without more ado, he settled himself upon the bow, lifted his head, stretched his throat, and from his yellow bill poured forth a flood of golden melody as he burst forth into his song of memory, and what a song it was, so full of passionate entreaty, of tender pleading, of haunting sweetness, that as she listened,

the bright drop quivering upon her lashes, fell and was succeeded by another, and another. Nor did she attempt to check them or wipe them away, only she sat and listened with her heavy head pillowed against the great tree, while the black bird, glancing down at her every now and then with critical eye, to mark the effect of some particularly difficult passage, piped surely as he had never done before, until the listener's proud face sank lower and lower,

and was at last hidden in her hands. Seeing which the black bird, like the true artist he was, fearing an anti-climax, very presently edited song with a long, drawn, plaintive note. But Anthea sat there with her proud head bowed low, long after he had retired for the night. And the sun went down. and the shadows came creeping stealthily about her, and the moon began to rise, big and yellow,

over the upland. But Anthea still sat there with her head, once more resting wearily against King Arthur, watching the deepening shadows, until she was roused by small porgy's hand upon hers, and his voice saying, "'Why, I do believe you're crying, Auntie Anthea, and why are you here all alone and by yourself?' I was listening to the blackbird, dear. I never heard him seem quite so beautifully before. "'But blackbirds don't make people cry, and I know you've been crying, because you sound all quivery, you know.' "'Do I, Georgie?' "'Yes. Is it because you feel lonely?'

"'Yes, dear.' "'You've cried an awful lot lately, Auntianthea.' "'Have I, dear?' "'Yes, and it worries me, you know.' "'I'm afraid I've been a great responsibility to you, Georgie, dear,' said she, with a rueful little laugh. "'Fraid you have, but I don't mind that you know.' the responsibility. I'll always take care of you, you know? Nodded small porges, sitting down, the better to get his arm

protectedly about her, while Anthea stooped to kiss the top of his curly head. I promised my Uncle Porteus I'd always take care of you, and so I will. Yes, dear. Uncle Portis told me, Never mind, dear, don't let's talk of him. Do you still hate him, then, aren't he, Anthea? Hush, dear, it's very wrong to hate people. "'Yes, of course it is. "'Then perhaps if you don't hate him anymore,

"'you like him a bit, just a teeny bit, you know?' "'Why, there's the clock striking half-past eight, Georgie.' "'Yes, I heard it. "'But do you, the teeniest bit? "'Oh, can't you like him just a bit, for my sake, aren't he, Anthea? "'I'm always trying to please you, "'and I've found you the fortune you know, "'so now I want you to please me,

"'and tell me you like him, for my sake.' "'But, oh, Georgie, dear, "'You don't understand.' "'Cause you see,' small Portis continued, "'after all, I found him for you, under a hedge, you know.' "'Why did you, Georgia, dear? "'We were so happy before he came.' "'But you couldn't have been, you know.

"'You weren't married, even then, "'so you couldn't have been really happy, you know,' "'said Small Portges, shaking his head. "'Why, Georgie, what do you mean?' "'Well, Uncle Portis told me that nobody could live happy ever after "'unless they're married first. "'So that was why you're why. I arranged for him to marry you, so you could both be happy, and all revelry and joy,

like the fairy tale, you know. But you see, we aren't in a fairy tale, dear, so I'm afraid we must make the best of things as they are. And here she sighed again, and rose. Come, Georgie, it's much later than I thought, and quite time you were in bed, dear. All right, Aunt the Anthea, only, don't you think it's just a bit cruel to send a boy to bed so very early, and when the moon's so big and everything looks so frightfully fine? sides. Well, what now?

She asked a little wearily, as obedient to his pleading gesture. She sat down again. Why, you haven't answered my question yet, you know. What question, said she, not looking at him, about my uncle Porges? But, Georgie, I... You do like him, just a bit, don't you?

Please! Small Porges were standing before her as he waited for her answer, but now, seeing how she hesitated, and avoiding his eyes, he put one small hand beneath the dimple in her chin so that she was forced to look at him. You do, please, don't you? he pleaded. Anthea hesitated, but after all he was gone and nobody could hear, and small porges were so very small, and who could resist the entreaty in his big, wistful eyes?

Surely not Anthea. Therefore with a sudden gesture of abandonment she leaned forward in his embrace and rested her weary head against his manly small shoulder. Yes, she whispered. Just as much as you like Mr. Casillas, he whispered back. Yes. A bit more, just a teeny bit more. Yes. A lot more, lots and lots, oceans more. Yes.

The word was spoken, and, having uttered it, and Thier grew suddenly hot with shame, and mightily angry with the herself, and would straightway have given the world to have it unsaid, the more so, as she felt small-ported his clasp, tightened joyfully, and looking up, fancy she read something like triumph in his look. She drew away from him rather hastily, and rose to her feet. "'Come,' said she, speaking now in a vastly different tone, "'it must be getting very late.' "'Yes, I expect it'll soon be nine o'clock now,' he nodded. "'Then he ought to be in bed, fast asleep, instead of talking such nonsense,

out here, so come along at once, sir.' "'But can't I stay up just a little while?' You see, no. You see, it's such a magnificent night I feel as though things might happen.' "'Dem be so silly.' "'Well, but it does, you know. What do you mean? What things?

Well, it feels gnomy to me. I expect there's lots of elves about hidden in the shadows, you know, and peeping at us.' "'There aren't any elves, or gnomes,' said Anthea petulantly, for she was still furiously angry with herself. But my uncle Portis told me, "'Oh!' cried Anthea, stamping her foot suddenly. "'Can't you talk of anyone or anything but him? "'I'm tired to death of him and his very name.'

"'But I thought you liked him, an awful lot, and—well, I don't.' "'But you said, never mind what I said. "'It's time you're in bed asleep, so come along at once, sir.' So they went on through the orchards together, very silently, for small poetry was inclined to be indignant, but much more inclined to be hurt. Thus they are not gone so very far when he spoke in a voice that he would have described as quivery. "'Don't you think that you're just the teniest bit cruel to me, aren't he anthea?' he inquired wistfully, after I prayed and prayed till I've found a fortune for you.

Don't you please?' "'Surely Anthea was a creature of moods to-night, for even when he spoke she stopped. stopped and turned, and fell on her knees and caught him in her arms, kissing him many times. "'Yes, dear, I'm hateful to you, horrid to you, but I don't mean to be. "'There, forgive me.' "'Oh, it's all right again now, Auntie Anthea, thank you. "'I only thought you were just a bit hard, because it is such a magnificent night, isn't it?' "'Yes, dear, and perhaps there are gnomes and pixies about.

"'Anyhow, we can pretend there are, if you like, as we used to.' "'Oh, will you? That would be fine. then, please, may I go with you as far as the brook? Well, Wander, you know, I've never wandered with you in the moonlight, and I do love to hear the brook talking to itself, so will you wander, just this once? Well, said Anthea, hesitating, it's very late. Nearly nine o'clock, yes, but, oh, please don't forget that I find a fortune for you.

Very well, she smiled, just this once. Now, as they went together, hand in hand through the moonlight, small porges talked very fast and very much at random, while his eyes, bright and eager, glanced expectantly towards every patch of shadow, doubtless in search of gnomes and pixies. But Anthea saw nothing of this, heard nothing of the suppressed excitement in his voice, for she was thinking that by now Mr. Casillas had read her letter, that he might even then be on his way to Dapamere. She even fancied once or twice that she could hear the gallop of his horse's hoofs. "'When he came, he would want to kiss her.'

"'Why do you shiver so, Auntie Anthea? Are you cold?' "'No, dear. "'Well, then, why are you so quiet to me? I've asked you a question three times.' "'Have you, dear?' I was thinking. "'What was the question?' "'I was asking you, you'd be awful frightened, "'supposing we did find a pixie or a gnome in the shadows. "'And would you be so awfully frightened if a gnome, a great big one, you know,

"'came jumping out and ran off with you? "'Should you?' "'No,' said Anthea with another shiver. "'No, dear, I think I should be rather glad of it.' "'Should you, auntie? "'I'm so awful glad you wouldn't be frightened. "'Of course, I don't suppose there are gnomes. "'I mean great big ones, really, you know,

"'but there might be, on a magnificent night like this. "'If you shiver again, Auntie, you'll have to take my coat.' "'I thought I heard a horse galloping. "'Hush!' "'They reached the stile by now, "'the style with a crooked lurking nail. and she leaned there a while to listen. "'I'm sure I heard something, away there, on the road.'

"'I don't,' says more porges stoutly. "'So take my hand, please, and let me assist you over the stile.' So they crossed the stile, and presently came to the brook that there's a most impertinent brook in the world. And here upon the little rustic bridge they stopped to look down at the sparkle of the water, and to listen to its merry voice. Yes, indeed, to-night it was as impertinent as ever, laughing and chuckling to itself among the hollows and whispering scandalously in the shadows it seemed to ante her that it was laughing at her mocking and taunting her with the future and now amid the laughter were sobs and tearful murmurs and now again it seemed to be the prophetic voice of old nanny by force ye shall be wooed and by force ye shall be wed and there is no man strong enough to do it but him as bears the tiger mark upon him the tiger mark alas

"'How very far from the truth were poor old nanny's dreams, after all, "'the dreams which Antheir had nearly believed him, once or twice. "'How foolish it had all been! "'And yet, even now!' "'Antheir had been leaning over the gurgling waters "'while all this passed through her mind. "'But now she started at the sound of a heavy footfall "'on the planky of the bridge behind her,

"'and in that same instant she was encircled by a powerful arm, "'caught up in a strong embrace, "'swung from her feet and borne away through the shadows of the little cock, It was very dark in the wood, but she knew instinctively whose arms these were that held her so close and carried her so easily, away through the shadows of the wood, away from the haunting, hopeless dread of the future, from which there seemed no chance or hope of escape. And knowing all this, she made no struggle and uttered no word. And now the trees thinned out, and from under her lashes she saw the face above her, the thick black brows drawn together, the close set of the lips, the grim prominence of the strong. square chin. And now they were in the road, and now he had lifted her into an automobile, had sprung in beside her, and they were off, gliding swift and ever swifter under the shadows

of the trees. And still neither spoke, nor looked at each other, only she leaned away from him against the cushions while he kept his frowning eyes fixed upon the road ahead. And ever the great car flew onward faster and faster, yet not so fast as the beating of her heart, were in shame and anger and fear, and another feeling, strove and fought for mastery. But at last, finding him so silent and impassive, she must need to steal a look at him beneath her lashes. He wore no hat, and as she looked upon him, with his yellow hair, his length of limb and his massive shoulders, he might have been some fierce Viking, and she, his captive, taken by strength of arm, borne away by force, by force. And hereupon as the car hummed over the smooth road,

It seemed to find a voice, a subtle, mocking voice, very like the voice of the brook, that murmured to her over and over again. By force ye shall be wooed, and by force ye shall be wed. The very trees whispered it as they passed, and her heart throbbed in time to it. By force ye shall be wooed, and by force ye shall be wed. So she leaned as far from him as she might, watching him with frightened eyes when he frowned ever upon the road in front, and the car rocked and swayed, they're going, as they whirls onward through moonlight and through shadow, faster and faster,

yet not so fast as the beating of her heart, wherein was fear and shame and anger, and, another feeling, but greatest of all now was fear. Could this be the placid, soft-spoken gentleman she had known, this man with the implacable eyes and the brutal jaw, who neither spoke to nor looked at her, but frowned always at the road in front? And so the fear grew and grew within her, fear of the man whom she knew, and knew not at all. She clasped her hands nervously together,

watching him with dilating eyes as the car slowed down, for the road made a sudden turn hereabouts. And still he neither looked at, nor spoke to her, and therefore, because she could bear the silence no longer, she spoke, in a voice that sounded strangely faint and far away, and that shook and trembled in spite of her, where are you taking me? To be married, he answered, never looking at her,

"'You wouldn't dare.' "'Wait and see,' he nodded. "'Oh, but what do you mean?' The fear in her voice was more manifest than ever. "'I mean that you are mine. You always were. You always must and shall be. "'So I'm going to marry you in about half an hour by special licence.' Still he did not even glance towards her, and she looked away over the countryside all lonely and desolate under the moon.

"'I want you, you see,' he went on. "'I want you more than I ever wanted anything in this world. "'I need you, because without you my life will be utterly purposeless and empty. "'So I have taken you. Because you are mine, I know it. "'Ah, yes, and deep down in your woman's heart, you know it too. "'And so I'm going to marry you. "'Yes, I am, unless—' "'And here he brought the car to a standstill, and turning looked at her for the first time.

"'And now, before the look in his eyes, her own wavered and fell, lest he should read within them that which she should fain hide from him, and which she knew they must reveal, that which was neither shame nor anger nor fear, but the other feeling for which she dared find no name. And thus for a long moment there was silence. At last she spoke, though with her eyes still hidden. Unless? She repeated breathlessly. Anthea, look at me.

But Anthea only drooped her head the lower, wherefore he leaned forward, and, even as small porges had done, set his hand beneath the dimple and her chin, and lifted the proud, unwilling face. Anthea, look at me. And now what could Anthea do but obey? Unless, said he, as her glance at last met his, unless you can tell me, now, as your eyes look into mine, that you love Cacillis,

tell me that, and I will take you back this very instant, and never trouble you again. But unless you do do, tell me that, why then, your pride shall not blast two lives, if I can help it? Now speak. But Anthea was silent, also she would have turned aside from his searching look, but that his arms were about her strong and compelling. So needs must she suffer him to look down into her very heart, for it seemed to her that in that moment he had rent away every stitch and shred of pride's enfolding mantle, and that he saw the truth at last. But if he had,

he gave no sign, only he turned and set the car humming upon its way once more. On they went through the midsummer night, uphill and downhill, by cross-road and by-lane. Until as they climbed a long ascent they beheld a tall figure standing upon the top of the hill in the attitude of one who waits, and who, spying them, immediately raised a very stiff left arm, whereupon this figure was joined by another. Now, as the car drew nearer, Anthea with a thrill of pleasure, recognised the son. sergeant standing very much as though he were on parade, and with honest-faced Peter Day beside him, who stumped joyfully forward, and with a bob of his head and a scrape of his wooden leg,

held out his hand to her. Like one in a dream she took the sailor's hand to step from the car, and like one in a dream she walked on between the soldier and the sailor, who now reached out to her, each a hand equally big and equally gentle, to aid her up certain crumbling and time-worn steps. on they went together until they were come to a place of whispering echoes where lights burned, few and dim. And here, still as one in a dream, she spoke those words which gave her life henceforth into the keeping of him who stood beside her, whose strong hand trembled as he set upon her finger, that which is an emblem of eternity. Like one in a dream she took the pen and signed her name obediently where they directed, and yet could this really be herself, this silence, submissive creature?

And now they were out upon the moonlit road again, seated in the car, while Peter Day, his hat and his hand, was speaking to her, and yet was it to her? "'Mrs. Bellew, ma'am,' he was saying, "'on this year, momentous occasioned—' "'Monumentous is the only word for it, Peter Day,' nodded the sergeant. "'On this year momentummentous occasion, Mrs. Bellew,' the sail proceeded, "'my shipmate Dick and me, respectfully, ma'am, begged the favour of saluting the bride.

Mrs. Bellew, by your leave? Yourself and habitus, ma'am. And hereupon the old sailor kissed her, right heartily. Which done, he made way for the sergeant, who, after a moment's hesitation, had followed suit. A fair wind and prosperous, cried Peter Day, flourishing his hat. And God bless you both, said the sergeant,

as the car shot away. So it was done. The irrevocable step was taken. Her life and future Have passed forever Into the keeping of him Who sat so silent beside her Who neither spoke nor looked at her

But frowned ever at the road before him On sped the car Faster and faster Yet not so fast as the beating of her heart Wherein there was yet something of fear And shame But greatest of all Was that other emotion

And the name of it Was joy Now presently the car slowed down And he spoke to her though without turning his head. And yet something in his voice thrilled through her strangely. Look, Anthea, the moon is at the fool to-night. Yes, she answered.

And happiness shall come riding astride the full moon, he quoted. Old nanny is rather a wonderful old witch, after all, isn't she? Yes. And then there is our nephew, my dear little porges. But for him happiness would have been a stranger to me all my days, Anthea. He dreamed that the money-moon spoke to him, and—but he should tell you of that for himself. But Anthea noticed that he spoke without once looking at her.

Indeed it seemed that he avoided glancing towards her of set design and purpose, and his deep voice quivered now and then in a way she had never heard before. Therefore her heart throbbed the faster, and she kept her gaze bent downward, and thus, chancing to see the shimmer of that which was upon her finger, she blushed and hid it in a fold of her gown. Anthea, yes? You have their regrets, have you? No, she whispered.

We shall soon be home now? Yes. And are you mine, forever and always— Anthea, you aren't afraid of me anymore, are you? No. Nor ever will be. Nor ever will be. Now as the car swept round a bend, behold yet two other figures standing beside the way.

"'Yo-ho, Captain!' cried a voice. "'Oh, please heave two uncle-porges!' And forth to meet them came small porges running, yet remembering Miss Priscilla tapping along behind him, he must need to turn back to give her his hand, like the kindly small gentleman that he was. And now Miss Priscilla had Anthea in her arms, and they were kissing each other and murmuring over each other

as loving women will, while small Porreus stared at the car and all things pertaining there to, more especially the glaring headlights, with great wondering eyes. At length, having seen Anthea and Miss Priscilla safely stowed, he clambered up beside Bellew and gave him the words to proceed. What Penn could describe his ecstatic delight as he sat there, with one hand hooked into the pocket of Uncle Porteous's coat, and with a cool night wind whistling through his curls. So great was it indeed that Betty was constrained to turn aside and make a wide detour, purely for the sake of the radiant joy in Small Porges' his eager face.

When at last they came within sight of Daublemere, and the great machine crept up the rutted grassy lane, small porges sighed and spoke. "'Auntia,' said he, "'I assure that you're married nice and tight, you know?' "'Yes, dear,' she answered. "'Why, yes, Georgie. "'But you don't look a bit different, you know. "'Either of you. "'Are you quite sure, because I shouldn't like you to disappoint me, after all?' "'Never fear my porges,' said Bellew.

"'I made quite sure of it while I have the chance. "'Look.' "'As he spoke he took Anthe's left hand, drawing it out into the moonlight, "'so that small porges could see the shining ring upon her finger. "'Oh,' said he, nodding his head. "'Then that makes it all right, I suppose. "'And you aren't angry with me, because I let a great big gnome come and carry you off, are you, Auntianthea?

No, dear. Why, then, everything's quite magnificent, isn't it? And now we're going to live happy ever after, all of us, and Uncle Porte is going to take us to sail the oceans in his ship. He's got a ship that all belongs to his own very self, you know, Auntie Anthea. So all we revelry and joy, just like the fairy tale, after all. And so at last they came to the door of the ancient house of Dappermere. Whereupon very suddenly Adam appeared, bare arm from the stables,

"'Who, looking from Bellew's radiant face to Miss Anthea's shy eyes, "'thew back his head, vented his great laugh, "'and was immediately solemn again. "'Miss Antheir,' said he, ringing and twisting at his hat, "'or I think I should say Mrs. Bellew, ma'am. "'There ain't no word for it. "'These days, not as I know on, no how. "'No words be strong enough to tell you the J.O. Y. Joy, ma'am,

"'as fills us one at all.' "'Here he waved his hand to west of the comely prudence with the two rosy-cheeked maids peeping over her buxom shoulders. Only, pursued Adam, I'd be glad, and more glad I'd be, as tis you, Mr. Bellew, sir. Right not mad in all the world, or, as you might say, universe, as is so proud as you be the husband to our Miss Antheris was, and not now how, Miss Belu, sir.

I wish you joy, a joyous shall grow with the years, and abide with ye always, both on ye. That is a very excellent thought, Adam, said Belieu, and I think I should like to shake hands on it. which they did forthwith. And now, Mrs. Bellew, ma'am, Adam concluded, with your kind permission, I'll step into the kitchen, and drink a glass of Pruse-Ail, to your elf and happiness.

If I steer any longer, I won't say but when I shall burst out a scene in your very face, ma'am, for I do be that happy-hearted, Lord!' With its exclamation, Adam laughed again, and turning about, straight away into the kitchen with prudence and the rosy-cheeked maids, laughing as he went. "'Oh, my dears,' said little Miss Priscilla, "'I've hoped for this. Pray for it, because I believe he is worthy of you, Anthea,

"'and because you have both loved each other from the very beginning. "'Oh, dear me, yes, you have. "'And so, my dears, your happiness is my happiness, "'and, oh, goodness me, here I stand talking sentimental nonsense, "'while our small porges are simply dropping asleep as he stands. "'Fraid I am a bit tired,' small porges admitted, "'but it's been a magnificent night. And I think, Uncle Porteous, when we sail away in your ship, I think I'd like to say around the horn first, because they say it's always blowing, you know, and I should love to hear it blow. Now, good night.

Wait a minute, my Porteous. Just tell us what it was, the Moneymoon said to you last night, will you? Well, said Small Portis, shaking his head and smiling a slow, sly smile. I don't suppose you'd better talk about it, Uncle Porteous, because, you see, it was such a very great secret. And sides, I'm awfully sleepy, you know. So saying, he nodded slumberously, kissed Anthea sleepily, and giving Miss Priscilla his hand, went drowsily into the house. But as for Bellew, it seemed to him that this was the hour for which he had lived all his life. And though he spoke nothing of this thought, yet Anthea knew it instinctively, as she knew why he had avoided looking at her hitherto, on what had caused the tremor in his voice,

despite his iron self-control, and therefore, now that they were alone, she spoke hurriedly. and at random. What did Georgie mean by your ship? Why, I promised to take him a cruise in the yacht, if you cared to come out here. Yacht, she repeated. Are you so dreadfully rich? I'm afraid we are, he nodded.

But at least it has the advantage of being better than if we were dreadfully poor, hasn't it? Now, in the midst of the garden, there was an old sundial worn by time and weather, and a chance that they came and leaned there, side by side. And looking down upon the dial, Belieu saw certain characters graven thereon in the form of a poesy. What does it say here, Anthea? he asked, but Anthea shook her head. That you must read for yourself, she said, not looking at him. So he took her hand in his,

and with her slender finger spelled out this motto. Time and youth to flee away, love. Oh, love them whilst ye may. "'Anthea,' said he, "'and again she heard the tremor in his voice. "'You have been my wife nearly three-quarters of an hour, "'and all that time I haven't dared to look at you "'because if I had I must have kissed you, "'and I meant to wait until your own good time.

"'But, Anthea, you've never yet told me that you love me?' "'Anthea, she did not speak or move. "'Indeed she was so very still that he needs must bend down to see her face.' Then all at once her lashes were lifted, her eyes looked up into his, deep and dark with passionate tenderness. "'Aunt Priscilla was quite right,' she said, speaking in her low, thrilling voice. "'I have loved you from the very beginning, I think.' And with a soft murmurous sigh she gave herself into his embrace. Now, far away across the meadow, Adam was plodding his homeward way.

And as he trudged, he sang to himself in a harsh, but not our musical voice. And the words of his song were these. When I am dead, Diddle Diddle, as well may hap, you'll bury me Dittle Diddle under the tap. Under the tap, Dittled Diddle, I'll tell you why, that I may drink Dittle Diddle when I am dry. End of Chapter 31. End of The Money Moon by John Geoffrey Farnel.