The Fourth Watch

ng th

becoming une

morning. Not a breath of wind stirred the balmy and spring-like air. A recent thaw had removed much of the s

asked the parson. "What m

n so restle

t he mi

y look in his eyes, and sometimes he gives such a start when I speak to him. His old life

ested in his stu

e down to steady work. He seems to be thinking and dreaming of something else. I ca

think we ha

is passionately fond of Midnight, and it would liven him up. Why not let him go with

and in the morning go overland to see the Stickles and take those good thin

elson has asked me to go there to-n

are just like your mother, always planning f

off, for Mr. Westmore would have nothing to do with such sport. Old Fraser, therefore, set about to meet Parson John, but for some time had failed to make connection. Hearing about the funeral, he was determined that the race should come off that very Sunday, and in the presence of the mourners and their friends at that. He accordingly hid behind Break-Neck Point, and with delight watched the parson drive up the river, and at the right moment he started forth for the fray. As Fraser swung into line and was about to pass, Midnight gave a great bound forward, and it was all that Parson John could do to hold her in check, for she danced and strained at the reins as her rival sped on ahead. At length Fraser slowed down, dropped behind, and,

was so unfortunately placed. He could see only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to leave Fraser behind. Therefore, before the first sleigh of the funeral procession was rea

gave up the race. Beaten and crestfallen he turne

the parson and questioned him concerning the strange occurrence on the river. Some were pleased with Fraser's ignominious defeat, and treated it as a huge joke. But others were sorely scandalized. What would the mem

ined the circumstance, "Fraser is a hard man to deal with

ean?" gasped severa

he whole of that time I have endeavoured to do my duty. I have faced the devil on many occasions, and trust that in the encounters I did no discred

up dispersed, chuckling with delight, an

ctor was a good talker, and his visit was always an occasion of considerable interest. A few neighbours had dropped in to hear the news of the parish, and the lates

n here?" were

e sitting-room. Do you want to see him?

ike a funeral. Old Tim Frase

ha

, and then bolted. The sleigh gave a nasty slew on the icy road, and upset. Tim was caugh

nd stood before the messenger. A startled look wa

I hear," he questioned, "t

and wants y

eriously

octor, but it'll be some time before

s man. I was bitter at him this afternoon, and now he is lying the

e pace she well knew how to set when her master was forth on important business. Across the river she sped, then over hill and valley,

it's a mean thing, isn't it, to get many, many good things from someo

een upon his face. "What does the parson mean?" he thought. "That was about what F

o reply. He did not eve

d has given him so many blessings of health, home, fine wife and children, and notwithstanding all these blessin

arson paused, and flicked the snow with his wh

o give the dregs, the last few days, when the body is too weak to do anything, to

hen and sitting-room trying to help, and yet always getting into one another's way. Midnight was taken to the

a sponger, and a sucker too, getting so many good things and giving nothing back. It was mean, and yet what was he himself but a sponger? What was he doing for Nellie and Parson John for what

making him feel very miserable. His cheeks flushed, and a slight sigh escaped his lips as he sat crouched there in the corner with on

him," he heard a woman exclaim. "Tim's to

slowly replied, "but it was put to a w

at do yo

to meet the parson, and strike up a race. He's been boasting for some time that he would do it. The Lord has

t, "how can you say such a thing about your old neighbour, an

the Lord has been good to you. He's blessed you in every way. You've health, strength, and a good home. And what have you done for Him? What have you given in return? Nothing. You curse, revile and scorn Him on the slightest pretext. It's

straight to his little heart, with terrible, stinging intensity. This man was saying what Farrington and the pars

in the doorway. Upon his face an expression dwelt which awed more than many words, and all