Rod of the Lone Patrol

much to Mrs. Royal's amusement. There was considerable excitement for a while as the clergyman, on all-fours, carried the baby through the kitchen, into the dining-room, a

ere children are the uncrowned monarchs, and the strong and

usband two years before. Her sober face grew a shade more sober as her eyes rested upon the undignified scene before her, and she was about to turn and hurry back out of doors, when the parson caught sight of her. His face, flushed with the excitement of the romp, took a d

parson gasped, as he tried to recover

r rector. "I knocked long and loud, but as there was no response, I took the

hich he had cast aside at the beginning of the frolic. He was annoyed at Mrs. Marden's intrusion into the privacy of his family life, e

e began. "It's the first time that I've seen the baby.

was the emphatic reply. "He shall stay

ss enough to leave her baby with total strangers, will come for him? Not a bit of it. Mark my word, she's only too glad to be rid of it, and is off somewhere now havin

troked his chin, and thought of the sob

ner or later. But, then, we all have our troubles, and must expect them. Ever since poor Abner was taken

Dan knew, and all the neighbours knew, that if Mrs. Marden's life was "full of trials and tribulations" after her hus

ed her tale of woe. "They never cease, for jus

rong now?" the

" and the visitor looked

that I have, es

you've been so taken up with this new addition to your family that you

face, and a sharp word of retort sprang to his lips. He re

hat is being said throughout the parish. I try not to listen to all the gossi

sten to, eh?" Mrs. Marden interrupted. "Well, I declare. I

s nature. Therefore, when anything of real importance is talked about, as a rule I do not hear that, either. In that way I have mi

was so occupied with her load of troubles that she neither saw nor heard the baby's entrance. On all-fours Rodney glided behind the widow's chair. Here against the wall stood a tall, slender cabinet, the lower shelves of which were filled with books, while above were various knick-knacks, all neatly arranged. It took Rodney but a second to scramble to his feet, and balance himself by clutching firmly at the cabinet which

. Hearing the confusion, Mrs. Royal rushed into the room, rescued Rodney unhurt from the ruins,

," he remarked. "I am so sorry

er eyes. "There, I feel better now," she continued, breathing heavily. "Oh, what a shock that gave me! My troub

do with it. He kept his thoughts to himself, however, and busied himself with

"If he can do such a terrible thing now, what will he do when

ne the same," the parson repl

ull things over. Poor dear Abner often said that I was the one woman in the whole parish who knew how to bring up children. But, there, I must

nsisted. "I shall drive you home. It will take

ill be too much trou

r was most anxious to get his visitor out of the house before she began to pour forth her t

began. "I haven't told you yet th

t now?" the clergyman asked, trying to look as sympathet

ust think what might become of me and my poor fat

serious as tha

oppressed. If poor Abner was only alive! But now that he is gone,

been trying to inju

er is the one, and he's trying

?" and the parson

t Tom Dunker, the sneak, wants it. He's a Government supporter, and thinks he ought to have it for what he did at the last election. Abner voted opposi

d Parson Dan placed his hand to his forehead. T

o I have come to ask you to write to headquarters. A letter

s did not go their way. But when his duty was clear he never hesitated, and as this was a case where it was nec

y troubles, and with a deep sigh of relief he sought th