The Second Dandy Chater

utile endeavour to see his new position clearly, and to

ccepted by every one-even the most intimate-as the real Dandy; that, in that capacity, he was already engaged to be married-had left a girl crying in the wood, that very day, whose name he did not know, but

orrow, and cut him dead; and, equally on the same principle, embrace my tailor, and hail him as a brother! I can't disclose my real identity, for the question would naturally be asked-'If you are not Dandy Chater, where is he?

mself remembering, with something very like a sentimental sigh, that she had held his hands, and had kissed him on the lips; remembered, too, with s

word-either you are a much maligned man, or you were a most confounded rascal. And it's my pleasing

n the following day, in the direction of Madge Barnshaw. Yet, for an engaged man, he was placed in a decidedly awkward position, in

As a matter of fact, she ought to have supplied me with a map, showing exactly how far away it was, and the best metho

n should be sent to him. On his appearance, a brilliant idea struck Philip Cha

ction of the floor, gave a visible start, and looked up

d he said-"No-no; what on earth am I thinking about? I mean, I'll go for a drive-now; and call on Miss Barnshaw this afte

you'll be thinking of getting

and tracing out the pattern on it with the point of his boot. Looking up at his master, still with that frown upon his face, he said slowly-"Don't see as it ma

ter had left behind him-to say something to this young man, in reference to the love affair at which he only guessed; but so many other matters claimed his attention, and demanded to be s

aid something more; but finally turned, and left the ro

t to see

one the impression, from her appearance, of having lain by unused for a long time, so dusty was her aspect. She had hair of no decided colour, and features of no decided form; and her clothing-even her gloves-were of a neutral

under the special circumstanc

ied Philip, lightly-

ce more. "The dear girl has but just told me all about it;

ught Philip-"which

ave done, and I have had to guess many things for myself. But I must say, Mr. Dandy"-sh

ry-" he began; but sh

er-that is not what I came to say. Standing in the position I do, as regards Madge, I feel that I must make

ied Philip, mechanically. "B

h a little laugh. "Ah-love's young dream

ent he had. He remembered the hoarse whisper of the Shady 'un in h

o be in London; a-a business appointment. I'm extremely sorry. Could you-pray forgive

on to-morrow," said the ol

coming in to see Madge, and we can make arrangements. If you

to the village," she replied,

nd what to do or say; he watched her through the w

ble to find out where the cottage was. Well-I must trust to l

be obviously impossible for Philip Chater to keep the appointment. Yet, on the other hand, Philip was determined to know more of the surroundings and associates of the late Dandy Chater than he knew already; indeed, to do so was absolutely necessary. He had set his feet upon that road

ny-Ogledon, I think the name was; I wonder who he is? However, I'

drove a smart dog-cart, and was attended by Harry. The occupants of other vehicles, passing him,

edly pleasant-and there's an element of danger about the business that gives it a flavour. There's that girl, too-Madge; but I'm not sure that I quite like that. I've taken a kiss from her lips that was never meant for me; and yet"-he shook his head ov

make up his mind whether to put in an appearance at "The Three Watermen," at the time appointed, or not. He was so deep in his reflections, that he failed to notice one or two lurking figures, in the shadow of the houses, on the opposite side of the way; until

much tenderness round the neck. Before Philip had had time to take in the situation completely, the four figures formed one struggling

n attacked-and whose musical tendencies were stronger, apparently, than any alarm he might reasonably be expected to feel-had collared one of his opponents round the neck, in return for the delicate attention

ranger, tiring of his exercise, and having got, perhaps, as far through the tune as memory served him, released his victim's head, although still keeping

t craft down like that, in strange waters-eh? An' to land a man like that, w'en 'e's a bit water-logged-leastways, we'll call it water-logged, for the sake of argyment. If it 'adn't 'ave bee

ear as 'ow I'm a 'ard workin' man, as just stepped forward for to 'el

o' mine-an' 'is name ain't Chater at all; it's Crowdy-good ole Phil Crowdy-if so be as 'e'll excuse the liberty I takes. You an' yer bloomin' Chater!

Captain," he said; "I certainly know this man, and there may have been a mistake. Don't you think

y 'un. "W'en nex' you tries to 'elp anybody, wot's bein' run over-or run through-by a couple of thieves, don't show your kindness of 'eart by a

Mr. Chater." To the Shady 'un, who had been that moment released, he

Captain was a big, burly individual, with a round good-tempered face, surrounded by a fringe of dark whiskers; whatever temporary exaltation he might have be

in' under false colours. I did know a 'ighly respectable ole gal, wot called 'erself the Queen o' Lambeth; but she lived in a re

l the world as Chater. Moreover, I must impress upon you to forget that you ever knew any one of the name of Crowdy, or that he ever sailed with you, on board the good ship 'Camel,' from Australia for England. Come-forget all abo

Captain, looking about him with a puzzled air. "If so be as you knew of a place, where the grog wasn't

came upon one, in a quiet street, with a tiny bar-empty-round a corner. Here they

when he had parried the other's questions as much as possi

ea's been my business-an' I want somethin' else for my pleasure. I'm a thinkin'," he went on slowly, pulling meditatively at his whiskers-"I'm a thinkin' of goin' in for the showman line, with a dash of the circus. I was always fond of 'osses-an' I be

hope you'll succeed. But what brin

ted. I've put up at a nice little place, down near the rive

is it?" as

I should say-Mr. Chater-they