Settling Day

derly, and Sal looked keenly at him, with dog-like

kind to her when all others had deserted her. Her heart bled for him in h

his little head lay pillowed in peaceful slumber on one a

hen Willie Dennis was but an infant. It was a cruel, heartless blow she struck h

d deceived her in nothing when he married her. He told her of the solitary life he led, and painte

id life with him would be worth living anywhere. Jim Denn

e dances and picnics, the admiration of men and the thousand and one other attractions that are all in all to some women. Jim Dennis saw she felt lonely and it troubled him. He wa

n to make a devoted mother. She was too selfish

he strain. He asked her if she would like to go to Sydney for a few months for a change. Maud was del

' said Jim. 'You ca

shall not be able to enjoy myself in Sydne

was a man o

of him,' he said, as he took the li

be far better here than in Sydney. It is a trying journey, and the

h a sad heart, and a feeling of bitter disappointment, that Jim Dennis wa

ained there until it was out of sight. He saw her talking ga

to go? that was the burden of his thoughts. He hardly knew what he feare

, but her face and form came vividl

doing her an immense amount of good. She inquired lovingly after him and the child. As the month wore on her letters became shorter

ed no mention was made of Wi

to her father asking how it was he had not heard from Maud. Was she ill? Then came the reply that seemed for days and weeks t

nabeen a week ago,' wrote her f

him that she had left him and deserted her child

rd she had gone to England, but he did not know with whom. He advised him to

than she is. I am sorry for you, very sorry. Can we help you at all with the little one? If so, p

e will be a heavy settling day between us. As for blotting her out of my memory, I cannot do that yet, but the day may come wh

etter writing, and his thoughts did not flow freely. Living his lonely life,

im. Nay, she even went so far as to repudiate her own son, and say he was not her child. No outrage to the feelings of such a man as Jim Dennis could have been worse. He heard faint rumou

id the first, in silence, but he brooded long and deep over his

r its mother's name. Nay, more, he would, if necessary, uphold what his

isgrace that had been put upon them both. Time had softened the blow to Jim Dennis, but had

lenn's words o

e to make o

mapped out an imaginary career for the little chap, but had never been ab

enn's

k of a cup winner for his dad,' had sen

no man in the wild district in whi

ing their stubborn natures. If a neighbour had a particularly savage, untameable

uble, but a pleasure, and regarded it more as confer

sement,' as he called it, and thought he risked

'You never charge anything for your trouble, and, bless me, if

for you in the breaking-in l

ught a brute that licks c

essively. 'Didn't tr

not m

g was th

a fi

expect muc

ed for. The seller said he was

had him in

ehicle, and he has kicked down

ong to kick the lot

the next time you are ill I

ll. I have never troubled you f

id the doctor, with a

I tackle him for you?' ask

ill be so

and in the course of a severe tussle, extend

atural. With a critical eye he looked him over and thought, 'He is just

re,' thought Jim; 'and he may as well make the m

opening his eyes, looke

er now, Willie?'

all the pai

smoothed back his hair. 'You will

r Tom s

swered hi

There's no one to look after you but Sal and me. We'll t

I hope you will

better, because

nd keep quiet. Give h

t the dose and placed

asty. I like

ng to have rain,' said Jim, and his face bri

ll do go

r you. You are not fright

I'm never frightened at an

d his child speak like this. He almost forgave the mother fo

the love of his son, and he could n