A WOMAN'S FAITH: OR THE Mystery of a Bunch of Pansies. By CHARLES T, MANNERS. CHAPTER VII.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 36, 9 February 1884, Page 3

A WOMAN'S FAITH: OR THE Mystery of a Bunch of Pansies. By CHARLES T, MANNERS. CHAPTER VII.

A TAINT TRAIL. Thk clue obtained by Si Green threatened to run out quickly. The gardener who had sent the pansies was easily found, but he knew nothing beyond having received an order through a Baltimore bonvding-houso. Tho letter was placed in Si Green's hands. It simply directed that a bunch of pansies should be sent to Miss Helona Yorrington, and enclosed a handsome fee ; there was no signature. The next step was to visit the Baltimore boarding-house ; but here again Si found himself little nearer his reward. The proprietor had forwarded the order in obedience to a request from a lighthouse away down off the coast of Florida. While staying in the boarding-house, however, Si settled upon another trail, which led him only deeper in the maze. In the course of his inquiries he made the acquaintance of a youngsailorwho answered to the sobriquet oi "Limber Tom," and having made known the object of his pursuit, this youth introduced him to Sally Chisley, who had remained in Baltimore, whither she iled after that fateful night, and who had confided to the sympathetic ear of Tom the story of her dreadful experiences. In the portrait of Con way Searle, Sal recognised unmistakably the features of the handsome young gentleman whose horrible fate she had witnessed through the keyhole of the closet. Si Green meanwhile was keeping what he and Limber Tcm called a " stiff upper lip " under the series of baffled futile efforts which resulted in nothing but increased perplexity and disappointment. He found Sally Chisley 's late mistress, cautiously sifted over the meagre information she was able to give, hung about that vicinity day and night for several weeks, but found nothing further to communicate the slightest addition to his previous knowledge, or to direct his suspicions to another trail. Pei'haps he might have been more successful had he applied to the regular police authorities, armed witli Sally's story. But this he would not venture t® do lest he might be slipping into other hands the golden reward for which he longed. Tom, who had entered enthusiastically with his fortunes, and was smitten with admiration of their cause, secretly marvelled at the patience and coolness with which Si bore the disappointment of such keen hopes as had urged them North. He himself was quite disgusted, and long before Si's imperturbable face showed a single cloud he had become the prey of black despair. "'Taint no sort o' use, Mr Green,"' he said, one day, in a deprecating tone, and half expecting to receive a hasty knock for his boldness. " We've run the thing clear into the ground. It never'll be did ! Never ! Yer might as well give it up. "' Si's florid face took on a deeper ilush ; a steely glitter flashed across the light, watery blue eye.? ; the words came through close-shut teeth, as he answered : "No, I wont give it up, 1 swow to man I won't, while my name is Silas Green. That isn't the natur' of this chap, Limber Tom. If you're sick of it, you're free to leave it, you jfnow.'' " I ain't sick o' you, Si, and I'd like to see it out as well as the next one, " answered Tom with a shrug of his square shoulders. "More'n that, I'm dying to go out with you and see the little shaver, you know. Guess I'll stick a spell longer. *' " Poor little Franky !" muttered Si, under his breath, and a quiver ran over his rugged features. But the next minute he gave himself such a shake as the great Newfoundland does when he comes leaping out of the watery frolic. " 1 tell ye what, Tom, we'll take a run out and see Franky. It'll make us peart and lively again," he said brightening up at the very thought. So it happened that Limber Tom, after a long tramp which followed a short journey by rail, was introduced by Si Green to a peaceful, sylvan scene, which was like the glimpse of another world to the readywitted, audacious frequenter of city wharves and street rows. In a cool-looking farm-house, set on the breezy height of a gently rising hill, to which they had access by a Avinding lane bordered on either side with the wild and graceful shrubbery of grape-vines that ran lightly along the fences, leaping from bar-berry-bush to wild cherry tree, and flowing out here and there in lovely cascades of verdure, they found the pale, delicate lad about whom Tom had dreamed so vaguely. He was sitting in a door-way overhung with the scarlet trumpets of the woodbine honeysuckle, the fairhaired, graceful head bowed low over a book in his lap. Silas was the first to see him as they were plodding across the narrow stubbly field which lay between them and the house after they left the lane. He stopped short, gripping his companion's arms so fiercely that even Limber Tom's stalwart frame wavered. " Stop a minute, Tom. Let me have a minute to look at him afore he sees us," he whispered. And turning his beaming eyes fondly upon the unconscious boy, Si stood, drinking in the sight with a look the flowers might wear under the sunshine at the dew that comes just at the opportune moment that saves from blight and death. Tom stared at the transfigured face in amazement, and was inclined to vent his surprise in a long whistle, but forbore. How the plain, homely face was glorified under that magical flood of love ! How sweet, how noble, even how grand it looked, with its glad, happy smile, its tender, yearning eyes ! After that sight Tom understood better what Franky was to Si Green. But a moment's dumb ecstasy was vouchsafed to Si. The lad was sketching and raising his eyes for another glance at the object, he saw the two motionless figures halted in the field. He rose up slowly and shaded his eyes from the sunshine. Then there came a sweet glad shout, and he was scrambling swiftly r though with halting steps, towards them. "Si! Si! It is brother Si !" Silas gave one deep sigh of transport, and bounded forward with open arms. "My little Franky! my own little darling !" Then the bewildered Tom saw the rough head and the graceful one bent close together, lips meeting in eager fondness, eyes beaming glad though misty with tears, arms clasped arouni either neck. "Whew!" soliloquised the hardened Tom; "that goes clean ahead o' grandmar^ and me, even when I was a little shaver. And two men-folks, two !" But he brushed hi^ horny hand across his own eyes, for all the slightly contemptuous reflection. "You've come to tell me you've won the money for me, dear, dear Si !" exclaimed Franky, rapturously, when something like calmness was restored. "Oh, I'm going to learn to be a painter ! I know I am." "Yes, you are, Franky; you are." answered Si, almost solemnly. " But you mustn't be in too much hurry about tho

money, 'cause there's a good many tilings te see to and there's two months more." The boy raised a pair of long-fringed deep bluo eyes in wistful trustfulness to his brother's face. "Oh, I'm sure you'll do it, Si. If ] wasn't, T think 1 should dio grieving. There's no use of my living at all, if it isn't to be, for Ishouldn'tbogoodfor anythingelsc in the world ; but, weak as I am, 1 know I'd bo of somo account as an artist," The truthfulness of hip prophecy needed no other vouchor than his kindling eye, and I the brave, determined smile of the poor pale face. " You're going to bo one, Franky, nevor fear o' that. Brother Si is going to see the time he'll be proud to say he helped you on your way. But Tom will think us two goslings, I reckon. See here, Franky, this is Tom that I wrote you about. He's been a hankering to see you this long time. I hope Miss Smith hain't let my bedroom, for he'll want it to-night. 1 shouldn't wonder if you two could talk from now till bedtime, and be telling one another something new all the time, for ho knows as littto about country sights as you about the wharvos of the city." " Franky, with intuitive grace that was an evident inheritance from other veins than Si Green's father, turned promptly and laid his thin, delicate fingers, confidingly on Tom's horny palm. ' ' I'm roal glad to soo you if you are ' Limber Tom. ' Si wrote me lots about you. Don't it look lonesome out here to you after those noisy, crowded streets ?" " I feel kinder lost," quoth Limber Tom, looking oft" down the hill to the outspreading wooden village and emerald-green meadow s, and the vast blue dome of sky beyond and above, and then easting furtive glances down the daisy-gemmed sod, " that's a fact, but," and here, unthinking of the act, feeling yet the homage in his heart after a vague fashion, he pulled off his hat is he finished. " But I shouldn't wonclor if I felt the same way if ever 1 got to Heaven." Franky smiled, and kept hold of his hand while they walked toward fcho farm-house, And the tw o lads, one so frail, and small, and artier, and the other so strong, and big, and audacious before the world's eye, were close friends after that. They bat together all the evening, and Si said once half disconsolately : " Why, little Franky, I wouldn't ha' thought you'd taken so to Tom, or any stranger. You've talkod to him all the evening, and haven't given me two words." Which was no sooner said than Franky was at his sido, and on his knee, with his arms around his neck, and his soft cheek laid lovingly against his. "Oh, I like Tom vory much, first becauso he's your friend, Si, and afterwards for himself. But you —you are my own brother, Si." "And that means a great lubbering, awkard feller, homely as a hedge fence, with no bringing up, nor learning of any kind. A great red-faced lubber. Ain't yer kind o' shamed of him, Franky ?" said Si, half in earnest, though there was a broad Miiile of humour on his lips. " It means the best brother ever a boy had," cried Franky, valiantly. "Brother and sister and father and mother all in onf. i You good Si ! I don't care what other folks think, he's a big beauty for us, with his heart of gold, ain't he, Tom ?'* Si laughed out merrily, but gave the lad a closer hug, and he did not let go his hand till they retired to their chamber after seeing Tom comfortable on the shakedow n the farmer's wife had spread for him in an unoccupied room. "I never forget to pray that you may succeed, Si," said Franky, just before they went off to sleep. " Don't you now, Franky. Not a single once. It helps me a >ight to know it." But the lemaxk was enough to set him in a train of anxious thought which kept faithful Si awake the night long, though he would not betray his restlessness to disturb the other*, placid slumber, only lay stirless, with wide, staring eyes, and quiet hand that held a soft clasp of the unconscious Frank's. But in the morning ho «iid to Tom, a clear, steady determination linging in his voice, "Tom, I'm going back to the old trail. 1 sha'n't waste the time here. I'm going to follow that letter back to Florida. And I'll set out to-morrow." "All right," returned Tom cheerily. "I'm your man anyhow. I've got more heart for it since I've seen Fianky. Only jest I want yer promise to let me come with yer Avhen you tell him the thing's did." "Of course you shall, Tom. And the time will come. Don't the Lord hear the prayers of the innocents? Oh I know r it will come !" And the last he repeated over and over after they had turned their backs upon the cozy farm-house, and the green, embower, d lane, and waved the la&t adieu to the slender figure that stood, with wind -tossed hair, watching them off. Three weeks from that day Si Green w r as walking slowly along a dreary beach on the Florida shore, and looking off eagerly toward the massive light-house that seemed to rise out of the tossing billows like the uplifted finger of some buried sea-king. "I'm almost afeared," he muttered. "I swow I'm almost afeard to make the venture, for if this fails, I must give it up. And then what would poor Franky say ?" And even at the thought Si's hand was dashed across his eyes to clear away their mist. • ' A feller always trembles when the moment comes to tell him yes or no in anything he's set his heart on," he muttered, as if apologising to himself for the weakness. "It's likely it's that makes me so squeamish over this job. A lonesome enough place, I know. And there's no sailor in me, but that don't scare me. I'd go through a good deal worse places for little Franky. And this has come like a special providence — my getting the chance to go to the light-house in that fellow's place. Pho, pho, Si Green, you ain't agoing to show the white feather now. You ain't agoing to do it." " Look out, Si," called out a shrill, though suppressed voice, from some invisible hidingplace among the rocks behind him. "There's a boat coming round the point. It's for you, I guess." Si Green gave a little shiver. "Of course it is. Tom, Tom, you'll remember all my charges. Now don't go to talking to anybody. Mind yer business faithfully, and please everybody if you can. I'll be back in a week's time if nothing happens." Here there was a cautious lifting of Limber Tom's shaggy head and faded cap from over the rocks. 1 ' Anything happens ! What in thunder's likely to happen to you, old feller ? I say you ain't going off homesick, are ye ! Jest let me go in your place. Come now, Si, I wouldn't like anything jollier." " If I don't come back at the set time you know what to do. I can't let anybody else do my work, Tom ; but I ain't ashamed to own there's an awful dread on me of a whole week out there in that dreary light-house," returned Si, gravely. " You only want a little sailor spunk, Si, that's all. It's a deal safer than the land. Good- by, then, for here comes the boat." Tom pulled in his head, and Si walked slowly down to the water's edge, where he

had a better view of the small boat which was shooting swiftly around the point of rocky land that jutted far out into the water. Two men were in the boat, and ono was standing up in the bow eagerly scanning- the shore, while the other plied the oars. Si took off his hat and waved it twice, the signal he had been instructed to give, which was answered by the shrill halloo of the steorsman. A short time afterward the tall, commanding figure which had kept its even poise, notwithstanding the eagor leaping of the boat, sprang out to moot him. A shade of disappointment crossed what could be seen of a grave, bronzed faco. " Jack isn't well enough then ?" he said, in a short, decisive way that rather awed Si. ' ' You are the man be has sent to take his place ?" ' ' Yes, sir, and I shall do my best to please. I ain't unhandy either about such things. I'vo been used to potter about a kitohen at home." The man was searching over his face, and Si knew it, and kept it steady and placid. ",Well, Jack ought to know by this time what will do, and what won't," muttered the other. "I suppose he lias instructed you in your duties," he added, raising his voice again, and looking straight into Si's unblenching eyes. " Yes, sir ; I guess it's all right, I've got some wit of my own, anyhow, in case anything's forgotten," returned Silas, picking up a little bundle he had tossed on the sand when he came down to the water. " Confide your wits to your own business, and no doubt you will suit us. I'm very sorry about Jack's sickness. We get used to the light-house ways, you see, and are shy of changes. However, there's no time for delay and no use in talking. The tide will be soon turning. Jump into the boat, man ! By the way, what is your name V" "Silas, sir; and I'll warrant myself a better cook than sailor," replied Si Green, as he made several awkward attempts to get into the boat, whichh is new employer accomplished by one agile leap. The man at the oais laughed, and so did Si, but their leader was looking oft" absently, as it his thoughts had already travelled far way. Si took the cue, and sinking back in his seat, forbore to ask the numberless questions that rose to his lips. Not another word was spoken during the hour that ensued, and but for the regular thud of the oars in tho rowlock, and the steady swash of tho waves against the boat, their journey would have been performed in utter silence. Tho weird, uncanny fooling grow upon Si Green. A chill foreboding kept his heart heavy, and the hands that clenched their tremulous hold upon the boat were cold and clammy. Tho grim reticence of the man whom he had heard desci'ibed in the town back as something botweon a hermit and an ogre, helped to deepen tho impression. "Oh, Lord, help me, for Franky's sake !" was poor Si's inward prayer the v hile they nearcd the isolated structure, and, with every onward leap of the boat, his heart sank heavier and heavier, as he ruefully thought : "If this be the 'Light house Dick ' they told me about, I'm sure there's no playing fast and loose with him, and he'll find out m hat I'vo come for before I learn a single seciet o" his." And he could not help the shudder that shook him from head to foot when the boat paused at the base of the massive shaft that rose out of tho boiling foam, a sheer dizzy height that turned the landsman sick to hink of climbing. ''You don't look over pleased with your new home,'' said Light-house Dick, turning upon him suddenly with a slightly contemptuous smile curling his grim lips. "No — no," stammered Si, clutching with both hands upon the gunwale of the boat. ''I reckon I'm a little seasick. I'm a poor nailor, as I told ye, sir. I'm free to own I don't &cc how I'm ever to get up that tarnal height." Light-house Dick made a signal to the man above who was leaning out of the great \\ indow, and in a few moments after a chair was gliding down the shaft. "You'll shut your eyes if you are still dizzy,'' commanded Light-house Dick ; "and thcic isn't the least danger — the chairs aie stronsr, everything perfectly secure. lam going up the ladder myself. Tim, &end up the goods by the chair." Poor Si thought of Franky onco more to give him courage, and kept repeating the name to himself all the while he was swinging between sky and sea. He gave one tremendous sigh of thanksgiving when a pair of strong hands seized upon the chair and pulled him into a low, dim room, where at least he felt a linn floor beneath his feet. " Good gracious ! I don't know's I'd ever come in the world if I'd have known !" ejaculated Silas, shaking himself, and venturing to look around him. The pleasant-faced man beside him laughed lightly. ' ' So Jack is still sick. He ought to have sent a web-foot instead of a chicken, though. I'm afraid you won't enjoy yourself here, my man. Go up the stairs there and you'll find the kitchen ; maybe that will look more home-like." Still half sick and dizzy-headed, Si obeyed the careless gesture and passed through the designated door, and, finding himself at a narrow landing with a stair leading up and down, he stood hesitating a moment beside a door, which was bolted on the outside, as he could see. Behind the oaken panel against which he unconsciously leaned, Si heard a long-drawn heavy sigh, and the low-bieathed words : " Oh, dear !" The next moment firm, light steps passed across and suddenly ceased : There was nothing so strange in this, except that when he went up stairs, happening to look down, he saw Light-house Dick just entering from the ladder door-way. And that evening, when he was clearing off the table in the kitchen, and receiving his instructions from the pleasant-faced man who gave his name as JJuke, he was told that the light-house held but three souls— Light-house Dick, Duke, andhimself. Who, then, had been behind that bolted doorway? Si Green spent half the night planning how he might obtain an answer to the question, instead of turning his thoughts towards the solution of the problem that had brought him thither. With the earliest morning beam, Si Green was out of his narrow cot, and finding all things quiet, he went softly upward to have a look at the scene without, from the carefully protected balcony outside the lanten , whose sickly glare was still disputing the dimness with the gathering sunlight. He stepped out cautiously, and, timid landsman that he was, he could not be insensible to the fascination of the swaying billows, surging, hurrying, leaping against the mighty structure. He was standing there gazing dreamily out toward the blending line of sea and sky, when he heard a step behind him, and turning round found Light-house Dick standing there. The man's face had not changed in th<» least. There was the same grave, repressed sternness of lips, and the dreary, absent melancholy of the eye. He nodded civilly, and said : " I hope you find yourself more at ease in our rocking home this morning. You canno* deny that this scene is beautiful."

No, Si could not, as he gazed upon the lovely, shifting shades that like fairy visions swept over sea and sky in brilliant procession. "But I would rather watch the smoke curling out of chimneys peeping out of green trees, and the light gilding hill and valley," said Si, speaking with a fluency that astonished himself. " I can't love the sea like the land, sir." A blacker cloud than ever dropped over the face of Light-house Dick, He turned his eyes out to sea wistfully, imploringly. "God help us all!" muttered he, and whirling on his heel, went down stairs swiftly. Si followed at a more cautious gate, and was relieved to be met by Duke's cheery laugh. "Hillo, my daughty landbubber ! The sea-legs are in better order this morning I see." " I'm glad to hear somebody laugh," declared Si. " Good land, sir, how long have you stood it here ?" "Five years, come New Year. What do you think of that?" " What has kept you alive, I wonder ? It must be amighty love for such a life," quoth Si. " Or a mightier hate, who knows?" returned Duke. "But I must hurry up to the lantern and clean the cubes. That's my business principally." " And mine's to mind the kitchen, eh ? What does he do?" " Supposing he to mean—?" questioned Duke. Si Jerked his head upward. "They called him Light -house Dick ashore. It's all the name I heard." "It will answer in place of a better, And it tells the story. He's the contractor with the Government; he's the light-house keeper, and has held the place ten years. That's his part." " You don't moan that he has staid here all the time?" questioned Si, taking advantage of the other's good naturo, and pursuing Ins inquiries while lie bustled around the .stove. "He hadn't spent a night aw ay during the last five to my knowledge." '•Then lie can't be poor Sally's mysterious lodger," thought Si, ruefully. But just hero they hoard his step, and a moment after Light-house Dick entered the little room. "You've given Silas his instructions, I suppose," spoke he, in a tone of authority, addressing himself to Duke. "Yes, sir," returned the latter, respectfully; "but Jack gave him the cue before he sent him, and it looks as if we wasn't to suffer by the exchange. Is there any signalling to be done this morning ?" "No, look after the lantern — that's all. The barometer is falling a little and the fine weather will break up. King your bell, Silas, when the breakfast is ready." And after speaking this in his calm, slow accents, Light-house Dick turned and went up again into his own quarters. Duke laughed at Si's puzzled face. " It is more like the lord of the manor than a lighthouse-keeper, eh ?" " Ten years •" ejaculated Si, in renewed wonder; "and I am wonderful how I'm ever to be able to stand it here for ten days. Land's sake, what is the man made of ?" "Cast iron," returned Duke, quickly, and something in his tone made Si look around, only, however, to find the same placid, cheerful lace on his companion. And the next minute Duke was mounting the stairs, whistling all the way as gayly as a schoolboy, Breakfast over, Si found a new cau.se of wonderment. A slice of meat he had carefully laid aside under a cover had mysteriously vanished while he was pumping oil up into the lantern according to Duke's directions. " I'll hold my tongue and keep my eyes open," he said to himself. And straightway he fixed a private mark upon the remaining provisions, and was soon satisfactorily convinced that some one meddled with them beyond table requirements. ' ' Ho, ho ! only three souls in the lighthouse," quoth Si triumphantly. "lean take my oath I am cooking the rations of four."