Motion Picture Story Magazine (Feb-Jul 1912)

54 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE and found him. He drank in the scene in unqualified amazement. "I s'y, Bill," he said, unreverently, ' ' wot 'as come over us ? " Mr. Simmonds' hour had come to crush the ineligible suitor once and forever. "Sary," he asked, as if in the ordinary course of events, ' ' 'as the goods-van been hordered?" ' ' Puff, puff, ' ' from the meerschaum. "Because I'm thinkin'," he continued, "o' takin' a willa hout Camberwill w 'y . " Harry turned toward Sarah, and her flaming bonnet, which she had been instructed to keep on for this occasion, nodded pleasantly toward him. ' ' 'Ave I been larkin ? " he asked unresponsive space, "nor is my bloomin' heyesight playin ' a gyme ? ' ' "You see wot you see, Mr. 'Arry Gethings," said the gentleman in slippers, "an' I presume you dont recognize your betters. We're a-leavin' the Road," he added, with proper sternness, "an' I'll trouble you not to be a-follerin' of us." Harry's dazed eyes glanced toward Sue, and gained confirmation from her troubled ones. It was no elaborate joke, then? They were really leaving — and leaving him behind ! Bill Simmonds seemed to read his wretched thoughts, for he got up from his chair with a show of dignity and grasped Sue's arm. "I cawnt 'ave it said," he explained, in dismissal, ' ' that a gent wot owns 'is willa 'as 'is gel a-walkin' hout with a coster. ' ' Harry walked toward the door with troubled, shuffling steps. Perhaps Bill was right, after all, he thought, and Sue was too good for him. At any rate, something wonderful had happened that gave Bill the right to watch over her. He closed the door. Only Sue's eyes followed him. The next day neighbors did more than whisper up back alleyways. Such an unheard-of event must need hold them gaping and peering in front of Bill's domicile. A handsome goodsvan drove up, and Bill came out to superintend the withdrawal of his fur niture. Under ordinary circumstances, the smashing of a what-not, filled with sea shells, by the van men, would have started a shower of oaths from the outraged owner; now he said, "Easy, men; so!" and flung them crown pieces when the job was done. A few hours later the finishing touch came, which dwellers in the Row still talk about to this day, when a grand comparison is needed. Mr. Simmonds was discovered driving a pony-chaise and nobby donkey down the road ! His cream-colored hat was set at a rakish angle, and he wore gloves to match ! His long-lashed whip was held only as the charioteers of Hyde Park hold them — inexorably, like a bowsprit above its rigging ! As if by clockwork, or flung open by a lackey, his door opened, and Mrs. Simmonds, in her shot silk skirt and bonnet (and proper countenance to match them) came majestically out. The body of the procession was not so impressive, for the ragged little Simmondses, rank and file, had nothing of finery to show but clean faces. Even this was startling. Sue brought up the rear, and kept the ranks in line; but she appeared a drab ending to such great beginnings, for she looked just as sweet and unchanged as ever. Then Bill, who had often, by proper distribution, made a slim load of green goods seem a large one, planned inversely, and got them all in somehow — the three grown-ups on the seat. Crack went the circus-like whip, and the chaise started. A few hardy urchins started a feeble cheer. An old retired fishmonger took off his hat to Mr. Simmonds, who flushed to the ears with pride. Nothing was left in his cup of happiness but that Mr. Gethings should have witnessed their shaking of the dust of Southwark. Mr. Gethings did. For, turning a sharp corner, Mr. Simmons had great difficulty in not knocking over a young man standing in the street's middle and gazing upward at him. Crack went the long whip again, and Bill, and even Sarah, rolled by him as so much dirt. Sue looked back and