this occasion, all that had taken piace in the- village, so often the theme of discussion, had been discussed once more, and toasts had been drunk, and songs had been sung, when Mr Bird remarking in a solemn, chuckle headed manner that he had " missed some thing, wbich up to that moment he couldn't tell what," asked what had become of Miss Rose that she was not present. After the emission of a ponderous sigh from young Mr Hopper, which was received with a grin by the company, Sam Coppard said — '• She has gone up to her aunt at Thorpe. Rose told me that the old lady was poorly like, and thought it would be a charity to go and see her, so she went. It is getting latisb, though, and a'most time she were back." There was a silence after this remark, broken by one of the company observing — " That's a rare place for trout in them still pools under Thorpe Bank." "Ah I it is," said Sam Coppard; "that's where Mr Barnard pulled so many of them out this year." " He were a good sort were that Mr Bar nard," said young Hopper, reflectively; and the observation, though it had been made a hundred times, called forth a general chorus of approval. "I wonder he never came back again," said Mr Bird; <' he as good as said he would Hallo I what is all that noise in the tap?" Before anyone could answer, the door was thrown open, and a man in a carter's frock rushed in the room and gazed wildly round. 