The Runaways: A New and Original Story. Gould Nat

prefer to be here, it is more comfortable."

      It was a quiet night, and the light wind was blowing from the village of Helton.

      Honeysuckle was in considerable pain, and they both watched her with anxious eyes, knowing what a vast difference a few minutes would make.

      "There's the church clock at Helton striking," said Eli, as he opened the door of the box. He gave a sigh of relief when the last stroke of twelve came. The bells pealed forth a welcome to the New Year, and the old year, with all its joys and sorrows, was gone for ever. What would the New Year bring forth?

      "This was a curious way of seeing the Old Year out and the New Year in," said Ulick, smiling.

      A quarter of an hour after midnight Honeysuckle's troubles were over, and a fine colt foal had come into the world almost at the sound of the church bells.

      "We must make a note of this," said Eli, putting down the date and hour of foaling.

      "I shall not forget it," said Ulick. "If there happened to be any dispute my father would be rather surprised if I was called as a witness."

      "Go across to my cottage," said Eli. "I'll ring Joe up, there is no occasion for you to see him."

      "I will wait outside the gate for you," said Ulick, as he went across the yard.

      Leaving Joe in charge, with strict injunctions to call him at once if wanted, Eli hurried after Ulick, and, opening the door, led him into the room where he had an interview with Janet the night they both left home.

      Ulick sank into a chair tired out, and soon fell asleep.

      Eli stood looking on him with a sorrowful expression on his face.

      "I wish he'd go and see the Squire," he said to himself. "There would be a reconciliation between them, I am sure; but Mr. Ulick is as proud and stubborn as his father when he knows he is in the right. He looks a trifle older, but not much. It's a blessing he does not lack for money. I wonder what he has been doing with his time, racing probably – it runs in the blood. He never was a great gambler; I hope he has not taken to it to kill time and drown his feelings."