534



The Channings



  As he was entering Close Street, the bishop en-
countered Arthur. The latter raised his hat and was
passing onwards, but the bishop arrested him.
  "Channing, I have just heard some news from your
father. You are at length cleared from that charge.
You have been innocent all this while."
  Arthur's lips parted with a smile. " Your lordship
may be sure that I am thankful to be cleared at last.
Though I am sorry that it should be at the expense of
my friend Yorke."
  "Knowing yourself innocent, .you might have pro-
claimed it more decisively. X\hat could have been your
motive for not doing so"
  The ingenuous flush flew into Arthur's cheek. " The
truth is, my lord, I suspected some one else. Not
Roland Yorke," he pointedly added. " But-it was one
against whom I should have been sorry to bring a
charge. And so-and so-I went on bearing the
blame. "
  " Well, Channing, I must say, and I shall say to
others, that you have behaved admirably, showing a
true Christian spirit. Mr. Channing may well be happy
in his children. What will you give me, " added the
bishop, releasing Arthur's hand, which he had taken,
and relapsing into his free, pleasant manner, " for
some news that I can impart to you"
  Arthur wondered much. What news could the bishop
have to impart which concerned him
  "The little lost wanderer has come home."
  " Not Charles ! " uttered Arthur, startled to emotion.
"Charles ! and not dead"
  " Not dead, certainly," smiled the bishop, " consider-
ing that he can talk and walk. He will want some
nursing, though. Good-bye, Channing. This, take
it for all in all, must be a day of congratulation for
you and yours. "
  To leap into Mr. Galloway's with the tidings, to
make but a few bounds thence home, did not take many
minutes for Arthur. He found Charles in danger of
being kissed to death-Mrs. Channing, Lady Augusta,
Constance, and Judith, each taking her turn. I fear
Arthur only made another.
  "Why, Charley, you have grown out of yotr