pose it was to make children, both young and grown
up, laugh. With him was a mysterious gentleman who performed the most
wonderful feats of magic, and two young ladies who sang and danced as
never young ladies had done before.

Outside there were sports and cricket, the big "Layton" motor to ride
in, and the whole range of the field for romps and games. Finally, to
complete the day, there was to be a picture show after dark, with music
from the Grey Town Band to add greater enjoyment. Was it to be wondered
at if children and adults vowed that this was a picnic complete to the
smallest detail?

Denis Quirk had arranged the entertainment to celebrate his return to
the "Mercury" Office. He had begun on a very small scale, his intention
being to limit the pleasure to those immediately interested in the
paper. But the invitations had spread from one to another, from the
staff to their relations, then to their friends, and finally to their
friends' friends.

"Let them all come," cried Denis Quirk. "If the thing is to be done, the
more who find pleasure in it the better. Every child in Grey Town who
cares to and can squeeze in, is welcome."

He had returned to the town without fuss or excitement, and had strolled
into the "Mercury" office as if he had never been absent from it. Cairns
had rushed to welcome him, a broad smile on his face, and a suspicious
dimness, about the eyes.

"Upon my word, Quirk, I am glad to see you," he cried.

Then he turned away for an instant.

"I never knew I was an emotional man before, but it makes my eyes wet to
see you," he explained, as he blew his nose violently, and gripped Denis
Quirk's hand. "You swear not to leave us again?" he asked.

"Not until I am called for, Cairns. Upon my life, Cairns, I never knew
how much I loved you until to-day," Denis answered. He wrung Cairns'
hand until the editor winced. Then he went in haste to interview the
staff.

"Tim O'Neill!" he cried, meeting that youth outside the editor's office,
"how far up the ladder have you climbed?"

"Senior reporter, sir. Glad to see you back, Mr. Quirk."

"Thank you, Tim. I suppose you will be leaving us soon, now that you are
famous?"

"Not unless you tell me to go, sir. I am quite happy here--plenty of
work, and, now you are back," Tim asked wistfully, "there will be some
fighting to do?"

"You are a worthy descendant of a fighting race, Imp. Is there anything
perfect in Grey Town?"

"No, sir, nothing qui