SHORT STORY

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 362, 16 April 1903, Page 7

SHORT STORY

Thbt drew for partners the first evening Madge Denny arrived at the Manor. She opened her little slip of paper: 'I heard some-co in ]c in eg: 'who the dickens is Dickens!" put in Laura Beverley, her hostess. 'I think it was Mr Lor rimer. Ha is very nice, lam sure ycu will like him. He is the man who wrote that wonderful book' The Evolution of the Thinks*.' Talk to him about it. and you will be sure to get on with him.' And she flitted away to her other guests. Madge looked round. She had been introduced to several people, but in the bewilderment of her arrival, she had loi been able to diitinguizh who wrs who. A tall man came up to her. ' I believe you are my other balf,' he said, and then diaaer was announced, and she went in with him.

'Do you know many people here ?' he asked as they sat down. The light from the pink shaded candle fell on her face and he looked at her admiringly. How more thin pretty she was! * No,' the replied. ' And, to tell the truth, I am rather afraid of Laura's guests since she has formed this 'Society of Minds.' You are all so clever and -all celebrities, aren't you ?' He smiled.. 'Are we? Then, if that is v «o, what is /our particular Bphere ?' 'I ? 0 ,1 am the Celebrated • xception which proves the rule. You see, it would not ba right to have n > ignoramus present, for yon would not get appreciated at all. Yon have all attained to such a height of eminence you would have no ■d miration to spare for the rest of the

company—you would want to spend it all upon yourselves.* He shook his head and looked at hez with a whimsical expression in his eyes. *Ah f he said, ' I am afraid your last remark disqualifies you for the position of blissful ignorance to which you aspire.' She laughed, and it was a silvery laugh —the sort of laugh that made him * Vto say something in order to provoke it again-

' People are just like birds,' she said, * who all sing at c nee. There is never a b:-d that listens.'

*ln that case you must be a' rara avis' in every sense of the word,' he answered. ',How popular you must be!' He looked round the table. 'You say everybody here is noted for something or other. Don't you know any of their names ? Who, for instance, is that very attenuatedlooking lady opposite ?' Madpe followed his glance. 'lsn't she thin?' she agreed. 'Her faee is like two profiles stuck together. Yon can only see her when she turns sideways. She it Mies Lovel—the writer of that no Tel which was oesuridezed the book of the year.'

•The Tee Ways,' do m mean? I remember reeding it I did net care for it' 'Nordid L It m very elevar, of tonne, bat ererybedy speaks ia spogTaEu—from the Prince Minister to the sweep. It is like a brilliaatlysiecated piece on the piano, when there ia no feelin? in it One feels breathless when it is finished and wonders at the power, but it is without toul or expression ; one never want? to rear it again.' Ha looked at her smiling. 'The 'rain avis' is a very critical listener,' he said. She smiled hack, but wrinkled her brows.

•I think one ought to try and make ethers happy,* she said a little dreamily, * and try to be as happy as possible one's retf. The world would not have been made so beautiful if one were not intended

to enjoy it' * Ah, bat you mast remember the happinaa of a great nuy people lies ia y bein? miserable. I know several who would never be content without a grievance.* fie looked round again more critically. ' I don't think/ he went on ' judging from the present company, that intellect has a vary happy effect—no one looks radiant. Are they all 'Minds' heref

' No. I believe there is one Philistine, though,' casting her eyes up and down the table, 'I don't know which he is. Law a says he is the most unintellectual and a dreadful bore. She warned me against hm" *; * ■ - 'Poorflpif ..What a dreadful sin has he commuted to deserve such a punishment f

* Well, she invited him to a meeting of ' Minds' cue day. I believe they all sit round in a ring while one of them reads a paragraph out of a very deep book, and then pauses, and each 'Mind' gives his or her ideas about it' "That sounds very interesting. And what did the bore do Y 'Oh, he got tired of it very soon and walked away, saying that if Laura did not mind he would prefer to go and fish.' He laughed amusedly. * That was dreedf ul I' he said. ' But I can't imagine why Mrs Beverly ever asks him again.'

* Ah, but there are other reasons,' said Madge. ' You see the bore is Lord Aylmer, and though Ejbert Beverly is his heir he can leave his money where he like..'

* Ah, I understand—it uas well to keep on good terms with the bore ?' ' Yw, indeed; the mere idea that he might marry hangs like a sword of Dimples OTex Bobert's and Laura's heads.'

He emil'd. ' And so you mean to keep oat'- { his way ?' 'lf he a a bore, I certainly shalL Such people cnght to be avoided. It ia sot good for one to be bored, nor is it good for tie bore to encourage him.' ' Pcor Aylmer! Then, by that reasoning, he will be tent to Coventry altogether i* Madge ruminated Imi a moment. • Yea see,' she said,' I may nut find him su dull a* Laar* does. Boredom u> a question of perspective, don't you think? Mow, for instance, meet of the girls bore me—at l«ast, they did this aftexnouu. They al| talk ' tall.' or think they do, and and I don't understand them, aad 1 don't believe rb«y always know what they are saving thesWlvea.' •lm they talk aboat their own works ? • Either that or their own thought* and feeiisgs—always aboat themselves.' She paused a moment and looked at him. 'Dj you know, r s«« saia, * 1 have been doia

THE BORE.

all the talking this evening, and it is you who have been the • rara avis.' It is so Btupid of me, for Laura aaid I was to speak to you about your book and then we were certain to get on. I forgot all about 'We lave jrot on very well without. Which book did she moan V Ho watched her with some amusement as she wrinkled her brows. ■lt was the Evolution of—of Something,' she said at last He jaughed outright. ' I am afraid you will never make a ' Mind,'' he said. * H you are not careful you will be sent to Coventry like the bore.' * I am not sure that I should care very much,* she said, laughing too. ' I know I should have longed to run after him when ho left the ' Minds' to fish.' He b1 ook his head. ' Sush words are treason here,' he said. ' I foresee a disgraceful future for you. You and Aylmer will be companioES in iniquity—or rather boredom—and will be shunned by the rest But at least,' thoughtfully,«it will be Aylmer's gain.'

• Madge, dear, I am so sorry you had Euch bad lack. That is the woret of drawing for partners, people are shuffled and paired juHt in the wrong way.' The ladies were alone in the drawingroom after dinner. Madge looted up in perplexity. ' What do you mean about my bad luck ?' sbe asked. 'Why, drawing Aylmer. I told you before what a boie he was.' •What?* i -Madge's tone was very awful. ' It was so hard on you,' went on Mrs Beverly sympathetically. ' Do you mean to Eay that it was—Lord —Aylmer who took me in ?' Madge asked in an ominiously calm voice. 'Why, yes; the man I told you who interrupted a meeting of' Minds' to go and fish lam afraid you must have had a dreadfully dull time.' 'He was the horridest man!' .-ied Madge wrathfullyj 'themeanest man I ever came across!' ' Well, it shan't happen again,' soothingly. ' I will arrange differently another time. I-had so hoped you had drawn Jeorge Lorrimer. I know you would nave got on eo welL' Lord Aylmer made towards Madge the moment the men came in. • You might have told me you were the bore!' she cried, looking at him with big resentful eyes. • I should have thought Buch a thing ought to be sufficiently obvious,' he answered calmly, and sat down en the Bofa beside her. la spite of herself she smiled. ' I never knew a dinner pass so quickly,' she said, and a flash of pleasure crossed his face at her words. 'lt is not a good qualification for a * Mind' to enjoy the society of a bore,' he answered, shaking his head. ' But I said bo many terrible things; I gave so many secrets away!' ehe cried, her dismay returning. ' You must forget everything—yon must imagine that I was dumb all through dinner.* He laughed. 'I am afraid I can't do that,' he answered. *Do you know, I never had a desire to marry until to-night ?' • Oh. don't!' she cried. « What would Laura say ?' He continued as if she had not spoken. ' And knowing,' he went on,' that women are always supposed to excel as matchmakers, I thought 1 would ask you to help me in the realisation of my desire.' 'What!' indignantly. 'Do you want to make me a traitor in the camp ?' , He smiled. 'I am afraid you have gone too far already—you can't go back. You are in my power—i can make what conditions I like to you.' ' That is not fair,' she cried. ' You are ungenerous. Besides, what do yon want me to do? Do you require me to act as gooseberry with you and any of the girls here ?' with a comprehensive wave of her hand. 'No,' decisively. 'I do not want to marry any of them. According to you, they are all examples of boredom.- and it would not do for a bore to wed a b jre. So I must prefer the celebrated. exception. It will then be a case of extremes meeting.' He watched her as the -colour" mounted; into hex face. >- ' How r illy you are!' she said, laughing nervously. * Why can't you talk seriously?' ' ' 'Bat I am quite serious/ he answered. ' I mean every word I Bay. Love at first sight is not quite obsolete even in these degenerate days, though naturally I don't expect you to feel the same. Bt rides, I am not unreasonable; I won't ask too much. All I want you to do is to arrange meet ings between me and ' the exception,' to let me see as much of her ae possible, to promise to let me talk with her and walk with her—in fact, to give me every chance of getting to know her better WiU you do this for me?' She twisted her fingers in and out of each other but did not answer. ' You ought to act up to your creed,' he persisted. 'lt is your first article of belief to make others happy.' ' You want to make me a martyr to my faith ?' she said, laughing. 'Not a martyr; no—you have done better than that, for you have made a convert—l would give my life to make you happy.' He leant a little closer. ' Please, ne entreated. ' I only ask you to give me a chance.' She raised her eyee then, and looked at him.

* Yes/ aho said in a low voice, ' I will help you «dl I can.'

And a week later the hair snapped, and the sword of Damocles came down with a crash oa Robert's and Laura's heads.— Mabel H Bobins.

The Waiter: 'You'll find our calves' liver very fine,' The Brof ee»or: ' I don't want bo much aa that. Bring me a portion of the liver of one calf.'

Brigga: ' How lung has Buddtun been upecuiating in utocks ?'

Griggs: ' Not much more than a year, 1 fancy. It was about a month ago that he began to borrow money from his friends.'

* Ia he in good shape financially—independent ?' * Well, he's in good shape financially, but a* far aa being independent, I guess t e'e like most of the married men.'