Our Novelettes. HALF-MAST HIGH.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1735, 26 March 1886, Page 6

Our Novelettes. HALF-MAST HIGH.

Chatter I. (Continued.) " Yes," rpplied A)pj, looking into her fuir swpot face. Milly blushed and laughed, and looked away. " Poor Captain Enollye ! It's not fair to leave him to himself." "' Captaiu Kuollys !' You used to call him ' Max." " Oh, that was long ago !" said Milly, smiling. " I was quite a little girl then. He mightn't like it now, Mr Vernon. How silent he has grown !" "Yes, hasn't he ?Ilm ye noticed it too. I don't ktiow what the reason is. Wo havo no secrets from ouch other ; Max is my oldcßt and best friend, you know." " I know he is," said Milly, eoftly. "no used to tell us about you, before you joined." " Did he P What did ho cay ?" " Everything about ' that boy/ as ho used to call you — all your scrapes at Sandhurst, and the pranks you used to play. Oh, wo knew you quite well long before we met you, Mr Vornon !" " Wero you disappointed in me ?" whispered Algy, ben ing down a little. " No— yes !" laugh' d Milly, in confusion. " You are just as Captain Knollys described you. Oh, we are never going about ? See how lovely the mountains are with the sun setting." Very lovely indeed they looked, blue and hazy in the soft distance, with the glorious eun shining on tho countless terraces and villas near the water's edge. The breeze bad freshened, and the Colleen Baton her bowsprit dipping into the foam-tipped waves, Bpun along, the blue water Bweeeping the yacht's sails touching the wares, as, heeling over, she sped before the wind, Max steering straight for the pier-head. Mrs Langton came hurrying up to him, holding on like grim death 10 everything that came in her way. She was gay, merry, and fashionable, trying to appear young ; and, as far as fashionable dressmakers and bair- [ dressers could make her bo, she waß young indeed. At this present moment she was frightened out of hor wits. The yacht's heeling over terrified her dreadfully, and put her in mind of the Hoyal George and brave Kompenfeldt, the story of whoso loss Milly used to repeat when a little girl; and she hurried up to Captain Knollys and grasped hia arm. " Oh, Captain Knollys, are we in danger ? Are we going to the bottom ?" Max repressed a strong inclination to laugh, and Milly exclaimed — " Auntie dear, trust Captain Knollys — he knows what ho is about." Mrs Langton looked at her niece and then at the bright waves. " I don't like it, Milly— indeed I don't. And Captain Knollys, though ho dnon'l, s.iy so, is terribly anxious ; he has been lurking stern and grave for the last half-hour, and I know there is danger." Max with difficulty disengaged his arm from her tenacious hold, saying, laughingly— " You are as safe here, Mrs Langton, as if you were in tho mail-boat. There, I undertake to tako you safe back, bo that Mr Langton shall not bo delayed one minute from his dinner." Thus relieved from the terrors of an immediate watery grave, Mrs Langton retired to the cabin, that she might not see the " angry waves," as Bhe insisted on calling them, «nd did not emerge from it till the Colleen Savin was safely at anchor in the harbour. Milly looked up into Captain Knolleya's grave face as ohe put her little hand into his to say good-bye. " We have had a delightful sail — thank you so much for taking us out." Max bowed, and looked for a moment into the face of the girl who was to be Algy's wife, and then he dropped her baud. "I am glad you liked it, Miss Milly. The Colleen Sawn is at your service whenever you like to order her out." " Thank you," she said, again smiling ; and then she returned to Algy, leaving Captain Knollys to devote himself to Mrs Langton or remain silent, as he pleased. " Good-bye, Captain Knollys," tho lady was Baying briskly. "We are to have a croquet-party to-morrow afternoon. Do come, and please bring your friend Mr Vernon." " Thanks ; I am Bure i can answer for Algy — and I'll come if I can." MDo come," ploaded Milly, lifting her brown eyes to his. " There are bo many ladies, and so few gentlemen. Please come — won't you ?" " Yes," returned Max, with a grave, quiet sieile, " to please you, I will." As the train steamed towards Dublin, Captain Knollya leaned back iv a corner of the smoking-carriage, to all intents and purpose 8 wholly engrossed by hia ciijar, liis arms folded across his broad cheßt, his eyes watching the blue smoke curling from hia lips. Algy was in high spiritß, and very much inclined to talk. I "Of course you'll go to-morrow, Max F" fl Go where?" "To the Langtons' afternoon ailair. Milly says it will wind up with a dance." 11 It is not worth missing one's dinner for," growled Max, evidently not considering everything, like Algy, couleur de rose-—" but, as I promised, I must go." " Bother the dinner J" returned Algy. " I would forego that, and a good deal more, to have a whole afternoon with Milly." The carriage being empty, there was no chauce of his confidences be ng renewed. He turned his bright, handsome faje to Max. Surely you care for some one yourself, old boy. Max, why dou't you marry too ? 1 know lots of nico girls. Why, there's " Suspend the list, Algy — I don't intend to marry." You will change your mind some day ! He set his teoih tirmly on his cigar for a minute, and then sp^ke rather bitterly. "Oh, for pity's sake, Algy, don t bo a fool !" , Not another word did he utter till he was passing on to his own room j aud then, in his old aft'eotionate manner, he laid his hand with almost a caress on Algy's shoulder. " I am a h^a.r sometimes, Algy ; but you don't mind all I say." i Algy's blue eyes met his frankly. " Nonsense, Max; we are all crusty sometimes. I give you my word I never thought I of it again." They wero friends, they had known each other too long and loved each other too well to quarrel now — and yet Captaiu Knollys's i face was grave and sad, as he stood once more beforo the water-colour drawing on tho wall. What were his thoughts, as he gazed with his eyes full of pain, and an exprecsion I at once tender and sad /

Chapteb 11. The next morning, the day of the croquetparty, was gloriously fine, a real summer day, with tho Bun-light ahirnmeriug over the meadows, and tho water in the bay a deep intense blue, Tying with tho brilliancy of the gky,

which had not a cloud to mnr< its bishf neß9. It was hot and dusty in Iho streifcs ai-d on the rrads, indeed oppressively so. with not a breath stirring the heated air, and the yacht.B lying alo>ost becalmed on the smooth placid deep. But under the tires at Mr I.angton's pretty summer villa residence it was delightfully cool and shady, the ribbon borders bin zing with ecarlet goraniums and calceolarias, and the coquet-ground mown and rolled as smooth as velvet, ready for the afternoon's amusement, balls unJ millets lying on the green." Under a spreading limn, the sweet blossoms of which scented the air, a little Lablo was temptingly laid out. with tea and cake aud strawberries and cream. Milly, all laco and I niuelin and lilac ribbons, sweet, cool, and pretty, was presiding with Algy, rather flushed and warm, ministering to lior wiints, running to and from the houso across tho glowing croquet-ground on various mi ssagrs. A bevy of young ladies in gay mid vnried costumes was clustered round, and there was a small sprinkling of gentlemen hero and there with cups of tea in their hands. Milly, a little pink flush of excitement on her fair cheeks, was doing her beat to eet everybody at their ease. Her eyes, wandering over the guests, rested on Max, standing apart by himself, looking gravely on tho gay scene. Milly beckoned him to her side. " Please help me, Captain JTnollys. 1 want to start croquet. Will you be on one side, and Mr Vernon on the other ?'* " With pleasure." And, still gravely, Max throw himself heart and soul into the pastime, though after a while Algy managed to lure Milly away. Still he played game after game with untiring energy, delighting many of the hearts of tho gaily-dressed young ladies, who tnlfeed long afterwards of Captain KnoUys, that dark interesting man who was " such a dead shot i at croquet." The hot afternoon wore on ; the sun'B burning rays were slanting from the west now, and long shadows lay on the croquetground. The players, heated and tired, were sauntering through the flower-garden, whare the air was heavy with the scent of rose* and other flowerß. Milly, with bright eyes and flushed cheeks, was hurrying to and fro, Algj f following her every movement with his eyes. " We are going to danco directly," Baid Milly, flitting up to Max. " You dance, I know, Cupiaiu Knollys — at least, you used to long ago, don't you remember P" " Zes ; and 1 remember you used to call mo • Max' then. It is ' Captain Knollys' and ' Miss Langton' now," said Max, in a low voicfl. " Oh, but that was long ago 1 We haven't met for so 10/Jg," explained Milly, pulling at a rose. " 1 didn't know absence made people the less friends," eaid Mai, quietly j yot in his quiet (ones there was a ring of bitterness and Ueupcration, aud his eyos, as they rested on Milly 'a fdir unconscious face, wore almost stern. Algy had whiapored to him in a glad ogitated voice, only half '& an hour before — " It's all right, Max — congratulate me j" and Max had clasped hUhaud forasccond, and looked in his face with a strange meaning smile, but all he had said was — " You have my beet wishes, Algy, for your happiness." He walked in silence by Milly's side for some time without a worJ. Once or twice she stole a glance at his face, but its expression bafllod her, and her eyes sought the ground again. Max stopped at last and looked into her face. " I suppose I may offer my congratulations P ' he said, rather abruptly. Milly flushed crimson, and placed her hand in Ilia without epeakiug, but looked up Btartied into his face at the next words. " Do you tbiiik you will be happy as Algy Verijor/a wife ?" " Yes," eho answered, in a frightened tone. " I hopo you will," said Max, earnestly. " But wo were friends, you aud I, and I may speak to you as an older brother, inuy I not P .Never mind what I mean by asking you a question that may appear Btrango. Do you love Algy Vernon ? 1 meau, do you love him with your whole heart and soul, as a wife should love her husband ? Auswer mo truly, Milly— do you ?" " I do," she said, firmly, looking fearlessly into his eirnesfc eyos. •' You have never loved nor cared for any one else ?" ho interrogated. A little augry flush dyed her cheeks, her soft eyes grew bright with tears, but she answered as simply as a child — • «« Never — I have never oared for anyone before." " Don't be angry at my asking you these questions," he said, a deep shadow coining over bis face. " I hope you will be very happy." l< Thank you, Captain Knollys ' — in & shy, soft whisper. " Say ' Mai,' " he requested, gravely. " You and 1 must be friends for the sake of old times." " Max, then," she said, with a laugh. " Come — now I must Bet all tho people dancing." " 1 havo to bo in town to keop an eppoiutment," announced^ Captain KnoUys takiDg out his watch ; " I am very sorry, but I must go." " Can't you stay ?" " No, I will guy good-bye here ; tell Algy I forgot all about my engagement." He hold her by the hand for a second, and was gone. " I don't bclive ho has an engagement at all," thought Milly, regretting tho absence of her best dancing man. "It was only an excuse to get away ; ho is very much altered, | and not half *>o nice as he used to be."

Captain Knollys's appointment must have been a strung one, for he went straight to bis own room, and did not leave it again Ibat night ; and wbon Algy came in, on his way to hia room, he found Mix still sitting at hia table-, Ins head on his hand, in iui attitude of utter dejection. He raised a pale haggard face, and luoked at Algy with eves full of trouble. " Max, are you ill ? What has hap pened ?" "Nothing. I have a desperate headache." " Poor old Max, jou do lo r >k seedy," eaid Algy, sympathizingly, hunting about for eau-de-Cologno, with which he procoeded to deluge Max's forehead and ehort brown hair. Captain Kolljs smiled. " You'll mnke an old woman of me, Al^y ; there, I'm all right now. How did the dunce go off ?" " Very well — missed you awfully — half the girls lookod dreadfully blank. Oh, Max," suddenly tossing his hat in the air, and catching it again, " 1 am the happiest fellow living ! I feel as if the world were too small to hold me to-night. Fancy Milly really saying Bhe loved me!" Captain Knollys's headache Beemed to be returning ; he knit his brows suddenly, and ! then passed, bis hand, wearily pcroea his. fore° head, I

Al^ry noticed tho action, und went away, saying — " Good uigltt — I am ocly bothering you with my talk." # # <* * « * The pier was crowded ; nil tho world f oemcd to havo come out to br< athe the cool ovening air und moot their fr-ends. Tho band was playing, and tho ttr.un of tho music rose above tho hum of many voices. The gun had been firod proclaiming sunset, and tho Hags on tho ynchtß lying at anchor wore being hauled clown; a golden glow waß si ll upon tho water, and on the fnoes on the pirr, but tho Jcrirufon sun had sunk behind the purple and gulden clouds. Max and Algy were sauntering up and down, tho former smoking, tho latter looting eagerly abou' among tho crowd. * " Porliaps they aren't coming," suggeste Mux. " Oh, yof ! Milly snid ahe would. Yes, there they are ; it's that gouty old Langton tbat Iras delay id them. ' Slowly thoy wore advancing up tho pier, old Mr Lane: ton trying to look as if ho were not gouty, Mrs Laugton in a vory juvenile hat, leaning on li is arm, and Milly brstde her, her eyes shinirg softly in answer to Algy's BUiilo of welcome. " I tl ouglt you wore never cominu,'' said Algy, nppropriating Milly immediately. " Dinner was lato," she explained ; " and uncle is so slow, and sits so long over his wine. I was dressed and waiting nearly an hour." " Poor child !" whispered Algy, looking fondly down at his future wife. " Now, Milly, court? on ; I can't talk with all these people here — and I have so much to say." It was the old story over again ; they were nil in all to ej:cli other, and tho rest of the world were nothing. Each looking into the other's face, tiilking in low, soft whispers, with hearts thrilling at the fond whispered words, those two walked alone. Mrs Langton looked after them admiringly. " What a handsome young oouple they nro!" she said ; and then, turning to Max, she whispered, confidentially — " Milly is as a daughter to me ; tell me now, do you think AJgy will make ber a good hudbai d P You Isnow him well — will he make her bappy ?'' Max lookod away out to st a befsre replying, and then ho paid, slowly — " If I bad a sister I would give her to Algy with niy whole hoart." "Ah, yes, I thought po! But you know one can't be too cartful before it cornea to the orange blossoms and bride cake— it is too kto then. There is only one man I would sooner soe her married to, and that is " " Who P" osked Max. " Yourself. JS'ow don't be angry, Cnj)tain Knoll ys, but at ono time I really — "Hush J" said Max, almost bitterly. "At one time or other we all had thoughts of the future. Milly would never have had me, Mrs Langton ; and Algy will make her far happier than I ever could." " Heaven grant that be may always be as fond of her as he is now, Captain J£nollysl When Milly's mother was dying, she sent for Milly, who was only a tiny baby three weeks old — the poor young wifo was dying just* six months after her husband's death — well, she sent for the baby and puther into my arms, and I promised to be a mother to her, and have her for my own child, insterad of the three little ones I had laid intheir graves. Milly has been a good eh Id always, aud I am glad now she will be happily settled." Max had not been listening ; his eyes were looking at tho quiet sea and at two figures standing side by side. The band struck up a gay galop, tho last piece on the programme, rtlgy und Mvly came slowly buck and joined the others. " That's an awfully good galop," said Algy, in clear ringing tones, and then, in a louver tone, meant ior Milly's ear only — " I shall always like it because it was to that galop I first danced with you, MiHy." Max turned away before Milly's whispered reply met his ear. '• When are we to havo another day in the yacht?" ho asked, as they were going away. " I am going to take her out to-morrow afternoon — will you como ?" " Oh, please ! I should like it so much," replied Milly, joyfully, " if aunlie will come." " lam cure she will," broke in Algy — " won't you, Mrs Langton P It's sure to be smooth." " Oh, I'll come to take care of you all, if Captain Xnollys steers again !" As they walked away Max put bis arm within Algy's. " What would jou say, Algy, if I were to leave the regiment ?" " I si ould say you were mad," " Say it then ; for 1 havo sent in my papers." " Max I" Algy gripped his arm and stared at him in aatonishnient. "Is thiß a joke P Max, you haven't roally ?" " I have ; I sent them in a week ago." The grave face and stern, resolute voice curried conviction with them. There waa silence for a abort time, broken by Algy, whoso voice was trembling with excitement. I " But what ia the reason P No trouble ? I Mux, wliy didn't you tell «c ?" They were leaning over a low wall now, looking down at the water, Captuia Knollys idly pitching in littlo bits of mortar. He an--Bwerod slowly — "It ia only a whim — I am sick of this idle life. If there wero a chance of wf.r to-morrow I'd join again ; but we are likely to have peace long enough, so I've done with soldiering " " I can't understand it ; you never thought of leaving before," said poor Algy, wistfully, trying to look into the stern downcast face. "it will give you a slop, old boy," observed Max, looking up. " You're top of tho list now but two." "I don t uatjta s ! ep; I would rather i ever have ono tLutn get on booiuse you are leaving. Max, what shall I do without you ?" " You will have tour wif.,'" paid Max, in d low husky voice. " \ou won't want me. 1 1 uven't a creature belonging to mo (o cure whether I live or die. 1 muat h:ive eotne sort of excitement.' 1 " What do you intend to do, Max ?"' Tho news of his friend's leaving the regiment pained him more keenly than lie cared to show. IJo had clung to Max and loved him sinco Max had fougnt his battles at school, when Algy was a Jiule fair-haired boy fresh from tho nursery. He was taller lhnn Max now, y'-t Vie man's love was as strong as that of the hoy ; and to loee the one friendship of his life — the overy-day companionship of his life in the regiment — was a bitter blow. "What am I going to do? 1 ' said Max; and his voice had lost, its old cheerful tone. " To tell the truth, I don't care what becomeß of me. I think I shall go to the diamond fields ; it would be exciting at any rate." " Max," whispered Algy, in a low, shaky voice, " you are in some trouble, and you won't tell me. Ia it money, Max ? Let me help you." Max laid his hand on Algy's, and looked straight into his eyee. {Tq is continKsi.)