THE SPLENDID SURPRISE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13161, 7 July 1908, Page 12

THE SPLENDID SURPRISE.

« By J. J. Bkll. (Author oi " ..>>.' Miica-reci-or." etc) I. The old woman, ere she rr*_pon<ied to her husband's ra.her lengthy -.peeoh, be*nt down and. with a quick, deft touch, lifted a halt-thvid e-inder from the t-i>ot-k__s hearth to the gloM'ing grate. •But it wiKlna l*e nie-o."' she said slovvlv and thoughtfuliv. ••It Mini be jist the vera thing!" saiel the enel man, -smiling at her. "I'm shair it's the twintieth time- that Don-

aid's a..kit us to gang an' see him in London "'

"Maybe it's ji.-t the twintieth time. Ali'-k. But I'm thinkin' it's the t-winty-sceventh time, if ma memr'y serves mc "'

••(Vh. yer rne-m'ry serves ye rale weel. sac faur as Donald is f-> no-aimed," he s-.iid. .still ft-miling. "It'll be the twinty-s'-.'Veiith time, rich*, wnough. An 1 din no think m-i> .-ud wait for thotwintyeichih time. Jess. What's the' quid <>' a" the ,iller wur »'>n has s.'iit us. it we're no' to spend it —some o* it, ony-n-ev -on payin' him a vcvesd.- r" Eh '? T'-'A mc that!" •Are ye slinir ho wants us ! J Mr Fergus lauirhed loudly. H.i.s he no' teli't ye t-.hat, every time he's been hani.". Has he no' hintit it every Friday for n-.u' Urn year—wrote it every Friday, .o as ye_ nud get it on the Saturday, an' think owor it on tlK' Sawheih, an' niiik' up yer mind. to t.ik the hoat an' train lo London on the Monday moritin' V I'm askin' ye that. J .■«-._"

••Dre.l. it's true. He's hintit at it nt'Miv a time.' she admitted. '"But are ye quite ~h;iir lie really wants us?" The old man. laughe*d vet more loudly.

**D ruiald's got on fine as a ceevil engineer." he said "bnt he's no' that ee-ovil that he", forgot his fayther an' niither. No' likely! When Donald risks you an' mc to gang an' veesit him at London —he means it!-—l'll tauk" ma oath, au'el wife!"

"Whisht. Allan ! Dinna sweer! It's no ne. .-ware-. But wnr son never i_itendit us for to gang an' ven_.it him wi'oot let-tm' him ken we was comin'."

"Donald m in! enjoy a plee*sant surprise jist as ..(K'l as emyboely i' the wtirld. Ph.'Siint surprise., is kin' o' rare nooaelays. I'm thinkin' it Mtid be a fair treat to Donald if you an' nic was drappin' in on him some nicht. an' cryin' : 'What ha'e ye in for suptmt, Don 1-' I bet ye a million he wud be unco pleased, Jess!" Mrs Fergus shook her grey heael. "Ye forget that Donald bides in a flet." she said, gazing at the fire. •'I mind it fine," he returned. "I ken it'i. no' eaiy to get a cottage like this yin in London. But he'll ha'e room in his not for us."

"It's no' likely. London's a crampit place, an' the rents is—terrible. Donah! has-ia' said muckle abcot tho flet he gaexl into last month, but I doot he hnsna room to turn in."

-'Hoots, toots! we cam risk it. The man that can send us a hminer pound apiece at the Nor- Ye*ar can afford to gi'e us a be*d some place." ''Ye dinna ken what it maybe cost Donald to send us the siller."

"It cost him a wheon scracht Urnes an' a wheen. fcegures, I suppose. Tits I Joss! ye forget vvur son is a famous engineer!"

"But he's young, Allan, he's young." "He's no' that young. He's sax-an-t-iirty. An' he wud never ha'e been an engineer if he haelna gone to the College, an' he wud never ha'e got to the College if it hael na been for tlio siller ye saved, Jess, wife." The old man's voice had softened.

"Donald wild ha'e been a clever man, savin' or nae savin'," she replied soberly. "An' he's been a quid, true son to us," she -Rent on, fumbling with some knitting. "An'—an' I wudna affront Donald for onytbing in tiie warld. Never ! —A son may affront his mither when he's" vera young, but a mither sud never affront hor son." "What d'ye mean. Jess? Hoo could tie affront, Donald?" "W.i arrivin' -when ho didna expect us," she replied, getting her needles into the right position. Mr Fergus stiffened in his arm-chair. "D'ye no trust Donald?" he demanded. '"Ay. I trust him," she softly answered. "Hut 1 wudna surprise him. If Doualel was comln' into the kitchen the noo, sudek*nt-like, you wudna like him to catch ve> in yer etockin' soles, an' wi' yer collar liingin' on the back o' yer chair. Wud ye?" "I wudna "heed I' he cried, indignant. ""What's, wrang wi' ma stockin' soles an' m-a—■" She smiled gently. "_-__oro_i nao holes in yer steckins, Allan," she said quietly, ''or I wud ha'e- been the yrn to let ye ken; but. I mind fine ye aye used to preach to Donald, afore he gaed to London, aboot keepin' u»* a quid appearance an' never bein' slovenly. D'ye no' mind?" ilr Fergus said nothing for several seconds. Then, "It's different for an auld man," he observed. "Ye're no' that auld, Allan. An' yo've been si-tin 1 in yer stookiai' aoles ever since Donald gaed to London-— though ye've aye pit on yer carpet slippers ony time he cam' to see us.." 'Och, yo'ro jist an' auld blether, Jess!" ho saiel, with a feeble laugh. "But I'm no' hoediu' what ye say. This is Tuesday—an' on Friday morn in' I'm awa' to veesit Donald. Wull ye wm«?'' *'oh, Allan, dinna be foolish!" "Wha's foolish?*' '•Yersel', Allan. It's no' tbe time to vor_.it wur son." "What wey that?"' Tiie old woman began to knit very rapidly. "What wey that?*' lie repeated. "Because —because —oh, becaut*- Donald's courtin' a lass the noo." ••What?" 'Don's courtin' a lass, Allan." "I never hearel onything aboot it. When did yo hoar?" Allan's tone was that of an offended man. She made no renly. Her knitting fell in a heap on her lap. A tear ran down her cheek. .Mr Fergus took his pipe from the mantelpiece. "What's this yer savin", auld wife?'-' he enquired, striking a mateh —which went out. "I've seen nae mention o' a lass in Donald's letters. litis he been writhv ye secret-like?" "Oh. na, na!" site cried. "Donald wudna dae that." '•Wool, hoo dae ye ken lie's courtin?'' "I—l jist ken. Donald's in love. "I've scon it in his letters a ' while l»ok, though he hasna wrote it in words." Mr Fergus applied the match to the fire, and presently managed to set his pipe going. "I elidna ken ye was a soothsayer," he remarked, with a forced laugh. "Ye sud start churgin' a shillin' for readm' folks' fortius frae their writin'." "I'm no' a soothsayer. Allan."' she said seriously. "I'm jist a niiiher. Oh, I koiit frae hi_ letters he* was in love. An' it's no' the time for you an' mc to—to surprise him." "Tni thinkin' it is the vera time. An', as I said to ye afore, I'm for London on Friday. I was there yinst, laiujsyne, wi' a trip, an' I've aye want it- to gang ngain. Well gang thegither an' gi'e Donald wur bksssin*. It'll encourage him. He'll like that. I got nae frae man nor bewst when I was courtin'—except the time when yer fay titer's dug bit mc, an' I seen ye really eared if I gaed mad."' He laughed "heartily at tbe recollection. "if yo had been a tramp, I wud ha'e eared." she* re-urned solemnly. "I wild.it like to see* ony human born' gae mad Oh, na. na I Bui yell no' think o' gaun to London lor a whiley yet, Allan." Sho smiled persuasively.

'•No" till Friday nioriiiiii'."' 'I'll no' gang wi' ye!" sho exclaimed. "It wudna be fair to Dou-dd, a_i' I'm no' ready, forbye." "Ye can got ready." "Wuli ye write to Donald tbe morn ." "There't> to be ua writin' to Donald,

Joss. An' reao t e__gr_phin'. It's to be a surprise ve.tsit. I've made* up ma mind. D'ye seel-" She saw. "Sow ami then, in the past, Allan hael "made* up his raind,-' and had announced tin* fact, and Jess knowvery well from experience that the made-up mind was not to be altered. Vet she pled with him to give up. or at lon-it postpone, t-ho proposed visit™ ••We'll gang on Friday morn in'— early boat.'' he* replied. "It'll be a splendid surprise.'' "But yell let Donald ken we're comirf?" "Donald'll ken-—Mhen he sees us— a boot oicht o'clock on Friday nicht." "Oh, Allan, Allan, dearie!" •'Tits! wnmman ! Is ho no' ma con as we*el as yours?" he cried, lialf angrily, half humorously. ** 1 can trust him." "'He's—Oh, I'll say nao mair," she whispered, and bowed her head. 11. Tile okl people had never realis-d— perhaps it was impossible for them to have realised in tiie little!. Clyde-dale village where they had ahvays lived — how well t,he*ir son had got on in the world. Th»*y knew that he w-as making satisfactory progress as a civil engineer, but they also felt he must be having a gn_u struggle. In all his life the oid man had never mado a hundn-d pounds in one year; the* olel n-oinau had been highly excited when h» had bre>ught home a week's earning of iH-i-r thirty shillings. Sine. Donald first found his success, he bad semt his parents many gifts in money, but they hael put tho gifts in the bank, and hael been tearfully proud, M'ithout feeling sure that, their son could well afford all he f_av«. Donald, had understood, and had not sought to impress them by stating his mcoino of recent veare.

Fivo years ago he had casually mentioned to his mother that the preceding twe-lve months l_a<l enriche-d him to the extent of over a thousand pounds.

' ; Oh, but ye maun be caTofu' wi' yer siller laddie," she cried.

And he had felt that she. would have said the same M-orels had he call eel hit= income two hundred anel fifty. A -.houjaand pounds M-as beyond her simple understanding.

This last year he had made over four thonsanel. Ho had sent the old people a hundred pounds each, and bad put asielo two thousand -ag-ainist the clay when his father shoukl find it necesssarv to give up the. littlo nursery (_ar<le*n, which the okl man. -had lived in and loved nearly all his life.

Anel then Donald Fergus, having loarne*d to elmire some luxury ferr himself in London, had taken and furnished a rat her expensive flat in Bloomsbury. Not all for bis own comfort, though ho was siok of living in lonely '-rooms," and in oilier people's homes, but he wanted a dwelling wherein he could enterK.-in has friends —especially Sir Arthur Wind us and Sir Arthur's sister, Mildred. Sir Arthur liked being entertained. Tint ho had aspirations on behalf of his sister He wanted her to marry money that had been made—ono way or another. To marry money stall m preycess of being made was not good enough for Sir Arthur, who eked out a fairly luxurious existence by directing—if the word "director" _____ any moaning whatever — sundry companies, the majority of which scorned to have a way of s_t_coodin,g in spite of their "boards" of titled personages. • * • "My dear Mildred," said Sir Arthur, settling himself in the corner of the brougham. "I have it in my minethat our friend Fergus is going to make you an offer to-night." "Have you?" said Mildred calmly. "You think Mr Fergus would ask us to dine, go to the theatre, and propose to me—all in tho same evening?" she laughed softly. "I have it in my mind 90." 'Then you must try and improve your mind, my dear Arthur!" Ho laughed also. "In any case, whether he makes his offer now or later you will refuse him?" ho said presently. '•Why?" "Why not? Who is ho?" "Who am I?—who are weP Yon are only tho second baronet, after all," she returned quickly. "But you know nothing about his people," retorted- Sir Arthur, sitting up. "They are quite common people, I believe." "Peoplo, as a rule, aro quite common." Tho second baronet made an impatient movoment. "What do you intend to say to him?" he demanded. "I don't know—yet. Yon see, Arthur, you are very clever, but you have missed tho point. Mt Fergus asled me*, to marry him last Saturday." '•He—he <ivd, did he?" . "Yes. And I said 1 would give him an answer to-morrow. But I haven't made up my mind—yet." Sir Arthur grunted. "You will refuso him, of course," he said coldly. "Fergus is all right so far as business is concerned, but " "He has helped you a lot?" "Not .it all! I tell you, Mildred, the match is impossible." "I don't know," said Mildred, gently. "But I'll know to-morrow. I must mako up my mind to-night, you know." "You're trying to chaff mc," her brother cried crossly. Sho made no reply, and the remaindor of th_ journey was passed in silence. m. "Oh, Allan," whispered the old woman, '"we sudna ha'e come wi'oot lettin' Donald ken. I'm savin' we sudna ha'e come wi'oot lettin' Donald ken." Tho twain were standing at the door of their son's flat. It was just eight o'clock.

"Whisht, wife!" said the old man hoarsely. "Leave it to mc. We've come a' the road frae Scotland to gi'e Donald a splendid surprise, an' he's gaun to got it! Here's somebody comin' to open the door. Noo, dinna bo excitit. Dinna get in a stew."

As a matter of fact Mr Fergus was himself trembling violently. Tho long journey from Clydesido had tired him, and his courage came and went. Tiro door was opened by an elderly but smart-looking maid, Donald's housekeeper. Sho eyed tho couple wonderingly. Mr Fergns's carefully prepared speech failed bim, but he contrived to say—

"Is—is Donald in the nicht?" be*g your pardon," said the housekeeper, taken aback.

"Wove oome to soo wur son, mem." put in the old woman. "Fergus is wnr name, if ye please.' , "Whisht, wife." muttered Allan. ""Is this the hoose o' Maister Donald Forgus?" ho asked the housekeeper. "Aweel. tv© , re his partite, mem, oome to gi'e liim a surprise." said Allan, recovering his courage. Ho had a bag in one hand, and with the other he grasped his companion's arm. * < Como in. Jess/ he said, and drew her with him into the hall. "Come in, fin' ye'H shin bo enjevin' yer supper." The housokeejx'r oi>ened her month to speak, possibly to protest. '"iir Fergus," she began. "•Sh! whispered Mr Fergus, holding up a warning forefinger, and at the same time giving the honeekeepor a friendly confidential wink. "Never let bug, mem! Dinna tell we're, hero till we surprise him. Whaur ifi he ? Has he had his tea yet?"

'"Mr Fergus is at dinner just now, sir,*' said the housekeeper, realiaiiig that tlio queer old couple must reaily be her employer's parents, anel wondering what she ought to elo with them. "Mr Fergus," she went on, "lias friends to dinner —Sir Arthur Windus and his

sister. They are nearly finished. I took in deesert some time ago."

"Dinner!" gasped Mr Fergus, senior. '•Weel, I'm ble*st! Wlvat did ye say was the name o' the cuke that's wi' n_n !-on, mem?'' Mrs Fergus nudged him. "If Donald's got oomp'ny, we best—" "Whisht, wife! If the comp'ny's quid enough foi - Donald, it's quid enough for us. Oh! 1 hear him laughin'! D'ye hear him, Jesse? They're in thon room withe curtain at the door. Come on, we'll surprise him. Jist you listen at tbe door, mem, an' yo'll get a fine laugh !" The worried houtsekeepor put out a protesting hand. Then she opened a door to the right, and sM-itched on a light. "Would you please step into the smoke-room, sir, ond I'll, tell Mr Fergus you have* arrived. Would you come with mc to the bedroom, madam?" "Ay, Allan," said Mrs Fergus, "we'll jist elae that. Thank ye, mem." And she curtseyed to the liou*-*-.. keeper. "Anel let mc help you off with your things, Mrs Fergus/" returned the woman, touched by Jej_' obvious alarm and shyness. But Allan's blood M-as up. For nearly a week he had been thinking of tho splendid surprise for his son, and ho whs not going to give up the iele.i now, when circumstance- wore so lavourahle. "Come on, Jess !" l*e muttered, catching Iter arm again. "If ye dinna oome quick, he'll hear us, an' that wud spile* the surprise." "Oh, Allan, dinna affront mo."' "Havers! Come on." He ainvost dragged he»r to ihe curtained door., the hotisckcvp..r folioMing helpless. '•One moment, sir, and I'll announce you," she manageel to say, as she endeavoured to reach the eioor (irs-t. But sho Mas too late. Mr Fergus drew aside* the curtain, softly opened the door, xind, keeping a firm hold of his trembling partner, stepped into the room. It hael been his original intention to cry lK*artily "Wool, Donald, an' hoo's a wi' ye the nicht?" But somohow the instant- be* entered tho room his speech and courage failed him. Never iksfor.* had he seen such a room, such a table, such glass, such fruits, such lights. And tin* lights wero _o shaded that the old couple stood, as it wore, iii outer darkness, though they die! not at first realise the fact. Their entrance hael been to their son only as that of a servant. Tiiey s-toexl there, just inside the door, anel the trio at tho table went on M-ith their d<v__ert and light conversation. Presently Allan's finger's relaxed on his wife's arm, and slipped down till they felt her hand in its now black cotton glove. They clutched it—as a chiltl's fingers clutch its mother's hand. The agony tiki not last :> minute, though it seemed long, long to the old folks. Then Donald suddenly turned from talking to his guests and i«eor_d into the gloom. "Why!" he cried, amaaed, springing to his foot, and sending his wineglass to the floor. "Why! Mother! Father! How el id you—Well, this is a sairpriso." Ho kissed his mother and shook hands M'ith liis father. Their tongues wore tied. And then thero was an awkward eilence. Donald's finger went to an ekctriolight switch on the wall just behind the old people. But he did not immediately move the switch. Perhaps i t woidd make matters easier for everybody if he asked his guests to excuse him until ho conducted his parents to the sparo bedroom. It would save the olid folks much embarrassment, no doubt. And it might also save himself— what? He could not help wondering quickly what his guests were thinking. A faint whiff of lavender came to his nostrils. He beard his mother draw a soft, sobbing breath, and caught the gleam of her handkerchief as she drew it from the little old-fashioned bag which sho carried. Ho hoard his father's feet shuffling uneasily.His mother! His father! Was he asluimcd of them ? There Mas a click, and a flood of light was poured upon the okl exiuplo and their son. Allan's courrce__ance was shamed and angry; Josefs was bowed till it M-as almctft hidden ; Donald's was scarlet, as his hand fell from tho switch. But the younger man's eyes were steadfast, and he smiled first at his parents and then at his guests. If he had not gained an altogether honourable victory, he had escaped a dishonourable defeat. "Let mc introduce my father and mother, who have at last paid mo their long-promised visit," he said in a clear voice. "My Father and my Mother— Miss Mildred Windus—Sir Arthur Wind uss" Mr Fergus straightened himself, and tofched an invisible hat, Mrs Fergus curtseyed, and Sir Arthur returned their quaintly respectful salutes with rather elaborate politencfis. Mildred got up, came round tlio table smiling, and shook hands M'ith the* okl people. "You have had a long journey, Mrs Forgus,"' _ihe said gently. "Can I help your mother in any way, do yon think?"' sho asked, turning to her host. Mrs Fergus smiled tremulously, and suddenly her husband recovered his okl self-confiel-Jice. Tho fino young lady had met the "aiild wife" in the friendliest fashion! "Man, Donald," he crieel, with a

"Man, Donald," he crieel, wi__i a loud laugh, '-wo gi'ed yet a eplendit surprise-, did we ne>'? Eh?" But Donald was lewking at Mildred, who liad slipped hex beautiful bare arm through hi.s mother's black-cov-ered one, aijd was opening tho door of tho dining-room. "I'm say in' it was a splendit surprise!" Mr Fergus purs-ue*d. "Yer mither wasna in favour o' it, but I keirt it wud turn oot a' right. 'Deed, ay! A spl-crarit surprise!" The door closed, and Donald turned to his father. Suddenly he laughed merrily.

"Yes; it was ju_t a splendid surprise, father!" he said. "And now what shall I order for you and mother ?"

'Well. Mildred, - ' rejnarked Sir Arthur, with a yawn, as the brougham took them hom*-wards at a comparatively early hour, the theatre leaving be*en giv«>n up at Mildreds suggee-ion. 'Our fritnid Fergus ea_m_ through that awkward littlo experience fairly well, I must admit.*'

"Yes,'' said Mildred, absently. "And it was really ejuite provident.ial that the quaint okl curios turned up when they did.*' tbe baronet continued with a l_u<r-h. ''It must have helped you to make up your mind. What ?-"'

"Yes." ahsently

said Mildred, still more

•'And so to-morrow your answer to our good but b_t__ly-co_ii_-C-ed friend will be—"

•'Ye*,*' said Mildred, onoe more, with a contented little sas^h.

"Mrs D and I would like to say th_t we greatly appreciated tho way in which our furniture removal was conducted. The efficiency and civility of the men so imprejsssed us that we both believe* thorn to bo the finest typo of workmen we have been associated with in any of our removals."— (Signed) W. G. D- Extract from letter adelreesed to the N.Z. -Express Company, Ltd. 4