THE Girl from Madeira.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1033, 11 May 1894, Page 4

THE Girl from Madeira.

In Four Chapters.

By P. .L. M'Dermott.

CHAPTER I. Among the Lalf-dozen passengers who cabie on board the homeward hound Oape steamer at Madeira were an elderly lady, an invalid ; and a young girl of nineteen, who might be the lady's granddaughter. At all events, this was the relationship which was actually assigned to them by strangers. The old lady„ after coming on board the steamer, retired to her cabin, and mostly stayed there during the rest of the voyage. At about 11 o'clock every day she released her companion from attendance until luncheontime. Once or twice the invalid came on deck for an hour in the afternoon, keeping the girl near to read to her ; and for a couple of hours later on in the evening the latter was, alio wed her freedom again. These particulars are mentioned in order to explain what happened. There was a young fellow on board, returning from South African adventure, unsuccessful, but cheery. All the passengers got to know his name, somehow, before they were 24 hours at sea, and not only his name but nearly everything about him. This might be summed up in the statement that he had been about two years in South Africa prospecting for his fortune, and and was now coming home without it as poor as he had gone out. He frankly - admitted, with a laugh that was very contagious, that he had been trying his hand at too many things and sticking to none of them long enough. Nor had he more hopeful prospects in England to look forward lo through family connections ; for he confessed to a man in the smoking-room that he had no relative of near degree except an elderly maiden aunt in the north, who tranquilly flourished on a life annuity of LIOO. This young man's name was Fen wick — Ernest Fenwick, and he was the favorite of everybody on board, especially the ladies, for whose service or amusement he was always on the alert. It came to pass, therefore, that when the girl from Madeira came on board, and was fonnd to be exceedingly pretty and shy, developments were watched with much quiet interest. The first time she was on deck alone she stood by the mizzen shrouds leaning against the rail and looking across the ocean. It soon became evident that she was the source of an electric agency which exerted a disturbing influence on Mr Ernest Fe»wick at the other side of the vessel. On this occasion the' effect was manifested in a desire for vigorous walking exercise. The next time she came up she was in attendance on the invalid. Mr Fenwick made an attempt to recommend himself to the notice of the old lady by someiittle attention which she appeared to require ; but she repelled the advance with a countenance that cooled him like an east wind. However, the maiden looked pink and distressed, and this compensated and encouraged him. How many times these two bodies moved round their orbits before the steady force of mutual attraction brought them together, no one could tell, except, perhaps, the officer on the bridge ; but it is certain that when the passengers began to come on deck after dinner on the second evening out from Madeira, there they were, on the friendliest of terms, walking up and down together. Nothing, it was universally felt, could have been more natural. It occurred day after day for the rest of the voyage, and everybody was pleased ; even the old captain, who had seen a good many matters of the kind in his time, regarded them approvingly from the bridge. That Mr Ernest Fenwick was head and ears in love there could be no doubt j and, notwithstanding all the prudence with which the world abounds there was .little doubt that the case was the more interesting because, on account of his circumstances, he had no business to fall in love. But the girl, shy and inexperienced as she was, was quite too demurely deep for any powers of male or female penetration. She did not disguise the fact that she liked her companion ; but if be had awakened any sentiment beyond liking, that maiden concealed this fact with consummate simplicity and success. That evening before the ship arrived at Plymouth Mr Fen wick's spirits were law. The gir.l had mentioned incidentally that they were going off at that port, with a view to proceeding to Torquay. Mr Fenwick reflected that he himself had nowhere in particular to go to, and would have much liked some excuse for going to Torquay. ' I am going off at too/ he remarked, with acarelcss air, glancing up $t the rigging. The girl gave him a quick, questioning look from the corners of her eyes, but he was unconscious of this manifestation of interest. She replied, in a matter-of-fact manner : 'I suppose you are going on to London by railway Y •Well, I don't know. I have nO settled plans yet. J think I would like to see a bit of Devonshire before going to -London. I might perhaps pay 9 vbip to Torquay, for a day or two,* -*\

I This tentative observation elicited no reply whate?er. It was disappointing^ but at any rate he was now decided not only to get off at Plymouth, but to see the 'bit of Devonshire' and pay a visit to Torquay as well. He resolved to say no more about, it ; and he would certainly have carried out his resolutionf but for an incident which happened after they landed. It chanced, rather awkwardly, that the invalid and her companion were (besides Mr Fenwick) the only passen-" gers leaving the steamer >at Plymouth,. Then-forej when that young man, who all along had been supposed by every one to be proceeding to London in the ship, came on deck with his portmanteau and box and began to say goodbye, his face was very red. They all looked so surprised, and yet so intelligent. The recognised cause of this sudden change of plan stood beside her luggage near the gangway, looking demure and unconscious enouph to have no thought of what was going on. For at the present moment he desired to keep as far from the girl as he could ', and it highly amused his observant friends to note the effort ho was making to carry it off as though his present proceeding had no reference whatever to the young lady at the gangway. , At last the tender came, and they got on board. When they itearaed off from the ship's side, the passengers gave th*m a cheery farewell, meant to bo encouraging, the ladies waving their handkerchiefs, and the men their hats. The old lady looked angry, because she could not understand the point of the demonstration. Mr Ernest Fenwick understood it, for it made him very red ; and if the pretty maiden did not understand their meaning, at any rate she blushed very nicely, and became exceedingly busy with shawls and wraps. The invalid was in a very bad temper this morning, and although Fenwick stood a good way off, he could see that she was continuously scolding the girl while the tender took them ashore. When they were landed, and the porters fell upon their luggage, the young man, after some hesitation, approached the girl to say good-bye. The old lady had dropped into her deck-chair, and her companion stood behind it, with downcast uneasy eyes. The former looked sharply up, with indignant features, and loudly demanded : * What do you want, sir ? What do you want of mo V 1 Nothing,' was the brief reply, as he took off his hat and gave his hand to the girl, merely saying 'Good-bye.' 'This is intolerable !' exclaimed the angry invalid. ' Miss Flint — Flint, I say ! — what does it mean V The poor girl bent down and said something in a low tone, and Ernest Fenwick turned away with a burning face. He signed to a porter to take his portmanteau and box, and rapidly made his way to the station. The ' bit of Devonshire ' was gone out of his head now, as well as Torquay, and he took a ticket, to London. Fenwick was very vexed and indignant, l>ut could hardly understand his feelings clearly. That the old lady had been rude, and even offensive, was a facfc clear enough. But who was her companion ? It was singular that dur-~ ing the week or so on board the steamer Fenwick had not learned her name, or thought about ascertaining it. He had been too much absorbed with new sensations. He had regarded her, as the other passengers did, as the invalid's grandchild, or niece, or other relative. But from the lady's manner of addressing her just now as ' Flint,' it would appear she was only a iniid. Just at first, Fenwick was very angry. But after an hour's chafing in the train, when he had gone over and over his grievance until it palled upon him, he had luncheon at a station, and resumed his place in the corner of a carriage in company with a good cigar. By degrees he began to discern other lights on the picture, and as these came one. by one, so also came over him an uncomfortable sense of shame. He did the girl more justice. 'If it conies to that,' he reasoned, • even supposing her birth to have been what it may, she has the carriage and manners of a lady. And what have T, that I should be wanting more 1 lam no better off than she is, and so we are on a footing of fair equality.' The sentiment was courageous, but it was not a success. For all its abstract justice, Ernest Fenwick was one of that class of people with whom • equality ' is determined by something which has no necessary connection with the solid things of the world. He would have to go on loving this girl, because he could not help himself ; and this conviction was curiously accompained by a half-formed, shamefaced hope that he might never meet her again ! As the train approached London he found time to think of more immediate concerns. In that black box under the seat, with his initials, * E. F.,' in white letters on the lid, he possessed LSO in Bank of England notes which he had obtained .for gold at Cape Town, That sum constituted all his k wealth. There was only one house in London where he could claim acquaintance, and the idea of presenting himself there gave him a hot fit, for reasons which will here be explained. Fenwick's father had been obliged to sell the paternal estate of the family on account of its burden of mortgage, and

the small balance remaining only lasted his own lifetime. It became expedient, therefore, for the son to seek ' a living in some business or profession, and— as sometimes happens — young Fen wick manifested no predilection whatever for thus putting his nose to the grindstone, Hin old friend and adviser was | h.is father's solicitor, Mr Luke Stone, who, if the young fellow had followed his counsel, wnuld have undoubtedly pushed him on. Mr Stone was, anxious for personal reasons to do so. He had an attractive daughter, a year or two fchp senior of Ernpst Fen wick, for whom the latter felt a degree of admiration not far removed from a wanner sentiment. Indeed, hn made a fair amount of love to her in private, of which her father was well aware. Now, if young Fenwick could be induced to. put his shoulder to the wheel and get on in the world as a money-maker, the old solicitor would bo well pleased to bestow upon him his daughter, and probably restore the fortunes of his fallen house out of the resources of his own ample accumulations. It would be a good deal, privately, to Mr Luke Stone to see his daughter wedded to tho prosperous head of an old and honored family. But although Fenwick was, in an indirect but quite intelligible manner, given to understand the rew;ird which he could win by his exertions — and although Hetty Stone was a prize in his ftyes of no ordinary value — he would have liked some other way of winning it. Nature had hot fitted him for the slow toil of business. He honestly tried it, but failed. Then he besought Mr Stone to let him take his chances in hia own way. He would go out to South Africa, where gold and diamonds abounded, and try his fortune there. Mr stone did not like the idea ; but there might, after all, be something in it, and there was clearly no use in keeping the young fellow at business. So at last Fenwick started forth on his advencures. And now, with only a few pounds, he was coming back, and would have to go to Mr Stone and Hetty and shamefacedly confess his failure. After that ordeal he did not yet know what he should do. Mr Stone lived at Westbourhe Park, and Fenwick put up at the hotel at Paddington on his arrival. As the thing would have to be done, he immediately sent a note to Mr Stone to announce his safe return ; and then, as the best way of pavssing the time, he started out for a walk down Edgware Road to Hyde Parfc. Ho strode into the park with a feeling of exhilaration arising from the familiar sights and sounds of London. Many a time he had taken Miss Stone down here for a walk in the old daye, and his eyes sought, and found, the particular seat on which they had so often rested. It was occupied now by a lady and gentleman, and Fenwick was directing his steps in another way when some fancy caused him to look at them again. They were quite a hundred yards away, but the lady was undoubtedly Hetty Stone. And she recognised him, for, pink with pleased surprise, she rose and looked towards him. Fenwick immediately approached the spot, glancing alternately from the girl to her military-looking companion ; and if it had not been for the presence of the latter, there is no knowing how the meeting might have come off. Hetty was undeniably pretty — far prettier, Fenwick thought, than she had been two years ago. She stepped forward a few paces to meet him, and her manner was altogether one of unaffected pleasure. She called him c Ernest,' and in the space of 60 seconds asked almost as many questions about his health, the voyage, etc. — to the evident chagrin of the gentleman she had somewhat unceremoniously deserted at the seat. Him, however, Miss Stone quickly recollected, as she turned round and said : ' Ernest, let me introduce you and Captain De Bantame to each other. You must both come home with me, and I will give you some tea. Papa will be so pleased to see you againj Ernest.' The two gentlemen did not seem particularly pleased to know each other ; and Hetty, who quite understood what was the matter, found it difficult to keep them in good humor, although she was a clever enough young lady The tea was an uncomfortable function. Fenwick, jealous and watchful, detected in Miss Stone, beneath all her pleasant ways, an -under-current of eager curiosity. Had Captain De Bantame remained much longer than he did, it is probable Hetty's impatience to know the result of her old lover's adventures in quest of fortune would have led her to ask Fenwick the question. But the captain took his leave after tea, looking so stiff,' that Hetty thought it best to go out to the door with him. After a "minute or so she returned, and drawing her feet up on a couch, at once went into the matter that interested her most. • Now, Ernest, we can enjoy a good long talk till papa comes home. He will not be here for an hour yet. Tell me aIL about yourself. .Why have you j not written to me for so many months ,? You have not even sent a line to 'say you were returning.' •The truth is, .Hetty, as I bad no good news to send, I preferred to send

none. I have come back as poor as I went out.' y y This was a ' header,' and he observed its effect. The girl did look really sorry — very sorry. He. could not but entirely believe in the sincerity of the feeling she expressed. After this shp became thoughtful, and kept up a conversation with evident difficulty. leuwick saw she was* embarrassed, and believed that he understood the cause of it, ' I sent round a note to your father to say that I was back,' lie said. 'I did not intend to come until he should invite me. I suppose he will lie dis appointed at the result, though I don't think he had at any time much hope of my succeeding.'. • I think he fancied there might be a chance. Some people, have suddenly made fortunes. But you know what papa is/ she said, thinking carefully of what she was saying ; he does not regard things in the same way as — as you and I might do.' .'. Y " 1 1 know he doesn't,' said Fenwick. 1 What do you intend doing now, Ernest?' • I have no plans as vet. Something will come in my way, I suppose,. but I have not had time to think of anything so far. It doesn't much matter.' Miss Stone did not seem to feel any point or application in the last words, which were uttered as fche sentiment always is by a despairing lover. 'You might gointo the army,' she said — meaning as an officer. Hetty did not know but what the thing was easy enough. • I may do that,' he answered with a curl of the lip ; . recruits, it is said, are none too plentiful, and there are thousands of vacancies.' The girl colored a little, and, sitting up, observed in a tired way that she wished * papa were home.' '•Shall I give you some music while we are waiting, Ernest ?' she asked. ' Many thanks, Hetty/ he answered, rising ; « but, if you don't mind, I will go back to the hotel to write a few letters before post-time. If youn.fatb.er wishes to see me, will you kindly say that I will call upon him at his office , any time he appoints to-morrow V j Nothing- could be plainer than the young man's meaning, and Miss Stone understood it. His manner conveyed to her that he regarded a certain old prospect as at an end. Hetty looked very uncomfortable, but silently acquiesced in this understanding ; and when with a touch of his old manner, he gave her his hand and said * Good-bye,' she knew what it meant, and had feeling enough to be ashamed. Before Fenwick reached the hotel he had finally dismissed Hetty Stone from his mind, and formed the. resolution of taking the first train for Torquay. He had nothing else to claim his attention ; and the prospect of meeting that girl again exercised a double influence over him from the dismissal which he had received from Hetty Stone. The nameless girl was no longer a lady's maid, but the object of his ardent love. He found from the time table that I the night-mail for the west started in less than two hours, giving him ample time for dinner, for even a lover must dine. But it turned out that hs was neither to have dinner nor journey, on account of a singular discovery he made presently, which overwhelmed him with blank dismay. (To be Continued.)