SHORT STORIES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 14

SHORT STORIES.

LESTER'SLOST ILLUSION.

" Little Mrs. Korap treated Lester Bently -jvitli effusiveness. : ■ , In that mood she always meant. mischief, bo the young man was on his guard. Littlo '' Mrs. Komp (in tho days when sho was littlo Miss Lancoy) had been good-natured, plump, and pretty; then Marcus Komp had come i along. Hβ was a wealthy man l —sho was a poor parson's daughter, nnd report spoke, not without reason, when it said that the ■marriage had turned hor. head. Sho ro- . maincd, it is troo, plump'and pretty still, 'but her good naturo becamo so tinged with -5 worldliness as to bo well-nigh unrecognisablo. !-.Tbo aim and object of hoi frivolous lifo was '.that her younger sistor, Adena, of whom, de- . spito the differenco in their dispositions, sho ; .\vas, in hor way, inordinately fond, should - make as "good" a match as sho herself had V mado. . ■'<• . t V ■ Now, Lester Bently—a young'subaltern in a cavalry regiment; and tho son of the squire in the Lancoy's village—had : worshipped iAdena from time immemorial. But Adena's 'sister had- lately v decided that Adena must look higher. And , this'being so, she set her ''wits to work. ■ ! :,; '.' . ■.... ■ \ Bontly's regiment chanced to bo stationed ■!. near the domicile of Kemp, and for old acquaintanco, sako he was in the habit of calling occasionally. On this special day ho had ; been bidden by Mrs. Kemp to lunch, and ■. asked to como early, and this unusual geniality, coupled with the warmth of the welcome when he arrived, puzzled him not a little. Ho had rejoiced with a surprised joy at the invitation, for he knew that Adena was stay- ' in" with'her sister, though so far Adena had .not appealed. Mr. Kemp was away, and Lester experienced a cold senso of disappointment when he found himself settled into a comfortable solitudo a deux with his hostesß. -, Truth to tell, ho had mado up his mind to ('do to-day what ho had heroically set his face against doing in tho days when promotion eeemed far off—namely, to ask Adena Laricey, to be his wife. .' . Ho was a tall, well-knit young man, with a ' pair of rather wistful blue : eyes. Dogs and ■'children adored him. Littlo Mrs.: Kemps small and much-dressed son, Petro, worshipped tho ground he trod on. >. ', • _ , As it happened, a great measuro of Mrs. Kemp's effusiveness was owing to tho fact (that sho had some disagreeable business to got over, and she felt a trifle nervous. Conversation jogged on, becoming a little spasmodic. i ■,'. ■ Mrs. Kemp praised the regiment, congraItulated Lester on his chanco of advancement, and then a pause occurred. , "I declare, Lester," she began 1 , with a little affected giggle, which sorely tried her listener's nerves. "I am forgetting our great Apiece of news—and to such an old friend as $you—it is too bad of me!" \ "News?" said Lester, but the light djed out of his eyes..:'.lt was ef il news—no knew ~it by her tono. '.. ''/'■■ ■ ' "Yes, , Adena has made up her mmd at 'last." ' . ;■■•■'■• . ' ' "Made up her mind?" Lester felt sud- * 'denly vory dull, and as if he must echo sentences instead of initiating them. Mrs. Kemp looked at the ormolu clock on the mantelpiece, at a Sheraton table, which i stbod at her elbow—at anything rather.than at her guest. ' v "She was always a difficult girl to please," she wont on with a flurried littlp laugn, "but I think "and trust that Sir Willoughby Carr ' .will make hor an ideal husband." * "Sir Willough,by Car.-?" Lester repeated the name' as if the." effort cost : him .physical, pain. Sir Willoughby Can- was a brand now baronet—so created because of tho million sterling with which a shrewd business capacity had endowed him. He was a kind, humdrum, middle-aged man, with apparently no soul above his factories. The thought of ■ Adena, his gracious, beautiful Adena, with 'her cultivated mind and sensitive feelings, tied to common-sense and factories went / through him likea knife. And ho had hoped and fancied that she cared for him! ■ With an effort that only those who have made similar efforts can appreciate, he -pulled himself together. He must show a fighting front now,. whatever might happen later. He looked gravely at Mrs. Kemp, who had taken up a small silver gondola from the aforesaid Sheraton table, and was playing with it.' j "I hope she'll be hpapy," he said. "Oh! I think so," Mrs. Kemp broke in hurriedly. "I think there's no doubt about that. He's very quiet, and she's so gay and clever. It's the attraction of opposites. She'll make an excellent chatelaino for that .delightful placo of his. It was only settled 'yesterday. Ho,, lunches with us to-day. lAdena has driven over to meet him. I did not tell her you wero coming. I wanted to Burprise her." - ' '. ' ■ "Well, -- you'vo surprised mo," he said, with a gallant attempt at a smile, and " But'at that moment Petro ran in, and ongulfed his friend in a series of ecstatic embraces. ' ■ . "Mummie, may Lester come out and see 'the new fountain?" he begged. "It wants ever so long to lunch —do let him!" ~ And the young man, glad of the respite, : tras dragged away., ■V ' I '

"Lester," cried Petro ten minutes later, fulling at his friend's hand, "you'se not attending to mo." "Aren't I, old chap?" The young officer looked apologetic. "I'm afraid I'm a Lit off song to-day." ■ , • . "What's off song?" , "Angry, irritable, miserable —everything horrid. , A sudden idea struck Petro. "Havo'you lost anything?" ho asked Solomnly. " "Lost anything, why?" ■' "'Causo Nana's angry and irritable ven Bhe loses lings. She lost a silver .finible dis morning, and walked with her head down just liko you. Havo you lost anyfing, letter?" . .-,-. ' . ■ ■ , \ ,' ".Yes'." Lester looked down-at him with & miserable little smile. "That's it, old chap. I've lost something." • ';■■- I "Oh! what?" ''Nothing you'd understand, Potro —just ■Sn illusion." ' ■ : ■■.'■■.'■:" "What's a 'llusion?" Lester swung tho snjall hand that clung to ihis big brown one miserably to and fro. "An illusion it's something very bright and shining—and lovely—when you've got it. Illusions aro mado to bo lost, so we must make the b#st of it." "But tlioy can be found again," said tho child eagerly. "Nana says I'm a dab at finding things. I found Muminio's purse ono day, and cook's spectacle-case—p'r'aps I can find your 'llusion." "I am afraid not, Potro." The sight of tho fountain at thie point broke tho thread ■ of tho discourse, retro dragged his friend at a jog-trot across the stretch of lawn to where a gorgeous marble erection, bo-nymphed and be-dolphiucd, proclaimed itself the dernior cri in Kemp expenditure. Lester admired it as in duty hound, and lifted Petro up to dabblo his'finders in tho wido basin. In the midst of their inspection the lunch, gong resounded from tho house: A sharp spasm of pain contracted Lester's face. The realisation of exactly what that lunch' Would mean to him oppressed him almost to distraction. Had ho not been a soldier he- would havo turned and fled. As it was, he squared his shoulders and clenched his hands, and set his faco towards the house. "Don't look sorry, Lester, I'll find yonr 'llusion—honour bright I will," said Petro's voice at his side' Lester caught tho child up and kissed him, end loft a tear —ono of tho very few ho had ever shed —on the chubby cheek. Then ho walked quickly towards his fate. Lester Bently had lived for twenty-oight years in tho world, and had partaken , of many lunches. Somo had amused him— Bomo had frankly bored him. It was left

to this special lunch to provide:him with a sot of ontircly now sorisatiQns. Was it _ reality, ho asked; himself several times during its progress—tfr was it somo ghastly nigbt-maro, from which ho should presently awako to tho unspeakablo roliof of bed? ... ■■■.'.• 'Adona had; recoived his congratulations with composure.- , Sho sat oppqsito to him at the tablo. 'Sho was gayor than usual, fovorishly gay, cyon. Sho talked at random without waiting for answers to any of tho questions sho asked. Sho was not at oaso, Lester decided. This was not' surprising; most girls, under tho circumstancos, would havo folt the situation to be something of a strain. But was sho really happy? Ho could enduro a great deal if ho folt certain of that—but ho did not feel certain of it.. ■.:.''. :' .. :.:./:. Ho had not known hor sinco tho days of white- socks . and laboured pronunciation for nothing. , Sir Willoughby Carr was obviously vory proud of her, but ho was a quiet man—a man whoso face it was difficult.-to read. Thoro was an oppression , in:-tho air that was , almost physical; onco : -or i'twico Lester could havo. cried out aloud.fTfConvention forbidding this, he mado' a'-prot'ext of cat-' ing—an entirely shallow one ,wh'ich deceived nobody. After the -meal'.! was 'over Sir Willoughby discovered 'that;; he -wanted' to stroll .to tho villago post-offico tg;send off an important telegram. Adena' offered dutifully (Lester felt with a strango thrill that was not quito all pain, that-it: was dutifully) to accompany him.',' ; They se|-'put, and little; Mrs. Komp: suggested that Lester would enjoy his'smoke on tho terrace. Ho took tho-hint,..and stopped out of tho French window on to the flower-crammed, rather vulgar stono stretch that fronted the house. ■-.-■•■ '•'

Up and.doirn he paced, thinking hard. A cigarette in his hand remained unlightod. . ...■-■■■■;■■.... , Ho would'make his. adieus, boforo Adona returned, he decided..' her goodbyo now would havo *V£'-Hbrriblo kind of finality about it. Adoia had'gono out of his life. His footsteps ,on ,tho; terrace flags seomed to echo tho ;• words. ' Tho church dock, staking in tho diatanco,. took up the refrain.,:. Suddenly hisi ' rdverio jivas cut sharply,;m tTrani by a sHout.^:™,': ','Lqstex—Lesterl" Ecreaintcl'.'Z'.tho* shrill TOico of . Petro from afar. :.;':!!Oh! Lester, Ivo found it!" • • : : From the lawn beneath, : ■ up tho stone steps, ho scrambled, an overdressed, pathetic figure in silk'.and ringlets, with a face which gtowed with eagerness. Loster turned sharply. 'Toundiwhat, old chap?" ho asked, raising an'.absentVpmile. His conversation with tho child earlier in the day had completely slipped his >memory. "Why your 'llusion, o'-course." Petro sounded rather offended. "I found it a minuto ago by the fountain, an': I ran to Nana for paper to wrap it in, 'cause I fought you'd gone, and I'd have to send it to tho barracks. But Nana- was cross, so I wont to auntio 'Dena's dressing-room • and. took somo papor from her dressing-table drawer, and,then I saw,you from.the,window on tho terrace, and I rurined.":> • •'. : « '■ Loster looked , so .entirely.;mystified that Petro," with• hand still elapsed,' became plaintive.' ."■'■!.!■• ''. : . : -■.■!:,.'' ; "You did lpso a 'llusion;'didn't you?" he asked; "somofink bright and shining." "Why, yes!" said Lostor, beginning to understand. Slowly, and with .a drawing, smile. Petro unclosed .a chubby fist; inside tho fist was a folded letter. Ho put this into the young man's hand. •."■■■;;;■'.■.•.■■..■■..■ .;,■-..■ /

"It's insido dore!" _, ho. explained with triumph—"open "it!"'" ' ' ".'

Lester dropped into a scat,, and dazedly did as lie; ijw.iis /biddenj;- vwhilst the child danced excitedly at his side. Ho unfolded the letter carefully, and then ho gave a short, sharp, exclamation. Inside it was a ring—a half hoop of- big, magnificent diamonds, which caught the siin's rays and glowed like lire.. "Isn't it a beautiful 'llusion?" cried tho delighted Petro. At first no comprehension dawned upon-the yoiing soldier. ■'»■'• He held the ring in one hand and looked helplessly at the letter as if for an explanation. All at once ,as if directed by a forco outside himself, his eyes caught the following sentence: "You can have no pride, Adena, if yon still go on hoping against hopo that Lester Bently will one day ask you to bo his wife. It is common talk'in Comminster that the announcement of his engagement to hie colonel's daughter (Miss Bolitho) is only a matter of weeks. You havo worn your heart on yotir sloevo so long that it is quite time you disguised your feelings. Pity is tho last thing you desire, but pity you will get unless you take a.drastic step, and that soon." ; '"■■ •'. The sun still drew, a myriad sparks from tho diamond ring in Lester's left hand- 1 - Petro still hopped delighi at his side. The terrace—the ground—aven the swish of the fountain in the distance wore all as they had been. Yet to Lester Boiitly.it,, was a new world. Hidden things had been suddenly made plain. Then, after all,, Adena hau 'cared! ■■■•■■.••>•■ ''■.'-' The hand-writing in the letter was tho hand-writing of little Mrs. Kemp. She had deliberately. used a foolish bit of barrack tittle-tattle; as a peg on which to hang mighty' issues. Lester turned the letter over. "I believe I've been a cad," he said aloud; "what induced me, to read a letter that wasn't meant for me, I wonder?" 1 . * Turning round, lip gathered the child to him, and kissed him for the second timo "that day. , "Little chap , ," he said, "I owe moro to you than yon J ll ever., know.- Now run away to Nana— there is" something I must do, and later on we'll,have a chat together, you and I." •.. • "But you're glad, again, Lester, dear— you've-got y»ur 'llusion;. haven'.t you? I tolled you I'd find it—nnd'i did!"

"TJndor God," said tho soldier gravely, I bolicvo I've got something better —I believe I've'got a certainty; but don't you bother your young head about that. You've given mo all I want in this world,, anyhow, I fancy: now go away, there's a good boy! , ' The child ran off, and Lester, got up just as a pink chiffon .'parasol and a rustling silk gown swooped upon him. ■-'"Oh; , . Lester! , ' »Mps:.r v Kemr);began; but something'in the young v maii's face stopped her. • . ■ . .

"This. camo: into. my hand, without my seoking, Mrs. Kemp," he said'gravely, "and I had no right to do so, but 1 read it. It wants moro explanation than I fancy you are prepared to give.' That_ explanation I intend to make—to Adena." Littlo Mrs. Kemp flushed to the roots of hor carefully. crimpqd_ hair. .jShe, glanced at the letter, nnd tho hand that held tho pink parasol.took. Then'iho' took that courso which -women of: hcr.'type usually do take— she burst'iiito tears/ ■'■■ '••'■' "If .Adona was fool enough to show you this," she said, '.'I Have nothing moro to say. 1 should have thought priilo.^—" ['Adena did not'show it,mo," ho interupted,: stonily. '•''■"■'. "•'■" "Then it wasn't a very honourable " sho began. • • - . . . "Perhaps you and I had/hotter, not discuss honour," ho intcnipted. ' T And little Mrs. Kemp, "with an angry sob, gathered up.hor skirts and loft him. Whon sho had gone, Lester stood, for a moment undecided. > The rine ho had almost foruotton. It was still clasped in his'left hand. Ho had recognised it at once. ■ It was, Adena's engagement ring. She must have dropped it as she passod the fountain on tho way out. Ho unciosod his fingers and looked bewildprodly at it Ho must seo Adena at once —that was clear. " . .'' Ho left tho terrace and strode quickly in tho direction of the lodge gutes.. As ho camo near the fountain ho saw Adona on her knees searching busily on tho volvot grass which surrounded it. Sho looked up as his footsteps camo nearer. "Oh, Lester I" sho said, with a small nervous laugh, "snch an ill-omened thing has happened! When I got to the post office l discovered that I'd lost ni' ring—the ring

Sir Willoughby gavo me, you know. He's outsido searching the road—l ran back here." "I was coming to look for you," Lester said ■ quietly. "Littlo Potro found your ring—horo it is. Ho brought it to me— wrapped up in a letter which ho took from a drawer in your room. Here's tho lottcr, too, Adena. I read it—l'd no right to. It's tho first really caddish thing I've over dono; (but I saw niy own name—nnd somohow I had to go on." Ho hnnded her both. Sho had risen, and was looking at him witli wild, frightoned eyos. "How dare Petro tako 'letters from my room?" sho said, faintly, as glancing at it, sho realised its importance "A mere childish impulse—ho wantod something to wrap his find in. I think myself that Providenco guided him in his search." "What do you mean?" sho asked dully. "I mean," he said, with his eyes on her faco, "that I am now ablo to clear up a mystery. _ Thoro is no colonel's daughter in tho question—so far as I am concerned. Whon Mrs. Komp of sot purposo penned theso words, sho know they wore idle gossip. I was with tho man Miss Bolitho was to havo married in South Africa when ho fell. Sho looks upon.mo as a link with tho past —that is all. You were tho woman I havo always loved, Adona, and always shall lovo. To-day I meant to havo told you so,» for promotion is nearer now, and I could give— could havo -given—my wifo a comfortablo homo. . ... . That is all," ho said abruptly. "I just wanted you to know the truth. May bo it would havo boon bravor to havo hidden it—but I'm not bravo tc-day, and I couldn't." Adena's face was very white. Her mouth was quivering. "Thank you,!' she said softly. "I'vobeon a fool; but, Lester, prido was always my strong point. I' did so despise tho lovelorn, die-away sort of woman." Sho held out both ■ hands impulsively. "Beforo I put this back" —sho indicated tho ring— "I'd like to feel that yon fprgivo mo. Thoro is only one thing to bo said in my favour, Lester—l told Sir Willoughby I could not love him. Ho was content. Ho is very good to me, and ho said love would como

Then they both started, for from the bushes closo by tho sentence was continued, in Sir. 'Willoughby Carr's own voice, "but ho doesn't think now that it will," ho said. Ho emerged on' to tho grass plot, and' smiled a kind, whimsical smilo. ' ' "Dishonour is. in tho air to-day," ho wont on, "for Bontly reads letters not meant for his eye, and I overhear conversations not meant for my oar. No, keop your Ting, Adena, as a memento of a very happy timo; put it on tho other hand—yes, I wish it, child, I do, indeed." Then ho wont up to.Lester Bently, and held out his hand. "WcVo all been tho victims of a foolish woman's meddlings," "but shall we be the less friends for that?" Toars—smarting tears —started to Adona's oyes. ' ' ■■ ■ • Sho laid her hands upon tho baronet's shoulders and kissed him impulsively. It was very near to being tho kind of kiss lie, had hoped she might give him, one day— very near, but not quite. There was a lump in Lester's throat. "Mrs. Kemp may navo meddled, sir," he said, "but there was method in her meddling—for, upon my soul, I believe she choso tho better man." . ■■• "That remains to ho proved," said tho baronot in his unemotional voice, "and, by Jovo, I'll go now and tell her so." And ho. wont. ..'"-, , ■ Lester took Adena's hands in his, but as yet' he did not bend to touch her lips—that was to come lator. "We must go to. Petro, sweetheart," he said. "I promised to' talk to him—about— oh I about lost illusions for one thing." "What does Petro know about lost illusions?" asked Adena, looking mystified. "More than you think," her lover made answer. "I've no doubt he'll tell you all about one that was lost and found —by himself, by the waj' —on this very afternoon." And later on Petro did.—Chris Scwcll, in "M.A.P."