THE STORY TELLER. That Border-town Ball.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1899, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE STORY TELLER. That Border-town Ball.

'.There was a tall wire fence running along one side of the ant-bed tennis-court at Gundara Station, near the boundary which separates Queensland from NeAV South Wales. Over its fence the sturdy vines of- the Isabella grape had cast a thick leafy screen. Beyond it again was a hedge of oleander trees— pink and white— a narrow, sanded pathAvay between. When Sylvia Meade was a tiny child she had loved this pathway better than any spot >in the rambling old garden, and noAV that she was a woman groAvn, there was an added charm about it, for there it Avas she listened to the first love story that had ever concerned herself. It happened just after dinner at night, when everyone was b^sy in the long diningfotSm^ packing boxes and baskets with cakes, fruit; wild duck, and other delicacies to be taken in to the border - town ball on the morroAV, all working like Trojans under old Jim Meade's directions (all, of course, excepting Sylvia's school friend, Miss Alison Frero, who, as usual, monopolised the string hammock, and idly picked out tune 3on her banjo). Someone called for vine leaves to wrap round the peaches, and Sylvia ran out into the moonlit garden to get them. She kneAV that the largest leaves were to bo found in the "sanded Avalk," and slipped into. the darksome arch fearlessly ; and then discovered that Alison Frere was not the only idler after all, for Jack Crighton was pacing up and down, smoking a cigar, which he threw away as Sylvia came towards him. " Oh, lazybones," she said ; " I thought you Avere in the pantry, cording the crockery box." "Too many cooks," quoted Crighton. "You look tired, little girl. Why did you do so much cooking with the ther-. mometer at 80?" " The servants are busy ; so many visitors in the house; so that we girls all helped with the extra cooking. In fact, everyone helped; think of all the eggs you have beaten up to-day, for instance." "All we girls" mocked Crighton. "To my knowledge, one of your lady friends has spent three-quarters, of the day in the hammock." Sylvia laughed. "Oh! you mean Alison ; she never does anything ; no one ever expects her to. Even at school the other girls waited upon her ; just as all the men do here " She paused, and then added abruptly, " Do you think she is pretty?" " Pretty ! Why, my dear girl, she has small eyes, and they glitter like a snake's, and I never admire pale women with intensely red lios. She has good hair— l like that bronze tint in its darkness— but pretty — no !" " All the men say they do not think her pretty," said Sylvia, ingenuously, but doubtfully. "Mr. Newbold says her hands and arms are her best point. Jim says it is her feet. Mr. Ranniger thinks she is plain. I'm sure I don't know. You can't pick her to pieces, yet she always has a good effect." " She has style," said Crighton, briefly. They were slowly pacing the sanded paths, the girl picking a vine leaf here and there. She was a pretty girl, blue-eyed, pink-cheeked, and fair-haired, her mouth small, her china-blue eyes large (just as Miss Frere's eyes were small and her mouth large), and she was, moreover, the acknowledged belle of the district. Crighton had known her since her babyhood, and her presence soothed and softened his restless spirit and unusually depressed mood. "Miss Frere irritates me abominably," he continued. " I never see her without pitying the poor devil whose fate it is to marry her some day. That girl is devoid of heart — selfish to the core, and cruel." " Perhaps you are right, but she really has some good points. I used to love her when avc were at school. I Avould feel sorry for her now, when all the men run her down so> only that I knoAV that she does not care. As long as- they amuse her, and do all she tells them to, she does not mind being hated in that way. I suppose her singing attracts them. She does sing well— at least I used to think BO." " Oh ! yes. I admit her voice is perfect. T.hose sweet contraltos are rare." Sylvia's blue eyes clouded. "Anyway, Mr. Ranniger really hates her," she said. "He doesn't even think she sings well." " Frank Ranniger is over head and ears in love with her," said Crighton quickly. "He runs her down from motives of pique." "Well," retorted Sylvia, "he isn't the only one who does that. I firmly believe you are all in love Avith her, and mad because she treats you all alike. So there." And Sylvia looked as if she were going to c-y. She Avas hot and tired, and a A?alk Avith Crighton in the oleander path Avas an unexpected pleasure. But she had not come to hear Alison Frere talked of aM the time. In fact, he was not the only man amongst those gathered at Gundara for the races and ball in the neighbouring township who talked of Miss Frere, and the subject was apt to groAV ■ monotonous. Sylvia, wished in the depths of her shalloAV little soul that she had never asked her old schoolfellow to stay i with her. Her Avords seemed to rouse Crighton's temper all at once, and he v turned white with passion. " You are not the first person who has talked such nonsense to me to-day," he said ; "I am sick to death of the girl's very name, without such rubbish being tacked on to it." " Well, she thinks so herself," retorted Sylvia faintly, but vindictively. Crighton said something which sounded like a badly suppressed oath, then he pulled himself together, though still swayed by an apparently unreasoning anger. " Sylvia," he buid, "' Sylvia, at any rate, all Gundara shall knoAV to-morrow that she is mistaken. Dearest — Sylvia — it is you I care for — and you know it." As a matter of fact, she had not the least idea that such Avas the case. , Jack Crighton lived qu the neighbouring station to Gundara, and had been a great deal with the Meades. People had not failed to prophesy the inevitable end, and Sylvia, ahvays swayed by outside opinions, had grown to think the most desirable thing on earth Arould be the love of this handsome young, fellow — the " calch" of the.dijtrict. There was a certain Mr. Newbold, who had lately come to the one bank in Bordortown, who came to Gundara very often, and who made himself very agreeable to the pretty Miss Meade — he was one of the men who ahvays spoke Avell of Alison Frere, by the way — and sometimes Sylvitv had caught herself feeling strangely disappointed when his strong, ugly face was not amongst those gathered round the dinner-table on Saturday nights, but Jack Crighton was

the man everyone praised and envied, and Sylvia loved the majority, and so her heart leapt gladly at his words — the words she had hoped for, but far from expected. "Oh, Jack," she whispered, "do you really mean it?" " Of course I do, and if you will have me, I shall be the luckiest fellow on earth." For answer Sylvia drew a step nearer to him, and he caught her in his arms and kissed her, first on her round, pink cheek, and then on her sweet little lips, and Sylvia was too much a novice in such matters to miss anything from that first hearty embrace. " And now," he said, " you at least will not believe I am breaking my heart for the good graces * of Miss Frere?" " I am very sorry," whispered Sylvia, her fair head nestling against his shoulder ; " I really thought you were attracted to jher — I don't know why 1 thought so. I've seen you pointedly avoid her time after time ; no, I have oeen very silly to have such thoughts." " She is no wife for the bush, ' said Jack, seriously ; a man wants a helpmate and not a butterfly. I have always known who would make the best little wife in the district (Sylvia did not resent his assured tone, nor did it strike him how calmly he had taken her assent for granted). "Come in," he continued, '" and don't blush too furiously. I'll speak to your father to-night ; no doubt we shall be bombarded with congratulations tomorrow. By the way, you can tell Miss Frere to-night if you like." He said the last words carelessly, but something seemed to upset little Sylvia's nerves, and the blood, which had scarcely deepened the colour in her ckeek at her lover's embrace, dyed her face a deep, angry crimson. "Alison, Alison," she said. "Always Alison ; I'm tired of her very name. For j goodness sake let us talk of something i else." " Of ourselves, sweetheart," said Crighton in the soft, caressing tones he used to all women. j He had knocked about the world a good deal, and enjoyed himself as a man gifted with health, wealth, and good looks is bound to do ; and Sylvia was not the first woman he had made love to byany means ; therefore he soon changed the current of his irate lady-love's thoughts. " Must you speak to dad to-night?" she said wistfully. "We shall be so teased and stared at to-morrow night at the ball — as the new and only engaged couple in I the room." " You must get used to that — the sooner the better," he said, gaily ; " I shall certainly expect and enjoy the congratulations." ] Yes, he would be congratulated heartily, Sylvia was so pretty, so useful, so generally approved of by the matrons of the district. As a little girl she had been always quiet, obedient, and "nice," otherwise harmless, and now she was grown up society had had no reason to alter its opinion. She agreed so sweetly with everyone, and was orthodox to the core, besides being fond of housekeeping and domesticity. No wonder the matrons approved ; and then there was no prettier girl on the river, no wonder the men envied. As for Miss Frere, Mrs. Sampson Power, who \ed Bordertown society, declared she was an outrageous flirt ; and the emphasis was such that had Miss Frere been anyone but Tom Frere's niece (Tom was member for the district, and owned more stations and had more money than all the rest put together), she would have been socially damned, but she just escaped that fate. Tom was a bachelor, but avaricious and mean. Alison, his niece, had the slenderest of incomes, and a dislike of hard work, and stayed as little with her only relative as she could ; but she was his relative, and nearest of kin, and therefore reflected some of his glory. As Jack and Sylvia came slowly up the Steps, the girl passed close to the hammock in which Miss Frere had disposed her long and lazy length. Young Jim Meade was in attendance, slowly waving a palm-leaf fan above her head, and the other men were coming out one by one, the packing being over. " You all look fearfully hot," cried Miss Frere cheerfully. " I'm delightfully cool ; how knocked up you Avill all be for the ball to-morrow night." As she spoke a man came up the front steps in riding dress, his spurs clanking as he walked ; it was Newbold, the manager of the bank in Bordertown. " Come here, Mr. Newbold," she cried, "and tell us how the 'toff' ball is progressing." Newbold threw his valise down and lay back in a canvas chair. " As well as can be expected," he said. " My life isn't worth a minute's purchase. I'm secretary, you know ; and they* seem to think I'm the only responsible party. You know such Oj. thin" as drawing the line has nofc been attempted in Bordertown before, and the ' push' are up in arms. If I'm knifed or clubbed to-morrow, Miss Frere, be my blood on your head." Alison smiled. "The line must be drawn sometime. Uncle Tom is an old martinet all the same. I can't see how it would hurt our waists if the profane arms of the lower ten thousand encircled them now and then. Still, if by 'select' is meant thatVe shall- -be able to enjoy a decent waltz without having to fight our way by main force round the room — let it be select by all means." " vVell, when Mr. Frere emphatically j declared that his niece should not appear at a border-town 'mixed' ball, what else could we bachelors do but get up an unmixed one. Can yoxi blame us ?" " Not at all," said Alison, coolly ; "still, if the great unwashed arise and stirrup a revolution, ' down with the aristocrats' .sort of thing — don't blame me. I would have stayed away uncomplainingly —if not gladly. You are short of girls, I suppose?" " Very — yourself, Miss Meade, and the two Miss Kings from here ; the governess from Christmas Doavus ; Mrs. Power, of course, and the JP.M.'s three daughters, and, perhaps, Mrs. Jack Steele and a friend from up lliq, river make the s>um total. The doctor can't Ist h\3 wife go, for fear of losing patients who are not invited. Ransome will bring his sisters — I believe there are four of them — if he can. Fellows, of course, are easy to get — two to one, as usual. The girls in the stores cut me dead, their lovdrs and brothers scowl at me from street corners, their fathers threaten to withdraw their accounts. Mine is no. enviable position, I assure you." " We have just been packing up our contributions to the supper," said Sylvia, timidly. (Jack had left her, and rushed off in his impulsive way to find her father). To get inside, she would have to cross the wide light from the hall door, so she preferred to stand and talk in the shadow. Her voice shook a little from excitement, and Miss Frere made a. swift movement, capturing one of Sylvia's plump little hands in her own cool, slim one. /'Pulse at fever heat,!' she said, softly. " Oh, Sylvia,, Sylvia, what happened in the 'sandy path' ? " " Nothing," cried Sylvia. " I only— that is, I just met Mr. Crighton, and w«

talked ; he Avas smoking all the time," she finished, lamely. " Very rude of him," said Alison. She had little mercy sometimes. "So it Avas Mr. Crighton. Am Ito congratulate you, you pussie?" Her voice had a ring of command, that Sylvia knew of old. " I — that is, yes ; I suppose so," she faltered ; and, tearing her hand away, fled into the diningroom. " What on earth does that mean," said Jim Meade, staring open-mouthed after his sister. " Syl. isn't too polite. Never spoke to you, NeAvbold ; perhaps she did not see you!" " It means," said Alison, " that you will have a brother-in-laAV directly — - one you will not approve of." Her voice had a hard, metallic ring. Not three - quarters of an hour ago, Crighton had asked her to stroll with him in the sanded Avalk. It Avas the first time he had cA r er asked her anything of the kind. At any rate, she had refused to go, pleading laziness and love 01 the hammocK in the vines ; and noAV sho stopped all comment on her assertion by taking up the banjo, and singing. She chose "When Other Lips and Other Hearts," and sang it so SAveetly and thrillingly that the man in the canvas chair" turned his face away from the light. The veins stood out like cords on his forehead, and the other listeners Avere dim and formless in his sight. Then Alison glided into a merry boating song, and then into a Avitch melody — merrier and madder still, because she said that life Avas a comedy from beginning to end, and sad things should be banished from it by Act of Parliament. 11. Bordertown was upset to its foundations Gloomy-faced young men lounged about its footpaths and made sarcastic remarks Avhen any of the country people passed. " Got a new overcoat, Bill — suppose you're going to the .toff ball?" " Have to telegraph for my dress-clothes to-morroAV, or I'm afraid I won't be asked," 6tC. The girls Avere more out-spoken, and less given to cut. Miss Black, of the Sportsman's Arms, said she Avouldn't be seen at the ball in her morning goAvn even, and would not go even if that stuck-up bank cad asked her on his bended knees. And the Avay the 'barmaid served the station visitors with whisky Avas a study in silent insult. Never before had an invitation ball been given ; and deep and deadly Avere the oaths taken by the " push " that it should never happen again. The ball was to be held in a galvanisediron building at the lower end of the main street ; it Avas an unlovely hall, and the bachelors were busy the afternoon of the races decorating and dividing one end of it into a supper-room with canvas and Avool-sheets. "Looks as if'Ave might have trouble," said NeAvbold. "The sergeant and policeman both cleared out this afternoon ; declare they were sent for to enquire into a horse-stealing case — don't believe a Avord of it myself." "They're both dancing men," grinned Jim Meade, " Avhich accounts for their flight ; I don't think we shall have trouble. I'm sure of it." "In that case we had all better start together from the Sportsman's Arms, nearly everyone is staying there, and if some of you fellows bring big sticks with you, they may not be in the way." • " Bring the bank revolver and a blank cartridge or tAvo," said Ranniger ; " larrikin pushes don't like fire-arms." " And risk a return shot ; no ! not as ladies are Avith us. You don't knoAV these border-toAvn brutes as well as I do. They wouldn't use blank cartridges; the shearers are xill in from Castle Creek, and half of 'em drunk already." And so it Avas arranged; the girls thought it great fun, and drew their pretty cloaks round their shoulders with a delicious thrill of excitement as they stepped into the unlighted street, whilst their overcoated squadron of guards surrounded them. Jim Meade carried two large buckets of claret cup for the entertainment, and so Avas considered unfit for active service, and moved into the centre of the holloAV square with the girls. HoAvever, the few mindred yards betAveen hotel and hall Avere passed with little mischief. The advance guard certainly measured their lengths on the ground, tripped up over a loAV-lying stretched rope. The big jackeroo from Castle Creek Avas the first to fall, and his thoughts instantly sought Jim and the claret-cup, and he shouted to him to " stand still." They did not discover until they got into the hall that the rope had been liberally tarred, but that was a detail. NeAvbold breathed again Avhen the big doors Avere double locked, and Mrs. Sampson PoAver played the opening waltz. Certainly, a shoAver of stones on the iron roof, and a very protracted shoAver, too, rather spoilt the dreaminess of "BittersAveet," but the delight of Avaltzing again in a not too croAvded room made up for much. At mixed balls these people had been wont to sit on the draughty stage and gaze sadly at the push, enjoying varsoviennes, Alberts, Caledonians, and many fearful and intricate dances unknown to them, and when a waltz did happen — like the scattered currants in brownie — it was simply one long struggle up and doAvn the crowded room, the man of muscle alone being able to steer his partner through. For the first time since he had come to the district, at toAvn ov station balls, Newbold Avas not dancing the opening waltz Avith Sylvia/ Naturally, her lover claimed that noAV. { Alison, bis partner, waltzed well. " This is something like a dance," he said ; but even as he spoke his ugly, poAverful face clouded. " Make the best of it," whispered Mis 3 Frere, softly, " I don't object to being a substitute at all." " A substitute?" " Lovo and a cough can't be\hid," continued the girl ; "at least a Avoman can hide love sometimes ; men never can. For instance, I hide my love very well, don't I?" " Remarkably well. If I may voice general opinion, Miss Frere, you never liave and probably never AA'ill fall in love, and therein lies the secret of your poAver." " Power?" said the girl, queslioningly. " All human poAver is conquered by circumstance ; there Avas something I Avanted ! pretty badly once — I kneAv it — and I [ should have gained it too. Yes, it Avas just Avithin my grasp ; it was worth more than I all the Avorld to me, and then circumstance j stepped in, such a little circumstance ; all t arising from the necessity of some 'grape leaves,' and where were all my castles in the. air." NeAvbold did not ansAver. He could not quite folloAv the girl's mood. " Just where all your castles in the air are,, I expect," she added. " You are a Avitch," he said. "Because I discovered that I am only a substitute?" and she threw back her head and laughed. There Avas a subtle power in the girl. NeAvbold Ayas under its sway while he danced Avith her, and Avhile she looked into his eyes, and interested him Avith her quaint sayings, but Avhen the Avaltz came to an end, and Sylvia passed close to them, blushing and laughing at one of her lover's audaciously tender speeches, Newbold felt the old hunger in his heart.

Alison watched the engaged couple intently. "1 am very fond of Sylvia," she said slowly. "And she isn't worth it." Newbold flushed. " 1 admire Miss Meade immensely, and think she is worthy of anyone's affection." Alison shrugged her shoulders till the bodice of her black, much be-jetted frock glittered like the skin of Lamia's serpent. " She has no deep feelings," she said. " Wait until you or anyone «lse is in trouble, and see what Silvia is to rely upon — a broken reed, thistledown blown by the winds of heaven, or perhaps the face of a looking-glass would describe her better, reflecting every passing form. Now, don't look as if you would like to kill me. The prettiest little reed, the softest, most charming thistledown, the most priceless looking-glass in the world, in more pair of 1 eyes than one, and I would sacrifice my heart's desire to save her a moment's pain." NeAvbold looked into the heavy - lidded eyes. Some expression in their depths belied the mocking curve of the full red lips. " I believe you mean it," he said, " I am. sure you are a true friend of hers, even though I think you are' mistaken <as to her character." ■ -^ " That goes Avithout saying. Take mS to the piano, for I have to play the next Lancers, I think, and the time* is up. By the Avay, Mrs. Sampson PoAver is glaring, I suppose you dance it Avith her." She dreAv off her long black gloves, and thmv them on to the piano. Newbold hurried off to steer Mrs. Power's person through the Kitchen Lancers, and guard (as well as he was able) the rest of the couples from collision with his partner's hands. There was no flagging about the toff ball. Bushmen dance thoroughly and through the whole programme, fordances out Avest are few and far betAveen, and it was a merry, if slightly exhausted, party that sat down to the long supper table, above Avhich the Chinese lanterns glowed softly. Young Jim Meade's claret cup, or rather claret buckets, had been twice renevred, though old James Meade was heard to declare confidentially to old Sam Mayne that he could not see anything in spoiling good wine with soda-water and rubbish ; or, in fact, drinking Avine at all Avhen the best whiskey Avas flowing like milk and honey. Sam agreed, and Avas too pleased Avith the world in general to notice lioav mixed his old pioneer friend's metaphors were. Syh r ia avus thoroughly happy, as the prettiest girl in a ball-room should be, with the added bliss of knoAving the handsomest and most distinguished man in the room was her faithful knight. After supper he led her up to the stage. "My next dance is with your friend, Sylvia. lam sorry that I shall be obliged to disturb the outrageous flirtation she is carrying on with Jim — when I go to claim it. I never can understand your friendship for her — two more totally opposite natures could scarcely be found." " No," said Sylvia, doubtfully, who, as usual, Avas SAvayed by the last - comer's opinion ; " I used to love her once, think, but I'm sure she's a nasty girl now, and I'll never ask her to Gundara again." Crighton looked slightly taken aback ; his sAveetheart's extreme amiability and docility jarred upon him sometimes, and in this case he felt a sudden insane wisli to box her pretty little pink ears, and make her contradict him. " Oh," he said, "she has her good points, I daresay, and one must make allowance for anyone so thoroughly spoiled by the men about here — asinine lot they are, and deserve all they will get from her. I don't think she cares a red cent for any of them, do you?" " I'm sure I don't know,' and don't care," said Sylvia; "I think she is horrid." Crighton handed her her fan and went off to claim his dance. Alison shot him a quick appreciative glance as he made his way /towards her. " Yes, it is our dance," she said ; "do you mind if I only dance half of it, and sit o\it the rest ; I'm tired." " No wonder, you have not rested once, bushmen are exacting partners ; but I am pleased to think I am to have the Avhole waltz." She smiled. "Yes, I was obliged to divide some of them, for I Avas engaged for more than are on the programme." "Then I may consider myself honoured." " Oh, I divided Jim's dances and some others. You are too recent an acquaintance ; I could not ask you to help me out of predicaments — don't you understand?" " I understand perfectly," said Crighton stiffly. They danced on in silence for a few mo- J ments, and then, as her steps lugged a. little, Crighton suggested that they should J stop, and murmuring something about getting her some soup, put aside the canA'as curtain, and took her into the supper-room. It Avas deserted and in semi-gloom, for only one Chinese lantern survived. She sat down in a squatter chair. and took off her gloves again. As she did so — always graceful — she looked doubly so noAV, with the clinging dress outlining her long shapely limbs, and her perfectly-moulded arms shining like those of a Greek goddess against its sombre folds. They sat in perfect silence — a fateful and significant thing in itself. She Avas the first to speak. "By the Avay, I have not .congratulated you -<'et. Accept my best Avishes noAV, and make Sylvia happy. I am very fond of her " " Thank you. I know I am a very lucky felloAV, and shall do my best to make her life a bright one. A3 to your fondness for her, pardon me, if I doubt that you could be very fond of anyone." "Isn't that a rude speech, rather—anyway, I can't prove othenvise to' you. I'm in a confessing mood, M-r. Crighton, ani I'm going to confess to you. I haA r e a heart, and I could love, deeply, lastingly, passionately, only once, and that for always. " " I don't quite knoAV you In this higl »y romantic mood," sneered Oigtiton. ".dny I ask if you have already experienced tins absorbing passion — is Sylvia the objo^t cr Sylvia's brother? Shall Ibe able to offer return congratulations soon?" " Wrong in both guesses," said the girl, quietly. " I care for Sylvia in a different Avay. She is my friend, and has endoared herself to me perhaps because Aye are such totally different characters. You a\j]l J agree to that, I suppose. Sylvia is thoroughly domesticated, for one thing, and has all the arts of housekeeping at htr finger ends, Avhile I am lazy, selfish, and thousand undesirable things Avhich she is not." "When you love deeply, lastingly, and passionately, Miss Frere, perhaps your character, as delineated by yourself, Avill change. I should very much like to see you do an unselfish an,d self-sacrificing action." " You will probably have that pleasure, my friend. I say probably, and yet, why should I sacrifice myself? Good gracious, are we going to be, left in the dark, altogether?" She leant fonrard/'arid half rose as. the candle spluttered and t went out. Feeling blindly for the curtain, her warm, soft arm brushed his face. He grasped her hands, not pausing to think Avhy he should be trembling in every limb ; Avhy this girl whom he hated so, should have power to move him thus. In the wave of passion that held him Sylvia. and the first warm

kiss he gave her in the sanded Avalk, Avere forgoUen. Alison Avas a tall Avoman, but her head reached only to his shoulder, and he raised her hands, draAving her Avhite arms round his neck, and bent his face towards her own upturned one. " Alison," he Avhispered. "Alison; oh! my darling. You knoAV, and I know noAV." Just for one moment the lithe figure seemed to yield itself to his embrace, and then — She wrenched her hands away, and broke into a peal of delighted laughter. Come," she said, " I'm not going to sit in this lightless Eden any longer. What will Mrs. Sampson PoAver and Mrs. Grundy say?" And she moved quickly to the curtain, laughing still. A red flush of shame surged across the young man's face. She could conquer him m a moment, make him forget honour, love, and all ; and then, she could laugh like that at her triumph. Hate, no wonder he hated her, doubly so now, this witch-AVoman, with her queer, fascinating face and perfect form. He folloAved her into the lighted room mechanically. Jim Meade Avas Availing for her, black-broAved and scowling. " Our dance," he said, " and it's half through already. Are you tired?" Oh, no ; let us begin at once. \vhy, it's a gallop. Let us enjoy that lovely music. Do you knoAV, Jim, I am dead, quite dead. I have just laid down my life for my friend, and she is not Avorth it. What do you think of that?" " Oh, do talk sense," said practical JimT " I never can understand you in that mood. You look a remarkably lively ghost, anyAvay ; seems to me you ought to be very much alive if anyone is ' queen of the revels.' You are to-night," Avith which romantic speech Jim Meade smiled with satisfaction. " Oh, love for a year— for an hour— and a day — But, alas! for the love that loves alAvay," wailed the waltz which superseded the galop. Crash, bang — smash. Three of the frosted Avindows, or rather a pane in each; burst in simultaneously, and shoAvers and showers of a thick grey poAvder poured into the room, and lay thickly on the floor. "The brutes," shouted NeAvbold. "Don't let 'em stop vs — there's hammer and nails behind the stage and boards — someAvhere. Tear doAvn those little shelves, they will do." " And here's a broom," shouted the English jackeroo, "we'll soon sweep it out," and he began to SAveep Avith the vigour of a " neAV " housemaid. Alison ran to the piano, and dashed into "We Won't go Home till Morning;" her clear voice rising above the exclamations of the dancers and the hysterical shrieks of Mrs. Sampson Povrer — who had throAvn herself upon the little sofa on the stage in her fright, and was noAV weeping amidst its ruins, for Mrs. PoAver weighed eighteen stone at least, and the sofa ATas more for show than use. MeanAA'hile Crighton had found another broom, and Avent to the ja.ckeroo's help, { and the dust arose in a cloud. ! "I'm damned — I'm blest — I'm — it's pepper—black pepper," shouted Ranniger, throwing down his hammer and covering his smarting eyes with his hands. "I'll knock down the first I*man1 * man who sneezes — old as I am," roared Jim Meade, senior. "The devils, they haA*a scored one." " Back to the stage, ladies," shouted NeAvbold, his face diabolical from his efforts not to sneeze— the girls crushed their cloaks against their faces ; the men buried their noses in their handkerchiefs — the song ended in a stifled note — and in the silence which followed, the English jackeroo let out a tremendous and thoroughly English sneeze — and then, as old Meade rushed toAvards him — he, Avith all the rest of the upper ten ot BorderloAvn and district, folloAved suit — but even above this noise came the echo of delighted and unrestrained plebeian laughter. NeAvbold tied his handkerchief round his face, and made a determined effort, and SAvept the pepper up to the door. Most of the men rushed out to find and crush the enemy, but so surrounded Avas the hall Avith small houses and intricate back-yards that their quest Aras unsuccessful, and the skirmishers returned groAvling and SArearing at the manners of the push. NeAvbold left the doors open for a minute or tAvo to let in some fresh, unpeppered air. "There are ou-y U\o more items on the programme," he said. ' Will you play the next, Ranniger?" Mr. Ranniger sat down at thepian?, wl the men advanced to the girls, Avho w« re gathered in a group at the end of the room, talking excitedly. Newbold turned to close the doors, but was too late. Leaping over fences, howling defiance, came the enemy, and were up the steps and into the hall before anyone moved to stop them, by sheer force of mimbers. "What price the toff dance?" yelled a gigantic shearer, nick-named Goliah. 'We fancy a hop noAV, as you've so kindly paid for the 'all. Choose your partners, gems, and knock doAvn any of the dress-clothes blank, blank, blank rubbish as interferes." He hit out right and left, and made- his Avay to the stage, Avhere most of the girls had fled, and reaching up, he took Miss Frere in his arms as if she was a baby and lifted her down. Alison felt the coarse hands round her waist, the hot, Avhiskyfied breath in her face, and she struggled wildly to free herself. There was an uproar near the door, where Jim Meade Avas " scruffing " half -drunk shearers and passing them out to the jackeroo, who solemnly threAV them down the steps. " Good God 1 look at Miss Frere," cried Crighton. He had taken Sylvia's hand and pushed her into the dark supper-room. " You Avill be quite safe there," he Avhispered ; "keep still until Aye have cleared these roughs out. I must go to Miss Frere." " You shan't go to her — someone else can go. You shall stay Avith me," wailed Sylvia. "Doas I tell you, Sylvia. lam nearer to her than the other fellows ; you are perfectly safe. The brute is mad with drink," and tried to shako off her clinging arms. " If you leave me for her, I never, never Avill speak to you again," cried Sylvia with sudden fire; "so you can choose." " She is your friend, and she is in danger," he cried, and before Sylvia could speak again he was fighting his way through the croAvd, seeing only Alison's Avhile face and Goliah's inflamed eyes and drunken leer. "Hands off that lady instantly!" he shouted. " If I don't let go, I s'pose you'll make mo," roared the giant. " I'm goin' to have my dance with her, and a kiss as Avell," and ho flung off Crighton's upraised arm, and stooped to carry out the last half of his threat. Crighton sprang at him like a tiger-cat, and dealt him a stunning blow. The giant ', pave a yell of pain, and dropped Alison directly, making a rush at her rescuer which, in his drunken fury, Avas more like that of a wild bull than 'anything else. Crighton put out his foot, and the shearer fell over, and Jim Meade raced up to help drag him to the door, but it took more than one man to eject the monster, ,

who howled with rage, as the doors clanged to again. "Of all the disgraceful scenes I" cried Mrs. Power. " Unfortunately, my husband is absent — (Mr. S. P. was P.M. for Bordertown) — but those men shall suffer." "I think we can swear to the whole lot," cried Jim Meade, delightfully, "and they will pay dearly for this irolic. Where , is Miss Frere — not hurt, I hope?" But Alison had turned very white, and j was leaning against the stage. " I'm not hurt," she said, " but I feel queer. Sylvia, Sylvia," and she caught Miss Meade's hand, to steady herself. Sylvia dragged it away, passionately, and Crighton sprang forward to support her half-fainting friend. He delivered her into Mrs. Power's motherly care, after laying her gently down on the bench in the dressing-room, while the girls fluttered round like a flock of sympathetic doves — all but Sylvia, who stood like a little statue at the door. " Why do you not go to her," he said, sternly. " She is ill and faint, and called for you. What does it all mean?" " What I told you near the supper-room. You chose to go to her, and 1 hate you. I don't believe I ever cared for you much, but I hate her for taking you from me." Sylvia " "Miss Meade, if you please." Crighton could almost have smiled at the childish assumption of dignity. " Don't be a little fool, Syl— Miss Meade — but do you really mean what you say?" " Yes, I do. Aren't you glad?" He looked straight into the china-blue eyes. There was no love, no regret, only wounded vanity, and ill-temper in their depths. " I really believe I am," he said. Newbold was turning out the lights as Jack Crighton walked towards him. "Will you drive Miss Meade home tomorrow?" he said abruptly. "I think I shall wait in and take the coach down south." Mr. Newbold looked astonished, as well he might. " Most happy, of course ; but Miss Meade — she — does she — hang it, old man, have you had a row?" " Yes ; a final one. She knows, and will be delighted with the change of drivers, I think. Fact is, Newbold, we have both discovered our mistake in time. We are friends, and should never have played at being lovers. I know what it is to love a woman now, and Sylvia has never cared for me, either. By Jove, you look quite glorified. I believe this is good news for you." "It is," said the banker, quietly. "I love Sylvia Meade dearly." " Well, good luck to you ; you will make her a better husband than ever I should." Then, as the guests all appeared, ready for the walk home, both men burst out laughing. Crumpled shirt fronts, crushed collars, battered coats, and draggled ties, not to speak of some visibly blackening eyes and swelling cheeks, gave a most disreputable look to the gallant contingent. The girls fluttered out of the dressingroom, and joined in the laughter. " Oh ! it does look like a 'toff ball' now," cried the youngest Miss King. "I believe if the 'push' could see us they would be amply revenged." Alison had recovered her spirits, though still rather white and shaken, and leant on Jim Meade's arm as they left the hall. "I told you I was dead," she said. "Perhaps you will believe it now." Newbold was close to her as she said it. Something in the girl's white face stirred his heart, though it was beating now in tune to a new-born joy and hope. " Can I speak to you a moment," he said. " Yes. Wait for me, Jim, I shall not be a minute," and she stepped aside to let the others pass. "Has anything very startling happened?" she said. Well, that is a matter of opinion. Sylvia has broken off her engagement with Jack Crighton. Neither have the least wish for its renewal. Only Crighton leaves by coach to-morrow. Don't let circumstances interfere with your happiness a second time, Miss Frere." "Charlie -.ewbold, you are a truly good and honest man," she whispered. "Thank you." And then she glided back to her waiting knight. "Jim," she said, "I've made a mistake ; I'm not dead at all, and I've only just found it out." The walk home was an uneventful one, the town sleeping quietly in the moonlight. Far away where the bridge spanned the river between the two colonies could be heard swift hoof-beats on the wooden planks. "Ah, ah !" said Jim, " 'the push' are making tracks already for New South Wales. Well, our ball will rid the town of a lot of rubbish if it has done nothing else." "It has done a lot of other things, Jim, but sufficient for the day is the evil thereof — prepare for startling news to-morrow." The coach started at 5, and Crighton sat alone in the bare coffeeroom, moodily staring at an uninviting breakfast. He was not thinking .of Sylvia or his brief engagement. The sound of Alison's heartless laughter seemed ringing through and through his brain. He could deceive nimself no longer. He loved her passionately and absorbingly, and flight was the only course left. He would go mad if he saw her day. by day, knowing how. slight a thing she accounted that love. Some movement near the door caused him to look up. Clad still in her ball dress, a clinging silver - striped wrap round her head and shoulders, was Alison Frere . A chill blast blew in from the river through the open door . ' "You will catch cold," he said quickly. "I have come to say good-bye to you, 4 ' she answered ; "and because I had something to say to you." "I am at your service." A crimson blush dyed the girl's pale face. "You — you remember the supper room and our dance?" | "Perfectly." "Oh ! how hard you are ; cannot you | understand? I was Sylvia's friend, and you were Sylvia's lover ; how could I I act differently? And now—" Tears rushed into the bright brown eyes, and the full lips quivered. "And now," said Crighton, stepping quickly to her side, "that I am Sylvia's friend only?" "Why, you can be Alison's lover," she whispered smiling through her tears.— Ethel Mills, in the Australasian.