THE WAY OF THE WORLD.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VI, Issue 98, 14 April 1898, Page 3

THE WAY OF THE WORLD.

AN AUSTARLIAN NOVEL. By grosvenor bunster. SYNOPSIS. The story introduces us to the heroine (Alice Harrington), who has obtained a remunerative situation as governess, through the aid of the Rev. Mr. Rogers, in honor of which her friend, Ethel Lafleur, determines on giving the household a picnic to Brighton beach. They are accompanied by Willie (Alice’s brother) and an effervescent Frenchman, named Mons. Biron, and his wife. While there they meet a Mr. Gordon, a resident, to whose cottage they adjourn, to whom, however, Ethel Lafleur expresses a great aversion. Alice Harrington is introduced to her charge as governess, and Mr. George Gordon tries to discover her whereabouts. This is achieved through seeing her in a theatre in which Miss Lafleur makes her debut as an actress. The latter warns Alice against Mr. Gordon The latter, however, makes love to Miss Harrington, who consents to become his wife. Shortly before the marriage the girl discovers that the treacherous Gordon has a wife living, and the shock nearly kills her at the time. She recovers only to languish towards the grave.

Alas ! she little knew the cunning of the man ; with what art he could appeal to the weak and vulnerable emotions of his dupes. Not that in this case he was insincere. He did love our little governess with a force and passion, which was purified by his respect. But beyond his love arose the prompter of pride, the obstinacy that chafed at disappointment, and he determined to overcome it. If Alice had intended to stimulate lr s passion, she could have adopted no more effectual method that had arisen out of the circumstances I have related. The man was as proud as Lucifer; and like that mythical gentleman, took especial delight in crushing good and innocence under the heel of his power. But a higher power than his sustained poor Alice. It would be idle to deny that the glowing dream which he had conjured up had touched her deeply ; and that for the moment she had yielded to the whole sweet promise of the pictureBut as the old monks were wont to keep ever before them the skull and bones which warned them of mortality and the fleeting character of life, so Alice saw before her the first approach of death. And as ’a lovely mist, blue as the face of Heaven ortinged with the golden sun which melts it from our sight—clears away, and we behold at our feet a black and yawning precipice ; so Alice, the first sweet yielding past, looked face to face with that grim lover which pleads, not for sins, but at the appointed time comes for his bride unbidden. Mr. Gordon, watching her face, saw something of this. He was too skilled in the expression of the humane countenance to be unable to conjecture pretty clearly as to the nature of Alice’s thoughts, and as he read them in the sweet and passive eyes, and calm and serious brow, he knew that he had pleaded in vain. Yet he had resolved to make one iast attempt. “ Alice,” he said, “remember this ere you answer me. You owe your life to more than one. There is Willie.”

Ah, he touched her there. Her lips trembled, and her eyes filled with tears. She looked at him earnestly as she said : “ Dear George, I had thought, I had hipped that as you loved me, you would care for him when I am gone.” He turned away his head in shame, nor could he find words to urge his suit upon the strength of this new argument. He was deeply touched, more so than he would have cared to acknowledge. He took her in his arms and kissed her fondly, and told her that she was an angel. Then her whole mood changed. She clung to him with many loving words and tender caresses. She told him how her heart was his. She opened up to Mb moral sight, which was dim enough till then—the pure loveliness of her loyal nature. She spoke to him, pleading earnestly. And as the first glimmer of the light warns back the gloom of night, so did the gentle words of the dying girl wrestle with the evil of the man, she pleaded with pride, long-rooted habit, little knowledge of purity, much of evil—all these she had to contend with.

And although it may not be said that she came forth victorious, it was something) that he listened quietly, and that his old manner of scoffing and ridicule when such matters as she now spoke about were dealt with in his presence was absent now.

He came to know that so far as Alice was concerned, she was lost to him. Indeed he could not conceal from himself that a more powerful hand than his directed her path, and that ere long she must pass away. Perhaps it was the sense of this, as much as the appreciation of the teaching of poor Alice that rendered him so humble and subdued when her left her. “ Darling,” she whispered. “ now I can call you so ; kiss me. And, George, will you promise me that you will not leave Mel bourne yet?” “ Why would you have me stay ?” he asked. “To bid me farewell, George. It will rot be long. Promise.” He bent down, and winding his strong arms about her frail and slender form,drew her to *his breast and kissed her, and told her in low whispering tones how dearly he loved her, and that he would stay and never leave her. That she must not think of dying; that he would never plead as her lover, but be always her best friend and brother. Ah me ! she know how impossible was this dream; yet lingered within its fairy circle with a sense of great happiness indeed.

She had his promise to remain awhile in Melbourne. On his part he saw in the asking of this concession some sign of yielding ; she knew well that he would not have to wait. And so each was content. Meanwhile, Ethel continued to perform at the theatre. She had agreed with Mr. Edwards that she should not be required to appear more than twice a week. That gentleman, indeed, preferred such an arrangement. Like all managers, he had a secret passion for what is called “ legitimate drama; ” and although he was too sensible a man to permit this sentiment to interfere with his pocket by its indulgence, he never lost an opportunity for reconciling both sentiment and pocket. And so he found that he could manage to present the “ legitimate drama ” twice a week, supported by tbe company he had got together for small comedies and burlesques. Of course he selected such plays of the “legitimate drama,’ as depended, for their successful illustration, upon the chief or star character. Leah, for example—-Although, perhaps, this play can scarcely be termed legitimate, it cau be “faked” by any ordinary stock company. There are dozens of similar pieces; and Ethel, upon whom the responsibility of the star parts fell, found that she had enough to

do in the matter of study. She did not murmur, however, since she had made up her mind to master her profession. Then, she thought, “ I will carry Willie away with me, and we will see the whole world, and find, at last, some sweet resting place to await the last act of all.” These were her thoughts ; and as she was one of those who, having resolved, drive straight to the point which it is desired to reach. She never flagged in the prosecution of those studies by which this end was to be achieved.

She had become a great favorite with the people. Indeed, I think that any really great actor need never fear the verdict of the Melbourne public. It is the shams and humbugs which are so constantly foisted upon us, whom we hiss anil scout. Now Ethel was a good actress. Indeed, she had the genius of a great actress. Her perception was instantaneous. It came from no careful study or laborious analysis. A great deal of nonsense is talked about this study business. All greatness in art may be perfected by study, but the greatness itself lies with the intuition of the artist. The child who sings a simple ditty with inborn emphasis and pathos is surely superior to the woman who renders that feeling and that pathos by the rules of art. As I think that the less a writer reads the bettei, so I consider that the less an artist “studies” his art the better. By this I do not meau that study is unnecessarybut it must be of a different nature to that which the ordinary meaning of the word signifies. What actor thinks it worth his while to read the looks and mark the gait and manners of each passer-by in the street. Yet he will go home to rack his poor brain for hours to conceive his part. And, as actors as a rule are by no means gifted with a superior faculty of imagination oi the poetic spirit, it is uo wonder that the conceptions we get upon the stage so frequently miscarry.

Now, with Ethel, study meant the committal of the words of her part to memoryThe conception of her part came to her by uo effort of her intellect. She discovered the meaning of the author at once, and had no difficulty in giving his meaning to others through her illustrations. This felicitous gift rendered her performances so easy, unforced and natural, that one would have taken her to have belonged to the French school, rather than our own stilted and artificial stage.

Hosts of admirers flocked around her

“You are an idiot,” said Madame, her mother, " See you not that you have fortune at your feet ?” But Ethel would re gard her coldly, and pass from her presence. Madame was frantic.

“ I‘arbleu !” said Monsuir Loup, “It is, 1 suppose, this Puritan she knows, and of whom you have told us.” And Madame, in hearty French, cursed .poor Alice. But although Ethel had withdrawn from any active participation in the war which Madame and her friends carried on against the simple-minded whom they entrapped, Madame had no reason to complain. Since Mr. Steel’s introduction, certain little card parties were held twice a week at Madame’s house ; in which Madame herself, Miss Gumming, and several other ladies and gentlemen of Madame’s acquaintance, Messieurs Loup and Perdrix, took an active part. Many were the pigeons they plucked. Youug fellows who were eager to see and speak to Ethel off the stage, readily accepted the introduction offe ed by Messieurs Loup and Perd., and although Ethel herself held aloof from any share in the matter, she could not deny her presence in the house. And then the birds were trapped, and gold flowed into the coffers of the spoilers. Gold ! you should have seen Madame count her gains when alone in her bedroom. You should have seen her toss the glittering pieces on her bed, and bathe her painted haggard face in them, aud kiss each sovereign in turn, and murmur caressing words, as though t to a lover or a child. Gold! well, well; Madame but carried into enthusiasm that which we all practice.

Mr. Steel has fallen helplessly in love with the actress. As his friend Browulow observed, “ he’s that spoony, sir, over the woman that I believe he worships her as other men do money or place,” and this gave a very good notion of Mr. Brownlow’s ideas of worship, some idea was to be gathered of Mr. Steel’s passion for Ethel. And this infatuation arose in no small degree from gratitude. Ethel had early warned the simple-minded youth of the designs of Monsieurs Loup and Ferdrix on his purse. He had stared. “Why," said he, “do you countenance them ?” This was a poser But Ethel met it, by simply telling him that there were matters of which he could know nothing—as indeed there were, very many. So Mr. Steel fell in love. To his simple mind it was some encouragement that Ethel should have interested herself in him. He argued that she would have allowed him to be plucked with the rest if she had no regard for him. Mr. Steel, like a great many of his kind, had an immeasurable belief in his own judgment in such matters. “ Egad,” he chuckled, “ she must care for me." And he conjured up rosy visious in his small brain.

We will do Mr. Steel the justice to say that he never thought any evil of the actress. He was chivalrous enough in his way. These soft-headed and soft-hearted fellows not infrequently are. And so Mr. Steel could not understand the easy familiarity with which men spoke of Ethel. He had yet to learn that those whom the world dubs gentlemen are often the greatest cowards, and that they preserve their good words for those who do not need them ; that with such people the fact of being an actress is to give the right of using an insolence which they would not dream of exercising in speaking of the daughter of a softgoods man, or the wife of a lawyer. It was a way of the world with which Mr. Steel was not familiar.

So it came to pass that Mr. Steel fell still more violently in love with Ethel. He had not the gift of audacity, however, and worshipped at a distance. When he would ave of his own passion to Mr. Brownlow that gentleman would burst into a fit of hoarse laughter, and exclaimed : “Tip her a bracelet, softy, or a ring; she’ll smile on you then.”

Mr. Steel followed his friend’s advice on one occasion, and his friend was mightily surprised to hear that Ethel had refused the handsome gems which Mr. Steel had laid at her feet. He whistled aloud.

“ Wonders will never cease,” he cried. An actress to refuse a present! Well, I’m beaten, Steel. It’s out of my line, old man. Give ’em to the mother—l’ll guarantee she won’t refuse ’em. Or stay, try the fat one, and get her to do the running for you.” So Mr. Steel carried the jewels to Miss Cummiug and begged her acceptance of the present. Miss Gumming looked up in heavy surprise. She could not understand it, Sho

had seen how the poor gentleman was smitten, and her slow intelligence failed to reveal to her why Mr. Steel should bring his gifts to her rather than the object of his adoration.

“Law Mr. Steel,” she cried “you can't mean it. Oh, dear me ! Why, I thought they would be for Ethel. I’m sure Im much obliged to you,” and she smiled graciously upon the gentleman. He was confused.

“ Why, the fact is, Miss Cumming,” he stammered, fidgeting with his glove, “ I asked Miss Lafleur to accept the thingemebob3, but she wouldn’t, you know, and ” 1 ' So you brought them to me,” laughed Miss Cumming. “ Well, I’ll take ’em, and thank ye. And Ethel wouldn’t have ’em ? Well, now, that was very ungracious,” and she looked at Mr. Steel with a cunning twinkle in her hard blue eyes. “ Yes, you know,” said Mr. Steel, “you see, Miss Cumming, I entertain a feeling —a regard, you know—for Miss Lafleur, and it hurt me when she refused my poor present. I don’t know what I’ve done to offend her, I’m 3ure. I’ve always been most careful to hehave most respectfully and ” “ That you have,” cried Miss Cumming heartily. “ You’ve acted like a gentleman always, though the others may think themselves a cut above you. But they ain’t, Mr. Steel. And I tell you what—if Ethel knew her own interest, she’d listen to you. I’m s ure she would,” and Miss Cummiug, who liked Mr. Steel because he liked Ethel, spoke with some warmth. “ That’s it,” said Mr. Steel. “You see, I ain’t very bright, and I’m rather nervous. But I hope I’m a gentleman. I love Miss Lafleur—there, it’s out, now,” he gasped. I love her, aud I want you to be my friend.”

Aud Miss Cumming knew the meaning of the gift she had in her hand. But as Miss Gumming was one of those young ladies who reduce all sentiment to the level of business, she rather approved of Mr. Steel’s diplomacy than resented it. “ Your friend,” she echoed. “Of course I will. How can I serve you ?” “ Well, you know,” said Mr. Steel, blushing to the roots of his feeble-lookiug hair, “ 1 want you to tell Miss Lafleur how I love her.”

“Hadn’t you better do that yourself?'’ answered the lady, with a smile. “ Oh, you know, I couldn’t. I haven’t got nerve for it. She’s so haughty, you know, and—and stand-off-the-grass like. Oh, I really couldn’t. But you’re her friend. might tell her that I’m dying for her. It ain’t a lie either. I think I am. The doctors say I’m consumptive; but I know better. It’s heart disease, Miss Cumming. He-he,” and he laughed feebly at his wit.

“ Well,” said Miss Gumming, “ this is all very well. But you know, Mr. Steel, there are other matters. Of course your intentions are honorable.”

I want to marry her. I want to make her my wife, and take her home to my mother. Ah ! you should see my mother, Miss Gumming,” and his foolish eyes filled with tears. This simple person was for ever speaking of his mother, “ Hang me,” said Mr. Brownlow, when speaking of this filial eccentricity, “ hang me if I don’t think they sent him out here to wean him. He’s eternally bleating for his dam, like an infernal calf,” and Mr. Brownlow expectorated on the carpet in great disgust. Miss Cummiug took a languid interest in the affair. Mr. Steel was rich, very rich. He was the only son of a deceased ship-chandler and to him—except a jointure which his mother enjoyed—the fortune had been left. This information had been elicited by Messiurs Loup aud Perdrix, in the course of their acquaintance with Mr. Steel aud his friend, and we may be sure they made the most of it. But beyond winning a certain amount of the young man’s money, they made little progress. These fools some times are possessed of a simple common sense which baffles the keenest cunning. Moreover, Ethel had warned Mr. Steel, and Mr. Brownlow was not at all disposed to have his milch cow drained dry. So between them all Mr. Steel was tolerably safe.

Miss Cummiug then, knowing that Mr. Steel was what the world terms an eligible match, took considerable interest in his passion for his friend. So she promised the gentleman to use her best endeavors in his cause.

Mr. Steel has fallen in love, Ethel,” said Miss Cumming to her fiiend. Ethel, who was reading, raised her large eyes, and let them rest fora moment on Miss Cumming’s face.

“ Indeed !” “ Yes,” she continued, and who, do you think, the lady is ?” “ Upon my word Elsie, I don’t know and, honestly, although, I dare say he is a very worthy person, I don’t care.” “Oh, don’t say that Ethel. Worthy! I should think he was. Do you know, Ethel, that he has an income of over L3OOO a year ?” “ l'hat of course,” laughed Ethel, “settles the question of his worthiness. But I am at a loss to know why you take the trouble to tell me this, Elise ?”

“Can’t you guess,” cried Miss Cumming, indignant. “Why, the man’s in love with you. Think of L3OOO a year, dearest. Oh, it’s a splendid chance.” Ethel looked at her seriously for some moments ere she spoke. “ I know that if you care for anyone in the world, Elise, it is myself.” Indeed, I love you dearly,” and Miss Cumming’s blue eyes were suffused with tears.

“ I can therefore understand that when you mentioned this ridiculous matter as one deserving my serious consideration, you did so in my best interest.” “ Why, of course, my dear.” “It never occurred to you that I might regard any such suggestion as an insult.” “ Insult, Ethel—L3ooo a year an insult. Why, the girl’s mad, and she raised her hands and eyes in wonder. The proposal of a man worth L3OOO a year an insult 1 Pooh—you’re joking my dear—and Miss Cumming who spoke in an unusually excited voice, grew very hot and red. Ethel still watched her curiously. It was a habit of this young lady to make mental note of the impressions conveyed to her in her conversation with people: a habit which had stood her in good need in her profession.

“My dear Elsie,” said she, “ what special interest do you take iu Mr. Steel’s success?” Miss Cumming flushed. She was no match for the keen wit of her friend.

‘•Why you know dear its your interest I look to. Here you have a young fellow, a fool too, Ethel, whom you could turn round your finger at any time, here you have him at your feet, sighing to hand you over his fortune ; why I know girls who’d go through fire and water for such a chance.”