Random Remarks

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 179, 5 August 1909, Page 4

Random Remarks

LOVE IN" WAITOMO CAVES

Anyone seeing me im I alighted from the train at Hangatrki must have thought me a tourist of she first water. My luggage was stamped wilh the names of the best hotels in the four quarters of the globe. When I travel i believe in miking a splash, so 1 collected all the labels 1 could lay bands on, and pasted them on my portmanteau. Luggage so ornnamental always catches the eye. I believe most tourists do the same thing.

As I looked round at Hangatiki I must admit my spirits fell. There was a good deal of mud about and 1 feared for my boots. However, the coach was waiting close by and I ordered the driver to put my luggage on board. He looked at me in a queer way and gave me to understand that I could put it in myself, if I could not ask properly. I did not like the smile on his face as be watched me stumbling through the mud with a huge bag on my shoulder. My boots suffered considerably but I made a great display with my labels. I had placed my bap upon the seat and just turned round when I looked into the most lovely pair of eyes I had ever seen. My face flushed a deep red, but you would excuse me if you knew what delightful thrills I was enjoying. I was always partial to girls. "Allow me." I said, and handed her into the coach. Perhaps I held her hand too long. Opinions of course differ. She appeared a little embarrassed and said quickly: "Do help my Auntie in." I let her hand go and helped her dear Auntie in. She was a little bony person with a huge nose and receeding chin. I did not approve of her. I believed she was suspicious of me, so 1 put my bag well in view. The pretty girl sat in the middle of the seat with the Auntie and me on either side. Wishing to renew the conversation I said to the girl that I hoped there would be no more passengers. "No more today, "said the driver, whipping up the horses. "You appear to have travelled a good deal," said the Venus near me. "Ob, yes,"l replied, "I have had a really good round." "How positively beautiful," she said, "I should love to be rich and travel."

"It is nice, but when one is always on the move the novelty wears off," I answered.

"How awfully nice," she said, "just fancy you being in all those places. You have been to Teneriffe, too. Do tell me about Teneriffe?" I trembled a little. The truth is I am only a farmer at Paemako, and have never been further thiin Te Kuiti, and in common with the Kuiti people think it the hub of the Universe. However, delay seemed dangerous, so I made a venture. "Teneriffe is a lovely place," I said in my most lordly way so well known among the girls of Paemako. "As one approaches it in the train ———." I would have said more but the driver made a queer choking noise with his throat, Had I made a joke I would have though he was laughing, but that was out of the question. I can't say why; but I got very red again, sol leaned over the girl and inquired if the Auntie wa-t cold. Some may say I pressed rather closely to the girl, but I nave a way of my own with the ladies. The young lady did not mind. "I hate Teneriffe," she said, in a sympathetic way. "I always thought it was near the sea." "Oh, no," I said, "you mean-—er —er —"

"Moscow,." she suggested. Glad to get some reliable information I said: "Oh, yes, how silly of me. "Moscow."

The driver really seemed to be getting ill. "Are you not well?" I enquired of him kindly. "Feeling a bit queer," he said, "suppose it's the weather?" It is not the usual thing for a flash tourist to take much notice of the driver so I lowered my voice and told my adventures to the girl alone. She seemed to be tired and gradually leaned more and more upon me. At the same time I gradually opened my arms to receive her. l<ong before we got to the Caves she was reposing upon my breast and I felt so proud and so happy. I half thought the driver might interfere, but I found out afterwards that he had taken several parties from Otorohanga and considered our behaviour s nothing.

When we got to the Caves I had the pleasure of escorting her to the Accommodation House. I met her again at the table, but close by was a gentle man, who appeared by his manner to know everything, so I forebore to give any more accounts of my travels. After the meal was over we walked round the road towards, the Caves, and I found her delightful 'company. She was both affectionate and modest. I was convinced it was love at first sight, and I began to think how shs would adorn my shanty at Paemako. When I left her that night I did not have the courage to kiss her, but the look in her eves was pure love. I went to bed and dreamed she bad come to kiss me goodnight. I pictured myself holding her hand and breathing out my tender tale. Next morning I met them both on the way to the Caves. The visit was arranged for ten o'clock and all was ready. As we proceeded on our visit I heard the others saying that the Caves were lovely; but I could see nought but the lovely face beside me. Many times in a dark corner I pressed closer to her and gently squeezed ber band. I was mad with love and in deadly earnest

We were all moving through a nar row passage. It was dark except for a small candle that the guide carried. I really don't know bow it happened, but the others moved on and left me alone with my darling. I had slipped my arm round her waist and in a wild transport hugged her to me. It was some minutes before I began to think we were in danger of getting lost. All of a sodden the place seemed to become horribly damp and weird. It was and as dark as Hades. I have often been considered a brave man, but I must admit that I became alarmed, not for myself of course, but for my companion. She nestled close to me and I felt the warmth of her body. She seemed to be afraid so I said, "We arc all right, let us move

on." We did move on in some direction or other. Ere we had gone manv steps the earth seemed to fall suddenly and, splash, we landed in a deep pool of water. The water was nearly up to our waists and deathly cold. I picked my darling up in my arms and moving very slowly at last reached a rock on which I climbed and sat nursing my precious burden. I was afraid she was dead. Putting my mouth to her ear, I whispered: "You are safe, my darling—safe- -safe —safe, and 1 hugged her impulsively. She nestled closely in my arms and no longer able to contain my feelings I told her how I loved her. She pressed my arm in reply and I kissed her lips. Love is sweet even on a cold stone in theWaitonr> Caves. My darling soon seemed to recover her strength and I asked her to be my wife —to come and live with me at Paemako. I told her I was not a great tourist an she supposed but only a simple farmer. She said that she had loved me from the moment I helped her in the coach, that no matter what I was she would love me for ever. We made it all up for the future. I felt a thrill of triumph as I thought of the girls of Paemako who had rejected' me. How jealous they would be. No man was ever so happy as I was, and I could feel by the quick breathing of my darling that she happy also. All of a sudden a light appeared above us, and I saw the face of the guide peering over the edge. We had been missed at the mouth of the Caves and the Guide had come back for us. I soon lifted my darling up the bank and as she was wet and cold I carired her to the moath of the Caves A girl rushed up to me. "Oh, my Auntie!" she said, 'you have saved my Auntie!" "Eh, what?" I said, suddenly dropping my burden to the ground. The truth flashed upon me: I had been making love to the Auntie. Some wanted to congratulate me, but I dashed up to the Accommodation House, got my portmanteau, and walked cross-country to Paemako.