HIDE AND SEEK.

North Otago Times, 11 November 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

HIDE AND SEEK.

■ the story of a lost ring. " Tlio house party was engaged in : ?ame of liide-aiukeek. His Grace th< Dako of Wrexford, although no longei a young man, liked nothing so mud: as a good romp, and his friends ami guests entered into liis humour, thougli it is probable that if their host had been a more commoner many of tlieni would have "seen themselves hanged first." . As'a rule hide-and-seelc was a great success; tlio Qifitle lent itself to the gam? splendidly, and flirtations were quite possible in suoli a pastime. Today, however, a cloud had settled on the party, and no one suggested the Duke's sugestion with much enthusiasm. exeept Lady Annette Erskine nnd Captain Saiindcson, who it was obvious were "much taken with other." An extemoly awkwad event had happened, especially for Colonel Granville, who introduced a young fellow called Milward to the Duke. Ireno ■Grenville admitted as much to herself as sho sauntered listlessly into tlio library and made a pretence of hiding herself in one of the alcoves. The Duke had been telling them tlio night bei'oro of certain interesting jewels which belonged to him, ana beforo lunch ho had brought them into tlio Baron's lfall to show to her father, whose hobby was antique and rare jewellery. On the ocoasion only Colonel Grenville, Irene and Horace Milward were present. Lady Annette and Captain Sauuderson were strolling in tlio grounds, and the rest of the party lvoro amusing themselves in various ways. After they had duly admired tlio jewels, tlio Duke pointe to a magnificent diamond ring in a very old Bettins. 'That," he said, "is the most vaulable of all and tlio most interesting, I think. There is a portrait in the east .drawing-room of tlio Duchess of Wroxfowl wearing this very ring, Sho lived in tlio sixteenth century, but there is .a record ol 1 the ding which shows that it was in existence at an earlier dato than that." " . "By jove," said Horace, taking it up—"it is a splendid piece of work! And what a magnificent diamond, eh?" Irene could see him now as he had stood leaning against tlio tablo and half turning to her, snro of her interest and sympathy in his admiration. There was a grotesque looking chii|n dragon standing near them,-and a moment before he had been pulling faces at it behind the Duke's back—l little vulgar', Irene had tho.ight, but undeniibly amusing. The Duke turned to tlio Cc'onel. "Would you like to see the portrait?" lio asked, pleased to see them so interested, and with a glance induing, the otliPf two in his invatation. "Thanks,. I should very much," said the Colonel,-and they all moved to the (kor. lint- as they were going out Mihvnrd had stopped. "Von arc never going to leave all there rings and things about like that, your Grace?" ho asked. "H'm," said the Duke dubiously, running his finger through his beard, "I never thought of that." "Well," said Horace, "if you like, I'll stay here and have a look at the portrait another time." The Duke's face cleared. ; "Yes. yes, that will be the best- 1 much obliged, Milward," ; 'Not at all," said Horace, and thev left alone. •. i They were gone about a quarter of an hour, and then Irene went to lien room, and she had the rest ol the' story at second-hand. It appears that the Duke and Colonel Grenville returned to the Huron's H'dl :»ud found Horace Milwaid' searching frantically under chairs and rugs. The jewels were still in tlio tray of the despatch box, but in a strange jumble—rings pendants and bracelets heaped up together. Horace raised a scared face as they came tow.irds him. "Oh, I say," ;i>e exclaimed, "I've bad an awlful time since you went away ! .After you had gone I'bent over the tray to look at the jewels again ami niv watchcliain must have caHit. .» corner ol the tray nnd upset the things, and. now I can't liud that diamond ring anywhere. I've moved llio tale and lifted up this rug''—poinlin"' to the Persian eaiyot—"anil I've hunt! cd under all the chairs round li Pre _" : "Oh. well," interrupted the Duke clioenully, '"it can't e far off! ]f it had rood out in (he other direction.! it jvould o lying in the middle of the; hall, so if the three of n s look for it we are suro to (ind it." They all looked cai'efully for the ring, Poor IJor.ico grew more desperate every minute, and Colonel Grevillo who was inclined to eb stout and d'd not. enjoy creeping about on all-fours : began to get testy and rather red in tlio face, tint it to no purpose. Jjy tacit consent none ol' thoni ed lunging lor a servant to assist 'thorn in their search. They all felt that it would be bettor to keep the th : n<r f l ,llot - tlio Dulse's s Desmond, a lively young women came into tlio hall unobserved, and Btocd for some minutes watching the' extraordinary antics of her uncle and his guests.. Then she burnt out hiu"bin;'. : "Why, Colonel," she cried, "whatever' aro you doing?" ' | Colonel Grevillo struggled laboriously! to his feet, and his temper ro«e to boding point. Of all things in the world; he hated to bo caught at a disadvantage by a pretty woman, and for the fiftieth • timo he muttered maledictions on the head of the unfortunate Horace. i Mrs Dosiiiond joined gracefully in the: search, casting sympathetic glances at' Milward which seemed to console hint' a little. Dut when'the-'gong booiiied. out the warning, that 'lunch was duo in ten minutes the ring ivas still mksil'_- . .. Colonel Grevillo walked upstairs and knocked wrathfully. at his daughters' door. . ; 'Once for all, Irene," he said when' sho had let him in, "I will luive no nonsense between you and that fellow Milward! I only wish I had:not 1 been■ fool enough to introduce'him here! I'm hanged if I'll ever answer for 'anyone again! What was that rubbish'you' told me last night about his wanting, to marry you when he had enough! money? Never heard of such a thing l —in my timo a man would have bceni kicked out of tlio liouso if ho had made 1, such a proposal as that!" "But, father," said Irene, completely bewildered, "you agreed that wo should keep our engagement to ourselves until Horace got on in the service-yon know you did!" "Engagement," blustered the colonel 1 —"there shall be'no such thing!" And' then ho told his daughter all "that had • happened, growing more and mord inco- 1 herent as he remembered his undignified : attitude and the awkwandness of the' whole situation, * > Ireno sighed now as she looked out j of the library window and thought- oft her Obstinate jM. father. She 'ml

plenty of trouble before her, but. sh was qjiilo determined to slick to Hoi nee. The worst of it was that h seemed'to avoid her, and she had no been able to get, a word with him alont It had not been very pleasant- a J lunch. Mrs Desmond, of course, ha. 1 told the story of the lost ring aiid o r their fruitless search with much volu 1 bdity, and' whilst some had oxprcssci 1 their concern and sympathy, others hai 1 remained silent on'.the- subject a 1 though they considered it a rather fa 1 licato matter. Horace bad looked vol" 1 proud and almost stern, with an ox ; >pression on his face that Irene hat ! aever seen there before, and which i roused all her love, so that she was . ready to fight his battle for him in the i face of the whole world. Tho Duko had i been genial and cheerful as usual, and . had made a point of speaking to Horace . in his kindliest maimer, addressing him i as "Milward" and asking his opinion on a variety of subjects. The Colonel, however, had been as surly as politeness would admit, and Irene's face burned as she remembered how he had avoided speaking to Horace during the meal. Aiid now they were playing liide-and-seek, and Ireno had pretended to- be in the best of spirits, for she was not going to let anyone think she entertained a doubt that the ring would be found before,long. At the same time it was very mysterious. It .was not as thougli tho Baron's Hall was crowded with furniture-there was no hole ir comer where anything could be hidden, and the only things in it were two or thrco Persian rugs, somo carved tables and chairs, a variety of quaint china jars and dragons, and some interesting weapons. Horace said himself that he had never left the room, so it was no question of a servant's dishonesty. Just as she had reaeh-j;l this .point in her sad reflections she hoard the door ci en at the er.:l of the library, and profit ntly Milward passed her hiding-place, holding a letter in his hand, Here was hei chance of telling him how miieii she believed and trusted in him. She came forward eagerly, "Horace!' 1 she said, holding out her hands. Milward stepped back. "Look here," he said bitterly, "isn't lifo a strange thing? Hero's a letter from a lawyer telling me that my uncle George, whom I told you about, has died , and left me his estate, As if I wanted ; it—now." [ "Why not?" asked licne, the tears ; that had risen at his rebnlf dimming tier eyes. "Why not? I thought you •said that when you—that you——"' Horace came nearer and looked at her very tenderly, ■ 'T said a'lot yesterday, Irene, that Iwcn't hold water to-day, I could never jask you to marry mo whilst there is ■the slightest shadow on my honour. .Jos, dear," he went on as Irene made' '|in impetuous movement, "I know you : jhclievo in me, audi I hank you for it : ! with all my heart, but if doesn't alter' :tlio fact that other people don't." "But tho ring must bo found," said lieno piteously, 'ihink, Horace-just :think again .of how it all happened!" i Milward shook his head, smiling Si i<l. 'ly, and they sat down together in the :plaovo. . ' . Meanwhile, in other p.iris of the eastic, the Duke, gallantly assisted by Mrs , De.'iwmd, had organised a more" than tsually energetic game, and, in spile : of a somewhat languid start, every une had entered into the fun, and the cloud that had hung over the party at iunch : seemed to be dispelled. 1 The question of the moment was, I Where has the Duko hidden himself? For, owing to his intimate knowledge of the ins and outs of the castle, irs owner generally succeeded in baffling all the soarohens and reaching "1101110" before he could bo caught. They wore standing in the billiardrrem looking aimlessly round, after having examined every corner„.wheu Mrs Desmond thought she saw a movement, ci the tapestry hanging in the quaint littlo gallery that ran on one side of the room, liaising her voice, she turn-, cd to the others, saying: j "Well, it's no use looking here any lor.ger. I think we had better have an'-: oilier good hunt in the bedrooms," and, so nianouvred them out, Once in the corridor sho gathered I hem round her. "He's up there in the gallery," sho cried, "We've got him this time! There's no other way out except through, th-) door." ' i They all moved triumphantly toivanU the little door, and Lord Weston, throwing it open, ran up the stairs, "It's all up, Duke! You're caught at last!" he exclaimed. But they had not reckoned on the resource and agility of their lust.: Springing over the railing of the gallery,' ho hung a moment by his hands aid. then dropped on to tho floor of the; billiard-room. Ho was out of Hie 100 m ■ beforo they had scrambled down tlie ■ narrow staircase and was running down the corridor as hard as bo could, Hut : thciv) wero several young people in pur-! suit, and Hie Duko was a middle-aged man, so that, although he had a good start, his pursuers were close on him, by tho timo ho reached the Baron's' Hall. Tho old butler stood aside as' his master rushed past him, Tho chase was nearly oven now; Lord) Weston mado a grab, but his Grace dodged 'him, swerving to one side. At; the same moment his foot slipped on! tho polished floor and ho came down : heavily against the china dragon that, had witnessed the morning's hunt.: Duko and dragon rolled over together; 1 but, whilst the Duke picked himseif; U'i with a hearty laugh, the dragon, : alas, lay a melancholy sight—in several pieces.....', Many were the expressions of sym-i pathy; but, as'tho Duke declared him-! self to b'e unhurt, attention was direct-', ed to the pieces of china that had oncoj formed such an attractive monster. I "What a pity!" said Mis Desmond.', "I was always so fond of the poor old ■ thing, though be did terrify me out of my wits when I was a child I T used: v') imagine that he had swallowed lots! of little girls, and that he kept his! mouth open in tho hope of catching j seme mere." • ''There's nothing inside him now,; any way," said the Duke turning over: the "china with his foot. "Yes, there is," cried Lord Weston—! "I heard it rattle!" And, taking up the headless body he shook it, and out' tumbled—lhc diamond ring! There was silence for a moment as they all gazed at the diamond, which, lay blinking at them as .though it enjoyed the joke. Then Lord Weston! picked it up. ; "Well," he said, handing it to its owner, "this beats all!" "Where's Milward?" asked the Duke. "He'll be glad to know its found." 'Til go and find him, Duke," said a voice and every one turned to watch Colonel Grcvillo hurrying from the hall. No one offered to go with him; they all knew that the old man was bitterly reproaching himself for his hasty judgment—his altered -manner towards Milward at lunch could have had only 0110 meaning.: • The Colonel, after searching for some time hit upon-the'library, and found Ireno and Horace just as they had admitted despairingly to one another that

j the ring seemed in -have vanished past- .! all hope of recovery. They i„„ koi |' ,„, ~<» littlo defiantly, as though they 0 x l-.pocted nn outburst from the Colonel : ..J 1 stead, he turned to Horace and held' ; out his hand. 1 i "Milward," ho si-id, "you will bo r to hear that, owm.v ( 0 ,-,» accident, the- . diamond ring has boon found, and" ho : I added lib the gallant, old soldior'tbat' I Id really was, "I expressed an opinion: ; 0:1 the mat or to my daughter which: . 1 tod calls for an apology now m &_j e,-er-I regret extremely that'-er-" ; Milward, in answer to an appealing , Rlunco FApm Irene, seized the Colonel's, hand and shook it heartily. '' '.'That's all right, sir,"'he said "l{ quite understand! And now'toll J, whew that ring managed to hide it-! sell i / TIIO Coloneltold him how the dragon! had revealed the secret. 'j - "Of course," exclaimed Horace, "thoi ; thing must have jumped down the 111011-' stors throat when I upset the tray* \ ;No wonder I couldn't find it." Ami'! j ben ho turned to the girl at his side, i Irene! be said and t his timebeheld I ! out his hands to her. Irene placed beml I m them, and the Colonel escaped -"S