MAIDA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

MAIDA.

- BY CHARLES GAR7ICE. lutkor of '"With All Her Heart," "At Love's Cost," "Love, the, Tyrant." " The Shadow f ; of Her Life," " A Heritage of Hate," ;' etc., etc., etc. ~' .-•'■',.;.-•-

CHAPTER IX. From genteel poverty to vast wealth ! Think of it ! From the life of small economies, badly cooked fare, home-made dressos, sparse ■pocket-money.-'to- almost unlimited '.wealth.'-". The change was stupefying, overwhelming. They sat up until the small hours of the morning, Ricky with them, discussing it, turning it over and over with infinite wonder and half-incredulous joy. To Carrington himself it meant a rest from hard work and harassing care; to Carrie it meant no more housekepiug worries, no more strivings to make both ends meet; to Maida — She sat almost .silent while the others talked.one against the other, and looked at the eager, excited faces dreamily. The change was welcomed by her, of course, but it did not mean so much to her. She was quite indifferent as to what she ate or drank, and was at most as indifferent as to what she wore. While Carrie was struggling with the housekeeping money . and the dressmaking Maida had been absorbed in : her work, ■ in the ambition of her life; and the ambition and the work, with the' promise of success, had sufficed for her. -She was happy enough: money meant so little to her. And now that they were rich, vastly rich, what about her life's work,': her ambitious dreams '! A vague feeling of regret stole over her; but she put it away from her, and tried to share in the general joy. '' 4 " It seems so wildly improbable," exclaimed Carrie, "that weshould have all this money ! Are you sure we have not all gone mad, , the whole family, with Ricky thrown in, and that we sha'n't presently realise that we have got -waistcoats on '?" Then she caught the flash of the diamonds with which she had decked Maida., and gave a little gasp. ■; '. C■. -■ ' :- " Oh, i no; it's true— true! ,/-. Unless father has committed a burglary and stolen them!" ■■' Mr. Carrington : checked the glass ?of whisky-and-water which he was carrying to his lips, and shot. a curious and.: startled glance at her, '■■:-," Stolen them? What do you mean'/" he demanded. ; "That's a strange ander— tremely improper remark to make, Carrie." She. laughed, ,and; leaning towards him, rumpled his grey hair. -. ''It's only my fun, father,'' she said. "I'vei got to treat it as a huge, preposterous joke, !or I shall really go off. my head. It does I seem wonderful, you must admit.' • Here we are, as poor as church mice a few hours ago, and suddenly—" " You haven't told us how you made it, sir,", put in Ricky, who had - fits of rather | gloomy silence during the evening. Operating on 'Change, of course?" Mr. Carrington replenished his glass, and nodded sententiously. '' Just so; operating on 'Change, as you, say, Ricky," he responded, avoiding the lad's | frankly questioning and admiring eyes.' "I j can't explain wouldn't understand if Ij did. Judgment— and courage com- | bined did it. They always do. I'• have been watching certain shares I will not tell you what they are," he broke off, with a kind of mysterious, importance for some time past, and at the critical moment I just swooped—" . He stopped abruptly, as his words called up the vision of Josiah Purley shaking him by the hand and calling down blessings on I his head. _ •:■■■ - Ricky nodded. "I think I understand. It' was very clever of you. It's i jolly nice to have' earned the monev, earned it squarely and honestly—" ::.:■■:■ ' . "Yes, squarely and honestly," put in Mr. Carrington with a sudden twitch of the lips. . "Much, better than having it left you, or winning it at Monte Carlo, say—" "As if father would gamble," cut in, Carrie, indignantly- " I have never played a game of cards for money in my life," said Mr. Carrington, solemnly. "That's what I say," Ricky went on, ! apologetically. :\ " It's all the sweeter having earned it by the sweat of your brow.: You're a man to be envied, Mr. Camngton. How those diamonds sparkle, Maida!" " The question is, what is to be done?"« said Carrie. " I want to spend some of it at once—at once. If the shops were open I should like to go out and buy thingsthings I don't want. That's what rich people do, and that's the good of being rich. There are oceans of things I don't -want that I am simply dying for while I'm sitting here." • . She looked round with a newly-born dissatisfaction. ■"«'-,"' i , "What a poky room it is! And how shabby! How can we have endured it all this time. When I look at Maida now, and. think of the house, the,room she ought to have Maida took the hand and. stroked it. "I have been very happy, we have; all; been very happy, in ' the old; rooms, ; Carrie," she said, in her low voice.. ■ Carrie took away her hand impatiently. " Yes, because you have known no better," she retorted. You are like a beautiful bird of Paradise who is contented 'with a wooden cage. iiFather, we must get a. house, a whole house, at once. 'S; And a::carriage?oh,Maida, fancy, a carriage How perfect you will look leaning back in a Victoria drawn by a pair of blackswe will have black horses, father." , "Rather hearsey,, isn't it?" murmured Ricky, but Came paid no heed. to him, but ran on with suppressed excitement. \' " And we'll have a house in ; the country you love the country, you know you do,: Maida!— ; : big place covered with ■ iiw;;; will -; it ■ run to a terrace and peacocks, father?" ' ' ; Mr. Carrington smiled with generous pity for her doubts. ;" My dear ' Carrie, it will run, as you call it, to a country seat— threej if you j

want them, and as'to terraces and peacocks—" , , . .-- s^" i , Ricky rose. He was pale with excitement, and his lips trembled with some other emotion. J : "In fact, sir, you are going to become swells, regular swells. I'm very glad,! very, you know that, but—but— swells generally-drift .toward other swells, - and - I'm afraidl suppose. I've been very > happy"he .looked; round the shabby room ' " now thick with tobacco smoke—"but happiness has a knack of stopping abruptly, like a tramcar ; and I shan't be fit company for such people of position and importance as you arc—" ~'\..■■'■: • 'Don't make a fool of yourself if you can help it: try, really try .not to," put in Came in the tone of a mother addressing a peevish child. "My dear Ricky, this change in our positions, \ will, -I "assure you, make no ' ; change in our > feelings : towards our old friends," said Mr. Carrington, with an odd mixture of geniality and pompousness. "wealth is given us that we may help those who have not been so fortunate. To prove to you that, I ark not uttering mere sentiment, let me beg of you to accept- a small loan—it shall be a large one, if you wis;'.—-to help you on your career, a career which I hope and pray may be as successfill as mine." His hand went towards his pocket-book/ containing the notes, but ■ Maida crossed to' him quickly and stayed his. hand. "No, no, father! No, no, Ricky," she said, in her low, thrilling voice, -"'he did '■■■■'■' not mean it; it was only a joke, was it hot,, father'*"' Ricky had started to His feet, his facesuddenly crimson, his lips quivering, and his hands tightly clenched at his sides. "That's all right," he responded, rather hoarsely. "It was only a joke, of course. 1— think I'll go now. Good night, girls, good night, sir! I'm just as glad at tin good news, though you did offer me—" "But only in jest. Ricky!" interrupted Maida, as she pressed his hand. Carrie followed him outside the door, ; and, ; taking hold of ;the lapels of his coat,,' looked him squarely in the eyes, though' • ' her own were moist and blinking. . : ' "Yes; .we're mad, Ricky," she said. ■".But you can't wonder at it, can you?! Isn't it enough to turn anybody's head * But we're not all so mad as toto 'insult I an r ' old - friend. ' And don't you think nonsense, least of all talk it. If you imagine that because of some miracle we have be- • come as oofish as a Rothschild that we have been transformed into snobs and intend to let our old friends cut us—" The lad's eyes filled with tears, and he caught , her hands, : and, too moved for mere words, kissed her on the lips. .'■•■.■ The blood flamed to her face, then waned and left it pale, and her eyes glowed into his. "How dare you!" she said. "If yotf' do that again I'll— box your ears!"'; Notwithstanding the threat she had not shrunk, back, her .face was still close to his, and with a lump in his throat, and something hammering at his heart, the boy bent and kissed her again.- '. , She promptly boxed his ears and push l ing him from her with ferocious indigna- ' tion, ran back to the door, but as she opened' it she glanced back ovor her shoulder, and there was something hi, the greenish-brown eyes, an exquisite softness and tenderness so new" and strange to : them, that the boy's heart leapt in his bosom and. tingled as' hotly as his ears.' • Carrie succeeded at last in persuading Mr. Carrington to go to bed,' and carried Maida off; but the two girls heard him pacing up and down his room as if. he could not rest, and the two sisters were too excited to sleep; too much money, like too little, often brings insomnia. In the morning they all came down, pale bn' smiling, as persons smile who have pulled off a grande coup. "I suppose we ought So go to a big hotel at once—to-day," -said Carrie.' "How tired of bacon and sausages lam! What • ■■■'■. v is it people, in our position for break- ' fast, Maida? Yoti;know more about th,» aristocracy than any of us." Maida shook her head. She bad been • - lying awake thinking, .while Carrie had been talking, and she was opposed to the idea of an instantaneous migration to a grand hotel. "I don't know, dear. 'I've read about plover's eggs and aspic jelly." , "Oh, that's in Ouida, of course," said Carrie. I'm afraid, do you know, that the rich and noblo are just as fond of bacon and sausages as we are. How very disappointing it would be if we, were to discover that there was very little difference, after all— -But what ;r nonsense J- - Think of changing this grimy room for a. house in Park Lane" " "I could buy the biggest" began Mr.... Carrington. Maida, looked rjp with her gentle, dreamy smile. "Don't you think, father, it would be better if we were to take a house in the country to begin" with? Think of being in the country instead of London, Carrie! We could take a nice little house—" "Why should we take a small house?" interrupted Mr. Carrington, in an-almost ■ aggrieved tone. , "I should think you were about tired of -poky rooms and— . ■ and low ceilings. I can afford a. big house with what do you . call : it—salons,. isn't that right? big, lofty rooms, with a. hall with ..;.■".'?. an organ in it; and" stables : ;and—plenty of glass—grow your own strawberries and - pines, melons. I'll have acres of glass—l'm fond of gardening." He rose—he had eaten very little, lie who usually made the Englishman's solid breakfast—and, mechanically looked round for Ins hat and small bag. " , '_*.'", "You are not going to the city-this morning, father!" cried ' Carrie. "Aren't ' you going to stay and talk over our plans?" "No, no; I can't;, must go!" he re-' i sponded, restlessly. Important business' ' ; to attend to. Why, do you think all this money doesn't want looking after?". He put the question sharply, as if he were surrounded by a band of brigands anxious to relieve him of his vast wealth. "It's more necessary than ever that I should go down to the city; and .-- to talking of. plans, why, you've done nothing else sinco f told you the new?;; and. besides, my head's _ swimming— don't believe Shaft whisky's a ' special;' ah. I'll have*"my own IJijKpll cask sent down from Scotland—and my cigars direct from Havana, like Rothschild. But there isn't any reason why you shouldn't go and . buy things. Lock here"he produced a bundle of notes,. - • counted them as a matter of habit, andtossed them theatrically into • Maida's lap } "you go and buy what you like—buy a house, horses, carriages, anything; I don't care. I can afford it. And—and see tha* everybody treats you properly asas a -. couple of real ladies as you are, remember. How my head aches; no, no, I won't have any eau de Cologne; it will go <ft' when get-to the city." :; i^'-:'^fc ; ;i'3^^ It would seem that too much money, dike too little, brings headache! Sad reflection, oil, my brothers, who are pining . . ; for wealth! Carrington went down to his office to' find a pile of letters awaiting ■: him. The ;': news had spread; the vultures, the begging ; writers, the company promoter ,-.'- ?-: the hysterical philanthropist who wants "■ only £1000 to , complete the; sum necessary' ' .fj for the building of a Home for Indigent Plumbers— were all represented there, on the desk of the newly-made ' millionaire. - He pushed them aside after feverishly opening a few, and turned to the newspaper. He half ; expected to read that the ship in which ' Josiah Pnrley had sailed had met ■ with an accident , and put back, • and he drew a sigh of relief when he , *■, : ! failed to find any such account. Then he went to the heart of the city, the heart that :■ beat with ; the' excited pulsation of the.' . Stock Exchange, and - movsd about from < group to group, listening to the chatter - aud gossip. It was electric with the news of the Roaring ,- Jane, and - his heartbeat thickly, suffocatingly, as he thought, , - ;" forced himself; to realise, that, he was the ; owner of the mine which had suddenly i revealed its vast wealth. . Presently the ,*;., i fact spread amongst the crowd, and he ■'" was soon encircled by eager and excited men, / who congratulated him in one breath 1 and implored him to "take them < into the ring, old man," with the other. Great magnates," with whom,, a few days -,j ago,' he would have been proud toshake, hands, not only shook. his, but held them' I in a warm grasp, invited him .to immediate '.■:,'', | drinks, and future, dinners at their .clubs.-;/- " '/' : No wonder that the man's head swam. , Meanwhile, Maida and Carrie put en their best clothes, ' their very best clothes, • ■ and went out— buy things. Carrie hud taken charge of the banknotes; .and 'she', kept.her hand oyer them in her pockets-iS|':S::;'"=l--::;S :i .S ;: :l --~.■ ■■■-.-.-■■■■ ~<.■■;

as her father, "by the way, had kept bis hands over them in bis— 3tared before her with an eager and absorbed gaze. i They drove to Bo ad-street, Carrie being ; firmly convinced; that it held the most expensive shops; and , she was not a 'little awed and checked by the courtesy and respect with which she was - served she could better have met the. haughty stateliness of the Oxford-street and Tottenham Court Road "assistants with whom she had hitherto dote battle, not seldom coming off victorious. But here, in this aristocratic Bond-street establishment, they .. were, wonderful to relate, not only respectful, but kind and not in the; least scornful and patronising. . Carrie seemed to think that all the purchases should be for Maida's benefit. " Oh, Idaida! there is a hat that would suit you, > I'm sure it ! would! Isn't it • beautiful? '4 Do you think it would'' fit ;my ;;--*'■ sister? Can you make her < one like:it— ■: » - quickly—quite at once?" ■Or ;•; she \ would - '.•'.-■;cry: "Look at that dress,-MaidaT 'Now, that's the kind of thing I've had in my mind's eye for you, for oh ever so long. Try it j on, dear. Have you got " one %of , those embroidered capes that ; would suit my sister; a pretty and rather richly-em-broidered' one, you know?" Maida let her go on, this fashion for some time, then in her gentle, but firm way, cut in— ' | I ■' That is quite enough for me at present, Carrie;, now we will: get 'somethings .. for you. My sister wants some frocks as pretty as this one we have bought for myself, and some - hats, and a long travellingcloak ; and ; they must all be very nice, -.■.'■; please.";'.;---.' ,; • '-..i' ; !'■'"■ "•■■ - '-- ./' ■:.■,■.■■. : '" Oh, never mind about my tilings this; . v. ; morning, -Maida," said Carrie, in her : offhand way; mit the quiet Maida was hot to be put off, ' and things, beautiful and. expensive -':, things, were bought "• for both of the girls.;' :;;-'.- :■■!.;;;'■■'.'■: ■'.''■'■'•••..'"'•.>, : "•'-■.■. Then Carrie told; the cabman— had kept him -waiting outside the shop,-and the piece of extravagance : > helped ■': them ;. to realise their changed position more than anything else— drive to a jeweller's 'a little ;:■, : i farther down the street, one of the best and "classiest." jewellers, and Carrie sailed in and demanded to be shown rings and bracelets and a gold watch, all, of course, '' .•> ? or . Maida; but, as at the- milliner's, Maida , ; insisted upon a division of the spoil, and Carrie '• found herself also, provided with the rings and bracelets and the brooches which women love. . There were visits to '■other shops— you know what it is to b* suddenly let loose on gloves at six shil- . lings a pair after being tied to " our wonderful bargains, choice kid, one and eleven?" and after "a hurried luncheon at one of the . dainty shops which are supposed to be .'.' . presided over by ladies of blue blood ; they l Ki ; ,■•'-!drove home with t some' of the purchases j scattered round them, and it was delicious-I • - ■~'/■ to feel 1 them pressing against, them. ■ •■■:■.: ..' ; "'< Carrie was flashed with excitement and I J enjoyment, ,; : but Maida had gradually grown calmer, and there was scarcely a touch of colour on the exquisite pallor of her face. ' s I , "You takeit all as if it were a matter of course!" Carrie remarked as she looked with a mixture of reproach and admiration at the calm face beside her. " I know you're glad; of course, I know that; you , must be; but, oh, Maida, how -, can you rise to such a height! You take it as' if you were a kind :of . goddess, superior to - the charms and luxury of really expensive shopping." ..'.,*" j -':.;:' --''-' " Oh, but. I'm not," said Maida, looking at the girl's.hot face and restless, sparkling eyes. " I am enjoying it very, much, only—don't be angry, Carrie— you think that after a time we might get just ; a little wee bit tired even of shopping?" "Never!" responded i Carrie, almost fiercely. "How much, cabman?" , . She staggered as the man mentioned his - fare—it was really reasonable, being only a little more than double the correct one but, remembering.;.•■'their vast ; wealth, checked the shrill remonstrance which rose . to her lips, paid him, and, with as much dignity as she could command, went up .tte.stairs:carrying some of the parcels. - Maida followed in her usual quiet, graceful way, and she did not : drop the parcels ■ as Carrie did. "Father not home yet?" said Carrie, as she , entered the' sitting-room. "I ? wonder how many more times we shall make our , • own tea, Maida! No, you sit down and open some;of the parcels, and let me look jat them as I pass to and fro; open the lace first. Fancy our having real point! Maida, I'll have a dress made for you simply smothered j with it! I .know ..the ' .:"sort of thing exactly! And, oh! why • didn't you let me buy that pearl necklace „' for you? I shall put in an extra spoonful ' of tea on this occasion oh, what an idiot I am! As if we couldn't afford to put in q, whole chest. No, do sit down. I want ~* to wait upon you with my own hands as long as I can. I suppose we shall soon seated in a stately drawing-roomsalon, j father called'it, didn't he?—and have the tea brought in by a powdered footman; .'flunkeys,' Ricky calls them. I wonder what makes him so late? He—he"—the' colour rose to her face as she bent over the teapot, and her clear young voice faltered for a moment won't be such, an idiot as not to come as usual; he made a perfect fool of himself last ; night—as if : V ; /the money would make any difference! Ricky will have to be spoken to about .that sinful pride of his. .Here he is—" she j broke off as there came a knock: at the <Boor. "Now, why doesn't he come in, as wsual! If he's going to play the silly gbat— Come in, Ricky, you idiot." ,1 There came a warning cough in response, and Ricky entered sedately. Carrie hurled a box lid at him, which missed him but struck full on the. waistcoat of a tall, thin gentleman who was following on ■}. Ricky's heels. He was not only tall. and thin of :."■; body, but thin in the face and peculiarly '-■ lantern-jawed. . His hair was either dyed or naturally: of a peculiarly -light, reddish j hue; -a. moustache and short. side-whiskers ! —of .' the old-fashioned type—of the same strange colour, accentuated the pale, ■ freckled face from which gleamed under : sandy locks a pair of light, but extremely sharp eyes. He wore a frock coat open and displaying a white waistcoat, an extremely high collar, and' a black tie with a death's head pin in gold and ivory ; which, to Carrie's fancy, seemed to copy the smile with which the owner regarded the group ' over the brim of the hat which he held in '-' his thin, richly-red ■ lips. ' • '•} "Mr. Spinner," said : Ricky, in .an in- ; ', troductory fashion, and with a kind of dry: ' '-- reluctance. "He would , like to see Mr. '■ , Carringten." i.„ ±\i i ■ (To fcs continued on Wednesday next.) ; ; j