A WILEY YOUNG WOAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11975, 26 May 1902, Page 3

A WILEY YOUNG WOAN.

JACK Wesxx)Tß if? checked the long line of figure befool with the aid of a little gold peicil-f ■ "It's a smash," laid to himself—" utter absolute smash, a here's no other way of spelling it. Ton c, ten, seventeen! ' and then there's t confounded settling on Monday, that ni three thousand five hundred and sevifour pounds and some odd shillings and igstotal available assets one hundrecd ninety! Well, it's no good whiningn done for!" And then he i a sigh, for there was something more i a mere financial loss impending, and 1 lew it. Throughout tk< en-and-twenty years of his life he had accustomed to regard himself, and hadm regarded by others, as a rich man's .< Westcote and Westcote had always a held above suspicion in their commerc ,-entures. He had been, ' ther he willed it or no, plunged into a v of extravagant society —people who did 'rythingand had been {irovided with a nusually handsome alowance and un ted credit to carry on the war with. least, forty-eight hours previously that 1 been the position. But even as 1 at in his eonifortablyfurnished rooms could hear faintly the cries of newsboy ith the special editions of the evening pi s. "Further detaiif the Westcote failure" —"Consternation the city." He rose from table, and pushed the papers wearily fihim. Strolling from the dressiiig-rooncjoining, he exchanged his smokiiig-jackt;r a dress-coat, and arranged his tie wi critical air. "If it is to be:;last appearance," said he, half-smiling, i least I'll make it as outwardly respect as I can." Then he frowned, "and -iool thoughtfully at the fire, .his band uncons oiy moving along' the mantelpiece till i uched a massive silver frame containing portrait, a recent one evidently, of a jacularly handsome girl of twenty-two or freabouts. "It's no good, By— good, my dear. I daren't speak to 3 now. I'm done for."

Twenty minutes jer the butler at Railsford House annoiid Mr. Westcote, and after a few words th Lady Railsford, his hostess, he passedto the ballroom. Amongst all thellliant crowd there was -. but one face he lad for, one well-known figure for the sight which he yearned. At last, after wiering through several rooms, he saw her. She was sitting under a shaded lamp, fang herself indolently, and apparently pag but little attention to the man who \i talking to her. But the instant Weste passed through the door she beckoned him. The other man hesitated, and final making an excuse, got „up and left. Bar? themselves, the room was quite empty, j \ "Come and sit re, Jack," said she, pointing to the vait seat. He did as lie v bid, hoping inwardly for strength of \y to keep a tight hand on himself. She regarded hi with an amused Imle smile and a nod approval. She was a young woman witideas of her own, and she appreciated tllight, careless manner ■ with which he seed to carry his misfortunes. •"•You don't loovery doleful under the circumstances, Jac'' - He laughed a lie bitterly. "My dear Missllington, do you think i it would help mats if I went about looking like a mute atifuneral?" " And pray, myear Jack." she retorted mockingly, " since ken have I become ' Miss Allington' ? " j' "Since I heard e news last night," he answered grimly. J " Oh, very well if you're going to be sulky and quarrewith your friends just because you've lost little money " , • "It may be a lie, but unfortunately it happens to be all r e got. I owe a great : deal besides. Tl is my last appearance ''.."at this kind of tig, unless someone will take me on as'antler." *' Footman," suested Miss Arlington. "You've no expence, you see." Westcote rose, a held out his hand. He was fast losing hiself-control, and things were scarcely beinjiade easy for him. " Well, I'll prose you shall be well waited on if anyoi gives me a billet," he said lightly. " I ist be off. I only just came here to say gd-bye to you." Miss Allington osed her fan with a snap. , "' Sit down againfack, at once, and don't be an idiot!" Taken aback at is sudden and peremptory command, lie id.

"Now then, whawas it you really came to say to me''" j "To say good-b;, and ask you to wish me luck," he answed doggedly. "What would ychave said if things had —had been differed" " Shall I tell you she whispered. " You would have said, ' atty, I love you!' And now, just because;ou're a goose and an idiot, and I happeito possess more money than I know whatb do with, you'd rather be boiled alive tha say four simple words like that \ Oh, Betty!" j "Yes, oh,*Bettj" she continued mockingly. "It's alwjs, 'Oh* Betty!' And yet, through sheer cstinacy, you are putting poor Betty to the 'ouble of making a formal proposal for ta honour of your hand in marriage." -it Westcote sprang 3 his feet. "I won't listen,'said he, "it's not fair of you. Betty dear. "Fair or not far you silly boy, do you imagine that I am ping to have my whole life spoilt for the ike of a few wretched conventions, and shattering old dowager or two!" They'd laugh atyou, and swear I married you for your ioney." "Let them'laugl my dear. And as to you marrying me.l would beg to remind you that the positids are reversed, and that it is I, Elizabeth Allington, commonly known as Betty,who hereby ask you, Jack "

"Be quiet. Le:ua end this. Ah, my darling, my darlin; Heaven knows I love you! I've no righ.to say even that much, but I can't help it After all, it can do you no harm my lomg you ; but I'm no for-tune-hunter, and miry you I won't!" " You won't, Jac?" " The laughing, dark eyes, vet with a waderful softness in them, looked into his. j' You won't even do a little thing like tht- to p'ea-se me? Then I must make you ' A white arm stole round his neck, ad, with a quick little glance of caution rend the room, she lifted her face to his, ad kissed him. " Now Bay you won't, if -ou dare! Hush! I won't listen ; it's nsgood. "Dearest, do yen suppose that if I didn't know that you love" me as I love you, and that in spite of it yur wretched pride would prevent your speakng, I should have done what I have?" "No, sir! It vis not out of kindness to you, but from a rery real and selfish regard for my own hnpiness. And as for your making a my for yourself — bless you, Jack, you may go and sweep 'crossings al day long, if you like, except when I vant you to walk in the Park, or take me a:y where!" Westcote's face as pale as death. "I should be a'ctr if I took you at your word." he muttered. " Betty, darling, have a little mercy; dint tempt me!" She, too. "turned a, little pale, and spoke m a low voice. "Jack, is youi love for me so small a thing that you imnot sacrifice a little of your pride for it] Do you think my part has been so very |asy?" For a moment there was a pause. Then Westcote drew he) gently to him, and kissed her once and agan V "You've won,(sweetheart, and Heaven give me the power to make you happy!" ' "Well, then, there's one thing you must'nt do, Jask?" I •"And that?" '. "You mustn't pake me fight so hard to get my own way again !"

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