SHORT STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 3

SHORT STORY.

HOW HE WON HER.

Thebe were two things of which Georgs Derwent was vividly and painfully conscious; one was that ho was hopelessly in love with Mattie Bennett, and the other was that she was entirely too good for him, and that there was not the shadow of a, chance that she would look with the least favour on his especially after the coming of Fred Foster. Before that Georga had fed his heart on a chance smile or gracious word, when accident threw them in. each other's way, and at times he had almost mustered up resolution enough to speak and to put his fate to the test; but when Fred Foster came he knew that all prospect of his winning her was hopelessly gone. Still, his passion was of that kind that can never concentrate itself noon a. successor to the object of its first devotion, and George knew that although he might never bo any more to Mattie than a good! friend ho should love her until he died.

Fred Foster had taken possession of her with an easy, assured air of proprietorship from the first day of his arrival in. Marshlands ; called at her house every day, took her to all the social gatherings" and entertainments with which. - the good Marshlanders were wont to divert themselves, and, in fact, constituted himself her special cavalier on all occasions; while poor George, looking desolately on from a ' distance, acknowledged that his rival was far and! away better-looking, more up-to-date and! generally eligible than himself, although there was one point upon which he stoutlymaintained his groundhe was sure that Fred did not love Mattie with half the fervour of his passion, or with that ardour that she deserved from any man who would be so fortunate as to win her exclusive regard. But as long as she was satisfied its was not for others to criticise. Still Mattie preserved the same friendly demeanour toward him whenever they met, and was, in fact, increasingly cordial; but George attributed that to the natural overflow of her superabundant happiness, and! really kept out of her way as much as possible, for, after all, he was only human, and there were times when he could not bear to see the joyous animation of her pretty face and realise that another influence than his had brought it there. But, jealous as George might be of his rival in secret, Fred Foster was one of those frank, ingenuous, thoroughly good-hearted fellows whom it was impossible not to like or meet on other than friendly terms. Ha took a wonderful liking to George, too—made a chum of him, in factand his almost invariable, theme of conversation was Mattie, her many excellent and superior qualities, and how happy the man was who held the key to her heart, until at timea poor George was almost frantic with jealous longing. But there did not seem the least disposition on Fred's part to boast of his good fortune or _ exult over a rival, and his perfect unconsciousness, of any suc*h construction being placed upon his words was all that saved him on several occasions from being challenged to hand-to-hand combat when George nearly lost control of his hardly restrained emotions.

Fred had introduced the bicycle into Marshlands, too, and had bought one for Mattie, and .the sight of them spinning along together was sometimes almost more than George could bear. He bought a wheel and practised on it in secret until he could ride with perfect ease; but he never let anyone know it. . ,_ . -. , Meanwhile Mattie, all unknown to George, was learning a lesson on her part,' whioh certainly appeared to have a very beneficial effect upon her, for. she grew prettier than ever, and there was a-little tremulous catch in her voice when she would meet George unexpectedly that almost unmanned him, until finally he began seriously to contemplate leaving Marshlands and going among strange scenes. It would involve consider--able pecuniary loss to him, to be sure, bub what was that compared to the ordeal he had to face, and which every day grew more difficult? He expected daily to receive the announcement of her intended marriage to Fred Foster, and he felt that - when that happened Marshlands could be no longer a dwelling-place for him. But Fate was kind and was bringing things around in a way neither imagined. " ..'-; Fred had been out wheeling with Mattie one day as usual, and on returning stopped, for a few words r at the gate... J(r ~v'^u.i»»v*v-.*j " Three days now, and no letter!" r I think I will take a spin over to Waterford and see if possibly it has been detained at the post offieo there. It has happened ,so sometimes before." ■

"Well, perhaps it would be the bes£ way," acquiesced Mattie. : "I feel a. little anxious myself. But it will make a long ride for you." ' "Oh, I can take the short cut over the bridge across the creek down here, and so save a good three or four miles," Fred answered. " I will be back in time to take you to the festival this evening." ■■ "I don't like the risk, Fred; that bridge is out of repair and has been for some time, and the _ creek is wide and deep there,' and runs swift, you know. v I feel in a measure; responsible for you, you know, and I wish - you would take the longer and safer • way, even if you don't get back in time. GeorgeDerwent would take me to the festival. and you could join me later on. I wish; you wouldn't attempt to cross ; that bridge in its present condition." '•""''"■■' " "Oh, nonsense! don't make a baby of me!" said Fred, f laughing. "I'll be ; back by going that way, before you can make up your mind whether to be scared or. not," and, jumping on his wheel, he was off like the wind. He crossed the .bridge in safety,, found a letter,' which had somehow miscarried, wait- ' ing for him at the post office in Waterford, and, full of pleasant expectations, set out on his return. He bad noticed a board that bent under his weight on crossing the bridge the first time, and resolved to avoid it on returning; but somehow he missed ■his calculations, and on reaching the bridge spurred his wheel right on to the dangerous spot. The board gave an ominous creak, and in his endeavour to force his wheel on to safer ground he sent it against the side rail of the bridge; there was a splintering of wood, and in another moment": he was precipitated into the creek. - George Derwent 1 was walking along the bank of the creek" just below the bridge, when ho heard the cry and splash. He recognised the voice at once, and, throwing off hit, coat, plunged into the water. The stream ran swift just there, and in a moment carried him out to where Fred had just risen;" but in a moment he found not L only* that tho fall had made Fred uncon- * scious, but that one of his fret was tangled up in his wheel so that ,it was impossible to extricate it, and it very . seriously impeded George's efforts to swim with him. Again and again ho tried to free his foot, until lie realised that his strength was going, and that he had barely enough left to reach the shore with '.. his unconscious burden. -One glance showed him; that several had gathered there,'<- while others were running to get a boat moored soma distance down the stream. He dared nob wait the result of _ their efforts, «however, | for every moment his burden was becoming harder to support, and it was almost impossible to keep his own ', feet from getting entangled in the wheel; but with the thought of Mattie nerving his endeavours, he gritted his teeth and redoubled his efforts to reach the shore. One cry reached him Mattie's voiceand putting forth all , his reserve forcepitifully small, as he soon realised—he " overcame the spasms of faintness that were fastening upon him, and struggled on toward the shore; until, just as his last atom of endurance seemed deserting him. he felt his feet touch bottom. By this time a dozen were in the water,half of whom relieved him of his burden, while the other half assisted him to the shore. As they laid Fred down on the bank ■.-' he saw Mattie drop on her knees beside him. heard her mournful cry, Oh, Fred, Fred! and Bessie coming to-morrow!" Then everything turned black for a mo.' merit. • - - ■„,•„■- -■- ''■:-' ■■'...:'"■ '■■ :■■■■ ■..,£., "When his vision cleared and he could, struggle to his feet he saw "that Fred had been extricated from the wreck of thai . wheel and was reviving, and as he was' about to turn away, Mattie came toward ; him with shining eyes and crimson 5 cheeks. "How can I thank you: for -.what you - have done to-night?" she exclaimed, : with tears in her eyes. # , . „ "I have saved him for you," George an-* swered, looking ;at her with all his love •" beaming in his eyes. " That is reward enough even—" .' -~ "Saved ■ him— l n echoed ; Mattie. "Saved mo from life-long sorrow,: and my sister from a broken heart! Now, give ma your 'hand—no—l must 1 have both hands this time, you brave manyou hero!" " Why," began' George, a strange sensa- , tion sweeping over him at the look of her eyes, the tones of her voice. "Why should I-" "■': " Because"— clasped his . hands ; and-. ■•• held them close—" because I love, you!,:: Do .';; you think I have hot seen the sacrifice you: have been making all this time,/when, you have so generously yielded your claim to a rival because - you ? thought ■-■■ it- was ;■■ for j ray-;: sake? Oh, I was willing that/you snould do it for a: while, for it taught mo how noble you were, how truly I did love- ; you! ; Fred is mr sister's betrothed; husband, and! of course fie would be friends with me, and now when she comes here to-morrow as she telegraphed' she expected to, it will be to find her lover saved— by. you—my, George— best, truest friend— orol'V'