SHORT STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15073, 16 August 1912, Page 4

SHORT STORY.

SHADOW PANTOMIMES,

BY It. MURRAY.

It? was about eight o'clock on a Thursday in mid-spring, the moon just past its prime, dipped now and then behind vast clouds of grey that swept towards tho moor-edgo.

Three girls, dressed in artless imitation of town fashion, left the village and passed ulong tho sharp rise that leads to Tides,well. Once outside tho village they '.caught arms, walked in step, singing in lUntunoful voices verses of ''Richard of Taunton Dean," a ballad greatly beloved by the unmarried curate, and sung by him at oveiy concert.

From tho hilltop a rough bylano led down to a quaint house beside a. stream. They left tho highway and went with bated breaths to the garden, whence might bo had an excellent view of the windows. The only sign of human occupancy was a hazo that crept through a, snuff-coloured curtain which was strung over a tiny casement in tho gable-end. The girls made for Ihis, walking gingerly over tho mint-bed; .then with one accord 'they knelt and .peeped inward, and from the lips of each camo a most dolorous sigh. "Isn't Jack lovely whispered Martha Drabble.

"Ay, and straight as a dart!" added Ruth Woodward. "Lord bless us all!" murmured Ann Beckett. "Why, he's a-pegging a hearthrug!" _ ■ Fascinated by the curious sight, they pressed their faces closer to the glass. In A,he houseplace, near by a low lire, tho handsomest of all Milton bachelors sat smiling happily, most dexterously threading wool through the end of a. largo roll of canvas. His hair was milled, as though in some perplexity concerning the arrangement of the loops, he had passed his hand from forehead to crown. His legs were crossed, and as ho shifted slightly, tho rug unrolled, and spread to its full length ; its appearance made tho girls almost scream out with excitement and pleasure. It was to bo sure the bravest and most brilliant thing they had ever seen. There was a yellow border—just like the frame of a picture— in the middle, resting as it were on a mound in a, green pasture, a mighty lion and a lamb, whose size was scarce less, slept together in perfect harmony. "He's a-going to set tip house-keeping!" said Ruth. -'To think of his patiencewhy, it must have taken a full year of nights!" "'Tis sure," whispered Martha. "Eh, well, isn't it a beautiful thing. And finished, —see —he's shaking it out for tho last time afore rolling it up ! I wonder to_ tho Lord who he's going to givo it to'/ 'Tisn't fitted for a bachelor's house " Ann Beckett sighed, and pressed a hand to her bosom. "Happen," she said, * happen—who knows?— means it for 0110 ot us!" She had, spoken what was in the hearts of all. They shivered strangely. For awhile each forgot the presence of the others, in pretty dreams of what the future might have in store. It may not bo said, however, that the young man had riven anyone the least encouragement. At Feast times ho had danced and laughed with the.rest: but tho villagers had so far never been able to couple Iris name with any girl's. "A general favourite, and as kindhearted a lad as o'er breathed," the wiser declared ; " but as close when courting was in question as e'er man since tho days of Adam!" ' J Ann caught Ruth's elbow soon and nipped it so vigorously that a muffled ■ crv resulted. "We'd best bo clearing off," she said. "See, he's putting on a fresh collar and a green spreckled tie. He's coming out, and 'twould ne'er do for its to bo caught watching him!" They hastened through tho garden, and made their way up towards the road. Before they had gone many yards thev heard-' 1 the opening and closing of a door, and! afterwards tho grating of a key in a lock. ' , "He's a-coming this way, sura enow!"' stammered Martha. " Mercy on us, he'll nab us, that ho will!" The others, who were gifted with greater presence of mind, dragged her through a gap in the hedge, and made her crouch •beside them in the shadow of an elder tree. The lad passed without suspecting their presence. For a' few moments the 'Boon was veiled with a heavier cloud, and three pairs of eager eyes could distinguish little save tho red glow in tho bowl of a curved pipe. They returned to the lane, just in time to see the young man pause at tho stile beside the fir planting. Tho girls stood, holding their breath, until ho had passed through tho stile. ."Why, he's a-going on to Pennvfields!" excJamied Ann. "Well, well, whato'er can- he be after?" " It can't be Sarah Withens he's after!" cried Martha, hysterically. "It can't bo her for sure, nobody's seen 'em together'" "Get along with you for a softy 1" said Ruth, snappishly. "Sarah Withens, chuh! Twenty-six if she's a day—a regular old maid, chuh I Sarah Withens!" " He'll none choose Sarah, that %v© may reckon on," said Ann, wisely. " 'Tis tho nnlikeliest thing in the world. Her without a bit of white in her cheeks, and to my thinking as plain to look at as her Aunt Whit m herself! Nay, Jack'U go m for a fine colournone of your brown skins for him. Fair should wed fair—that's my opinion. Poor Sarah, she might have been haymaking every day of her life for the way she shows sunburn." They followed in tho young man's footsteps ; then stood dolorously to watch him knock at the farmhouse door. "Did you see that?" whispered Ann of the keen eyes. "Ho reared something up against tho door-cheek, and I dare lay my soul as 'tis the rug he's pegged! . . " My word on'te-he's none kept waiting long—see, lasses, Sarah's let him in forth? right" * "I do reckon as we ought to go forward and see what wo can see," said Martha, with a melancholy giggle; "though to bo sure 'tis nono so good to look at a roomful as to look at one— " They went on in silence towards the homestead. The houseplaco window was long and deep-set. A bright lamp burned on a table against the opposite wall. As they approached, someone— must have been Sarah's maternal aunt, old Miss Whittingham— tho white blind, and instantly thero appeared at one side tho shadow of a gaffer's head and shoulders— gaffer who smoked, nestling the l>owl in tho palm of his hand, a very Jong churchwarden pipe. His profile was grotesque and ugly, yet not without, a, suggestion of good humour! Tho forehead was deeply ridded, the nose sharp and beaky, the underdip projected a full inch.

"lie's a-foul-looking devil is Ben Wit-h----en*," observed Aim. " Did you e'er see such a picture in your life?" "Sh'shl" biased Ann. "There's somebody a-moving at tho further end—why Mesa my soul alive if 'tisn't old Lass Whifml" It cannot be denied that tho good spinster's shadow-portrait was fantastic beyond tho ordinary. She presented, so far as features were concerned, a marked resemblance to a wooden Dutch doll. She had removed her bonnet; her hair was smoothly plastered ; the upper part of her neck uncovered. Although no round could be heard, sho was talking volubly; now and thou she jerked sideways and uplifted huge hands. Bon nodded and swayed his pipe to and fro. '"lis vastly strange as 'others can't be Been!" whispered Ruth. "I'm sure «* folk Id talk, that- they would, if e'er thev got to know!" " •' Just then tho door opened, and almost before they could fly around tho corner the young man carno out, hoisted the ru /, to Ins shoulders, then went indoors aeain Ihey returned to their watch in g-phico and pressed nearer to the glass, in the 'hope of hearing'something of import. "I wonder if tho other two are in tho parlour?" inquired Ruth. "By (illv r wish tho lamp were on t'other side!"' ~t" Vv °, seen nobody." replied Ann- ' but it does seem as if—"' As 'she spoke, Ruth's wish was grantedtho light moved, and two shadows fel'l upon tho curtain. One was that of -l young woman with a soft, round face the other was Jack's. Doth were, animated - .ho sound of pleasant, happy laughter fell heavily upon the cars of the watchers.' hitcd up his bundle, carefully

unknotted a string, and passed out of sight behind a black oblong; whilst Sarah, rant in admiration and delight, quivered visibly, and clasped her hands. "Oil, Lord," faltered " 'tis the rug, and he's giving it to her!" "Nay, for sure," said Ann. " lie's only neighbourly, and showing her his work. I don't think it means aught else. Why, ho must bo proud as proud can be of such a. picture!" "'Tis a queer job—" began Ruth. But at that moment the rug fell from Jack's outstretched arms, and he moved forward, and caught Sarah to his breast and lowered his face to hers for a long and tender kiss. Then the young couple, moved apart, and three melancholy lasses, clutching each others' sleeves, saw Sarah's shadow kiss her father's, then slip into the- cordial embrace of her aunt's. Old Hen Withens rose and seized Jack's hand, shaking it up and down, up and down. Miss Whittingham, releasing her niece, began to put on her bonnet. "I reckon we'd best go home," sighed Ruth. "Now, Martha, for goodness sake givo o'er beldering! Ann, you help her that sidel'll take this. Eh, but how cold 'tis grown!"