SHE'S BUT A LASSIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 32

SHE'S BUT A LASSIE.

Written for the Witness Ladies' Page by "Wych Elm."

Chapter XIX.— Continued.) Leaning one evening against the gangway t smoking his pipe, Edward was accosted by the second-saloon head steward — a weaselfaced, brisk little man, with a perennially dirty face (or an unfortunate complexion which bore that aspect) and a knowing, familiar manner.

He lighted his pipe also, and proceeded to converse very affably with our young passenger, criticising for his benefit the passersby. " Look at that couple, now ! " he ejaculated presently. "Master Jack reckons he's got that fish hooked, I expect ; well, girls are fools, no mistake ! "

The couple referred to consisted of a pretty, sparkling girl, apparently about 16, with small, piquant features, bright black eyes, and dark, closely-cropped hair, and a young man several years her senior, a goodlooking fellow, quite the picture of a jolly Jack Tar, with roguish blue eyes, fair curling hair, and a rollicking, free-and-easy manner which would betray his profession anywhere. He was bending towards his companion, whispering something in a very tender manner, and which her smiling, dimpling face showed was not at all unpleasing.

"They seem well satisfied with one another," remarked Edward carelessly.

"Better satisfied than they'll be at the end of the voyage, I'll be bound," answered the steward cynically. "She'll laugh on the wrong side of her face then, or it's odd to me. Ah ! " he resumed, with a shake of the head that spoke volumes, " Jack Wilton's a terror among the girls."

Edward looked at him inquiringly.

" He's our fourth engineer," resumed he, puffing away vigorously, " and a right smart fellow he is ; but I wouldn't like none of viy women folk to come out on the same ship with him, I know."

" Doesn't he mean honourably towards that girl then, do you suppose 7 " asked Edward incredulously.

" If he did, it 'ud be the first," replied the steward, coolly. "I've been four or five voyages with him, and it's been the same tale each time — all 'cept the first, when he was carrying on with some married woman, going out to join her husband; and bles? your 'art if you'd seen the meetin' when she landed you'd ha' thought she'd been pining about him all the way out. Such tears and kissin'.and huggin' of the young uns 1 Women are cautions, no mistake,"

And the steward folded his arms with an air of resignation.

" And the others ? " asked our hero, looking somewhat aghast at these revelations.

" Well, they was girls, more or less young," replied his informant. " What went with then* after was their look-out, not mine, nor Jack's neither, I suppose ; one, I heard, committed suicide after she landed, afraid to face her friends. Ah, she was a pretty girl that, a reg'lar stunner, and a very straight-laced girl when she first came aboard, but Jack got the blind side of her somehow. I shan't never forget her look when she said good-bye to him. Jack must have a cannon-ball inside him instead of a heart. I don't say but what I've been a bit wildish myself," continued the little steward, expanding his chest, " but Jack's a terror, a perfect terror I "

"What were their friends about not to look after them ? " asked Edward, indignantly.

" They hadn't no friends, in a general way,' 1 replied the steward. " Girls goin' out to service mostly, p'raps some old bloke with them that hadn't eyes to see a haystack in front of his nose. Jack takes his pick, you S3e. One girl that had friends with her was as fast as could be, and they, knowing what she was, let her go to Jericho. She'll make a nice wife for some up-country settler, no doubt " (with a knowing grin). " I didn't blame him for that one, nor the married one — such as them can look after themselves. But this looks a simple chit of a thing he's got in tow this time."

" What are her people doing ?" asked Edward.

" Oh, that's her mother — that long, pale, sickly-looking woman like a skeleton, that's brought up on deck for a few hours each day. She's been seasick ever since she started, and it's odd to me if she lasts the voyage out. And her father's that sawney-lookin' feller in the black coat ; been a local preacher or something at Home, and going out to be made a schoolmaster of. They must be hard up for schoolmasters if they take him, I reckon, for he's about as lame a duck as ever quacked, and a bit gone in the upper storey, or my name's not Bob Benson 1"

"But is this to be allowed to go on?" asked Edward, with indignation. " Can you see the girl fall into this snare before your eyes and not interfere to save her ?"

" Oh, it's no business of mine," replied Bob Benson, shrugging his shoulders uneasily " I'm not goin' to get myself into no rows for a girl. If these blessed girls 'ud only keep to themselves it 'ud be all right ; but they must go larking and smirking about, and one's pretty much as good as another, I reckon. Girls must take their sbance; that's what I've brought it to. When you've had as much experience of ship life as I have, yon'll find the best policy is to mind your own business!''

With this comfortable aphorism, tlie steward knocked the ashes out o£ his pipe

fend tripped briskly down the stairs, leaving Edward in a very perturbed state of ■mind.

At this moment the young couple passed &gain. The irresistible Jack had now persuaded his pretty companion to take his arm, and she looked very bashful and flattered, her dark eyes,glancing consciously around as she listened to his honeyecl tale.

Edward, with the words of the steward ringing in his ears, felt a strong impulse to interfere, and warn the girl ; but no, that would be a foolish way to go about it.

" After all, why should I make it my business 1 " he said bitterly to himself. " I have not been so well treated by women that I should be Quixotic in their defence 1 "

But better thoughts prevailed ; he would see the father, explain the situation to him, and get this terrible incubus of impending wrong off his mind. The next morning, after Mr Armytage, 11 the lame duck " referred to by the steward, bad carried his sickly wife on deck and placed her in her chair, to get the full benefit ot the sea breeze, Edward took the opportunity of scraping acquaintance with him. He seemed a shallow-minded, suspicious kind of indivklual, with but one idea of tolerable clearness! — viz.* that he had been all his life the sport of fate, and that his fellowbeings were united in a hugh conspiracy to keep him out of the lofty position which he had been destined by Providence to adorn, Ho buttonholed Edward on the shameful manner in which he had been treated by the deacons of his chapel in Somersetshire, and £t was some time before the latter could appraaeh the topic jso near his heart. At last, however, he managed delicately to give Mr Armytage an outline of the state of affairs. '„

That gentleman, after hearing the statement, eyed Edward suspiciously up and down.

"Hal another snake in the gxassl" he muttered. " Who are not snakes, that is the question. Are you a snake, sir?" he asked with sudden vehemence of manner.

•" I hope not," replied Edward, taken aback a little. " I have brought you this information in strict confidence, out of the purest and most disinterested motives."

"Ah I" growled the other, stroking his thick black beard, and gazing into vacancy. M You distrust this young man, yoji say, sir 1 There we ate in sympathy. I distrust them all; everybody J but not my daughter," he udded quickly. "My daughter, sir, inherits f rotn her father the most striking feature of the Armytage character —self -respect. I myself possess that quality in the very highest degree, sir, and perhaps it has been my bane. A xaan of mean spirit, who would have licked their shoes, who would have been a hewer of wood and drawer of water fpr them, sir, wouli have got on admirably among the neighbours I haye left ; but they were incapable of appreciating an original mind and a lofty soul. They were jealous of me, sir, jealous," and they Jaid their heads together to ruin mel J> This last sentence was hissed in a savage undertone, the speaker glancing furtively around as if fearing that his enemies might oyerhe&r. Edward began to incline to Beneon's opinion reg&rdtog the sanity of Mr Armytage, and told himsejf that the daughter iiad a poor prospect of protejotfop from such a father.

He made another attempt to return to the point. " You will excuse my interfering in such a matter," he resumed, " but I shall feel satisfie 1 in having placed you on your guard," "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered his companion, vaguely, with another suspicious look. " But you need not have troubled, I am always on my guard. I make a point of it, for I know I have enemies about. They dog my footsteps wherever I go, with the purpose of depriving me of my just rights. Snakes in the grass 1 but if I find any of them interfering with my daughter " (with an ominous scowl) " let them look out for my vengeance ! " This vague threat was but poor consolation to Edward, who would have liked some more practical measures of prevention to ensue from his well-meant warning.

" Such things are a disgrace," said he, hotly, thinking of Benson's revelations. "If all 1 have heard of ship life be true, it behoves every woman who desires to be straightforward to be extremely oareful in the choice of companions." " You are right, sir," replied Mr Armytage, la a very ba*s voice. "It is impossible to pat faJfcu in anyone, for none can sound the wickedness of the human heart." And he went off at a tangent on the history of his Old Country wrongs, and the light which he meant to strike into the educational system of the land whither he was bound— behaved, in fact, like a* bore as he was ; apparently in atter forgetfulness of the subject which had started the conversation.

Edward was stifling a yawn when the girl whose interests had been the will-o'-the-wisp* to land him in this slough of inanities came up to her father with a whispered message from her mother. There was an air of childishness both in her figure and manner, which was increased by the simplicity and j almost sh'abbiness of her attire, devoid of all fashionable adjuncts ; and the innocent gaiety which sparkled on her petite features appealed to every chivalrous feeling in Edward's .Vreast, .and 'decided'him in doing all that was in his power to protect .this " mere lassie " f^pni ,the projfligapyof the ypung engineer, j "'Allow me" .to introduce' my daughter, sjr," said Mr' Armytage,' in rajth'er a pompous fanner. '*!' Elyie, dear,' this is Mr Burns, jtMnk you said, sir t" '.' $ ruce, • corrected Edward, "my name is $dw,a,rd jjjruce/' as hi? shook'ihe little brown ; faand which wss cordially hjeld out fq him. i " This is my daughter, bhristened Blvira ] Mary, after my sainted mother/ continued Mr Armytage. "My one ewe lamb, sir. No doubt they would have deprived me of her too, as well as of my position and prospects, if they had been able ; but no matter. If you study her character, sir, you will find that she has inherited her father's self-respect and loftiness of spirit 1 "

Elvie's only acknowledgment of this com' pliment was a bright glance of amusement, which she darted at Edward out of her black eyes.

•• Father," she said then, in a tone of reminder, " mother's waiting, and she wanted you to come quick." ; ' * Ba.l yes, of course," replied Mr Army tage,

"I will warn the girl myself," thought Edward, as he glanced at the mignonne face which looked inquisitively into his own. "It is of no use trusting to that old duffer of a father, and the mother is» evidently hors de conibat, and quite incapable of giving any protection." "Your mother suffers very much from seasickness, Miss Armytage," he said aloud. " Oh, mother was always ill ever since I can remember," answered the girl. " Off and on, you know, — but certainly she's worse on board ship. Not like me— l should like to live here always!" aad her dancing eyes testified to her sincerity. " But, if it made your mother worse 7" suggested. Edward gently.

Miss Elvie was puezled, but soon saw her way out of the difficulty. " Oh, no," she said naively. " But then, you see, mother could stop on shore — I mean if I were to marry a sailor, or anything of that sort I" And she blushed vividly, as if the words bad slipped out unawares.

"He has commenced to lay his snares already," thought Edward, and he felt a pang of pity for the gay little butterfly who was fluttering so unconsciously near the net. "Do you think she would like that ?" he asked. " She looks so ill and helpless ; I don't think she could spare her little daughter,'' Elvie was cornered ; she had not looked at it in that light. " You don't look very well," she exclaimed, artfully changing the subject. " Are you coming out for your health ?," "Ve — es, partly," replied that attacked personage. " And you, may I ask 1" " Oh," laughed Eivie, "of course I had to come with father and mother, but I don't like the idea of New Zealand at all ; I'm afraid of the Maoris."

" They're not cannibals now," said Edward, amused. " Were you actually expecting to form part of some great chief's banquet ?" " Well, not exactly ; but I can't bear black people ; and Mr Wilton told me they might rise up in rebellion at any time and kill all the whites."

" I'm afraid Mr Wilton draws the long bow a little," remarked Edward drily ; "or else he is curiously ignorant of statistics. By-the-bye, Miss Armytage, I wish to warn you against that young man ; I have heard strange tales about him, and do not think he is a proper companion for you. I tell you this as a friend, and I have also mentioned the subject to your father." Elvie turned very red, and began tying her handkerchief in knots. . " I think he is very nice/ she said presently, with a somewhat indignant air. "He is quite a gentleman, and is very amusing. It's so dull if you can't speak to anybody, and* I don't see any harm in him. If it were one of the common sailors, now — " and she paused. "The ? common sailors' would no doubt treat yqu" -srith every respect," replied Edward. ••• Pplite manners and smart uniforms are not infallible marks qf a gentleman. I know more of the world than you, and have good reason for what I say, but do not wish to appear in any way meddling," he added, coldly. " Oh please don't bo offended," said Elvie, who was not disposed to quarrpi with her new acquaintance. "I dare say you are quite right, but I do get so tired of waiting on mother, and listening to father grumbling and growling, There are no 'nice people to talk to except Mr Wilton, and— and you, of course. But then you're in the second saloon, and I don't suppose we shall see much of you ? " Mingled feelings made Edward hesitate a little as he replied, " Yon 3hall see as much of me as you like, if you will accept me for a friend, and promise to hold no further intercourse with Mr Wilton. I shall only be too happy to make myself as amusing as possible," he added, smilingC Elvie coquetted with her handkerchief, and glanced her black eyes hither and thither like a saucy robin. "Very well, it's a bargain," she, said laughingly, after a pause. I shall call you my sweetheart, mind. Mr Wilton wanted me to be /^", but ' J thjolj I lifee ypu muph better. He looks suoh a boy, and I vvapted to have a real grown-up sweetheart. There was somebody at Home who used to send me valentines, but he was three years younger than me, and a cousia besides, so he didn't count, of oourse."

The young man felt rather dismayed at this appropriation of himself. Was it possible that it was he, Edward Bruce, whose heart had been broken by a young lady a few weeks before, and who had consequently forsworn ttle sex, who was thus being claimed as a sweetheart ?

" Oh, [nonsense, " he said to himself. "She is a mere child, and attaches no importance to what she says. Besides, it will be a safeguard for her, poor little thing, and it would be ridiculous of me to draw

| So Edward accepted the situation, and listened with an indulgent smile to Elvie's chatter, making himself as amusing as he j could in 'return, according. to prbmise, but with the kind,- patronising* air of an elder brother, $fo doubt had Miss Armytage b.een an ugly, Vulga^ girl, h.e'*migb>haY6 > foun4 pome other means of espousing her cause without resortjng .to this Platonic arrangement ; but she was an attractive little thing, and something in her air and mariner reminded, him of Adela, for whom hp would ever keep a soft spot in his heart, nqtwith; I standing his stern renunciation of her. Elvie was even more phildish and mercurial, and her manner ' was frank, almost brusque, lacking the shyness of Adela'sY but yet there was a decided resemblance in voice" and ffigure. They became fast friends in a short time, Edward and Elvie, although nothing, .that could have been germed love-making passed

between them, and this new human interest did much to draw the young man out of his melancholy. Young Wilton made one or two attempts to regain his lost footing, and would probably have succeeded — Elvie being somewhat uncertain and capricious — had it not been for the lynx eyes of our hero, and one or two pretty strong hints to the nautical Lothario that his attentions were not desired. Finding persistence useless, he transferred his attentions to a 'fast little matron, who was quite capable of taking care of herself, and exceedingly proud of her conquest, but throughout the voyage he manifested considerable ill-feeling towards Edward. His practised eye had not been slow in appreciating Elvie's unprotected condition the first part of the voyage ; the illness and helplessness of her mother, the idiotic and conceited absorption of her father, but he had never dreamed that a champion would arise from among the careless company of ship's passengers to foil him in his designs. His mates of course could not be blind to the state of affairs, and were unsparing in their jeers, and Jack Wilton ground his teeth in secret, and vowed to be revenged on Edward, The latter, however, gave him no opportunity for a quarrel — not taking the slightest notice of him after he had detached Elvie from his influence.

Edward made himself acquainted with poor, sick Mrs Armitage, and rendered her rncny little attentions, which were received with the gratitude of one little accustomed to consideration from the members of her own family circle. Her husband, certjainly, was kind in an absent, stupid sort of way — - that is to say, he was never knowingly unkind ; but he never anticipated a want, or originated any idea for her comfort ; and she was one of those weary, sensitive sufferers who will often endure in silence sooner than make any open demand on the kindness of their friends. Edward's thoughtful little courtesies were a new experience to her, and her countenance visibly brightened whenever he approached. Mr Armytage was not proportionately grateful for the way in which he was thus relieved of many of his little responsibilities. He had more leisure for wandering about the deck in his witless way, a book tucked under his arm, and wrapped in the fond belief that he was engaged in deep study ; or for button-holing some unfortunate individual who happened to strike him as a suitable victim, and pouring into his ears the story of his wrongs — the injustice and the lack of appreciation from which he had suffered in the Old Country. His morbidly suspicious nature rendered him very difficult to get on with, and Edward's intercourse with the ladies of the family was sometimes disturbed for a day or two by a temporary ftt of distrust on the"par-t qf 'Paterfamilias, tormented by visions of "snakes in the grass."

" Never mind my husband, Mr Bruce," the invalid would say, apologetically. u He is so strange sometimes, but he means no harm. I sometimes think he has never been quite right in his mind since he had a fall from a dogcart some years back. He has tha.t suspicious way with everybody, and fancies, if two or three people are whispering together, that they are plotting something against him. It was that peculiarity of, his wliich broke up our home in the pid Country, w.here we might have be.en so comfpr^ablfe, — and J am afraid this is t>u|; a wild-gop|se chas,e we are on at present. But he would not he persu.ad.ed, and so here we are, A ni Cl ? one J look, do I not, to seek my fortune in a strange country ; and what will become of my poor Elvie if I die?"

Edward tried to cheer the poor woman as best he might, and retailed to her all the in« formation he could pick. Tip regarding the new land ta whioh they were hastening — disabusing her mind of several unoomfortable prejudices with regard to cannibals, daily earthquakes, and semi-savagery.

Elvie would listen Ao these conversations until her giddy little nead wearied, when she would fly off with one or two girl companions whom she had found, to swing on the ropes or perform some other equally hoydenish tricks. But she was never absent long from the side of .her " sweetheart," as she called him to the giggling girls, who regarded him with much interest in consequence. Their opinion of him as being " so handsome " and "such a gentleman" confirmed Elvie's satisfaction in the possession of such a treasure, and for the present, at least, she was safe from the fascinations of Mr Wilton.

(To oe continued.)