Chapter XXX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2200, 30 April 1896, Page 41

Chapter XXX.

Face to Face. HE fame of Mr Hnll'e party and the great preparations that were being made for it spread far and wide through the city, and bj means of work-people and emplojees reached munyetratas of society which, uuder ordinary cir.catn6tacceH,w&uldnever have heard of this great social fanotion. Among those whom it thus reached were Ethel Rainbird and ber mother. It was several weeks sinee -Ethel, on her return from town, declared that she had seen Oonrad Hardcaetle in the fleßh. " Exactly as be looked on board tbe Dtmbar four years ago. A little older, a little browner perhaps, bat with the.samo inscrutable face, and brilliant dark eyes." She had seen him in Collins street, in a buggy drawn by a pair of splendid horses. Her attention had bean drawn to it by a temporary block caused by a bullock dray, and she had seen tbe carriage and its occupant quite plainly. She could not be mistaken.

"But, my dear, you must be," said her mother, gently bnt persistently. " Even if he be still alive, which I think highly improbable, it's impossible that he should be driving about in such a carriage as you describe."

"It does seem so, and I suppose ( must be mistaken — still "

"No doubt the likeness was very great. I've heard of such things. It's talking to poor Mrs Hardcastle that has made you think so much about him and exaggerate some fancied resemblance. It's a pity she worries herself so much. Fray do not mention this chance likeness to her ; It would only distress and unsettle her." " But, mamma, suppose It is really he." " My dear, it is impossible." Ethel was silenced, but not convinced. From that time she took to wandering about the principal streets in the hope of again encountering the buggy and Us occupants. Onoe she saw him in a street oab, such as ply in the streets for general hire, like an omnibus, but before sbe had presence of mind to hail it and jump in, it had passed, and her chance was gone. At another time she saw him in one of the small baok streets just as it was. growing dusk. He was dressed plainly and almost shabbily, and tbe likeness to Conrad Hardcastle, of the Dunbar, | was stronger than ever. He passed her walkIng swiftly, and she turned to follow, and tgirifegrbawafl eoneetaus et tho foot ttutt

he was so followed, and endeavoured to dodge his pnreuer, or was merely desirous to escape general notice, the fact was that he walked so quickly and took bo many strange turns that after a time she lost him completely, and was fain to make the best of hex way home, haviDg penetrated into apart of the oity which did not enjoy a very good repute, and where she found herself pushed and hustled by the larrikins in a manner which was, to say the least of it, very disagreeable. She reached home tremulous and excited, and told her mother where she had been and what she bad seen.

Again Mrs Rait bird said that the likeness most bo accidental, but her opinion was shaken, and she no longer maintained it so firmly as she bad done. At the same time she still forbade her daughter to speak of the matter to Mrs Hardcastle.

"IE yon could meet him face to {ace in full daylight," ahe said, "it would be different ; bat though you thick yon have seen him three times, it was bat a passing glimpse that you got on each occasion, and you know how deceptive are such glimpses. Mm Hardcastle has suffered bo much that it would be cruel to disturb her by arousing false hopes." Ethel acquiesced, but did not giro up her quest, and onoe again she encountered Oonrad Hardcastle. It was on the steps of a florist's shop in Bourke street. He had just been giving the order for the flowers for his great fete. He stood on the step to signal his carriage — the same buggy and pair that Ethel bad seen before. The strong light of day fell fall upon his face, revealing the familiar features. She had always intended to address him should snch a meeting ever occur ; but now that the moment had come something held her back, she knew not what ; and while she hesitated the opportunity was lost. The carriage drove up, be sprang into the driving seat and gathered up the reins, touched the spirited horses with the whip, and in a moment they were off like a flash of lightning, and the whole equipage disappeared round the corner.

bhe entered tha shop, purchased a buttonhole, and while paying for it said: " Who was that gentleman who went ont as I came la ? — the dark man who drove off in the buggy and pair."

" Ob, dont you know, mias ? That's the richest man in Melbourne; the millionaire digger some folks call him ; -and others the golden king, which is a better name to my fanoy. They say he's a millionaire. Anyway he knows how to spend his money. He's giving a grand party— a feet, he calls it, though what that means I don't know ; but I suppose it's just a new word for an uncommon ont and oat swell affair. Aoyhow, he has ordered a thousand pounds' worth of roses, if wecan get 'em," said the girl with a Bigh, thinking to how much better purpose she oonid have spent a thousand pounds.

11 They're to dooorata the rooms, mlsB ; but what name did you call him by ? '' " Hariacastle," repeated Ethel.

" A thousand pounds' worth of roses 1 " echoed Ethel, amazed at the roagnituda of the order. " What is Mr Hardoastle going to do with so many flowers ? " 11 They're to decorate the rooms, mlsB ; but what name did you call him by ? '' " Hariacastle," repeated Ethel. 11 That's not the name. See here, he wrote it himself. Charles Hall, Esq., Metropolitan HotaL" Ethel drew a deep breath, " You are making some mistake. I mew the dark gentleman with bright eyes, a hook nose, and a commanding manner, who came out as I entered and drove away in tbe buggy

11 That's not the name. See here, he wrote it himself. Charles Hall, Esq., Metropolitan HotaL"

Ethel drew a deep breath.

" You are making some mistake. I mew the dark gentleman with bright eyes, a hook nose, and a commanding manner, who came out as I entered and drove away in tbe buggy and pair of greys."

" That's Mr Hall," said the girl confidently ; 11 everyone in town knows him, and that's his address. It's to be given to the man who grows the flowers, that they may be sent direct ; they <^ie so quickly at this time of the year. Here's your ohange, miss." Ethel took the ohange, and* leaned for a moment against the counter, wonderiDg what sbe could say or do to penetrate the mystery whioh appeared to surround this extraordinary man. Then she had a sudden inspiration.

" I suppose you will have to deoorate the rooms," she said. "He can't throw a thousand pounds' worth of flowers down anywhere. They must be properly arranged." " Oh, that's all settled. Our boss is to send two of us girls to halp decorate, and I guess he will have to, though he's very shorthanded, and I, for one, don't want the job." "Look here," said Ethel quickly, trembling with suppressed excitement ; " I'm very fond of flowers, and I've donea great deal of decorating in the old country. I'll help you if you like. I don't want to be paid ; I'd do it just for tbe fun of the thing, and to see the great fete." The shop girl looked at her in amazement.

" I don't know what Mr Smith— that's our boss— would say; but I'll ask him if you will sit down a bit and wait till he comes in.*

Mr Smith was graciously pleased to acquiesce. Labour of all kinds was scarce and highly paid. He had great difficulty in obtaining female assistants for his shop, and as a rule they left him at the end of a few weeks to better themselves or to get married —generally synonymous terms with them— so that he seldom got anyone who was qualified to undertake such a task as the present. He told Ethel that if she really felt equal to the work he would gladly give her five guineas and let her engage a couple of assistants if she knew of any.

B thel's first instinct was to refuse the money, but she felt that this would perhaps arouse suspicion and deprive her of the chance. So she promised to bring an assistant, provided LJhe oould get a man from the shop to climb gadders and do the heavy part of the work.

"I suppose we shall have the plaoe to ourselves," she said ; "my friend is a lady, and"

" Oertalnly, miss. I understand Mr Hall won't be there until the evening, and you will have finished before then, and if you want to stay and see the fete— it will be the grandest thing we have ever had In Mel* bourne— you can easily go into the refresh* ment tent and stay as long as you like," Ethel acquiesced, and when the details of time and place were agreed upon she returned home. Her head was in a whirl, and she could hardly control her indignation. She told her mother all, adding i "I'm sure it's the same man. It'a not merely an accidental resemblance ; no two persons could be so exactly alike. He's changed bis came, and he is now rich and well-dressed ; but it's the same man, and I cannot be mistaken, He has deserted bis *U* and cfeiiA as he deserted xa on the ship,

and left them. In poverty while he rolls in wealth, spending thousands of pounds on flowers. Mr Smith even hinted that he was about to marry again. We couldn't allow that, you know, it would be bigamy. Oh, what a Bcotmdrel he is ; I always knew he was a bad man, but not like this. Fancy deserting that sweet woman; it's too much ; I should like to punish him as he deserves." " I believe you would. Bat- you must act carefully. Remember, it may be a ease of mistaken identity." Ethel shook her head. " No, no, I am not mistaken ; but all the same I will be careful ; you may trust me. I'm determed that he and Eulalie shall meet face to face. I shall not prepare her in any way, and so no harm can be done if she does not recognise him, and if she does she will know how to act."

Accordingly Ethel told Eulalie that the florist had given her this job and offered to pay well for it. Sbe rightly judged that her friend wat rather hard up, and would not be unwilling to earn an boneet peony. So she treated the matter as a purely business arrangement, and Mrs Hardcastle, meeting her in the same spirit, gratefully acoepted the offer.

H lt may lead to something more of the same kind," said Ealalte hopefully, "and I was thinking the other day that I must try to earn a little money somehow. Anything, would be better than teaching, which is almost the only thing a lady can do, and for which I am not in the least suited. You see, I may have to stay here a long time, and I am afraid that my money will run short — everything is so very dear."

"It is indeed. Mother is always groaning over the big'prioes ; but the climate suite me so well that she means to stay a few years longer. You accept Mr Smith's offer, then ? " " Most gratefully.* 1 And so on tbe important day Rita was left with Mrs Raiubird, and the two youug women went to tbe Aladdin-like palace which had sprang up as if by magic in one of the waste places of the city. Gardeners and workmen were busy In all directions, and one could already see how beautiful the effect would be when the glamour of night and moonlight, artificial lights, and the strains of rapturous music should add their enchantments to the scene.

The upholsterers were still at work arranging the mirrors and silken draperies, and the waiters were preparing the supper-table ; but there was plenty of room- for tbe ladiea to manipulate their dainty tools, and flowers in bowls and baths and basins stood about in all directions, together with immense baskets of mosses and ferns.

Eulalie uttered a little exclamation of delight as she plunged her hands into the cool flowers and leaves, and began to build them up into wreaths, festoons, and pyramids.

It was an intensely hot day. Outside ia the streets the heat and glare had been insufferable, but it was comparatively 000 l in the tents, which were protected by double flies, and the heaps of flowers and greenery seemed to radiate calm and refreshment for mind and body.

The. two ladies began their work at onoe. Mr Hall's man- servant explained that his' master had jabt left, aad that he would aot return an til the evening, bat that everything was left in bis hands and those of Mr Smith's assistants, who were to have everything that they wanted if only they did their work well.

"We shall try to do that," said Ethel, "and no doubt he will be pleased," adding in a low tone, " I should like to put a scorpion into some of thorn."

The hours sped on, and the heat increased, but the two girls Boarcely realised either. It was euch a pure delight to handle the dainty materials, and to see the work grow and blosßom to perfection under their nimble fingers. la the enthusiasm of suooesn Ethel almost forgot for whom they were working.

11 It is lovely; how clever you are, Eulalie 1" she cried, as the latter put the finishing touches to a screen of moss and roses which occupied one corner of the great reception tent. "We will stand behind that and watch the company arrive, and then we will go into the supper room and get a feed, for you know we have soaroely eaten anything all day."

"I am not hungry," said Eulalie, "the flowers are meat and drink to me. I have never sees anything like them in my life. What a size they are ; and how splendid the colouring I They are much finer than the flowers of the old country, though not'perhaps so sweet."

'Twas already dusk, and the short twilight would soon be over. Every twig and branch was swept away, and the carpets laid down. But still the two girls lingered, adding a flower here and a leaf there and finishing touches everwhere.

Then the lamps were lighted, and the fairy scene burst forth in all its splendour. " How lovely 1 how perfect I " they cried, standing together to enjoy the effcot. "Yes, it is indeed beautiful, and I owe you many thanks for carrying out my ideas so well."

The master of the festival had entered. It was he who spoke. Ethel started at the familiar voice and drew back. She looked at Eulalie. Eulalie had her bands still full of flowers; she dropped them and sprang forward with a glad cry. " Oonrad, dear Oonrad ! " She would have thrown herself into hie arms { but he drew back, and looked at her with eyes in which there was not one ray of recognition or of affection— only surprise, indignation, and disgust. She caught bis hand, X Oonrad," she cried. " my love, my darling, my husband. Do you not know me 1 lam Eulalia Ah I I don't wonder that you are surprised to see me) but I knew you were not dead, and I came over here to find yon. At last, .at last I have succeeded. How glad I am! Dont look at me so strangely. Surely yon remember ma lam not so much changed. Say that yon remember me, and that you are glad to see me/

He shook off her touch, as men shake oft r noxious reptile. . " I don't know yon," he said. " I never saw you before In my life. Who are you 1 And what do you mean by talking in this wildwapi"

Tbe lie struck her to the heart, and ebj staggered baci.