EXTRACTS' FROM DAVID SIMPSON'S DIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2230, 26 November 1896, Page 42

EXTRACTS' FROM DAVID SIMPSON'S DIARY.

By Azilb.

Chaptbb 11. TWENTt YEABS AFTER.

Ohristohurch is not a showy town from a distance. Being built on very level ground you require to traverse the city from one end to the other before you discover its manifold beauties. You are, however, well repaid for your labours, especially in the suburbs, where there are lots of beautiful residences and lovely gardens to delight your eyes. Here, in a fine house, surrounded by a lovely garden, and replete with every comfort and convenience, lives the well-to-do merchant Mr Simpson and his family, which consists of his nephew and niece and the necessary domestics. Mr Simpson is an old bachelor, and is regarded as being hard, stern, and unlovable, but many a one among tbo poor can tell of kindness and help given in their need with the greatest consideration. His rugged, wrinkled face bears the impress of trials, and though they were in the past, still their effects are seen in his almost morose temper. Hiu niece Jeanie is the only one who oan take any liberties with him. No matter how sbe teases him or how unreasonable she is, never a cross word or look has he for her. She is tbe " light of his eyes," and makes the happiness of bis home, and it is wonderful how his grim face lightens up and bis eyes under tbeir long bushy white eyebrows soften, till he looks another man. An angry frown is what greets her brother Jack if he dares to ventuie on any familiarity in bis happy-go-lucky style. Jack never minds, for if his heart' is set upon something that his unole thinks he would be better without, he enlists Jeanie on bis side, and she soon gets her uncle to see how desirable it is that Jack' should get so-and-so or do such another tbing, so that Mr Jack has happy times in spite of his uncle's sternness, which juat suits that young man to perfection. He is a happy-hearted young fellow, and has no great ambition to be a successful merchant, but his unole thinks that in time, with judicious pushing, be may do not amiss. Hi*> worst failing is allowing himself to be !«><} away by other young men jnto mischief, giving his unole some vexation over his getting into scrapes and Jeanie some trouble in coaxing their uncle into forgiving him. Why it is that her uncle is so stem with Jack she can't imagine. She is fond of her brother, bat she loves her uncle even batter, for he has been father and mother both to her ever since she can remember.' Sbe wonders sometimes that her uncle is so averse to talking about her parents, but ahe fancies her father must have behaved badly to him at some time, and that he is afraid Jack may be like him. She has learned that on that subject she must be silent, for her uncle is dreadfully vexed if sbe even mentions them.

It is a lovely summer morning, and Mr Simpson's garden is looking its loveliest. Jeanie, accompanied by Laddie, her faithful collie dog, is flitting about in it from flower to flower, admiring here and smelling the sweet odours there, but lingering longest over the lovely roses. In her white dress, with touches of blue here and there, her fair sweet face shaded by a bine sunshade trimmed with white lace, she looks a flower amongst flowers. A nice-looking young man with dark hair and brown eyes, with rather a grave expression, coming up the garden, as he sees her bending lovingly over the roses thinks to himself, " She is a girl fit to inspire a man with courage and determination enough to emulate noble deeds for her sake, if she will only consent to be mine ; I will try any way." Laddie went off to greet him, wagging his bushy tail with great vigour. Jeanie, looking up to see who it was, blushed as she met his gaze, and smiled shyly as she shook hands.

" Gathering the flowers— yourself tbe fairest flower in the garden," he said, with a look of undisguised admiration.

" What nonsense you do talk ; you know I don't like it. Come, Laddie, we'll leave him to the flowers." And she marched off as if offended, but not in the direction of the house. Mr Laurence, smiling to himself, quietly followed, escorted by Laddie, with whom he was great friends. " Come here, Laddie, at once," said his indignant mistress. " How dare you leave me 1 "

Laddie wagged his tail, looked wistfully at her, but did not move from Mr Laurence's side, who had his hand on his head.

" Laddie is kinder to me than yon are ; he does not run away from me. Won't you give me a rose this morning 7 Do. I'm in a hurry ; Mr Simpson is waiting for me." And Mr Laurence, who was Mr Simpson's trusted manager, glanced anxiously at his watch. "I'm late. Please do, Miss Stacy. That one in your hand."

" No ; it is spoiled. Pull one for yourself ; there's a beauty just behind you." " No, give me that one." And he held out his hand.

Jeanie blushed, then tried to look unconcerned, but as he kept bis band held out she had to look at him, and bis eyes conquered her and she meekly held out the rosebud. Taking it, he took hold of her hand as well

"Jeanie, I have something important to say to you. May I come to-night 7 " And bis earnest browa eyes looked imploringly in her downcast blushing face for an answer. Jeanie's baud trembled in hti erasjp, and her

sweet lips quivered ss she shyly glanced at him as if half afraid. " Silenoe gives consent, Jeanie." And before she kr.sw what he was about fee kissed her and left her standing amongst the roses, a stiange happy feeling stirring in her heart.

"You're the best dog, Laddie, that ever was," and she stroked his intelligent head. "Yon know who is nicest, good Laddie. Come till we gather a bouquet of uncle's favourite roses for his room."

Carrying her bunoh of roses she went into her uncle's private room, which no one was allowed to interfere with bnt herself. She fouu'd it in disorder, tho table strewn with papers from a writing desk which she had rarely ever Been open, A deft touoh here and there soon made it quite neat again, but the table she did not touch, for her unole would want to arrange his papers himself. Placing her roses on the table beside bis easy chair, she sat down in it, and was aeon in a pleasant daydream in which Mr Lanrence filled the most important; part. She bad known him for the last 10 years, ever since she was a little girl, and had always liked him. He had been paying her a lob of attention for the last year, and she had come to look forward to his presence as being necessary to her happiness, but without thinking of any change in their relations. His kiss had, however, shown her how unoonsciously she had learned to love him, and her thoughts as she sat musing in her uncle's easy chair were of pleasant anticipation as to wbat he would cay and how she would answer, and if he would be so daring as to kiss her again, and her happy face did not seem to threaten any dire consequences if he did. Stretching out her hand she knocked over some papers lying just on the sdge of the table. Stooping to pick them up, she found among them an old brown book, which she opened without much curiosity and began to turn its leaves.

" Uncle's diary," she muttered — " over 20 years ago. What a long time 1 "

Without g'-ving a thought to it tbat she might be reading what she never was meant to see, she began .carelessly reading a line here and there till her attention was arrested. Then her curiosity was aroused, and she was devouring every line with rapt attention. As she read her facs grew white with excitement, and a look of shame and horror spread over it. Ac she finished it she dropped it on the floor with a/look of loathing aa if it was a noxious reptile. " Good heavens I " she thought, " can it be true ? Ob, mother 1 mother I is it possible you used him so 7 Poor, poor uncle 1 Ob, the shame of it 1 My mother ashamed to live, and ray father forced to marry her. And stich a man to have as a father!" And she shivered and sobbed, while her thoughts flew here and there in bewildering confusion. Indignation and horror of her rascally father, shame and pity for her poor weak mother, but principally sorrow for her ill-used unole, filled her bosom with a strange turmoil. Now she understood her uncle's aversion to speaking of them, and why he was stern with hsr brother. But suddenly a new thought; strikes her. " Why, he is not our uuole at all — only the man our mother used so badly, and he has cared for us all these years as if we were bin very own." And her heart was stricken with grief and shame. " How can we ever repay him ? What, can we do for him 7 Oh, wbat a goad, good man he is 1 How oan I ever atone to him for my mother's ill usage 7 If I can find any way to show my gratitude to him, how willingly will I do it. Ob, my poor, poor uncle 1 wbat you have suffered."

Mr Simpson, coming in an hour later, found her in such a state, to his great consternation, freeing the book lying he understood at once what was wrong, and taking her into his arms he exclaimed :

" My poor lassie, poor lassie, dinna greet, dinna greet 1 " unconsciously going back to his ohildbood's tongue in hie excitement. "I never meant you to know— never, my poor bairn. You're my own lassie, dear to me as if you were my own child. Dinna greet ; it breaks my heart."

Soothing and oaressing her, gradually she grew quieter, till she was able to listen to him. Then he told her all about it, making many excuses for her mother — bis long absence ; her loviog, pliant disposition ; the long, weary monthß ; Stacy's fascinating ways. For, Jeanie'a sake he dealt .lightly with her father's share in ifc.^ Her mother had never been strong after, and when she knew there was no hope of getting better, she wrote to him asking him to come for her children's sake. Their fathor was away on a voyage, and she had no money or friends, and what would bsccrne of them ? He went at once, and found her near her end. Ha promised that as long as he lived her children should be cared for' as if they were his own. As their father's ship was never heard of again, no one ever disputed bis right to them.

"What a sweet, wee curly-haired baby you were," he continued. " A langhiogfaced litrlo mite that crept into my heart at once, and has stayed there and made the sunshine of my home ever since. Yes, my dear Jeanie, you've made me happier than ever I expected to be in this world again, for it was a sore, sore stroke your mother dealt me. Thank God he sent me you as a comfort feo save me from myself, for I was reckless and oared for neither man nor God. Your little baby fiugerd soothed away the pain ; and I bless the day your little arms first went round my neck. You must have me for an jmcle still, for I could not part with you now, my own dear las&'e,"

" I'll never leave yon, uncle,' eaid Jeanie earnestly — " never."

And she vowed to keep her word in her heart, though she felt that there was sorrow for her in keeping it. But her uncle must come first, and doing her duty by him must be her happiness, and she must forget her dreams of a few hours back and think no more of Frank Laurence.

" What did you do to Frank last night 7 1 met him going away. He very nearly snapped my head off when I spoke to him. Did you refuse him, or what 7 "

And Jack looked curiously at his sister's pale face and sad eyes, where the traces of tears were still to be seen.

" Yes, I did refuse his offer of marriage, if you must kuow," replied Jeanie in a hesitating manner.

"Are you crazy, Jeanie7 There's not a finer fellow in town! Why, you encouraged him this locs tliae**

•• i oan't leave unole," s»id Jcaole meekly, with tears in her sad blue eyes. "Well, I never!" retorted Jack, with an indignant toss of his head. " Oan't ieave unole, indeed! Ab it girls did not leave their fathers and mothers every day, let alone their uncles. He'd Burviva it, I fanoy. You miserable little geewe, making Frank and yourself both unhappy for a fad like that. For you do care for Wm, I'm sure." " Oh, Jack, Jack, if you only knew !" cried Jeanie pitifully. 11 Knew what 1 " asked Jaok scornfully. And Jeanie with a full heart told him the whole sad story.

Jack was astonished, and opened his eyes in amazement.

" Well, he's a regular briek — there's no mistake about that."

" Yes, Jack, he is, and you should try and please him. Show him that you are not like our father. No wonder he's atern to you ; he's afraid of your being like him." " Well, sis, look here, I'll try. If yon can do so muoh for him, surely I can do a little. No wonder he Is always down on me. I thought it was his grumpy temper. I'll turn over a new leaf from to-day. You oan bet your pile on that." And Jack meant it, and what is more did it; and though he is not quite perfection, yet he is nearer to it than he was, muoh to, bis uncle's and Jeanie's delight,

From being a light-hearted, merry, thoughtless girl Jeanie had become all at once a sober, thoughtful woman. Her feelings were sorely wounded by the discovery of her father's unworthinees and her mother's weakness, and the thought of what Frank Laurence must think of her was bitter to her heart. Still she would rather be thought hard things of her than fail in what she had come to consider was her sacred dutyt to atone to Mr Simpson for her mother's illusage of him.

Mr Simpson, as the months went past, sadly missed her teasing, laughing ways. He was very vexed that she had discovered it by his forgetfulness, and tried all in his power to make her forget it, bat with very little success. Sbe would try to be merry and playful to please him, bat the bright spirit was clouded, acd it was only a poor imitation of ber former self. Sbe saw Frank Laurence occasionally, for Mr Simpson — with whom he waß a great favourite — often pressed him to come, and he coald not always refuse, though hs often did, for Jeanie's cold, constrained manner hurt him very much. She had refused him so decidedly, and made him understand so plainly there was no hope for him, that he tried hard to banish her image from his heart, bub failed, for every time he saw her only made him more in love with her. Jeanie was glad when he stayed away, and as the months went past, bringing once more the time of roses, she was gradually learning to be content, and growing happier in the consciousness of doing her best in the duty before her

Mr Simpson's garden, basking in the summer bud, is once more ablaze with lovely scented rotes. Jeanio, walking amoDg them with steadier step and paler face than a year ago, is admiring these lovely blossoms.' Her heart inclines to stray back to the pa3fc, bat she resolately banishes the thought and tries to think instead of how happy Bhe is to be blesbed with such a kind nnole and brother. Jack bas improved so much tbat she is getting quite proud ot him, and her ujf)le is very pleased with him, and they ara bo happy together. Laddie is in dutiful attendance, and walks with grave importance by her side, wagging his bushy tail as much as to say "How nice it is!" as his mistress gravely holds a rose for him to smell. , Mr Simpson, coming towards them, admires the pretty group that Laddie, bis mistreis, and the roses make. Jeanie, greeting him with a loving smile, puts her hand through his arm caressingly, and draws his attention to some extra fine roses.

" Yes, they're lovely, pet. I wish you had more of their colour in your face; it has grown paler of late. Do you know, I got a very disagreeable surprise this morning, and I'm very vexed indeed over it." . " No, unole, what was it 7 " aßked Jeanie sympathisingly. "Frank Laurence is going to leave me. Ha talks of going to Melbourne." Jeanie shuddered with a »ick feeling at her heart as her uncle, quite unconscious of how he was hurting her, went on to express his high opinion of him and his sorrow at losing him, little dreaming of Jeanie's sore heart at the news.

41 It's a great pity," he continued—" Jack and he drew so well together. Jndeed, I was thinking of retiring and leaving them tbe business. He would have kept Jack up to the mark. It can't be helped, however, for he says he is discontented and unhappy — I can't imagine what about — and must go. Do you know, Jeanie las?, I at one time fancied you and he were in love with each other 7 Yes, you may well start, but there is no one to whom I'd give my laasie more willingly, when the time comes to lose you, than Frank."

"Oh, uncle," almost sobbed Jeanie, "I'll never leave you 1 How could 17"

"Hoots toots, lassie 1 Ye a' say that. till the right man comes along, then ye soon change yer'e minds."

" No, no, uncle, I'll never change my mind — never ! I'll stay with you always, unless you tire of me and send me away. Thera is no man living who will take me from you."

" Bless tbe lassie 1 " said her uncle, who was astonished at the agitation she displayed. " Does she seriously think to spend all her days with &• crotchety old man like me. My laas," he continued earnestly, " I'm getting an old man, and would fain see yon wed to a good man before the dread summons comes for me to appear bsfore my Maker. Only I hope that you. may not be taken far from me while I live. That was why in my thoughts I wished you and Frank would marry, for then you would always be. near me— indeed, we could have lived here just the same. But no matter, there are plenty as good men as Frank, and I hope to see you married to one some day." " Ob, uncle I " gasped Jeanie, "if I'd onlj known."

"Why, Jeanie, what do you mean?" as Jeanie, sobbing and crying, laid her head on his breast. "Do you think I am vexed wp you because you canna fulfil all an old man'<| unreasonable wishes." " I— l —refused, him." waUefl Jsrdlg,

. « Weel, weel, Jeanie bairn, what o' that ? If you couldna love him,' far bet frae me to ask ye to mairry him, my puir loving-hairted lassie."

"But, uncle, I did love him," sobbed Jeanie pitif ally.

" Je&nie 1 Jeanio 1" said her, uncle in consternation," whatever do you mean 1 "

And poor Jeanie, with many a Bob, told all her reasons for it.

Mr Simpson was filled with thankfulness and pure delight to think she loved him so truly well as to sacrifice her own happiness to secure his. He understood Frank's wish to leave him now, and he smiled as he thought of bow soon his intention would change when he whispered the secret of Jeanie's hard-heartedness to him, and gave him a hint to try again.

.Soothing Jeanie with loving tenderness, he told her if she wished to make him reallj happy she mast marry Frank, which she saw no prospeob oE being able to do, for after the way she had used him he would never come near her again, she thought.

Bat next afternoon, to Jeanie's confusion, Frank stood before her among the roses, and what happened is not for us to know ; but there is a rumour in the air of a wedding to be celebrated soon at Mr Simpson's house, much to bis delight and satisfaction.

INCLUDING A FKEB PATTERN, IS NOW REDUCED, to 3d., by post 4Jd. Subscription ) 4s. 6d. for 12 months. Post Free. j" 2s. 3d. foe 6 months. ■It is a monthly Fashion magazine whioh is maintaining its well-deso;:vea popularity. Special attention is bestowed on the illustration and desoription of the newest styles for Ladies and Children. Artioles on Dress Materials, Trimmings, etc., and on subjeots interesting to ladies generally are not lost sight of. Published by Madame Wbioix, Lennox Street, Richmond, Victoria. Obtainable from all Agents and Stationers.