OUR DOINGS IN MALBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 52

OUR DOINGS IN MALBURY.

By Fedoba.

m. For a while after Dawson's departure things jrent on very quietly in Malbury. Silverbrook, which is the name of our farm, rejoiced in a good harvest, aa well as the whole country round. Father went about with cheery face and a bright word for everyone, and when he took a trip to town he brought back so many gifts for mother and me that mother scolded him and told him he was spoiling us. Then he would say: "Tut, tut, mother, you work too hard. We 11 all be riding in our carriages yet, and why should you slave bo? Get another girl to help, and take a bit of rest, old woman !' . But, goodness me, mother would as soon be in her grave as sitting with her hands folded, she says. And if she had to sit still in her carriage while she was being taken for a long drive, she would be perfectly miserable. After Dawson had gone away for a few weeksy whenever I thought about him and remembered his threat that he would revenge himself upon me, I ielt a bit scared. But 'Alison comforted me, and told me not to Worry, and that the man would soon have forgotten all about the part I had taken in frustrating his plans with Euphemia. So I recovered my spirits, and scarcely remembered there had been such a person as Dawson in the ■world.

One day I rode Jessie to Uncle Dick's with ft message from father. I started early in the morning, intending to make a day of it, and return in the cool o£ the evening. As I cantered along through Malbury street, I saw the 'White boys, the terror of the place; throwing stones on old "Widow Lammie's roof. It was of no use to try and use my powers of persuasion with them — I had tried that before, "many a time ; so I made \ip my mind to go out of my way to tell our village policeman. Now, we are peaceable people in Malbury, t>r we should not have been able to wist with Tom Andrews as our only policeman. JEor miles around, for a mor. idle, good-for-nothing fellow it would be hard to find anyVrhere. -He simply did nothing but sit in his shirt sieves, reading, with his feet on the mantelpiece of his cottage parlour. And that ■was where I found him when I went to hiß house. I could see him through the window as I told his wife — a worn-out, hard-working woman, what I had come for. Then I hurried on, for Jessie had v good way to go. I little thought I should have to call at Tom Andrews's cottage again that day. I cantered along happily enough. The day wat lovely, and though I am fond of Bociety, 1 also like to be alone sometimes with my own thoughts. I was very near the homestead of Marehlands. Mr Langton's station, and had already been riding for a long way between his hedges of hawthorn, for which the place h well-known, when Uncle Dick came forward to meet me. He was a man of between forty and fifty, with iron-grey hair about his temples, a bronzed face, md kindly dark grey eyes. He' UEed to be to me the type of a hero out of one of my favourite fairy talej. .F&thei and mother have known him as long at I :an remember, and he used to be called " Dick " by all of us. But as our own Dick was named aiter him, it saved confusion and also seemed more respectful for Jia children .to call him "uncle." I thought' Mr Langton seemed rather worried as I meft him. I drew out the letter lather 'had given me. He took it rather Anxiously, and read it without making any remark about- it to me. I did not take particular notice ci this, though it did flash

across my mind that it was strange he did not say anything about the contents of the letter. Then he asked me how they all were at home.

"' Oh, we are all well and happy," I cried gaily. My spirits were high ; I had just had a lovely ride, and was so glad to see Uncle Dick. "Father's beaming over the good harvest, and I tell him. his pockets are just bulging. He must carry all his money there, except what he insists on lavishing on mother and me. Or else he is getting fatter. The only thing is that we haven't seen you so often , uncle, lately. ' ' "Nc, lassie, you don't want to see an old man like me always coming to Silverbrook. You'll be having plenty of young swains turning in at the gate to see you, now you've grown so tall and bonny, and I might frighten them away." '" Young swains !" I echoed scornfully. " Let them be driven away if they are so faint-hearted. The man for me is the man who can face anything and not be afraid!" "Indeed! So you have decided on the kind of man you want already?" said Uncle Dick, directing one of his mischievous looks on me as we reached the homestead.

I coloured

"Oh, no; I don't bother my head about men," I said scornfully. '" Except father and the boys, of course." There was silence. " And you, Uncle Dick " I added affectionately. "Your poor old uncle is included then?" he said, helping me to dismount. "For that I must be devoutly thankful." " Now, a truce to teasing to-day," I cried, as I ran into the house and was welcomed by Miss Darling, the old housekeeper, who was always glad to see me, and as good as her name.

When Uncle Dick came in after having seen to the horses he was in better spirits than he had been when I had first met him, and he and Miss Darling and I had a most jovial dinner together. Then he went out and left us to have a chat, and I played on tho piano, which nobody ever touched but me. The afternoon was passing pleasantly, when Uncle Dick came in hurriedly. " Little one," he said to me in a tone of vexation, " I am afraid I must cut short your time and get you to ride home now. I intended coming with you, and then we could have started later, but the men are all away on the'hills. and," he added, looking at Miss Darling, "I have news about the sheepstealers, aud, I think, a clue." " Oh. uncle, have you been losing more sheep?" " Hundreds," said Miss Darling sympathetically. "It has been dreadful, Miss Macrae. The stealing has begun again worse than ever."

" Oh, uncle, I do hope you'll catch the thieves. I wish I could help you. I suppose father has written offering the boys." The moment I said it I could have bitten my tongue out for my thoughtless speech. I hate to be or to seem curious, and I felt I must appear as if I wished_ to know the contents of the letter, of which I had been told nothing, for Uncle Dick flushed to the roots of his hair.

" '* No, lassie, the letter was not about sheep," he said, kindly enough. ' " Some day, perhaps, if things go well with me, I will show you that note." ■ " I'm sure I don't want to know anything that is not intended for me to see," I said, tossing my head indignantly. " Woll, well, child, it's time you got ready, as you have to gc alone. I'm more vexed than I can tell you at having to let you go by yourself." " Why, one would think I didn't know how to take care of myself," I said, laughing. " Jessie and I know every step of the way. What is there to be afraid of? Besides, one of the boys will be sure to come and meet me as usual."

Mr Langton hurried me on, however, saying I must get home before dark. So Jessie and I started back, but I was in no mood to hurry, neither was she. Consequently the darkness -was upon iis lone before we reached home, especially as it had turned very cloudy, and the moon had not risen yet. Neither Ted nor Dick had come -along the road to meet mo as they had promised, though that fact did not trouble me. But suddenly I was startled by Jessie unexpectedly stopping short and trembling in every limb. I peered intc the darkness, and saw a very tall, white figure standing in front of the mare's path. It seemed to have no head, but two long arms waved weirdly out from its body. It did not speak or move, except to wave its long arras. I thought Jessie would have a fit, she was so frightened, and though I am no coward, her fright oommunicated itself to me. Then it flashed through my mind that someone was playing a joke \ipon me. With groat effort I summoned all my courage, and said, though my voice shook: " Don't be nonsensical, please, and let me pass." Then the shape, whatever it was, gave out the most awful aud blood-curdling moan that 1 ever heard or ever hope to hear again. This time I was really frightened, and so was Jessie. She reared, ana sprang to one side, aud then fled towards home as if a thousand demons were after her. (To be continued.) OZf~ De»rlptlonf or bain. *c, muit be eodoned bj either the t>4ll committee. Thu MS. of iqt corrctpoudenu who do uol comply with this rale will be tent to the wcratu-r for endoncoieui prior to ippeirinf.- KUMKLINK. To ensure publication in the forthcomlnf lHue, letters ibould reneh the Wlttiraa office If poulhle in Suturdtr nlghl, taut on no JCCOQMi filter thlln Moitd y nliht. ! Oddfellows' Ball at Blue Sptjb. Dear Emmeline, — The Oddfellows of Blue Spur M.U.1.0.0.F. Lodge are to be congratulated on the success of their annual ball, which took place in Beaton's assembly rooms on April 12. The weather being favourable, visitors were enabled to be present from all parts of <he surrounding districts. Several songs were contributed during the evening and dancing was indulged, in right merrily until an early hour in the morning, when the gathering dispersed, each and all thoroughly pleased with their night's enjoyment. The catering, under the management of Messrs J. and J. Sutherland, was all that could be desired. Excellent music was supplied by Mi M. -Girvan, while Mr J. Dawson made a very efficient. M.C. Miss N. M'Cormack wore a pink nun's veiling, with pale green; Miss Branighan, cream nun's veiling trimmed with pink; Mias A. Johnston, cream nun's veiling trimmed with pink; Miss M'Elligate, green Bkirt, pink blouse; Miss M. "Roche, cream nun's veiling trimmed with green ; Miss Bailoni, white dress with blue; Miss Cursey, white, with pink ; Miss M. Bailoni, cream dress, relic^ ed with blue; Miss-J. Xash, black dress trimmed with pink ; Miss L. Johnston, blue nun's veiling; Mifes Wilson (Dunedin), white dress with pink; Mrs J. M'Kay, black skirt, cream blouse; Miss C. Johnston, black skirt, pink blouse, Miaa^Beaton, black dress ; Misses A- and M. M'Cormack, blue cashmere, trimmed with white lace; Mrs Devine, black skirt, light blouse; Miss A. M'Xeilly, black skirt, white blouse; Misses E. and K. Grant, brown dresses; Miss J. Beaton, cieam Thm's veiling; Miaa Bain (Roxburgh), groy. dress with Dink;

Mrs Paganini, dark skirt, pink blouse; Mrs Matthews, brown dress trimmed with peacock blue.— VERO.

ODDFELLOWS* BALL AT WAIPOBI.

Dear Emmeline, — The thirty-first anniversary of the local lodge was celebrated on "Wednesday night last by a soiree and ball. The members met in the lodge room, and marched in procession to the new public hall in full regalia with torches, and headed by the Waipori brass brass band. Over a hundred persons sat down to the tea. tables, which were laid out in a tasteful and elaborate manner by our local caterer, Mx- Knight. The walls were decorated with devices and mottoes in laurel leaves bearing reference to the principles of the society. Mr Knight had also procured a. large number ' of flags of different nations, and the walls being tastefully draped therewith, a very pretty effect was produced. After tea the room was cleared for dancing, and when the opening quadrille was announced, and the couples took their places, it soon became evident that the dressmaker's art had been largely and successfully called into requisition for tho occasion. I do not remember to have seen so many pretty costumes at any assembly before in Waipori. Of coiuae, now that we have a large and elegant hall in which to hold our social functions, there is more encouragement for young ladies to go to some troitble and expense in arraying themselves than there was when our dances were held in the dingy old schoolroom. Yet for hearty enjoyment, harmony, and kindly familiarity, I doubt if the jolly old " hops " in the same old schoolroom, cap ever be surpassed. Mr Chaffey acted as M.C. in his usual urbane and efficient manner — no light task, for as many as 36 couples occasionally took the floor at one time. The music was supplied by Messrs Eaton (violin), Kerr (cornet), and Mrs Eaton (piano). The quality of the music was for the most part in Mr Eaton's usual first-class style ; but occasionally there were some complaints about, the time being a little out, due, I belieye, to certain new pieces being introduced without sufficient practice. This, however, is a small matter, and will no doubt be remedied m the future. I was pleased to see a number of the gentlemen in evening dress and shoes, while a good many others made an approach thereto, to the extent of at least wearing white gloves while dancing. We are certainly moving with the times, and casting off some of our rusticity. I do not dance myself now, having for some years taken firm root as a modest wallflower; but when I was a giddy young thing I well remember it did not add to the pleasant "memories of the ball" to find the sign of 'my gay cavalier on. the waist of my white rmislin or cream' satin in the morning. It was a, mistake, I think, not to have had the grand march. At the beginning of a danca everybody is in a flutter of expectancy to see what everybody else has on, and no better opportunity occurs throughout the evening of displaying a well-made and well-fitting costume than this opening ceremony nicely performed. And this reminds me of another matter worth referring to — I mean the want of attention to the rules of carriage and deportment on the part of the. younger girls who attend dances in the country. Very often the effect of a pretty face, good natural figure, and correct dancing is greatly spoiled by an ungraceful pose and hoydenish gait. Deportment is now taught, I believe, in all the private schools for young ladies in Dunedin, but mothers and female relatives could do much by their advice to remedy the defects I speak of. I subjoin a short ..description of tho dresses: — Miss R. Riordan, dark skirt, grey blouse trimmed with pink; Miss Umbers, velvet skirt, cream sailor blouse; Miss Cameron, dark dress; Miss B. Cartwright, blue crepon dress, white lace; Miss M. Cartwright, pink crepon. ribbons to match; Miss Hickey, dark skirt, blue sateen blouse figured with CTeen flowers; Miss Caldwell, white dress; Jfiss Annie Hynes, pretty pea-green dress, lace trimmings; Miss A. Hill, dark shirt, pretty pink blouse; Miss M'lntyre, black skirt, body trimmed with tartan silk; Miss Donaghue, navy blue dress; Miss RiorJan, white dotted muslin evening dres 1 ? ; Miss Bertenshaw, dark skirt, pretty pink blouse; Miss Emily Hill, cream dress trimmed with rose pink; Miss Maggie Lomas, dark skirt, blue body; Misa Lomas, white evening dress trimmed with blue; Mias Crowloy, pale blue evening dress with crystal bead ornaments; Miss O'Brien, dark skirt, li^ht blouse; Miss M'Laren, dark skirt, white blouse ; Miss Mary Hill, dark skirt, blue blouse; Miss Tohill, dark dress; Miss Tillie Searle, cream dress, pale blue trimmings ; Miss Jones, dnrk evening dress trimmed with green velvet ; Miss Dunbar, brown dress, canary front; Miss A. Dunbar, white dress: Miss Shore, dark dress, white lace; Mrs W. Knight, r.avy blue dress, white satin vest : Mrs Bennetts, dark skirt, pink silk evening blouse ; Mrs Jefferson, scagreen evening dress, black lace trimming; Mrs Fisher, black satin evening dress, white satin sleeves, pearl bead trimming; Mrs H. Eaton, grey dress trimmed with blue; Mrs R. Webb, dark skirt, heliotrope blouse shot with green and. gold; Mrs Beal, dark skirt, grey blouse; Mrs Nicholson, dark dress; Mra Grounds, block dress relieved with pink; Mrs Fraser, dark skirt, shot silk blouse; Mrs Slater, cream dress; Miss Black, cream dress; Miss N. Searie, cream dress; Mrs Geo.'Bertcnshaw, black figured lustre trimmed with pink siIk.— AMELIA CORNETTA BRASS. -