CHAPTER IX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 64

CHAPTER IX.

In less than half an hour the newcomer, who was walking his horse, slowly rodie up to the bluff, and raised his hat to Miss iFraser and her companon. "Good-morning!" "he said, as he dismounted. "I saw you as I was coming along the beach, and so turned off. Am I on the right track for Kaburie and Fraser'a Gully?"

'•Yes," replied Forde, "this is the turn off here for both Kaburie and) the Gully; the main track goes on to Boorala. Will you have some tea?"

"Thank- you, I shall be very glad! of a drink." Then again raising his hat to Katej he .said, "My name is <jrerrard'. Are youi Miss TTraser?' Miss Fraser?"

"Yes," replied Kate, smiling. "And you are Mr Gerrard of Ocho Bios, I am sure, for I have seen your photograph. But how did you guess I was Kate Fraser?"

"I -really could not tell you ; but somehow I felt certain that you were the young lady whom Mr Lacey described! so admiringly to m& a day or two ago." "Did he? The dear old man! How nice of liim," and she laughed merrily. "Mr Gerrard, this is my friend, the Reverend TVIr Forde, of Boorala — andl hundreds of other towns as well."

The two men shook hands, and in a few .minutes Gerrard was conversing "with him. and his fair companion as if lie had known them for years, and both Forde and Kate were much interested in learning the object of his visit to Kaburie.

"I do hope you will buy Kaburie, Mr Gerrard," said Kate ; "it is a really splendid station, and I am sure that you will like it better than, your place away up on York's Peninsula. Of course," she added, with her usual serene franknkekss, "I am very, very sorry that Mrs Tallis is not coming hack, for we are great friends, and always exchanged visits once a week, and* now I shall miss going there very much. And, oh, -£he garden of which she was so proud! I suppose now " She stopped, and reddened slightly. "Go on, please," said Gerrard with assumed gravity, though his eyes were emiling.

"I was about to be rude enough to say that most men don't care much for flowers."

"Jf I -buy Kaburie, Miss Fraser, I will come to you, cap in hand, and' humbly beg you to instruct me what to do ; and, furthermore, I promise that when you say 'do this it shall be done."

"You are undertaking a big contract, Mr Gerrard," said Forde, with a laugh, as he rose to go to his horse ; "you will have -to .send to Sydney for a Scotch gardener."

As .soon as the clergyman was out of hearing Gerrard, who had remembered I/acey's remark about "a, parson being- in the rxmning," said quietly :

"I certainly am a most forgetful man, Miss Fraser, and ask your forgivenesß. Here is a letter lor you which my friend Aulain asked me to deliver."

The girl blushed deeply as she took the letter, ior she instinctively divined that Gerrard Tiad purposely deferred giving her the letter whilst Forde was with them. And from that moment she liked him.

"Thank you, Mr Gerrard," she said, as she the letter in the pocket of her skirt. "Is Mr Aulain any better?"

"Yes, hut he won't be fit for another six weeks or so. He has had a -very bad attack of fever this time. Of course you tnow that he and I are oldliriends?" "Oh, yes, indeed*! He alxrays .writes and speaks of you as 'Old Tom-and- Jerry.' And I am so really, really glad to mcct < you, Mr Gerrard. Kandolph says that" yon are the finest scrub rider in Australia, and he is next."

• r-Hl. staaJae.

"Ah, no, he is the first, as I told Lacey a couple of days ago. His own troopers can hardly follow him when "

"Don't, Mr Gerrard ! I know what you were about to say," and she shuddered ; "but please do not ever speak to me of Mr Aulain in connection with the Native Police. I loathe and detest them, and would rather he were a working miner or a stockman than a leader of such fiends."

'"Randolph Aulain is a different stamp of a man from the usual inspector, Miss Fraser. No one has ever accused him of cruelty or unnecessary severity in discharging his duties."

"It is an ignominious duty, I think, to shoot and harass the blacks in the manner the police do," persisted Kate. "When the brig Maria was lost here on the coast some years ago, and some of the crew killed by the blacks, the (Jovernmentacted most cruelly. The Native Police not only shot the actual murderers, but ruthlessly wiped out whole camps of tribes that were hundreds of miles away from where the vessel was lost."

Gerrard nodded. "So I heard. But I can assure you, Miss Fraser, that the Native Police under men like Aulain can, and do, do good service. The blacks in this part of the colony are bad enough, but on Cape York Peninsula they are worse — daring and) ferocious cannibals. The instinct to slay all strangers is inborn in them. Some of the tribes on the Batavia River District I believe to be absolutely untameable."

"Would you shoot a blackfellow, Mr Gerrard, for spearing a horse or a bullock?"

"No, certainly not ! But, you see, Miss IFraser, we squatters would not mind them killing a beast or two for food occasionally, but they will spear perhaps thirty or forty, and so terrify a large mob of cattle that they will seek refuge in the ranges, and eventually become so wild as to be irrecoverable. I can put down my losses alone from this cause at over a thousand head. Then, again, two of my stockmen were killed and eaten three years ago ; and this necessitated inflicting a very severe punishment." The girl sighed, but said no more on the siibject. "You will stay with tis to-night, will you not, Mr Gerrard?" she said as Forde returned. "It will be so pleasant for father and me to have both Mr Forde and you with xis for the night." "Thank you, I will, with pleasure. Perhaps your* fafeher-^-iand you too — will come on to Kaburie with, me in the morning, show me the ropes, and tell me something about the country. And then you can see how the garden looks as Trell." Kate's eyes brightened. "Indeed, we will ! I love Kaburie. When we heap*that it was to b,e sold, father tried to lease it from poor Mrs Tallis, but she wanted to se'l outright, so father has to keep 'pegging away' at the claim and our old rattletrap of a crushing mill. But some day, perhaps, we shall 'strike it rich,' as the miners say." The horses were againi saddled, and the party were soon on their way, riding single file along the narrow bush track towards the ranges in which the little mining camp -was situated. The sun -was well -towards the west when they «ame in sight of the rough, bark-roofed shed, with, uncovjered sides, which contained the battery plant, and Fiaser's equally unpretentious dwelling, whiohj with three or four miners' huts, constituted the camp. A bright, brawling little mountain stream, with high banks lined with the graceful whispering sheoaks, gave a pleasant and refreshing appearance to the scene, and the clash and rattle ol the heavy stampers as they crushed the golden quartz echoed and reechoed among the rugged tree-clad range. A big, broad-shouldered man of about sixty years of age, who was engaged in thrusting a log of ironbark wood into the boiler furnace, turned as he heard Forde's loud cooe-e and -came towards them. He was bareheaded . and clad in a coarse flannel singlet, and dirty moleskin pants, with knee-boots } and his perspiring face was streaked "with oil and grease from tibe engine. Taking a piece of cotton-waste from his belt he wipeid his hands leisurely as the three travellers dismounted.

"Father," said Kate, "I couldn't find the horses. But I 'found' Mr Forde, and this is Mr Gerrard, who is going to Kaburie, and who has promised to camp here tonight." "Glad to see you," - andi the big man shook hands with Gerrard ; "how are you, Forde? Get along up to the house, Kate, and I'll follow you soon. Give Foroj© and Mr Gerrard towels. I daresay they'll be glad of a baijbe in the creek before supper. You Jcno"w where the "whisky is, parson. Help yourseJf and Mr Gerrard." 'How is she going, father?" asked Kate. "Oh ! just the same — about half an ounce or so<."

(She, in miners' parlance, was the istone then being crushed. — a crushing is always a "she." Sometimes "she" is a "bully-boy with a glass eye; going four ounces to tie ton." Sometimes "sh»" is a "rank buffer." Sometimes "she" is just paying, and no ingxpe. )

Simple as was the girl's question, Gerrard noted the grey shadow of disappointment in her dark eyes as her father replied to it, and & quick sympathy for her sprang up in his heart. And to Fraeer himself he had taken am instantaneous liking. Those big, light-grey Scotsman's eyes, with their heavy brows of grey overshadowing, and the rough, but genial, voice reminded him of his brother-in-laWj Westonley.

"I'll give the ojd man a lift," he said to himself, as he -walked beside Kate to the house. "What axe you thinking of, Mr Gerrard?" asked Kate. "I really believe you are talking to yourself." "Was I?" he laughed. "It is a habit of mine that has grown on me from being so much alone. What a splendid type of a man your father is, Miss Eraser." The look of delight which shone in her

eyes made Tom Gerrard's heart quicken as it had never "before at the glance of any woman. (To be continued.)

for California, where they - purpose spending the winter months. Mrs Lindo Ferguson has bean staving 1 at "Warrington for the last few weeks, and has returned to town. Mr and Mrs C Butterworth are at present the guests o£ Mrs Lindb Ferguson at "Traneit House." Mias Grierson (Auckland) returned last week from Invercargill, and is now staying with Mrs JWichi« at "Culbleen." Mrs J. Stewart and her little daughter left last week for Melbourne, where they purpose spending a few weeks. Mrs Leslie Harris and Mias Gross are spending a, week in CkristchuTch, and will return to Dunedin early this week. Mrs Dennistou. returned last~~ week from XnvcTca-rgill, where she had been visiting friends for a little. Miss Maclaxeri returned to Timaru last \reek, and Miss Lily Maclaren is now staying with Mrs Ritchie. Miss liilias Haggitt, who accompanied Mrs A. Morris to Invercargill a, fortnig-ht ago-, re- . turned on Saturday. Miss Yera Chapman and Miss B. Ulrich, who lave beem staying" with "Mrs Lindo Ferguson" at Warrington, returned last week to town. -Miss M. Sale lefi, on Saturday for Invercargill, where she wiS visit her brother, I>r Sale, ior a little. Miss Sale is also with her brother at Warringtcin, and returns to Dtunedin on "Wednesday. . Miss Sise, who spent a few days last week in Oamaru, has returned to town. _ Mr and Mrs Salmon left laafc wieek for Wellington, and will- be absent about a week. Mrs W. A. Mcore is spending a little time ■with her parents in Christchurch, and expects to return this week. Mies Cara Graham left last week for the Noxth. Island, wher.e she will stay with her ' sister for the winter months. . Miss Morris has returned from Canterbury, ' where she was visiting her brothers for a few weeks. Miss Royse left last week for Auckland, having gone to be with her brother, who is ill at present. Mrs Bryan, Haggitt was in town fox a few days last week prior to her departure for Invercargill, where her future home is to be. Mr Haggitt is leaving Lawrence, having bought into a practice in. Invercargill. INVERCARGILL, May 29. The Skating Kink opened for the winter season on Monday evening. The weather has been all that could be desired for the pastime, frosty nights making this exhilarating, exercise paxticularly welcome. Among the skaters were Dr and Miss Sale, Mrs Callender, Miss Callender, Mr and Mrs P. L. Wright, Miss Harvey, Miss Moffett, Mr C. C. Moffett, Mr S. Moffett, Miss Hay, Mrs- Massey, Mrs Hunt, Mr Black, Mr Boot, Miss Rattray, Mr CCallender, Dr Snow, Mr F. Traill, Mr E. Traill, etc - - Mrs Guthrie -gave a delightful litle afternoon tea on Thursday for Mrs Scott-Smith. Among those present were Mrs Guthrie, Miss Guthrie, Mrs Turnbull, Mrs Scott-Smith, Mrs W. Brent, Mrs Spenoe, Mrs Massey, Mrs Morris, Mrs Watson, Mrs Lindsay "Mrs Thomeon, Miss Thomson, Mrs Russell, etc. Mrs 3. L. Bush is at present visiting in Dunedin. Miss" Grierson, who has been staying for some weeks with Miss Cecil Hall, has returned to Dunedin. Miss M. Sale arrived in Invercargill on ' Saturday on a visit to her brother. " Mrs Scott-Smith <Napier) is here, at present • staying with her mother, Mrs J. Turnbull, ! Gala street. : Mr and Mrs Miles Featherstone, who have 1 been on a. visit to the Old Country foT some ! months, returned last week. They have taken 1 Mr J. H. Bark's residence, furnished, during : his absence in Christchurch. Miss Howorth is away at present on a visit ! to Dunedin. J Musical circles in Invercargill have sus- ■ tamed a great loss in the removal of Mr and '. Mrs Forbes- Williams to Dunedin. Mrs Williams has been on» of our most popular '• vocalists for many yeans. A farewell conver- ! sazione, * under the auspices of the Musical : Union, was held in Ashley's Hall last Monday : evening, and was largely attended. During ■ the evening Mr T. M. Macdonald (president) \ presented Mrs "Williams with an address ex- ' presing their regret at losing so valuable a> ' member. Mr and Mrs Williams left on Wed- * nesday for Dunedin. ' OAMARU, May 27. \ All indoor functions have been neglected c this week, for the weather has been so glorious ] that most of our people have been spending < their time on the links. The golf match on i "Wednesday, Timaru v. Oamaru, was won by £ the former by a narrow margin. Timaru were t short, and played an Oamaru substitute. Lun- s <jheon irfts provided, by on© of the Ladies' . «

Committees, two of which have been appointed this season to look after the refreshment of visiting clubs. Among the ladies present were Mesdimea M'Achnsi} -^H. Roxby, Darling, Gould, Wright, and Douglas, Masses. _V t Maude, Koxby, Gould, Banks, Murdoch, raig, Beswiclc, and Robinson. Mr and Mrs J. Cowie Mchols left by the first express on Friday, en route to join the Gothic for Home. Invitations have been issued for the ValpyChisnall marriage, which takes place on-iune 15. Two engagements are announced — viz., Miss Hardy-Johnstone, of Christchurch, to the Hon. Trevor Grant ; and Miss "Winifred Bulleid, youngest daughter of Mr John Bulleid, to Mr T. Cane. Heaps of visitors flocked to this town on. ' Wednesday and Thursday for the races, and the meeting was highly successful in every way. " "One got a glimpse of beautiful winter gowns worn by the ladies, and amongst those on the lawn I noticed Meadames Buckley, Garland, Burbury, J. Reid, Campbell, and Williams, Misses Burbury, Williams (2), Hassel CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. Mrs. Patrick Campbell gave a. most delightful children's fancy dress ball at "Ilam" on Monday evening. The large hall was given up to the dancers, and presented a brilliant scene with its decorations of fairy lamps, while the corridor, well furnished with couches and easy chairs, afforded an excellent position for the grown-ups, whence they could enjoy the gay scene. Mrs Campbell received her guests on the landing, wearing a handsome gown of black satin veiled in net, and embroidered with silver and jet. Miss Jean Camp Dell represented a Spanish dancing girl, in a brilliant costume- of black and yellow satin; her tiny sister had a "Folly" frock of white satin ; Miss Janet Ogle and little Master Cowlishaw were Pierrette and Pierrot, the former wearing a very pretty frock of black muslin dotted with white pompoms. The three little sons of Mrs Campbell virere in Highland costume ; Miss Cotterill, Tiinaru, was a gipsy ; Miss Mary Macdonald, " a fishwife, and her little brother a capital representation of the "Force" advertisement; Miss Joan Harper was "Cherry Ripe" ; Miss Beckett, "Old Mother Hubbard" ; the Misses Welson, Cashmere, made charming "Roses" and "Forget-me-nots" ; Mr J. Wilson was a toreador ; Miss Margot Hall, "Red Riding Hood"; Master Humphrey Palmer, a toreador; Miss Queenie Barker, "La Marquise"; Miss S. Fox, a pink • rose ; Miss C. Kettle, "Carnival" ; Master Archer, the Canterbury Times; his brother, j the Weekly Press ; the three Misses Knight, f "Spring," "Summer," and "Autumn" ; Miss Phyllis ±Jayle, "Veronique" ; Miss H. Burns, a doll; Master Harper, "Little Lord Fauntleroy"; Miss Mary Merton, "Duchess of Devonshire" ; ,the Misses Carrington, Crusaders ; Miss Dalgety, "Pompadour" ; "Master lan Macdonald, toreador; Master Deans, a cricketer; Miss W. . Marciel, - "Dolly Varden"; Master Roger Blunt, "Little Boy Blue " ; his brother, " Prince Charming" Among those looking on and helping Mrs Campbell to entertain her small guests were Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, Mrs and Miss Boyle, Mrs George Harris, Mrs Blunt, Mrs and Misa Weave, Mrs Ogle and*the Misses Stead ■ and- Deans; On Wednesday, Empire Day, the Queen Victoria memorial statue in Victoria square was garlanded with greenery and hung with many beautiful floral wreaths, in loving memory of our dead soldiers lying in South African graves. It was a, graceful act on the part of the ladies of the Navy League, and one that was deeply appreciated by the relatives of those whose names are engraved on the granite pedestal. On .Thursday, a beautifully fine day, Lady Plunket opened the large bazaar in Canterbury Hall in aid of the Children's Home. She was received by Mr Arthur Rhodes, the president of the society, and by Mrs William Recce, the organiser of the bazaar. Lady Plunket, who was wearing a trained gown of black crepe de chine, ermine furs, and white beaver hat, was presented with a lovely pink and white shower bouquet, and in a few graceful words opened the fair, after which business went on briskly for the rest of the day. The stalls were very prettily arranged, the most attractive being a central one, forming an arbour of dainty greenery hung with huge rose-tinted paper balls. This was presided over by Mrs Wjgram and • Mrs A. Boyle, assisted by the Misses Burns, Boyle, Arkwright, Cameron, and Hill, the latter wearing dainty white muslin frocks and hats of crimson crinkled paper, and fascinating lamp shades and paper hats of tissue paper formed their stock-in-trade. Mis Arthur Rhodes' s flower stall was another pretty one, the Misses Kettle (2), Rhodes and Hill, her assistants, wearing quaint Puritan-like frocks of green with muslin kerchiefs, and large green hats. At Mrs George Rhodea's produce stall eatables of all sorts were dispensed by Mrs Rose and the Misses Tabart, Stead, Julius, and Cotterill. Others presiding over the various stills were Mrs 0. Louisson and the Misses Louisson, Mrs and Miss Croxton, Mrs J. C. Palmer, Mrs and the Misses Molineaux, Misses Ogle, Russell, Staveley, Townend, Inman, Mrs Macdonald, Mrs W. Stringer, Mrs Barns, and Miss Humphries. In the evening there wag an entertainment at which the Misses Burns danced a very pretty step dance, and a number of pupila of Mr Tankard gave an exhibition of club-swinging, and the little daughter and sons of Mr Patrick Campbell gave some • charming Scotch dances. Among the visitors I noticed Mrs Wardrop wearing a smart brown costume and hat; Mrs Stead, in navy blue, white furs and toque; Mrs Patrick Campbell, smart tailor-made of black tweed; Mrs Kettle, tailor-made of pale blue hopsac; Mrs Ronalds, black; Mrs H. Cotterill, gray coat and skirt; Miss Johnston (Dunedin), smart cos-

tume of blue hopsac ; Mrs Nancarrow, black ; Mrs Be-swick, handsome .gown of dark brown with, touches of turquoise blue ; Mrs Ensor, black silk, handsome lace; Mrs Tabart and Mrs Reeves, black ; Mrs Walter Bean, navy blue cloth ; and Mrs Deans, black, sealskin coat. Mr 3 Richard G-ard'ner has gone to Dunedin, ■where she is visiting Mr and Mrs Maitland Gardner at St. Clair. The engagement is announced of Miss Gladys Scaly (Timaru) and Mr J. Ford. Mr and Mrs George Rhodes and their little daughter are staying with Mrs Arthur Rhodes at "Te Koraha." Miss Portal, Australia, is also visiting Mrs Arthur Rhodes. Mrs Duncan Cameron and Miss Cameron are staying at Warner's. A pleasant little ceremony took place on Thursday evening at the Alexandra Hall, when Mrs Gower Burns, whose singing of the soprano solo at the opening of the Roman Catholic Cathedral was so greatly admired was presented by the cathedral choirmaster with a beautifully-bound copy of Gounod's "Messe Solennelle" as a souvenir of the occasion. Mrs Gower Burns, who has been paying a round of visits in Wellington and Napier, returned home on Saturday. The Misses Burns returned from Gerarldino on Thursday week. Miss Rita Russell left yesterday for Wellington to join the Gothic for England, where she intends to pay a long visit to her sister Mrs Evans. Miss A. Saunders left by the Banffshire last week on a visit to England. Mrs S. Saunders is spending a few days in Dunedin with her mother, Mrs Johnston. Mr and Mrs Laing-Meason and Miss LaingMeason (Timaru) came up duriug the week on their way. to Wellington, -where they joined the Paparoa for a visit to England. I do not know whetßer wTJOI rug-anaking is likely to have any devotees among you, but, if not, it certainly is worthy of consideration as a branch of fancy needlework that is uncommonly useful and has unlimited artistic possibilities as well. The rugs, when finished, resemble the finest quality of Persian or Oriental carpets, provided, of course, Oriental designs are used. The material is wool of different tones of a particularly thick kind specially meant for rug-making, and the foundation is a very coarse canvas. In Australia the craze has been seized on with avidity, I hear. , WELLINGTON, May 28. Once morp we are congratulating ourselves upon the perfect weather. It is beautifully crisp and clear. Golf players are making the most of the opportunity. By the way, a new golf club has recently been forme3_at Karon, and already boasts a considerably membership. Doubt as to the length of time the Miramai links will be available, has encouraged many j of the players to join the new club also. The i Karori links, though, a little rough, promise to ' by" good, and the members are very enthusiastic. Gaieties of a- mild order are continual, but with the coming of the 'sessional visitors, dissipations will commence in earnest, and we shall probably have the gayest of winters. On June 23 the Star Boating Club members give their annual ball, and a strong committee is working to make it the usual brilliant sue- j cess. The Garrison Officers' ball comas off early in 3;ily, and the race ball a week or two '■ later. The latter. I believe, is to be the first ball held in our Town Hall — other committaas have felt a little shy abou.t the floor, -wnicli needs a great deal of preparation. Mrs Lewis (Nelson) has bean visiting Mrs Miles, Hobson ateet. The Hutt ladies gave a delightful dance at the Oddfellows' Hall oxx Friday last. Several ladies went out from Wellington. The hall was beautifully decorated with bamboo and lyconodrurn, and various ante-rooms were cosily furnished. An Auckland engagement of interest which has been announced this week is that of Miss May Alison, of Takapuna, eldest daughter of Mr A. W. Alison, M.H.R., to Mr John Fotheringham. The marriage is arranged for early next year. The 'Frisco mail brought particulars of the marriage of Miss Rebe Richardson and Mr Howell. The bride was one of our most accomplished and graceful elocutionists, and left here with Mrs Izett last year intending to continue her studios at one of the American colleges. Fate, however, decreed otherwise, and last month Miss Richardson was married to Mr Howell, a Caiifornian gentleman. The wedding wasi celebrated in the evening, and the biide looked very sweet in her bridalgown of cream duchess© satin and lace. The six bridesmaids wore frocks of white silk with crimson bouquet and wreaths of. roses 1 of the same shade. Mrs Howell' s many friends hope that sha and her husband will ere long visit New Zealand. Mr and Mrs J. P. Firth are spending the holidays in Nelson. Miss Lloyd Hassell spent a few days last week with friends at Hawke's Bay. Miss H. Lorraine Tansley, the popular contralto singer, passed through Wellington, en route for Sydney. J Mr and Mrs Sandford Cox. have gone up to ■ Auckland on a ahorfc visit. ! Miss May Seddon has returned from the Coast, the Misses Mills from their short cruise, and Miss Ottexson from a splendid holiday trip to Auckland. j Wellington men are being entertained royally this year. A short time ago there was the dance given by 11 young hostesses; now inVitations have been issued for a ball on June 6, the hostesses being 'Misses I. and M. Finch, A. j and E. Rawson, E. Mactavlsh. L. Tolhursfc, M. Simpson, J. Nelson, G. Reid, J. Macintosh, snd E. Stuart. The hostesses are to wear some distinctive dress, and we are all very curious to hear "what,' 1 but so carefully have they kept the secret that no outsiders have the slightest idea. Needless to say, it will be pretty and becoming. On Thursday last a great many guests were entertained by the High School Old Girls' Association, the occasion being the annual "At home." It was a very great success. Progressive euchre, pit, and various competitions were enjoyed until 10 o'clock, then the prizes "were presented to th« winners, and aftenr a. delicious supper there was dancing for a few hours. Thie skating season haa commenced once more, and will probably be just as popular as last year.