JACK’S GIRL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 58

JACK’S GIRL.

By

Kate A. Simpson.

[Copyright.] “Are you there?” “Hallo!” “Is that you, Hamilton?” “Yes. What do you want?” came back the answer through the telephone. “It’s time you were starting.” “I know. Awfully sorry. Been delayed. Will follow you later. But hurry up as fast as you can; go to the stile by the three oaks, and you’ll find Miss Chesney waiting.” ‘ ‘ What! Violet ? ’ ’ “Yes. I told her you would be with me, so explain things and look after her, old chap, till I join you. Ta-ta !” A hasty tinkle announced that the speaker had rung off, and Jack Hamilton stood gazing down the mouthpiece of the telephone, and thus apostrophised it. “Well, you’re a pretty fellow !” [the speaking tube tried to blush under the unaccustomed compliment). “Here you are arranging a trip in which I am to play chaperon, or gooseberry, to you and your ‘best girl,’ then at the last moment you funk it, and palm her off bodily on to my hands! What’s to be done?” One more frantic appeal to the bell showed him that his friend was beyond recall, so, with a rueful face, Jack Hamilton pulled on his cap, consulted his watch, and wheeled out into the SunshineGirls were not much in his line, but he couldn’t refuse to escort beauty in distress, and that Violet Chesney was beautiful he had no doubt from Will Ellerton’s ravings. Yes, she was beautiful, but .Tack wasn’t prepared for the loveliness his eyes rested upon as he scorched up to the trvsting place and flung himself from the saddle. Was it- roses, lilies, pansies, forsret-nie-nots, or what, that she reminded him of? ’ Surely it was the sweetness, stateliness, grace, and loveableness of the whole lot combined ! And as he .stood before her Jack acknowledged to himself that such a- girl was worth raving about, and that Will was a lucky beggar. “I am so sorry,” he said politpiv. ‘vour friend was prevented coming. He will follow us by a short cut, and he begs that you will -accept my escort as far us the ruins.” “How tiresome !” The. pretty lips looked prettier than ever in that pout, thmi they relaxed into a merry laugh. “Oh, how rude of me! I meant how tiresome of him, and how good of you !” she cried. “I don’t know the way alone ; it is a glorious day, and T should have hated going home and losing the spin.” “So should T.” said .Tack fervently. Then ha slipped into line beside her, and bent his pace to hers as they wheeled alone the country road. “You were very punctual,” ho remarked.

‘‘Was I? I was so afraid I was late.” “I thought that was a lady’s privilege. A girl always takes a long time to adjust her hat, and all that, doesn’t she?” “I don’t know. You see, a soldier’s daughter is accustomed to striking her tent at a tangent.” Soldier’s daughter ? Will had said something about the vicarage, and a straightlaced old parson—or so he fancied. ‘Well, a man always appreciates a lady who keeps up to time,” he remarked. And when you re married, you know, it makes all the difference.” “Married!” She looked up with a little start and a quick blush. “Oh, I see ! I thought ’ —with a laugh—“you were referring to me; but, of course,” — a pause—“you are married yourself?” “Indeed, no!” Jack denied the soft impeachment indignantly. He married, indeed ! Whv, he had never given a thought t 0 such a prosaic matter! He was a gay young bachelor par excellence; and to accuse him of matrimony—— Oh, base, ungentle thought! “I beg your pardon. But, you see, you have a kill'd of ‘approach-me-not’ manner about you, so, if you are not married, I’m sure you are engaged.” “Wrong again,” he said, strangely piqued to think that she could thus dispose of him without a pang. “I am neither engaged, nor married, nor—in love,” he finished decisively. “Really ?” with an incredulous glance. “You’re the very first man who has said as much to my face.” “What a little flirt the girl is !” thought Jack, grinding his teeth angrily. “As good as engaged to Will, yet fishing for compliments from his best friend. However, if that’s her style, I’ll give her i ' good as she gets !” And forthwith he ■ -t his energies to his task, and cert.ouiy Violet had no need to stir him to action again. Down a long slope they went, gliding side by side, and when Jack put out his hand and rested it on her little fingers, he felt that, literally and figuratively, he wias going down hill as fast as it was safe to go—and faster than was prudent. At the foot they came to an unexpected little brook, which babbled over some big stones on the Toad, and here Jack lifted bis companion’s machine carefully over the stream. He wished the water had been deep enough to allow of his lifting her also, hut the steppingstones left no excuse; her dainty shoes were in no peril of wetting. “Oh, how deliciously cool it is here!” she cried. “Don’t you think we might rest a little before we climb that hill?” “I think it would be Elysium!” And without more ado, he selected a spot, and threw himself on the grass beside her, while Violet divested herself of hat and gloves, with a little contented sigh. She looked prettier than ever, and she blushed as Jack’s eloquent eyes told her so. Then silence fell upon them; a silence broken by a little scream. “Oh !” she cried, as a big wasp buzzed past her ears, “I thought if I sat still it wouldn’t sting me, but—Oh !'” And she hugged one little white hand within the other, and rocked herself to and fro. “It has stung you? The brute!” Jack possessed himself of the hand, where a scarlet patch in the white was plainly visible. “Oh, what can I do?” she wailed, and two tears stood in the lovely eyes. “Come to the stream and plunge it in the water, while I search for —what is it — a buttercup ?” “No, no! A dockin!” she cried, halflaughing through her anguish. “If you can find a sour dockin ” It seemed to Jack Hamilton at that moment that he might as easily find a gold mine, for he wouldn’t know a sour dockin if he saw one, and he vowed to study botany forthwith; but his eye fell upon a pointed, shiny leaf which looked like business, so he plucked it in hope. Violet seized it eagerly from his fingers and squashed the juicy thing on her hand, while Jack sped to the stream and dipped his handkerchief in the cool water. “Has that eased the pain at all?” he asked as he bandaged up the little hand with fingers that bungled strangely. “It’s ever so much better already,” she said, raising two lovely tear-wet eyes,” I’m afraid you think me very cowardly.” “I think you perfect,” he said, as he stooped and pressed her fingers to his lips. Then he recalled himself with a pang. She was Will’s property, and Will was his best friend. More fool he, to trust his girl to another fellow’s keeping ! But for that wasp Then he looked down again at the lovely tremulous face, and the little* fingers which still lay in his palm, and saw with a quick throb that she wore no ring. Then Will hadn’t won her yet ! Tlnfie was still time—but no. He put the unworthy thought sternly from him. But the temptation was greater than he had ever felt, or resisted before. “Do you think we should be going on ?” he asked after a long pause, spent in silent self-colloquy. “It must be nearly lunch time, and —Ufreat Scott ! Why, it s past two o’clock !” “Not really! But we are close to the Abbey ?” “We are a good five miles away,” he answered grimly, “and Will was to meet us there at half-past one.” “W T ell! You’re a nice chap. So you never found Violet at all ! She’s ridden the whole way here by herself, and —hullo!” Will ceased his upbraidings, and glanced from his friend to the blushing girl beside him; while Jack Hamilton’s eyes were riveted on the tall, dark girl, whose fingers were clasped round the other’s arm. Not a, patch on Violet he thought. “Never found her?” he said stiffly; then, turning to the girl beside him, “I think you can assure Mr Ellerton, S£iss Chesney-

“Miss Chesney? Why, this is Violet! Let me introduce you, old chap, for she has promised to make me the happiest man alive.” “Man alive!” was all the other could gasp. Then by a violent effort, he roused himself, and went in pursuit of that flying figure. “My darling !” he cried, as he took her in his arms. “And 1 tried so hard to resist you. I thought you were Will’s girl—his promised wife, and ” “And I’m nobody’s girl!” she said raising a lovely flushing face. “Yes, you are!” he announced boldly. ‘You’re ‘Jack’s girl!’” And then he kissed her.