CAPTAIN GEORGE OSCAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 80

CAPTAIN GEORGE OSCAR.

By

Phantasy.

(Copyright.—For the Witness.) He was 30, and had just had his captaincy confirmed. He had been promoted in the office, was a member *>f the Masonic Lodge, and had hopes, not altogether unfounded, of being the Worshipful Master. Life was rosy! He was full of importance and dignity, had cut out his Saturday night frolics with the boys, and had grown a moustache. A neat military moustache it was, and Captain George Oscar stroked it with pride : 1 affection. Yes! he was becoming . man who counted. He would have to settle down now, and take life seriously; so much depended on him and on his judgment! Unconsciously he strutted, and threw out his chest. Captain George Oscar! Three pips! What? He would cut some ice when the Duke of Yerk arrived.

There was his new uniform. It had Arrived to-day, thank* goodness, in time ;for the military ball to-night. He haff no lady-love to take to the ball, not even a best girl, but that could be remedied. He could afford to be married now, and forthwith must keep a vigilant eye for someone who would grace the captain’s table. To be sure, he was unlikely to ■find anyone suitable in a country town, but it would be quite agreeable to go to the ball and be duly admired in his new uniform by the village maidens. He arrived a little late. It was fashionable, of course, and he stood at the door ,<of the ball-room, watching the dancers. There was Nora MTntosh in blue, smiling at him. Nice girl, and handsome, too, but her. ankles were hopeless—beef to the heels —ugh! And Mary Martin, in that flimsy gold thing! A.es, she was pretty enough, but insipid—no brains. And., there was—but who was that .stranger; that tallish, slim girl with the •face like a cameo, and the jet-black hair? Hewatched her,- fascinated, her upturned, piquant nose, the smiling face of her, the grace and • rhythm of every movement. She could dance, too; her twinkling feet seemed scarce to touch the floor. ° She reminded him of a thoroughbred horse, quivering with the excitement of the race—and yet, the laughing, twinkling eyes of her! She was all smiles.now, danchig with that big, clumsy yokel. The couple passed the doorway where he stood, and he heard her singing as the orchestra played: e °

l° ne and sad, when I’ve got the 1 long to hear the squeaking of Suzannah’s - • bunday shoes. lie got ’em on, too, Jiinmv,” she laughed. : .. The sweetness of her voice! . Gad! how that country yokel gazed at her! Bah! he, Captain Oscar, would soon alter that! He had come, he had seen,’and all that remained to do was to conquer. ' For Captain George Oscar had suddenly decided that here was the very girl he sought, the girl who would' have the honour to be the Captain’s wife! ’ A couple of dances later he had met her,- Suzannah Gregory, and a few minutes after was gliding with her over the polished floor. He danced beautifully and was aware of it, and Suzannah danced even better. In and out they glided, and Suzannah, feeling the of a perfect dancing partner, looked up and smiled. It was a compliment to his dancing that smile, and to Captain Oscar compliments were always heady. loung^ nCe endCd ’ and hC le<l her to tbe - ‘T enjoyed that,” said. Suzannah. “One misses good dancing in a small place doesn’t one?” p Y es, ’ he nodded, stroking his dear moustache, “one does Hot sec life here ” gave him. d <IUICk ’ scarchin S look she ’.lull 1 ” °i n ° ls L busy one does not find it dul , she said quietly. He looked at her with lowered , eyelids, half smiling. • w “ a * mQ y you be busy at 9 Pavmg calls and dancing?” His eyes rested on her frock, her shoes, her shawl, exc,xn?nsive ’ Shc caught his glance, and laughed easily. ‘‘Judy gave me these. She is the wife of Colonel Pitman, of Garrison Park, and las money to spend. I am a poor cousin that she happens to be fond of. So I teach her children, and she is more than good to me. I’m just a plain nursery governess, Captain.” The dancing, laughing eyes of her, the unconscious air of breeding, even the ■signet ring with its crest and motto! ■Captain Oscar noted them all. A nursery governess! He would alter that. Yes, he would! His face grew stern. “You look as though you were fighting an enemy, Captain,” said she. “Come, there’s the music. We must go back.” He danced with her four times that evening, and while Suzannah enjoyed the . perfect music and the perfect dancing, './George Oscar was conscious only of the nearness and the dearness of her.

“May I take you home?” he asked, when the dance was finished.

“Thank you, Captain, but I’m going back with Jimmy. Here he is! We both, work at Garrison Park, you see. Good night.” Captain Oscar contrived to see her often after that. Sometimes he met her riding with her small charges or driving in the governess cart. Sometimes he dined with Colonel Pitman' and his wife. He was a captain now, and, of course, mixed with the best people. fl It was one Sunday afternoon when the two elder children had gone out riding on their Shetland ponies that George Oscar found Suzannah alone, and resolved to bring matters to a head. “Suzannah,” said he, “I • am a captain now.” “Why, so you are,” he missed the twinkle in her eyes. “I’m earning a good salary, with prospects of more.” “Wish I could say the same,” shc said, with sudden intensity. “You don’t like being poor?” “I want some money badly.” “Well, marry me, and you can have all you want.” “You—you ” Suzannah gasped. “Oh, dear!” “Well, I’d be a better spec than that Jimmy yokel that dangles round you. You want something a cut above that.” “Yes?” He missed the query aud the dangerous softness in her voice. “Yes,” said he, stroking his dear moustache. “I do mix with a better class of people than that.” Her eyes, demurely on the ground, were lifted to his—the dancing, twinkling eyes of her. Gad ! she was attractive ! And she would soon be his! Of course she would! He took a step closer, and then realised that she was speaking— O wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel’s as ithers see us. Or better still, mak’ ither swells To see us as we see oursel’s. The words and their meaning sank slowly , into his mind. “Why, what you do mean?” he blustered. Her face grew serious. * “When you’ve learned enough to realise how little you do know,” said she gently, “the stupid, tinsel part of life will not be so important with you. You will understand then why I am going to marry that ‘yokel Jimmy,’ ” her mouth twitched, “just as soon as we have money enough to buy Portland Hills.” A footstep sounded on the gravel, and before he had time to recover his composure Suzannah had turned quickly. “It’s all right, Sue,” called' a man’s voice, “there are no bones broken.” Up the path came the “yokel Jimmy,” Colonel Pitman’s foreman, and in his arms was the colonel’s small daughter. “Bill is following on his pony,” he assured her. “They were racing their ponies on the beach, and Jill was thrown and dragged. I usually keep an eye on their Sunday frolics, so got to her in time. She’s pretty bruised, lass, but not seriously hurt.” “Thank God for you,'' Jimmy,” said Sue softly. Captain George Oscar, watching the pair as they went inside with their small charge, stroked his dear moustache. Then picking up his hat he strode savagely away, but in his cars the words : 11 rang— Or better still, mak’ ither swells To see us as we see oursel’s.