TINSEL AND GOLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 81

TINSEL AND GOLD.

By

M. C. Ramsay.

(Copyright.—For the Otago Witness.;

“ Bob, you don't mean—why, you are not, surely, asking me to marry you?” Kitty Ruskin’s big "blue eyes were wide with amazement. “We are good pals, but I never for a moment thought you wanted anything else.’’ “ I know you didn't,” Bob Carson answered quietly. “So that is why I don’t want your answer now. Take "time to think it over, dear, and ” “ What would be the good? ” queried Kitty, a trifle impatiently. “ I know quite well that I'll never love you that way. And even if I did, I wouldn’t marry you - just to go from one struggle to another. If I do marry, it must be some man who will be able to give me maids, and pretty clothes ” “ All right, old girl,” Bob interrupted, and if his tone was light, there was real pain in his eyes. “ let's forget I ever suggested such a mad thing.” “ And we’ll go on being- friends? ’’ said Kitty, anxiously. ‘‘Of course! I’m not one of the heroic, ‘ all or nothing ’ chaps. Our palship means too much to me for that! ’’ “ I’m glad you can take it that way,” said Kitty, but her tone had an undercurrent of disappointment. This, her first proposal, was rather a tame affair. Even though Bob wasn’t a bit romantic, he might have been a little less matter-of-fact. “ What’s the good of taking it any other way, Kit?” he asked her. ‘‘What about the pictures? ’’ “ I’m sorry Bob, but to-morrow is washing day, and everything to be made ready. Oh ! I’m tired of being the household drudge. It is not fair that one out of four girls should have it all to do! Even if the others do go out to business, they might help a little.” “They ought to,” said Bob, emphatically. “You are too unselfish by far. You are coming out with me, though it is only for an hour’s blow on a bus top. It isn’t much fun that I can offer you. but—” “Oh, Bob!” said Kitty, and her eyes filled. “ You know it isn't that I despise simple pleasures, only I get so tired sometimes, and none of them, not even father, apnreciates me! ’’ She was in his arms now, though she did not rightly know how she had got there, and was crying softly against his breast. He resisted the powerful temptation to kiss her. Bob was not the man to take advantage of her passing weakness. “ Oh, yes, " they do, dear, only they never think of saying it. Now run and get on your things.” Five minutes later they were walking down the rather drab suburban street. As they waited for their bus, the last word in two-seater cars flashed past. A girl was at the wheel, a young man by her side. Bob snatched off his hat. . — “ Tlie. new boss, and his sister,” he explained. “She was all over the stores

to-day. Everybody was charmed with her, but—well, most of us ar© reserving our judgment upon him. Struck me as one who would be glad enough to spend the money, but would despise the source from which it came. Contrast to his uncle, eh? That felloAV has never done an honest day’s work in his life.” “ Lucky fellow,” said Kitty, but Bob responded: “ Poor chap, rather, say I.’’ Kitty ignored the words. “ Now, if I hadn’t been the Cinderella of the family, I might have had a chance of meeting a rich man like that, but as it is ”

She ended with a sigh, and Bob gave her arm a sympathetic squeeze. “Well, you are coming to the staff dance with me in three weeks’ time, aren’t you? so you may get a chance of throwing your spell over Handsome Percy,” he said, as he drew forward to the bus. “ You’re just laughing at me,’’ said Kitty, but her eyes were smiling, for sho was laughing at herself. “Of course, a man like that would never give commonplace me a second look, far less thought.” Yet Percy Longman had seen, in one sweeping glance, that the girl with the bookkeeper chap, whose name he had forgotten, was more than passing fair. “ Wonder if she is his sweetheart, or only his sister,” he mused. “ If she is 'at that confounded dance they tell me I must attend, it may not be such a bore after all.” The Fates decreed, however, that the pair should meet before the dance. Next day Kitty’s oldest sister, Meg, a telephone girl with irregular hours, announced at dinner that it was her even-

ing off, and she was bringing a friend home to tea. It did not matter to Meg that it was washing day. and that a visitor meant considerable inconvenience to Kitty. “ You get everything nice. Kit, and I’ll pay for it,’’ she ended, and considered herself generous beyond words. So Kitty scurried around, and about 3 o’ clock ran out to buy some dainties for tea. On her way back she was joined by a young married neighbour, who was wheeling her baby girl in a pram and had her toddling son by her side. He was hugging a big painted ball his mother had just bought him. They were held up at a corner while a string of motors passed slowly out ot a side street into a main read. The little chap suddenly let his ball fall. It rolled on to the road, right in front of a car. With a shriek he was after it. Kitty dropped her basket, and sprung to the rescue riot a minute too soon.

As she staggered back to the pavement gripping him in her arms, the car was stopped. The driver jumped down. He was more ghastly white than Kitty, or even the young mother. “By jove! that was a narrow shave. You are a plucky girl,’’ he said, and it was no shame to his manhood that his voice shook. “ You arc sure that you aren’t hurt? Or the kiddie? I fancied the bonnet touched you.’’ “ But no more,’’ said Kitty. “ And you stopped so quickly. Don’t cry, Billy dear. Auntie Kitty will buy you another ball.” “ Oh, that is up to me,” said Percy Longman. “ I say, I,ve seen you before, haven’t I? Of course, you're the girl who was with one of the bookkeepers yesterday evening. Your brother? “ Oh, no.” said Kitty ; “ just a lifelong friend.” And as she spoke she gave him but the one quick glance from her wonderful eyes and bowled him over completely. If Carsen —he recalled his name now—was more than a friend, Handsome Percy would know no peace till he had done him out. And that was how it began. With Mrs Green's consent, Kitty went oft’ with Longman and Billy to buy the new ball. He then drove them home. He asked permission to call in the evening, just to assure himself that she really had got over the shock. Kitty only hesitated a moment before she gave consent. There was a new light in her eyes as she hurriedly prepared tea. Only to think that this should happen just when she was dead tired of “ the daily round, the common task” ! Surely, at last. Romance, with a double big capital, was knocking at her door! Longman was not given to lotting the grass grow under his feet. He arrived in his car, and asked her to come for a little run. As usual, the whole family was out. She had to judge for herself. She did not want to make herself cheap —but still— She glanced down the street. She thought she saw Bob coming round the corner. She took the plunge. “ It’s awfully good of you, Mr Longman. I’ll be delighted to come,” she said, and had on her hat and coat and was seated beside him in record time. They started off. just as Bob reached the next gate. She waved gaily to him, but he stood stock still on the pavement, forgetting even to raise his hat. It was just as well that Kitty did not look at Longman that moment. The expression in his eyes would have killed her innocent joy. In the days that followed he was all that the most exacting girl could demand. If the old-fashioned father had his doubts, her sisters, were absolutely sure that it was “ a fair click,” and instead of -displaying any jealousy or envy, did all they could to help .by letting her have the run of their wardrobes, so that it was no “ little dowdy ” the Handsome Percy ran around. Of course, it was pretty much a case of a sprat to catch a whale which made them join forces to give her a complete new rigout for the staff dance—for Kitty was going after all, not as Bob’s guest, but by the special invitation of the head of the firm himself. She told Bob herself. “ I tried to explain that I had promised to go with you, but he would not listen. You —yon don't mind much, Bob dear, do you? ”

“ Of course not !” said Bob, more politely than truthfully. “ I only want you to be happy, kiddy. If Babs Harley isn’t booked, I’ll ask her instead.” Kitty* turned hastily away. Of course, it was no business of hers; but it did hurt a. little to see Bob consoling himself so easily—and with Babs Harley, of all girls!

Kitty met Miss Longman for the first time at the dance. She was sweetly gracious, as she was to all. But at the first opportunity she drew her brother aside.

“ Look here, Percy,” she said, decisively, “ I won’t have this. That little girl isn’t fa bit like your usual 'pick-up.’ She is a dear, sweet, innocent—miles too good for you. And unless to-night sees the finish of your flirtation with her, I shall tell her myself that you are only waiting Alice St. John’s return front South America to have your engagement announced! ”

“You’ll mind your own business, Sis,” he said, curtly, and went oft to claim Kitty for their fifth dance. The gathering was in the Roof Garden Restaurant, and to simple Kitty it was like a little bit of fairyland. When she said so to the head cashier, Bob’s special chum, he laughed, a little jeeringly, and made quick reply. Of course, it would to you, Kitty, playing Fairy Princess for the first time. But have a care, little girl, sometimes the handsome prince turns into a frog.” “ It was the other way about,” said Kitty, as she got to her feet, seeing Longman approach.

“ Well, anyhow, he is very plainly under your spell,” said Jack Newton. "11l skip. Don’t forget the second extra is mine.”

“Shall we sit this one. out. Kitty?” said Longman, the moment he was besido her. And without waiting for her answer he drew her behind a screen of groat palms, where a cane settee just built for two received them.

“ Enjoying yourself, dear?” he asked, as his arm stole around her waist, and her eyes sparkled like stars when she answered :

“ It is all too beautiful for words.” “ A lovely setting, .for the fairest, sweetest girl in the town,” he said, and, bending, kissed her passionately before sho could draw back. She gave a little startled cry. That kiss had frightened, instead of thrilling, her, as it was meant to do. Of a sudden she knew’ that she did not care for him in the right way—as yet. “Yon must not! Oh, Mr Longman, vou must not!” she half sobbed.

For sole answer he kissed her again, and when she tried to free herself, only tightened his clasp. “ Don’t be a silly little prude!” he said. “ I'm sure I’ve shown wonderful self-restraint to wait all this time for the first kiss. And I’ve paid 4 ’or it, and a good deal more, in advance, h’.ve 1 not? And what I pay for, my fair Kitty, I usually get.” His laugh, as he kissed her again’, roused within her a sort of blind terror, which gave her the strength to struggle to her feet, forcing him with her.

“ Let me go. you —you cad I” she cried, passionately. “ I—oh ! what a blind little fool I’ve been. But 1 did so want to have a good time, and you’ve certainly given it me. But if you had been a gentleman! with any respect, far less love for e—” “Respect? Love?" His laugh was contemptuous now. “Mj dear child you are indeed new to the game if you think either plays any part in an affair like ours. No fellow picks a girl from the side walk ”

“Another word, and I’ll thrash you till you can’t stand, boss or no boss!”

A great palm had crashed to the floor. Bob Carson stood where it had been, towering above Longman, his eyes blazing. his hahds clenched. Just behind him were Babs Harley and the cashier, and Miss Longman herself. It may have been his sister’s presence which made Longman fling up the sponge instantly, for he was no physical coward. “ I’m- finished.” he said, am 1 let Kitty go so suddenly that she would have fallen if Babs had not caught her. “ There’s no fun in playing with a baby like that. Yon buck up and marry her, Carson, ami keep her out of harm’s way!” “ That’s just what I’m going to do!” said Bob, with determination, " whether she wants me or not.” “But I do! Oh, Bob. I do I” Kitty was in his arms now, not caring in the least, though all the world saw. “ I’ve wanted you all the time, only I didn t know till I saw you standing there, so brave and strong, and suddenly felt that nothing in the world could harm me if you, my man, were standing by!’ She hid her face against his breast for a moment, then looked up again, straight into Bob’s smiling eyes. “ Babs, dear, you don’t mind, do you, though I have taken him back?” Bahs laughed—a sweet, silvery laugh, and laid her hand on Jack Newton's arm. “My dear Kitty. Bob has never belonged to anyone but you! I never, wanted him. anyhow. I just made use of him to help bring this slowcoach to the scratch! It is now a case of mutual congratulations, old thing!” . Of course, they flew into each others i arms then, and as they hugged and kissed, ■ and the . happy chumg shook hands, the . rich girl into whose life real love had I not yet come turned away with misty eyes.

She was glad that she had not needed to interfere. And, after all. Percy had played his part in opening Kitty’s eyes. Never again would she run the risk of flinging away the gold to catch the tinsel I