Upon the Heels of Pleasure

Southland Times, Issue 19232, 19 December 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

Upon the Heels of Pleasure

BY WINIFHED GRAHAM. Author of "A Strange Solution," "When the Birds Begin to Sing," Etc. (Published by Special Arrangement.) (Copyright.) "Thus grief still treads upon the heels of pleasure ; Married in haste, we may repent at leisure." CHAPTER I.— CHRISTMAS EVE. A man lay upon a sofa, his hoad and shoulders propped by cushions And a heavy rug thrown over his Xeet. He was gazing dreamily into a huge log fire, whilst outside the Christmas bella pooled joyfully across tho frozen snow. "No, doctor," he said, at last, looking at tho elderly grave-faced individual seated beside him, "ono cannot do two opposite things at the same time." The doctor shook his head, and took up tho sentence. "You cannot exhaust your energies in one direction, and yet reserve thorn unimpaired for another. You cannot eat your cake and have it too; you cannot serve God and mammon !— 'poursuis deux liovres, et lffs mautiues.' " "Still," 'replied tho sick man, "if I've racked myself to death it was for tho very gooa reason I did not care to live. The Old story, •i'amour!' " idle smiled, and a cynical Hash showed itself in the tired eyes. "She wouldn't have me, you see," continued the weatu voice. "i didn't -appeal' to her. Those were the words she used. Girls of eighteen aro not verj reliable when the gous have kissed them. "You. mean siio was very beautiful." "As fair as a flower — and good at heart. 1 don't think sho over realised how much 1 loved her. When J. saw the hopelessness oi it ail, I went uway, nox because 1 was consumptive and needeu change, but U possiDlo to hasten the end. It is better so. 1 am not nt to live in a Uttgnt glad world with this. canker at my heart and rottenness in my bones and blood. Ihere is something better for mo ueyond. To-morrow, doctor, is Christinas uay— a day of birth— but ior me it will be a day of death. Something warns me my light will die out with the passing of Christmas ; this is the end." Tne doctor did not contradict him, he knew itis patient spoke truly. He saw in tuo wasted leatures of his old mend, Uttoiye jnoore, tne snadow of tne grave. "j. Miouia nave liked. to see tne new year," inurmuruu ueorge, "but it seeais sucn a Jong way ou to me now. Hours have Become ime days, and nights line ytiiu-d. a us, me nuw year looms in the far, iar distance, uiougn to others it is close at nonu — mis ulinstuius Kvet" "1b thire anytunig you want, anything 1 can do ior you, old chap?" asked, the uoctor, earnestly. A strong© expression tlittud through the luminous eyes, turned quicKly in tne direction oi the speaker. ".Don't as* me uiat; 1 might demand too much. Anything l want —passing a thin hand across his brow — "the moon perhaps, or only — " "Only what?" queried the doctor, eagerly. "only Alice!" "Was it Alice Ford?" George nodded. No wonder," muttered the doctor, "no wonder 1" "1 have often thought," the dying man continued, "uiat just before the end she would come to me, I have lancied her bending over me with her hand linked in mine. 1 have even pictured myseu calling her 'wile,' just as the last breatn leit my lips." ."Where is -she living now?" asked the doctor. "Jjoes she Know you are ill?" "Why should i have told? see! Only to-day sho sent me a Uhristinas card, witn joy bells and lrosted rooms, wishing me nappiness, prosperity, peace on earth!" lie drew an envelope from under his pillows, and showed" ihe contents to the doctor, "'And if you had three fairy wishes now, ono wouiu bo to see her/':ies, to see her, to marry her, to kiss her. Watbon, you re a good leiiow, 1 believe you would do auyuo«.g ior me. Aiice is in i^onuou; not so iar v.way, un hour at tne most by train, and sue might come to mo to-uiglu. Will you go and tell her tho case.' uon't cioaK it up, don t make it better or worsa Tell her simply that an. inlatuated old I'ool, old with caret> if not in years, implores her to take his name and all his worldly possessions with it, as a dying gut. On tho bare chance of her returning to me at the last 1 have a license ready. .Bring her, for God's sake, if you would givo me ono hour of bliss, if you would have me die blessing you as the best friend man ever had." George Moore thrilled with excitement as he spoke; the, energies which through sickness had long laid dormant were stirring in him now a feverish tumult. Why bad he submitted to the daily march oi death without lighting ior a urief interlude of happiness wiuch tho enemy liaath gave mto his hanOsV "She cannot refuse," he argued eagerly, "for tho winning Weapon is mine. i urn not only under a sentence, but under a cnarm. Watson, she can't say no. She has a woman h hjeart un,der that childish exterior; though she was made fo.r the day, her better sfilf would never shirk an hour of dark night to see a trieud through, the valley." "You're right, old boy," said thu doctor, catching tho infectious spirit of excitement, "iveep calm and try not to thinK. If the thing is possible it shall be .done. My cart is at the door; 1 can just Catch the up train to London. God grant 1 may not come back to you alone.", # The grey-haired doctor rose with tho alaxcity of a boy, snatched up Ins hat, compared his watch with the timepiece on the mantle-shelf, and grasped his patient's hand In Xarewell. "Good luck!" gasped George as his eyes, burning like stare, followed, the retreating hgure, and then he fell back trembling, yet with smiles upon his lips. "What do you think of him, doctor?" asked the hospital nurse, whom he met on the stairs with a cup of beef tea t>he had prepared for the patient. lir Watson motioned her unceremoniously aside. "Don't stop me," he said. "I can only just catch the train to town." "You are going for a second opinion ? There will be a consultation?" " i.es; .someone else is wanted," he answered, as he hurried past her. The horso seemed to know the necessity of his master, as gathering up tho reins, Dr Watson urged him to put his best hoof forward. •The train came into the station as tho cart drew up, and a moment later Dr Watson was being borne to London in tho five o'clock express. It he, had been going to fetch, his own bride lie could not have felt a keener, "-interest in tho mission. His old /riend, George ' Moore, had caused him the acutest anxiety for over a year, hot only becausp of tho c fatal, disease which saped his life, but ): on account of & growing apathy, an aa- t most terrible carelessness, which had ] hastened his journey to the tomb, h Though for weeks and months they had v been constantly together, George made no mention of this deepest of all troubles-^- < his love for Alice Ford. i Dr Watson could remember the days t when she and George Moore had been a great deal together. Alie© was only n seventeen then, and George a man of J c thirty. She had treated him openly and D frankly as her friend, never dreaming n until ho spoke of the love he cherished f ( for her in his heart. Nor had the on- a looker suspected it until to-day, when n George Moore opened the gates of continence, and let in a flood of light upon a silent chapter. The <joctor could see ' &he tragedy plainly now, for he knefr his

friend's reck Jess nature; ho saw in a moment why Georgo Moore had courted death, welcoming the foe be miglit have fought and at lirst conquered. As these painful thoughts Hashed through his mind a sudden dread seized the doctor. How likely, how more than probable, he would reach Alice Ford's home only to find her absent on this Christmas Jive. Young people are apt to be much engaged, he Knew, during tho festive season, especially when they are endowed with high spirits and good looks. Ho remembered Alice was an exceeding- j ly popular girl. No party was complete without her presence. She had won a reputation, for "making things £O. She could entertain a whole room with f her ready wit, for sho kept a fund of ' effervescing humour ever fresh in her i young heart, and proved herself indisi pensablo at musical evenings by bringing a sweet clear voice and a much beribboned guitar. "If she is not there," murmcred tho i doctor, "how can I return to poor old ' Georgo and doom him to tho agony of disappointment." He felt the sickness of suspense, for in sympathy he had transmitted all tho lover's anxiety into his own mind. The very fact of its being Christmas Eve, the time of family reunions and goodwill towards men, made George's plight seem to him the sorrier. . Ueorgo had neither father, mother, brother, nor sister to Booth him in his last hours; he was staking all his hope of comfort on a light-hearted, frivolous young girl, who probably was at that monieut far from his reach, engaged at some society function. 2v<j wonder Dr Watson found himself growing discouraged as he turned over solemnly in his mind the probabilities of failure or success. It seemed the longest hour he had ever spent, before the train steamed into the London terminus and he was able to tonvey himsoJ/ in a swift handsome to his destination. Alice lived with her widowed mother in a prettily decorated Hat overlooking a bleak scjuaro chietly patronised by stray cats. Dr Watson «n his impatience, found it an interminable journey to the wilds of South Kensington, but at, last the handsome stopped, and ho was actually knocking at the door, and pressing tho electric button, which in black printed letters told him to "push." "I'll push," ho said, "if pushfulness can Win poor George that last hour of bliss." His heart stood still as ho asked the trim J,*tit*e moid; if Miss Ford was at/ home. "Yes, sir, but sho ia just dressing to go out. 1 dareaay Mrs Forde would see ! you, if you would step into the drawingroom." | Dr Watson did not care where he stepped, or whozn ho saw, so great was his relief on hearing that Alice was in the house. Ho had only to find her and speak with her, to force surrender in the namo of humanity. "Don't let Miss Fordo go," he replied quickly, as he followed th maid through the narrow hail. "Tell her JJr Watson from Thamesnaeado has an important ■message for her." Tho drawing-room door was open, and as- he entered he saw he had token someone unawares. A figure in a glittering evening dress was kneeling on the white hearthrug and bending towards the fire with a misterious weapon in her hand, which she thrust between tho iron bars of the grate, into the warm red mass of crimson coal. fcio intent was| sue that tor a moment she was unawaro of JJr watson s proaeuco. The voice 01 the little maid spoke his namo tremulously, eying her young mistress with marKo'J diaappruv&l. a oeuutiiui girl, grown iar iuircr than the Alice no rememoered 01 a year and a hail ago, turned with an exclamation of surprise to greet him. "i never thought of seeing you this evening," she cried, shuKing him very neartuy by tho hand, "tnougn it certainly is the night oi ail nights v>o should remember old friends. At> v matter of fact. 1 wtiß just wishing 1 could hang up my stocking, uud ueiiuie in Santa Clause agum. You must excuse catching me like this, 1 fancied it was too late for visitors, and as something went wrong witli my spirit lamp, 1 was heating my curling tonga at tuo druw-uig-rooui lire. iLiectrie light is iio good for thut sort of thing, you stx», and mother won't allow me a bedroom lire, she says it s extravagant, and that London is so warm. Ugh ! look at the frost on the windows." Amu ijave a little shiver, and then for tue iii's i t.uue she noticed tho gravity of vr Watson's fuco. "Is — is anything the matter?" sho asked. "You huvn t a bit ol a Christmassy air! But then, 1 know, some people don't like this time of ioar at all. it brings back recollections." In a moment h,er spanning eyes grew wistful, and there was a worm oi enquiry in her face. Sho iooKed li*lo soiue radiant fairy in her glittering dress — tuts good fairy of the Christmas I'antomiuio waiting to shed light on sorrowing hearts, to bring brightness where tho evil genius has wrought havoc and despair. "lou were going out," ho said, lookitig aer up and down with steady eyus. ■"Ao sumo sort oi a party 1 suppose'/" J)f Watson, was not an eloquent man, and he spoke bluihy, yet somehow his words had a way of carrying weight, and he could usually bend people to his will. Alice raised her arched eyebrows. The fact that her fringe was out of curl rather added to her appearance than marred the beauty of tho picture. For though (.do loose smooth hair which lay upon her lorehcad dttied tho fashion of the day, it gave an ulxuost puritanical expression to her face. "Yes, indeed. A diristmny Kvo party for old und young alike. i am one oi fhc old. There are to bo quite Jittle children prosent, to dine with the grownups, and afterwards wo shall danco. I am already engaged for the entire programme." "Then your partners will bo disappointed, for you winnot — must not go; You have a more serious duty to perform tonight, one which, if you are the woman I think you to be you will not shrink i ] have come to ask you to leave your gaiety, to throw aside tho dunce and tho jest and take up life in earnest if only for a few hours." "DrWatson, what do you mean?" sho stammered, growing pale. Briefly ho stated tho case, just as George had desired him, cloaking nothing, painting it neither better nor worse, giving the message word for word to the ureatliless aud astonished girl. Sho had grasped - tho white carved mantlepieco for support, and pressed one ringless hand ugainst her burning cheek. A wave of emotion dispersed her pallor, und brought a llood of colour to neck and irow— a blush of deep embarrassment— jf rising fear. Tho doctor watched her keenly; the conflicting thoughts racing through her jrain were clearly written in tho widelyjpened eyes. "And so," ho added in conclusion, "uness you are absolutely devoid of feeling, ,m less you would wish this doomed mun Lo pass away without a smile upon his lips or a kiss upon his. forehead, you can. but use all speed, and not forfeit a moui:nt for argument. or consideration. 1 lave found a train by which we con re.urn and be with him a little after nine, ferhaps you would send your mother lero to let mo explain tho matter to her vhilo you are dressing." Alice waliod unsteadily towards the ioor; there were tears hovering on her ong lashes, and she trombled from head o foot. "Of course, I will came," sho said, in , voico that quivered. I did not even now ho was ill, much less dying. I iroke off our friendship because I could ;Ot return his love. I have not seen him ar over a year. Yesterday I sent him , good wish, to-morrow we shall be named." She looked round wildly, as if oXpcctng to wak«» from some paralysing dream, 'hen With a (loop sigh, tv» twin-glaver

to a sob, sho vanished through tin 1 ojvn door. •'Bravo girl: X ihought slio would do it: 1 know she would!" murmured tin* j doctor, and for a. monionl he. too. wondered if it were all true The room had grown so still after she glided away, ho could almost fancy the scene was a vision wrought by brain fatigued with night watching and work Presently he was rudely aroused from the reverie into which he had fallen. A rustle of skirts, tho bursting open of a door, and Mrs Ford whirled herself inU> the doctor's presence. "What madness is this you have been putting into my daughter's hoad?" she asked hotly, forgetting even a conventional salutation, and sinking into a Chair with her hand on her heart. "Alice has gono crazy! Just as she was to start for the do Breton's dinner I find her tearing on" her evening gown and coiling for a travelling cloak in the place of her opera wrap. She gasped out adisconnected story about G conge Moore; declaring she is going to him to-night to nurse him in illness— to be his wile What, on earth has she got into her head, for I gather she is acting upon your nilvice? >!ot that 1 am going to allow her to make a fool of herself; a girl of her ago will do anything riduculouw or dramatic if people are wicked enough to urge her on." The doctor listened calmly to Mrs Ford's tirade- He was a splendid judgo of character, and saw at once a way out lof this maternal difficulty. Mrs ford was he knew, an extremely worldly woi man ; if he could turn the weapon ot worldliness upon her now, the day was won. " JIV dear lady," he began, with a preliminary explanation of the somewhat startling case, " are you blinded to the substantial advantages ymir daughuwill reap for her pity towards the man die refused? Jf he lives over to-monow, it will be a miracle ; even now we might easily return to lind him gone. <jniy I fancy, will-power can keep hi.- m nis body till ho sees her again. He usks her to accept his name ana fortune as a dying gift ; lie i-rn.vs for her presence in his lasi hours. Miss lord has natural y "ivL-n no thought to the mercenary side vf the question, but, between ourselves, 1 can assure you poor i.eorgo is extremely wealthy. Ho never told you Ins prosper ts. because the moment he s, -oko. of love your daughter refused him. He lias property, which, during the last year has largely increased in value. >t>t every girl is thrown in the way of s-ieh unexpected good fortune. Mrs Ford's manner changed, her face I dimpled into a satislied smile. t " Ueally, doctor," she said , it would be wrong to stand in the dear child's light, if sho can console this poor creature for a few days, or even fur v •ew hours. Can 1 ever thank you enough for undertaking this journey ? But 1 don't see how 1 am to be ready in time i to catch tho train you propose ?' "Ihere is a later one, L>y which you might follow us, and bring a little luggage. 1 promise you Miss Ford shall inbate in my keeping, and on my way to th« station I shall telegraph to the clergyman of the parish, and ask him Wj penorm tho hurried ceremony. Poor oeorge cannot Bit up without the assistance of pillows ; bo will probably be married in his bed." At that moment Alice entered in a long fur-lined coat and a little sable hat. "aiy dear, you are right to go, quite right." said Mrs Ford, in answer to the girl's enquiring glance. " H would t>«.Inhuman to hold back. Dr. Wulstm has made me see my error." ■' You must Do a wonderful man. Alice said, as they drove away, "lo huvo talked mother round." Christmas Day dawned, and the lines of care on George Aloore's pale face had vanished by the touch of a magic hand, 'i tie time of waiting through that long Christ mas Dvo was broken at last by the >ision of a slim Uguru stealing to hia bedside with wondering, compassionate eyes and gentle words of comiorl lin had held the warm, young hun>i in his wasted lingers, and a soft, round cheek pressed its Hushed roses to *his wan face. ' Alter this he seemed so m.uch bettor >Ju WUB able to sit up anil talii ; and now, While thousands of glad voices chanted • Hark ! the Herald Angels Sing," he waa lying with his head on Alice's shoulder murniuriug tho one word, >.i,e I" . „ The name struck awo to the gi rl s heart as she looked at tho signet ring with which she had been married. H was impossible to believe Lhut the man she held in her arms could really be her husband. All his restlessness vanished with her advent, and us the light of his great love glowed in his tailing eyes, ,he gleaned peace from the blessed contact with the woman he could call his own in death. To the time of the joy-bells without, mingling with the music of Alice's voice., he felt the world of substance slip from his grasp, and smiling a strange, mysterious smile, greeted the new-born King on the shore of an Eternal Home. (To be continued.)