A SHORT STORY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 260, 7 December 1914, Page 3

A SHORT STORY.

THE SUFFRAGETTE. V [COPYRIGHT.] [By Newton Bungey.] Harry Granville ,prepared to make a cast, but the vision of a girl in a skiff stayed his hand. She was endeavouring to pull to the west bank of the 3alte, but her right stroke was weaker than her left, and the boat's nose.kept swinging to the south. "She'll be in the current presently if she's not careful," Granville muttered, gazing anxiously at the boat. ' 1 Surely some of the men warned her." > Hestonwater, the lake which Granville was fishing, has a treacherous current towards its south end. This flows very swiftly and powerfully, and eventually speeds through a narrow channel and falls over some sharp rocks down into a pool some twenty feet beneath. As a matter of fact, Margaret Eynsworth had been warned of the current, and it was entirely her own fault that she was drawing periliously near to it. 1 'Pull your right! " Granville shouted at the top of his voice. The girl heard him, made an attempt to diveyt the course of her boat, but fo,urid the pressure too strong. Then she lost her head and eeased to pull. The skiff turned sharply at right angles and was dragged along by the current. Margaret Eynsworth sat very still, gazed wide-eyed at the rocks towards which she was rushing. Granville threw down his rod, and stepped quickly back against a rock. Alongside him the currenf poured into the channel. "Stand up! " lie shouted, "you won't fall—the boat is running too. steadily." The girl obeyed, watching liini vvonderijigly, as she sped on. towards the channeL Now she was very close to him, and lie threw out his left arm,. caughtthe girl round the waist, and swung her clear of the racing skiff. The next in- 1 staut the latter tore through the channel, and Vai hurled down into the pool below, crashing against some sharpnosed rocks.

The force of the impetus swung the girl against the rock, but Granville's intervening arm took the blow. A moment later, with a final effort he lifted her on to the rock, and stood still, breathless. "Oh, thank you, thank you," the girlmurinured. " What should I havo done but.for you?" "Didn't you know of the current?" Granville 'asked. i

" Yes, but I nearer to it than I meant."

"And now I must get you to the bank," Granville remarked. ".I shall have to carry you."

The rocks from which Granville had been fishing were about ten feet from the shore. He had waded to them, keeping dry by reason of his waders, which reached to his knees. He stared across the water and then back at the girl, and for the first time lie studied her face as they; sat'side by side on the rock which had played sucii a great part in the rescue. ■ '

"Why, I—l know you, surely," he said, slowly, gazing thoughtfully at her. "You're —you're" he paused, and then a light broke over his . face. '' Miss Eynswortli! Don't you remember me? We met at Sir Arthur Gray's place in, let me see, in 1902." "Yes, I remember," Miss Eynswortli cried, "but I know you without that recollection. I've seen your photograph about such a lot."

"Oh, in connection with the election?"

. "Yos, do you think you'll win Ilesijtonborough, Mr Granville?" "Well, it will be a close fight, but I think this evening's speech will ;just about laud mo homo. I have worked up some excellent, points which will answer very effectively some apparently unpleasant questions put by my opponent. " "Mr Carmicliael is strongly in favour of granting the franchise to women," Hiss Eynswortli said, "Are you?" "Not to the extent he is. He is prepared to grant universal woman suffrage, but I should only recommend a very small limit." "Oh!" Miss Eynswortli's pretty little nose was, metaphorically spealflag.. turned up. Granville saw her Fcornful expression, raid could not repress a smile. "Really." he said, "I had no idea that T was in such danger. Alone in

the wilds with a suffragette! By joveS wouldn't that make a lovely headline for a morning paper?*- 7 ■ ( ' Don't laugh, Mr Granville," Margaret Eynsworth said in severe tones. "I'm very serious."

"Are vou really? You ought not to be." " "Why?". y "Don't be cross me if I say what I think; let it.be the candour of an old friend, for I am an' old friend, as I've known-you since 1902. No, Miss Eynsworth, you are too pretty to hold such strong views." >= The girl flushed and tried to lj>ok' displeased. But the gleam of battle came into her eyes and-drove away the softer light. " What a very masculine reason," she said, scornfully; "as though that sort of thing has anything to do with politics." . -

"What I meant was," Granville said, his eyes twinkling, "that you would be •much better occupied in making some fortunate man a happy home." Miss Eynsworth tried to look indignant, and, forgetful of her position, moved as though to stand up. But Granville put a firm hand on licr should re. ■ • ' ' * ' ,

"Please don't try to get up," he said. "The rocks are very slippery, and you would probably fall in the water." •

"I gather, though, that you want to go on shore," he went on. "You must forget your views for a moment, and let me carry you." ' r "Oh, why do you adopt that bantering tone?" she flamed. "Why can't you take me seriously, as you would another man?'.'

"I'm sorry," said Granville, humbly. ' ( I clon't want you to get wet. Miss Eynsworth, so will you let me carry you to the bank? Mj l, waders will keep me drv."'

Mnrgaret's brown eyes softened immediately. "That's much nicer,"'she said. "But it's very jolly here; can't we wait a little longer? I don't think I have altogether got over iny scare." "I'd forgotten,'' Granville replied. "It was very thoughtless of me. Yes, vou: had better rest."

Secretly he was very glad of any excuse that would enable him to remain in h n eli close proximity to Margaret. So the couple sat talking—their subjects varying from reminiscences of the house party of 1902 to the transmigration of souls.

"By .Tovo!" cried Granville, suddenly. "Look ,at the sun! " That orb was just diving down through crimson clouds behind Hestonthwaite Pike.

"It's nearly seven o'clock,'- Granville continued, consulting his watch. "I)o you think you are able to start now, Miss' Eynswortli?" -

"Yes," she replied, with a demure little smile.

Granville slipped off the rock into the water, and, putting his arm around her waist, ho drew her to him and strode towards the shore. AValking . through water naturally made his progress slow, but he made it still slower pureposely that he might hold Margaret in his arm's the longer. Even then it seemed that he had barely put his arms arond her ere he released them, and she dropped lightly to the ground. "Thank you again," she said, dropping a curtsey, her eyes mischievous. "It is quite mediaeval," isn't it? v " 'Ye gallant knight cometh to yc assistance of ye damozel, and bears her in safety through ye torrents." "That's a better headline than yours."

"Headline?" repeated Granville, laughingly. "Why, that would be, a long paragraph for some of our morning papers.''

"But where are we?" Margaret asked, gazing around at the hills which fringed the south end of the lake. "1 have never been so far down as this, although we live near Hestonborough. llow far are we from the town?" "About ten miles by road." "Are we, really?" Whatever time shall we get home? It's seven now, and there's your meeting at eight. You'll miss that. Won't Mr Carmichael be pleased?" "He would be if I did miss the meeting, but I'm not going to," said Granville in rather grim tones. " You seem rather pleased than otherwise."

"Oh, do I?" replied Margaret, evasively. "But tell me, how can we get to Hestonborough by eight?" "Because there's a path over the hills that's only three miles long.'' Margaret did not reply, but trudged along in silence by Granville's side. He gazed once or twice, at her face, wondering why it wore such a pensive expression. Surely it could not bo ba-

cause they had only three miles to go instead of ten? No, impossible; he was not such a conceited ass as to think that.

They were walking up the commencement of the hill path now. Suddenly Margaret 's expression changed, and she began to prattle merrily about nothing in particular, but quite sufficient to keep Granville- engrossed. Ah they rose far up the hillside the footpath degenerated into a sheep track strewn with stones. The shadows were lengthening rapidly, and the crimson in the western sky was darkening. Here and there a star peeped out, an almost perfect stillness reigned supreme, broken occasionally by the tinkle of a sheep-bell. It was delightful.

Granville felt lie could have gone on walking till he dropped, so long as Margaret was with ' him. "Oh!" Miss Eynsworth staggered and clutched at Granville's arm. 11 What is the matter ?'' Granville asked in alarm.

"My foot!" moaned Margaret. "I slipped on a stone and my foot turned under. It's my-ankle." "I hope, you' haven't sprained it," cried Granville, supporting her with his arm. "Sit down on this rock."

The girl obeyed, and Granville stared at her uneasily.

"You'cl better take your l>oot off," he said, "and see if you've hurt youiy foot badly. Does it hurt very much?'' ''l'll take my boot off," Margarot said in low tones. She bent over, unlaced her boot, and pulled it off. Then she gazed liesitatin'gly at Granville. "I'll see if there's a spring near by," he said. "You'd better bathe your foot. Is the ankle sprained?" "I don't think so. I>o you mind

Granville knelt down and tenderly tried Margaret's slim ankle. "It isn't swollen," he began, but a little gasp of pain from Margaret made him confound his clumsiness'.

"I'm very sorry," ho muttered, apologetically. "You must bathe it. L 'll find a spring." lie began to search, and found a pool close, by. Margaret had taken : off her stocking, and, holding to Granville's arin, she hopped to the water. Cfranville muttered something about having dropped his handkerchief, and when he returned from his search Margaret had drawn oh her stocking again, and with many grimaces of pain was lacing up her boot.

! "Does it feel better?" he asked, anxiously. - "It feels a little easiei-," she replied.

" Will you be able to walk? You can. hold on to me as much as you like."

"Thanks. I think I. can manage." Margaret winced as she rose to her feet, ami Granville involuntarily winced in sympathy. He took her arm, and the journey was recommenced. The progress was exceedingly slow, and every now and then Margaret had to stop to rest.

The Market Place at Hestonborough was cramnied with people. From the balcony of a political club Mr Car-, michael harangued a huge crowd. At the other end of the square another crowd was gathered, waiting patiently for Harry Granville's final speech. Eight struck, then half-past, and the crowd began to grow impatient, and to repeat in chorus, "We want Granville. '' "Where, is he?" inuttored Mr Butler, Granville's harassed and worried agent. "It all depends on this speech of his; he's got the result in his hands."

Another half-hour passed by, and still Granville did not appear. Thy crowd had lost its good humour by now, and was making unpleasant remarks concerning Granville. Butler, his hair dishevelled, his eyes wild, was rushing about sending messengers all over the place. "We're done, we're lost!" ho groaned. "Oh, confound him! What has he played this fool's game for'/"

Mr Carmicliael had learnt, ot' Granville's absence, and he speedily turned it to account.

"Where is my opponent?" he asked. "Dining somewhere, or possibly at the theatre! ' He says to himself that the people -qf Hestonborough have such a wonderful opinion of him that they will elect him anyhow—they are afraid to lose him.

"Tell me," he shou{ed, "are you going to return a man who finds it too much trouble to express his views to you? Are you going to return a man who does not care a, snap of the fingers for vous"

"No!" shrieked the crowd. "Then poll for mo to-morrow!" bawled Carmichael. "Hooray! Three cheers for Carmichael!" screeched the crowd.

At a quarter to ten Granville hastened into his club to find his committee in a state of dull despair, Butler was nearly hysterical. "You're done/' he cried, "and you've only got yourself to thank for it. You've lost two thousand votes tonight if you've lost one. And after all we've done—after the way we've slaved for vou! "

Granville listened impatiently, and then retailed the history of the evening's events. Butler's face grew bright, and he grabbed the candidate's arm.

"Come out!" he cried, dragging him on to the balcony. 11 Electors of Hestonborough! " he shouted. "Here is your candidate!" The crowd was beginning to break up then, but at the sight of the belated candidate they gathered together and began to "boo." "Wait!" shouted Butler. "Give Mr Granville fair play. Let me tell you where he has been and what he has been doing*" The crowd grew curious, and ceased its clamour.

"At the risk of his life,", shouted Butler, drawing somewhat, on his vivid imagination, "at the risk of his life our future member has this evening saved the life of the daughter of one of our most influential residents. I refer to Miss Margaret Eynsworth." Then in picturesque and glowing sentences Butler told a- stirring story of heroism and self-sacrifice, which* so moved the crowd that a terrific roar of cheers set the windows in the square rattling. *' While his opponent was only talking, Mr Granville was- acting," cried Butler. "Now then, will vou listen to him?"

"Yes! Yes!" shouted the crowd. Granville received a magnificent ova tiou as he stepped forward.

He purposely compressed his srpeech into as small a compass as possible, making it bristle with telling points. And at the end the crowd cheered him to the echo.

Next day the polling took place, and at 10 o'clock in the evening the following figures out: Granville 9732 Carmichael .. ~ ... 6380 Majority for Granville 3352 The new M.P. for Hestonborough paid an early visit- to Margaret's home. Iler foot was much better, she said; in fact, she could walk quite well again. "I must congratulate you on your she said. J '' And I must thank you,'' Granville replied, "for our adventure went a long way towards my success." "It's a funny state of affairs," murmured Margaret thoughtfully. "How do you mean!" Granville asked.

Margaret did not reply. "You will be going up to town soon, I suppose?" she asked.

"Next Saturday.''

"We are going next week for three months. We shall probably see something of you." Granville was greatly delighted to hear this, , and promised to pay an early call at the Eynsworth's town house — a promise he faithfully kept. In fact,, he paid numerous visits. "Mr Granville," said Margaret, one evening when the couple were alone, "I want to make a confession."

'' Say on, Miss Eynsworth.'' "It is about the night before the election,'' Margaret began in hesitating tones.

"About the ankle which you did not hurt? " asked Granville, an odd twinkle in his eyes. " 1 Margaret's face flamed. "Oh!" she cried. "Did you know all the time?" He nodded.

"What can you think .of me?" she asked in Sow tones. '' How bold yoa must have thought me! But I was trying to do it for a good cause.''

"You wanted me to be too late to speak so that Carmichael could get in?" "Yes," murmured Margaret.

1 ' Because he was strong on woman suffrage and I am not? I guessed that. And as I hurried to the club I thought it would have an opposite effect —as it did. Mind you, I did not tumble to the scheme until we were near to the town, after nine o'clock, and then I. noticed that you sometimes seemed to remember suddenly that you ought to limp." "And you didn't say a word against me, I '. Margaret saidy * her expression downcast. Granville smiled.; " You are ; still a suffragette, though, aren't you?" he asked. t

"Oh/yes," she replied deeidectly. ''Do you believe in married women having a vote?" "Most certainly not." "Then why not.give up any idea of having a vote, Margaret?" he said in low tones, going very near to her. She did.