The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7952, 16 October 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

wool Mi TO OllDl'-K. The young man at the desk frowned darkly as he read the letter before him. He held il at a distance, thin drew it closer. And his irown grew darker. "That's a fine proposition," he SiNiwkd under his breath. "Wonder li lie is aware that this is the twentieth century And what on earih am I to do about it He stared helplessly at the closely written sheet.- Then he read the letters through aloud. The handwriting was small and cramped, but he seemed quite familiar with it. "I write to let you know,'' he rend "that I've had another of those bad turns, and while it was not any worse than the others, I take it for a warning. I'm g£>Tng to get my house in readine:li to move out.

This isn't a bad place io slay in awl I'd be contented here for quite a while yet, but I'm not counting on the future, and 1 want to put everything in readiness and I'm going to begin with you. No doubt you have expectations, but perhaps I have encouraged them. But I'm going to make things very clear to you. You have professed considerable gratitude to uic lor wbat 1 have done tor you. I'll test your gratitude now. 1 believe I once tokl you that 1 had a cousin Mary, who was my plavnute when wc were children together. Studied several years ago, leaving a dyightcr. 1 helped Mary on numerous occasions, and promised her I would help htr daughter. 1 have done so. I have paid her expenses through college and I uiean to provide for her further. But on one condition. I want you to marry her I'erhaps you will fail to appreciate that this is the highest proof of confidence I have yet given you. No doubt you will consider me a hateful tyrant. Consider me what \o'.

like—iny mind is made up. You know nte- You know what my whim> mean lo you. You know I am a adamant when i.nee 1 make up tm mind. The day you write me ot cable me that you and Kniily have agreed to wed, that day 1 will set aside a trust fund for you and nu cousin's daughter of £so,out), k voii ' fail to win her you will get nothing. I am going to allow you all the time I feel I can safely name—and it srems to me quite sufficient. I figure it out that this letter should reach you by the 10th. I must have results by the first day of the coming month. It seems to me that this is ample time. You luve youth, goo.l health, good looks, a good education and very fair csp.cta; jions Hasten your wooing, my i>ov. 1 want lo know that the dear girl is in safe hands. If you will go to my lawyers, Rrigham, Clayton and Menson. you will be told her address. Bon't disappoint me. This may be—- . w doubt will be—my last requt st 5 The young man dropped the letter i* on the desk and stared at u blankJy. "Tins is terrible," he murmured. "What am I to do ?" lie looked ri.tmd as if seeking aid from the olTce walls. "And I owe so much to this dear., old unreasonable man. His last request. Yet hew can I bring niyself to do it ?" He pick. .1 up the "He has given me ten days for my wooing. Ten davs. Oh bang it all, if it was only' the miK ney. Id know what to do iniirlitv soon But I owe everything to him —a home, education, the very elotlies I wear ! And In- says it js his last rc(fnest. He might have called t his only one. His cousin's daughter. I scarcely knew be had-la cousin. I never heard him mention her but once. What can she |* like ? lJut what difference does it make '• Hang it all - I fe|, so happv so . well pleased with the world !" He struck th? desk with his fist and scowled again. "If I rc f ust . it nu . ans tin* loss of my position lure, oi my hoprs oi advancement, Tt niiaus the loss of my benefactor's rcCoril. And there is someone else." He flushed redly. "Now I know there is someone else." He sat v f rv still l o r a " few moments. Then he suddenly got up and putting the li tter in hi? pocket, turned towards the wardrobe an d took down his hat. "I'll go and see the lawyeis," he said. "Perhaps I will find that the is ulreadv engaged to someone else. Or niarriid I'd rather sire was married. Much rather." And he turned towards the door. A light rap stopped hint. "Come in," he said.

The door opened and a youtu; W" "*"* man en tend. She was a prettv young woman, wjtli a pi.•(iy hat and a pretty frock, and a smile that was decidedly anrartmv She smiled now as she caught sight oi the young man. "Ah, Mr Somrrs," shi- nied, "are " you in The youirg man had sorted at sight o! his caller "I'm very glad to say I am in." lie replied. "Hut you were nisi going out

Hp replaced his hat. "Il was in coniixTinn with a matler of lit tie consequent-,,'' he sai.l. Then lip reiiienibercl. "At least, ji is a matter that can wail. I'ray be seated." "Thank you. You limy a pleasant office."

"I find ii so Oi (ours,, i have considerable, lime In admire it.'' The Rirl laughed. "Admire it while yuu can," she said. "Mr Graver says yon are doirij; very well for a beginner." "I am glfd Mr (Jraver thinks so. If. Jt xcuis pretty slow climbing ior «ic." "Then you will appreciate every . snuessjve height that you attain." How charming she looked, how , swtet and good. He buttoned his , coal nervously and the rustle of the J.tler in his inner pocket struct a clnil to his heart. " i s .' s f' 1 ' "rst lime you have honoured me with a call." "I promised you I would look in I ter " <Wr ' l " a "' rs - 11

"Of course. I rum-nt,\,r, but I was nfriad you wouldn't t me " •Slu- Uesitalid a..d | ( „ lkl ,| hj with a curious rxprrssirn "f was in the building AIJ ,| , aW jour card on toe door. ii seemed unkind to pas- it by •• Anrt'iM e h,U " lu " *" r > vlit - «"**** ™ Wn '' I' 0"She flashed slight Ij, i J' 1 m l ' !*"'■' " " r (iravi r'i ~f-'' '' " e lias U L n verv kind lie r pntiiises t 0 fin(i a MMlililo|l an do copiing atM | perhaps- act a, : a foreign cm-resjMml.'ni." J lie man dusl,< .1. 's that necessary > Is' T can't a ," SttV "' 1 ' it x»ow. i hAe h,*;, cl,a ,v ,v - 5»» ~ cation and frel |]|-

laughed a liis serious Uce ; "You don't happen t" want an amanuensis do von He shook liia head. "Not yet." "She has excellent references, aim is willing to toine on trial." "1 dtn't like it," lie said. "Don't like what, Mr Sowers ?" "Don't like your bantering on Its subject. Don't like the ilea of your doing office work," lie added .boldly. Vlcr clear eyes regardul him iiy"You are unusually serious tins morning, Mr Sinners. Has anything happened Have you ucMvcd bail news

"Yes,'' he answertd. •'l'm sorry. Perhaps my fall is not opportune." She hall" arose.

"No, no," he quickly said "I consider il providential." She laughed merrily, "That sounds almost desperate. Well, we must make the most of it. It may he a long time before another such opportunity recurs.'' "What do you mean by tfiat )" "Mr Graver thinks he lias stcmoi a desirable place (or nvo as ioreign' correspondent wilh the Acme '.YfUc! 1 . Company. They are about to esiallish a new place, and want lo hav c their clerical force there. It looks like a fine chance for me.'' He started at her. "You arc going away." , "Why, yes. 1 must go away if I take the situation."

"Going away," lie murmured. Then he seemed to take a suddm lesolution. - •'Miss Selwj n !"

'•Y'es, Mr Colliers." "I want to ask your advice, I—how long havc I kuown you, Miss Selwyn "It must be all of four months.'

"Yes. Kour months, hut 1 seem to have known you much longer than ihat, much longer." "It's only iour months. I met you the first time soon after 1 felt college." "Yes. And do you think, Miss Selwyn, that a iour months' friendship warrants me in asking your advice in a matter that very closely and— And s riously concerns my iuture." "We are very good friends, Mr Somers- If you think my advice will be of any service to you it will be freely given. Hut am I the one to •onsull "The very one. Miss Selwyu." She drew down her fair brows a little at this. Then a gentle smile ipplcl across her face. "1 am listening,'' she said. The io.inj; man squartil his chin ind drew a long breath.

"It is a H|ucst ion of gratitude." lie legiui- "Not Hi duty, please un-'lcr-.1Inil. It it Wire a duty I coul.l -ettle the question very quickly. Hut ibis is more difficult.'' The girl nodded. "I understand, .Mr Soineis."

"Yes."' He paused a Moment. "My father and mother both .lint when I .v.is very youn- and left me quite ilone and quite fru-mlless. Then an .cquaintance of my tall,. r's took iu> n his keeping ami ied me and clotiid Hie and educated me All I have 1 owe to my benefactor and he b,.s isked nothing oi me in return—until now. I have seen him only .it rare intervals, his health is not good an . .ic spends much of his time abroad, but I hear from him quite often—as jftcn as lie is in the mool to write.

.csli-rilay a letter lame that greatly lisquirts me. He tills me that li .leheves his dais are numbered—hut ihis lie has told nte sevir.il times icforc. It is not the premonition ,hat worries tne so much—for I believe lie is in a ivrvons state that jitcn tills him with gloomy forebodings— it is a test oi my fir.ititudc thai be asks, ami asks in a way .hat makes it very hard for nte to ..now, just what to do.' 1 The girl's clear gn/.e did not leave his face. "Does it not require too mt:c'i oi : i personal sacrifice she asked, lie Hushed. "It is hard to explain." he answered. 'He asks me to d > some--1 .hing which hurts my pride, that aour.ds mt f.-el.ngs, ",li it —ili.n makvne appear eontempti ;e to m\soli.'"

surely." sajs tlu- 'you Jo not licsiuto "Hunk *.i tin.- m-aiiimk. I owe to hiw." ''But Ih-iicl'-i*»r not own you." "It soins Uial he iliiiiks lie does. Aral he is oM aii.l ill and believes iic is dyin^."' "Still you should noi hesitate." ■She -'No dM.'i/t he oik-is you s<mie reward it you euuiply with his wishes "' M "Yes ; a reward. Wait. It cor.cvins some o«ie else equallv with myself." llkiv was A brief sileiicc.

"You must decide this question f,,r v'l.urscli. Mr Soniers," said the girl. "I can't put myself in vour place." He struck the table with his hand. "1 have decided," lie cried. "Let llie consequences be what they may, I wilt reiusc his proposition,'' 1 think you have done rii;ht." siio said. "Oh. I am sure , f tlut now," he -lied- Ills mo,d bail changed, his tace.bad brightened. "I have a benefactor, tm>." said the girl. "Then you can sympathise with uic, ' lie said, "i was afraid you didn't. '

"I'erlup.- I i- rgot for the moment. io\v neatly my own peisoual dependence iisciiihhil \ours." The jonng man stv-d up and Steadied hinis.lt with his hand on the desk.

"Miss Slewyn," he said, "I don't Want >ou to think me oveibold. nor ihmk i have taken advantage of your presence heie. liul you ale .uoing away and I feel 1 must tell you something that I h.i\e had on my mind cvel since I lirsl met you. Can you what it is 7 1 aui poor, im ale no! allur.ng, yet I teel _th.it I Will conquer iatc, and —and wh.il I want to ask you is iliis—will \on waii ior me. Alma, .u.til I can come to you and ask you to share iny home and my life "\es." >l,e said. "I will wall." A moment later she I,unhid merrily. "What is it. Alma "I" "Something thai stnkej, m,. as being u-ry funny. I bad a letter the da; before yesterday iri-tiv my benefactor. He told, me to call al the ollice of young Henry Somrrs. ' He has something to tell you,' wrote.., Can you Wonder that I am amused. Is—lS there anything else vou have to tell V"

"Nothin;," Ii- aiiN.vi h,|. "Why. I that scc-ii)!, Very strauw. Told you' to eome to 111} office ; M.,\ I | the name oi my beneirfctor .''' Why, ves. ile was my mothei's Cousin. His name is I{n|„n Humphrey.'' "Kolwrt llumplirev. And you an? his coum;,\ .laufthter Hut W nam., t-.mily. "My name is Alma Kmj| v . Kinilv was my mother's name. But what ilu* matter

I llns is.ino !*• lu-orii (I "Koliel't ll>Jii)|i|,i,.y is m> benefactor t«Mt . Alill tile 11-st ~i luy Jlatiluilf was marriage wjili u.u dean-si girl !" ''What • And he sent me hete * Why' -why, |,e must h, lV e Uiown all the lime." "Oi course lie did. It's hi- )itt.] c joke. And a beautiful ioke. too." "But you fravc me up." "You advised nie to." * Th, n tl„.y laughed together. "I think, said the youni; nun presently. "that I will write out ili.u cablegram." lie bent over his desk for ,i moment. "There." he s.ii.l, IIOW Will (llal ilo She took the slip and lead it aloud t '' 'Ten days enough. We V>t]i scwl i love.'-" I