"A Castle in the Air."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13685, 29 August 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

"A Castle in the Air."

A CASTLE IX THE AIR. (By M. Creagh Henry). Fhe was an angel. Most people wt-re under the impression that she wao a shabby Little Loudon lypi>t, quite, ordinary, quite commonplace; but Ben. Badford knew better—he knew phe wai, an angel. Her name was Kathleen Colwyn. She wati small and pale, with dull, mousecolored hair anil a pair of unusually large, pathetic brown tyrs —the only noticeable feature in her face. Shta worked in the same Brni as Ben Badford, and from the moment .«he asked him eome trivial question connected with her work on the day of her arrival at Messrs Smith, Todd and Son's premises, Ben had loved her. Whatever Ben did he did thoroughly, and bis attachment to Kathleen proved no exception to his rule. Ben .Radford was a young man of character. In apite of his eloping should - era and narrow chest, there was a certain manliness about him—a courtesy and reveiaace for -woman all tco rare in her ■walk of life, which appealed strongly to Kathleen, and their affection became mutual.

He was a very ordinary-looking youth, but for Kathleen his reddish hair and honest, grey eyes, held a beauty nngthused by anyone save her. ss» these) tw4 workers in the City managed to nd an, Eden even admidst such uncongenial surroundings as \were afforded by Meeers. Smith, Tcdd and Sons officer in Mincing Lane. Every evening when the day's drudgery was over, lien would walk home with Kathleen to the little house in Westminister where she and her mother lived, and ■where he was always sure of a warm • -welcome from Mrs. Colwyn. The poor woman had been a Lopetars invalid for years, and seldom left her sofa. Kathleen was obliged f> work—and to work hard—to supplement, their tiny income. Mrs. Colwyn in her long honm of loneliness bad grown strangely wire—not as the world counts wisdom. She had realised as aba lay looking ont through, the ■window at the little patch of i;ky visible from her couch, that rich*r> are c.f little -worth; that happiness is love, and love is all.

So, when Kathleen confessed to her mother that she loved the poor, underpaid clerk as he loved her, .Mrs. Colwyn liad entered into her daughter's happiness without reserve. The three would Git over the fire on ■winter evenings and talk of their hopes and plans, Ben and Kathleen building castles in the air which Mrs. Colwvn

smiled a', but always retained from destroying with any word of doubt-. So, in the dim distance -the castle stood. Ben ■was the master of it, and Kathleen was his bride, while her mother .iived with them in luxury and comfort,and — "they were happy ever after"! It is wonderful how such dreams will lighten the dreary routine of a day's work. It waa a secret between thei 'two young people, which Mrs. Colwyn must never guess, that there were many difficulties and much overwork and underpay at the offices om Messrs. Smith, Todd and Son.

Young Todd, who practically managed the bosine--3 in his father's place (Smith existed no longer), was a bumptious, aggressive young man, who appeared to cherish a wholly unwarranted dielike to Ben Radford, and made his life in working hours as unpleasant as possible.

Brn reeented the injustice of his treatment, and though he instinctively dieliked young Todd, he dared not risk being dismissed. Clerkships were too difficult, to obtain for Ben to show hie resentment, so hs perforce had to pocket his pride in submission. Kathleen shared his antipathy for Mr. Todd, and bitterly resented hie unjust behaviour, far more indeed than Ben himself. She> too, felt a strange repugnance for the man, although he. always treated her well enough. . -. .- One evening Kathleen was later than ■usual.' Ben waited, walking up and down the street, and wondering what could be keeping her eo much beyond her time. They usually met outside the office shortly after 6ix, and now it was half-past. He grew impatient; then, remembering that Mr. Todd had told Kathleen to come to his private room that afternoon before che left, he concluded she was being kept toj Icpe some important letters; and, having thus accounted for her lateness, awaited her arrival more patiently. At lest she appeared, but to Ben's dismay he saw that she was crying. She cei&ed him arm and hurried homewards. . She turned her flushed and tear-stained face away. "*Oh, Ben.Ben! Mr. Todd—T hate him—l hate him!" she, cried vehementJy. " Mr. Todd ! Why, dear, what has he done?" Kathleen clung clccser to Ben's arm. " He—be kissed me, Ben!" she almost whispered. "And, oh, he said such horrid things!" Ben Radford ctopped dead and faced the girl. "Kathleen it that true—he really kissed you?" She nodded, and the tearc fell afresh. Ben's face was very white and his eyes shone with such a gleam that Kathleen laid a timid hand upon his arm. "Ben, don't look like that, dear — don't! It's all over now. I'll never go back to the office." "Go back!" thundered Ben. "I should think yon won't go back! The cad—the cowardly brute I" The boy bit his lip; the color came slowty back to his face. "Lock here, dear," he said quietly, •' I wan't you to go home alone; I've got something" to do?" '• Nn, Ben —come with me. What are you going to do." " I shan't do anything I shall regret, dear; don't look eo scared." He almost emiled at her look cf terror. "Go home to your mother. Kit ; she'll be getting •anxious. I'll look in to-night." Before she could stop him, Ben was gfic-ne. Hb turned into a .shop, and a few minutes later re-entered the offices of Smith, Todd and Son. He ran quickly upstairs and c!tcjpp<Kl outside the priTale room of Mr. Todd, junior. He opened the door without ceremony. Mr. Todd was standing before a bookcase, and a railway guide in his hand, bis back to the door. Ben placed something he carried jm a ■chair and walked into the rocm. closing and locking the door behind him. Mr. Todd faced round sharply. "What the blares do you want " he asked. . "You," replied Ben quietly. "How dare vou come inU) my room yon insolent voting dog • What do yon

"That will do, Mr. Todd; if any abusing no be done. I'll do it." " What do you mean by this impudenoeI'U teach you, sir!" blustered Todd. •• Exeuee me ,but I have come to teach you!" said Ben quietly. "It eeems to me you're mad, young man, and the sooner you clear out the better." - When T have eaid what I ve coma to pay I shall go—not before." "Really, Mr. Radford," sneered Todd. " Then perhaps you'll be so very kind as •to tell me what you haye come to eay; I'm sure »t will interest me greatly." "It may be news to you. I've come to tell you that you're a cad and a oof"How dare von insult me lite this, you insolent young' dog 1 What do yen mean far it!" "I mean that you lave insulted Miss Colywn, the lady I'm engaged to—and if it had been any other girl I'd hare done the soma ae I'm going to do new." "What ara you talking about?" cried lis- eiEspersted mas, purple with rage.

" What do you suppose I want with your dowdy little typist, yon fool':" The dangerous gleam leapt back into Ben's grey eyes, all his enforced selfcontrol vanislieJ. He spoke between clenched teeth. "J'm going to thrash you within an inch of your life!'" he Gaid. " Look here, don't play the fool 1 1 don't know if this is a joke, or if you've gone mad, but chuck it—chuck it, now !"

Mr. Todd spoke in terms which were intended to mollify a maniac. Ben took no notice, but advanced towards him. Mr. Todd edged away, placing the table within- them. " I shall ring the bell and have you turned out'," tio blustered. " I'll give you in charge!" " When I've done with you, yon may do as vou like, but I'll settle inv csenre first 1" ' - Beu picket tip the stick he had brought with him, and soon had Mr. Todd by the collar. " Take that, and that!" he cried, as thrashed the unfortunate man, who struggled and kicked in impotent' rage, and finally lay on the floor, and iue.it and miserable object. Ben, having worked his will on the cowardly creature, who whimpered feebly threw the Stick -down beside him and, unlocking the door, Gtrode out of the office and took hss way to Wistmis.ster. He found Kathleen alone, anxiously awaiting him, and told her all that had happened. " Oh, Beu, it was just like you, dear, ■but have you thought what it means. Do you realise .that you have lost, your situation?" Ben laughed. "It was worth while, Kit. I'll get another berth, never fear. .Every man of his sort ought to be thrashed, and he'll cay nothing about the thrashing I gave him." Ben Radford proved right. Mr. Todd, junior kept the scene which had taken place between them to himself, and neither Kathleen nor Ben again appeared at the toffice. In vain Ben searched for another situation. He had no reference, to give; for when asked why he left Smith, Todd and Son, how could he answer that he had thrashed his master's eon? So Ben sought for work in vain. Kathleen was more fortunate. Through a friend she was - engaged by a large typewriting firm, so Mrs. Colwyn still enjoyed the comforts Kathleen's salary was able to afford her. Then an inspiration came to Ben. He would go abroad, and forthwith he bookrd a pafsage for America. With an aching heart and r.tniling face Kathleen 6aid good-bye to him. " I'll come back, with . lots of money, dear," he laughed, though his voice was unsteady, " and build the castle for you yet. I mean to make a success of life for your sake, Kit, though all the odtte are against me, and when one really means to d» a thing, one generally manages to you know." These last confident words of Ben's kept hope awake in Kathleen Colwyn's heart through many weary weeks and months. . . *. . Ben felt rather forlorn, and a good deal less hopeful than he -had pretended to Kit, as the great ship carried him towards the unknown. What awaited him in the strange land for which he was bound? As Ben paced the deck one day, alone with hus thoughts—Ben's thoughts had an odd way of returning to Kit Colwyn from any line of reflection they might from time to time be pursuing—a guet of wind suddenly caught the letters a man on the opposite side of the dack was reading and carried one to Ben Radford's feet. He picked it-up and returned it to the man. who eyed him curiously and gave a gruff word of (hanks. As Ben turned away the paeeeng.-r call" ed him back. " Ytfu seem fond of your own companv, young man," he' observed. " For want of any ■ better," the boy replied. " Umph ! Bound for New York?" "Yee." • ..•'.. ~-.;. , : ._.. "Going to" friends?"" "No; I'm going to find work." A sinister r.mile passed over the man's face. " XoL good enough for England, eo you think yon'll do for America, eh?" Ben flushed hotly, and the stronger noting this, smiled again. "Got into trouble, eh? Going to begin again?" "Yes, I'm going to begin again, if I get the chance." " Repentant at, present; good resolutions. I see." • " Xo, sir," flashed Ben, " T'm not re-' pentant; I'd do what I've done, again tomorrow, and take the consequences willingly." The stranger was evidently interested. " You enjoyed yourself as much as that, did you? I wonder if I might presume to inquire what your particular indiscretion war,?" "I thrashed my master's sen." "The dickens you did.'" chuckled this curious gentleman. " May I go so far as to ask why?" " Because he needed it, sir:" " Ah!" exclaimed Ben's new friend enmprehendingly. "Then you left without the trouble of' asking for a referance, eh?" " Ye«s—then I left," echoed Ben. .

"Do you know, yonng man, I rather sympathise with you. I've felt very.much inclined to horsewhip some young gentlemen at times, but I Tiaven't. and I rather respect you for doing it. What firm were you in?"

" Smith, Todd and Son, Mincing Lane."

This information produced a peculiar effect on the stranger. He. doubled himself up in a paroxysm of silent laughter, stopped suddenly, stared at Ben, then went, off'again into renewed fits of laughter.

Ben thought the man yas mad, and would have left him, but he caught the bov bv the arm.

" Yon thrashed young Todd ?'' he asked, and tli*» tears rolled down his cheeks.

'• Yig." said Ben rather hautily, not se=ing the joke. Then the stranger seized him by the hand and shook it violently. " I've wanted to do that to him all my life. Sit down here and listen." Ben obeyed, and the strange man told how he hail been a subordinate in the firm of Smith, Todd and Son for years. How, though double the young man's age. he had suffered young Todd's insolence: hew, finally, he had become manager for the firm "in America, and while there he had a businffD of his own in Xew York, which flourished surprisingly; and he concluded :

"If you are agreeable, young man — when Eve heard the righto of your story and if it seems to me satisfactory—l can offer you a good berth in my office." Ben gasped at such a strange outcome of his apparently casual conversation with this stranger. He stammered his thanks, and having told his story, which apparently pleased Mr. Savill—as he found his new friend was called —Ben then and there arranged to enter his employment immediately on landing. Then he sat and wrote pages to Kit, and told her triumphantly that he felt sure the foundation stone ot their castle had been laid that day.

"Ben Radford had been working in Mr. Savill's office some three, years, when his master one day entered the room where sat writing. They were already fast friends, these two. Now, [instead of epeaking eenously about the business of the day, Mr. Savill went through come contortions he had performed on board the boat when he learnt the name of Ben's firm—he doubled himself up in fits of laughter; and Ben smiled in sympathy, without knowing >tie joke. At last Mr! Sarill spoke : "They've g=na ?mash, and I've bought •"em up i l '

"Who, sir?" inquired Ben, mystified. "Smith, Todd and Son, cil course," gasped Savill, and shook once> more. "Poor old Mr. Todd!" muroiiiivd Ben. " He'ci ull right," laughed Savill, "he died before the smash."

"Is that why you're- laughing, sir?" " No, my 'boy—that's the beginning of the Hiory ; now I come, to the point."

lieu waited politely to hear it. "The point"—Mr. Savill bubbled—"the point, lad, ic this. I'm going to make you .sole inamager 'of the London branch. Think of Todd junior's face when he keaifi that you reign in Lis stead at Mincing Lane! You have your revenge now, my boy," •' But, eir, you can't he serious!" gasped Ben.

"Perfectly serious, Radford. Look here, my boy, you'vei worked for me as 410 other fellow liao ever worked, and the more I've known of you, the better I've Jilted you. I've no son of my own, and if I had—wdl, let that be! I intend ito leave you most of my money when I dw, because I'm certain you and that brown - eyed girl of yours will know how to .spend it. Meanwhile; you're going home- to manage the business as my partner, you understand, and I'm coming over for the wedding. New go—go, my lad, and don't start thanking me, because its merely a whim to please myself—not you or your pale little -typist." Ben was depri\7ed of the .power of speech ;he caught Mr. Savill'is hand arid wrung it in silence, choking down something which sounded very much like- a sob.

Mr. Savill objected to emotion, regarding it as mere weakness, and he left the room somewhat .hurriedly with a curt remark about the waste'of time. Outside, Ben heard him blowing his noee as though he were suffering from a sudden cold in the head; while Ben's greatest longing at the moment was to bury his head on his arms- and cry like a, baby for cheer gratitude and joy. When recovered lie took up his pen, but before resuming his office task he wrote' out and despatched a cablegram to Kathleen—" Coming back directly. The castle is built.'"