Izba's Bid for Fortune.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14274, 13 August 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

Izba's Bid for Fortune.

<li'j M':. I-k-:.....l ! onion, null:-,,- of ■•; :'.\ ng a Debt, ' "My Last [Ail Eights, I'oserved.j CHAI'TEP I. THE P.EMEJj TEACHER. l\ ,v.;>. a eh•■•„-. sultry mid summer day: irnce a bre.i'■ ii of wind stirred the hi-i ri : .:;i:.jih'..-rn overhanging the niidTii,' lit; le lov, n of rsheftlebury, situ(i i. il in ihe banks of a windi.ug river minis: :ti\.)l iioids, Inv sweltering 01 The alua.sf tropica! hru'i.. There was ini sign of life in its. winding streets, bin. ii'imi llir ground.', oi' Clifton House came shouts oi laughter and the merry ring of childish voices, for tin? children intending the girls,' school were enjoying their annual treat, t here. Clii! on llou e. built on a rising ground over-looking t lie small town, was the residence of Mr Menstrio, the loer' magnate, who owned tho paper mill wjiich gave work to the bulk of the inhabitants of Shettleimry. Tho children were enjoying themselves at variou3 games, while m> the lawn, in the cool shads oi a spreading oalc, eal Mr and Mrs Menstrio with a few of their principal guests. .Mi- -Mcastrie was n stout, pompouslooking elderly gentleman who ruled his work people and his family with a Jinn hand. .Mrs. .Menstrio, his wifo. was a well preserved, tall woman of about forty years of age, haiHi.-om.cly dressed, and who showed in her every look and movement that she regarded herself as lhr._ great lady of Shcttlebury. .'Soar by was Ruth Smeaton. the ward of Mr Menstrio, talking to n dark haired man. She was a dunning girl of about eighteen, with brown hair and dark laughing eyes. Her companion, Palp!i Derrick, was probably about forty yearn of age. and was a successful London lawyer. The Rev. Mr I'restnn, the rector of tho parish, and his wife wep> also present paying their respects to the wealthy manufacturer. On the outskirts of the group. as if seareely daring in mix with the others, sat i.-s Milner, the head mistress of tho girls' school. Some distance apart, sauntering under the trees, was a young man and a young girl. Tho former was Gerald Mewurio. onlv son of Mr and Mrs Menf'tri.. and the latter Izba Sutherland, an a.-i-'islnnt teacher in the girl's school. Iv.bn was a.handsome girl of iwoniy. dressed in white, had masses of rich auburn hair ;i r,d great lustrous eyes, which al, tin- present moment were'refunding her companion with evident

•I did not oxnrcl .to sec vou at ihe fclc.' said C.erald. willi ii. smile. Ho was a__ bright young fellow of iwoniyfour, had fair hair, clear open features, and l.luo eyes. ' T was to hisve heen kent :it home.' •ofuri.ed 7:, ha. with a liiirtl ring in her voice. ' Luckily for mc Miss Settle, >ok one of her headaches, and so Miss Wilncr was ehli'ied to take me to look ai'N<r I ho children.' 'Am! arc you doing so?' he asked wfi': :■ laugh. ' f was until von joined mo.' ' Do yon know, Aliss Sutherland, you .ii-<> L'okin:: wiy beautiful to-day. t am afraid that I am falling in love with you.' ]„. said lightly. ' Von inn-.t not do that, Cerald. It is exactly what your mother and Miss .Milner are afraid of, and is the reason why T v.-as not to he allowed to attend the j'oto,' returned Tklju. 'You are mistaken,' answered Gerald. '7 am f!iif|ilu srro that my mother will welcome as a daughter the woman I choose as my wife. ' l'.vory one in Shettlehnry.' retorted l/.ha scornfully, 'knows that you are as e;n',d as engaged to Ruth Smeaton.' •It i-v not IriK',' ho replied. 'Such an idea never entered Ruth's head or mine.' and he glanced across the grass i.■> whe.ro __7.lul.li and Ealpb. Derrick we

standing. Tin- eye-, of Izba followc-d Lis. and as tlu-v lkdiicd on the dark sombre features of Ilio lawyer they emitted a fdi-iini of lijdit sharp and swift as a flash of lightning. ' Lot us rejoin the others,' she said, nbri'titly. When Tzbn, accompanied by Gerald joined the e;roup under the tree a ehilliii'i silence foil on the company, and many disapproving looks were bestowed on Izba. The latter, however, paid no iieed, f,nt went on talking to Gerald. ' Ruth, dnrlinfi, will yon come and sit heide mo,' naid Mrs'iionstrio. She d.d not approve of the lawyer's attention-; to '.Ruth, whom she regarded as her fun's property. 'How flushed you are, child,' she continued, as Ruth sat down.

' Gerald, denr, will vou fetch an ice for Ruth.' Gerald laughed as he caught Izba's smile, and departed on his mission. Mrs Preston, the, :Roctor"s wife, 1117dcrstood the desires and motives of Mrs Men. trie, and she now stepped into the breach with a,view to relieving the prevailing embarrassment. •Miss Sutherland,' she said, in a. clear voice, 'do you think it is safe to k'avo the children so long without your cunervision.' r ] Perfectly safe, Mrs Preston,' Izba, ' The. less the children see of their teachers to-day the. better they will enjoy themselves. Mis Preston bit her lin, while Izba complacently sat down and began talking to the village doctor, who had joined the group. ()n returning with the ice for Ruth, Gerald also, to his mother's dismay, brought one For Izba, and not onlv so but, seated himself beside her, "and turned his back 017 Puith and his mother.

Having finished her ice, Izba rose to her iect and with a glance at tho J.ecior s wife, said: ' .Mrs I're-ton is so verv anxious about the children; I must go and see what they are doing. Will vou aceompauv ii;e. Air Menstrie?' ' AV'itli. pleasure,' he answered ; and side by side they walked across the gra-ss.

A. curious smile curled the lios, of P.alph Derrick as he saw the two move away; then be turned to Ruth and began talking to her eagerly.

It was (lid eveni.ng of the day' after the. school fete, aiifl the hist j-ays of the sotting Kim wove falling on the -sehoollmuse, ami the cottage in which Miss .Milner, tlio head mistress, resided. I'.vevyihmg around ill.'- collage was near., trim, and formal: the flower plots hi tin- garden w.-vi- as regular as if they formed pari;; of a, mathematical proljVm, and Iho footpaths as straight a.s the lines „,. a. sheet ~1 ruled panel". I he window of a si' ting-rnnin on the pound lloor was open, and .Miss Milner was scaled at a small work lahlo. She was a hard-foali.iivd, unsympathetic looking woman, and everything from her hnen t -ollar to On- ruffles of her dr.--,s were si if)' and formal.

Mi'- .Milner had been eutertainiurr a vis.'lur. and the interview had appareiuly niiflcd her usuallv calm demcan<nw She held a. pair of scissors in her hand, and was making nuick determined *" ! !>-- :d a bit of ribbon, when the room door onened and Izba, entered ' I Ihinl; I shall go for a walk, .Miss Milner; iho evening is so sultry.' she

Mi-.; Milner connivessed her thin I'j 1 /'. '• I have something to say to you,' -\-i-s; Sutherland.' she answered, in a fierere ion,..

'Oh. bother !• exclaimed Miss Sutherland, lli.iinein;.; inl.o a chair and looking very sulky and aggressive. -| daresav it is son,clb.iig (hut gn-ioing creature. ;-"-s l-rest.,,,. bus been -aving. She was here over an hour.'

' V "" f-'i'get yourself, Miss!' returned Is* Ijcacoj-ruistros-s, sharply, her eves at

-tilt- same 'imc 11 Li" 111 iJI <x on the bright colours (if lier ;l-sM;nil's dnv.S. ' Your 'lves---, Mi-s Siitiierbnui. is mil', what a modest, girl iii vour position ought to IVC'lll".'

Miss Sutherland curled her lips very contemptuously, and answered, " I shall wear exactly what, I choose.'

' -Mrs Preston was reefrring to your appearance, in church lust Sunday,' went on .Miss Milner. 'indeed!' returned Izha. sarcastically. ' She ought to have been listening to her husband's sermon instead of .-taring at me. Perhaps she wanted to copy ihe style of inv dress for her own daughter.' Miss Milner was horrified; all her \deas of propriety were being outraged. ' Pomember, Miss Sutherland, that you are speaking of vour superiors,' she replied, reprovingly. Superiors!' returned the rebellious assistant, leaning back indolently on

her chair. ■ A clergyman's wife "whose father was a draper! I am sure [ .-•lian't wear black to please her. One wants a bit of colour to liven them up in Lhi-. dull place.-

■-Mrs Menstrio, of Clifton House, lias also spoken of your hdiaviour.' continued Miss M'iliio.-, advancing her argument in a tone of voice which was meant to silence all opposition. It had not the desired effect, however, for Miss Sutherland answered quite eooly, 'How impertinent of Mrs .V.ensirie! I wonder what, right she has to interfere. She need not be afraid that her son will fall in love with me. 1 could marry him to-morrow if 1 choose,' ;die said scornfully and with, a malicious glance at Miss Milner.

Surprise and anger almost deprived Miss .Milner of the power of speech. ' Vour behaviour at tiio fete yesterday was most presumptuous imd unladylike. That a girl who has been educated on charity should put herself on a level with the society "at Clifton House is monstrous.' said' Miss Milner angrily a red spot mounting to each cheek.

'lt is very kind of you, Miss Milner, to remind me that I was educated in a charitable 'institution.- returned Izba with sarcasm. 'I hope you will have. finished your remarks soon, as T am gelling impatient,' she added languidly, surveying herself in a mirror opposite

' Your behaviour and words are not ladylike.' retorted Miss .Milner. 'These, long walks you take are highlv inuiroper. and you are not always alone.'

The look which neerunnanied the latter words was one which a selfrighteous Pharisee might have bestowed on an erring son or daughter of Israel. The rebellious teacher .started perc-ept-iblv.

' Vou need not be so mysterious in your utterances. Say exactly what vou mean.' she said.

Aliss .Aiiliier rose to her feci, her nvns niislnim- am! her Hid' tires:-: rustliim with the excitement which shook her frame. 'A jiirrn Ims hecn .seen in vour company; you are in tile, habit of mootiimJnni,' and the .school-mistress looked as if slip would there ami thou annihilate, this andaciou.s j,drl. But the .•uidacioii.s girl was r.ot so easily .silenced. ' Why should I ' not walk with a pent lonian if he elio.se to ask nie.r' returned ly.ha. indifferently. 'l. have nut ,«ot a. mother to look out a. hushand for me, so 1 must do the host for rnyfcdf. How am 'T to get married unless I speak to gentleman You don't suppose that 1 will remain here all mv life to teach stupid children the ABC ?'

' Your conduct is outrageously wicked, jUivs Sutherland.' ' You can sny what you please. Miss Milner, but I can assure you that if ever you expect, to get married von must encourage the attentions of -'the male sex. Wear a hat instead of that awful bonnet, and allow your hair to fall down loose like mine—it has a wonderful effect. Smile on everv man you meet, get rid of that starchy stiffness, and don't walk as if your clothes were made of buckram.'

' You horrid girl,' cried Miss. 31ilner, almost choking with rage. ' how dare you make such a suggestion to me. I will have you dismissed from the school.'

Miss Sutherland smiled scornfullv, then .standing up before the mirror, gave her hat a fresh poise. ' I really cannot oblige you by staying longer in this stuffy room. My complexion has suffered through the bad ventilation of the school, and I 71111 st go for a wolk.' The. coolness of her subordinate exasperated Miss Milncr.

' I foi'bid you to quit the house,' she cried, stamping on the floor; 'your conduct is shocking, very shocking."' ' I don't care that for mands,' returned Izba, snapping her fingers, and, holding her head'very high, .she left the room.

.Such a flagrant breach of discipline had never previously been encountered by Miss Milner, and she was almost at a loss how to deal with the culprit. Miss Sutherland had often proved intractable, but on this occasion she had broken into open rebellion, and Miss Milner felt herself powerless to put her down. She determined to visit the reetoi-y that very night and lav the whole affair before the 'Rector and his wile, and have this horrid girl dismissed.

Meanwhile Miss Sutherland, the rebel teacher, .sauntered leisurely toward the village and made her way along its straggling street, perfectly conscious with envy, and that the young swains of Shettiebury gazed after her With admiration.

At this moment Gerald Menstrie left a shop a few yards in front of her. He raised his hat as he approached the teacher, and Izba, smiled" saucily : then the two entered into conversation. Gerald appeared nervous and anxious to get away, but Izba detained him until Mrs Menstrie and Kuth emerged from the, same shop and swept past without designing; to take the slightest notice of Izba and her companion. ' f will not detain you longer, Gerald,' said Izba, sufficiently loud for the two ladies to hear, and with another saucy sinile she walked awav.

Izba left the village'behind, and made ' : her way along a footpath by the side of tho river. j Summer was abroad, the rose was in blosson in tlm gardens, the daisy and buttercup decked the meadows, the primrose and dewy violet, and the sweet forget-me-not peeped from amongst the grass at her feet. ' j Izba, however, heeded none of the beauties of nature around her. She, was an inordinately vain and ambitious girl, fond of of dress; her great! longing was to be rich; and, what was j more, she believed that she. had found a road to that wealth and position : which her soul coveted. At that very ! moment she was thinking that when, .'die ' was rich she would drive through Shet- , ! tlohury in her carriage just to spite j Mrs Menstrie. Hefore her rose a. j magnificent house, with splendidlyfurnished rooms, and she saw herself I sparkling with jewels, arrayed in a, J dress, worthy of a princess, receiving ! company. For Tzba, was indulging in | that pleasant occupation building i castles in the air. i

By this time .she had left the village far behind, and the pathway she was following now skirted the edge of a (hick wood. At a. particular spot just beyond the grounds of Clifton House .she halted and glanced round as if expecting to meet someone. A few minutes, and the figure of a man appeared through the trees. He was weiirin.fi; a. long overcoat the collar of which he had turned up, and this, with the Catherine: darkness, rendered his features undistingu is liable. That they were lovers was apparent—and that they had met before was equally so—as they stood whispering there under the sadow of -the dark fir-trees.

Next morning Miss Milner braided her haw with more than usual care, donned her white ,inen cuffs and starched frills, then descended A ,o breaklast, prepared for a battle .oval with her rebellious assistant. Ihit--imagine

flic horror of that v:ri mm-'. woman when .-l.i- discovered thai .Mis> Sutherland had disappeared. A messenger -, 1:1 j. ,],,..

spatolied to tlifs Peetory with the'awful intelligence, which quickly spread over the village, and very soon "every one knew that Izba had eloped, but with whom .so far none could".tell. The messenger from the Rectorv had barely returned to the Sehoofbouse when Mrs Preston walked into Mass Milner's parlour.

' Hear Mrs Preston,' cried Miss Milner, 'how kind of you to come to me in this hour of trial. This is terrible.' she concluded, pressing her handkerchief to her eyes. • What is to be done '

'Nothing that I can see,' returned the rector's wifo complacently. 'ls she really goner'

' Yes, the horrid wicked girl,' answered Miss Milner, 'and such a disgrace to fa!! on my school.'

' }\or examine will have a serious eli'ed on the young women of the parish, and it will take much earnest effort to eliminate it from their minds,' said Mrs Preston. • As for her conduct, it is only what 1 have expected; and you know, Miss Milner, it might have been a great deal worse.'

'A great dtnl worse,' echoed the teacher although she did not explain liow.

'Has she left anything?' asked Mrs Preston.

'This.' replied Miss Milner, handing her visitor a brief note which Izba had left, Mrs Preston took the letter eagerly and read aloud as follows:

' Dear Miss Milner, —V am sure vou will excuse my departing without the formality of leave-taking as mv marriage is to take nhr-c to-day. My future husband is rich, and we leave immediately for London and Paris. In the future I will be moving in the very highest circles: it is therefore ui-likelv' that I will meet dear Mrs Preston o'r yourself, but should J do so T will not forget her kindness to me. nor am I likely to forget yours.

Tab a Sutherland. 1 'Tho impudent creature: how dare she attempt to patronise me?' cried the Pec-tor's wife, throwing the letter on the table.

'-Hut- who can die man he?' asked M:ss .Milner after a pause. 'I he two women stared at each other for a lew -e-onds, then there burst sunultan.-rmdy from their lips—' Gerald Menstrio !' (To be Continued.)