THE CROWNING TPIUMPH

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7891, 22 December 1903, Page 4

THE CROWNING TPIUMPH

of modern medicine lies in the pleasantness of its great remedies. This is exemplified by the unparalleled popularity of California Syrup of Figs, the pleasant natural laxative of which millions of bottles are sold every year. It is made to do pleasantly, gently, naturally, that for which violent purgatives •were too often used with harmful «ffect» upon the system. It is a tonic, a strengthener, as well as a cleanser of the liver, kidneys and bowels, and its use may be discontinued aa soon as the organs are cleansed and corrected. Of chemists everywhere, Is 6d and 2s 3d. , 9

is to get a hundred dollars When you d». I hope you won't die, but will Bend «my mother the money xioht away. 11l call it squaw. Dads in ft *»ok nll »8 h *- c dinky old wolf i» howling at our door to beat"the band. Don't tell Ma I wrote tins. I g «t jawed, at enough as it Is.— Yours very kindly, Pink Pcttison." {The only comment to W mads upon this letter is to state that Mis Patttson tabooed slang more rigorously, if anything, than she did Baby-talk.) Naturally, Pink was the least surprised of the family, wh«n, Inter, a letter came. from Oousin Join stating that, owing to a business trip, he was in Amewca, and would call upon his relatives at a stated date, and' since their interests were always his although his 'home was remote, he would be happy if they would allow him to serve them in any way. "That sounds as if he were going to do something for us," said 'Mrs Pettison wisely. "It would be just like him to offer to send Rer to college, and give Regina a musical education. I shall accept both offers. But ire must not appear to him to be in destitute circumstances. We appear -prosperous. Nothing succeeds like success. We must put otr» best foot foremost.' With these axioms end others, to be found in cop> books, Where they ought to be left, Mrs Pettison prepared a brave front to greet the strange relative. The house was put in its best order 5 the- family was arrayed in its best garments; cake and wine were on the side table. At least, it would lave been cake and) wine had Mrs Pettison been built on -those lines, but she was a pure-food follower, so the cak* was a sort of predigested biscuit looking as if made out of sun-dried angleworms, and the wine was unferanented grape juice. At the hour set for Cousin John's arrival, ■ Pink took up her sta-tioni by the win"if he is old and red, thin, fierce-look-ing, and all off on top, he's here," she anmouncea, oritioally. . ._ "All off on top hazarded Mrs Pettison blankly. "Bald," said Rex laconically. "I forbid these unladylike expressions, Miss? How often have I- " "That's true, yon know 'tis, Johanna," chirruped Rex. "If you keep chewing *he raff, Bex, you'll have lint on the ltm£B by the time 'Cousin John gets in," volunteered Pink. " He's on" the steps now." Mrs Pettison just basely managed to choke off iher ire, when Cousin John entered, and all were soon snaking hands and exchanging greetings together. "Which Is Pink?" he demanded. "This is Johanna," said Mrs Petlison. waving towards her youngest, end managing to convey to that youngest, and to her alone, that the little matter between them would be taken up later. "Pink?" insisted the new comer. "Pink," said the damsel, briefly, taking his outstretched hand. They looked at each other oddly as they shook hands, and', without a word being spoken Pink received assurance that her 88cret would be kept and that her family was to be helped. She saw a very strong old man, with beetling brows and piercing eyes, a chin that looked determined, and a stern but not unkindly mouth. He saw ft toll And slender child, with a sl&k, brown

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head, like a tietr's, and with eyes liko a <ifcer'c, too, fur tlicy were Hit the one time both frightened aiul fearless. If lit? wondered how so s-pirituul a form could go with so careless a tongue, foe wa,g not the first. Sui.isiii.-d thai all was to be well, Pink withdrew to a corner and became a fascinated listener. Of course a lawless amount of time went in accounts^ bio^rapliical and funereal, of se\eral thousand* relatives and friends, and il was .not until the visit was practically over, and Cousin John was actually on his feet 4o go, that ho «ai<l : "By tlio vrnr, if this young man Uiere, Rex, wants to begin nt the bottom of the ladder and work Ins way \ip, I oan get him a f>raallif!i position immediately." " Indeed ?' roma.rked Mrs Pettison. Pink's heart beat very faintly. She knew that voice. " Yes. A manufacturing friend of mine wants mo to find him an extra hand or two. There's not much in it to begin with, but there's always a chance for promotion. What say you, Rex?" " You are very kind, tar, I want to work," bejjan Rex manfully. Then he caught sight oi his mother's outraged face, aaid faltered and flushed, "but -if possible— -I should like to procure — a position — more compatible — with dignity — fhan' " Words shrivelled on Mb tongue, burned to a crisp by the baleful fire in his cousin's eyes. "I hope you may find it, sir, I hope you may find it I" snarled the old <m<an. "Mine won't go begging, I assure you. 5 * "Th«:e are some things more importact than money," began Mrs Pettison, sagely. "It won't do to deny that we need money, perhaps •" Cousin John cut her short. "How much?" he demanded, adding rather sarcastically, "I am not so poor myself as not to be abTe to chare a little with a relative in need." "You are mistaken, indeed," cried Mrs Pettison, bridling at once, "if yon think we are ones to impose upon our kint Not while my children can work for me " He interrupted her again, by pointing to Regina, and demanding. "Is this the on© who will work? We'll soon see! Young lady, I happen to know in your town a woman who wants a refined girl to be nurse and governess to her little child. I said I'd see you about it. .Is the position compatible with your dignity." Letting her good judgment go to the winds, Regina stepped into the boat with her beloved twin brother. "It is not," she said, calmly. It was at this juncture that Pink leaked: from the room. She did not see the final wind up. " May I offer you some refreshment, Coußin?" inquired Mrs Pettison, haughtily putting an end to further benefit. He lowered his glasses and looked long and earnestly at the proffered dainties. "Refreshments? Hal Thanks vary much? Not any ! Good day!" With this he slammed on his hat and shot from the house. At the first corner he met his would-be namesake. She stopped his furious course by standing jquarely in front of him. " Cousin, if you give us the shake, we're up against it for sure," urged Pink, wringing her hands, real desperation, in her eyes. "Shake? 'up against' what?" he demanded, turning upon her angrily. ' "Now, plea-e-ease come off yonr perch, you can catch on like a bird, if you only

want ! I know there is an JSnglish half to 1 you but there's an American half, too. J Wont you give tho Englisher a day off and let the American play ball — won't you?" His eyes grew lees angry as he realised her evidont suffering, but he still spoke hotly. " How can I help people against their will? You heard hofr they turned! me oWu!" "Did what?" whispered Pink. He broke into a laugh, and caught her hand in his and j)*^ted and petted it while he talked. " Little girl, you seem to have two ideas ixv your head — ii you are a Pettison I—now,1 — now, if you see a path for me, point it otrt." "Well," suggested Pink, hopefully, "Rex is not the champ he looks." " You mean 1" " Go ahead." "That left to himself he would accept an inferior position rather than remain idle?" " You're there." "Very good. I will keep tbie one for him. Tell him to see me about it tomorrow." . • Gratitude and relief sent a brilliant colour into the girl's face, but she said nothing, contenting herself by squeezing the great hand which covered her 3. " Is there anything else?" he asked. " Regina thinks Rex is the s whole thing. She's a great deal of a copycat. If he goes to work^ she will." "Then I am to tell my friend that her little boy is to have his governeas?" " Wouldn't be scared to risk it if I were you." "fiood again. Is there anything else?" "Dad's on the bargain counter, too,"' offered Pink, with the nonchalance of extreme need. "God bless my soul! you don't mean itl How have you managed to live!'* "On our uppers," said Pink. She looked back over the near past and ber face paled. Humiliation and want generally go hand in hand. "Your father unemployed! Dear, dear, dear! Here is where lam power* leas I am afraid. I know of no position •' "Couldn't invent something?" asked Pink, guilelessly. . "Invent? Well, well, well! Perhaps I might use a secretary- " " Perhaps nothing !" sang Pink*, joyously. " You beb you'll use one 1 and in a blooming hurry, too! May I tell Dad?" "Tell him. Is there anything else?" " No. Except— except tha/t I think you aTe good ! M said Pink, growing whiter with suppressed feeling. Again e/iie wrung bis hand. . "I want a daughter 1" he cried explosiveST. " I want you ! lam an. old man, my ear, childless md lonely. If you come back to England with me fere's not a rar tio-nai wish you can form that I won't gra»tify! If you want learning, pick out your seminary! If you wamt travel, off we go! If you want society, I'll buy it for you !" Every variety of expi'ession, delight, amusement, excitement — all danced over Pink's txansfiguxed face as she listened. But finally she shook her head. " Too sudden," she saidi " I'll be a sister to you. And stay here." 11 Won't oome?" "No." "Why?" "Well, because," here she waved hex hand towards her home— "l'm rather useful around tha menagerie. 1 know how to ease ' the P.W.'s ' liver, for one thing. For another, I know where to oil the running gear of the Poor-but-Honests when it gets out of fix. And— itfs always too tough fof me when it comes to cutting the gang." " Teh ! teh ! my dear !" he fumedi frowning a* the expressions. " Sui*e mike, 'tch' or no 'teh," she continuec 1 /, unabashed. Suddenly the colour rushe/d again to her face and she flung up her fflleek head shy and deer-lik-a «ax» more, radiant with a* new idea. " Gould you stand ' tb» P. W. in England far one year?" she doiaaiKled breathlessly. "No!" he thundered. " Oh, you must 1 you must ! She's n»t> half bad! Her lixer's mostly a fake. Ma. «nd< Baol jueb pick her to death. Now, if youli; ship her to England for a year, cMpped as she is, and' send her back mended, TH, I'll— J[ don't know what I ■woaiii't do for you I" " I know what you wouldn't do for me," he observed gruffly. "Wha*?" " What I just asked." Pink reflected, and; the. unchildish pallor and' gravity came back to her. " All right," she said, and he did not notice the weariness. "Cure 'the P.W. and I'll oome over for keeps." "You will?" " Sure's shooting." ; "Shake." I The two looked keenly into each other's eyes and gravely shook hamds. Then he raised his hob «*wl she went to the 'house to impart her various news. She found; the family in extremist dejection. Mrs Pettison;, no longer putting her best foot f oxemosfci had! that foot and; the otter, too, limply disposed upon, the sofa whese, of course, the rest of her was. And j she was crying. Bex was helplessly beat- j lag the devil's tattoo tupon the window, j Regina had! her dark eyes fixed 1 upon him, | pityingly aod' rrowningly. Gaastantiai, a ; victim of an, acute attack either of liver or sympathy,, was weeping with her motker. " Oh, turn off the water-works, ' exclaimed Pink irritably. Then she told. It -was as if (she ih«ld them all ia the palm of her skinny little hand ; one by one she stood them on their feet, while tears, poverty, illness, melancholy, all took flight, Indeed, the Pettiaons, reviving like hol- • Jowwstemmed' plants sifter a rain, cheered too much andl too immediately. "Bex," demanded his mother, sitting up capably, numberless possibilities in the way of health-foods glittering in her eye, "come back here, tafce a pencil, and write out an order I shall give you for the grocer." "Yes, anaanma." He had been intending to ham*' for 'bin father, but obediently turned and sat down ait- the desk. " And Regina " she went on. "Yes, mamma?" " I wxasto insist that you conquer this inoessanU frowning. Look over this /pattern