A CHEQUERED COURTSHIP

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9913, 30 July 1910, Page 2

A CHEQUERED COURTSHIP

(By G. B. BURGIN.) Author of Shutters of Silence," etc

[All Rights Reserved.]

CHAPTER I

There was no doubt that Miss Mehitabel Smith was as beautiful as her father. "Old IV&ui" Smith, was ugly Indeea, rumour in Four Corners went so far as to say that " Old Man," with a. prevision of his daughter's coming beauty, had. given- her as ugly a name as possible in order to help to wean her from what, with his. characteristic love of words which ho did not understand, he called " the tribberlations and contusions of thisyer unhappy Vade Mecum." As no one in Four Corners, except the parson, had ever beard of a " v ade mecum," the impression prevailed that the infant Mehitabel, who even then was the and most charming of babies, w as with some mysterious and incurable -malady wliich would inevitably cut short her young davs as (vide " Old Man ) ' a Canada thistle is tore up by the roots and left to gnash its teeth and perish in outer darkness. 1 ' But nothing could check the maturing of Mehitabel's beauty or the 'increase of "Old Man's" imaginary ailments. They kept pace with the most remarkable consistence, and admirers began to lounge upon "Old Mans gate until they weakened the liinges. Mehitabel, as she sat sewing 011 the verandah, occasionally bestowed a glance from her exquisite violet eyos on the wliole crowd. No one could say that she favoured one more than another. Whene'er she took her walks abroad, her promenade became a procession—a processitm which threatened to terminate in bloodshed until "Old Man" publicly announced that no one would be allowed to know liis daughter who was not worth at least two thousand dollars. As most of Mehitabel's admirers were not possessed of two thousand cents this announcement created a good deal of futile indignation, the more especially as "Old Man" was reputed to be " wallerin' in money." "I duniio why 'Old Mans so dum partikler about the chips," a penniless admirer of .Mehitabel declared to his five amatory companions as they loafed one morning on the village innkeeper's verandah, and listlessly watched an invading army of potato bugs careering along the sidewalk. "He s bound to pass in his checks pretty s 9 on /, a caii't take his money with him. "If he did, it 'ml melt," gloomily declared admirer Number Two. " Say, boys, wliat do you think's the old man s■ latest dodge?' , " Got religion ?" contemptuously asked Number Three. " ' Old Man mostly gits all there is goin', if he caji git it for nothin'." "Wuss'll that," moaned Number Four. "He says for his soul's sake J ' "JTis what?" incredulously interrupted Number Five, affecting to feel faint. " His soul's sake, and Mehitabel's soul's sake, his daughter's got to marry ft parson who'll comfort his declinin years." • "He never declines nothin' with money in it. Looks like a sort of insurance scheme," muttered Number Six; and disconsolately expectorated at a potato-bug which was laboriously climbing up the verandah post in order to join, in the discussion. " Missed _ again." sighed Number One, gloomily refilling his pipe and casting a despairing glance at the green Laurentians on the other side of the Ottawa River. " None of us don't have 110 luck nowadays. Who's this yer jay prancin' round 011 a mule ' sif ho was the Angel Gabriel? 'Spect he's arter Mehitabel, too. I'd like to chuck him in the river."

"This yer jay" was a handsome, dark-liaired young parson of about twenty-five or twenty-six, with clearcut features and smooth-shaven face. His well-knit figure and joyous smile, the easy grace with which he sat the razor-back mule, filled the hearts of Mehitabel's other admirers with diemay.

" A merciful man," said the newcomer pleasantly, as ho nodded to the six rejected ones; " is merciful to his beast, but, gentlemen, don't you think that a merciful beast should also bo merciful to his rider. I am positively excoriated by " To his astonish men t, the six rose as one man. "If you think," said Number One, " we're going to stay here and listen to such langwidge, you re blamed well mistook," and, (followed by four of his friends, he entered Labelle's inn. "What on earth is the matter with those boys?" asked _ the astonished young clergyman, with an amused twinkle in his eye. " Did they think 1. was going to preach to them instead of to ' Old Alan ' Smith and his beautiful daughter?" " Gewhilikins! You' re goin' to preach to 'Old Man' Smith?" Jn his astonishment Ninnl>er Six actually got up. "Say, stranger, if your old mule's thirsty I'll git you a bucket of water."

" Thanks." The young clergyman someivhat stiffly dismounted, ana leaned against the verandah until Numbor Six returned with a nail of water. "I'm ashamed of my laziness," he said, as he took the mule's bit from her mouth, " but I've ridden twenty miles to-day on this three-cornered apology for a mnlo to preach ' Old Man ' Smith's funeral sermon, and——" In his amazement Number' Six nearly let the pail drop. With an effort ho retained his hold.. " Sun ain't got to your head?" he asked anxiously.

" I think rot." "I see 'Old Man' Smith sittin.' on his verandah two hours ago. He's bin took mighty sudden, and how yon could ride twenty miles in as many minutes on this yer animal " —he cast a contemptuous glance at the ancient mule—- " gits me."

' "Oh. it's simple enough," said tho young parson- cheerfully. "Mr Smith has written round to the lot'a' clergy that he will allow his daughter to marry the man who preaches the best funeral sermon 011 lum, and he will iudp;© the riermon on its merits. He thinks he isn't going to live long. I have already some idea of what he is like." The young man blushed slightly. "In fact, Miss Mehitabel, the Inst time I met her, was kind enough to give me a few pointers on tho subject."

"She don't know him as well as we do, poor thing," said Number Six. filled with malicious intent as he realised the danger of so formidable a rival. Then a brilliant means of getting rid of tikis handsome young stranger occurred to him. " You sit-tight down while I fetch them boys out of the bar. They'll loyo you like a brother and fill you up with more pointers about ' Old Man' than you can hold. You just sit right down, sonny, till I brings 'em out." - *

An hour later a dejected-looking youiy* man mi&ht havo been seen

"wending his as the novelist puts it. towards the modest mansion of " Old Man " Smith. His eyes were starting from' his head, and every now and again he turned as though to flee into the bush.

"I couldn't have believed it possible," lie said, as h© irresolutely halted in 1 the middle of the road, and caught sight of a fluttering skirt on the verandah. " Poor, poor girl, that she should have so utterly abandoned and depraved a parent 1 He has been married four times, and, though a reputed widower, has three wives living. Is suspected of arson and forgery, and had a narrow escape from being sent to the Kingston Penitentiary for robbing the Hochelaga Bank. Poor, poor girl to have such a father and to be so sweetly unconscious of his misdeeds, his sinful past, his equally sinful future. And I had hoped that ! ( 1 have half a mind to turn back."

Then he reproached himself in unmeasured terms for his moral cowardice. He loved Mehitabel dearly, his one ambition, in life was to win her. And yet, if those kind-hearted young men, whose truthfulness to a perfect stranger lie had no right to doubt, had. not unconsciously revealed "Old Man" Smith's iniquities, ho might have held out flattering hopes of a heavenly future to that hoary sinner—hopes which could never be realised* But, at whatever cost to his own feelings, he would do his duty, even though he lost Mehitabel for ever.

The six malicious conspirators anxiously watched him from afar. When the Rev Arthur Filks hesitated no longer |but, with a determined air, strode ili> to the gate which had bo often creaked beneath their collective and separate weights, they yelled with delight, and did a wild war-<jance the joy of which was only tempered by regret that they could n.ot witness the reception of Mr Filks's sermon by its astonished object. CHAPTER 11. Mehitabel fluttered down from the verandah to meet the young clergyman. Her pretty cheeks were flushed, her eyes shone, her golden locks were bewitchingly twined and tendrilled around bier lovely face. " I was afraid, you were never coming," she said apprehensively. "The Rev John Cass has just finished his sermon, and father isn't at all satisfied with it. It lasted only three-quarters of an hour. Father tjhought it rather forced. He has just told Mr Cass so, and Mr Cass doesn't like it. Ho says he's sorry, he didn't wait the 1 natural course of events,' and then there couldn't have been any argument about it."

The young clergyman held the hand so frankly extended to him, and gazed into Mehitabel's lovely eyes. " I want you to promise me," he said, and there was no trace of nervousness about him now, but he looked as though he would gladly welcome Hons in the path—" 1 want you to prorniso mo that, whatever happens, whatever my duty forces me to say about your father, it will make no difference in our love for one another." " I haven't said "

"No, but you know, dearest, how much I love yon. Only yesterday the Widow Cassidy told me to ' git married and take off that loony look.' Dearest, do I look like a loon?"

Mehitabel laughed, and her laughter was rery sweet to hear. "She didn't mean that kind of loon. You lmvent' been long enough out from the ' Old Country' to understand the old women in this."

" Thank goodness, I have been in it long, enough to understand thb sweetest young one," he said fervently. She checked him with a little frightened gesture. " Hush! If you're not careful they'll hear you. Come along and be introduced to father. It's so clever of you to bo able to preach a sermon on him without ever having seen him. I'm sure it will be much bettor than Mr Cass's. They're quarrelling about it still." i

As the young man followed his hostess up the verandah steps " Old Man" Smith and the Rev John Cass stopped in the middle of a heated argument. "You did orter have paid me the compliment of preachin' from a ■ written sermon 'stead of notes," said " Old Man Smith stubbornly. " How's the paper to reprint it if you don't know what it is .yourself? All the ' Four Corners' Gazette' will say will be. 'Our esteemed fellow-townsman 'Old Man ' Smith passed peacefully away yesterday woe!:, and the Rev John Cass alluded to the diseased's career in an affeetin' manner on Sunday last.' That's no .sort of epithet to have in the local papers. I'd like——" He stopped short. "What d'you want, young man? Have you com© to preach that sermon, too? You couldn't do it wuss'n Parson Cass, and it 'ud be a sight easieij .to do it bcttef. Why, I'd rise in .my grave if I had to listen to it again." Ti. Ie Rev John Cass arose in his I wrath. " Good day, Mehitabel. No, I won't stop, to dinner, .thank you. I couldn't eat 'with a man and ask a blessing on the food. I've used that ! sermon for forty years with alterations, and yet he doesn't like itThink it wouldn't help him any in the next 'world. Young man," he turned to the Rev Arthur Filks, "take my advice and let him prpach his own funeral sermon if he 'wants one. If you're going to preach it, you ought to take the precaution of being sure about tiie corpse. !'vc soltened down tilings all 1 could, but there's no pleasing him. He's the sort of man that if you told him he'd got wings, he'd want you to advance him .money on his spring crop of feathers. His avarice j IS ' — j

Mohitabel beseechingly laid her hand on the angry parson' - sr ami. ' You are speaking of my father, Mr Cass. It would be"useless asking you to stay to dinner?"

"It would, Mcliitabel, it would," retorted the revorend gentleman, as ho gathered up his notes. " I'll save my sermon for someone worthier of it. Better give that young man some dinner before be proa chef! his, or be won t get any either," »tid tho indignant old man picked up bis Bible and strode away, slamming tho gate alter him. There was no doubt about its being a good dinner, and the Kov Arthur Filks, who was very tired after his twenty miles ride, ihd it ainple_ justice. From time to time "Old Man'' Smith eyed him enviously, for his own appot'it® was not worth speaking about. When dinner was over, and they were once- more comfortably established on the verandah " Old Man bmith gazed placidly at tne Laurentiau Mountains opposite, at the river flowing u;ailv to the sea, at the humming birds rifling the honey from the fuchsias in. green, tubs, which stood on each side of the porch. ft was one of those soothing aliernoous when tho air is lull oi tho murmurings of innumerahlo boos, the chirpings of crickets in the long grass, the song of birds. A white-raced cow came up "to the garden gato and stared intentlv at her muster. " This is no day for sermons," hinted the whitefaced cow. The world was so sweet and fragrant that it suddenly dawned upon "Old Man " Smith what n. stupid thing it was to want to leave, it. He turned to the Rev Aithur Filks and found that the young man was asleep. His sermon had fluttered to the floor. "Old Man" picked up the sermon and road it with great interest, especially about the part where lie left a young and lovely daughter to mourn his loss. "There's a good deal more about Mohitnhcl than me part. That's why he's come here," ho murmured, with sudden comprehension. "If he'd SPRAINS AND BRUISES. The right time to treat a sprain or bruise is tho moment you get it, and tho right remedy to use is Chamberlain's Pain Balm. You can say what you will about "this" or "that" being good for sprains, but Chamberlain's Pain Balm beats them all. The quicker you rub it on, and the more you use it, the quicker your sprain vvilf bo cure>tL a

only polish off the other six, I duxino as I'd mind." ' ~

Ho carefully locked up the sermon. When he came out to the verandah again,/the Rev Arthur Filks was wide awake, with an ominous Frown on his face, listening to the Six Rejected Ones. " We'v« come to tell you we played it low down on you/' said repentant Number One*, as spokesman lor the troop. "We told you as 'Old Man' was a Mormon and a forger, and the biggest villain unhung, whereas he ain°t nothin' more or less'n a low-down old crank. Eh? What's that?" The Rev Arthur Filks was solemnly taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves. As he did so, the young clergyman's biceps were a sight to behold.'

"Cover 'em up agin," said Number One hastily. " They make me sick to look at 'em. What's all thisyer fuss about?" "You have played a mean trick on me," said the Kev Arthur, " and not only on. me, but on that high-minded Christian gentleman, my future father-in-law. If yon do not instantly apologise, I'll throw you all out into the road."

"Not much," began Number One. He had no time to add any more, for the Rev Arthur's fist smote him violently on the nose. Then Number Two went over the verandah, Number Three subsided in a fuchsia tub. and Number Five found himself clinging wildly to the cow as Numbers Four and Six made a break for the road. Seeing four clergymen approaching in the distance, the Rev Arthur hastily unrolled his sleeves and put on his coat. "Do you want to hear any more obituary sermons, or are yen satisfied with me as the family preacHr?" he asked " Old Man," as that " high-minded, Christian gentleman" careered round the verandah. "Not another durned sermon," said "Old Man," enthusiastically. "A man as can clear out six loafers like that and delude to mo in such terms is a magnum bonus in himself, so to speak. Son-in-law as is to bo, shale© hands, and then go and drive them black crows to their nests again." The Rev Arthur departed i.hout a word. " Old Man " noti r iin earnest conversation with the four clergymen at the gate. Three of them rexuctantly retraced their stops. The fourth returned with the Rev Arthur, smiling as he came. "What's this onb for?" faltered "Old Man."

"My militant brother lias requested me to perform the.—the interesting ceremony," explained-, the strange clergyman. The Rev Arthur advanced with decision to Meliitabel's window. " Are you there, dearest?" "I'll be down in a moment," called cut Mehitabel. " I'm just changing my dress. Why are you in such a hurry? "We are going to be . married at once, dearest/' said the' Rev Arthur with calm effrontery.

"Oli-h!" Mehitabel's blushing face appeared at the window. When she saw the extra clergyman and realised the meaning of his presence-, she put a red rose in her hair and shyly came down. "Here's your best coat, father," she said. " The one you wanted to be buried iu."

" Old Man " regarded the garment in question with a sliiver, and declined to to put it on. " Fun'rals is sorter lonesome work this weather," he admitted. "If you don't deject to my shirtsleeves. well have a weddin' instead."