The Peacemaker.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17223, 14 December 1923, Page 19 (Supplement)

The Peacemaker.

(Written for the Christmas “ Star,” by

Miss ELAINE PEAGRAM.

82 Somerfield Street).

“ Vo! Montv, it’s no use T don't want to marry anyone just at present. I think a lot of you—we've been aw , fully good pals—won’t you let it stay at that?’’ I paused, and smiled across [ the table at my companion. We had | been for a ramble over the hills, and were having afternoon tea. Monty i Blake and I had been friends for three | years, and he had asked me to marry } him. '* But, dash it all. Babs,” he said, j •* you can't say you don’t care for me. Why! I’ve noticed it in lots of ways.” | ** Platonic friendship, dear boy.’’ I murmured, with a smile "Platonic fiddlesticks!” he returned. Irritably. “ Here you have been dangling me on for three years, and the outcome is—nothing \ ou are nothing but a frivolous flirt Monty was becoming quite exasperated at my flippancy. " Perhaps I am.” 1 answered acidly, •* but I am not going to be bullied into marrying anyone 1 don't wish to marry. Anyway, don't let us quarrel. You will come and see me off to-morrow, won’t you. Monty?” “ I don't know what you want to go careering over the country for,” he said. “ I love travelling, and I am determined to go to Sydney for a holiday, so that ends the matter. Have you finished tea? Let us go. 1 have promised to go with Billy Moore to a dance to-night.” “What! with that bounder?’* exclaimed Monty. “He isn’t fit company for you. Babs.” “ I think I’m quite old enough to choose my own friends, thank you,” I returned frigidly. ** Good-bye!” Montv raised his hat and marched off. “ Well, I can't help it if he loses his temper.” I mused. “ I guess he will soon recover; only I suppose I’ve hurt his pride. He just thought I’d flop into his arms straight away. Men are so conceited; they really need a lesson.” Billy arrived to escort me to the dance at eight o'clock. “ I have a surprise lor you. Babs,” he said. “ I am sailing for Sydney to-morrow by the Manuka. Will you object to my company on the boat? You see, I’ve got relations there, and I thought I would spend my holidays with them.” “ No. Billy, I shall be very glad, ’ I returned, smiling up at him. “ It's rather lonesome travelling alone, isn’t it?” We spent a happy time at the dance, and when we parted at the gate Billy said, “ I shall call round for you to-morrow. Babs. We may as well go down to the steamer together.'* “AH right, Billy. Goodnight!’* I responded, cheerfully. The next day he arrived for me in good time. I hurried upstairs to say good-bye to the landlady. ** Now, take great rare of yourself, ** she said. ** Sydney’s an awful place, I’ve heard tell.” “ All right. Mrs Simmons,” I laughed. “11l not go to the devil, I promise you.”

“ Hurry, Babs' It's time, we were going,” called Billy, from the dining- “ Coming! " 1 answered, running hastily downstairs. When we reached the.wharf I began I Lo look around for Monty, hut I failed | to locate his tall figure amongst the r-rowd. I felt disappointed. “Oh, cheer up, old dear! lie isn't worth worrving about,” sympathised Billv. " Well. I’ll pay him out He shan't j get any letters from me,” I thought to ■ myself’ " Tlis love isn't worth much j when he wouldn't even bother to say good-bye. However, 1 shan't break my heart or pine a wav.” We had now left Lyttelton, and were sailing smoothly down the harbour towards the Heads, A fresh sea breeze sprang up. " 1 think I’ll go down and view mv cabin, Billy. See you later in the saloon.” and with a parting nod I made my way downstairs. The steward lead the way to my cabin, and as l stepped inside I could see my cabin mate busily engaged unpacking her luggage. She turned to greet me with a smile, and I noticed what a pretty girl she waseves like brown velvet, a peaches and cream complexion, and dimples in her cheeks. “ A real good sort,” I mentally concluded. I returned her smile. “ So we are to be ship-mates,” 1 cried. "Are vou travelling alone?” " Yes.” she said. "My name. is Ruth Grey. 3 am returning home to Sydnev. I’ve been visiting relations in New Zealand.” "Reallv! lam visiting friends in Sydney, too.” We drifted from one topic to another. and were quite surprised to hear the gong booming out for dinner. As we ascended the stairs to the dining saloon, I said, " I must introduce my friend, who is likewise visiting Sydney.” " I shall be very pleased.” murmured Miss Grey. I espied Billy waiting patiently at the door for me. and when we reached his side 1 said, “ Billy, let me introduce you to Miss Grey. We are sharing the same cabin, you know.” Their eyes met. and the smile on their faces gave place to a haughty " llow do you do ?” “So you’ve met before,” I said to myself. “ 1 wonder where, and under what circumstances, for you are certainly not friends at the present time.” M e had no time to continue the conversation, as Miss Grey moved away to the other table, while Billy silently took the seat next me. He seemed verypreoccupied all through the meal, and my attempts at conversation only received monosyllabic answers. The other two passengers at our table were boneymooners, quite blind to every one but themselves. After dinner " was over, we strolled up on deck. Billy lit a cigarette and smoked in silence for some minutes. “ What’s the matter? You seem awfully down in the dumps all at once, j Not feeling sea sick. I hope." I guessed he was thinking of the girl, and I l wanted to draw him out if possible.

I’m all right, he answered curtly. t “ only I wish to heaven I was anywhere but here.” “ Not very complimentary to me, arc you ? Why this change of opinion ? Billv, you’ve met Miss Grey before, now. haven’t you? And you are no l very good friends, judging by the way you looked at her.” “ Yes, Babs, you are. right. I mav as well tell you 1 was engaged to Ruth I Grey two years ago, but her parents | didn’t think I was a suitable match for her She loved me so much that she finally agreed with them, and that ended it,” he concluded cynically. “I’ve never seen her since until today. so you can't wonder at my being bowled over." “Do you still love her. Bill?” I ! asked. j “ I’m afraid I do,” he answered, “ but | don’t let us discuss her." This bit of news surprised me very much, and as neither of us felt very talkative, I bade Billy an early good- : night, and retired to my cabin. As I drew near the door I could hear the | sound of smothered sobs, and on entering the cabin, found Ruth in tears, | “If it's on account of Billy si c is rrv- ! ing it will do her good, the heartless little wretch,” 1 thought to myself. " Perhaps she might, tell me her side of the story later on.” " l hope you arc not feeling ill,” I said aloud, “ I am afraid it's getting rather a rough sea on." “ l have a headache, that is all, thanks. 1 shall be all right if I can sleep." She seemed disinclined to talk, so I disrobed in silence, busy with my own thoughts. I could not help feeling rather sorry for the girl, but after all, Billy was my friend, and it was her own fault if she had lost him. When J awoke next morning the sun was peeping through the porthole, giving promise of a beautiful day. 1 glanced across at my companion and saw she was sleeping, so slipping out of my brink I dressed hurriedly and went up on deck. I had not been there long when I caught sight of Billy wending his way towards me. " Good morning," 1 said, brightly, “ hope you slept well, Billy. You are looking a trifle seedy, though." " You're right, Babs, 1 am feeling J beastly this morning. I’ll confess I j hardly slept a wink last night.” ; | "VI orrying over Miss Ruth, I’ll guarI 1 antee.” said Ito myself. “I wonder - j if I can patch these broken hearts. It certainly isn’t cheerful for me being ■ 1 boxed up all day with disappointed ■ j lovers. I'll try my hand at peace--1 ! making." , j All day Ruth kept religiously out of ■ ! our way, and Billy was about as cheer- | ful a companion as an Egyptian mummy, so I decided to bring matters r Ito a head. After dinner Billy and I j strolled up on deck. There was a » 1 beautiful moon and calm sea. Every- ' j thing seemed favourable lor the love- - j lorn. We found a quiet spot to sit. j “ Stay here. Billy, I'll just run down and get a cloak." T said. On reaching i my cabin I found Ruth indulging in : another little weep. “ Won't you tell -me what is the matter?” 1 asked, 1 kindly. Gradually T drew the whole story i from her. Her engagement to Billy, i the parents’ disapproval, and the subse--3 quent quarrel. > “ Why, you silly girl, fancy throwing t over a decent fellow like Bill! They ? are rare enough these days, I can tell you. Besides, he just worships you.” “ Then you are not engaged to him yourself,” said Ruth, looking up with a i relieved expression on her face. I “ Certainly not,” I answered crisply. “ Bill and I are only pals. You see,

I'm in love with someone myself, and I want vou to be a sensible girl and tell Billy you are sorry.” " Oh, but he will never take me back again.” Ruth protested. “ Won’t he!” I said grimly. "If you treat him rightly lie will he glad to. It is only pride which is keeping you apart now. Come up on deck now, and do trv to remove that glum look off Billy Boy’s face, if you really love him.” Tucking my arm through Ruth's. 1 marched her upstairs and gently pushed her into the chair beside Billy. “ Now, you two geese, be miserable or happv together. I've got letters to write.” So saying, I vanished out of sight, leaving them to mend each other’s broken heart. I wandered over to the other side of the steamer, feeling strangely lonesome. I stood for some time, leaning over the rail, and watching the moonlit waves. Suddenly a voice at my elbow said, " Penny for your thoughts. Babs.” With a start I turned and found myself gazing with amazement into Monty Blake’s face. “Monty, you here!” I gasped. “ Well, it looks like it,” he answered with a smile. “ The Boss sent me on business to Sydney. I meant to tell you before you sailed, but when I saw vou travelling with Billy Moore, well, I’ll confess I was jealous, and decided to watch you instead. I’m beastly sorry, Babs dear, but you see I love you so much, and I thought you cared more for him than for me.” “ Silly old thing, I’m too glad to see you, to be as really cross as I ought to be.” I said in mock severity. " But you need have no jealous doubts about Billv and me. He is probably getting engaged this very minute,” and I recounted the story of Bill and Ruth’s engagement.

“ Dearest, I’ve got a month’s leave after business transactions are through in Sydney. How about a quiet wed

ding, and say a honeymoon in the Blue Mountains ? ” “ Well, I’ll see how you behave,” I said, smiling happily. Later Bill and Ruth came in search of me, both looking as if thei’’ were treading on air. I presented my fiance, and we all chatted happily. After we had bade Bill and Monty goodnight, Ruth said. “ You are a dear girl, Babs. I hope you will be as happy as you have helped me to be.” “ Well, I'm glad I was successful as the peacemaker,” I said, demurely.