ONE EVENING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17352, 17 May 1924, Page 24

ONE EVENING.

(F. W. R.) Jacky Carruthers gazed at his watch, grunted, placed his watch in his pocket and winked at a pretty waitress and then wished he hadn’t. 110 was positive the girl intended to propose to him if he sat there much longer. His fingers nails next claimeil his attention —he thought they were safer. He bad been sitting there for over an hour awaiting somebody. That somebody was a she. depend on that, the latest thing in shes as far as Jacky was concerned.

A female appeared at the top of the 'stairs and gazed around with a bewildered expression. Jacky’s eyes lit np. ‘‘Gee,” he muttered. “Some craft. Admiral’s cutter in review rig drifted from her moorings.” He did his best to catch her eye and at last succeeded. What eyes they were, too! Deepest blue with long, dark, curling lashes. She gazed at him for a few second, then smiled. Jacky collapsed. The dream made her way leisure! v towards him. As she threaded lieir way between the tables, smiling com fidingly the while, Jacky decided he was drunk, gloriously, dreamily sozzled. “I’m spre you must be Mr Carruthers,” cooed the.vision, extending her hand. Jacky sprang to his feet. “Y-yes, that is—l—By Jove yes—-I-b-blieve 1 am he,” he stammered, his face' flush;ng a glorious purpiy mauve. She clasped the hand that he did not know was extended. “Well, aren’t you going to ask me I am ’n’ everything and apologise for your rudeness in holding my hand all this while?” asked the girl smilinM* V ’ 210 imr> ° f misc^icf sparkling Jacky dropped her hand as if it had scorched him, his usual aplomb returning at the friendly raillery in her voice. He grinned good humouredly, drew a chair out for her, and when she was seated sat down down. Then he loaned back in his chair and wed the charmer disapprovingly. he commenced. “When “Mr Carruthers. pray forbear the 1 ,late S t perfectly fctill like a good boy and for heaven’s sake try to look pleasant, and I will endeavour to explain m\ presence to your satisfaction,” burst in the girl. ‘ name--Jean Overton. Occupation nil ! Now please refrain from glancing at that stairway so ofte*n, Ninette w:l! not arrive to interrupt our little tete-a-tete. Don’t look so thunderstruck. I haven’t had her kidnapped or done anything like that. Your expression of solicitude. I will own. is very creditable. It is merely a case of severe headache. Ninette. knowing how much you love her. you having averred so to her. on various occasions I heiieve, was in a predicament. Having solemnly promised to meet you here, and knowing that von would, most rigidly, keep your part of the contract, she was rather worried. To cut a long story short, she could not, come herself, so she sent me.” “Poor old X na,“ « rawled Jacky and immediately forgot all about her / Who would remember anything for long being in the position he was an. Whips of money, his time all his oWn. and an adorable imp for a companion who seemed just as keen as he on murdering a fine evening. “Well, Miss Overton, I am sorry-—” “S’cuse me being rude and interrupting you, but. if we are to he friends, drop all ceremony. I am Jean to my friends, J-Jaeky, and yes, I love Dorothy le Cren. go, shall we? She sings divinely !”

“By Jove, that's fine.” cried Jacky, his face wreathed in smiles. “I can see we are going to enjoy ourselves immensely. Yes, let’s!” He assisted her on with her cloak and restrained himself with an effort from kissing the nape, of her neck. It may have been the people at the surrounding tables that provided the strongest restraint. Together thov descended the stairs to the street. The Square at that hour was crowded. A seedy-looking indiv’dual jostled Jacky, who threw him oi( none too gently “Go d’yer fink yer pushin’ of guv’nor.” shouted the unwashed one. “fink yer a bloomin’ tank, slingin’ yer weight abart.” \., “Pray don’t tank me so effusivelv, old chap. Pleasure’s all yours.” rel turned Jackv with a grin. ( “Commissionaire—a taxi.” j When the car drew up to the kerb I he handed h> companion in and took j his seat beside her. “Frivolity,” he called through tho tube. 1 “Jacky Carruthers.” said Jean | nestling into her corner. “I believe I J have known you for years.” ( “Of course you have.” answered | .Tacky, with a surprised look, “don’t you remember the clay I slung a j boulder at Pinhole’s head when lie in j vited von to share his end’s head? Oh, I but that was onlv in the Stone Age I I remember ’ ’ “Please don’t he an idot. .Tacky. I But there, Ninette told rpe what c y i exneet.” interooln + orl Jean. I “Oh. ,sh~ / ; U - !: d <h o ” oxclaimol i Jacky. “ Yell. Miss Overtop, as the J taxi is drawing up T. heiieve. we, will ! postrmne the debate on mv mental ! capacity—or incapacity, was it?—until j we are in the theatre.” j The taxi drew ur> in its turn at the ; main entrance to the Frivolitv music ■ hall. Jacky alighted, assisted his com nanion to tho pavement, and placed his hand in h : «= nock-t for +he fare. “Gone! Done brown!” h<? -x- - “ 'T I • -1 greasy looking joker cuts i " r 1" T.von’s.” “Whatever is the matter. .Tac-kv?”

cried Jem -with a troubled expression “ Had my pocket picked for my wallet.’’ answered he laconically. 'Now', don't look so suspicious, old chap,” he said, turning to the driver. ‘ I am not trying to welsh you for your fare I have some more here somewhere.” and. feeling around, produced soeni money from the hip-pocket regions. He paid the man and they proceeded into the theatre. * Oh, I am sc sorry you have lost your wallet,” said Jean, clasping his arm. “ Oh, that’s nothing.” answered Jacky scornfully. ‘‘ Forget it. I have ample for our needs for the evening. J and that is all we need worry about.” . They straightway proceeded to fori get it. “ T just love spending an evening i this way. Jacky, don't you ? No dressj ing, no anything just a real al fresco ; evening.” said Jean, j . “ Top hole.” answered Jacky, giving j her hand a gentle squeeze, j “l say,” lie exclaimed, lifting up her j ungloved hand. “What is the meaning of this?” On the third finger of i her left hand reposed a wedding ring, j “ I thought you said jour name was | IVlisn Overton.” j “ Now, T never said anything of the tort,” answered. Jean, her eyes twinkling, with mischief. ! " But you did,” expostulated Jnckv. i “ Alt right, I did then, Mr Bully,” ilaughed, Jean. “It was the truth, anyway That is my mother’s ring, and, as that is the only finger it will ; fit T wear it- there.” The expression of relief on Jacky’s face was amusing. He apologised pro- • fuselv. ) When the star turn was over he suggested supper. Jean agreed, and they proceeded to leave. ‘ 1 1 say. Jean,” said Jacky when they reached the vestibule, what do you say to my ringing up Jackson to bring ! the car around here anti having a ’ moonlight spin after supper?” i * - cried Jean excitedly. “ Let’s go to the Brittany . Jri i Soho, for supper and then a run out j an the Brighton Road.” ** I’m on,” answered Jacky. j In the course of a quarter of an »liour a neat little three-sea ter drew up. “ Ah, here we are.” said Jacky. “Everything all right. Jackson?” “ Yes, sir,” answered the chauffeur, “plenty o’ juice an’ mimin’ like a bird.” “Good. You can take a bus home. Shan’t meed you to-night,” said Jacky with a grin He and his chauffeur were on great terms. Jackson was his j late sergeant-major, when Jacky was fatiguing in France. Jackson touched his cap and disappeared. I “What a glorious night!” purred I Jean, as she snuggled up to Jacky. j Jacky fervently wished there was a j little less traffic about. The Brighton Road/ can be disconcertingly busy at times. The moon was at. its full; not a cloud to be seen. The air was laVlcn with the scent of bluebells—and petrol; Jacky decided the world was over-populated. He glanced at Jean and sent out a feeler with regard to a quieter route No response, so he took the bull by the horns and, after passing a drowsy t little village, turned into a by-road. | snuggled closer, so be decided that he had acted wisely. L He next proceeded to demonstrate ! how easy it is to drive a. modern car -cavvith one hand. That was where he miscalculated Everything was very nice, cosy and comfortable for the next quarter of an hour. It might have continued t«o indefinitely if that bridge hadn’t proved tp be such a poor shock-absorber. | There was a crash, a squeal and—silence. It was a matter of six hours afterwards when Jacky opened one eye slowly, and gazed at a dirty-lookiug ceiling. He tried his best to make the other eye follow suit, but it refused to function. He turned his head and allowed his single orb to gaze around , the room. It was a painful position, but ho was beginning to get curious. The stars were fast fading ; his mind was clearing.

“What in Hades is that?” he exclaimed. as his gaze rested on a lacy something or other lying over the hack of a chair. “ Oh. the poor dear ’as come to,” he heard a voice exclaim. “ Como where?” he fairly yelled, beginning to have horrible visions. M What has happened? Where am I? What is the meaning of those things in my room?” Questions folowed one another thick and fast. The ow ner of the voice came lo his side and rested her hand on his fore head. " Poor boy. * she murmured. T>on’t. maul me woman.” shouted Jacky petulantly. “ Can’t you see I am in a dilemma. Tell me what happened. where I am. and all the rest of it!” “ Well. now. I don’t know ter rights wot l sh’u’d do." said the woman. n motherly looking old soul. ” The doctor. ’e said os ’ow yer wasn’t ter be worried : but as yer’l on’y be worfcin’ yersel-f a fever I reckon I’d better- tell yer.” Jacky lay gazing up at her and trying to collect his scattered y.ifs. “ There was a motor smash,” continued the good lady. The mists were swept away. Questions came tumbling from bis lips, but the woman placed her hand over his mouth and admonished him to silence, threatening not to tell him anything. Jacky lay back and listened, dreading whafc he should hear. *• Well, the ole man and me run out and sec ns 'ow things was pretty bad. T sends ’im fei the doctor, and w’eu "e comes 'e searches yer ter find out oo yer was. ’E couldn’t find nothin’ so ’ee says ter me. 'ec says. ‘ ’Ave yer got a counle o’ rooms yer can put the poor people in w’ile I patches m> ’em us. Mrs Wilson ?’ Well, says I. I've

only got one room that the boys ’ave w’en they’re at 'ome. Will that do i yer ?’ ” Jacky was writhing in suspense dur- 1 ing this long discourse, hut managed j to contain himself. “ - Wei,’ ses the doctor.” continued 1 the woman. “ ‘ seein' as ’ow they’re 1 man an’ wife by the looks of this ’ere letter I found on the young lady, addressed to Mrs Armitage- an’ she’s got a weddjn’ ring on. T reckon it ’nd be alright. So we brings yer in ’ere and the doctor 'ee patches of yer up.” Jacky’s eyes were popping, and he opened and closed his mouth like a fish, i “ And where is the young lady?” he gasped. Ere she is,” pointed the woman proudly. “Com© to an hour ago she did. Beat you. An' now iff ‘are j ter leave yer for a w’ile. Knock if yer wants anythin’. The doctor ’e’ll be back soon.” and forthwith she flounyed out of the room. Jacky slowly and painfulv turned on his side. There, in it bed on the other side of the room, lay Jean. She was watching him through half-veiled eyes. Her beautiful hair was hunched around her face in an attempt to hide a large patch of plaster that parrived v-e red her temple. Her lips gradually party in a smile, and then she burst into a rippling laugh. Jackv gazed at her. thunderstruck, that she could laugh in such a situation ! “ Can’t see anything funny to laugh at,” he expostulated/ Inwardly he wondered when he had seen anything so beautiful before. “ Personally. I think we are in a deuce of a pickle.” “ Rather.” she answered, still smiling. “ lou ore the onion while I provide the Chili bean.” *“ Huge joke! Ida. ha!” grunted Jacky. turning the situation over in his mind. “ Oil. don’t be a surly little piggy,” said Jean, making an incongruous moue on account of the sticking plaster. •‘lt was not my fault jfcm had your pocket picked, or that Auntie Molly Arimtage gave me one of. her lettei's to read, which I failed to return.” “No, I suppose not.” answered Jacky. “But. I say. Jean, this is a fearful situation. I can’t fathom your on the matter at all.” Oh, T have fathomed my own feelsa.lc* Jean, glancing up at the ceiling disdainfully. “ The lady informs me that the doctor says that neither of us will be able to get up for a week.”—Tacky’s hair stood on e **d “ so I shall get mv bed removed to another part or the house.” ' I say, Jean,” said Jackie, suddenly realising that she was really adorable. “ Can’t ive-’er, can’t we—’er-” “ No.” broke in the girl with an impish • glance • \Ye have, erred enough, thank you! I know- just what were going to say, but I would not marry you just because of the compromising situation we have found ourselves in.” “tsut, Jean,” spluttered Jacky. “I yl don’t you understand? I do really. I w-want vou for mv wife I” “ Oh. you do, do you?" answered the girl musingly. “ Now. look here, -Jacky Carruthers,” she burst out impetuously. • I believe I like you a little bit too: not much, mind you. but enough to marry you. perhaps, on one condition/’ “ And what is the condition?’’ cried Tacky, his face aglow. He was willing to concede anything just then. “That you marry me right here and now at the earliest .possible moment,” answered Jean. Granted.” said he, then slyly. “ of course you have fathomed the situation and it carries no weight.” 4 It. w'as Jean’s turn to blush, and lock comused. “ I like you a whole lot anyhow, in spite ot it,” she muttered into her pillow. Jacky knocked for the good lady of the house, and when she arrived. &1I smiles, he explained the situation to her. adding the white lie that they w ere on- their way to get married when the accident occurred. At first she looked shocked ; but when her palm w'as adequately filled. decided that everything was quite all right. A few hours later they were declared man and wife under the most peculiar circumstances the Very Rev Mr Buckwash has officiated at" Mrs "Wilson and her “ ‘ole man ” were the only witnesses. Jacky, like a man. left all the explaining to friends and relations to Jean. He declared she had more tact Perhaps she had. We wonder