“ALMA.”

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2014, 7 January 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

“ALMA.”

novelist.

An Original Australian Story, ET HAROLD STEPHEN. £><}., M.P. OF SEW SOUTH WALES. (All Riyhtt Reserved.) CHAPTER V.—(C-'STiXt E V The inn which harboured our friends was an ancient building of some six or seven stories in height, the upper two of which had not been used within the memory of man. Our Australian friend, with a truly national love of sport, took in the situation at a glance ; so he provided himself with a stone jar of beer—such beer, 0 reader, as would make a pood Templar break the pledge—and took up his stand at a window in the topmost story. Ah 1 Then the hours sped rapidly 1 No more e<n,ui— no more fidgets—bat •• high oM sport. l as Harry termed it. Practice had made him extremely dexterous with the weapon, and soon he began to create quite a commotion in the place. Respectable dames, mothers of families, as they passed in front of t'ae inn, which occupied one whole side of the market square, were saluted by showers of peas, which rattled about their hands and face's like small shot. Elderly gentlemen of standing in the community met with a similar fate; and even the person of the Herr Pastor was not held sacred, for, as he passed, smiling benignantlv in reply to the salufatations which greeted him at every step, his reverend nose received such a “ wipe ” that, for a moment, he thought the end of the world had come, and that the battle of Armageddon was about to commence. It was mysterious— it was awful! Nobody knew who the culprit was, or where he could be concealed. The shots took effect, and the bullets were seen rolling on the ground, but from whence they were aimed, it was not easy to conjecture. Of course, the boys were suspected, and there was a general muster of the whole of the juvenile population ; but not one urchin was missing, and still the game went on. Mine host of the Golden Eagle, being interrogated, deposed that the only strangers in the place were the Englishmen, the elder of whom was, as might be seen from the street, writing letters in the Gast-stube, whilst the younger, as all the world knew, was up at the mill after the young Fraulein. (Harry had carefully covered his trail by alleging that he was off to the milld One individual in Grabenthal knew the truth, but he had been bribed to silence, Harry agreeing to pay J-mbl*' price for the peashooter andj>cns, upon the condition that the shopkeeper from whom he purchased them held his peace. The woithy man felt awfully guilty, especially when he heard of the sacrilegious assault upon the Herr Pastor, but he had pledged his word, and with Teuton honesty land obstinacy; would not break it. So the excitement in Grabenthal increased, and the mystery had become almost unendurable, when a post chaise rattled up to l’n<’ door of the inn. ami a young man jumped out. Hardly had he set his foot on the step, when he? ton, nut his fate in the sliajs ot a pea. which -truck him on the cheek. Kai-ing his head suddenly, he perceived our hero. who. in order to accomplish this last feat, had b-vn coiuja'iled to iean rather far out of the window, and bad. not i»ei n aide to draw- hack in time.

i’he newcomer at once turned to the ho-t, and angrily demanded who occupied the tni floor.

"No one, respected sir," respond'd the ho--t. “ But why do you a-k ? " Because site'insolent scoundrel has been

ooting peas at me,” was the reply. Eh ? Here was a solution to the mystery at last The H« rr Pastor, pacing at (hat moment, was summoned, and the stranger was soon made acquainted with the whole allair.

" I*o you not mnemhor tno, sir?" he asked of the pastor. "Surely you have not forgotten your old pupil. Dart Tredegar?" It is needless to depict the suiprise and delight with which this announcement w:i c received, not only by the pa-tor. but by the bystanders, nearly all of whom had know n the in former years; neither will we weary the trader bv recapitulating the bun ied questions and answer* wideh followed ; suffice it to say, that Dart Tredegar received almost as rapturous a reception as if he had been a prodigal son, returning to the paternal home after a lengthened cruise in Bohemia. He was * tall, well-built, handsome young man. bearing a strong lik'-ness jo his sister; but evidencing, in ex try gesture and trick of speech, the possession of a lb rv, inqietuous nature.

So there is no need for snrpri-c at hearing that he lost no time in setting out in search of hi* whilom assailant; andi indeed, In- so far outstripped lii- companions as to arrive at the top storey, before the foremost of them had set foot on the landing below. ,n another tninutc.be stood in the presenee of Hatty I-as. idle*. That audaeious voting man liad board the approach of Ids pursuers, but. finding escape was impossible, hail determined to brave the matter oat; and so, at

the moment when the door opened, he was discovered, sitting in a chair, which he had lugged up from below, and leisurely smoking, whilst the deadly pea-shooter lay across his knees. Now Dart was out of breath, having run up five flights of stairs at top speed, and therefore was at a disadvantage, in not being able to begin the attack. This Harry saw, and availed himself of the opportunity. In execrable German, and with that admirable nonchalance, for which he was so celebrated amongst his acquaintances, he demanded whom he had the honor of addressing.

“ So, sir, you are English,” said Dart, in reply—“ I regret to find a countryman in such a position.” The room by this time was filled by the rest of the pursuing party, who, seeing the state of affairs, wisely determined not to interfere.

Harry glanced around, nodAd to one or two whose acquaintance he had made, and then replied “ You object to my remaining seated ? Well, perhaps it is scarcely polite, but you sec there is only one chair, and that would not go far amongst so many. And, i( I were to offer it to anyone in particular, the rest of the company might feel offended.” “ Y'our wit is misplaced sir,” retorted Dart; “ 1 come here to demand an apology for the gross insult you put upon me by means of that instrument lying on your knees.” “It was a good shot, wasn’t it ?” asked Harry, with such a droll look upward at his interlocutor, that Dart could scarcely' maintain his gravity. “Of course, you know, I never intended to insult you or anybody. But it was *uch fun I The whole blessed morning I was boring myself to death, until the brilliant idea occurred to me, of the results of which you have been a victim. Y T ou would have done it yourself, you know, had you thought of it, under similar circumstances.” Dart mentally admitted that he would, but felt it incumbent upon him not to relax his dignity, so he contented himself by uttering an unblushing falsehood, and saying that he did not know that he should.

“Oh, yes, you would!” replied Harry. “I can see it in your face. You see, I and ray respected parent are strangers here, and, not knowing what to do with myself until it was time to take Miss Tredegar to the ceremony this evening, I concluded ” “Slop, sir."’ said Hart. “Hid I understand you to say that you were to take Miss Tredegar to some ceremony this evening?" “ Just so. Bo you know the young lady ?’’ “ Know her ? She is my sister," was the reply. Harry jumped up. and advanced with outstretched hand. “My dear fellow," he said. “ I’m awfully glad to meet you, and awfully sorry that it should be under such nnfavor able auspices. lam Harry Lascclles.” Bart took the offered hand, but so reluct antly, that Harry divined ho was still ur, known. “ You never heard of me, I suppose," I c said, “ yet your sister promised to write anr tell you all about it. You see, we—the fact i —hang it 1 I wish she had told you ! Tin fact is, wc are engaged to one another.” Hart could scarcely believe his ears, havin' always been accustomed to look upon hi sister as only a child; but he did not knor what to say, and so contented himself by : speech which might mean anything. That i to say he said “ Indeed 1” and looked as fooli-1 as any young man of good breeding an. average intelligence could be expected tr leok, under the circumstances.

Then Harry said “ Yes,’’ and looked foolish too, whilst the bystanders in their turn looked bewildered. Knowing the manners and cus toms of the English, who resort to the brutal pastime of "Boxen "at the slightest opportunity. they had been momentarily expeclinf to witness an encounter between the twi foreigners, and, it must bo confessed, were no' a little disappointed at witnessing the hand shako which seemed to prelude a more pear able issue to the quarrel. However, young men like Dart and Han - aro never long at a loss for words, and som they might have been seen marching arm-in-arm up the road to the mill, Harry having determined to risk a visit, under the peculiar circumstances ot the case.

As for the villagers, a judicious expenditure of money in schoppen of beer -sufficed to restore the delinquent in the estimation of the gentlemen, whilst none of the ladies had been able to spare time to await the denoiiVV'll).

Alma was immensely delighted to meet her brother, whose arrival had been wholly unexpected, and was graciously pleased to forgive Harry under the circumstances. But they must not detain her, she said, as it would take every minute of her time to prepare for the ceremony. •• What ceremony ?’’ asked Dart. “ I noticed a general air of preparation in the village, and thought something was up. But it is such a time since I was here last, that everybody seemed to have forgotten me, so I did not care to ask any questions.” “A betrothal,” replied Alma; "the hardhearted blacksmith has consented at last, and Gustl is to be betrothed to Hanserl this evening."

“ Gustl ? ” exclaimed Dart. “ Why, I thought she was too young; but you seem to take the disease early, up in the mountains here,” he added, with a mischievous glance at his companions, which brought a fine blush to the cheek of the young lady, and made the young gentleman feel very uncomfortable, besides putting him to inconceivable tortures in the endeavour to restrain himself from hanging out the same crimson flag of distress.

But Alma speedily made a diversion by running away, telling the young men that they might amuse themselves as they pleased, but that, under no circumstances whatever, ,vas she to bo disturbed until tea-time.

Dart ami Harry soon became pood friends, and exchanged confidences, as younp people will, very readily. Harry talked of Alma, until Iht brotlur declined to hoar anythin'; more on that interesting subject, and then he began about Australis, which theme proved much more acceptable. Then Dart, in hi* turn, began rhapsodizing about a young lady at Heidelberg, who, according to his shewing, must have possessed more admirable qualities 'ban v.eic ever before united in the same peson. This naturally led to an enquiry as to how it came that Dart was able to tear himself away from such perfection, merely to pay a visit to his sister. "(rood gracious!" remarked Dart, in reply, That reminds me, of the most extraordinary circumstance —the most wonderful thing that •-..r happened to a follow. You know my uncle?” t

.1 try replied that hr had met that party, d:d not, with all respect to his nephew, .no very much about him. Neither do I." snid Dart: ’■ httf that has nothing to do with it. The question is, from your knowledge of the world, would you set him down as a scoundrel?'’

The young gentleman (whose extensive knowledge of the world of course made him an admirable judged replied cautiously that he could not say —it would not do to trust to appearances—yet certainly— Vet certainly you think he looks like one,” broke in Dart. " Well, what will you say, when I tell you that it appear* he is a very had egg indeed? I have had a most extraordinary letter about him. from a Sir Charles North, who was a great friend of my grandfather's. But here—read for yourself,' 1 he added. handing the letter to Harry.

This epistle need not Ij given in externa, for the reader is already acquainted with the main facts contained in it. It told of the death of old Mr. Tredegar, and the occurrences at the reading of the will, and, further, included a copy of the letter from Mr. Tredegar to Sir Chailes North, which created such a sensation on that occasion.' Sir Charles concluded by

offering to adopt Dart and Alma, and inviting them to at once abandon thoir uncle, and join him in London.

■‘ Now,” said Dart, when Harry had finished reading, “ yon know all the affair. What do you think 1 ought to do T’ “ Accept the offer," replied Harry, promptly.

" “ But doesn’t it seem rather hard on my uncle, who, after all, has been kind to us in his way 7" " Maybe it does—but, look here, old fellow, why not tell him all about it, and demand an explanation ? Then, if he hesitates, you will know that the accusation is true, and noone could blame you for leaving him.” “Just what I thought ef doing,” replied Dart, “ and that’s why I came here, thinking to find him at home, and he is not here. I shall just post off to London to-morrow, and have the thing out on the spot. My idea is not to make Alma uncomfortable by telling her anything about it until the affair is settled, one way or the other.”

In this, Harry thoroughly concurred, and they spent the rest of the afternoon in concocting plans for the future, in which plans, be sure, Alma, and the aforesaid Heidelberg damsel, occupied no inconsiderable place. The bcthrothal of the fair—very fair— Gustl and Hsnserl Schnitse took place in due course, with all pomp and ceremony, according to the manners and customs of the inhabitants of the valley. Fain would we linger over the details, and describe how the bride looked—what she wore, and the thousand other minutira so dear to the feminine mind; but there is sterner work before us, and we may not linger on our way. Let us then to the ball-room, where all the youth and beauty of the neighbourhood were assembled, not to speak of those unfortunates to whom the first was a thing of the past, and who neve* owned a share of the latter.

The performances commenced with an elaborate country-dance, led off by the bride and bridegroom, and in which everybody took more or less part—except Mr. Lascollos and Harry, whose utter ignorance of the affair compelled their quiescence. As for Dart, he was in the thick of it, having secured, as partner, a bewitching little peasant, who looked as it she had just been assisting at the wedding of Masetlo and Zerlina, and was momentarily expecting the entrance of the wicked Don Giovanni and his reprobate servitor, Leporello. This young person was evidently quite as inclined to coquetry as Zerlina herself, and flirted outrageously after the fashion of her country—that is to say, demurely and sedately, but, perhaps, none the less efficiently. The country-dance lasted for a tremendous time, and Mr. Lascellea enjoyed himself hugely; but, as the minutes wore on, his son began to show signs of irritation and dejection, until, at last, he was reduced to a condition of low despondency, from which ho was only aroused by the cessation of the music.

Country dances were all very well, and, perhaps, not lacking in interest for those engaged in them, but, to the onlooker, they become monotonous after the first hour or two. So Harry thought—but then, Alma was among the dancers, and he had to sit still and look on, whilst another’s arm was round her waist, another’s hand pressed hers, and another’s lips whispered nonsense in her ears. It did not matter to him that the other, on this occasion, was the •blacksmith himself—a burly gentleman of titty, with a wife nearly as big and old as himself: that consideration did not weigh with him for one moment —he merely felt that asother was in the place where he onght to have been, and doing all those things which he would have liked to have done.

When, at last, the musicians paused, deadbeat, and Alma came up to him almost breathless and palpitating, and looking altogether so distractingly cuddlesome, that one was tempted to think she ought not to have been suffered to go at large—then Master Harry did condescend to smile gloomily, and, in melancholy tones, asked whether she had enjoyed herself. “ Immensely I” was the reply. “ And you ?" “ Oh, I’ve been enjoying myself first-rate," replied Harry, tugging at the one or two hairs which he fondly cherished as a moustache. “ Yes; I enjoyed myself—certainly, I enjoyed myself; one can do that at a funeral, you know."

“At a funeral I What do you mean ?” asked Alma. “ And you speak as if the statue of the Commendatore stood in the doorway.” “ And, by Jupiter, so he does!” exclaimed Harry, starting up. “Look!” Alma did look, and beheld, standing stiff and stern, in the entrance to the ball-room, the figure of her uncle, the Professor! She gave a little cry, and, as in duty bound, ran to meet him, followed by Dart, who had come up in time to hear the last speech. “My dear uncle! ” she exclaimed. “ Spare your transports,” was the reply, delivered in icy tones. “ What means this fooling? And what are you doing here, sir? ” he added, addressing his nephew. * It is Gustl’s betrothal, uncle,” and “ I came here to see you, sir,” were the answers simultaneously delivered by the young people. “Gustl’s betrothal! Since when has it been the fashion for English ladies to attend the. merry-makings of their servants?" asked the Professor. “ Come home with me at once—as for you, sir, doubtless this place is too congenial to a gentleman of your tastes for you to be able to tear yourself away. I will see you in the morning.” So saying, the Professor drew his niece out into the passage, leaving Dart standing in the doorway, and striving hard to keep down the bitter answer which rose so readily to his lips. Poor little Alma cried silently whilst she drew on her hood and cloak, but ventured nc remonstrance, having been taught to yield unquestioning obedience to the mandates of hci uncle.

little the accusation affected her. When she had finished, she handed the letter back, but said nothing. “ What do you think of that ?’ asked her uncle. “I think—l don’t know what to think! Oh, uncle, this horrible talc cannot be true?” •’ True ? It is a lie from beginning to end! This man—this Sir Charles North—has forged a deed, malting over to him the whole ef my father’s property. lam about to take legal proceedings against him, and this offer to adopt you two is but an attempt to secure the public sympathy. You have heard—decide for yourselves.” ... 11 Oh, uncle 1" exclaimed Alma. “As if I should dream of leaving you to go to a stranger!” , “ I expected no other answer. I thank you, child,” said the Professor, drawing her towards him, and kissing her on the brow. “ And you, Dart—what have you to say ?” “ Sir ” said he, after a moment’s hesitation, “ I hope you will not be offended when I say that I should like to know a little more about this matter.” “ Offended! Have I thenght to feel offended? lam not your father, sir. It is true that for some twelve years I have stood in that relation to you ; but that, of course, gives me no claim upon you.” “ Oh, Dart 1” exclaimed Alma, whose generous nature had been touched by the unwonted display of affection towards herself—- “ Surely you cannot forget how much we owe our uncle —how good he has been to us I “I forget nothing, Alma,” replied Dart. <• But I say that when such an offer is made to a man who has nothing but his own exertions to depend upon, he should not reject it lightly.” “ But this Sir Charles North has forged a deed I He must be a bad man.” Excuse me, Alma,” said Dart; “ there may be some mistake about that.” “ Some mistake, sit 1 What do you mean ? ” exclaimed the Professor. “Do you insinuate that I liavo told you a lie ?” “ I insinuate nothing, uncle. Again, I say I think it would be wrong of me to refuse Sir Charles North’s offer, until I have heard more: and, as I intend to hear more, I shall go to London to find out the truth.” _ 11 Leave this house with that intention, and yon leave it for ever!” exclaimed the Professor, rising from his seat. “ I warn you that I will never forgive the insult implied by your going to London. Yon have heard my decisionnothing will make me alter it. I leave you now' to settle with your sister whether she and you are to be strangers in future or not.” So saying, the Professor went off to his study, fearing, perhaps, that if he remained, he might lose his temper and betray himself; besides, ho knew that he had left behind a trusty champion, whose pleadings could not but be more effectual than any threats to a young man of Dart’s temperament. When they were alone, Alma amply justified her uncle’s confidence, and battled vigorously in his behalf; but all to no purpose, for Dart was resolute.

“ Sister," he said, “ you are but a child, and know nothing of the world. This man—this uncle of ours—has been good to us after a fashion, but he has never been kind or loving. We know nothing of him, or of his past career —we do not even know his present life. To us, as to the world, he is a man of mystery. Now I have heard that mystery means crime, and nothing that I have seen of our worthy uncle would tend to give me any great faith in his virtue. Sir Charles North makes charges, which he says, he can substantiate. It would be simple folly to refuse to hear him. As for our uncle’s threat about separating us, be sure we shall find opportunity to meet. Besides, if all that Sir Charles says is true, you cannot remain here; whilst, on the other hand, if Sir Charles fails in his proof, 1 will so vindicate my uncle’s honor that he will forgive my contumacy on this occasion. So good-bye, little sister," he added, kissing her fondly—“ I shall set out at once. Be sure all will go right, and keep a light heart till my return.” Alma felt really annoyed with herself at her failure; because she attributed it to lack of earnestness, thinking that she cared so little for her uncle as not to trouble about the matter ; but she had not much time for reflection, for, looking after her brother, she saw that he was met by a gentleman, who, after a few words and a hearty hand-shake, passed out of sight on his way to the entrance to the Mill. As this gentleman was a certain young Australian who has figured somewhat extensively in these pages, the reader will divine that Miss Alma had no time to waste upon thought, except concerning the state of her hair, do. Harry and she had a charming tetc-h-tctc, which lasted until they were interrupted by the Professor, who looked anything but pleased as he saw that Dart had departed, and that his place was occupied by the very-fami-liar young man, whose advances he fondly imagined he had effectually checked before ho left for England. When her uncle entered, Alma rose hastily and left the room, murmuring something about household duties, which was not understood by either of her hearers. (To be continued.')

The episode passed unheeded by the con ■ pany, the conversation having been conducted in English, and everybody thinking U quite natural that Alma, like a dutiful niece, should go home with her uncle after his return from so long, dangerous, and fatiguing a journey, as that to England was regarded by the simple villagers. Harry was, of course, disconsolate ; and, when informed by Dart of what had been said, he did not hesitate to express his opinion of Mr. Professor Tredegar in such terms as would, had they reached the ears of that gentleman, have secured him the reverse of a warm reception on his next visit to the mill. The young men, after chafing and fuming for a while, and drinking rather more beer than was, perhaps, advisable, at last succeeded in talking themselves into better humour, and so managed to have a good time after all; but little Alma, alone in her bedroom, sate at the window, gazing down at the lights in the village, and cried after the most unheroic and childish fashion. As for the Professor, he ate a hearty supper, smoked a couple of cigars, and then went to bed, and slept the sleep of the righteous, and of the hard-nearted.

CHAPTER VI. THE PROFESSOR AT HOME. “ So, sir, you have the audacity to doubt my word ?" exclaimed the Professor. ” Pardon me, uncle,” replied Dart; "I do not doubt your word—l merely observe that an offer like this should not be lightly declined.” They were seated in the balcony at the Mill the morning after the betrothal, and Dart had just shown his uncle Sir Charles North’s letter, and asked his advice thereon. “Come here, Alma,” called the Professor, through the open window. “ Read that”— and he handed her the letter. Alma read, and was grieved to find how